Just a reminder that several of you either didn't have passports or had passports that were about to expire when I polled you back in January.If you have not already done so, it's imperative that you obtain your passports right away. The airlines need this information well in advance to screen you and determine that you are not a terrorist. I may even need this at the time of booking and I'll be booking flights very soon.
So PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE . . . if you don't have a passport, can you get on with the application right now so that you'll have your passport in the next few weeks?
Here's the link to the U.S. State Dept. website with all the answers to all your questions about costs, how long it takes, the process, etc.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
And if you do already have your passport, can you pull it out of the drawer (or wherever else you keep it) and take a look at the expiration date so that you know you're good to go? Your passport must be valid at least through Sept. 20, 2009 (three months beyond our return date to the US).
A few updates on flights and hotels.
1. I've contacted a couple of hotels in Paris about our lodgings. I should have an announcement on our hotel in a few days.
2. I've pretty much locked in our dates for the trip. We'll be flying to Paris on June 10th. We'll arrive on June 11th and stay in Paris for three nights. We'll board the Marjorie II on the afternoon of June 14th and get off the barge on the morning of June 20th. Where we'll be taken to the airport and fly home. So figure you'll be back in the States on the night of June 20th.
3. It's still too early to book flights. I've contacted a travel agent and she tells me that we should go to work on flights in mid-August. I also contacted Delta's group desk and they said the same thing. I'll be looking at several options (everyone flying from their own home town, everyone flying from Birmingham, everyone flying from Atlanta). If one of the three options is a whole lot cheaper, I'll go that route, but for your convenience I'll look at the options in that order. If we do end up flying in and out of BHM or ATL, those of you in Lynchburg, Houston and New Orleans will have to add another travel day on either end of the trip (leave home June 9 and get back home on June 21). Look for more on that in a few weeks.
4. Bear in mind that all of this is subject to minor changes and revisions, but the plan is pretty much coming together.
Le Capitaine
2 comments:
I had another practice packing session and was able to get 19 outfits!!! (mix and match of course) plus room for shoes, etc. in one small carryon. Thank you for your hard work in getting the trip planned. This is truly a once in lifetime experience for us. Beau and I had so much fun at your house with everyone. He will be getting out informatin about the wills and other legal stuff.
I can only imagine the fun and laughter that will be coming out of the Marjorie II salon each night as we recap our day and night. I am praying for each one of us as we make ready even this far out.
Love to you all,
Kathy
Maybe you should be giving packing lessons. But you won't have to worry too much about suitcase management since we're only going to be in one hotel and the barge staff will transport our luggage and us from the hotel to the barge and then from the barge to the airport.
Speaking of hotels, I've heard back from one of the two hotels I've requested bids from and I should have an announcement tomorrow.
I am so like a kid waiting for Christmas to come.
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