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

[Becx N Gav]

The have increased the no fly zone again from 1am UK time to 7am.

Eurostar have more trains running and it looks like more ferries are taking foot passengers.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I'd be very interested in transportation from Madrid to Barcelona. Or information from Morrocco to Barcelona if worse comes to worse!

 

[Magical_Dreams]

Good Morning,

I'm not a member of your group; I am a travel agent sailing on this cruise. For those of you booked on Iberia flights, as per their website this morning, they will be providing buses and trains to bring connecting passengers to their final destinations.

This might be good news for those of you booked on Iberia flights landing in Madrid, provided Madrid's airport remains open.

 

[linkandclover]

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....

We are going through Madrid and arrive there the morning of April 22. Thinking of spending the night in Madrid if necessary and then doing the train or car to Barcelona if necessary.

 

[linkandclover]

Good Morning,

I'm not a member of your group; I am a travel agent sailing on this cruise. For those of you booked on Iberia flights, as per their website this morning, they will be providing buses and trains to bring connecting passengers to their final destinations.

This might be good news for those of you booked on Iberia flights landing in Madrid, provided Madrid's airport remains open.

That's great now just to wait to Wednesday to leave.

 

[cam71099]

Fox News just reported Barcelona has reopened! Lets hope it stays... fingers crossed!

 

[Mineu]

US Air is sold out to Madrid until 4/24-not sure what to do now-try to book another airline to Madrid or hope that BCN opens back up by Thursday...

 

[Mineu]

Fox News just reported Barcelona has reopened! Lets hope it stays... fingers crossed!

Wow, that's good news-I can put down the bag of "feel sorry for me" chocolate and resume packing!

 

[skoi]

US Air has its flight to Barcelona as a go for tonight. So does the Philadelphia airport. All other cancellations are posted (Munich, Brussels, etc).

Fingers crossed.

Funny, in church today when they prayed in the liturgy for travelers, we were all crossing ourselves extra. Even ds was doing behind the altar. I thought he was going to knock over a candle and set the place on fire.

Let's hope Barcelona stays open, and things clear up in the north.

Julie

 

[skoi]

Wow, that's good news-I can put down the bag of "feel sorry for me" chocolate and resume packing!

NO! Never put down the chocolate. Now just say it's a "happy for me" bag of chocolate and eat it a little more slowly.

Julie

 

[Mineu]

I added the trip to the special intentions during mass this morning as well and was very excited to see the news when we got home! Prayers and pixie dust! I think it's too late for the chocolate-I've already passed the "too many" mark-I just told the kids to hide the rest!

 

[linkandclover]

US Air is sold out to Madrid until 4/24-not sure what to do now-try to book another airline to Madrid or hope that BCN opens back up by Thursday...

Try Iberia. They had flights open leaving on Friday that arrive Saturday noon which would give you time to get there The BBC map actually seems to predict that the cloud will be moving away from Spain tomorrow. Other airports, including some in France seem to be opening according to the NY times site.

 

[carpenta]

I spoke to a DCL rep and they said if you booked through DCL they would try(key word) to arraign to get you to Barcelona and if not to Malta the first port. Also reitterated that if somehow you are unable to reach Barcelona and if you have insurance that is denied that DCL would credit your payment less tax paid towards a future cruise. For an act of God I believe that the offer was quite nice.....but who would ever want to miss the cruise? Plus I believe the prayers will help alot.

 

[Becx N Gav]

The test flights will be reviewed tonight and tomorrow and EU transport ministers will meet tomorrow evening (around 5-6pm Europe time = 1 hour ahead of the UK).

Hopefully they will ease up a bit on the restrictions. 50% of European flights are supposed to be back up and running tomorrow - although I'm not sure where these will be.

Hopefully even if you can't fly on the day you've already booked (if arriving before Friday) you can go a day or two later - better than not getting there at all. We're hoping our flight will still go ahead, the next couple of days will show.....

 

[shushh]

I think DCL are in denial...

"The Disney Cruise Line Air/Sea Department continues to monitor the
volcanic eruption in Iceland very closely.

At this time, we do not anticipate guests who have booked their flights
through Disney Cruise Line to be impacted by these airport closures."

 

[Becx N Gav]

I think DCL are in denial...

"The Disney Cruise Line Air/Sea Department continues to monitor the
volcanic eruption in Iceland very closely.

At this time, we do not anticipate guests who have booked their flights
through Disney Cruise Line to be impacted by these airport closures."

Unless they know more than we're being told on the news I think they will have a last minute scramble to get people to the port Surely they are better to get a plan in place - just in case

Although if DCL booked flights are late does that mean they will hold the ship in port? This may allow people booked on non-DCL flights to get to the boat on time.

They just announced UK airspace will be closed until 7pm Monday

For UK citizens stuck in the US and Caribbean there are plans to fly them to Spain and then use navy and commercial ships to get them to the UK, finally!

 

[speakupjc]

We are not traveling with you but are on the 5/26 cruise. We did want all of you that you have been in our thoughts and prayers. We hope all of not only make it to your cruise but also have a great time!

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

We are not traveling with you but are on the 5/26 cruise. We did want all of you that you have been in our thoughts and prayers. We hope all of not only make it to your cruise but also have a great time!

Same here...I have been thinking of you all. I have been so excited for you all to go on your trip since I can't wait to hear all the great details! Will continue to send positive thoughts your way!!!

 

[strawberryblonde]

Agreed! Sending positive, ash-free vibes !! I feel for all you have been through, and am hoping for the best of outcomes.

 

[Dicecatt]

Thanks to everyone keeping us in your thoughts and prayers!

It appears to me that if you have a flight from US to Barcelona, things are looking better. Might be wishful thinking but this afternoon looks better than this morning!

I've made up my mind. I am going to pack and get ready and prepare my household and assume we are going. There is absolutely nothing else to be done, there are no earlier flights out and the flights to Madrid are full. We do not have the financial option of buying another on another airline. So, I am going to have a positive attitude and allow myself to be excited for our trip. If something changes in the next few days, we'll deal with it...but the lack of enthusiasm I am feeling for our trip preparations are making me more stressed. God willing, we'll be on the Magic on the 24th