Is it reasonable to expect to be able to get off the ship and arrive at the Barcelona airport in time for a 10:30am flight to NYC ? The ship actually docks the day before, but, disembarkation is the next day in the morning. From our last experience (carribean) it can sometimes take hours getting off the boat, even if they start at 7am. Is it possible to make arrangements with the cruise line to ensure you are one of the first wave off in the morning ? Also, are cabs readily available, or should one pre-reserve transportation ?

cheers

You need to ask the cruiseline about being the first off the boat. That is up to them. If you are off by 8, though, you will make it to the airport no later than 9, and that is giving you more time than you need to get from port to airport. Cabs are readily availabe there, and the road is not at all long, though it might be a bit congested from morning traffic. You will hit rush hour.

We have been in a similar situation.
We asked cruise line to let us off first so we could catch our flight and they did.

thanks. will they let you off before the official 7am time ? I've also read somewhere you can take your luggage with you instead of leaving it outside the door the night before, and then finding it later ?

Again, these are all good questions for the cruise line.

Be advised that regardless of what they tell you, there can be delays. I was on a ship a couple of years ago where we were let off several hours later than expected due to some glitch with the ship going through customs. Thankfully our flight home was on the next day, but I feel badly for those who weren't so lucky. This situation is rare, but has been known to happen.

yes, I'd feel much better with, say, a 5 or 6 hour window than 2-3 ! but, the fact the ship docks the day before should allow it to clear customs, I would think.

thanks again