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

[mindelmouse]

my balance is over 11k, so i'm not giving that money to DCL interest free!!!!!

Lori - Aren't u in a cat3 too? I think we discussed this...our rooms may be near each other.

Also, my husband has been perusing the excursions...a lot of nice ones for the kids..I'm impressed.

I did have a question about when we go to the Vatican. I've been told that shoulders and knees need to be covered. I've also been told that at the time of year we're going, it's not uncommon for it to be 90 degrees out. How do people plan to accomodate this? What about for the kids?

 

[jel0511]

Lori - Aren't u in a cat3 too? I think we discussed this...our rooms may be near each other.

Also, my husband has been perusing the excursions...a lot of nice ones for the kids..I'm impressed.

I did have a question about when we go to the Vatican. I've been told that shoulders and knees need to be covered. I've also been told that at the time of year we're going, it's not uncommon for it to be 90 degrees out. How do people plan to accomodate this? What about for the kids?

No lowly cat 4. We did book later than everyone else (just booked in August), so that's probably why I'm paying as much as you. Yeah, some of the excursions are AWESOME for kids!!! We're going to do the treasure hunt in Tunisia and the Sorrento/Almafi coast dirve with special kids activity of pizza making.

 

[jel0511]

sorry didn't see your question about the Vatican and weather. Yes, shoulders and knees need to be covered to enter any of the churches. Luckily my son is short and his shorts are always lower than his knees. DH will wear jeans and maybe change after the vatican. Luckily we'll get there early, so it won't be too hot yet. Me and DD will probably wear a skort w/ a reg short sleeve shirt.

 

[mindelmouse]

sorry didn't see your question about the Vatican and weather. Yes, shoulders and knees need to be covered to enter any of the churches. Luckily my son is short and his shorts are always lower than his knees. DH will wear jeans and maybe change after the vatican. Luckily we'll get there early, so it won't be too hot yet. Me and DD will probably wear a skort w/ a reg short sleeve shirt.

thought about the skort idea, but will it be long enough...mine comes above my knee

 

[jel0511]

thought about the skort idea, but will it be long enough...mine comes above my knee

True, again the advantage of being short.... if I can't find one... capris will have surfice and I'll change after the vatican....

 

[MinnieDiva]

Most likely capris as well..and I don't typically wear tanks, but if I happen to do so, I'll just put a s/s button-up top over it.

Here's hoping the buses have a/c....

 

[mindelmouse]

I'm a little confused. I was looking at my confirmation and it says my balance due is due on 3/21. I thought all balances were due 120 days in advance, when did it change to 150 days?

 

[jel0511]

I'm a little confused. I was looking at my confirmation and it says my balance due is due on 3/21. I thought all balances were due 120 days in advance, when did it change to 150 days?

Mindy, I think that has to do to the fact you're in a cat 3. I think those balances are due 150 days in advance.

 

[MinnieDiva]

 

[bigbootee]

I'm a little confused. I was looking at my confirmation and it says my balance due is due on 3/21. I thought all balances were due 120 days in advance, when did it change to 150 days?

Per our TA the Med Cruises are considered special cruises and have an earlier payment date,

 

[pixie08]

Lori - Aren't u in a cat3 too? I think we discussed this...our rooms may be near each other.

Also, my husband has been perusing the excursions...a lot of nice ones for the kids..I'm impressed.

I did have a question about when we go to the Vatican. I've been told that shoulders and knees need to be covered. I've also been told that at the time of year we're going, it's not uncommon for it to be 90 degrees out. How do people plan to accomodate this? What about for the kids?

I was thinking of packing a light cardigan in my bag. In terms of bottoms I am unsure. Last time I was there I wore capris but it was so hot out but we were staying in Rome so we were able to change. I am deciding between packing a really light long skirt and just throwing over my shorts or just wearing capris and sweating to death

 

[pixie08]

PAID IN FULL!!!!

Well, for the cruise anyway. Still have the airfare to book.

Cliffside, I haven't posted in a while and just saw your inquiry about Rome. I'll have to email and ask if we can add the 3 of you. I'll let you know when I hear.

kim

Congrats!

 

[mkmommy]

I am not going on this cruise, but I did notice that 2 of the SPH rooms are available for this cruise.

 

[ejw]

If you'll be there until 6, you probably could stay on St. John until 3. I've never been to Water Island, but hear good things about it. It really is just a residential island, with not much else going on. So while you can get there, there are no taxis on the island to get around. Buck Island is off St. Croix, so not an option from St. Thomas. Jost is a 45 minute ferry ride from St. John, so that's 1 1/2 hours from St. Thomas, again not an option for a do it yourselfer. If Oasis has an excursion to Jost and you want to do it, then I would. Jost is beautiful, but the distance is probably too great for even them to consider one.

Hi jel0511,

oasis does offer an excursion to Jost with a stop at christmas cove. the excursion is 6.5 hours long. if it does take 1.5 hours to get there then round trip is almost half the time of the total excursion.

ellen

 

[ejw]

yesterday got a letter from disney giving us a $100 per person on board credit for this cruise. when i called disney about it, i was told that it's for people who have cruised with them before and booked this cruise early. the $300 will definitely help with excursions and tips.

did anyone else get this?

ellen

 

[jel0511]

Hi jel0511,

oasis does offer an excursion to Jost with a stop at christmas cove. the excursion is 6.5 hours long. if it does take 1.5 hours to get there then round trip is almost half the time of the total excursion.

ellen

Yes it is. It takes about 45 min to get to St. John from St. Thomas and another 45 from St. John to Jost. Unless they have one of the fast cats booked, you are looking at about 1 1/2 hrs each way..... You also will have to make a stop at immigration before continuing anywhere. Last time immigration took about 30 min for our entire boat to clear. There were about 25-30 people on the boat. I'd think you'd get about 3 hours on Jost, adding time for gathering everyone, immigration, travel time to/from the ship.

 

[jel0511]

yesterday got a letter from disney giving us a $100 per person on board credit for this cruise. when i called disney about it, i was told that it's for people who have cruised with them before and booked this cruise early. the $300 will definitely help with excursions and tips.

did anyone else get this?

ellen

Ellen, I think most of us got it yesterday, though those on the west coast haven't gotten it yet. i'm getting 400 more, so I'm up to 1100 OBC now. That's about half of my DCL excursion wish list. Not counting the private tours we're doing for Rome and Florence/Pisa.

 

[ejw]

Yes it is. It takes about 45 min to get to St. John from St. Thomas and another 45 from St. John to Jost. Unless they have one of the fast cats booked, you are looking at about 1 1/2 hrs each way..... You also will have to make a stop at immigration before continuing anywhere. Last time immigration took about 30 min for our entire boat to clear. There were about 25-30 people on the boat. I'd think you'd get about 3 hours on Jost, adding time for gathering everyone, immigration, travel time to/from the ship.

as much as the idea of Jost is tempting, i don't think i want to waste so much time traveling and dealing with customs.

i still haven't decided what we are going to do. i figure i'll give it a rest and pick it up after the holidays. i keep hoping something will just jump out at me and i'll know that's the thing we want to do.

thanks for all your help and valuable information. ellen

 

[ejw]

Ellen, I think most of us got it yesterday, though those on the west coast haven't gotten it yet. i'm getting 400 more, so I'm up to 1100 OBC now. That's about half of my DCL excursion wish list. Not counting the private tours we're doing for Rome and Florence/Pisa.

that's a great amount of OBCs. we have 750. wouldn't mind if disney threw some more our way.

wonder why they are giving this one? are they concerned that people might cancel this cruise?

haven't really thought about excursions yet. another thing i plan on starting after the holidays. on my ressie it says i can start booking excursions on may 5th.

ellen

 

[mindelmouse]

that's a great amount of OBCs. we have 750. wouldn't mind if disney threw some more our way.

wonder why they are giving this one? are they concerned that people might cancel this cruise?

haven't really thought about excursions yet. another thing i plan on starting after the holidays. on my ressie it says i can start booking excursions on may 5th.

ellen

Ellen - I got an email today from DCL that is offering to upgrade our cruise to an Adventure by Disney...I sent it to Kim and Lori. For a mere $2,800 per adult, and $2,100 per kids..they'll do all your excursion planning, give you 2 adventure guides....and laalalala....you get the drift...very expensive