7/13/13 ~~ Eastern Mediterranean Mouseketeers!

[MrsG]

Yes, that's me. I had read several places that we wouldn't be charged, but then different things/ posts made me question it. Even my reply from Disney didn't clear it up. I was happy to hear the first cruise was not charged,

So ridiculous that Disney just can't make it clear. Even though it is not a ton of money, it certainly is nice not to have to pay it, especially when you add up all the VAT on your receipts. The last Med cruise we accumulated the receipts and redeemed them after searching out the booth in the Barcelona airport for 27Euros!!!LOL That was just a fraction of VAT that we actually paid, but it was on principal. Disney was great and gave us a list of the Vat paid on the ship, but it was still a pain in the neck.

 

[tajz90]

Leaning Tower tickets are available today. Just purchased 4.

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

Thanks Beth! Any way we can convince you to join us last minute?

I wish. Can't wait to read all about it when you return. We're already saving money to do it in 2015 if DCL offers it up again!!!

Beth

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Starting to feel more confident that we won't be charged VAT on our cruise after hearing the latest news! Fingers crossed. I agree, its not like its the hugest amount but its the principle. I hate feeling ripped off and as a tourist already coming over with a weaker currency that hurts bad enough, but to be subjected to such a high tax on top of that, is hard to swallow.

 

[happy_momma]

I've confirmed a small tour for my family for Turkey, so am about to cancel the DCL tour that I booked. This was for the Ephesus/Waterpark excursion, for 4 people. I remember seeing on here that someone had tried for it (I don't remember who), but it was sold out. 4 spots are about to open up if you are still interested!

 

[ky71]

Thanks HappyMomma, that was me who tried for that port excursion but I needed 9 places! We ended up taking the DCL mini bus option for $485ish and we will still go to the ruins and waterpark, just at our own pace.

We also got our Pisa tickets this morning for 9.30am for 9px -YAY!

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Is anyone else visiting the beach in Malta, and if so which beach? We are doing the 10:30 Playmobil Factory tour first, and that will be over around 11:15, so we were thinking of a nice lunch and some beach time after that. I'm just not sure which beach. The closest one to Playmobil is called Pretty Bay, and its one of Malta's few sandy beaches, and looks great- except that it faces a nasty industrial port so its not the best view. The other beaches closest to Valletta (ie- St. Julian's, Sliema) are rocky. Anyone have any plans for the beach?

 

[tajz90]

I need ideas. Going to climb the Leaning tower and then I have the rest of the day free. What should I do?

 

[Eleblanc]

I was feeling totally stressed about my FE, flip flopping about with ideas and then stumbled across something yesterday. So, I made the first one today with my skeptical daughter watching and giving her input the whole time, giving me no confident it would turn out okay. Then viola, the first sample was done and she was impressed! Total excitement and encouragement till she asked me "How are you going to duplicate that 24 more times now?"

Guess I know where my free time will be going these last few weeks.

 

[Hanover]

Good news-DS12 will have his cast cut off before the cruise! He saw a hand/wrist specialist tonight and had more x-rays. They showed his bones are already healing very well and no need at all for surgery! We are beyond relieved that he'll get the cast cut off and can swim, go to the water park, etc. He might still be in a splint, but at least he can remove it for swimming and so on.

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

Hanover - that is absolutely fantastic news.

 

[MrsG]

Good news-DS12 will have his cast cut off before the cruise! He saw a hand/wrist specialist tonight and had more x-rays. They showed his bones are already healing very well and no need at all for surgery! We are beyond relieved that he'll get the cast cut off and can swim, go to the water park, etc. He might still be in a splint, but at least he can remove it for swimming and so on.

That is great news!!!!!!

 

[WDW Princess 71]

More good news- I just received confirmation from my travel agent that we will NOT be charged VAT on our cruise! This comes directly from her friends who were on the first Greece/Turkey cruise that concluded today. A few others on the main forum had mentioned no VAT also but I'm glad to hear it from my trusted agent first hand. What a nice break for us!!

 

[LovesToRun]

Good news-DS12 will have his cast cut off before the cruise! He saw a hand/wrist specialist tonight and had more x-rays. They showed his bones are already healing very well and no need at all for surgery! We are beyond relieved that he'll get the cast cut off and can swim, go to the water park, etc. He might still be in a splint, but at least he can remove it for swimming and so on.

Oh, such GREAT news!!!! YAY!! I'm so glad it all has turned out this way.

More good news- I just received confirmation from my travel agent that we will NOT be charged VAT on our cruise! This comes directly from her friends who were on the first Greece/Turkey cruise that concluded today. A few others on the main forum had mentioned no VAT also but I'm glad to hear it from my trusted agent first hand. What a nice break for us!!

And, more great news!! I love good news posts!! I'm so happy we don't have to deal with the VAT tax on the ship! Thanks for looking into this.

 

[bellelinus]

Hi guys, I got the following info from Amex travel this morning (it doesn't affect my dates of travel but might for some of you):

Spanish baggage handlers have announced plans to strike at eight airports between June 28 and July 15. Unless the strike is averted, travelers could see significant disruptions on days when strikes occur. The union representing the baggage handlers has issued some provisional dates, but spontaneous strike actions are also possible.

The following airports will be affected during the provisional strikes:

Alicante Airport (ALC): 1400-1800 June 29; July 2, 6, 9, 13
Almeria Airport (LEI): June 27; July 5, 12 (24 hours)
Barcelona El Prat (BCN): June 28-30; July 1, 8, 15 (24 hours)
Fuerteventura Airport (FUE): July 1, 8, 15 (24 hours)
Jerez Airport (XRY): June 28, July 12 (24 hours)
Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD): June 28, July 5, 12 (24 hours)
Malaga Airport (AGP): 0900-1200, 1800-2000 June 29-30; July 1, 8, 15
Valencia Airport (VLC): 1300-1700 July 2, 4, 9, 11

We recommend that you check the status of your flight prior to leaving for the airport during the strike dates. Also, allow extra time to retrieve luggage at the end of your flight.

 

[bellelinus]

More good news- I just received confirmation from my travel agent that we will NOT be charged VAT on our cruise! This comes directly from her friends who were on the first Greece/Turkey cruise that concluded today. A few others on the main forum had mentioned no VAT also but I'm glad to hear it from my trusted agent first hand. What a nice break for us!!

 

[slg]

Oh no! How horrible! I leave from Paris to Barcelona on July 10.

Will flights be cancelled?

 

[tajz90]

Hi guys, I got the following info from Amex travel this morning (it doesn't affect my dates of travel but might for some of you):

Spanish baggage handlers have announced plans to strike at eight airports between June 28 and July 15. Unless the strike is averted, travelers could see significant disruptions on days when strikes occur. The union representing the baggage handlers has issued some provisional dates, but spontaneous strike actions are also possible.

The following airports will be affected during the provisional strikes:

Alicante Airport (ALC): 1400-1800 June 29; July 2, 6, 9, 13
Almeria Airport (LEI): June 27; July 5, 12 (24 hours)
Barcelona El Prat (BCN): June 28-30; July 1, 8, 15 (24 hours)
Fuerteventura Airport (FUE): July 1, 8, 15 (24 hours)
Jerez Airport (XRY): June 28, July 12 (24 hours)
Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD): June 28, July 5, 12 (24 hours)
Malaga Airport (AGP): 0900-1200, 1800-2000 June 29-30; July 1, 8, 15
Valencia Airport (VLC): 1300-1700 July 2, 4, 9, 11

We recommend that you check the status of your flight prior to leaving for the airport during the strike dates. Also, allow extra time to retrieve luggage at the end of your flight.

Oh no! How horrible! I leave from Paris to Barcelona on July 10.

Will flights be cancelled?

Would flights be affected as well or just luggage?

 

[tajz90]

Our Leaning Tower tickets need some sort of identification to claim. I chose passport, but was wondering if a photocopy of passport would suffice. Does anyone know that answer?

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Oh no! How horrible! I leave from Paris to Barcelona on July 10.

Will flights be cancelled?

We are flying into Barcelona on the 11th, but according to those dates identified, the 10th & 11th shouldn't be affected. Hopefully it will stay that way!