*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* - From Spain to Space Mountain - Part 5

[Chris&Jeremy]

For those of youlooking for double walled insulated tumblers to keep drinks cold, QVC has 4 for $19 today.

Today's special value

Chris

 

[lovingthemouse]

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[lovingthemouse]

Thanks Chris- saw them this morning but, due to the server problems here, could not get on the DIS boards to mention it - glad you saw it too. Definitely got mine.

 

[Donaldcp98]

With all the talk of sea sickness medicine I wanted to mention something that *Flower*'s husband told me last year when we were considering getting dramamine and the like. (And he would know having been in the Navy) Most of those sea sickness medicines you need take before you get on the ship and have to continue taking until you get off. They will have no effect whatsoever once you get sick. So be careful and check with your pharmacist to make sure you get the right medicine that will actually help you out. I would hate for anybody to have to spend the money on the medicine to find out it didn't help at all. Also keep in mind that you can get sea sickness pills from guest services and the infirmary on the ship. Just an FYI.

 

[Pinky166]

After a bit of research by a pharmacist last year, we found that TRAVELeeze(spelt like that) has Meclizine in which is what Bonine has. Works for me.

Thanks Marilyn, i'll look for those too.

With all the talk of sea sickness medicine I wanted to mention something that *Flower*'s husband told me last year when we were considering getting dramamine and the like. (And he would know having been in the Navy) Most of those sea sickness medicines you need take before you get on the ship and have to continue taking until you get off. They will have no effect whatsoever once you get sick. So be careful and check with your pharmacist to make sure you get the right medicine that will actually help you out. I would hate for anybody to have to spend the money on the medicine to find out it didn't help at all. Also keep in mind that you can get sea sickness pills from guest services and the infirmary on the ship. Just an FYI.

Thanks for the info. I am planning to take them before & during the cruise.

 

[granmaz]

Thanks Marilyn, i'll look for those too.

Well I have used Bonine successfully and panicked last year when I didn't have any and was leaving from Barcelona rather than the US so wanted the same if possible. I think you get confident in something and that also helps how things go.

 

[sue l]

For those of youlooking for double walled insulated tumblers to keep drinks cold, QVC has 4 for $19 today.

Today's special value

Chris

I found a website that personalizes them with diffrent color polka dots. It is www.etsy.com. They were $14.00, but so cute. I will be alternating them with the Mickey ones Tod & Copper got me at Disney. It is a two week cruise after all. I like variety.

 

[Beauty & the Best]

Sounds fun Liz, I will look out for your door.

I think i've just about finished my magnets,if I do anymore & they probably won't fit on the door.

I've just about got them finished - I'm not doing too many, but enough to make an impact. I only bought 3 magnet papers and ran out, so I need to get some more today.

Claire, I would like to RSVP for the SM Reveal and Farewell Lunch. Let me know if I should send you a PM in addition.

Is there something we could release into the air or throw off the upper deck of the ship that wouldn't be ecologically harmful? Someway to represent each of the people that died that day?

I'm pretty sure its a big no-no to throw anything off of a cruise ship, no matter what it is. Maybe bubbles could be a better option?

 

[poohluv2u]

OK, this sounds like a trip report!!! I loved everything we did but was not a big fan of the lower Ramblas other than the Boqueria. Once down was enough. My personal don't misses are Sagrada (at least the outside), Casa Mila, Park Guell, Picasso museum, and find some good paella and sangria!

Wow, thanks for all the info

Go on Friday instead of thursday - The 8th is some kind of pilgrimage day apparently. Take the train (I think it's R5) from Placa de Espana. When you buy your ticket tell them whether you want cable car or Funiculair. They are at different stops.

Will definitely go on Friday then .. thanks

We have a request w/ BarcelonaDayTours.com for September 9 for their Montserrat and Cava full day tour. It is a small group tour w/ 5-12 persons for 8 hours-79euros. I am waiting on a confirmation since they have to have the minimum for the small group tour. Check it out on their website and join my husband and me on this tour.

We will look into that.

The FE Sign-Up is Now Closed!​

​

Thanks for working on this Pat .. you are awesome

Here are some of the souvenirs in a gift shop near Park Guell in Barcelona:

I think the yellow posts have climbing frogs:

Okay, not the best (they're from the top deck of the HOHO bus); but the idea is they have a lot of gifts that are done in the mosaic tile style of Antonin Gaudi.

If you have any sports fans (especially soccer), the Football Club Barcelona shirts were widely available.

Thanks for the pictures Lynne, I love those little houses with the tile on it and definitely see those on my shopping list.

I would say that he church is worth it. It is one of the most unique Church's I have seen to date. You should also get the combo ticket to climb up the tower, it is really neat. You take an elevator up and then climb down. When we cruised in May, we went there before getting on the cruise on a Sunday morning...we go there at 0900 and only had to wait in a short line for tickets. We spent about 2 hours there. The line got really really long right after we got our tickets and the tour buses started showing up, so I say go early! Amanda

Thanks Amanda, I'm glad the walk is down the stairs, saves energy on all the walking we plan for that day

I would definitely visit the Sagrada Familia and the Gaudi buildings as the architecture is breath-taking. We were limited on time so we just saw them from the outside. Also if you can find time for a wander around the Gothic Quarter as that definitely captures the atmosphere of the city ... Barcelona Cathedral is also stunning.

This year we are only there for one afternoon and I hope to get to Parc Guell in the afternoon and then wander the Gothic Quarter in the evening after the Hard Rock Cafe get-together.

Thanks Sarah, I really want to get to the Barcelona Cathedral. I was looking on TripAdvisor at going to Costa Brava and they said you had been there. I don't know how they know that?? Did you take a tour there or go exploring on your own?

You must see Parc Guell and Casa Mila both Gaudi.
And go up the Montjuich bij cable car. We walked down.

You can buy a ticket for the hop on-hop of bus. Then you came to all the interesting places. You can also go by metro, and by a 10T+ tickets. It's much cheaper, but you have to found out by yourself and more to walk.
You can also look at this site. It gives lot of information
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/

Thanks Liesbeth, Parc Guell is definitely on the list

 

[poohluv2u]

With all the talk of sea sickness medicine I wanted to mention something that *Flower*'s husband told me last year when we were considering getting dramamine and the like. (And he would know having been in the Navy) Most of those sea sickness medicines you need take before you get on the ship and have to continue taking until you get off. They will have no effect whatsoever once you get sick. So be careful and check with your pharmacist to make sure you get the right medicine that will actually help you out. I would hate for anybody to have to spend the money on the medicine to find out it didn't help at all. Also keep in mind that you can get sea sickness pills from guest services and the infirmary on the ship. Just an FYI.

We don't know if we get seasick or not, as we've not wanted to take a chance that one minute of our cruise is spent being unwell. Starting the night before cruising, we use the one a day Bonine. By taking it at night before going to bed, any drowsiness that may occur is slept off. We've never had a single problem

 

[Donaldcp98]

We booked the New Orleans-Barcelona leg of this cruise before they changed the itinerary. We are debating whether or not to add on the Dubai and Singapore legs. The price is very tempting.

Ok. So give me details on this cruise!!! There is no way that my boss would let me off for 42 days but i know a couple people would be interested!!

 

[hazelandannie]

I'm pretty sure its a big no-no to throw anything off of a cruise ship, no matter what it is. Maybe bubbles could be a better option?[/QUOTE]


Don't go buying bubbles lady's as I might have a little something up my sleeve

Hazel

 

[nick262]

You can do either tour and still be back in time to do the tour at Old Blandy's. You can let me know after the Aug 14th as I will accept more persons on the tour until August 27.

If you meet us there at 4:30 PM, I can not guarantee you will be on the same tour as those on the West Madeira tour as Eusébia will be ensuring our tour members will tour together.

Thank you for the information. I will keep it in mind.

 

[sue l]

I'm pretty sure its a big no-no to throw anything off of a cruise ship, no matter what it is. Maybe bubbles could be a better option?

Don't go buying bubbles lady's as I might have a little something up my sleeve

Hazel[/QUOTE]

Please let me know where the meet is. Being from New Jersey, it really hit home for us.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

I continue to obsess over my (lack of) room assignment!!!

I just posted a poll on the main forum page (I guess you have to start a new thread to do a poll, you can't do one in the middle of an existing thread). Please visit and vote!

 

[karentan]

for people who have done funchal on their own before (not on a tour), is there much within walking distance from the port? anything you suggest doing that doesnt involve a tour or a taxi? leaning towards a bit of freestyle touring...

 

[amackay]

Can anyone in the UK recommend any particular brand of seasickness tablets? I don't think we can get Bonine over here?

I'm hoping we won't need them but though it better to be prepared.

We purchased Bonine when were were in Orlando in May, however on our last 2 cruises there was a big box of sea sickness tablets outside the sick bay on deck 1.

 

[Schmendrick54]

Ok. So give me details on this cruise!!! There is no way that my boss would let me off for 42 days but i know a couple people would be interested!!

We booked the Voyager of the Seas from New Orleans to Barcelona next April. The current price for an inside cabin is $639 (we paid a little less since they had a sale a month or two ago) for 16 days starting on April 14, 2012.

RCCL changed the plans after that (it was going to do Mediterranean cruises during the summer, but now it is going to sail out of Shanghai, China next July.

They recently put the repositioning cruises on sale. Today their website says $799 for the 15 day cruise from Barcelona to Dubai, and $689 for the 11-day trip from Dubai to Singapore. Put them all together and you get 42 days for $2127 each for an inside. As a past cruiser and over 55 I think I can get it for a little less, but I did not log in to check. If you decide to go for it, let me know. I will look for you on the TA leg, at least.

Regards,
jerry

 

[cliffy97]

for people who have done funchal on their own before (not on a tour), is there much within walking distance from the port? anything you suggest doing that doesnt involve a tour or a taxi? leaning towards a bit of freestyle touring...

Karen - We did this in Jan. The wak to the start of town which you can see from the ship is about a 20 min walk and to the cable cars which I believe is the far edge of town is about a 30 min walk.

There is a garden area that is pretty cool and shopping and eating available.

We spent about 4 hours on shore and really enjoyed it. Also there is free wifi all around town and you can gte it from the where the ship docks as well.

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Can anyone in the UK recommend any particular brand of seasickness tablets? I don't think we can get Bonine over here?

I'm hoping we won't need them but though it better to be prepared.

They do have the meclizine tablets on board .. the ones they give out always work for me and I only usually take one on the first day at sea, after that I find my sea-legs and am OK.

Thanks Sarah, I really want to get to the Barcelona Cathedral. I was looking on TripAdvisor at going to Costa Brava and they said you had been there. I don't know how they know that?? Did you take a tour there or go exploring on your own?

I was about 9 years old when I went to Costa Brava and I don't really remember too much about it ... sorry. I know we did a donkey ride in the hills somewhere and thats about it.

for people who have done funchal on their own before (not on a tour), is there much within walking distance from the port? anything you suggest doing that doesnt involve a tour or a taxi? leaning towards a bit of freestyle touring...

Last time we just got off the ship and walked ... it is about 15 mins ish into the main town, but it is an easy walk. There is a long promenade there. There is an old town area, which pavement cafes etc which is quite nice. Last time we took the cable car up to Monte and did the touristy toboggan thing and then walked down ... nice walk really but quite steep in places ... took about 45 mins. We never really found the main town / shopping area last time.