May 14, 2011 - Eastbound TransAtlantic

[RockingTiggers]

I just called and was told it was SOLD OUT the whole ship no rooms at all

 

[tamsocal]

For anyone who has already used the HOHO buses in Cadiz or Barcelona or for anyone who is planning to use them......

Do you preorder online or just wait til you get into port? anyone find any significant discounts by ordering in advance or any reason to get online vs waiting til port? avoid long lines, etc?

leaning towards just getting once we are in port unless major advantages

 

[hrhdhd]

I just called and was told it was SOLD OUT the whole ship no rooms at all

I'll bet that a lot of people were thinking about it and then when the new itineraries came out with no transatlantics, they decided to book.

Side note: the shuttle is now scheduled to launch no earlier than May 16, so we won't have to worry about traffic on the 14th.

So, a few questions for you experienced types:

1. I am planning to do some laundry during the cruise. Can the machines be programmed for a cold-water wash?

2. Regarding KTTW cards and lanyards, can Guest Services punch a hole in the card so I can wear it on a ring rather than put it in a plastic thingy?

3. All I need to check in at the port is my passport and the thing I signed saying how I'm going to pay my bill, right?

Thanks!

 

[TxMermaid1]

I'll bet that a lot of people were thinking about it and then when the new itineraries came out with no transatlantics, they decided to book.

Side note: the shuttle is now scheduled to launch no earlier than May 16, so we won't have to worry about traffic on the 14th.

So, a few questions for you experienced types:

1. I am planning to do some laundry during the cruise. Can the machines be programmed for a cold-water wash?

2. Regarding KTTW cards and lanyards, can Guest Services punch a hole in the card so I can wear it on a ring rather than put it in a plastic thingy?

3. All I need to check in at the port is my passport and the thing I signed saying how I'm going to pay my bill, right?

Thanks!

I do not believe the ship is totally sold out. I think it is just past the deadline. Too many cabins where available just a few days ago.

The washers can be set for cold water. That is what I use in them.
I do believe I saw someone with their card punched. Not sure where they had it punched but do try the CS desk.

And yes you are right about the docs. They will also have you fill out and sign a med. form. Basically asking if you have had fever, a cough or diarrhea in the last .. 3 days I think.....

 

[Can't wait to cruise]

For anyone who has already used the HOHO buses in Cadiz or Barcelona or for anyone who is planning to use them......

Do you preorder online or just wait til you get into port? anyone find any significant discounts by ordering in advance or any reason to get online vs waiting til port? avoid long lines, etc?

leaning towards just getting once we are in port unless major advantages

We did the HOHO in Cadiz on the 07 EBTA and just paid in cash when we got on. Be sure to have some Euro's with you. Not sure on any advance purchases for a discount.

 

[skoi]

Waiting for an answer for DCL but maybe you guys know. Can you exchange traveler's checks for Euros on board and is there any limit on what can be exchanged?

TIA
Julie

 

[tamsocal]

Waiting for an answer for DCL but maybe you guys know. Can you exchange traveler's checks for Euros on board and is there any limit on what can be exchanged?

TIA
Julie

I received notice today in the mail from DCL-- one page of helpful hints-
at the very bottom " Foreign Currency Exchange "
It's always a good idea to have some Euro on hand for small convenience items, taxi fares & tips. Most US banks can order foreign currency for account holders prior to their departure. There is also a currency exchange window located in our cruise terminal at the Port of Barcelona. Usually a small processing fee is associated with these types of transactions. Currency exchange is also available at Guest Services aboard the Disney Magic

we havent sailed DCL but have never had a limit on exchange on any other cruise line

 

[tamsocal]

We did the HOHO in Cadiz on the 07 EBTA and just paid in cash when we got on. Be sure to have some Euro's with you. Not sure on any advance purchases for a discount.

thanks! Euros & pounds are on my list for tomorrow to go & get!

mostly finished packing for the kids today.....

 

[MegaMouseHouse]

. . . and soooooo much to do! I have been piling up a ton of stuff but have packed none of it. Guess that is what this Sunday is for. Can't wait to meet you all in a week!

 

[skoi]

Thanks tamsocal. I remember something odd about the Med cruises concerning exchange of money. Maybe it was that you couldn't exchange on your shipboard account? I don't remember. I tended to use ATMs ashore, but want to be sure I have enough ready cash in Euros by the end of the trip. We're staying in an apartment in Amsterdam and have to pay it off in cash.

 

[singlis]

thanks! Euros & pounds are on my list for tomorrow to go & get!

mostly finished packing for the kids today.....

I did the HOHO in BCN a couple of years ago, I found it a bit pricy but you do get the 3 routes, we paid on board the bus.
this time we are taking public transit to our preferred destinations.

 

[tamsocal]

I did the HOHO in BCN a couple of years ago, I found it a bit pricy but you do get the 3 routes, we paid on board the bus.
this time we are taking public transit to our preferred destinations.

I have read some negative comments about the HOHO lines being long-- but not sure if that was during peak season,e tc-- and I dont know if we will be there during peak or off season...... did you experience any long lines or long waiting for buses to arrive?

are you planning on metro? is metro underground? I was wondering if doing transportation on the streets might be better for us so we can possibly see places we might want to stop at??? but I also have a list of things we think we want to do so probably metro would be fine?? it looks like with the barcelona card we can use metro & the public buses

 

[strawberryblonde]

Thanks to everyone on this thread for sharing your tips and hints!

I'm taking my doggie to the groomers' today. Spent the last two days driving my DH to far away medical appointments, so it is making me feel stressed to lose those days. The movers/packers come this next week, I'm not ready yet!

I got my FE's done long ago and finished up my recipe cards this week. I've printed out most of our magnets, but some of my files went missing, so I'm not quite done with that, may have to be done and just call it good. I dropped off two dresses for drycleaning so they will be back in time. Got a message from the cruise tux rental last night, they have a question but the closed before 5pm Eastern time yesterday (I was calling before 5pm their time and missed them)...they don't open again until Monday...so now I'm a bit stressed that something is wrong with the guys' tuxes and we don't have time for me to think of plan B...breathe!!

Wish there was time to get my hair done, pedi and mani...Remind me never to pack out for a move right before a cruise, this is crazy! I have to drive the doggie to the breeders' (she is staying with them) Thurs. night after moving out all day, over 3 hours of driving round trip. Leaving for the airport the next AM before the sun gets up, waaay before . The movers were not supposed to be here on Thurs., they were to be done by then, but they pushed back their dates on us....breathe

 

[Can't wait to cruise]

I have read some negative comments about the HOHO lines being long-- but not sure if that was during peak season,e tc-- and I dont know if we will be there during peak or off season...... did you experience any long lines or long waiting for buses to arrive?

are you planning on metro? is metro underground? I was wondering if doing transportation on the streets might be better for us so we can possibly see places we might want to stop at??? but I also have a list of things we think we want to do so probably metro would be fine?? it looks like with the barcelona card we can use metro & the public buses

I don't know if we'll be considered in "peak" time or not. We've done the HOHO in Cadiz and Rome. Can be some lines and some shoving to get on and off at times. Cadiz was good to do once to get some history of the city from the audio on board you can plug provided earbuds in to. Having done the HOHO in Cadiz on the 07 EBTA, we're going to do a walking tour of the city this time on our own since the HOHO primarily goes around the perimeter of the main part of town. We want to explore more of the interior, do some shopping and sample some of the local food.

Iberia Airlines has been changing our departure times out of Barcelona on Saturday after we get off the ship and has us up on a 8:35 am flight now. I called Disney yesterday and they say we can't get off the ship until 7am Saturday morning. Not sure how accurate the info is and would like any feedback anyone else has obtained from Disney on this. We certainly can't make a 8:35 flight if we can't get off the ship until 7 even if we keep our bags and haul them off the ship ourselves and get right on a cab.

When I called Disney last night, the guy on the phone had no idea why they weren't showing any cabins available. Said he was an hourly employee and wasn't told why they closed the reservations. Didn't think the ship was sold out but couldn't confirm anything. Asked about an upgrade potential and he said he couldn't see any capacity on the ship at all. Haven't seen this before on any of our previous cruises.

Anyone have any experience with NASA launches to know if we'll be able to see the contrail of they launch May 16 as now planned if we're east of CC. The shuttle would be going over us to the north on it's eastbound ascent. Was hoping the rescheduled launch would be on Saturday before we leave.

 

[skoi]

. . . and soooooo much to do! I have been piling up a ton of stuff but have packed none of it. Guess that is what this Sunday is for. Can't wait to meet you all in a week!

One suitcase out. Pretty good idea about what we'll be taking, just the matter of shoving it into 2 suitcases and not forgetting anything.

One week until we'll be on our way (almost there, I hope) to the Magic.

Shopping today for last minute things.

 

[dylan'smom]

I have read some negative comments about the HOHO lines being long-- but not sure if that was during peak season,e tc-- and I dont know if we will be there during peak or off season...... did you experience any long lines or long waiting for buses to arrive?...

We had no wait at all last yr in Barcelona, but maybe just lucky? There are 2 hoho bus companies - we very much preferred the one with the big eyeball on it vs. the red one...no benefit to purchasing prior really if our time in Barcelona is any indicator. We were there 8 nights in May & the route was clear, buses frequent.

Thanks to everyone on this thread for sharing your tips and hints!
I'm taking my doggie to the groomers' today. Spent the last two days driving my DH to far away medical appointments, so it is making me feel stressed to lose those days. The movers/packers come this next week, I'm not ready yet!
I got my FE's done long ago and finished up my recipe cards this week. I've printed out most of our magnets, but some of my files went missing, so I'm not quite done with that, may have to be done and just call it good. I dropped off two dresses for drycleaning so they will be back in time. Got a message from the cruise tux rental last night, they have a question but the closed before 5pm Eastern time yesterday (I was calling before 5pm their time and missed them)...they don't open again until Monday...so now I'm a bit stressed that something is wrong with the guys' tuxes and we don't have time for me to think of plan B...breathe!!
Wish there was time to get my hair done, pedi and mani...Remind me never to pack out for a move right before a cruise, this is crazy! I have to drive the doggie to the breeders' (she is staying with them) Thurs. night after moving out all day, over 3 hours of driving round trip. Leaving for the airport the next AM before the sun gets up, waaay before . The movers were not supposed to be here on Thurs., they were to be done by then, but they pushed back their dates on us....breathe

OMGosh, Heidi...I'm pooped just reading this!!

Good luck!!!!!!!! A move is hard enough without a trip attached...

I feel sort of lazy about it...we leave on Thurs., so I plan to pack on Wed. <--- me fooling myself?


Oh, yes on the hole punch question!!! DH does that all the time (Guest Services punch cards for him)!!!


.

 

[tamsocal]

I don't know if we'll be considered in "peak" time or not. We've done the HOHO in Cadiz and Rome. Can be some lines and some shoving to get on and off at times. Cadiz was good to do once to get some history of the city from the audio on board you can plug provided earbuds in to. Having done the HOHO in Cadiz on the 07 EBTA, we're going to do a walking tour of the city this time on our own since the HOHO primarily goes around the perimeter of the main part of town. We want to explore more of the interior, do some shopping and sample some of the local food.

Iberia Airlines has been changing our departure times out of Barcelona on Saturday after we get off the ship and has us up on a 8:35 am flight now. I called Disney yesterday and they say we can't get off the ship until 7am Saturday morning. Not sure how accurate the info is and would like any feedback anyone else has obtained from Disney on this. We certainly can't make a 8:35 flight if we can't get off the ship until 7 even if we keep our bags and haul them off the ship ourselves and get right on a cab.

When I called Disney last night, the guy on the phone had no idea why they weren't showing any cabins available. Said he was an hourly employee and wasn't told why they closed the reservations. Didn't think the ship was sold out but couldn't confirm anything. Asked about an upgrade potential and he said he couldn't see any capacity on the ship at all. Haven't seen this before on any of our previous cruises.

Anyone have any experience with NASA launches to know if we'll be able to see the contrail of they launch May 16 as now planned if we're east of CC. The shuttle would be going over us to the north on it's eastbound ascent. Was hoping the rescheduled launch would be on Saturday before we leave.

re your airline tickets- I was told by DCL that we could get off at 3am if we so desired and just needed to let guest services know once on the ship (we dont need to do that now as we eneded up with DCL air since it was cheaper for us. . what I would do as a back up plan? make a hotel reservation in barcelona that is able to be cancelled-- check w/ guest services once on the ship and once you confirm you can cancel the reservation but at least you will have somewhere to sleep if you do need to get off the ship on fri noc?

also I have booked airline tickets months in advance for cruises & have had them changed-- if the changes have not been to my desire- I just have called up the airline & said I understand changes can happen but these changes are not possible with my vacation plans sometimes I have gone form a 1p- flight to a 11am flight and they have been happy to change the 11a to the next later one -- might have been 5p but better for me to not add the stress of making sure i get off the ship in time- not sure what other flight options are available or if they are once daily only.....

 

[tamsocal]

Thanks to everyone on this thread for sharing your tips and hints!

I'm taking my doggie to the groomers' today. Spent the last two days driving my DH to far away medical appointments, so it is making me feel stressed to lose those days. The movers/packers come this next week, I'm not ready yet!

I got my FE's done long ago and finished up my recipe cards this week. I've printed out most of our magnets, but some of my files went missing, so I'm not quite done with that, may have to be done and just call it good. I dropped off two dresses for drycleaning so they will be back in time. Got a message from the cruise tux rental last night, they have a question but the closed before 5pm Eastern time yesterday (I was calling before 5pm their time and missed them)...they don't open again until Monday...so now I'm a bit stressed that something is wrong with the guys' tuxes and we don't have time for me to think of plan B...breathe!!

Wish there was time to get my hair done, pedi and mani...Remind me never to pack out for a move right before a cruise, this is crazy! I have to drive the doggie to the breeders' (she is staying with them) Thurs. night after moving out all day, over 3 hours of driving round trip. Leaving for the airport the next AM before the sun gets up, waaay before . The movers were not supposed to be here on Thurs., they were to be done by then, but they pushed back their dates on us....breathe

ok, I wont have a pity party for myself today as I am struggling to be 100% completely ready to go since I have a busy work week ahead......

I'll just think of you & tell myself this is nothing compared to Heidi's todo list!

no more of this for me today til Im done..... have to get up & get my day rolling!

 

[singlis]

I have read some negative comments about the HOHO lines being long-- but not sure if that was during peak season,e tc-- and I dont know if we will be there during peak or off season...... did you experience any long lines or long waiting for buses to arrive?

are you planning on metro? is metro underground? I was wondering if doing transportation on the streets might be better for us so we can possibly see places we might want to stop at??? but I also have a list of things we think we want to do so probably metro would be fine?? it looks like with the barcelona card we can use metro & the public buses

I don't recall the lines being to long except where the lines intersected. I am a huge fan of HOHO tours I think that they are great, but I was not impressed by barcelona.
We are buying the T10 pass that gets us 10 rides on all public transpot and I am told that we can share this. I have marked all the metro stops and bus route#'s near the places we are visiting. I have a good sence of direction and can read maps easily, we have done this in many cities successfully so I am looking forward to it! (we even rode the public buses in St Petersburg!)

 

[strawberryblonde]

Thanks for the sympathy...I'm feeling overwhelmed at the moment. Thank-goodness I'm not stressed about packing for the cruise...I've got a feel for what we will need and what we can live without now after a few cruises. The main thing, it to make sure they don't pack away anything I need for the cruise and that they don't crate up my luggage

My doggie did very well at the groomers'. She was hand stripped for over an hour. We have to go back to finish Tues. morning.