Sept 18 2010 WB TransAtlantic Pirates/Capt Jacks Re-Repoing Repossession Cruise Pt.9

[tweety0227]

We use twist ties instead of locks also. We figure that if someone wants to rip us off, they can easily cut the suitcases, which are all made from soft material. We just want to make sure they stay zipped.

We leave a week from tomorrow. Haven't started packing yet. Just trying to think about what I want to bring.

 

[M4travels]

Safe travels to all of you who are leaving shortly. We're off next Tuesday noon for L.A. and then grab our flight that evening to LHR and on to BCN arriving late Wednesday. We'll see many of you at the Praktik Rambla and many more of you onboard!

We'll probably start the packing on Tuesday morning......

 

[Hoagie Pie]

Love the video of The Dream - thanks for sharing!

Off to do some volunteer work today. I just hate driving when I don't know where I am going. Wish me luck!

Those of you leaving soon - see you very soon and have a wonderful trip!

 

[HallsofVA]

I was thinking that there is no way to explain jet lag to a 2 year old, so I have been adjusting our sleep schedule here so the time change will have less of an impact on him. The last two days we have been getting up an hour earlier and going to bed early. Today I will move it another hour.... which means we will be going to bed at 6pm getting up at 5. In another day or so, my husband will be getting home from work AFTER we have gone to bed!
If I can just get his schedule changed by 3 hours I think we will have a much better trip. We are going to Prague before Barcelona (both same time zone)

Speaking of locking luggage, I have always used zip ties instead of locks. Can you use the TSA approved locks overseas?? Will they lock them when they are done? Do you get a little note saying your luggage was opened?

Good job with the sleep schedule adjustments. I think I could have adjusted the kids schedules more easily when they were 2, so it sounds like a good approach. When my son was about that age, I had a clock that would chime the hour, and I used that as the signal for when it was time for bed. There were some nights when I wanted him in bed earlier than usual, so I just reset the clock before heading upstairs! Unfortunately my kids can now read and tell time, and it's not quite so easy to shift them. Though we did manage to get everyone up this morning and out to school rather than the being late for school rut we'd fallen into this summer, so that's some progress!

That would be a cruise that I would love to do, but even if it should go on public sale, which I doubt, I would not have enough vacation time left.

Corinna

Personally, I don't know that I'd want to be on the Dream's transatlantic cruise. I imagine it will be quite "rough" around the edges until they get everything worked out, so I'll hold off until she's primed and ready to go with a full crew!

http://www.facebook.com/v/1389328180772
Here is one video of the Dream. Working on the second.
Jon

And the second video

http://www.facebook.com/v/1389338301025

Jon

Cool video. Man, she's one large and beautiful ship. I just really wish someone could get some front shots of her, since we have a front corner room booked for our Dream cruise!

 

[Buckeye Gal]

Well, Day Two of the self-inflicted time change adjustment went well. Yesterday I got up at 4:30 am, but didn't make it to bed until 10 pm because I was chatting with a friend. I had to cut him off at 10 because I just have to force myself to do this. I woke up on my own at 6:00 am when I had the alarm set at 6:30. Being I've been going to bed around 2:00 am, this is a huge jump in the right direction. So tonight the plan is to try and get to bed by 9:00 pm and up at 5:00 am. I'm SO afraid of getting sick before this trip that I don't want to be sleep deprived either.

I finished up one of my blank scrapbook pages for you guys to stop by and sign. Please please please sign it for me! This one is a closeup silhouette of Tink, and at the bottom, it says "My Fairy DIS Friends".

The ice cream sounds delicious. I think I saw that on the Food Network. I remember the sweet corn. Glad you had fun with mom!!

Jeni's the one! The Food Network has featured her before.

I was just counting and my countdown is that I only have to make 8 more suppers for hubby!!! ...

I love your countdown! It made me smile!

.....the option for a previously unannounced TA cruise, in December 2010 on....the Dream! It doesn't look like something that you can book (perhaps without knowing the secret booking code) ....

Is the Christening cruise going transatlantic? I wouldn't think it would, but maybe?? Aren't they usually short cruises? I also thought that was going to be immediately before the inaugural cruise. Tracy Whipple WON a boarding pass from DCL to go on the Christening cruise!!! That's very exciting. She's already on the inaugural, so she'll be an expert!

....We had a terrible nights sleep with 3 5+ aftershocks which kept us awake plus lots of others in the 3 & 4 range.

We are busy at work trying to work with customers who have buildings that are condemned.

The building my brother works in, was cleared for reentry but then they found cracks in the foundations and had to evacuate and its now marked as not safe....

I can't imagine what you're all going through. I just keep thinking what you've said though. If the initial quake hit at a different time, there would have no doubt have been lives lost.

Anyone linked with the group for early dining see the error message again that says we're linked with more than 5 cabins and can only see 1 at a time? I really dislike that message. I'm a compulsive optomist, and I regularly check still to see if I can book a Palo brunch....

I'm linked with the DIS late dining group, and noticed this error early yesterday as well. I was going on the site for the same reason as you!

...... in a


SINGLE DIGIT DANCE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

​

I can't believe after almost 2 years we have finally reached this point!!!....

I'm dancing with you!!

It is hard to believe that 2 years have past!

Thought I should post this now as folks are already heading out:

Dee & Steven, Wanda & Mike, Pat & Tom, Woody & Mrs Woody, Marilyn & John, Noel & John, Angie & Dennis & PJ, Connie & Chuck, Ann & Albert, Cynthia & JT, Krissan, Kaz, Kathryn, wish I was cruising with you all again! Mandy...we WILL make a cruise together next year! And to my 'new' facebook friends that I met here in the early days of this thread...hope you all have a safe, healthy and MAGICAL cruise!

I wish you were still coming, too! Many people have spoken of what a nice, fun person you are, and I've seen you around the DIS so much that I feel like I should know you already! That's so nice of you to stop by and wish us a magical cruise. Thanks!

....Good to hear from you, and things sound more positive than last post , Glad you had a nice weekend with your Mum. Also you need to eat more ice-cream if it makes you happy....well that's my theory anyhoo ....

Thanks, Hayley! I know I've been really in the dumps lately. Sorry for that. I hate being that way, and I'm trying really hard to stay positive. I indeed share your philosophy that ice cream is good for the soul! I can't wait to have some cookie dough ice cream in 2 weeks!

Well, I need to head out and get one of my last tanning sessions in this morning before the cruise. Hope you've all had/will have a great day!

 

[ibouncetoo]

I wish you were still coming, too! Many people have spoken of what a nice, fun person you are, and I've seen you around the DIS so much that I feel like I should know you already! That's so nice of you to stop by and wish us a magical cruise. Thanks!

Thanks for saying so, Kimberly, I feel the same! I hold out hope for future special itineraries, as we DISers all love them so.

I just realized Dee might not know that I'm ditching her on the 8/23 Alaska I'm moving that reservation to something in 2012...fingers crossed for a Hawaii option!

Safe travels, all!

.

 

[granmaz]

Safe travels to all of you who are leaving shortly. We're off next Tuesday noon for L.A. and then grab our flight that evening to LHR and on to BCN arriving late Wednesday. We'll see many of you at the Praktik Rambla and many more of you onboard!

We'll probably start the packing on Tuesday morning......

See you in Barcelona then Michael and Marc!!

Personally, I don't know that I'd want to be on the Dream's transatlantic cruise. I imagine it will be quite "rough" around the edges until they get everything worked out, so I'll hold off until she's primed and ready to go with a full crew!

Yes, I agree with you on this.

 

[Candy Apple]

We are at Kidani too for 10 nights but we'll also have a car - thanks for the offer! Might see you there!



We had a set of shops collapse yesterday after some after shocks and we are having the first of the buildings demolished this afternoon.It looks like some are historical buildings--that's really a shame.

We had a terrible nights sleep with 3 5+ aftershocks which kept us awake plus lots of others in the 3 & 4 range.I hope they calm down. You must be exhausted. You really need to go on a cruise and relax.

We are busy at work trying to work with customers who have buildings that are condemned.What kind of work do you do?

The building my brother works in, was cleared for reentry but then they found cracks in the foundations and had to evacuate and its now marked as not safe.Is he able to keep working at another location? I'm sure there are many who are temporarily unemployed due to this.

We haven't had any aftershocks for some hours now but I doubt we will be so lucky to have a quiet night. Robert's Mum may well come and stay tonight as she's too unnerved on her own.I don't blame her.

Correct - they won't expect a tip, unless they know you are American

Just round it up a bit - to the nearest euro but they shouldn't expect more.

Our taxi in Madeira will cost us 95 euros. I'm thinking of rounding it to 100. How does that sound?

http://www.facebook.com/v/1389328180772
Here is one video of the Dream. Working on the second.
Jon

It looks really tall. I hope they put more elevators in. Not so easy to pop up the stairs to the pools on that ship.

 

[jsails]

It is not necessary to bring tools, but if you want to then round-nosed pliers and either flat-nosed or chain-nosed pliers is all that is needed. I will bring three sets of tool, but any extra tools will help.

Corinna

I'm not in the jewelry classes because I was such a late comer, however, I do have those tools if you would like me to bring them for others. I am bringing some projects to do on 'at sea days' but all I need are scissors and a needle and thread.

 

[granmaz]

Madeira is part of Portugal, and looking here it seems like they do tip,

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g189100-s606/Portugal:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

 

[HallsofVA]

This is probably old news but I saw this on the yahoo news today and thought it was interesting. Are our European friends on this trip impacted by this? (At first I thought it was air only, but realized it says air and sea arrivals after Sept 8th.)

Travelers visiting the U.S. must now pay a fee to enter

Featured story

Starting Sept. 8, travelers flying to the states from certain countries will be required to pay a $14 "operational and travel promotion" fee if they do not possess a U.S. visa.

Dubbed the "tourist tax," the new fee has been criticized by the European Union as "inconsistent with the commitment of the U.S. to facilitate transatlantic mobility." The fee affects air and sea travelers from: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Since January 2009, travelers from these nations have been required to complete an online form and receive prior approval of entry under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program. Run by the Department of Homeland Security, the ESTA program is designed to give U.S. authorities extra time and resources to check a traveler's name against "no fly" lists and other terrorist databases. Until now, that registration process was free. To participate in the program, travelers must also have Internet access and a credit card, The New York Times reported.

Travelers are urged to register at the denied, the traveler must apply for a more expensive nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The reason for the denial will not be provided.

 

[HallsofVA]

Well, Day Two of the self-inflicted time change adjustment went well. Yesterday I got up at 4:30 am, but didn't make it to bed until 10 pm because I was chatting with a friend. I had to cut him off at 10 because I just have to force myself to do this. I woke up on my own at 6:00 am when I had the alarm set at 6:30. Being I've been going to bed around 2:00 am, this is a huge jump in the right direction. So tonight the plan is to try and get to bed by 9:00 pm and up at 5:00 am. I'm SO afraid of getting sick before this trip that I don't want to be sleep deprived either.

Is the Christening cruise going transatlantic? I wouldn't think it would, but maybe?? Aren't they usually short cruises? I also thought that was going to be immediately before the inaugural cruise. Tracy Whipple WON a boarding pass from DCL to go on the Christening cruise!!! That's very exciting. She's already on the inaugural, so she'll be an expert!

I'm linked with the DIS late dining group, and noticed this error early yesterday as well. I was going on the site for the same reason as you!

Good job on the schedule adjustment!

Re the Dream, I read that the TA is just for cast members to physically move the ship to the US. Someone mentioned a short christening cruise and TA cruise to be held in January before the inagural cruise. Glad to hear Tracy got on the first cruise. I'm anxious to hear her reports of how she is!

 

[granmaz]

Yes, we did know about this, though there is a last minute flurry of activity on the Esta website. It is now 'Down for Routine Maintenance'. Mmmmm, right, the day before everyone has to pay, how strange!!!

 

[Con5421]

Does somebody make a video (dvd) off this trip?

Connie

 

[Candy Apple]

Madeira is part of Portugal, and looking here it seems like they do tip,

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g189100-s606/Portugal:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

Very informative. Thanks!

 

[UKANGEL]

Just a quick Hello and a quick Goodbye ,,,,,see you on the ship


I will post on FB but most likely not hear .....


TAKE WHAT YOU CAN !!!

Have a great time Capn'! see you all soon

Yes, he did have the dental work done on Thurs. He was 5 hours in the dental chair - the staff took lunch break in there, so he was 3 hours, one hour break then 2 more hours. Ouch!! He was sore for a couple of days. We were camping so after the procedures I took him back to the campground and put him to bed for a bit.

We had a wonderful 5 days camping with friends. As many as 23 of us at one point. We had a total of 6 campsites, all right by each other. It was really a great time.


I did take good care of him. He really did quite well considering..... Not looking forward to paying for all this...our "dental insurance" does not cover any of it.

Glad that's all done with now and you can both look forward to your trip

We decided last night to definitely go to Rome first. A friend of mine who is Italian booked us a suite at the beautiful Hotel Veneto, right in the heart of the city. He says it is perfecto! I have been to Northern Italy but not to Rome. I am so excited. Then to see Barcelona again will be great and to meet up at the HRC will be exciting. And finally board the Ship.....what could be better for a 60th birthday present????!!!!!!! The only better thing is if my DH could have come.

Enjoy Rome....we loved it, such a beautiful place with such beautiful architecture

So, I finally did some cruise shopping. I hate shopping, so I put it off until the last minute. I wish all of you who liked shopping could do it for me!

I'd love to be your personal shopper!

So I finally got caught up! I've been having DIS withdrawal this weekend!!! I usually check in several times a day but went away for the weekend and between activities and the fact that my BIL hadn't hooked up the new router so no WIFI, I was trying to keep up via my phone but not easy.

Had a wonderful holiday weekend. Saturday I went with my baby sister and her family up to their mountain house and after unpacking proceeded up to my little sister's camper further up in the mountains where we spent time eating, quading , eating, fireside time and - oh yeah, eating!!! After leaving there and going back to the mountain house to wash off the grime, we spent the next day out on the boat on the lake (with the camping group coming down). Well, the boat only holds 8 at one time so some of us relaxed on the beach while some boated. Normally we would have been tubing but only my 16 year old niece and 11 year old nephew were brave enough to deal with the cold. That's right - after one of the hottest summers on record around here with 90+ heat, we go away and the weather is in the low 70's (during the afternoon) and super windy!!! I had taken along two long sleeves shirts for the evenings and ended up wearing them during the day. Wrapped myself in a light blanket around the camp fire to keep warm at night! Of course today (as we were packing up) ended up in the mid-80's.

Still it was a wonderful weekend with family - 19 people and seven dogs!!! (that's 10 people and three dogs at the mountain house and 9 people and four dogs at the camp site).

The funniest part of the weekend was when we arrived back at the mountain house from boating and as we were pulling into the long driveway, all we could hear was seven dogs excitedly barking!!! Thought the little ones were going to tear down the shades!

So great to be back on line and talking with all of you again!!! Still have alot to do but I'm the type that figures what gets done gets done. Many things are done and still some things to do. Work is going to be busy for the next seven days I'm there scared1: can't believe it's come so quick now).

So looking forward to meeting up with everyone.

Sounds like you had a lovely time Melodie Can't wait to see you too!

 

[MrsMork]

Anyone linked with the group for early dining see the error message again that says we're linked with more than 5 cabins and can only see 1 at a time? I really dislike that message. I'm a compulsive optomist, and I regularly check still to see if I can book a Palo brunch for my whole family (ILs included) and now I can't see their reservation at all. I don't know why we're having such a hard time of getting the dining linked for dining purposes only. Time to have my TA unlink me again!

I have had Tracy (TA) check and recheck and we are linked only for dining. I don't know why this message is coming up. BUT that is the reason I never link until all have hit that magic booking date.

...... in a


SINGLE DIGIT DANCE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:​

I can't believe after almost 2 years we have finally reached this point !!!

I have my last 12 hour shift in work today .... then it's cruise, cruise , cruise all the way !!!!!

Wow, 5 hours is bad!!!! Glad he could have a lie down afterwards. What did you do while he was there?

Since we were camping, I dropped him and then came home for a long hot shower!! Then did some things around the house. After a couple of hours I went and checked on his progress, then went to lunch at my favorite 50's theme diner...it is only 50's theme because they have not changed it since the 1950s!! I had a tuna sandwich, coffee and read the newspaper. Then I went and read a book at the dentist's office for the last couple of hours so I would be there for sure when they were done. It took them lots longer than they anticipated because he has such a little mouth. Not that you would notice that the way he can talk!!!

Well done on your time for the Half Marathon and for finding your phone.

Corinna

ditto that, Lynn!!

If it was me on your taxi they get 55 euro that's it and maybe when he was nice he get a 2 euro. Because in Spain they charge you for your suitcases already. That's not in The Netherlands.

We do that different over here in Europa. But you can tip if you like but it's not strange to do it or not to do it. And when you're have been eating a small tip is okay.

Connie

I think we will just respect their customs and not tip. The charge was based on the number of bags so that is covered.

I promise I will wear something between the bra, shapewear and cardigan though.

 

[su_kraft]

OK - I just got notice from Autumn that they revamped the dining rotations. I am none too happy about this!!!

Here are the new ones. Please not that themes moved as well!!! So, now both formal nights are in the same restaurant!!!

Hayley, hope that you are not mad - I moved us to Rotation 3, as formal night is wining out over Pirate night... UUGH - please let me know ASAP if this is NOT ok...

I have updated page 1 as well...

Sign me one very unhappy camper...

 

[granmaz]

Since we were camping, I dropped him and then came home for a long hot shower!! Then did some things around the house. After a couple of hours I went and checked on his progress, then went to lunch at my favorite 50's theme diner...it is only 50's theme because they have not changed it since the 1950s!! I had a tuna sandwich, coffee and read the newspaper. Then I went and read a book at the dentist's office for the last couple of hours so I would be there for sure when they were done. It took them lots longer than they anticipated because he has such a little mouth. Not that you would notice that the way he can talk!!!

Sounds like quite a pleasant day for you Angie. I love your 50's diner!!

Dennis really has a small mouth?

 

[tinker1bell]

I was just counting and my countdown is that I only have to make 8 more suppers for hubby!!! I might be able to whine one night and get him to cook. He is trying to cut down on salt and fats and is making me crazy!!!!
counting today,,,,,,10 more sleeps to go!!!!

I am quoting this because hubby must have read my mind and he wanted to make supper last night!!! That brought no complaints from me. So now it is down to 7 suppers!!