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

[yogibigdog]

I have been watch AA out of JFK to BCN and they are still going but I know it is day to day. You can always try to meet the ship in another port. Friends of my friends are meeting the ship in Rome due to a work conflict...... Good luck everyone!

 

[Mineu]

Someone posted a site that tracks airport closures on the main DCL forum-maybe someone can post the link here...

 

[Dicecatt]

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/04/15/world/europe/airport-closings-graphic.html

 

[salboz]

I don't understand how some airlines can fly in and others cannot. The problem is not where they leave from, but in Europe, and not just England anymore, but most of the Med. as today's eruption caused the clouds to spread.

I totally can't stand this. I need a cruise! This being in limbo really is so stressful that it spoils the usual lead-up excitement.

OK! Now I have had my turn at venting, I wish everyone well.

 

[linkandclover]

For those of you considering Iberia-are you paying for two flights-or will you be able to get a refund from your original carrier? We are scheduled to leave Thursday from Philadelphia via US Air direct to Barcelona.

We will be paying for 2 flights unless British Airways cancels ours. I may be able to pay a penalty of 275 and then keep the rest of the money on file for another flight. We were able to get the Iberia price for much less than what we paid through British Airways and I figure since we do not have travel insurance through Disney I will pay more to be able to go. We also have tickets for the Spanish Grand Prix on May 9 so we will go no matter what.

 

[Mineu]

Very frustrating day-no one really knows what will happen by Thursday-so I will just pack as planned and hope for the best. At least we are frustrated in the comfort of our homes-unlike all of those stuck in airports. Here's wishing for lots of pixie dust for everyone

 

[skoi]

I spoke with USAir this afternoon and they say the advisory for Southern Europe doesn't mean they're not flying. It's just an advisory in case flights have to be canceled.

This evening's flight from Philadelphia to Barcelona did fly this evening. Tomorrow is still set to go as of this moment. You need to check the individual flights, rather than just look at the advisory notice.

So this will be a day by day thing.

We're set to fly out the 20th. Right now, we stupidly have two sets of tickets, and I'm kicking myself for booking into Spain rather than Morocco.

Julie

 

[skoi]

Well, I'm finishing magnets tomorrow, and did the bulk of our packing tonight.

Really am unmotivated to do it, though.

Julie

 

[dolphingirl47]

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/04/15/world/europe/airport-closings-graphic.html

Thanks for posting the link. This is actually worse than anything I had previously seen. I had heard that the cloud was expecting to move into Spain within 24 to 48 hours, but on that graphic, it stops just short of Barcelona.

I don't understand how some airlines can fly in and others cannot. The problem is not where they leave from, but in Europe, and not just England anymore, but most of the Med. as today's eruption caused the clouds to spread.

I totally can't stand this. I need a cruise! This being in limbo really is so stressful that it spoils the usual lead-up excitement.

OK! Now I have had my turn at venting, I wish everyone well.

It is not that some airlines can fly and others not. If anybody can fly, then all can. It is just a question that airlines work to different contingency plans. Some of them cancel their flights earlier, others wait longer. It is a bit of a gamble at the moment. If they cancel their flights and then the airspace reopens, they are liable for very large compensation bills. Up to yesterday, we only cancelled our flights about 12 hours or so in advance. This suddenly changed yesterday morning when they cancelled all flights for yesterday and today and issued do not board notices for people with a final destination in Europe to all stations outside Europe that will be in force until noon on April 20th.

I do absolutely understand were you are coming from. I am in need of a vacation and this present situation does not help either. We are looking at the possibility of sailing later in the season, but between leave constraints at work and prices, there are only really two options: the Barcelona to Dover Repo cruise or the August 28th Med. The second option would be a bit silly as we will be on the WBTA on September 18th.

Corinna

 

[auntlynne]

So sorry to hear about this mess. Sitting in a mall in Funchal, just finished a nursing continuing Ed program (due 30 April) - Internet inboard very slow and not cheap! This is free. Flower parade later today.

 

[Becx N Gav]

We're looking at going on Friday - train from my Dad's house in Stevenage to Portsmouth, ferry to Bilbao and then hire car to Barcelona.

We've looked at various options and this seems like the best to us. We're trying to avoid Calais as the connections aren't great from there (it's hard to find local travel info in France as they are saying the current situation has had a big impact on their trains ). Also a lot of ferries aren't accepting foot passengers and if we can fly home afterwards we don't want our car to be in Spain

I just want to know either way so we can get stuff booked.

If anyone wants info on travelling by land and sea to Europe let me know and I'll look into what the options are - most websites are asking you to call up though

Fingers crossed the test flights will show it's safe to fly or they can at least open select routes.

We're all packed apart from last minutes bits.

Our insurance would cover us for £500 (minus a £100 excess) I think - about $750.

Bit annoyed at DCL not being more helpful.

 

[Becx N Gav]

An interesting report on the test flights - I do hope they are not letting planes fly because they are just not sure

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100418/ap_on_re_eu/eu_iceland_volcano

 

[skoi]

The NYT article says Barcelona is closed, but US Air had their Phila-Barcelona flight land this morning. Maybe this will be the last one for a while, but I'm hoping they can just divert to Madrid, which is still open.

Julie

 

[Mineu]

The NYT article says Barcelona is closed, but US Air had their Phila-Barcelona flight land this morning. Maybe this will be the last one for a while, but I'm hoping they can just divert to Madrid, which is still open.

Julie

What are the options to get from Madrid to Barcelona?

 

[shushh]

What are the options to get from Madrid to Barcelona?

There are trains that leave frequently. It takes about 2 3/4 hour to 3 hours. Haven't looked into other options, but I'm sure car hire is also possible.

THings are NOT looking good. The Singapore-Milan-Barcelona flight on the 19th April has been cancelled whereas the Barcelona flight out on the 18th managed to leave bypassing Milan meaning that Barcelona must be closed by now.

 

[Mineu]

I'm pretty sure Barcelona is closed-several articles have said as much this morning. I'm a little worried about trying to get from Madrid to Barcelona-I think that is what everyone else will be trying to do as well-I'd hate to get to Madrid with no way to get to BCN...

 

[skoi]

I don't think getting from Madrid to BCN would be an issue by train, bus, car, etc.

I'm off the church, then we have a wedding later this afternoon, but I'll be checking in when I can.

Julie

 

[linkandclover]

I was looking in to travel from Madrid to Barcelona and there are several train options or driving (6 hours). I saw that Barcelona is closed and Iberia has cancelled flights today into that airport but Madrid is clear for now. Maybe a group of us could hire a bus or see if Disney would send one of theirs (anyone have any pull with the company)

 

[Mineu]

Good idea! Are you already scheduled to go through Madrid? I'm on hold with the airline trying to find out if that is an option for us-I got the same "13" minute hold time that actually takes 45 or more...I have a shuttle & tour booked already in Barcelona on the 23-I was going to see if they would come get us in Madrid-but wondering how long Madrid will stay open....

 

[granmaz]

Thought you might like to see the updated graphic of the proposed volcanic cloud.

It is looking better for Barcelona at the moment, though of course things could change with the wind. Obviously it doesn't help folk changing flights in affected countries, but test flights are taking place to see if it is safe to fly. Keep hoping and blowing!!!

I hope you all get onboard next Saturday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8627720.stm