Sept 18 2010 WB TransAtlantic Pirates/Capt Jacks Re-Repoing Repossession Cruise Pt.6

[woody73]

. . . I had to leave to go out of town where I did not have access to the boards since last week

. . . I am on page 73 trying to catch up! This may take me awhile.

Welcome back Krisann.

I got an upgrade on my European cruise!

Congratulations!

Woody

 

[su_kraft]

Don't worry, your not the only one, there has been extensive conversations over the past few months on how we all are trying to move the pounds.
I am the same with the cruise being the motivation. I ended up making myself quite ill, I have gallbladder tumours to start with, they usually cause me no problems, but I went on this silly diet called the Dukan Diet, It is protein only for the first 5 - 10 days. Well, I got to about day 9 and my gallbladder chucked a major tantrum, I was pretty ill for a few days. Learnt my lesson, healthy food and exercise is they way to go. The good news is I did lose a couple of kg's! LOL!
Ew, I hate photo's. I always hide behind my kids! And as for he mirror, I avoid it at all costs!

I am an odd one... Last year I lost 10lbs on the cruise. All the activity, good sleep and portion control helps. I am not likely to go out of my way to get a snack unless hungry, so that also works in my favor.

Monica, keeping fingers crossed that the behavior stays north. I will also NOT be telling April that T is going as she will want to go. I want to enjoy myself.

See, I'm not I tend to lost weight also. On the PC, I lost 10 lbs. My activity level stays about the same but the eating is more controlled. So if I really want to get thin, I think I must live on the ship.

LOL - can I live on the ship too?

I just wanted to pass along that birkner, HallsofVA, tweety0227, and I are all set for our private tour that includes pick-up at the airport and drop-off at our hotel!

In case some of you are still on the fence about it, I wanted to consolidate some information I received through this discovery process. I'm also going to post it on the main board so hopefully someone else will benefit at some point.

• Website: http://www.barcelonadaytours.com/barcelona-city-tour.html
• Standard Private Tour Duration: 4 hours
• Standard Itinerary
  
  
  

  • La Sagrada Familia- world-famous architectural masterpiece
  • Park Guell- Gaudi's greatest Park with beautiful city views
  • Pg. de Gracia- Barcelona's most expensive & magnificent Avenue
  • La Pedrera- Gaudi's most famous building in Barcelona (Casa Mila)
  • Casa Batllo- Gaudi's most astounding contribution to Modernisimo
  • Casa Amataller- part of the trio "Apple of *******"
  • Casa Morera- part of the trio "Apple of *******"
  • Plaza España- most impressive plaza in Barcelona
  • The National Palace- a very impressive site with great views
  • The Olympic Ring- see where it all happened in 1992
  • Montjuic Castle- with lots of history and great city views
  • The Columbus Monument- for the world-famous explorer
  • Pt. Olympic- Built for the 1992 games: a Marina, shops & more
  • Plaza Catalunya- the famous plaza in the heart of Barcelona
• Pickup and drop-off at any location of your choice. This might save your budget from airport to hotel transportation costs.
• If pick-up is at the airport, pick-up time will be one hour after the last flight of those in your group arrives.
• If being picked up at the airport, they ensure the vehicle picking your party up will have enough room for all the luggage and carry-on.
• They were accommodating to multiple drop-off locations.
• Deposit is 50 EURO; the balance is due in full at time of arrival, payable only in currency.
• Payment towards the balance (beyond the deposit) is accepted, but know they will charge the 3.5% the credit card company charges them back to you. This can be done with multiple credit cards, too, so each family in your party could make their own on-line payment if they wish.
• Payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or PayPal.
• There is a FULL REFUND (less 5 Euros handling fee) in the event that: (1) You cancel the tour for whatever reason with at least 48 hours notice (2) If you cannot arrive due to international transport (flight/cruise cancellations, etc).
• Rates as of June 2010:
  
  
  

  • For one person - 198 Euros
  • Group of 3 people sharing the tour - 79 Euros per person
  • Group of 4 people sharing the tour – 69 Euros per person
  • Group of 6 people sharing the tour - 59 Euros per person
  • Group of 11 people sharing the tour -39 Euros per person
  • Group of 12 people sharing the tour -37 Euros per person
• Cost of tour does not include any admission prices to places, although they said that the standard itinerary does not go anywhere that has an admission price.
• If you wish to see what people think of these tours you can read some reviews on the Cruise Critic website: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1046181
• If you want a similar experience but don't want to go the route of a private tour, they have a public daily bus group tour option as well. Pick-up and drop-off is not included since this is a public tour. I do not know how many people those buses accommodate though, so it *could* be a large group. The daily bus group tour departs from the center of the city, but I don't know where specifically, so you would have to inquire. Cost is 45 Euros per person. Visit http://www.spaindaytours.com/bus-tours.html for more info on this option.

Kimberly - thanks so much for the info. What date is this for - the 16th or 17th? Also, can you share flight times?

Thanks for all the support everyone. My son is already aware that when we crusie Disney there are many other 'parents' out there.

How old is your son?

Hm....if you have your laptop there is no excuse for not checking in with us.

I am that odd doesn't like to shop woman....and Dennis is that odd loves to shop man.

Indeed... if you have a computer (or iPhone with the DIS app) there is no excuse...

I am a destination shopper... I know what I want, I figure out where to go and I am off... My mother still can't get over it... SHE is a shopper...

We are in the process of finalizing our excursions and I have to say, wow Disney sure charges families a lot. Comparing apples to apples it almost feels wrong how much they inflate the costs. Rant over.
...
Disney is charging $155 for a similar thing. With 5 people the difference is pretty steep. If it were just DH and I we would likely save the hassle and take the DCL excursion. It's just hard on families to absorb that difference. I certainly don't judge folks who afford the DCL excursions...

just thought I'd share my planning so far!

Thnaks for sharing! LittleDisneyLovers and our family are doing private tours on Gibralter, Madeira and St. Maarten. The cost of DCL excursions would have broken the bank...

I was at the doctor again for my wrist again. I'm still having pain, but now I have swelling in the hand and wrist. The doctor went back and looked at the MRI again. The arm was clear, but the wrist is fuzzy. So I need to get another MRI. It least the person that took my MRI said i was having problems holding still because of the pain, so my doctor prescribe me xanax for the MRI. I still not looking for another MRI. I will let you know the results when i get them.

Stephen

We booked onboard last September and avoided the fuel charges. Not sure how, but not complaining either. Good luck to all that are fighting DCL on it.

Stephen, I hope that your wrist starts to feel better soon!

For those of you who are following Phil, Emma & Ben's Med Cruise videos', day three, part one and two are up on Youtube:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2482390

Thanks for the link - I forgot to save it off! I think these are awesome, and are certainly putting me in the cruise mood!!

It is starting to get exciting now! Getting so close!

Hey - does anyome know where cruise docs come from? Is it Orlando or a clearing house? FedEx tried to deliver today and I can't imagine what they were bringing. We have to sign, and docs were all I could think of...

 

[paulcrsb]

Hey - does anyome know where cruise docs come from? Is it Orlando or a clearing house? FedEx tried to deliver today and I can't imagine what they were bringing. We have to sign, and docs were all I could think of...

Hmmm....seems a little early for docs. I have always gotten mine from Orlando and usually about 30 days out.

Paul

 

[Terapin]

This is exactly the reason when we were on the Med in 2007 that we chose to do 3 port days on our own. We had 6 of us and the excursions would have killed us. So I chartered a personal bus in Naples, Palermo and Pisa (yes we climbed it). Worked out much better for us and the coaches were fantastic. DCL is not very nice on the excursions but hey, that's why I have DIS friends. I would have eaten the $$ if not for my DIS friends and blogs where they all mentioned how easy it was to tour on your own. I especially loved it in Naples where we visited Pompeii, Herculeaum and Mt Vesuvius in one day. And made it back to the ship before DCL's excursions. So don't feel bad, sometimes you just have to go your own way and don't be surprised if your ahead of the DCL excursions. I'm amazed at how often we got to miss lines and experience more than they did.

THanks for the encouragement. We are planning things on our own now, and using the savings to look at booking a flamenco + dinner show in Barcelona!

 

[got2travel]

I just spoke with DCL and was told that is ALL they have been charging so I fired off an email to our travel agent. This is an additional $560.00 exactly so I am pretty PO'd right now.

We already got dinged $200 by DCL her not changing our ressie in time to this cruise so I am pretty ticked off right now. I think I am doing DCL cruises my own from now on.

On our NYE 2007 cruise, we spent over $25K with her and she really didn't do much as I booked on board and transferred to her. She also didn't really do any work or send a nice gift, just a mediocre one.

Sorry to take my frustrations out on you guys, but hey $560 is a a Spa Villa for us!!

Just my thoughts...

Keep fighting it. My taxes for 2 people before and after I fought the fuel surcharge are $138.60. The fuel surcharge was $224. That's still a lot less than what you're being quoted.

 

[birkner]

Keep fighting it. My taxes for 2 people before and after I fought the fuel surcharge are $138.60. The fuel surcharge was $224. That's still a lot less than what you're being quoted.

I intend to fight. Unfortunately, this is after the paid in full time and I am wondering if I am out of luck. If so, I am going to go after the money from the TA and of course, never use a TA again on a DCL cruise.

 

[got2travel]

How old is your son?

He'll be turning 15 on Sept 6. I've already told him that if he cruises, he won't be getting anything for his birthday as that will be his present.

 

[renegade7]

Catching up while I wait for a fax (via email) with slides I need to create for a meeting on Friday morning.

DH and I did some lovely excursions when we were on our honeymoon in January. Our favourite was the Greycliffe Wine and Cheese. So yummy and really interesting.

Where is Greycliffe - one of the ports we will be hitting?

We have reservations at Blandy's Wine Lodge for 1600 (if I remember correctly ) so that we can spend the day wandering around.

That sounds fun - where is that located at - guessing in Maderia?

 

[HallsofVA]

We are in the process of finalizing our excursions and I have to say, wow Disney sure charges families a lot. Comparing apples to apples it almost feels wrong how much they inflate the costs. Rant over.

I think we are going to most of the ports on our own, being super-conservative about time management.

In Madeira it seems easy enough to take a taxi or walk the 1/2 mile. From the town centre the cable car can be taken to Monte for only 9 euros, and we will visit the garden and take the toboggans down (about 10-15 euros pp).

The toboggans only take you half-way down, but there is a bus that takes you right back to town for 2 euros. We plan on touring the Mercado dos Lavradores, a fruit/fish/craft market, and eating lunch somewhere near the market. We may also visit the Madeira Story Centre, or the Blandy's Wine Lodge, or the Quinta de Palheiro Ferreiro (Victorian garden) depending on how the kids are doing. It seems very doable, and fairly inexpensive.

Disney is charging $155 for a similar thing. With 5 people the difference is pretty steep. If it were just DH and I we would likely save the hassle and take the DCL excursion. It's just hard on families to absorb that difference. I certainly don't judge folks who afford the DCL excursions...

just thought I'd share my planning so far!

Okay, we're following you! Just let us know where to meet you each day!!

 

[got2travel]

Catching up while I wait for a fax (via email) with slides I need to create for a meeting on Friday morning.



Where is Greycliffe - one of the ports we will be hitting?



That sounds fun - where is that located at - guessing in Maderia?

Blandy's is in Madeira and its got a whole lot of port tasting. I think that you can go taste without a reservation, but if you want a tour you have to schedule it. I was planning on finding my way there towards the late afternoon.

 

[MrsMork]

Oh yeah, I forgot why I checked in here. I got an upgrade on my European cruise! DCL has redeemed itself.

On the EBTA, I was rather miffed. My dinner partner was on her second DCL cruise in 10 years....I have more than 10 times that number of sailings. We had both booked the same category, and were both sailing solo. She got a very nice upgrade and I didn't. I know that the pixie dust lands where it will, but there's something amiss when loyalty is not only not being rewarded, but lack of loyalty is. In any event, on the European trip I'll have DD along and she's VERY happy to hear of the upgrade. MANY on our cruise meet were equally "dusted." Here's hoping for the same good luck for all of us on the WBTA!

Nice!

THanks for the encouragement. We are planning things on our own now, and using the savings to look at booking a flamenco + dinner show in Barcelona!

We hope to get a flamenco show scheduled for the evening of the 16th. I need to get on that!! There is one where you can have tapas instead of dinner (or dinner if you choose). The tapas option was much more affordable.

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Still need clarification on what you mean about likes and dislikes.

Basically that just means is there anything particular you like ..... such as favourite character, anything you collect, what your interests are etc.
Dislikes just means anything particular you would not like to receive.

Where going to Disneyland Paris next weekend, had this for my birthday

Connie

How wonderful ... I love Disneyland Paris. We usually go in July but this year it was way too exorbitant. With the cruise and 2 holidays planned for 2011 we need a cheap summer in the UK.

Oh! also just found out I passed both of my first OU (open university) courses! yay! I know they were only short courses but they were a big thing for me, and the start of my degree

Congratulations on passing your courses .... well done you

 

[birkner]

Nice!


We hope to get a flamenco show scheduled for the evening of the 16th. I need to get on that!! There is one where you can have tapas instead of dinner (or dinner if you choose). The tapas option was much more affordable.

I don't know if Kimberly is planning to do this with our tour group but if you would like company, John and I are interested.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

While everyone has paid in full by now, the cancellation penalty does not kick in until next week, so cancellations can still happen. I know because I am still uncertain about whether or not I will make it on the cruise but I have to decide by next weekend.

My fingers are crossed you end up cruising with us!

Interesting thread with some great luggage storage options
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2486712

One of the posters gave this website which lists all the different luggage storage facilities in Barcelona.
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/transport/baggage-storage-barcelona.html

awesome- will check it out- thanks!

I was afraid of this: Went away for a couple days over the weekend, when we got back there are 40+ pages to catch up on. I managed to get through 10 of them this morning before work. Just 30+ to go, not counting all the posts that will be put up while I am trying to catch up.

Jon

haha
I sooo can't keep up. Sometimes I catch up on the reading- or almost- and I have multi-quote ready to go next time I can get online--- just to find we're on another thread so it won't work.
I'm atleast reading... just can't catch up enough to really post!
Life keeping me busy...
had to get Ruby another car (gonna have to sell the camaro) cause she basically refuses to drive that one- and hasn't even got her license yet! (too hard for her to drive cause it's standard AND she could barely see over the hood even sitting on a pillow haha) So today we got her an automatic that fits her better. Thinking about taking that driving test tomorrow... *fingers crossed for her!*
Rita had her 10th birthday yesterday.... her party was last Sat though. My baby is growing up! wahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Spent all day Wed preordering iphone4's.
Yeah you know- important and not so important stuff... keeping me busy.


I need to start packing and still need to figure out all our transportation in Barcelona before the cruise.... I know time is gonna get away from me. So much going on this summer it's gonna zip by quick- I just know it!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I've just about decided that although my son does not deserve this trip, I should not punish myself. So since I don't have anyone I can leave him home with, looks like we both will be cruising. Could change my mind in the next few days, especially if the behavior goes south, but keeping my fingers crossed.


Also, in anticipation of keeping the cruise, I had a lengthy discussion with DCL today over the fuel surcharge. They refused to remove it so I told them to move my booking to something in 2011 and I'd be calling them back tomorrow to move it back to this cruise. They finally agreed to reprice my trip at today's rates, but without the fuel surcharge. I ended up getting a refund of $140. The surcharge was $224, so I'm still out $84, but hey $140 will buy me a lot of Drinks of the Day!

I hope you don't change your mind!
I want my fuel surcharges back too... but I"m not sure I'm willing to try a bluff about cancelling our booking and then rebooking it again. We want our rooms we have now! they might call me on that bluff.
sigh......
I'm glad you got yours back though!
I'm just counting myself lucky we're only paying the surcharge on 3 of us now... since we changed one room to cat 3 (2ppl) and THAT one didn't have the fuel surcharge on it.

So I take it that means that the fuel surcharge stays for those that paid it- but those that didn't have to pay it don't have to? I really dislike that unfairness. just sayin'

 

[granmaz]

Thanks for the link, I will check it out. Decision, decisions. Any other DISers out there have any more thoughts on Tortola?

Well if you have the chance I would get to see some of the island as it is beautiful and has some stunning views.

I hope you get the fuel surcharge sorted. I have no idea what we have paid so will go have a look. We didn't book right away, we booked the Baltic, but changed to this some time last year, so not sure what different taxes there are. Just shows how blindly we pay for things.

 

[TotallyAngelic]

With all this talk about fuel charges I have emailed my TA ( Dreams Unlimited) to see if we were charged it or not. If we have been charged it I have asked for it to be removed on the basis that it is discriminatory and basically a penalty for booking early. Don't know if I will have much luck with that.

I also priced up the cruise on DCL website and it is coming up now as $2276 for a cat 12 for 2 of us. We originally paid $2346.60 ( maybe the difference is the fuel supplement ) so I have asked if it would be a good idea to cancel and rebook at the lower price. However ..... we don't want to lose the $200 on board credit we got from DCL for booking early. So if we would lose this we will just keep our existing booking.

I wonder what the response will be?

 

[TotallyAngelic]

In Tortola, we're doing the Virgin Island Sail & Snorkel.

We hope to book this one too

Last time I was in Tortola ( 1990 ) I was working on the Royal Princess cruise ship and most of the crew didn't get any further than the Pussers Rum Bar where we encountered a bunch of British Royal Navy chaps on shore leave. Very entertaining.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I've been watching the price for the past week and a half. There was one point during that time that I thought there was a chance, but its just gone up and up since.

I knew that was going to happen- since they "figured" it for us right at summer. It always goes up in summer, atleast at the gas pumps so I figured...

sigh.......
I totally agree that this feels discriminatory and punishing those that booked early. Even moreso that those that booked later don't pay it AND some get it removed while others don't. It should be all or none, IMO

 

[gismo1554]

She's granary Sarah

LOL OK I need to learn to read my posts! I can't believe I wrote that! This is such a class response! I love it!

I will stop it at 10! That is the cutoff - we are done. I will get the list to everyone after my dad leaves. Well, it will be 9 if you are not counting yourself! I also have the entire medicine cabinet list done, just waiting for GTY's because I don't want to burden you with filling in the room numbers. I was thinking everyone would have theirs by the end of July.

I don't mind there being more if people want to join in.

I sent Hoagie Pie a PM about joining the scrapbook FE several pages back. Now I see that she wants to close it at 10 people. I would really like to be included if there is room for me. Please let me know. Thank you.

Brenda
(coconut1)

Brenda Im sure you can join! She may already have you on the list anyway!

I had marked Sandi's cutoff post to suggest we not close it because it was just opened and others may want to participate, then sure enough, you chimed in, Brenda!

Sandi, if you want to keep it in smaller groups, can I suggest that we just split the list of people in half or at least wait to see how many people want to be a part of it before deciding how/if it should be split? It would be a shame to disappoint people for signing up already.

This is a nice idea actually - maybe trying to keep groups to around the 10 mark or if we only have like 11 or 12 leaving it as one group? I donm't mind really just would be nice to have numbers in advance to sort out ordering

Many of our friends are very jealous of our European Vacation and journey on the Disney Magic. My DW, Lauren, and I would always say, jokingly, "You should come with us!"

Well, last night over dinner, a friend of ours told us that he and his wife will be arriving in Barcelona on Sept 15th and will be on the Magic.

Thank goodness its a big ship!

Daniel

Thats so funny! I love it!