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

[mrosen]

Well - made it to New Jersey today and am at my Brother's house. At this point thinking that this might be the extent of our trip We can't book new flights until we know for sure that British Airways is canceling our Tuesday flight. And, when they do - I think our chances of getting into Europe are slim. I'm hoping that Air France starts some flights into Southern France in a couple of days and maybe I can get a flight to Marseilles or Nice and then drive from there. I can't seem to find many flights available to Lisbon, Madrid, or Barcelona and those that are cost over $2000 per person - call me crazy but I'm not willing to spend $10000 on airfare for the 4 of us At this point I'm resigned to the idea that we're probably not going to make it to Europe this spring. If we can't make this trip - we won't be able to go again until summer, at the earliest. So, I maintain a wait and see - expecting the worst, but hoping for the best. Sorry - just had to vent - very frustrated, and somewhat depressed right now

Hang in there! I know how you feel and think many of us do. We are also on a flight to Barcelona through London and flying Tuesday too. We've called American Airlines many times since Friday. Can't get on any of the JFK to Barcelona flights (all full til sometime after our cruise sails), no other option to get in to Barcelona and they told us to wait to see if our flight is cancelled (like its really going to take off Tuesday to London). By the time its cancelled, no idea if they will be able to offer us anything else.

I certainly am hoping for "miracle" that flights through London Tuesday are back so here's hoping so for you.

We've been frazzled, depressed, angry - you name it this weekend over this. Feel like we are in limbo. I think many of us do as this is certainly a crazy situation to happen to all these airlines, airports and so many travelers.

I'm still hoping for a miracle for all of us on this board to get to our cruise in time to sail on Saturday.

 

[skoi]

Dicecatt--

We're also on US Air now. We're holding Brit Air and US Air tickets, for the same night- only because the kids insisted I use their child tax credit money to buy their new tickets.

I've been watching the website and the Philly airport site like a hawk, so far, so good.

Here's hoping we all make it by Saturday, 4:00 PM.

Inshallah.

Julie

 

[mrosen]

Oh no, why did American cancel a Wednesday flight already?

I am surprised too at this and also wondering what is going on. American did cancel today the flights between JFK and Barcelona as a result of Barcelona airport being shutdown for part of the day. I figured they were doing what all other airlines are doing and only cancelling for a short window of time to see what develops.

I thought tomorrow's flight from JFK to Barcelona and vice versa tomorrow as still on target and that Barcelona airport was back open for business after their temporary shutdown earlier today.

 

[skoi]

Last thing- if anyone does manage to get in via Morocco and wants some quick Arabic phrases or advice for travel at least as far as Tangier, let me know.

Julie

 

[Dicecatt]

Unfortunately, I am on British Air which goes through Heathrow. I thought maybe I could get something else to get me there and then by the end of the cruise, perhaps BA would be flying again. Really don't know what to do.

We are direct from Philly (well, first STL to PHL). Therefore, I am feeling a bit more optimistic, seeing that the same flight is operating right now.

 

[Dicecatt]

Dicecatt--

We're also on US Air now. We're holding Brit Air and US Air tickets, for the same night- only because the kids insisted I use their child tax credit money to buy their new tickets.

I've been watching the website and the Philly airport site like a hawk, so far, so good.

Here's hoping we all make it by Saturday, 4:00 PM.

Inshallah.

Julie

You are leaving Tuesday on that flight? So far, it is looking good. I was tempted to change to Tuesday or Wednesday, however, there are no seats available, so I just have to hope wind doesn't shift and make things worse in that direction by Thursday. We did build a day cushion, but my fear is the flights are so full that if ours gets cancelled, who knows when we'd be on another one. So far, the pixie dust and prayer wishes are working on my flight. Inshallah, indeed...I heard that often during our Egypt stay!

 

[salboz]

Thanks to everyone, both on this cruise and to others just dropping by to offer good wishes. I tried to get seats on US AIR for any day this week, but all sold out. I wish I had thought of it sooner.

 

[skoi]

Dicecatt-

Yes- we head out Tuesday.

Still wondering what's up with the canceled flight on Wednesday from JFK? Anyone hears anything, please share it.

Julie

 

[alltheparks]

I am surprised too at this and also wondering what is going on. American did cancel today the flights between JFK and Barcelona as a result of Barcelona airport being shutdown for part of the day. I figured they were doing what all other airlines are doing and only cancelling for a short window of time to see what develops.

I thought tomorrow's flight from JFK to Barcelona and vice versa tomorrow as still on target and that Barcelona airport was back open for business after their temporary shutdown earlier today.

Sorry for the confusion, mates! American cancelled the flight for Sunday, we are waiting to see what happens for our flight on Wednesday!

 

[Dicecatt]

Sorry fo the confusion, mates! American cancelled the flight for Sunday, we are waiting to see what happens for our flight on Wednesday!

Yay! I was worried we wouldn't get to meet

 

[Disneyfalcon]

You better not give up, because I am supposed to be touring Rome with you, and I fully intend to do it.

I did call American today, and the JFK to BCN flight we are on Wednesday, was cancelled today. Just waiting to see what they do tomorrow. I didn't go through all the options, but there are no seats available until April 26th on that particular flight.

I think positive attitude's get us much further....so the ASH will clear, and we will all make it safely to cruise! See you on Saturday!

Oh no, why did American cancel a Wednesday flight already?

I am surprised too at this and also wondering what is going on. American did cancel today the flights between JFK and Barcelona as a result of Barcelona airport being shutdown for part of the day. I figured they were doing what all other airlines are doing and only cancelling for a short window of time to see what develops.

I thought tomorrow's flight from JFK to Barcelona and vice versa tomorrow as still on target and that Barcelona airport was back open for business after their temporary shutdown earlier today.

Dicecatt-

Yes- we head out Tuesday.

Still wondering what's up with the canceled flight on Wednesday from JFK? Anyone hears anything, please share it.

Julie

I think we're misunderstanding what alltheparks wrote. I understood it that way the first time I read it too. Then I realized that can't be right.

I think she meant they cancelled the same flight she is on Wednesday, for today. Not Wednesday's flight.

Does that make sense?

I'm on that flight Thursday, Lord willing!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Sorry for the confusion, mates! American cancelled the flight for Sunday, we are waiting to see what happens for our flight on Wednesday!

We were typing at the same time!!

 

[skoi]

Thanks for the clarification on the flight.

Still wonder why they canceled, as US Air flew tonight Philadelphia to BCN? Maybe the routing takes the JFK flight through the cloud?

Either way, again I'm saying Inshallah (God willing- in Arabic), we'll all be there in Barcelona by Saturday.

Off to bed now. I have three suitcases mostly packed on my bed, and need to haul them off.

Our fish extender is ruined. My plan totally didn't work, so I'm just going to have a lame tote bag hanging from our fish if we make it to the ship. So you'll know which room is ours, if the Arabic writing on one of our door magnets doesn't give us away.

Julie

 

[shushh]

Just a quick update. Our flight is officially cancelled. Singapore airlines has agreed to let us use the return leg, so I have booked us all a flight via New Zealand, Argentina and onto Madrid. We will arrive there on the 21st and have to wing our way to Barcelona somehow.

Thank you to everyone for your well wishes. We now have repack as the luggage requirements are different! Hopefully see you all on the 24th!

Julie my mobile number is 61 411779512. Text me when you get there and hopefuly we'll still get to go to Montserrat together! We're aiming for the 736 train from Placa Espanya.

Got to go!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Well, for once I am more optimistic. I think those of you who are traveling directly to Spain should be fine now. The forecast for Spain has improved a lot. UK is still as dire as before with them now saying that no changes are expected until the end of the week the earliest.

I think I might have found a solution for getting to Barcelona and I am actually quite excited about this. We were supposed to fly out on Thursday so we have two nights accommodation booked in Barcelona anyway. I found this morning that there is a Portsmouth Santander ferry that leaves on Wednesday at 11:00 and gets into Santander at Midday the following day. From Santander, there are regular trains to Madrid that take 4.5 hours. From Madrid there are then lots of high-speed trains to Barcelona that take about 2.5 hours. I checked the timings and we could be in Barcelona at 22:48 on the Thursday. That still gives us the whole of Friday in hand if something goes wrong or to explore Barcelona if everything goes according to plan. Now I just have to convince my employer to let me take two additional days leave.

If I can't get the additional leave, then there is a plan B. There are regular ferries from Portsmouth to Le Havre so we could get on the 11 PM ferry on Thursday, which would get us to Le Havre by 8:00 AM on Friday. From there we would have to get a train to Paris and then Paris to Barcelona. This might be cutting it a bit fine, but it still should work.

Keep your fingers crossed that I can get the additional leave.

Corinna

 

[shushh]

Corinna, best wishes with everything. This goes for everyone heading into Spain. Wish us luck as well trying to get from Madrid to Barcelona with 3 young children. I am not sure whether its a sign of commitment or craziness. See you all soon!

 

[grlzmom]

Sending pixie dust and prayers to all of you who are traveling soon that you will be here stress free on Saturday to board the Magic.

We were in Madiera yesterday (which was wonderful) and weather is good.

I think that some performers/crew who were supposed to board with us yesterday in Madiera did not make it due to travel problems. There is alot of talk about trains and ferries being overbooked due to the airline issues so if you have travel plans that involve those routes, make sure and reconfirm and arrive early for check in.

DCL of course isn't saying anything about it onboard (that I've heard) but all of us btb cruisers are thinking of you all and looking forward to meeting everyone on Saturday in Barcelona.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Corinna, best wishes with everything. This goes for everyone heading into Spain. Wish us luck as well trying to get from Madrid to Barcelona with 3 young children. I am not sure whether its a sign of commitment or craziness. See you all soon!

I keep my fingers crossed for you.

Corinna

 

[Becx N Gav]

Well, for once I am more optimistic. I think those of you who are traveling directly to Spain should be fine now. The forecast for Spain has improved a lot. UK is still as dire as before with them now saying that no changes are expected until the end of the week the earliest.

I think I might have found a solution for getting to Barcelona and I am actually quite excited about this. We were supposed to fly out on Thursday so we have two nights accommodation booked in Barcelona anyway. I found this morning that there is a Portsmouth Santander ferry that leaves on Wednesday at 11:00 and gets into Santander at Midday the following day. From Santander, there are regular trains to Madrid that take 4.5 hours. From Madrid there are then lots of high-speed trains to Barcelona that take about 2.5 hours. I checked the timings and we could be in Barcelona at 22:48 on the Thursday. That still gives us the whole of Friday in hand if something goes wrong or to explore Barcelona if everything goes according to plan. Now I just have to convince my employer to let me take two additional days leave.

If I can't get the additional leave, then there is a plan B. There are regular ferries from Portsmouth to Le Havre so we could get on the 11 PM ferry on Thursday, which would get us to Le Havre by 8:00 AM on Friday. From there we would have to get a train to Paris and then Paris to Barcelona. This might be cutting it a bit fine, but it still should work.

Keep your fingers crossed that I can get the additional leave.

Corinna

I'll keep my fingers crossed you can get the days off I'm hoping at worst we will only have to take 1 day off, train to London, Eurostar to Paris (expensive but convenient and fairly quick) then an overnight train to Barcelona. I do hope things get back up and running tomorrow or Wednesday. I'll be quite annoyed if the rest of Europe lets planes fly but in the UK we're still grounded I'm hoping the meeting tonight will make them see planes can fly without risk.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I'll keep my fingers crossed you can get the days off I'm hoping at worst we will only have to take 1 day off, train to London, Eurostar to Paris (expensive but convenient and fairly quick) then an overnight train to Barcelona. I do hope things get back up and running tomorrow or Wednesday. I'll be quite annoyed if the rest of Europe lets planes fly but in the UK we're still grounded I'm hoping the meeting tonight will make them see planes can fly without risk.

If it really is safe then I agree with this. However, there are dozens of documented cases that it is not safe to fly through volcanic ash. Indeed, a light aircraft crash in the UK over the last few days is said to have been caused by the ash. As much as a pain as this is, I rather have them play this safe than having aircrafts fall out of the sky with engine failure.

The risk at the moment is that people will bow to economical and political pressure and forget about the safety aspect. I don't think that this is likely to happen in the UK, but might well happen elsewhere in Europe.

Well, I am getting in the spirit of things again at the moment. I have started to pack my suitcase and I am just doing the online check in for the cruise.

Corinna