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

[jdybnsn]

Just a quick hello

We are in Collioure, South of France this week (just a couple of hours max from Barcelona)- weather is beautiful but windy - boy there is some surf on the Med right now !!!

Glad we are not sailing this week out of Barcelona port ! Never seen the Med this rough even in October. Hopefully those on the Magic right now have sailed out of this wind & choppy sea (should be in Italy as we speak so hopefully far enough away).

 

[K8T]

Hope everyone in the UK is enjoying the school holidays!! I am down in Gloucestershire, staying with my mum - off to the beach tomorrow.

Jill, do the girls finish school for the whole summer now?, or is it just a half term holiday like ours? Also, I know you have requested servers, are they they same pair we had before, only we really liked them and had put them on our reservation.

Those of you in the UK, are you still up for meeting at the Trafford Centre on June 13th for lunch?

Also I didn't get much feedback about splitting the FE, I don't want to have to PM everyone separately, I was wondering whether I should post a poll!

Any thoughts

Kate

 

[mommy_grrl]

Kate, I think a poll would be great, but if the response is still weak, I think you should be allowed to make an executive decision for the group.

I think 17 rooms is getting big and pretty much everyone has a long flight, many with restricted luggage space. I have no problem with splitting, but either way need to get started on FE gifts so would love to know what the final count is sooner than later!

It's been a busy week here in Hay with the Festival on! I don't know if anything can top David Sedaris and Rob Lowe in one week.

 

[designertravels]

Hi All, I was beginning to think everyone was asleep on here. Glad to touch base. I agree with PP, this is a quiet thread, so Kate, I would just make an executive decision on the FE. We are good either way.

I have been anxiously looking for my cabin assignment. Now I look at the cruises right before ours, and they do not have GTY assignments yet. Many Med cruisers did not even have them before they flew out. This is going to make me crazy.

Kate:
My daughters' last day of school was today. They are really looking like 3'rd graders. You will be surprised how they have changed physically in the last year. Fortunately still innocent and sweet.

I have been reading your taxi info, I am wishing i booked something else now. I believe we prepaid though. We leave Saturday for our "obligation vacation" flying up north to Wisconsin and Cleveland to visit relatives.

Well, trip #1 to get ready for. Jill

 

[K8T]

Hi All, I was beginning to think everyone was asleep on here. Glad to touch base. I agree with PP, this is a quiet thread, so Kate, I would just make an executive decision on the FE. We are good either way.

I have been anxiously looking for my cabin assignment. Now I look at the cruises right before ours, and they do not have GTY assignments yet. Many Med cruisers did not even have them before they flew out. This is going to make me crazy.

Kate:
My daughters' last day of school was today. They are really looking like 3'rd graders. You will be surprised how they have changed physically in the last year. Fortunately still innocent and sweet.

I have been reading your taxi info, I am wishing i booked something else now. I believe we prepaid though. We leave Saturday for our "obligation vacation" flying up north to Wisconsin and Cleveland to visit relatives.

Well, trip #1 to get ready for. Jill

No you will like the Novotel, it really is very convenient, and the mall over the road is ideal. Go into C&A too, we used to have them in the UK, but no more, the kids clothes are really good value.

Is anyone else on the thread staying at the Novotel?

Also, Jill, you didn't say if the servers were the same or not, I hope so, as Charlotte is looking forward to seeing 'Sampong'!

Kate

 

[designertravels]

I forgot, at Christmas Sam was promoted to Palo. Our Christmas server was moving to the Wonder. Our Christmas assistant server should be on our cruise, she was a doll. We can just make sure we get the best when we pay a visit to Rockin bar D the first day.

Jill

 

[madmum63]

Not been on the board for a while and need something to look forward to now.

I am just placing this to see how long exactly we have to go before we are on the Magic again.

 

[K8T]

I forgot, at Christmas Sam was promoted to Palo. Our Christmas server was moving to the Wonder. Our Christmas assistant server should be on our cruise, she was a doll. We can just make sure we get the best when we pay a visit to Rockin bar D the first day.

Jill

Great for Sampong - he was good, mind you Romaine was also pretty good the second time we went and I thought he would soon be taking over from Sampong, a couple of times Sam was 'outmanouvered' by Romaine. I am sure we can get one of the two.

Can't believe it is under two months to go!

Got a Cinque Terre Guidebook today, just to plan a route of sorts, but we are going to be pretty laid back about this one. I will be watching the latest Med posts for thoughts on Palermo, I think everything else is sorted.

Weather in the UK is hot, hot, hot, we are staying with Grandma in Gloucestershire at the moment, went to the beach yesterday and a canal boat up the River today - Farmers Market tomorrow!

Have a great weekend everyone.

 

[helenreed]

Just thought I would stop by to say Hi! We are getting really excited now and the diet has begun in earnest! Just thought I would let you know our cabin numbers for the FE, they are 6141 and 6144, however I don't want to freak everyone out at this late stage by adding another cabin so we will nominate 6144 if that is ok, to hang our FE on. I must say I am struggling a bit with ideas for gifts, some on the boards are amazing and look like they have taken a lot of time and money! Can I just check with you all how many times we deliver gifts to each other? Is it once or more? Many thanks, oh and by the way are we going to have a meet on board or just the ladies lunch?

 

[helenreed]

Just thought I would stop by to say Hi! We are getting really excited now and the diet has begun in earnest! Just thought I would let you know our cabin numbers for the FE, they are 6141 and 6144, however I don't want to freak everyone out at this late stage by adding another cabin so we will nominate 6144 if that is ok, to hang our FE on. I must say I am struggling a bit with ideas for gifts, some on the boards are amazing and look like they have taken a lot of time and money! Can I just check with you all how many times we deliver gifts to each other? Is it once or more? Many thanks, oh and by the way are we going to have a meet on board or just the ladies lunch?

 

[thestewarts]

Just thought I would stop by to say Hi! We are getting really excited now and the diet has begun in earnest! Just thought I would let you know our cabin numbers for the FE, they are 6141 and 6144, however I don't want to freak everyone out at this late stage by adding another cabin so we will nominate 6144 if that is ok, to hang our FE on. I must say I am struggling a bit with ideas for gifts, some on the boards are amazing and look like they have taken a lot of time and money! Can I just check with you all how many times we deliver gifts to each other? Is it once or more? Many thanks, oh and by the way are we going to have a meet on board or just the ladies lunch?

Hi folks, did you arrange the meeting in the Trafford Centre in place of the lunch on board? I'm afraid that the Trafford Centre is just too far from Glasgow for me as we're trying to keep up with our daughter's hectic social life between and the cruise. Looking forward to seeing all the different ports on the cruise.
Fi

 

[KatieG73]

Hi folks, did you arrange the meeting in the Trafford Centre in place of the lunch on board? I'm afraid that the Trafford Centre is just too far from Glasgow for me as we're trying to keep up with our daughter's hectic social life between and the cruise. Fi

I know what you mean - Niamh's social life puts ours to shame

Are we the only Scottish contingent? Maybe we could have a mini Dismeet in Glasgow!

Sorry I've not been on the boards much -we've had such a hectic few months. Niamh's hip has been playing up again and we've been back and forth to Yorkhill, I've also just found out I'm being made redundant at the end of June so have been interviewing constantly. Glad to say I've got a couple of offers so we wont be destitute

Spookily this year seems to be turning into a mirror image of last year - Niamh's hip problems started just before our cruise in July last year and I wasmade redundant three weeks before our cruise....hopefully next year will be better!

Looking forward to meeting you all.

 

[KatieG73]

Is anyone else on the thread staying at the Novotel?

Kate

Hi Kate,

We are staying at the Novotel too.
We stayed there post-cruise last year and loved it.
This year we are staying 2 nights before and 2 nights after.
I love how convenient it is to everything and our DD, Niamh loved the roof pool!

Katie

 

[helenreed]

I have posted a thread but still haven't got the answer I am looking for, can anyone here help please?
I am trying to decide whether to book a private transfer from airport to hotel as there are 5 of us, Barcelona Airport Transfers have quoted 73 euros. My question is, how easy is it to pick up a 5 seated taxi at the airport and what should it cost?
Thank you in anticipation!

 

[ernierich]

Can I just check with you all how many times we deliver gifts to each other? Is it once or more?

I don't think our group has placed a limit on the FE gifts. The choice is up to you!

 

[emma2]

Hi - We are on the July 9th cruise and are a party of 5 and are having "taxi" issues as well.. We decided to do a 5 hour tour the day we arrive in Barcelona at 9 am to Monserrat with a hotel drop off. Using BArcelona Day Tours.

AS for hotel to port and then port to airport, we are using Autosvilar. Most reasonable we found.

See thread about BArcelona airport transfers under cruise forum s to what others are doing - may help you out.

 

[K8T]

Just thought I would stop by to say Hi! We are getting really excited now and the diet has begun in earnest! Just thought I would let you know our cabin numbers for the FE, they are 6141 and 6144, however I don't want to freak everyone out at this late stage by adding another cabin so we will nominate 6144 if that is ok, to hang our FE on. I must say I am struggling a bit with ideas for gifts, some on the boards are amazing and look like they have taken a lot of time and money! Can I just check with you all how many times we deliver gifts to each other? Is it once or more? Many thanks, oh and by the way are we going to have a meet on board or just the ladies lunch?

Thanks for the cabin numbers, I will update.

Don't worry about making stuff, I think most people are happy for anything - sweets from where you are from, or little gifts for the kids, it doesn't have to be a lot of money, we find it is the excitment of finding something. I am not atall crafty, so all my stuff will be bought - although my sister has offered to make something for the smaller ones!! I think most people deliver once over the cruise. I did do two on one of our shorter cruises, but only for the cabins with children, but second time was just the once.

The ladies lunch is 'as well as', although I haven't heard from the others, but presume it is still on. I may not be able to be at the one onboard, have to see how it goes.

Hi folks, did you arrange the meeting in the Trafford Centre in place of the lunch on board? I'm afraid that the Trafford Centre is just too far from Glasgow for me as we're trying to keep up with our daughter's hectic social life between and the cruise. Looking forward to seeing all the different ports on the cruise.
Fi

See above! I am dissappointed you won't be undertaking the drive to the Trafford!!!!!

I have posted a thread but still haven't got the answer I am looking for, can anyone here help please?
I am trying to decide whether to book a private transfer from airport to hotel as there are 5 of us, Barcelona Airport Transfers have quoted 73 euros. My question is, how easy is it to pick up a 5 seated taxi at the airport and what should it cost?
Thank you in anticipation!

Sorry Helen, I can't help you to be honest. I did think I saw people carrier type things at the airport, but wouldn't know if they had been prebooked. I would think that if you turned up and there wasn't something there, that other taxi drivers would know who to radio to get one. Two taxis are going to be about 60 euros anway, so maybe 73 isn't so bad, if you know something will be there waiting for you.

What are general thoughts on formal attire? Last time OH took his DJ on the first trip, but didn't bother on the second one, as many others hadn't the first time. Anyone definately going to - Jill, as we are with you on formal night is Rob bringing his tux?

Also, are we going to have a meet up on the first day?

Kate

 

[K8T]

Hi Kate,

We are staying at the Novotel too.
We stayed there post-cruise last year and loved it.
This year we are staying 2 nights before and 2 nights after.
I love how convenient it is to everything and our DD, Niamh loved the roof pool!

Katie

#


Yes we liked it too, although this time, thought it would be nice to do something different and be a little bit nearer the town, so we can wander out in the evening and not worry about getting the metro back.

Sorry to hear about your job troubles, but good you have something lined up, I hope Niamh is OK too, it is horrid when they are not right. Charlotte broke her arm a few weeks before we went the second time and we had visions of her being in plaster when away and not being able to swim or use the Mickey Pool!! Luckily the plaster came off literally a few days before we went.

You will be ready for this by July.

Kate

 

[helenreed]

Hi Kate,

Thanks for all your helpful advice!
I think my DH and DS will be in Tux if that helps, bought my DS in M and S sale so he better wear it!

 

[cegs27]

We just got our room assignment. We were cat 11C GTY (not the new Inside with restrictions, just a regular 11C) and got upgraded a tiny bit to an 11A. Either way it doesn't matter; we're glad our 5 year old will have a dark room to take naps, and the location looks good.