July 20th, 2011 – 10 Night Mediterranean "Mickey's European Explorers"

[ernierich]

I've just found these dates on-line. I've checked a couple of sites and they seem to agree.


Spanish airport strike dates announced today. Worst case scenario.

20, 21, 24, 25 and 30 April.

2, 14, 15, 19 and 20 May

13, 23 and 30 June

1, 2, 3, 4, 15 and 31 July.

1, 15 and 31 August.

Getting out shouldn't cause too much of a problem, provided there's not a massive knock on effect.

For us, getting home may be a little more problematic - we leave on the 1st of August!

Fingers crossed that it all gets sorted.

Ernie.

 

[K8T]

Thought I would bring this forward from Page 5!!

Thanks Eric for the info. on the Spanish action. Lets hope it doesn't happen. I am not worried about getting back, just getting there!!!

We are going skiing again in April for a week and when I get back will be starting to do a bit more about planning our stops on the cruise.

Is anyone else staying at the AC Dipolomat? Only thinking perhaps we could share transport to the ship.

Hope everyone is well.

Kate

 

[thestewarts]

K8T
we're arriving in Barcelona on 18th and staying in C/ ARAGÓ, about 300m away from the Diplomat if thats any use?

 

[K8T]

K8T
we're arriving in Barcelona on 18th and staying in C/ ARAGÓ, about 300m away from the Diplomat if thats any use?

If you like, nearer the time, I can get a quote or two for the cost per person from Hotels to Port to see if there is any saving. Last year it was around 9 euros per person to the Port, although we were slightly further out. A taxi is around 30 euros I believe, so it maybe a small saving, the benefit is that you don't need to worry about all the bags fitting in a car!

Kate

 

[ernierich]

Looks like the strike is off!

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSLNE72F04N20110316?ca=rdt

Ernie.

 

[madmum63]

I have an 11 year old daughter and a son who will turn 14 in July, who usually start to talk to future friends before boarding. If anyone is interested just get in touch. It breaks the ice a bit as the kids usually meet up in the terminal prior to boarding and it is fun looking out for each other and guessing who they are.

 

[liemge]

Am finally ready to start planning in earnest. Is anyone worried about the unrest in the area?
Would love to join the FE list... what do we need to do?
Hotel advice? flying in early on the 18th. Was thinking Marriott at the airport...
Please, any opinions/advice is welcome!

 

[jdybnsn]

Just back from a quick weekend break in Northern Ireland

We stayed in Belfast on Saturday - its a great city , and fast becoming the 'new Dublin' as far as trendy tourist destinations go !
We did a personalised Titanic tour , run by Susie Millar, whose father was instrumental in building the actual ship, and who was sadly lost on the now infamous maiden voyage. This tour gave us exclusive access to the slipway where the ship was built and launched.......the whole area is currently under going a huge regenneration programme, and they are building a big visitors centre there, so only this tour has got access currently.
It also gave is exclusive access to the drawing offices, which are not open to the public, they are all locked up and mothballed - We were able to go inside and see the fantastic drawing office (sadly semi decayed) where the plans for the ship were worked on. Also the office where the ship yard owner and the White Star Line owner would have sealed the deal etc. .This tour is a must for any cruise ship fanatic !! We got taken round by Susie's cousin, Aidan, as Susie was in America currently assisting with opening a Titanic themepark near Dollywood - but it was fantastic nontheless !

Later we did a tour of the city and the guide explained about the current state of "The Troubles", which shamefully I have to admit we had no idea that they were still going on, to the extent that they are - and we only live across the water in England !
We also went to tthe Crown bar in Belfast - a wonderful Victorian pub, complete with original smoking booths, another must see for any visitor !

Sunday we headed up the Antrim coast to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and the Giant's Causeway...then a quick trip back to catch the plane to Liverpool.

Finally, paid the remaining balance off the cruise last night - ouch , that was painful, but relieved its done now.

I am not over concerned about the trouble in the Med. as yet,..... the nearest place we go is Malta and that island is very secure politically, and has a huge UN/UK presence.

 

[jdybnsn]

I have an 11 year old daughter and a son who will turn 14 in July, who usually start to talk to future friends before boarding. If anyone is interested just get in touch. It breaks the ice a bit as the kids usually meet up in the terminal prior to boarding and it is fun looking out for each other and guessing who they are.

My DD is 10 - she is very social ! I'm sure she would love to meet up with your DD....the only problem would be that we are flying into Barcelona on the day so we are unlikely to be waiting around the terminal to board.

 

[MDTerp]

Looks like the strike is off!

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSLNE72F04N20110316?ca=rdt

Ernie.

Let's hope it gets ratified and all goes smoothly for everyone traveling!

PIF date is tomorrow - but I took care of ours last week. That's a chunk of change, but soooo worth it!

Only 121 more days!!!!

 

[helenreed]

I have an 11 year old daughter and a son who will turn 14 in July, who usually start to talk to future friends before boarding. If anyone is interested just get in touch. It breaks the ice a bit as the kids usually meet up in the terminal prior to boarding and it is fun looking out for each other and guessing who they are.

Hi,
I have PM'ed you

Helen

 

[K8T]

Looks like the strike is off!

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSLNE72F04N20110316?ca=rdt

Ernie.

Thank goodness, although I am not holding my breath, the Spanish are a 'funny' lot when it comes to striking!!!

Am finally ready to start planning in earnest. Is anyone worried about the unrest in the area?
Would love to join the FE list... what do we need to do?
Hotel advice? flying in early on the 18th. Was thinking Marriott at the airport...
Please, any opinions/advice is welcome!

Hi, I am keeping the FE List updated, so PM me, or post on here your name, cabin number if you have one and who is in the cabin and I will put you on the list and bring it up to date.

We are flying in on the 19th, but are staying nearer the town, the Airport is a 20 minute ride from town, but if there is a free shuttle bus, then no worries, but think if you want to be out in the evenings. Barcelona is great in the evening, lots of people strolling around, having a drink in the pavement bars and restaurants, you may find the Airport a little far to be comfortable with doing this.

Jdybnsn, I used to work a lot in Belfast and was the only person at my company that was happy to go!! That was about 7 years ago and the 'troubles' were still very visual. My OH family are from Belfast and Portrush. I remember working in Crossmaglen on a couple of ocassions, that was an eyeopener! In fact in Portadown, there are some buildings named after his family for some reason!!!

I love it over there, one motorway - long scenic drives and very trendy places to eat!

Not worried about Malta at all, practically a British haven!!!!!

Kate

 

[helenreed]

Hi,

Just found out that some good friends of ours have just booked onto our cruise too! Not sure if they will want to participate in the FE programme yet but they will be DH, DW, DD 14, DS 13, DS 9. Will ask them to post their details.

 

[thestewarts]

Hi madmum. our daughter will be 11 in june. she's very social and i'm sure she'd like to tie up with a few "girlies" before we head off.

 

[thestewarts]

K8T great let us know nearer the time and we can make a decision about what we all want to do.

 

[Keever]

Hi,
Just checking in. Still dreaming about this trip, even though we aren't going any longer. I'm living the trip vicariously through all of you.
Sigh.
Keever

 

[madmum63]

Hi,
I have PM'ed you

Helen

ok now, you have to imagine the most illiterate of people let loose with a computer. Well I am a million times worse. Thanks for the PM but what is it and how do I get to see it. Please help. Looking forward to being educated and learning something else.

P.S. I finally learned how to text late last year when my husband bought me a Blackberry contract. I had to get the kids to do it before that.

I have a friend also on this cruise who can verify how BAD I am with technology

Thanks Andrea

 

[madmum63]

HA Ha got it Managed it all on my one as well

Really hectic in our house this week but got your email address so will attempt my first proper e-mail this weekend. Usually only able to reply to ones received but will try to initiate one and if unsuccessful will PM you with my E-mail address if thats OK. Does DS W. have X-box live? if so I will give you my sons "Addy", I think they call it, and they can talk through that as well.

Will also try and PM others this weekend now that I have learnedhow to do it

Andrea

 

[helenreed]

ok now, you have to imagine the most illiterate of people let loose with a computer. Well I am a million times worse. Thanks for the PM but what is it and how do I get to see it. Please help. Looking forward to being educated and learning something else.

P.S. I finally learned how to text late last year when my husband bought me a Blackberry contract. I had to get the kids to do it before that.

I have a friend also on this cruise who can verify how BAD I am with technology

Thanks Andrea

Ha Ha! I thought I was bad! If you scroll to the top of the page on the right hand side it will say "Welcome madmum" and below that just click on private messages and you should find my message there, if you can't I will try agian, I imagine we are not allowed to post e-mail addresses here or they will be reoved

 

[helenreed]

Has anyone decided what they are doing in Rome? I really want to see the Sistine Chapel but am not confident to do this on my own, worried about long lines and getting lost! Looking at DCL tour of Vatican, St. Peters and Sistine but will be $1000 for the 5 of us! Yikes! HELP!!!!!!!