April 10 2010 Disney Magic EBTA "Bound for Barcelona" - Part 5

[IngridRalph]

We had trouble in Barcelona due to the lack of stamps as well. They refused to let us through for quite some time and wanted to know where we had "hidden" our old passports. We showed them our room keys that had our names and dates of cruise on them and they finally let us through. It was nerve racking to say the least! We had a mad dash through the Dublin airport followed by a delayed flight that gave us time to drink down a guiness. We successfully had a beer in every port/stop.

~Ingrid

 

[Bumblebee3]

As others have mentioned, what a fabulous cruise!! Thanks to all involved with the lanyards - we loved having them!! -and thanks so much for the birthday cards for our little guy.....what a nice surprise!!

The ONLY good thing about being back at home is having a normal, light diet again....I don't know about anyone else, but my husband and I were both totally "fooded out" by the end of the cruise.....so much delicious food, great meals, treats in our room from concierge, rich desserts, etc.. Wish I could have packed an extra stomach just to be able to enjoy all the amazing food!!

Booked a dummy cruise on board, but really holding out to see where the Magic goes in 2012!! Hope to see some of you there!!!

 

[Beauty & the Best]

Welcome home Liz! It was a pleasure meeting you and your hubby Glad you enjoyed your extended stay in Madrid. Hope we sail together again some day.

Kathe

It was so nice meeting you too Kathe!! I hope we see you again someday
I know you'll enjoy your Alaska cruise if you decide to go that way.

What a terrific cruise! We enjoyed seeing so many people from prior cruises, and meeting new people too.

Woody

How is Madrid? We found the weather to be just teriffic. Happy sailing on your upcoming trip!

The ONLY good thing about being back at home is having a normal, light diet again....I don't know about anyone else, but my husband and I were both totally "fooded out" by the end of the cruise.....so much delicious food, great meals, treats in our room from concierge, rich desserts, etc.. Wish I could have packed an extra stomach just to be able to enjoy all the amazing food!!

Us too!! Definitely fooded out. But that's pretty great since it's back to lots of green leafy stuff for me --- it's nice to actually not want dessert for once!

 

[kritter]

We got home monday night after spending a few extra days in Barcelona.
What an amazing cruise It was a pleasure meeting some of you and wanted to thank everyone that participated in FE group 1 for there fantastic FE gifts. My kids loved everything, and we have many memories of our DIS friends thorughout the house now.
Look forward to cruising with some of you again in the future. We booked onto the Dream while aboard for next August 28, 2011

Ohh, man come join all of the old crew on the Aug. 16th on the Dream. Erika, and Denis and all of us are on it!!

 

[KrisannB]

Just got home last night. The cruise was awesome. It was our first cruise and we will be taking another for sure. After the cruise we caught a flight from Barcelona to Seville, where we stayed for 3 nights. We caught the last night or so of the April Festival in Seville, which was AMAZING. I love Seville - this was our second visit to the city this year.

Did anyone else find the lines at the Barcelona airport to be out of control? There was self check-in but it didn't seem to work for anyone and as a result we stood in line for something like 90 minutes to check-in. Otherwise the flight to Seville was quick. We had no issues with passport stamps. After Seville we headed to Rota (a navy base near Cadiz) and got a military flight home, which was also uneventuful and suprisingly also left on time.

Today I am still unpacking and trying to restore order. The 6 year old woke up at 2 a.m this morning thanks to jetlag, so I am anticipating an afternoon full of meltdowns.

I saw those lines and thought of you they seemed so long. We flew KLM and there was no line! We had to get past all those people in the long line to get to the KLM counter. the KLM lady told us that that airline offers very discounted rates for seniors and it is always like that!


We did not have any issues with any passport/customs until I got to JFK! The customs guy wanted to know if all that luggage was ours!!! I looked at him like he was dumb! I said there are 3 of us - we each have one checked plus one extra and each have a carry on plus our purses. We have been gone for 3 weeks and on a cruise and needed formal wear and such - he waved me through before I finished talking but I kept telling him as I walked away why people on cruises for 2 weeks need a lot of luggage!

Krisann

 

[Beauty & the Best]

The customs guy wanted to know if all that luggage was ours!!! I looked at him like he was dumb! I said there are 3 of us - we each have one checked plus one extra and each have a carry on plus our purses. We have been gone for 3 weeks and on a cruise and needed formal wear and such - he waved me through before I finished talking but I kept telling him as I walked away why people on cruises for 2 weeks need a lot of luggage!

Krisann

That's weird...you'd think that would be pretty standard. Lord knows when we arrived in the US there were a lot of single people with loads of luggage.

I'm honestly surprised about all of the trouble people had due to a lack of stamps in their passports. We flew out of Madrid and they didn't ask us anything.

 

[KrisannB]

we just got word that it looks like someone actually stole my husband's bag at the airport so he is really not happy. One of the items in it was his beach towel from the panama canal cruise in 2008. I will watch ebay to try to find one to buy but doubt I ever will find one. Good news is we have insurance so it will cover most items. I need to find out how much it costs for a new beach towel - did anyone buy one on the cruise this time? I cannot remember how much they are. Now we have to make a list of all the things in his bag - including all his fishextender gifts and secret mickey gifts. From now on nothing goes into a bag that I would not care if I ever saw it again.

Krisann

 

[dizneyfan23]

We had no problems at all in BCN, or going through customs in Philly. Our problem occured trying to get from Philly to Orlando, our plane was delayed by an hour, then we sat in the plane for another 2 hours.

 

[TiggerPU88]

We arrived home on Sunday, after spending one more day in Barcelona. I don't think I've ever see Elian so sad. He sobbed and sobbed about leaving the ship, his friend Raine, the nice people, the Lab & counselors, our servers and stateroom host, etc. Wow. We loved so much about this trip -- and a big part was seeing all of you!

We're adjusting to reentry and I am getting caught up - I came back to 400 personal and 300 work emails plus lots of projects waiting for me to take the next steps. Back to reality.

I'm enjoying looking at the many photos I took, tho. I have a question -- does anyone have a good copy of the group photo? Somehow it was deleted from the final version of our photo CD and I would love a copy of the photo, especially the one that Vikram took from the balcony! Thanks!

-- Adrienne : )

 

[StaciJo]

does anyone have a good copy of the group photo? Somehow it was deleted from the final version of our photo CD and I would love a copy of the photo, especially the one that Vikram took from the balcony! Thanks!

-- Adrienne : )

Adrienne,

We went to Shutters to have the group photo added to our CD, and they said no problem. When we got the CD - no group photo. We went to ask, and they said they wouldn't include it because then nobody has to buy it, someone will post it on the internet for everyone else (huh...I wonder where they got that idea??). I can't exactly say I disagree with their logic, but it seems to me that's true about all of the pictures on the CD, and that's what we're paying for. Plus, there were a handful of additional pictures taken with the cameras of the folks who were there. Anyway, we did buy the picture, but it's quite possible that I haven't finished unpacking... Anyway, DH's camera got an interesting shot with everyone looking up at the Shutters person rather than his camera. Hopefully someone else got a better shot.

Who got the picture of the cast member holding at least a half dozen cameras for the group shot? Was that you, Adrienne? That was fantastic, I desperately wanted a camera in my hands to capture that Kodak moment.

Staci

 

[sdlong329]

Did anyone else have issues on the way home because their passport wasn't stamped in Barcelona when they got off the boat?

YES! We flew from Barcelona to Madrid. We deplaned ... had a 25 minute walk to our new terminal ... did not realize we had to go stop elsewhere to go through customs (imagine, going through customs when flying from Barcelona, Spain - to Madrid, Spain ... maybe I missed something, or don't understand). Anyway, the customs agent looked at our passports, looked at us ... asked if we speak Spanish (no). We were asked if we had OTHER passports (no). We were asked when we arrived in Spain. First, I said "yesterday", then corrected myself, saying we arrived in Cadiz a few days earlier. Apparently, that was not the proper answer. We were asked why there were no stamps (Spain or otherwise) in our Passports. Were were oblivious - said we were on a cruise - never had anyone stamp out passports while on a cruise. We flew back to JFK ... got an unreadable stamp in our Passport. I agree though, surely we can't be the first time these agents ever had people pass through their terminal after having been on a cruise!?

As a side note, we flew from Miami to Bahamas a few times within the past 10 years - never received any stamps. I also flew to Europe in the late 1970's (school trip), as part of a large tour group. We crossed into different countries via bus ... stopped at all checkpoints ... presented passports as a group ... but NEVER got stamps (even when requested).

 

[kileybeth]

It certainly seems to be a crazy fairly ineffective system for a large part BUT amazingly effective in other parts.

As my DH is an employee of the USGov maybe we see things a bit differently but I am so thankful for all of the questioning and second checking that goes on. Like I said, maybe I just know to much

On the flip side? My son who has traveled in southeast asia and europe quite extensively alone and in groups since he was 15 (he's now 22) is on his 2nd passport and it is nearly full. My DH who traveled for buisness (non gov't) a bit also has a mostly full passport. On the other hand, our kids and I who have only been to a few places a few times have barely anything in our books and we've had to search out those most times. Guess we don't look suspicious enough (Have you ever seen a family of 6 shleping through an airport?!)

I truly think it is the whole cruise thing. You have to wonder if those wanting illegal access to our shores know of this seemingly backwards loophole!

ah well, it's quite an interesting thing to see.

Barcelona airport may have been less intimidating if I was actually fluent in Spanish or Cantalon but as I am not, I had to rely on instinct and broken spanish/english. Appartently not assigning gates ahead of time is quite normal overseas and forget about the 2 hour lead time we are used to needing in US, we were told "come back at 9:30" for our 10:50 flight. True, it was not international at that point and just a "hop" in their books but still, really?, 60 minues or so to process all 200+ passengers?

 

[JLSE50]

Did anyone get a picture in Madeira of the Santa Maria on its way out for a dolphin excursion with the MAGIC behind it? I would LOVE-LOVE-LOVE a comparison shot but was not in Funchal at the right time.

Thanks in advance!

Jan

 

[sdlong329]

As my DH is an employee of the USGov maybe we see things a bit differently but I am so thankful for all of the questioning and second checking that goes on.

You are right! I guess asking those seemingly innocent or weird questions can turn up all sorts of answers of faux pauxs (how to you spell pauxs?). When we came through US Customs, we declared $200 of purchases on our form. The agent asked my wife what we purchased ... she said "t-shirts"! I thought, OMG - WHO BUYS $200 of T-SHIRTS? The agent asked if we purchased fruit (no), vegetables (no), alcohol (we had to pause - then said yes, one pint). He let us through. I guess we were honest and trustworhty.

There - is everyone finally convinced ... HONEST AND TRUSTWORTHY ... THAT's ME!

 

[Spinks1800]

My daughter, her friend and I came home on SWISS. No trouble in Barcelona, but we were in two different custom lines in Zurich and the girls went through with no problem, but I was questioned. Explained the cruise and he shook his head and said, well you probably did not know they should have stamped your passport on the ship. I thought it was something I neglected to read while on the ship. Anyway, he stamped my passport and laughed that I was excited to have it stamped. (My passport was empty.) I probably would have freaked if he had been more serious.

 

[sdlong329]

My daughter, her friend and I came home on SWISS. No trouble in Barcelona, but we were in two different custom lines in Zurich and the girls went through with no problem, but I was questioned. Explained the cruise and he shook his head and said, well you probably did not know they should have stamped your passport on the ship. I thought it was something I neglected to read while on the ship. Anyway, he stamped my passport and laughed that I was excited to have it stamped. (My passport was empty.) I probably would have freaked if he had been more serious.

It seems as though the LAND customs personnel are blaming the tourists, instead of the customs personnel handling the cruise ships. I guess the LAND customs personnel do not understand that 2,500 passports are not presented to anyone, but rather, electronic information is compiled, and presented to customs officials at land. These very same officials WILL NOT stamp individual passports (with possible slight exception).

Once more example of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. *On the other hand* (pun intended), once land customs personnel determines there to be an issue (cruise or otherwise), SHOULDN'T customs act accordingly - instead of just castigating the tourist, and turning a blind eye?

No, I am not spazzing at or on anyone from the board - just amazed at the seemingly inept qualities of customs.

 

[TiggerPU88]

Thanks Staci for the explanation. That makes sense, although it is too bad. I would have used my credits to buy that group photo had I been told the right information and now it is too late. I do have the photo of the cast member with so many cameras. If anyone wants it, please email me. I'm not on here quite as frequently as before. <g>

Jan, I have the Santa Maria photos, too, so please shoot me an email and I will send them to you. I have everything on Snapfish, but not Photobucket.

On the stamps, I used to traveled internationally quite a bit for business and have not had my passport stamped in over 10 years, except in the Barcelona airport. Sorry so many had problems!

Thanks again to all who helped with lanyards, FE gifts, Secret Mickeys, events and more. It really added to the trip!

 

[KrisannB]

Adrienne,

We went to Shutters to have the group photo added to our CD, and they said no problem. When we got the CD - no group photo. We went to ask, and they said they wouldn't include it because then nobody has to buy it, someone will post it on the internet for everyone else (huh...I wonder where they got that idea??). I can't exactly say I disagree with their logic, but it seems to me that's true about all of the pictures on the CD, and that's what we're paying for. Plus, there were a handful of additional pictures taken with the cameras of the folks who were there. Anyway, we did buy the picture, but it's quite possible that I haven't finished unpacking... Anyway, DH's camera got an interesting shot with everyone looking up at the Shutters person rather than his camera. Hopefully someone else got a better shot.

Who got the picture of the cast member holding at least a half dozen cameras for the group shot? Was that you, Adrienne? That was fantastic, I desperately wanted a camera in my hands to capture that Kodak moment.

Staci

That was a stupid answer from Shutters! Even if only one person bought the actual picture - we are allowed the copy right and can print as many as we want.

I purchased the print picture and will be scanning it in and will be glad to print a copy and mail it to anyone who wants one as I will take the copyright when I print them.

Krisann

 

[bound2travel]

Did anyone get a picture in Madeira of the Santa Maria on its way out for a dolphin excursion with the MAGIC behind it? I would LOVE-LOVE-LOVE a comparison shot but was not in Funchal at the right time.

Thanks in advance!

Jan

I may have, but I probably won't get to my pictures until next week. I'm too sick and tired to do much.

Kristi

 

[bound2travel]

It seems as though the LAND customs personnel are blaming the tourists, instead of the customs personnel handling the cruise ships. I guess the LAND customs personnel do not understand that 2,500 passports are not presented to anyone, but rather, electronic information is compiled, and presented to customs officials at land. These very same officials WILL NOT stamp individual passports (with possible slight exception).

Once more example of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. *On the other hand* (pun intended), once land customs personnel determines there to be an issue (cruise or otherwise), SHOULDN'T customs act accordingly - instead of just castigating the tourist, and turning a blind eye?

No, I am not spazzing at or on anyone from the board - just amazed at the seemingly inept qualities of customs.

I didn't have any problems with customs or passports anywhere. I did have to have my luggage scanned when I got to Orlando because I checked the "food" box - I had candy and wine which were listed on the back of the customs form. I've never had to do that before.

Now along with strange things --- to board the plane in Dublin, I had to go through security (after already going through it in London). To leave the customs area in Orlando (after getting off a plane), I had to go through security. WHY? Do they think we stopped at Guns R Us in the Sky? It's either that or Homeland Security doesn't think enough of other countries security systems.

Kristi