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

[yogibigdog]

Yes, lets hope! This is the flight we are on Friday... I am feeling hopeful that everything will be fine. Now to tend to laundry and packing list. Good luck to all and hope to see everyone on Sat.!!

I am on your flight!

 

[cam71099]

I am on your flight!

Are you? Too funny! I will be the one popping Zanex (I am NOT kidding)!!! Keeping fingers crossed that all goes well Where are you coming from? We are on Long Island.

Alyson

 

[Melcatfish]

Well done to those who found alternate routes to get to Barcelona, I am thinking of you all. I was so pleased today when they announced that large segments of air space were opening back up and I hope that you all make it to the cruise with a little faith trust and pixie dust!

Mel
x

 

[salboz]

Just got a call From Disney They were told that Heathrow would open this evening.

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

I am so happy for you all that everything seems to be getting back on track...I wish I was going to be part of that Sail Away Party....wooo hooo....what a celebration that is going to be!! Sending lots of pixie dust your way

 

[NC_Tink]

Well - so much for cautiously optimistic - British Airways has cancelled our flights for tomorrow and I can not change my flight through their website - so we've cancelled our flights and are scrambling to try to find another way to get there. But, once again - it doesn't look good for us. The person I spoke to worked for some company that British Airways has hired and she basically said "go to the website and do everything from there - we can't help you, tell you anything, so piss off and get off the phone so that I can tell someone else the same thing. Sorry - just a bit frustrated with their customer service right now.

 

[carpenta]

Well - so much for cautiously optimistic - British Airways has cancelled our flights for tomorrow and I can not change my flight through their website - so we've cancelled our flights and are scrambling to try to find another way to get there. But, once again - it doesn't look good for us. The person I spoke to worked for some company that British Airways has hired and she basically said "go to the website and do everything from there - we can't help you, tell you anything, so piss off and get off the phone so that I can tell someone else the same thing. Sorry - just a bit frustrated with their customer service right now.

I'm sorry to hear your frustration and we are also in a similar boat. One thing that was suggested by DCL would be a flight to Malta to catch the Magic in its' first port. We are looking now.

 

[shushh]

Well - so much for cautiously optimistic - British Airways has cancelled our flights for tomorrow and I can not change my flight through their website - so we've cancelled our flights and are scrambling to try to find another way to get there. But, once again - it doesn't look good for us. The person I spoke to worked for some company that British Airways has hired and she basically said "go to the website and do everything from there - we can't help you, tell you anything, so piss off and get off the phone so that I can tell someone else the same thing. Sorry - just a bit frustrated with their customer service right now.

Lubi I'm so sorry to hear that. If it makes you feel better, Singapore Airlines isn't any better. Our original flight to Barcelona is now going ahead as scheduled but they've given our seats away!!! But wait for this....they've left Jonah on the plane. Yep. They've kept my 18 month old's seat flying solo without his family. Unbelievable. We were on the phone last night for over 4 hours with no resolution. We're heading to the airport in 30 minutes to resume our fight. If it doesn't work then we'll go ahead with Aerolineas Argentinas instead to Madrid.

So here's a last goodbye to all. GOod luck to all getting to Barcelona. Really praying and hoping that we'll all get there safely

 

[skoi]

Well - so much for cautiously optimistic - British Airways has cancelled our flights for tomorrow and I can not change my flight through their website - so we've cancelled our flights and are scrambling to try to find another way to get there. But, once again - it doesn't look good for us. The person I spoke to worked for some company that British Airways has hired and she basically said "go to the website and do everything from there - we can't help you, tell you anything, so piss off and get off the phone so that I can tell someone else the same thing. Sorry - just a bit frustrated with their customer service right now.

WHAT? How can their customer service people not help you? Did you call Brit Air direct? When I called on Thursday they weren't particularly helpful, and said I couldn't get money back if I canceled at that point.

Oh Lubi, I feel so bad for you. There has to be some solution.

Julie

 

[shushh]

Lubi, I was still able to get flights to Morocco and Cairo and Tunis. And I know there are then plenty of direct flights from those places to Barcelona. And all the airports are operational.

 

[uwo93]

We seem to be one of the few flying KLM through AMS, but this should be indicative of other euro airlines:

Flight information Last update: 19 April 2010, 21.00 hrs

Until operation is back to normal we will communicate about planned flights via the list below.

Only flights mentioned in this list will be operated. The status of all other flight is currently unknown. This information will be updated regularly. Please keep informed via this page. This is the most up to date information available. Please do not go to the airport if your flight is not in this list.

* All times mentioned are local times


Flight nr. From To Departure date & time * Arrival date & time *
KL783 Curaçao Amsterdam 19-04 10:00 hrs
KL714 Paramaribo Amsterdam 19-04 15:00 hrs
KL662 Houston Amsterdam 19-04 17.00 hrs 20-04 09.10 hrs
KL692 Toronto Amsterdam 19-04 19:20 hrs 20-04 08.25 hrs
KL672 Montreal Amsterdam 19-04 19.55 hrs 20-04 08.35 hrs
KL612 Chicago Amsterdam 19-04 17.45 hrs 20-04 08.30 hrs
KL642 New York (JFK) Amsterdam 19-04 19.30 hrs 20-04 ​

 

[skoi]

So here's a last goodbye to all. GOod luck to all getting to Barcelona. Really praying and hoping that we'll all get there safely

M'a salaama! (Yes, I know I spelled it wrong. I can only spell in real Arabic letters)

Have a good flight, and we'll be in touch whether we make it or not to let you know.

Here's hoping we see you bright and early at the train on Thursday.

Julie

 

[linkandclover]

I don't whether to get my hopes up or not. Latest on British Airlines is that they hope to have all long haul flights, departing after 4pm, operational tomorrow. Our flight is due to depart at 20:30 (EST) so hopefully this means we'll be good to go! I hope that all goes well tomorrow - that there are no issues with flights departing earlier in the day and that all airspace is clear. Brian read somewhere that a chief Volcanologist has stated that the ash has greatlly decreased and that the air should start to clear significantly - I really really hope this is true!!!!

I'll keep ya all posted - hopefully I'll get on here tomorrow with good news to share!

BTW - congratulations to all of you who have found alternate ways to get to the ship!! We truly hope to see everyone on Saturday - we are so looking forward to meeting all of you - this is such a great group!

Oh and to anyone reading this post - you can see I have a theme going on - it's "optimistically hopeful!" Maybe that's cautiously hopeful?

Lubi,

I am about to refund my flight. Is there any way I can give it to you.

 

[Becx N Gav]

Well - so much for cautiously optimistic - British Airways has cancelled our flights for tomorrow and I can not change my flight through their website - so we've cancelled our flights and are scrambling to try to find another way to get there. But, once again - it doesn't look good for us. The person I spoke to worked for some company that British Airways has hired and she basically said "go to the website and do everything from there - we can't help you, tell you anything, so piss off and get off the phone so that I can tell someone else the same thing. Sorry - just a bit frustrated with their customer service right now.

I'm sorry to hear your frustration and we are also in a similar boat. One thing that was suggested by DCL would be a flight to Malta to catch the Magic in its' first port. We are looking now.

So sorry to hear this, you still have a few days and I'll keep my fingers crossed you can get to Barcelona somehow or at least another port

 

[Californiacruisers]

Lubi I'm so sorry to hear that. If it makes you feel better, Singapore Airlines isn't any better. Our original flight to Barcelona is now going ahead as scheduled but they've given our seats away!!! But wait for this....they've left Jonah on the plane. Yep. They've kept my 18 month old's seat flying solo without his family. Unbelievable. We were on the phone last night for over 4 hours with no resolution. We're heading to the airport in 30 minutes to resume our fight. If it doesn't work then we'll go ahead with Aerolineas Argentinas instead to Madrid.

So here's a last goodbye to all. GOod luck to all getting to Barcelona. Really praying and hoping that we'll all get there safely

How can they give up your seats? Now I am very worried. it is one thing to cancel flights but to give up seats is just downright unethical! Good luck! I wish you safe travels

 

[NC_Tink]

Lubi,

I am about to refund my flight. Is there any way I can give it to you.

Thanks for the offer - but I don't think this will work. British Airways was less than helpful when I spoke with the person on the phone. I hesitate to book anything with them because they indicate on their website that because many of their planes are out of place, it may take several days for them to get things back up and going at a regular rate. I'm still looking - trying to get creative. We're keeping our fingers crossed but have basically decided that if we can't find anything by Wednesday morning then I think we're stuck stateside.

 

[linkandclover]

Thanks for the offer - but I don't think this will work. British Airways was less than helpful when I spoke with the person on the phone. I hesitate to book anything with them because they indicate on their website that because many of their planes are out of place, it may take several days for them to get things back up and going at a regular rate. I'm still looking - trying to get creative. We're keeping our fingers crossed but have basically decided that if we can't find anything by Wednesday morning then I think we're stuck stateside.

Since I have an amazingly stubborn streak in me I will give it a try as I am stuck doing paperwork at the office and the music on hold is so entertaining.

 

[skoi]

Lubi,

I am about to refund my flight. Is there any way I can give it to you.

Aren't you going to make it? Or did you book another flight?

I have Brit Air out of Philadelphia tomorrow, but don't think I can transfer.

Julie

 

[linkandclover]

Aren't you going to make it? Or did you book another flight?

I have Brit Air out of Philadelphia tomorrow, but don't think I can transfer.

Julie

We are going to make it as I bought tickets with Iberia. We are now leaving on Wednesday. I just hate to refund the tickets I have for Thursday night through BA without being able to give them to someone on the cruise. I also suggest that people who are looking to rebook regularly check with Iberia as they allow you to hold tickets for up to 48 hours and if air space truly opens up it is possible that some tickets will become available.

 

[linkandclover]

Sorry. I just spoke with British Airways and they cannot transfer tickets as it is not possible. If anyone is looking to rebook I will be giving mine up between now and Wednesday morning (still not completely ready to fully believe we are going to be able to leave).