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

[Buckeye Gal]

.... I did not see Toy Story 3, I am saving myself for the cruise. I hate to cry in public so if I go to the theatre, maybe I can hide!!!

.... I wanted the Mr. Potato Head assortment sent for my daughter's surgery. I paid of course, but they sent it Fed-Ex with a beautiful card regarding her surgery and a bunch of character autographs.... I still remember her smile through all the gauze!

I'm also holding out for the cruise to see TS3 in 3-D!!

That's a wonderful thing for them to do! How sweet!!

 

[woody73]

I am working on my budget for the cruise and was hoping someone might be able to help, as the canned email response from Disney to my question did not answer my question. For those of you who did the EBTA or did a TA last time - do you recall if they stop charging the VAT tax when we get out into the Atlantic (i.e. Spa, Beverages, etc)? Also, are the Shore Excursion (in Europe) prices posted inclusive of the VAT?

As I understand, the VAT is charged on all goods and services in a given country. You can get a VAT refund on goods purchased and taken out of a country.

There is no VAT refund on food consumed or services provided.

Stores set minimum purchase amounts. The minimum for a VAT refund at Marks & Spencer was 75 GBP. You have to bring your passport (some stores also require your travel documents showing you are leaving the country).

I don't know if there will be a VAT refund desk at the Barcelona port.

YMMV

Woody

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Our kids might get along just fine! My ds is 12, and my dd is 10 going on 8 or 18 depending on her mood and whether there are toys involved. She loves drawing and reading, and playing with toys and webkins Some times she finds it hard to find mates her own age because her interests are still young compared to her peer group. But as a parent I like it because it means she isn't growing up

I'm right there with you!
She's the baby of the family.... so I'm a-okay with her staying young at heart- and she sounds very much like your dd... they'll probably get along well. My youngest dd is the one that makes friends with EVERYONE.

I have booked Parasailing on CC for 1230, but am wondering whether to keep or not. Originally DH promised this as part of my christmas present last year k. But he did say I could change to something else if I wish. My main concern is that we are at CC for such a short time, how can I sacrifice the time at |Serenity Bay! It would mean not getting down there until likely 2pm. And then its Lunch to rush....Will be pondering this one! As dedicated beach bums, we normally hit the loungers and stay there lol. Am thinking might be better to have a massage or something on a sea day, when weather may limit our sunbed time by the adult pool!


Lyn

Same concern here.
There are some things we wanted to do- but I think we'll have to pass on this cruise.
And unfortunately our next two cruises (Alaska repo/Alaska) also won't go to CC!
if it was a present promised- i'd definitely opt for something relaxing on a sea day instead- lots of sea days to choose from on this cruise!

Its in the Castaway Club area. On the left it tells you what level you are and how many cruises you have taken. It then gives a link to "View My Cruises". It has your past and upcoming cruises listed.

I will have had 50 nights onboard before I become gold.

Same here- 50 nights each with 2 rooms (some of which are cat 3)

But what REALLY stinks is that our 5th cruise/50 nights will be on our next cruise after the TA- which is the cruise taking the Wonder to Alaska- and we're doing B2B with the alaska cruise after that. We'll have to do the 5th cruise before we qualify... then immediately do the 6th cruise. so yeah- we won't get the benefits of booking early and all that- until our 7th cruise.. sigh
I wish it was if it was booked. it's not like we're gonna book stuff for the 6th (alaska) cruise and then cancel our repo to alaska and not reallly qualify at that point. whatevs........

Woody, as always, you make the most succinct statements. I agree completely. Why should a 2 day cruise have the "same" value as a 15 day Panama Canal crossing. It just doesn't make sense.

totally agree- doesn't make sense to me either!

 

[woody73]

What a great place!! I love places like that have a long LA history. I was born in Pasadena. When I was a little girl, I used to go to the Farmers Market with my Grandmother so she could pick up her weekly meat order. Those were the days when Tusquella's had a meat market there. I still have one of their 1953 calendars.

Thanks Woody, for taking me back down memory lane.

WOW! Small world. We love going to the Farmers Market.

Today the coffee at Philippes costs 9 cents. (Not a typo.) I remember when it was 5 cents.

Tomorrow we leave for Yosemite with some dear friends from Pasadena. That is, if I ever get off the computer and pack!

Woody

 

[mdwoodman]

I am trying for the guide but can not promise if we end up with the vans. I am going to try to incorporate the pools.

From the email:

For those in your group who can walk well, it will take them 30 minutes from Blandy’s to the pier. Alternatively, there’s the possibility of you taking a taxi very close to Blandy’s. For your trip from there to your cruise ship, you’ll pay 7.50 Euros.

Any more questions, comments or concerns, please let me know.
Noel

I agree wholeheartedly with using the smaller vans. They are easier to maneuver, so there's less wasted time jockying the vehicle; they're faster to load; and we don't have to wait on so many others.

I know that Daniel speaks very good English and normally conducts his own tours; I'm sure that the other drivers will, as well. I don't think having a separate tour guide is an issue.

 

[birkner]

WOW! Small world. We love going to the Farmers Market.

Today the coffee at Philippes costs 9 cents. (Not a typo.) I remember when it was 5 cents.

Tomorrow we leave for Yosemite with some dear friends from Pasadena. That is, if I ever get off the computer and pack!

Woody

Wow, that is really a deal for coffee!!

One of my favorite places on Earth, Yosemite. In DH John's younger years, he used to hike the park for at least two weeks every year. I have a fabulous picture from that time of him in his hiking gear!!

We have stayed many times at the Ahwahnee. Our close friend's son was married at the Wawonna a few years ago. Have a wonderful time.

 

[birkner]

I agree wholeheartedly with using the smaller vans. They are easier to maneuver, so there's less wasted time jockying the vehicle; they're faster to load; and we don't have to wait on so many others.

I know that Daniel speaks very good English and normally conducts his own tours; I'm sure that the other drivers will, as well. I don't think having a separate tour guide is an issue.

I am so glad to hear about Daniel and potentially his drivers. I think people were expressing concern that the drivers might not be able to act as knowledgeable tour guides. This is a question that I am going to clarify with them.

 

[woody73]

I have been re-thinking my Barcelona tour. There are two museums that sound interesting. The Museu Maritim (Maritime museum) and the Castell Dels Tres Dragons (The Castle of the Three Dragons). The later museum is a Zoology and Geology Museum. They are together and make up the Natural Science Museum. The book says that a skelton of a whale greets the visitors.

Has anyone either seen these or heard of them?

We went to the Maritime Museum, which was nice. We got in for free, which was even better. (I think it is free one day of the week -- I didn't bother to question the cashier, especially after I tried to hand him a 20 EUR bill, and he simply just waived us in.) There was a special exhibit on submersible vessels. I think there are 2-for-1 coupons in the hop on hop off coupon book.

We are not big fans of maritime museums, but we were with someone in our group who was and he really enjoyed it.

Woody

 

[1DisneyQueen]

We went to the Maritime Museum, which was nice. We got in for free, which was even better. (I think it is free one day of the week -- I didn't bother to question the cashier, especially after I tried to hand him a 20 EUR bill, and he simply just waived us in.) There was a special exhibit on submersible vessels. I think there are 2-for-1 coupons in the hop on hop off coupon book.

We are not big fans of maritime museums, but we were with someone in our group who was and he really enjoyed it.

Woody

Thank you for sharing that. Dh is not overly excited (trying to pc about how I describe his emotions) about going to the Casa Mila again. Thought we could explore something different.

 

[nacho1337]

Its in the Castaway Club area. On the left it tells you what level you are and how many cruises you have taken. It then gives a link to "View My Cruises". It has your past and upcoming cruises listed.

I will have had 50 nights onboard before I become gold.

You got me beat. By the end of this cruise i will be gold members and have 47 nights.

 

[mdwoodman]

Off topic, but do we have any DISers from the Chicago area?

 

[woody73]

One of my favorite places on Earth, Yosemite. . .

We have stayed many times at the Ahwahnee. . .

Have a wonderful time.

Thanks, Noel. We're staying at the Yosemite Lodge for four nights. This has become an annual trip with about 25-30 friends (some I have know since the 7th grade). We have a blast!

The Ahwahnee is beautiful, and we hope to stay there one day. Our group typically goes there for brunch on Saturdays. Love the view and the omelette bar.

Woody

 

[mdwoodman]

Thanks, Noel. We're staying at the Yosemite Lodge for four nights. This has become an annual trip with about 25-30 friends (some I have know since the 7th grade). We have a blast!

The Ahwahnee is beautiful, and we hope to stay there one day. Our group typically goes there for brunch on Saturdays. Love the view and the omelette bar.

Woody

As a kid, I backpacked through Yosemite several times, twice over Mt. Whitney. Great memories!

 

[Dizneyholic]

I received an email today for $10 off a $10 purchase with Zazzle.com. So if you haven't purchased your Mickey Mouse Club T-shirts yet (see Post #1), feel free to use the coupon code!

I don't know if the code can only be used once or not.

Use Code: IBUPLRYLHEGIUJIFIPKB
Expires Tuesday, June 22 at 11:59pm PDT

Thanks!! We just used it to order our Mickey shirts!!

Wow, that is really a deal for coffee!!

One of my favorite places on Earth, Yosemite. In DH John's younger years, he used to hike the park for at least two weeks every year. I have a fabulous picture from that time of him in his hiking gear!!

We have stayed many times at the Ahwahnee. Our close friend's son was married at the Wawonna a few years ago. Have a wonderful time.

We had friends who got married at the Wawonna a few years ago too!! Was the wedding on Halloween??

 

[1DisneyQueen]

We had friends who got married at the Wawonna a few years ago too!! Was the wedding on Halloween??

Ok, that would to funny if it was. It truly would be a "Small World After All." Sorry I could not resist. After all it is my favorite ride at WDW.

 

[woody73]

As a kid, I backpacked through Yosemite several times, twice over Mt. Whitney. Great memories!

Lucky you! I wish I could have experienced Yosemite when I was younger.

What's the saying? "The best time to plant a tree is yesterday. The second best time is today."

Woody

 

[paulcrsb]

You got me beat. By the end of this cruise i will be gold members and have 47 nights.

I've never paid much attention to how many days I've cruised so I went on the Castaway Club and was surprised to see that I have 110 days on board. I can't wait to add another 14 days!

 

[ReAnSt]

If anybody wants to come to Hersheypark send me or my brother Stephen Nacho1337 a PM. We are up there pretty often as we have season passes.

 

[M4travels]

Today we had out of town guests (one of whom has never been west of the Mississippi!). We went to Philippes. It's a Los Angeles landmark.

Woody

LOVE the dips!!!

 

[KrisannB]

This should make you feel better:

On the EBTA, we had five zone time changes, and lost an hour of sleep five night in a row.

On the WBTA, you will gain back those hours -- five extra hours of sleep!

People on the EB were jealous of the WB.

Woody

Is that not why we booked the WBTA just to get back those hours! If they leave on the Magic - they should be returned on the Magic

I have booked Parasailing on CC for 1230, but am wondering whether to keep or not. Originally DH promised this as part of my christmas present last year k. But he did say I could change to something else if I wish. My main concern is that we are at CC for such a short time, how can I sacrifice the time at |Serenity Bay! It would mean not getting down there until likely 2pm. And then its Lunch to rush....Will be pondering this one! As dedicated beach bums, we normally hit the loungers and stay there lol. Am thinking might be better to have a massage or something on a sea day, when weather may limit our sunbed time by the adult pool!

Lyn

We chose the earliest CC Parasailing so when we get off the boat - we first go parasailing and then head to lunch and then to the beach - last time we spent a lot of time coming and going to our parasailing time so hopefully this will take care of that!

[/COLOR]

Acourtwdw (Amanda & Annette) still doing the FE.
If the port at Barcelona is like Port Canaveral, you check in, then there is a different line for the id picture. So your kids wouldn't need to be at the check in counter with you.

They take all the pictures at the check in now at PC- even at the airport - no more "camera" area - so only one line to stand in.

Tomorrow we leave for Yosemite with some dear friends from Pasadena. That is, if I ever get off the computer and pack!

Woody

LOL - Do you ever unpack? You are my travel hero!


Krisann