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

[giggles_32181]

Ok I am new to cruising and this is only my 2nd but what is VAT? I have absolutley no idea.

 

[catjammies]

Is everyone bringing rain ponchos?

I need to save every little bit of space possible & am debating if we can just "get WET" !?

I did buy some of those "cooler bandanas" at Wal Mart today. You know - you're supposed to soak them in cold water a couple minutes & they supposedly retain the coolness for a long time - You rewet them as you have a chance.

I hear it is DREADFULLY HOT over there!

 

[nordkin]

Ok I am new to cruising and this is only my 2nd but what is VAT? I have absolutley no idea.

VAT is value added tax charged on purchases in Europe. It is refunadable at the airport for any items that have not been used. There is a minimum amount, so it is best to have one person make all the purchases. ou have to keep all your receipts to fill out the form. It is my understanding that Disney is holding a session to explain VAT. I have also read that they are required to charge VAT or purchases aboard ship as well.

 

[nordkin]

I have printed out the List of Cruisers and all the information and was planning on making copies to bring and distribute at the DIS meet if people are interested. Let me know because I have to make the copies in the next couple of days.

 

[dukenukkem]

I have printed out the List of Cruisers and all the information and was planning on making copies to bring and distribute at the DIS meet if people are interested. Let me know because I have to make the copies in the next couple of days.

It really is very nice of you to maintain the list of all the cruisers. It will be great meeting everyone once we board the ship and put faces with names.

Just 4 days until we fly to Barcelona Saturday.

Is it time to get excited yet?

 

[scrapycruiser]

Donna, Thanks but I made myself a copy. You have gone above and beyond the call of duty !!

Attn : POMPEII EXPLORERS

Lets meet at 8 AM in Diversions to go to Pompeii.
I know it'll be HOT so it would be best to leave a
little earlier than we had planned. Does that suit
everyone ?

GINA

 

[ladyvet]

I cannot believe that after over a year of planning, our trip is almost here. We leave Monday to head to Barcelona.

As I mentioned before, we have JUST moved into a new house. The security people were here today setting up their system. We have horses, and the fence people have been working diligently to make sure the fence is A-OK before we leave. Just tonight I now have internet access at my home! Life is good

We are sooooooooo excited! I can't believe it's finally our turn. I'm looking forward to meeting many of you on this cruise.
Beth

 

[giggles_32181]

VAT is value added tax charged on purchases in Europe. It is refunadable at the airport for any items that have not been used. There is a minimum amount, so it is best to have one person make all the purchases. ou have to keep all your receipts to fill out the form. It is my understanding that Disney is holding a session to explain VAT. I have also read that they are required to charge VAT or purchases aboard ship as well.

I called Disney to see if the VAT needed to be charged when making purchases on the ship and excursions and he said no just the purchases made in Europe. He also said that Disney will make information Avaliable on the ship. He was not able to tell me what the minuim dollars spent was though. Hope that helps everyone.
Save Travels everyone and I can't wait to meet everybody A week from Tomorrow

Nordkin, I was able to print everything from home so I will not need one either. Thanks so very much for all your hard work with this. You are sooo good to us.

 

[giggles_32181]

I cannot believe that after over a year of planning, our trip is almost here. We leave Monday to head to Barcelona.

As I mentioned before, we have JUST moved into a new house. The security people were here today setting up their system. We have horses, and the fence people have been working diligently to make sure the fence is A-OK before we leave. Just tonight I now have internet access at my home! Life is good

We are sooooooooo excited! I can't believe it's finally our turn. I'm looking forward to meeting many of you on this cruise.
Beth

Wow is all I can Say. And I thought I was busy before the trip. I am glad that everything is going well for you. I will keep my fingers crossed for you that all goes well.

 

[scrapycruiser]

WOW...has everyone left without me ???

I am so excited, I can hardly contain myself ! I have packed and unpacked and packed again ! My Grandson, Jack, will be here tomorrow then we're off to PHL on Sat to catch our plane to Barcelona !!

See you guys a week from today ...can you believe it !!!

 

[JeanieP]

I cannot believe our turn is next! Does everyone leave this weekend? We don't leave until Monday. By this time next week, we will be on the ship, drinking a cool one and enjoying the Mediterranean sunshine!

 

[MVAN]

I have printed out the List of Cruisers and all the information and was planning on making copies to bring and distribute at the DIS meet if people are interested. Let me know because I have to make the copies in the next couple of days.

Thank you Donna - we can print out a list and bring it - there is no need to add to the luggage weight for us. We were able to get our late seating back after four calls to DCL -- it was quite an ordeal - but finally found a helpful person (really a supervisor). We don't leave until Monday, so we have the weekend to pack - but we are really looking forward to meeting everyone. My friend's daughter (Kati - who is 10) really wants to hook with other pre teen girls --- she is quite excited about the entire trip.

See you soon.

Marj

 

[Perdita&Pongo]

I may not have time to make tags to go along with our gift exchange -- so I believe our family gives out on the first sea night -- if you get a gift without a "from" tag -- that be from our family! We will be passing out one thing for the kids and one thing for the door, so keep an eye out.

Jeanie - We give our gift exchange on the first sea day, too and ours *do* have "from" tags, so no worries about confusing yours with ours!

 

[UMTerp]

I've been MIA for a few days due to a training course. Whoever talked to DCL about VAT was given incorrect information. Read some of the previous trip reports and you will find that the VAT (tax of about 17%) was added to all purchases on the ship. Previous cruisers have recommended that only one KTW card be used for purchases on the ship so it is easier to accumulate the minimum amount for the VAT refund. Hope that helps!

How exciting that some people are leaving already (or have left)! Safe travels everyone! We leave on Monday evening so I still have some packing time! I'm doing pretty well with my stuff and the kids stuff. Getting DH packing is another story!

Donna - Thanks again for continually updating our lists! That has been a big job! I'm going to print a copy from home as well so don't waste your precious luggage space/weight for us!

Gina - Thanks for the reminder to not stress! I'm working on it!

Have a great day everyone!

UMTerp

 

[nnbellie]

Has anyone been following the hilarious Davidson Drifters live blog of the Transatlantic cruise? Great photos, great personal stories and just a riot to read. I have also enjoyed Michelle's daily live postings on that Trip Report thread -- LIve from the Med. Sounds like it was a rather rough passage, and the pictures of the "wave pool" are rather intimidating! I hope we have better weather!

does anyone know where I can find the blog of the Davidson Drifters?
I hear great things about it, but don't know where to find it!

 

[Meg'n'walt]

Donna, I was able to print everything from home too so I will not need one either. Thank you so much for all the work and effort you have put into this...
See you at the Grand Marina on monday ?

Dagmar

 

[TeamHamer]

Donna,
I printed out the list so thank you for being so willing to carry it.

We are looking to meeting everyone on the cruise. Safe Travels!

Teamhamer

 

[nordkin]

We have started packing and I just printed our door magnets. It is hard to believe we have been looking forward to this trip for a year and it is finally here. We leave Saturday evening and wish safe travels to everyone. I am looking forward to meeting everyone on Wednesday.

Donna

 

[UMTerp]

We have started packing and I just printed our door magnets. It is hard to believe we have been looking forward to this trip for a year and it is finally here. We leave Saturday evening and wish safe travels to everyone. I am looking forward to meeting everyone on Wednesday.

Donna

Donna - how exciting that you leave tomorrow!!! Be safe! Looking forward to meeting you too!

UMTerp

 

[miclen]

We are headed to the airport in 45 minutes!

Thank you all for the advice and help. I am looking forward to meeting you all.

Michelle