May 26, 2007 (5/26/07) "First Magical Med Cruise!!" (The M&M's!)

[winotracy]

Flights....
Looks like a few of us are flying Delta from Atlanta... we should meet up in the terminal... that would be nice...

Makes me think of the Lion King

"Can you feel the love tonight...."

 

[Jeni1781]

We are flying on Delta from Atlanta to Barcelona. What time does your first flight arrive in Atlanta?

Flights....
Looks like a few of us are flying Delta from Atlanta... we should meet up in the terminal... that would be nice...

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Had a lot of reading to catch up.

We're in May! Only 16 more school days for the kiddos! Sent the request for approval of education travel to school today.

Our flight info is:

5/25 USAir Flight 742 out of Philly leaving 6:25 pm arriving BCN 8:20 am
6/7 USAir Flight 743 out of BCN leaving 12:10 pm arriving PHL 3:05 on

Jeisur, we're on the same flight going home!

I met a lady yesterday who just got back from Holland America repo cruise. She met her daughter (college student studying in Rome) in Rome. Her cruise stopped in Barcelona. She loved the city! She advised NOT to use the on & off bus for touring because it was expensive and other cruise passengers had to wait over an hour for a bus which wasn't full. Instead of using the on/off bus this lady recommended using the local bus system. The local bus ran about 1.60 Euros. She also said that you can see inside the Gaudi church from the little chapel on the side without paying an entrance fee.(She wasn't impressed with the church).

The pickpockets in Rome hit a man not too far from where she was standing. The guy caught the kid's hand and ended up getting his wallet back. Everyone around them started cheering. She also said that when her dh bought some gelato and the clerk tried keeping his change.

Pocono

I thought I'd share a story. A good friend of ours has been to Rome numerous times. I think it's widely acknowledged that there is a pickpocket problem. He saw a lady walk up to a man and toss her infant to him. Of course, he did everything he could to catch the infant. While he was catching the baby and his hands were full, children were pickpocketing him.

I've heard from more than a few people that the key is to not make eye contact with people walking towards you, near you, or approaching you in any way. If you do, turn quickly and walk away. Anyone coming up to you randomly is doing so just to distract you.

BTW...We're taking cross packs, sister is taking a purse/backpack, and we've talked about using a twist tie or something like that (wire) to twist the zippers closed or together.

When we were in Milan, Florence, and Venice, we felt very safe, and never had a problem. While in crowded places, we did take precautions such as putting the crosspack, purse, bag, whatever; in front of my body with my hand on it. Sometimes I would even place the bag between my body and my husbands depending on where he was standing.

I think sometmes people get wow'd by the sites and forget to be careful about their "goodies".

 

[LegalBriefs]

We are flying on Delta from Atlanta to Barcelona. What time does your first flight arrive in Atlanta?

We get into Atlanta at 6pm, so we'll have 2 hours free before the flight... Dinner time?!

 

[sweetsue]

I met a lady yesterday who just got back from Holland America repo cruise. She met her daughter (college student studying in Rome) in Rome. Her cruise stopped in Barcelona. She loved the city! She advised NOT to use the on & off bus for touring because it was expensive and other cruise passengers had to wait over an hour for a bus which wasn't full. Instead of using the on/off bus this lady recommended using the local bus system. The local bus ran about 1.60 Euros. She also said that you can see inside the Gaudi church from the little chapel on the side without paying an entrance fee.(She wasn't impressed with the church).

Any chance you can get more info from her? A neighbor's daughter lived in Barcelona and she highly recommended the hop-on/hop-off bus. Her mother used it while she was in Barcelona and found it very good.
I'm wondering if maybe the problem was the stop at the port itself. Any way you can ask for details? Were the people waiting at all stops, or just the one by the port? Since we're staying in Barcelona, we could completely avoid the port stop if that's where the problem was.

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

I thought I'd share a story. A good friend of ours has been to Rome numerous times. I think it's widely acknowledged that there is a pickpocket problem. He saw a lady walk up to a man and toss her infant to him. Of course, he did everything he could to catch the infant. While he was catching the baby and his hands were full, children were pickpocketing him.

I've heard from more than a few people that the key is to not make eye contact with people walking towards you, near you, or approaching you in any way. If you do, turn quickly and walk away. Anyone coming up to you randomly is doing so just to distract you.

BTW...We're taking cross packs, sister is taking a purse/backpack, and we've talked about using a twist tie or something like that (wire) to twist the zippers closed or together.

When we were in Milan, Florence, and Venice, we felt very safe, and never had a problem. While in crowded places, we did take precautions such as putting the crosspack, purse, bag, whatever; in front of my body with my hand on it. Sometimes I would even place the bag between my body and my husbands depending on where he was standing.

I think sometmes people get wow'd by the sites and forget to be careful about their "goodies".

I bought a new D&B messenger-style purse. I love it! Still, I'm carrying a money belt with anything really important. The purse will go too - but just for the little bit of cash we need to carry each day. The rest (like passports, major cash, most credit cards, etc.) will sit in the safe or money belt while in transit.

I like Rick Steve's comment on pickpocketing in Barcelona. He said that any place there are tourists congregating - beware of pickpockets. "Stick your hands in your pockets before someone else does!"

Sue

 

[figment52]

Any chance you can get more info from her? A neighbor's daughter lived in Barcelona and she highly recommended the hop-on/hop-off bus. Her mother used it while she was in Barcelona and found it very good.
I'm wondering if maybe the problem was the stop at the port itself. Any way you can ask for details? Were the people waiting at all stops, or just the one by the port? Since we're staying in Barcelona, we could completely avoid the port stop if that's where the problem was.

Sue

Was the problem during the week or on a weekend?

 

[Hygiene99]

http://music.aol.com/video/this-aint-a-love-song/bon-jovi/1492693

 

[Arizona Rita]

Hi Everyone!! Does anyone know how the Disney transfers will work in Barcelona? Is there a desk or counter we're supposed to go to? Any help would be appreciated! TA!

 

[Scooby3x1y]

For those who are doing Florence this looks really cool! I've seen them all over D.C. http://www.italyguides.it/us/florence/tour_of_florence/informations.htm

Also, off this same site there are free audio tours. I've only seen them listed for Rome, Florence, possibly Palermo.

 

[Disneynut64]

Has anyone checked with dcl if the seating times for meals is going to change since many of the excursion are all day and don't return to dinner time. cindy

 

[winotracy]

Has anyone checked with dcl if the seating times for meals is going to change since many of the excursion are all day and don't return to dinner time. cindy

Yes, I believe this is covered in post 15. Late dining will be at 8:30 and I believe first seating will be at 6:00. No staggered dining times this time. That's the only changes.

 

[Disneynut64]

Yes, I believe this is covered in post 15. Late dining will be at 8:30 and I believe first seating will be at 6:00. No staggered dining times this time. That's the only changes.

thank you cindy

 

[poconoboatniks]

Any chance you can get more info from her? A neighbor's daughter lived in Barcelona and she highly recommended the hop-on/hop-off bus. Her mother used it while she was in Barcelona and found it very good.
I'm wondering if maybe the problem was the stop at the port itself. Any way you can ask for details? Were the people waiting at all stops, or just the one by the port? Since we're staying in Barcelona, we could completely avoid the port stop if that's where the problem was.

Sue

This lady was shopping in the store where I work part time and we started talking while her daughter was in the fitting room. I wish we had more time together. After she left, I still had a lot of questions for her. She said the crowded stop was at Gaudi's church. I'm not sure where that falls in the loop. She recommended riding the on/off bus for the whole loop before getting off. The only problem with doing that is that the loop takes a long time. She suggested going to the church by local bus and walking (a very long walk, but downhill) back. I don't know if this will be an option for us because my parents are in their 70's and we don't want to wear them out before the cruise begins. Maybe it was a big port day the day she was in Barcelona. Barcelona was a stop on her Holland American repo trip.

The daughter who lived in Rome for the past 4 months said there was quite a difference in her experience with the locals once the tourist season started. She said that we should be more aware than we are when in Manhattan. That's quite a warning, since we worked in Manhattan (dh still does) near tourist attractions (Rockefeller Center & South Street Seaport).

I hope that lady doesn't throw her baby at me because I'm a klutz and would end up dropping the kid.

 

[winotracy]

Hi Everyone!! Does anyone know how the Disney transfers will work in Barcelona? Is there a desk or counter we're supposed to go to? Any help would be appreciated! TA!

After you get out of customs, there will be a Disney representative waiting there with a sign.

Keep in mind that Disney does not have their own system in Barcelona for transfers. This is why they have been asking for your flight information. If you are using Disney transfers MAKE SURE THEY HAVE YOUR FLIGHT INFORMATION!!

This is the only way they will know that you are arriving at the airport. They will have personnel there when they know that people are coming in.

 

[icunurse_celeste]

For those who are doing Florence this looks really cool! I've seen them all over D.C. http://www.italyguides.it/us/florence/tour_of_florence/informations.htm

Also, off this same site there are free audio tours. I've only seen them listed for Rome, Florence, possibly Palermo.

I think they must have JUST started this- because I have been on their site many times- and have their audio guides. I don't remember seeing that before.

We are doing a segway tour of Barcelona at 11 am before we get on the ship.

 

[memarmay]

In response to the cost of things and the proper 'color' toga...Not only that, but we haven't even mentioned souveniers...or is it 'souvenears'?
sorry, just had to do it...it's 0645 and I'm just waking up!
We leave for BCN three weeks from today!!!!!!!!!

I would also like to rsvp for the fountains in BCN for 4...Raleigh, me, Allison and Lauren. Just a hint.....the 25th is our wedding anniversary. What a fun and demented group with which to spend it!! you're right up our alley...or stumbled into our gutter....whatever
Mari...SR#6632

 

[icunurse_celeste]

In regards to getting to the ship- I am probably going to try and take the bus to the center of town and then take a cab to my hotel. I have heard the bus is very reliable- and less than $5- then I am going to take a cab to my hotel. I believe the bus runs infront of all terminals every 15 minutes.

You can also get a transfer that you purchase online- where you share the van with others for about $23 USD per person.


If you don't have a ton of luggage- you might want to consider the bus or train system from the airport and save yourself a nice chunk of change.

 

[flrealtorgrl]

Ok, so I worked in the shop at the Marketplace at WDW last night. I noticed that a woman I was waiting on had a lime green paint chip tag on her purse. So, I asked her about it, she said she was a member of Disboards...and then I told her I just joined last week. It was awesome to meet someone who is a member and cool to notice the "markings". We started talking about cruising and of course I just about burst telling her where I was going in mere days. I just wanted to share this experience that even as a CM it's nice to feel the magic from others. Thank you!

 

[Scooby3x1y]

I think they must have JUST started this- because I have been on their site many times- and have their audio guides. I don't remember seeing that before.

We are doing a segway tour of Barcelona at 11 am before we get on the ship.

Too fun! What audio tours do you have? I'm willing to pay for a copy of anything that can be used on the trip. If anyone has one???