August 7th, 2010 Mediterranean Cruise

[jd99]

I don't have the exact page, but I have the graphic ready on a jpg. Do you want me to send it to you to your email?

Otherwise, I can print some up for you and your family.

Page 41 if you still need it. (Why do random numbers stick in my head, yet I forget half of what I go to the store for when it is even written on a list????)

Thanks to you both! I got it now! Just made some magnets yesterday, will print this out today. Maybe start pulling clothes out of the closet tonight. THe girls are relatively ready to be all packed. I haven't started anything yet.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Goofy pool on Saturday!
jeff

 

[xsjackson]

Wish us luck! We just finished putting all the bags in the car. We have a 1.5 hour drive to Dulles airport. then off to London. Barcelona by lunch tomorrow

 

[pennymike]

Okay, so I have pretty much been packed and organized for months, so WHY am I freaking out with anxiety I can't wait to sit on that plane and exhale. I can not believe this trip has finally arrived. Big day planned at work today to get everything wrapped up and then we head out to the airport tomorrow. I can't even explain how excited I feel, but I know you all feel the same way. It has been so great chatting with you all over these last months...I can't wait to meet you all this week!

Not sure I will be back on the board before I leave. So, I wish you all a safe trip! MICKEY HERE WE COME!

Happy/Safe travels to you!
Penny

 

[abayaflowers]

Hi, everyone! My DD's and I are on AA and they have WiFi available. It cost me $9.95.

Neat! The girls are so excited. I hope everyone's travel is going well.

 

[frenchyc]

Thank you for the info and all the other good stuff you post. Finally got response from Rudy's Tours. For 7, it's $115 for a/c van transport to all sites including Vatican, Colliseum,catacombs, pantheon, Trevi fountin, Spanish steps, forum and others. Sounds like your guy is $50 each for tour in a couple of places once you get there. So haven't made up my mind. We don't have other people to go with us on a van tour yet. Who knows what we will end up with. Coming soon! Donna

Is that $115 total or per person? How many of you are there? Because we can fit 3 more people on our tour, which is 550 Euros total for 8 people plus $20 per person for Vatican entrance fees (so divide that by 8 for the per person rate). We'd love to have some people join us. It's a full day tour of Rome (picking up at the port in an A/C van). There are 5 of us 3 adults, 2 kids (4.5 and 15 yrs).

 

[abayaflowers]

Is that $115 total or per person? How many of you are there? Because we can fit 3 more people on our tour, which is 550 Euros total for 8 people plus $20 per person for Vatican entrance fees (so divide that by 8 for the per person rate). We'd love to have some people join us. It's a full day tour of Rome (picking up at the port in an A/C van). There are 5 of us 3 adults, 2 kids (4.5 and 15 yrs).

What a fun experience! I hope that you find some takers.

 

[Allesma]

FYI

Spanish air traffic controllers to go on strike
Air traffic controllers in Spain voted Tuesday to strike over recent government changes to their work hours, a move which could disrupt flights at the height of the tourist season.

A total of 92 percent of the country's 2,300 controllers with a right to vote cast ballots and almost all, 98.25 percent, voted in favour of the strike, the Union of Air Traffic Controllers (USCA) said in a statement.

The date for the strike is expected to be announced on Wednesday but since the union must give a 10-day warning, the earliest it could come is mid-August, the busiest time for the country's key tourist industry.

USCA said a strike "was the only alternative to denounce their labour conditions and, consequently, air traffic security."

The controllers, who are employed by state-run airport management firm AENA, are angry over a government decree on working conditions announced last week which would reduce rest periods and cut generous overtime benefits.

Transport Minister Jose Blanco earlier said he saw "no reason" for a strike and called on the controllers to adopt the new rules "without delay." He also vowed to maintain minimum services during the walkout.

The government's decree on working conditions came six months after it curbed what it described as the "millionaire salaries" enjoyed by the controllers, calling their high rates of pay and benefits "incomprehensible privileges".

The salary curbs followed outrage across Spain after the public disclosure that some controllers were earning more than 600,000 euros (785,000 dollars) after overtime pay was added to their basic salary.

The government last month also vowed an investigation into the sick leave taken by almost half the air traffic control staff at the control centre in Barcelona in what it suspects is an undercover strike.

It said it may deploy the military to replace Barcelona air traffic controllers on sick leave.

The government this year has introduced tough austerity measures to rein in the massive public deficit as the country emerges from a recession that began in 2008.

 

[Allesma]

I heard that DCL does have some upgrades and there maybe more. Apparently, the airport controller strike in Barcelona and France are affecting a lot of air travelers.



My DD have some books which she is bringing. If you DD needs more reading, please feel free to borrow them.


I know the feeling. I still have to work. Contemplating whether to bring my laptop.... Got to kill some time waiting for a flight. However, my husband told me that in International travel, the security guards have a right to confiscate the laptop and I may get it back in 8 weeks. Has anyone heard of that?

See you already found out about the form. Thnx for the book offer, bought a small reader and send the broken one in repair, nervous about the strike but according to the spanish paper they will have to announce 10 they ahead (could be a problem for our return????)

See you all Saturday by the pool

 

[abayaflowers]

See you already found out about the form. Thnx for the book offer, bought a small reader and send the broken one in repair, nervous about the strike but according to the spanish paper they will have to announce 10 they ahead (could be a problem for our return????)

See you all Saturday by the pool

I believe that if you booked the flight through DCL; then, they will figure out a way to get you back home. However, if one has booked their own flight, I believe trip insurance covers that.

I will call them tomorrow.

Maybe, we will have to cruise back into the States. What a great idea!

 

[abayaflowers]

FYI

Spanish air traffic controllers to go on strike
Air traffic controllers in Spain voted Tuesday to strike over recent government changes to their work hours, a move which could disrupt flights at the height of the tourist season.

A total of 92 percent of the country's 2,300 controllers with a right to vote cast ballots and almost all, 98.25 percent, voted in favour of the strike, the Union of Air Traffic Controllers (USCA) said in a statement.

The date for the strike is expected to be announced on Wednesday but since the union must give a 10-day warning, the earliest it could come is mid-August, the busiest time for the country's key tourist industry.

USCA said a strike "was the only alternative to denounce their labour conditions and, consequently, air traffic security."

The controllers, who are employed by state-run airport management firm AENA, are angry over a government decree on working conditions announced last week which would reduce rest periods and cut generous overtime benefits.

Transport Minister Jose Blanco earlier said he saw "no reason" for a strike and called on the controllers to adopt the new rules "without delay." He also vowed to maintain minimum services during the walkout.

The government's decree on working conditions came six months after it curbed what it described as the "millionaire salaries" enjoyed by the controllers, calling their high rates of pay and benefits "incomprehensible privileges".

The salary curbs followed outrage across Spain after the public disclosure that some controllers were earning more than 600,000 euros (785,000 dollars) after overtime pay was added to their basic salary.

The government last month also vowed an investigation into the sick leave taken by almost half the air traffic control staff at the control centre in Barcelona in what it suspects is an undercover strike.

It said it may deploy the military to replace Barcelona air traffic controllers on sick leave.

The government this year has introduced tough austerity measures to rein in the massive public deficit as the country emerges from a recession that began in 2008.

Spanish Air Traffic Controllers Schedule
Strike For August 18th
First Posted: 08- 3-10 01:53 PM | Updated: 08- 3-10 01:53 PM
Spanish air traffic controllers voted to strike on
Tuesday night, with a walkout scheduled to begin on
August 18th, according to the Guardian.
The walkout, which would strand millions of
passengers at the height of tourism season, is
scheduled to last three days.
It would be the first strike by air traffic controllers in
Spain. Roughly 300,000 visitors from Britain alone
would be affected.
The country's 2,300 controllers are protesting against José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who is
planning on altering their working hours and reduce overtime pay.
Controllers in Spain, meanwhile, earn between $460,000 and, at most, $1.1 million.
For weeks, controllers have been subtly rebelling, with more than 200 calling in sick.
Inspectors found that most were not ill enough to stay home from work. Just last week in
Barcelona, a quarter of the airport's controllers were no-shows for work.
José Luis Zoreda, of the travel industry's Exceltur, told the Guardian that 14 million tourists
flew into Spain last July and August, spending roughly $19 million.

www.huffingtonpost.com

 

[abayaflowers]

I believe that if you booked the flight through DCL; then, they will figure out a way to get you back home. However, if one has booked their own flight, I believe trip insurance covers that.

I will call them tomorrow.

Maybe, we will have to cruise back into the States. What a great idea!

I read my TravelGuard Platinum Insurance coverage and it covers strikes that affect the trip. Whew! I am so glad that we purchased it.

 

[GW45]

1.30 am.... too excited to go to bed but really need some sleep.

We leave tomorrow for Barcelona - booked to go a few days early in case that volcano started causing trouble again. looks like we'll get to Barcelona in plenty of time, 3 days early, but God knows how we'll get home! Just read the post about the ATC in Barcelona going on strike on the 18th.....so long as we get on that ship on Saturday I'm not worrying about getting home.

Bags packed - just a few last minute jobs in the morning and then.......can't wait for the ship to blast out that 'When you wish upon a Star' ....

 

[jd99]

So i'm measuring our carry-on bag - never gave it a thought before. I see the USAIrways regulations are 14x9x22. Ours is measuring out at about 14.5 x 9 x 22. But I'm not sure where to officially measure it. I'm assuming that this bag will actually be in compliance but would hate to have to pay to check another bag. Contemplating using a slightly smaller bag and stuffing it to the gills.

 

[abayaflowers]

So i'm measuring our carry-on bag - never gave it a thought before. I see the USAIrways regulations are 14x9x22. Ours is measuring out at about 14.5 x 9 x 22. But I'm not sure where to officially measure it. I'm assuming that this bag will actually be in compliance but would hate to have to pay to check another bag. Contemplating using a slightly smaller bag and stuffing it to the gills.

Hi! I talked to many people at US airways. Don't include the handle or wheels. It will mess you us. It cannot be more than 45 linear inches. They have a hissy fit over that.

I just travel with three carry-ons physically 45 linear inches. It made it. And I closed the overhead just fine. Just make sure that it's not "chubby" in depth, because a lady had a heck of time shoving her "chubby" carry-on in the overhead compartment. She was literally at 14 x 12 x 22. I kept telling her to get the other plastic bag and put the stuff in it. Otherwise, the crew will have it checked in.

They were getting angry and finally she took alot of stuff out and shoved in other overhead compartments.

 

[jd99]

Hi! I talked to many people at US airways. Don't include the handle or wheels. It will mess you us. It cannot be more than 45 linear inches. They have a hissy fit over that.

I just travel with three carry-ons physically 45 linear inches. It made it. And I closed the overhead just fine. Just make sure that it's not "chubby" in depth, because a lady had a heck of time shoving her "chubby" carry-on in the overhead compartment. She was literally at 14 x 12 x 22. I kept telling her to get the other plastic bag and put the stuff in it. Otherwise, the crew will have it checked in.

They were getting angry and finally she took alot of stuff out and shoved in other overhead compartments.

This is a bag I take all the time on USAirways flights when traveling on business and it's usually pretty packed. It will be less packed on this trip and I think without the wheels and handle it's exactly at the 45 linear inches size. Thanks for letting me know that as I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't be okay for this flight when it has gone to every USAirways airport in the east and several in the west.

 

[makaylee]

Is anyone that was going to fly home on the 18th going to pre book a hotel room incase there is a strike? I was worried that they might be hard to come by if a bunch of people are stranded. Thank god for travel insurance! I'm so nervous right now though. It doesn't help that the day after we get back to England from Barcelona my mom is supposed to catch her flight back home to the states. I don't want her to miss that.
I am hoping they are smart enough to have the military on stand by. I can't believe these people get upwards of a million a year and they are striking, get real!

Let's keep our fingers crossed people.

 

[abayaflowers]

Is anyone that was going to fly home on the 18th going to pre book a hotel room incase there is a strike? I was worried that they might be hard to come by if a bunch of people are stranded. Thank god for travel insurance! I'm so nervous right now though. It doesn't help that the day after we get back to England from Barcelona my mom is supposed to catch her flight back home to the states. I don't want her to miss that.
I am hoping they are smart enough to have the military on stand by. I can't believe these people get upwards of a million a year and they are striking, get real!

Let's keep our fingers crossed people.

I would recommend it. We are actually staying two days in Barcelona after the trip. So, if the ATC go on strike, we were planning to take the train into France or the UK to catch a flight there.

We won't know until the 17th. We have travel insurance that covers any interruption which includes strikes. Whew!

We all have to breath in and breath out. I know! What are ATC thinking when they earn that much money. I have to work hard 24/7 with running three businesses and my DH works all the time just to make sure we have a roof over our head and food on the table for the family including squeezing in this wonderful Disney Cruise. Ok. I had to vent.

I think that we will all be okay.

 

[GreekMinnie]

This trip is the longest packing ever! But we are almost finished.

Hope the air traffic strike is resolved.

Safe travels everyone! Look forward to meeting and to our cruise!

 

[CruisingSarah]

Glad to hear the strike for this saturday is now not on, unless they do an 'unofficial' one

For the return journey, I wouldn't worry about booking a hotel room now on a just in case basis, I think the airline are obliged to look after you if they can't fly you out as planned, and this would include them finding you a hotel and providing meals etc.

I now have most of the clothes laid out in piles and am slowly packing or putting them back depending on how the case is looking

Bon voyage to everyone!

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

We just made it to 1000 posts! So excited...leaving today!!! Safe travels everyone Let the Happy Dance continue!