Bringing Home the Magic - Part 2 - 8/18/07 - 9/01/07- list of cruisers on page 1

[slindamood]

Ah - today - Canary Islands. I can take that!

 

[Scratch42]

T.G.I.F. ANOTHER WEEK CLOSER!

Thanks Val ~ but remember last year! We lost a port!

j

 

[eye R.N.]

T.G.I.F. ANOTHER WEEK CLOSER!

Thanks Val ~ but remember last year! We lost a port!

j

We not really lost, sort of misplaced it

 

[dletz]

She did say "current" schedule
And while I don't think our schedule is currently safe from changes, I do think we have the advantage this year, since this time we are going the opposite direction, and we will be the ones gaining hours not losing them.

Donna

 

[dee47]

I've been so insanely busy at work, but I'm starting to see the light! Monday night DS and I will board a plane bound for the land of Mickey, and we'll be seeing some of you nice people there! YAY!

This will also be DS' 10th B-day trip (the B-day itself is 9/6, after school starts ). So hopefully I can get in some B-day parties for him -- maybe at CP or CM, our favorite hangouts, for which I do have ADRs. I figured I can tell them it's his b-day trip (being honest about his actual b-day), and maybe they'll let us celebrate. Before he started school, going ON his b-day was never a problem.

Yeah, I'm rambling. I should just go away. Did I mention work was driving me bonkers???

Alisha, did you ever get my email? You've been quiet over yonder!

Janet, can't wait to see you again!!!!!!!! Do you still have my cell #???

 

[DenverVal]

Thanks Val ~ but remember last year! We lost a port!

j

I haven't forgotten! hence the use of the term "current schedule". They took one away before we sailed, and we missed one due to gale force winds and 30-foot seas, and had a substitute port the next day. There aren't too many places to substitute if we miss one this time around, or if they decide to take one away. Donna and I were talking last night and I realized that Seville is only an hour and a half away from Cadiz. Do you think Disney will arrange excursions there?? They have us in port for 12 hours.

Dee, have a great trip!

 

[bridgemanva]

I just returned from our Magic cruise; I was able to rebook our Repo cruise given the incentives we upgraded to a Cat 4 from Cat 7 for just an additional $94 thanks to the 10% discount; plus we get the $250 OBC and prepaid gratuities.which works out to about another $450 savings. We also locked in airfare and transfers for $855 per person -- if we find a better deal great if not this seems to be quite a competitive rate.

 

[dee47]

So the 1st hurricane of the season may be forming right as we're about to head to FL. That's just...ducky. NOT!

On the other hand, it's pretty amazing we haven't had any hurricanes this season yet.

 

[eye R.N.]

Dee, looks like tuesday will be the deciding day. I've been really toying with the idea of an unannounced weekend at WDW to see some of the fools, but it looks like work could be a problem.

I think I'd be more worried about heading to New Orleans than Orlando.

At least WDW has a hurricane plan in place.

Wishing you sunshine and great times for your trip.

 

[dee47]

Dee, looks like tuesday will be the deciding day. I've been really toying with the idea of an unannounced weekend at WDW to see some of the fools, but it looks like work could be a problem.

I think I'd be more worried about heading to New Orleans than Orlando.

At least WDW has a hurricane plan in place.

Wishing you sunshine and great times for your trip.

Thanks!

As long as we get there ahead of the storm, I'm fine. What I'm worried about is the fact that we're taking a red-eye Monday night, planning to get into MCO on Tue. @ 9:30AM. I'm a white-knuckle flyer (is that the word?) even in the best of times, so...yeah.

I hope somehow you CAN make it down to join us!

 

[BishopFamily]

So the 1st hurricane of the season may be forming right as we're about to head to FL. That's just...ducky. NOT!

On the other hand, it's pretty amazing we haven't had any hurricanes this season yet.

Well, we wish you have a great trip and that Ernesto stays away from WDW while you are there.

 

[faireygod mother]

Justed wanted to let you all know, we are officially going. We booked our flight today for a little over 260 each. They are on Air Plus Comet. Can anyone say EXCITED!!!

We will have to wait for the Orlando ressies for a few more months.

Just thought I would stop by and share. MAybe we can fill up that 747 with all Disney nuts. LOL

 

[disneyccrn]

Do you think there will be any Morroco excursions?

How Exotic!

But I do want to see the "Minkeys"!

I can only hope that if we tender to shore at that port that an excursion could leave from the ship or at least ferry from Gibralter since it is so close. We looked on line and you can also take an independant ferry ~ looks like it takes about an hour. It definately would be interesting to see Africa too.

 

[GrayFal]

Justed wanted to let you all know, we are officially going. We booked our flight today for a little over 260 each. They are on Air Plus Comet. Can anyone say EXCITED!!!

We will have to wait for the Orlando ressies for a few more months.

Just thought I would stop by and share. MAybe we can fill up that 747 with all Disney nuts. LOL

We booked also on Air Plus Comet - I found them on www.kayak.com although we booked directly - kayak is not showing our dates yet...

Flight Information – Fri 08 Jun 2007
This flight leaves and arrives on different dates.
Air Comet S.A.
Flight 916 Departs: 6:35p
John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) Arrives: 7:30a
Barajas (MAD)
Economy | 310 | 6h 55m
[ Layover at Barajas (MAD) for 3h 30m ]
Spanair S.A.
Flight 402 Departs: 11:00a
Barajas (MAD) Arrives: 12:10p
Barcelona (BCN)
Economy | M80 | 1h 10m

Price $263. per person

YIPPEE!!!!!

 

[disneyccrn]

Justed wanted to let you all know, we are officially going. We booked our flight today for a little over 260 each. They are on Air Plus Comet. Can anyone say EXCITED!!!

We will have to wait for the Orlando ressies for a few more months.

Just thought I would stop by and share. MAybe we can fill up that 747 with all Disney nuts. LOL

What a great fare! How far out do they book? The cheapest we've seen from CA in 900+ making Disneys quote of 1000 for both flights looking pretty good.
We were also thinking of booking round trip to get a cheaper fare compared to a one way fare. Has anyone done that before? Any complications with not using the second half of the ticket?

One year from now we will be enjoying our sea days....

 

[GrayFal]

What a great fare! How far out do they book? The cheapest we've seen from CA in 900+ making Disneys quote of 1000 for both flights looking pretty good.
We were also thinking of booking round trip to get a cheaper fare compared to a one way fare. Has anyone done that before? Any complications with not using the second half of the ticket?

One year from now we will be enjoying our sea days....

You should be able to fly into JFK from CA inexpensively (Jet Blue comes to mind) and pick up this flight..I live in NY but faireygodmother and Hannosmom live in VA - they will fly up in the early afternoon and catch this flight. I will fly Jet Blue or Southwest one way from Orlando to JFK.
I am sure you can get to NY from CA for under $300 per person....plus $263 = more money for excursions and the spa......Hope to see some of you on our flight...

BTW, there is an earlier connecting flight in Madrid but we decided to build in some 'delay' time and have breakfast at the Madrid airport.

FYI - the 6:35 pm flight sells out first...leaving only the 11pm flight which won't get you to Barcelona until after 4 pm....so book NOW if you want this flight.....

Edited to add how far out do they book...the lovely Dee has been calling almost daily - 8/28 was the day they released the tickets for 8/17....this airline only flies from NY on Mondays and Fridays....
and YES, the plane has wings,,,we checked

 

[Bmwdsny]

i spent the last hour reading the entire thread...WHEW!!!

can't believe it only 1 year away til we bring the magic home again!!
What funny is that a year ago i was on panama canal Cruise, a year later, on Double Dip cruise (a week ago.) and then a year from now, the Med cruise!!! What a treat!!!

Hey Val!!! Brianne cannot wait to see Rachel and Leia again!!!! as well as her other "old" friends from last year!!!

For those who are new here..WELCOME!!!

What everyone doing before the Cruise?? I am planning to go Ireland for a few days, maybe stopping over in Paris before flying to Barcelona.

 

[DenverVal]

We booked also on Air Plus Comet - I found them on www.kayak.com although we booked directly - kayak is not showing our dates yet...

Flight Information – Fri 08 Jun 2007
This flight leaves and arrives on different dates.
Air Comet S.A.
Flight 916 Departs: 6:35p
John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) Arrives: 7:30a
Barajas (MAD)
Economy | 310 | 6h 55m
[ Layover at Barajas (MAD) for 3h 30m ]
Spanair S.A.
Flight 402 Departs: 11:00a
Barajas (MAD) Arrives: 12:10p
Barcelona (BCN)
Economy | M80 | 1h 10m

Price $263. per person

I am not having any luck with kayak bringing up this itinerary at all. How did you search? What cities/airports? which dates? one-way, round-trip, multi-city? When I go to www.airpluscomet.com, it doesn't show flights available in August 2007, just July. I searched on reviews for Air Plus Comet, I gotta tell you, I don't much like what I see.

 

[dletz]

I am not having any luck with kayak bringing up this itinerary at all. How did you search? What cities/airports? which dates? one-way, round-trip, multi-city? When I go to www.airpluscomet.com, it doesn't show flights available in August 2007, just July. I searched on reviews for Air Plus Comet, I gotta tell you, I don't much like what I see.

I also couldn't bring up prices for August. Also it looks like from here, I would end up on 3 different airlines. CA to NY, NY to Madrid, Madrid to Barcelona.

I also couldn't find any information on luggage limits on their website. That would be one of my biggest concerns.

 

[GrayFal]

I also couldn't bring up prices for August. Also it looks like from here, I would end up on 3 different airlines. CA to NY, NY to Madrid, Madrid to Barcelona.

I also couldn't find any information on luggage limits on their website. That would be one of my biggest concerns.

Yes, you will be on 3 different airlines.....my travel companions will also be on 3 - I will call and check about the luggage limit.

I am not having any luck with kayak bringing up this itinerary at all. How did you search? What cities/airports? which dates? one-way, round-trip, multi-city? When I go to www.airpluscomet.com, it doesn't show flights available in August 2007, just July. I searched on reviews for Air Plus Comet, I gotta tell you, I don't much like what I see.

search one way from NY to BCN....
.......about the reviews....we have purposely allowed 3 1/2 hours between our NY madrid and madrid to Barcelona flight - they have a flight in 2 hours but we wanted to build in a little 'delay' time.

Now.....
SORRY - the airpluscomet flights will not show up on kayak until 3 weeks later - meaning you will see the 8/17/07 flights on Kayak until 9/8/06...but the 6:35pm flight will probably be gone by then
On Kayak you CAN search one-way.....

We called the airline directly and booked thru them - they do the NY to Madrid, Madrid to Barcelona as one ticket.....my friends from Virginia are going to book the VA to NY flight seperately.....we also did not 'see' the 8/17 flight yet - you have to call....

Here is the itinerary as of July 27, 2007 - 3 weeks before...from LAX
Price $573 LAX > BCN Multiple Airlines 12:00p 3:50p 2 (18h 50m)
Flight Information – Fri 27 Jul 2007
This flight leaves and arrives on different dates.
Delta
Flight 1796 Departs: 12:00p
Los Angeles (LAX) Arrives: 7:25p
John F Kennedy Intl (JFK)
Economy | Boeing 737-800 Passenger | 4h 25m
[ Layover at John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) for 3h 35m ]
Air Comet S.A.
Flight 916 Departs: 11:00p
John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) Arrives: 12:25p
Barajas (MAD)
Economy | Airbus Industrie A310 | 7h 25m
[ Layover at Barajas (MAD) for 2h 15m ]
Europa Lineas
Flight 2004 Departs: 2:40p
Barajas (MAD) Arrives: 3:50p
Barcelona (BCN)
Economy | Boeing 737-800 Passenger | 1h 10m

...and Price $642
Flight Information – Fri 27 Jul 2007
This flight leaves and arrives on different dates.
United
Flight 890 Departs: 1:00p
Los Angeles (LAX) Arrives: 9:10p
John F Kennedy Intl (JFK)
Economy | Boeing 757 Passenger | 5h 10m
[ Layover at John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) for 1h 50m ]
Air Comet S.A.
Flight 916 Departs: 11:00p
John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) Arrives: 12:25p
Barajas (MAD)
Economy | Airbus Industrie A310 | 7h 25m
[ Layover at Barajas (MAD) for 2h 15m ]
Europa Lineas
Flight 2004 Departs: 2:40p
Barajas (MAD) Arrives: 3:50p
Barcelona (BCN

Here is the itinerary from NY only and for the price difference - you can book Jet Blue yourself....

Price $269 JFK > BCN Multiple Airlines 11:00p 3:50p 1 (10h 50m)
Flight Information – Fri 27 Jul 2007
This flight leaves and arrives on different dates.
Air Comet S.A.
Flight 916 Departs: 11:00p
John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) Arrives: 12:25p
Barajas (MAD)
Economy | Airbus Industrie A310 | 7h 25m
[ Layover at Barajas (MAD) for 2h 15m ]
Europa Lineas
Flight 2004 Departs: 2:40p
Barajas (MAD) Arrives: 3:50p
Barcelona (BCN)

and the 6:35 flight....
Price $275 (call airline direct for $263 fare) JFK > BCN Multiple Airlines 6:35p 12:10p 1 (11h 35m)
Flight Information – Fri 06 Jul 2007
This flight leaves and arrives on different dates.
Air Comet S.A.
Flight 916 Departs: 6:35p
John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) Arrives: 7:30a
Barajas (MAD)
Economy | 310 | 6h 55m
[ Layover at Barajas (MAD) for 3h 30m ]
Spanair S.A.
Flight 402 Departs: 11:00a
Barajas (MAD) Arrives: 12:10p
Barcelona (BCN)

and from Denver......
for some reason kayak isn't hooking up Denver and airpluscomet flights and the rates are over $950...so.....here are some options to fly into LaGuardia and connect with our 6:35 flight at JFK (don't worry, I will give you the number of Kelly Cabs - the company I use all the time to get picked up at the airport...fare between airports would be under $60 + tip)
Price $365 DEN > LGA United 7:30a 1:03p 0 (3h 33m)
Flight Information – Fri 20 Jul 2007
United
Flight 400 Departs: 7:30a
Denver Inter*national (DEN)

so $365 + $263 = $628

or these connecting flights into JFK.....
Price $245 DEN > JFK Continental 6:20a 3:36p 1 (7h 16m)
Flight Information – Fri 20 Jul 2007
Continental
Flight 1510 Departs: 6:20a
Denver Inter*national (DEN) Arrives: 9:41a
George Bush Intcntl (IAH)
Economy | Boeing 737-800 Passenger | 2h 21m | IA7PZN
[ Layover at George Bush Intcntl (IAH) for 1h 9m ]
Continental
Flight 730 Departs: 10:50a
George Bush Intcntl (IAH) Arrives: 3:36p
John F Kennedy Intl (JFK)
Economy | Boeing 737-500 Passenger | 3h 46m | IA14JBN

...or Price $393 DEN > JFK United 6:10a 1:52p 1 (5h 42m)
Flight Information – Fri 20 Jul 2007
United
Flight 154 Departs: 6:10a
Denver Inter*national (DEN) Arrives: 11:20a
Dulles Intl (IAD)
Economy | Airbus Industrie A320 | 3h 10m | UAUN
[ Layover at Dulles Intl (IAD) for 1h 20m ]
United
Flight 7310 Departs: 12:40p
Dulles Intl (IAD) Arrives: 1:52p
John F Kennedy Intl (JFK)
Economy | Canadair Regional Jet | 1h 12m | UAUN

The most important part of this is to get the flight from NY on airpluscomet...
and you need to CALL to get the 6:35 pm flight....it has been sold out for most of the summer if you wait for it to show up on Kayak...I discovered it by looking in May and June!!!
The number is 1-877-999-7587 6 am to 10pm eastern

and I am using 'fake dates' because many airlines don't load their tickets until 330 or 325 days out from the travel date

Hope this helps...if not, email me and I will help further - we can even chat on the phone if we need to.