August 18, 2010...Can't wait for the MAGICal Mediterranean!!!

[MinnieDiva]

What's the hop on hop off bus? We're going to do the chocolate factory and the sagrada familia on Saturday after disembarkation. It's a long flight, so the more people you know, the better off you are...LOL....I think someone from CT was going to be on it too....but you're going to Disney first and I wish we were too.

There are 3-4 different lines given color names, ie green, red, blue, for which you can buy a daily or multi-day pass. The loop around to many of the sights around town. Google "bus turistic" and you should find the link.

 

[mindelmouse]

There are 3-4 different lines given color names, ie green, red, blue, for which you can buy a daily or multi-day pass. The loop around to many of the sights around town. Google "bus turistic" and you should find the link.

Thanks Kim...did your laundry fold itself yet??????

 

[MinnieDiva]

We're staying at Le Meridien on Las Ramblas. So, I believe based on looking at the hop on hop off map, there is a stop not to far from our hotel. We're also staying here pre-cruise, so I'll be able to talk to concierge at the hotel when we arrive to get all the logistic down, so we'll be ready to go when we return.

Didn't you book the suite? Le Meridian's a bit modernistic, but I love the fact that we can walk out and be right there on Las Ramblas!

 

[MinnieDiva]

Thanks Kim...did your laundry fold itself yet??????

It's in the washer now, but I got the bathrooms cleaned!

 

[mindelmouse]

Didn't you book the suite? Le Meridian's a bit modernistic, but I love the fact that we can walk out and be right there on Las Ramblas!

We're staying here:

http://www.hotel-portamarina.com/

Here's a review from last month:

very clean modern hotel in convenient location 3 minutes to Marina metro station.and if u like to walk: the Sagrada familia the beach and the jardin de la ciudadela can be reached in 15 min. The "Barcelona city tour" bus stop near the hotel, I strongly recommend it

 

[jel0511]

Lori,

They are in 3rd grade and I have slipped so many times with them...even funnier...2 days ago I was reading your email about Florence and Sam was looking over my shoulder and I forgot....he asked if you were talking about florence because you lived there...I said yes that I knew you through work and that's where you lived...he accepted that and walked away....he doesn't even have an inkling.

We're closer to the port, a few blocks from Sagrada Familia, right by a metro station...are the buses you refer to tour busses or are they just the city bus and you're just going to go different places?

By the way, Stacey is the other person on our flight...I went back and reread some of our old emails. It's amazing there are about 5 others that said they had booked their flights, but we don't see them here anymore.

Do I need to adopt a Italian accent??????

There are 3-4 different lines given color names, ie green, red, blue, for which you can buy a daily or multi-day pass. The loop around to many of the sights around town. Google "bus turistic" and you should find the link.

Here is a website with all information as well as a map. I was looking at a better one yesterday, but can't find it now... http://www.viator.com/tours/Barcelona/Barcelona-City-Hop-on-Hop-off-Tour/d562-2512BBUS

Didn't you book the suite? Le Meridian's a bit modernistic, but I love the fact that we can walk out and be right there on Las Ramblas!

We have two rooms.

 

[jel0511]

Here is the better map of the on off bus in Barcelona...
http://www.barcelonayellow.com/images/transport/route_hoponhopoff_bus.barcelona_2009.pdf

 

[mindelmouse]

Do I need to adopt a Italian accent??????

No, I think you're safe. By the time we actually see you, I think we'll be on the ship.

 

[jel0511]

Do I need to adopt a Italian accent??????

No, I think you're safe. By the time we actually see you, I think we'll be on the ship.

but there goes any hope of a pre cruise meeting at Old Man Rafferty's...... Unless I change my name to Mary.......

 

[mindelmouse]

but there goes any hope of a pre cruise meeting at Old Man Rafferty's...... Unless I change my name to Mary.......

We could meet...I'll come up with something...LOL....why Mary?

 

[jel0511]

We could meet...I'll come up with something...LOL....why Mary?

First thing I thought of, changing my name so your kids wouldn't figure out I was the "Lori from Florence"......

 

[bigbootee]

First thing I thought of, changing my name so your kids wouldn't figure out I was the "Lori from Florence"......

You could be Lori-an American who lives in Florence. Or maybe from Florence, NJ.

 

[mindelmouse]

Ok...I have information. DH just called after lengthy conversation with the concierge. First of all there are 2 cat 3's available...(Lori - here's your chance to upgrade). As for Palo. Palo has a private room that is first come, first serve. They let you know 30 days out whether you got it or not. You need 12 people to get the room. I can book it under my reservation and it will not count against anyone else's Palo bookings. However, we only have 8 right now (Susan, Lori, Kim and me).

The largest table I can book in Palo without the private room is for 6. The only way we can be in there with 8 is to have me book a table for 6 and someone else would have to use their ressie to book the additional 2.

Those are our options. Let me know your thoughts. The concierge my DH spoke with was the same one that gave us our upgrade on our last cruise. She said she was going on 5/5 and would call us when she returned and let us know what was good and what wasn't, so we could change things if we wanted.

 

[jel0511]

You could be Lori-an American who lives in Florence. Or maybe from Florence, NJ.

True, I have family who lives in Florence, NJ......

Ok...I have information. DH just called after lengthy conversation with the concierge. First of all there are 2 cat 3's available...(Lori - here's your chance to upgrade). As for Palo. Palo has a private room that is first come, first serve. They let you know 30 days out whether you got it or not. You need 12 people to get the room. I can book it under my reservation and it will not count against anyone else's Palo bookings. However, we only have 8 right now (Susan, Lori, Kim and me).

The largest table I can book in Palo without the private room is for 6. The only way we can be in there with 8 is to have me book a table for 6 and someone else would have to use their ressie to book the additional 2.

Those are our options. Let me know your thoughts. The concierge my DH spoke with was the same one that gave us our upgrade on our last cruise. She said she was going on 5/5 and would call us when she returned and let us know what was good and what wasn't, so we could change things if we wanted.

Mindy, tell them Lane Party in a GTY 4 is more then willing to sacrifice to get the free upgrade to a cat 3!!!!!!!!!! I"ll have to think about the Palo ressie, would we at least still be at the same table?????

 

[mindelmouse]

Mindy, tell them Lane Party in a GTY 4 is more then willing to sacrifice to get the free upgrade to a cat 3!!!!!!!!!! I"ll have to think about the Palo ressie, would we at least still be at the same table?????[/QUOTE]

I got it...they can give me a free upgrade to a cat 2 or 1 and then they'll have my cat 3 available to free upgrade you....how's that????

Hey spouse- answer Lori's question about the same table???? I see you're still online.

 

[jel0511]

Mindy, tell them Lane Party in a GTY 4 is more then willing to sacrifice to get the free upgrade to a cat 3!!!!!!!!!! I"ll have to think about the Palo ressie, would we at least still be at the same table?????

I got it...they can give me a free upgrade to a cat 2 or 1 and then they'll have my cat 3 available to free upgrade you....how's that????

Hey spouse- answer Lori's question about the same table???? I see you're still online.[/QUOTE]
DONE!!!!!

I like the online spouse chat happening here right now!!!

 

[mindelmouse]

I got it...they can give me a free upgrade to a cat 2 or 1 and then they'll have my cat 3 available to free upgrade you....how's that????

Hey spouse- answer Lori's question about the same table???? I see you're still online.

DONE!!!!!

I like the online spouse chat happening here right now!!![/QUOTE]

yea...but he left before he answered your question...I'll have him answer it when I see him later. Bet you can tell my boss went home early today and I have spring fever.

 

[jel0511]

yea...but he left before he answered your question...I'll have him answer it when I see him later. Bet you can tell my boss went home early today and I have spring fever.

It is REALLY nice out today!!! I took the dog on a walk and he didn't want to come in!!! Also had to run some errands... when I was at Trader Joes, I got the barbecue feeling and bought burgers for dinner.....

 

[jel0511]

Mindy -

I called DCL today to check how much it would be to get the cat 3 and they said that NONE are available to book. So those 2 concierge is telling you are available, must be held back for someone..... The dream is dead again.... If one was available, I was going to see how much more it was and take the plunge if it wasn't too much..... Oh well......

 

[Cliffside]

ok cool...we'll have to look for you at the airport and pretend you're just a friendly family we met at the airport. I'm sure my kids will be jealous when you say you're going on a cruise, but I can convince them that I didn't know that the disney cruise was there that week. LOL....I have to remember to get my camera out when the ship comes into view...

Yes we definately shoud try and do that. We will have to come up with a cover story. When do you plan to tell them that they are going on the cruise? I am still so impressed that you are able to keep it a secret from them.