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

[Mineu]

AA 174 from RDU to Heathrow. We had a BA flight from Heathrow to Barcelona on 21st so had a short layover in Heathrow.

I've looked online myself and there is nothing. We can keep looking but not optimistic we'll find something that magically pops up. I have to go cancel our hotel now for few days before cruise in Barcelona.

Did you get a full refund-I just found something on US Air from RDU to Phil to BCN-it's a little over $1000 per person-but gets you to BCN.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

disneyfalcon-

We only had plane tickets. We just walked up to the ticket book for the train in the airport- which is right downstairs from where you come through customs.

I don't know what you can book online. We just went to the CMT office in Rabat when we took the bus- then when they didn't have a bus to the middle of nowhere town we were going (they would drop us off on the highway, but not in town), we just walked to the bus station and bought tickets.

Very confusing process. You need to find the right window for the city you want- because there are a handful of independent bus companies who run different routes- and men who hang at the station want to help you- for money. But the signs are in Arabic and French- so it's not hard to find the right city if it's a major one.

To get rid of over zealous men who wanted to "help" I used the line, "La shukran, kanzarnu al akh dial razulee." or- No thanks, we're visiting the brother of my husband. Cleared them off every time. Especially since ds looks very Moroccan, they tell me. Of course the kids thought that was a scream- saying it meant I was married to my Arabic teacher- who they consider to be another uncle. Kids- so strange.

So if you go that way- definitely look into cheap flights too.

Julie

Thank you for the details, Julie!

 

[mrosen]

Did you get a full refund-I just found something on US Air from RDU to Phil to BCN-it's a little over $1000 per person-but gets you to BCN.

We can get a refund for 2 of the tickets. 2 were frequent flier miles.

I don't see anything on US Air. I've been trying airlines direct and sites like expedia, travelocity, etc.

 

[salboz]

Does anyone know what the airlines are doing as far as cancellations? If I grab something else and then my flight goes, am I just out the money for the new tickets? Also, does anyone know if I can use the return portion if I can't use the outbound portion. Have found it impossible to get airline rep on phone for an answer.

 

[alltheparks]

I love the website Kayak.com for searching for flights. I was looking today for NC Tink, and I don't know people's budget, but they had flights all week for around $1200 RT going through different cities from New York area.

I think this board is getting a bit sad with all the airline chat! I have to say that I am getting very excited! My grandma made me the neatest FE (I am going to try and post a picture). It is Peter Pan based as says "cruising to neverland". My mom completed DS "star wars" pillowcase last night for the characters to sign. Tonight we worked on Magnets, and getting the Travel Journal printed correctly. Packing is easy for us, since we already had to decide what to bring. I just have to throw it in the suitcases tomorrow. We start our travel day VERY early on Wednesday!

Much happier today, since American flew flight #152 today! Really hoping we ALL get to meet on saturday!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I agree there could be a risk - but then why not get out there and determine it? There is no measured maximum limit to particulates of this type in the air, surely if it was such a great threat to expensive machines they would know what safe levels are? I heard the guy from the Met office was saying some of the test flights didn't even have the right instruments to record the right data
I think we may find a lot of this has been a knee jerk reaction due to not having comprehensive information as to what to do. I know before planes have at least been able to fly around the ash - they seem to have never predicted it could cover such a wide area all at once.

Good for you and others to keep on going, best to keep on trying until the last possible moment.

Good news about them finally starting to bring some Brits home I know I'm complaining but at least I'm safe at home (or rather work right now ) and only have a holiday to lose at worst.

I think tomorrow night we'll be purchasing train tickets for our 24 hour journey But rather get there than not at all.

Another problem is that the test flights fly at low altitude so they will not get a realistic idea if it is safe to take planes up to cruising altitude anyway.

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 am so sorry to hear this.

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

Good luck on your travels. Hopefully see you on the ship on Saturday.

Our flight was just cancelled and American can find us nothing that gets us into Barcelona in time for the cruise.

I am so sorry about this. Let's hope that you will find a way to get to Barcelona in time.

Well, I got into work, got my additional two days off sorted and let DH know. By the time I managed to get this sorted, the ferry to Spain (which would have been our first choice) was no longer available. So DH booked a highspeed ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre instead. The ferry will leave tomorrow morning. We will head down to Portsmouth by train later this afternoon. From Le Havre we have to make our way to Paris somehow, but the trains are relatively frequent and quite quick. We will have the rest of Wednesday and pretty much all of Thursday in Paris before we get on an overnight train to Barcelona getting us there Friday morning.

I am seriously tempted to spend Thursday at Disneyland Paris. I have been many times, but always in late November and in December when the Christmas decorations are up. I would love to see it in spring and as I am in Paris anyway, it would be a shame not to go.

I wish all of you a safe journey. I hope that all of you can make it to Barcelona in time and that I see you soon.

Corinna

 

[Lhagerty]

Well, we woke up this morning to find that our flight for today has been cancelled. I don't want to have to tell my son when he gets up that we are not going but I'm not having any luck with finding a flight to Europe before Monday. It is going to be a very long and sad day around this house. FOr the families that are able to make it to the ship have a great time.

LuAnne

 

[dolphingirl47]

Well, we woke up this morning to find that our flight for today has been cancelled. I don't want to have to tell my son when he gets up that we are not going but I'm not having any luck with finding a flight to Europe before Monday. It is going to be a very long and sad day around this house. FOr the families that are able to make it to the ship have a great time.

LuAnne

Luanne, I am so sorry. Is there any way you can get to Malta for Monday and meet the ship there?

Corinna

 

[tripodjw]

I'm on the May 15 cruise and just wanted to stop by and wish you all luck on getting to Barcelona. I hope everyone makes it somehow, or at worst is able to pick up the cruise at the first port if they can't make it to Barcelona for Saturday.

Good luck and pixie dust to you

 

[Lhagerty]

Yes, I have tried Malta for Monday but can't seem to even get that to work. I also tried Kayak.com but those flight have layovers at airports that are closed so that doesn't work. I did find some first class tickets for $8,000 a piece but again that won't work for our budget. I was advised to go to the airport to the counter for them to move me onto a different flight. I'm trying to figure out if that would make the difference or not.

LuAnne

 

[dolphingirl47]

Yes, I have tried Malta for Monday but can't seem to even get that to work. I also tried Kayak.com but those flight have layovers at airports that are closed so that doesn't work. I did find some first class tickets for $8,000 a piece but again that won't work for our budget. I was advised to go to the airport to the counter for them to move me onto a different flight. I'm trying to figure out if that would make the difference or not.

LuAnne

If the airline advises you to go to the counter at the airport to try to sort this out, then I would do so. Some airlines have closed availability down online and for their reservations offices, but the airports still can book those seats. The airline I was supposed to be flying on has done this for all departures up to including 23rd April. So this may well help.

Corinna

 

[NC_Tink]

Haven't given up hope yet - continue to scour the travel/flight sites looking for an airfare in my budget. Like LuAnne - I find some flights, but they many are routed through airports that are closed - so that doesn't work. I keep hoping as European airports come back online that we might see a little more availability - but maybe I'm crazy to hope that. I also have a call in to a travel agent that was recommended to us last night and finally called travel insured - the guy this morning suggested that we call the actual insurer when they open in 40 minutes to find out if they will cover the difference from what we were going to pay to BA and some of these astronomical airfares that we're finding now. Not sure if that will happen - but it's worth a shot. to everyone finding their flights are canceled. We all need some major pixie dust!

 

[Mineu]

Keep checking-I think some people cancel because they have multiple tickets and there are some canceling just because they fear the flight or not being able to get back. Good luck to everyone.

 

[Mineu]

I just checked US Air and there are at least 4 seats from Phil to BCN on the 22nd...

 

[NC_Tink]

I just checked US Air and it's showing everything is sold out

 

[Mineu]

Are you trying the 22nd?

 

[dolphingirl47]

Haven't given up hope yet - continue to scour the travel/flight sites looking for an airfare in my budget. Like LuAnne - I find some flights, but they many are routed through airports that are closed - so that doesn't work. I keep hoping as European airports come back online that we might see a little more availability - but maybe I'm crazy to hope that. I also have a call in to a travel agent that was recommended to us last night and finally called travel insured - the guy this morning suggested that we call the actual insurer when they open in 40 minutes to find out if they will cover the difference from what we were going to pay to BA and some of these astronomical airfares that we're finding now. Not sure if that will happen - but it's worth a shot. to everyone finding their flights are canceled. We all need some major pixie dust!

Sending your way. I hope that you can sort something out.

I just checked US Air and it's showing everything is sold out

I can see seats as well. The prices are bringing tears to my eyes, but there is some seats available.

Corinna

 

[Lhagerty]

I just called US Air since I don't see any availability but the only flight I could get on was for Monday the 26th.

It was the guy I called for the insurance that suggested we go to the airport. I haven't been able to get through to Air Lingus this morning. I can call the US office at 8:30 to see what my options are but I don't think they will be good.

NC Tink how are your kids taking this???

LuAnne

 

[mmickeya]

LuAnne

I just saw from travelocity.ca a flight (MUlti-destination) from Montreal (YUL) to Rome with 1 stop in Paris. Then I put Barcelona to Montreal for the return flight, leaving on the 21 and returning on the 6 and the price is 1025$ cad/ person. They also have some flight to Rome on the 22 for 1200$ .I also checked Vueling and they have flight from Rome to Barcelona for 150$/person.

Hope this can help you

 

[NC_Tink]

I've tried the 21st, the 22nd, and the 23rd PHL to BCN for 4 seats on USAirways.com and it all shows sold out or not available. Not sure why others are able to see seat availability