August 18, 2010...Can't wait for the MAGICal Mediterranean!!!

[K8T]

I'd look up the law... EC whatever it it. Kate, any input? The way I read this and interpret is that strikes are within an airline's control. Knowing our rights would be great...

And of course they were less than helpful! Remember when it was fun to fly?

As Vicky says, the airlines should provide you with vouchers for food and if the delay is more than ....hours (not sure how long), accommodation. However, the budget lines may not. There was some controversy after the Ash problem, when good travel companies gave compensation and they paid for anyone being out of pocket, i.e. Thomas Cook, Thompson, most of the larger airlines. Easy Jet, Ryan Air and I don't know about Monarch, said that their pricing was such that offering compensation was not reflected in that price. Some companies will exclude strike action and now Ash (which is an ongoing situation), unless you specifically request it, so check your policies. I am not sure if someone was going to 'test' Easy Jet's stance on this.

The good thing is, you should be OK.

I spent the past few days dealing with getting a few Euros prior to going (thinking that it would be my luck that every ATM would be broken or eat my card) and what a pain in the neck! If you're not a member of the bank...forget it! I looked at doing AMEx offices, but there aren't any nearby. In addition, most of the banks I called said that you also had to put in an order! That could take between 7-10 business days to be delivered! I ended up calling my dad to order them for me down in CA (as he banks at a bank that will do the exchange), so that they'd be delivered in time!

Is it that hard in Europe to get dollars prior to coming over here?

kim

No, we just go to a travel agent, bank or the Post Office and ask for them. If it is unusual currency, then they have to order it, but Euros and Dollars are easy. I am lucky OH has a load of euros in the safe at work - we just rifle them! I have a card that I load with euros when the rate is good and use it when I am away.

Did Wk7D2 today, did some running on the road this time, which was different (I usually run around a large lake), I got a great free App. Runkeeper, works on GPS, tells me my speed, route etc. I did 5.78 KM taking 46 mins, which included my 5 mins warm up and down.

Have a good day

Kate

 

[mindelmouse]

Too true! What did every one do today as preparation for the cruise? I did the online mail hold request, called banks/credit cards for notification, the Disney Rewards Card arrived today, so it led me to clean out my wallet and purse, and (most importantly) got my hair done!!
almost there!
kim

I didn't do anything for the cruise yesterday...however, what are you notifying your banks about??

 

[jel0511]

I didn't do anything for the cruise yesterday...however, what are you notifying your banks about??

I haven't called anyone yet. Mindy it's to notify them you'll be out of the country if you plan on using your ATM card or credit card. I know my banks will shut down my cards if I use them somewhere I haven't before thinking they're stolen. Even if you don't plan on using them, it's good to notify them just in case you end up using them. We're not bringing much cash with us on the plane, just a few euros to have money for when we land, so we don't have to pay those high exchange rates the airport places seem to charge.

 

[SettinSail]

Yesterday, I also called bank and CC company. I only asked for authorization in Spain, France & Italy. My bank says they do not allow debit purchases in Spain due to high fraud there but the card can still be used in an ATM there.

Had son write down clothes for each day/event so I can have him mentally packed as well. We made it through Day 5 so far.

Also bought a small white noise machine to use in the room - we can have ocean noise even in our inside cabin

And, attempted to buy Coliseum tickets online...got to the very end of purchase and needed my "verified by Visa" password which I could not remember. Needed hubby's ss# to reset it so I'll try that again later...

Today is hair appt and I also bought a cute cocktail dress on Tuesday.

Our high is 100 today with a heat index of 105 so I am taking a day off from exercise. Kate, great news that the cast is off ! Hope the last few days of camp are event free!!

Shawn

 

[jel0511]

Did Wk7D2 today, did some running on the road this time, which was different (I usually run around a large lake), I got a great free App. Runkeeper, works on GPS, tells me my speed, route etc. I did 5.78 KM taking 46 mins, which included my 5 mins warm up and down.

Have a good day

Kate

GREAT Kate!!! I also have that app and yesterday in 45 min I did 2.5 mi, which I believe is about a bit over 4km, so you're MUCH faster than me!!!!!!!

 

[K8T]

GREAT Kate!!! I also have that app and yesterday in 45 min I did 2.5 mi, which I believe is about a bit over 4km, so you're MUCH faster than me!!!!!!!

Not sure about that - There was a huge stretch going down the hill - Luckily the run is such that I didn't really have to go back up it again!

Shawn, I wouldn't attempt to run in that heat! Today was cold and windy, ideal for getting up a sweat (nice!)

I don't think we can use Visa in Spain either, again because of card cloning. My sisters card was cloned in a restaurant in Barcelona. Luckily she noticed it and they refunded the monies

When we were away last time, OH bought a very nice watch in Gibralter and when they put the card through, the credit company asked to speak to him, to check it was a valid transaction and went through a security thing with him. He so rarely gets it out, alarms probably went off in their offices!!!! Always good to inform them first.

Off to Mums tomorrow for a few days, getting my hair done on Saturday! Goodness knows when I am going to A. Clean the house ready for the house sitters. B. Print my port info stuff off. C. Bag my FE Gifts and D. Pack some clothes!!!

Oh well, still just over a week to go!!! Did I say I work better under pressure

Kate

 

[mindelmouse]

Ok, so you people have inspired me. Have put a hold on the mail. Tonight DH and I will discuss what cc's we're bringing with us and call those companies. (from my Europe friends, are there any card that are more preferred - I have them all ).

We need at least 800 Euros for our non disney tours. I can get Euro's from Triple A on line (2 day turnaround) or DH says there's an exchange place not far from where he works (surprise, surprise, he works in NYC in the financial district, I would be surprised if there wasn't a place ). No one seems to do Euro traveler's checks. I really don't want to pay ATM fees for money. Can someone tell me what the ATM networks are over there, so I can see if my cards are part of any of them?

 

[smores]

on the phone with conceirge right now.....if strike happens and you have purchased airfare thru disney....you will automatically be re-routed.

he said "no worries".....

 

[graysm]

Ok, so you people have inspired me. Have put a hold on the mail. Tonight DH and I will discuss what cc's we're bringing with us and call those companies. (from my Europe friends, are there any card that are more preferred - I have them all ).

We need at least 800 Euros for our non disney tours. I can get Euro's from Triple A on line (2 day turnaround) or DH says there's an exchange place not far from where he works (surprise, surprise, he works in NYC in the financial district, I would be surprised if there wasn't a place ). No one seems to do Euro traveler's checks. I really don't want to pay ATM fees for money. Can someone tell me what the ATM networks are over there, so I can see if my cards are part of any of them?

So yesterday I stopped the mail (electronically), finished printing my magnets, put the beach information for our France visit into the itinerary.

As for Euros, I received mine a few weeks back through our bank. It's a relatively small credit union so they use an outside company. Received the Euros in 2 days. It was great! I decided against the Euro Travellers Checks as they were very hard to find.

I still need to finish getting the FE gifts in order (I've started), call the credit card company (hopefully today), notify the bank (again, hopefully today), and double check to make sure I put the outlet converter with my "to be packed" pile. It's so exciting that we're almost there!

Hopefully the issues with the air traffic controllers won't be a problem!

 

[SettinSail]

I also wrote down the contact info for both my US debit card and credit card,
along with the card numbers on an index card. I will keep that somewhere separate from the actual cards probably just in the suitcase along with photocopies of our passports. Then if I need to call because card is lost/stolen or other problem, I will have that info even if I no longer have the card. Will do the same thing for our German debit (EC) and credit cards...

We also have a Visa signature card that provides some type of add'l benefits (I don't know what exactly!) so I wrote down their concierge tele number too.

Keep the last minute tips coming!

Shawn

 

[jstin]

Yesterday, I also called bank and CC company. I only asked for authorization in Spain, France & Italy. My bank says they do not allow debit purchases in Spain due to high fraud there but the card can still be used in an ATM there.

Had son write down clothes for each day/event so I can have him mentally packed as well. We made it through Day 5 so far.

Also bought a small white noise machine to use in the room - we can have ocean noise even in our inside cabin

And, attempted to buy Coliseum tickets online...got to the very end of purchase and needed my "verified by Visa" password which I could not remember. Needed hubby's ss# to reset it so I'll try that again later...

Today is hair appt and I also bought a cute cocktail dress on Tuesday.

Our high is 100 today with a heat index of 105 so I am taking a day off from exercise. Kate, great news that the cast is off ! Hope the last few days of camp are event free!!

Shawn

Congrats on finding your dress and getting your hair done. My hairdresser is on holiday until the 17th so my appt. is first thing in the morning on the 17th prior to leaving.

It's interesting that your bank will not allow debit transactions in Spain. I will have to check with our bank.

 

[mindelmouse]

on the phone with conceirge right now.....if strike happens and you have purchased airfare thru disney....you will automatically be re-routed.

he said "no worries".....

don't you love the concierge...they have been so helpful!!!!

 

[mindelmouse]

So yesterday I stopped the mail (electronically), finished printing my magnets, put the beach information for our France visit into the itinerary.

As for Euros, I received mine a few weeks back through our bank. It's a relatively small credit union so they use an outside company. Received the Euros in 2 days. It was great! I decided against the Euro Travellers Checks as they were very hard to find.

I still need to finish getting the FE gifts in order (I've started), call the credit card company (hopefully today), notify the bank (again, hopefully today), and double check to make sure I put the outlet converter with my "to be packed" pile. It's so exciting that we're almost there!

Hopefully the issues with the air traffic controllers won't be a problem!

Stacey,

DH actually found the Euro traveler's check at Bank of America. Since we have an account there, we can order them easily. I'm just going to get them for the tours in Rome and Le Spezia.

 

[graysm]

Stacey,

DH actually found the Euro traveler's check at Bank of America. Since we have an account there, we can order them easily. I'm just going to get them for the tours in Rome and Le Spezia.

I knew that Bank of America had them, but I don't have an account there. I would have loved to have used them for our tours!

 

[MinnieDiva]

As for Euros, I received mine a few weeks back through our bank. It's a relatively small credit union so they use an outside company. Received the Euros in 2 days. It was great! I decided against the Euro Travellers Checks as they were very hard to find.

Huh. I have 2 credit unions and neither do currency exchanges. However, my Visa cc thru one has only a 2% fee for any foreign purchase or cash withdrawal....and no daily cash withdrawal limit! And ironically, even though it's not really used over there, my Amex has no foreign transaction fee....but has a 4% cash withdrawal . Not using it for that!

 

[MinnieDiva]

I didn't do anything for the cruise yesterday...however, what are you notifying your banks about??

When we moved from CO to WA, we hadn't even thought about notifying our banks....and both got shut down after multiple fuel purchases that marched across the country. And....it was Memorial Day weekend! So imagine that it made it that much harder...

 

[MinnieDiva]

It's interesting that your bank will not allow debit transactions in Spain. I will have to check with our bank.

I'm not even going to use a debit...not as much purchase protection....

 

[MinnieDiva]

Did Wk7D2 today, did some running on the road this time, which was different (I usually run around a large lake), I got a great free App. Runkeeper, works on GPS, tells me my speed, route etc. I did 5.78 KM taking 46 mins, which included my 5 mins warm up and down.
Kate

GREAT Kate!!! I also have that app and yesterday in 45 min I did 2.5 mi, which I believe is about a bit over 4km, so you're MUCH faster than me!!!!!!!

Great job both of you! Slept in a bit this morning, now need to let breakfast digest a bit before heading out and hitting the pavement!

kim

 

[GratefulDad]

Mike, is your Gladiator school a Disney one, or separate. I would be grateful if you could let me know. Not sure she would sit through 45 mins about Rome, but would love the Gladiator bit.[/QUOTE]

Kate,
Sorry I'm only responding now. It's separate from Disney. Here's the link...

http://www.viator.com/tours/Rome/Ro...Learn-How-to-Become-a-Gladiator/d511-2466GLAD

We're doing the 1:00pm. Your more than welcome to join us. I'm thinkin we"ll take the train to Rome... Which leads me to the question: Does anyone know how far (or accesible) the train station is from the ship in Civitavecchia?

Mike

 

[mindelmouse]

Geez, I missed my window of opportunity on buying cheap euro's they seem to be up again. It's a little over 1.31 right now. Bank of America wants to charge me over 1.38 for traveler's checks or currency. DH is going to find out what it costs at his place in NYC...we may have to go with all cash.