*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* From Spain to Space Mountain-Taking the Magic Home

[susie2]

They look so good



That's a great idea Mary. I have excel lists for dining, park hours, even which room has what view at the BCV's, so why not clothes

we have just booked 3 nights at bcv with points off a dibber, hope we get a nice room, susie

 

[cliffy97]

Just checking out Cruise TT to see who is going to be in port the da we leave and the answer is:

4 other Ships

RCI Liberty of the Seas
Costa Pacifica
Ocean Princess
Adonia
= 12053 possible people at the port with us....

Just in case any one was wondering......

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

One can never have too many shoes, purses, good wine or friends (or too much parmesan cheese on pasta)!

 

[steamboat will]

Well believe it or not I started work on my fish extended gifts. Yes I know it's still six months till we leave for our voyage but last year I seem to have left everything to the last minute, meaning I was still cutting up and pasting things half an hour before I was due to catch my flight to Barcelona. However this wasn't the worst of it because I still have several elements of my gifts to construct inside the state room which as you can imagine was quite a sight.

I am determined not to make the same mistake again this year.

I was overrun with ideas for gifts last year, which I didn't have time to make, so I decided to get an early start this year and actually attempt to make them this time round.

Let's see if my good intentions actually work out, my attention span is renowned for not being the greatest, I'll probably have changed my gifts at least a dozen times before we actually set sail.

SW

 

[Dgentrysim]

Here is my new Dream one.....

My collection.....

I've also got a Mickey balloon cosmetic case but I haven't got a photo of that, i'll take one tomorrow.

I bow to your "pocktbook holiness"!

 

[Pinky166]

Just checking out Cruise TT to see who is going to be in port the da we leave and the answer is:

4 other Ships

RCI Liberty of the Seas
Costa Pacifica
Ocean Princess
Adonia
= 12053 possible people at the port with us....

Just in case any one was wondering......

Well believe it or not I started work on my fish extended gifts. Yes I know it's still six months till we leave for our voyage but last year I seem to have left everything to the last minute, meaning I was still cutting up and pasting things half an hour before I was due to catch my flight to Barcelona. However this wasn't the worst of it because I still have several elements of my gifts to construct inside the state room which as you can imagine was quite a sight.

I am determined not to make the same mistake again this year.

I was overrun with ideas for gifts last year, which I didn't have time to make, so I decided to get an early start this year and actually attempt to make them this time round.

Let's see if my good intentions actually work out, my attention span is renowned for not being the greatest, I'll probably have changed my gifts at least a dozen times before we actually set sail.

SW

Well done.

I started mine last week (only made a couple so far) and was playing around with them today trying to decide if i'm happy with them or not....like you I will probably change it several times before we sail.

 

[steamboat will]

By the way I finally got an IPad YEY!!!

Yes I know I'm probably about a year behind the rest of you, but the price drop on the old model finally made my mind up,and I ran out at the weekend and purchased one.

I already LOVE IT!!!

I already can't imagine how I lived without the dictation software which allows you to speak your documents and it types them automatically for you.

In fact at this very post was not typed but simply spoken and my iPad did all the hard work for me.

Did I mention I LOVE IT!!!

SW

 

[steamboat will]

I know this sounds really sad but, in the past we've also packed way too many clothes, so I now make up an excel spreadsheet with the 14 days on it!

Do any of you guys using the on-board laundry rooms?

Last year we were following the Transatlantic with a week at Walt Disney World, meaning we needed to organise a three weeks of clothes in our limited luggage allowance.

So there was nothing for it but to use the on-board laundry facilities, it was a sinch really, we simply loaded our clothes into a machine and took a dip in the pool and returned 45 min later to place them into the dryer.

We only bothered to iron the items that really needed it. Everything else just got hung up in the wardrobe.

This stopped us having to pack 21 days worth of T-shirt and smalls which as you can imagine really help to cut down on the packing space. Whilst washing clothes on my vacation isn't my idea of great fun, it was a small compromise which meant we had extra room in our luggage for souvenirs on the way home.

However, there was one occasion when I went to check on my washing and found a mother Ironing what I can only describe as a months worth of laundry. I remarked on quite how much she was doing, and she replied "This means when I get home I just relax!!!

Funny that's what I thought vacations are for!

SW

 

[cliffy97]

I got mine the friday efore the new one came out and love it as wwll. Will be so nice to travel with read books etc. Certainly better than my laptop. which is quite small and mobile as well.

 

[karentan]

how much did you pay for it in the UK? i quite fancy one, but i dont want a new contract, would just get one outright if i do

oh and 75+/100+ pairs of shoes!!! holy moly! guess im not the typical girl, i own 2 pairs of timberland boots (one for work and one for rest of the time), and 2 pairs of flip flops. thats it. and i dont own a single handbag......

 

[Tod&Copper]

Imelda was an amateur. Waaaaay back when (when I had a really good job), I used to wear cute shoes to work. I had over 60 pairs of boots alone. No clue how many pairs of shoes. Bit ridiculous, really, but I could never resist a shoe sale. I've already started looking at my shoe collection to decide what I should take. Not only am I not giving up the formal dresses, I'm also not giving up the cute shoes! Thank goodness Dennis is a good sport about my obsession.

Same here, I am a sucker for a shoe bargain. I got 4 pairs in the orlando sales at christmas as well, I was in

Claire & Mary......I'm hanging with you guys! Love my shoes! I start matching my shoes to my outfits and I swear I have more shoes packed than clothes! lol Ridiculous how many pairs you wind up taking. Why can't we be like men......1 pair of brown shoes, flip flops, and 1 pair tennis shoes!!! It's a curse from the shoe gods!!

Did I say that my hand luggage last WBTA was full of shoes, all different colours to match every dress... Stevie just shakes his head and thinks I am crazy they just don't understand girls

Don't get me started on Disney Dooney & Bourke.....I am so in love with my new bag from the Dream. I have a couple of D&B's, what one do you have?

I have the DCL white with navy blue trim, the medium size with the purse to match.

I have the black one with the coloured mickeys, like yours, but in the bigger size. That was a great purchase in MK at Christmas when they had 20% off all merchandise if you purchased prior to 12 noon. 20% off D&B

That's a great idea Mary. I have excel lists for dining, park hours, even which room has what view at the BCV's, so why not clothes

I make up a spreadsheet for WDW as well, with EMHs, dining ressies etc and I get it laminated and put on the fridge in the room. They all laughed the first year, but everyone knows where they are going every day without much discussion. Now all my friends do it too

I have a Dooney & Bourke...I have never used it though as I've just never got round to it. It's still in the wardrobe in the original packaging.

That's a gorgeous one, not seen that before.... better not let Stevie see this post, he will have a fit

I know what you mean, I quite fancy another one but not sure what......have you seen the 40th Anniversary ones? They had just been released when we were there last month and I quite liked the messenger style one but I had already spent way too much money.

Your Dream one is gorgeous, I might pick one up in August

OMG 40th anniversary ones too !!! I loved the princess ones too they had in WDW

I can't wear heels due to issues with my tendons being too short, I was born with it.

Most of mine are stilletos, I feel strange wearing flats. I wear high heels in the office every day

By the way I finally got an IPad YEY!!!

Did I mention I LOVE IT!!!

SW

Wow, well done you. I would love one. I cannot be separated from my iphone, but I didn't know that the ipad had voice recognition - weighing up the options here - new Dooney & Bourkes or an ipad???

Do any of you guys using the on-board laundry rooms?

However, there was one occasion when I went to check on my washing and found a mother Ironing what I can only describe as a months worth of laundry. I remarked on quite how much she was doing, and she replied "This means when I get home I just relax!!!

Funny that's what I thought vacations are for!

SW

I do use the laundry rooms, but just for general items, t-shirts etc that can be tumble dried. I couldn't have dirty laundry hanging around for 2 weeks.

There was a woman on the WBTA last year who was in there for hours doing her laundry and ironing as well, I thought she was crazy too. The sun was shining on an atlantic sea day and she was in the deck 7 laundry for hours. I only knew this because I kept popping back to try to run the iron over our clothes for that evening, gave up and went to deck 2 laundry eventually.

 

[karentan]

oh and to share some good news, found out today that i got a promotion at work!

 

[Tod&Copper]

DH is chuckling reading these posts. He said we should now do a shoe swap on the cruise

He is like all the other guys, black shoes, brown shoes and trainers

Mind you his kilt outfit weights 8kg in total so that takes up a lot of his allowance, but he gets to wear it for 3 evenings, so that's not so bad

 

[Tod&Copper]

oh and to share some good news, found out today that i got a promotion at work!

Well done

 

[cliffy97]

how much did you pay for it in the UK? i quite fancy one, but i dont want a new contract, would just get one outright if i do

Too Much as i bought thru NEXT, but you can get sub £400 direct from Apple

Congrats on the promotion!

 

[Pinky166]

I have the DCL white with navy blue trim, the medium size with the purse to match.

I have the black one with the coloured mickeys, like yours, but in the bigger size. That was a great purchase in MK at Christmas when they had 20% off all merchandise if you purchased prior to 12 noon. 20% off D&B

Your Dream one is gorgeous, I might pick one up in August

Most of mine are stilletos, I feel strange wearing flats. I wear high heels in the office every day

I know which bags you've got, very nice. I love the white DCL one's, I was very tempted to get one when I was on the Dream but i didn't find a really good pattern placement so I didn't get it. Maybe September.

Thanks, let me know if you want one before August - I have a spare!

I wish I could wear heels but it really hurts so it's not worth it.

oh and to share some good news, found out today that i got a promotion at work!

Well done Karen!

DH is chuckling reading these posts. He said we should now do a shoe swap on the cruise

He is like all the other guys, black shoes, brown shoes and trainers

Mind you his kilt outfit weights 8kg in total so that takes up a lot of his allowance, but he gets to wear it for 3 evenings, so that's not so bad

I like his thinking!

Hello Stevie. Looking forward to seeing you all dressed up in your kilt!

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

Count Jeremy and I in as iPad owners. Love them! I am looking forward to downloading some TV shows and books prior to the cruise. I just wish that internet on the ship wasn't so expensive so I could download while on board!

 

[steamboat will]

Apple reduced the price of the IPad 1, while we wait for the arrival of iPad 2

16gb wifi £329
32gb wifi £399
64gb wifi £479

Add £100 for 3G connection.

The voice recognition is via a free 'dragon' app think it may also be available for the IPhone too, the only downside being you must be connected to the internet for it to operate,

But But that's fine for me as I only purchase that iPad so that I could surf the net at home quickly, although I'll probably bring it along on the cruise to use the kindle app and gaming.

SW

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Just figured out that DS and I can check 1 bag each (no more than 50 pounds) and can each take on a carry-on and 1 personal item. Sheesh....how am I gonna cram all our clothing requirements into that?

I believe that is going to limit our "dressy" attire to some slacks and sweaters (maybe 1, no more than 2 dresses for me) and his slacks and jacket. There goes my dream of a gown for formal night!

Don't sweat it, hun! You can really do it. Honestly. Just pack smart and efficient. Remember that in the US you've been spoiled in the past with luggage allowance, but it has been a max 50 pounds p.p. for most of the population/destinations. They can do it and so can you! Only pack clothes that you can mix and match. It's a huge baggageshame to need to "toss" a pants because the only top you can wear it with has a stain in it. If instead you only bring a few pants, tops, a sweater and perhaps a bolero or two that can all be mixed and matched, you can make like dozens of outfits with very few pieces. Same goes for shoes, accessoiries and make up. One pair of shoes you can walk on for hours on excursions, some sandals or other open shoes that can also stand getting wet and some dressed up shoes in basic colours can really do it. If you want to go a bit "nuttier"; do it with tops and shirts. Take up little space and weight but with striking colors or styles can totally change an outfit with other basic pieces.


A formal dress takes up space, but rather little weight compared to that space. Don't worry about wrinkles; let DCL iron them out, it's affordable enough. Vacuumbags or even the simple cheap folding and sitting on items before packing them saves lots of spaces. Hint; a very eye-catching formal dress works best with more subdued shoes and accessoiries. Which in return are easier to combine with your day to day pieces. . With some smart accessoiries (don't take much space or weight) you can make your formal dress appear to breath a very different style. Bingo, only one dress and more (semi)formal nights taken care off.

Only bring essential things. So small portions of toiletry as most can be bought after the flight. Only bring something along you MUST have, for instance because of healthissues and aren't sure you can get in port.

And the packinglist here on this board? Nuts! Whoever came up with that? I'm suspecting such folks to literally pack their own kitchen in case they'ld fancy a home made treat.


Having said that; I just went nuts. Yeah, I know, can you believe the above came out of my mind? Found too many too cute and too affordable dresses on Ebay. Will doubtfully bring them all, but on said deparment I'm going overboard for what I'm accustomed to.

Just wanted to let you know that I can't make this cruise but I hope u all have an awesome time!

Ah, shame! Hopefully you'll get to do another cruise soon.

This is what I spent part of my day doing today. I got the cookie cutter just the other day in the mail and I couldn't wait to try it out!

Now that is just funny! Great minds think alike. I just made gingerbread cookies after lusting for some of the make-your-own-treats from Goofies at DTD (I always get the ggcookie). How many mickeys are still alive by now?

Just checking out Cruise TT to see who is going to be in port the da we leave and the answer is:

4 other Ships

RCI Liberty of the Seas
Costa Pacifica
Ocean Princess
Adonia
= 12053 possible people at the port with us....

Just in case any one was wondering......

Probably sounds worse that it is. These amounts are not that out there for Barca cruiseport. There's a reason it's a desired place. I only took knowing there would be multiple ships in barca port these times of year as an incentive not to wait too long with booking our hotelrooms.


*going to sign back out and see if the dress action that's ending in a few minutes will also be mine....................*

 

[cliffy97]

Count Jeremy and I in as iPad owners. Love them! I am looking forward to downloading some TV shows and books prior to the cruise. I just wish that internet on the ship wasn't so expensive so I could download while on board!

Nice thing is you should be able to locate free wfi in port. Sadly nothing at Barca pot, but whilst in Barca Starbucks or MCD's should do. In Funchal, you can actually get whilst on the Starboard side of the ship.


I love Free Wifi, have not been to a city yet that I could not find something.....