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

[fly4free2]

Packed, bags all zipped, vehicle loaded, girls asleep and me WIRED!!! Rolling out at 4:30 AM in the morning to fly to NYC. Should have internet access until Wednesday when we leave NYC.

Safe travels everyone! I am super excited to meet everyone, either at Hard Rock Friday night or onboard!

Safe travels Mandy and family, I am soooo glad you all have comfirmed seats. Looks like Katia is not going to make landfall, but you could see some rain. Hope you have your ponchos packed . Keep us all posted on your progress and activities. See you Saturday.

 

[lovingthemouse]

So good to hear from you, and that there are options for you to fly. My sister has been a flight attendant for Delta for 30 yrs, and told me not to consider using a buddy pass for the very reasons you have mentioned. Even my bil has had to have back up options; he flew to Barcelona last month and had 2 other possibilities.

We will look forward to seeing you all on Sat, I know you'll be there. Heading off to Eilean's today, we fly out tomorrow. Can't wait!!!! Caroline

 

[GA-yaya]

Just locked down Facebook. I think only Family will see my posts and mobile uploads of pics, and nobody can write on wall. Would you be surprised that very few know we are taking this vacation?!?!? Mainly just close neighbors, family, Sunday School class, and my clients. I had a friend return from the Magic in November... to find her home had been robbed while she was away. It was traced back to a 'friend' on Facebook, and she had been doing status updates about the upcoming trip along with a few pics of the trip while away. So those of you with FB, you may want to go to your account/privacy settings for while you are away. I have started getting into that habit for when we are out of town. When Curt is still home, I keep posting like normal, but always lock it down for the days we are all away.

Always a good idea, Mandy! Thanks for posting on this board for others.

We haven't told a lot of people about our travels either...for a number of reasons, but they can hear all about it when we return! Our daughter will be staying at home while we are gone, so we're not too concerned about our FB this time.

We leave tomorrow....looking forward to meeting everyone! Safe travels!

 

[Beauty & the Best]

Once case here but a little over 50 lbs. Taking a small carry-on and the tote with my purse inside.

BTW - anyone heard from the folks on stand-by? Truly hoping they were able to locate other flights, so we'll all be together on Saturday.

One that was in Atlanta has made it to Europe and another won't find out until Wed.

Packed, bags all zipped, vehicle loaded, girls asleep and me WIRED!!! Rolling out at 4:30 AM in the morning to fly to NYC. Should have internet access until Wednesday when we leave NYC.

Safe travels everyone! I am super excited to meet everyone, either at Hard Rock Friday night or onboard!

Happy travels to you Mandy! See you Saturday

Yes, the good news is I'm mostly packed. There are still a few things (shoes) that I need to throw in, and I'll probably have to rearranged some of it, but I'm pretty much done.

The bad news is I will absolutely be checking that second bag. I also have to convince the airline people that the ginormous bag I'll be shlepping along is actually a "personal item" and not a second bona fide "carry on." My "carry on" is pretty much my shoe bag.

Thank goodness for packing cubes! I can't believe how much stuff I got into those, and how organized my bags are. I'm absolutely giddy.

So tomorrow I have to help Dennis pack (thinking he might need a second bag, too), finish getting the dogs' stuff together for "doggy camp," rearrange my bags, dye - er, I mean do - my hair, get our snacks together for the flight and our lunches made for the drive to Florida. Good thing tomorrow is a holiday! (Oops, today is a holiday. Just noticed how late it is.)

I will definitely have internet access til Wednesday morning, and possibly at the hotel in Barca. I will try to check in periodically tomorrow to see if anyone has any last-minute FE issues.

Hope everyone has safe, uneventful travels to Barca and to the cruise. I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone!

Safe travels Evelyn!! See you on Saturday!

I wasn't too good yesterday either and found it hard to get things done. Feeling better today so hopefully will have a productive one. Maybe even get the rest of the packing done. I want to when I look in my spare room and see what I have yet to try to pack.

I'm feeling a little better today so I know this thing will be short-lived - whew! So today I continue packing!

Happy Monday everyone !!

I have woken up with the biggest butterflies this morning. A mixture of excitement and nervousness as 5 full work days and only the evenings to get everything done and ready

Lots of pixie dust going to all In US about to set off on their travels see you all on Saturday.

YAY! I am letting myself get excited about the trip now too. Usually I don't think too much about it b/c I get TOO excited and can't sleep or focus.

Good luck to everyone flying--regardless of from where! Everything is gone from our house. We are living out of two suitcases and two carry-ons. No more stuff allowed. Two more days at the Embassy and then off to Barcelona on Friday (early) morning. Will be online here until Wed, but wanted to wish everyone happy travels. We may be at the Hard Rock, depends on how the day goes.

See you all soon.

Amanda

Glad your moving is all done with. Happy travels Amanda!

The Syon Park London/A Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. It is west of London, perhaps 15-30 minutes by car from Kensington, and east of Heathrow. It opened in March and is located on the 400 acre estate of the Duke of Northumberland. The reviews are correct - the outside could be any motel; red brick and architecturally dull. However, the inside is lovely; the room is about the size of 2 DCL staterooms (about 400-500 sf). Bath, separate shower, TV over the tub. Nice firm beds. Excellent soundproofing - have not heard one plane, although we can look out and see the every-30-seconds plane in the Heathrow flight path. The Great Getaway package I booked was GBP 149 including breakfast (parking is free in front of the hotel - flat lot)

Thanks for the info.

Oh crikey ... you poor things Just take care and keep calm and hopefully you will ge tsome flights sorted as soon as possible. Sending for safe travels

Thank you for all of your kind words. After a good nights sleep several prayers and several deep breaths I have decided not to panic. It is out of our control anyway. If God doesn't want us on this trip we won't go, if he does something will work out.

Right now we have two options Boston and Pittsburg. Had do some deep searching to find those. Our problem is that because we are flying buddy passes we have to fly on Delta planes only not planes operated by Air France or anything like that so it really limits our choices. I would hate to have to buy a full fare ticket now but if we have no choice then we will.

I hope you can get out of one of those cities. We're all pulling for ya!

 

[Rikersmom]

I'm sure this info is somewhere on this board in the vast amount of comments, but I'm hoping for a quick answer: What are the "tunnels" like in Gibraltar? Dark? Long? Before I decide to tour them, I wanted to have an idea of what to expect. I never thought I was claustrophic until I toured a submarine--and realized that I didn't like the feeling of being trapped.

Thanks for any help,
Karen

 

[PFlamingo]

We looked up carryon restrictions yesterday. 45 inches total L+W+H, so we are bringing an extra roller bag that meets that exactly. If you make it through MCO okay but have issues with gate agents in JFK, we can take one of your carryons if need be.

Thanks, you rock! I know it's within the size limits, but I may end up shifting some stuff around so it doesn't look quite so stuffed. I'm usually pretty good at getting all my stuff through the gate agent scrutiny. Besides, when you see what some people bring, mine doesn't look so bad.

Have you decided if you're going to eat airport food or airplane food for dinner on Wednesday? I guess we'll see what's there and then decide. I'm planning on bringing some snackage, either way.

Have a great time in NYC! We'll see you Wednesday.

 

[Beauty & the Best]

I'm sure this info is somewhere on this board in the vast amount of comments, but I'm hoping for a quick answer: What are the "tunnels" like in Gibraltar? Dark? Long? Before I decide to tour them, I wanted to have an idea of what to expect. I never thought I was claustrophic until I toured a submarine--and realized that I didn't like the feeling of being trapped.

Thanks for any help,
Karen

Karen, I've only been in the siege tunnel so that's the one I can tell you about. The tunnels are dark and long, but they open up into tunnel "rooms" so its not just a straight tunnel all the way through. Also there are sort of "windows" in places so you can look out.

Hope that helps!

 

[granmaz]

Just a reminder to everyone about the get together in the Promenade Lounge at 3pm on Saturday. Pick up your lanyards and pins(if you ordered one) have a drink and greet your fellow cruisers.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

 

[TxMermaid1]

Jill (TX Mermaid) checked loads for me on our flight (AA 152) leaving this Thursday night. It was also booked solid. Irene canceled flights for like three days and it apparently is taking this long to clear everyone up!

no seats in first and 7 in coach open. With 2 standbys listed.

 

[TxMermaid1]

My DH just took the kids to Chucky Cheese so now is my time to pack. Last night I made a 2 page list of things to pack and a 1 page list of things to do, so I better get a moveon!

But first - to all you former DCL cruisers, I need some advice. When we (FINALLY) got our room assignment, I googled it looking for reviews. But I also found postings on the cruise meets thread from the cruise AFTER us (leaving on 9/24) from the woman who will be in our room on the 24th after we disembark. So I pm'd her and I want to get a postcard or something (small and flat) and hide it in the room for her kids as a surprise. Turns out her husband has been deployed for the last 9 months, is home on leave before he has to go back, and they are taking their 3 young kids on this cruise to reconnect while he is home.

So I need suggestions on where I could hide something and the room steward wouldn't find it and throw it away. I was thinking I could tape a postcard under a drawer, but not even sure if there ARE any drawers in the staterooms (I have an OV). I would love to get them some kind of gift, to thank her and her husband for their service, but not sure what I could get them that I could also hide...

Ideas??

Well I am on my first flight from Texas to JFK. Hoping for a good birthday present today... "A seat on the BCN flight tonight!" we are standby but it looks pretty good right now... need pixie dust!

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

no seats in first and 7 in coach open. With 2 standbys listed.

It looks like Katia has heeded my warning to stay the heck away from NYC. Still keeping an eye on her but I am much more optimistic now. Must be all of that people are sending that way!

 

[LindaBabe]

Last year we had signs up for the medicine chest (see below)As I am finishing up the Dis Navigator does anyone to volunteer for any of items below? If so just copy the item, PM me with your Dis name and stateroom number.

15. THE MEDICINE CABINET & EMERGENCY SUPPLIES
Type of Medicine Person Bringing Extras Dis Name Room Number
Tylenol
Motrin
Cold & Flu Tablets
Claritin
Benadryl
Aspirin
Eye Glass Kit
Ibuprofen
Sewing Kit
Band-aids /Plasters
Airborne
Excedrin Migraine
Low Dose Aspirin
Nyquil
Solarcaine (sunburn spray)

I have the glasses repair kit and super glue. Sewing kit can be had from Guest services.

 

[PFlamingo]

Can someone explain what Mandy meant about the FB account? Is that the same as temporarily deactivating it?

Also, does anyone know where I might find an ATM in the airport in Barca? We're arriving at Terminal 1.

TIA!


On another note, I'm bringing a fairly good sewing kit, and I can help with minor sewing repairs/emergencies. I can't do alterations (sewing machine is one of the few things I'm not bringing with), but I can help patch up a torn hem or a split seam.

 

[karentan]

Safe travels to everyone setting off in the next few days, gotta say I'm a tiny bit jealous but only because I'm still stuck at work til Friday instead of lounging in the Spanish sun!
It's going to get real quiet on here the next few days so I think us people who aren't leaving til Saturday need to stick together and keep each other sane. Otherwise I'll just end up talking to myself on here. Hazel, annemarie, dan - are you up to the challenge of keeping me sane til Saturday?!

 

[GA-yaya]

Can someone explain what Mandy meant about the FB account? Is that the same as temporarily deactivating it?

You can set a custom list of who can see your postings on FaceBook. It's a good security measure.

 

[Rikersmom]

Karen,

I don't leave till early Friday morning. I still have two shifts at work--tonight and Wednesday night. Then, I will officially consider myself "on vacation."

Not sure what the rules are in Spain, but should I plan to have some euros to tip the van driver? We plan to get the euros at an ATM at the airport.

Since we are the first to arrive, we'll keep a lookout for the others. Do you have a list of who we should be watching for?

Karen

 

[Donaldcp98]

Sanity? I didn't think any of us were sane. Why should we start now? Halfway through one of my last two days of work. It has been nice because there have only been three of us here and one just left. It is allowing me to get things accomplished....well accept for when I am on here checking to see what is going on.

 

[IansGran]

If you've picked up a little something for you prince/princess are you going to give it to them right away, or wait for the tea? Any suggessions? Jean

 

[fly4free2]

If you've picked up a little something for you prince/princess are you going to give it to them right away, or wait for the tea? Any suggessions? Jean

Jean,what day do you arrive in Barc. I get there on the 8th.

Evelyn

 

[birkner]

Attention All Madeira Daniel Taxi Tour Members

I am awaiting confirmation on our East tour if we have a 20 passenger bus or if we have to split the group.

On the West tour, I have assigned all tour members to a group and am going to sending out emails to ask for leaders of each group. If you are in any of the groups 2-5 and want to volunteer, please send me a PM.

Restaurant has changed only for the East group to the Restaurante A Chave as Estubia felt it would be a quieter and less touristy place. Here is the new menu.

Here is the East Group 1 - Mickey Mouse

Here are the West Groups. John did the signs last year but if the leaders of the group don't want the character, we can change.

Group 2 - Stitch
Group 3 - Tinkerbelle
Group 4 - Alien from Toy Story
Group 5 - Belle