SPATS get together

Author Message   Phyllis DeLancey Senior Member Username: Phyllis Post Number: 1382 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Monday, March 26, 2007 - 04:01 pm:    We are now up to 12 folks that I know of so lets be sure to get together and learn from each other over a drink (or 2). We are in room 6534, deck 6, so give me a call and we will try for one day while we are on the crossing and need something to do.   Jeffrey G. Carlen Senior Member Username: Jcarlen Post Number: 245 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 12:33 pm:    Tom, I sent you an email with my response. Regards, Jeff   Tom Jackson Senior Member Username: Tombo Post Number: 155 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 08:21 pm:    Jeffrey - I was holding off asking any questions until Phyllis got back from her cruise. But just couldn't do it. So here goes. If I remember correctly, her cruise last year took her to Rome. This year to Barcelona. Both destinations are acceptable to us as we want to travel around after the cruise for a week to ten days. England is also quite acceptable as well, but not our first choice. Besides I am not real familiar on how easy or difficult it is for getting back to the States from England. So here is my question. In your opinion, since you have made at least two transatlantic cruises and Phyllis's when she returns, which cruise destination/country did you like the best and which is easier for catching a Space A back home. Rota, Naples or England? Also if you have any in-country traveling (trains, planes, bus etc) and lodging tips would be greatly appreciated too.   Phyllis DeLancey Senior Member Username: Phyllis Post Number: 1368 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Tuesday, March 06, 2007 - 11:43 am:    Jan looking forward to meeting you. Lois had said you and some friends would be on the ship, we will be be boarding around 12:30 will have the red bananda on my self someplace. See you next month.   Jan Intermediate Member Username: Seychelle Post Number: 16 Registered: 07-2006 Posted on Tuesday, March 06, 2007 - 05:02 am:    Phyllis, we'll be on that cruise and are really looking forward to meeting all of the others. I'll be calling you. I have my red bandana, too!! We still haven't decided for sure what we will do after Barcelona, but I'm sure it will be an adventure.   Jeffrey G. Carlen Senior Member Username: Jcarlen Post Number: 243 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 01:19 am:    We are taking our third eastbound transatlantic cruise next month --Ft. Lauderdale to Southampton on Celebrity Constellation (first timeon a big ship). Last year we sailed on Celebrity Century Ft.Lauderdale to Barcelona; previous year on MSC Lirica Ft.Lauderdale to Genoa. Both times we stayed a week or so in the country we landed in and then space-a'ed home. This year we have a timeshare in the lake country of England after our cruise. Space-a westbound from Europe is usually not too bad in the spring before the DOD schools let out and eastbound transatlantic cruises are waaay cheaper than the westbound. They can be had easily for less than $100/day/pp. We have been cruising for over twenty years and dont think there is a better way to travel--inexpensive cruises and space-a!   Tom Jackson Senior Member Username: Tombo Post Number: 148 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Friday, March 02, 2007 - 08:30 pm:    Phyllis - My wife and I try to cruise every year mainly on 7-10 day cruises to the Caribbean. I always book by cruises in mid Sept thru Oct 30. That is the height of Hurricane season, but you get your best rates. In the 15-16 years we have been cruising, we never had any problems with Hurricanes. Even last year with all the stroms. Knock on wood!   Tom Jackson Senior Member Username: Tombo Post Number: 147 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Friday, March 02, 2007 - 08:06 pm:    Leland - Not busting your back, just bragging to my frozen Northern comrades in arms. Is that pouring salt on your wounds or on the road so you can drive? And any paratrooper worth his salt (salt again) knows when to "advance to the rear" to fight another day. Especially against over overwhelming odds. Phyllis - I checked out your cruise. It really has some great rates and a very nice itinerary. Something to consider for next year?   Phyllis DeLancey Senior Member Username: Phyllis Post Number: 1362 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Friday, March 02, 2007 - 07:36 pm:    The only thing about coming back is the time of year. It is still hurricane season, and I don't want to be in the Atlantic no matter how big the boat!!   Leland Ness Senior Member Username: Leland Post Number: 966 Registered: 05-2006 Posted on Friday, March 02, 2007 - 06:57 pm:    Tom, There are some opponents a paratrooper should never even try to engage. But good luck. It sounds like a great trip. Wait a minute. Weren't you the guy who was mean to me when I was busting my back and collapsing my snow shovel up here trying to move sheet ice a few weeks back? Something about poolside and sunscreen?   Tom Jackson Senior Member Username: Tombo Post Number: 146 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Friday, March 02, 2007 - 05:31 pm:    Leland-Thanks for the advice. Great minds think a like. We were considering from the US to Europe or at least I was, going that route. However our annivesary is October 28 and the Oct/Nov repositioning cruises are the closet to that timeframe. The US to Europe cruises are in April and could work, but the Oct date would be better (for me), which needs no explanation. My wife has never been to Spain, so we are planning to do a week to ten day tour around Spain prior to the cruise, which has several stops in Italy. A kind of "two in one" trip. I have a over a year to convince her otherwise, but you can fight City Hall, but seldom do you win. Thanks again and I will let you guys know who wins out.   Leland Ness Senior Member Username: Leland Post Number: 965 Registered: 05-2006 Posted on Friday, March 02, 2007 - 05:00 pm:    Tom, But it can be cheaper to cruise the other direction (US to Europe, or where ever). I would not want to rely on Space-A to get me to a cruise departure on time. For that, I would use Southwest or some other low-price airline within the US. Coming back, however, say from Portugal or Spain, you can use Space-A because you can take your time without worrying about missing the sailing.   Tom Jackson Senior Member Username: Tombo Post Number: 145 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Friday, March 02, 2007 - 04:49 pm:    Phyllis-Please take good notes. You are the one who put the bug in my ear about Transatlantic cruises. Now my wife wants to go on one next year. As it stands now, we (she) likes the 15 day from Barcelona coming back to Ft. Lauderdale/Miami. If not that the one, the one you took last year leaving from Rome. I can't wait to read everyone's trip reports for how it went and for the helpful hints and suggestions for my cruise next year.   Phyllis DeLancey Senior Member Username: Phyllis Post Number: 1361 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Friday, March 02, 2007 - 01:01 am:    There will be 10 SPATS on the Splendour of Sea on the cruise leaving Galveston April 23, going to Barcalona. Let's try to all get together for a drink one day. If you will just ask the desk for our room phone number I will be happy to try and get this thing going.