4/10/2010 eb ta "bound for barcelona"

[rbcheek]

If anyone is interested, I found an "Airport ID & Ticket Wallet" at Walmart for only $8. it hold your passport, id, credit cards and a slot for what they call your boarding pass (but I'll use it for money). It also has a neck strap so you can hide it under your shirt.
Just thought this might be useful to someone.

 

[StaciJo]

QOTD #4: Will your travel partner(s) be willing, informed participants in onboard DISboard activities (or perhaps just think we are a bunch of Disney- obsessed lunes?

They used to think I was nuts, and didn't know what to think of the rest of the DISboard folks, but they humored me. Now, they let me take the lead, and happily follow along with anything suggested by or with the DISboard folks (because, as we all know, they/you all are the best!). Before our last (first) cruise with my in-laws, they thought the FE exchange idea was crazy and weird- this time, the first thing they asked was if we were going to do it again! They're all willing, if not always informed, participants of onboard DISboard activities.

Staci

 

[realfam]

Booking nursery time on the DCL website. All the other cruises they would only let us book up to 10 hours of time and for some reason they're letting us book upto 35 hours of Flounders time this cruise. Therefore were booking several evenings (so we can go out and play with the other adults), and a few afternoons where we can sit around in Adult Cove with no kids

Alex

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

QOTD #4: Will your travel partner(s) be willing, informed participants in onboard DISboard activities (or perhaps just think we are a bunch of Disney- obsessed lunes?

My DH and DSIL have both joined the facebook group and are tech savvy, so they get it. They are both excited about the FEs, but I don't expect them to get involved in other activities. The DMIL and DFIL don't really "get" the whole Disney thing, and they have never cruised before so...they are just cheerfully along for the ride! The good news is they are lovely people and team players. All of this is why I am not requesting lanyards/nametags for anyone but myself - I think the rest of my group would be a little freaked out by being "recognized" by strangers.

 

[bound2travel]

These are so cute, I am going to Michaels tomorrow to get magnetic paper. My daughter is a disney cruise fanatic, she will love these. Thanks for sharing.

Someone made mine ears for a FE on my first cruise. They used those foam sheets to make the shapes and then attached magnets to the back. For families, they wrote "the" on one ear and "(last name)" on the other. Since I travel solo - my first name is on one ear and my last on the other ear.

Kristi

 

[bound2travel]

QOTD #4: Will your travel partner(s) be willing, informed participants in onboard DISboard activities (or perhaps just think we are a bunch of Disney- obsessed lunes?

Thankfully I am single, so no one knows how much time I spend on the boards.

HOWEVER, my co-workers all think I'm nuts to like Disney so much. At least three of them NEVER go down (one has a kid and kinda is forced too ). When they tell me this, I just say "good less people for me to deal with down there"

 

[bound2travel]

A tip I learned a few years ago on the boards was bring one pair of black pumps, one pair of dressy black pants, one dressy black skirt (plain, mine is crepe for a more formal look) and multiple tops. Four tops can then make 8 nights on the cruise. The shoes go with both the pants and the skirt and talk about a lot less packing! I wear the same pants and skirts multiple times since I'm not in them for very long. How come no one notices when men wear the same thing multiple times but they do when women do? QUOTE]

Instead of a skirt, I have more than one pair of black pants. Tops change, but the bottom stays the same. I'll wear the same dress for Formal, but maybe have a different scarf or something. I'll also wear the same thing more than once on a trip. At least on the cruise I'll have access to a laundry.

On our last cruise (7 night western) I WAY over packed. I resolve to do much better this time around. I found all the extra "stuff" I packed (i.e. shoe holder, power strip, fan...) really useful, so this time around I am going to cut back on clothes. For shoes I am only packing 4 pair -- 1 sneakers, 1 clogs, 1 heels, beach shoes. As you can see, I plan on showing the Spanish just how stylish americans can be!

The shoes sound like me - sneakers during the day, black slip-ons for dinner, heels for Formal and flip-flops for CC and pool time.

I was on a 15 day trip to Australia and New Zealand in 2008. 1 carry-on and 1 checked bag on the way over. Same on the way back. I'd posted before, I take the socks I would be tossing and save them for trips. I just toss them each night - makes more room in the suitcase. I got the tip from a packing website several years ago. You'd be amazed at how much room just socks take.

 

[realfam]

Now that we are a family of 4, we are resolved to the fact that we WILL DO LAUNDDRY every trip....
In Dec. Disney and Orlando airport lost our biggest piece of luggage ***FOR 4 DAYS!!!!!!!*****. other than having to buy some underwear at the gift shop we did okay...so again we definatly over packed...
we do a load every few days, usually while were're in the hot tub at night so it doesn't interfere with daytime acitivites.
I just bought 2 black dresses yesterday (clearance rack of course) they are the kind you can roll up in a little ball and they still look fine....not the most glam but it will do.
Michelle

 

[thossink]

QOTD #4: Will your travel partner(s) be willing, informed participants in onboard DISboard activities (or perhaps just think we are a bunch of Disney- obsessed lunes?

My Daughter and her friend think I am a little off my rocker (I am sure it is a teen thing) My wife thinks we are definitely a bunch of Disney- obsessed lunes, until she heard about the knitting group. Now she is thinking about joining up. But as far as all of them go, I plan too early and too much; But they say I give them the best vacations.

 

[dee47]

Dee, I was typing an answer to Joi's question, having to use just one fonger on the tiny keyboard on my ipod - and you went in front and posted something. Hmmph.

Did Stephanie make the modified logo for you? Wondering if the top two lines can be centered?

Sorry, Lynne, I'll have to get better at the mind-reading thing!

No, I made the modified logo myself

 

[Beauty & the Best]

QOTD #4: Will your travel partner(s) be willing, informed participants in onboard DISboard activities (or perhaps just think we are a bunch of Disney- obsessed lunes?

My husband will go to the meet & greet but I'm pretty sure that's all he'll be attending - he's not as much a diser as I am, but he loves Disney & is a friendly guy so the meet & greet is just perfect for him.

Just looked at the weather averages (finally bought some guide books) and it looks like the range is from 70's (on CC) to high 40's in Barcelona (at night). I can't even predict what the weather will be like in the middle of the Atlantic (not in the guidebooks =) We'll also be in WDW a few days before the cruise and then stopping on London on the way home.

I'm at a loss about clothing---and really want to limit what we are taking because of luggage fees. What is everyone else doing for versatile wardrobes for all of the necessary cruising events (formal night, etc) and the weather range. Also, what are folks doing about shoes?

I realize this is a bit early--- but I like to shop for deals and getting a sense of what I already have and what I need will help me watch for the right sales.

Thanks!

We were in Barcelona in April 2008 so I can tell you that I wore mostly jeans and t-shirts or long sleeve cotton tops during the day and adding a sweater and/or jacket for the evening.

It won't be too cold but you will need a jacket and a sweater. If you bring long pants - think khakis, some capri pants and some jeans - you will be good on bottoms.

If you want to pack light it helps to stick w/ a color group as your base, (like brown and khaki or grey and black) and pick colored tops to match, bring a cardigan and a jacket that goes w/ the base color and shoes that go w/ the base color. That way you can mix & match all of your clothes.

I don't know where you shop, but Ann Taylor Loft always has matching separates like that. I usually go w/ brown & khaki as my base b/c my dog sheds all over my black clothes

Just bring shoes that can stand up to lots of activity - we went to France in October and at the end of the trip I threw my shoes away b/c they had been so beat up from walking everywhere. Also, shoes get really dirty there b/c of the dust in cobblestones, so I always go w/ darker colors....hey, like brown my base color!

Aerosoles are great http://www.aerosoles.com if you don't want to wear sneakers and they don't need much breaking in.

I'm planning on bringing 4 pairs of shoes & wearing 1 on the plane - I'm thinking of how I can get that # down to 3 pairs. Anyhow, at current, I'll bring 1 pair of flip flops, wear a pair of tennis shoes on the plane, bring a pair of flats, one pair for formal night and a pair of black heels.

Hello to all and happy 12 weeks to go!!!

Let me introduce myself...Im Michelle DW to DH Alex(frequent poster), mom to DD Rebecca(2) and stepmom to DD Maggie(14)

my tip of the day: we use the hanging shoe holder from IKEA (7.99) attaches to the bar in the closet with velcro...can also be used to hold little ones clothes.

Hi & Welcome Michelle! We use a hanging shoe holder too, but not for clothes. We use one on the back of the bathroom door in the cabin to store toiletries. There's never a lot of storage space in the bathroom & it helps keep everything organized.

 

[joius24]

My birkenstocks have gotten me through days of excursion trekking painlessly....I love my birks (and they have rhinestones )
For muddy areas...I also bring casual sneaks...and one gym sneaker...one dress shoe. So its 4 pairs for me!

I try to take as many unwrinklables and black clothes/dark colored clothes as possible I DO love (and will take) Downey Wrinkle Releaser... Sprays those cotton wrinkles right out. I have to take layers...I get cold (even in the dining rooms)

My son is seriously easy...he doesnt care too much about clothes(yet).
I buy a dress jacket from a thrift store for my son to wear and throw it away after the trip.... at the rate he is growing...by the time he wears one again it wont fit him....

 

[sdlong329]

I am compiling a list of BOOKED EXCURSIONS, to be made available for anyone interested. This is a good way to see who IS (or is not) going on a specific excursion.

To include your excursion information, send PM to sdlong329, along with your DISboards userID. There is no need to list the number or names of individuals in your party - just the DISboards userID.

Example:
MADEIRA: Maderia Caves and North Coast: sdlong329
CADIZ: Mountain Villages: sdlong329
GIBRALTAR: Explore Rock on Your Own: sdlong329
BARCELONA: Montserrat FULL DAY: sdlong329

--A reminder to those who would like to share their booked excursions with fellow DISers, please send me a PM (no replies via this thread, please) with appropriate details (above), as I am compiling a list ... so that all can see everything at a single glance. If you do not wish to share your choice of excursions with the group, there is no need to reply.

 

[dizdadof2]

I will figure the FE and lanyards out today - we are having my sister's (dizmomof2) b-day party today - her birthday is this week. So I will get the info on the FE and how to make etc. from her.




Mike

 

[sdlong329]

For those who've been on a DCL T/A or Med previously ... do you know if DCL has had T/A or Med merchandise / clothing available for sale? There wasn't much Panama Canal clothing on th 2008 EB Panama Canal.

When we were on the last Tortola cruise (12/09), I picked up two black DCL Pirates IN the Caribbean sweatshirts, with very nice, detailed embroidery. Unfortunately, I will be returning one to DCL on the T/A cruise, as it's the wrong size. I am not sure if DCL will have this specific sweatshirt on the T/A cruise (changeover in selection). Accordingly, if the Pirates sweatshirts are NOT on display, they will have at least ONE in stock.

Left front chest, embroidered logo

Large embroidery on back of sweatshirt.
There is no hood on the sweatshirt, so embroidery can easily be seen.

View of entire back of sweatshirt.
Camera operator (moi) had a bit of difficulty with coloration in this pic.

 

[mommyto3princesses]

We've had 6 pals cancel from our dinner party so I have a call in to Concierge to take their names and ressie number off the list. We are technically not in the system yet since it has not been confirmed with Palo's Special Functions team. We've had 2 new pals sign up and will need 4 more to keep the private room. I am sure when I hear from Concierge on Monday they will alert me that the private room request has been pulled since you must have 12 in your party to be considered for the room.

We will be moved to a smaller table in the main area. Hoping that will be fine with everyone.

If we get 4 new pals by tomorrow -- Monday, the18th -- we should be able to keep the private room reserved. No pressure, but I want to be able to release those names so that their personal reservation doesn't get cancelled.

TIA

 

[Michelle2]

We have signed up for Mexican Train Dominoes:

Krisann & Ashley (KrisannB)
Woody & Mrs. Woody (woody73)
Michelle (Michelle2)
Charlotte & John (Happy Goofy)

Anyone else?

Woody

My DH Jared will play too. I wasn't sure if he was going to go, but I think he is now.

QOTD #4: Will your travel partner(s) be willing, informed participants in onboard DISboard activities (or perhaps just think we are a bunch of Disney- obsessed lunes?

He is probably the latter...but it mostly pertains to me. He trusts my judgement, and we have good trips because of it, but he does think I am a little obsessed.
Very social with those I do introduce him to, but not into the meets where he doesn't know anybody.

For those who've been on a DCL T/A or Med previously ... do you know if DCL has had T/A or Med merchandise / clothing available for sale? There wasn't much Panama Canal clothing on th 2008 EB Panama Canal.

There was quite a bit of Med merchandise, but about the same amout of clothing as the PC...They had some shirts and some sweat jackets and some towels I think, but that was about it. They did have sections of the store set up in areas from each country we and the Med were visiting. Lots of items from the country...like Spain, France and Italy I think.

If you go to my trip report in my signature, I do have pictures of the areas and windows of the Treasure Ketch and the merchandise they had. There is a table of contents on the main page, but I can't remember which part I put them in though..... OK, nm I found them on Day 6. Here is the link:

TA/MED merchandise pictures

 

[woody73]

We have signed up for Mexican Train Dominoes:

Krisann & Ashley (KrisannB)
Woody & Mrs. Woody (woody73)
Michelle & Jared (Michelle2)
Charlotte & John (Happy Goofy)

Anyone else?

Woody

 

[bound2travel]

We've had 6 pals cancel from our dinner party so I have a call in to Concierge to take their names and ressie number off the list. We are technically not in the system yet since it has not been confirmed with Palo's Special Functions team. We've had 2 new pals sign up and will need 4 more to keep the private room. I am sure when I hear from Concierge on Monday they will alert me that the private room request has been pulled since you must have 12 in your party to be considered for the room.

We will be moved to a smaller table in the main area. Hoping that will be fine with everyone.

If we get 4 new pals by tomorrow -- Monday, the18th -- we should be able to keep the private room reserved. No pressure, but I want to be able to release those names so that their personal reservation doesn't get cancelled.

TIA

Private room would be great - but the important thing is dinner with disfriends.

Kristi

 

[JLSE50]

This is my 4th attempt to post this. The first two times I got a message that I was not signed in (even though I WAS), so I signed in and then the screen went white. The third time I copied what I wrote so when it went white I could log in AGAIN and just paste. AARGH

I am caught up, at least for now.

Favorite movie is UP since it motivated DH to book this cruise because I have long wanted to see the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Barcelona.

Favorite characters are Mickey and Minnie

Favorite days are SEA DAYS because we will not get internet on the ship so DH cannot work and I will have him all to myself

Does he understand the DIS? Nope, he thinks that the DIS, Facebook, SuperPoke Pets and my Blackberry are addictions, so, with no internet at sea he will get me all to himself Hmmmm do we see a pattern here?

Thus, we will be pleasant and enjoy meeting people but will not be planning activities with the DIS group as our purpose on this trip is to be ALONE-TOGETHER

Excursions are going to be by Disney and may not be booked until we are on the ship. On the Westbound Panama Canal cruise we watched the ship cast off almost all the lines as we waited for some busses from a DCL excursion in Puerta Vallarta. If they had been on their own excursion they would have stood on the pier to wave as we steamed out of the harbor and had to make their own arrangements to get to Cabo San Lucas. That adventuresome we are not.

We are flying Delta so have to pay for luggage, therefore:

1.) We usually take Pirate costumes and snorkeling gear but probably will not.

2.) Our basic colors are black and navy so we create variety with shirts and, in my case, jewelry. Since we have each seen the other's wardrobe and are OK with it, we are not worrying if others notice repetition.

3.) Shoes: sneakers, sandles and dress shoes.

4.) Warmth: layering

5.) Fish Extenders and Secret Mickey: no

All this to say, Auntie Lynne, how much do I owe you for one lanyard and two name tags? We like the DCL lanyards and Tom won't wear a DIS one (I will wear both). He is unlikely to use his tag, but he might, and if not I can have it nice and clean for the scrapbook. JLSE50 JAN and TOM Can the nametag be the Captain Mickey? If not, we will take the cruise logo without Donald.

THANKS

THANKS!