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

[kileybeth]

I was saving this for later, but it sounded like you could use it now.

T

aaaahhhh, thank you so much!

The DH is back to work and I am thinking about taking the suitcases out and starting to make a list of what's going in! Well, someplace besides in my head I mean

Almost caught up again. . .be back soon

 

[scottjm]

Bought myself a little something to use while lounging outside of the Cove Cafe & on the plane...

http://www.magellans.com/store/Shop_...esWA006?Args=#

Also
Now, thanks to Jackie - am looking at the Woman Within catalog too (grrrrr)

I ordered this for my wife. Just came today. It looks like just what she will need! I think she is going to be chilly on this cruise and this looks perfect. ... Indigo too. Thanks to both you and ibouncetoo!

 

[ibouncetoo]

I am planning on cancelling a Palo Brunch reservation for Aprill 22 (Sea Day) @ 11:30 am. It is for 4 people. Before I do it, I wanted to know if any of you wanted it so we can coordinate me releasing it & you snatching it up!
Let me know!
Tricia

ME!!!!! PLEASE!!!

Let me know - or Jackie......

Thanks!

You were the 1st to reply-- you got it! I sent you a PM, so we can set something up-

Just a heads up, in a couple of days there may be more brunchs opening up if/when group 1 and 2 get assigned the private room. Anybody who had a brunch booked will be cancelled from that and booked into the private room. So, IF YOU ARE ON A BRUNCH LIST AND HAVE A PALO BRUNCH RESERVATION ALREADY, please let your your cruisemates know that a spot will be opening.

Generally, once the special request person contact the person who put in the request, they have one or two days to respond with final names etc, then any of their previous reservations are cancelled immediately.

Dishy, if you and Monica haven't already coordinated it, you might as well just wait a couple of days if you can...if not we'll take it! (but may be turning it back if we get in the group)

.

 

[mishoe01]

Dishy, if you and Monica haven't already coordinated it, you might as well just wait a couple of days if you can...if not we'll take it! (but may be turning it back if we get in the group)

.

Tricia & I have not connected yet (left her a voicemail)......but if Tricia is ok waiting a few more days, I'm ok w/ it

 

[emma'smom]

So, I went to the bank today to square away my $$$ plans for the trip. I wanted to find out about using my debit card to get cash while in the ports and in Barcelona and London following the trip and/or what Plan B should be.

It seems to be very difficult for the bank to figure out how to support a customer traveling outside of the US?!?

My Debit Card- They CAN NOT note on my DEBIT account that I'll be traveling to avoid it getting flagged. It will get flagged and then I'll have to call my bank to ask them to remove the security flag. I have to wait until it is flagged before they can do anything and it will get flagged every time we go to a different country. This means I'll have to hope that I only need cash during banking hours EST and have access to a phone to which I can call the U.S.

Traveler's Checks- They advised me that most places don't take traveler's checks and that they are very hard to cash (even in banks). Of course, this also assumes that I'll be able to find an open bank to cash them (and since we'll be in Barcelona on Saturday and London on Sunday...this isn't likely).

Credit Cards- Well...yes, these will work (probably). Of course, these won't help in smaller restaurants and other places in the ports that only take cash...and won't get me cash unless I want to deal with high-interest cash advances (not willing to do this).

So, where does that leave me? Just cash? I'm not comfortable traveling with a ton of cash!

So how are others solving these issues?

 

[mommyto3princesses]

Problem has been made worse by other DIS member mentioning Xyron machine and magnet cartridges. It just makes it all too easy to roll out those magnets. Way too easy.........

I bought magnetic paper to run through my printer. I didn't think about a Xyron. That would be easier. May look for a Michael's coupon.

Traveler's Checks- They advised me that most places don't take traveler's checks and that they are very hard to cash (even in banks). Of course, this also assumes that I'll be able to find an open bank to cash them (and since we'll be in Barcelona on Saturday and London on Sunday...this isn't likely).

Guest Services will cash out your traveler's checks if you must bring them.

Finally caught up...phew. You guys have been chatty.

We finally told our daughter's about the trip. They are happy but the Mickey Call wasn't all that exciting for them. They couldn't figure out what was happening by the call so I had to explain it. dd7 asked if we were going on the Dream and dd5 asked if she was getting a dog as the surprise. Crazy kids! Dd3 jumped up and down but really didn't know why. Now they are excited and we talk about it everyday.

 

[The Youngs]

--Clinton was not MY president ... and I think you're talking about a different cigarette. No need to defend cigarette smokers, as there is no excuse in spewing that crap in the air, in my lungs, and on my clothes. It's a disgusting, self-serving habit, at the expense of others. If you have ever seen someone die a slow, painful death because of cigarettes, you'd do whatver you could to make sure nobody ever lights up - ever! Nothing personal.

Thanks for the public dressing down.

Irony......not something your familier with? When you meet Mickey maybe you could ask for your sense of humour back.

Dictionary.com definition of Irony:
3.Poignantly contrary to what was expected or intended: madness, an ironic fate for such a clear thinker

That's why I packed in five years ago.....Conversation over.

 

[TiggerPU88]

Stephanie, I think you've already won the prize for the most magnets on a door... What a photo!!! Love it! I am decorating for the first time this year and mine will still look empty. <g>

-- Adrienne : )

 

[woody73]

dd5 asked if she was getting a dog as the surprise.

A dog would be cheaper than a cruise.

Woody

 

[Tinked]

So, I went to the bank today to square away my $$$ plans for the trip. I wanted to find out about using my debit card to get cash while in the ports and in Barcelona and London following the trip and/or what Plan B should be.

It seems to be very difficult for the bank to figure out how to support a customer traveling outside of the US?!?

My Debit Card- They CAN NOT note on my DEBIT account that I'll be traveling to avoid it getting flagged. It will get flagged and then I'll have to call my bank to ask them to remove the security flag. I have to wait until it is flagged before they can do anything and it will get flagged every time we go to a different country. This means I'll have to hope that I only need cash during banking hours EST and have access to a phone to which I can call the U.S.

Traveler's Checks- They advised me that most places don't take traveler's checks and that they are very hard to cash (even in banks). Of course, this also assumes that I'll be able to find an open bank to cash them (and since we'll be in Barcelona on Saturday and London on Sunday...this isn't likely).

Credit Cards- Well...yes, these will work (probably). Of course, these won't help in smaller restaurants and other places in the ports that only take cash...and won't get me cash unless I want to deal with high-interest cash advances (not willing to do this).

So, where does that leave me? Just cash? I'm not comfortable traveling with a ton of cash!

So how are others solving these issues?

My bank said yes to using the debit card and I should call one week before sailing. They also suggested calling my other cards and not buying Travelers' checks. I'm thinking of getting 100 Euros for tipping and such. I don't intend to purchase anything that will not take my credit cards or that I don't have Euros for but that may not be realistic. All of my excursions are through DCL so I should only have to tip the tour guides. and misc. things I see at the tourist traps we will be encouraged to stop at. If my credit cards aren't good I will really question whether I need it. As you can see I'm trying not to go crazy shopping.

 

[auntlynne]

...Are we still having a meet at Country Inn and Suites at 6:00?

And you are bringing the lanyards!

Since I haven't heard and objections, Lynne would you please add the Awards/SM lunch with our schedule for 12:00 on the 22nd?

Do you think Parrot Cay would be an easier location to get group seating than Topsiders? That's how I am leaning.

Isn't Topsiders a buffet? I'm guessing here - can't we notify Parrot Cay in advance that we are brining a group of X # of people and they can seat us together? Anyone with experience in this situation?

I was thinking the same thing Joi it will be my first time decorating my door and sounds like I'll have an empty door compared to some people....

I haven't gotten to the Spreadsheet yet, but do we/can we have a category for 1st time cruisers for the door contest?

...What is the "favorites" tab for?!?!!? Is that for Secret Mickey, FE, anything?!?!? THANKS!

I say put in your info even if you're not in SM - there might be surprises for people

If you only had about 8-10 hours in London (2PM - 10PM) and you had two kids (8 and 11 years) who had never been to London, what would you do? My wife has Harrod's on the list, but would you see the Tower and crown jewels first? Westminster Abbey? Any thoughts?

I agree with the hop on / hop off bus idea - did that on my first international trip with a day's layover between US & Amsterdam-to Africa. Left my luggage at the airport in Left Luggage, took the train from Gatwick, rode the bus, walked around, lunched at Fortnum & Mason...

The London Eye - Is this like the ride at California Adventure where you load your car and then move a little with each car's loading and unloading? I would think that could get old fairly quickly for kids (or 48 yr olds), especially when there's more to see.

I missed the Tower on my last trip - that last tour is fairly early - check schedules before you go.

So, I went to the bank today to square away my $$$ plans for the trip. ...So, where does that leave me? Just cash? I'm not comfortable traveling with a ton of cash!

I would agree with the idea of traveler's cheques - and cash them at Guest Services. What you don't spend, just deposit in the bank when you get home (or pay your stateroom balance).

- Lynne

 

[kumquat88]

So, I went to the bank today to square away my $$$ plans for the trip. I wanted to find out about using my debit card to get cash while in the ports and in Barcelona and London following the trip and/or what Plan B should be.

It seems to be very difficult for the bank to figure out how to support a customer traveling outside of the US?!?

My Debit Card- They CAN NOT note on my DEBIT account that I'll be traveling to avoid it getting flagged. It will get flagged and then I'll have to call my bank to ask them to remove the security flag. I have to wait until it is flagged before they can do anything and it will get flagged every time we go to a different country. This means I'll have to hope that I only need cash during banking hours EST and have access to a phone to which I can call the U.S.

Traveler's Checks- They advised me that most places don't take traveler's checks and that they are very hard to cash (even in banks). Of course, this also assumes that I'll be able to find an open bank to cash them (and since we'll be in Barcelona on Saturday and London on Sunday...this isn't likely).

Credit Cards- Well...yes, these will work (probably). Of course, these won't help in smaller restaurants and other places in the ports that only take cash...and won't get me cash unless I want to deal with high-interest cash advances (not willing to do this).

So, where does that leave me? Just cash? I'm not comfortable traveling with a ton of cash!

So how are others solving these issues?

How about an ATM card? There are many international ATM services that I'm sure your bank/card belongs to. Just check what is the transaction fee and typical exchange rate. You might be surprised that it'll be a good deal.

 

[Happy Goofy]

We went to the bank and bought Euros. They come in assorted packages and you pay the rate for the day. We paid about $8.00 for a delivery charge. Each package has a variety of Eruos in it. We got the medium packages and it seemed to have some of every amt. in it
YEs I am bringing the lanyards

 

[auntlynne]

London

If you're looking for a bite to eat that won't take too much time or money, consider PRET A MANGER; here's their philosophy:

"You won’t find ‘sell by’ dates on our fresh sandwiches and salads. We don’t sell ‘factory’ stuff. We offer our food to charity at the end of each day rather than keep it over.

We shun the obscure chemicals, additives and preservatives common to so much ‘prepared’ and ‘fast’ food. Our ingredients are delivered fresh every day. We don’t mind that fresh and fragile ingredients go off quickly – we start from scratch each morning. Our menu is updated all the time, so check back often."

You can find them in London:

Trafalgar Square
7-8 St Martin's Place
London, WC2N 4JH
Telephone: 020 7932 5345
0.1 km away

Whitehall
1 Whitehall
London, SW1A 2DD
Telephone: 0207 932 5216
0.2 km away

Villiers Street
25 Villiers Street
London, WC2N 6ND
Telephone: 020 7932 5248
0.2 km away

Trafalgar Square South
62/65 Traflagar Square
London, WC2N 5DS
Telephone: 020 7932 5350
0.2 km away

Strand, 421
421/422 Strand
London, WC2R 0PS
Telephone: 020 7932 5255
0.3 km away

When I think London, I think Buckingham Palace with its Queen Victoria statue out front, the changing of the guards (although I like the changing of the horse guards at Whitehall and the sounds of horses coming down the cobblestone streets).

We enjoyed seeing the Rosetta Stone and the Greek Temples at the British Museum - the Brits did a great job of bringing home some great souvenirs while ruling the world.

And if you need to use the Loo, the McDs in England are pretty far out - many of them decorated 1970s style.

 

[mishoe01]

London

If you're looking for a bite to eat that won't take too much time or money, consider PRET A MANGER; here's their philosophy:

very good for "fast" food - they also have a location at Heathrow

"You won’t find ‘sell by’ dates on our fresh sandwiches and salads. We don’t sell ‘factory’ stuff. We offer our food to charity at the end of each day rather than keep it over.

We shun the obscure chemicals, additives and preservatives common to so much ‘prepared’ and ‘fast’ food. Our ingredients are delivered fresh every day. We don’t mind that fresh and fragile ingredients go off quickly – we start from scratch each morning. Our menu is updated all the time, so check back often."

When I think London, I think Buckingham Palace with its Queen Victoria statue out front, the changing of the guards (although I like the changing of the horse guards at Whitehall and the sounds of horses coming down the cobblestone streets).

We enjoyed seeing the Rosetta Stone and the Greek Temples at the British Museum - the Brits did a great job of bringing home some great souvenirs while ruling the world.

And if you need to use the Loo, the McDs in England are pretty far out - many of them decorated 1970s style.

The loos in Harrods are amazing too!

Something DIFFERENT to do in London~Fun for all ages!- Brass Rubbing at the St Martin in the Fields Church - in the basement. A souvenier done by you (I have one hanging on my wall)

http://www2.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/page/visiting/brass.html

 

[auntlynne]

How about an ATM card? There are many international ATM services that I'm sure your bank/card belongs to. Just check what is the transaction fee and typical exchange rate. You might be surprised that it'll be a good deal.

My ATM card is my debit card - it is a VISA-branded check card.

I haven't even begun to look into my options.

That said, if you got a VISA cash card (like they sell at Wal-Mart), which is good anywhere VISA is accepted in the US, would the Magic be considered "the US" when in the middle of the Atlantic or in Europe?

Could you put it on your account and get the money out? Trying to avoid cash advance fees on a regular credit card.

I can just see us all lined up at the first ATM in Madeira, trying to get some Euros.

 

[auntlynne]

I got sidelined with London and thought I'd share some pics from May 2008:

Tower of London, Double Decker Bus - Harrod's in background (with facade fence around it during renovation, Rosetta Stone at British Museum:

Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, near the Houses of Parliament:

Our "Album Cover" photo on the Millenium Bridge with the Globe Theater on the left and Tate Museum of Modern Art in the factory-looking building:

 

[auntlynne]

...Something DIFFERENT to do in London~Fun for all ages!- Brass Rubbing at the St Martin in the Fields Church - in the basement. A souvenier done by you (I have one hanging on my wall)...

I bet you can hop off the bus somewhere near here, too.

 

[emma'smom]

Debit Card = ATM Card with a Master Card logo on it

This is what they say WILL GET FLAGGED and that I CAN'T note that I will be traveling ahead of time. Some security system they use called Falcon?!?

This is First Merit Bank....it's all over Ohio. I guess people in Ohio don't travel out of the country?

How about an ATM card? There are many international ATM services that I'm sure your bank/card belongs to. Just check what is the transaction fee and typical exchange rate. You might be surprised that it'll be a good deal.

 

[Bumblebee3]

Yup. I'm on that flight.

Are you on the 10:35am flight back on the 24th?

Yes, we are!! Please come and say hello...we'll be the fair-haired couple with a little boy in a stroller, and two little fair-haired girls ages 5 and 7. Looking forward to meeting you!

Kim