*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* - From Spain to Space Mountain - Part 6

[MandyGirl]

Great recap Lynne

Ditto!! Love it, Lynne!

We are on American. There are other routings to get us there (via London or Madrid if need be) - but I just have a feeling that being on miles tickets means we are lowest on the totem pole to get rerouted if we had to be.

I hope not. Of course, we are talking about the airline that did a plane swap in June for our flight into New York, and when reseating the girls and I, put my five year old five seats away and my 15 month old eleven rows behind us. At least we were able to get the little one and I seated together when I saw a seat pop up that was not 'preferred'. Umm.... I prefer to sit next to my baby? Just hope seats don't change again before we leave - I keep checking them to make sure!

 

[dylan'smom]

I wonder how much draft beer is. I assumed botles were in the $3.50 range, not over $4.

And wow, sparkling wine is steep!

I think the sparkling wine is pretty steep too!!! I plan to pick up a couple bottles of Cava in Barcelona at the market... 6 euros for Freixenet as I recall, nice local one, & have RS bring a tub of ice for you & glasses. The terminal has a cava too, but 10 euros...still okay....

Great recap Lynne
.....

Absolutely!!! I especially like the 'phone tree' & 'community chest' touches!

I tried to resist chiming in with another MIL story, but my will power is weak. At my wedding reception, during the photographer shoot, the bride and groom posed with everyone. Attendants, whole family, bride's family, groom's family. When we were getting together with the groom's family, my brand-new MIL pushed me aside and said, "This is just for family." Let's just say, it was the start of a long, strained relationship. The only reason my marriage survived was that we moved 600 miles away soon after.....

Ouch. I think this is the "best" story yet...you must have wondered at that moment if you had made the wisest choice in families to join!
Good for you to hang in there...and move far away.

I never really got to know my MIL because she lived across the country & then passed soon after were were married. My mom is a great MIL I think, but I may be slightly prejudiced....lol


.

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

Ditto!! Love it, Lynne!



I hope not. Of course, we are talking about the airline that did a plane swap in June for our flight into New York, and when reseating the girls and I, put my five year old five seats away and my 15 month old eleven rows behind us. At least we were able to get the little one and I seated together when I saw a seat pop up that was not 'preferred'. Umm.... I prefer to sit next to my baby? Just hope seats don't change again before we leave - I keep checking them to make sure!

Wow, you're not going to let that one die, huh? Sounds like me - I have an elephant's memory and I don't let people forget it.

 

[Seraphine]

copied this for you from Easyjet web site - Ryanair are even worse..

You can take one piece of hand baggage into the cabin with you; maximum dimensions are 56 x 45 x 25cm. Hand bags, briefcases, laptops and laptop bags are all counted as one piece so if you have a hand bag and a laptop bag for example, you might want to consider putting one inside the other. Remember to plan your hand and hold baggage in advance though; if you bring too many items of hand baggage to the check-in desk, staff there will insist that they be booked into the hold; you’ll be charged £25 per item, as we will have higher handling costs if we register your hold bag only at the airport. If you checked in online and bypassed check-in and you arrive at the boarding gate with too many items of hand baggage, there’s a charge of £40 per item if we need to book them into the hold at this stage. We charge this high fee to avoid delays at the boarding gate and ensure a smooth boarding process.

Yeah, sure that's why they charge this high fee... I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with the airline owner being a pocket lining money-grubber.

No, I'm sure it's not that.

(guess who we're flying with... I'm starting to regret this!)

 

[liesbeth1012]

Maybe they won't assign our rooms - they will just give us a list and then release us at one time to run and grab whichever one we can get - sort of like the land rush in the West 100+ years ago. Whoever gets there first gets the room.

...One nice thing is that the rooms pretty much all look alike (except for the 3 types of Concierge suites). There are only 2 furniture layouts, all the furniture and linens are the same; then there's the difference of a window or verandah (or neither) and single or split bathrooms. And they are all the same size.

Now I have an Oceanview Guaranteed, so I know my bed with be nearer the door than the window and I will be looking at the side of the bed (not the foot or the sitting area) when I walk in. The sofa will be perpendicular to the window. This cabin type also has a split bathroom, so I'll have 2 sinks for me! I guess I'll put all my toothbrush and makeup in the one without the toilet.

Have you decided if you and Paul are having the main bed split into two twins or letting him sleep on the back of the sofa (it folds down into a single bed). When you meet your stateroom host, let him know which is your preference (if it's not already set up the way you want it).

I can see it all those runing people and then fighting for the same cabin.!!
And Paul has decided that he sleeps on the sofa. He heard that it is a good bed and we have a curtain between us. And then I have the grand bed. We shall tell the stateroom host. By the way we have a verandahcabin, so Paul can see the sea from his bed as we get a transparant verandah

ok with all this talk of packing, i'm wondering if i'm the only one (or are there others like me) who won't start packing til the 8th, possibly the 9th?

I am sorting things, but the packing is still on the last day. My son is coming on wensdayevening, and we leave on thursday in the afternoon. So packing for him is on the morning we leave.
I had to wash and iron before that.

 

[LindaBabe]

I tried to resist chiming in with another MIL story, but my will power is weak.

At my wedding reception, during the photographer shoot, the bride and groom posed with everyone. Attendants, whole family, bride's family, groom's family. When we were getting together with the groom's family, my brand-new MIL pushed me aside and said, "This is just for family." Let's just say, it was the start of a long, strained relationship. The only reason my marriage survived was that we moved 600 miles away soon after.

My advice: To all the DIL's and MIL's--just love those guys who brought you together--and limit the time you spend together.

OMG THAT is the worst one yet!

Ditto!! Love it, Lynne!



I hope not. Of course, we are talking about the airline that did a plane swap in June for our flight into New York, and when reseating the girls and I, put my five year old five seats away and my 15 month old eleven rows behind us. At least we were able to get the little one and I seated together when I saw a seat pop up that was not 'preferred'. Umm.... I prefer to sit next to my baby? Just hope seats don't change again before we leave - I keep checking them to make sure!

I'm SURE had they left the seating that way, people would have been clamouring to help you out - especially the people BESIDE the 5 yo and the 15 mo!

Yeah, sure that's why they charge this high fee... I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with the airline owner being a pocket lining money-grubber.

No, I'm sure it's not that.

(guess who we're flying with... I'm starting to regret this!)

I think you got it in one!

Bbarcelona suitcase (for which I'm paying) is as packed as it can be at this early stage. The carryon is being prayed over, in hopes that it will be under the size and weight limit.

 

[Seraphine]

I had a lovely time meeting Binkytell today! My daughter Eilidh and I met up with Sarah and Ellie in Glasgow this morning and had a great time shopping and having lunch. The girls were both immaculately behaved...no worries for the dining room!

Am trying to get the kids down to bed so I can get some more packing done - my house looks like a laundromat!

 

[Grumpy1234]

Those travelling by Easy Jet please check their baggage rules carefully.

If you buy additional hold luggage this does not increase your weight allowance, it just means you can spread your 20kg across another bag.

"Each passenger who pays for a hold bag can take up to 20kg of luggage. This weight allowance applies to the passenger rather than to the bag so purchasing extra bags is possible but will not increase the weight allowance. If you think you’ll need to take a little bit more with you, you can buy some extra weight – it’s best to do this online before you fly as the online charges are considerably cheaper than at the airport."

Additional fees are £10 per additional kilo

 

[MandyGirl]

Wow, you're not going to let that one die, huh? Sounds like me - I have an elephant's memory and I don't let people forget it.

hehehe.... yes... I've been told that as well about an elephant's memory. That's almost as bad when TSA in DEN told me in July that when taking my belongings off the conveyer belt I had to place my baby (who was strapped in her car seat) NOT by my feet but five feet behind me out of my line of sight. Ummm.... we are told not to let our luggage out of our sight at any time, and now you are telling me, a mom traveling by herself with two under age five, that I must put my baby (who is not in the way) back behind me out of sight? I can totally understand why people are afraid to fly with little ones these days. But at least our baby food they were testing at the time passed the additional testing.

I had a lovely time meeting Binkytell today! My daughter Eilidh and I met up with Sarah and Ellie in Glasgow this morning and had a great time shopping and having lunch. The girls were both immaculately behaved...no worries for the dining room!

Am trying to get the kids down to bed so I can get some more packing done - my house looks like a laundromat!

Yay for a great meeting!!

 

[granmaz]

Yeah, sure that's why they charge this high fee... I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with the airline owner being a pocket lining money-grubber.

No, I'm sure it's not that.

(guess who we're flying with... I'm starting to regret this!)

You got it in one!!

Actually we have flown with Easy Jet once and it was a great experience. All are fine until you have one bad experience aren't they?

Those travelling by Easy Jet please check their baggage rules carefully.

If you buy additional hold luggage this does not increase your weight allowance, it just means you can spread your 20kg across another bag.

"Each passenger who pays for a hold bag can take up to 20kg of luggage. This weight allowance applies to the passenger rather than to the bag so purchasing extra bags is possible but will not increase the weight allowance. If you think you’ll need to take a little bit more with you, you can buy some extra weight – it’s best to do this online before you fly as the online charges are considerably cheaper than at the airport."

Additional fees are £10 per additional kilo

I am sure this is another ruse to earn more money as it is so easy to miss that little important point.

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

hehehe.... yes... I've been told that as well about an elephant's memory. That's almost as bad when TSA in DEN told me in July that when taking my belongings off the conveyer belt I had to place my baby (who was strapped in her car seat) NOT by my feet but five feet behind me out of my line of sight. Ummm.... we are told not to let our luggage out of our sight at any time, and now you are telling me, a mom traveling by herself with two under age five, that I must put my baby (who is not in the way) back behind me out of sight? I can totally understand why people are afraid to fly with little ones these days. But at least our baby food they were testing at the time passed the additional testing.

Don't get me started on the TSA - or as I call them, security theater. Some people say the TSA is an acronym for "Tremendously Stupid A**holes" or "Thousands Standing Around," and oftentimes I would tend to agree.

 

[squitty]

Love your FE Michelle.

Michelle I can't believe you worried about making a FE, you did a great job!

Thank you both

Those travelling by Easy Jet please check their baggage rules carefully.

If you buy additional hold luggage this does not increase your weight allowance, it just means you can spread your 20kg across another bag.

"Each passenger who pays for a hold bag can take up to 20kg of luggage. This weight allowance applies to the passenger rather than to the bag so purchasing extra bags is possible but will not increase the weight allowance. If you think you’ll need to take a little bit more with you, you can buy some extra weight – it’s best to do this online before you fly as the online charges are considerably cheaper than at the airport."

Additional fees are £10 per additional kilo

They are very crafty at wording this....We have 46kg between the two of us. I don't know how many times I have measured my hand luggage, just to make sure.

Still no word on the tastings.. I have emailed and called again!

 

[Beauty & the Best]

Don't get me started on the TSA - or as I call them, security theater. Some people say the TSA is an acronym for "Tremendously Stupid A**holes" or "Thousands Standing Around," and oftentimes I would tend to agree.

I've met some very nice TSA workers, but like many (not all!) in government positions, there doesnt' seem to be any incentive to keep things moving efficiently or maintain a decent level of customer service.....its a bit like going to the DMV.

What gets me is that we continue to pay those folks to rifle through our things, invade our privacy and take naked pictures of us!

*end rant*

 

[auntlynne]

yes I know that feeling, just because my first sort was 21 dresses without anything esle!! but I want to take them and I know I can't. We are doing FE because this is our first Disney cruise, but I know what you mean about the weight..... my big problem is indecision ...

I finally just settled on 4 dresses - all knee-length, no long formals. I'm taking another back to the store, as it is overweight. Good thing they don't weigh us people!

I love doing FE and was upset when we decided not to do it this time. You will love it. It just adds to the whole experience. I will miss having our FE outside the door too as it was great for spotting the room.

We did Back to Back 2 cruises a couple of years ago and was in the FE group the first week but didn't bother for the second(for a few reasons). However we kept our FE up for the 2nd week to help with finding our room but found a couple of FE gifts in there obviously from the group doing it that week. They must just have gone round dropping in every FE. I guess their numbers would have been wrong at the end of their drop run. We took the FE down then to stop that happening again.

I was thinking of putting up my FE just for decoration, but may go with an alternative I've created that hangs from the fish was made from stickers of Disney movies - I put them on card stock and will hang them from a ribbon & dowel just like the FEs.

I have added your thread to the cruise meet list

Have a great cruise!

Page 11? On the ball this time! If he had waited until Page 200, we'd be on the ship.

What airline are you guys taking? We changed our flight to leave JFK on the 8th also. We are on Aer Lingus with a stop in Dublin. We leave 5:45 PM

Yeah! I know this will give a sense of relief.

...

Retiro Park

Retiro Park

Plaza Santa Ana

Plaza Santa Ana

It looks so clean. Now I want to visit Madrid!

...Don't know why but have the theme song of The Love Boat playing in my head these days.

...and now, so do I.

...Absolutely!!! I especially like the 'phone tree' & 'community chest' touches! ...

That's my touch of whimsy - I have fun with that stuff.

...And Paul has decided that he sleeps on the sofa. He heard that it is a good bed and we have a curtain between us. And then I have the grand bed. We shall tell the stateroom host. By the way we have a verandahcabin, so Paul can see the sea from his bed as we get a transparant verandah...

A verandah room will be nice; makes it seem bigger (well, it is, it has the additional square footage of the "outdoor lounge area." Since you are doing the big bed arrangement, your stateroom host should have it ready that way when you arrive.

 

[PFlamingo]

I tried to resist chiming in with another MIL story, but my will power is weak.

At my wedding reception, during the photographer shoot, the bride and groom posed with everyone. Attendants, whole family, bride's family, groom's family. When we were getting together with the groom's family, my brand-new MIL pushed me aside and said, "This is just for family." Let's just say, it was the start of a long, strained relationship. The only reason my marriage survived was that we moved 600 miles away soon after.

My advice: To all the DIL's and MIL's--just love those guys who brought you together--and limit the time you spend together.

Wow. Seriously tacky.

At least your MIL came to your wedding. We got married about a month after BIL & MIL moved to Delaware (from BIL's former residence in Baltimore). Their excuse for not attending? "We're busy with moving." Um... They had already moved. Couldn't take a weekend to come to Orlando to attend the wedding? Guess we won't be able to drive to Delaware to watch reruns and eat chickenless chicken soup.

Truthfully, though, I'm glad they didn't come. I know BIL would've drank all the champagne and MIL would've called everything "stupid." We took my family and Dennis' best man and his wife to 1900 Park Fare for dinner. Yep, character dinner for our "reception." You saw the "Stitch" cake a few threads back. They all thought we were slightly nuts, but played along and had a great time. The IL's would've put such a damper on it.

Wow, you're not going to let that one die, huh? Sounds like me - I have an elephant's memory and I don't let people forget it.

Well, it was so stupid!! What genius seats a 5-yr-old, let alone a 15-month-old, by themselves when they're traveling w/ their mother?

hehehe.... yes... I've been told that as well about an elephant's memory. That's almost as bad when TSA in DEN told me in July that when taking my belongings off the conveyer belt I had to place my baby (who was strapped in her car seat) NOT by my feet but five feet behind me out of my line of sight. Ummm.... we are told not to let our luggage out of our sight at any time, and now you are telling me, a mom traveling by herself with two under age five, that I must put my baby (who is not in the way) back behind me out of sight? I can totally understand why people are afraid to fly with little ones these days. But at least our baby food they were testing at the time passed the additional testing.

I still don't get that one. Someone was feeling the need to wield some power that day.

 

[karentan]

laughing at all the crazy in laws stories! luckily gary's parents are/were both lovely, so i dont have anything major to chime in on.


krisann - did you like the daisy magnet lynne designed for you? if so i'll try and print it out for you this weekend.

 

[karentan]

We took my family and Dennis' best man and his wife to 1900 Park Fare for dinner. Yep, character dinner for our "reception."

we went to chef mickeys for our wedding meal (married at the wedding pavilion, dinner at chef mickeys, wishes fireworks cruise in the evening)

 

[IansGran]

I am at the Renaissance also, I arrive on the 8th from Chicago. When do you ladies get there.

Our last name is Sheaves - you know like the old Babtist hymn 'Bringing in the sheaves' ask for us. Jean

 

[fly4free2]

[

QUOTE=IansGran;42377572]Our last name is Sheaves - you know like the old Baptist hymn 'Bringing in the sheaves' ask for us. Jean

[/QUOTE]

You are toooo funny Jean Since I was raised in Arkansas, a Southern Baptist, I know the song well. My last name is Wingo rhymes with Bingo. So we should be able to find each other.

Evelyn

 

[TheViking]

Has anyone got any experiences with the different hop on hop off buses in Barcelona? Searching online I see there are a few of them to pick between

And are anyone else staying at the Le Meridian? We're arriving on the 8th, and spending two nights there on my starwood points (yay for free hotel)