Great Cruise for Running of the Bulls
Celebrity Constellation Cruise Review to Europe - Western Europe
13 Night Iberian Peninsula (Barcelona Roundtrip)
Sail date: July 01, 2016
Ship: Celebrity Constellation
Cabin type: Oceanview
Cabin number: 7001
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 8 years ago
Review summary
We chose this cruise because it had an overnight in Bilbao to enable us to go to Pamplona for Running of the Bulls. The itinerary was excellent with some great stops along the way. There is so much to see in Spain that you could take this cruise again and see completely different things.
This ship is a great size to keep interactions personal without getting too big like some of the mega-liners. Staff would remember your drinks, ie cocktails, or specialty coffees.
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5 Comments
iankaus 8 years ago
Thank you for your kind comments WeCruiseToo.
Celebrity did offer an excursion to Pamplona, but it sold out several months in advance. So, I found a private company who offered a package with transfer from Bilbao, balcony space overlooking the bull run route and breakfast in a local restaurant. To get a good balcony location, we had to book about 4 months in advance. I had booked a small van and arranged to meet 4 others via an online cruise forum to keep the costs lower, somewhat lower than the Celebrity excursion. Our balcony was in a level 2 apartment above the run route. 4 people per balcony, so there was 6 in our group plus two other independent travellers. Coffee and snacks were provided while we were waiting for the run to start at 8.30am, which we appreciated after leaving the ship at 4am for the 2 drive from Bilbao. There were literally thousands of people in Pamplona as it was also the opening day of the San Fermin festival which is more of the religious element of the celebrations, and everyone in the town was wearing white with the red scarves (even the tourists).
if you decide to make the trip to Pamplona I would recommend pre-booking a balcony, as it will be difficult to find a space a ground level where you can fully appreciate the bull run. And be aware that the run is over very quickly, from the start of the firing canon to the entry to the bull fight arena is about 3 minutes, so make the most of it and most all, ENJOY!!
WeCruiseToo 8 years ago
Thank you so much for the review, especially all the port info! We would love to hear more about your trip to Pamplona. Did Celebrity have an organized excursion? Did you spend the night there? Did you run with the bulls? If you just watched, how were the crowds and how hard was it to get a viewing spot? Thanks again!