Bringing The Magic Home - 8/20/05

[Lorraine]

Well we've arrived in LA.

Got to London Heathrow early on Saturday morning as our flight was showing as still being scheduled to leave on time, at just after 10am. When we arrived we were put in a marquee outside the terminal, as they were only allowing people with confirmed bookings (which our was) into the terminal 3 hours before departure. There were a few people with cancelled flights in there, mostly short haul flights around Europe.

Got into the terminal exactly 3 hours before our scheduled departure time, queued up and checked in, then went into the departure lounge. As there was still going to be no food on the plane BA staff were giving out vouchers to get food in the lounge before departure, so we got our allocation on these and got enough stuff to keep us going (mostly sandwiches and snacks). Boarded the plane on time, but then sat there for quite a while, until the Captain came on and said that one engine had a fault that hadn't been spotted by a service the day before! Luckily there was "spare" plane for us to switch to (I guess with so many BA planes being out of position),so we all got off onto buses and got taken the "new" plane. Eventually took off, about 3 1/2 hours late - but the most important thing was that we did take-off !

Arrived at LAX, got through into the baggage claim, and sat there for ages. Firstly we had dis-embarked at a VERY remote stand, and then apparently they couldn't get the baggage hold door open. In the end the bags came through after about an hours wait, but then we were missing two of our cases. Found a rep who said that they knew that some cases had gone "missing", presumably when we changed planes, but when we said our name she said that she'd seen our cases by another baggage claim carousel.

In the end we consider ourselves very lucky to have got out here with all our luggage. Now to get down to some serious relaxing and having FUN !

Look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

 

[winotracy]

Good morning everyone! Are you ready for the DIS Meet? How about the Parade of Staterooms? Oh, wait, that's NEXT Sunday!!!!

I have loaded the Ship of Fools Plotter on the newsletter home page. It works best if you print it double sided and fold it like a brochure. I will have a few extras with me next week. An e-mail will be coming to you once I have received the kids list. Not sure if I posted this yesterday, but the Find A Fool directory is also on the newsletter home page.

Tracy

 

[winotracy]

Glad to hear you make it safe and sound, though late. See you soon!!

Tracy

 

[eye R.N.]

Lorraine, Thank you for posting I've been thinking about your family alot the last few days.

Not diet for the luggage, but up to four bags one of which can go either as carry on or checked. After reading Lorraines post I think it will be a carry on so I know we'll have at least some clothes.

Parade of staterooms, I know everyone's plans have undergone some changes so if you signed up and are NOT planning to attend, please PM me, there are folks on the wait list, we will miss your smiling faces, but totally understand.

Tracy what were those cabins numbers you giving up for Oct 2006? I'm 90% sure I have a green light to rebook on the ship

 

[winotracy]

Dee, just sent you a PM.

I just realized that the two wine charms we plan to bring, one is the villian in your signature! The other is Captain Hook (for DH). Thanks again!

Tracy

 

[miclen]

Has anyone already figured out what nights we will have to change times? I was going to try to figure it out, but if someone already has, could you let me know?

Thanks, Michelle

 

[winotracy]

Don't know how they will work it but we have two hours difference between Cabo and Acapulco. One hour each day? Two hours on one day. I wouldn't be surprised if they changed two hours on Aug 23 so that we're too tired to stay out late in Acapulco That way we'll all be on board by 2:30.

We'll change again I believe between PC and Curacao. We shouldn't change again after that because the Bahamas don't go to daylight savings. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Tracy

 

[miclen]

thanks Tracy. That gives me an idea of what to expect. I appreciate your help.

Michelle

 

[Whiskers]

Tracy - you are such a computer clever girl .Could you help me with what I think is a really dumb question?
We phoned the phone server yesterday and confirmed that DH's blackberry will not work anywhere (even in port in Mexico). She said the cell towers in Mexico are not reliable.
So we thought OK - go with the wireless internet. DH purchases a "card" that he inserts into the laptop. But I then realized that the card comes from the above phone server (Bell). So I thought doesn't that mean it is like dial up and also needs to search for a cell tower.
So the dumb question - how does wireless work on the ship? Do we need a different type of laptop?
I probably should have PM'd you this question to avoid embarrasing myself
Diane

 

[dairyou]

Well we've arrived in LA.

Got to London Heathrow early on Saturday morning as our flight was showing as still being scheduled to leave on time, at just after 10am. When we arrived we were put in a marquee outside the terminal, as they were only allowing people with confirmed bookings (which our was) into the terminal 3 hours before departure. There were a few people with cancelled flights in there, mostly short haul flights around Europe.

Got into the terminal exactly 3 hours before our scheduled departure time, queued up and checked in, then went into the departure lounge. As there was still going to be no food on the plane BA staff were giving out vouchers to get food in the lounge before departure, so we got our allocation on these and got enough stuff to keep us going (mostly sandwiches and snacks). Boarded the plane on time, but then sat there for quite a while, until the Captain came on and said that one engine had a fault that hadn't been spotted by a service the day before! Luckily there was "spare" plane for us to switch to (I guess with so many BA planes being out of position),so we all got off onto buses and got taken the "new" plane. Eventually took off, about 3 1/2 hours late - but the most important thing was that we did take-off !

Arrived at LAX, got through into the baggage claim, and sat there for ages. Firstly we had dis-embarked at a VERY remote stand, and then apparently they couldn't get the baggage hold door open. In the end the bags came through after about an hours wait, but then we were missing two of our cases. Found a rep who said that they knew that some cases had gone "missing", presumably when we changed planes, but when we said our name she said that she'd seen our cases by another baggage claim carousel.

In the end we consider ourselves very lucky to have got out here with all our luggage. Now to get down to some serious relaxing and having FUN !

Look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

Lorraine,

So glad you made it! Thanks for letting us know

Deb

 

[winotracy]

Diane, sent you a PM with some info. Basically, yes, the card that you got is probably for connecting through your cell service. No need to be

Tracy

 

[S.Sunshine]

Does anyone else clean their house like a crazy person right before they go on vacation? I have been cleaning for two days (blinds, hardwood floors, cob webs in corners, door frames, etc. etc.) DH thinks I am crazy but I like to come home to a clean house and our neighbors will be in and out because they are taking care of the dog.

Anyway, One more bathroom in the morning and then to finish packing!

Three more days of work! I am so ready for a LONG and RELAXING vacation!

Mom and I both laugh at ourselves. I never leave on a vacation without having cleaned the house. Makes it so nice to come home to. With all of the unpacking and laundry - one less thing to worry about.

 

[S.Sunshine]

Not diet for the luggage, but up to four bags one of which can go either as carry on or checked. QUOTE]

4 bags per person or per cabin? Southwest allows 3 bags per person plus carry on. It has been a packing nightmare!! Trying to keep the luggage under 50 lbs is a challenge. (Empty suitcases are heavy to begin with) It does not seem like we are taking that much in clothes, but you add in snorkeling gear, pirate gear and all other misc. items - it just seems to keep piling up. I am going to review the inventory and see what we can live without but sheesh. I have packed and repackd trying to pare down and keep it underweight. Just get me on the ship and have this prep stuff over with. Guess this is kind of a practice for the 11 day to see what we use and what we can live without.

 

[pampat]

Lorraine, glad to hear that you got to LAX with, compared to some, minimal hold ups and delays.

Re cleaning: As I posted a while ago, I always clean my house, but not because I like it clean to come home to (it won't be, after 3 weeks, it will be dusty and need cleaning again), but because if we were burgled, I would not like the burglars to think I was a slut!

Pam

 

[KEH]

Re cleaning: As I posted a while ago, I always clean my house, but not because I like it clean to come home to (it won't be, after 3 weeks, it will be dusty and need cleaning again), but because if we were burgled, I would not like the burglars to think I was a slut!

Pam

Or you could work on the principle that if you leave the place in a mess, the burglars will look through the window and think that you have already been burgled so they wil; go away again!

Karen

 

[rsschneck]

Lorraine, glad to hear that you got to LAX with, compared to some, minimal hold ups and delays.

Re cleaning: As I posted a while ago, I always clean my house, but not because I like it clean to come home to (it won't be, after 3 weeks, it will be dusty and need cleaning again), but because if we were burgled, I would not like the burglars to think I was a slut!

Pam

OMG! HOW FUNNY!

 

[4fosterkids]

We were on the 7/2 cruise, and want to come down to wave off the Magic one last time next week. What time are you guys supposed to pull out of port??
Sooooo sad! But happy for you guys!

 

[ehtpnt]

We don't clean before we leave. There are two adults here other than us. If I cleaned before we left they would only mess it up. This way the day before we are due home they do a mad cleaning and I don't have to clean for several days after we get home. Of course one of them is planning to have a dinner party while we are gone, so depending on when that is the place may be even cleaner than usual. Right????

Tracy as I said in my email WHAT A GREAT JOB!!! Everything is there. I printed out the list from Allan and Pam and then the list of all the things to do. And gave them to the paper boss. He was impressed.

I think we should be pulling out on Saturday afternoon about 5 PM. Anyone else have any ideas. That is the time she usually sails from Port Canaveral.

Thunderstorms around so will get off now.

Estelle

 

[eye R.N.]

Ok I should have been repacking. Instead I went to a baseball game. At game time in Oriole Park it was 95 degrees with about 90% humidity. I considered it a test run for Canal day. Today I learned

Water is my friend, beer is not. The folks drinking alcohol were dropping like flies.
Ice wraped in a bandana and applied to the neck is a wonderful thing. The stadium had ice stations and a misting tent set up. I intend to do the same thing on canal day. Substituting the pool for the misting tent.
Any clothes that I wear for more than a few hours at that temp & humidity need to be peeled off and washed ASAP

I also learned that Air Tran has changed the rules on me. Still only two checked bags a person, but the weight limit is now 50lbs each. This means we now have two large suitcases and a rolling garment bag along with the carry ons. Reweighted and all the cases meet requirements. Now let's see if they all fit in the trunk of my car

 

[DenverVal]

I just finished packing (well, about 95% done), weighed the suitcases, redistributed some of the weight to get under the 50lb limit, and have collapsed on the couch. I am too wound up to sleep, so tomorrow at work will not be pretty. I feel a lot better now that it's done, though. We have 3 large and one small suitcase. I have no idea if they will all fit in the rental we plan to use in Port Canaveral at the end of the trip. I wish I had another medium-size suitcase...where the heck will I put my souvenirs??? Guess I'll bring an empty carry-on size.

Tomorrow's project: make the last pirate outfit! 3 down (and packed), one to go.