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

[steamboat will]

Our dinner at Jamie's was wonderful too...can highly recommended it

I've been hearing good things about it recently.

I'll be sure to give it a go soon

SW

 

[Sea Rogues]

This is weather so the values do not represent the actual temperatures that we will experience they are representations of temperature averages that could possibly help in planning. Weather prognostication is magic anyway.
For example a light jacket might be needed in Barcelona or Maderia if we have a cool rainy day or if you are going up the mountain; however, if it is cloudy and rainy in Sint Maarten on the beach you won’t need a jacket since the temperatures will probably be in the eighty’s.
Remember, for the Caribbean, this is hurricane season so if a tropical storm brews the temperature and precipitation estimates are blown out the window with the wash.
The temperature values are degrees Celsius / degrees Fahrenheit. Precip (rain) is in millimeters / inches and is a prediction for the month we are visiting the port.

Barcelona, Spain
High 25.5/78
Mean 21.1/70
Min 16.6/62
Precip 85.09/3.35

Maderia, Portugal
High 25.6/78.3
Mean 22.3/72.1
Min 18.9/66
Precip 36.7/1.45

Gibraltar, UK
High 31.8/89.2
Mean 23.3/73.9
Min 17.6/63.7
Precip 42/1.7

Sint Maarten, NA
High 31.6/88.8
Mean 28.6/83.5
Min 26.2/79.16
Precip 139/5.47

Tortola, BVI
High 31/86
Mean 27.5/79.5
Min 24/73
Precip 155/6.14

Castaway Cay, Bahamas
High 30/86
Mean 26.6/80
Min 23.3/74
Precip 102.9/4.05

Squall coming up, got to turn her into the wind. Talk to ya later mates.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

This is weather so the values do not represent the actual temperatures that we will experience they are representations of temperature averages that could possibly help in planning. Weather prognostication is magic anyway.
For example a light jacket might be needed in Barcelona or Maderia if we have a cool rainy day or if you are going up the mountain; however, if it is cloudy and rainy in Sint Maarten on the beach you won’t need a jacket since the temperatures will probably be in the eighty’s.
Remember, for the Caribbean, this is hurricane season so if a tropical storm brews the temperature and precipitation estimates are blown out the window with the wash.
The temperature values are degrees Celsius / degrees Fahrenheit. Precip (rain) is in millimeters / inches and is a prediction for the month we are visiting the port.

Barcelona, Spain
High 25.5/78
Mean 21.1/70
Min 16.6/62
Precip 85.09/3.35

Maderia, Portugal
High 25.6/78.3
Mean 22.3/72.1
Min 18.9/66
Precip 36.7/1.45

Gibraltar, UK
High 31.8/89.2
Mean 23.3/73.9
Min 17.6/63.7
Precip 42/1.7

Sint Maarten, NA
High 31.6/88.8
Mean 28.6/83.5
Min 26.2/79.16
Precip 139/5.47

Tortola, BVI
High 31/86
Mean 27.5/79.5
Min 24/73
Precip 155/6.14

Castaway Cay, Bahamas
High 30/86
Mean 26.6/80
Min 23.3/74
Precip 102.9/4.05

Squall coming up, got to turn her into the wind. Talk to ya later mates.

Thanks for that info, but one thing for sure....................
It will be warmer than in Scotland

 

[MrsMork]

Ok, and this is... even when we sleep in and are not THE FIRST on the island?!?

THANK YOU!!

You should not have a problem finding an umbrella....and by the time we are at CC you should have met LOTS of nice DISers who would be happy to share the shade with you.

Thanks for that info, but one thing for sure....................
It will be warmer than in Scotland

Yes, thank you for this info. It is very helpful. Montanans won't need a coat for sure!

 

[Terapin]

Hi!

Just looking at things to do in Gibraltar, I found this website:

http://www.gibraltarinfo.gi/gibraltar-tickets.aspx

They sell advance tickets to sights in Gibraltar (so you don't have to carry as much cash), and they have a pretty good deal that includes all the touristy things like the cable car, apes, siege tunnels, St. Michael's Cave, etc. Seems pretty reasonable.

They also sell tickets to the same Dolphin Excursion that DCL uses. DCL is charging 59 dollars for their excursion, including transportation, with no other attractions. The website above sells the same excursion for around 20 euros, but you have to get yourself there. The island is small, taxis and busses are plentiful.

What I think we are going to do is a combo ticket with all the touristy stuff AND the dolphin excursion for 33 euros for adults, 29 for kids. Seems pretty reasonable and packs in a lot of activity on this small island!

Thought I would share.

 

[MrsMork]

Off to start cooking now. Friends coming for dinner and Bible study in an hour. I'm making shrimp linguini with a salad and garlic bread. Apple cake with rum sauce and whipped cream for dessert. YUMMER!!

 

[mdwoodman]

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.

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 had forgotten about the exception for "small" establishments. I guess our business dinners tended to be in the larger restaurants so we seldom had any issues. (Well, our Spanish hosts sometimes had issues because they wanted to light up!)

 

[mdwoodman]

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

Not on US-flagged carriers.

 

[Futurist]

I just checked the DCL website, and did some digging. At the moment, the only cabins available where you can select the cabin you want are in (2010) categories 4 & 5. All the other categories (except suites, which are, I guess, all booked) are only being offered as GTY's.

I'm not experienced enough to know what this means confused3) but suspect it means that there are few vacancies in categories 12 through 6, none in 1 to 3, but a pretty reasonably supply in categories 4 & 5 (at least 10 per category, and probably more).

I may be making a lot of stew out of not that many oysters, but I suspect that means that a number of us will be getting upgrades!

And if anyone has more experience in these matters, then I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Best regards,
Richard

 

[mdwoodman]

"The Associated Press and other media outlets are reporting tonight that a suspect has been arrested in connection with yesterday's deadly shooting of a 14-year-old girl traveling onboard Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Victory. The teenager was ashore on a safari bus with her family near Coki Point Beach when she was caught in the crossfire of a gunfight between local gangs.

According to the Associated Press, Steven Tyson surrendered to authorities this afternoon after posters naming him as a suspect appeared throughout the island."

 

[Candy Apple]

Ok, and this is... even when we sleep in and are not THE FIRST on the island?!?

THANK YOU!!

Well, we never sleep in at Castaway, but I think you'll still find some shade, although you may have to walk a little farther. You may not even need to sleep in. Remember, we get 5 extra hours of rest throughout the cruise!

I just got the Traveler's cheque from a local bank. I paid a small fee (4 bucks or something?). Yes, DCL will exchange dollars to euros but won't do cash advances from credit cards.

Thanks. That's still on my planning list.

Off to start cooking now. Friends coming for dinner and Bible study in an hour. I'm making shrimp linguini with a salad and garlic bread. Apple cake with rum sauce and whipped cream for dessert. YUMMER!!

Hey, no talk of fattening food on this thread! There are some us trying to save up our calorie allotment for the Magic!

Not on US-flagged carriers.

Good. One less thing to worry about.

I just checked the DCL website, and did some digging. At the moment, the only cabins available where you can select the cabin you want are in (2010) categories 4 & 5. All the other categories (except suites, which are, I guess, all booked) are only being offered as GTY's.

I'm not experienced enough to know what this means confused3) but suspect it means that there are few vacancies in categories 12 through 6, none in 1 to 3, but a pretty reasonably supply in categories 4 & 5 (at least 10 per category, and probably more).

I may be making a lot of stew out of not that many oysters, but I suspect that means that a number of us will be getting upgrades!

And if anyone has more experience in these matters, then I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Best regards,
Richard

I don't know what to make of it. Yesterday I checked and Cat 4-8 were all showing only as GTY and I put it in for 2 people and for 4 people just to see what the price differences were.

 

[vakamalua]

While there is always plenty of room on the beach it is true that if you arrive late your selection could be less then what you want. We have always found a good spot but I would bring whatever you think you might need - just to be sure. A sunburned baby is no fun for anyone and could be dangerous.

Question for those arriving to Barcelona before the 17th. Do any of you have a recommendation on excorted tours of the city? We come in on the 14th and have scheduled the Monserrat tour on the 17th and Girona on the 18th with some of you but are wondering about the other 3 days. So any suggestions would be appreciated. Val

If you haven't been to Barcelona before, be sure to do a Gaudi day. Antoni Gaudi was a Catalan Modernist architect with many very famous and fascinating works around Barcelona. In fact, you haven't "seen" Barcelona 'til you learn about Gaudi and see his masterpieces--he is revered in Catalonia.

Three of his main works are within walking distance of each other (a long walk): Casa Batillo, Casa Mila (La Pedrera) and Sagrada Familia. The first one was a private home and the second an apartment building. Sagrada Familia, his still unfinished cathedral, has to be seen to be believed.

His Park Guell is further out of the city center but really worth the subway or taxi ride; the Park was originally intended to be a housing development for the rich but failed (early 1900s--he was ahead of his time). Today, it is a gorgeous and unusual park with beautiful mosaics. It's highlighted in the movie Vicky Christina Barcelona.

You will love the tour to Monserrat; it's an special and spiritual place. I hope your tour is timed to hear the famous boys choir sing, usually at noon, I believe.

Andrea

 

[alexandmaddie]

Yes, thank you for this info. It is very helpful. Montanans won't need a coat for sure!

Minnesotans either!!

 

[valbob89]

If you haven't been to Barcelona before, be sure to do a Gaudi day. Antoni Gaudi was a Catalan Modernist architect with many very famous and fascinating works around Barcelona. In fact, you haven't "seen" Barcelona 'til you learn about Gaudi and see his masterpieces--he is revered in Catalonia.

Three of his main works are within walking distance of each other (a long walk): Casa Batillo, Casa Mila (La Pedrera) and Sagrada Familia. The first one was a private home and the second an apartment building. Sagrada Familia, his still unfinished cathedral, has to be seen to be believed.

His Park Guell is further out of the city center but really worth the subway or taxi ride; the Park was originally intended to be a housing development for the rich but failed (early 1900s--he was ahead of his time). Today, it is a gorgeous and unusual park with beautiful mosaics. It's highlighted in the movie Vicky Christina Barcelona.

You will love the tour to Monserrat; it's an special and spiritual place. I hope your tour is timed to hear the famous boys choir sing, usually at noon, I believe.

Andrea

Andrea

Thank you for the recommendation, I really appreciate it.

Val

 

[nacho1337]

I have got quote from one bus company waiting for another. Right now we would get pick up around 9:00 am at the Praktik Barcelona and the Praktik Rambla. We would have a bus at each hotel. We should get to the port around 10. Right now It looks to be about $20 USD. Right now I have 45 people Confirmed and 4 unknown. If any one want to join from this hotels let me know ASAP. I was wonder if you guy are planning to bring a ton of luggage. We would all fit on one bus right know with 10 seat for luggage. I don't what this to be like the LA bus though.

Stephen

 

[Terapin]

I have got quote from one bus company waiting for another. Right now we would get pick up around 9:00 am at the Praktik Barcelona and the Praktik Rambla. We would have a bus at each hotel. We should get to the port around 10. Right now It looks to be about $20 USD. Right now I have 45 people Confirmed and 4 unknown. If any one want to join from this hotels let me know ASAP. I was wonder if you guy are planning to bring a ton of luggage. We would all fit on one bus right know with 10 seat for luggage. I don't what this to be like the LA bus though.

Stephen

What time are we thinking of the bus picking us up at Praktik Rambla?

 

[Terapin]

Check-out is at 1200 at Praktik Rambla, btw...

And thank you for enquiring about the bus service. Mucho gracias.

 

[nacho1337]

What time are we thinking of the bus picking us up at Praktik Rambla?

As of right now I'm looking at 2 buses. I planning to have one if the buses at the Praktik Rambla at 9:00 and the other bus at the Praktik Barcelona at 9:00. I'm Thinking about 20 to 30 min to pack up and 30 min to the port. If it only one bus, Pick up at Praktik Barcelona at 8:30 and then go to the around Praktik Rambla 9 then to the port. More of the diser want to get to the port around the time it opened that why the time are early. If you want to go on the bus from Praktik Barcelona or Praktik Rambla let me know. If you no longer want to go let me know ASAP.


Money will be collected ahead of time Via Paypal

Stephen

 

[HallsofVA]

I have a question for all those travelling with kids and who have been on DCL before...

It's our first cruise with little Simon and our first time at family beach on Castaway Cay.
Is there enough shade to stay? Or should we rather bring our tent?!?
We have this very cool pop-up-super-ready-to-use tent. And I was thinking about taking it with us... Should we?!?

We've never had a problem finding chairs under umbrellas and palm trees for shade. And that's without walking too far. We've left our tent at home on all of the cruises and haven't regretted it. But then again, we've always cruised in Dec/Jan so perhaps there wasn't as much sun as we could have in September. The beach can get really crowded (though I don't know how crowded it'll be on our trip) and there aren't many good places where you can put a little pop up tent or sun shade anyway.

If you don't bring a stroller off the ship with you, DCL provides beach wagons and strollers right after you get off the tram. We always grab one to haul the kids and stuff around, and out onto the beach.

 

[HallsofVA]

I have got quote from one bus company waiting for another. Right now we would get pick up around 9:00 am at the Praktik Barcelona and the Praktik Rambla. We would have a bus at each hotel. We should get to the port around 10. Right now It looks to be about $20 USD. Right now I have 45 people Confirmed and 4 unknown. If any one want to join from this hotels let me know ASAP. I was wonder if you guy are planning to bring a ton of luggage. We would all fit on one bus right know with 10 seat for luggage. I don't what this to be like the LA bus though.

Stephen

Are you looking into transport from Le Meridien at all? I'd seen a few people there on the transport list. We're currently booked at the Marriott Renaissance, but may end up at Le Meridien, but would have to figure out port transport if we did that. I was interested in seeing if the buses would be heading out that way or not.