4/24/2010 Med cruise: Friends, Romans, Countrymen lend me your Ears

[Mineu]

Well, it is saying the image resolution is not great-so, I'm still doing something wrong...

 

[dolphingirl47]

Well, it is saying the image resolution is not great-so, I'm still doing something wrong...

It said that for me, too, but the end result is great.

Corinna

 

[shushh]

If it were me I would book it for the prices jump high around the holidays like Lynne stated and you also have the security for your plans IMHO. It can be a hassle around the Christmas season and the weather in the northeast (N.Y.) can be unpredictable to say the least.Delays at JFK back up quickly when the weather has an effect being one of the busiest in the U.S.. Delta tickets are honored by the other big airlines in case of delay or cancelation where Southwest and Jet Blue are not honored by other airlines for flight. Living in Vermont we still get snow on Mother's Day some years and others it is 75 degrees.

I'd grab that offer (does it include taxes)? My SIL is coming from Boston to Huntsville (not a major market) RT for about $350 in late April.

And for a reference - my Nashville to Orlando (1.5 hrs) flight to catch the TA was around $104 each on Southwest (bought it at $123, price dropped then went up to $179) - all this the Friday after Easter. Delta won't refund/credit price drops like Southwest.

Big question (as I think while typing) - how many bags will you each have? Check those luggage feees - 1st bag if $15 on Delta - 2nd is probably more. This could make up for any fare savings.

Thank you! Info like this is so handy to know. The price includes tax. And because its purchased as part of an international fare, it will have international luggage allowances is 2 free bags at 23kg (or something like that). It looks like we'll be flying Delta to the states then!

Mind if I steal the basic plan?
Julie

Nope! I bought a pre-made bag at IKEA for around $3 and attached it onto a scrap of material I found. It's not lined and is rather flimsy but as you can see stretches out beautifully when hung.

And thank you all for the kinds words about my FE. Buzz in all his red glory feels very special!

Can someone pass on some last minute advice on how to make a t-shirt for the cruise... I've tried to download graphics to a company-but they said I need written permission to use them. I'm obviously doing something wrong...(besides not cleaning for Easter dinner). Thanks!!

Like Corinna, I've made T-shirts before with Vistaprint and had not hassles with having the Mickey on it. It also told me that the image didn't have a high enough resolution but it turned out alright. If you know the specification fits within what is recommended on the site, then it should work out. THe site probably wants it to be at the highest resolution to safeguard against complaints.

Or you can make your own T-shirt but just having been putting the image on my FE last night, it is much more fiddly. Not too hard though. I ordered the iron-on transfer for dark fabric online (as recommended by veteran T-shirt makers). It costs about A$3 per sheet delivered and comes in packs of 3 or 5, just print your image using inkjet printer and iron on. Bob's your uncle! Although I shouldn't be giving our advice. Just look at what happened to Buzz!

 

[Mineu]

Thanks!!

 

[auntlynne]

Someone on the TA wanted info on the train schedule from Barcelona to Montserrat. It took about an hour to find it, so I'll pass it along here in case anyone's going there on their own pre- or post-cruise.

They sell combo transportation and admission tickets at the Placa (Plaza) Espanya for Montserrat. This is a main train/metro station, in which you need to enter and then start going down, down, down to reach your rail.

The R5 line from Placa Espanya is run by FGC (don't bother searching Renfe).

Network map: On the left (west) side of the map, you can see the rainbow of lines coming out of Pl. Espanya (in the middle bottom of the map)

http://www.fgc.es/eng/planol.asp

English version for timetable search:

http://www.fgc.es/eng/index.asp

-- Lines -- select Llobregat - Anoia Line
-- Departure Station -- Pl. Espanya
-- Arrival Station -- Monistrol de Montserrat

I used Friday, April 23 as the date for these:
currently departs Placa Espanya at 7:36, 8:16, 8:36, 9:36, 10:36..
Travel time is 1 hour 8 minutes

Return train departs Monistrol de Monserrat at 11:44, 12:44, ... until at least 8:44pm ... Travel time 1 hour 7 minutes


The brochure for the train & funicular or cremallera (Rack Railway) in English/Spanish/Catalan:

http://www.fgc.es/downloads/info_annexa/Triptic_2010tz.pdf

Pl. Espanya is on the 1st ring (corona) if you see those words somewhere

 

[alltheparks]

Good Evening All - DS and I are currently sitting in Denver International Airport. It has been a VERY long travel day! Right now he is driving me crazy wanting to watch a movie on my laptop, and all I want to do it catch up on disboards.

 

[cam71099]

I'm going with the Regional Trains the "R" under Train Category - you can't purchase them online this far out (or maybe never?); they are more a commuter train, but it gives us flexibility to not have to be at the train station at the assigned time or lose our money. Just have to make sure we leave one or two trains before the last-possible-time.

PS: I looked this up on the Tren Italia website.

I have been looking at the trains to Rome from Civitavecchia and am sure the other trains operate the same. With that line, you can buy the regional/commuter tickets online , but you can only do it a week out. We plan on buying them ahead of time (if the timing is right for a week out) so we dont have to worry about them at the station. It is also much cheaper with it being 4.5 euros compared to 10+ each way per passenger for the non-commuter/regional trains (the ones you can buy further out), depending on the train.

 

[cam71099]

I do believe they have capability to get sports on T.V.in one of the adult bars onboard. Disney does try to promote ESPN and sports channels. I also believe Disney does own a NHL team so if the games are available the bartender would gladly turn on the game. The staff always go above and beyond trying to keep everyone happy. Ottowa is a beautiful city and really enjoyed our trips and the Capital building. Some year we want to skate on the canals in winter but the one time we had reservations it was too warm to skate. Go Senators!

Unfortunately, I believe Disney sold the NHL team. That is part of the reason they are just the Ducks and not the Mighty Ducks. I would hope for some NHL games but wouldnt be surprised if the NBA games are more prevolent. Oh well, it doesnt look like the Lightning will be in it anyway, barring a miracle. There will still be plenty of time before the finals start, unless your team checks out in the first round.

 

[shushh]

Good Evening All - DS and I are currently sitting in Denver International Airport. It has been a VERY long travel day! Right now he is driving me crazy wanting to watch a movie on my laptop, and all I want to do it catch up on disboards.

Lara, glad that you made it there safely. Have fun house hunting and seeing family again. We're trying to make our way back to South restaurant to get some more pumpkin pie!

 

[shushh]

We are 4 doing a private tour in Tunis. At least trying to. They keep changing things on us. What company and guide are you using?

I just realised that I haven't answered. Sorry! We are using a local guide named Ben, who was used by 2 different groups of friends. One used in mid last year and the other recently in Dec.

Which company did you book through?

 

[grlzmom]

Good Evening All - DS and I are currently sitting in Denver International Airport. It has been a VERY long travel day! Right now he is driving me crazy wanting to watch a movie on my laptop, and all I want to do it catch up on disboards.

Hopefully you are back with family at this point and recovering from the travel!

Glad you got there ok!

 

[NC_Tink]

Good Evening All - DS and I are currently sitting in Denver International Airport. It has been a VERY long travel day! Right now he is driving me crazy wanting to watch a movie on my laptop, and all I want to do it catch up on disboards.

Lara - hope you're getting some much needed rest this morning, after all of that travel Enjoy your time with family!!

 

[salboz]

I just realised that I haven't answered. Sorry! We are using a local guide named Ben, who was used by 2 different groups of friends. One used in mid last year and the other recently in Dec.

Which company did you book through?

We booked through Our Explorer. I found that most of the guides are listed with several agencies. The guide we are using is also with Private-Guide and Tours by Locals.

 

[guynwdm]

Double checking on things and discovered that our reservation for brunch did not go through for Palo. UGH. Guess will have to try calling or when I get on the ship. What a pain.

So are most people doing tours on their own or through the ship?

How are people planning on meeting up in Barcelona the night before at the fountains? Standard lime green mickey heads??

 

[alltheparks]

Thanks all for the well wishes! We are on central time now, and it is 12:30 pm. DS has been out for the last 12 hours. I am thinking I will have to wake him up. Busy holiday weekend planned with all of the family. Talk to you soon.

 

[skoi]

Sorry Julie, but if you think you get the prize for worst FE, just wait until you see mine. Remember, I have never done this before or even seen one. LOL

WOO HOO!~ There's a prize? I hope it's a free cruise.

Julie

 

[skoi]

Double checking on things and discovered that our reservation for brunch did not go through for Palo. UGH. Guess will have to try calling or when I get on the ship. What a pain.

So are most people doing tours on their own or through the ship?

How are people planning on meeting up in Barcelona the night before at the fountains? Standard lime green mickey heads??

Sorry to hear it. DCL lost on of our excursions- the bus to Florence, but we managed to rebook it.

We'll be doing on private tour in Naples, two DCL excursions (Tunis and Florence) and the rest on our own.

We'll also be at the meet up in Barcelona.

Can't wait to meet everyone.
Julie

 

[skoi]

How is everyone traveling into Barcelona early getting from airport to hotel to port?

We would normally take the train and metro, but with 3 big suitcases and backpacks, this is not an option.

Any advice?
Thanks.
Julie

 

[mrosen]

We figured we would do a taxi. Not sure how that works relative to taxi sizes as we are a family of 4 and will have alot of suitcases (not sure how many yet). I have no idea if in the end we will need more than 1 taxi vs they have larger van size taxis. I figured public transportation from the airport to our hotel and then hotel to port wouldn't work well for reason you stated. Interested others thoughts here too.

 

[Mineu]

We booked a private shuttle that will also take us on a tour of the city. Taxis are pretty small in Barcelona. We had a van taxis from our hotel to the port for our November cruise and all 5 of us barely fit-he left the back hatch open and tied it with a bungee cord! I had visions of my luggage flying all over the streets of Barcelona-but we made it! On the way to the airport after our cruise-they said that a van was not available-so,we had to take 2 taxis-2 fees-2 tips etc. If you won't fit into one-you may want to book a shuttle to save $$$.