08/08/07 Well, Olbia Monkey's Uncle! We're cruisin' on the 10nt Med Cruise!

[JeanieP]

I have been reading some really sad stories on other boards about folks not getting their passports back on time. Someone scheduled on the June 16 cruise still has not received her passport. Please check those expiration dates for those of you with valid passports and make sure they are okay given the recent passport requirements. I think if your passport expires within 6 months of the cruise date, you need to renew it. Fortunately for us, even if you are in this situation, you have plenty of time to at least pay extra to expedite a passport renewal. Don't forget that your children need passports too, and birth certificates, even certified ones, will not suffice.

 

[scrapycruiser]

This is all new to me. Can someone please post some more gift exchange ideas. Do we leave gifts at doors every day or every other day? I would appreciate some guidelines.

Sharon, the gift exchange is new to me,but I believe it's a one time thing that you put at the door on the fish or in the fish extender.It's something small...could be handmade ( what I'm doing ). I think it's something for the family. Please correct me if I'm wrong.


We will try and board around noon. I hope to get a Palo dinner res. ,we got a brunch res, but not a dinner. They have already switched us to Main Dining,so that's one thing I won't have to deal with.

Has everybody been reading the DCL Med blog on the Cruise Critic board ?It's wonderful with pictures and a report from their son to give a kid's viewpoint.

GINA

 

[nordkin]

This is all new to me. Can someone please post some more gift exchange ideas. Do we leave gifts at doors every day or every other day? I would appreciate some guidelines.

Thanks,

Sharon

Let me see if I can explain this so everyone understands.

The gifts are should be very small token type items. We have received lifesavers with special wrappers, lollipops, small bottle of bubbles, pens, pencils, postcards, magnets, and many more things along these lines. Think Oriental Trading type things.

The way it will work is:
1. I will compile a list of everyone participating and their stateroom #.
2. I will post the list here with a cut off three weeks prior to the cruie to allow people time to get items.
3. It is up to you whether or not you want to get one gift per stateroom or per person. This depends largely on the gift.
4. I will assign days for individuals to distribute their gifts so it is spreadout over the course of the cruise. If your gift is something to use on the cruise, let me know and I will assign you one of the first days.

I hope this clears things up and if someone else would lke to coordinate this, I am fine with that.

 

[scrapycruiser]

Thanks JeanieP for the heads up !!

I forgot to mention, we will stay on the ship once we board. We'll be in Barcelona 3 days prior to the cruise. I'll be so excited to be on that ship that nobody could drag me off !!!!! GINA

 

[Vailcruiser]

Thanks for the clarification on the gifts and yes, please include us.

Also, be careful about your passports. My DH expired on February 17 and we missed the 6 month deadline by 2 days. DCL said it would be ok, it is the airlines that could keep you (we've heard up to a month). I emailed yesterday about my passport and now they are telling me I didn't supply enough information. I am ready to hop in my car and head to Boston on July 11 to pick it up. I have been sick watching the posts of the June 16th cruise! I echo JeanieP, there is time to expedite it!

Thanks Gina, I will go to Cruise Critic, haven't been back since you rescued me!

-J

 

[zeets1]

These are our excursions for Zeets1


Panoramic Drive Through Barcelona
Palermo, Sicily - Mysterious Palermo
Naples, Italy (Pompeii) -Amalfi Coast Drive and the Ruins of Pompeii
Civitavecchia, Italy (Rome) -Jumping Back Into Eternal Rome
La Spezia, Italy (Florence, Pisa) - Florence and Pisa
Marseille, France - Calanques of Cassis
Villefranche, France (Monte Carlo, Cannes, Nice) - Monaco, Monte Carlo and Eze

 

[jillnan]

Let me see if I can explain this so everyone understands.

The gifts are should be very small token type items. We have received lifesavers with special wrappers, lollipops, small bottle of bubbles, pens, pencils, postcards, magnets, and many more things along these lines. Think Oriental Trading type things.

The way it will work is:
1. I will compile a list of everyone participating and their stateroom #.
2. I will post the list here with a cut off three weeks prior to the cruie to allow people time to get items.
3. It is up to you whether or not you want to get one gift per stateroom or per person. This depends largely on the gift.
4. I will assign days for individuals to distribute their gifts so it is spreadout over the course of the cruise. If your gift is something to use on the cruise, let me know and I will assign you one of the first days.

I hope this clears things up and if someone else would lke to coordinate this, I am fine with that.

Thanks so much for explaining. Count us in on the gift exchange! You are the best.

 

[momma4v3]

Linda,

I agree. It will make the tours more enjoyable.

I had a really hard time deciding on another excursion after my first one in Palermo got cancelled last week. Cefalu sounds like it will be pretty and interesting.

Sharon

We were so disappointed when the excursion was cancelled. The girls really wanted to see a marionette show (me too!!) The Palermo for kids was all booked up so we went with the Cefalu one.
Our original Rome excursion was also cancelled. We decided to go with a private driver and do what we want!!!

Linda

 

[2Tinks]

2tinks -- I noticed you are on this excursion -- any chance you signed up for the morning trip? I am crossing my fingers because our daughters can play on the beach together.....

JeanineP

Yes, we're scheduled for the morning excursion, the girls will have a blast playing together at the beach. I also noticed that you're on an excursion in Nice and Monte Carlo without the kids, will your daughter be in the Oceanear Club that morning? Hope so, that will give our daughter someone she will know and will have a good time playing with.

Elizabeth

 

[2Tinks]

My DD is really tall and thin. What time do you plan on boarding. We were thinking of being there for 11:30. Yes, she loved the tea although it was with Wendy Darling last time. I will try to do the same, what day will that be? Anyone else want to join us?? - J

Vailcruiser and JeanineP

I'm hoping to sign up like you the minute we board the ship. Our daughter 7 has lost both her top two teeth, they have grown back, just lost her first bottom tooth a couple of weeks ago. JeanineP, your daughter and my daughter will have a great time hanging out together. I'm sure They'll be nickname the 3 princess.


Elizabeth

 

[JeanieP]

Here's a link to the blogs for some of the cruisers on the Magic's 16 June sailing (11 nights).

http://wendyandjasinmed@blog.co.uk

http://tayandstephinmed.blogspot.com

http://spencersmedcruise.blogspot.com

http://vwsmaltz.net/wordpress/

http://lesselyong.com/med

 

[JeanieP]

JeanineP

Yes, we're scheduled for the morning excursion, the girls will have a blast playing together at the beach. I also noticed that you're on an excursion in Nice and Monte Carlo without the kids, will your daughter be in the Oceanear Club that morning? Hope so, that will give our daughter someone she will know and will have a good time playing with.

Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth!

Yippee! So glad to hear you are on the morning beach excursion! We are actually doing VilleFranche on our own, but we are leaving the kiddos in the Oceanear Club, so yes, your girl will have someone to hang out with! This board is so great -- I feel better knowing that we have met some folks in similar situations and our children will have little friends to play with while on board and on excursions.

Best,
Jeanie

 

[scrapycruiser]

JeanieP...if you're an addict then I'm addict #2 !!! My husband thinks I'm crazy...but if the truth be known, he really likes getting all the info .I've been on several cruises but never have I been this excited !! We took an RCCL cruise a couple of years ago and got to know several DISers. We even went in together and "bought" a race horse.It was a hoot !! 32 years ago DH and I went on our honeymoon on a TINY ship...Costa's Flavia, 4 days to Nassau. WE WERE HOOKED !!

Thanks for the blogs ! ! GINA

 

[jillnan]

My husband thinks I'm crazy too! I recount tips/experiences I read about on these boards like: excursion feedback, someone losing their passport in Starbucks and having to postpone their cruise, someone almost not getting off the island of Capri because of bad weather, etc. However, I think he's appreciating my daily updates, but can't believe how much I spend on the boards when I get home from work. I can say this for sure, I greatly appreciate all the time everyone spends on the boards and the "conversations" that take place.
Thanks to all!
Jill

 

[Vailcruiser]

Hi all! My DH is enjoying too. My DH was totally against a money belt until he started hearing and reading the other posts. I am so glad that we are the last Med cruise! Thanks for finding the other blogs. Also, as Gina mentioned, the one on Cruise Critic is really good.

Has anyone heard if most DH were wearing tuxes on formal night? My DH is undecided. He has not in the past, but thought he may this cruise.

So this is new to many of us - that's cool! It is so great meeting people in advance for adults and children! I think the kids will really be able to bond, being together for 10 days.

Six weeks from today we leave, provided I have a passport

 

[sharonrs50]

My husband and son asked if I am going to be talking about this cruise for 11 months (from when I booked). I said yes, and they have learned to accept it. They think I am a little nuts. Luckily, they are Disney fans also.

My husband also was against wearing a money belt until reading all of the reports. I think he also is enjoying hearing the stories from the previous med cruises.

Vailcruiser, I have heard that people have had success in contacting their senator or congressman in their area for help with expediting passport applications that are late coming back.

Thanks for the new cruise blog links. Thanks also for the gift exchange clarification.

Sharon

 

[scrapycruiser]

Vailcruiser...do whatever you need to do to get that passport...we don't want to sail without you !!!

My husband and Grandson are going to rent tux through DCL. DH thought it would be easier than packing a suit and dress shoes. I bought a new dress.I'd like to get a formal picture of the three of us ( my very special Grandson )

GINA

 

[2Tinks]

Hi all! My DH is enjoying too. My DH was totally against a money belt until he started hearing and reading the other posts. I am so glad that we are the last Med cruise! Thanks for finding the other blogs. Also, as Gina mentioned, the one on Cruise Critic is really good.

Has anyone heard if most DH were wearing tuxes on formal night? My DH is undecided. He has not in the past, but thought he may this cruise.

So this is new to many of us - that's cool! It is so great meeting people in advance for adults and children! I think the kids will really be able to bond, being together for 10 days.

Six weeks from today we leave, provided I have a passport

Chuck has a tux and I would like for him to wear it on formal nights. He was contemplating not bring it since our trip is a total of 18 days which includes the front and back end of the cruise, darn air miles made us stay longer. I think our men should look as good as Mickey does that evening.

E

 

[Vailcruiser]

Thanks guys, I think you helped make up our minds - I haven't seen my DH in a tux since our wedding 15 years ago (we are celebrating on the cruise - August 15) ! We were contemplating DCL rental as well for the tux, seeing we will be packed (I am almost done) for quite some time. Plus with the new luggage allowances. BTW - did everyone check their luggage allowance if you are flying in Europe? Some of the other DISers from other cruises experienced a few airlines of one bag at 22 kilos ( I believe) and ended up paying extra fees for their 2nd bag and overweight. Good news for us, my aunt left her winter coat, plus other things when she was here this winter, enough to fill a suit case - so we will leave the contents of a suitcase in Amsterdam with her and bring the empty with us.

Gina, that's cool that your DG will also be in a tux! What great grandparents!

Elizabeth, your DH may want to send out his tux to be pressed or steamed, I read someone did that with all her laundry the minute she boarded and it ended up being $30 - that's what we are thinking.

Have a wonderful, Disney day everyone!!!!!

Jocelyne

 

[nordkin]

I have updated the hotels in Barcelona and who is participating in the gift exchange. If I have left anyone off, I apologize and will add it if you let me know. My next endeavor will be Palo reservations and children on the cruise. I will probably get it done over the weekend.

I am glad to see the thread picking up and everyone getting to know one another. We had a scare this week with my mother's health and she thought she would not be able to go on the cruise. The neurologist assured her she would, but we just have to make sure someone is right beside her when she is walking. She is falling when she makes sudden turns and the doctor says she has to stop and think about it before she turns. Turns out she has neuropathy(sp) in both feet from her life long battle with diabetes. I am glad she can go because this trip is her birthday present. She will be 74 on August 7.

Donna