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

[MrsMork]

Hi Deb! There's still time for you and John to join us.

Woody

Yes!! We too would love to see you and John again. How are you doing, my friend?

 

[HallsofVA]

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?

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Unfortunately for whatever reason, the bride's family did not have a videographer at the wedding. We only have some raw footage that my DH took which he has sent to my other nephew.

I am so glad that we decided to have a videographer at our wedding. We decided to do it literally less than a month before the wedding. We didn't want the added expense, but once the wedding day was over, Dave said to me he was so glad that we had the videographer there to capture things that we missed. I now advise any bride I meet to have a videographer because it is a great memory.

I have been earning quite of bit of cruise money the last couple of nights by working at the Disney Store. We had a big move on Sunday night, last night I did shipment and tonight I just worked a regular shift. I may get more hours before the week is over - which is nice. Plus I have to admit, it helps to keep me sane with not having a full time job. My Disney family (my fellow cast members) are wonderful and I have known some of them for over 10 years. When I lost my job last year, they were so supportive of me and even had another manager from a different store come in and close on the night of my wedding so all of my managers could be there.

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.

 

[MrsMork]

I checked with First Interstate Bank here in Missoula and they charge a fee of $19 to get Euros for us. I did not ask what the rate was. I have prepaid all I can for our day and a half in Barcelona. Dinner/show Thursday night is prepaid, hop on/hop off is prepaid for Friday tours. So, we need 55 Euros for transport to the hotel (plus tip? - 60 Euros?) Then 2 breakfasts for 2, 1 lunch for 2 and dinner for 2 Fri night (Hard Rock). We don't plan on spending alot on "stuff" to bring home and pack in a box in a closet, Maderia we are doing Disney tour, so that will be US dollars on board account. I think we can easily get by on 400-500 euros. I think 4, Dennis my shopper thinks 5. I hate to over buy because we will lose some again if we have to convert back I am sure. Oh, also will need some for the group bus to the port. I think we were talking around 30 per person??? Never having been to Europe I don't know if I am under estimating expenses or not.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Hey... what are YOU doing over here????

btw... the pink tink is in my signature... you can copy the link to photobucket and they have an option to resize it down...

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!

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Yes!! We too would love to see you and John again. How are you doing, my friend?

Oh Angie.....I have SO missed you and all your fellow Geeky Thieves....as I call them!

I still don't smoke.....all because of your help and encouragement. John does though, but not in front of me. Guess he's not ready yet.

I know that you and Dr. Hug are enjoying retirement and travelling around. What a great life!

Hugs to Dr. Hug, PJ, Amy, John1 and Sophia, V and Johnny and the girls.... We will meet again....I'm certain of it!!

 

[DiaLady]

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.

Hey Girl, Don't worry too much about learning Spanish. Barcelona is part of Catalonia. The "preferred" language is Catalan. As one friend shared, Catalan is a strange combination of Spanish, French with a sprinkle of Portuguees. She also observed that folks in Barcelona are similar to the French; they warm up to you when you at least TRY to speak their language.

If you learned Latin, you'll have the basics for any romantic language. You'll be amazed at the similarities. I had to teach Latin I this year and was amazed how much my years of French helped me with the Latin (and vise versa).

Give Livemocha.com a try. You can find Catalan at:
http://www.livemocha.com/learn/Catalan/

Enjoy!!! I'm sure it's one more thing right before the wedding . . .LOL

 

[Tink rules]

You think that's bad? I'm ten YEARS older than my dh!

You Cougar!

YOU CRADLE ROBBER!!!!

 

[MrsMork]

Oh Angie.....I have SO missed you and all your fellow Geeky Thieves....as I call them!

I still don't smoke.....all because of your help and encouragement. John does though, but not in front of me. Guess he's not ready yet.

I know that you and Dr. Hug are enjoying retirement and travelling around. What a great life!

Hugs to Dr. Hug, PJ, Amy, John1 and Sophia, V and Johnny and the girls.... We will meet again....I'm certain of it!!

I'm SO proud of you!! John will quit when he is ready and you will be there to help him.

 

[Tink rules]

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!

That's because Marilyn has been hanging out over here and not on OUR thread so it's too quiet over there...

 

[renegade7]

Ugh only to page 90. You will all be on to part 8 before I get caught up. Work has been kicking butt and taking names. So try to read a little each night before bed.

OK so I was just updating my name list for the navigator with the FE group listings and came across a few people missing off the website -

Renegade
Linda & David

Just a reminder that the list in the navigator will be going from the website so please everyone remember to not only sign up but update with new information as it becomes available.

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

Years ago I went to a Spain restuarant with one of my Vice Presidents (think Mad Men and you've got the picture of him). The very well built waitress, with a thick Spanish accent, was trying to tell him he should come on Friday nights when they had their tapas bar. With a gleam in his eye he asked if SHE would be there. I whisperred to him she saying T-A-P-A-S bar not Topless bar!

I had this happen to me once. I suggested going to Tapas Bar as we had a group of people and more than 1/2 thought I said a Topless Bar.

 

[woody73]

For the US folks, are you getting euros and/or other currency in advance?

. . . I noticed that AAA offers both currency and a refillable debit card in euros or pounds

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

Any advice, recommendations, etc?

I often get the local currency (EUR or GBP) at an airport ATM upon arrival. Try to get some small bills, since many shops will not accept a large bill for a small purchase. (It's like going to a 7-Eleven at home and trying to buy bottled water with a $100 bill.) Airport currency exchange booths typically have lousy rates.

We were on the EBTA, then stayed five nights in Barcelona. I had difficulty finding an ATM that would accept my U.S.-issued ATM card. The banking system in the E.U. is more advanced than in the U.S. Many ATMs in Barcelona (and in Europe) require cards with a microchip, which my cards don't have. For example, I went to the ATM to the left of the Barcelona Hard Rock Cafe as you are facing it (Deutsche Bank on Placa Catalunya), and it would not accept my ATM card.

Carry your passport if you want to use your credit card. I tried to make purchases at major department stores on Placa Catalunya (El Corte Ingles and FNAC). When I gave the clerk my U.S.-issued credit card, they asked for my passport, which unfortunately was in the hotel safe. I guess it's the same as making a purchase near home and being asked for a drivers license.

I haven't tried the AAA debit card, but it might be worth a try as it is pin protected.

In Gibraltar, the official currency is the Gibraltar Pound. They also accept the Great Britain Pound (GBP). Many places also accept the EUR, but the exchange rates are unfavorable. If you pay in GBP, try not to get Gibraltar pounds as change, as they are accepted only in Gibraltar. In other words, Gibraltar pounds are useless in London.

YMMV

Woody

 

[TotallyAngelic]

I thought you only shopped on ebay!

Not for shoes as it's important they fit REALLY WELL and shoes are heavy to send back of they don't fit. Bought them for a bargain price in a factory outlet store so they still count as a bargain

Oh I love the Mickey Vinylmation one and the Blue Bus one but I only have some rubbish pins at the mo. Going to try and find some more on ebay mind over the next few weeks and get some from my Mother!

Here's the ones I have

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

August 28 Med cruise on Magic -- just assigned today. Booked a Cat 12 GTY, now have cabin 5140, a Cat 7 Navigator's Verandah.

For a minute there I was gettin worried that you had switched cruises I wonder when we will find out our destiny.

[/IMG]

This was our winning house last Christmas.

Mike usually starts putting up the lights after Thanksgiving because it takes about 3 or 4 days to get them all up and he can only do it on weekends. We don't run the actual display until about the middle of Dec (or about there) until (usually) the first weekend in January. We also have a computer light program that we use that makes the lights go on and off and shimmer and twinkle.

This is very pretty .... not at all tacky like most of the decorated houses in the UK seem to be.

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

Last time we just bought wine aswe went along. Tony prefers red and I prefer white so it just made sense. I don't know if buying the package makes it cheaper. Could do with checking out a wine list too.

Champagne Girls Unite! ​

Who still has her tiara from another cruise or from any other time? Anybody got pink boa's? Let me know if you want to join the Champagne Girls Group. We can each buy a bottle in Italy or France and one day we'll announce the party!

Either PM me or just add a post to the thread.......

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

Speaking of tiaras, I just won the perfect Tiara on Ebay. With shipping, it was only GBP8. I am just hoping that it will fit.

Corinna

Now that is beautiful.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

That's a NICE upgrade Enjoy

Congrats!

I have not got a room yet.

Angel, can you believe it.....it amazes me how far our little chat about champagne girls has grown.

I should have been on this cruise....I know so many of you.

Just an FYI, me and Angel chatted away on a thread one day and dreamed up the champagne girls. We wanted to do a champagne tasting and all of our girls were to wear pink with pink tiaras....the pink boas came later. We wanted a picture to put in a pink frame above our bars at home. We have a mascot, Sassy Bubbles, who dresses like a pink tink.

To date, we have had two champagne girls tastings. I'll provide pictures of each.

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.

They pics are just amazing.

I am so glad that we decided to have a videographer at our wedding. We decided to do it literally less than a month before the wedding. We didn't want the added expense, but once the wedding day was over, Dave said to me he was so glad that we had the videographer there to capture things that we missed. I now advise any bride I meet to have a videographer because it is a great memory.

I have been earning quite of bit of cruise money the last couple of nights by working at the Disney Store. We had a big move on Sunday night, last night I did shipment and tonight I just worked a regular shift. I may get more hours before the week is over - which is nice. Plus I have to admit, it helps to keep me sane with not having a full time job. My Disney family (my fellow cast members) are wonderful and I have known some of them for over 10 years. When I lost my job last year, they were so supportive of me and even had another manager from a different store come in and close on the night of my wedding so all of my managers could be there.

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.

Dont worry re spanish.

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!

Its a shame you cant come.

Any friend of this lots a friend of mine

Re smoking in Spain, I sure do hope I am wrong, Lots of folks from work have been so I will ask around, I was at tenerife in March(Spain) It really was not like mwoodman described at all, so I am hoping that maybe they are differant from the mainland.

 

[woody73]

Not for shoes as it's important they fit REALLY WELL and shoes are heavy to send back of they don't fit.

I guess wearing them with socks is out of the question.

Woody

 

[granmaz]

Just out of curiousity, I checked online to see if there was anything other GTY status for Cat 4 through 8 and there isn't. I wonder if this means fewer chances for upgrades? We are in an 8 and we like that.

Depending how you booked the cruise, either ask your TA, or DCL direct, to make a note on your reservation for 'No Upgrades'. Sometimes we choose our rooms(if lucky enough to get in early enough) and don't want moving to somewhere not as good a position etc.

Angel, can you believe it.....it amazes me how far our little chat about champagne girls has grown.

I should have been on this cruise....I know so many of you.

Just an FYI, me and Angel chatted away on a thread one day and dreamed up the champagne girls. We wanted to do a champagne tasting and all of our girls were to wear pink with pink tiaras....the pink boas came later. We wanted a picture to put in a pink frame above our bars at home. We have a mascot, Sassy Bubbles, who dresses like a pink tink.

To date, we have had two champagne girls tastings. I'll provide pictures of each.

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.

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

That's because Marilyn has been hanging out over here and not on OUR thread so it's too quiet over there...

Got to make new friends, and I'm not on all the cruises next year so can't join in on those chats.

 

[paulasillars]

I went shopping with my Mum today to help her choose a wedding outfit for a wedding we have in August ... she was unsuccessful, but I was thrilled to find 2 pairs of CRUISE SHOES and they are really lightweight

Love the shoes, especially the silver ones. I shoes!

Here in California some think we are to extreme about the non-smoking issue. I understand how they feel, even though my husband should not be around cigarette smoke for medical reasons. Smoking is baned in all public buildings, even around the outside doors of the building. Now our supervisors want to ban smoking in your home if you live in a multi-dwelling building. i.e. apartment or condo. I have to support my smoking friends who say they should be able to do so in their own home. Of course this is a city with garbage inspectors. You can be cited if you mis-sort your garbage - we have three cans issued to us, one for recycles, one for garbage and one for compostables. We have always recycled but trying getting my 75 year old dad to do it is impossible.

Val

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.

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!

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.
"

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Anyone who still needs to link LATE DINING can you email me your lead name and reservation number to:

SarahTony2002@hotmail.co.uk

My in-box needs sorting out again but I am scared to delete anything as it all seems important. When I get new computer I will transfer the messages to a file somewhere and empty box.

Thanks

 

[UKANGEL]

Speaking of tiaras, I just won the perfect Tiara on Ebay. With shipping, it was only GBP8. I am just hoping that it will fit.

Corinna

That's lovely!

Great video and pictures. I did the same type of video for our son's wedding and it was a big hit. I can tell you as I was putting it together it brought back so many memories. I shed a few tears as I saw the boy become a man. We adopted our son when he was 6 and his wife was adopted when she was 7 so we had no baby pictures. We started the video with pictures of the two of them coming home from Russia. I was able to sneak the last picture in of them kissing at the wedding. We showed the video at the reception just before their first dance. This was the first time they and his in-laws had seen it and I cried during the entire thing. They were tears of joy.

I hope the same happy memories came flooding back for your family as you watched the video. It is wonderful to watch them become adults through the pictures. It looks like they had a beautiful wedding and were very happy on the wedding day.

That is such a lovely story

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 !!!!!

Hear Hear!

 

[UKANGEL]

Angel, can you believe it.....it amazes me how far our little chat about champagne girls has grown.

I should have been on this cruise....I know so many of you.

Just an FYI, me and Angel chatted away on a thread one day and dreamed up the champagne girls. We wanted to do a champagne tasting and all of our girls were to wear pink with pink tiaras....the pink boas came later. We wanted a picture to put in a pink frame above our bars at home. We have a mascot, Sassy Bubbles, who dresses like a pink tink.

To date, we have had two champagne girls tastings. I'll provide pictures of each.

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.

Hi Deb! As long as there's a Champagne Girl onboard, there will be bubbles!


I do remember our conversation very well. I so wish you were coming on this cruise....but glad we get to meet up after it

...and we have next year's Dream to look forward to as well!

Btw I lost my Tink Champagne girl logo, must copy it back on!


Stay well my friend, and love to John too