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

[dylan'smom]

...I'm not anywhere near ready. But come Saturday morning, I'll be on that plane with whatever is in the suitcase....

Ditto! Well, we get there a bit sooner, but I'm trying to not over pack (yeah, right ), so not having time to pack yet may help!!

...One other question: ... Is it worth it for me to register the kids for the Clubs in the port or just do it onboard since we're getting there later? It's suddenly dawning on me that I've not paid a lot of attention to logistics questions people have asked on the main cruise board.

Yes, agreed, you should have until tomorrow to sign up (the 3 days out). It really is nice that you can take care of that in your cruise plans. We didn't get a brunch either...all gone when we reserved stuff, so need to book on board. With that many sea days, I'm thinking there should be something available, and in the past we have noticed lots of cancellations as time goes by in the cruise, as well. You can even get on a waiting list & odds are very good for you to get a call.

DH and I are on the June 12th Baltic cruise. We wish you smooth seas and an awesome trip as you take the Wonderful MAGIC back to Europe!
Sue

We are on that one too. The original plan was to stay in Europe until then, when DS18 joined us, but...turned out we could only manage 5 weeks!! So excited. Thanks for the well wishes for this cruise!!

...I am so excited and ready to meet everyone!
Krisann

Looking forward to it too. Safe travels to you & yours!!!

bev

 

[DISCruiseNewbie]

I don't think you'll have any problems getting time in Flounder's on this particular cruise, as it's has such smaller amount of children compared to other itineraries.

Boy, I SO don't want to go to work today. At least it will be busy and should pass quickly. LOST is on tonight so that will cut into cruise prep time a bit, but Wed night has been left wide open for final assembly!

You, know, all we really need is passport and a pile of cash!

.

yes, i agree...about the passport and cash...but if it were only that easy...*sigh*

 

[mishoe01]

Phew! 1 thing off my to-do list

I also bought myself a pair of strong/sturdy/comfy sandals

Stopping at Kmart/Walmart (both if I have to) on my way home to get the last few things I need, then home to do the last loads of before putting it all together IN the suitcase.

Tomorrow will have me stopping in at BJ's for the Rosa Regale, then the ABC store for the adult beverages and lastly at Publix for the diet root beer & dr pepper

3 more sleeps before I see my play-mates 4 more sleeps & I meet more people to have fun with

 

[kileybeth]

Morning All,

Well, not really but I am just now coming our of my bedroom/sitting room as everything is in there for packing and since we actually leave in a day or three I thought I might better try something on At this point? It is what it is and it will have to work!

Thank you all so much for your prayers and thoughts for our oldest. It is beyond heartbreaking to us.

My DH is working until Friday afternoon. He still has taxes to finish up (MIL and one sons are all done) but this is our first year to have to "rob peter to pay paul" scenario. Pay one state and get refund from another is what it should look like at least we hope the numbers will work that way! He also has a huge project/report he is working on that is critical in so many different ways that has to be finished and submitted before we leave. And moving the little bit of money we have left after paying for this huge splurge of an anniversary trip (for us anyway) to be in the right places at the right bill paying times. So, I can not wait for him to step onto that plane on Friday night and take a deep breath.

I, on the other hand, still have to pack for him and figure out what that should be , continue to weigh all these piles and finished bags, Get to the point where I can actually put the stuff in the bags and close them for good.

Trying to put all my paperwork, FE and SM stuff together in some kind of order to transport and actually get to when I need it!

Sunny and beyond spring time warm here today as well.

Question about Cataway Cay: I seem to remember the floats you rent are close to the beginning area of the beach when you arrive? How do you get them all the way down to the adults only area of the beach. I had planned to grab a raft and float my afternoon away but take the trolly to adult beach to do it We never even made it down that end of beach last time as we had 4 kiddos with us. Anyone know how this might work?

 

[mrshart]

what a day so far, and its not nearly done!

I've done some last minute errands, have the house sitter coming for some instructions this afternoon. Am getting my hair done tonight. Still more errands to do tomorrow. Have been busy printing docs all day - thanks for the journal link! Called CC companies last night to have travel note put up. Still haven't actually started to pack, but I think that will happen tomorrow. Doing laundry and getting the house picked up. Geez, the list could go on and on. I'm just tired thinking about all of it.

We leave Friday and are staying at the Hyatt. Will be on the first bus Saturday (hopefully!). Can't wait!

 

[scottjm]

Way back there was some talk on scouting - are any of the scouts or leaders bringing badges to trade. I do have some Canadian ones that go back 30 years I could bring.

Now back to packing

Mike

My DS11 says he'd like to bring some for a trade. We will throw them in the packing!

 

[scottjm]

Whew! Got the last SM gift today. Didn't know if it would make it.

Woke up in a near panic this morning. After working until 3:30AM to get ready to go, I realized that I only have 2 more evenings to work. It used to be weeks away. We are almost getting down to hours now!

 

[slcmom]

This is a strange milestone, but we took the trash out for the last time before we leave! Silly but true!

And it is going to be 87 degrees here in DC today! What the Heck?!?


What the heck? We have new snow on the ground this morning, and it's enough that I think it's going to stick. The kids had to snow shovel to find Easter eggs on Sunday!

Well, I am sorry to miss Christmas Carol. Ds, 4 grandkids and I stood in line for hours last summer when the train came through town, but then never got to the movie in theaters. Ds, however, will be ecstatic about Last Song. He adores Miley and has cut out an ad from the paper for the movie which he keeps in his wallet...The adults around here have been putting him off, each trying to shove the job of accompanying him to that particular movie onto each other, if you see what I mean. Now ds can just go by himself while on board. Hurrah!

 

[mishoe01]

Question about Cataway Cay: I seem to remember the floats you rent are close to the beginning area of the beach when you arrive? How do you get them all the way down to the adults only area of the beach. I had planned to grab a raft and float my afternoon away but take the trolly to adult beach to do it We never even made it down that end of beach last time as we had 4 kiddos with us. Anyone know how this might work?

You can pick up a float near Serenity Bay - no need to lug it

 

[dster113]

I can't believe we leave in 4 days!
I have not done any packing, the kids clothes are figured out as well as my formal stuff but that is it. I felt better today when I purchased everyone new toothbrushes and travel toothpaste
I never got my FE hangers, now I don't know what to do!
I did finish my FE's for everyone else.

I know it should be good news but I just received a call from a client wanting to list their house. I told them I'm away for two weeks starting Sat am, they said no problem they would make their decision on Friday. OMG...I can list the house from the boat but so much paperwork to do before hand!

Junior League meeting tonight but they are letting me do it via conference call so I guess I can pack while I'm on the phone.

Anyone else keeping a pad and paper by their bedside to write everything down? If I didn't I would never sleep.

 

[Tinked]

The last time I rented at Serenity Bay they had a rental place where the bathrooms were to the right of the dining area. I hope it is still there.

 

[dee47]

Well 25 copies of the mini-nav, in color, are printed, stapled, and packed. That's 100 pages, so that's as much as I can carry in addition to 55 FE gifts...I hope most of you can print at home and won't hate me too much...

 

[Beauty & the Best]

I put all of the days of the cruise + our post days in Madrid into a spreadsheet & now I can pencil in my outfit & shoes for each day...I know it seems excessive but its really the only way I can figure out to keep track of the clothes! I've marked what's going on each day - like Pirate Night or port day - so that should help me decide what to bring.

God bless you all who are packing for 2, 3, 4, 5.....

Junior League meeting tonight but they are letting me do it via conference call so I guess I can pack while I'm on the phone.

I'm in Junior League too!
The most work I have left is stuff for our 2010 holiday market. We're nailing a lot down this week so it's a bit of a crunch for all of the committee members right now.

 

[dylan'smom]

Well 25 copies of the mini-nav, in color, are printed, stapled, and packed. That's 100 pages, so that's as much as I can carry in addition to 55 FE gifts...I hope most of you can print at home and won't hate me too much...

You really did a beautiful job, Dee!!

I printed it (my ONE, lol) and will keep it for interesting reading on the airplane Thurs.

bev

 

[dylan'smom]

I put all of the days of the cruise + our post days in Madrid into a spreadsheet & now I can pencil in my outfit & shoes for each day...I know it seems excessive but its really the only way I can figure out to keep track of the clothes! I've marked what's going on each day - like Pirate Night or port day - so that should help me decide what to bring...

I am so in awe of organized people!!!!!!!!!!!


I have made a small pile of stuff & found a couple suit cases...and hope I have something left in my closet that still fits me since my weight gain marathon!

bev

 

[Donaldcp98]

I
Anyone else keeping a pad and paper by their bedside to write everything down? If I didn't I would never sleep.

I have one right here by my computer since I keep coming up with things I need to remember to do. My list keeps getting longer and longer instead of shorter and shorter. On the plus side I think three of the magnets are done (going to print them out after work) three more to go.

Just wish my work load would get smaller. I keep getting things handed to me that need to be done before I leave. Oh well. I will just finish what I can, and what I can't they will have to deal with.

Anyone else getting a knot in their stomach when they think about all the things that they have to do and the time they have to do it in?

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

I never got my FE hangers, now I don't know what to do!

When you say FE hanger, are you refering to the Fish Extender you hang outside your door to collect the gifts? If so, don't worry! You can use almost anything, like an extra tote bag, a gift bag, a christmas stocking.

Like these:

 

[mackeymouse4eva]

Anyone else getting a knot in their stomach when they think about all the things that they have to do and the time they have to do it in?

I am nearing panic mode ....I've been doing doing doing BUT the list is getting longer longer LONGER!! I can't see how I'm going to get it all done!! As usual I'm afraid that time (lack of ) will cause me to way overpack!! I was thinking I might need to overflow into an extra suitcase ( 4 for the 3 of us ) mainly because of the weight issue. I think I can pack it in, but keeping it under 50lbs...does not seem likely! Lots of work (plus real job ) between now and thursday night!

 

[Ginamarie]

Anyone taking DCL tour to Seville? We decided to do it. It is a long way but I remember studying about it in school and would like to see it.

Just finished watching the UCONN women win over Baylor. Now for the championship on Tuesday.

We're taking the Seville tour. It's pricey, but I think it covers a lot, so we're sucking it up.

You guys are the best. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for all the work you've done.

I'm not anywhere near ready. But come Saturday morning, I'll be on that plane with whatever is in the suitcase. I've cruised quite a bit, but never been on a private island and I'm so excited about CC. The double dip sounds like a wonderful cruise.

I put in some overtime last week and since I'm on social security getting paid for it is useless because it reduces my benefit, they have offered to let me leave and hour and 45 minutes early on Friday if we're not crazy busy. Pretty nice. This is the kind of thing I used to do when I was the boss. And I now appreciate what a good practice it is. It's nice to know how much it means.

Kileybeth...I'll keep your son and your family in my prayers.

Safe travels to those of you on the move.

You're going to love Castaway Cay. It's the nicest private island of any of the cruiselines.

Has anyone gotten currency on board? Must you exchange actual currency, or do they just charge your shipboard account?

At this point, I'm thinking ATMs in ports.

You can exchange actual currency or write a check out of your checking account. You won't want to charge it to your shipboard account, because it will be treated as a "cash advance" with very high fees from your credit card company. I got some pounds/euros from AAA, and will be using ATMs for anything else shoudl I need it.




I can't believe how close we are to sailing now. I still have some minor last minute items to pack, but the main stuff is done. We were able to fit the kids' suitcase inside of another one, so IF I need it, I'll have an extra bag when we get to Europe. If not, then we'll keep the smaller bag inside of the bigger one like it is now.

Tomorrow is my last full work day, Thursday I'll be running errands and then have a business dinner in Manhattan, and we leave on Friday morning (weather permitting!). I CAN'T WAIT!

 

[Wild4Disney]

I think my plan will be to go straight to the hot tub at the quiet cove pool and also have a Baileys Banana Colado to top off the evening! Anyone care to join me?

.

Count me in!!!!!!