Med Cruisers...Let's Discuss Planning!(Updated Tour Info, Links & BCN Info on Page 1)

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

What is "paste"?
\.

Fake diamonds LOL

 

[nzdisneymom]

Fake diamonds LOL

thanks I'd not heard that expression before.
I had visions of someone bedazzling something in their cabin before dinner.

 

[poohmomof5]

thanks I'd not heard that expression before.
I had visions of someone bedazzling something in their cabin before dinner.

Me too...I just couldn't figure out what that meant!

 

[lilpooh108]

We'll be dressy, but not formal. And I kinda don't get the side-eyes when people don't dress up? Do people really glare? I guess I've never noticed.

I'm lucky if my husband can find his pants in our luggage without my help, so a day where my husband finds his pants unassisted while I'm dressing our 2 kids is a good day for me Don't have time to worry about "real" formalwear.

 

[poohmomof5]

We'll be dressy, but not formal. And I kinda don't get the side-eyes when people don't dress up? Do people really glare? I guess I've never noticed.

I'm lucky if my husband can find his pants in our luggage without my help, so a day where my husband finds his pants unassisted while I'm dressing our 2 kids is a good day for me Don't have time to worry about "real" formalwear.

Weve been on 12 DCL cruises and never have noticed any funny looks for people who do OR don't get dressed up. Anyone can envision what they think they are seeing. On our Baltic cruise, we packed a FULL large suitcase with everyone's formal clothes and that just was a big mistake. I can't imagine us doing that this time. I found some really good deals on David's bridal and got beautiful dresses for the girls for about $20 each. So it seemed to make sense at the time. But I have learned that simple is so much better!

 

[poohmomof5]

Or post prom clearance sales...

Oh no, I think I am getting tempted to start looking...

 

[a1sand]

Thanks for all the great info. Has anyone booked an apartment pre-cruise in Barcelona through Friendly rentals? Your experiences?

Also, I would appreciate your thoughts on the Diagonal Mar area

Thanks!

 

[poohmomof5]

Thanks for all the great info. Has anyone booked an apartment pre-cruise in Barcelona through Friendly rentals? Your experiences?

Also, I would appreciate your thoughts on the Diagonal Mar area

Thanks!

For both our Europe trips, we used booking.com, we were able to get apartments that fit all 7 of us!

 

[Celestine]

Ok, I just booked a seven night Med cruise for this June. I am so excited, but feeling a little overwhelmed that I have so much planning to do in so little time.
I've read through the whole post, but have a few questions.

My family went on the Dream three night a year ago December, what can I expect to be different on the seven night and on the Magic?

How formal is the formal night?

I've read things about the Rainforest room. Is there one on the Magic? If so, how do you book it?

Thanks!

You won't find yourself in the hideous long lines for characters as you'll go, "oh, that's Mickey, but he's out again tomorrow!" Far more shows, activities and if you have kids I've found that the relationship between counsellors & them is far greater as they really get to know them. I prefer the intimacy of the Magic over the Dream.
You can buy rainforest passes in advance or on the day - not sure what, if any, the price differential is.
Formal night does swing from the full on to the smart but not black tie. Where you fall is up to you, but you are not penalised whatever you do. I've seen full military dress, tails and ball gowns to just regular, but smart dresses. When we did the Panama Canal repo in 2008 all the DIS ladies wore tiaras, but for the Baltics cruise the top end formal was less prevalent. Whatever you wear, swing buy the Captains reception in the foyer to chat with the officers & grab some free drinks!!!

Celestine

 

[lilpooh108]

Thanks for all the great info. Has anyone booked an apartment pre-cruise in Barcelona through Friendly rentals? Your experiences?

Also, I would appreciate your thoughts on the Diagonal Mar area

Thanks!

If you want opinions on specific booking sites or apartments, you might have better luck asking on the Fodors or Frommers forums. The travelers over there usually have experience with specific apartment rental brokers and properties.

 

[tajz90]

Weve been on 12 DCL cruises and never have noticed any funny looks for people who do OR don't get dressed up. Anyone can envision what they think they are seeing. On our Baltic cruise, we packed a FULL large suitcase with everyone's formal clothes and that just was a big mistake. I can't imagine us doing that this time. I found some really good deals on David's bridal and got beautiful dresses for the girls for about $20 each. So it seemed to make sense at the time. But I have learned that simple is so much better!

I never knew anyone cared how someone dressed or didn't dress until I found the DISboards and then I found out how truly upset some people get. Wow. Oh well, we always dressed up till we lost all of our luggage on the Med 07. We have since changed our packing habits and just go about our business.

 

[lilpooh108]

I never knew anyone cared how someone dressed or didn't dress until I found the DISboards and then I found out how truly upset some people get.

Yea, that's how I feel about it. I'm too busy scoping out the next character line in the lobby to notice what other people are wearing, or to care. And honestly, once you sit down at the dining table, everyone kinda looks all the same to me.

 

[poohmomof5]

I never knew anyone cared how someone dressed or didn't dress until I found the DISboards and then I found out how truly upset some people get. Wow. Oh well, we always dressed up till we lost all of our luggage on the Med 07. We have since changed our packing habits and just go about our business.

I truly think it is the minority (a very very small minority) of people who get upset, but they are the loudest. That is the one thing about these boards that really bothers me. If you don't like what someone has to say, just ignore it, people don't need to be so rude.

I think less than 5% of people care, so I am not going to waste my time thinking about it. (Well, I suppose I just wasted my time typing about it, but I'll stop now).

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

We'll be dressy, but not formal. And I kinda don't get the side-eyes when people don't dress up? Do people really glare? I guess I've never noticed.

I'm lucky if my husband can find his pants in our luggage without my help, so a day where my husband finds his pants unassisted while I'm dressing our 2 kids is a good day for me Don't have time to worry about "real" formalwear.

I have never noticed, but every so often someone comes no here and whines LOUDLY about how those of us who don't go all out are ruining her vacation.

If that ruins your vacation you have other issues IMHO

 

[Figment_Fan]

I've never noticed anyone giving looks at those who are not dressed to someone else's expectations. I'm generally too busy looking at the menu, taking pictures of the food that comes out, and EATING. Good food deserves my full attention, with some time for conversation with good tablemates.

I generally bring a black suit, a tie and a shirt don't take up that much space. Then, my DW found a white tux shirt that came with bow tie and studs and cuff links. Not bad for $18. It doesn't take up that much room - so I bring it along. I get a kick out of wearing it.

On our first cruise, I ran into a gentlemen in the hall who asked me to tie his tie for him. No problem! He said his wife was making him dress up and wanted pictures after dinner. That is one of the reasons we dress up - it's for pictures. Some of our best family portraits have come out of the cruises we have been on. Okay, I also like the fantasy of pretending to take my wife out on a very fancy date - we don't go out often so that we can spend the money on travel.

I'm of the group that has fun on my vacation, you enjoy yours in the ways that are best for you.

 

[nzdisneymom]

We are beginning o focus on our time in Malta. Thought I would share this as it is new from last season: http://www.visitmalta.com/en/upperbarrakkalift

 

[lilpooh108]

Does anyone have a good "to do" list before the trip? Not a packing list, but a literal to do list? I've started one, but I'd love to get new ideas. Here were some of mine:

1. Get mail forwarded/held by post office
2. Double check all passports, photocopy them, etc.
3. Email private tour companies to reconfirm
4. Dog sitter reservations, etc.
5. Print confirmations

There are tons of things to do, but I want to make sure I don't miss anything. This trip is a bit longer than our usual and I'd hate to sit there and smack my forehead. No one can help me while I'm "out" this time since we'll all be together C'mon OCD DIS'ers...give me a to do list!

 

[goeva]

Does anyone have a good "to do" list before the trip? Not a packing list, but a literal to do list? I've started one, but I'd love to get new ideas. Here were some of mine:

1. Get mail forwarded/held by post office
2. Double check all passports, photocopy them, etc.
3. Email private tour companies to reconfirm
4. Dog sitter reservations, etc.
5. Print confirmations

There are tons of things to do, but I want to make sure I don't miss anything. This trip is a bit longer than our usual and I'd hate to sit there and smack my forehead. No one can help me while I'm "out" this time since we'll all be together C'mon OCD DIS'ers...give me a to do list!

Just happened to see this.
I'm not even going to the Med Cruise.
Wish I am, though.

o Stop newspaper delivery.
o Call credit card companies and let them know that you will be traveling.
o Make copies of Credit Card (front and back) before you leave. Also bring a list of the contact phone numbers for your credit cards.

 

[lilpooh108]

o Make copies of Credit Card (front and back) before you leave. Also bring a list of the contact phone numbers for your credit cards.

Thanks Eva. That's a good one.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Does anyone have a good "to do" list before the trip? Not a packing list, but a literal to do list? I've started one, but I'd love to get new ideas. Here were some of mine:

1. Get mail forwarded/held by post office
2. Double check all passports, photocopy them, etc.
3. Email private tour companies to reconfirm
4. Dog sitter reservations, etc.
5. Print confirmations

There are tons of things to do, but I want to make sure I don't miss anything. This trip is a bit longer than our usual and I'd hate to sit there and smack my forehead. No one can help me while I'm "out" this time since we'll all be together C'mon OCD DIS'ers...give me a to do list!

This is my standard vacation/cruise list I've been using for years. I have a separate packing list. It's our 1st Med cruise so calling banks to alert them of travel locations isn't on here but will be!

I started doing this when I got tired of dh standing around not knowing what to do or what's already been done. Now I tape this to a small kitchen countertop, sort of out of the way from cooking areas, and we can just cross stuff off as we do it.
We have a mail slot in our garage door but since we've come home to wet mail after heavy rains we now put a laundry basket on a 5 gal. bucket to catch all the mail.

I had to add the part about cleaning the coffeemaker after coming home once in summer to forgotten coffee grinds all loaded with mold.

GETTING READY FOR VACATION

WEEKEND PRIOR:
Set timers on living room and bedroom lamps.
Reconfirm cat sitting with Mary.
Pack as much as possible.
Scrub out litter box and add kitty litter.
Leave contact info and kitty treats out for Mary.
Do as much laundry as possible.
Withdraw cash from vacation account.
Get lots of small bills for tips.

2 DAYS PRIOR:
Charge tablets
Charge i-Pods.
Charge camera battery.
Put luggage in trunk, except dinner clothes.

1 DAY PRIOR:
Check in online for flight.
Bring in garage door opener from truck & minivan.
Charge cell phones.
Pack all chargers.
Have Kyle empty all trash, except kitchen, & put big cans in driveway.

THAT DAY:
Pack dinner clothes/formalwear into garment bag then into trunk.
Empty kitchen trash.
Make beds.
Vacuum
Mani-Pedi
Set thermostat.
Run dishwasher.
Wash out coffeemaker.
Back minivan into driveway.
Unplug garage door opener.
Set bucket to collect mail.
Pack refrigerated meds.