msc cruise terminal barcelona

Where Do MSC Cruise Ships Dock In Barcelona?

Msc cruise ship port barcelona.

MSC cruise ships dock in Barcelona at the Moll Adossat Terminals – A, B, C, or D.

There are 9 terminals at the Port of Barcelona – 7 of which cater to cruise ships that can handle 8 ships at any given time.

Barcelona is a departure and arrival port as well as a port of call for MSC’s cruise ships.

The Moll Adossat cruise terminals where most of the bigger cruise ships dock have 5 terminals:

The terminals E, D, C, B, and A are the farthest to the port exit. The cruise bus route covers all of these terminals and it is recommended to take one of the buses as it would be difficult to cover this distance on foot.

In addition to these, there are 2 terminals at the World Trade Center, generally used by smaller cruise ships.

Barcelona is a city famed for its art and culture and there are numerous tourist spots to visit during a trip to this enchanting place. Some of the most visited tourist spots are:

• Gothic Quarter
• El Poble Espanyol
• The Roman and Medieval walls
• The National Museum of Art of Catalonia
• Gràcia and Park Güell
• The Barceloneta
• Boqueria Market
• Parc de la Ciutadella
• Mount Montserrat
• Mirador de Colom
• Palau de la Música Catalana
• Museu de Cera
• Tibidabo and Collserola
• W Barcelona
• Sagrada Família
• Museu del Modernisme de Barcelona
• Girona Ciutat

Boarding and Disembarkation Process:

The boarding and disembarking procedures are made as simple as possible at the modern, effective MSC Cruise Terminal in Barcelona.

After arriving at the terminal, travelers will be led to the proper boarding line after presenting their cruise tickets and passports. Staff members are there to help with any questions or problems that may arise, and the procedure is quick and simple.

Passengers receive a map of the ship and their stateroom key when they board. It’s crucial to become familiar with the ship’s layout, where your stateroom is located, and all of the services and facilities that are offered there.

When it’s time to leave the ship, the procedure is equally quick and easy. In order to disembark from the ship, passengers will be given a disembarkation time and instructed to pack their items before leaving their stateroom. The procedure for leaving the terminal is simple, and staff members are on hand to help with any problems or concerns.

Services and Amenities

Passengers can take advantage of a variety of amenities and facilities at the MSC Cruise Terminal in Barcelona while visiting.

The terminal’s expansive shopping area, which has a variety of boutiques, gift shops, and duty-free shops, is one of its best attractions. Passengers can purchase apparel, souvenirs, and other stuff to take with them when they leave.

The terminal also offers a number of food options in addition to the shopping section. On-site dining options include a number of eateries providing a variety of cuisines. Additionally, there are lots of pubs and cafés where travelers may grab a quick snack or unwind with a drink.

A gym, a spa, and a pool are some of the additional features and services at the station. The spa offers a selection of soothing treatments and massages, and the gym is well-stocked with a variety of cardio and weight-training machines. During the warmer months, you can cool off and unwind at the pool.

Transportation

Passengers can easily navigate the city thanks to the MSC Cruise Terminal’s ideal location in the center of Barcelona. Buses, railroads, and taxis are only a few of the numerous modes of transportation.

Numerous local bus lines connect the station to other areas of the city and provide service to it. The terminal is also conveniently close to the city’s major train station, which provides regular service to locations all throughout the region for visitors seeking to explore farther afield.

If you don’t want to use public transportation, taxis are another convenient option that is easily accessible at the terminal.

Are MSC Cruise Ships Docking In Barcelona?

Yes, MSC cruise ships can dock at Barcelona port which is one of their major port of operation. There are about 2-18 MSC dockings happening in a month, depending on the season.

MSC cruises generally operate at peak between April and October months. Friday, Saturdays, and Tuesdays are when most of the MSC Cruises dock in Barcelona.

Which MSC Cruise Ships Dock In Barcelona Port?

The ships of MSC that dock at Barcelona port are Grandiosa, Magnifica, Virtuosa, Orchestra, Poesia, Eurabia, Armonia, Meraviglia, Opera, Seaview, Bellissima, Lirica, World Europa, and Fantasia.

MSC Cruises Barcelona Shore Excursions:

Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and a popular cruise destination too. It’s the biggest cruise port in the Mediterranean and Europe.

So it’s no surprise that a place with so much history, art, and culture will have numerous shore excursions tailor-made for the cruise passengers.

A variety of shore excursions are available at the Barcelona MSC Cruise Terminal to assist visitors to get the most out of their time there.

There are guided tours available for the city’s top sites, such as the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, as well as less-traveled-to activities, like wine-tasting excursions and mountain trekking excursions.

Whether you are interested in nature, history, or culture, or simply want to unwind and take in the sights and sounds of the city, there is something for everyone.

On the ship or in advance on the MSC Cruises website, excursions can be scheduled. Booking in advance is advised because popular trips have a tendency to sell out quickly.

The MSC Cruise Terminal in Barcelona is close to a variety of other attractions and activities in addition to guided excursions. The terminal’s central location makes it simple to independently explore the area or take a self-guided tour.

A number of beaches that are conveniently close to the terminal provide the chance to unwind and enjoy the Mediterranean sun.

Overall, the MSC Cruise Terminal in Barcelona is a first-rate facility with a variety of services, amenities, and excursions to satisfy every preference. There is a lot to see and do, whether you are taking a lavish cruise or just spending the day at the dock.

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• CruiseMapper
• Cruise Ports
• Mediterranean - Black Sea Cruise Ports

Barcelona (Spain)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Mediterranean - Black Sea

Local Time 2024-04-18 07:04

Port Barcelona cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Barcelona, Spain. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Barcelona cruise port is currently ranked the largest Mediterranean cruise port with turnaround operations (roundtrip itineraries) and the world's 4th busiest. Its harbor area is one of the world's biggest. By population (over 1,6 million) the city is ranked Spain's largest and Europe's 16th largest.

By the metro population (around 5,5 million) it is ranked EU's 6th largest (after Paris , London , Madrid , Ruhr, Milano ). The city is on the Mediterranean Sea, located between the mouths of two rivers (Llobregat and Besos).

IMPORTANT : Since October 22, 2023, cruise vessels are no longer allowed to dock at Muelle Barcelona Norte (northern port, near the World Trade Centre area) and instead are redirected to berth at Moll Adossat Pier (southern port) which was previously utilized by larger cruise companies like NCL-Norwegian , RCI-Royal Caribbean and MSC . As a result, disembarking cruise tourists instead of stepping directly into the city's historic downtown (10-minute walking distance) are transported via shuttle buses (~30 minutes drive distance) from the southern port to access the city center.

Barcelona cruise port

Barcelona Port (locode ESBCN) is ranked Europe's 9th largest containership port by annual traffic.

The Port's area (sized 10 km2 / 4 mi2) is divided into 3 zones - Port Vell, Commercial Port, and Barcelona Free Port ("Zona Franca de Barcelona", industrial/logistics port).

There is an ongoing enlargement project that will double the port's size by diverting the Llobregat river to the south.

• UN-LOCODE (United Nations location code) - ESBCN
• supported by excellent road, rail, and air infrastructure
• deep harbor water and berths (draft 11,5 m / 38 ft)
• sheltered harbor area
• access unrestricted by tides
• capability to accommodate 9 cruise vessels at a time

Each of the Port's international cruise ship terminals has air conditioning, public phones, lifts and escalators, currency exchange kiosks, duty-free shops, gift/souvenir shops, cafe-restaurant, taxi rank, bus shuttle to downtown.

The cruise port is accessible the whole year round - 24/7, 365 days a tear.

The best vantage points to observe the cruise port's traffic are the cable car (connecting La Barceloneta neighborhood, Ciutat Vella district), the Ferry Station and the Montjuic Castle.

Cruise ships usually arrive in Barcelona in the early morning (4, 5, 6, 7, 9 am) and in the early afternoon (at 1, 2, 2:30 pm) and depart from Barcelona in the late afternoon or in the evening (at 5, 6, 7, 8:30, 10 pm).

Port Barcelona's cruise operations contribute to the city's economy (as revenues) around EUR 796 million (USD 900M) annually. The cruise port adds EUR 413 million (USD 467M) annually to Catalonia's GDP (gross domestic product). This industry also supports 6760 local jobs and generates EUR 152 million (USD 172M) in government taxes. Each cruise vessel in Barcelona generates on average EUR 1 million (USD 1,13M) in sales, contributes EUR 0,5 million (USD 565,417) to Catalonia's GDP, and generates EUR 0,2 million (USD 226,131) in Gov taxes.

In 2014, at its 6 existing cruise terminals, the seaport handled 764 ship calls and over 2,36 million passengers, with an economic impact of EUR 257 million (spent on restaurants, bars, visiting museums, churches, also on transportation and city shopping). On February 5, 2014, Royal Caribbean announced that for the summer 2015 season the Allure of the Seas ship will be based in Europe and homeported in Barcelona. Starting May 24, the Allure's program had 25 voyages with a repeating 7-night round-trip itinerary visiting the ports of Palma de Mallorca , Marseille , La Spezia, Civitavecchia-Rome, Naples. Right after the RCI's announcement, the Barcelona Port announced its estimation for the Allure's additional 158000 passengers and expected spending of around EUR 17,5 million in the city.

On July 23, 2015, Carnival Corporation announced its agreement with Barcelona Port Authority to invest over EUR 46 million in building a second (private) cruise terminal at Moll Adossat (read more in the "Terminal" section). The facility was opened on May 5, 2018. On September 13, 2015, the cruise port had its day record for cruise tourists, handling a total of 26,770 passengers on 4 cruise ships visiting the port in a single day. These were the vessels Norwegian Epic , Nieuw Amsterdam , Vision OTS and Allure OTS .

Port's cruise passenger growth in the period 2010-2015 was as follows: 2010 (2,350264 million, growth of 9,06%), 2011 (2,658691 million, growth of 13,06%), 2012 (2,408618 million, -9,4%), 2013 (2,599363 million, growth of 7,9%), 2014 (2,364292, -9%), 2015 (2,540302 million, growth of 7,4%).

The port ended 2015 with more turnaround passengers (embarking in Barcelona) reporting 3,7+ million (a 7% increase). The number included regular ferry passengers (~1,1 million) and cruise ship passengers (~2,54 million). The biggest increase in passengers concerned those leaving on ships using Barcelona as a turnaround port (where the itinerary begins and ends). In 2015, the cruise port posted its highest-ever number of handled passengers (2,5+ million). In terms of home-ported ships, Barcelona was ranked Europe's second - following Port Venice .

In November 2016, Port Barcelona presented its "Air Quality Improvement Plan" - an initiative aiming to reduce bad emissions from port activities. The document involved 25 actions rolled out in 53 operations. Among the most representative actions are promoting the LNG fuel (liquefied natural gas) as an alternative for both marine vessels and road freighters. The policy offers discounts for cleaner ships and replacing the Port's service fleet with electric vehicles. According to statistics, port activities produce 7,6% of the city's average NOx concentrations annually and 1,5% of the fine particulates. Promoting LNG-powered ships , terminal machinery and trucks is one of the plan's highlights. LNG fuel cuts NOx emissions by 80% and eliminates soot, particles and SOx emissions. The environmental discounts are on port fees. Currently, the law allows a max 5% port fee discount for environmental reasons.

For season 2019, the cruise port had scheduled a total of 830 ship calls with estimated 3,2 million tourists.

In May 2021, MSC Cruises signed a deal for building an exclusive (for MSC ships only) terminal in Port Barcelona. The facility will be operated under a 31-year concession, includes an MSC investment of ~EUR 33 million (~USD 40,2M) and is planned for completion and inauguration in 2024.

In June 2022 the Port announced that starting in 2023, all visiting cruise ship tourists will pay an additional EUR 3 (12+ hours stay) and EUR 1 (fewer than 12 hours stay). The new port fees are added to the existing EUR 1,75 per person and are usually included in the cruise fares listed upon booking. For comparison, since 2019, Port Marghera-Venice charges EUR 10 port fee.

Port Barcelona statistics

FY2018 (fiscal) was a record year with significant growth in various sectors. Port's main trade is with China. Around 25% of all TEUs (containers shipped on large box ships ) passing through the port start or end in China. In 2018 also increased the shipping trade with Algeria (+45%), USA (+18%), India (+4,4%), Mexico (+12,6%), Vietnam (+27,5%), Thailand (+18,7%), Egypt (+14%). "Motorways of the Sea" (Mediterranean routes connecting to Italy and North Africa) goods shipping volumes increased 7%.

These Mediterranean lines connect Barcelona to the ports Civitavecchia-Rome , Genoa (Milan) , Savona , Livorno-Florence , Porto Torres (Sardinia Island) , Tangier (Morocco) , Algiers (Algeria) and La Goulette-Tunis .

• Liquid bulk (mainly hydrocarbons) grew 5,2% (to 15,2 million tons), LNG +3%, gasoline +12,6%, Biofuels +34,8%. Dry bulk cargo decreased 4,7%. Vehicle shipping decreased 3% (to 810,218 units). The port handled a total of 262,379 TEUs (+7,7%). Port's rail traffic increased 13,3%. Car transport by rail increased 11% (to 263,900 units).
• In 2018, the port handled total 4,4 million passengers (8,6% increase), including 1,4 million ferry (+2%) and 3 million cruise (+12%). Turnaround passengers grew 16%. Day-passengers grew 8%. Low-season cruisers increased 17% and were ~44% of all cruise passengers.

For 2018, Port Barcelona reported 4% increase in net turnover - EUR 173,5 million (USD 198 million), 8% increase in profit - EUR 53,7 million (USD 61,3 million) and 4% increase in cash flow - EUR 102,5 million (USD 117 million).

APM Terminals (global container terminal operator) operates under the concession port's container terminal. In 2019, APM Terminals Barcelona invested ~EUR 47 million in equipment (29x new straddle carriers/trucks, 2x new Super PostPanamax gantry cranes, 1x Reefer Rack with refrigerated container plugs) to improve terminal's efficiency and productivity. Also in 2019 APM increased terminal's reefer (refrigerated TEU-container) capacity by 31% (to a total of 632 reefer connections) and launched online real-time TEU tracking (on its website).

Cruise itineraries to and from Barcelona Spain

Follows a list of destinations visited by cruise ships leaving out of Barcelona:

• Mediterranean itineraries on cruises out of Barcelona port visit the largest ports of Italy, France, Greece, and Turkey. Feature destinations are also the French Riviera and the Italian Riviera (coastal regions with top-luxury resorts).
• The most commonly operated are 7-day round-trips. One-way itineraries from Barcelona end up in Civitavecchia-Rome , Genoa , Piraeus-Athens , Venice , Istanbul .
• Most of the Canary Islands itineraries leaving roundtrip from Barcelona also visit North Africa (Morocco) and Funchal (Madeira Island) often combined with other ports in Spain and Portugal.
• Short-break (Mini Cruises) from Barcelona to Genoa are 2-nights / 3-days long. They are operated by MSC Cruises ships and visit Marseille France .
• Among the most visited Mediterranean island ports are Mallorca, Sicily, Corsica, Malta, Sardinia.
• World Cruises from Barcelona are offered mainly by Costa Cruises ships. The itineraries are usually eastbound (via Suez Canal ) and visit ports in Southeast Asia, South Pacific (Australia, New Zealand), South America.

Ship relocation voyages (RepositionCruises.com) are one-way itineraries from Barcelona to the largest ports of the UK, Holland, Denmark, as well as to the Canary Islands. Eastbound routes (transiting the Suez Canal) may end up in ports in Asia ( Dubai , Singapore , Hong Kong ) and even in Australia ( Sydney NSW ) on longer "around the world" itinerary segments.

Westbound Transatlantic crossings (on ship relocations out of Barcelona) are offered in the Fall (starting in late September - early October through the end of November). Among the special destinations that may be visited is Bermuda. The disembarkation could be in NYC New York, in some of the large Florida ports, also in Bridgetown (Barbados) , Fort de France (Martinique) , even in Havana (Cuba) . The longest Transatlantic cruises out of Barcelona are on Costa ships repositioning from Europe to South America. They offer disembarkation in either Brazil ( Rio De Janeiro , Santos-Sao Paulo ) or Argentina ( Buenos Aires ).

Barcelona cruise terminal

Port Barcelona has a total of 8 cruise ship terminals, 4 ferry terminals, and 2 large yacht marinas. There are restaurants and cafes at most of the terminals.

(NEW) Catalonia Cruise Terminal G (Royal Caribbean)

In January 2024,  RCG/Royal Caribbean Group became the solitary contender/only bidder for Barcelona Port's newest Cruise Terminal G. The bid was placed by the consortium "Catalonia Cruise Terminal G" including RCG and CTI/Cruise Terminals International Ltd (2022-founded, London England UK-based company that owns, develops and manages cruise port infrastructure).

The approval for Terminal G was granted in April 2024.

RCG will co-fund the project (total budget EUR 85 million/USD 92M), start the construction works, and also will be the managing company of Terminal G, scheduled for completion/inauguration in 2027-Q1.

The modern facility encompasses an area of 54000 m2 (581250 ft2) including a dock/quay with length 450 m (1476 ft), which allows berthing for the world's most colossal cruise vessels .

Initially, three companies - NCL/Norwegian ,  Viking OCEAN  and  Virgin Voyages - planned to participate in the bidding process. However, as the process resumed, Royal Caribbean remained the sole bidder.

One of the tender's stipulations was that the partner/participating entity could not hold a controlling interest in Terminal G.

Until 2024, through its subsidiary Creuers del Port de Barcelona, RCG held a 38% stake in Barcelona Port Investment - the entity that manages Barcelona's cruise terminals A, B, and C (at Adossat Dock), along with World Trade Center's two terminals. The remaining 62% were owned by the Turkish company Global Ports Holding/GPH. Since 2023, GPH is the sole proprietor of Creuers del Port de Barcelona's shares as RCG opted to divest its stake (38%) to ensure compliance with the Terminal G tender's conditions.

(NEW) MSC Cruise Terminal

In May 2021, MSC was approved to build an exclusive (for MSC Cruises ships only) terminal.

The facility will be operated under a 31-year concession (2024 through 2055), sized 11670 m2 (125620 ft2) and designed by Ricardo Bofill.

The new MSC Cruise Terminal project is budgeted ~EUR 33 million (~USD 40,2M).

Construction works started in June 2021, with planned completion and inauguration in 2024.

Port Vell (Maremagnum) cruise terminal "M" (Old Port Barcelona)

The Port Vell port complex includes a fishing port, 2 yacht marinas, 1 cruise ship terminal, ferry terminal. Terminal M ("Maremagnum", near the World Trade Center) is for both ferry and cruise vessels. It has 3 small piers - named "South Pier" (S), "North Pier" (N) and "East Pier" (E). All terminals are designed to serve smaller ships. Their location is near the World Trade Center (which has a dedicated cruise parking area) and the Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel.

The Maremagnum terminal (aka "Port Vell terminal") is the port's smallest and the most central as location. The terminal is a short walking distance from the old city. The walking distance from here to La Ramblas street is some 10 min. There is a tour bus stopping at Portal de la Pau (at the harbor's end of Las Ramblas).

The Port Vell area has the Maremagnum (shopping mall, nightlife complex), the IMAX Port Vell (cinema complex) and the famous Aquarium Barcelona (with over 8000 fishes and 11 sharks kept in 22 seawater basins).

Moll Adossat Pier (Palacruceros) cruise terminal

At Adossat Pier are located 4 terminals - at berth A, berth B, berth C, berth D (Palacruceros). They have the biggest distance from downtown. Here berth most (including the largest) cruise ships. This dock handles over 85% of the visiting ships. There is a blue bus shuttle between the Port and the city center (Las Ramblas).

Moll Adossat Barcelona (or Muelle Adosado in Spanish) is the port's biggest wharf and also the newest cruise terminal. At this long quay can be berthed 4 large vessels simultaneously.

In October 2013 was announced a plan for the expansion of Terminal D and the building of a new Terminal E serving ships with capacity 4500+ passengers.

(NEW) Carnival's "Helix Cruise Center" terminal (Barcelona Adossat)

At the end of April 2017, the world's largest cruise shipping company Carnival Corporation released renderings of its new cruise terminal at Barcelona Adossat. The facility was named "Helix Cruise Center" and inaugurated on May 5, 2018, as Europe's newest passenger terminal.

• The new terminal (cost EUR 46 million / USD 55 million) is designed to handle Carnival's largest ships, among which are the new class LNG-powered vessels .
• The facility is designed by Batlle I Roig Arquitectura, sized 12,500 m2 (134,550 ft2). Paired with an existing facility, it represents Europe's largest (combined) passenger terminal.
• Building's design company is "Battle I Roig". The plans show a modern architectural style featuring straight lines, minimalistic concepts, a contemporary and comfortable environment.
• Construction works officially started in July 2016 and were completed in May 2018.

The new terminal is located at Adossat Wharf. Currently, this berthing is used by 8 of Carnival's all 10 brand companies. The terminal is used as both destination (call port) and homeport (for Barcelona turnaround operations). Carnival expects to handle here 1+ million passengers annually after the opening of the new (2nd) terminal.

This terminal has its own pier-side parking facility (max capacity 300 vehicles) dedicated to embarking passengers.

The new terminal is exclusively used by Carnival Corporation ships (only) as the company was granted with exclusive concession rights to operate the facilities. In addition to the new cruise terminal in Barcelona, Carnival Corporation also operates exclusive terminals at ports Puerta Maya (Cozumel Mexico) , Grand Turk Island , Mahogany Bay (Roatan Island, Honduras) , Amber Cove-Puerta Plata (Dominicana) , Long Beach (California USA) , plus 2 private Caribbean islands (in the Bahamas) - Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays .

World Trade Center

The World Trade Center has two terminals – pier South and pier North. Those terminals provide easy Las Ramblas tours. There is an overflow area at the East berth.

San Bertran cruise terminal

The port's Sant Bertran wharf is a terminal for the ferry and small-sized cruise vessels. It is used for docking of smaller cruise ships only during peak season.

The building's interior size is 2200 m2 (23680 ft2). The wharf's width is only 12 m (40 ft). The berth's length is 255 m (837 ft) allowing max ship length of 220 m (720 ft) and a max draft of 11 m (36 ft).

The distance from San Bertran to the city is 400 m (1310 ft).

Port Barcelona Ferry Terminals

The port has 3 terminals dedicated to ferry shipping traffic:

• Terminal Drassanes is operated by Balearia .
• Terminal Ferry de Barcelona is operated by Trasmediterranea .
• Grimaldi Terminal Barcelona is operated by GNV-Grandi Navi Veloci .

Each of the ferry terminals has a ticket office, air conditioning, public phones, cafe-restaurant, taxi rank, and provides short-term parking for check-in passengers (before embarkation).

Long-term parking is not permitted (only drop-off areas).

Long-term parking is available at the World Trade Center (phone number 0034 93 508 80 62), at Valet Parking Cruceros (phone number 0034 93 511 37 44) and at Parking Viajeros (phone number 0034 618 70 79 70).

The port's ferry terminals are with convenient underground (metro) and bus connections.

• Picasso museum: the best artworks of Picasso.
• Montjuic: see all the city, its countryside and the ocean from a vantage point. There is a good view of the two industrial Barcelona port terminal.
• La Sagrada Familia: Gaudi designed that iconic church in 1883. The building has big doors that show charity, hope, and faith. The towers and the frontage are designed with mosaic work.
• La Rambla: breathtaking promenade which connects the old Barcelona’s heart with Port to Placa de Catalunya. The famous street offers shops, cafes, lively food markets, street performers and here is situated the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the opera theater of Barcelona.
• Palau Guell: a 19th-century palace designed by the famous Antoni Gaudi
• Barri Gotic: enjoy the old-world experience in the narrow pavement streets with shops, galleries, restaurants, and bars. Here you will find the Picasso museum and the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia.
• La Pedrera: the last work of Antoni Gaudi before Sagrada Familia was made for Pere Mila Camps, a property developer.
• Barceloneta: situated across Port Vell, an ex-fishing port. Enjoy a clean and sunny beach surrounded by houses in a bright colour. The gamblers can spend some time at the Gran Casino de Barcelona.

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Barcelona excursions: delve deeper to discover more

Discover the history, architecture and culture of the Catalan capital with MSC Cruises’ Barcelona shore excursions. Our meticulously designed Barcelona tours  take you far beneath the surface to see the best of the city and around.

Stroll through the atmospheric Gothic Quarter with its tangle of alleyways and marvel at the imposing Barcelona Cathedral . Place yourself in Gaudí’s Barcelona at the ever-evolving Sagrada Família basilica and find out the surprising origins of fanciful Park Güell.

Passionate guides will be on-hand to make sure that your Barcelona excursions supply crucial information and historical stories at every step.

How to reach Barcelona cruise port

Where do msc cruises’ ships dock in barcelona.

MSC Cruises’ ships dock at the main cruise terminal, called the Muelle de Adosado (Moll Adossat in Catalan) , in Barcelona. The cruise terminal is located just a few kilometres south of the city centre, ideal for those itching to hop off the ship and explore the vibrant Catalan capital.

The Muelle de Adosado is an artificial strip of land designed specifically for cruise ships and other large boats and is connected to the mainland via the Pont de la Porta d’Europa. For those not wanting to walk the half an hour or so into the city centre, there is a shuttle bus service that will take you near to the famous La Rambla street.

How do I reach the car park in Barcelona cruise Port?

The long-stay car park at Barcelona cruise terminal is located at the WTC World Trade Center , which is at Moll de Barcelona s/n, East building, 1st Floor, 08039, Barcelona .

The car park can be found just off the roundabout at Plaça de les Drassanes, which is just south of the famous Columbus Monument at the bottom of La Rambla. If travelling from the airport, drive along the B-10 motorway northwards and turn off at exit 21, following signs to ‘Ferris’ and ‘Creuers’. Similarly, if travelling from the north of the city, travel along the B10 southbound until exit 21, which is located in the tunnel and will take you directly to Plaça de les Drassanes.

Leave plenty of time when parking in Barcelona port, as the car park is located in a different area to the MSC Cruise Terminal. However, a shuttle bus can take you from the World Trade Center to the correct cruise terminal.

Parking at Barcelona Port can be booked at a discounted rate for MSC Cruises passengers up to 48 hours before cruise departure when booking online.

How do I get from Barcelona Airport to the cruise port?

Barcelona Airport is located around 16 kilometres (just under 10 miles) from the cruise terminal. If you are travelling by car or taxi from Barcelona Airport to the port, it should take around 20 minutes in good traffic conditions.

To get from Barcelona Airport to the port by car, follow signs to the C-31 highway and join it going north towards Barcelona city. Stay on the C-31 for around 3.5 kilometres before turning off at exit 195 to join the B-10 motorway eastwards towards Barcelona. Then continue along the B-10 for around 6.5 kilometres before turning off at exit 21. Continue straight until you reach the roundabout at Plaça de les Drassanes, then take the second exit to enter Barcelona Port where you will find the car park at the World Trade Center.

You can also reach the port from Barcelona Airport via public transport. To do this, take the Aerobus from Terminal C towards the city and get off at Plaza de España. From there, head to the metro station and take the L3 eastbound for three stops, getting off at Drassanes. This is the closest station to the cruise terminal, but it is still around one kilometre away, so allow approximately 20 minutes to walk the final section.

How to get to the Barcelona cruise port from the train station?

Barcelona Sants Railway Station – the main train station in the city – is located around four kilometres from the cruise port. The train station is well-served by taxis, buses and the metro.

A taxi ride should take around 10 minutes and costs roughly €20, although you may have to pay more if travelling with a large amount of luggage.

Taking a metro from Barcelona Sants to the cruise port is also straightforward. Simply take the L3 line eastbound for five stops, before getting off at Drassanes (the nearest metro station to the cruise terminal). From there, it is around a 10-minute walk to the entrance of the cruise port, although it’s a little further to reach the MSC Cruises embarkation point.

Is there a shuttle bus from the Barcelona cruise port?

There is a shuttle bus at the Barcelona cruise port that takes passengers around the various cruise terminals. These vehicles are named the Cruise Buses (or Blue Bus) and can easily be spotted, as they’re painted blue. The buses don’t have a set timetable, but you should have no trouble getting one when disembarking or embarking, as their frequency is based on when cruise ships depart and arrive at the terminals.

While the Barcelona cruise port shuttle bus doesn’t take you directly to the city centre, it will take you nearby. From the MSC Cruises terminal, it will take you to the World Trade Center, which is located near Plaça de les Drassanes. From there, it takes between five and ten minutes to walk to the Columbus Monument at the foot of La Rambla, the famous thoroughfare in the heart of Barcelona.

You can purchase tickets for the Cruise Buses while onboard. However, tickets can only be purchased with cash, so make sure you have some local currency.

How far is Barcelona cruise port to the city centre?

What is the weather like in barcelona.

As the city occupies an ideal coastal location sandwiched between the Mediterranean Sea and the Montserrat mountain range, Barcelona weather is typified by a pleasant Mediterranean climate that makes it great to visit any time of the year .

Summers are typically very hot and great for those seeking a sun-soaked getaway, thanks to average maximum temperatures in August reaching around 29°C. Winters are cooler with average maximum highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C in January. The driest months typically occur during late winter and early spring.

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Reach the port, muelle de adosado.

Cruise Terminal Barcelona

How to reach the port by car:

Parking at TERMINAL E (30 minutes walk to terminal A). Parking at the WTC, outside the Muelle Adosado (Cruise bus will take guest to the terminal).

WTC WORLD TRADE CENTER

BARCELONA - SHUTTLE Parking

Moll de Barcelona s/n, East building, 1st Floor, 08039, Barcelona

(next to the Balearia Terminal building)

Tel: + 34 93 508 80 62

E-mail: [email protected]

• MSC Parking is bookable online up to 48 hours before your cruise departure. Bookings after the 48 hour deadline can be made directly with MSC Parking, and the same reduced rates will be applied when presenting your cruise travel documents

Parking Rates

Barcelona Sants Railway Station is about 6km away from the port.

• It is well served by taxi and a bus service
• You can request an offer of MSC Transfer service through MSC Call Center or your travel agent.
• You can also facilitate your travel with luggage delivery service by clicking here .

Barcelona Airport ( http://www.aena.es/es/aeropuerto-barcelona/index.html )  can be reached:

• With a 15 km ride by car
• There is no direct bus connection between Barcelona Airport and the port
• You can request an offer of MSC Transfer service through MSC Call Center or your travel agent. Fly&cruise guests have their transfer included in the package. 

Driving to the airport of departure? With ParkinGO , MSC customers get 5% discount on parking near the main airports in Europe. Book now  to get the best deal! Fly&cruise guests have their transfer included in the package.

Driving to the airport of departure?

With ParkinGO , MSC customers get 5% discount on parking near the main airports in Europe, listed in the following table. Book now to get the best deal!

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Cruise Terminal Barcelona

Muelle de Adosado

How to reach the port by car:

Parking at TERMINAL E (30 minutes walk to terminal A). Parking at the WTC, outside the Muelle Adosado (Cruise bus will take guest to the terminal).

WTC WORLD TRADE CENTER

BARCELONA - SHUTTLE Parking

Moll de Barcelona s/n, East building, 1st Floor, 08039, Barcelona

(next to the Balearia Terminal building)

Tel: + 34 93 508 80 62

E-mail: [email protected]

• MSC Parking is bookable online up to 48 hours before your cruise departure. Bookings after the 48 hour deadline can be made directly with MSC Parking, and the same reduced rates will be applied when presenting your cruise travel documents

Parking rates

Barcelona Sants Railway Station is about 6km away from the port.

• It is well served by taxi and a bus service
• You can request an offer of MSC Transfer service through MSC Call Center or your travel agent.
• You can also facilitate your travel with luggage delivery service by clicking here .

Barcelona Airport ( http://www.aena.es/es/aeropuerto-barcelona/index.html )  can be reached:

• With a 15 km ride by car
• There is no direct bus connection between Barcelona Airport and the port
• You can request an offer of MSC Transfer service through MSC Call Center or your travel agent. Fly&cruise guests have their transfer included in the package. 

Driving to the airport of departure? With ParkinGO , MSC customers get 5% discount on parking near the main airports in Europe. Book now  to get the best deal! Fly&cruise guests have their transfer included in the package.

Thank you for visiting MSC Cruises

Your browser may be out of date or not compatible with our new site and may not be secure.

For a better experience and to continue your booking with MSC, please update your browser by downloading the latest version below.

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Barcelona Lowdown

From the Cruise Ship Terminals to Barcelona City Centre

Barcelona is Europe’s largest cruise ship port, and the city receives more than two and a half million cruise ship passengers every year.

Fortunately, there are plenty of transport options available to get you from your ship to the city centre as quickly as possible. Which mode of transport you choose will depend on which terminal your ship arrives at, what you plan to see and do and your budget.

This article explains the different transfer services which are available and includes valuable information to help you make the most of your stay in this fantastic city.

Before deciding which is the best way to get from the cruise terminal to Barcelona city centre, you should check which pier your ship will dock at and how much time you will have before you need to return to your ship.

This information should have been provided by your travel agent when you booked your cruise. If not you can check the Barcelona cruise port schedule which is linked to on the right hand side of this web page under Monthly Forecast.

Location of Barcelona’s Cruise Ship Terminals

Barcelona’s cruise port comprises of 6 terminals located at the end of Barcelona’s famous Ramblas boulevard.

Two of the cruise-ship piers are located next to the World Trade Centre on the Moll de Barcelona Wharf and can be easily reached by walking from La Rambla and the nearby Drassanes metro stop (metro line L3).

The World Trade Centre terminals are called the North and South terminal and are used by smaller cruise liners.

Larger ships dock at the Moll Adossat quay terminals (Terminals A, B, C and D). Terminal D is the farthest away of the four quays and is approximately four and a half km from La Rambla and the Columbus monument .

Finally, the Moll de Sant Bertran  is a ferry terminal with routes to Spain, Morocco, Italy and the Balearic Islands. (See map below)

How to Get From the Cruise Ship Terminals to Barcelona City Centre

From the Cruise Ship Terminals by Taxi

There are taxi ranks next to each of the cruise terminals, and you can be sure that there will be a long line of taxis ready and waiting when your cruise ship docks.

A taxi from your cruise ship to the city centre will cost around €15 depending on which terminal your ship arrives at and whereabouts in the city centre you want to go to.

All taxis in Barcelona are metered; there is a €3.10 supplement for a cruise pier pick-up which will be added to the price which is displayed on the meter at the end of the journey. If you have a lot of luggage, there may also be an additional charge.

You can check the official tariffs here .

The distinctive yellow and black cabs also have a sticker displaying the prices on one of the rear windows.

From the Cruise Ship Terminals by Bus

The Cruise Bus (also known as the T3 Portbus) is a shuttle bus which runs between the Moll Adossat cruise ship terminals and the Wold Trade Center , a five-minute walk from Las Ramblas.

The fare is €3 one way or €4.50 return and can be paid in cash on the bus (coins or small value notes only) or online at the Cruise Bus website .

The buses don’t have a set timetable. Instead, they are coordinated with the arrival and departure of the cruise liners.

In the mornings, when passengers disembark from the ships, buses depart every few minutes. Later in the day, the buses run less frequently, so you should check the schedule with the driver and plan your return trip accordingly.

The Cruise Bus is NOT covered by TMB tickets or travel cards such as the T-casual or Hola Barcelona Travel Card .

The journey from the cruise terminals takes about 10 minutes. From here, you can start visiting Barcelona on foot since many of Barcelona’s most famous sights, such as the Ramblas, the Maritime Museum, the Gothic quarter and the historic Port Vell are close by.

Open-top city tour buses stop near the World Trade Centre terminals.

It’s a short walk from the Cruise Bus stop to the Drassanes metro station, which is on line L3.

If you are travelling from your ship directly to the airport, local bus company Moventis also operates a direct shuttle service from the cruise ship terminals.

From Barcelona Cruise Port by Private transfer

Although there will be plenty of taxis and buses waiting at the cruise terminal, when a large cruise ship docks and thousands of tourists disembark at the same time, long queues do form.

You can avoid the queues by booking your transfer in advance.

A private transfer is more expensive than catching a taxi at the taxi rank but has the advantage that your driver will be there waiting for you as soon as you disembark from the ship.

Book your private transfer in advance online .

From the Cruise Port to Barcelona City Centre on Foot

Before you decide to walk from your cruise ship, you should check which terminal your ship docks at.

From the World Trade Center Terminals

The  World Trade Center terminals  are located on the Moll de Barcelona, which is a short walk from the Columbus monument.

Walk straight ahead along the quay until you reach the large steel hoops of the Onades monument . Turn right and walk along the Moll de Drassanes until you arrive at the Christopher Columbus monument and the start of Las Ramblas.

From the Moll Adossat Terminals

If you decide to walk into Barcelona from the Moll Adossat quay, you should bear in mind that it takes between  25 (Terminal A) and 45 minutes (Terminal D), and there’s no shade from the sun.

Follow the road along the pier from the ships (there’s a paved footpath that runs alongside the road). After crossing the Porta d’Europa  bridge, continue straight ahead along the pier until you reach a small roundabout. Turn right and continue past the  Moll de Sant Bertran, the Onades monument and the Moll de Drassanes to the Columbus monument (see map below).

From here you can take the metro or bus to other parts of the city.

The Hop on Hop off Sightseeing bus from Barcelona Cruise Port

Barcelona’s open-topped sightseeing buses have two stops near the cruise port.

The first is located right in front of the World Trade Centre cruise terminals. The other is located next to the Columbus monument at the end of the Ramblas.

The buses follow three circular routes, each of which covers a different area of the city. Both of the stops near the cruise port are on the red route, which takes 2 hours to complete and is the most interesting of the three since it passes the most emblematic buildings.

Tour buses depart every 5 to 25 minutes, depending on the time of year.

By purchasing your ticket in advance online you can benefit from a €2 discount and board the bus at whichever stop you choose.

Shore Excursions

A popular way to maximize your time in Barcelona is to book a shore excursion .

In addition to saving you the hassle of organising your transfer from the port, being on an organised tour allows you to skip the lines when visiting popular sites such as Park Güell.

When you book your shore excursion, you will be asked to provide the name of your ship and arrival and re-boarding times.

Find out more and book a shore excursion>>

Left Luggage and Baggage Transfer in Barcelona

If you will arrive in Barcelona at the end of your cruise and want to spend a few hours sightseeing before your flight home, you can have your luggage collected from the cruise port and transported directly to the airport for you. Find out more .

There are also left luggage storage facilities near to Plaça de Catalunya,   Plaça d’Espanya and at Barcelona Sants train station.

Hotels at Barcelona Cruise Port

The only hotel at the Barcelona Cruise ship port is the Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel which is an very good 5-star hotel.

Hotels located on Las Ramblas or Av. Paral.lel are a short taxi ride from the cruise port. For more information about where to stay in Barcelona check out my Barcelona neighbourhood guide .

Barcelona Cruise Port Map

Check the locations of all six cruise ship terminals and the Cruise Bus, Bus Turistic, and Metro stops on the zoomable map below.

Barcelona Bus Turistic - Sightseeing Tour bus stop

Plaça Portal de la Pau

Barcelona Bus Turistic - open top sightseeing tour bus stop.

Moll de Barcelona

Metro Line 3 (green line)

Plaça Portal de la Pau, Barcelona, Spain

This is the location of the bus stop where you board the Cruise bus when travelling to the Moll Adossat terminals.

Moll de Barcelona, Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain

Moll Adossat Quay Terminal D, Barcelona

Moll Adosssat Quay Terminal C, Barcelona

Moll Adossat Quay Terminal B, Barcelona

Moll Adossat Quay Terminal A, Barcelona

Related posts:

Which terminal is for Norwegian Cruise Ship?

I believe that the Norwegian Epic normally docks at the Adossat wharf, terminal A but I recommend you check with your travel agent to make sure.

Can you please let me know how you can get to Barcelona Airport from the Cruise Terminal .

The easiest and fastest way is by taxi which will cost about €40.

If you prefer to use public transport, the fastest way will be to take the “Cruise Bus” from the cruise terminals to the Columbus Monument and then walk to the Drassanes metro stop. From here you can catch the L3 metro to Plaça d’Espanya followed by the Aerobus to the airport.

There’s more information about transport to and from the airport, including a map and fares in this post .

Arriving early and need pickup at hotel in Barcelona to the pier for NCL and back to the hotel for 3 people

Hi Darlene,

You could get your hotel to call a taxi for you or use the links in the article to book a private transfer.

what bus do we take from the Be Ramblas Hotel to the Princess Explorer of the Seas?

Hello Harmony,

Do you know which pier your ship will dock at? I just checked the 2018 schedule on the Barcelona port authority website (link in the article) and the Princess Explorer of the Seas doesn’t seem to be listed.

I expect that it will probably dock at one of the terminals on Moll Adossat but you should check with the company to make sure.

Assuming that it docks at Moll Adossat then you can catch the blue Cruise Bus which departs from near to the Columbus monument (see map above).

I’m not familiar with the Be Ramblas Hotel. Do you mean the Be Ramblas Hostal at Carrer Nou de la Rambla 50? If so then your hotel is about a 10 minute walk from the Cruise Bus stop.

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British expats have ‘worst cruise experience’ in 20 years after police board ship at Barcelona port

A British expat and her husband had one of their worst cruise experiences in 20 years after the ship they were sailing on was held at Barcelona port and more than 60 passengers with incorrect visas were marched off the boat.

Marina Carter, 69, and Richard Carter, 71, were looking forward to the Mediterranean cruise they booked with their local travel agent, which was due to take them to Barcelona, Corsica, Rome, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Sicily and eventually Venice.

The retired couple, who moved from Britain to Malaga in 2020, set sail on 31 March and were given a cabin aboard the MSC Armonia . They were enjoying the pre-paid drinks package they had purchased, and exploring the activities on the boat when their trip suddenly took a turn for the worse.

Ms Carter told The Independent : “We docked at Barcelona and had the day there, but when we came back there was a big group of people standing by the entrance to the ship all crying. I said to my husband: ‘I don’t like the look of this, I don’t know what’s going on but I don’t like it’.”

The couple heard on the boat’s tannoy there was a problem with immigration, but no further updates were given.

“The boat didn’t embark when it should have done, it did not sail away, but we were told it would in the next few hours, then midnight, then we thought to ourselves this boat is going nowhere is it,” Ms Carter said.

The couple went to dinner but when they returned they found that one of the hallways they would usually access to get back to their cabin was blocked off by a police officer and a speedboat with police officers was circling the cruise ship.

Ms Carter added: “The national police were everywhere. They had what I would call their riot vehicles with them ... they were just everywhere in the pool area ... some of the passengers got put in these cabins along by us with the door shut and they were just guarded 24/7.

“People started getting quite upset as now this boat was not moving. We are starting to miss ports of call. When the boat did finally start to move off we watched them take some passengers off four at a time. We could see as our cabin overlooked the dock.”

Authorities said that 69 Bolivians on the ship lacked valid documents to enter the European Union’s border-free Schengen area. They were marched off and held on another boat for interrogation.

The Spanish government’s office in Barcelona said that 65 of the 69 Bolivians who arrived in the city would be flown out to the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz because they had false visas.

The incorrect entry requirements meant that the Carters, along with more than 1,000 other passengers were stuck for two days and not able to proceed with the cruise.

MSC Cruises said last week the Bolivian passengers’ documentation appeared correct upon boarding in Brazil. They also told The Independent that passengers were given regular updates about the incident and told how to claim compensation.

Spain ’s national police were looking into the possibility of a fake visa scam, Solange Duarte, a Bolivian diplomat in Barcelona, told the Associated Press.

Ms Carter said it was one of the worst cruise experiences they’d had and left them disappointed with the lack of communication from MSC Cruises.

She said: “Everybody was irate because nobody knew what was going on and though we are pretty laid back it was making us irate.”

The couple described having so many police on board as “intimidating”. The cruise vessel eventually set sail after two days, but Corsica, Rome, Corfu and Dubrovnik, were missed out on the trip.

MSC Cruises said in a statement Wednesday the Bolivian “passengers appeared to have proper documentation upon boarding in Brazil ” but Spanish authorities later said the visas were not valid for entry into the Schengen area.

MSC Cruises added: “The guests were given daily written updates in the form of letters that were left in their cabins. Additionally, there were onboard announcements and they were written to detailing the compensation they were going to receive for the disruption to their cruise.”

From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here .

Spain to deport dozens of Bolivians whose false visas held up cruise ship in Barcelona

Spain on Thursday will deport more than 60 Bolivians who arrived last week by cruise ship in the northeastern port of Barcelona

MADRID -- Spain will on Thursday deport more than 60 Bolivians who arrived last week by cruise ship in the northeastern port of Barcelona but were not allowed to disembark because their visas were false.

The Spanish government’s office in Barcelona said 65 of the 69 Bolivians who arrived will be flown to the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz. The plane will be paid for by MSC Cruises, which owns the ship in which they arrived from Brazil.

Four members of a family with Spanish relatives will be allowed to enter Spain .

Spanish authorities said the Bolivian passengers had false visas to enter the European border-free Schengen area, an ID-check-free travel zone comprising 29 European countries.

The Bolivians’ visa problems meant that the cruise ship with more than 1,000 passengers was stuck for two days in Barcelona and unable to continue on its route in the Mediterranean Sea until the situation was resolved.

The cruise ship set sail after the Bolivians were temporarily accommodated in another boat while police interviewed them.

MSC Cruises said last week the Bolivian passengers’ documentation appeared correct upon boarding in Brazil.

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MSC CRUISES OBTAINS FINAL CLEARANCE TO BUILD AND OPERATE NEW TERMINAL AT THE PORT OF BARCELONA

• MSC Cruise’s new Barcelona terminal set to enter service in 2024 • Terminal to allow MSC Cruises to increase homeporting operations in Barcelona,  • MSC Cruises is partnering with the globally renowned Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill

Geneva, Switzerland – 31 May 2021 – MSC Cruises has obtained final approval by the Port of Barcelona’s Board of Directors to build and operate an exclusive cruise terminal. This multi-year concession will see the construction of an innovative terminal of 11,670 square metres that MSC Cruises will operate and manage for a 31-year period. The project is estimated to represent a EUR 33 million investment by MSC Cruises. With construction work set to start shortly, the new terminal is expected to enter service in 2024. Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman , said: “We are particularly pleased with the award of this multi-year new terminal concession. Barcelona is not only an important homeport for the cruises division, but also for the entire Group and its shipping business. As such, the new terminal is a further proof of MSC Group’s longstanding commitment to the city of Barcelona and the entire Catalonia region.    “I am also honoured that for this project we will able to partner with the impressive Ricardo Bofill and his firm. Together, we will build a state of the art new terminal that is bound to become another landmark for the beautiful city of Barcelona.   “Perhaps most importantly, the new terminal will allow us to operate expanded homeport operations, resulting in added direct and indirect economic benefit for the city and the overall region. This will come from higher spent locally by our international guests either flying into or out of Barcelona airport and likely to spend additional days in the city and its hotels together with their traveling parties. Homeport operations will also allow us to dedicate to Barcelona more of our new ships – including the LNG-powered MSC World Europa which is currently under constructions and is shaping up to become one of the most environmentally friendly ships at sea when she comes into service.   “Finally, the new terminal allows us to further demonstrate our commitment to environmental sustainability as it will feature both shore power facilities as well as LNG bunkering operations.”   This project will allow MSC Cruises to consolidate its presence in Barcelona, which is one of the brand’s most important ports in the Western Med, and to expand its homeporting operations out of the city. This will result in added direct and indirect economic benefit for the city and region as more international guests will transit through Barcelona, likely spending additional days in the city either before or after their cruise. The new terminal, which will feature shore power facilities and be ready for LNG bunkering operations, will also allow MSC Cruises to deploy more next-generation, environmentally friendly ships in Barcelona. This includes MSC World Europa, the brand’s first LNG-powered cruise ship, which is currently under construction and due to enter service in 2022. For this project MSC Cruises is partnering with the globally renowned Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill and his studio. Together, they hope to build a state of the art terminal that becomes become another landmark for the city. Not only is Barcelona an important port for MSC Cruises, but also for the entire MSC Group. Both cargo operator MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company and ferry operator GNV have a solid presence in the port. As such, the new terminal is a further proof of MSC Group’s longstanding commitment to Barcelona, Catalonia and the whole of Spain. 

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MSC Cruises

A cruise ship stuck in Barcelona resumes sailing after passengers accused of having fake visas were removed and investigated by authorities

• A cruise ship carrying 1,500 passengers was stuck in Barcelona because of a visa dispute.
• Spanish authorities suspected that the visas of 69 Bolivian passengers were fake.
• The passengers are being held on another boat while authorities investigate. 

A cruise ship carrying 1,500 passengers was stuck in port in Barcelona after Spanish authorities investigated 69 Bolivian passengers.

The police believed that the Bolivian passengers' visas were fake and are investigating, Spanish police authorities told news agency Efe .

The MSC Armonia cruise ship set off from Brazil and was due to continue through the Mediterranean, with some passengers switching over in Barcelona, Efe reported.

Related stories

The delay has meant that planned stops in France, Greece, and Croatia have been canceled which has caused some disgruntled passengers to leave the boat early, Reuters reported.

Barcelona was meant to be the final destination for the Bolivian passengers. However, the ship had to stay in port until the situation was resolved.

In a statement shared with Business Insider, MSC Cruises confirmed that the cruise would resume sailing on Thursday.

"Thanks to the cooperation with the Spanish authorities, the group of Bolivian guests has been disembarked and will now follow the immigration process as required by law. We are fully assisting with this process," they said.

The spokesperson confirmed that the passengers' visas were found to be not valid for entry and that the Spanish authorities are investigating.

The passengers' will be held on another boat while Spanish authorities decide whether they will be deported or granted asylum, Reuters reported, citing the government's regional delegation in Catalonia.

Solange Duarte, a Bolivian diplomat in Barcelona, told the AP that she had received reports that some of the Bolivian passengers had been duped into obtaining fake visas.

MSC Cruises is one of the world's largest cruise lines, known for its long luxury trips that can set sail for months at a time.

Its new four-month-long world cruise, which will set off in 2026, is expected to cost passengers between $15,800 and $38,210 per person, depending on their cabin.

Watch: Inside the world's biggest cruise ship that just set sail

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MSC Cruises' Latest Sale Has Voyages Starting at $179 — When to Book

The sale is running until April 18.

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is offering monumental savings on sailings to warm weather destinations starting at less than $200 per person.

The sale, which was extended and must be booked by April 18, offers cruises starting at just $179 per person, according to MSC. The sale rate is based on double occupancy and does not include the taxes, fees, or port expenses.

Travelers who take advantage of this deeply-discounted rate can sail on three and four night journeys from Miami for just $179, or from Orlando starting at just $189, MSC shared with Travel + Leisure .

“It’s a great opportunity, whether you’re curious about cruising for the first time or you’re an avid cruiser looking to book your next sailing,” Koreen McNutt, the senior vice president and commercial sales officer for MSC Cruises USA, told T+L. “These quick getaways let guests discover everything we have to offer from world-class onboard entertainment and outstanding family programming to a variety of delicious dining venues and wonderful amenities. Plus, these short cruises all visit our private island in The Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, with beautiful white-sand beaches and pristine water brimming with vibrant marine life.” 

The sale also includes MSC’s cruises from Galveston , which the company plans to introduce as its newest homeport in the United States in 2025. The cruise line expects to sail 7-night trips to Mexico and Central America on the MSC Seascape out of Galveston, which start at just $459 per person during the sale.

In addition, MSC is offering savings on its newest ship, the MSC World America , which the company plans to launch next year complete with a thrilling over-water swing ride, 13 different restaurants, an 11-deck-high dry slide, and more. Cruises on this ship start at just $649 per person as part of the sale.

“Cruising offers an unbeatable value proposition for vacations and we’re offering more itinerary options from a larger selection of embarkation ports than ever before, which makes it even easier for more people to discover what MSC Cruises is all about,” McNutt added.

Beyond the cruise fare, MSC is offering the option for travelers to add a drink package and Wi-FI to their booking starting at just $329.

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Cruise ship traps all 1,500 passengers on board over travel issue

The holiday was stopped in its tracks for everyone.

Tom Earnshaw

More than 1,500 passengers were left trapped on a cruise ship over travel issues as the ship docked in one of Europe's most popular cities.

The MSC Cruises vessel found itself stuck in the port of Barcelona over issues with some of its guests' rights to set foot on Spanish soil.

The ship itself, the MSC Armonia, had journeyed from Brazil and arrived in the Spanish city, where authorities were rushed to sort out the issue as quickly as possible.

But the vessel was forced to keep everyone on board as it arrived in the Mediterranean.

Pictures from the scene showed its passengers stood around their balconies and top deck as they looked out over the side of the grounded ship.

The issue concerned 69 Bolivian passengers who were not allowed to leave the MSC Armonia because they didn't have valid visas to enter the European border-free Schengen area .

This is a part of Europe with an ID-check-free travel zone comprising 29 European countries that Spain is part of.

Those from Bolivia, which included families and children, were to disembark from the cruise ship at Barcelona, with the vessel sailing on across the Med.

MSC Cruises said: "The passengers appeared to have proper documentation upon boarding in Brazil.

“We have been informed by the authorities that the visas are not valid for entry into the Schengen area. As a result, passengers have not been able to disembark in Barcelona, which was their final destination."

One passenger told the local press that she felt like a 'criminal in a prison' and was convinced her travel documents were all in order.

The situation is now being treated as a possible fake visa scam, according to Solange Duarte, a Bolivian diplomat in Barcelona.

Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia reported that the visas had cost up to $10,000 (£7,940) per person for all the Bolivians on board the cruise ship.

Since the issue came to light this week, the Bolivian passengers have been taken off of the MSC Armonia which has since set sail once again.

The cruise company has now agreed to provide another boat from Livorno in Italy for the Bolivian passengers, the Spanish government statement said.

It is not clear if that boat would remain in Barcelona until the situation is resolved or take the Bolivian passengers elsewhere.

MSC Cruises will also provide food and healthcare for the impacted Bolivians and immigration officials will work to resolve the passengers’ visa problems as quickly as possible.

Topics:  Cruise Ship , Travel , Holiday , World News

Tom joined LADbible in 2024, specialising in SEO and trending content. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

@ TREarnshaw

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MSC CRUISES OBTAINS FINAL CLEARANCE TO BUILD AND OPERATE NEW TERMINAL AT THE PORT OF BARCELONA

• MSC Cruise’s new Barcelona terminal set to enter service in 2024 • Terminal to allow MSC Cruises to increase homeporting operations in Barcelona,  • MSC Cruises is partnering with the globally renowned Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill

Geneva, Switzerland – 31 May 2021 – MSC Cruises has obtained final approval by the Port of Barcelona’s Board of Directors to build and operate an exclusive cruise terminal. This multi-year concession will see the construction of an innovative terminal of 11,670 square metres that MSC Cruises will operate and manage for a 31-year period. The project is estimated to represent a EUR 33 million investment by MSC Cruises. With construction work set to start shortly, the new terminal is expected to enter service in 2024. Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman , said: “We are particularly pleased with the award of this multi-year new terminal concession. Barcelona is not only an important homeport for the cruises division, but also for the entire Group and its shipping business. As such, the new terminal is a further proof of MSC Group’s longstanding commitment to the city of Barcelona and the entire Catalonia region.    “I am also honoured that for this project we will able to partner with the impressive Ricardo Bofill and his firm. Together, we will build a state of the art new terminal that is bound to become another landmark for the beautiful city of Barcelona.   “Perhaps most importantly, the new terminal will allow us to operate expanded homeport operations, resulting in added direct and indirect economic benefit for the city and the overall region. This will come from higher spent locally by our international guests either flying into or out of Barcelona airport and likely to spend additional days in the city and its hotels together with their traveling parties. Homeport operations will also allow us to dedicate to Barcelona more of our new ships – including the LNG-powered MSC World Europa which is currently under constructions and is shaping up to become one of the most environmentally friendly ships at sea when she comes into service.   “Finally, the new terminal allows us to further demonstrate our commitment to environmental sustainability as it will feature both shore power facilities as well as LNG bunkering operations.”   This project will allow MSC Cruises to consolidate its presence in Barcelona, which is one of the brand’s most important ports in the Western Med, and to expand its homeporting operations out of the city. This will result in added direct and indirect economic benefit for the city and region as more international guests will transit through Barcelona, likely spending additional days in the city either before or after their cruise. The new terminal, which will feature shore power facilities and be ready for LNG bunkering operations, will also allow MSC Cruises to deploy more next-generation, environmentally friendly ships in Barcelona. This includes MSC World Europa, the brand’s first LNG-powered cruise ship, which is currently under construction and due to enter service in 2022. For this project MSC Cruises is partnering with the globally renowned Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill and his studio. Together, they hope to build a state of the art terminal that becomes become another landmark for the city. Not only is Barcelona an important port for MSC Cruises, but also for the entire MSC Group. Both cargo operator MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company and ferry operator GNV have a solid presence in the port. As such, the new terminal is a further proof of MSC Group’s longstanding commitment to Barcelona, Catalonia and the whole of Spain. 

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Spain to deport dozens of Bolivians whose false visas held up cruise ship in Barcelona

FILE - Passengers are photographed on the cruise ship MSC Armony, moored in the port of Barcelona, Spain, on April 3, 2024. Spain is to deport more than 60 Bolivians who arrived last week by cruise ship in Barcelona but were not allowed to disembark because their visas were false. Spanish government officials said 65 of the 69 Bolivians that arrived would be flown to the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

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MADRID (AP) — Spain will on Thursday deport more than 60 Bolivians who arrived last week by cruise ship in the northeastern port of Barcelona but were not allowed to disembark because their visas were false.

The Spanish government’s office in Barcelona said 65 of the 69 Bolivians who arrived will be flown to the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz. The plane will be paid for by MSC Cruises, which owns the ship in which they arrived from Brazil.

Four members of a family with Spanish relatives will be allowed to enter Spain.

Spanish authorities said the Bolivian passengers had false visas to enter the European border-free Schengen area, an ID-check-free travel zone comprising 29 European countries.

The Bolivians’ visa problems meant that the cruise ship with more than 1,000 passengers was stuck for two days in Barcelona and unable to continue on its route in the Mediterranean Sea until the situation was resolved.

The cruise ship set sail after the Bolivians were temporarily accommodated in another boat while police interviewed them.

MSC Cruises said last week the Bolivian passengers’ documentation appeared correct upon boarding in Brazil.

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This cruise line has Caribbean sailings for as low as $179 right now

Book now for the best deals

If you’ve been thinking about sailing off to a sunny summer destination with sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, now is the time. MSC Cruise Lines just extended a sale on some of its most popular journeys, with fares starting at just $179 per person.

The sale includes three- and four-night voyages to the Bahamas departing from Miami and Orlando. MSC Cruise Lines offer world-class entertainment, dining and amenities to enjoy on your way to the company’s private island—Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. There you’ll experience white-sand beaches and waters teeming with vibrant marine life. These short cruises offer everything you need for a relaxing getaway, and easy to fit into any busy schedule.

Sailings depart throughout 2024, so you can think ahead to fall and winter travel. The sale also includes new seven-night cruises departing from Galveston to Mexico and Central America in 2025, starting at just $459 per person.

Sale prices are based on double occupancy and do not include taxes, fees or port expenses. Book by April 18 for the best rates. Book with a drinks and Wi-Fi package in advance to save even more. Book now on the MSC website .

• Gerrish Lopez Contributor, New Orleans

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