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

[mrosen]

You've all managed to get further than me! All I've got since 630am this moring is a message that the website is experiencing difficulties, please call xxxxx sorry for the inconvenience. Sigh...

Oh forgot to congratulate all who managed to book what they wanted!

That's a bummer. And I'm sure frustrating. Hopefully you get in this evening or you can call to see if they can remedy your problem or help you book.

 

[skoi]

Belinda- sorry that you're having such problems. Hopefully we'll get that brunch. I found brunch much more difficult than dinner, since there are so many opportunities for dinner versus brunch. High tea is very difficult.

I'm working on updating the roll call. Thanks for your patience.

We leave in less than a month for Morocco! My Arabic is so bad. I should spend less time on facebook and that farm thing there and more on useful things. (Yeah right...)

Julie

 

[shushh]

Oh well, it is frustrating but I am not too fussed about it. I thought it would be nice for my parents to have a nice adult dinner with us, but we'll survive without it. I'll try at the port if we can't get dinner reservations online.

Julie, I'm sure you'll pick the arabic quickly once you get there out of necessity!

 

[friend of tinkerbell]

Just a note to say, we have run into problems with the website on earlier cruises. We simply called disney, and explained our frustrations. They went to our reservation for us, and although Palo showed as full, they gave us the reservations we requested. They always hold back reservations for later bookings and in case of problems like this. On our last cruise, we dined at Palo on formal night, day 2. When we told our waiter how much we enjoyed our evening, he asked if we wanted to make another reservation. I asked him what evenings were available, he said " whatever evening you would like"!
If you don't get what you want today because of problems with booking on the Disney website, I would call them tomorrow.

Good Luck!

 

[shushh]

Hurray! I finally got in. We managed to get a table for 4 at 7pm when we're in Valetta. Was hoping to get a reservation on Tunis night but nevermind! A reservation is better than none!

 

[skoi]

Hurray! I finally got in. We managed to get a table for 4 at 7pm when we're in Valetta. Was hoping to get a reservation on Tunis night but nevermind! A reservation is better than none!

Glad to hear it. I always like to have my reservations arranged before I leave. I hated having to rush to three forward and hope to get something.

We're waiting for another 12-18 inches of snow to go with the 24 we had on Saturday.

Julie

 

[Happy Goofy]

I thought I read on one of the posts that someone arranged a trip to Fatima from Madeira. I would like to know how you arranged that.

 

[Michelle2]

Hi everyone,
I have posted here and there for the last bit, but was not sure if I would be able to go, and then not sure if I would be able to stay to go on the Med. But, I am officially on this cruise now. Just booked my airfare home on May 5, so I better be. I will be on the TA over as well, but my DH and DS will leave, and I will stay to do the Med after. Don't know how that will work out since I am such a big baby with loneliness.

I have been looking at excursion things today, and it is so exciting! Definitely more intensive and requires more planning and preparation than the TA! But all in a fun and good way...just time consuming!

 

[linkandclover]

Hi Everyone,

Just reporting a new glitch in cruise plans that I thought I should pass on. I started filling out the necessary cruise documents and learned that US passports must remain valid for up to 6 months after we return home. Unfortunately the one US citizen in our family will have an expired passport at that time yet according to the US government it only has to be valid for 3 months after we return. I am now waiting on disney to sort this out.

If you have a non US passport beware you need to know the requirements for entry and exit into each country we visit. Disney expects you to check this and if you do not have the documents you need they will not allow you to board.

I have now learned that a valid passport is not necessarily valid. I wish I would have found this out sooner when I had the time to do something about it. Now I fear I am racing against a beaurocratic clock.

 

[skoi]

Welcome back michelle2.

And thanks for the info on passports linkandclover.

Anyone know what the regulations are for US citizens to enter in Tunisia? I asked Disney, they never gave a clear answer. I'm assuming we don't need a visa, or we can get one easily upon entry.

Julie

 

[linkandclover]

Welcome back michelle2.


Anyone know what the regulations are for US citizens to enter in Tunisia? I asked Disney, they never gave a clear answer. I'm assuming we don't need a visa, or we can get one easily upon entry.

Julie

I will be calling the Tunisia embassy tomorrow to check this out as the department of state website does not have it fully listed. I am unsure if they will be open tomorrow as we in the DC area are experiencing heavy snowfall which usually closes everything down. When I find this out I will post it for everyone to see.

 

[carpenta]

Hi Everyone,

Just reporting a new glitch in cruise plans that I thought I should pass on. I started filling out the necessary cruise documents and learned that US passports must remain valid for up to 6 months after we return home. Unfortunately the one US citizen in our family will have an expired passport at that time yet according to the US government it only has to be valid for 3 months after we return. I am now waiting on disney to sort this out.

If you have a non US passport beware you need to know the requirements for entry and exit into each country we visit. Disney expects you to check this and if you do not have the documents you need they will not allow you to board.

I have now learned that a valid passport is not necessarily valid. I wish I would have found this out sooner when I had the time to do something about it. Now I fear I am racing against a beaurocratic clock.

We just renewed our daughters US passport and it took 3 weeks from the time we mailed it away. That is something that works in the government at least for now. Good Luck!

 

[Leesh77]

I will be calling the Tunisia embassy tomorrow to check this out as the department of state website does not have it fully listed. I am unsure if they will be open tomorrow as we in the DC area are experiencing heavy snowfall which usually closes everything down. When I find this out I will post it for everyone to see.

Hello all!
This is my first time posting -- but I thought I would chime in about what is needed in Tunisia. According to the Dept. of State website, all you need is a valid passport, a visa is not needed.

"ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. For U.S. passport holders, a visa is not necessary for stays of up to four months; however, a residence permit is needed for longer stays."

Since I am a first time poster, I can't post any URLs, but you can find this info and more on travel (dot) state (dot) gov. When you get to the site, click International Travel on the top. Then click on Africa on the map, and select Tunisia.

I hope that helps with any of your questions.

This is my first time on this site, and my first Disney Cruise! I guess I just wanted to say hello! I'm not sure what is customary as I am a newbie!

 

[Dicecatt]

I'm making progress! All 4 of us (myself, husband, friend and her husband) bought airfare today! Somehow, that feels really official I did book a hotel for the night before, but I am researching other ones...and I can't get enough of researching tours. I am leaning towards doing mostly Disney excursions with the exception of Rome and possibly Naples. DH is going for his passport tomorrow, so we are now counting the days! I've never planned such a major trip so quickly.

 

[Brooklyn]

Hi everyone,
I have posted here and there for the last bit, but was not sure if I would be able to go, and then not sure if I would be able to stay to go on the Med. But, I am officially on this cruise now. Just booked my airfare home on May 5, so I better be. I will be on the TA over as well, but my DH and DS will leave, and I will stay to do the Med after. Don't know how that will work out since I am such a big baby with loneliness.

I have been looking at excursion things today, and it is so exciting! Definitely more intensive and requires more planning and preparation than the TA! But all in a fun and good way...just time consuming!

Hi Everyone,

Just reporting a new glitch in cruise plans that I thought I should pass on. I started filling out the necessary cruise documents and learned that US passports must remain valid for up to 6 months after we return home. Unfortunately the one US citizen in our family will have an expired passport at that time yet according to the US government it only has to be valid for 3 months after we return. I am now waiting on disney to sort this out.

If you have a non US passport beware you need to know the requirements for entry and exit into each country we visit. Disney expects you to check this and if you do not have the documents you need they will not allow you to board.

I have now learned that a valid passport is not necessarily valid. I wish I would have found this out sooner when I had the time to do something about it. Now I fear I am racing against a beaurocratic clock.

Yes my mom and I's expire in Oct so we have to get new ones. I sent mine in but it is not coming as quick as others have gotten theirs. UGH!

 

[auntlynne]

Hi Everyone,

Just reporting a new glitch in cruise plans that I thought I should pass on. I started filling out the necessary cruise documents and learned that US passports must remain valid for up to 6 months after we return home. ...

I have now learned that a valid passport is not necessarily valid. I wish I would have found this out sooner when I had the time to do something about it. Now I fear I am racing against a beaurocratic clock.

This is standard for most cruises and visits to many countries.

Per the US Department of State:

9. How long is a passport valid and when should I renew my passport?

If you were ____ when the passport was issued then your passport is valid for
Over Age 16 : 10 Years
Age 15 or Younger : 5 Years

The Issue Date of your passport can be found on the data page of your Passport Book or on the front of your Passport Card.

If possible, you should renew your passport approximately nine (9) months before it expires. Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six (6) months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.

EVERYONE CHECK THE EXPIRATION ON YOUR PASSPORT; NEEDS TO BE VALID UNTIL NOV 5.
ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, WHO ONLY HAVE 5 YEAR PASSPORTS.

We just renewed our daughters US passport and it took 3 weeks from the time we mailed it away. That is something that works in the government at least for now. Good Luck!

They continue to be efficient in this. In the past, they were processed on "need date;" just let them know when you are traveling. I've never waited over 2 weeks for new or renewal.

...This is my first time on this site, and my first Disney Cruise! I guess I just wanted to say hello! I'm not sure what is customary as I am a newbie!

You are expected to lavish us with tales of former vacations, ask us lots of questions about the ship (no matter if you think it has been asked before), look up information for us, and join in the banter.

In the meantime, let us know your first name, cabin # (or GTY status), MAIN (early) or LATE (second) dining, anyone else sailing with you.

Answer questions using mutliple posts and you will get to the required 10 posts (for PMs, etc) more quickly.

Lynne

 

[carpenta]

Hello all!
This is my first time posting -- but I thought I would chime in about what is needed in Tunisia. According to the Dept. of State website, all you need is a valid passport, a visa is not needed.

"ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. For U.S. passport holders, a visa is not necessary for stays of up to four months; however, a residence permit is needed for longer stays."

Since I am a first time poster, I can't post any URLs, but you can find this info and more on travel (dot) state (dot) gov. When you get to the site, click International Travel on the top. Then click on Africa on the map, and select Tunisia.

I hope that helps with any of your questions.

This is my first time on this site, and my first Disney Cruise! I guess I just wanted to say hello! I'm not sure what is customary as I am a newbie!

Welcome Leesh77.and we love the "Big Apple" at Christmas time

 

[Leesh77]

Wow! Thanks for the warm welcome!

Let's see...I am 32, my name is Alicia (hence the nickname/screename I have had my whole life, Leesh)...and I am travelling with a former co-worker/friend (40-ish) who is my go to international travel buddy...(last year we did the ABD trip to South Africa!...which I would HIGHLY RECCO) I am also bringing my Dad (65) and his girlfriend (63).

We are all LATE dining and GTY Category 09. (What is GTY category 09 anyway?)

I have booked all my excursions (for my group), however I am thinking about doing private tours in Naples, Rome, Florence & Nice/Monaco.

I was unable to get Palo reservations, but I have been told by firends who have been on numerous Disney cruises that you can usually get a reservation on the actual boat.

Let's see...oh, and I have been lots of places, as I LOVE to travel. In fact, I recently went to Barcelona, and if you can schedule some extra time there, it will be well worth it.

 

[shushh]

Welcome Leesh77! And Michelle2, glad to hear that you're confirmed on the trip. If you're lonely come look for us, I'll be more than happy to lend you one of my monkeys to entertain you...

 

[shushh]

With regard to Tunisia, my understanding is that if you arrive on a cruise, there is a special arrangement where you disembark without a visa so long as your cruise ship moves on within 48 hours.

Otherwise, the usual visa requirements are:
UK, US and Canadian citizens only need a valid passport to stay for up to 3 months and do not need a visa.

Australians need a valid passport and apply for a visa on arrival for stays up to 2 months.

Maybe linkandclover can verify this with the Tunis consulate. Unfortunately i can't seem to find one anywhere in the asia pac region other than Japan...