June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[Skallywag]

Have just been on to the airport web site - www.baa.com from there you can pick which airport you are flying into.

Gatwick have recommended checker cars as they operate directly from the airport.

You can view their site at www.checkercars.com and you can get a price quoted.

There are rogue traders about everywhere but this company have an office at the airport so I would think they would be o.k.

Heathrow express train - www.heathrowexpress.co.uk goes directly from the airport to Paddington Station in 15 minutes .

Will have a look at the distance from Paddington to Duke Street.
Grosvenor Squarew Hotel sounds as if it will be pretty central and easy to get around from.
Bren

 

[silver7]

Welcome Pillow!

Is anyone else starting to get the OH MY GOSH WE ARE LEAVING SOON AND I NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT AND GET NEW CLOTHES AND START PACKING AHHHHHHH freakout?

I need to lose weight before the trip--anyone want to be loser buddies?

If the girls are touring the Vatican what are you taking to wear--skirts, unzippable pant/shorts, a shawl to cover shoulders?

There are so many things we feel like we are missing in Italy we are already making a list of what we want to do next time

Carol thanks for the converter website.

 

[carolmb]

We also are in need for trasportation from Heathrow to Dukes street London. If anyone knows of a car service, it would be greatly appreciated.
Any advice????
Thanks
Patricia

Hi Patricia - We are going with http://www.simplyairports.co.uk/. I got a quote from them for 60 GBP (~$120) from Gatwick to hotel and 20 GBP (~$40) from hotel to Waterloo Station. I read good reviews about them on Tripadvisior. You have to make sure get the right size car for the amount of people and luggage. We are using a MPV (minivan).

Brenda - Thanks for the advice about the Gatwick Express and I looked into it but it would cost about the same a the private shuttle and I would not have to mess with a grumpy DH, DS, DD and all of the luggage.

I bought tickets to see Mary Poppins while we are there. I have heard great reviews about that musical.

What is everyone doing for transfers in Barcelona? I need them from the train station to hotel, hotel to port and port to airport. Back to tripadvisor.

Theresa - I hear you about losing weight. It is time to get motivated.

Have a great weekend!

 

[pillow]

PJ - Would LOVE to run with you guys. I bet running through Las Ramblas and along the beach boardwalk area would be great! Although I'm not fast - 9:30-10:00 min miles.

Let me know what the quote is from the hotel on the private car. We may do that as well. Too bad we can't share the car. Our flight leaves New York at 6:00pm (Iberia) and arrives in Barcelona at 9:30. I wonder if we can get an early check-in. My kids will be exhausted!! -J

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Just a random question...does anyone know if our cell phones will work in the ports?

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

PJ - Would LOVE to run with you guys. I bet running through Las Ramblas and along the beach boardwalk area would be great! Although I'm not fast - 9:30-10:00 min miles.

Let me know what the quote is from the hotel on the private car. We may do that as well. Too bad we can't share the car. Our flight leaves New York at 6:00pm (Iberia) and arrives in Barcelona at 9:30. I wonder if we can get an early check-in. My kids will be exhausted!! -J

Great!! If the answer is yes to cell phones working in the ports we can exchange numbers via PM closer to the trip and try to work out running some morning! Or, if the cell phones don't work I can give you our full name on our reservation and I bet you could contact our room. Trust me, I am very slow. A 10 minute mile is about my average and I don't usually go for more than 45 minutes.

I will let you know as soon as I hear back from the hotel. How many people are in your family again? Maybe there is some way to work something out to share a car and it could potentially be cheaper. We do get in later than you though. I am also hoping for early check in...keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[WVMD]

Depends on the cell phone and type. You need a Quad band GSM phone - Cingular, ATT, T-Mobile phone. Sprint/Nextel and Verizon will not work.

Virgil

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Depends on the cell phone and type. You need a Quad band GSM phone - Cingular, ATT, T-Mobile phone. Sprint/Nextel and Verizon will not work.

Virgil

I have no idea what that means. Which probably means I don't have one. I have a motorola--Cincinnati Bell. Maybe I can call them and find out.

 

[WVMD]

Sorry PJ - it's just the type phone - operates on 4 bands - and works on GSM networks..... Your cell phone carrier can help you more - and make sure that it is authorized to work internationally if it can....

Virgil

 

[Lqqieee]

Hi guys, it's me Lisa! My DH and I are sooo excited about this trip! We need to lose weight too so we are starting this weekend and being super strict! We can start a losers club for motivation!

Anyone staying at the AC Barcelona before the cruise?

Also anyone going to DL Paris after the cruise?

Does anyone know what they are doing as far as carrying euros, cc, phone and passport on their bodies? I saw Rick Steves sells a under the garment money holder that will conceal and hold cash and your passport. What are you all doing? I'm afraid of all the pickpocketers esp in Rome and Barcelona.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Sorry PJ - it's just the type phone - operates on 4 bands - and works on GSM networks..... Your cell phone carrier can help you more - and make sure that it is authorized to work internationally if it can....

Virgil

Oh, totally not your fault! I am just clueless when it comes to anything technology related. I will call Cincinnati Bell. I would be pretty lose without my cell phone. At least I know I can have my laptop.

Hi, Lisa! Have I seen you here before?

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Everyone,

Losing weight that is so difficult think I am just stuc with the size I am and will just have to make the best of it. Pillow, have always found the children travel better than adults, depending of course on their age. My grandchildren just took it all in their stride.

We have booked our transfers in Barcelona through Blai Limousines
www.blailimousines.com. They have been very helpful always writing back in English. They are picking us up from the airport and transferring us to the Hotel Rey Juan Carlos. Picking us up next morning taking us to the port and also picking us up at the end (so sad) and taking us back to the airport.
You can log on to the site and they give you a quote.

My mobile phone works in most places around the world as we purchased it just before we last came to your country and it worked well. Still no good at text messaging must admit but it amuses the daughters when I try. Think it is roving enabled or something similar and that is what you need to ask for on your network. We just have to ask for it to be enabled to use outside the u.k. but you also have to make sure the phone is capable of that.

Glad you are all managing to sort out transport this side of the world only mentioned the trains as know just how bad the traffic can be on the M25 especially in the morning and we avoid it when we land and just take the back roads home.

Believe there are some really good shows on at present - dont know if Dirty Dancing is on yet but would like to see it.

Waiting for my daughter to come home for the weekend, she is driving down from Yorkshire and no matter how old they are you still worry about them.
Bren

 

[Lqqieee]

Oh, totally not your fault! I am just clueless when it comes to anything technology related. I will call Cincinnati Bell. I would be pretty lose without my cell phone. At least I know I can have my laptop.

Hi, Lisa! Have I seen you here before?

Hi Lauren! I'm not sure! I've posted a few times in this thread so far and I also posted in the Disney weddings section since I got married in Disney 0n 7/17/06! Other than that, just a big Disney fan and a big time thread reader!

 

[carolmb]

We have booked our transfers in Barcelona through Blai Limousines
www.blailimousines.com. They have been very helpful always writing back in English. They are picking us up from the airport and transferring us to the Hotel Rey Juan Carlos. Picking us up next morning taking us to the port and also picking us up at the end (so sad) and taking us back to the airport.
You can log on to the site and they give you a quote.
Bren

Hi Brenda - I sent Bai Limousines an email requesting a quote. They quoted me 139 Euros from the train station to hotel, the hotel to port and port to airport for a grand total of 417 euros. This seems high to me. We may have to take our chance with taxis. I have request into a couple of other companies.

 

[taysmom]

Hi guys, it's me Lisa! My DH and I are sooo excited about this trip! We need to lose weight too so we are starting this weekend and being super strict! We can start a losers club for motivation!

Anyone staying at the AC Barcelona before the cruise?

Also anyone going to DL Paris after the cruise?

Does anyone know what they are doing as far as carrying euros, cc, phone and passport on their bodies? I saw Rick Steves sells a under the garment money holder that will conceal and hold cash and your passport. What are you all doing? I'm afraid of all the pickpocketers esp in Rome and Barcelona.

I have started my precruise diet. A little late I suppose, but if I can drop 15 before that would be great.
We are not staying at the ac barcelona before, but are at the barcelona universal. We are going to DLP after but not sure of the day as we are staying in paris and just going for a day. Probably friday..mommy will need a disney break for a day and spend it in the louve!
I bought a small passport carrier a couple years ago from my local luggage store. It can be worn like a necklace and is thin enough to fit under your shirt or you can put in over your head/shoulder and carry under your arm. It holds a couple of bills and a creditcard/ and passport no problem. Just go to your local luggage store they should have a variety of items. I paid no more than $15 for this, it's ugly but worked. One of our other group members did get pick pocketed on the metro in france.

Depends on the cell phone and type. You need a Quad band GSM phone - Cingular, ATT, T-Mobile phone. Sprint/Nextel and Verizon will not work.
I checked with cingular/att who is my carrier and they stated that my phone will work in all countries we are visiting. Just check with your cell phone carrier. I just need to add international plan for the month of june and I'll save a bundle of $ if I need to use my phone. Cingular was only $5.00 to add the plan.
Virgil

We are at disneyland now , getting our mickey fix. It's beautiful in So. Cal. Off to california adventure. Have a great weekend.

Steph

 

[taysmom]

Ok, I thought I added that I checked with my carrier Cingular/ATT and they assured me that my phone would work in all countries we are visiting. You should call your cell provider and make sure that you have the right type of phone and add the international plan for the month.

Steph

 

[taysmom]

ok, i just reread and I did add it, but in the body of the quote.
oops !
Steph

 

[pillow]

Hey guys, FYI . . . the cruise line is recommending that we keep our original passports locked up in the hotel or ship. We should just carry a copy while touring during the day.

PJ, we probably shouldn't try to coordinate the car to our hotel. You never know when a flight will be late, etc. Any idea what a taxi will cost from the airport to the hotel? I'll do whatever is cheaper - gotta save the Euros for the good stuff!!

 

[Worktoplay]

I just ordered one of those money belts for under the clothes from LL Bean for a whopping $9.95. It is streamline, but a bit bigger than I expected. I'm still not sure about a pocketbook/backback/fannyback? Any body using any of those. I usually feel secure with the fannyback...I use it in Disney World all the time, but I'm thinking I'll totally look like a torist!

Does anyone know when you get euro's on the ship will they charge your credit card or do you need an ATM card? My boss travels internationally alot and was advised to get an ATM card. I would prefer to use my credit card if I can.

I bought Pimsleur's Italian I on cd's today! lol I'm sure I won't be able to speak one word by the time we leave, but if I could understand any conversation I think it would be neat!

Steph,

Sounds like you're having a blast in DL!! Have a great time!

Marie

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Hi Lauren! I'm not sure! I've posted a few times in this thread so far and I also posted in the Disney weddings section since I got married in Disney 0n 7/17/06! Other than that, just a big Disney fan and a big time thread reader!

Well then hi if I haven't said hi to you officially! Hope to get to see you on the cruise!

We are at disneyland now , getting our mickey fix. It's beautiful in So. Cal. Off to california adventure. Have a great weekend.
Steph

How fun!! Have a GREAT time!!!