June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[taysmom]

It was several days into the cruise. We just got our luggage from Wednesday last night at midnight..of course we are home and it isn't a moving target like the ship!

If something happens, file a report and get the report number before you leave the airport. Then go to Guest Services on the Magic and let them know you have lost luggage and give them the report number. They will help track it.

Hopefully you won't have any problems!

Good to know. Thanks for the info. We are flying Iberia and Now I will measure my suitcase to see if it fits.

Hello Steph,
What news! Ok we will go for it, meaning that we will try to meet you at the hotel. We are staying out near the airport. I just learned about the Medhead cruisers shirts, a bit too late. But we will try and find you. We have booked the Dsiney tranportation because I thought it be the safest way to get there in a strange city. According to Disney Cruise Line they will picking up folks from the airport at 11am, 2 pm and the last at 4 pm. We are planning to be there a bit after 10am so we can find them. Our son just finished his fourth year of high school Spanish thus am going to give him the real world test!

I will try to get a taxi from our hotel to yours. Again, not knowing anything about anything this is the best bet.

We are Andrea, Andrew and Jack. Thank you for your offer and informaton.

Man this is getting exciting.

Smillingjack

Jack...if you feel adventurous and are on the C1 train line. You can take that from the airport or el prat and get off at plaza catalunya. That is the stop you'd want to take. Or..you can take it to barcelona sants (main station) and transfer to the metro green line L3 towards Canyelles. Still exiting at plaza catalunya. It'll save you alot of cash.

Just e-mailed the hotel/restaurant to add you. We are meeting Friday night at 8:00. This makes 23 of us! Here is the link to the restaurant - La Poma . . .

http://www.restaurantelapoma.com/en/index.html

Jodie

Jodie...you're on the ball. I hope their ready for us!

Can't wait..can't wait...can't wait....

Steph

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I second that on packing lauren. I am trying to keep it to 3 cases for me and my daughter, but alas...my shoes don't fit!
What's the deal with that????
I prepacked this morning. Taylors clothes are all done..there's still room in her suitcase! I have 2 going so far. Still a little room left, but not much and I feel like I have so much more to put in. Since I know I'll be the one dragging them around, I am trying to squeeze everything into the 3 but now I have to worry about carry on's on Iberia. Does anyone know if a laptop and a purse count as 2 or just 1. Taylor will have her backpack so I can't squeeze anything into her. AACK! What to do!

Those dang shoes take up so much space! My sister and I have each packed a large suitcase and then we're sharing one additional large suitcase that's mostly full of shoes. We wanted to try not to fill it more than halfway because we wanted to leave room for souveneirs. That doesn't look like it's going to happen though, the bag is filling up pretty fast. We might just bring an empty duffel inside of that bag and use that for souveneirs.

A few other notes that you might be interested in...

You will only find (unless Disney changed since the first cruise) postcard stamps from Spain to the US on-board. We had to buy stamps in Italy and France during the little free time we had on our excursions (which isn't much). Look for a Tabac shop (you will see a large T sign outside the shop) in Italy and France as they sell stamps. It was 85euro from Italy and the same (I think) from France.

Our excursions (which were wonderful) did not allow for much shopping time and typically the time designated for shopping was when the shops were mostly closed for the afternoon (they were closed from 1:30 to 3:30 or 4 in many places.

If you have any questions, just let me know...

It was a WONDERFUL trip...you will have a super time!

Any helpful tips you want to share? So glad to hear someone say it was great!!! Anyone can weigh in on this and I know it's been discussed but what time will Disney let us check in and get on the ship?

Just e-mailed the hotel/restaurant to add you. We are meeting Friday night at 8:00. This makes 23 of us! Here is the link to the restaurant - La Poma . . .

http://www.restaurantelapoma.com/en/index.html

Jodie

Wow, that's so great!! That should be a blast!!! Hopefully I'll see you at the hotel and maybe we can taxi carpool over to the restaurant.

 

[mickeyteachers]

We are staying at the Gotico. The address is:
Jaime i, 14
Barcelona, CT 08002 Spain

4 Star hotel located in the city centre, in the heart of the Barrio Gstico (Old City), near the Town Hall and the Palace of the Autonomous Government, in a commercial area.

So I will need to check how far this is from the restraunt. I am so excited. My husband keeps asking if anyone else is as nuts as I am about Disboards and the cruise. I keep telling him yes.

I have everything packed. Well, not everything. I need to hem my husbands two pair of pants that we just purchased today. I also need to hem my sons pants.

I am so excited. Can we make the clock go faster?

 

[JsMom2]

Yes, the luggage restrictions are the biggest headache! I keep going back to the Iberia site to double check all the limits.

Since we are coming from inside the EU, and flying Economy, Jasmine and I can only bring 20kgs per person! (44 pounds, but it sounds less when you say 20 kilos). I'm packing some of her oldest outfits - that are almost too small - and plan on just throwing them away on the trip to help make room for souveneirs. Also, trying desperately to cut down on the shoes, but it'd be so much easier if we could just go to dinner barefoot

I've heard it may be possible to upgrade at the port for a reduced rate. Has anyone had any experience with this?

Can't believe we are almost there!

I am so excited. My husband keeps asking if anyone else is as nuts as I am about Disboards and the cruise.

YES, YES, YES

 

[taysmom]

We are staying at the Gotico. The address is:
Jaime i, 14
Barcelona, CT 08002 Spain

4 Star hotel located in the city centre, in the heart of the Barrio Gstico (Old City), near the Town Hall and the Palace of the Autonomous Government, in a commercial area.

So I will need to check how far this is from the restraunt. I am so excited. My husband keeps asking if anyone else is as nuts as I am about Disboards and the cruise. I keep telling him yes.

I have everything packed. Well, not everything. I need to hem my husbands two pair of pants that we just purchased today. I also need to hem my sons pants.

I am so excited. Can we make the clock go faster?

If you take the train from the airport to get to your hotel. It says to transfer at plaza catalunya and take the metro to jaime 1. The restaurant is at plaza catalunya. From the Jamie 1 stop you would take the yellow L4 (trinitat nova direction) to urquinaona and transfer to the red L1 (Feixa llarga direction) and exit next stop at plaza catalunya. On my map it looks like 10 blocks. 10 LONG blocks. Hope that helps.

3 more days!
Steph

 

[Skallywag]

Good morning everyone, Do so agree we need to speed the clock up as I am getting so restless. Dont forget that the cobbled streets you find in Europe play havoc on your feet so make sure you do pack a pair of comfortable shoes. This is from experience.

Bren

 

[JsMom2]

Plz see my message below.

 

[JsMom2]

Good Morning All!
I am looking into a private excursion at La Spezia. We definitely want to go to Pisa and have time to climb the tower. I've asked the tour company if they recommend trying to go into Florence also, or if we should visit someplace closer like the village of Lucca which sounds kind of neat.

I explained that we will have kids and want it to be fun.

Please let me know if you are interested in going in on this tour. Based on their standard Pisa/Florence 10 hr tour, prices in Euros are per car/vanload as follows:

1-3 600, 4-5 650, 6-8 750, 9-16 900

I will get an exact quote and let you know.

You can see the tour company's website at www.pegasolimo.com. They have a toll-free number from the US, so it looks like they are used to working with Americans. I was referred to Alan at this company by Aldo at yourtoursinitaly.com. Aldo has received rave reviews on the critics.com site, if any of you are interested in a private tour of Rome.

Please Post, PM, or Email (wendybirch@yahoo.com) ASAP!

 

[silver7]

Happy Monday to all!

Yes, I am STILL the only one of our group packed. . . .

Teresa

 

[pillow]

AAARRGH!! OK, now I'm stressed! DD (7) is sick - taking her to the doc today at noon. Need to finish cleaning and pack. No more errands, thank God! Still trying to fit my runs in today and tomorrow so that I can have dessert on the cruise.

See you guys Friday night!!

PJ, LOVE Sugarland!!

Jodie

 

[silver7]

Dropped of the dogs for doggie day care to get them used to the kennel-I was SHOCKED my big chicken rescue Dachsund went straight in! It was a DISNEY miracle!

I was just wondering--who is the next one of us leaving? Mickeyteachers--aren't you leaving Tuesday night?

We leave at 11:45am on Wednesday --Only one of us will have suitcases

 

[ljhayes]

Good Morning All!
I am looking into a private excursion at La Spezia. We definitely want to go to Pisa and have time to climb the tower. I've asked the tour company if they recommend trying to go into Florence also, or if we should visit someplace closer like the village of Lucca which sounds kind of neat.

I explained that we will have kids and want it to be fun.

Please let me know if you are interested in going in on this tour. Based on their standard Pisa/Florence 10 hr tour, prices in Euros are per car/vanload as follows:

1-3 600, 4-5 650, 6-8 750, 9-16 900

I will get an exact quote and let you know.

You can see the tour company's website at www.pegasolimo.com. They have a toll-free number from the US, so it looks like they are used to working with Americans. I was referred to Alan at this company by Aldo at yourtoursinitaly.com. Aldo has received rave reviews on the critics.com site, if any of you are interested in a private tour of Rome.

Please Post, PM, or Email (wendybirch@yahoo.com) ASAP!

Andy and I might be interested. Right now we're doing Florence on your own, but we really did want to see Pisa. If you get more info, let me know!

 

[ljhayes]

For anyone going to Paris before or after the cruise, do you have recommendations for a transport company? I'd like to have something set up ahead of time, and not have to worry about finding a cab when we get there. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[mickeyteachers]

We are leaving Tuesday morning from our home to drive to San Francisco so we can stay overnight at one of the airport hotels. We then leave Wed. morning on the 8:30 a.m. Continental flight. We get to Barcelona at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday.

I have everyone packed for a week. I still need to add the toilteteries and my husbands hemmed pants. Then I can relax. Oh, I forget, I just worry about carryones. That is another story. Must have plenty of entertainment for my 8 year old. He will be really excited. He is writing a journal about his trip. He loves the Magic and so he is pretty excited.

 

[auntsue1]

We are staying at the Gotico. The address is:
Jaime i, 14
Barcelona, CT 08002 Spain

4 Star hotel located in the city centre, in the heart of the Barrio Gstico (Old City), near the Town Hall and the Palace of the Autonomous Government, in a commercial area.

So I will need to check how far this is from the restraunt. I am so excited. My husband keeps asking if anyone else is as nuts as I am about Disboards and the cruise. I keep telling him yes.

I have everything packed. Well, not everything. I need to hem my husbands two pair of pants that we just purchased today. I also need to hem my sons pants.

I am so excited. Can we make the clock go faster?

Tell your DH - YES! We are all as crazy about the dis board & disney cruise!
My DB keeps telling me that my socialization will drop dramtically after the cruise! What a smart aleck!

Sue

 

[auntsue1]

I WISH we would have been able to be with you all Friday night. 23 of you! PLEASE leave that restaurant in one piece when you leave! I'm sure they will never be the same after they've had 23 excited dis boarders!

Also, Silver I haven't officially packed YET! I've gathered clother & odds/ends together in one spot. Tomorrow I'm off work & I plan on doing laundry & packing.

I think we will be the LAST ones to leave for Barcelona. My DB just HAD to have office hours Thursday. "It's my long day." UGH! You all enjoy & we'll see you Saturday. I will be thinking of you all Friday.

Sue

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I want to clarify the luggage thing if I can. When people are talking about only being allowed one carry on I thought it was usually one carry on and one personal item. I was going to have my backpack and my purse. Is that not allowed?

Good morning everyone, Do so agree we need to speed the clock up as I am getting so restless. Dont forget that the cobbled streets you find in Europe play havoc on your feet so make sure you do pack a pair of comfortable shoes. This is from experience.

Bren

Will I look silly if I wear crocs over there.

Happy Monday to all!

Yes, I am STILL the only one of our group packed. . . .

Teresa

Now's when you go into Silver Attack Mode and hand out packing lists and order them to start. Not that I did anything like that....

PJ, LOVE Sugarland!!

Jodie

Me too!!!! Especially that song. I get to see them in August. I came to the conclusion at 3am that life sucked a lot less when I was little so I am commemorating being little in my signature. Life will suck a whole lot less come Wednesday!!!

PLEASE leave that restaurant in one piece when you leave!
Sue

I make no promises.

Stress has definitely set in here too. My mom was running around ordering everyone out of bed by 7 this morning. I have my last final tonight so I'm trying to focus on that and then I'll enter extreme packing panic. I don't see much sleep in my near future.

 

[Skallywag]

From what I understand from BA one piece of hand luggage i.e. laptop bag or purse cound as one item. Am pushing all of my bits into a small drag along case can get more in that way.

So glad some of you are stil out there was starting to panic as thought you had all left without me.

Just wondering if we could pop down to the restaurant Friday evenign and say Hi to you all. It would be too late for us to eat being golden oldies but would love to meet up.

Bren

 

[JsMom2]

AAARRGH!! OK, now I'm stressed! DD (7) is sick - taking her to the doc today at noon.
Jodie

Jodie,
Best wishes for your 7 year old! Don't make yourself sick stressing though!

Andy and I might be interested. Right now we're doing Florence on your own, but we really did want to see Pisa. If you get more info, let me know!

Laura,
I'll get you more info as soon as I have it...thanks!

I want to clarify the luggage thing if I can. When people are talking about only being allowed one carry on I thought it was usually one carry on and one personal item. I was going to have my backpack and my purse. Is that not allowed?

Will I look silly if I wear crocs over there.

I don't see much sleep in my near future.

PJ,
Check the website for your airline AND your connecting airline to see the exact allowances. Also check the suitcase dimensions. My usual rolling carry-on is too large for most of the European flights.

Crocs are pretty popular over here - at least in Belgium.

Good luck on your finals. Be sure to SLEEP on your flight over, so you don't get sick.

 

[lllpath]

We stayed at the Grand Marina with DCL and checked in at 10:30 or so at the hotel. We were picked up by the DCL bus and arrived at the ship by noon. We had already checked in so we just went through security and on the ship. Ate at Parrot Cay and were able to get into our staterooms by 1. We had a 1:30 excursion so it worked fine.

Another note: DCL is required to collect VAT since all the ports are in the EU. They do assist with filling out the forms etc however when you arrive back to depart from Barcelona, the VAT desk (where you MUST have the paperwork stamped) is in Terminal A and OUTSIDE. It is a tiny little window and we missed it completely. Luckily we had tons of time before our flight so we went back out and found the window for the stamp. It was a pain.