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

[grlzmom]

Hi Everyone, We are getting excited now, we will be cruising with you guys as well, this is our first Cruise....we live in Canada. We have been to Disney Land and Disney World, so are taking the next step.....cruising...my DH (42) myself (38) DS (12) & DD (7) can't wait. My DH found this site last night and have been booked since Oct 2009, we got in on the kids sail free.

Well I just wanted to say Hi everyone and we will see you soon...=)

Welcome! Congratulations on your first cruise and hope you love it!

 

[Michelle2]

Keep forgetting to ask the board here,

On the Transatlantic, Stephanie is the keeper of the write on/wipe off board for DIS cruisers. Just a board centrally located where messages and updates are left, changes, etc. Anything somebody else might want to know.

We don't have much group activity planned on this cruise but it might still be helpful if she would keep it for the MED.

Comes in handy if you forgot or need something someone else might have, i.e, need to borrow a certain type of battery charger or luggage scale or group brunch reminder or whatever

So hoping Stephanie is going to volunteer to keep up with it for the MED if we might use it.

I am sure she will since she will already have it for the TA.

Julie, I totally forgot to add my info for the rollcall on page one. It will be myself and my DS(17) We will both be in the TA coming over! So excited!

 

[tina95]

If there are any changes will it be posted on this board?

We also will be leaving tomorrow, but not to the TA cruise. We will be doing a 7 night RC cruise in the Greek islands and then spending the following week in Venice and Barcelona, meeting up with you all on Friday night at the fountain!

Has anyone rented a sat phone or European cellphone? Or should I just plan on using the pay phone, cell on ship, and internet for email. Only my son and I will be on this Western Civ. field trip! So dad if want to know we are alive!

 

[grlzmom]

I am sure she will since she will already have it for the TA.

Julie, I totally forgot to add my info for the rollcall on page one. It will be myself and my DS(17) We will both be in the TA coming over! So excited!

Are you all packed and ready? Still wishing you were flying in earlier on Friday!

 

[mrosen]

If there are any changes will it be posted on this board?

We also will be leaving tomorrow, but not to the TA cruise. We will be doing a 7 night RC cruise in the Greek islands and then spending the following week in Venice and Barcelona, meeting up with you all on Friday night at the fountain!

Has anyone rented a sat phone or European cellphone? Or should I just plan on using the pay phone, cell on ship, and internet for email. Only my son and I will be on this Western Civ. field trip! So dad if want to know we are alive!

I planned to use my cell phone. I can get and place international calls (have AT&T and will call them just before we go to confirm my service is setup for international calling, don't think that is the default). I will be adding a global data plan (AT&T has a few options) as it will be more cost effective. I don't plan to use my phone on the cruise ship at all (exception would be a real emergency), only when in ports and in Spain. I have done this before when traveling out of the country and adding the global data plan for me has been cost effective. I can send/receive email on my phone. Last year when I went to India and China in October, AT&T validated for me my data usage history few months leading up to my trip since in the US my plan is unlimited data so I wasn't sure what my typical usage per month has been so it made it easy for me to figure out the best option for what global data plan to buy. I didn't have any trouble. When I was in Caribbean for a vacation early Nov, I did have in a few spots on the island where cell connectivity was a problem and could get no data but it was for short periods of time and assume it may have been tied to where the cell towers are for roaming that get picked up. I rarely used my cell for placing phone calls when traveling abroad so my costs in the past here have been pretty low given my usage experience, but relied on my phone for data access for email. Any family members who wanted to know how I was doing got email from me during these trips. I was expecting a similar approach for this trip but my husband and kids are with me so less of a need for me to make phone calls.

I have not really had a big need to pursue these international cell phones that I know others have gotten when traveling abroad. Not sure what others are doing. From what I read, using a cell phone or internet access is expensive on cruise ships.

 

[skoi]

Welcome aboard auntshell.


Roll call is sort of updated.

Just picked up some phrase books but haven't looked at them yet. I'm still working on my Arabic presentation for tonight.

Julie

 

[WebmasterPete]

Hi everyone,

Just want to let you all know that we're confirmed for our reception on May 1st (2nd sea day) at 2pm. I'm still waiting to hear back on the location (I'm almost positive it will be Rockin' Bar D, but not positive). Right now we have 61 people signed up (44 adults, 17 kids). I'll be sending an email to everyone in the next few days to confirm that I received your RSVP. We'll be serving light snacks and a cash bar will be available as well.

If you haven't sent in your RSVP yet, please email me at pete@wdwinfo.com and let me know how many are in your party.

Can't believe this cruise is only 17 days away!!!

Look forward to meeting all of you on board!

Pete

 

[NC_Tink]

Hi everyone,

Just want to let you all know that we're confirmed for our reception on May 1st (2nd sea day) at 2pm. I'm still waiting to hear back on the location (I'm almost positive it will be Rockin' Bar D, but not positive). Right now we have 61 people signed up (44 adults, 17 kids). I'll be sending an email to everyone in the next few days to confirm that I received your RSVP. We'll be serving light snacks and a cash bar will be available as well.

If you haven't sent in your RSVP yet, please email me at pete@wdwinfo.com and let me know how many are in your party.

Can't believe this cruise is only 17 days away!!!

Look forward to meeting all of you on board!

Pete

Thanks Pete!

 

[Happy Goofy]

Thanks for arranging this for us . Looking forward to it.

 

[Becx N Gav]

Hi everyone,

Just want to let you all know that we're confirmed for our reception on May 1st (2nd sea day) at 2pm. I'm still waiting to hear back on the location (I'm almost positive it will be Rockin' Bar D, but not positive). Right now we have 61 people signed up (44 adults, 17 kids). I'll be sending an email to everyone in the next few days to confirm that I received your RSVP. We'll be serving light snacks and a cash bar will be available as well.

If you haven't sent in your RSVP yet, please email me at pete@wdwinfo.com and let me know how many are in your party.

Can't believe this cruise is only 17 days away!!!

Look forward to meeting all of you on board!

Pete

Can't wait

 

[carpenta]

Just looked at my account and we got 2 credits from DCL. Each one was 27.64 and they both posted yesterday.

No idea what they are but happy to get money back

It could be just a difference in the exchange rate. I know when we booked the Euro was $1.46 to the U.S. and now it is $1.33 to the U.S. dollar. Maybe the difference in a charge. Like you say but that does tend to put a smile on your face.

 

[linkandclover]

I planned to use my cell phone. I can get and place international calls (have AT&T and will call them just before we go to confirm my service is setup for international calling, don't think that is the default). I will be adding a global data plan (AT&T has a few options) as it will be more cost effective. I don't plan to use my phone on the cruise ship at all (exception would be a real emergency), only when in ports and in Spain. I have done this before when traveling out of the country and adding the global data plan for me has been cost effective. I can send/receive email on my phone. Last year when I went to India and China in October, AT&T validated for me my data usage history few months leading up to my trip since in the US my plan is unlimited data so I wasn't sure what my typical usage per month has been so it made it easy for me to figure out the best option for what global data plan to buy. I didn't have any trouble. When I was in Caribbean for a vacation early Nov, I did have in a few spots on the island where cell connectivity was a problem and could get no data but it was for short periods of time and assume it may have been tied to where the cell towers are for roaming that get picked up. I rarely used my cell for placing phone calls when traveling abroad so my costs in the past here have been pretty low given my usage experience, but relied on my phone for data access for email. Any family members who wanted to know how I was doing got email from me during these trips. I was expecting a similar approach for this trip but my husband and kids are with me so less of a need for me to make phone calls.

I have not really had a big need to pursue these international cell phones that I know others have gotten when traveling abroad. Not sure what others are doing. From what I read, using a cell phone or internet access is expensive on cruise ships.

I am going to do what you are as well. I need people to be able to reach mr from work. The cost for at&t on the disney ship last time was 3.00 a minute (yikes). I hope it has changed but doubt it.

 

[Lyrah]

Hi all,
Can someone please tell me what time the meet is at the fountain in Barcelona?
Well, I'm pulling out the suitcases this weekend. I'll start filling them as laundry gets done during the week. Still waiting on a few things we need for the trip to arrive in the mail. Our mail has been taking 3 weeks to get here!!!I would give just about anything to be able to go to a mall!!(No shopping on this island). My girls are as happy about getting to eat McDonalds during our layover in Lisbon, as they are about taking the cruise(no fast food here either). And I myself am pretty excited that I get to have a Starbucks coffee in Barcelona. It's been waaaaayy too long.

Welcome to all the new cruisers!!

 

[auntshell]

PLANNED ACTIVITIES and EVENTS

dis meet onboard: Promenade Lounge 3:00 PM embarkation day
dis meet Barcelona: Friday April 23, Montjuic Fountains for the 7:00 PM show


I found this on the 1st page...not sure if it's the same now....=) it's getting closer...have a great day
ps I'm new to this DIS....learning as I go...=)

 

[auntlynne]

Welcome & Thanks, Auntshell

Now I know when to schedule my trip to the fountains.

I just printed your name tags - will give them to you (with the lanyards) at 3:000 in the Promenade Lounge on April 24.

 

[mrosen]

Hi everyone,

Just want to let you all know that we're confirmed for our reception on May 1st (2nd sea day) at 2pm. I'm still waiting to hear back on the location (I'm almost positive it will be Rockin' Bar D, but not positive). Right now we have 61 people signed up (44 adults, 17 kids). I'll be sending an email to everyone in the next few days to confirm that I received your RSVP. We'll be serving light snacks and a cash bar will be available as well.

If you haven't sent in your RSVP yet, please email me at pete@wdwinfo.com and let me know how many are in your party.

Can't believe this cruise is only 17 days away!!!

Look forward to meeting all of you on board!

Pete

Thanks Pete!!!

 

[mrosen]

I am going to do what you are as well. I need people to be able to reach mr from work. The cost for at&t on the disney ship last time was 3.00 a minute (yikes). I hope it has changed but doubt it.

Yikes is right if the charge is $3.00 a minute. Need to hope the calls are short if required on the ship.

 

[cam71099]

Hi everyone,

Just want to let you all know that we're confirmed for our reception on May 1st (2nd sea day) at 2pm. I'm still waiting to hear back on the location (I'm almost positive it will be Rockin' Bar D, but not positive). Right now we have 61 people signed up (44 adults, 17 kids). I'll be sending an email to everyone in the next few days to confirm that I received your RSVP. We'll be serving light snacks and a cash bar will be available as well.

If you haven't sent in your RSVP yet, please email me at pete@wdwinfo.com and let me know how many are in your party.

Can't believe this cruise is only 17 days away!!!

Look forward to meeting all of you on board!

Pete

I am sorry, may I ask exactly what this is? Thanks so much!

 

[auntlynne]

I am sorry, may I ask exactly what this is? Thanks so much!

Hey Everyone,

I'm ready to start officially planning a 'DIS reception" on this cruise. I'm thinking about doing it on our 2nd sea day (May 1st) in the afternoon (2pm-ish time frame). I need to get a good head count of how many people would like to attend. We'll serve hot & cold Hors D Oeuvres and have a nice get together If you're interested in attending, please send me an email to pete@wdwinfo.com and let me know how many you'll have with you so I can get an accurate head count.

Thanks,
Pete

Not a silly question at all. Everyone is welcome!

Pete

Hi everyone,

Just want to let you all know that we're confirmed for our reception on May 1st (2nd sea day) at 2pm. I'm still waiting to hear back on the location (I'm almost positive it will be Rockin' Bar D, but not positive). Right now we have 61 people signed up (44 adults, 17 kids). I'll be sending an email to everyone in the next few days to confirm that I received your RSVP. We'll be serving light snacks and a cash bar will be available as well.

If you haven't sent in your RSVP yet, please email me at pete@wdwinfo.com and let me know how many are in your party.

Can't believe this cruise is only 17 days away!!!

Look forward to meeting all of you on board!

Pete

Did I understand your question?

This is different from our Meet & Greet on Sea Day - which is more like a drive-by shooting. At the Meet & Greet, you won't have a lot of time to get to know people - it's more of hi, I'm _____, oh that's the name & face to go with the user name, and here's your lanyard - now go to your cabin and get your life jacket for the 4:00 life boat drill. It really won't be that rushed, but there's a lot of that awkwardness (and anxiousness to see the ship already).

The DIS reception can be leisurely, you're getting used to being onboard, so mingle and get further acquainted. And there will be food - we won't be eating at the Meet & Greet.

 

[auntlynne]

How are tipping our tour guides in Tunisia? Dinars (Tunisian currency), dollars, euros?

Not having a lot of luck during quick search of internet. I know someone has addressed this issue somewhere out there.