May 5, 2010 Magic of Barcelona

[disney-lover]

Just heard on the news that UK airspace will hopefully be opening in parts of the UK tomorrow morning so keeping everything crossed

 

[everafter1]

I agree, just have to keep our fingers crossed. I do think the first agent I spoke to this morning maybe got her volcano and pixie dust mixed up, but at least the second agent had plenty of pixie dust

I've also been looking into it and it does seem things are looking up, I just hope it stays that way. The only problem is that for everything positive I read, I see something negative, so who knows what to think? I'll just have to hope the postive ones are right

 

[Cruiser25]

Well now the volcano Helka just started erupting. This is what I feared.

 

[sabrecmc]

Looks like the EU is trying to get things back up and flying:

European transport officials have carved up the sky, creating three zones to break the flight deadlock caused by a cloud of volcanic ash flowing from Iceland over Europe.

France said Monday that European countries can resume airline traffic in designated "caution zones" where the threat of ash is considered less dangerous.

Under the accord, one area — defined by the European air traffic control agency Eurocontrol — will remain entirely off limits to flights. Another area will be open to all flights and a third area will be a caution zone in which some flights will be allowed.

Jean-Louis Borloo, the No. 2 French Cabinet official, says flights in the caution zone will be "very secure" with many tests on engines.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

PARIS (AP) — France says European countries can gradually resume air traffic in designated "caution zones."

The prime minister's office says France — after a meeting of European transport ministers — is among the European countries whose air space will be opened to some air travel under tight security precautions.

 

[disney-lover]

Well now the volcano Helka just started erupting. This is what I feared.

?????? How do you know that???? I've got the BBC new channel on and there's nothing on there about it

 

[everafter1]

?????? How do you know that???? I've got the BBC new channel on and there's nothing on there about it

I was just wondering the same thing, I just looked on every major news website and couldn't find anything.

Thanks for the information sabremc! I wonder which ones are open and which are caution zones. That is great to hear!

 

[Cruiser25]

?????? How do you know that???? I've got the BBC new channel on and there's nothing on there about it

I read the headline on msnbc.com. It was only a headline on their site. Here is another listing on it i found:

site not letting me post links, just do a google search for helka erupting

But now they are saying its a false alarm! thank god!!

 

[disney-lover]

I read the headline on msnbc.com. It was only a headline on their site. Here is another listing on it i found:

site not letting me post links, just do a google search for helka erupting

But now they are saying its a false alarm! thank god!!

Is this the link:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

For some reason my laptop isn't letting me open the article but just y reading the headline would make me think that it hasn't erupted yet but it could.

 

[Cruiser25]

yes, it was on their main page in big bold red letters. But it clearly said Helka began erupting.But being that it was a false alarm, they must have removed it. Let's just hope it doesn't trigger!

 

[Kaleigh]

Okay, so in order to direct our attention away from stupid volcanoes
, I propose a discussion on something much more relaxing.... drinks. I don't normally drink more than like 2 beverages a week, but with all of the options onboard, the no driving thing and it being a cruise, I am considering the libations. I know a lot of people in the US bring liquor etc on board, but heard from a friend that it isn't allowed in European cruises. Anyone know if that is true? I wouldn't mind buying some wine to drink in our room etc in Spain, Italy, France.
Also, does anyone know anything about 2 for 1 specials? I know they usually do them at CC, but obviously we won't be there.
Anyone planning a tasting? I saw some of the other boards are actually organizing meets at different tastings. Anyone interested in meeting me at the tequila/margarita tasting? (I think they are one sea days)
And, last but not least, can you use your own refillable mug at the beverage stations to bring back to your room?
Discuss!

 

[strawberryblonde]

OOOOOO!!! I'd love to switch to drink convo (volcano talk is just giving me an ulcer anyway....)

I believe you can fill your own mug, but it would depend on the "virus climate" on ship. If a bug is spreading around, things change, you stop being able to serve yourself from the buffet for one.

I would LOVE to do a martini tasting....yum! Margarita tasting would be my seond choice. I plan on going to the martini tasting if they have one on our cruise.

I would enjoy a two for one special, but most likely we will have to be content with "the drink of the day" specials....which are not bad. DCL tends to have reasonable drink prices.

I assumed we could bring alcohol onboard. I hope we can for the med. cruises. Does anyone know the final word on this? I'm not bringing anything onboard with me at the start, but thought we may pick up a bottle of wine or two in Italy

 

[strawberryblonde]

Oh talk about a comedy of errors! I ordered a pretty dress for semi formal night. It came from Hong Kong...that should have raised a red flag..but it looked really pretty. When it came it looked like the pic but it was so shiny! Shiny GOLD! Funny thing is it fits well and I have a pair of shoes that look great with it. But when I put it on I feel a bit like Tinkerbell! lol

This is my formal dress. I just decided on it a few days ago as I'm getting too stressed about shopping everyday!
http://www.grattan.co.uk/One-Should...rItem&Nu=P_MasterItem&Ns=P_Colour|0||P_Size|0

That dress is lovely! It should be in style for years too, looks classic to me. It also looks up to the minute in style because one shoulder is quite "hot" this season....great choice!

I think Tinkerbell sounds cute, fun and flirty, perfect for this cruise

 

[strawberryblonde]

I agree with the others, that's the best reason to take a dress back! I managed to find a dress and swim suit yesterday very onsale at Belk.

I envy you being able to shop off the rack and try things on....I've been doing online shopping, so I didn't even hazzard trying for swimsuits, I'll just have to settle for wearing one of my old suits. I wonder if it will be warm enough to swim for us?

 

[Goofy Mum]

Well my husband is getting the refillable beer mug and I plan on indulging on anything with an unbrella and/or chunky fruit in it!

 

[strawberryblonde]

The current conditions I believe will improve in time. I am more worried about further eruptions and more importantly sparking another volcano; Katla. The worry now is that the Eyjafjallajokull volcano may cause the Katla volcano to erupt. Scientists fear that a Katla eruption would be a much larger and much more dangerous eruption than Eyjafjallajokull was. The Katla volcano is sitting on a glacier that has much ice covering. The fear would be that an eruption at the Katla volcano would set about flooding as the massive glacier ice would melt from the heat of the volcano. The population around Eyjafjallajokull is sparse and evacuation took place easily. Another part of the fear of a Katla volcano eruption is that it has a much denser population and could incur more injuries or death. Volcanoes spark others and this is likely, just have to stay positive about all of this and take one day at a time. Hope for the best!

I agree with everything you say and it makes my stomach drop at the thought

 

[strawberryblonde]

Well my husband is getting the refillable beer mug and I plan on indulging on anything with an unbrella and/or chunky fruit in it!

Umbrella and fruit are a great sign! Fruity martinis are my new fav

 

[Goofy Mum]

Things ARE looking up!! (literally!)

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/loca...-as-volcanic-ash-cloud-clears-86081-26274146/

 

[sabrecmc]

That's great news, Goofy Mum! I saw something on the 4/24 thread about them opening Heathrow. I'm glad people are finally going to be able to get home. Hopefully, things will abate as time progresses and we won't have any more worries for our cruise. Get me across the Atlantic and I WILL be on that ship.

 

[everafter1]

LOVE the subject change! I could use a drink after talking to that DCL flight person this morning, lol! Great idea

I think you can still bring alcohol onboard from the ports. As far as I know (and I could be totally wrong) Disney is the only ship that allows this. I think the only time they won't let you have it directly is if you buy from the duty free liquor shop onboard, they won't give it to you until the final night of the cruise.

I agree, DCL usually has good drink specials. I usually just order the drink of the day and I always enjoy it. I think they do 2 for 1 specials in the afternoon... I want to say it was about 2 or 3pm. They also had specials on Bloody Marys and Mimosas before noon when we were laying out by the pool on our last cruise.

I would definitely be up for a tasting. I'm also interested in the martini or tequilla/margarita tasting

 

[everafter1]

On another note, about buying wine in port... I know I've seen special leak proof padded wine bags that are used for packing, does anyone know where to find these? I was thinking it might be nice to bring home a bottle of wine from Italy or France.

Also, I know there are duty free limits for carribean cruises (I think it's 1 liter per person), I'm guessing the same applys for the Med.