Bound for Barcelona - April 10, 2010 EB TA - Part 4

[mjwood77]

Yay! Our Disney excursion finally opened up. We wanted to do the City Under Siege in Gibraltor with my BIL and SIL at 9am. They were quick at booking it, I wasn't on the ball as I didn't know exactly which one they booked. I've been checking on and off for about a month and it's open.

Still have no other plans....I should get on that I suppose.

 

[Tinked]

Regarding cruise casual:
I will wear black slacks or capris and a nice top each night. Since I work in a lab, I wear jeans almost every day because when I wear nice clothes I ruin them with this oily stuff we use. And I wear a smock, so it' not like anyone gets to see what shirt I'm wearing. So it's nice to dress up a bit. Besides jeans are heavy to bring. While I love to dress up, I really don't care what others wear. I can't imagine anyone wearing a swimsuit to dinner, but you know someone must have tried or they wouldn't have a rule about it. I did see someone on another cruiseline in ripped jeans and flannel dancing on formal night amongst people in tuxes and gowns. I did think "Come on you couldn't at least find a pair of jeans that didn't have 20 holes in them?", but it was more amusing than annoying.

I'm with you. I stick with black and wear different tops usually. My DD threw me a curve by giving me Brown Chicos knit slacks for Christmas to travel in. Now I'm scrambling around looking for brown things to go with them. I also means a extra pair of shoes. You know what will be the first to go if I have a packing problem---everything brown!!!

 

[KrisannB]

think I have decided on what we will do in Barcelona - going to do the hop on hop off bus. I normally do not do non-disney excursions but not as worried since the ship will not leave without us (well technically it will - but not till the next day and on purpose) so it doesn't worry me as much and I am willing to go out on our own. It will cost about $35 each adult including blue bus fare from cruise terminal to the bus stop,

 

[mackeymouse4eva]

Tide $1
Downy $1
Wash load $2
Dry load $2

.

Do you know if the detergent dispensers take your KTTW cards like the washers? Or do they still operate on coins?


By the way...you said your goal for the weekend was to complete your taxes...how did you make out? That was my thought also...and it seems it was just that... a thought!!! I need to get on the ball...times flying and the money would be a nice bonus!!

 

[KrisannB]

Do you know if the detergent dispensers take your KTTW cards like the washers? Or do they still operate on coins?


QUOTE]

yes they do take the kttw cards

Krisann

 

[susanowen27]

think I have decided on what we will do in Barcelona - going to do the hop on hop off bus. I normally do not do non-disney excursions but not as worried since the ship will not leave without us (well technically it will - but not till the next day and on purpose) so it doesn't worry me as much and I am willing to go out on our own. It will cost about $35 each adult including blue bus fare from cruise terminal to the bus stop,

WE did this last time and it was great and easy, but didn't have time to see everything that we wanted, so we are buying the 2 day pass this time.

Does anyone know where I might find a Christiano Ronaldo jersey in Barcelona? If I am to remain the most amazing grandma in the world, I must return from Spain with one for my grandson who will be turning 12 while I am away.

 

[Yvet]

Today I picked up prescription refills.

Maybe it's smart to get a medication passport.
Just a print out from you pharmacie with all the medication on it and not only the American names but also the names of the substance that's in the medication (latin names).
This way you won't have any problems at all at airports....

Congrats on the upgrade! Is this your first or second upgrade? I can't remember if you got one before.
It looks like some people are getting a little last minute pixie dust.:wizard

For this cruise it's our first upgrade, we booked a cat 12 and got a cat 12 until earlier this week when we got the cat 9......

 

[Yvet]

Does anyone know the proper amount to tip if you are doing a private tour in the Med? Would it be 20% like we might in the US? Or a different amount? I know that tipping is subjective , but I was just looking for some firsthand advice from those of you that have experienced this prior. I just want to make sure that I have compensated everyone correctly and that no one feels slighted. I tend to tip high - but the tours are already fairly expensive. This doesnt mean I'm going to be cheap , I just want it to be an amount that everyone is happy with!
TIA

Tipping in Europe is somewhat different then in the US.
Taxi/Cabs: €1 per bag (not the carry ons) and just make it a nice round amount if the cab meter says for example €23,80 just make it €25. When it's €24,50 just make it €26.
Restaurants: You can tip but it's not like 10 or 20% just make it a round amount again. The same as for a cab.
Excursion: If you want to tip then tip the driver and also the guide.
For the driver around €1 per person is perfect and for the guide €2 per person is good enough.

Don't pay any musicians or statues or artists.
If you pull your wallet to pay them a small amount somebody else will try to grab you wallet.
If you do want to give the artists some small amount just make sure that you have some small change in your pocket.

Hope this helps...

 

[realfam]

Good morning everyone! A quick morning read before I head off to work.
14 days until we leave, hard to believe the cruise is almost here. There is certainly plenty of activity around here.
Have a great day everyone

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

Downloaded the Kindle app for my iPod Touch today. I then downloaded the free copy of Sherlock Holmes to test it out. It's not a full size Kindle but for free it's incredible and not hard to read.

When I first downloaded the Kindle app for my iPhone, I didn't like reading on the small screen. Now and them I would get motion sick while riding the train, but lately that hasn't been a prolem. The only thing that bugs me is that Amazon is the keeper of the material. I feel like I am only renting the book.

Looks Good

T

I like this way better yet.

Terry - I just wanted to say that I love all of your sig graphics. They are so fun and I look forward to seeing what you have posted each day. So thanks for that!

QOTD

DH and I will probably get off the boat in the first hour and head straight for the snorkel lagoon. I would like to beat the rush and avoid sun burning the back of my legs. I LOVE CC!

 

[joius24]

Good Morning Everyone... I cannot beleive we are almost there I have too much to do ...or put off till later

Thanks for the tipping tips Yvet. I had thought about it at one point but forgot to ask.

As far as dinner attire.... I do like to get a little dressed for dinner...just because I can, but I do like the option to not on some evenings too. I am totally pshyched for my formal night choices...especially because I did real well in not spending a fortune.

I dont really ever think/worry about what others are wearing to dinner except for maybe "oh nice shirt" or whatever...I agree with Brack...we are cruising to relax.
I also hope to be the first person in history to eat anything she wants and lose weight on a cruise
I am in the "living a healthy lifestyle" crew too .... Lost many pounds and work on moving every day But I will not "diet" on the cruise....just make healthy choices..... sometimes.

 

[Tinked]

Tipping in Europe is somewhat different then in the US.
Taxi/Cabs: €1 per bag (not the carry ons) and just make it a nice round amount if the cab meter says for example €23,80 just make it €25. When it's €24,50 just make it €26.
Restaurants: You can tip but it's not like 10 or 20% just make it a round amount again. The same as for a cab.
Excursion: If you want to tip then tip the driver and also the guide.
For the driver around €1 per person is perfect and for the guide €2 per person is good enough.

Don't pay any musicians or statues or artists.
If you pull your wallet to pay them a small amount somebody else will try to grab you wallet.
If you do want to give the artists some small amount just make sure that you have some small change in your pocket.

Hope this helps...

This REALLY helps. Thanks so much. I put this info on my list for the cruise. Karen

 

[Lori1035]

Tipping in Europe is somewhat different then in the US.
Taxi/Cabs: €1 per bag (not the carry ons) and just make it a nice round amount if the cab meter says for example €23,80 just make it €25. When it's €24,50 just make it €26.
Restaurants: You can tip but it's not like 10 or 20% just make it a round amount again. The same as for a cab.
Excursion: If you want to tip then tip the driver and also the guide.
For the driver around €1 per person is perfect and for the guide €2 per person is good enough.

Don't pay any musicians or statues or artists.
If you pull your wallet to pay them a small amount somebody else will try to grab you wallet.
If you do want to give the artists some small amount just make sure that you have some small change in your pocket.

Hope this helps...

Thank you so much! Tipping is something I stress about. This is definitely a big help for me.

Lori

 

[kileybeth]

Help please. At the last possible moment I know. . .

How do I get to the main Plaza in Cadiz from the Port to catch the HOHO bus?

Anyone else doing this?

Thanks from a terribly directionally challenged girl who can often get lost in her hometown where she grew up, just saying. . .

Opps! SAME question about Barcelona! Want to do the HOHO bus there as well. We will just have the 1st day as we are flying out early on Saturday. How to get from PORT to a location to catch HOHO bus in Barcelona.

yes, I keep going to Lynnes page o' facts but don't see this particular information.

ETA: I see Lynne says it is close enough to walk or the buses come right to the port in Cadiz?

My brain keeps mixing up all these ports! ugh!

 

[ibouncetoo]

ibouncetoo - gracias!

De nada!

I'm with you. I stick with black and wear different tops usually. My DD threw me a curve by giving me Brown Chicos knit slacks for Christmas to travel in. Now I'm scrambling around looking for brown things to go with them. I also means a extra pair of shoes. You know what will be the first to go if I have a packing problem---everything brown!!!

Just wear a black shirt and shoes with the brown pants. MY fashionista sister swears there is nothing wrong with 'mixing neutrals'.

By the way...you said your goal for the weekend was to complete your taxes...how did you make out? That was my thought also...and it seems it was just that... a thought!!! I need to get on the ball...times flying and the money would be a nice bonus!!

I successfully avoided them also! No stalling this weekend though...time is flying by now.

.

 

[mishoe01]

Jackie - just sent you an email =)

I avoided my taxes too....but it was b/c I had a bad headache & spent all of Sunday in bed....MUST BE DONE THIS WEEKEND!!

 

[Brooklyn]

Has anyone that has been on a crossing before, seen whales, dolphins or other sealife? We are so excited to be leaving in a few weeks.

On the last EB crossing we did see dolphins, not sure about whales though.

 

[mishoe01]

On the last EB crossing we did see dolphins, not sure about whales though.

We saw dolphins on our Jan cruise - as we were leaving the port - really cool!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Jackie - just sent you an email =)

I avoided my taxes too....but it was b/c I had a bad headache & spent all of Sunday in bed....MUST BE DONE THIS WEEKEND!!

Just read it. I will look into that, it sounds interesting!

...more later.....

.

 

[Happy Goofy]

Does anyone know if Disney is offering any tours to the people that will be staying on board for the next cruise? I would love to see more of Barcelona instead of staying on the ship the whole day.