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Best Barcelona Accessible Cruise Vacations

By John Sage

barcelona-accessible-cruise-vacationBarcelona is one of my favorite cities in Europe, and I have handpicked 3 of the best accessible Barcelona cruise vacations to share with you here.

Barcelona accessible cruise vacations visit several popular southern European cities such a Rome, Athens, and Istanbul as well as other lesser-known hidden gems of the Mediterranean like Toulon, Mykonos, and Kusadasi.

With its accessible beaches, outstanding accessible attractions, and friendly local culture, Barcelona is an excellent city to cruise from! Let us take the worry out of your traveling experience by planning your accessible Barcelona cruise vacation today!

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#32 – Barcelona + 12 Night Grand Mediterranean Cruise

barcelona-accessible-cruise-vacation-1“Grand Mediterranean” cruises are the easiest way to get a taste of all of south Europe.  Consequently, these are some of the most popular cruise itineraries. The 12-Night Princess Grand Mediterranean Cruise and the 12-Night Celebrity Grand Mediterranean Cruise have nearly identical itineraries.  Both start in Barcelona and finish in Venice giving you extra time to visit these two world-class cities.

Princess’ Grand Mediterranean cruise itinerary is shown below.  Celebrity’s cruise itinerary offers slightly different ports.

  • Barcelona – A couple of days spent in Barcelona before your cruise will allow you to overcome any exhaustion from traveling and visit the many spectacular Barcelona sights!  A must-see attraction is the Sagrada Familia church, which towers over the Barcelona skyline…over 100 years of construction and it’s still going on!  Underground accessible Roman ruins, the modernist architecture at Parc Guell, and the beautiful Barcelona Cathedral can all be on your itinerary. Just be sure to make time for people watching and shopping on Las Ramblas, as well as tapas tasting in La Boqueria food market!
  • Toulon – If you didn’t get your share of wheelchair accessible beach time in Barcelona, here’s another chance! Or you can head inland to visit the Roman Amphitheatre at Arles, the Papal Palace and the medieval bridge in Avignon, and the capital of Aix-en-Provence…a favorite destination of Paul Cezanne and Ernest Hemingway!
  • Livorno (Florence/Pisa) – With only a single day to see Tuscany, you’ve got a lot to see!  You can spend most of your day in Florence with a brief photo stop at the Field of Miracles to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  Alternatively, you can visit small towns in Tuscany like the medieval towered town of San Gimignano, the medieval walled town of Lucca, the famous square in Siena, or an authentic Chianti winery!
  • Civitavecchia (Rome) – First-time visitors to Rome can squeeze in many of the highlights if they hire a driver for the day.  You can visit all 3 parts of Rome: Ancient Rome (including the Colosseum and Roman Forum), the Vatican (including the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms, and St. Peter’s Basilica), and Renaissance Rome (including the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and the Spanish Steps).  Repeat visitors can explore some of the less visited sites like the Baroque sculptures at the Borghese Gallery, the Roman ruins at Trajan’s Market, the emperor’s palaces on Palatine Hill, the St. Peter in Chains church, or the ancient ruins of the Roman port of Ostia Antica.
  • Naples – Naples is one of my favorite destinations because you can come over and over again.  Pompeii is the big attraction here, but the Roman ruins at Herculaneum has better accessibility.  You can view the best preserved Roman artifacts in the world at the National Archaeological Museum or take a scenic drive along the Amalfi Coast.  Take a boat tour around the Island of Capri or take a guided tour to the smoking crater rim of Mt. Vesuvius!
  • Mykonos – A charming fishing village, 4 windmills, “little Venice”, and accessible beaches will give you some welcome time to relax on your cruise.
  • Istanbul – While the rest of Europe went through the “dark ages”, Istanbul (then known as Constantinople) continued to flourish.  The Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are the best-known attractions here, but you’re likely to spend more time visiting the Topkapi Palace complex…formerly home to the sultans and their harem.  The underground Basilica Cistern and the lively Grand Bazaar are other worthwhile destinations while you’re in port.
  • Kusadasi – Kusadasi is one of the gateways to Ephesus, home of one of the largest churches in early Christianity and the audience for Paul’s “letter to the Ephesians”.  While you’re here, be sure to visit the House of the Virgin Mary…believed to be where she spent the last years of her life.
  • Athens – Most visitors spent their time visiting the Parthenon on top of the Acropolis with a quick stop in the New Acropolis Museum. There’s actually so much more to see here!  While in port, don’t miss the chance to visit the ruins at the ancient Roman Agora and the Temple of Zeus, the ancient artifacts preserved at the National Archaeological Museum, and the authentic Greek cuisine in the lively Athenian neighborhood of Plaka.
  • Venice (2 Days) – Your accessible Barcelona cruise vacation finishes in Venice, one of the most unique cities in the world!  Originally settled on the water to defend against the Barbarian invaders, Venice is now home to numerous canals and bridges, the impressive Doge’s Palace, glassblowing, and romantic boat rides. Be sure to avoid tourist traps while you’re here and eat at off-the-beaten-path restaurants where the locals eat!

 

#33 – Barcelona + 7 Night Western Mediterranean Cruise

barcelona-accessible-cruise-vacationThree ports in Italy, two ports in France, and a stay in Barcelona make Royal Caribbean’s 7-Night Western Mediterranean Cruise a great option for people looking for a quick getaway. The Liberty of the Seas cruise ship departs every Saturday from Barcelona from May 18 to October 19.

This Barcelona accessible cruise vacation visits many of the same ports as the 12-Night cruise mentioned above: Marseilles (near Toulon), Nice, Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Civitavecchia (Rome), and Naples (Pompeii).  The one port on this itinerary that is not described above is Nice, France (rhymes with geese).  In Nice, you can visit the pedestrian city center, the “Promenade des Anglais” beachfront walkway, the Chagall Museum, or the Matisse Museum.  Visitors who want to see more of the region can book a driving tour along the scenic French Riviera coastal roads which also include a visit to Monte Carlo, Monaco.

This cruise can also be boarded in Rome instead of Barcelona (see Accessible Vacation #36).

 

#34 – Barcelona + 7 Night Disney Western Mediterranean Cruise

barcelona-accessible-cruise-vacation-2

The loyalty of Disney fans is legendary, so why not choose an accessible Barcelona cruise vacation with Mickey Mouse onboard?

Kids of all ages will get to spend time with Disney characters throughout your vacation.  This cruise starts and finishes in Barcelona.  Along the way, it visits Villefranche (Nice & Monte Carlo), Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Civitavecchia (Rome), and Naples (Pompeii, Capri Island, and the Amalfi Coast).

 

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Learn more about the Top 50 Awesome Accessible European Vacations:

1-6: London & Paris
7-11: The Low Countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and more)
12-14: Baltic Cruises
16-22: Italy
23-25: Mediterranean Riviera
26-27: Ancient Civilizations
28-31: Europe-wide Vacations
32-34: Mediterranean Cruises from Barcelona
35-38: Mediterranean Cruises from Rome and Istanbul
39-43: Mediterranean Cruises from Venice
44-45: 3 to 4 Week Mediterranean Cruises
46-50: Luxury Mediterranean Cruises

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