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

[n8tivecaligirl]

No burden or annoyance. They are prepping for dry dock.

 

[n8tivecaligirl]

No burden or annoyance. They are prepping for dry dock.

And it's mostly when they are in port

 

[lilpooh108]

Didn't you notice there were a lot of Disney CMs traveling with us? I met several at the adult pool. Disney gave them some GREAT deals to fill that boat up and if they could find a cheap way to Europe (or were based in Europe) it was popular!

I had heard that! I saw a few CMs sailing (overhead them talking). I have a really good friend whose sister works in Burbank at the Disney Studios. She was mad at her sister for not taking her on the Med cruise this year with their fabulous discounted rates. I would have wanted a CM discount too!

Like regular maintenance or full on renovations? Was it ever a burden or annoyance?

It wasn't a burden, but during our cruise they were stripping paint on certain decks and you could smell the acetone. It was kind of startling the first few times but then you figure out what it is and then you get used to it.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I was just looking at maps of BCN and ATM locations. Are there any particular banks to avoid or ones that you discovered after you got home that there were issues?

Do certain banks impose higher ATM w/d limits than others?

Also how did you handle tapping cash from a street-type ATM? I was "walking around" Barcelona with the little yellow guy on google maps and saw that some banks have a door to go inside but still have the ATM on the street. I would feel like pick pockets would have a feast by just hanging around outside of them. Do those banks with a lobby have an ATM inside also? Would it be better to only tap when we have our transfer/tour driver ready to whisk us away? It's not like dh & my dad can just count their cash, unzip and tuck it all into a money belt unseen.

Anyone?


Lilpooh, I had a patient yesterday who just returned from a Med cruise (non DCL) and was saying how awesome it was. I nearly fell over when she said the highlight of her cruise was their private tour in Naples with See Amalfi Coast. She mentioned her driver's name but it was unusual & I can't recall it now. I thought of you but didn't have the heart (or the time) to tell her about your experience. I guess it all depends on luck, getting a good driver.

 

[Love2Cruise]

I was just looking at maps of BCN and ATM locations. Are there any particular banks to avoid or ones that you discovered after you got home that there were issues?

Do certain banks impose higher ATM w/d limits than others?

Also how did you handle tapping cash from a street-type ATM? I was "walking around" Barcelona with the little yellow guy on google maps and saw that some banks have a door to go inside but still have the ATM on the street. I would feel like pick pockets would have a feast by just hanging around outside of them. Do those banks with a lobby have an ATM inside also? Would it be better to only tap when we have our transfer/tour driver ready to whisk us away? It's not like dh & my dad can just count their cash, unzip and tuck it all into a money belt unseen.

We used an ATM in Barcelona with out difficulty. It was a street type. The withdrawal limit was determined by our bank and transaction fees are per your bank I think. Call your bank before you leave and they should be able to tell you the limit and any fees imposed.There is a fee to change from dollars to Euros, but we found that using our debit card at an ATM got us the lowest fee. Pick pockets are out there, but are also opportunists and try to take advantage of distracted tourists. At the ATM, my husband used the machine while I stood behind him facing the street and watching the passersby. No one approached or even walked close to us during our withdrawal.

 

[lilpooh108]

Anyone?


Lilpooh, I had a patient yesterday who just returned from a Med cruise (non DCL) and was saying how awesome it was. I nearly fell over when she said the highlight of her cruise was their private tour in Naples with See Amalfi Coast. She mentioned her driver's name but it was unusual & I can't recall it now. I thought of you but didn't have the heart (or the time) to tell her about your experience. I guess it all depends on luck, getting a good driver.

We didn't use any ATMs on this trip, but in past trips we only used ATMs inside bank lobbies. For us it wasn't a pickpocket issue (though that's always a concern), I just wanted to make sure there is less of a chance that there is an illegal scanner added to the machine.

See this thread here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/bank-account-cleaned-out-while-in-italy.cfm

Re See Amalfi Coast --- oh the hilarity continues. I posted a summary on cruise critic in response to someone's question on experiences with this company. A "new" poster posted that he was "shocked" that such a thing would happen and to "don't hesitate to use this company!!!"

The funny syntax and multiple exclamation points were kind of a tip off that it was the owner in disguise. Anyway, I asked the Mods to check of the IP address for that poster who claimed he was NOT from Italy. The post was removed.

2 days later I get a terse email from them demanding my home phone number so they can call me. Um, no thanks.

 

[Deb in IA]

I am wary of using foreign ATM's.

We got some euros from our local bank before leaving.

In Barcelona, when we needed more cash, we got it from the hotel concierge.

And on the cruise, we got cash from Guest Services.

 

[n8tivecaligirl]

ATMs were fine. We tried to find some that weren't right in a "famous" area (ie we went up a block and around the corner from the casino in Monte Carlo or in a small piazza in Venice and not st marks square.) never had a problem, the key is to always be aware of those around you and where you are.

 

[DenverVal]

We used the Caxia ATMs in Barcelona. They are everywhere. Never had any issues with pickpockets.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

So do you just shove the cash in your pocket until you can get it tucked away? I plan to use a neck wallet & dh has a hidden pocket to go inside his pants.
I will look for ones with an inside lobby. I'd like to think the banks don't like thieves to hang around inside watching the ATM.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We didn't use any ATMs on this trip, but in past trips we only used ATMs inside bank lobbies. For us it wasn't a pickpocket issue (though that's always a concern), I just wanted to make sure there is less of a chance that there is an illegal scanner added to the machine.

See this thread here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/bank-account-cleaned-out-while-in-italy.cfm

Re See Amalfi Coast --- oh the hilarity continues. I posted a summary on cruise critic in response to someone's question on experiences with this company. A "new" poster posted that he was "shocked" that such a thing would happen and to "don't hesitate to use this company!!!"

The funny syntax and multiple exclamation points were kind of a tip off that it was the owner in disguise. Anyway, I asked the Mods to check of the IP address for that poster who claimed he was NOT from Italy. The post was removed. Smart!!!

2 days later I get a terse email from them demanding my home phone number so they can call me. Um, no thanks.

That reminds me of a phone call I got from a bill collector after I had called them to say a letter I got didn't pertain to me. (It was a variation of my married name with an incorrect maiden name.) The bill was for a car rental of $1300. After the guy screamed at me saying, "You know this is your bill. Don't try to deny it." Then he calmly asked for the last 4 digits for my driver's license. Duh. If I rented the car, they would already have that.

 

[DenverVal]

So do you just shove the cash in your pocket until you can get it tucked away? I plan to use a neck wallet & dh has a hidden pocket to go inside his pants.
I will look for ones with an inside lobby. I'd like to think the banks don't like thieves to hang around inside watching the ATM.

No, DH put it in the wallet he kept in his front pocket and I put it in my wallet that I kept in a cross-body bag. We wore money belts early on, but they were really inconvenient to use.

 

[lilpooh108]

Then he calmly asked for the last 4 digits for my driver's license. Duh. If I rented the car, they would already have that.

Ok, that's pretty funny.

 

[Kouris_Family]

I crack up anytime I read anything about pick pocketing.
I am such a non-worrier, and have the attitude, I'll worry about it when it happens, actually I will probably laugh because of the thoughts that come to my mind when I read all the posts of Pick Pocket worriers.
Don't get me wrong, I am very conscious of where my should bag is at all times, I'm not lax when out in public. Just pay attention and it's all gonna be fine.
I've been to Europe 4 times now and have never been pick pocketed. Stop worrying People and have a great vacation...

 

[hrhdhd]

Then he calmly asked for the last 4 digits for my driver's license. Duh. If I rented the car, they would already have that.

Well, yes, so if the number you provide doesn't match what's on his paperwork, then you're not the person who rented the car. This isn't a "duh" moment.

Same thing happens with us because there's a person with my DH's name who hasn't paid his student loans. They confirm my husband isn't the miscreant by asking me, "Are the last four digits of his SS# XXXX?" I say no, they stop calling.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Well, yes, so if the number you provide doesn't match what's on his paperwork, then you're not the person who rented the car. This isn't a "duh" moment.

Same thing happens with us because there's a person with my DH's name who hasn't paid his student loans. They confirm my husband isn't the miscreant by asking me, "Are the last four digits of his SS# XXXX?" I say no, they stop calling.

No they wouldn't stop calling or writing. When I told him that the middle/maiden name isn't mine, he dropped that off of future letters. He obviously didn't care if the correct person was paying this bill, just any naïve person he could coerce into paying.
I finally had my cousin who is an attorney sent him a "nastygram" as he likes to call them. Then it stopped.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Yet another question...

Does GS have Euros on hand, not for exchange, but just to break a larger bill? We'll need approx. 500E for various tips & guides. I have envelopes all preprinted for how much goes to whom. If I tap an ATM for cash in Barcelona and have all large bills, would DCL be willing to cash for smaller ones?

Then again, our hotel desk may be able to help with this & I could have it all done before we board.

You're probably wondering by now if I ever have a single thought in my mind that's not Med/cruise-related. Hmmm... No, I don't really.

 

[lilpooh108]

Yet another question...

Does GS have Euros on hand, not for exchange, but just to break a larger bill? We'll need approx. 500E for various tips & guides. I have envelopes all preprinted for how much goes to whom. If I tap an ATM for cash in Barcelona and have all large bills, would DCL be willing to cash for smaller ones?

Then again, our hotel desk may be able to help with this & I could have it all done before we board.

You're probably wondering by now if I ever have a single thought in my mind that's not Med/cruise-related. Hmmm... No, I don't really.

Yes, they broke bills for us.

BTW, they only exchange Euro when the ship is sailing. They don't do it when the ship is docked. Random thoughts

 

[nzdisneymom]

When we exchanged US$ for Euro onboard, they gave us 20s, 10s and 5s so that should be good for you to exchange larger bills for. But as you collect coins, don't forget that they add up fast... We would periodically use coins for tipping tour guides. Also keep a few coins with you in case you need them for a restroom. I did twice, but only because I didn't want to hassle with getting a coffee to use a cafe's WC.

 

[Cjjoncas]

I have subscribed to this thread as we're aw booked for a DCL Med cruise in July 2014. Lots of info and helpful tips.