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

[Pinky166]

Love photo's Sarah, that cocktail looks delish!!!!

Thanks to Claire and Michelle for all your patience in organising these events

So glad to hear this news! Sure are waiting til the last minute before DCL are dealing with some of these issues. Great job ladies!

LOL's Claire.. must of been the telephone calls

Great news girls that you are finally getting somewhere, many thanks for your continued determination to get these events happening

Sounds like we may have a date for the champagne girls and mixology tasting soon that’s great, thanks for all the hard work Claire and michelle

You are very welcome, it has been frustrating to say the least but it looks like I may finally be getting somewhere.

I had another email today just querying the time for the Champagne Girls so fingers crossed we are getting there!!!!

With all this talk of packing .... I decided to start at lunchtime.

I've got my prioritories right, the champagne, baileys and cassis are in the case

Funnily I started with the alcohol too.

I love Baileys, i'm going to get a bottle in Barcelona or Gibraltor.

Does anyone else's dog get really upset when the suitcases come out? That's one reason we wait until the week before to pack.

We have noticed the same thing with our two dogs. They get very upset when they see the suitcases come out. They know something bad is about to happen. So we now put the suitcases in the upstairs bedroom...with the door closed...so they don't expect anything...though we will probably start doing some packing this weekend.

One of my dogs gets very upset, he even sulks! The other dog is too scatty to notice!

I keep all the cases and stuff that is ready to pack in the spare bedroom out of sight.

to the DIS jking514!

 

[magic123]

Does anyone else's dog get really upset when the suitcases come out? That's one reason we wait until the week before to pack.

Yes animals can be so funny or not as the case may be, our cat gets very up set when it see's the suitcase. We have to make double sure she can't get into our bedroom because she like's to show her displeasure by doing something nasty on our bed !!!.... and then when we come back she always ignores us for a while

margaret

 

[JessicasMom]

Good Morning, Happy Cruisers!

Two weeks from now, we will be out for a day of sightseeing in Barcelona!
If you buy on line, apparently it is necessary to exchange your online voucher for a ticket at a tourist office, of which there is one in the airport, as well as other locations. According to Cruise Critic, this website allows purchase in dollars, but I haven't tried it yet. Otherwise, tickets can be bought on the bus, but you don't get the discount.

I bought the Bus Turistic passes online, as I have done previously. Last year, the driver at the stop by the port was somewhat confused and pointed us (and another family) to a nearby BBT kiosk, which was closed! We pointed out that the voucher says "This voucher will only be accepted onboard the Barcelona Bus Turistic", so he (actually, the bus "hostess" that spoke better English) called someone and then accepted them with a smile.

This year, we will be getting on at Placa Catalunya, where there will surely be another kiosk and more staff to intervene if there is a problem.
If you buy directly from the bus company, the tourist offices have no involvement.

Thought I would post some photos from our WBTA 2010 reunion:
We had a great weekend .... it was wonderful to see everyone again

This looks like a group that knows how to have a good time!

Is anyone else starting to freak out that it is so close to the cruise??

Yes, a little bit last night when it hit me how little time I have left to organize! And my boss is definitely starting to freak, although I am working as much as possible before we leave to make it easier for her. It helps that our office (shared by only the two of us) was just freshly painted with new carpet and furniture in place. Decorating has taken the edge off and given us something fun to focus on, besides the day-to-day stressful stuff.


I put together a lovely binder of trip information, with separators and clear page protectors (lots of print-outs), only to realize it weighs a ton and I'm not sure I want to lug it with me! On to Plan B (have to make a Plan B first) .

 

[sue l]

My cats go to "grandma's" where they get spoiled with bits of ham. As long as someone feeds them and they have someone to cuddle up against when they sleep, they are fine. They do ignore us a little for a day or so when we get home, but they get over it quick. DH will be home with them this time, I'm sure they will be more than happy to take over my side of the bed. I will be hard pressed to get it back.

Does anyone else's dog get really upset when the suitcases come out? That's one reason we wait until the week before to pack.

Yes animals can be so funny or not as the case may be, our cat gets very up set when it see's the suitcase. We have to make double sure she can't get into our bedroom because she like's to show her displeasure by doing something nasty on our bed !!!.... and then when we come back she always ignores us for a while

margaret

 

[birkner]

http://www.viator.com/tours/Barcelona/Barcelona-Hop-on-Hop-Off-Tour-North-to-South-Route/d562-2512BBUS?pref=02&gclid=CP6G5bCS95MCFR30IgodTFcQWQ&aid=g1856

If you buy on line, apparently it is necessary to exchange your online voucher for a ticket at a tourist office, of which there is one in the airport, as well as other locations. According to Cruise Critic, this website allows purchase in dollars, but I haven't tried it yet. Otherwise, tickets can be bought on the bus, but you don't get the discount.

We did this last year and exchanged at the airport which was simple and quick!!

 

[birkner]

Thought I would post some photos from our WBTA 2010 reunion:

At our meal in TGI Fridays ...

We had a great weekend .... it was wonderful to see everyone again

What a lovely treat to see old friends, table mates and new friends from the WBTA 2010! Thanks for sharing Sarah!

 

[nick262]

Does anyone know how strict they are about port arrival times? We are hoping to purchase an upgrade at port and want to get there right at opening, but the soonest port time when I checked in was 12:30. Also, what time does the port open?

Thanks,
Nickole

 

[IansGran]

Thanks for the info about Easyjet. We had no idea that they were talking about combined weight as oppossed to each suitcase! Makes a BIG difference in packing.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Air Europa - we don' t leave until 10pm. I have a 7 hour layover at JFK. I am thinking about taking a cab to a bouncy house place or a park so they can get really worn out and tired for the overnight flight.

We are flighing Aer Lingus to Barcelona, by way of Dublin at 5:45 PM on 9/8. What airline are you taking?

 

[sue l]

Air Europa - we don' t leave until 10pm. I have a 7 hour layover at JFK. I am thinking about taking a cab to a bouncy house place or a park so they can get really worn out and tired for the overnight flight.

What a great idea. I wish I knew of one to recommend to you. I know there is a place with batting cages not too far from the airport. It is on Rockaway Blvd if I am not mistaken. My SIL used to live right by Kennedy.

 

[TotallyAngelic]

I have been trying to sort out my cruise dinner dresses ..... they all fit bar one, which was an unrealistic size anyway when I bought it so I am not too worried - it can go on Ebay sometime soon.

It's very hard trying to decide which ones are coming and which are not ... so far I am definitely decided on one formal, one semi formal, Palo dinner dress, Villains / second formal (depending on whether I can find another formal or villains dress in time), 3 other short evening dresses and one maxi for evenings. I think that makes 7 dresses. I will double up the maxi and the 3 short evening dresses and may wear the Palo dress again, so that makes 12 evenings covered in total. I also have another maxi I could bring. It is so complicated !! And then I have jewellery and shoes to sort out to go with each dress

And I haven't even started on the day time clothing

Can you pay for someone to do this for you .... like a personal shopper, only a personal packer. Help !!!!!!!

 

[GatorMomInNC]

OMG!! If all goes well we will be on a flight to JFK 2 weeks from RIGHT NOW - the first leg of three flights to get us to Barcelona!

 

[sue l]

I call my DH the "professional Packer. You would not believe what he can get in a suitcase. He packed for two weeks in Italy for both of us in one suitcase and I did no laundry. Of course there were no formal clothes. Good luck Sarah. I'm sure whatever dress you pick you will look great. I am not much of a dress person. I am a casual girl. I have nice pants and nice tops for dinner every night. Like I said on Facebook, we are boycotting formal nights and will respect them if our tablemates are not happy about it and go to Topsiders two nights for dinner. There are 14 nights, two won't matter.

I have been trying to sort out my cruise dinner dresses ..... they all fit bar one, which was an unrealistic size anyway when I bought it so I am not too worried - it can go on Ebay sometime soon.

It's very hard trying to decide which ones are coming and which are not ... so far I am definitely decided on one formal, one semi formal, Palo dinner dress, Villains / second formal (depending on whether I can find another formal or villains dress in time), 3 other short evening dresses and one maxi for evenings. I think that makes 7 dresses. I will double up the maxi and the 3 short evening dresses and may wear the Palo dress again, so that makes 12 evenings covered in total. I also have another maxi I could bring. It is so complicated !! And then I have jewellery and shoes to sort out to go with each dress

And I haven't even started on the day time clothing

Can you pay for someone to do this for you .... like a personal shopper, only a personal packer. Help !!!!!!!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

I call my DH the "professional Packer. You would not believe what he can get in a suitcase. He packed for two weeks in Italy for both of us in one suitcase and I did no laundry. Of course there were no formal clothes. Good luck Sarah. I'm sure whatever dress you pick you will look great. I am not much of a dress person. I am a casual girl. I have nice pants and nice tops for dinner every night. Like I said on Facebook, we are boycotting formal nights and will respect them if our tablemates are not happy about it and go to Topsiders two nights for dinner. There are 14 nights, two won't matter.

I wouldn't think anyone would mind if you didn't wear a dress for formal ... nice tops and trousers can look just as elegant, and you can bling them up with a bit of jewellery. I am totally casual at home, so the cruise is my one and only chance to try and feel a bit glam .... so I do like wearing dresses to dinner. Whatever we wear, we are sure to have a ball !!!!

 

[Tod&Copper]

Funnily I started with the alcohol too.

I love Baileys, i'm going to get a bottle in Barcelona or Gibraltor.

One of my dogs gets very upset, he even sulks! The other dog is too scatty to notice!

I keep all the cases and stuff that is ready to pack in the spare bedroom out of sight.

!

I'm connecting drink and dog name here

My two don't bat an eyelid when the cases are work-in-progress in the spare room, but as soon as they come up to the hallway, they start howling and crying and stand guard by the cases. We literally take them from the spare room to the car to stop them sounding like the are being murdered

 

[Pinky166]

I'm connecting drink and dog name here

Guilty as charged!!!

 

[granmaz]

I have been trying to sort out my cruise dinner dresses ..... they all fit bar one, which was an unrealistic size anyway when I bought it so I am not too worried - it can go on Ebay sometime soon.

It's very hard trying to decide which ones are coming and which are not ... so far I am definitely decided on one formal, one semi formal, Palo dinner dress, Villains / second formal (depending on whether I can find another formal or villains dress in time), 3 other short evening dresses and one maxi for evenings. I think that makes 7 dresses. I will double up the maxi and the 3 short evening dresses and may wear the Palo dress again, so that makes 12 evenings covered in total. I also have another maxi I could bring. It is so complicated !! And then I have jewellery and shoes to sort out to go with each dress

And I haven't even started on the day time clothing

Can you pay for someone to do this for you .... like a personal shopper, only a personal packer. Help !!!!!!!

Sarah, do you need so many anyway? Your semi formal could do for Palo, and possibly you could do with just one formal dress and have different accessories? Just an idea.

 

[sue l]

I wouldn't think anyone would mind if you didn't wear a dress for formal ... nice tops and trousers can look just as elegant, and you can bling them up with a bit of jewellery. I am totally casual at home, so the cruise is my one and only chance to try and feel a bit glam .... so I do like wearing dresses to dinner. Whatever we wear, we are sure to have a ball !!!!

I KNOW we will all have a great time together. Everyone is friendly. Thanks for suporting my boycott.

 

[magic123]

Back home at last driving lesson given to DS, and just over an hour of delivering newspapers with DD now for some me time and maybe packing, only trouble is I'm too tried now.
And on the packing note DD is now joining us in New York for a few days and our cruise home. Oh no I now have to pack for her and sort out her formal/dresses. She's at more at home in jeans and trainers and at 17 I think the last time she wore a dress was when she was 6 and of course at her prom, but unfortunately that dress weighs to much to pack. I can't even manage my own packing !!

I have been trying to sort out my cruise dinner dresses ..... they all fit bar one, which was an unrealistic size anyway when I bought it so I am not too worried - it can go on Ebay sometime soon.

It's very hard trying to decide which ones are coming and which are not ... so far I am definitely decided on one formal, one semi formal, Palo dinner dress, Villains / second formal (depending on whether I can find another formal or villains dress in time), 3 other short evening dresses and one maxi for evenings. I think that makes 7 dresses. I will double up the maxi and the 3 short evening dresses and may wear the Palo dress again, so that makes 12 evenings covered in total. I also have another maxi I could bring. It is so complicated !! And then I have jewellery and shoes to sort out to go with each dress

And I haven't even started on the day time clothing

Can you pay for someone to do this for you .... like a personal shopper, only a personal packer. Help !!!!!!!

I like the idea of a personal packer, do you think they would have the knack of compressing the clothes as they pack !!! that would be really helpful in my case. Sarah I think that makes 8 dresses, which is much less than my 21 so in my eyes I think you are doing great so far

My two don't bat an eyelid when the cases are work-in-progress in the spare room, but as soon as they come up to the hallway, they start howling and crying and stand guard by the cases. We literally take them from the spare room to the car to stop them sounding like the are being murdered

oh dear at least it sounds like you have a well oiled plan. digressing from pets a little, I can remember my DS when he was a toddler, he was looked after by his granparents when I was working. I used to leave him and he would stand at the front door and open the letterbox and scream like I was leaving him with two axe murderers lol and I have no idea why your dog story should remind me of that !!

Sarah, do you need so many anyway? Your semi formal could do for Palo, and possibly you could do with just one formal dress and have different accessories? Just an idea.

No don't tell sarah that, because it makes sense !!! being practical just isn't in my game plan


maragret

 

[granmaz]

No don't tell sarah that, because it makes sense !!! being practical just isn't in my game plan


maragret

I know, but somewhere down the line occasionally we might have to be. Well only Tony will see the same dress at semi formal and Palo. If that were my husband he wouldn't notice if I had worn it before anyway.