July 18, 2007 07-18-07 Med Cruise

[misbel]

Hi all! Sorry it's been a few days since checking in. My sister, BIN, DNephew came in on Sat. and we were preparing for this week's visit last week.

Starting to panic about the kids passports now. I called again on Friday because we still had not received the two of the three that were completed last Tuesday. Apparently, the passport office has no clue how to send out overnight envelopes quickly, as they were still sitting in their mail room!!! Then, they told me the 9 year old's was being held up for some unknown reason and that it had been days since the file had been updated. I have ordered another birth certificate just in case I need to drive to Miami. Not really my first choice... If nothing has happened with any of them by tomorrow, I will be calling our Congressman and will be a nuisance until all three passports are in our hands!!!

Well, hopefully I will have more time to write tomorrow! Talk to you all soon...can't wait to meet everyone!

Diana

WOW, I know how you are feeling. I applied on March 5th and recieved the last passport 10 days ago. My niece who leaves on Friday has not yet recieved her two daughters passports. She already is in contact with her congressman's office. She has me very nervous. She applied in April. But at least we live in Miami!!

 

[seaulater]

Hi Everyone, Looks like everyone is mostly from the East Coast or from Europe. I was just wondering how long the travel time is for you. Our is 16 hours barring no delays. We have a 4 hour trip from Las Vegas to Philly and then 4 hour layover and then 8 hours to Barcelona.

Will yours be just as long?

Well since we are neighbors and in Salt Lake, our flights will be just about the same. We leave this Saturday and fly to Atlanta with a 3 1/2 hour layover. We could have taken a later flight and only had a 1 1/2 hour layover, but knowing what Atlanta can be like in the summer with storms, I didn't want to chance it, so I'd rather be sitting at the international gate than running from one end of the Atlanta airport to the other. Delta seems to be the longest run from one end to the other, especially when you are short on time. This time though, since we have so much layover time, we will probably be a hop, skip and a jump and not even have to get on the train! HAHA

From Atlanta we leave at 8:30 p.m. and go to Dublin, Ireland and land at 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Then we leave Dublin on Tuesday morning at 7:20 a.m. on a direct flight to Barcelona arriving at 10:40 a.m. Anyone else arriving Tuesday morning?

 

[seaulater]

Likewise. Given that we've all travelled in Europe a fair bit we figured we could cope with the public transportation etc Very convenient for the metro, and the airport too by the looks of things. Plus it was one of the few hotels that would do triple rooms and has a swimming pool If you see us I'm sure you'll recognise us... We will be the only nutters carrying around a pal mickey (Alice's not mine)!

Milia

That's exactly why we booked it. Don't think our 15 year old will be travelling with her pal mickey though! But watch for the IPOD stuck to her head! From the website I loved the swimming pool. Can't wait to try it out!

 

[misbel]

Hello, Is everyone going to the formal night dinner? If so what are you wearing? How formal is formal? I don't have any "formal" clothes and don't really want to purchase any since I will never wear it again.

Some people dress "formal" and some don't. My DH is just wearing shirt and tie. As for me, no long gowns!! Just a cute dress or nice pant with top.

 

[seaulater]

As per my phone call with DCL, here are the movies playing while we are onboard (sorry if I mispell something)

Wild Hogs
Meet the Robinsons
Bridge to Teribithia
Pirates of the Caribbean, At World's End
Pirates of hte Caribbean, Dead Man's Chest
Invincible
Ratatouille
Prestige
Casino Royale
Incredibles
The Wild
Italian Job
Moulin Rouge
Phantom of the Opera
Wallace and Grommit, Curse of the Ware Rabbit

Think that covers it!

 

[RJMOMSusan]

Hi Everyone, Looks like everyone is mostly from the East Coast or from Europe. I was just wondering how long the travel time is for you. Our is 16 hours barring no delays. We have a 4 hour trip from Las Vegas to Philly and then 4 hour layover and then 8 hours to Barcelona.

Will yours be just as long?

Luckily Kathie we live minutes from Philly and have a direct overnight flight to Barcelona on Sunday... Can't believe it's THIS SUNDAY.

Susan

 

[RJMOMSusan]

As per my phone call with DCL, here are the movies playing while we are onboard (sorry if I mispell something)

Wild Hogs
Meet the Robinsons
Bridge to Teribithia
Pirates of the Caribbean, At World's End
Pirates of hte Caribbean, Dead Man's Chest
Invincible
Ratatouille
Prestige
Casino Royale
Incredibles
The Wild
Italian Job
Moulin Rouge
Phantom of the Opera
Wallace and Grommit, Curse of the Ware Rabbit

Think that covers it!

Linda,

Thank you so much for the movie post... I was going to see Ratatouille this week but will now wait to see it on board.... So Excited

 

[sharper_fin]

It looks like we're going to be one of the latest ones to leave home; that makes absolute sense seeing as we have such a short flight. We don't fly until Monday lunch, and have Monday & Tuesday nights in a Barca hotel. Is anyone going to be flying in and going straight to the Magic from the airport?

Safe journeys to all.

Shaun

 

[seaulater]

It looks like we're going to be one of the latest ones to leave home; that makes absolute sense seeing as we have such a short flight. We don't fly until Monday lunch, and have Monday & Tuesday nights in a Barca hotel. Is anyone going to be flying in and going straight to the Magic from the airport?

Safe journeys to all.

Shaun

I saw someone post that they were flying in Wednesday morning. A little to close for comfort for me! I like to get on that ship early! Guess that's another reason the ship departs so late, so all the lost luggage and late passengers can make it before sailing.

On the 1st Med. cruise, someone was stuck in Atlanta (I think). They had LOST their wife's passport while in travel. They didn't get to fly to Barcelona. They flew back home instead. DCL and the airlines worked with them and they were going to head to the Med. later this summer. They ended up finding the passport at the Starbucks counter in Phoenix (I think). They did get it back, but can you imagine being stuck and not being able to get on your international flight? I will NOT let those passports out of my sight. I rubberband them all together and keep in a passport folder and then zipped up in my side pouch in my carry on.

 

[smilis]

I know that many of us will be in Barcelona for a few days before we cruise. Where's everyone decided to stay?

We're at the Hotel 1898, it looks pretty classy.

Shaun

Shaun,

My DH and I arrive on the 15th. We will be staying at the Hotel Inglaterra. I'm looking forward to it. It looks pretty sharp too.

Sandy

 

[haredi]

WOW, I know how you are feeling. I applied on March 5th and recieved the last passport 10 days ago. My niece who leaves on Friday has not yet recieved her two daughters passports. She already is in contact with her congressman's office. She has me very nervous. She applied in April. But at least we live in Miami!!

Well, some good news came today...we received the oldest's and the youngest's passports today. Yeah! Bad news is that I had to call my congressman's office because the other DS has not had his worked on since last week, even though it has been "transferred" to be expedited. Why it took 5 days for all of the passports to be entered, and why they sat around for days in the mail room when I have called twice a week for the past two weeks is beyond me. Unless they are sick of hearing from me! So hopefully our congressman will help me out!

As for Greenville Lissa, my family meaning my parents, sister, etc. live there. We are down in Sarasota, FL. But I have spent so much time in Greenville that I know the mall really well! I actually tried to get my DH up to Hendersonville so we could be closer to everyone. Hasn't happened yet though.

Our flight from Tampa to JFK is about 2 1/2 hours on Tues. morning, and then we have about 7 hours between flights to change terminals, go through security again, etc. We planned it that way so just in case Delta has issues, we have some time in between to work with. We will be on a direct flight from JFK though which is another 9 or so hours. A long day for the kids, but hopefully the red-eye will work well for them. Coming back, it may be more of stretch, as we stop in Frankfurt and it's about 15 hours total just to JFK where we will visit family for another week.

I was planning on bringing a gown for Formal night, but now I may not. It's nice to get dressed up, but how long am I really going to want to be in that thing? My DH likes getting dressed up though, so we'll see when he packs. So the kids have to wear pants or jeans every night then? At the main seatings that is? Don't then know that parents with three boys don't get to have them wear the same pants twice without some type of condiment or drink stained into them?

Also, thanks for the movie info. Loved most of the movies we saw on that list. Wish I hadn't spent the money for Ratatouille now, but for anyone who hasn't seen it, we loved it!

Diana

 

[tinkerbell_29]

As for Greenville Lissa, my family meaning my parents, sister, etc. live there. We are down in Sarasota, FL. But I have spent so much time in Greenville that I know the mall really well! I actually tried to get my DH up to Hendersonville so we could be closer to everyone. Hasn't happened yet though.

Diana[/QUOTE]


Oh cool I grew up in Florida we lived there until I graduated high school. We loved going to the beaches in Sarasota. After I posted and thought about it I realized you were talking about other family members not yourself. Sometimes I type or talk with out thinking before hand. Hendersonville is a great place. We love it here.

Lissa

 

[misbel]

Well I spent my day packing today. Everyone's luggages are ready to go except some last minute items. We leave this Wednesday (7-11) and tomorrow we have the Police concert so I wanted to get the packing out of the way. I'm very excited and hoping that I didn't forget anything!! All the boys are at football practice so I have some peaceful time to myself If I don't post again...here is wishing everyone a safe flight over ...see you all on the magic!!

 

[nzdisneymom]

As per my phone call with DCL, here are the movies playing while we are onboard (sorry if I mispell something)

Linda - thanks so much for checking. I want to see Wild Hogs so maybe it will be playing at a time I can go watch it. when we sailed before, I just never had time to go see a movie but it is one of the things I wanted to do! Gary said if he'd known Ratatouille was playing that he would've waited to see it on the ship I enjoyed that movie very much and would not mind seeing it again.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Misbel - safe travels, ok?! I think you're second to leave - Angie left on Friday.

Well, just when I think I'm done packing, i think of other things to bring or go into Walmart and come out with other things I was reading a post about excursions and mosquitoes so I put in the kids' leftover bug spray from camp.

I had to go to Walmart to get some snacks for the boys for the flight and also wanted to get magnets / magnetic paper for doing my door signs / decorations. While I was there, they had some new tops in and some new "knockin' around in" shorts - I needed a pair or two to have to slip on in case I wanted to dash up early for breakfast or late for a soda / hot chocolate and didn't want to be dressed in my excursion clothes. And while I was there, I found some cases for the boys' DS's along with "pen styluses" so hopefully they won't lose these styluses like they've lost all the other ones they have. And I got some more wet-ones wipes for our outings and travel. Good thing there was still plenty of room in our suitcases

Saturday cannot get here soon enough!

Off to work on my door signs!

 

[seaulater]

Linda - thanks so much for checking. I want to see Wild Hogs so maybe it will be playing at a time I can go watch it. when we sailed before, I just never had time to go see a movie but it is one of the things I wanted to do! Gary said if he'd known Ratatouille was playing that he would've waited to see it on the ship I enjoyed that movie very much and would not mind seeing it again.

I saw Ratatouille already too. But wouldn't mind seeing it again. I thought it was great. Maybe they will play it on the Arielvision screen at the Goofy pool on sea day! Then I can get in pool time and a movie!

Okay, only 30 MORE HOURS OF WORK TIL VACATION!!!!

 

[DisTeach]

I'm worried about potentially having lost luggage as everyone is saying so many airlines are misplacing it. Maybe I will give an extra good tip to the check-in agent lol Our layover is just over an hour so we will be like the family on Home Alone rushing to make the flight! I'm not sure what our airline is showing for movies, but I hope they are good. I plan on bringing a pair of headphones to listen because for some reason the little ones they provide don't stay in my ears!

I hope you all get your passports in time if you are still waiting!

 

[nzdisneymom]

Here's our door sign!

Woo-hoo! One down and a few ideas for some others!

 

[RJMOMSusan]

Love It !!! Good Job

 

[shortkathleen]

Love the door sign! My husband drew the line on that one, he just doesn't understand this dis board thing. Party Pooper!!!!!

Thanks for the list of movies!!!! I can't wait to go catch some! I got a lot of packing done today. We are taking two big suitcases, two garment bags, one small carryon suitcase and we are each taking a back pack. There are 4 of us. Each bag fits into the next so hopefully storing them won't be hard. We are considering taking an extra small suitcase for all the souveniers we find. Is that absurd? Our family will be the ones that look like the "Griswalds" from the movie "European Vacation" when we get on the ship.

I can't believe this trip is almost here!!!!!!!!!!!

Wishing you all well! Good luck to all of you who are still waiting on passports!!!

Kathleen