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

[squitty]

I'm still waiting to hear back about the Champagne Girls too....don't they know we have plans to make!

I know Claire - where are they? Do they not know we are at 30 days. We NEED to know - I'm stressing LOL's

 

[csgraves]

Is your hotel near the airport or near the main Plaza Cataluyna? There is an airport bus that is only 6 Euros and runs every 10 minutes or so from the airport to the downtown main Plaza. We have taken it before and plan to take it again. If your hotel is not on this route, then a taxi would fine I would assume.

Amanda

We are booked at the Hilton Diagonal Mar. I expect that we will have 2 large and 2 small pieces of luggage, so I wasn't going to attempt to muscle it onto a bus...hoping the taxi will work!

 

[Dgentrysim]

Just a update on the drinks tastings (mixology & mojito):

I have been trying to get in touch with the DCL CM to organize the Mixology and Mojito tastings, I have emailed and called and left a message.
Fingers crossed she will get back soon and we will know for sure about the tastings.

Thanks Michelle!

 

[Dgentrysim]

Tripadvisor seems to recommend the Barcelona taxis instead of booking with a private shuttle. What do all of the experienced cruisers say to that? The common thought is that private is 3 times as expensive and the taxis are just as good.

We arrive at 07:35 on Sept. 9th and will be plenty tired...but don't relish the idea of spending extra money on a shuttle. Not really interested in touring or anything at that time, just want to get to the hotel and get checked in when we can.

Thanks everyone!
Connie

Connie.....I'm with you! We don't arrive til 10:30 am on Friday. Not sure whether to take taxis of shuttle. If anyone arrives at the same time and interested in getting a taxi, our hotel is just off Las Ramblas. Would be interested in sharing a taxi.

 

[cliffy97]

Linked Dining

Just a small reminder that linked dining will close at MIDNIGHT Pacific Time TONIGHT

Please forward me the following details if you want to link up:

Real Name
Res Number
Early or Late


Thanks Dan

 

[GA-yaya]

We are booked at the Hilton Diagonal Mar. I expect that we will have 2 large and 2 small pieces of luggage, so I wasn't going to attempt to muscle it onto a bus...hoping the taxi will work!

We stayed at the Diagonal Mar last year for the Med cruise and took a taxi from the airport and also to the cruise - it worked out perfectly. We traveled with 2 carry-ons, 1 hanging bag, a laptop bag and my purse - didn't want to attempt the bus with that.
We are staying there again for the WB cruise and are planning to take a taxi again. We'll probably be carrying an additional hanging bag - so no way do I want to try the bus or Metro!

 

[Fontabel]

We are booked at the Hilton Diagonal Mar. I expect that we will have 2 large and 2 small pieces of luggage, so I wasn't going to attempt to muscle it onto a bus...hoping the taxi will work!

Taxi would be fine, but FWIW, the bus has nice big luggage racks, it is not a just a city bus. We took it on our last cruise and we had two big pieces and one small one. It only makes four stops, so its not as much work as it might sound and at that time of morning you might have a bus all to yourself, luggage wise.

Just my two cents.

Amanda

 

[squitty]

Ok, the lady has got back to me...she must of heard the stress and panic in my voice...lol's

This is the important part of the email

We do not have anything confirmed yet. Still waiting on approval from the ship.
I need a name list with room numbers.
It's ok for those that have not been assigned rooms yet. I can look them up later.
Take care,

So I am going to look at my lists and contact all of you that have not given me your full names & cabin numbers for those that have been lucky enough to know them

 

[LindaBabe]

London Riots

This is exactly what I have feared would one day happen in the USA. As the poor stay or get poorer and don't know how to get out of their situation and lose hope of/never have the dream of life getting better, they would lash out at those who have anything more. Not saying it's right or that they can't work to improve their lot, they just don't know how (or are too lazy). Reminds me of the movie I re-watched the other day, The Children of Men, when there are no more babies being born. No children, no hope for the future. Chaos.

It concerns me too, as the wealthy grab more and more of the wealth and there are fewer and fewer well paying jobs.

Lots of poor folks in the last century lifted themselves up through unskilled factory jobs that paid well and grew skills. Now those jobs are in China and other countries.

I think he can handle it. We've got one other, so that would be a table of 7; I think this will be nice. We can play 6 degrees of separation from HappyGoofy.

DCL will figure it out. We're on the linked dining list.

 

[3canadianslovedisney]

While I was teaching full-time, I saw that a lot. Granted, not many students love math, but I heard every excuse in the book of why an assignment was not complete, why a book was left at home, why a student did not bring a pencil to class, why a student was caught red-handed cheating on a test... but very rarely was it the student's fault. Parents continuously had an excuse, and almost never had the student be responsible. Lots of articles on "helicopter parents", even to the point now where college professors receive emails from parents about why their child's test grade was such-and-such... right after the student has texted their parent during class The generation today is exempt from personal responsibility, largely due to enablers. Just my personal opinion... but when you mentioned "personal responsibility", I am right there with ya, sister!

And now I feel like my grandparents... when I was in school, I worked 40+ hours a week, paid for it all on my own, and certainly never had my parents contact my professors on my behalf. If I left my lunch at home, I went without lunch. If I forgot a pencil, I got demerits. I just hope I can raise my children to be responsible, caring contributors to society. Not "entitled" to anything.

Okay - soapbox over.

That is so true! We are trying to do the same thing with our daughter. It's good to work hard and feel like you have accomplished and earned the things you have, not just be handed things all the time!

My first job out of college was working at a fairly elite (read expensive) private university. I was there for 5 years. Now mind you, when I started there I was only 23, so I was barely older than some of these students.

But I would listen like a fly on the wall to some of these conversations they would have: "I worked hard and only got a B, so my mom called the professor and chewed him out." Huh?! Not only is that just crazy to me, but as an adult (as these students are!), I would have been mortified if mommy called my teacher!

My favorite one was this - now at this university, it was around $45k per year tuition and room and board at the time. These were some families with money! I heard MULTIPLE times that they and their parents called teachers and administrators and told them that their kid was going to get an A because they paid for it! Apparently when you pay that much to go to school the good grades should just come with the receipt or something.

I also heard of some alumni parents threatening to pull back their donations to the school if the professor did not rethink Johnny's grade.

This was a completely foreign concept to me - and like I said, it's not like there was 20 years difference in age between me and these kids - it was at most FIVE! I don't understand how attitudes could shift that much in that short of an amount of time, so I'm chalking it up to them being spoiled rich kids. And maybe the fact that I went to a state school??

That place got to be too much for me - these elitist kids with the entitlement attitude were just too much! It was like they should be rewarded just for showing up!

I feel like I sound like I'm seventy years old, but this was just nuts!

Oh wow! That is just like here! Only it is expected that the student's or their parents will pay for their grades. This is why there is such terrible health care and why education doesn't mean as much here. It is so sad to me to hear that it is happening in North America too.

I'm so saddened by the rioting, and those girls' attitude about looting local businesses, is just downright shocking.

My mother, who was also a daycare provider for most of my childhood, always insisted that the children say 'please' and 'thank-you'. It sounds like such a simple concept, but it goes much deeper than just the words. Saying 'please' teaches children that they are not 'entitled' and 'thank you' likewise teaches gratitude for whatever is given.

DH and I always use these words and people have commented to us 'you guys are so polite to each other' and giggle at it. To us, it shows respect for each other, and shows that we do not take anything the other does for granted.

Ever seen Nanny 911? Those kids are so out of control, and time after time they show that when the parents start to teach manners, that things run smoother. Here's a quote from one of the nannies:



Ok, stepping off my soapbox now

I agree 100%. Our DD is always thankful for any gifts that she get, even if it is a note book and a pen! It always makes me proud of her when she is so genuinely pleased with even little things.

 

[PFlamingo]

London Riots

This is exactly what I have feared would one day happen in the USA. As the poor stay or get poorer and don't know how to get out of their situation and lose hope of/never have the dream of life getting better, they would lash out at those who have anything more. Not saying it's right or that they can't work to improve their lot, they just don't know how (or are too lazy).

Reminds me of the movie I re-watched the other day, The Children of Men, when there are no more babies being born. No children, no hope for the future. Chaos.

At the risk of bringing the wrath of the masses down on my "bleeding heart liberal" self...

On NPR today, they were discussing this - how the economy in England is so bad, and the "austerity" measures that are being imposed - there are no jobs, so they really can't work for what they want. Not that rioting and stealing is the answer - it's not. No way. Never, ever, ever.

But these aren't people who had good jobs and overspent, or spoiled rich kids who think they deserve even more. (I've worked with/taught both - they have nothing to complain about.) These people have no jobs and the social programs that were in place to help them have been/are being cut.

So combine young and immature (and yes, probably raised w/o much discipline or direction) with frustration over lack of jobs, and it's a powder keg. Are they taking it out in the wrong way (violently) on the wrong people (small businesses, average working people)? Absolutely. Our US economy is terrible - finding a full-time job, even a minimum wage one, is tough - but England's is even worse.

Doesn't make any of this right. But to solve the problem, it helps to understand where it's coming from. "Quit whining and get a job," doesn't really help if there are no jobs. imho.

Okay, off to my part-time, not-even-minimum-wage-some-nights-but-at-least-I'm-working job. Will be back later with my flame-proof jammies on.

 

[m_kasch]

Got my documents yesterday!! And also my shirt for Mickey Mouse Club night!!

I finally was able to buy my ticket for La Sagrada Familia today also, so I can go to the good line, instead of waiting.

For my flight, I have a 8.5 hour layover in London...i've never flown internationally before, does anyone know if they will check my bag through to BCN? It was booked as one flight, and both legs are on British Airways.

Also, anyone that's done a TA before...how is the cell service on the crossing? Will I be able to get a text? My sister is going to find out if she is pregnant sometime AFTER we leave Madeira (of course) and I really, really can't wait to find out!! If texting won't work, what would you suggest as the best way for a quick yes or no...maybe email?

I can't believe in one month, we will be sailing!!!

 

[MandyGirl]

My first job out of college was working at a fairly elite (read expensive) private university. I was there for 5 years. Now mind you, when I started there I was only 23, so I was barely older than some of these students.

And it happens now... even at the K-12 level. Parents getting in an uproar because Susie made an 88 for the report card, her first B ever, YOU have RUINED her life. Etc. The first year I taught, I had just turned 21 that summer (did the 3-year undergrad plan and a summer birthday) and literally had THREE students who were TWENTY! They were seniors who could not pass the state exit exam, and Texas doesn't kick you out of school until you turn 21. Other classes I had the third-time freshmen taking Algebra I a third time... at age 17. I had to grow up QUICK! But luckily, my years at that school went well and I was able to get most of the students successfully past whatever was holding up their education plan.

You know.....soapbox was kind of fun.....very theraputic even! lol

Just a update on the drinks tastings (mixology & mojito):

I have been trying to get in touch with the DCL CM to organize the Mixology and Mojito tastings, I have emailed and called and left a message.
Fingers crossed she will get back soon and we will know for sure about the tastings.

THank you for all your work with that!

Is your hotel near the airport or near the main Plaza Cataluyna? There is an airport bus that is only 6 Euros and runs every 10 minutes or so from the airport to the downtown main Plaza. We have taken it before and plan to take it again. If your hotel is not on this route, then a taxi would fine I would assume.

Amanda

That's my plan - the airport bus. It may be me and the two girls and luggage, but I have told myself I've done it before with Amtrak and two metro trains... plus kids and luggage... and survived.

Ok, stepping off my soapbox now

Good one as well!

This is my observation on the cruises I've taken with DCL, not specifically the WBTA (haven't done WBTA before, just EB with you) - that DCL is not a late night party ship. There are those little pockets of activity in the bars and occasional late activities, but mostly a go-to-bed by midnight crowd.

Whew!

Okay, off to my part-time, not-even-minimum-wage-some-nights-but-at-least-I'm-working job. Will be back later with my flame-proof jammies on.

No flame-proof jammies needed here, Pat!

 

[Pinky166]

Ok, the lady has got back to me...she must of heard the stress and panic in my voice...lol's

This is the important part of the email


So I am going to look at my lists and contact all of you that have not given me your full names & cabin numbers for those that have been lucky enough to know them

It's good that you got a response, was it Dorothy? I've still not heard anything.

Got my documents yesterday!! And also my shirt for Mickey Mouse Club night!!

I finally was able to buy my ticket for La Sagrada Familia today also, so I can go to the good line, instead of waiting.

For my flight, I have a 8.5 hour layover in London...i've never flown internationally before, does anyone know if they will check my bag through to BCN? It was booked as one flight, and both legs are on British Airways.

Also, anyone that's done a TA before...how is the cell service on the crossing? Will I be able to get a text? My sister is going to find out if she is pregnant sometime AFTER we leave Madeira (of course) and I really, really can't wait to find out!! If texting won't work, what would you suggest as the best way for a quick yes or no...maybe email?

I can't believe in one month, we will be sailing!!!

Yes they will check your bag through to BA. For peace of mind though always double check with the person at the check in desk.

Can I ask where did you book your La Sagrada Familia tickets? I didn;t realise you could book them in advance.

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

For my flight, I have a 8.5 hour layover in London...i've never flown internationally before, does anyone know if they will check my bag through to BCN? It was booked as one flight, and both legs are on British Airways.

I am not 100% sure but I believe as long as your flights are on the same airline and the ticket is all booked as one PNR, you will claim your bags in Barcelona. This is just a layover, not a stopover.

As I understand it, you should not have to claim them in London, go through customs and recheck them through to BCN.

But again, I'm not an expert - I just play one on TV.

 

[Pinky166]

Doesn't make any of this right. But to solve the problem, it helps to understand where it's coming from. "Quit whining and get a job," doesn't really help if there are no jobs. imho.

Okay, off to my part-time, not-even-minimum-wage-some-nights-but-at-least-I'm-working job. Will be back later with my flame-proof jammies on.

No flaming here.

I just wanted to point out (as I don't know how much coverage/facts you guys are getting on your news stations) that the first two people who were up in court today over the riots were an 11 year old boy and the other was a Primary school worker!!!

 

[auntlynne]

Unfortunately, the Hilton Diagonal Mar is not conveniently located near the Aerobus or the airport train stops. They could take either of those but would then have to find a taxi. Also, the roads from the airport straight to the hotel are less likely to have the waits in traffic (more $$) than if they combined aerobus + taxi.

A little more money, perhaps, but as Suzy Ormon would say, "Approved."

 

[binkytell]

for all those in group one -palo brunch confirmed for 13th September at 10.30am : ))

 

[poohluv2u]

for all those in group one -palo brunch confirmed for 13th September at 10.30am : ))

Our ressie is for 11.30 that day, maybe we'll see you guys in the buffet line

 

[Pinky166]

for all those in group one -palo brunch confirmed for 13th September at 10.30am : ))

Thats great news for you guys.