Hey all,

Final payment is getting close and I just learned the travel insurance is no longer covering for the volcano so if our flight to Europe is cancelled and we miss the cruise, we're out of luck. I suppose using Regent's air if available would mitigate this, but we've got mileage business class seats so hoping to avoid that expense. ...AND Athens itself might be a problem to get to given riots going on so another possible issue if they switch ports.

Thoughts?

Kent

Who knows what will happen in October, but my neighbors just were caught in the double whammy of volcanic ash and protests in Athens. They left here Monday and just arrived in Athens yesterday, fortunately with enough time to make their cruise departure tomorrow. First they were rerouted through Berlin, then their flight to Athens was canceled due to the strikes and protests in Athens. Then they were re-routed through Vienna and made it to Athens yesterday, a couple of days late. They are staying at the Grande Bretagne (where many of us have reservations pre TUT), right in the heart of all the protests/riots etc - across from Parliament and where the bank was burned.

here's part of her email from this morning:

I find people going crazy and bashing in windows, tear gas and almost 30 thousand people marching and yelling rather upsetting. The front of the hotel shut down with huge metal doors. An explosion happened around the corner and fire sirens throughout the night. Will go out soon to see what happened. The bank fire which killed 3 people is across the street. The marchers got really ugly when the police tried to shut it down around 1230 am, and set fire to the piles of garbage. Can't go out at night. It will probably start again tonight since the parliament is meeting tonight.

I hope things will be calmer and skies will be clearer in October!

WOW scary, We were just talking about this last night and saying we sure hope things settle down before Oct. Payment isn't due until July, so hopefully .the next couple of months will tell us more, for now we are just watching and hoping. We too have booked our own flights and dropped Regent air and are going in to Athens early

An alternative hotel for the people staying at Grande Bertagne could be the Westin Astir Palace - currently Andrea & Jerel and us are booked there.

Peter, I'm curious...what is the advantage of this hotel, price? location?

Several of us are booked at the Electra Palace.

We stayed there last year and very nice. Down a small street
about 6-8blocks away.

Several of us are booked at the Electra Palace.

We stayed there last year and very nice. Down a small street
about 6-8blocks away.

Susan - I thought just you and the Davenports were at the Electra Palace. Are there other's that I missed who might be interested in the Saturday night dinner?

Well originally it was price (in SPG points - since its Category 4 rather than GB's Category 6). Now price is kind of a moot point since we're doing SPG Free Weekend Nights to "pay" for this stay.

Its on the coast with sea-views. We're not real fond of ATH.

Now not sure what's better though since GB would be a bigger "bang" for the FWN usage but don't really want to be there if the protests at Parliament continue since its just across the street from GB.

AS someone who truly loves the GB, and I know TUT is several months away, this is not the place to stay if more protests are going to go on. I remember back in 2003 when we stayed there, a trash strike and a taxi strike were going on when Regent picked us up from the hotel. Protesters where banging on the bus and screaming at the bus driver: that is childs play compared to what is going on now, again hopefully things quiet down but I would stay away from that area for the time being....

FV

We are still with Regent air.. as i cannot seem to make these darling girls on AA have any enthusiasm getting us business air. We are thinking of doing the upgrade thing with Regent

Still with Delta FF air - NO luck trying to make ANY changes -

Cindy did you try using that FF expert, I think his name is Gary or something, he might be able to help you.. I just looked at some Biz air Joanna on Delta 225k per ticket for TUT, amazing!!!!!

Joanna, thanks for continuing to check for me. :D Everytime I know you can't change, it means I don't need to try. :(

JoAnn,

I think that Marc and Arlene are staying there also, but you already have them.

no, i didn't call him. we might just stick with Regent air, and save up more miles for Roar! that would be a killer to do coach.....Thanks FV!!

You are welcome Marc :( :( I have my conversations with Delta down pat after telling them right upfront we must stay with 100 thou pts PP - at first they say "NO Problem" let me take a look (I know better) and then whoops that'll be another zillion pts :mad: :mad:

ok thanks Susan, just wanted to be sure I hadn't overlooked anyone.

Several of us are booked at the Electra Palace.

We stayed there last year and very nice. Down a small street
about 6-8blocks away.

I've been away most of the last couple of months and finally had a chance to catch up on LCT. Reading this thread is making me really nervous.Without thinking about it I booked our flights to arrive in Athens at 10:30 am on Sunday, Oct 3rd. It will now cost me a small fortune to change it. (Evidently it's a discounted business class fare with a $400 per person penalty for change) Are we making a huge mistake? Would appreciate any opinions.....I'd rather not miss the boat ;)

Kathy

They're having another general strike in Greece next Wednesday, which will shut down flights, etc.

October is a long way away and it is hard to imagine they will keep this up for months.

In any event, they are not likely to call a general strike on the weekend - they seem to like Wednesdays for that.

Marc: I have had some funny Delta rep conversations - tonight was the best thanks "Monica" for the truth - she told me I was darn lucky to have booked Delta low mileage in Feb and why was I wasting my time trying to change reservations at LOW mileage???? Never going to happen according to Monica .. GO DELTA

At least for once they told the truth.. Delta has devalued there program so bad it really is a shame.. They give away Medallion status likes it a free bee..... any coach class award ticket in the US is the same price as first class used to be. The only low tier awards I have seen available would only make you want to stay home and not go on your trip because the conncections and times or layovers are so bad who would want to do it... They say they are going to fix there online system and award structure: Who knows... with the UA/Co merger coming shortly and Delta being no longer the worlds biggest airline, maybe that will give them some incentive to do something. Not holding my breath though...

FV

I had no problem using the last of my Delta miles for three low tier tickets to the great metropolis of Bemidji, MN (we have a family reunion there, believe it or not). I'll bet you could also get to Green Bay, WI or maybe even Peoria with low tier tickets ;) I'm a Delta million miler and permanent Elite but decided to permanently use up my miles to put an end to constantly having a battle getting frequent flyer seats--it used to be much easier. Unfortunately, though, Regent put us on Delta for our flights on TUT. Maybe I'll buy a magazine subscription or something with those miles.

You are lucky Peggy. the complaints on FT have been endless, and most of them are pretty accurate.. We live in Boston where Delta built a brand new huge terminal a few years back, but they dont fly direct anywhere in the US, Well I mean not to any of the cities that I want to go to..

FV

Anyone staying at the Westin in VCE on the 17th? - we are using SW pts - flight out the 18th at 9:50 AM - at some point I'll have to figure out transportation from port to hotel and to airport next day - I have to be in the "mood" to tackle this sort of thing and not in mood today ;) ;) Westin offers water taxi cost is outrageous!

Joanna:

When we got off our cruise a couple years ago, there was a line from hell to get on the water taxis, then there were a private water taxi line. It was like 50 euros I think, but we cut everyone and right to the hotel and help with luggage.. It was worth every penny.. We took a water taxi from the Danieli when we stayed, I think it was around 60 Euros, but we were met by a Danieli rep who took us in the airport and did his thing and again we cut the crazy lines and really helped the process. I am not sure what the Westin is charging for there taxi, but then I found most things in Venice and very expensive and some things a complete rip off..... U have to figure whatever decision you make it will be cheaper than trying to change your Delta FF ticketss.....

FV

Agree Frank think private water taxi way to go! Whatever we decide have NO doubt it'll be easier than dealing with Delta - had to remind gal the other night that it was obvious that building up 200 thou pts by using my credit cards was not big deal to Delta but IS big deal to me!

Hey, is anyone thinking of buying Euros beforehand? With the crisis in Greece and the Euro dropping significantly against the USD, we are thinking of it. xe.com has it at 1.236...lowest I've ever seen it since I've been paying attention...Greg thinks maybe it will drop even further. Any thoughts/insight? I think we'd use Ezforex which had the "true" exchange at 1.3306.

And - hopefully the riots, etc. will settle by the time we get to Athens on October 1st! We decided we're not budging from the GB, even though it's right in the heart of the action.

Kristin,at ATM I am getting great rates. I got 126.13 on Wednesday when low on intraday was 126.07. Now,the rate is 123.58. If you have to pay much above mid-market, might not make sense to buy in advance. 1.33 is way too high, now. For the amounts that you will probably transfer, I would think it best to wait until you arrive and take a chance on the current rates but at a much better margin.

Kristin--I'm watching the Euro also and holding out for it to drop back to par with the $ :D --maybe that will happen before October, we'll see. Either way, there's sure to be an ATM at the Athens airport. I'm sure you've posted this before, but when do you get to Athens? We get in on Oct. 1 at around 9:30 am on Delta.

:app: Marc, how did you know that I was directing that question at you? :D I knew you would respond! Thanks. The only reason we were thinking of getting it in advance is I am a little worried about that ATM skimming scam that's going on.

Hi Peggy!! We cross-posted. We don't have our flight schedule yet from Regent, but I have a pretty good idea that we'll be on Lufthansa arriving in the afternoon, I think 5'ish. Lucky you that you're arriving so early!

On the other hand, maybe they'll put you on the same flight with us. Let's hope!!!

I asked Tom about getting Euro ahead and he doesn't seem to see any need. He guesses if there's any change between now and Oct. it won't amount to much. He follows all this, I don't. We've never had problem getting money from airport ATMs.

Ever the positive attitude, Peggy! :app:

I think we'll do just that, Marcie. :D I am SO excited for this trip. It occurs to me that we haven't been on a ship since a year ago on Navigator. Waaaaay too long.

Same here Kristen - what a great group I look forward to this trip SO MUCH - days of 2 or 3 trips a year OR long ones over due to Regent pricing BUT not interested in mass market :mecry: :mecry:

We are getting excited too. Hsven't even asked Frank what he thinks about getting euros ahead, but we usually get some to start out with in any case.

Hopefully things will simmer down in the next few months. We have a tour planned for most of Friday, so feel ok about that, but on Saturday we were just hoping to wander around and have lunch and things like that. And of course the dinner on Saturday night hopefully will still be on.

Kristin, didn't you say you and Greg had some friends in Athens and they were planning things for you? It would seem that you might be ok in that situation, but what do I know! :D I guess in the worse case if we are all "stuck" at the GB, there could be worse situations. They do have a spa. LOL.

Hey All,

CSA just started covering the volcano again today. Jeffrey and I bought our policy for this trip. If you plan to buy insurance you might want to jump in with B&K in case Iceland blows her top again soon since final payment is getting close.

cheers,

Kent & Jeffrey