K8T
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2007
- Messages
- 1,173
Hi Everyone
Great to see this thread hotting up! Must feel strange for you originals to have lots more joining in after so long. I can't believe you have still kept the secret Mindy!
No problems, plenty of time yet.
No problems, will add you to the bus. I am going to do some looking around this weekend - in between the school Summer Fayre, swimming and tennis lessons!! The last company we used was very professional and efficient, so I am inclined to go with them, it would be around 9 euros each person, I think, but need to confirm it with them. I have put you on the FE list.
Done!
Where have you been!!!!
Yes I started one a couple of days ago. I fully understand that some of you would rather not have the extra worry and extra weight that goes with FE's, which is fine, it should be a holiday and no pressures! Currently it is located on Page 133, but I will move it forward as we progress. Can you 'lift' the information from the page to add to the website, or would you like me to put it into a document and email it?
Great, added
Irene, you are as safe in Europe as anywhere. We cruise the Med every year and are familiar with all the stops (except Tunis and Malta, although OH has been to Malta as a chld). When the ship docks, the taxis are lined up waiting. They do this nearly every day of the week, for all these stops are used constantantly by cruise lines. Some countries the taxi drivers are a bit of a pain and will follow you along as you walk. But get into conversation, have an idea of what you want to pay and stick to it. If they say no, then walk onto the next one. They are not trying to 'do' you, it is just part of the culture in Europe! All the taxis will be registered with the local authorities and they will all do the same sort of tours - they will know inside out what you want to see. They may speak little English and therefore you might not get a 'guided' tour, but with a good book, or download, you will see what you want to. We always do this in port, or do our own thing by getting the train. If you are unsure, take a notebook and write the key names of places you want and then write down a starting price and work from there! There are other boards (cruise critic), where you can get an idea of price for the standard tour from the ship. We have met some lovely drivers and beat the crowds and stayed as long or little as we wanted to, depending on our interest in where we are.
Hi, I was in the same boat
rotfl
as you on our last cruise!, but read some good threads on the main board about FE's, which basically is a pocket organiser, which hangs outside your cabin, on the fish (usually used for notes/mail). It is a sort of secret santa, everyone on the list, brings a small gift/gifts, to put in their Meets FE. I was really worried it would be a lot of hastle and be a nuisance, but actually it was good fun walking around the ship, seeing the different doors and leaving a pressie, our dd is 5 and couldn't wait to get back to the cabin, or get up in the morning to see if anyone had been! I did a couple of drops, one for adults and kids and then one for the kids again (we only had 8 children). FE's varied from homemade, bought, to just a Disney bag hung outside the cabin.
Gifts we had were magnets, pencils, postcards, sweets (relating to the country of the person giving), flags, pirate goodies etc. Nothing too expensive, but some very thoughtful.
Hope this helps.
Kate
P.S. FE HERE!!!! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1991244&page=133 Post 1991
Great to see this thread hotting up! Must feel strange for you originals to have lots more joining in after so long. I can't believe you have still kept the secret Mindy!

Kate,
My DH now says he might want to do the FE, although I don't know if Im really into it. I have no idea how to make an FE and don't know that I have time to make one. I'll let you know.
No problems, plenty of time yet.
Kate - That is super... price is not too bad in my opinion / no longer offering the free breakfast $110 usd. We would like to see about the bus too! Party of 3 maybe 5 bags - we are trying hard for one each and maybe one extra bag for the trip home..
I am in on the FE too......
No problems, will add you to the bus. I am going to do some looking around this weekend - in between the school Summer Fayre, swimming and tennis lessons!! The last company we used was very professional and efficient, so I am inclined to go with them, it would be around 9 euros each person, I think, but need to confirm it with them. I have put you on the FE list.
Please add us the the FE list
GratefulDad
Room 7578
Mike
Christine
Sara 9
Ryan 7
Done!
I am getting so excited guys...I can barely workI find myself drifting away to the Med somewhere. It's almost a month. I have only been planning this for a few months and I am getting so antsy, Mindy and Lori I can not even imagine how itchy you are lol!
Irene- you have a PM
MacG- No problem!
Amy- you have a PM
K8T-your in too!
Is there an FE going on? If whoever is organizing it wants to send me a list I can add a page to the site so it all stays easily accessible and organized. Just let me know.
Where have you been!!!!

Cabin 2022
Lisa (mom)
DD Sage (11)
We are at Le Meridien pre and post cruise
Lisa
Great, added
I am trying to access the excursion possibility that is planned in port. Is it possible to just walk out to taxis and hire one for the day? Has anyone done this? Is it safe? Especially with kids? How cost effective is it compating to hiring a rpivate driver in advance? I am thinking about doing it in all ports if possible.
One of the reasons I want to keep it flexible is because we have the freedom to choose to do what we want when we want. Another: trying to save some money. the cost of 500 for 5 is steep if we do it in several ports.
I really need some guidance.
Thanks, Irene
Irene, you are as safe in Europe as anywhere. We cruise the Med every year and are familiar with all the stops (except Tunis and Malta, although OH has been to Malta as a chld). When the ship docks, the taxis are lined up waiting. They do this nearly every day of the week, for all these stops are used constantantly by cruise lines. Some countries the taxi drivers are a bit of a pain and will follow you along as you walk. But get into conversation, have an idea of what you want to pay and stick to it. If they say no, then walk onto the next one. They are not trying to 'do' you, it is just part of the culture in Europe! All the taxis will be registered with the local authorities and they will all do the same sort of tours - they will know inside out what you want to see. They may speak little English and therefore you might not get a 'guided' tour, but with a good book, or download, you will see what you want to. We always do this in port, or do our own thing by getting the train. If you are unsure, take a notebook and write the key names of places you want and then write down a starting price and work from there! There are other boards (cruise critic), where you can get an idea of price for the standard tour from the ship. We have met some lovely drivers and beat the crowds and stayed as long or little as we wanted to, depending on our interest in where we are.
Okay so this is my first cruise and I am a little confused as to what a FE requires. What do we have to do and all that?
I have been super busy here and have been unable to be on the site for a few weeks so I am just now getting the chance to catch up. I hope I didn’t miss too much.
Hi, I was in the same boat


Gifts we had were magnets, pencils, postcards, sweets (relating to the country of the person giving), flags, pirate goodies etc. Nothing too expensive, but some very thoughtful.
Hope this helps.
Kate
P.S. FE HERE!!!! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1991244&page=133 Post 1991