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

[GatorMomInNC]

We have the the 2 yo with us so we really were just planning on driving around to see the sites and maybe jump out every now and then to take some pics. That way we can say we were there and such. The only place I wanted to get out and let Lorelei run around for a few minutes is Park Guell. We just wanted to see most of the sites since we probably won't make it back. We would definitely be ok with a stop at the liquer store. So let me know if that works for you guys. If you'd rather go by yourselves then that's fine too.

It sounds like we are interested in basically the same things. So are there three of you in your party? I have an email into Barcelona Day Tours about car seats, I will ask them when they respond if they can take 7 and what the cost would be.

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Pat and Sarah - I've booked horseriding in St maarten for myself and dd beth, beth takes lessons but she promises me it's easy ; )) I've never been riding ever, just off to bed, will post website tomoro x x

Thanks ..... I am debating whether to do it on Madeira or on St Maarten, but I need to persuade DH that it is a good idea first. It would more than be likely be Madeira though, as we have plans to go to Maho in St Maarten.

I was thinking the same thing don't tell Ed

I don't think I would be complaining too much either !!

Hi All, just got back from a 3 day weekend in Montreal attending the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix. Had a great time watching the drivers doing their practice and qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday (in the dry) and then seeing the drivers parade this morning followed by the race itself this afternoon. Unfortunately the heavens decided to open today, which meant that the cars were led by the safety car on a fairly frequent basis (no overtaking permitted when this happens) and then 45 mins in to the race, they stopped it as there was too much water on the track and visibility was very poor when driving at such high speeds. After braving sitting in the nearly torrential rain for another 45 mins, and with no end in sight, we decided to call it quits as we had to catch our train back to Ottawa, and with the stoppage, we knew we couldn't watch the rest of the race once it resumed and make our train (the last one of the day from Montreal). Silly us had booked the train thinking that it would be a nice hot sunny day on June 12 and as such the race would be over with 3 hours for us to get from our seats at the trackside to the train station; little did we know that we would end up only seeing half of the race and getting soaked to the skin waiting for it to resume! When we did reach the train station, with our shoes squelching and both of us completely soaked through, we realized that we had time to spare to have a quick bite to eat and were thrilled to find that the TV in the dining area was tuned to the Grand Prix, which had just resumed. So luckily we got to see the 2nd half of the race before boarding our train and it was doubly nice to see Brit, Jensen Button from the West Country (both DH and I are from that part of England too) come through on the very last lap and win the race! .

While in Montreal I did manage to log onto DCL's Web site at the stroke of midnight on June 12, and was able to book brunch for the 2nd Sunday (18th) and dinner for the 13th. I had hoped that some spaces would have been available to Silver members for the 12 metre regatta, as that was the only DCL excursion we were interested in, but that wasn't the case and was showing as not available. We had also wanted to have high tea, but couldn't snag a spot. Oh well, 2 out of 4 isn't too bad.

Glad to see that most of the other Silver DISers managed to either get all or most of what you wanted

Hi Lorraine ... glad you had a great time at the Grand Prix

We are brunching on the 18th too. Good that you managed to get some of what you wanted if not all.

 

[auntlynne]

...

I'm sorry for being stressed - I just have so much pinned on this holiday. After so much saving and waiting and planning, I'm really ready to just let it happen. But I just don't want to mess it up by not being prepared.

If you remember your bathing suit and your passport, you're more than half-way prepared. Honestly, you could just get on the ship without all this pre-planning and still have an excellent vacation. We're here just keeping the excitement going even longer than the 2 weeks onboard.

... I answered your question. We are staying there and will share a taxi with you guys. It will need a lot of space for luggage.

Sticking my nose in: when you say "taxi," I hope you are thinking van. They have small vehicles for taxies; no minivans in their taxi lines.

Thanks ..... I am debating whether to do it on Madeira or on St Maarten, but I need to persuade DH that it is a good idea first. It would more than be likely be Madeira though, as we have plans to go to Maho in St Maarten. ...

How about a morning ride along the beach in the Caribbean and then an afternoon plane viewing (that's when they come in)?


Just some thoughts as I read along.

Oh, and I have Cabana #19 (Serenity Bay)

 

[karentan]

Don't stress. We have Palo booked on the second formal night at 8pm, if you don't get a booking you are welcome to have ours. We are already doing tea and brunch which is what I truly wanted ... and dinner was just an after thought. I can also change the time if that doesn't work out for you.

we'll see you or seraphine there then! we're booked in for 8pm on formal night 2 too

Pat and Sarah - I've booked horseriding in St maarten for myself and dd beth, beth takes lessons but she promises me it's easy ; )) I've never been riding ever, just off to bed, will post website tomoro x x

who did you book it through? i really need to get round to booking that!

I know!!!!! I get the feeling the man never wears a shirt! We did a mud bath and it was hysterical - his lovely tan skin versus our pale glow-in-the-dark Scottish complexions! It's like we'd never been out in the sunshine before.

gary's the same, he always jokes that he goes from pale to blue to red and back to white...... never tans

What, ask the professionals... interesting idea.

had to happen eventually! thats normally the last person to ask!

I need to go to bed! I had to stay up to watch King LeBron LOSE!!! (sorry if there are any Miami fans out there, nothing against Miami in general)

I had a band concert tonight, and it was freezing! I was surprised haw many people came out to watch us in the cold!!

I would be intersted in doing a tour in St Marteen, I want to see some of the island plus the planes, but dont really want to go around alone...

me and gary will be doing the horseriding then maho beach if you wanna come

Thanks ..... I am debating whether to do it on Madeira or on St Maarten, but I need to persuade DH that it is a good idea first. It would more than be likely be Madeira though, as we have plans to go to Maho in St Maarten. .

we're planning on doing the horseriding and maho on st maarten, the deciding factor for us is that you can take the horses swimming on st maarten.

 

[Pinky166]

(sigh) lots of brunches left, but no one to share with as my DH is not cruising and my DS is too young.

Anyone want to join me for brunch one day? I hate to take up a 2 top table for just one!

Keri

Keri/Karen

Mary (M_Kasch) posted several pages ago that she was looking at going to Palo's on her own, maybe you two could go together?

Don't stress. We have Palo booked on the second formal night at 8pm, if you don't get a booking you are welcome to have ours. We are already doing tea and brunch which is what I truly wanted ... and dinner was just an after thought. I can also change the time if that doesn't work out for you.

Really?? That would be so fantastic of you! I'm really overcome at the thought someone would do that for a stranger

(the time is even perfect - we always eat late)

Let's see how I get on the 27th, and if I can get a booking, and if not, I'll let you know. Thank you so much!!

This is why I LOVE the DIS...

Such a lovely thing to do Karen.

Oh, I thought you were hiring a driver, too. Hmm, that Harley rental is starting to look pretty good right now. Wonder if they have helmet laws there. Does anyone know if driving on St. Maarten is as crazy as say, Nassau or Jamaica?

Mary's husband (Stevie) has kindly offered to drive, they were going to hire a car anyway so just changed it to a minivan & added 6 more passengers.

We will all watch out for you bombing around on your Harley.

Dawn - I think I would like capt alan to teach me to snorkel please : ))) lol

Oh, yes, please - me too! Even though I'm already scuba certified.

And me!!!!! That photo was a nice little surprise to wake up to this morning.

I have no problem mailing to the UK or anywhere else in the world. Just PM me with an address for mailing and your child's favorite character and I'll be happy to be the "fairy godmailer."

Keri

Awww that is very kind of you.

We are watching Ricky Gervais doing standup on HBO right now - we never knew how hilarious he is!

I love Ricky Gervais. Have you seen the series called "Extra's"? Mind you it might not translate very well as it is taking the mickey out of some famous people in the UK.

2. Pre-cruise activity/Palo booking opens at midnight EST?

4. Is 3.5/4 hours enough time to do Harry Potter? I would pretty much ignore anything else there is, just want to see Harry's world.

THANK YOU!!!!

2. Yes

4. Are you going on the morning we disembark? It maybe busier as it's a Saturday but I think it will be do-able. My advice would be get there as close to park opening as possible and run blinkered straight through to the Forbidden Journey, it's easy to stop and take photos & take it all in etc but go back & do that after the main ride! Enjoy, it is very well done!

 

[granmaz]

Hi All, just got back from a 3 day weekend in Montreal attending the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix. Had a great time watching the drivers doing their practice and qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday (in the dry) and then seeing the drivers parade this morning followed by the race itself this afternoon. Unfortunately the heavens decided to open today, which meant that the cars were led by the safety car on a fairly frequent basis (no overtaking permitted when this happens) and then 45 mins in to the race, they stopped it as there was too much water on the track and visibility was very poor when driving at such high speeds. After braving sitting in the nearly torrential rain for another 45 mins, and with no end in sight, we decided to call it quits as we had to catch our train back to Ottawa, and with the stoppage, we knew we couldn't watch the rest of the race once it resumed and make our train (the last one of the day from Montreal). Silly us had booked the train thinking that it would be a nice hot sunny day on June 12 and as such the race would be over with 3 hours for us to get from our seats at the trackside to the train station; little did we know that we would end up only seeing half of the race and getting soaked to the skin waiting for it to resume! When we did reach the train station, with our shoes squelching and both of us completely soaked through, we realized that we had time to spare to have a quick bite to eat and were thrilled to find that the TV in the dining area was tuned to the Grand Prix, which had just resumed. So luckily we got to see the 2nd half of the race before boarding our train and it was doubly nice to see Brit, Jensen Button from the West Country (both DH and I are from that part of England too) come through on the very last lap and win the race! .

While in Montreal I did manage to log onto DCL's Web site at the stroke of midnight on June 12, and was able to book brunch for the 2nd Sunday (18th) and dinner for the 13th. I had hoped that some spaces would have been available to Silver members for the 12 metre regatta, as that was the only DCL excursion we were interested in, but that wasn't the case and was showing as not available. We had also wanted to have high tea, but couldn't snag a spot. Oh well, 2 out of 4 isn't too bad.

Glad to see that most of the other Silver DISers managed to either get all or most of what you wanted

We were watching the Grand prix from the comfort of our living room, but i did give up and go to bed before the end as it was going on for ever. Wow that rain was terrible and such a shame for everyone. Slightly boring with the safety car out too!! Woke up this morning to John telling me Button had won, so he must have done really well as he was nowhere when I left.

I bet the experience of being there was great though, at least before the rain. Sorry you had to leave early.

 

[squitty]

We are watching Ricky Gervais doing standup on HBO right now - we never knew how hilarious he is!

If you think he's funny doing stand up - you should see him being a 'pop star' This was way before he was in the Office etc.

Hi All, just got back from a 3 day weekend in Montreal attending the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix. Had a great time watching the drivers doing their practice and qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday (in the dry) and then seeing the drivers parade this morning followed by the race itself this afternoon. Unfortunately the heavens decided to open today, which meant that the cars were led by the safety car on a fairly frequent basis (no overtaking permitted when this happens) and then 45 mins in to the race, they stopped it as there was too much water on the track and visibility was very poor when driving at such high speeds. After braving sitting in the nearly torrential rain for another 45 mins, and with no end in sight, we decided to call it quits as we had to catch our train back to Ottawa, and with the stoppage, we knew we couldn't watch the rest of the race once it resumed and make our train (the last one of the day from Montreal). Silly us had booked the train thinking that it would be a nice hot sunny day on June 12 and as such the race would be over with 3 hours for us to get from our seats at the trackside to the train station; little did we know that we would end up only seeing half of the race and getting soaked to the skin waiting for it to resume! When we did reach the train station, with our shoes squelching and both of us completely soaked through, we realized that we had time to spare to have a quick bite to eat and were thrilled to find that the TV in the dining area was tuned to the Grand Prix, which had just resumed. So luckily we got to see the 2nd half of the race before boarding our train and it was doubly nice to see Brit, Jensen Button from the West Country (both DH and I are from that part of England too) come through on the very last lap and win the race! .

While in Montreal I did manage to log onto DCL's Web site at the stroke of midnight on June 12, and was able to book brunch for the 2nd Sunday (18th) and dinner for the 13th. I had hoped that some spaces would have been available to Silver members for the 12 metre regatta, as that was the only DCL excursion we were interested in, but that wasn't the case and was showing as not available. We had also wanted to have high tea, but couldn't snag a spot. Oh well, 2 out of 4 isn't too bad.

Glad to see that most of the other Silver DISers managed to either get all or most of what you wanted

Welcome home Lorraine.

We were watching the race - well the weather I am so pleased Jensen won too

 

[Pinky166]

Noel - Just checking as I can't remember if you've already said you will add this to the DIS Navigator.
I am putting a white board on my door (6507) so people who get upgrades / change of room etc can leave a message to let those delivering exchanges/gifts know. I will also have some spare print outs of the FE & Scrapbook exchange incase anyone forgets/loses it. (Full details on the first page). Thanks.

 

[Seraphine]

I've been deliberating about a dress for formal night. I don't have a very big picture of it, but it's a red ballgown on Ebay and I keep coming back to it... is it too much for a cruise?

I keep thinking how I just love dressing up, and get so few chances during the year to do it. I've been thinking about it all week, and am pretty sure of the fit (I don't mind having it altered if needed).

So, yea or nea... too much, or seeing as it's Disney it would be fine?

 

[squitty]

Car Hire pick up from the Port

How does everyone do this?

I was just thinking about letting DH go off and pick the hire car up from Budget while I waited for him at the cruise terminal.
But I can't for the life of me remember if I have to be there with him if I want to be a named driver.

 

[squitty]

I've been deliberating about a dress for formal night. I don't have a very big picture of it, but it's a red ballgown on Ebay and I keep coming back to it... is it too much for a cruise?

I keep thinking how I just love dressing up, and get so few chances during the year to do it. I've been thinking about it all week, and am pretty sure of the fit (I don't mind having it altered if needed).

So, yea or nea... too much, or seeing as it's Disney it would be fine?

That looks lovely Dawn

I would've loved to be able to wear something like that. I couldn't though as I have to think about the luggage allowance.

 

[Seraphine]

That looks lovely Dawn

I would've loved to be able to wear something like that. I couldn't though as I have to think about the luggage allowance.

I'm a bit concerned about the luggage allowance too, but my kids clothes are pretty light, and as Eilidh finally gets her own seat on the plane we've got a bit more space to play with. Plus, Disney has washing machines! (RCI didn't, and it was a huge pain in the bum to try to bring enough clothes for a family for 4 for 12 nights)

I'm thinking I'm just going to go for it, space be damned. I'll leave other things behind

 

[Pinky166]

I've been deliberating about a dress for formal night. I don't have a very big picture of it, but it's a red ballgown on Ebay and I keep coming back to it... is it too much for a cruise?

I keep thinking how I just love dressing up, and get so few chances during the year to do it. I've been thinking about it all week, and am pretty sure of the fit (I don't mind having it altered if needed).

So, yea or nea... too much, or seeing as it's Disney it would be fine?

That's lovely Dawn, if you've got the space then go for it.

I would love to wear something like that.

 

[granmaz]

I've been deliberating about a dress for formal night. I don't have a very big picture of it, but it's a red ballgown on Ebay and I keep coming back to it... is it too much for a cruise?

I keep thinking how I just love dressing up, and get so few chances during the year to do it. I've been thinking about it all week, and am pretty sure of the fit (I don't mind having it altered if needed).

So, yea or nea... too much, or seeing as it's Disney it would be fine?

That is beautiful and I don't think it is too much at all. You will look stunning.

 

[binkytell]

I have no problem mailing to the UK or anywhere else in the world. Just PM me with an address for mailing and your child's favorite character and I'll be happy to be the "fairy godmailer."

Keri

aw thank you so much my dd will love it, will send pm

I've been deliberating about a dress for formal night. I don't have a very big picture of it, but it's a red ballgown on Ebay and I keep coming back to it... is it too much for a cruise?

I keep thinking how I just love dressing up, and get so few chances during the year to do it. I've been thinking about it all week, and am pretty sure of the fit (I don't mind having it altered if needed).

So, yea or nea... too much, or seeing as it's Disney it would be fine?

its a yea from me, its beautiful i feel the same dawn, not that much opportunity for dressing up so im going all out

do you have anything for kids yet??

 

[binkytell]

Thanks ..... I am debating whether to do it on Madeira or on St Maarten, but I need to persuade DH that it is a good idea first. It would more than be likely be Madeira though, as we have plans to go to Maho in St Maarten. .

who did you book it through? i really need to get round to booking that!


me and gary will be doing the horseriding then maho beach if you wanna come

we're planning on doing the horseriding and maho on st maarten, the deciding factor for us is that you can take the horses swimming on st maarten.

we booked through stmaartencruiseexcursions.com for 1 hour ride, dont think my butt could take any longer even though there is enough cushioning
thats why we picked this one too karen to take horses into water!!

we get picked up at 8.20am, i wanted early ride so we can get over to maho beach too, if there is a few of us doing same time maybe we could organise transport to maho beach after??

 

[liesbeth1012]

I wouldn't read on either my iPad or my computer but I am completely hooked on my Kindle. It is a very different experience and much easier to read in the sunlight that a regular book. Plus at night, I have a book light connected to it which makes reading in bed easier.

I concur with Noel. I too have an iPad and, while I occassionally enjoy "secretly" reading at night under the covers so as not to wake DH, I adore my Nook. The e-ink reading is far better than the iPad...particularly in sunlight!

Keri

I'll be bringing mine along. I'm with you on carrying an entire library with me, especially for two weeks. Especially with all those sea days and all that glorious free time to read!

I know some of my books are marked "share," but as I don't know anyone else with a Nook, I haven't tried it. I also have an aversion to reading instruction manuals, so I have no idea how that works.

For the Nook-users; you can exchange books with whomever you decide. You just need access to Calibre, a simple piece of software that can convert any type of ebook to any other type of ebook (read; whatever the ereader accepts).

As I'm taking along my netbook and planning on having a copy of calibre on there anyway; feel free to hunt me down if you want something converted and don't have access to calibre. I tend to let convertions run overnight as it isn't bothering me one bit and dozens of books can take too long to wait for it. I can copy books from ereader to my netbook in a couple of minutes, which could be done while waiting for it. Loading the books could als be done while waiting for it, allthough that can take a bit longer for many books (like 5 minutes for a few dozen?). Those that wouldn't feel comfy with hooking up their reader to my netbook (which would be needed to copy books off of it and putting others back on); you can also use a USB-stick if having access to a laptop or not desiring to read the added books during the cruise.


Seeing how ereading is getting more and more popular, I plan on informing with guest services if ereading is done by any of the CM's. For me it only takes running the netbook overnight and a USB-stick to hand them a copy of the books I've got in all possible filetypes and if ereading is done aboard, I could imagine it's a nice addition to the onboard digital library.

Hi,
I have only an iPad. I have a lot of dutch books on it. My son takes his laptop, and iPad with him, but he doesn't read much. The problem with the iPad is that you have to synchonise it with your own computer, so I can't transfer books on the cruise.
I have Kindle on my iPad(but not using it), but I read trough iBooks and Bluefire. But your right about the sunlight. I will see how I manage that.
What is Nook for an e-reader. I know the be-book and sony. But I haven't got a e-reader. Perhabs I have to look for an (cheap) e-reader too.

 

[WilliamK99]

Thought I would share a funny story after reading the comments about being prepared. My wife worked for like 2 weeks before our cruise last year, ensuring we had everything packed, she unpacked and repacked multiple times to ensure we had everything. Well first night, I took a shower to freshen up, checked the bags and lo and behold, I had no drawers. In all of her packing/unpacking she accidently removed them and never put them back. Needless to say Disney made a fortune on their 20 dollar boxers in the gift shop last year.

As a side note, when we returned, all of my drawers were waiting patiently for me on our bed...

So there is a chance you could overprepare lol....

 

[squitty]

Thought I would share a funny story after reading the comments about being prepared. My wife worked for like 2 weeks before our cruise last year, ensuring we had everything packed, she unpacked and repacked multiple times to ensure we had everything. Well first night, I took a shower to freshen up, checked the bags and lo and behold, I had no drawers. In all of her packing/unpacking she accidently removed them and never put them back. Needless to say Disney made a fortune on their 20 dollar boxers in the gift shop last year.

As a side note, when we returned, all of my drawers were waiting patiently for me on our bed...

So there is a chance you could overprepare lol....

Thanks for sharing.

 

[liesbeth1012]

All of this talk about on-line reservations and activities, and just about every other subject, I have more questions. I think its the duty of first time cruisers to ask as many questions that have been answered too many times before. So....

1. How do pre-cruise transfers work? I'm arriving on the 8th. Is it a transfer from the airport to my hotel, or from my hotel to the port?

2. Pre-cruise activity/Palo booking opens at midnight EST?

3. Getting kicked off at the end: I have Early Dining, so what time will I be booted off the ship? And, then what time will I be dropped off at the airport (doing Disney transfer on that end too)?

4. Is 3.5/4 hours enough time to do Harry Potter? I would pretty much ignore anything else there is, just want to see Harry's world.

THANK YOU!!!!

Hello, I am also such a first cruiser.
We have no pre cruise transfer booked. We have a hotel near the Rambla in Barcelona and at the statue of Columbus is a bus stop that brings you to the ships in the port. So we'll take that.
After the cruise we have a transfer booked by DCL to our hotel in WDW.
But I also want to know how that goes.
We have the late diner, but I guess there are more people that are having the transfer to WDW. Are they going disembark at the same time. And how does that get with the customer, it's our first time we going to the us.
We have the esta, but you have to have make fingerprints etc.
I know it's at the end of the cruise, so we have plenty of time to find out, but we want as soon as possible to get to WDW then.

And you are going to Harry Potter I guess. i am jalous, but we do it not this time. I has to wait till we can come back to Florida some time? I hope it will come to Europe.