May 14, 2011 - Eastbound TransAtlantic

[Jackie51]

I don't know if I'm suppose to do this, but the system tells me I can't PM yet, so here's my email: jackieschmidt51@gmail. We'd be interest in any of the excursions. Thanks. Jackie

 

[Zippety-Doo-Dah]

Hi Barbara

We are going to Animal Kingdom Lodge on Friday. We should be there around 11:00. Are you taking the bus to the ship?

I hope to go to Typhoon Lagoon and Disney Village shopping. You'll be able to tell who we are because we'll be practically jumping up & down.

Carol & Bob

 

[TxMermaid1]

Hello!!!!

It's getting closer! Are others flying to Orlando on FRIDAY the 13th? I figure DCL is worth it. Safe travels pixie dust for all of us!

DH Dick and I have been working on finishing the fun stuff today for the cruise....our door magnets, my recipe cards, Secret Mickey gifts, pirate clothes, etc.

Remember if you are attending the Champagne gathering, to pack your tiara and pink boa and pink outfit to wear! Some or all of the above are tradition to wear to this event. And on DISNEY, no one really notices if you walk down the halls and look a bit "different".

Looking forward to meeting you real soon.

Barb

We aren't flying in on friday the 13th.... but we did get married on Friday the 13th of May.....

 

[Can't wait to cruise]

I am a bit of a news junkie (real news - major world events, politics, financial markets, etc. - no Hollywood garbage please). Since we will be at sea for a week with no port stops, how up-to-date will the news be on the ship? Do they publish mini newspapers based on info from satellite feeds? I like to keep up with what's going on in the world.

One of the channels usually available on the tv in your cabin will be CNN or Headline News.

 

[Can't wait to cruise]

You will need a network connection I believe to use the GPS function, but if you want we could try to meet up to have a find. Here is the link to the cache on Castaway Cay:

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=be75fd23-9bed-452c-8aed-6226154cc0f8

It sounds like it is off of the bike trail, which my fiance (or husband at that point ) and I will be biking in the morning (before it gets too warm).

You can use your iPhone GPS without using the data. I received an email tip from AT&T several months ago and saved the email (and printed it out to bring) with the tips below:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to place calls but not use data:
Turn Data Roaming "OFF". By default, the setting for international data roaming will be in the "OFF" position. Turning "OFF" data roaming blocks email, browsing, visual voicemail and downloads, but it will not block text or picture/video messages.

To turn data roaming "ON/OFF", tap on
Settings>General>Network>Data Roaming

When abroad, international roaming rates apply when you send text or picture/video messages.
To access audible voicemail when data roaming is "OFF", tap on
Phone>Voicemail (International roaming voice rates apply.)

Utilize Wi-Fi instead of 3G/GPRS/EDGE - Wi-Fi is available in many international airports, hotels and restaurants to browse the Web or check email.

If you want to use data but not receive email automatically:
Turn Fetch New Data "OFF" - Check email and sync contacts and calendars manually instead of having the data pushed to your iPhone automatically. This way you can control the flow of data coming to your iPhone.

To turn off the Auto-Check functionality tap on
Settings>Mail, Contacts, Calendars>Fetch New Data, Change Push to "OFF" and select option Fetch Manually

Utilize Wi-Fi instead of 3G/GPRS/EDGE to download and manually check email: Wi-Fi is available in many international airports, hotels and restaurants.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on how you want to use your phone, you can configure it accordingly. A new iPad application allows pilots to switch from paper navigational charts to electronic charts which rely on GPS and I use my iPad when I'm flying. I don't have a data plan yet for the iPad and the GPS works great with no connection. Same principal as your iPhone works on.

With your iPhone, you may also consider a free app called "tripwolf". You can download offline maps and points of interest for all of the ports we'll be visiting. Plan to be using your Wi-Fi connection to download the cities once you get the app as they are fairly large files. I've already loaded all our port calls and excited about some walking tours without needing to carry the paper maps around that make tourists stand out.

 

[Can't wait to cruise]

it is this one-- but thus far they have been non responsive with my emails

http://gibraltarrocktours.com/tours.html--

I have sent te info about this tour to the person that has been emailing me back & forth form the 1st company to let him know that the longer tour might be of interest to some to see if he will do it at same price

I just now need to know from everyone that is interested if we want 1.5hr, 2hr or 3hr trip-- will post back once I get final price-- and I am sure it will work out if some want longer or shorter as one van can do one tour & the other one can do something different

If you're planning one of the bus tours of Gibraltar, be careful to not cut yourself short on time up on the rock. We did the tour on the 2007 EBTA and was told we could spend as much time on the rock as we wanted as then told when we got up on the rock to be back iin the van in 30 minutes. Didn't have any time to explore the tunnels and will work it out this time to spend more time up there. Ask before you pay!

 

[tamsocal]

I don't know if I'm suppose to do this, but the system tells me I can't PM yet, so here's my email: jackieschmidt51@gmail. We'd be interest in any of the excursions. Thanks. Jackie

I think you can PM after 10 posts-- just repeatedly post 8 more times with a smiley face & you will be all set

 

[tamsocal]

You can use your iPhone GPS without using the data. I received an email tip from AT&T several months ago and saved the email (and printed it out to bring) with the tips below:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to place calls but not use data:
Turn Data Roaming "OFF". By default, the setting for international data roaming will be in the "OFF" position. Turning "OFF" data roaming blocks email, browsing, visual voicemail and downloads, but it will not block text or picture/video messages.

To turn data roaming "ON/OFF", tap on
Settings>General>Network>Data Roaming

When abroad, international roaming rates apply when you send text or picture/video messages.
To access audible voicemail when data roaming is "OFF", tap on
Phone>Voicemail (International roaming voice rates apply.)

Utilize Wi-Fi instead of 3G/GPRS/EDGE - Wi-Fi is available in many international airports, hotels and restaurants to browse the Web or check email.

If you want to use data but not receive email automatically:
Turn Fetch New Data "OFF" - Check email and sync contacts and calendars manually instead of having the data pushed to your iPhone automatically. This way you can control the flow of data coming to your iPhone.

To turn off the Auto-Check functionality tap on
Settings>Mail, Contacts, Calendars>Fetch New Data, Change Push to "OFF" and select option Fetch Manually

Utilize Wi-Fi instead of 3G/GPRS/EDGE to download and manually check email: Wi-Fi is available in many international airports, hotels and restaurants.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on how you want to use your phone, you can configure it accordingly. A new iPad application allows pilots to switch from paper navigational charts to electronic charts which rely on GPS and I use my iPad when I'm flying. I don't have a data plan yet for the iPad and the GPS works great with no connection. Same principal as your iPhone works on.

With your iPhone, you may also consider a free app called "tripwolf". You can download offline maps and points of interest for all of the ports we'll be visiting. Plan to be using your Wi-Fi connection to download the cities once you get the app as they are fairly large files. I've already loaded all our port calls and excited about some walking tours without needing to carry the paper maps around that make tourists stand out.

this is great- thanks for the post-- I am a new iPhone user- so not very skilled.......

 

[tamsocal]

If you're planning one of the bus tours of Gibraltar, be careful to not cut yourself short on time up on the rock. We did the tour on the 2007 EBTA and was told we could spend as much time on the rock as we wanted as then told when we got up on the rock to be back iin the van in 30 minutes. Didn't have any time to explore the tunnels and will work it out this time to spend more time up there. Ask before you pay!

thanks for posting- we are still in the negotiating process- so this is excellent info.
DO you have an estimate on the amount of time you would have preferred at each stop-- I know this is subjective to each person.

 

[Can't wait to cruise]

thanks for posting- we are still in the negotiating process- so this is excellent info.
DO you have an estimate on the amount of time you would have preferred at each stop-- I know this is subjective to each person.

I could have spent a few hours exploring the caves. There are more miles of caves and tunnels in the rock than miles of roads in Gibraltar. Lots of exploring to do and see the inner workings of the rock and the history behind it beyond the 30 minutes they normally give on the tour. For the right price, I'm sure they will extend the tour times.

 

[tamsocal]

We have decided to do the Dolphin watching excursion on our own. I dont mind spending a few extra $$ for ship excursions but this one on our own saves us about $200 (disney is charging us for the toddlers & they are free when booking on our own (plus each of the fares are less)......

We have arranged for a private tour in the morning up the rock to the caves, Apes, tunnels, castle, etc & it is $25E each- we have 4 sspaces open in the tour van & wondering if anyone is interested in booking as well. We dont have to fill the spaces & they might already be taken by the time I email the company back but just wondering if anyone else on the roll call might be interested in coming along with us.

Hi everyone,
I was able to get some questions answered today but have sent one last email back to the tour company to get final confirmation. THe response I received back was that there would be a guide at each of the stops (our driver/guide). They are happy to do the extended tour (I think 3 hrs but he didnt put it in writing so I emaild him back to get written confirmation). He said they typically charge $10E/pp more (ie short tour was $25E/pp so they typically charge $35E/pp but since there are several in our group now he would do it for $30E/pp . I wrote up what I thought we would be getting with the tour, stops, time, pick up, drop off etc & sent it to gibraltar tours & I want him to review & confirm that everything I typed up is accurate. Once he responds tomorrow & confirms that he will be providing what I think we have agreed to- I will cut & paste the info on the board.

I'm excited that I posted, as I have made our 1.5hr tour a little longer for a few more dollars, and also have rec'd some feedback from those w/ previous experience to make sure we all know what we are getting into.

PS- the $30E/pp will be inclusive with entrance fees included. YIPPEE!

will post final details tomorrow hopefully

 

[tamsocal]

see below- I edited this one

 

[tamsocal]

another company I just found- we can customize the tour and for $310 US for 3 hours-- so that would be $39/pp-- so better price & a bit longer if anyone is interested. there is only space for 8 persons- so only 4 spaces available
here are details
Extended Rock Tour (Minimum 3 hours) – 6 stops – includes 100 Ton Gun, the lighthouse and Europa Point, St. Michael’s Cave, Top of the Rock with the Barbary Apes, the Great Siege Tunnels and the Moorish Castle.

one last thing- the price I mentioned above $39/pp US was with a different company and they have not responded to emails plus the cost did not include entrance fees. And one of the other company that did respond back was even more $$= $40E/pp

clarifying my post.....the top quote was from yesterday & the bottom post was my response to the option-- doesnt look like a good option the gibraltar tours that I posted above at 5:30pm seems like the way to go

 

[seamour]

Hi everyone,
I was able to get some questions answered today but have sent one last email back to the tour company to get final confirmation.

awesome awesome awesome, thanks for doing all this!

(I am with Missy who has already been PMing with you)

 

[KevieKev05]

Does anyone know what the "time" situation is going to be like? I know that ultimately we will be in a time zone 6 hours ahead of us. I assumed the first six sea days we would "lose" an hour each night. However, I was just investigating and it looks like Madeira is only 5 hours ahead of us. So will we "lose" an hour on the sea day in between Madeira and Cadiz and only "lose" an hour on 5 of our 6 initial sea days?

ETA: Looks like I found the answer to my own question! I was looking at the Navigators from last year and it appears you set your clocks forward one hour on the nights of sea days 1-5 and then the sea day in between Madeira and Cadiz.

 

[DW2DH&DS]

You will need a network connection I believe to use the GPS function, but if you want we could try to meet up to have a find. Here is the link to the cache on Castaway Cay:

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=be75fd23-9bed-452c-8aed-6226154cc0f8

It sounds like it is off of the bike trail, which my fiance (or husband at that point ) and I will be biking in the morning (before it gets too warm).

We found this cache back in December 2009!!! Pretty cool hiding place!!! We may return to drop a bug...not sure yet!!!

 

[mboekhoff]

Hi everyone,
I was able to get some questions answered today but have sent one last email back to the tour company to get final confirmation. THe response I received back was that there would be a guide at each of the stops (our driver/guide). They are happy to do the extended tour (I think 3 hrs but he didnt put it in writing so I emaild him back to get written confirmation). He said they typically charge $10E/pp more (ie short tour was $25E/pp so they typically charge $35E/pp but since there are several in our group now he would do it for $30E/pp . I wrote up what I thought we would be getting with the tour, stops, time, pick up, drop off etc & sent it to gibraltar tours & I want him to review & confirm that everything I typed up is accurate. Once he responds tomorrow & confirms that he will be providing what I think we have agreed to- I will cut & paste the info on the board.

I'm excited that I posted, as I have made our 1.5hr tour a little longer for a few more dollars, and also have rec'd some feedback from those w/ previous experience to make sure we all know what we are getting into.

PS- the $30E/pp will be inclusive with entrance fees included. YIPPEE!

will post final details tomorrow hopefully

Can't wait Thanks!

 

[TxMermaid1]

Hi everyone,
I was able to get some questions answered today but have sent one last email back to the tour company to get final confirmation. THe response I received back was that there would be a guide at each of the stops (our driver/guide). They are happy to do the extended tour (I think 3 hrs but he didnt put it in writing so I emaild him back to get written confirmation). He said they typically charge $10E/pp more (ie short tour was $25E/pp so they typically charge $35E/pp but since there are several in our group now he would do it for $30E/pp . I wrote up what I thought we would be getting with the tour, stops, time, pick up, drop off etc & sent it to gibraltar tours & I want him to review & confirm that everything I typed up is accurate. Once he responds tomorrow & confirms that he will be providing what I think we have agreed to- I will cut & paste the info on the board.

I'm excited that I posted, as I have made our 1.5hr tour a little longer for a few more dollars, and also have rec'd some feedback from those w/ previous experience to make sure we all know what we are getting into.

PS- the $30E/pp will be inclusive with entrance fees included. YIPPEE!

will post final details tomorrow hopefully

Tam.. do you have room for 4 adults... I think we might like to do this one too....

 

[braysmommy]

Tam.. do you have room for 4 adults... I think we might like to do this one too....

We would be interested too...2 adults 1 child

 

[KrisannB]

STILL HAVE ROOM on the tour I am organizing in Madeira! Daniel's Madeira Taxi is who we are using for this tour - a group of over 100 used them on the WBTA last year and it was great! I just want to make sure anyone who wants to come along gets to! We are up to 70 DIS'ers on the tour with a possibilty of 10 more - we are using a combination of small busses and one large bus. The small busses hold 8 or 10 people and the driver is also your tour guide. On the larger bus, we have a driver and a separate tour guide.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask!

Here is some info:

Q. What is the “plan” for the day?
A. Below is the tour schedule.
• Cabo Girão - stop for the viewpoint on top of the cliff
• Ribeira Brava - just passing by
• Encumeada - stop
• São Vicente - due to shortage of time, your stop will only have a total of 1 hour, this will enable you to visit the caves, but not to watch the films
• Porto Moniz - staying for a total of 2 hours (this is where you will eat lunch on your own)
• Paúl da Serra - there are several viewpoints, depending on time I think you'll visit at least one
• Ponta do Sol - just passing by
• Back in Funchal


Q. What are the costs for the tour?
A. The cost of the tour itself is 27euros per person – please have cash money to pay the driver for you and your family. Lunch and admissions are extra.


Krisann