July 28, 2007 - "Rome-ancing the Mouse Cruisers" -11 days! Part 2

[MrsG]

I can't imagine why Dan, I have this urge to nibble on my passport!

 

[disneylover5]

is it Laura and I only?

Hey!! I'm here!!

And imagine, I am talking about cruise stuff!!

 

[MrsG]

Lisa,

The picture of the filet mignon that you posted at Palo was absolutely my favorite. I can still taste the polenta.....mmmmmm...... That plus the chocolate souffle, heaven......

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Hey Lisa - My Barcelona is all done and confirmed by me - except for the picking up at the airport. TA says that this is a gift from her. Our flight - and truth be told not sure if I was clear on this - she did hand write a note with the flight number and times. So I know we leave LAX at 5:55 PST on July 25th and arrive at London/Heathrow at 11 hrs later. Then we deplane and have 1 3/4 hrs to make it to our next gate where we are in for another 2 - 3 hr flight. We are scheduled to be picked up via car service at 6:30 pm.

Our hotel has us checking in with late arrival. I'm hoping to eat and then maybe catching some sleep. I figure I'll just ask the shuttle service once we get to the hotel if we can contract them to pick us up and take us to the port unless we are within walking distance. Don't know until I get there.

Whew - just writing this makes me feel a little better. OK - take deep slow long breaths now. I'm going to be fine. Anyone else feeling nervous, excited? Bugged?

 

[MrsG]

I'm here, too. Only 2 mos.. and 1 week!!!!!!!

 

[eeyorelvr10]

LOL - this weekend I had a passing thought that I should pack then realized what am I crazy??? Its over 2 months away.

 

[MrsG]

Laura,

We're still betwix and between on transfers from the airport to hotel. Our TA is looking into it. We're staying at the Gran Via Hotel. It's supposed to be really nice. We booked on our own through our TA.


Are we all meeting at the fountain on Fri. night?
What time?

Maryann

 

[disneylover5]

Helen,

The picture of the filet mignon that you posted at Palo was absolutely my favorite. I can still taste the polenta.....mmmmmm...... That plus the chocolate souffle, heaven......

Mostly, I would never say anything...but I love that filet picture so much!!
That is my picture!!
Lisa

 

[disneylover5]

Hey Lisa - My Barcelona is all done and confirmed by me - except for the picking up at the airport. TA says that this is a gift from her. Our flight - and truth be told not sure if I was clear on this - she did hand write a note with the flight number and times. So I know we leave LAX at 5:55 PST on July 25th and arrive at London/Heathrow at 11 hrs later. Then we deplane and have 1 3/4 hrs to make it to our next gate where we are in for another 2 - 3 hr flight. We are scheduled to be picked up via car service at 6:30 pm.

Our hotel has us checking in with late arrival. I'm hoping to eat and then maybe catching some sleep. I figure I'll just ask the shuttle service once we get to the hotel if we can contract them to pick us up and take us to the port unless we are within walking distance. Don't know until I get there.

Whew - just writing this makes me feel a little better. OK - take deep slow long breaths now. I'm going to be fine. Anyone else feeling nervous, excited? Bugged?

What hotel are you at in Barcelona?

That 11 hour flight is really long!! How cool you do not need to stop in NYC or somewhere on the East Coast!!

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Laura,

We're still betwix and between on transfers from the airport to hotel. Our TA is looking into it. We're staying at the Gran Via Hotel. It's supposed to be really nice. We booked on our own through our TA.


Are we all meeting at the fountain on Fri. night?
What time?

Maryann

Ummm...I'm sure that I know this but feel stupid asking - what fountain and where?

Maryann - we're staying in 2 triple rooms at Royal Ramblas which my TA said they had none so I should have realized when I GAVE her the info that I might be having problems in the future. Anyway, figured better be on the strip (we live in a fairly popular and busy area anyway) if the older kids want to be adventurous and explore. Haven't decided if I'm all that happy with them exploring but DS-21 at the time is 6'2" and pretty street smart so he can chaparone the 2 20-yr-olds who are 5' and 5'1" respectively. Besides, I've preprogrammed the world phones I bought with the emergency number for Paris but have to discover what Barcelona's is. Figured if worse comes to worse - I can always ask the hotel for it.

Sorry all - don't feel like using the smileys for now - (as the multitudes cheer wildly) maybe I'm just grumpy from lack of nourishment. Yeah - That might be it.

 

[Aurora1959]

Hey!! I'm here!!

And imagine, I am talking about cruise stuff!!

I see there are actually a few people still connected.

Helen,

The picture of the filet mignon that you posted at Palo was absolutely my favorite. I can still taste the polenta.....mmmmmm...... That plus the chocolate souffle, heaven......

You are making me hungry. Round Table just opened near us, I don't want to cook, even though I should.

LOL - this weekend I had a passing thought that I should pack then realized what am I crazy??? Its over 2 months away.

What? You aren't doing at least 4 or 5 dry runs with the luggage. I thought that was something everyone did.

What's that dear? Oh, only I do crazy things like that months in advance? What are you trying to say?

Are we all meeting at the fountain on Fri. night?
What time?

We get in late, and not sure how far away the fountain is. But if you fill me in on the details, i will see if I can make it.

 

[MrsG]

Sorry Lisa,

It is a magnificent picture. Credit where credit is due!!!! I fixed my post. Thanks for sharing.

Maryann

 

[MrsG]

Laura,

There is a fountain in Barcelona that lights up at night with different colors. I think they call it the magic fountain, or something like that. Someone (who knows on which post number) said it might be a good place to meet on Fri. night before the cruise starts, maybe about 8PM'ish if I recall.

However,
I could have dreamt the whole thing.

Anyone else recall this? Or am I really losing my mind???

 

[Aurora1959]

OK - a little off topic, but I want to brag for a minute.

My puppy is turning 2 this week, and here are his baby pictures.

http://www.hard-drivespringers.com/Obi05.html

I'll see if I can post some current pictures of him. Like when he's sleeping on his back with all four in the air. Or when he and the cat are fighting with each other. it's really cute because Dillon (age 1) our cat instigates it. And Obi-wan, is so gentle with him.

FYI - the website belongs to the breeder. those aren't my kids. but his name is the same because my DS 9 figured, well, he already has a name and we can't change it. He was after all only 7 at the time.

 

[eeyorelvr10]

What hotel are you at in Barcelona?

That 11 hour flight is really long!! How cool you do not need to stop in NYC or somewhere on the East Coast!!

Yeah - I'm sorta worried about that. DH gets really plane sick and when we discussed cheaper airfare vs non-stop as much as possible. He vetoed me on the cheaper airfare in the hopes of getting there sooner. Since he was willing to bite the bullet - I let the veto go.

At the time, DS worked at DL in Anaheim and we were sorta crunched for time. As of last week, he is no longer officially working there so had I known that I would have spread the flight out more and enjoyed some time in the UK. Boy was I when I found out. But boys will be boys.

Just today I was telling DH its going to be like a back to back flight from LAX t Orlando and back w/o deplaning and then some. I was going nuts on the flight back home and that was under 5 hrs! I just hope I don't get no lousy rowdy, stinky, smelly boys like I had on the last flight. I literally had about 6 inches in front of me due to the boys in front pushing their seat to the back as soon as they boarded and then they proceeded to stink and smart add comments to everyone on the way back. Until they fell asleep that is.

Anyway, I am a little worried DH, DD-14 get sick and DD's BFF - gets carsick and train sick so that may be fun. My older 2 don't usually and since their young - I figure they won't hav too much problem except for me now - I used to be able to handle it but ever since that reporter died in Iraq about the DVT - blood clot in the veins - I worry now.

I do all the exercises recommended and just this past week heard that its not a good idea to drink carbonated drinks for such long trips. Since this is our first time doing international, can anyone who has done this confirm this? I'd be much appreciative.

 

[Aurora1959]

I know Andrew was keeping track of all this. And I was waiting to post until I finalized everything.

But we are doing the Herculaneum(sp?) tour and the Jumping back into eternal rome excursion.

In all the other ports we are just site-seeing near the port (if possible) and then we are enjoying the ship as much as possible. The way we see it, this is our first cruise and we want to do as much as we can. It could park out in San Francisco Bay for a week and we would be happy. OK, we would be on

Hmm - there's an idea for a west coast cruise. San Diego, LA, SF, Seattle.

 

[eeyorelvr10]

There is a fountain in Barcelona that lights up at night with different colors. I think they call it the magic fountain, or something like that. Someone (who knows on which post number) said it might be a good place to meet on Fri. night before the cruise starts, maybe about 8PM'ish if I recall.

However,
I could have dreamt the whole thing.

Anyone else recall this? Or am I really losing my mind???

Nope - now I remember something like that but I thought it was only to do with the Repo and the first 10-night cruise. OK - hve to insert this one in here

OK - a little off topic, but I want to brag for a minute.

My puppy is turning 2 this week, and here are his baby pictures.



I'll see if I can post some current pictures of him. Like when he's sleeping on his back with all four in the air. Or when he and the cat are fighting with each other. it's really cute because Dillon (age 1) our cat instigates it. And Obi-wan, is so gentle with him.

AAHHHH - now that brings a smile to my face. I love those dogs! I especially love those spots on his back. Are they still there? Isis (my husky) used to have what DS called jagger blades on her neck. 3 markings on each side of her next (he said they were similar to the markings of one character from the X-men - Hugh Jackman???) well, Ijust noticed the other day that they are down to 2 - but still there if your looking. Did I mention I love pets?????

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Hmm - there's an idea for a west coast cruise. San Diego, LA, SF, Seattle.

THis would be good -but I've already been to all those places. I even lived in a few of those - ok - not SF but it would have been in my future. LOL

 

[danfromca]

Yeah - I'm sorta worried about that. DH gets really plane sick and when we discussed cheaper airfare vs non-stop as much as possible. He vetoed me on the cheaper airfare in the hopes of getting there sooner. Since he was willing to bite the bullet - I let the veto go.

At the time, DS worked at DL in Anaheim and we were sorta crunched for time. As of last week, he is no longer officially working there so had I known that I would have spread the flight out more and enjoyed some time in the UK. Boy was I when I found out. But boys will be boys.

Just today I was telling DH its going to be like a back to back flight from LAX t Orlando and back w/o deplaning and then some. I was going nuts on the flight back home and that was under 5 hrs! I just hope I don't get no lousy rowdy, stinky, smelly boys like I had on the last flight. I literally had about 6 inches in front of me due to the boys in front pushing their seat to the back as soon as they boarded and then they proceeded to stink and smart add comments to everyone on the way back. Until they fell asleep that is.

Anyway, I am a little worried DH, DD-14 get sick and DD's BFF - gets carsick and train sick so that may be fun. My older 2 don't usually and since their young - I figure they won't hav too much problem except for me now - I used to be able to handle it but ever since that reporter died in Iraq about the DVT - blood clot in the veins - I worry now.

I do all the exercises recommended and just this past week heard that its not a good idea to drink carbonated drinks for such long trips. Since this is our first time doing international, can anyone who has done this confirm this? I'd be much appreciative.

Sigh, I wish I could be encouraging - but 11 hours is indeed a long flight.

The very best way I've found to deal with it is, unfortunately, the most expensive - flying business class makes a huge difference in terms of those long flights. Almost makes them pleasant in fact. My normal practice, when possible, is to use frequent flyer miles to upgrade to business rather than use them on the flights themselves.

Barring that, the exercise is a good idea. Drink plenty of water, juice and yes, even soft drinks. Avoid alcohol. Some say to avoid caffeine, but studies show that they have no diuretic effect on those who drink it regularly (the body gets accustomed to it).

Those inflatable wrap-around-your-neck pillows are very useful once you get used to them - sleeping is one of the more pleasant ways to pass the endless hours.

A nice set of noise reduction headphones are also suprisingly helpful. I've found that the constant steady drone of the engines is surprisingly stressful.

There's no real agreement on the DVT risk. But if you can tolerate asprin, a low dose tablet seems to be a popular choice to possibly reduce the risk and offer some peace of mind.

Dan

 

[Aurora1959]

AAHHHH - now that brings a smile to my face. I love those dogs! I especially love those spots on his back. Are they still there? Isis (my husky) used to have what DS called jagger blades on her neck. 3 markings on each side of her next (he said they were similar to the markings of one character from the X-men - Hugh Jackman???) well, Ijust noticed the other day that they are down to 2 - but still there if your looking. Did I mention I love pets?????

He still has the two spots on the back, they touch now, but they are still rounds dots. The white line on his face is nearly gone, but unlike most American ESS's, he actually still has some ticking. If I could, I would pick up an honest English Springer Spaniel when we go through London on our way home.

We also have Australian Shepherds. I've seen a few people (or maybe the same person) post their Aussies and perhaps Collies here in this thread. Someone does agility with their dogs. I have a red standard Aussie right now, her name is Rumor, and although she could use the agility, she's too much of a ..well you know. Comes from being a red head.

Her father, Indiana Jones, was a red merle and just beautiful. The best dog I have ever had. Although Obi is pretty close. Indy was so mellow, only barked at unknown people coming to our house. He would go to the grooming salon and just lean into the groomer. They called him their playboy. He very suddenly got sick at only 7 years, turned out to be tumors in his heart. We did everything to make him comfortable, he improved and the vet said he was ok until he had another episode. That was right before Halloween, and the Friday before Thanksgiving that year we said goodbye to him. I still cry thinking of him. So I feel with all my heart for Sallie and her cat.

The very best way I've found to deal with it is, unfortunately, the most expensive - flying business class makes a huge difference in terms of those long flights. Almost makes them pleasant in fact. My normal practice, when possible, is to use frequent flyer miles to upgrade to business rather than use them on the flights themselves.
Dan

That's what I did. It's an anniversary gift to my DH who is very tall and will need the extra room anyway.