May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread

[jedijill]

Has anyone purchased the colosseum online tickets? (using the link on the cruise web)

Do I have to buy a ticket for my 3 years old boy?
How much is the ticket? 13,5 € per adult?
The web says "In case there is not an exhibition hosted inside the ticket price is 3 € less". How do I know if there is an exhibition on 20th may?

I'm a bit confused because I found webs where you can also buy tickets for the colosseum, but they are more expensive and valid only for a fixed hour.

Ok, here is where I bought mine.

http://www.ticketclic.it/Gb/HTML/musei/colosseo.cfm

I paid the 13,5 price (approx $18 US) I chose the print at home option. the ticket is good for two days and I just had to put in the day that we will be in Rome. This site does not show a discount if there is no exhibition...just says that the ticket includes the exhibition if one is scheduled.

HTh

Jill in CO

 

[abdmom]

Is there anyone besides me who is stressing about the volcano and cancelled flights? My flight goes through Charles de Gaulle - Paris on the 14th.

I have been looking at transatlantic cruises. There's a cruise on Crown Princess leaving Ft. Lauderdale on May 1. It gets into Barcelona on May 12. I wish I could book it - I'm living in a hotel as my house gets renovated anyway. But my daughter has a big competition that ends May 2. Unfortunately, the competition is more important than the trip.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

I'd be worried if I were on the 4-24 cruise. The airlines will adapt long before our mid May flight dates come around.

 

[aldapl]

Is there anyone besides me who is stressing about the volcano and cancelled flights? My flight goes through Charles de Gaulle - Paris on the 14th.

I have been looking at transatlantic cruises. There's a cruise on Crown Princess leaving Ft. Lauderdale on May 1. It gets into Barcelona on May 12. I wish I could book it - I'm living in a hotel as my house gets renovated anyway. But my daughter has a big competition that ends May 2. Unfortunately, the competition is more important than the trip.

I am stressing. We are flying through Paris as well on the 14th. What airline are you flying?

 

[rashdecision]

I'd be worried if I were on the 4-24 cruise. The airlines will adapt long before our mid May flight dates come around.

agreed. They are already resuming flights. It will take a couple of days to get their resources and planes out appropriately but we "should" be alright. My TA felt like we were in the good.

On another note. From the cruise critic boards, apparently Spain and Italy have significant pickpocket problems. I went online to Magellen's web site and bought a belt wallet for approx $15. Very cheap and it is basically a wallet that has loops that go around your belt then you tuck it into your pants. Its virtually impossible to steal. From what I have heard, the unemployment rate in Spain is close to 25% and theft is a common occurence. Still gonna love the stop in Spain but a little caution is probably a smart thing.

 

[k8e]

Is there anyone besides me who is stressing about the volcano and cancelled flights? My flight goes through Charles de Gaulle - Paris on the 14th.

I have been looking at transatlantic cruises. There's a cruise on Crown Princess leaving Ft. Lauderdale on May 1. It gets into Barcelona on May 12. I wish I could book it - I'm living in a hotel as my house gets renovated anyway. But my daughter has a big competition that ends May 2. Unfortunately, the competition is more important than the trip.

I'm trying not to stress too much about it. I'm thinking Jeff is right and they will find a way before we start leaving for the cruise. We are also flying through CDG in Paris (Detroit to Paris to Barcelona).

 

[abdmom]

I am stressing. We are flying through Paris as well on the 14th. What airline are you flying?

I'm flying Air France. I may see quite a few dis'rs on the flight from CDG to Barcelona, I hope.

 

[aldapl]

I'm flying Air France. I may see quite a few dis'rs on the flight from CDG to Barcelona, I hope.

We are on Air France as well, Miami-CDG-Barcelona. We leave on the 13th and connect through CDG on the 14th, on the 9:35 am flight to Barcelona.

 

[k8e]

I'm flying Air France. I may see quite a few dis'rs on the flight from CDG to Barcelona, I hope.

Which CDG to BCN flight on Air France on the 14th? We're on the one that leaves CDG at 12:55pm.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Wear them...just a way to recognize/get to know one another. If you'd like a lanyard/name card either post it here with the first names of those you'd like to have one and we'll also put your DIS name (dvcspain) on there or send ebony a PM.

Here's a picture of the lanyard/name card auntlynne sent me just so you get an idea of what we're talking about.

Hi all,

Checking back with the lanyard supplier (Kenny Products), I'm not comfortable with their ability to turn around the custom lanyards with the words screen printed on them. With their 10-12 business day lead time plus shipping, the lanyards wouldn't arrive until the week we depart. Additionally, having them printed increases the cost from $0.36/ea to $1.75 each. I think the badge cards themselves are the coolest part anyway. I've ordered a cold laminator to laminate the cards so they don't smudge when put into the card holders.

 

[sayhello]

Hi all,

Checking back with the lanyard supplier (Kenny Products), I'm not comfortable with their ability to turn around the custom lanyards with the words screen printed on them. With their 10-12 business day lead time plus shipping, the lanyards wouldn't arrive until the week we depart. Additionally, having them printed increases the cost from $0.36/ea to $1.75 each. I think the badge cards themselves are the coolest part anyway. I've ordered a cold laminator to laminate the cards so they don't smudge when put into the card holders.

Jeff, I that's A-OK with me! I agree the badge itself is what counts. The custom screenprinting is cool, but not at the expense of getting them! I'm glad for whatever I get.

Is there anyone besides me who is stressing about the volcano and cancelled flights? My flight goes through Charles de Gaulle - Paris on the 14th.

I have been looking at transatlantic cruises. There's a cruise on Crown Princess leaving Ft. Lauderdale on May 1. It gets into Barcelona on May 12. I wish I could book it - I'm living in a hotel as my house gets renovated anyway. But my daughter has a big competition that ends May 2. Unfortunately, the competition is more important than the trip.

I'm keeping an eye on it -- but not stressing. I really think the only way we'd be affected is if the volcano erupts again... but natural disasters can happen at any time. You just have to deal. Fortunately, I'm flying through Madrid. I feel very lucky about that now...

I'm trying not to stress too much about it. I'm thinking Jeff is right and they will find a way before we start leaving for the cruise. We are also flying through CDG in Paris (Detroit to Paris to Barcelona).

3 1/2 weeks is a long time. If they don't figure this out by then, there's bigger problems than just us missing our cruise...

agreed. They are already resuming flights. It will take a couple of days to get their resources and planes out appropriately but we "should" be alright. My TA felt like we were in the good.

On another note. From the cruise critic boards, apparently Spain and Italy have significant pickpocket problems. I went online to Magellen's web site and bought a belt wallet for approx $15. Very cheap and it is basically a wallet that has loops that go around your belt then you tuck it into your pants. Its virtually impossible to steal. From what I have heard, the unemployment rate in Spain is close to 25% and theft is a common occurence. Still gonna love the stop in Spain but a little caution is probably a smart thing.

Yes, pickpocketing has been a problem for a while in Barcelona, but your best defense is to be aware. The belt wallet is a great idea. Just be very careful when you pull it out to get money out of it. I've got a pacsafe travel purse that is slashproof & has clasps on the zippers. And I can wear it cross-body. There's only so much you can do. Being aware is the best defense.

I'd be worried if I were on the 4-24 cruise. The airlines will adapt long before our mid May flight dates come around.

I agree. I *do* feel so very sorry for the folks on the 4-24 cruise. I think the uncertainty would kill me!

Sayhello

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Estimates in the media are that Euro airlines are losing $200 million a DAY. Worldwide impacts are in the $billion/day range so it's not going to be long before something is worked out. The reality is that the politicians are looking for cover right now and with the jet engine manufacturers specifying ZERO allowable ash tolerance for their engines, there is no wiggle room. Now we know that jet engine manufacturers test their engines for debris tolerance. So the pressure is going to be on the engine manufacturers to come out with some tolerance greater than zero for atmospheric ash. To do that, they'll mandate that the engines be inspected much more frequently than they would otherwise be inspected. The airlines will scream and stamp their feet but they really have no choice. They will turn around to the politicians and add the extra inspection expense onto the volcano reimbursement package they're already working on.

There is talk in the media too about the effect of the ash on the airframe of the jets - that's not nearly the worry of engines. Worst case, you have to repaint the leading edge surfaces as they could get a little grit blasting. Could cause crew windows to craze a little faster. Might have to inspect and lube the control surfaces more frequently too.

 

[KDavies29]

Hi All,

Our Rome tour is now full.

I am so happy about this board. What an easy way to arrange private tours. I do not know how this would have been possible for us otherwise.

If any of you are interested in the sailboat excursion in Malta that AlohaJoe23 is arranging, we are booked on that and I believe he only needs a few more to bring the cost way down (around $50 for a 4 hour morning excursion 9 to 1)
The sailboat is very beautiful.

Happy Planning!
Kim

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Hi All,

If any of you are interested in the sailboat excursion in Malta that AlohaJoe23 is arranging, we are booked on that and I believe he only needs a few more to bring the cost way down (around $50 for a 4 hour morning excursion 9 to 1)
The sailboat is very beautiful.

Never mind. Got the info on the boat from AlohaJoe23.

 

[moneyhappy]

agreed. They are already resuming flights. It will take a couple of days to get their resources and planes out appropriately but we "should" be alright. My TA felt like we were in the good.

On another note. From the cruise critic boards, apparently Spain and Italy have significant pickpocket problems. I went online to Magellen's web site and bought a belt wallet for approx $15. Very cheap and it is basically a wallet that has loops that go around your belt then you tuck it into your pants. Its virtually impossible to steal. From what I have heard, the unemployment rate in Spain is close to 25% and theft is a common occurence. Still gonna love the stop in Spain but a little caution is probably a smart thing.

We also bought some pacsafe bags and socks with zippered pockets. I should hope I would notice someone touching my leg to get to the socks

 

[jedijill]

Today's Drink of the Day

The Flaming Volcano

May the ash settle and let everyone get to the ship on time!

Jill in CO

 

[peterpanstout]

I have been refreshing Lufthansa's web page every hour or so checking on DH's flight status.

Lufthansa has started operating againLast update: April 19th, 19:30 UTC (21:30 german local time)

Lufthansa will operate its long-haul flights immediately.

This evening (April, 19th) all long-haul flights except for a few exceptions as well as some intra-european and domestic flights will take place. On Tuesday (April, 20th) all long distance flights are expected to be operated on schedule. In addition on Tuesday morning single domestic flights will take place. At present all other domestic and intra-european flights until 18:00 UTC are cancelled.

During Tuesday Lufthansa plans to expand its flight plan gradually.

 

[jubes]

Is there anyone besides me who is stressing about the volcano and cancelled flights? My flight goes through Charles de Gaulle - Paris on the 14th.

I have been looking at transatlantic cruises. There's a cruise on Crown Princess leaving Ft. Lauderdale on May 1. It gets into Barcelona on May 12. I wish I could book it - I'm living in a hotel as my house gets renovated anyway. But my daughter has a big competition that ends May 2. Unfortunately, the competition is more important than the trip.

I am also flying in to Charles de Gaulle on the 14th, I am definately stressing. We will be so dissapointed if we can't make it on this trip!

 

[jubes]

I'd be worried if I were on the 4-24 cruise. The airlines will adapt long before our mid May flight dates come around.

I really hope that you are right!!!

 

[AlohaJoe23]

AlohaJoe23, does pidgin count as a second language.

I think its a second language. I took my daughter into an ER earlier this year. We were talking to a Traveler (RN) from the mainland. And she was telling of her early experiences in the islands. The first night working on the islands she was all alone in the ER in Wahiawa. The Dr. told her to get some shishi from a patient in one of the beds. She spent the next 15 minutes trying to figure out what that was. She was thinking it was an medical abbreviation for something.

Do you think the waiters will understand at dinner when we tell them we are all pau?

AlohaJoe23