August 13, 2011 Med - Mickey's Marauding Mates

[DoeWDW]

JP, I just got my flights sorted out a couple weeks ago so you're not that far behind. YAY for getting those flights booked!!!

 

[Anal Annie]

Oh Annie, the jetlag for us coming back from the US is a killer! It's not too bad on the way out. Last year when we came home I decided to stay up the rest of the day. I managed until I got the kids to bed at about 7pm and then I slept for 14 hours straight! Other times I would get into bed when we get home and sleep til about lunch time and then get up. Then that night even though I am tired I can't sleep til the early hours. To be honest I don't think there is a right or wrong answer but i reckon it will definitely take you 2/3 days to adjust and you will be really tired. You will just have to battle through the tiredness unless anyone else has come across some other tips that I don't know about

Seems that most people advise to just stay up...or else it will take longer to cylce thru. I've heard that if we try to go to sleep TOOO early we will wake up in the middle of the night. We'll have no choice in what to do this time tho because we land at 6:00 am and will be going straight to DLP. I know there's no way our room will be ready until the afternoon...so we'll have to suffer thru it at the parks for the duration. OY!!!

Congrats to your DS on his swims! Great stuff. DD got her 200 breast B time last week in long course and is knocking on the door for 3 other events. However, this weekend is dance recital weekend for the girls. Getting ready to head out in an hour or so for the big event. DD7 has been dancing 5 years already and DD12 for 10 years. They both get awards for that today plus DD12 is doing a solo. Should be a fun day.

That's awesome - it's good they have other interests...DS has NOTHING he cares about other than the computer. He had another great day today too (and his events were over earlier due to lots of scratches). It was a very good meet actually. He dropped 7 seconds on his 100 Fly, 8 seconds on his 200 Breast (both of which still in "All Times" and nowhere close to 'B'). And then he dropped about 3 seconds off his 100 Back and managed to get that into the 'B' time! FINALLY a time in 'B' in a stroke other than the Freestyle!!

Have fun at the recital!!

I know that everyone is well ahead of us on this, but we just booked our airfare! Now we have a spot on the ship, and a way to get to Barcelona! And back to Bucharest!

YAY!! It's officially official!!! How about your parents flights? Are you booking theirs too? Will they leave from Richmond or will they head towards DC or Raleigh? Are they coming to Bucharest first or meeting you in Barcelona? (Nibby thing aren't I?!)

 

[Kels Sem]

Seems that most people advise to just stay up...or else it will take longer to cylce thru. I've heard that if we try to go to sleep TOOO early we will wake up in the middle of the night. We'll have no choice in what to do this time tho because we land at 6:00 am and will be going straight to DLP. I know there's no way our room will be ready until the afternoon...so we'll have to suffer thru it at the parks for the duration. OY!!!

Although what better way to help you stay up than DLP! At least you will have something to help keep your mind off the tiredness. When we are that tired after travelling home it is hard because you have the holiday blues and it's back to reality. At least you will be at the beginning of your holiday Just try not too go to room too early or you might find yourself sitting down for a 5 min rest and then waking in the middle of the night! If you could try not to go to your room until after you have finished at the park for the day that would probably be the best. You can fill me in on how you got on when we meet up.

 

[DoeWDW]

Jeff, your daughters look adorable in their dance costumes!!! I hope the recital went well for both of them.

Well, I have been convinced! I just cancelled our DCL excursions for La Spezia, Civitavecchia, and Naples. With all the info on the boards and a little research and creating a cheat sheet for each port, I really think we can do our own thing. I like the idea of coming and going as we please instead of having to meet up with an excursion at a specific time and then having to stay out until the excursion is over. I will, however, make sure we are back on the ship in plenty of time - don't want to "miss the boat" so to speak!

The only excursion I kept was the one in Villefranche that includes the car museum. I think that one will be easier for us to let someone else take care of the details. I also kept the Palo dinner.

Now I need to create my cheat sheets for each port and start figuring out what clothes to take so I can do some shopping if need be.

 

[west&east]

Hi All!
Been out of touch for a while. Went to Houston for work then came back and had to jam to complete a report that was due Friday. I finally completed it today.
Jeff, we're in full dance mode this week too. DD (12 next Monday!) has her dance pics tomorrow night then rehearsals start and recital June 3. She is also trying out for the middle school dance team this week. I am so anxious for her because she wants it soooo bad. She has been practicing like crazy and is so dedicated but she has not been dancing for that long so it is not a sure thing.

Still trying to get our Villefranche and LaSpezia ports figured out. Waiting on my friend to give her input. Wish I could get her on the DIS here so we could peer pressure her!

 

[Anal Annie]

Hey all....

Jeff - nice pics of the girls! When I replied to your post yesterday I didn't see the pics - they weren't showing for some reason! I saw links...but didn't know what they went to!! Now I see them. Very nice...

Down to just about 2 months, 2 weeks until we head to Paris!! Have I mentioned how nervous I'm getting?!

Karen - we're not 100% settled yet on Villefranche and La Spezia yet either. I keep asking DH if he wants to go to Monaco or to Nice for the morning & he has no opinion. And in La Spezia I just wish I knew what the train schedule would be that day since it's a holiday... I donwloaded Rick Steve's "Snapshot of Cinque Terre" the other day for my Kindle & was reading it at the swim meet this weekend. I believe now that we will head to Monterosso on the train first thing. Spend some time there on the beach then take the boat to Vernazza if it's running (or take the train if not). Eat lunch in Vernazza then head toward Corniglila by train (the ferry doesn't stop there). Check that town out then head by train to Manarola and then do the walk/hike to Riomaggiore. (That is supposed to be the easiest part to hike & only takes 15-20 minutes.) Then we'll catch the train back to La Spezia from there... I am planning on taking 6-7 hours for the day depending on the train schedule.

 

[Kels Sem]

Annie - I asked my parents whether we should go to Nice or Monaco and they both said Monaco (they have been to both several times). Nice is just a big city and while there are things to look at, there would be much more to see and do in Monaco.
I was also looking at a website the other day and it had schedules for the boats from La Spezia to Cinque terre. They did run on holidays but not as many times in the day as normal. I couldn't really make head nor tail of the timetable though

 

[Anal Annie]

Annie - I asked my parents whether we should go to Nice or Monaco and they both said Monaco (they have been to both several times). Nice is just a big city and while there are things to look at, there would be much more to see and do in Monaco.
I was also looking at a website the other day and it had schedules for the boats from La Spezia to Cinque terre. They did run on holidays but not as many times in the day as normal. I couldn't really make head nor tail of the timetable though

I need to put some serious thought into Villefranche. Both Nice & Monaco sound so romantic....I think Nice is closer to the port maybe. I am hoping maybe once the early Med cruises start maybe we can get more info. about the holiday train & boat schedules for La Spezia. I have also found some of the time tables confusing when I've looked at them. I thought it was just ME being that dumb tho!?

So more volcanic ash cloud mess...is that going to affect you in Ireland? I am so glad we're not transferring thru London...Paris is close enough!! Let's hope this thing settles down soon!

BTW, did your parents say what you should DO / SEE in Monaco??? Are you going to book a DCL excursion??? My SIL watched something about Eze & says we should go there......

 

[CastawayJP]

YAY!! It's officially official!!! How about your parents flights? Are you booking theirs too? Will they leave from Richmond or will they head towards DC or Raleigh? Are they coming to Bucharest first or meeting you in Barcelona? (Nibby thing aren't I?!)

They are sort of booked... They are meeting us in Barcelona, then coming to Bucharest after the cruise. I booked them from Barcelona to Bucharest back with us, but they haven't booked Richmond to Barcelona yet.

So psyched that we will be able to spend a couple days in Barcelona before the cruise! Now we just have to find a place to sleep, and a ride to the port!

 

[Anal Annie]

They are sort of booked... They are meeting us in Barcelona, then coming to Bucharest after the cruise. I booked them from Barcelona to Bucharest back with us, but they haven't booked Richmond to Barcelona yet.

So psyched that we will be able to spend a couple days in Barcelona before the cruise! Now we just have to find a place to sleep, and a ride to the port!

Oh is Richmond an international airport? That would be convenient! And yes - you must get the rest of your stuff booked!!

I am going to go post a thread to see if anyone has tried to go to Cannes on their own...that option really hasn't been discussed anywhere on any of the existing threads... Curious to see what that might entail...

 

[criscoloo]

Hi Annie, I've been overwhelmed by the planning for this trip so I took a break from looking at the boards. Is there a way to PM here? Seems like we have a lot in common with this being our 4th DCL cruise, staying in Paris for 4 nights prior, and in Barcelona for a couple of days after. Who knows, maybe we're even on the same flights?!?

 

[Anal Annie]

Hi Annie, I've been overwhelmed by the planning for this trip so I took a break from looking at the boards. Is there a way to PM here? Seems like we have a lot in common with this being our 4th DCL cruise, staying in Paris for 4 nights prior, and in Barcelona for a couple of days after. Who knows, maybe we're even on the same flights?!?

Hi there...welcome aboard!! Tell us more about yourself! Where are ya from? How many are sailing with you? Kiddos?! How old?? Names? I'll add ya to the roll call on the first post!!

There IS a way to PM but I'm thinking that you need to have a minimum number of posts first maybe to use the feature. Not sure why but that's sticking in my head for some reason... Anyway, you can find the Private Messages link up on the top right of the page right under your login info. in sort of a yellowish or cream colored box.

We live near D.C. and have booked all of our flights on Air France out of Washington Dulles. We're going over on Sunday, August 7 and spending 4 nights in Paris (the first one at the Hotel Cheyenne at DLP). Then we're moving into the city for 3 nights at the end of day #2. We're going to BCN on Friday morning (also on Air France). It would indeed be a small world if we ended up on the same flights!!


DS had swimming of course tonight so we stayed up to watch our TIVO'd finale of American Idol...getting to be past my bedtime now so will check in again tomorrow all!!!!

 

[Anal Annie]

Hi ya peeps! What's going on?! Anybody up to anything fun?! Mikki - when do you come home from Bermuda?! Guess I'll just chit chat to myself for awhile here.

We're finally getting a real honest to goodness heat wave here - mid-upper 80's this week & 90's over the weekend & into next week! Been working outside a little bit pulling weeds & planting flowers. Almost too hot tho to work for very long. But this weather will be good for the outdoor pool water!! Summer team starts next week but he will continue to practice with his winter club until the 10th. DS's band goes to Hershey Park tomorrow...they're playing in a competition first thing in the morning then going to the park for the day. Awards are in the early evening then they get to hang out at the park for a couple more hours. I have to have him at school by 5:30 am!! They won't be home until about 11:00 pm....LONG day!! I just hope I can get him in bed by 10:00ish tonight. We won't be home from practice until about 9:15 so that will really push it.

 

[mikki.young]

Hi there! We actually flew back a day early because of the ash cloud. Forecasts said it may be covering whole country later in week so Tuesday morning we we rang up BA and discovered we could change to that nights flight for a smallish fee (rather less than I feared!). It was also delayed by 3 hours which was good as it meant we could enjoy the day out on the boat (which is what they do on Bermuda day - hook boats up next to each other and swim, drink and eat) before rushing back to pack and go to the airport. On a huge plus side the flight was almost empty so we got to lie down on 3 seats each which meant we did actually get some sleep.

A week today we head off to the Lake district for a long weekend. I also got good news while away in that I did finally get some tickets to go to Wimbledon tennis (that is my sport!) for the second Friday on court 1. Reasonably cheap as main matches on centre court by then in theory but should get some good doubles to watch which I enjoy.

Definitely contemplating cancelling Florence as Andrew found some of Bermuda difficult to get round. been looking at Villefranche options today - not sure what appeals!

 

[Anal Annie]

Hi there! We actually flew back a day early because of the ash cloud. Forecasts said it may be covering whole country later in week so Tuesday morning we we rang up BA and discovered we could change to that nights flight for a smallish fee (rather less than I feared!). It was also delayed by 3 hours which was good as it meant we could enjoy the day out on the boat (which is what they do on Bermuda day - hook boats up next to each other and swim, drink and eat) before rushing back to pack and go to the airport. On a huge plus side the flight was almost empty so we got to lie down on 3 seats each which meant we did actually get some sleep.

A week today we head off to the Lake district for a long weekend. I also got good news while away in that I did finally get some tickets to go to Wimbledon tennis (that is my sport!) for the second Friday on court 1. Reasonably cheap as main matches on centre court by then in theory but should get some good doubles to watch which I enjoy.

Definitely contemplating cancelling Florence as Andrew found some of Bermuda difficult to get round. been looking at Villefranche options today - not sure what appeals!

Glad you made it home in good time. Nice score on the almost empty flight!! I lucked into that only ONCE - it was the first time I ever went to Hawaii and it was on one of our flights back to home. It was AWESOME. Bermuda sounds just lovely! I like the idea of just hanging out on a boat for a day! Maybe I'll have to check to see if there's any cruises to Bermuda out of Baltimore one day! I think there might be!

OH and congrats on your Wimbledon tickets - that sounds neat too! You'll have to tell us all about it!!

OK, it's 11:00 - I am off to bed since I have to get up at 4:40 to get DS to the school by 5:30. I got him to bed around 10:20. I made dinner early, before swimming (we usually eat dinner after & he has a good snack before) and he came home from practice STARVED and demanding FOOOOOD!! Good thing I had a big bunch of leftovers to heat up.

 

[CastawayJP]

Oh is Richmond an international airport? That would be convenient! And yes - you must get the rest of your stuff booked!!

I am going to go post a thread to see if anyone has tried to go to Cannes on their own...that option really hasn't been discussed anywhere on any of the existing threads... Curious to see what that might entail...

Technically Richmond is an International Airport, but not really... It looks like they will have to connect in Newark or JFK... I tried to talk them into flying out of DC but they decided that the extra cost of flying out of Richmond was worth landing and being 15 minutes from home. Probably not a bad idea since they will be returning from Bucharest, and looking at 19+ hours travel time!

Hadn't even though of Cannes to be honest, we have planned to get ourselves to Monaco (still not sure how that will work yet) and doing the little train...

We have only booked 2 excursions through Disney, we are planning on doing most of it on our own... Is that what the consensus is in this group?

I heard that the weather is getting hot in DC... I don't miss being out on those tennis courts teaching in 90+ degree heat! That and I can't imagine how hectic my old club is with the US Open in a couple weeks!

 

[Anal Annie]

Technically Richmond is an International Airport, but not really... It looks like they will have to connect in Newark or JFK... I tried to talk them into flying out of DC but they decided that the extra cost of flying out of Richmond was worth landing and being 15 minutes from home. Probably not a bad idea since they will be returning from Bucharest, and looking at 19+ hours travel time!

Hadn't even though of Cannes to be honest, we have planned to get ourselves to Monaco (still not sure how that will work yet) and doing the little train...

We have only booked 2 excursions through Disney, we are planning on doing most of it on our own... Is that what the consensus is in this group?

I heard that the weather is getting hot in DC... I don't miss being out on those tennis courts teaching in 90+ degree heat! That and I can't imagine how hectic my old club is with the US Open in a couple weeks!

19+ hours!! YIKES!! I'm sure they really will appreciate a 15 minute drive home!! We are an hour from all 3 of our "local" airports by the time you figure in traffic & no direct route etc.

I wanted to check into what there is to do in Cannes just because one of DH's co-workers said he liked Cannes better than Nice or Monaco. I did start a thread (it didn't get a lot of replies) and it sounds like it takes about 40-45 minutes by train (the same one that goes to Nice). I haven't yet but I am going to look thru the DCL website for the excursions they're offering for that July 30 cruise that stops there - just to get an idea if there's anything that interests us. Figured we may as well consider all our options. As far as booking thru DCL we haven't booked anything with them...I think Jeff is booking several things tho. Not sure about everyone else?! Guess I am just more vocal about what we're doing.

Are you a tennis pro? Sounds like you have something in common with Mikki since she's going to Wimbledon! I have never played (I am sure that would require some coordination which I seemed to have none of). Yes, DC is getting our summer heat on....supposed to be 93 on Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday next week (and humid of course). It is a long holiday weekend here (Memorial Day) but we have no plans. Guess we'll grill some hot dogs & burgers or something.

 

[Anal Annie]

Bump up off of page 3 before bed!! Nite all.....

 

[jd99]

Greetings all. It's looking like a beautiful summer weekend today. The rain has cleared out and it's going up to around 80 today then close to 90 tomorrow and Monday. We are having a pool party at our house tomorrow (we built an inground pool last year) so we are thrilled at the hot weather.

Only two more weeks of school left for the kids - 4 days this week and 3 next week and then it's summer vacation - which means early morning swim practices for DD12 (7 a.m. YIKES) and evening practices for both kids for their summer team. DD12 is going to a week-long sleepover swim camp at a local University as well. Then we leave for WDW for her dance group which is performing at the MK (in a parade) and then at Downtown Disney. We are following that up with a five night Dream sailing (our first on the Dream!) and then 2 nights at the Beach Club. So looking forward to the trip. Though we went to California for spring break, the travel was awful (lots of delayed flights, long layovers, missed connections) so it was more stress than vacation. Plus we need our WDW and DCL fix.

Gotta head to Costco (nothing worse than Costco on a Saturday but I didn't have time this week during the week) to get ready for the party. Happy Saturday to all and have a great Memorial Day weekend. And if there are any service members or veterans on this forum - THANK YOU!

 

[mikki.young]

Well I have just booked another excursion but this time I am leaving Andrew behind. I have decided to do the Monaco one with the Prince's car collection. sounds fun and not a bad price either really.

Still undecided on Florence!