4/24/2010 Med cruise: Friends, Romans, Countrymen lend me your Ears

[NC_Tink]

We are new to cruising with Disney, so booking day is Feb 8. I have some questions for you experienced cruisers.

Do I have to complete all of the online forms first? Should I immediately try to book Palo, before excursions? How does the process work, if I have a saved activity, can I just click on that and add?

Any tips would be appreciated!

On another note, when Disney makes "upgrade calls -- either complimentary or for purchase", and you have booked through a TA -- do they call your house or the TA to notify you? Just wondering since we are in Australia, and I am not sure what phone number I gave Disney.

Hey Lara -- sent you a PM regarding the tour stuff for Rome

As for your online forms - they do not need to be competed before you book excursions -- as long as you're registered on the DCL site and can access your reservation - you're good to go

Palo reservations tend to book the fastest -- so I would do these first -- you'll add them to your ressie and then make sure you hit the confirm button when you're done. And, just a suggestion -- confirm your Palo reservation immediately- because while you're sitting with the reservation in your "basket" and looking at other stuff - someone else may come along, make a Palo reservation and essentially swipe yours. Unfortunately, until it's confirmed - it's technically not your reservation. I know a few people who learned that the hard way last year

Regarding your excursions - once on the page for excursions - there is a toggle button that you can "show only those in my saved activities" So, yes, you can add your activities based on your saved list

As for upgrade calls - never got one so can't answer your question there Can you tell I'm sad?? Just kidding, I'm perfectly satisfied with the stateroom we picked so it's all good

 

[alltheparks]

Thanks Lubi for the information! Hopefully I will be able to get all the tours and a palo's reservation quickly.

With regards to the upgrade, we booked a cat 12 gty, which we will be satisified with, but it seems Disney is selling ALOT of those, and hoping for a little pixie dust! It would be nice to see how the spilt bathrooms work, and if they are worth extra money in the future.

 

[NC_Tink]

Thanks Lubi for the information! Hopefully I will be able to get all the tours and a palo's reservation quickly.

With regards to the upgrade, we booked a cat 12 gty, which we will be satisified with, but it seems Disney is selling ALOT of those, and hoping for a little pixie dust! It would be nice to see how the spilt bathrooms work, and if they are worth extra money in the future.

Sending some pixiedust your way! Hope you get that upgrade!!!

 

[shushh]

Lara you've been busy! I'm glad you asked the questions because I was just about to ask the same ones.

Lubi, thanks for the tips. I have another question. If I want to book Palo for 4, can I do this with just my reservation? Or do I have to make 2 reservations for 2 and then link them? My parents are in a different stateroom.

 

[linkandclover]

Does anyone have any experience with anti theft handbags and backpacks. I am trying to figure out if this is one more investment I need to make for this trip. I have read that Barcelona is a place where pick pocketing is an art form and after having it happen on our last trip I am nervous about it happening again.

 

[skoi]

Lara you've been busy! I'm glad you asked the questions because I was just about to ask the same ones.

Lubi, thanks for the tips. I have another question. If I want to book Palo for 4, can I do this with just my reservation? Or do I have to make 2 reservations for 2 and then link them? My parents are in a different stateroom.

You can book for 4, and they should let you add your parents if they're on the same reservation, even if they're in a different cabin. That's how it worked when we were in two cabins.

But I could be wrong.

Julie

 

[NC_Tink]

Does anyone have any experience with anti theft handbags and backpacks. I am trying to figure out if this is one more investment I need to make for this trip. I have read that Barcelona is a place where pick pocketing is an art form and after having it happen on our last trip I am nervous about it happening again.

There's actually a thread on the main DCL board that is discussing this very topic -- here's a link http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2388614 I purchased a Pacsafe bag for this cruise - hoping it's big enough for what we need - I think it will be. I'd stay away from back pack types for two reasons: 1) I'd want to keep my bag in front of my body - not behind and 2) I've read that some places (like the Vatican) may not allow you to bring a backpack and you may have to check the bag with an attendant.

 

[linkandclover]

There's actually a thread on the main DCL board that is discussing this very topic -- here's a link http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2388614 I purchased a Pacsafe bag for this cruise - hoping it's big enough for what we need - I think it will be. I'd stay away from back pack types for two reasons: 1) I'd want to keep my bag in front of my body - not behind and 2) I've read that some places (like the Vatican) may not allow you to bring a backpack and you may have to check the bag with an attendant.

Thanks for the link.

 

[shushh]

Thanks Julie for the info.

linkandclover we've got pacsafe bags too. Mal has got one that is a backpack with a laptop insert that doubles as a portable safe. We've also got one of the little bags with slash proof strap.

I was bummed to discover that we have to tip for the spa service as well. Just to really get used to the idea of tipping. So the question is...can we charge the tips (eg for spa and room service) to our account? Also can the spa service be paid with our onboard credit?

 

[grlzmom]

Thanks Julie for the info.

linkandclover we've got pacsafe bags too. Mal has got one that is a backpack with a laptop insert that doubles as a portable safe. We've also got one of the little bags with slash proof strap.

I was bummed to discover that we have to tip for the spa service as well. Just to really get used to the idea of tipping. So the question is...can we charge the tips (eg for spa and room service) to our account? Also can the spa service be paid with our onboard credit?

Very easy at the spa to put the tip on your account. We've never used cash at the spa, always on the room charge. You can use your onboard credit to pay for spa treatments. You will be presented with the charge slip after your treatment is all done and they leave you alone to sign it and add the tip and then they come back. Be forewarned, the attendants in the spa can be very pushy with sales pitch to get you to purchase "products" after your treatments. Be firm with NO and it helps if you write on your initial spa form (at check in) that you are NOT interested in product purchases (unless of course you are lol)

Room service we always tip in cash unless we have ordered something that has a charge (candy, soda, etc.) If it's a charged item then you can add tip to the charge slip. I am not sure about charging room service tips if its regular (included) room service items. The amount we tip depends on the amount we order. My kids like room service ALOT and so we can easily go through alot of cash that way.

I need to get myself a pacsafe bag.

 

[mrosen]

There's actually a thread on the main DCL board that is discussing this very topic -- here's a link http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2388614 I purchased a Pacsafe bag for this cruise - hoping it's big enough for what we need - I think it will be. I'd stay away from back pack types for two reasons: 1) I'd want to keep my bag in front of my body - not behind and 2) I've read that some places (like the Vatican) may not allow you to bring a backpack and you may have to check the bag with an attendant.

Do you happen to know if you can bring a camera into the Vatican? I would be carrying a bag with my camera so concerned now that this is a problem and would have check this. I went to the Vatican's web site but couldn't easily find where they had information on any rules so any pointers would be helpful. My camera's not a pocket camera but a digital SLR so while the bag isn't as large as a backpack, its certainly bigger than a fanny pack.

 

[friend of tinkerbell]

saw this review online. sold us on buying one.

November 30, 2008
By Gadget Girl (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews



My husband and I each took Pacsafe bags on our trip to Europe this fall. I took the slightly larger Pacsafe 200 and he used the smaller Pacsafe 100 for his camera. The Pacsafe system provided us with a great peace of mind. We did not have to worry about our bags being slashed or the zippers being opened and our things being taken. In Barcelona at Parc Guell, my husband observed a pick-pocketing team in action. A young girl of about 10 years old walked over to me, looked at my purse and went back to her father and shook her head, as in "I couldn't get anything". That's proof enough for me that these babies work.

The Pacsafe 200 easily held my iPod (the headphone passthrough is great!), cell phone, Canon A720 camera, several guidebooks, a bottle of water, umbrella, rain coat and plenty of other travel "comforts", as well as small purchases made along the way. There is an unprotected pocket on the back that lies against your body. This was great for items like maps and tour tickets that you wanted easy access to without undoing the tamper-proof zippers on rest of the purse. There is a top large section for bigger items, where I stored my rain jacket, camera and guidebooks. The front panel has two slots for electronics (iPod and cell phone) and some slots for pens, as well as a hook for your keys. There are two unprotected side pockets that you can slide a water bottle or umbrella into. I also used this for my camera in safer areas, when I wasn't taking pictures.

I highly recommend the MetroSafe 200 for those who would like a little extra room for their items when traveling, without being weighed down by a huge purse or tote bag. It could be used as an everyday purse for city dwellers. We spent three weeks in Europe and never had to worry that our electronics or our money would be taken. This was well worth the investment to buy this purse for the protection, peace of mind and also functionality and organization that it provided. I will certainly use again when I travel, and it doubles as a nice personal item for the plane. Help other

 

[NC_Tink]

Do you happen to know if you can bring a camera into the Vatican? I would be carrying a bag with my camera so concerned now that this is a problem and would have check this. I went to the Vatican's web site but couldn't easily find where they had information on any rules so any pointers would be helpful. My camera's not a pocket camera but a digital SLR so while the bag isn't as large as a backpack, its certainly bigger than a fanny pack.

As far as I know there is no rule that won't allow you to bring a camera. I have heard that there's no problem with taking photos in the Vatican and St. Peter's but I've heard varying stories in regards to the Sistine Chapel. Some say you can take photos, as long as you don't use a flash - others have said no photos allowed. But, no one indicates that you can't bring your camera. I have a bag (Pacsafe - Metrosafe 200) that I'll carry across my chest which can fit my SLR camera - but doesn't leave a lot of room for tons more stuff - basically it should fit my camera,a small guidebook and my boys' Nintendo DSs. I made sure that it would fit - because I know them - they'll want to play their games during the car ride into Rome. Even in Italy I can't get the kids away from the technology I also purchased a camera strap from Pacsafe which is slash proof so my DH or I can carry the camera around our neck (it's even long enough to wear across our body) when we need to.

 

[NC_Tink]

In Barcelona at Parc Guell, my husband observed a pick-pocketing team in action. A young girl of about 10 years old walked over to me, looked at my purse and went back to her father and shook her head, as in "I couldn't get anything". That's proof enough for me that these babies work.

That's awesome -- makes me feel a lot better about the cost of the darn thing!

 

[shushh]

Jeanne, thank you for the detailed answer! And for the warning, I'm not one who is interested in products generally. Will practice being assertive. And thanks for the purex as well. I'm keeping an eye out for our coins with the commemorative designs on them that are nice and shiny to bring along. So will hopefully have nice collection by the time April comes along.

mrosen, from memory when we went to the Vatican we did bring our camera in but we were not allowed to take pictures at certain places. But that was a LONG time ago. Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[shushh]

Thank you for the review of the pacsafe. I agree with Lubi, it is reassuring to hear as they aren't cheap!

 

[NC_Tink]

Here's the only information I could find on the Vatican website regarding bags:

Bags, backpacks, umbrellas

The cloakroom staff will accept from the visitors their bags and personal belongings (irrispective of the form, material or dimension of th object), with the exception of clothing items, hats, portable umbrellas.
It is obligatory to deposit in the cloakroom suitcases, backpacks and containers with dimensions larger than cm 40 x 35 x 15.
It is obligatory to deposit in the cloakroom bags and bagpacks which are cumbersome, except those small-sized, that carried on shoulder, don't jut out by 15 cm from the body's shape in its highest point.
It is obligatory to deposit in the cloakroom any umbrella with a spike tip, umbrellas of medium and large size, walking sticks (except those required by disabled visitors to facilitate their movement), tripods for cameras and video cameras, signage of any kind (except signs used by official guides for their identification).
It is obligatory to deposit in the cloakroom knives, scissors, any tools thai could be harmful to other persons ora damage works of art in the Museums.
It is not possible to deposit in the cloakroom, fiirearms of any kind or other dangerous objects. It is strictly forbidden to enter the Museums with any kind of weapon.
Access to the Museums by armed visitors is not permitted. Non exception to this rule is made for visitors holding a firearm permit, or if the weapon forms part of a uniform (police, military or others).

And here's the info. regarding photography:

Photography

Works of art and surroundings may be photographed. Permission must be given by the Management of the Museum for the use of tripods and other professional equipment.
It is forbidden to use flashlight photography inside the Museums.
No photography or filming is permitted in the Sistine Chapel. The surveillance is authorized to collect any kind of photography made inside the Sistine Chapel.

I found this all on the following link: http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-Info/MV_Info_Consigli.html

 

[carpenta]

Yes you can take photos and video in St. Peters and no flash in the museum(s), I took alot of video and then took stills off the video. Plus the zoom in the video camera lets you get up close to all the ceiling frescos and Madonna with Christ statue that when we were there was a little crowded to get up close. We were on a private tour of the Sistine Chapel after hours and asked the guards to take video and pictures and they did not care and said since it was private tour you could. It really surprized us so we went wild snapping and filming away. One thing about St. Peters is that when you get home the pictures can never capture the volume and size of the inside space. It is something to be savored at the time of the visit.

 

[NC_Tink]

So, now I have a question...

On debarkation day, if I remember correctly, you have to be off the ship by 9am at the latest. I've purchased DCL transportation -- they'll take my family and our bags to BCN. However, our flight doesn't leave until 1:30 - I'm assuming we'll be at the airport before we're technically allowed to check in the bags. So, does DCL have a holding place for the luggage and then they take care of checking bags for us? Or, are they going to give me all of my bags at the airport and I have to take care of it? Normally, we would put our luggage out the night before debarkation and not see it again until we arrive at our destination - correct? But what happens when your flight doesn't leave until the afternoon?

 

[grlzmom]

Jeanne, thank you for the detailed answer! And for the warning, I'm not one who is interested in products generally. Will practice being assertive. And thanks for the purex as well. I'm keeping an eye out for our coins with the commemorative designs on them that are nice and shiny to bring along. So will hopefully have nice collection by the time April comes along.

mrosen, from memory when we went to the Vatican we did bring our camera in but we were not allowed to take pictures at certain places. But that was a LONG time ago. Sorry I can't be of more help.

Ooooh, shiny new coins. I am so excited!

For travel we also use "color guard sheets". Probably you can get these where you are but if not, let me know and I could get you a box. We can throw all the laundry in the same load without the colors blending.

The purex comes 24 sheets to a package so it will last you several vacations

Thanks to everyone for the pacsafe tips, I'm looking into which one to purchase. Will have to do it online since I'm in the middle of nowhere so the details really help!