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

[LindaBabe]

good luck to juanita too you'll have to let us know how they get on at the show


ok, so for our last 3 cruises we've always done late seating. dont know why, think its what we got assigned for first time and never wanted to change. as much as i like second seating, the last cruise we ended up missing some of the evening activities because we stayed at dinner for at least 2 hours, sometimes more...
what with this being the TA, there's apparently fewer kids on board, so main seating will be quieter than normal, but should i go for main dining or second. the early time doesnt bother me so much, but i also think it might be better for things like the dessert buffet and pirate night, as well as going to the evening activites.
which do you guys prefer?

Karen, You're young, hon, so 2nd seating is probably ok for you. But when you get to be a geezer like me you need a certain amount of time between the end of dinner and the beginning of sleep which makes 1st seating an imperative, in my agenda

 

[auntlynne]

...This is my retirement gift to myself after 34 yrs in education....

I left after 18 years in education; they called it "graduation."

...It is beautiful in Dallas today! I was listening to Jimmy Buffett driving to the grocery store, wearing my flip flops and shorts, just singing with the windows down. I know I need to enjoy it before it gets TOO hot to go outside! Hope to get my girls outdoors after 4:00 today (we try to avoid the sun 10-4 each day).

Are we going to have a Jimmy Buffett/Hawaiian shirt/dress night?

My mom was so far ahead of the times - in the 1960s, she told us not to go in the sun between 10-4. (I think our neighbor had skin cancer.)

...ok, so for our last 3 cruises we've always done late seating. dont know why, think its what we got assigned for first time and never wanted to change. as much as i like second seating, the last cruise we ended up missing some of the evening activities because we stayed at dinner for at least 2 hours, sometimes more...
what with this being the TA, there's apparently fewer kids on board, so main seating will be quieter than normal, but should i go for main dining or second. the early time doesnt bother me so much, but i also think it might be better for things like the dessert buffet and pirate night, as well as going to the evening activites.
which do you guys prefer?

We could only get late seating on our first few cruises, so we sort of fell into the habit of it. But we were always so late getting out - and you're right, no chance of partaking any of the late night buffets (not that we needed to eat more on the ship). In Jan, we had early and it was definitely better for us. I think we are on early for Alaska and also on this TA.

 

[auntlynne]

... the temp has reached about 10.5 degrees and we have washing on the line. ...

We have pretty much used an electric clothes dryer all my life - are clothes lines pretty common in Europe? I noticed that a lot of rental properties mention having washers, but not dryers.

 

[goofprincess]

Let me know how you like it. Most of our scrapbook stores have closed down in the last couple of years and only places like A.C. Moore, Archivers, and Michael's are left. Sad. I get most of my stuff from Creative Memories but love to get stickers and some paper from other sources.

Same the in Bay Area with SO many store closures. I use to visit stores along the route on our drive to southern CA.......those too closed. We have one really really nice store in San Jose. That's where I take classes and shop. In fact Heidi Swapp class in Aprl it is my birthday gift to my girlfriend.

 

[MandyGirl]

Are we going to have a Jimmy Buffett/Hawaiian shirt/dress night?

My mom was so far ahead of the times - in the 1960s, she told us not to go in the sun between 10-4. (I think our neighbor had skin cancer.)

ahhh.... that would be awesome! A good ol' Parrothead gathering onboard! He is coming to DFW in May, but with me not working full-time, tickets are out of budget. Some friends want to tailgate, and it's an open-air stadium, so it's been suggested we listen from outside. We'll see.. We've seen Buffett in Vegas a couple times, and that is DEFINITELY a cool concert. You look out of place if you are NOT dressed the part!!

I keep the girls inside from 10-4, and one colleague once said I was being a mean parent to these kids. Ummm... if a child has a biological parent who has had melanoma, it drastically increases the child's chance of getting it in their lifetime... so why push the controllable risk factors?!? (Sometimes you just have to wonder when people say things like that!) So we try to steer clear during those peak hours... for all of us!

 

[goofprincess]

We could only get late seating on our first few cruises, so we sort of fell into the habit of it. But we were always so late getting out - and you're right, no chance of partaking any of the late night buffets (not that we needed to eat more on the ship). In Jan, we had early and it was definitely better for us. I think we are on early for Alaska and also on this TA.

yes you're on early dining because you are with Tony and I--GIT table

 

[steamboat will]

ah man, i'm actually jealous of the 10 degrees! its only been about 5-7 here. roll on summer, i need some heat!


seriously looking at flights now, we'd be flying into barcelona on the 9th, but probably wont be getting in til 9pm (the day flight is about double the price, besides, we did the barcelona touring thing last year). i've found an airport close to the airport for about £70, but we'd have to get the shuttle or a taxi there. or there's one actually in terminal 1 at the airport for £100.
alternatively we could get a hotel in town, but then will have to pay taxi from the airport into town, then again from town to the port. plus we wouldnt get there til at least 10.30pm, so wouldnt really be going out once we got there.

which option would you guys choose? i'm leaning towards the one in the airport, we're only really there to sleep.
i'm too chicken to try and fly in on the day of the cruise! although the flight would only be an extra £10 and then we save the £100 on the hotel.......
ack, i really dont know what to do! especially because the spanish keep on threatening to go on strike!

Hi There

Last year we decided to fly in the night before the cruise and arrived in Barcelona pretty late in the evening, about 10:30 PM I seem to remember.

We chose a city centre hotel as we knew we'd have a short time the following day to enjoy the city before we needed to board the ship. So whilst we were unable to do any touring the night we arrived the next day we got up early and walked around Barcelona. We enjoyed breakfast in a cafe saw a few Gaudi buildings and had time to do a little shopping before returning to our hotel, checking out and getting a cab to the ship.

This year however, due to time constraints and holiday entitlement from our jobs, we are flying out on the first flight from London the day of the cruise, This means we will arrive in Barcelona around 9.30 in the morning,I think, and we plan to go directly to the boat, although I think we will be a little too early to board straight away. Hopefully will be able to find a nearby cafe or restaurant where we can spend a couple of hours enjoying a morning meal before we board.

SW

 

[MandyGirl]

Thank you, thank you! But don't forget Juanita. I'm working on a little pink tutu for her.

We have a pink tutu Juanita could wear! And btw - love the cotton candy!!

 

[PFlamingo]

We have a pink tutu Juanita could wear! And btw - love the cotton candy!!

It'd have to be a pretty small tutu - she's a 4 lb. Chihuahua! I just finished it. More like a skirt w/ tulle than a tutu, but not bad for just winging it. The top fabric is a hot pink & black leopard print.

 

[Namsupak]

Pat- I love your pink dog!!!!! That makes her extra cute. I think we can all agree though that we need a pic of Juanita in her tutu

Wow things have really moved along the past few days. We keep looking at airfare. It isn't going to be pretty. The cheapest we can find is roundtrip for around $800... all the one way tickets are around $2,000 Picking flights is always the worst part of planning.

 

[MandyGirl]

It'd have to be a pretty small tutu - she's a 4 lb. Chihuahua! I just finished it. More like a skirt w/ tulle than a tutu, but not bad for just winging it. The top fabric is a hot pink & black leopard print.

LOL! Our's was part of Em's Halloween costume... so she was about 4 months old and 12 lbs. But your's sounds cute!!

Wow things have really moved along the past few days. We keep looking at airfare. It isn't going to be pretty. The cheapest we can find is roundtrip for around $800... all the one way tickets are around $2,000 Picking flights is always the worst part of planning.

Flights would have killed the trip for us. I put everything on my American Airlines credit card, and pay it off each month, but essentially earn miles for my groceries and Sonic stops. We were going to let DD2 be a lapchild, but American was going to charge 10% of current one-way rate... which made her lapchild fee $260. To be in my LAP! So we cashed in another 30k miles so she could have her own seat DFW-BCN. Coming home from Orlando, I have Southwest RR pass to renew, and she WILL be a FREE lapchild then. But the airfare has been tough for everyone it seems.

On a side note, we are going to Colorado this summer, and although we can fly last-minute standby for little charge on Curt's employee benefits, the car rental is what's killing us there! Two weeks, economy car, Denver = $560. I'm used to finding the $15/day deals... (one week vacation, one week church mission trip)

 

[JessicasMom]

ahhh.... that would be awesome! A good ol' Parrothead gathering onboard! He is coming to DFW in May, but with me not working full-time, tickets are out of budget. Some friends want to tailgate, and it's an open-air stadium, so it's been suggested we listen from outside. We'll see.. We've seen Buffett in Vegas a couple times, and that is DEFINITELY a cool concert. You look out of place if you are NOT dressed the part!!

A few days ago, DH actually suggested I post to see if anyone would be interested in a Parrothead meet....he's seriously into JB. Great minds think alike, apparently! Anyway, he'd be first in line for a Parrot party.

DD moved to Austin from PA about three years ago. She works third shift, so she's sleeping during the worst heat of the day. Her first year, she was so worried about her electric bill, she didn't even use the AC (first year on her own). Then, she grew wiser.....! We'll be visiting in May or early June, and I'm sweating already (and I grew up in TN). My middle-aged bones can't take the heat and humidity anymore.

It was a lovely 60F here today; DH was in the yard working for 6 hrs and can now hardly move, but he's happy as a clam. Spring fever has struck!

 

[karentan]

We have pretty much used an electric clothes dryer all my life - are clothes lines pretty common in Europe? I noticed that a lot of rental properties mention having washers, but not dryers.

we've got both but i tend to use the dryer more, the weather's normally too unpredictable to keep your washing out all day!

We could only get late seating on our first few cruises, so we sort of fell into the habit of it. But we were always so late getting out - and you're right, no chance of partaking any of the late night buffets

thats exactly the same as us, kinda fell into late seating, but really liking the idea of early seating and trying more evening stuff. plus with the exception of madiera, all our all aboard times are before 6pm anyway

Pat- I love your pink dog!!!!! That makes her extra cute. I think we can all agree though that we need a pic of Juanita in her tutu

Wow things have really moved along the past few days. We keep looking at airfare. It isn't going to be pretty. The cheapest we can find is roundtrip for around $800... all the one way tickets are around $2,000 Picking flights is always the worst part of planning.

agreed need photos!
have you tried cheapoair.com? i managed to find really good one way flight prices for us on there

 

[granmaz]

We have pretty much used an electric clothes dryer all my life - are clothes lines pretty common in Europe? I noticed that a lot of rental properties mention having washers, but not dryers.

I do think people hang clothes out much more than in the US, but normally we do have tumble dryers. I noticed too the many apartments in Barcelona only have a washer and there wouldn't actually be anywhere to hang clothes out either. I think most would dry overnight hung up in the apartment though.

I love drying clothes outside.

This year however, due to time constraints and holiday entitlement from our jobs, we are flying out on the first flight from London the day of the cruise, This means we will arrive in Barcelona around 9.30 in the morning,I think, and we plan to go directly to the boat, although I think we will be a little too early to board straight away. Hopefully will be able to find a nearby cafe or restaurant where we can spend a couple of hours enjoying a morning meal before we board.

SW

I can't remember any little cafe's near the port. You would have to go for a bit of a walk. However, by the time you actually get to the terminal there will be a nice line of excited cruisers to chat to!!!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

ah man, i'm actually jealous of the 10 degrees! its only been about 5-7 here. roll on summer, i need some heat!


seriously looking at flights now, we'd be flying into barcelona on the 9th, but probably wont be getting in til 9pm (the day flight is about double the price, besides, we did the barcelona touring thing last year). i've found an airport close to the airport for about £70, but we'd have to get the shuttle or a taxi there. or there's one actually in terminal 1 at the airport for £100.
alternatively we could get a hotel in town, but then will have to pay taxi from the airport into town, then again from town to the port. plus we wouldnt get there til at least 10.30pm, so wouldnt really be going out once we got there.

which option would you guys choose? i'm leaning towards the one in the airport, we're only really there to sleep.
i'm too chicken to try and fly in on the day of the cruise! although the flight would only be an extra £10 and then we save the £100 on the hotel.......
ack, i really dont know what to do! especially because the spanish keep on threatening to go on strike!

I think in this situation I would stay at the airport hotel and probably opt for the Renaissance cruise deal some cruisers have opted for. On the plus side you could meet up with cruisers that evening when you arrive. I would always be too nervous to fly in on the day of the cruise myself.

So this year, my groomer-friend and I decided we should dye my American
So here is Luna with her dye-job:

[

She has received many compliments so far. In fact, I took her for a walk in the neighborhood this morning, and someone actually stopped his car to compliment her!

WOW .... I just love your fluffy pink dog ... she looks like a cuddly toy
So cute . Hope she wins the festival competition. Good luck

ok, so for our last 3 cruises we've always done late seating. dont know why, think its what we got assigned for first time and never wanted to change. as much as i like second seating, the last cruise we ended up missing some of the evening activities because we stayed at dinner for at least 2 hours, sometimes more...
what with this being the TA, there's apparently fewer kids on board, so main seating will be quieter than normal, but should i go for main dining or second. the early time doesnt bother me so much, but i also think it might be better for things like the dessert buffet and pirate night, as well as going to the evening activites.
which do you guys prefer?

We definitely prefer late seating. I don't like having to rush and get ready for dinner at 5:45 or thereabouts. We like to hang around up on deck and watch sailaway from the ports with a nice cocktail. We have always made it to Pirate Night even with late seating with no problems.

We have pretty much used an electric clothes dryer all my life - are clothes lines pretty common in Europe? I noticed that a lot of rental properties mention having washers, but not dryers.

Mostly in summer we hang our washing on the line. I really love doing it. The weather can be a bit unpredictable in this country so you can only really do it if you know it will be a good day, or you are staying around the house. In winter we use the tumble dryer.

 

[TotallyAngelic]

and I just realised .......


ONLY 25 WEEKS TO GO UNTIL WE ARE ON THE DISNEY MAGIC !!!!

 

[Pinky166]

and I just realised .......


ONLY 25 WEEKS TO GO UNTIL WE ARE ON THE DISNEY MAGIC !!!!

That definately deserves a dance.....

 

[Julie2009]

I love drying clothes outside.


I can't remember any little cafe's near the port. You would have to go for a bit of a walk. However, by the time you actually get to the terminal there will be a nice line of excited cruisers to chat to!!!

I also love drying clothes outside. It goes back to the days when Bill and I lived in a high rise flat and didn't have the outside option. When we moved to a house with a garden I was in my element

I don't remember anything at the port. Not even the shop that has been mentioned in this thread. I know you gave me a bottle of water Marilyn

and I just realised .......


ONLY 25 WEEKS TO GO UNTIL WE ARE ON THE DISNEY MAGIC !!!!

 

[LindaBabe]

We aren't even allowed to have clothes lines by our association rules. If I can possibly avoid it, I will never live in a community with covenants again!

 

[granmaz]

I understand it can all look untidy, but goodness me with the price of electricity etc, the sun and air is free, and your clothes smell great too.

We have had rental homes in Florida, and no way to even put some things out in the pool netted area. I do however put things out over the chair backs. I just can't understand not using all that sun and heat there instead of the dryers.