May 18, 2013 Magic EBTA Part Two - From Tejas to España

[StephenKay]

Afternoon Everyone,

Reading you all talking about snow reminds me, what type of Temps can we look forward too? Galveston to CC should be warm in May - right? and whilst reading old trip reports, I noticed that most have had to use blankets on the top decks at some stage of the trip. As we reach Maderia, we shall all be running out of alcohol to keep us warm by that stage, however it should be warm enough from then on to Barcelona. I forgot to mention that a great little supermarket is to be found in Maderia in the little shopping arcade near the cable car, they had both wines and spirits at decent prices for Europe. I shall be taking alcohol only to ward off scurvy on such a long voyage of course.

I noted a post from previous EBTA's that some people did not know they lost a hour each night, for 5 nights, whilst doing a transatlantic crossing from east to west and of course you gain on the WBTA's (love those 25hr days)


The time adjusts automatically on the clocks, if I remember correctly.

 

[gonecrusin]

That's so kind of you, if you wouldn't mind at all, that be much appreciated

Packed with the Bunco Game!

I agree, I much rather be waited on! I hate the buffets. The buffet in the mornings always seems so chaotic and it stresses me out. I must rather start my day in a nice and relaxing setting while being waited on. I also enjoy a nice and slow pace lunch in the quiet. I believe the only time I ate lunch in the buffet during the EBPC was during embarkation and I don't ever remember eating breakfast there. I have also never shared a table with another party during breakfast or lunch. I didn't know they do that?

We prefer the dining room for breakfast and lunch over the buffet. I think the coffee is better in the dining room. Maybe it's just the atmosphere.

nothing in north NJ yet....

We have about 4" so far and it's still snowing. It would be a lot more but it keeps changing to rain and sleet. We are west central MD. Have a friend in southern MD and they are only getting rain.

 

[gonecrusin]

Afternoon Everyone,

Reading you all talking about snow reminds me, what type of Temps can we look forward too? Galveston to CC should be warm in May - right? and whilst reading old trrip reports, I noticed that most have had to use blankets at some stage of the trip. As we reach Maderia, we shall all be running out of alcohol to keep us warm by that stage, however it should be warm enough from then on to Barcelona.

I noted a post from previous EBTA's that some people did not know they lost a hour each night, for 5 nights, whilst doing a transatlantic crossing from east to west and of course you gain on the WBTA's (love those 25hr days)


The time adjusts automatically on the clocks, if I remember correctly.

Will anybody really know what time it is? Or care? Maybe, wouldn't want to miss all the fun activities.

DH may be changing jobs and not be able to go on this cruise but DD and I will still be there. Sure hope it works out. During the cruise it's his birthday and our anniversary.

 

[StephenKay]

I forgot to ask, I booked myself on the dolphin excursion this morning via the website. Against all of the other excursions the price was quoted however nothing for the Dolphins, no cost at all. Are DCL being nice by giving me a freebee (doubtful) are they being nice as they know I had to cancel this last time due to lost baggage (dont ask) Or is it a oversight on behalf of DCL?

 

[kaseyC]

Is it someone on the FB page?

They are on both FB and the Dis. So I sent a message to both sites.

Edited to add: I got a response back through FB. Will have the info this afternoon. Yay!!

 

[padalyn]

Afternoon Everyone,

Reading you all talking about snow reminds me, what type of Temps can we look forward too? Galveston to CC should be warm in May - right? and whilst reading old trip reports, I noticed that most have had to use blankets on the top decks at some stage of the trip. As we reach Maderia, we shall all be running out of alcohol to keep us warm by that stage, however it should be warm enough from then on to Barcelona. I forgot to mention that a great little supermarket is to be found in Maderia in the little shopping arcade near the cable car, they had both wines and spirits at decent prices for Europe. I shall be taking alcohol only to ward off scurvy on such a long voyage of course.

I noted a post from previous EBTA's that some people did not know they lost a hour each night, for 5 nights, whilst doing a transatlantic crossing from east to west and of course you gain on the WBTA's (love those 25hr days)


The time adjusts automatically on the clocks, if I remember correctly.

ummm, not so sure about that...even with the ipod dock clocks - one has to set them for the time change. First EBTA we had the propeller clocks, what a pain to set. The ipod clocks aren't that much easier. Usually the stewards would change them. So I guess that is "automatic"

 

[tobyjasper1970]

Just quoted $263 for a one day, one way car hire. That's the most expensive I have heard of for an economy ever!

we are going for a town car $110 for 3 people to share from Downtown Houston to Galveston

 

[Tod&Copper]

we are going for a town car $110 for 3 people to share from Downtown Houston to Galveston

Which August med cruise are you on? We're on 31st August

 

[Tink1987]

Ohh what did you get? Did you get a new lens? New gear always makes me happy

Myself waiting for battery to charge (for 6 hours) for the wireless module for my new Wacom Intous5 tablet (Love my DW, of course she got a new one to but she settled for a smaller model but she think she want the wireless to, but figure get one to start out and see how it works before buying to and they don't work well.. Have a friend that had some issues with his)

We did We got this one just for a slightly better walk around lens:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tamron-17-5...3FY8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362594926&sr=8-1

Also got a smaller tripod and a few more books. Also a hot shoe spirit level. I love getting new camera things too, makes me so happy

we are especially if they are into photography so many toys (and so much money )

300mm yes makes sense.. Can never go wrong with a wide angle. Love my 11-16mm f/2.8 Tokina (except it's for a crop sensor camera like the D3000 and I now have a full frame camera so have to set my camera in crop mode to use it).

Personally I'm not a big fan of fish eye perspective but there are some that really like it and can compose well with it.

I assume he got Lightroom or Aperture to manage the pictures he takes and process them?

Fisheye really does split opinions, I enjoyed it, DB was a bit meh.

The D3100 is a crop or DX sensor camera (and not a FX or full frame camera). It just denote the size of the sensor (the thingie that captures the light inside the camera that makes the picture).

Full frame cameras have a sensor that is 1.5x size of a crop frame (full frame refers to 35mm equivalent size, ie old film size). Ok technical mumbojumbo over.

But yes you can rent lens, one of my favorite places to shop for lenses here in the US to rent is borrowlenses.com but I also tend to check/compare prices at lensrentals.com (usually looses out but sometimes they have stock when the other place does not). Both also offers used gear for sale and think both offers gift card purchases (at least borrowlenses does) so you could buy a gift card and give him.

I looked at lensrentals for our California road trip in Dec/Jan, off to check out borrowlenses now - thanks!

Talk about cameras and lenses and all that. Guess there was no other interest for photowalk on the ship that you saw?

If anyone is interested to join I wouldn't mind leading, if someone else want to lead I be happy to just join... If not than I will just go

There were 4/5 people interested, I am actually thinking it may be rest if I start an event and give it a time/date on our website?

Hello all, this is my first post. I have been reading for a few days now. Wow, you guys are organized, this is unbelievable! Thanks for all of the great info. This will be my families second Disney cruise, we were on the Fantasy last May. We will be traveling with our 3 year old son and 5 year old daughter. My husband is a little concerned about being "disconnected" from his office while crossing the Atlantic. Does anyone know if there are satellite type phones that can be used when there is no cell service?

Welcome onboard

I am still very interested in a Photowalk, I've been meaning to ask if it was still going ahead.

I went to the photography show on Monday and bought a new wide angle lens - it was a difficult decision, Liked the Sigma 10-20mm and the Tokina but after mulling it over and reading a few reviews I went with the Sigma.....still wondering if I chose the right one!

Next on my photography wishlist is a 120-400mm but it won't be in time for the cruise.

Was that the one at the NEC, we were there on Sunday Good choice with the Sigma. We have rented the Canon and Sigma 10-22 and found the Sigma to be slightly better. Same with the Sigma 15mm fisheye. Next on our wishlist is a Canon 5D Mark III.

if I am doing this right...we have:

52 cabins
with 54 women participating (2 cabins without adults participating?)
with 41 men particpating
with 25 female children
with 14 male children
with 1 infant


did it get this right?

PLEASE someone check my numbers! We need to know the total of cabins, total of adults of each gender and children of each gender....

Thanks all!!

Cayla

Thanks for that, gives me something to work with!

I'm still interested in a photo walk. I don't have fancy camera's like you, but like to get some interesting shots for my scrap booking.

You can still take great snaps with a decent point and shoot. It's the mistake many people make, they assume buying a expensive camera automatically makes them a good photographer. Drives me mad.

Just read that back and it sounds like I am saying that to you....I didn't mean it way at all!

What are you planning to do with the cabins that want to be on every list? I know my two cabins want to give to everyone and and I get the feeling there are a few others as well. This messes up the 4 groups of 13 cabins.


I am not sure what he uses to process them as it is on his computer and he ignores me when he is working on them. He is just starting to get into photography. Somewhere, I can't find it now, DH sent me an email about a lens he was looking at. If i can find it, I will post it and see what you think.



Thanks for explaining, DH and I have no pataiance and are not the best at explaining things, esp. to each other.



I know DH was interested and I think (I hope), I expressed his interest on here?

Let us know about then lens I am thinking it may be best to put something up on the website about the photowalk as I don't want people thinking I have forgotten about them.

Packed with the Bunco Game!

Thank you so so much

 

[Tink1987]

I have just been browsing our website and I can see that dressing up for Villians night as a group was discussed and that 24 people were interested....has anything ever come of that? Did we have an organiser for it?

 

[WVURunner]

we are especially if they are into photography so many toys (and so much money )

300mm yes makes sense.. Can never go wrong with a wide angle. Love my 11-16mm f/2.8 Tokina (except it's for a crop sensor camera like the D3000 and I now have a full frame camera so have to set my camera in crop mode to use it).

Personally I'm not a big fan of fish eye perspective but there are some that really like it and can compose well with it.

I assume he got Lightroom or Aperture to manage the pictures he takes and process them?

Okay so I found the email he sent:
The lens he wants is: Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras, any thoughs on this? he said something about it being mid-range?

We prefer the dining room for breakfast and lunch over the buffet. I think the coffee is better in the dining room. Maybe it's just the atmosphere.

No, the coffee is better, it is brewed stuff and not nesquk crap. I get room service coffee first thing in the morning (I like a few sips before I run) so I don't have to get the nasty stuff on deck 9. And I refuse to pay for cove cafe coffee!

I forgot to ask, I booked myself on the dolphin excursion this morning via the website. Against all of the other excursions the price was quoted however nothing for the Dolphins, no cost at all.

I think the cost is $59. If you are looking to do just the dolphin boat tour, we may have room for you on the private DIS tour, which comes to about $38. Let me know if you are interested.

Fisheye really does split opinions, I enjoyed it, DB was a bit meh.

There were 4/5 people interested, I am actually thinking it may be rest if I start an event and give it a time/date on our website?

Let us know about then lens I am thinking it may be best to put something up on the website about the photowalk as I don't want people thinking I have forgotten about them.

I like the look of the fisheye for somethings, I have seen some awesome wedding photos taken with it. I just don't have an artsy eye.

Now that my little sister is coming along, she might be interested in joining you as well. She just got a Canon but hasn't had time to learn it with 2 little kids running around. I think adding it to the website is a great idea!

 

[Tod&Copper]

I have just been browsing our website and I can see that dressing up for Villians night as a group was discussed and that 24 people were interested....has anything ever come of that? Did we have an organiser for it?

I'd already said to DH he would need his purple shirt and black trousers packed for villains night. It was so fab seeing everyone on WBTA 2011 dressed in purple/black on the night

 

[MandyGirl]

I have just been browsing our website and I can see that dressing up for Villians night as a group was discussed and that 24 people were interested....has anything ever come of that? Did we have an organiser for it?

I believed someone disagreed with me in the past, but I don't think we need an organizer. Basically we all pack purple/black clothing, watch our Navigators each day, and when it is announced "Villains Night" we wear the clothing we brought. If we happen to know that date in advance from DCL (we don't yet) then we can add to the calendar. Otherwise, we watch the Navigators. Nothing to sign up for, purchase tickets for, contact DCL with names, etc - just show up that evening with purple/ black for your dinner/show attire

Pictures were informal - by then we mostly had linked dining and could just gather for pictures before/after dinner from being on the same dining rotation if we wished (optional).

ETA: But if someone feels we need an organizer, or if I am off-base, just let me know. I can add it to the first page. We were able to do it on WBTA 2011 with no organizer, and were also fortunate for DCL to give us that date prior to embarkation so we were able to all denoted it on our "what to wear which night" calendar

DCL also provide "mask making" earlier in the day as an activity, so we were able to make our own masks had we not brought one.

 

[woody73]

Okay so I found the email he sent:
The lens he wants is: Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras, any thoughs on this? he said something about it being mid-range?

I have that lens and am very pleased with it. At f/1.8, it is a fast lens, great for low light conditions.

I've used it for nighttime and lowlight shooting, such as stars at night, items in a museum display case, and while on the Haunted Mansion ride.

Woody

 

[Kirbo]

I forgot to ask, I booked myself on the dolphin excursion this morning via the website. Against all of the other excursions the price was quoted however nothing for the Dolphins, no cost at all. Are DCL being nice by giving me a freebee (doubtful) are they being nice as they know I had to cancel this last time due to lost baggage (dont ask) Or is it a oversight on behalf of DCL?

If it's this one, it's $59 for an adult. We're going on that one

They are on both FB and the Dis. So I sent a message to both sites.

Edited to add: I got a response back through FB. Will have the info this afternoon. Yay!!

 

[Tink1987]

Okay so I found the email he sent:
The lens he wants is: Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras, any thoughs on this? he said something about it being mid-range?

No, the coffee is better, it is brewed stuff and not nesquk crap. I get room service coffee first thing in the morning (I like a few sips before I run) so I don't have to get the nasty stuff on deck 9. And I refuse to pay for cove cafe coffee!

I think the cost is $59. If you are looking to do just the dolphin boat tour, we may have room for you on the private DIS tour, which comes to about $38. Let me know if you are interested.

I like the look of the fisheye for somethings, I have seen some awesome wedding photos taken with it. I just don't have an artsy eye.

Now that my little sister is coming along, she might be interested in joining you as well. She just got a Canon but hasn't had time to learn it with 2 little kids running around. I think adding it to the website is a great idea!

Nice choice I think!

 

[Tink1987]

Now that my little sister is coming along, she might be interested in joining you as well. She just got a Canon but hasn't had time to learn it with 2 little kids running around. I think adding it to the website is a great idea!

I will have to PM GoofyNewie about it, he gave me access for my 2 events, PJ breakfast and Pin Trading but not to add anything new. I haven't seen him around for a while, probably busy flying over the Atlantic again!

 

[Tink1987]

I'd already said to DH he would need his purple shirt and black trousers packed for villains night. It was so fab seeing everyone on WBTA 2011 dressed in purple/black on the night

Cool! We were thinking of having black tshirts made and then will wear purple long sleeves underneath

I can't wait! And our outfits are coming together for Pirates night as well!

 

[Tink1987]

I believed someone disagreed with me in the past, but I don't think we need an organizer. Basically we all pack purple/black clothing, watch our Navigators each day, and when it is announced "Villains Night" we wear the clothing we brought. If we happen to know that date in advance from DCL (we don't yet) then we can add to the calendar. Otherwise, we watch the Navigators. Nothing to sign up for, purchase tickets for, contact DCL with names, etc - just show up that evening with purple/ black for your dinner/show attire

Pictures were informal - by then we mostly had linked dining and could just gather for pictures before/after dinner from being on the same dining rotation if we wished (optional).

ETA: But if someone feels we need an organizer, or if I am off-base, just let me know. I can add it to the first page. We were able to do it on WBTA 2011 with no organizer, and were also fortunate for DCL to give us that date prior to embarkation so we were able to all denoted it on our "what to wear which night" calendar

DCL also provide "mask making" earlier in the day as an activity, so we were able to make our own masks had we not brought one.

That rings a bell, thanks Mandy! Did somebody mention they got pics with the fab five as well as they were all dressed up? I want a mask!

 

[kris3kid]

Has anyone called to see what movies will be on the ship?