05.26.2007 - LIVE Mediterranean Questions/Answers

[Buckeye Gal]

The idea of having a thread dedicated to Q&A for the trail blazers on the EB TransAtlantic cruise seemed to work well. So let's do the same for the Mediterranean cruisers!!

This hopefully will reduce the number of posts and pages on the LIVE trip reports thread, thus allowing us to more easily find/read actual reports about adventures of the lucky DISers on the LIVE TR thread.

**MED Cruisers**, we're anxious to hear about your travels and learn from your experiences, especially the new ports of call!! Enjoy yourselves!!

 

[Skallywag]

Silly question but wonder what currancy you need for the luggage check in porters would it be USD or Euros.

Thank you and all have a great time - it is raining here in England so hope your weather is being kind to you.

 

[silver7]

Is there anything special for 18-20yo's?

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Would love to hear about the upgrades & cost of upgrades at the port????

 

[slindamood]

What is the onboard exchange rate at guest services? If you give them $100 cash, how many euro will you get?

 

[grizbuzz]

What time should we get to the terminal at the port to check in if we want to get there early?

And what signed documents do we need to bring with us if we registered online?

Thanks!

 

[nzdisneymom]

Did anyone stay at Aetena Mar Hotel pre-cruise? We're booked there and just wondering how it is. I've read about one of the other DCL hotels but just wondering about ours.

 

[winotracy]

I'll answer some of these that I know.

The exchange rate in the terminal was high. I think it was $1.45 per Euro.

We got here about 9:15 am and waited until 10 to come in the terminal.

Print out the documents that are linked online. We don't have kids or other special needs so all we had to print and sign was the contract page and credit card authorization.

Speaking of credit cards -- about 800 people's credit card authorizations did not go through in Barcelona. I have bets this is because of the new staff.

All money at the port is in Euros. We did nothing in US$ once we left Chicago. By the way, tipping here is much different than in the US. When you tip people the way we do in the States, most of the time they are shocked it seems.

Most of the workers at the port (porters, agents checking you in, etc.) are local Barcelonians.

 

[slindamood]

Thanks, Tracy, for answering all these questions. I assume the exchange rate on board will be the same as in the terminal. I think I will stick to ATMs.

suzanne

 

[fltink]

Ok, so I'm looking for a server, Conrad from Jamaica. Can anyone on board tell me if he's there? If he is, will be be there in September???? I'd REALLY appreciate someone finding out. We have friends sailing and I'd love them to try to hook up with him! THANKS!

 

[luv that cruise]

winotracy - how is tipping different? we are coming a day early and curious to know who i should tip and how much. i.e. cab driver, hotel porters, waiters, house keeping, etc. also what happened with credit card authorizations that didn't go thru? i assume people could board and they straightened things out once on board. thanks

 

[Funfoody]

We're booked on a flight that comes in at 7:30 AM, so we also booked a 1:45 Disney tour. Can you tell us-

How long it takes to get through customs in Barcelona?

On Disney Transport to get to port afterwards?

When will they let us onto the Magic?

Anything about picking up the Disney tours of Barcelona from the ship?

 

[winotracy]

They do not tip as much in Europe as we do. For the taxi, they add 1 Euro for each bag you have. From the airport to the port area it is 20 Euros plus bags.

Everyone who had a problem with the credit cards had to go to Guest Services and get a new imprint taken. Most were not asked for cards at the port.

If you fly through another EU country, you don't go through customs in Barcelona but from what I've heard it is easy.

Off to my Palermo excursion!!!

Ciao!!!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Thanks for the info, Tracy! Hope you have fun in Palermo!

 

[jns]

Is it mostly Americans on these cruises

Have a wonderful time , enjoy europe

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Hey Tracy AKA WinoTracy1 Hey buddy! - Sorry I'm addressing her but only because I know her - PLEASE if anyone else wants to answer -that would be fantastic!

1. Wonderful pictures you posted - thank you for that. I even recognized a few faces from there.

2. What time were they taken? When you say it got cold - are we talking sweater cold or coat cold?

3. Please someone when you do your first excursions, can someone tell me how strict they were on the shoulders, knees showing bit for Church excursions?

Tracy - we are staying at the Las Ramblas also (July 26th-28th). Booked 2 triple rooms so wondering how it was. Was reading reports that said that the breakfast buffet was ok and good for their standards. And decent for American standards. Did you get a chance to try it?


How did you get from the hotel to the port? Private taxi? DCL transfers? Since I will be at the same hotel - curious to see how you got there.

Ok that's it for now. Thanks anyone to answers - greatly appreciate it!

 

[winotracy]

Hi Laura! The pictures were taken at 8pm. I was in t-shirt and shorts and freezing. Jenn had on a sweatshirt and I think she was ok.

The room at Las Ramblas had two rooms. A sofa that opened to a bed (double) and two twin beds together. The breakfast was pretty good. I had two cafe americans We all were happy with it (there was six of us). The elevator was not always reliable, but the hotel was fine.

By the way, I have skype working on my machine here.

Private taxi from the hotel to the port. It's not that far. We had a lot of luggage and it cost us 30Euros.

 

[BobandLee]

Hi Laura! The pictures were taken at 8pm. I was in t-shirt and shorts and freezing. Jenn had on a sweatshirt and I think she was ok.

The room at Las Ramblas had two rooms. A sofa that opened to a bed (double) and two twin beds together. The breakfast was pretty good. I had two cafe americans We all were happy with it (there was six of us). The elevator was not always reliable, but the hotel was fine.

By the way, I have skype working on my machine here.

Private taxi from the hotel to the port. It's not that far. We had a lot of luggage and it cost us 30Euros.

Yep, on the Skype. Sorry I missed ya. Belle and I were out trying to keep from getting wet.
And we missed ya on the Las ramblas too. Wild place.

 

[eeyorelvr10]

The room at Las Ramblas had two rooms. A sofa that opened to a bed (double) and two twin beds together. The breakfast was pretty good. I had two cafe americans We all were happy with it (there was six of us). The elevator was not always reliable, but the hotel was fine.

By the way, I have skype working on my machine here.

Private taxi from the hotel to the port. It's not that far. We had a lot of luggage and it cost us 30Euros.

Thanks on the hotel, Sorry I don't have Skype How'd youget to ship and if you took a taxi - about how much per person? Per carload?

Yep, on the Skype. Sorry I missed ya. Belle and I were out trying to keep from getting wet.
And we missed ya on the Las ramblas too. Wild place.

OMG! Is that a good thing or bad? Was the noise really bad? Did you all have a hard time doing something on your own? Is it better to go with Disney?

Heard their is some type of orange sightseeing bus that might be worth seeing.


Thank you guy for answering - your all peaches!

NOTE TO SELF: Must bring umbrella.

 

[Doingitagain]

Did anyone stay at the Hilton Diagnol Mar for a prestay? If so, how was it? When do you get picked up from the hotel to go to the port?

Thanks!