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

[mrosen]

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...

Seeing this and some other posts on visas. I thought that we only needed passports, no visas for this trip for US citizens. Anyone know of something different? Just wanted to validate I didn't miss something in my research for this trip.

 

[mrosen]

Let me also extend welcome to the new cruisers!

 

[mrosen]

Hi everyone,

Just found out that my partner and I will be on this cruise. We'll actually be covering it for the site - so it's kind of a 'working cruise' for us, but somehow we'll muddle thru The timing is great on this as my partner, Walter, is turning 50 just before we leave. He better remember this when my 50th rolls around

If enough people are interested, I'd be interested in throwing a party on the ship for all the DIS'ers and their friends who'll be joining us. If it's something you'd be interested in, just post here so I can get an idea of how many will join us and we'll set it up.

Look forward to meeting some of you in Europe!!

Pete

Pete - we too would be interested in a DISer party. We're a family of 4 - depending on when this is, we would be in if timing works!

 

[auntlynne]

...My travel party consists of myself and DH (2). ...

A 2-year old husband; man, you really did steal from the cradle.

...By the way I lost track in the thread: "What happened with fish extenders?"

Those who have said anything have stated a preference for no FE, due to this being a port-intensive cruise and having to get things home.

HOWEVER, if there are any who would like to do FE, let me know and I will organize. You will only have 72 days to get ready, but I didn't join the DISboard for my first cruise until closer than that and was able to manage.

At this time, it would probably be a manageable size (on that cruise, we had 4 groups of 12 cabins each); therefore, not so much to take or bring back in the suitcase. If a bunch sign up, I would just suggest making groups to keep it easy.

My FE goes with me on the trip, anyway. I like seeing it hanging outside the cabin when I come down the hall.

I've also already gotten something to give (when I was at DL last month). FE or not, here it comes.

 

[shushh]

I couldn't resist, I got something small for our then tiny group and was going to give them out regardless as well! So Lynne, count me in for FE.

 

[shushh]

Seeing this and some other posts on visas. I thought that we only needed passports, no visas for this trip for US citizens. Anyone know of something different? Just wanted to validate I didn't miss something in my research for this trip.

That's what I've been able to find out myself. If you're a US citizen, you don't need visas.

I asked DU to check with Disney re: entry via cruise ship. I told them that We were Australian citizens. Their reply was not to worry and that DCL will take care of all necessary documentation...whatever that means! I couldn't get any specifics.

 

[linkandclover]

Since we are celebrating my son's Bar Mitzvah the month before we leave, I expect we will have something left over that will work (this would be my first time doing this so I am not sure what people normally give but I know there is a thread out there), So add me and my family to the list.

 

[Happy Goofy]

welcome Michelle2. Our little BTB group is growing.
We will be willing to do the FE if it is not as big as the TA.
We got our flight from Disney today. I guess a lot of us will be on the 11:20 flight to JFK. Then it is JFK to Orlando. It is going to be a long long day

 

[grlzmom]

At this time, it would probably be a manageable size (on that cruise, we had 4 groups of 12 cabins each); therefore, not so much to take or bring back in the suitcase. If a bunch sign up, I would just suggest making groups to keep it easy.

My FE goes with me on the trip, anyway. I like seeing it hanging outside the cabin when I come down the hall.

I've also already gotten something to give (when I was at DL last month). FE or not, here it comes.

I was planning on keeping my FEs hanging anyways, so count us in unless it ends up being one huge group. Small is good

Lynne, did I send you my lanyard info for the TA? Too many cruises coming up and I can't keep myself straight

 

[Becx N Gav]

On the booklet we just received from Disney they recommended the latest arrival flight of 2:45pm. It was mentioned earlier in the thread, I think the ship doesn't leave until 9 or 10pm?

Disney recommends that the latest you arrive in Barcelona is 2:45pm. We have a flight leaving Heathrow at 9:20 that arrives BCN at 12:20. From what I have learned is that you should check in by 4pm (16:00) at the port. However, if you're later than that - you can still check-in, you'll just have to do it at guest services on the ship. The ship does not leave port until later that night.

Hi there, thanks so much for this - I was in a bit of a tizzy last night - rushing to price things up and see if we could do this.

Good news DH and I can both take the vacation time off work and we're booking tonight I've been trying to read the rest of the thread today at work and will hopefully be caught up by the weekend. I can't believe we're doing this but circumstances allowed and we're ready to board
We've done one cruise so far - the Podcast Cruise last May - so we kind of know what to expect. I'm excited to be able to see so many places I've never been to, I've only done northern France and Malaga in Spain. I hope to get to meet up with everyone - esp. if Pete is throwing us a party

Anyway, back to work! Look forward to getting to know all of you a little better over the next 10 weeks - almost time to start packing

 

[Leesh77]

Pardon the newbie questions. ..but I don't get all of these initials...
FE?
TA?

 

[Leesh77]

Pardon the newbie questions
But what do all of the initials mean?
FE?
TA?

Also -- sometimes I post things, and they don't actually post. Is this another newbie error, or does this happen to anyone else?

Leesh77

ARGH. See, now it is posted twice. Am I doing something wrong?
I can't delete a post, can I?
So sorry for the duplicate!

 

[brannose]

: Brannose

I wanted to get some more info. about the tours you guys have booked. My travel party consists of myself and DH (2). I am just too overwhelmed to research but would appreciate exploring the tours you've booked. Totally out of my comfort zone as I have never been to Europe so thanks to ALL who are doing the work and sharing.

If you will email me at brannose?yahoo.com, I'll be glad to give you the info.

Change the ? to @. I don't have enough posts to be able to embed an email address. Thanks.

 

[linkandclover]

Pardon the newbie questions
But what do all of the initials mean?
FE?
TA?

FE is fish extender which is a wall hanging that has pockets in it for people to put small gifts in. The link to more information is:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2068966

(I hope I did that right. It lists many common abbreviations)

TA I think means transatlantic.

Please correct me if I'm wrong

 

[NC_Tink]

Pardon the newbie questions. ..but I don't get all of these initials...
FE?
TA?

FE = Fish Extenders
TA = Trans Atlantic or Travel Agent depending on how it's being used in the sentence

Fish Extenders are the name of a holder that is hung from a metal fish outside of your stateroom door. Many DISers and other groups use the Fish Extenders to exchange gifts, notes, etc during the cruise.

Here are some links re: Fish Extenders Fish Extender basics Fish Extender Info and lastly...How to make a no sew FE

 

[uwo93]

Now glad that we are flying in a day early

Sant Jordi (Saint George) is for many the most beautiful festival in Barcelona. The date of Sant Jordi, the patron of Catalonia, is also known as the "Day of the book", then on that day in the year 1616 is the most important poets of Spain, Cervantes died , and Shakespeare was born in a 23rd April.

The tradition wants that the man gives the woman a rose and the woman gives the man a book. Couples (and not just married couples) of all ages stroll through the streets, with a rose in her hand or a book under the arm. It is a beautiful picture, millions of red roses. The Palace of the generals is a popular destination on this day, where each year an exhibition of roses is presented. (from http://www.barcelona.de/en/barcelona-festivities-holidays.html)

and more

Every April 23 the streets of Barcelona fill with red roses and Shakespeare as the proud Catalans celebrate the feast of their patron, Sant Jordi. Why does the Mediterranean city that inspired Picasso and the famed Spanish architect Gaudi overflow with flowers and books? When spring is at its full power, the Barcelonans and visitors head outside to celebrate a cultural festival that merges a noble dragonslayer with the deaths of two literary lions. The day also offers a potpourri of bookish events and the chance to dance like a Catalan. (from http://www.travelclassics.com/library/spain_barcelona.shtml)

and lastly

Bienvenidos, young lovers, wherever you are! Take your amor to Spain’s Barcelona during the month of April to celebrate La Diada de Sant Jordi! Saint George or Sant Jordi in Catalan, was a romantic and chivalrous guy at heart who inspired Barcelona in seeing this day as the most giddy and amorous day of the year. He also happens to be the patron saint of the six million inhabitants of Catalonia.

Known as "The Day of Lovers," La Diada de Sant Jordi is often compared to Valentine's Day, but with some uniquely Latin twists. The main event is the exchange of gifts between sweethearts -- men give their novias roses, and women give their novios a book to celebrate the occasion. Due to popular legends about Barcelona, roses have always been associated with this day since medieval times. However, the giving of books as a gift is a more recent marketing twist prominent of our times. (from http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/fiestas/ladiada.asp)

 

[carpenta]

uwo93, Thanks for the info on St. Jorgi and really adds to the trip. We were in Venice last spring at the conclusion of a cruise and stayed for the Feast of St. Mark and had a wonderful time sharing the celebration. Looking foward to Barcelona. We love traveling to Toronto (for wife's work) and your city is always a great time.

 

[skoi]

Who is new, and who isn't on roll call who wants to be included?

Please PM me whatever info you want included for your group so I can update.
Thanks.

And did we decide something about lanyards that I missed?

St. George/ St.Jordi is oldest ds's name saint, so we always have a little celebration that day. Much better to have it in one of the places where George is a patron.

Leaving in 23 days for Morocco!

Julie

 

[auntlynne]

Here's the scoop on lanyards:

I'm ordering lanyards for everyone in our group. My gift to you. I'll make name tags to go in the badge holder.

Disney Cruise Line gives all returning cruisers (Castaway Club, or CC) a lanyard based on their status - silver (1-4 DCL cruises), gold (5-9) or platinum (10+).

However, DISboard groups often/usually have an identifying lanyard + name tag for recognition by other members (since we don't know each others' faces, yet). This is especially helpful with this port-intensive cruise, as we won't have the opportunity for as many on-board group activities.

I am working (feverishly) to get the right design (for the name tags) to go with the logo (and my little FE gift).

Below is the sample name tags and lanyards among which I am trying to decide:

I'm leaning toward this name tag (4" x 3" in real life) - I think I need to change the coloring on "LEND ME YOUR EARS":

and the white lanyard; it's polyester with silk-screened letters. Don't know if they will let us do the Mickey Mouse, but I'll try.

Right now the lanyard company (Kenny Products, which is the supplier for many DISboard cruise lanyards) is having a nice sale; so I want to get my order in before it ends.

Here's an example of what a previous cruise lanyard looks like:

 

[auntlynne]

Who is new, and who isn't on roll call who wants to be included?

Please PM me whatever info you want included for your group so I can update.
Thanks....

Welcome, Newbies (and DISers who are new to this cruise thread)!

While you are working on getting that 10 post requirement for Private Messaging (PM), please post any of the following information that you would like the rest of us to know:

Real first name(s) of cruisers (and ages, if you want)
Hometown
Cabin # (or guaranty - GTY - status)
Main (early) or Late (second) dining

I am the keeper of the external website (see the http: address in my signature box "siggie" below). It contains information for both the Eastbound Transatlantic (EB TA) and this, the first Med cruise, to cover BTB/ B2B (Back to back) cruisers. You might notice it is EB TA heavy; that cruise has 8 days at sea, lots of time for DISboard members to interact.

I will cull information from the posts to put on the website; no need to PM or email me (unless you don't want it posted here).