9/16/2017 Magic Transatlantic from Barcelona

[BelleBway]

We're still trying to get tickets to see Hamilton LOL

Hamilton is awesome- good luck!

 

[RedSox68]

Hamilton is awesome- good luck!

I saw him in his original play "In the Heights" and I was sold. He's amazingly talented.

 

[BelleBway]

I saw him in his original play "In the Heights" and I was sold. He's amazingly talented.

Lin actually isn't in Hamilton on Broadway anymore- he left in July but his successor is also great. (I've seen both) But I'm in awe of anyone who can write AND star in a Broadway show. I didn't get to see Heights on Broadway but I saw a London production last year and really enjoyed.

 

[RedSox68]

Lin actually isn't in Hamilton on Broadway anymore- he left in July but his successor is also great. (I've seen both) But I'm in awe of anyone who can write AND star in a Broadway show. I didn't get to see Heights on Broadway but I saw a London production last year and really enjoyed.

yeah, I'm bummed we missed seeing him in it. But I still want to see it!

 

[wilkeliza]

Lin actually isn't in Hamilton on Broadway anymore- he left in July but his successor is also great. (I've seen both) But I'm in awe of anyone who can write AND star in a Broadway show. I didn't get to see Heights on Broadway but I saw a London production last year and really enjoyed.

By this time next year it could be a completely different cast then even the replacement cast. Most of them signed a one year Equity contract (if not 6 months) so will be up for renegotiation far before our cruise date.

 

[karenfm]

Just got a great airfare from Newark to Barcelona on Norwegian Air!! Tuesday 9/12/17 least expense one way $239. We booked the $329 fare which included seat assignment, meals and 1 checked bag. We are from Boston, but since the flight doesn't leave Newark until 11pm (arrives at 12:25pm on Wednesday-no layover) we have plenty of time to get there!

 

[Chirple]

Just got a great airfare from Newark to Barcelona on Norwegian Air!! Tuesday 9/12/17 least expense one way $239. We booked the $329 fare which included seat assignment, meals and 1 checked bag. We are from Boston, but since the flight doesn't leave Newark until 11pm (arrives at 12:25pm on Wednesday-no layover) we have plenty of time to get there!

I saw that as well, but I am hesitating about Norwegian Air because the carry-on and checked luggage weights are less than other airlines. Leaving at 11:00 pm would be ideal since we would not have to take off on 9/12, but I would need to book another night at the hotel in Barcelona since we would arrive a day earlier than planned.

 

[BelleBway]

Just got my time off approved from work! So I'm now fully committed to doing this barring any unforeseen circumstances.

 

[RedSox68]

Just got my time off approved from work! So I'm now fully committed to doing this barring any unforeseen circumstances.

You are very fortunate. I just found out yesterday that they are not going to approve this vacation. Really a mindboggler since I cover all the shifts when others are out and a lot of the time don't even get my breaks or lunch!

So looks like it's time for me to finally consider early retirement! I was going to wait one more year, but this may be the incentive I need.

 

[Chirple]

You are very fortunate. I just found out yesterday that they are not going to approve this vacation. Really a mindboggler since I cover all the shifts when others are out and a lot of the time don't even get my breaks or lunch!

So looks like it's time for me to finally consider early retirement! I was going to wait one more year, but this may be the incentive I need.

WHAT??!!?? Did they give a reason for this? I've had to take a pretty aggressive approach with work when requesting vacation. If I have something like this cruise booked far out, I tell them what days I need off. If I am taking days here and there, I ask for the time. You sound like me, except that I had to put my foot down with covering for others since I got saddled, on more than one occasion, with huge issues my co-workers left behind.

 

[RedSox68]

WHAT??!!?? Did they give a reason for this? I've had to take a pretty aggressive approach with work when requesting vacation. If I have something like this cruise booked far out, I tell them what days I need off. If I am taking days here and there, I ask for the time. You sound like me, except that I had to put my foot down with covering for others since I got saddled, on more than one occasion, with huge issues my co-workers left behind.

Yes, I am still having an incredibly hard time accepting this. It is the first time in 48 years of working that I have ever been turned down for a vacation request. I even offered to shorten the days and leave later and come back to work earlier, but they said they didn't want me to go in September, and "can't you just go in October instead"? Ummm, no -- the transatlantic west is once a year! It has left a very bad feeling to me and has affected my loyalty to my bosses.

I think putting in for retirement right before my trip will be my swan song!

 

[BelleBway]

That's horrible! Especially when requesting this far out.

A coworker is talking about going on a cruise the same time so I figured I'd better get my request in. His cruise runs every week; he said he moved it but I think it still overlaps so I wanted to be safe. I'd told him about my cruise first and I'd booked it earlier so I don't feel like I'm trying to sneak one past anyone. And there is also the whole fact that the Transatlantic runs once a year and there are no guarantees it will come into ny in 2018, either.

 

[RedSox68]

That's horrible! Especially when requesting this far out.

A coworker is talking about going on a cruise the same time so I figured I'd better get my request in. His cruise runs every week; he said he moved it but I think it still overlaps so I wanted to be safe. I'd told him about my cruise first and I'd booked it earlier so I don't feel like I'm trying to sneak one past anyone. And there is also the whole fact that the Transatlantic runs once a year and there are no guarantees it will come into ny in 2018, either.

THAT is my very thought that I tried to tell her -- the pricing was unbeatable (lower than our 2007 one), it will be the 10 year anniversary from when we did it the first time, and we are celebrating our 39th anniversary. None of it made a difference. My husband was also floored that I'm asking a year out and they can't make it work?!? Funny thing, one of her reasons was they aren't comfortable with trying to fill my shifts for that long. Well welcome to kharma-town because if I put in for retirement then you have to worry about more than the lousy few days I was going to be gone LOL.

Curious, BelleBway, how many days did you request?

 

[BelleBway]

I requested 10 days off which is all I'm allowed at one time. (Not counting weekends) I live close to ny so going back the next day is easy; I've been to Barcelona so I don't necessarily need a ton of time there but I still have a few days to play with before the cruise.

 

[Chirple]

I also requested 10 days off with the possibility of adding an 11th on 9/28. Even though we gain the time back and will only be 20 minutes from home when we disembark, sometimes it's nice to have that extra day. I thought I had advised my manager but could not find the email. I shot one off a few minutes ago, and he approved it already. I'm sorry you are having issues with scheduling, RedSox68.

 

[RedSox68]

I also requested 10 days off with the possibility of adding an 11th on 9/28. Even though we gain the time back and will only be 20 minutes from home when we disembark, sometimes it's nice to have that extra day. I thought I had advised my manager but could not find the email. I shot one off a few minutes ago, and he approved it already. I'm sorry you are having issues with scheduling, RedSox68.

I originally requested 15 vacation days -- which many have done in the past -- and then even offered to back it down to 10 vacation days so it would only be three weeks. I, too, didn't want to come in the day after we return, but will do so if it gets this approved. I would have to give up a couple of extra days in Barcelona pre-cruise. If that is also turned down, I feel it's a sign for me to go. Who needs this aggravation when I've earned all the vacation time and put in my time only to be told I can't take the vacation when I want to. Oh, and no one else has requested any vacation time yet -- so I'm definitely not overlapping with anyone.

Thanks for the sentiments!

 

[gismo1554]

My God thats so frustrating! Its a year out and saying stuff like "we can't cover you" is ridiculous. I just wouldn't bother going out of my way to help them ever again!

 

[RedSox68]

My God thats so frustrating! Its a year out and saying stuff like "we can't cover you" is ridiculous. I just wouldn't bother going out of my way to help them ever again!

It just goes against my grain to be disagreeable, but you are right -- I definitely won't be volunteering to cover weekends anymore when they are short-handed since they couldn't find coverage for me!

 

[thethreechunks]

We are booked as well, celebrating 20th anniversary with our kiddos! We are in a Family Oceanview with Verandah, first DCL cruise for us! Cruised before but never for a trip of this length. Always wanted to visit Spain and I'm so excited to be doing it like this... Barcelona makes me nervous though. Are the pickpocket stories blown way out of proportion? Anyway - happy I found this thread, looking forward to a positive interchange of information!

 

[thethreechunks]

There is no better way to spend an anniversary -- that's why so many of our cruises are in August and September (we got married in August). We will be celebrating our 39th -- CONGRATS to all!

Awesome! Congratulations! We are celebrating our 20th! Anniversary on 9/12 - can't wait!