Sept 18 2010 WB TransAtlantic Pirates/Capt Jacks Re-Repoing Repossession Cruise Pt.4

[TheCooksLuvDisney]

Just jumping in here to say Hey , Things have been hectic here and still trying to get things hammered out so we can get this cruise planned out ...LOL
TAKE WHAT YOU CAN !!!!!!!!!

Give Nothing Back!

Thats my current favoured option for the Friday. We have done this in several world wide cities, most recently Boston (wow one of the best we have ever done, and the best hop on hop off bus ever) ...and it has always worked for us. Before we go to a place, we note a list of the must do tourist attractions. On our designated bus day, usually the first day, we get up early. Have a day ticket, and first of all stay on the bus for the full circuit with the usually provided map. We take pics when we can, either through window or if its warm from open deck. Generally get the "lay of the land". When we get back to the starting board point we stay on to our first chosen attraction, then get off and go explore. Sometimes we note that its quick to walk to the next attraction...so might do a couple before getting back on the bus..and so on...
Adjust the length of stay according to the time we have and the tickets. If we only have one day..we do the full circuit...so we have seen from a distance the best things..and choose a couple of the most must see things..as time allows...
Sorry to ramble but we love sightseeing and taking pics of cities!
Lyn

This sounds like a great idea. We'll be getting in on Wednesday, so maybe a day pass for the hop on hop off bus for Thursday and a trip out to Montserrat on Friday.

 

[birkner]

TA called today and offered us an upgrade from a cat 4 to a cat 3. The bad news is it would cost us for two another $3500. I am going to decline as this is the cost of a whole cruise!!

Just my thoughts.....

 

[GOS]

We're staying at the Renaissance the night before, and I contacted them about their port shuttle. They have shuttles scheduled at 11, 12 and 1, but have offered to arrange a shuttle for 10am if needed (would put us at port around 10:30 by their calculations.)

For florida cruises, I'm usually at the port at 9:30 or 9:45 so I can be one of the first ones in the terminal when we're trying to get an upgrade. I don't know if we'd be trying to upgrade on this one, (or if they will be upgrades available) but I was wondering what time the port opens, and what time should we plan on getting there?

Any prior Barcelona cruisers have some advice before I respond back to the hotel concierge?

Thanks!

We've booked for the 11am shuttle, but if they do a 10am one we would probably switch.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

TA called today and offered us an upgrade from a cat 4 to a cat 3. The bad news is it would cost us for two another $3500. I am going to decline as this is the cost of a whole cruise!!

Just my thoughts.....

yikes, thats a lot

 

[lyn9856]

WE HAVE A BATHTUB!!!!

I am sitting here with a coffee and an hear water running! Just doing the final testing before our contractor-friend goes away for a few days (I begged him to get a tub installed before he left).

It's a lovely Jacuzzi tub. Unfortunately, it is a small oasis in the middle of bare insulation, plywood floors, and exposed roof beams. But now we can clean ourselves at our own house! By Monday we will have real live drywalled walls and ceiling again. Woot!

Brings back memories! I remember that one. No tiles or anything on the walls...but a great tub in all its splendour. I can still smell that certain smell if you splash too much and the plaster got wet!
Think how fabulous the final shopping for accessories is....mmm.think new towels, candles, soaps.......colour co-ordination...and a finished show bathroom! Post some before and after pics for us lol!

 

[lyn9856]

What is Disney up to?
We have today in UK, received a FED EX package..well..a neighbour did on our behalf. It had to be signed for...with the usual red tape and flourish of the electronic writing pen. All exciting looking. And marked urgent etc. My name on it...so DH thought it something to do with his birthday on Sunday lol so didnt open it. He didnt notice the Orlando post mark. But it still burns a hole on the kitchen work top, because he thinks I have planned a surprise.. I get home late this pm.and see its from OrlandOO...exciting!
NAH. Boring. A large heavy card package...with a tiny thin little letter inside, merely telling us when our final payment is due, and when we can start our excursion/Palo bookings. As if I didnt already know those dates lol
Now my point is............a few weeks ago...we got a scruffy thin letter through normal post...of little importance looking, almost overlooked as junk mail...and its the letter for OBC.
Just strikes me as funny

Bet we would all like a reduction on cost of cruise instead of money in FEDEX account!

Love yous anyway Disney
Lyn

 

[calmpets]

What is Disney up to?
We have today in UK, received a FED EX package..well..a neighbour did on our behalf. It had to be signed for...with the usual red tape and flourish of the electronic writing pen. All exciting looking. And marked urgent etc. My name on it...so DH thought it something to do with his birthday on Sunday lol so didnt open it. He didnt notice the Orlando post mark. But it still burns a hole on the kitchen work top, because he thinks I have planned a surprise.. I get home late this pm.and see its from OrlandOO...exciting!
NAH. Boring. A large heavy card package...with a tiny thin little letter inside, merely telling us when our final payment is due, and when we can start our excursion/Palo bookings. As if I didnt already know those dates lol
Now my point is............a few weeks ago...we got a scruffy thin letter through normal post...of little importance looking, almost overlooked as junk mail...and its the letter for OBC.
Just strikes me as funny

Bet we would all like a reduction on cost of cruise instead of money in FEDEX account!

Love yous anyway Disney
Lyn

I'm sure DCL doesn't mind if you miss the letter telling you about your OBC, but they definitely want to make sure they get their final payment!

 

[Terapin]

Brings back memories! I remember that one. No tiles or anything on the walls...but a great tub in all its splendour. I can still smell that certain smell if you splash too much and the plaster got wet!
Think how fabulous the final shopping for accessories is....mmm.think new towels, candles, soaps.......colour co-ordination...and a finished show bathroom! Post some before and after pics for us lol!

LOL- I'm laughing because anyone who knows me well would know that that was all done ages ago! I have all the towel racks, hooks, even soap dispensers all bought. The contractor is doing his job and I have done mine! Even the paint colour has been chosen. Will definately post the before and after (minus the carpenter ant damage, the wasps' nest, and the squirrel's nest, as those things aren't visible in the original pics but instead lurking underneath!).

 

[Terapin]

What is Disney up to?
We have today in UK, received a FED EX package..well..a neighbour did on our behalf. It had to be signed for...with the usual red tape and flourish of the electronic writing pen. All exciting looking. And marked urgent etc. My name on it...so DH thought it something to do with his birthday on Sunday lol so didnt open it. He didnt notice the Orlando post mark. But it still burns a hole on the kitchen work top, because he thinks I have planned a surprise.. I get home late this pm.and see its from OrlandOO...exciting!
NAH. Boring. A large heavy card package...with a tiny thin little letter inside, merely telling us when our final payment is due, and when we can start our excursion/Palo bookings. As if I didnt already know those dates lol
Now my point is............a few weeks ago...we got a scruffy thin letter through normal post...of little importance looking, almost overlooked as junk mail...and its the letter for OBC.
Just strikes me as funny

Bet we would all like a reduction on cost of cruise instead of money in FEDEX account!

Love yous anyway Disney
Lyn

We got that too and I had the same thought - why the important Fed-Ex envelope?

 

[Terapin]

TA called today and offered us an upgrade from a cat 4 to a cat 3. The bad news is it would cost us for two another $3500. I am going to decline as this is the cost of a whole cruise!!

Just my thoughts.....

Oooh, I'd love a cat 3 for this sailing. It was divine.

 

[birkner]

Oooh, I'd love a cat 3 for this sailing. It was divine.

We did the Walt on a NYE sailing and it was divine!! I can't justify the extra cost in my mind for the two of us for that much money as we spend so little time in the room.

 

[Terapin]

We did the Walt on a NYE sailing and it was divine!! I can't justify the extra cost in my mind for the two of us for that much money as we spend so little time in the room.

For 5 of us it would be lovely. I can't make the money appear on top of everything else, so the decision is out of our hands. But, one can dream!

 

[Bareacuda]

Got the Dr's ok for training!!!

Today I walked the 5K track... did it in 32:51 Have 6 weeks to cut 5 minutes off to take last years winner time of 26:31
Race day 10 April, and we dont run over the London Bridge this year
And after the race,
I get to start paddling outriggers, we're doing the last race of the season in Lake Las Vegas in October. Dual training

Anyone else out there gearing up for a race? Training tips???

Ann

 

[pjpoohbear]

Ann, congrats on the great results of your hard work.

Brikner, interesting that they are calling for paid upgrade so early. Or had you indicated a desire for a Cat 3?

Side note, the EBTA has started getting both free upgrades and Gty assignments. months to go for us, woo hoo!

Pj

 

[paulasillars]

I have a question . . what about plugs? Do we need special adapters to use the electricity for our hairdryers and laptops in Barcelona? Is the wireless there the same as in the states?

You'll need a travel adapter for power but you shouldn't need to worry about voltage all laptops (AFAIK) do the voltage switch for you. The wireless will be fine - thats an international standard.

He needs to get a life. We've done several long disney cruises and must admit that you hardly ever see the kids as they are having so much fun in their clubs.

That's why as DINKs we choose Disney - far too many bored kids lounging around on other cruise ships

Do we count as adopted Brits since Canada still considers it's head of state to be the Queen?

Sounds like we have a good commonwealth representation then

Thought I would post a question of the week as nobody did it yesterday ....

Disney Question: What are your all-time favourite Disney songs / music and why?

Non-Disney Question: What are your favourite non-Disney movies?

The Lion King - Can you feel the love tonight? But I love some of the theme park music just as much, Tapestry of Dreams/Nations gives me chills.

Out of curiosity, has anyone looked into a group rate at the Praktik Rambla? Since so many of us are planning to stay there, perhaps this is something they would be agreeable to offering.

Great idea - any one volunteering to ask on our behalf?

What is Disney up to?
We have today in UK, received a FED EX package..well..a neighbour did on our behalf. It had to be signed for...with the usual red tape and flourish of the electronic writing pen.

Snap ... we got our yesterday too - FED EX to New Zealand - no wonder Disney Cruises are so much more expensive than other cruise lines!

Then today we got in the regular mail the notification we got the $US100 OBC - we booked first day at tier 1 and have PIF. I'll be sure to keep hold of this so we can query it if need be.

 

[paulasillars]

Haven't posted this for a few days so here goes...

If you would like to put your name down for ground transport from area hotels in Barcelona to the port, please send me a PM. No obligation at this stage. We have 50 people interested.

 

[pjpoohbear]

I booked airfare! Direct JFK to BCN September 16th, arriving the 17th at 7:55am. $561.00

It is with Air France will call tomorrow to see if I can get an assigned seat, flown by Delta on this craft http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Delta_Airlines/Delta_Airlines_Boeing_767-400_Trans.php. I am hoping for a seat in one of the 2 seat sections. So excited. Now on to transport from the Airport to hotel, I have budgeted enough for a taxi or townish car (lol.)


Pj

 

[su_kraft]

I booked airfare! Direct JFK to BCN September 16th, arriving the 17th at 7:55am. $561.00

It is with Air France will call tomorrow to see if I can get an assigned seat, flown by Delta on this craft http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Delta_Airlines/Delta_Airlines_Boeing_767-400_Trans.php. I am hoping for a seat in one of the 2 seat sections. So excited. Now on to transport from the Airport to hotel, I have budgeted enough for a taxi or townish car (lol.)


Pj

PJ,

We too are on a AF/Delta code share (same pricing, but from Atlanta non stop on Wed.) and when we tried on line with AirFrance to book seats we were NOT able to. So, I read the fine print and it said for ticketing I had to go to the airport. So, I had to go there anyway to drop a visiting employee off. Glenn and I went, got in the AF line, and the guy couldn't pull it up. He called the Delta guy over. Delta could pull it up, and they got our seats and we linked skymile accounts to each ticket. I can now see and advance check in online - but all with Delta. So, if you can't get to your ressie with AirFrance, try Delta.

Funny story... When we got to the airport, and specifically to the AirFrance counter, the man behind the counter remarked (in very heave fFrench accent) This is AirFrance we don't fly to Spain. We said yes, we know. He then realizes it is a code share, calls the Delta guy over. While we are waiting, I mention that we are cruising back. They are going back and forth - paying us no mind. The Delta guy say this is for September! Again, yes - we just want to pick our seats as it is 2 adults, 2 kids. So, we get it all assigned, gather our documents and turn away. The Delta guy then says to the AF guy "These are one way!". Glenn and I just laughed... You would have thought that they would have listened... How many people are bouncing up and down all excited about a trip they are not taking that day? Sheesh... Their faces were priceless... They probably laughed at us as much as we laughed at them the whole way home...

Sue

 

[pjpoohbear]

Paula, I feel the same way now that my air is booked, lol.

Thank you very much for the tip on checking with Delta.

Pj

 

[birkner]

Ann, congrats on the great results of your hard work.

Brikner, interesting that they are calling for paid upgrade so early. Or had you indicated a desire for a Cat 3?

Side note, the EBTA has started getting both free upgrades and Gty assignments. months to go for us, woo hoo!

Pj

We had originally wanted a cat 3 and had been on the waiting list but when push came to shove, the cost was just too high.