Sept 18 2010 WB TransAtlantic Pirates/Capt Jacks Re-Repoing Repossession Cruise Pt.7

[UKANGEL]

Spain actually passed a law a couple of years back that said restaurants had to be smoke-free unless they have a physical barrier (a wall, not just separate areas) and then they could have a smoking section. I was really excited after having suffered through many miserable business dinners. I know that after a while there was quite an uproar and there was talk about the government backing off on some of the regulations. I hope it's still in effect!

That's interesting, thanks

I've been a little worried about the fact that I don't speak too much Spanish for when we are in Barcelona. Is anybody else worried about that? I swear I have a learning problem when it comes to foreign lanuages - I just can't learn them! The only lanuage I actually did well in was Latin when I was in high school - and that is a dead lanuage! LOL!!! I've heard many people speak English, but I'm just wondering if we'll run into any issues with the little bit of Spanish I speak.

We had no trouble at all last year with only speaking English, don't worry!

When you told me that the Champagne Girls were being discussed over here.....I just HAD TO come and peek. Then I saw that I know so many here....it feels like home. I really wish I was travelling on this one with all of you.

I LOVE your pink tink too!

YOU CRADLE ROBBER!!!!

moi?!!

Sorry Deb, but it just isn't right without you.

Agreed!

 

[granmaz]

It would appear that Spain's smokefree laws are fairly recent by this article which says The Ministry of Health and Social Policy will ban smoking in all enclosed public spaces, entertainment venues and restaurants in 2010, according to minister Trinidad Jimenez.. I couldn't find anything in my quick search to see if that has taken affect. In regards to restaurants, their previous 2006 law would be in effect "Spain’s 2006 law allows separate seating sections and ventilation options in certain public places such as bars and restaurants, hotels, and airports. Spain does not meet the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 8 Guidelines which mandate 100 percent smoke-free legislation.
"

I think basically in some places they just don't take any notice of the laws because smoking is just so much a part of the culture, but I would think in the bigger city places there would be more 'policing' of the situation.

We went to Lanzarote, a Spanish island, last year and went to a restaurant one evening. It was only small, and we were at the back. A group came to a larger table right at the front and soon lit up. Then others, noticing these smokers also lit up. There was no escape at the back of the restaurant. I mentioned that I thought there was no smoking in restaurants to the owner on the way out and he just shrugged his shoulders. Needless to say we didn't go back and won't until it changes. Not all are like this though and we found some great smoke free ones. Stick to the bigger better known restaurants if you have a problem with smoke when eating or drinking.

 

[UKANGEL]

OK, need to get off my butt now and get to the gym.....


I have a lovely day planned. After the gym I'm off into town to meet my friend for coffee, then we're going to see Eclipse then off to Jamie Oliver's Italian for early dinner....all to celebrate her 40th tomorrow


Have a good day everybody

 

[TotallyAngelic]

OK .. I have been scrutinising those photos but can't recognise anyone in them .... are any of our cruisers in those photos ? Mandy / ? Marilyn / ? anyone else. I think you will need to identify yourselves

 

[dolphingirl47]

thats cute, I think some one needs there cc confiscated

I wonder who that might be?

Another lovely dress. What or where do the company advertise, that you buy your dresses from ?. One of my daughters is very tall and it might be somewhere, that she could maybe get a dress from.




We stayed in Barcelona for 4 nights before our Med cruise, at 2 different hotels. No one had smoked in the rooms that we had. We also ate out every evening, only 1 of them outside and smoking was certainly not a problem or something that we noticed.
I would notice as I gave up smoking 13 months ago.
I also noticed that some European countries, are getting better at providing smoke free areas and non smoking rooms.
I will add though that this was our experience.

I will send you the details regarding dresses and Fish Extenders by PM.

We were only in Barcelona for one day before the Med cruise, but I did not notice any problems with smoking either and we are bot very sensitive to smoke. The restaurant we ate at was smoke free as was our room and the breakfast area in the hotel.

No worries, I just love reading that thread and hearing about some of the great upgrades folks get.
At the minute I will sleep on a deck chair, I just want my big butt on that ship !!!!!

I keep telling DH that we are in a lifeboat suite.

Corinna

 

[gismo1554]

I found the 7 day wine package, I just emailed and asked if they are having 14 night one, I should ask one of the eastbounders

Lynne on the 2007 ones what they did was offer the 7 night one then you could buy it twice for the 14 nights or just have 7 bottles over the 14 nights

 

[UKANGEL]

OK .. I have been scrutinising those photos but can't recognise anyone in them .... are any of our cruisers in those photos ? Mandy / ? Marilyn / ? anyone else. I think you will need to identify yourselves

lol would you believe I never atually got to cruise on either of them ....... even after starting off the idea!


Marilyn is there though, and Michelle (who WILL be booking this cruise...y'hear me Michelle?) must go back and check who else is there......

 

[gismo1554]

For the US folks, are you getting euros and/or other currency in advance? If so, where are you getting them, and do you have any guidelines for how much you're getting or think you'll need?

In the past, I've gotten funds at American Express Travel, AAA, or my credit union. I noticed that AAA offers both currency and a refillable debit card in euros or pounds that appeals to me for security reasons (can be replaced if lost or stolen, and the funds are pin protected) though not offering the greatest exchange rate at the moment.

My thoughts:

If you are getting Euros and not from the UK use Euros in Gibraltar as they are accepted! If going to/from the UK though use British Pounds as these give a better rate in general

 

[gismo1554]

I am on the roll call website... Let me know if you can't find me.

I think it was me not noticing you! Sorry!

 

[gismo1554]

Thanks, I will put your name on those 2. I will be looking on Ebay for some more pin trades before we go.

Thanks Sarah you're a star! If there are any from those you want let me know and I will post the new pins when I get them!

 

[gismo1554]

Well I've been productive today! Booked the airport bus just in case as only £10 more for the return than singal - still hoping to bag a lift - also sorted out most of my chocies although Dan was sent to get them and he brought Tesco not Cadbury but never mind. They still taste nice!

I feel I'm prepared now!

Oh and I'm going to see Twighlight tonight (Twiglet as I call it) having never seen any of the others! Am I going to get confused?

 

[Candy Apple]

For the US folks, are you getting euros and/or other currency in advance? If so, where are you getting them, and do you have any guidelines for how much you're getting or think you'll need?

In the past, I've gotten funds at American Express Travel, AAA, or my credit union. I noticed that AAA offers both currency and a refillable debit card in euros or pounds that appeals to me for security reasons (can be replaced if lost or stolen, and the funds are pin protected) though not offering the greatest exchange rate at the moment.

Are there other good places for getting currency? I'm always going by the Travelex currency exchange booth in the airport, but just assume their rates stink without really checking them.

I've been trying to figure out what we may need euros for to figure out how much to get. We need 213 euros to cover our tours in barcelona and Madeira (not including any tips or admissions to anything.) We'll have 2 days in Barcelona before getting on the ship, so we'll need money for 2 each breakfast, lunch and dinner for 2 adults/2 kids. We'll also need lunch in Madeira. We'll need some transportation money to get around barcelona (we're currently staying at the Marriott Renaissance at the airport, but may move to the Le Meredian if I can earn another free night by then.) The Renaissance has a shuttle to the port that is pretty reasonably priced (30-40 euros for the 4 of us I think). Then of course there are snacks, water, and any sites we decide to see on Friday that we have to pay for.

On Madeira, we're doing a tour in the morning, then lunch, before seeing any sites we want to see in detail. We also want to get some wine, and possibly a tablecloth or other local good.

I know St Martin also uses euros, so we could spend any left overs there, though we didn't spend any euros last time we were there.

Then there's Gibralter, and what to do about currency for there.

Any advice, recommendations, etc?

St. Martin--use US dollars

Gibraltar--use Euros

Its the same here with smoking - public buildings, businesses, restaurants, bars, casinos are all smoke free. Schools including the grounds are all smoke free too. There has even been recent discussion about making prisons smoke free.

I don't actually know anyone socially that smokes yet I understand we have a fairly high smoking population. The last smoker at work just quit as she's now pregnant (but thats a whole other story).

I do find it very noticeable whenever I'm overseas as there are definitely more smokers around, even in Australia.

Our recycling is also much the same by the sounds of it - 3 bins for sorting it into - green waste, recyclable stuff and rubbish.



It would appear that Spain's smokefree laws are fairly recent by this article which says The Ministry of Health and Social Policy will ban smoking in all enclosed public spaces, entertainment venues and restaurants in 2010, according to minister Trinidad Jimenez.. I couldn't find anything in my quick search to see if that has taken affect. In regards to restaurants, their previous 2006 law would be in effect "Spain’s 2006 law allows separate seating sections and ventilation options in certain public places such as bars and restaurants, hotels, and airports. Spain does not meet the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 8 Guidelines which mandate 100 percent smoke-free legislation.
"

All this talk about smoking got me wondering. Is smoking allowed on the US to Spain flights? That would really make me .

 

[pilk]

Flights to Netherlands booked - Check
Flight to UK booked - Check
Flight to Spain booked - Check
Flight to Spain rebooked - Check
Flight to Spain booked again - Check
House/Pet sitter booked - Check
Cruise booked/paid - Check
WDW booked - Check
Excursions - Check
Finding new house/pet sitter

Well everything was going well until our sitter decided they were not available during the time. Now we have to find other arrangements Not an easy thing to find for five weeks. We are going to need some prayers for this one as Rylea is a little bit of a special needs with seperation anxiety and fear of storms. She is to the point that she bent the bars on her metal crate a couple years back. There is always the option of putting her in the luggage but she would take up my limit. Guess its one outfit for me for the 5 weeks. I'll be spending alot of time in the laundry rooms

Jon

 

[birkner]

PIN REMINDER PAYMENT DUE BY JULY 21, 2010



Connie wanted me to let people know that a list of the people who have purchased pins and have paid is now available on page one of the thread.

List has been posted to post 5 on page one.http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37140824&postcount=5

Please check the list to be sure you have the correct number of pins posted with your DIS name.

in order for her to order the pins for us to have by our sail date, Connie needs to have payment in full for the pins by July 21, 2010.

I repeat her instructions on payment from her original post with some additional instructions:

The pins cost 4,50 Euro each. You can pay the money for the pins on Noel's PayPal or on Patrick's PayPal account. Maybe the cost for people who live in America is less if you pay on Noel's account, she will send the money to Patrick's account.

Noel's PayPal account is birkner@needinfo.com
Patrick's PayPal account is p.vanmaaren@chello.nl

Please send your money to one of us with your DIS name and number of pins ordered. You must pay for your pins before 21 July so we can order the pins on time and also the numbers of pins we want. After 21 July, we can't order any pins.

When you pay Noel, you must first do a practice transaction in Euros to determine how much to send to her. Do not complete the transaction. Just use it as an example.

Here is an example of how you determine what to pay for one pin:
Gift For €4.50 EUR
p.vanmaaren@chello.nl
Personal Member
(equal to $5.90 USD)
I will pay the fee:
€0.02 EUR
Your total charge:
€4.52 EUR
Patrick will receive:
€4.50 EUR

Connie plans to hand out the pins at our DIS meet on September 18. If you can not attend the meet, please let her or I know. We can then make special arrangements to get the pins to you at a later time.

If you have any questions or concerns, please either PM myself or Connie.

Noel

 

[cquick]

OK .. I have been scrutinising those photos but can't recognise anyone in them .... are any of our cruisers in those photos ? Mandy / ? Marilyn / ? anyone else. I think you will need to identify yourselves

I am in the first one!

 

[cquick]

Sounds great ... count me in. Off to look for a pink boa on Ebay
.

Don't bother buying a boa from Ebay.....they probably sell them at your local hobby shop or craft store. If they don't, I will bring you one from Michaels crafts. They are less than $10, and I usually can find coupons for 40% off each week. I will dig out the ones I have here at home....and I am sure I have some plastic tiaras for those who can't find them....or don't have them for formal night.

Connie

 

[granmaz]

OK .. I have been scrutinising those photos but can't recognise anyone in them .... are any of our cruisers in those photos ? Mandy / ? Marilyn / ? anyone else. I think you will need to identify yourselves

I am in both!! I'm the one in the pink furry tiara!!

 

[cquick]

This was our first one:

Here's Sassy Bubbles:



This is the second one that was held:

Angel, here's our first graphic....do you remember doing it?

Whatever you decide to do.....I think it's wonderful that the Champagne Girls are Forever and that they can travel from cruise to cruise and keep up the tradition.

I have my furry pink tiara and boa you sent me, Deb, remember? I couldn't join you on the second Champagne girls cruise....but I was with you in spirit!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

I am in the first one!

I am in both!! I'm the one in the pink furry tiara!!

Girls ... I will need row and position on that row .... everyone has on pink fluffy tiaras !!!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

I have now got my new computer ....

DIS looks great on a 23 " monitor as opposed to a 15 " which is what I have had for the past 11 years.