MikieF

Hey All...Mike here as Margaret is still busy cruising with her flight attendant friends. I'm sure we will go with whatever works for most folks. Beyond that I am proud to say I now have enough maturity to know not to make any plans without the input of my favorite cruise director. Cheers, Mike

Captain Gail...I would call your airline to verify that they will allow you as many bags as you think. I know our BA ticket from VCE-LGW (we have to spend the night in LGE before heading to the US) states we are allowed only 1-50 lb. bag each. I need to call BA soon and find out since we, also, are traveling on the next day....IF their allowance gives us 2-50 lb. bags each. Sure hope so!!! (One time in about May I spoke with a BA agent, and at that time she was very adamant about 1-50 lb. bag each....and any lbs. over would be charged at about "$25.00 PER POUND"!! (I'd like to think she was rude and a bit hysterical, but am not sure...I haven't called back since.) Having said all that....a couple of friends of mine are leaving Fri. for BOS-LHR-ATH, and he spoke with a BA agent a few days ago to find out if there had been any adjustments to their allowance since this ordeal several weeks ago. The BA agent (on the phone) told him they (BA) are being lenient, and allowing bags up to 70 lbs. with an additional charge. He'll be back before we have to leave, and I will pick his brain on how strict they (BA) were.

I'll put my liquids in my toiletry bag and/or zip-lock bags. Should be no problem....It is (pressure) no different in the baggage compartment than it is inside the passenger cabin....and I know I have carried my stuff on zillions of flights. Occasionally a shampoo (or something) will leak (more than leak sometimes!)...So, a double bag is a good idea.....We can all just hope our bags get to BCN when we do!!

We might have scr***d ourselves re:bags!! We booked AA for the STL-ORD-LHR (and return legs) part. After that we booked BA for LHR_BCN and VCE-LGW. Because we booked them separately we have been told we are only allowed the BA coach intra-Europe baggage allowance....SUX! AA and BA are both members of the same "One World" alliance, and I am going to call (and speak to a nicer, more imformative person, i hope) and ask what advantage there is to travelling with two carriers of the same alliance if they can't play well together!! We'll see..... Thanks for the $$ info for the Pompeii tour....We didn't want to be neglecting something we should have been doing!

Well, we haven't been here (at home or on the board!) much....Joey and Jackie, we hope y'all are doing MUCH better now!!!! Diane (chachabell)...we are still excited about our Pompeii and Amalfi coast tour. I just thought I'd mention that so you don't think we've fallen off the face of the earth! I am looking at an e-mail you sent in mid June about this excursion that breaks down costs. A couple are paid (I assume....shouldn't do that!) at the site, it seems. but, the cost for Fabrizio is a question....Do we need to pay anything beforehand for his services? Should we all anticipate paying him cash the day of the tour? Have we missed something we should already have done?? Thanks for letting me know! Not looking forward to the 'packing challenge'!! We are allowed 1 50lb. each-that's it.....can I wear sneakers with a formal dress?! (Yes, I AM kidding!) :) Margaret

Paula, Ordinarily If you are traisiting one country to board a flight to another you DO NOT have to clear customs in the intermediate country. There will be signs pointing to transit lounges, etc. Make certain your luggage is all tagged to your FINAL destination. IF you make a stop in the US before boarding (yet another) flight to your destination, you DO have to clear US customs (at the first point of entry in the US0. My disclaimer will be that that is how it has routinely been done for years.....After last week, who knows if they'll add any more steps. Of course 'they' (the intermediate countries) will have additional manpower if another step has been added, so I doubt it!

Joey, we are taking AA from STL through ORD to LHR and BA on to BCN....so we're in your same boat (so to speak)! On the return we till go from VCE (Overnight in LGW) on BA then AA to DFW and STL. Lots of London for us on this upcoming trip! I wouldn't 'panic' until later.....Let's see how things still look at the beginning of Oct. Keeping our fingers crossed for at least a carry-on bag!!!!!!!!! Margaret

Okay, Okay...I'll volunteer to be the 'Guinea Pig'.....In early Sept. I am on an RCCL Alaska Inside Passage cruise for a week. I intend to take a bottle (or two) of wine to enjoy in our (aft) cabin. I KNOW they have the right to confiscate the wine....and very well may. So, It won't be Opus One!! It will be an okay wine...No big investment to lose! I'll report back when I return (Sept. 16th).....Let y'all know if they really took the wine!! :grin:

For 'informal' for ladies...I usually wear a nice dress (not formal!!) or nice slacks and a dressy-ish top. We are set for late seating as are Suzi and Cleve, Natalie, Catharine, and Jeff. Hope we can make it without drooling into dinner!! :) Thanks all for the 'heads up' on the sensior discount...our TA took $$ away from our bill too!! :) :) :) Margaret and Mike

We, also, are going to have to claim our luggage once we arrive at Heathrow before heading to Barcelona....We have 3 hrs., but think that will be pretty much taken up with waiting for bags and re-checking, and going through security again! NOT a day we are looking forward to!! Wishing us all "good baggage re-check karma"! :) Margaret

Hey Joey...I just spoke with Suzi (of Cleve, Natalie, Jeff, and Catharine fame), and she received the lapel pins (of yours) we sent them. She sends a BIG thanks for their entire group, and is looking forward to meeting everyone! :cheesy: Margaret

You're too sweet....Thank you for the pins! I think we might have to try to re-pay you with an adult beverage of your choice!! :kiss: We ARE definitely looking forward to Oct., and hope I have had time to catch up on all your (all of you) bits of information! Thanks all!....NOW....showing my lack of attendance here for a while :grin: ....Has anything been decided on pre-cruise dinner/drinks? Margaret

Joey...Our most recent house guest just left...and we have a whole week before the next 'batch'! (The last one and the upcoming ones are family, so pretty easy to have around!) Just after Labor Day a friend and I are going on a 7 night inside passage cruise which is a convention for 300 or so people we have worked with over the years. I have done that cruise a couple of times, but it should still be fun!! Mike has chosen to stay at home for that one....and play dog sitter! PLEASE let me know how much we owe you for the lapel pins! :)

Hi All...Yes, we have been gone a bit (my 40th high school reunion.....who are all those OLD people?!)....My computer is down for a while....very sick! I will try someday to read up on all these pages, but don't know that I will catch up! Joey, we did receive the lapel pins for us, Cleve and Suzi, Natalie, Catharine, and Jeff! Thanks so much....They look really classy! Please let me know (by e-mail if you will....) how much we owe you for these! I think you have (or had) our e-mail address....We have either been gone or have had company since the end of March........Take care, everyone! :) Margaret (and Mike)

I just read the previous couple of pages...PLEASE count us interested in a water taxi from the ship to the Locando....It would be nice for the trip to the airport too, but don't know if our schedule is compatible with any others. Margaret :)

Hi Everyone...We will be at the Locando Orseolo for 2 nights post cruise. Our flight VCE-LGW leaves around 5pm, I think. We'll spend the night close to Gatwidk and head LGW-DFW-STL the next day. I need to check previous days' posts...are y'all taking a talley of 'our' people staying at the Locando?

It's been a long time since we've been on here....Sounds silly, but being gone for 6 weeks and getting ready for out-of-town company tomorrow keeps us really busy!! First, Joey, thanks for the lapel pin design and setting that plan into motion! Please let me know how much we owe you! As far as eating in Barcelona....We also agree, close to the hotel makes sense! Thanks all for your hard work in planning this adventure! Now to do more laundry...:)

Chachabell...Please send us info about your tour booked to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast unless your additional 2 spaces are already filled! We were thinking the people we are cruising might be interested, but they seem to be a bit difficult to pin down! Please e-mail me at pwdmom@charter.net. Thanks! Margaret and Mike (MikieF)

Here I am, trying to catch up again! (I need to be on this board 24/7!!) YES, please count Mike and me in on the water taxi in Venice also!!

Geesch! We're gone for most of the weekend, and scads of new pages appear here!! Jackie and Paula, YES, Mike and I are staying at the Locando Orseolo in VCE, and would be interested in sharing a water taxi from the ship on arrival day!!! Thanks for thinking of us!! Margaret

Hi Joey...Wish I could help you with info about taxis in Venice. Never been there (and am looking forward to it!), sorry! Most airlines do want passengers at the airport 2 hrs. in advance for international travel, and much of Europe is very strict in their security checks. I would be at VCE BY 0900 (maybe 0845)....But I don't know about taxis or the proximity to the airport! It has been years since I have been to Athens, but in Nov. their weather used to be fabulous (mid 70's) during the day and coolish (60-65) at night. Almost a million years ago that is where Mike and I first met! We have not been back to ATH (together) since then; this will be our first. After we met, but before we began dating (11 yrs.!) I had been to Athens numerous times, as has Mike. It will be fun to see all the changes with their metro now! I remember the plaka area before it had 'glitzy' shops....great bargaining, and more humble shops! I am anxious to see if a friend I met in 1970 in Athens still owns a shop in the plaka! I'll bet he's aged....I still look the same, don't I?!! (HA!) :rolleyes: This will be fun!!!!

Thanks Joey...Sangria and Tapas sound great!! :grin:

Kareen...I just scanned some of the previous posts, and noticed it is your first cruise. As Joey said...You are in for a treat! Cruising is an addiction....We have never been on the Millennium before, but have been on the Infinity (one of her sister ships) 3 times. We LOVE the ship!! It is just the right size, and has so many wonderful features! Celebrity is the best!! Mike and I also love the 'at sea' days to just relax and read. This is very port intensive, and as Joey said...You might get home a bit exhausted...but happy! We just finished a 28 day 2800 passenger Diamond Princess cruise. It was almost half and half 'at sea' and port days. The blend was good, especially on such a long trip. This Med cruise will be great...We go so many wonderful places.

Hi Gang... Mike and I decided to find out where Joey and David went! Thanks for passing along the website, Gail. The first time I typed, I think I did a finger fault! I'd love to know what happened with you and x, Joey...Maybe someday! Of the celebrations onboard, I know that Catharine (of our large group) is celebrating her 30th (yeah, really...someone that young! :grin: ...BUT interesting and lots of fun!) sometime during the cruise. Margaret :smiley: