-=*September 10 2011, Westbound Transatlantic from Barcelona to Port Canaveral*=-

[squitty]

I really can't believe how relaxing the cruise was. Honestly we did nothing.

Just been out this afternoon, and it is very cold as well as wet and windy and dark!!! Nasty. Back in the warmth now with a cup of coffee.

I don't mind doing nothing for 2 weeks

i havent been out of the house for two days (have got food poisoning) but even if i could, i dont think i'd want to anyway, its done nothing but rain in essex for the past 48 hours

Hope you're feeling better soon.

No help from me when it comes to anything related to alcohol, sorry. Don't drink any so have no clue what so ever about prices.

We very rarely drink too...nevermind hopefully someone will know.

 

[granmaz]

I don't mind doing nothing for 2 weeks

I was going to go and watch a whole load of films and I didn't get to one. John did get to see Toy Story 3 when I was recovering from being ill. I went to 1 show, John went to 2. I still find it hard to believe how the days just went by.
We did meet friends up in Cove Cafe most of the sea day mornings, and we walked round and round the ship, chatting to Dis'ers who wanted to chat.

Can't wait to do nothing again.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Michelle, did you do a search yet? Most of the info is up here, maybe a search will give you the right hit?

Just read another of the may threads about the Dream. Sure enough now there are even CM's stating they're going to Amsterdam to board the Dream. Starting to look like the rumours the Dream will be in our neck of the woods are true. Timing also is just right if the dates mentioned so far work out. My dad already proclaimed he'ld happily go on a Dream-tour with me -he's a huge lover of anything that sails, so he'll just look past the Mickey and have his own fun-, so it's starting to look like I just very well might be going to see some of the Dream soon. Now if we only could figure out the exact saildate into or out of Amsterdam, a great view is guaranteed when it passes from NorthSea into the channel towards Amsterdam where as some parts of the cruise terminal don't give that great a view.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I was going to go and watch a whole load of films and I didn't get to one. John did get to see Toy Story 3 when I was recovering from being ill. I went to 1 show, John went to 2. I still find it hard to believe how the days just went by.

Agree! There is so much to do, so little time, it just seems to fly by even when you do a lot of "doing nothing".

TS3 is a great movie to watch when being sick and needing some TLC-pampering feeling. We were lucky enough to be aboard the Magic when it came out, so we had the premiere of it (think it was a day before it started running in US theaters?). They had a TS-marathon; TS1 and TS2 running upto the premiere of the big old Three. Love, love, loved it. I'm starting to fall in love with TS more and more anyway. A big grocery chain has annual "disney weeks" where they feature a certain disney film or something. Now the big feature is TS3 as it just came out on DVD overhere. Not only did I score myself the DVD for just €5,- and some Disney WII games for dirtcheap but they're handing out these way too cute little TS caracter toys; one free with every €15,- of groceries you spend. Normally don't go to that chain much due to distance, but now just HAD to make an exception obviously.

We did meet friends up in Cove Cafe most of the sea day mornings, and we walked round and round the ship, chatting to Dis'ers who wanted to chat.

Ah Cove Cafe."*sigh of sheer bliss*. Just about any off the adults only places on board are pure bliss if you ask me. So tranquil (or I've just been lucky so far?) and dreamy.

Can't wait to do nothing again.

And that's hard work; doing nothing! We'll all need a break after doing that for 2 weeks.

 

[CustardTart]

I was going to go and watch a whole load of films and I didn't get to one.

Story of my WBTA, Marilyn!!!

John did get to see Toy Story 3 when I was recovering from being ill. I went to 1 show, John went to 2. I still find it hard to believe how the days just went by.

I didn't get to any shows. Again!!! On next year's WBTA I'm going to be a veritable hive of activity... Well, maybe...

And I also find it impossible to understand how the days disappeared. But oh, it was sooo fabulous!!!

We did meet friends up in Cove Cafe most of the sea day mornings, and we walked round and round the ship, chatting to Dis'ers who wanted to chat.

Can't wait to do nothing again.

I plan to drag myself off my verandah a little more (I know, I know - famous last words!!!) so intend to get up to Cove Cafe (such an oasis) a little more often next time...

 

[granmaz]

Story of my WBTA, Marilyn!!!


I didn't get to any shows. Again!!! On next year's WBTA I'm going to be a veritable hive of activity... Well, maybe...

And I also find it impossible to understand how the days disappeared. But oh, it was sooo fabulous!!!


I plan to drag myself off my verandah a little more (I know, I know - famous last words!!!) so intend to get up to Cove Cafe (such an oasis) a little more often next time...

I am putting a lot of effort and planning into another 2 weeks of doing nothing!!!

 

[granmaz]

I might even get a bit of practice on the PC cruise too! Need to up(or is that down) my fitness levels ready.

 

[birkner]

i havent been out of the house for two days (have got food poisoning) but even if i could, i dont think i'd want to anyway, its done nothing but rain in essex for the past 48 hours

Sorry to hear you were under the weather. We had rain here yesterday but sunny skies today.

 

[LittleDisneyLovers]

Raining here too, it is our wet season, but it's still quite warm.

We also, didn't see a movie on board, had intentions of watching TS3 but just didn't get there. We did see a few of the shows though, the young magician was really good, the comedian was hit and miss, and the singer (can't remember his name) was a little before my time (I'm 33), he was probably good if you knew the songs he was singing? The Disney broadway style shows were fantastic, Loved all of them! Next time we have to try and make the CM show where Brent dresses like a ballerina, I totally crashed that night, way too tired! I hope we have Brent again, he was fabulous.....Not that I know any others........

We did our own excursions at every port except Tortola, where we did Virgin Gorda (which was awesome!). So, any port questions? I don't know whether we want to leave the ship next time? Maybe we'll just lounge around a quiet pool and pretend it's another sea day....

Can't think of anything else to let you all know, Most of you have been cruising with DCL before, and the WBTA was only our first cruise, so I'm no fountain of knowledge but am happy to share what I know.

i havent been out of the house for two days (have got food poisoning) but even if i could, i dont think i'd want to anyway, its done nothing but rain in essex for the past 48 hours

Hope your feeling better soon!

 

[MandyGirl]

We did our own excursions at every port except Tortola, where we did Virgin Gorda (which was awesome!). So, any port questions? I don't know whether we want to leave the ship next time? Maybe we'll just lounge around a quiet pool and pretend it's another sea day....

That's what I'm having a hard time figuring out --- Tortola. We did a catamaran to Virgin Gorda for the Baths last time, and thoroughly loved it. We try to be much much better now about avoiding the sun, so hopefully something "shady". We married on St John in the USVI, so we always try to get a glimpse of the north shore if on a ship in that area. Jost Van **** has pretty beaches as well, but not sure if there are excursions from Tortola for that.

Our last time in St Maarten, we stayed onboard and enjoyed a couples massage, but will probably take our girls to see the airplanes at Maho Beach. That is always fun to see, especially if you look up the arrival schedule ahead of time to see the widebodies coming in for landing.

 

[granmaz]

Last year on our Eastern we did the Tortola by Land and Sea(or similar title) and loved it. A great overview of the island. I think it is about 3 ish hours. I know those who did it on the TA this year really enjoyed it too. It is such a beautiful island and there were some great photo opportunities. But there is not too much else to do on the island really.

 

[squitty]

I was going to go and watch a whole load of films and I didn't get to one. John did get to see Toy Story 3 when I was recovering from being ill. I went to 1 show, John went to 2. I still find it hard to believe how the days just went by.
We did meet friends up in Cove Cafe most of the sea day mornings, and we walked round and round the ship, chatting to Dis'ers who wanted to chat.

Can't wait to do nothing again.

We tried to watch Toy Story 3 on our cruise, but we couldn't get comfortable in the theatre, so we didn't see it. It's lovely to have the choice though

Michelle, did you do a search yet? Most of the info is up here, maybe a search will give you the right hit?

I did, well googled it and found a couple of posts on the DIS, but they were old posts. It's no biggy

 

[squitty]

Our last time in St Maarten, we stayed onboard and enjoyed a couples massage, but will probably take our girls to see the airplanes at Maho Beach. That is always fun to see, especially if you look up the arrival schedule ahead of time to see the widebodies coming in for landing.

That's the thing we want to do on St Maarten. Watching all those planes flying above you....amazing We've only seen it happening on Youtube.

 

[granmaz]

That's the thing we want to do on St Maarten. Watching all those planes flying above you....amazing We've only seen it happening on Youtube.

Some friends on this last TA went to that beach. They said it was amazing, and they nearly were swept off their feet!!!!

 

[squitty]

Some friends on this last TA went to that beach. They said it was amazing, and they nearly were swept off their feet!!!!

I can only imagine!

Do you know how they get there Maz? I am wondering how far away it is from where the Magic docks.
I have looked at maps, but you can never really tell can you?

 

[granmaz]

I can only imagine!

Do you know how they get there Maz? I am wondering how far away it is from where the Magic docks.
I have looked at maps, but you can never really tell can you?

I think they just caught a taxi. I will go and ask.

 

[squitty]

I think they just caught a taxi. I will go and ask.

Aww thanks Maz

 

[Pinky166]

Hi everyone, just checking in. I've had a really busy week so not been online much, I need to go back & read what everyone has been up to.

I am think of heading over to Maho beach to watch the planes, maybe we could sort it out beforehand & share taxi's if a few of us are going.

 

[MandyGirl]

I can only imagine!

Do you know how they get there Maz? I am wondering how far away it is from where the Magic docks.
I have looked at maps, but you can never really tell can you?

We were able to get there with public buses (ie minivans) for very cheaply. First had lunch and sightseeing on the French side, then went to the beach to watch airplanes. There used to be a beach bar there, but recent reports is that it is no longer. There are signs overhead to show "Caution! Low Flying Aircraft". Seeing them come in was awesome. The crazy people were the ones standing on the sand when a jetliner would be revving up its engines prior to take off, literally sandblasting those on the beach. Then some would be across the small two-lane road to hang onto the fence. We had several airline employees with us when hanging out there, and of course they were fascinated by it. The only "concern" is the drawbridge and getting back to the ship on time. Apparently they cater to local yachts, and it is not uncommon for the drawbridge to go up for a long period of time --- which you must cross to make it back to the ship. Beautiful drive though, especially if a ship is tendered in the bay.

Prior to the cruise, I'll probably research the arrival schedule to SXM. There is sometimes a 747 flying nonstop from CDG (Paris) plus lots coming from Miami. We saw an American plane do an aborted landing because they were not lined up right. They circled and flew back again. I've always thought it would be cool to land at that airport - SIL went to medical school in that area and always flew into that airport. It seems so many of the Caribbean islands have runways right at the water's edge, but that one at the beach is the coolest I believe. (We've flown into St Thomas, St Croix, Barbados, San Juan, Mustique and Bequia - but none had beaches at the end of the runway like St Martin does.)

Very definitely worth seeing - but not much shade.

 

[granmaz]

Someone on our last TA thread said most big planes come in during the afternoon and to check the major airlines like KLM for their schedules.