May 12, 2007 -- Taking the Magic to the Mediterranean -- 14 day Repo Cruise!

[DizzneyDAnn]

We're back! We had a great day in Barcelona on Saturday and a wonderful night's sleep at the Marriott. though the shower attacked me! It was just too posh for me and took some fidgeting to figure out! BCN had long lines, but was manageable. The biggest problem we had was figuring out where the hotel shuttle would pick us up.

Barcelona trains, metro and hop on, hop off busses were great. Loved just wandering the streets. Actually found an AIDS ralley going on, with an AIDS quilt displayed. Great music being performed during this and in other spuaes in the Gothic quarter--even folk dancers--lots of them!

I even saw the nacked guy wandering te rambles that I had heard about. The very endowed old guy had shorts painted on, but the jiggling gave him away.

More later--gotta run to dance rehearsal!

 

[kayleeshae]

It was so great to meet everyone. We had a wonderful time. My husband missed us so much. He surprised the kids (and me) with a new puppy when we got home last night. Aer Lingus was terrible. We missed are connection because of delays and they were not helpful getting us moved to a new plane. My son got sick in the airport and was vomiting. I've been telling everyone that will listen about the great trip.

Thanks so much for the lanyards, braclets, and gifts. My kids loved running to the room to see what surprises might be there.

 

[kayleeshae]

Customs in chicago only took us about 5 min. I think that may have been because my son was vomiting and they wanted us out. I don't think they even looked at our passports. I gave them the customs form and they said go on.

 

[Hoagie Pie]

Hey Everybody - Darrell and I are sitting here reminiscing about our cruise and everyone we had met. You guys were and are THE BEST! You made this the best cruise and Eric's sentiments made me cry. There is nobody out there that plays Disney Trivia like he does! We loved the goodies in the fish extenders, the Secret Mickey surprise (Thanks Pat!) and all the fun we had with everyone. We are also booked on the Douple Dipper and cannot wait to catch up with good friends. I am sad that it is over and we had a terrible airport experience too, but I would do it over and over again! Stay well everyone and keep in touch! By the way, I have copies of the Barcelona newspaper with the MAGIC on the Front Page. Anybody want a copy, let me know!

 

[AuntyBrat]

Hey Everybody - Darrell and I are sitting here reminiscing about our cruise and everyone we had met. You guys were and are THE BEST! You made this the best cruise and Eric's sentiments made me cry. There is nobody out there that plays Disney Trivia like he does! We loved the goodies in the fish extenders, the Secret Mickey surprise (Thanks Pat!) and all the fun we had with everyone. We are also booked on the Douple Dipper and cannot wait to catch up with good friends. I am sad that it is over and we had a terrible airport experience too, but I would do it over and over again! Stay well everyone and keep in touch! By the way, I have copies of the Barcelona newspaper with the MAGIC on the Front Page. Anybody want a copy, let me know!

Could you scan and post it? That might be easier for everyone!!!!

I agree the Disboarders made this cruise. I would go back to Spain in hearbeat. It was really wonderful. It was so cool to see the lanyards and play the who are you game!

We now refer to this trip as our $3000 per person movie premiere with a 2 week cruise thrown in for free!!!

 

[Hoagie Pie]

Could you scan and post it? That might be easier for everyone!!!!

I agree the Disboarders made this cruise. I would go back to Spain in hearbeat. It was really wonderful. It was so cool to see the lanyards and play the who are you game!

We now refer to this trip as our $3000 per person movie premiere with a 2 week cruise thrown in for free!!!

I cannot do that because the newspaper is so big it doesn't fit my scanner. I can go to Kinkos and make a copy and mail it to you if you want to PM me.

 

[CACruisin']

We're back! We had a great day in Barcelona on Saturday and a wonderful night's sleep at the Marriott. though the shower attacked me!

me too!!! Drenched at least half the bathroom the first time I turned on the shower.

Hey Everybody - Darrell and I are sitting here reminiscing about our cruise and everyone we had met. You guys were and are THE BEST! You made this the best cruise and Eric's sentiments made me cry. There is nobody out there that plays Disney Trivia like he does! We loved the goodies in the fish extenders, the Secret Mickey surprise (Thanks Pat!) and all the fun we had with everyone. We are also booked on the Douple Dipper and cannot wait to catch up with good friends. I am sad that it is over and we had a terrible airport experience too, but I would do it over and over again! Stay well everyone and keep in touch! By the way, I have copies of the Barcelona newspaper with the MAGIC on the Front Page. Anybody want a copy, let me know!

I'd LOVE a copy! I PM'd you.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Still checking in daily to see the new updates, thank you everyone for letting us back home experience the excitement through you of this once in a lifetime experience.

 

[tig82174]

we're finally home now too....back to Rochester, that is. We did make it into WDW for Sunday and Monday and while jetlag (plus only getting a few hours sleep the night b fore from our Aer Lingus nightmare) ended up killing us and stole most of our sunday Evening (we laid down to "rest" at about 6pm...thinking we'd get up in an hour or so and go to Magic Kingdom Extra Magic Hours until 2am!!....but we didn't wake up til 6am on Monday morning!! oops! But we had a great Monday at the World....very relaxing and fun....good thing we weren't motivated to try to do much, though, cuz the parks were packed with people! Our flight home was not great either...lots of delays and such...but nothing like our Aer Lingus fiasco...so we can't complain.

There is one other thing I forgot to post about Aer Lingus in BCN (this might be useful for other people cruising this summer and flying with them). Even though I had confirmed both online AND at their American 800 number that Jason and I could EACH bring on two bags as long as their total combined weight was under the kilogram equivalent of 80 lbs....when we checked in for our flight they told us we were each allowed only ONE checked bag and charged us a fee for the two additional bags....it was only 8 euros per extra bag, so we weren't killed by the fee....but just an FYI to folks for later in the summer if you're reading this.

Alright....it's far too late for me to be up considering I have to get up and work in the morning (BLAH!).

later,

Erik

 

[Scott H]

Just a quick Post, we got home late yesterday. Our return was uneventful, or only surprise was being able to check our bags all the way to MCO, thus not having to gather them for our overnight in GB. Just had to quickly get them open and find a tooth brush and a few extra items. ( due to Lynn’s Great Packing, She knew where all the essentials were) Luckily, the next morning when we arrived at Gatwick, we were early, and our flight time had been moved up a bit, all went well. At MCO breezed through immigration and customs, even with landing the same time as 3 other international flights. Night at AKL was great. Yesterday MCO to DEN, all well, Jeep started, drove home, wanted to go to Parrot Cay for diner, but alas…. Got the pictures all downloaded, started to unpack. Lynn will pick up the pups tomorrow, miss the kids.

Just a BIG THANKS TO ONE AND ALL, WHO MADE THIS A GREAT TRIP….. THANKS TO YOU GUYS FOR SHARING THE EXPERIENCE…

Will see ya all again….For Sure.

Back to the salt mines…..

 

[rikimuk]

Well everyone......it's 12:42am aboard the Magic right now...and those of us who aren't lucky enough to be on the B2B have to get off the ship in just a few hours. I have only a few minutes left on my internet package....and so I thought I'd post before I go to bed.

We wish that we could say goodbye and thanks to everyone individually....but that is impossible....so on behalf of myself and Jason......


THANKS AND WE'LL MISS ALL OF YOU!!!

Truly this trip has been an amazing experience for us....before this trip if you'd told us that there could be anything better than 14 days on a Disney Cruise ship travelling to Europe---we'd never have believed it.....but we've proved there is something better.....making that journey with all of you!!

We will never forget the strong sense of community we created through these boards....and all the friendships we formed on this trip.....the warm welcome we received from everyone right from the start....the fun on excursions....the conversations by the pool....the deck parties and dances and meals......I know I'm overly sentimental at the moment because we have to leave the ship.......but everyone on this cruise who shared their FAITH TRUST & PIXIE DUST with us made this an even more MAGICal experience than we could have hoped...so THANKS!

To those who are heading home....safe travels....to those who are remaining aboard...have a great trip....and to EVERYONE......SEE YOU ON THE BOARDS!!!


Erik



(p.s. Jason and I (and a few other DISers we know of) are booked on the Sept. 27th, 2008 Double Dip cruise......anyone else care to join?....or start a thread? heheheh)

Hey Erik

I totally agree with you this was the best experience ever and it was nice to meet so many of you and put faces to the names. Me and my sister Sarah have booked to go on the return crossing to Orlando on 18th August and Im so excited I can barely concentrate in work lol.

To all of you who are doing the med cruises enjoy and look after your cruise staff as they are the greatest.

If you are on the return transatlantic crossing let me know.

Lindsay

 

[rikimuk]

I cannot do that because the newspaper is so big it doesn't fit my scanner. I can go to Kinkos and make a copy and mail it to you if you want to PM me.

I can scan my copy if thats any help?

Lindsay

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

A warning for those traveling within Europe before coming home...we saw Ducky and his friends at the BCN airport and he was not a happy camper. He told us he had to pay hundreds of dollars to Air France because even though he was traveling back home within the week, they would only allow them 50 pounds while traveling within Europe. It was Sunday and they were leaving for the US Thursday.

Swiss Air allowed us our huge fat bags (so many that Chris and Rob took pictures of the comedy at our hotel) with no problems.

Oh, and don't forget to use your FFmile status at the check in desks. We flew using United status. We got in the Star Alliance line and were second in line. avoiding the miles long line for regular passengers.

CA Cruisin---can I just say your knitting daughter is an angel! I really enjoyed sitting on deck 4 and teaching her to knit. She is the fastest learner I have EVER taught! I wish she lived closer. I'd have her making an Irish cable knit before the end of summer. No joke. She is gifted! You are one blessed Mommy!

 

[Juergen]

Hier is the front picture of the Newspaper
If someone else want it, i can mail it.

Juergen

 

[scottishwee35]

Hier is the front picture of the Newspaper
If someone else want it, i can mail it.

Juergen

Oh, that is beautiful photo

Scottishwee35

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hi All,

Wow. What a wonderful experience this cruise and being with such a fabulous group of people was. I do not know if I could find the words to express it (Erik did pretty well) even if I had the time. I know I am missing my friends I made through this board and then cemented on the ship even more than having a room steward (and that is saying a lot for me!). I am posting only quickly today to let everyone know we got home safe and sound and with a remarkabaly smooth day of travel yesterday (odd as I WAS expecting all kinds of problems since we had arranged everything ourselves and had taxis, and shuttles and odd quirky things on both ends). Also, we had a GREAT time in Barcelona. I'll try to post about some time.

I hope to start a trip report sometime soonish. Certainly not today. I'm still trying to unpack, have to drop the in-laws at MHT this afternoon for their flight to Denver, Rio has dance photos tonight and RIo and Dave have rehersals plus hte usual groceries, mail, normal classes, banking, etc stuff one has to do on the first day back (and poor David is likely to be slammed at work right up until the rehersal).

In the meantime, I am enjoying seeing that many of you are home safe. I feel for those of you who were jolted back into the unmagical world with disasterous trips home. Take care everyone. I MISS YOU.

 

[ssnyder]

I got back home Saturday night, but it has taken a while to catch up on everything. I read the 37 pages of the live report first. I am still jet lagged (going to bed very early and getting up early) - it is 9 hours differrence for me.

Compared to others, I seem to have had an uneventful flight home, even though I was up for 25 hours that day. I was on the Continental flight out at 10:55am. DCL had put me on the early shuttle to the airport, so I was there in plenty of time. Continental didn't open until 8am so I was one of the first people in line. They DID print my boarding passes for my connecting flight. I flew through Newark and they are set up very efficiently there to get you through customs and get your bags rechecked (I think it took about 30 minutes).

I also want to thank everyone for a special two weeks. Lots of people asked me to join them for lunches so I didn't eat by myself very often. Nanaguide even took me to tea one afternoon. Thanks for all your gifts and a special thanks to Elderfam for the fish extender for them.

I got to see my grandson yesterday morning for the first time. He slept the whole time though.

 

[tig82174]

well my body is at work but brain & spirit is in the Atlantic still!

I'm so enjoying seeing everyone post again because I know it means that all our friends are finding their way home safely!!


Erik

 

[AuntyBrat]

well my body is at work but brain & spirit is in the Atlantic still!

I'm so enjoying seeing everyone post again because I know it means that all our friends are finding their way home safely!!


Erik

AMEN!!!! I was so proud of myself for being able to stay awake through 7pm last night! Sunday night I about went face first into my spaghetti at 3pm. My kid thought it was hysterical!

 

[Ready to Travel]

I am so glad I was able to meet so many dis boards putting faces to the names. Thanks for all the wonderful gifts. I only hope we can do this again with such a great group. Thank you all.
The cruise was great I would do it again after I get over my jet lag. I loved all of the ports. We managed to do all of the ports on our own, not through Disney. I think Tenerife would have been a little better if the shops were open. Private taxi for 2hrs $50 euro. Taxi's hold 4 people. Loved Gibraltar we did the Rock Tour on our own there were vans as soon as we disembarked and for $23 euro each we had a great tour and a knowledgeable guide. We were able to get some great photos because of the places he stopped for these photo opportunities. We saw the people from the Disney Tour and they had to walk to the places we were driven to. So if you have a problem walking or carriages to push do the van tour. We took a cab from the port to the Marriott Renisance Hotel near the airport $26 euro. Cadiz was easy to navagate they had the double decker bus with headphones and commentary. You could hop on and off all day long. Located as soon as you exit the terminal gates. Barcelona also has the double decker buses $23 euro for a 2 day pass. So much to see and do. We were there for 2 full days and could have used 2 more days there. We were just 2 people. Cabs aren't too big thank goodness we only had 2 checked bags and 2 carryons. The hotel does offer transportation to the City Center and the bus leaves at 9am and 10am. The last bus back to the hotel was 6pm. They also offer free transportation to the airport. The only thing was they dropped us at terminal B and we had to walk to terminal A. We should have taken a cab instead. The lines were long and they weighed the checked bags and the carry-ons. We were able to weigh the bags while we waited to be checked in. Just take your luggage up to the counter that is empty and weigh it there then you will be able to move stuff around before you get to the counter. We flew Swiss Air I will definately fly them again I thought they treated us very well.