"Seven Seven 07" 20070707-11 Night Mediterranean Cruise

[mickeyfanmom]

Yes I do work for a school system in GA. I am SO happy to be off for the most exciting summer ever!!!

Now I can get into intense, full-on planning mode.

There is still a lot to do......................

 

[mickeyfanmom]

Wondering how everyone is getting to the ship from their hotel in Barcelona? Heard suitcases are not fitting in the taxi.
denise

I am worried about that too- (or rather my husband is- he is the one that always ends up hauling all of the luggage.)

My husband and a co-worker recently returned from a trip to London and even with just the two of them with minimal luggage, they had to get a "special" taxi because they supposedly had "too much luggage."

YIKES!!

I originally had ground transfers with Disney, but they made me cancel them because I didn't book my hotel through them. (Even though they are booking people at the Barcelona Hilton.) I was mad because I know that they are booking there, but I am using points but still felt that they should let me keep the transfers on my resie.

The girl on the phone told me that there are plenty of cabs and that it was very close between the airport and the hotel. She also told me that it would be cheaper to do it on my own and not use their transfers.

Does anyone know if this is true or not?

 

[Monstro]

We are at the Renaissance Barcelona Airport Hotel.
Since we booked thru Disney Vacation Club we were not offered transfers. Maybe something came in the mail? but I think it was only for insurance to add on. What hotel are you at Jeff? How much is the transfer?We are also staying the night after we get off the Magic at the same place because the flight was just too early...
denise

We are at the Renaissance Barcelona Airport Hote also. You can call Disney and add the transfers.

 

[DadofLostBoys]

Wondering how everyone is getting to the ship from their hotel in Barcelona? Heard suitcases are not fitting in the taxi.
denise

I made arrangements with www.taxivanbcn.com. I told them I needed a van for 2A, 3C from the airport to our hotel and was quoted 50 Euro for the five of us.

. . . . I originally had ground transfers with Disney, but they made me cancel them because I didn't book my hotel through them. (Even though they are booking people at the Barcelona Hilton.) I was mad because I know that they are booking there, but I am using points but still felt that they should let me keep the transfers on my resie.

The girl on the phone told me that there are plenty of cabs and that it was very close between the airport and the hotel. She also told me that it would be cheaper to do it on my own and not use their transfers.

Does anyone know if this is true or not?

I reserved our hotel, Atenea Mar, via Priceline. Since this was a Disney hotel I was able to get my travel agent arrange transfers for $125. I was thinking about using taxivanbcn which would be cheaper, but liked the convienence offered by the transfers.

I would call DCL again and speak with a supervisor if you have to.

 

[mickeyfanmom]

I think that I will call Disney again today and talk to them. I did ask to speak to a supervisor last time, but that is when the woman told me that it would be just better to arrange it myself and I believed her.

But since I waited so long to do anything because I was tied up with work, I think that I would just rather have the convenience of going through Disney.

I am going to try again. Thanks for the advice.

 

[denise]

We are at the Renaissance Barcelona Airport Hote also. You can call Disney and add the transfers.

called the disney vacation club and since I didn't book my hotel thru disney they can only offer transfers from the airport at $25 pp one way or $50 pp round trip. would have to be at airport by 11am or by 2pm. She also said that the hotel I am at is NOT a Disney suggested hotel per DCL.

I will contact www.taxivanbcn.com and see what they have.
I will also contact the hotel and see if there is a shuttle...
Denise

 

[denise]

Renaissance offers free shuttle to/from the airport if pre-arranged. So we do have the option of taking that shuttle and then paying Disney $25 pp one way....there has to be something cheaper...still checking.... (sorry, old telephone operator humor)
we leave in 11 days

 

[mickeyfanmom]

Well I just got off of the phone with Disney. The first rep I got was VERY rude to me, kept insulting me and then told me not to believe anything that I hear on these boards. So I "got disconnected" and called back.

The next person was much more polite, but did tell me that the "whole ground transportation thing" is a big problem there right now and that they are in the process of calling everyone that did not book their hotel through Disney to remove their tranfers. She also said that they are calling all of the travel agencies that booked people and are making them remove them too.

I don't really believe that this is totally true. People are going to be VERY upset if it is. She was very nice about it though and when I asked her if I could talk to someone else about it, she said that they had instructions to advise guests that nobody would be allowed to use their transfers that didn't book the hotel with them. I told her for all of the money that we are paying, Disney should try to make things as smooth as possible for us. She said she agreed, but couldn't help me with it further.

She said that other than the transportation problem, (which concerns me) the only negative thing that they have been hearing about is the trash situation in Palermo and Naples. Even Disney can't control that.

I am going to call the hotel right now and see if there is a shuttle, or see what they recommend. I am only concerned because there are four of us and even though I am trying to keep the luggage down to a minimum, we will be gone for three weeks.

I haven't seen any of the first reports back yet, because I haven't had much time to search the boards.

What is everyone hearing?

 

[denise]

Got a email from the Renaissance Barcelona Airport Hotel and they advised :

"A complimentary shuttle runs every half-hour from the airport to the hotel
between the hours of 5:00 A.M. and midnight.

The hotel is about nine miles from Port Vell. The hotel recommends taxi
service. The concierge would be happy to arrange this for you when you arrive.
This will cost around twenty Euros."

Hope this helps everyone....it helped me!

 

[mickeyfanmom]

The Diagonal Mar Barcelona Hilton does NOT have shuttle service. So I will just get a cab or maybe arrange the van service like some here have.

Thanks for all of the help!

It looks like the DIS'ers on the ship right now are having a great trip. There were some not-so-good reports from the Transatlantic folks, mostly about the food and housekeeping, but hopefully they're getting all of the kinks worked out.

Can't wait!

 

[Deb T.]

Got a email from the Renaissance Barcelona Airport Hotel and they advised :

"A complimentary shuttle runs every half-hour from the airport to the hotel
between the hours of 5:00 A.M. and midnight.

The hotel is about nine miles from Port Vell. The hotel recommends taxi
service. The concierge would be happy to arrange this for you when you arrive.
This will cost around twenty Euros."

Hope this helps everyone....it helped me!

We're staying at the Renaissance and this is exactly what we're planning to do, too.

 

[MJGirl]

Hi .. Anyone dressing up for Pirate night???? My daughter and I are thinking about it!

 

[calif disney 1]

Not sure yet, but you should go for it....it makes it a lot of fun....

 

[Hanover]

Hi .. Anyone dressing up for Pirate night???? My daughter and I are thinking about it!

Our boys will definitely be dressed up in their pirate costumes. I'll probably have a peasant blouse/black skirt and the DCL issued bandana. DH will probably wear a striped polo or a pirate t-shirt of some sort.

 

[Dylcal]

Hi .. Anyone dressing up for Pirate night???? My daughter and I are thinking about it!

Dylan and I will be! I still have our outfits from the last cruise, although Dylan may need new pants!! He has grown since then!!

 

[APinCA]

Hi .. Anyone dressing up for Pirate night???? My daughter and I are thinking about it!

DD and DH are ready if the Halloween costumes still fit (see Monstro's fotki picture). I guess I should check to see if hers still fits. I'm still trying to figure out how to dress up without having to pack too much more!

http://journals.fotki.com/Draperdog/Seven_Seven_O7_Vacation/category/Castaways/

 

[Shercara]

Hi Kathy - great costumes! I think I will throw something together - nothing special- use the DCL bandana - I ordered eye patches from Oriental trading, I'll have my boys and DH wear their zip off long/short cargo pants - black capri's for me - not sure about the top. I am thinking about getting some fabric to tie around us (individually! ) as a sash. Maybe have them wear their printfection Pirates of the Med t's. - I also don't want to pack a lot of extra stuff - and I'm not sure how cooperative my pirates will be either!
I was bidding on beautiful costumes on ebay - they started at .99cents and have been going for $80 and up - I'd love to have one - but not worth the extra $$ or space in my suitcase!

As far as dressing up - I say go for it - we will never see each other and all the other folks on the cruise again - Life is too short to worry about what other people think or say - This is our trip of a lifetime - I plan to make the best of it and enjoy myself to the fullest - we never know what tomorrow will bring - and I don't want to be saying " I wish I had...."

33 MORE DAYS!! Do I hear a WooHoo!

 

[APinCA]

and I'm not sure how cooperative my pirates will be either!
33 MORE DAYS!! Do I hear a WooHoo!

WOOHOO!!!!!!

Hmmm, I hadn't thought about the possibility of a pirate being uncooperative...

 

[MJGirl]

Glad to hear I won't be the only one ... Kirstyn and I are going more as tavern wenches vs pirates. I found the pattern from Butterick. It has a vest with a peasant style blouse and a skirt. I just hope Captain Jack likes it! My only problem is shoes! I'll probably just wear my sandals. Oh well! Nobody look at my feet okay!

 

[Shercara]

Hi MJ - here is the ebay seller that I was watching - I think these must be the type of dress you are talking about? They are soo nice. I'd love to have one - but don't want to pay the price to wear once, or figure out how to pack it. http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZloriann_designsQQhtZ-1

Good for you and your sewing abilities!! I tried to make a quilt once before we were married (25+ years ago)- I think the bag of stuff is still in our basement - unfinished of course!! "Someone" (DH) reminds me of it everytime I want to start a new project! - That is the extent of my sewing!! Can't wait to see your outfits!! ( I promise I won't look at your feet - hey if you are wenches - go barefoot - I don't think Capt Jake would mind!)

Take care,
Sherri