*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* From Spain to Space Mountain - Part 4

[karentan]

thanks, we've switched our palo reservation to 8pm, want the option of watching the early show if we want to.

also does anyone have the link to any of the EBTA navigators from this year?

 

[karentan]

also just booked the jet ski for both of us on castaway cay, and the parasailing for me

 

[MandyGirl]

I've booked the Virgin Gorda tour for now but may cancel it, we can't make our mind up between that & the Jost Van D one.

When you guys make up your mind, just let me know. We have two on the JVD standby list for your spots if you end up going to Virgin Gorda!

 

[squitty]

also just booked the jet ski for both of us on castaway cay, and the parasailing for me

I was looking at the Jet Ski one too....you are brave karen to do the parasailing I have not got the bottle.

 

[Pinky166]

When you guys make up your mind, just let me know. We have two on the JVD standby list for your spots if you end up going to Virgin Gorda!

I will definitely let you know Mandy.

 

[karentan]

I was looking at the Jet Ski one too....you are brave karen to do the parasailing I have not got the bottle.

we did the jet ski thing last time and it was great fun, and i've always wanted to try parasailing

 

[csgraves]

Just emailed the company about reservations for canyoning in Madeira...website shows a minimum of 4 are required for the 60 euro each price.

Anyone else looking to book? Here is the link: http://www.madeira-adventure-kingdom.com/en/reservations.html

They responded that they will pick up customers at the cruise port, so no issues with transportation to and from the event.

Sounds like fun!

Connie

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Okay, now I'm getting super worried - this is my first time trying to do this whole booking reservations thing and I really don't have a clue.

We can't book anything until June 27th - at this rate, will there be anything left?

Our friends (one of whom is our TA) have given us money for going to Palo, and I really wanted to be able to go for a special dinner for our anniversary. Ideally, I'd like to go more than once! (my husband and I don't get out much together). But what if we can't get a booking at all?

So how do I do this? Do I get the TA to do it, or do I have to sign in to the Disney website myself?



Also, is it particularly harder to get Palo bookings for formal night? It would be nice to go out in nice clothes without worrying what the kids are doing (I know I need to make nursery bookings for our wee one as well - why is this stressing me out so much??? What if I can't get her into the nursery on the night I need?)

Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated - I'm just worried we won't get any special nights out because we're first-timers, and this is the only holiday I'm getting this year.

Thanks everyone

We are 1st timers also and also cannot book until the 27th. I am getting very worried after reading all these posts that we won't be able to enjoy Palo!

 

[granmaz]

We are 1st timers also and also cannot book until the 27th. I am getting very worried after reading all these posts that we won't be able to enjoy Palo!

But, we also have all been saying that even if the online reservations are all full, you will get one once onboard, so please don't worry. However, I think there will still be dinner reservations available online for you.

 

[Pinky166]

But, we also have all been saying that even if the online reservations are all full, you will get one once onboard, so please don't worry. However, I think there will still be dinner reservations available online for you.

I totally agree with Marilyn, please don't worry!!!!

I just checked 5 mins ago & only two sea days (Days 4 & 6) have no brunch slots available, all other sea days do.

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

I am thinking I am going to need to put a spreadsheet together to map all of this out - what's going on what day (formal nights, excursions, times in/out of port) - so we can know what to book and when!

We have to wait until the 27th - too. Can anyone tell us what, if anything, is completely booked up in regard to excursions?

 

[GatorMomInNC]

But, we also have all been saying that even if the online reservations are all full, you will get one once onboard, so please don't worry. However, I think there will still be dinner reservations available online for you.

Yes, thanks for the reassurance. I posted that as soon as I saw the other poster, then I read 4 more pages of the thread (this thread grows faster than kudzu!) and am feeling better that we will be able to get something once we are on board in not on the 27th.

Since we get in late afternoon on Friday, I am considering doing a 4 hour taxi tour of Barcelona on Saturday. I hate to go all the way to Barcelona and not see any of it. I was thinking from about 9:30am-1:30pm, arriving at the port about 1:30pm to board. I am considering using Barcelona Day Tours. It is costly, about 280 Euros for the 4 of us, but again, I would like to see some of Barcelona since we have gone all that distance.

From what I've seen on this thread, it looks like you are assigned a time to arrive at the port to board? Can I just get there at 1:30 regardless if I am assigned an earlier time? Is that too late to board in anyone's opinion?

 

[granmaz]

I so agree that it would be a shame to go all that way to Barcelona and not see some of it. It is a great place.

When you eventually have completed your online check in, they put up a list of times for you to choose to arrive at the port. It does appear you can just arrive anytime though.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Yes, thanks for the reassurance. I posted that as soon as I saw the other poster, then I read 4 more pages of the thread (this thread grows faster than kudzu!) and am feeling better that we will be able to get something once we are on board in not on the 27th.

Since we get in late afternoon on Friday, I am considering doing a 4 hour taxi tour of Barcelona on Saturday. I hate to go all the way to Barcelona and not see any of it. I was thinking from about 9:30am-1:30pm, arriving at the port about 1:30pm to board. I am considering using Barcelona Day Tours. It is costly, about 280 Euros for the 4 of us, but again, I would like to see some of Barcelona since we have gone all that distance.

From what I've seen on this thread, it looks like you are assigned a time to arrive at the port to board? Can I just get there at 1:30 regardless if I am assigned an earlier time? Is that too late to board in anyone's opinion?

Sounds pretty high those €280 for just 4 hours. I'ld email a couple of taxi-companies if I were you to see what their hourly rate is. Should be doable to do it for less than €70,- an hour. (That's even more expensive than the hourly rate here and it's a lot more expensive to use cabs here than in the Med. area). Benefit would be a total freedom so you could linger somewhere longer if desired or hit something else if it turns out a bum to your family.



As far as excursions go; I'm planning on doing a taxitour on St. Maarten. Not booking anything beforehand, can easily be arranged at the port for cheaper. Just asked my friend what she paid for her tour in 2009. They ended up with 4 people sharing the cab and while she can't remember the exact price, she does remember it was not even close to €20,- for the tour she took (spent a few hours discovering the island). I'm planning on a bit of sightseeing of both the more touristy and less known things and grab a bite to eat, perhaps do some shopping? If anybody wants to join me, let me know. It's affordable enough to do solo but if there are others that want to tag along and cut costs; feel free to join.

 

[squitty]

I am thinking I am going to need to put a spreadsheet together to map all of this out - what's going on what day (formal nights, excursions, times in/out of port) - so we can know what to book and when!

We have to wait until the 27th - too. Can anyone tell us what, if anything, is completely booked up in regard to excursions?

I think that's a good idea about the spreadsheet. It will save you getting confused and missing out on things.

As of now the following excursions are not available
12 Metre Regatta - St Maarten
Sea Trek Helmet Dive - St Maarten
Seaworld Explorer - St Maarten
Cabana's - Castaway Cay
That's all I can see.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

I just switched hotels to the Renaissance at the airport. I can use points for some of the stay and I figure we are just going to want to crash when we get in on Friday anyway. Can I change this on the WBTA website?

Next thing on my list is the Fish Extenders. I would like to join in on this, but I am not crafty and don't want to have to make anything. Can you buy FE somewhere? I understand that you buy gifts for everyone to put in their FE's, and I can either bring a bunch of small gifts or try and purchase them in Barcelona, but I'm not sure where to get the actual FE.

 

[Disneynut64]

just found out the trip we had planned for st maarten is fully booked, not sure what to do now, whats everyone elses plans to give us some idea's lol,

We have used Bernard tours in the past on St martin he is awesome!!!

 

[Disneynut64]

We're doing this: http://www.captainalan.com/challenge/index.htm We went with Captain Alan last year and had a BLAST! It was so fun and definately a good option if you want a good time.

They can arrange pick up from the port and it was a totally stressfree day. They've got rave reviews on TripAdvisor too.

Hope you find something!
Dawn x

Do you mind sharing what this excursion cost and do you have to have a group already or do they put you together to make a group?

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

Do you mind sharing what this excursion cost and do you have to have a group already or do they put you together to make a group?

Just checked out their website - this looks like a good option. You could do this trip and be done by 12:45 and still have time to go to Maho beach to watch the planes...

Edit: I would be willing to contact them to get more info if interested. It looks like their boats hold 14 people and it is $69 US per person with an additional $12 pp for the transportation to/from the port.

Captain Alan Booking Info

 

[squitty]

For those of us staying at the Renaissance Barcelona Airport

Is anybody interested in maybe sharing a shuttle to the port? Just throwing this idea around, nothing set in stone yet.

I know they have a free shuttle (if you've booked the pre cruise package) but they don't start running till 11am and then every hour on the hour afterwards.

I think we have 6 people already interested - anyone else?