June 5,2010 Relocation Cruise

[smilingmouse]

Hi Everyone! All of the FEs I've participated in have been a bit different. Sometimes, peple do FEs foe each person in a stateroom, someimes they just do 1--a lot of times it depends on the size of the group.

Regarding upgrades, they are completely random. I've only been lucky enough to receive one--from a cat 11 to an 8 on my last cruise

 

[smilingmouse]

Who did?


Easy Jet will be one of the cheapest, but be aware that you have to pay for every piece of baggage. It soon mounts up.

They are also not the most reliable of airlines, so it is wise to ensure there is one flight after the one you have booked, just for insurance!!!

Kate

There is also an overnight train from Paris to Barcelona. It's a 11-ish hour trip, but it should be relaxing. Based on the prices I saw, it was also cheaper than flying and getting a hotel in Barcelona. I've not taken the train much in Europe, so it will be a new adventure.....

 

[first timers]

CABIN DIS-NAME Names

7584 - adriann sarah - Scott, Adrianna, Aidan, Lucy

..... - bode

..... - Dopeylover54 - Ken, Christie, Dave

6574 - first timers - Carolyn, Alex

.... . - Hyperone - Chris,April,Avery,Lily

..... - idreamofwdw - Nick, Susan, Lizzie, James

..... - jgura - Rob, Jill, Jenna, Brook

..... - K8T - Kate, Mike, Charolette

6086 - KT27 - Katie, Dwayne, Blessing

..... - milliesmum -

..... - minnieme1 - Tiffany, Morgan

..... - Pappy - Liz, Neil

..... - qashqaiqueen - Daniel, Gabrielle, ?


5522 - ScottH/LynnG - Scott, Lynn

..... - smiling mouse - Beckey

..... - Tammy Alphabet -

..... - tempres -

..... - Tink lives with me -

6060 - wrabitdad - Dale, Bob, Gordy

7612 - YenSid1222 - Diane, Scott, Alicia
.......................... disneymom7851

If I made any errors or left anyone out, please let me know. Alex

 

[YenSid1222]

There is also an overnight train from Paris to Barcelona. It's a 11-ish hour trip, but it should be relaxing. Based on the prices I saw, it was also cheaper than flying and getting a hotel in Barcelona. I've not taken the train much in Europe, so it will be a new adventure.....

I have done the train before (and we are seriously considering it again). I think it will be better this time since I will get a private room. The first time I did the train I was a single in a room of four and was VERY uncomfortable. Also, the train goes S-L-O-W. Nothing at all like the feel of a TGV or anything. We actually stopped for a full hour in the middle of the night before continuing on.

 

[sinnika]

I have done the train before (and we are seriously considering it again). I think it will be better this time since I will get a private room. The first time I did the train I was a single in a room of four and was VERY uncomfortable. Also, the train goes S-L-O-W. Nothing at all like the feel of a TGV or anything. We actually stopped for a full hour in the middle of the night before continuing on.

Hi, we are on the cruise before you (May 26th Med). Would love to do this one too if we didn't already have our air booked. Anyway, we are traveling by overnight train from Paris to Barcelona arriving the morning we set sail and have also booked private cabins (2) since there are 4 of us. We splurged on grand class since they have bathrooms and showers plus dinner and breakfast included. I found a site that shows you how to book on the French site for alot less than the RailEurope US site. http://www.seat61.com/France-trains.htm#How to use voyages-sncf.com
Hope that helps. Its in french but the "how to" was very helpful! PM me if you have any questions!

 

[smilingmouse]

I have done the train before (and we are seriously considering it again). I think it will be better this time since I will get a private room. The first time I did the train I was a single in a room of four and was VERY uncomfortable. Also, the train goes S-L-O-W. Nothing at all like the feel of a TGV or anything. We actually stopped for a full hour in the middle of the night before continuing on.

Thanks for the heads-up. I decided that the train option works best for me Nothbecause it was chepaer than flying, and because I really don't like to fly. This may be a stupid question, but how/where do you store your luggage? Do they have compartments? Do you take it with you?

TIA!

 

[YenSid1222]

As I remember your luggage is just in the cabin with you. There is not really much of a storage place. I don't remember having a problem with my backpack. I wish I could remember better...

 

[Lynn G]

Good Afternoon Cruisers!

Alex - thanks again for keeping "the list"!

Have a great day all!

 

[smilingmouse]

As I remember your luggage is just in the cabin with you. There is not really much of a storage place. I don't remember having a problem with my backpack. I wish I could remember better...

Thanks! I'm a bit worried about that since I'll have a suitcase with me, but I'm sure I'll manage.

I'm getting more and more excited for the trip every day!! I've already started a packing list

 

[idreamofwdw]

Had the 1st "miss the ship" (not get on it in time!)dream the other night

Why does this happen???! Crazy

 

[bode]

Just got our flight info from Disney. Very pleased! We fly from Charlotte to Philly and then from Philly to Barcelona. We arrive in Barcelona Saturday June 5 at 8:35am. Should we hire a private guide to check out the city before going to the port? Suggestions are welcome.

We also are lucky because after docking in Dover we are spending the night in London. We get to spend the afternoon hanging out in London. Our flight back doesn't leave until 4:30pm on Sunday so we also get to spend Sunday morning checking out London as well.

Now, all I need is to heal quickly. I had a moto accident last saturday and am a bit beat up but no worse for wear...

We look forward to meeting all on board!

Bode and his amazing DD Izzie

 

[smilingmouse]

Just got our flight info from Disney. Very pleased! We fly from Charlotte to Philly and then from Philly to Barcelona. We arrive in Barcelona Saturday June 5 at 8:35am. Should we hire a private guide to check out the city before going to the port? Suggestions are welcome.

We also are lucky because after docking in Dover we are spending the night in London. We get to spend the afternoon hanging out in London. Our flight back doesn't leave until 4:30pm on Sunday so we also get to spend Sunday morning checking out London as well.

Now, all I need is to heal quickly. I had a moto accident last saturday and am a bit beat up but no worse for wear...

We look forward to meeting all on board!

Bode and his amazing DD Izzie

Hope you feel better soon

I'm sorry I can't offer any suggestion on Barcelona since I'm arriving by train. Hopefully, some of the other great Disers on the thread can help

 

[smilingmouse]

Yea--the trip is (slowly) getting closer! I'm pleased to report that my train ticket arrived yesterday I'll be leaving Paris at around 830 PM on June 4th and getting to Barcelona about 12 hours later. I have my carry-on out, and things are slowly being added to it....hopefully June gets here soon!

 

[qashqaiqueen]

Boy! I was getting seriously worried that noone was on this cruise. I started a thread on the CC Board but not many responded. Thankfully KT8 replied and redirected me to this site.
I can breathe out with relief now..Phew!
I'm booked with DH Daniel and DD Gabrielle (Gaby 9) for this one. She is SO looking forward to this cruise. And If I'm honest< I'm getting quite excited about it to.
We live on the south coast of England in lovely East Sussex. So we'll be flying for London Gatwick to Barcelona on Easy Jet (Boo!) and transferring to the ship the same day. On the return we will take a train from Dover Priory to Brighton.
I'm a bit worried about the luggage allowance on Easy Jet. I've never flown a budget airline before, mainly because they are so stingy on the allowance. And I am not know to pack light! So that should be an interesting experience.
So far we are booked in a guaranteed Cat 12 cabin. I would love an upgrade but it wouldn't matter if we didn't get one. This trip really is about spending some family time together. We've had a stressful 12 months and we need a break.
I'm definitely up for this Fish Extender club. No idea what i'm going to do as I haven't a creative bone in my body. Hubby has though, so he may think of something.
Look forward to meeting you all.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Hi and welcome. Seems like a lot of people have booked Cat. 12 and since there are so few actual Cat 12 rooms, you probably have an good chance of being upgraded. While the porthole and inside rooms have been down to GTY for awhile, there are tons of balcony rooms left.

Are they marketing this cruise heavily in the UK?

I'm Adrianna, married to Scott. We have two kids, Aidan 7 and Lucy 3. We're flying in from Texas. I'm a grad student in the last three weeks of the sememster so I usually peek on Saturday mornings, but will be here more often once school gets out.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

I think it was smilingmouse who knew about booking OBCs. Are they still doing half deposits for onboard bookings? I think I remember reading that somewhere.

 

[qashqaiqueen]

Hi Adrianna

There was a lot of marketing for the Kids Sail Free cruises. They occur in the UK school summer holidays. Financially they didn't work out for us. The prices were something like £1400 per adult and kids under 17 sail free. Whereas, the June cruise we're booked on was £2397 for the three of us. so we saved around £400. The only bad thing about it is , it is the week when the kids should be returning back to school after half term. But hey, I've never taken DD out of school before, so once for something like this is worth it.

I belive I'm somewhat older than you I'm 41 and hubby will be 43 when we sail. But we do know how to partay!!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Hi Adrianna

There was a lot of marketing for the Kids Sail Free cruises. They occur in the UK school summer holidays. Financially they didn't work out for us. The prices were something like £1400 per adult and kids under 17 sail free. Whereas, the June cruise we're booked on was £2397 for the three of us. so we saved around £400. The only bad thing about it is , it is the week when the kids should be returning back to school after half term. But hey, I've never taken DD out of school before, so once for something like this is worth it.

I belive I'm somewhat older than you I'm 41 and hubby will be 43 when we sail. But we do know how to partay!!

Not much. We're 36... I always feel somewhat ridiculous when saying that I'm studying for mid-terms or finals. Especially since I have high school friends who have kids graduating from high school this year. I am desperate need of a partay!

I quite agree that it's okay to pull kids out of school once in a while. A couple of years ago, we pulled our son out for two weeks for a big trip. His school was very supportive and thought that the value of an international experience was worth it.

I suppose that they levy those heavy European taxes on you all as well? I am just learning about VAT. Here in Texas the tax rate is around 9 percent, and people gripe about that being high!

 

[K8T]

Boy! I was getting seriously worried that noone was on this cruise. I started a thread on the CC Board but not many responded. Thankfully KT8 replied and redirected me to this site.
I can breathe out with relief now..Phew!
I'm booked with DH Daniel and DD Gabrielle (Gaby 9) for this one. She is SO looking forward to this cruise. And If I'm honest< I'm getting quite excited about it to.
We live on the south coast of England in lovely East Sussex. So we'll be flying for London Gatwick to Barcelona on Easy Jet (Boo!) and transferring to the ship the same day. On the return we will take a train from Dover Priory to Brighton.
I'm a bit worried about the luggage allowance on Easy Jet. I've never flown a budget airline before, mainly because they are so stingy on the allowance. And I am not know to pack light! So that should be an interesting experience.
So far we are booked in a guaranteed Cat 12 cabin. I would love an upgrade but it wouldn't matter if we didn't get one. This trip really is about spending some family time together. We've had a stressful 12 months and we need a break.
I'm definitely up for this Fish Extender club. No idea what i'm going to do as I haven't a creative bone in my body. Hubby has though, so he may think of something.
Look forward to meeting you all.

Hi

Glad you made it over here from CC!

We are GTY 12, so someone is going to get upgraded! Probably not us, as we are on an 'offer' for people who work in travel. I notice that Iglu are advertising this cruise for £649 per person for GTY 12, including flights. I am not sure about the child fare.

We are lucky in that our daughter doesn't go back to school until the 14th June, so we don't miss school. We originally wanted to do the 26th May Med and I had been watching prices for ages, the cheapest being £1,500 for all of us as the Kids Free was on then, but we couldn't do the dates with other halfs work (I was gutted!), although our dd would have missed four days at the end of term. However, we are looking forward to this now.

It will be interesting to hear how you get on with Easy Jet. We were going to do them, but decided on Monarch - supposed to be slightly more reliable. Are you coming in a day beforehand?

Adreianna, there has been a lot of marketing in the UK, particulary if you had done cruises in the past, we got lots of emails and mailouts. Problem is, most of the cruises are not in the school holidays and the ones that are, are terribly expensive. I have been watching the Baltics Cruise in July, I see they have discounted them in the States now, but not over here yet - you never know, we may get a good rate onboard.

For anyone doing the train, they are really good in Europe, I went travelling for two months back in the 1990's from one side to the other and not one train was later, or dirty - unlike the UK! The luggage is with you, there are usually areas beind your seat to stow it, or by the doors you get on, but I would keep your bag with you rather than put it on the racks by the doors, unless you are sitting by the doors. You don't usually get smaller carriages anymore.

Bode - Barcelona is really easy to navigate. I would suggest you get yourself a good guidebook and do it yourself. The Hop on Hop off Buses are great and I think there are two routes that take in all the main sights and you can ride all day, getting on and off, they usually come around every 15/30 minutes, they have headphones, so you get a running commentary of what you are seeing along the way. It is not too difficult to walk around either, or to use the Metro as it is a fairly compact city, I don't think you would really need a guide.

The main things to see are Las Rambla, the Gothic area - just off Las Rambla, the Market, again off Las Rambla and La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, which is a bit further away from Las Rambla, but easy on bus or Metro. We have walked it in the past. There are also a few house, designed by Gaudi, which are fantastical. We have been to Barcelona loads of times and just love wandering around it.

Kate

 

[smilingmouse]

Kate,

Thanks for the info on the train! I've taken trains in France before, but it was years ago. I too have a Cat 12 booked. I would absolutely love an upgrade, but I'm not counting on it.

Is anyone doing any excursions on this cruise? So far, I have one booked for Cadiz. I may do one more too---not sure where or what, though.