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

[dlgrn3]

Hi all, so glad you are all packing too and almost done! Everyone here at home thinks I am crazy!! I picked up the last item today, and hopefully that will be everything. I know we will still forget something! We have been weighing as we go!

Fish extenders - try the locker pockets. Do you have a Big Lots in your area? May be worth a look. Cannot remember if it was big lots or Christmas Tree Shop. Clueless - ours says Drama Queen - although that fits my DD well and may fit her even better after her next two weeks of acting camp, I was planning on decorating it with DVC pins. I would like to think they will be safe Worse case scenario - hang a pillow case????

Whoever receives there state room first, please post so we can all go on and see if we have a room.

It's getting closer!!!!!

Jocelyne

I found these on Ebay.......there are two more, at a "buy it now price" of $8. I bought one last week and its the perfect size,(the sellers measurements are wrong in the description they're 18" by 8") so I bought three more today, the seller seems to put up a few Disney ones every couple of days, but there are other non-disney characters.
The ones listed below are still available.....hurry!

DISNEY WINNIE & TIGGER GREEN STORAGE BAG / SHOE RACK Item number: 330142664343

New Mickey Mouse Pink Storage Bag/Shoe Rack(NIP) Item number: 330142644828

DISNEY ORANGE WINNIE & TIGGER STORAGE BAG/SHOE RACK Item number: 330142683796

TWO of these left (different seller)
New DISNEY Mickey Mouse Hanging Shoe Holder in Yellow Item number: 150138063328

 

[JeanieP]

Hi everyone,

If you are a Castaway Club member please read. Someone just posted this in the Trip Reports thread:


Last week, we completed a 11 day Mediterranean cruise.

I was looking forward to the Castaway Club reception; I was looking for the announcement on the Navigator for such information. Somehow, there was a mixup in the invitation information being conveyed to me - so I did not make the reception.

I found out later that the reception is NOT listed as an announcement in the "Navigator" - it is only listed there in the timetable of daily events. I also found out that the customer service representatives do not automatically readily have a recollection of this information; nor is the information readlily accessible to them on their computers.

FYI:

for 11 day cruises - second sea day at 1 PM
for 10 day cruises - at 5 PM, at the Olbia, Sardina port of call.

The reception is held in the Beat Street area.

Just thought you may be interested....

 

[Vailcruiser]

Great to know about Castaway Club - did they mention what was left in the stateroom as a gift? Curious and excited if it is Med related. Also, I just found the DCL page that suggests what to pack:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en_US/myCruise/landing?name=WhatToPackDetailPage

 

[JeanieP]

Hola!

I read in other blogs that we will get two gifts:

1. At check-in, each Castaway Club family receives one lanyard with cardholder in which to place your KTTW card. Some folks didn't get it at check-in and had to later beg for one at Guest Services, according to some of the blogs. So, make sure you get it at check-in if you don't want to start your trip off fighting with Guest Services.
2. In your room, you will receive one leather document holder -- sounds like a passport holder. Honestly, the bloggers who have described this gift sounded less than enthusiastic about the gift. Nonetheless, a gift is a gift, and at least they thought of us repeat cruisers, right? Perhaps the obligatory towel would be too much extra weieght for us to pack! Ha ha!

 

[JeanieP]

Does anyone know if you can use Disney Rewards points (accrued via the Disney Credit card) on the ship? We were thinking of bringing this card with us, but I won't if it is another thing I may just lose and not use. Any one ever use one before on a cruise?

 

[Vailcruiser]

Does anyone know if you can use Disney Rewards points (accrued via the Disney Credit card) on the ship? We were thinking of bringing this card with us, but I won't if it is another thing I may just lose and not use. Any one ever use one before on a cruise?

Yes, you can. I believe we did this at Guest Services once we checked in. You may want to ask at Check in, but I believe it was Guest Services that applied the rewards to our room. We used them last cruise and we have at least two massages worth for this cruise!

So I'm gathering we have the die-hard Disney fans in our group!!! I guess we would have to be to chase them 1/2 way around the world to take a cruise!!!

Gifts sound a little ho-hum - but like you said any gift is a gift!! I was hoping for another towel or beach bag!

 

[d3boyz]

Hi Deb,

Yes, I'm from MD originally. My mom lived in Lusby for a number of years and I have lots of friends from Tall Timbers area from college. Welcome!

UMTerp

Amazing how many of us hail from the same general vicinities! I just called my college roommate to wish her a happy birthday and she told me she had to cancel plans for her family to take a summer holiday. She said it was to be a cruise this year and that she was going to need a passport and a plane ticket. I asked her more and she said she was going to do a Disney cruise in the Med! I couldn't believe it, but she assured me that the Disney boat WAS in the Med and cruises were happening on it! I laughed and told her about ours. I bet we would have been hallway neighbors!

Deb

 

[miclen]

For those of you who are so organized and are already packing (or packed) I have some questions.

FIrst I am having a hard time deciding what to pack, mainly because of the covered knees and shoulder rules and becasue I know it will be very hot in August. Normally I would do shorts but then I though skirts would be better. But skirts are blukier and DH just told me today that due to baggage restricitons on one of our flights, we can each only bring one 44lb bag. I really don't want to do laudry on vacation! Any thoughts about light packing and what to plan to where on excursions?

 

[sharonrs50]

For those of you who are so organized and are already packing (or packed) I have some questions.

First I am having a hard time deciding what to pack, mainly because of the covered knees and shoulder rules and because I know it will be very hot in August. Normally I would do shorts but then I though skirts would be better. But skirts are bulkier and DH just told me today that due to baggage restrictions on one of our flights, we can each only bring one 44lb bag. I really don't want to do laundry on vacation! Any thoughts about light packing and what to plan to where on excursions?

Check out Rick Steves' Europe tip page:

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/

under "packing tips".

One thing I read was to pack a shawl to cover shoulders during excursions to churches, and also bring a wrap skirt to wear over shorts to cover knees.

Sharon

 

[UMTerp]

For those of you who are so organized and are already packing (or packed) I have some questions.

FIrst I am having a hard time deciding what to pack, mainly because of the covered knees and shoulder rules and becasue I know it will be very hot in August. Normally I would do shorts but then I though skirts would be better. But skirts are blukier and DH just told me today that due to baggage restricitons on one of our flights, we can each only bring one 44lb bag. I really don't want to do laudry on vacation! Any thoughts about light packing and what to plan to where on excursions?

I'm bringing mostly capris and s/s tops for excursions. I too have read about people bringing shawl/skirt to put over their shorts/tank top.

I also think it is more challenging to pack for this trip!

P.S. Got my cool downz! Need to try them before we leave. Thanks for the tip Donna!

UMTerp

 

[nordkin]

I am checking in every couple of days because we are at the beach on vacation. I have my work laptop with me, so I do have access, I just don't want to spend too much time on the computer or I will never hear the end of it. I am signing in to do about 30 minutes of work every morning and to check the DCL web site to see if we have a cabin assignment yet. I can only hope.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July.

 

[scrapycruiser]

Miclen...I'm planning on wearing capris also. Shorts in Palermo (just won't go in the church) , Olbia-bathing suit for beach, also shorts in Marseille ( priv guide, won't see any churches )

Also, I don't plan to do laundry on vacation either. I will send things out to DCL's laundry As much as this cruise is costing, I won't fret over another $50 or $100 dollars. I'm not planning on doing alot of shopping so I can rationalize the luxury of the laundry service . GINA

Donna...have a wonderful time at the beach! Which beach are you at ?

We'll be at Myrtle Beach next week with 2 sisters and my brother and their families.

 

[miclen]

Thank you all for your thoughts on packing. I had not thought about a wrap skirt to go over shorts....I like that idea. Ithink I'd better get started packing soon sdo that I can get it all figured out.

Thanks again!

 

[UMTerp]

nordkin & scrapycruiser - Enjoy your beach time! I'm jealous!

Have a great 4th everyone!

UMTerp

 

[JeanieP]

Hi fellow MedHeaders!

Of course I am an info junky, and I have to sneak to read the blogs these days because my husband is seriously concerned about my need to read these things everyday. He may have a point...

Okay, here is some info for those of you with children and teens. One of the trip reports stated that on the first day, children and teens receive a notebook of sorts that can be confused for random paper/information/more unnecessary clutter. Apparently it is a way for the children to record their adventures in each port -- sounds like a memory book with places to even place ticket stubs and postcards. Also, if your child gets his booked stamped at every port, they are awarded with a medal that fits on the cover of the notebook -- so, if you need to get that medal, make sure the book is stamped by Disney. They didn't say where you can get the stamp - I wonder if it is at Guest Services or in the Clubs.

I also read some interesting stories about squabbles breaking out in the laundry rooms. I am not exagerrating! One fight was described as a "meltdown on deck 7 - fighting over dryer." It appears that folks are doing laundry at all times of the day and night on this cruise and folks can become quite testy and grumpy. I had to laugh because why stress yourself out over some laundry? Send it out, I say! We have all spent the equivalent of what it costs to buy a compact vehicle on this trip, what is an extra $100 to send it out to Disney? Just keep that in mind, don't let the battle of the laundry muck up your trip. Sounds crazy -- and, according to Rick Steves, we can all just wash our unmentionables and socks in the sink, use the handy dandy line in the showers to dry them, and be fine!

 

[scrapycruiser]

Hi fellow MedHeaders!

Of course I am an info junky, and I have to sneak to read the blogs these days because my husband is seriously concerned about my need to read these things everyday. He may have a point...

Okay, here is some info for those of you with children and teens. One of the trip reports stated that on the first day, children and teens receive a notebook of sorts that can be confused for random paper/information/more unnecessary clutter. Apparently it is a way for the children to record their adventures in each port -- sounds like a memory book with places to even place ticket stubs and postcards. Also, if your child gets his booked stamped at every port, they are awarded with a medal that fits on the cover of the notebook -- so, if you need to get that medal, make sure the book is stamped by Disney. They didn't say where you can get the stamp - I wonder if it is at Guest Services or in the Clubs.

I also read some interesting stories about squabbles breaking out in the laundry rooms. I am not exagerrating! One fight was described as a "meltdown on deck 7 - fighting over dryer." It appears that folks are doing laundry at all times of the day and night on this cruise and folks can become quite testy and grumpy. I had to laugh because why stress yourself out over some laundry? Send it out, I say! We have all spent the equivalent of what it costs to buy a compact vehicle on this trip, what is an extra $100 to send it out to Disney? Just keep that in mind, don't let the battle of the laundry muck up your trip. Sounds crazy -- and, according to Rick Steves, we can all just wash our unmentionables and socks in the sink, use the handy dandy line in the showers to dry them, and be fine!

There are 2 things I won't do on vacation : laundry and cook. Really, the laundry service onboard is fine and the prices not too bad considering how much the vaction is costing. I just hope our cabin is not across from the laundry room !!!

 

[nordkin]

Donna...have a wonderful time at the beach! Which beach are you at ?

We'll be at Myrtle Beach next week with 2 sisters and my brother and their families.

We own a home in Berlin, Maryland just outside of Ocean City, Maryland. Close enough if we want the boardwalk it only takes 10 minutes and far enough away that we do not get the noise. We go to Assateague Island for the beach, play a lot of golf, and hang by the pool. In other words, relax.

Have fun in Myrtle Beach.

 

[Vailcruiser]

No way, squabbles over laundry - I hope it was over the unmentionables

I totally agree with your laundry philosophy, JeanieP!!

I have packed pairs of neutral capris with lots of colored tank top type shirts and then a few mid sleeve tops that are really light weight/see through that match all the colors so that I can mix and match. I also have my bathing suit cover up that can double as a shawl. Right now I have my portable hand held steamer that I am packing if I have room - we will send out all the things that need to be pressed, but some things should be pretty easy to steam. Once I have my room # if anyone wants to borrow the steamer just come knocking - no fights on deck 7!!!!

Enjoy the beach ladies!!!! Happy 4th everyone!!!

 

[miclen]

Okay, here is some info for those of you with children and teens. One of the trip reports stated that on the first day, children and teens receive a notebook of sorts that can be confused for random paper/information/more unnecessary clutter. Apparently it is a way for the children to record their adventures in each port -- sounds like a memory book with places to even place ticket stubs and postcards. Also, if your child gets his booked stamped at every port, they are awarded with a medal that fits on the cover of the notebook -- so, if you need to get that medal, make sure the book is stamped by Disney. They didn't say where you can get the stamp - I wonder if it is at Guest Services or in the Clubs.

Thanks for the tip on the memory books. I know my DD will love this!

I also read some interesting stories about squabbles breaking out in the laundry rooms. I am not exagerrating! One fight was described as a "meltdown on deck 7 - fighting over dryer." It appears that folks are doing laundry at all times of the day and night on this cruise and folks can become quite testy and grumpy. I had to laugh because why stress yourself out over some laundry? Send it out, I say! We have all spent the equivalent of what it costs to buy a compact vehicle on this trip, what is an extra $100 to send it out to Disney? Just keep that in mind, don't let the battle of the laundry muck up your trip. Sounds crazy -- and, according to Rick Steves, we can all just wash our unmentionables and socks in the sink, use the handy dandy line in the showers to dry them, and be fine!

I like the way you put it....we have paid enought for a small car, So if I have laundy, I will send it out.......I just won't let DH know!

 

[CluelessSanFran]

During past several DCL cruises there were long lines in the various hallways with people waiting to iron their clothes right before dinner time. If you have a small steamer, bring it. We tend to pack light and buy T-shirts at various ports as souvenirs and wear them. Unless they fixed this problem, Disney's laundryrooms are the warmest compared to the rest of the cruiselines. What is the latest count on the gift exchanges? How many rooms? Have a safe of July 4th everyone.

Clueless