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

[Becx N Gav]

To all,

I can say that flights will be back starting Tuesday. The reason that I can say this is that I live in Rota, Spain and I work with the Air Force here. Rota is about 45 min from Cadiz. I will keep ya'll informed.

Rich

I do hope so. We've looked at getting a ferry from Dover - to Calais would be a PITA as it's hard to get a train (to Paris) but if we went to Dunkirk (we'd have to be in a car, my Dad may be able to take us if he's not working) we can get a train to Paris and then to Barcelona.

Here's hoping it clears over the next couple of days and at least short haul European flights can catch up a bit.

 

[shushh]

I'm so frustrated, I can't get on any flights to anywhere in Europe. Its either fully booked or cancelled. I just need to get to mainland Europe. ANYWHERE in Europe then we 'll drive, hitch, train, run whatever...

Lara congrats on the house!

 

[Mineu]

US airways is now listing Barcelona and Madrid as cities affected by the ash cloud-lifting restrictions on itinerary changes from now until 4/22-we're due to fly out on 4/22 are there any alternatives?

 

[shushh]

I know Athens is definitely yet to be affected. But if barcelona airspace is closed, its quite a hike from athens to spain. Malts is also still open. We are considering joining the cruise from Malta or Tunis if all else fails. This is depressing.

I just checked american airlines and they are still flying into Madrid. Maybe check them out?

 

[Mineu]

Still on hold with US Air-not sure why they would not fly to BCN but American and Delta will...

 

[NC_Tink]

Still on hold with US Air-not sure why they would not fly to BCN but American and Delta will...

yeah - I couldn't find anything, anywhere that stated that airports are closed in Spain. Good luck! We're still in a wait and see pattern. British Airways hasn't come out to say they're cancelling flights on Tuesday and until they do - we're kinda in limbo.

I spent most of the afternoon in packing hell today - almost done. Hopefully it's not all for nothing. and to all all of us who are currently in limbo or to all who are already trying to find alternate routes. Hopefully we'll all see each other a week from today.

 

[Mineu]

My 13 minute hold time is now about 45-but US Air flights from now through Wed. are not available online. The main volcano thread posted some information that makes it look like the cloud is heading towards Spain and the sooner we get there the better... Of course, my husband is worried we'll be able to get home-especially since I'm leaving him home with four kids!

 

[shushh]

I can't focus on anything. Packing is usually exciting for me but I am SOOO stressed!!!

I can fly in through the states but the flight times and connections are horrendous. I don't fancy travelling for 52 hours!!!

I am in the same position as most. Singapore airlines will waive cancellation fees however they haven't officially cancelled my flight yet. And until they do, I can't do anything because then the insurance won't pay for the flights. But as it is, the other available flights that are reasonable are already full.

 

[Mineu]

Finally got through-the poor agent sounded exhausted! The flight into BCN for today is still on-but there was no availability for Sun. Mon. Tues. she wasn't sure if they stopped selling seats because they anticipate the airport being closed or if the plane is just full for those dates... At thins point-it doesn't seem like there is anything that we can do...

 

[dolphingirl47]

To all,

I can say that flights will be back starting Tuesday. The reason that I can say this is that I live in Rota, Spain and I work with the Air Force here. Rota is about 45 min from Cadiz. I will keep ya'll informed.

Rich

I sincerely hope you are right. The information I get is unfortunately different. The cloud has now spread as far a Northern Italy and is expected to reach Spain very soon. No changes for UK, France, Germany, etc. in sight for at least another 5 days.

I am really surprised that there is not even a hint of information about this on the DCL website.

Corinna

 

[linkandclover]

Has anyone talked to Disney yet about this problem and if we have other options available to us.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Has anyone talked to Disney yet about this problem and if we have other options available to us.

I am going to email my travel agent about this tomorrow.

Corinna

 

[shushh]

I emailed DU with no response. Also emailed DCL about their lack of info. Other cruiseline websites have updates on potentially affected cruises.

 

[Californiacruisers]

Has anyone talked to Disney yet about this problem and if we have other options available to us.

I spoke with them. They said the ship is sailing either way. If you bought tickets through them they will try to help you re-route. If not or if they cant find flights the options are pretty simple. 1. lose your money. or 2. if you bought the travel insurance you can start a claim with access america but it will " most likely be rejected" at that time, DCL will step in and give you a credit towards a future cruise.

We are scheduled to leave wednesday night. We will just cross our fingers.

 

[linkandclover]

I wonder if it would be useful for people to post when they are supposed to leave, how they are traveling to Barcelona and if they have any contingencies in place. This may be more helpful than reading a lot of disturbing information that is likely to make everyone more anxious and depressed than they already are.
The other thing that might help is letting one another know if they can find flights where they live as there may be options from different cities that people can travel to that they did not think of (doing a series of short trips).

NC Tink I checked Iberia a few hours ago and they had flights out of Washington DC still available on Friday (maybe you could make this work).

I am not ready to give up until that boat leaves Barcelona!!!!!!!

 

[Californiacruisers]

I wonder if it would be useful for people to post when they are supposed to leave, how they are traveling to Barcelona and if they have any contingencies in place. This may be more helpful than reading a lot of disturbing information that is likely to make everyone more anxious and depressed than they already are.
The other thing that might help is letting one another know if they can find flights where they live as there may be options from different cities that people can travel to that they did not think of (doing a series of short trips).

NC Tink I checked Iberia a few hours ago and they had flights out of Washington DC still available on Friday (maybe you could make this work).

I am not ready to give up until that boat leaves Barcelona!!!!!!!

We are in Los Angeles. We are due to leave LAX on Wednesday night 8:00pm. Non stop to Heathrow and then into Barcelona at 8:00 pm Thursday. I haven't even pulled out the suitcases yet nor has any packing been started. I am going to give it another couple days and then dig in... I agree that we need to stay positive. There is still a few days and the winds could change.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I am definitely not giving up yet, but I am pretty worried.

We leave for NYC on the 22nd, and fly out that evening. We're supposed to land in Barcelona on the morning of the 23rd. We're flying American.

Some in our party are flying US Airways.

My back up plan is to get as close as possible and see what we can do.

My family thought I was joking when I suggested the Morrocco plan someone brought up.

I definitely wasn't!

 

[linkandclover]

We live in the Washington DC area and are scheduled to leave Thursday night with British Airways to Heathrow and then to Barcelona. I also have a flight on hold with Iberia that leaves Wednesday. If things aren't any better tomorrow we will plan for the Wednesday flight.

 

[Mineu]

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.

 

[mrosen]

I think we are toast on this (or that is our fear). We fly out Tuesday into London enroute to Barcelona. Its not looking good and we have found no option to get there another way with American (talked to them a few times) - everything is sold out.

We called Disney today too. They do expect ship to sail and and that given we have trip insurance, we'll get refund to apply to a future cruise as our option. And we want to get on this cruise so I really don't want to end up there on exercising this option.

Just so depressing as its not clear from anything on the outlook in the news that this is clearing up super fast. We are proceeding on getting ready to leave as planned so rather busy this weekend but this situation has really thrown a monkey wrench into the mix for all of us and I for one am totally stressed (and grumpy too because of this).

Best wishes to everyone that we all make it there.