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

[Cliffside]

had a wonderful time on the oasis. the ship is amazing. we probably had about 6000 on the ship including 1900 kids but never felt the crowds. there is so much to do and see on the ship that the cruisers are well dispersed at all times. we did ziplining, rock climbing, flowrider, cupcake decorating. all shows were great....hairspray, aquashow, ice skating. neighborhoods....central park, boardwalk, royal promenade were "wows". it's all about the ship and you can forget there is an ocean out there. lots of eating choices. i would recommend this cruise. we did a future booking for the allure.

at disney we stayed at the animal kingdom villas overlooking the savana. it's incredible to watch giraffes, wilderbeast, ostriches, storks, antelope....from your balcony.

thanks for thinking of me for the Palo dinner but i have to decline. DH likes to eat dinner in the MDR so we always do a Palo brunch instead.

started going thru the port excursion lists and whittling down the choices. am disappointed the treasure hunt in tunis is cancelled.

we are flying out of jfk on the delta nonstop at 5:40pm on the 17th and flying home on the 29th on the delta nonstop at 11:20am. just wondering if anyone else is on these flights.

ellen

sorry I forgot to quote Ellen's post in above message.

Ellen we are on flights out of Newark, leaving on the 16th and returning on Sunday.

Susan

 

[Cliffside]

Thin I am not!!!! I had 2 strokes 5 years ago, and have a friend who is a private pilates instructor who comes to my house 2x a week to work out with to help improve my balance. I put on about 75 lbs after the strokes and have struggled to get rid of them. I easily could lost 60lbs as well. I lost 25 a couple of years ago when I first started at a gym, but gave up my membership when Darren's company went bankrupt. So you can see, I'm definitely NOT thin!!!!!!

Just trying to catch up on all the posts. Wow sending some continued pixie dust your way. Glad you are recuperated and able to enjoy all these terrific trips.

 

[Cliffside]

Slightly off the recent topics...went shopping today for something to wear next weekend. I'm not a frilly girl, and was having a hard time wrapping my mind around buying a dress/skirt I'd only wear once. So, we went to REI and I got a kakhi-colored skirt with a ruffle at the bottom in a very travel-able fabric! Also got a new pair of shorts and 2 shirts! Good shopping karma was with me!
k

Kim,
I started to think about Shopping for the trip as well. Can't decide if DD and myself shoud wear shorts and buy a pull on skirt to wear into churches and just thow it on when necessary, or wear capris that cover your knees. DH still keeps saying her is wearing shorts. I don't know what to do with him.

Then I am debating footwear. Can't decide if I should find good sneakers or get walking sandals.

Also what kind of bag to carry while touring. I usually bring way to much stuff with me, so I want to be smart about it.

So much to think about.

 

[Cliffside]

Based on my past cruise, my advice is pack light, bring laundry detergent and do laundry. There are a few laundry rooms (I used the one on deck 7 aft) and it's really not a bad deal. On the 7 day, DH went down one evening, pretty late with his ipod and did all our laundry. With the cost of extra bags to fly out there, it's the only way to survive. DH also found these laundry sheets, that have both detergent and then they go with the laundry into the dryer and have fabric softner. They are amazingly light to pack and convenient. I'll get the name and post it, if anyone is interested.

I really have to take that advice and pack light. Every time I say I am going to do this I don't. I am so impressed that DH did laundry on your last cruise. I think we will have to do laundry this time. When all is said and done we are going to gone almost two weeks. That would be a lot of stuff to bring not including whatever souvenirs we will buy over there if we don't do laundry.

 

[jel0511]

The name of the laundry sheets are Purex 3 in 1. I used them last year for our cruise and brought some to WDW a couple of weeks ago. They work well, but don't get out stains very well. Pack a stain stick in addition to them. They are so easy and light to pack. I love them! They are also approved for HE machines, which the Magic now has. So the laundry soap on a wash cloth trick might not work.

 

[mindelmouse]

Where is bath junkie??? I know there is one in New Hope, but I was hoping there was one closer, I love that place!!!! The excursion in Eze sounds like fun, but Darren really wants to go to Monaco and "play Bond" by going into the casinos. So for us, it's the Eze and Monaco excursion.

The same owners own it. I don't think it's much closer for you...it's in Flemington.

 

[mindelmouse]

Mindy, are you really thinking that you're going to exceed the 2 bags per person limit?

Oh, and I saw on some tip (the one I couldn't find) that someone poured their detergent onto a washcloth, let it dry, then put it into a ziplock bag; voila....!!! Throw washcloth into washing machine and presto! Instant soap!

k

I don't think I'll exceed 2 bags per person, I'll probably have much less because we'll be doing laundry. I still think you have to pay for the second bag anyway.

 

[mindelmouse]

Just catching up on all the posts...

You really seem to have everything organized. Your plans look great. Those tours in Malta and Tunisia were ones that we are thinking about. I am very excited to be joining the private tour for the day in Rome. In Naples I think we decided to do the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii. By the time we get to Corsica I think we will be exhausted so I think we decided to got to the beach. I have no idea if that is easy to do on your own there so we will probably just book it with Disney. Still haven't figured out Villefrance either.

With the Magic leaving for Barcelona yesterday, it makes August seem closer than ever.

Susan

Susan,

I had to be organized...I have to book everything next monday night.

 

[mindelmouse]

The name of the laundry sheets are Purex 3 in 1. I used them last year for our cruise and brought some to WDW a couple of weeks ago. They work well, but don't get out stains very well. Pack a stain stick in addition to them. They are so easy and light to pack. I love them! They are also approved for HE machines, which the Magic now has. So the laundry soap on a wash cloth trick might not work.

Thanks Lori...I agree with got a stain fighter too....and since we also stay in time shares we always have laundry stuff with us. I usually have everyone put their clothes in the miniwasher at night, run the load and then put it in the dryer before we go out for the day.....that way we go home with clean clothes...The difference on the cruise is that we don't have our own washer of course...but we can get wine and have a party while we're doing laundry...just an idea.

 

[Cliffside]

Susan,

I had to be organized...I have to book everything next monday night.

That's right, how exciting. Are you going to do it at midnight?

 

[MinnieDiva]

I don't think I'll exceed 2 bags per person, I'll probably have much less because we'll be doing laundry. I still think you have to pay for the second bag anyway.

I thought you booked early so that you wouldn't lose that benefit?

 

[MinnieDiva]

Kim,
I started to think about Shopping for the trip as well. Can't decide if DD and myself shoud wear shorts and buy a pull on skirt to wear into churches and just thow it on when necessary, or wear capris that cover your knees. DH still keeps saying her is wearing shorts. I don't know what to do with him.

Then I am debating footwear. Can't decide if I should find good sneakers or get walking sandals.

Also what kind of bag to carry while touring. I usually bring way to much stuff with me, so I want to be smart about it.

So much to think about.

I just got a pair of shorts that are knee-cap length. I've got a pair of Keen sandals that I'm going to try to re-break in; used to wear them without issue, but got some mean blisters at WDW one time. Might buy Tevas instead.

Just warn DH that shoulders and knees are supposed to be covered in churches.

I'm going to be carrying a Lowepro sling bag across my back for my camera. DH is going to get a money belt. I was given a neat tip: use twist ties on zipper closures...just enough of a deterrent so that a pick pocket decides that someone else will be an easier target!!

k

 

[jel0511]

I thought you booked early so that you wouldn't lose that benefit?

Kim -

that was me. We have 2 bags per person included, so 8 total. I'll probably be checking 6-7 on the way out, with them either half full or 1-2 empty, as well as pack another duffle so we have room for souvies.

 

[ejw]

Glad you had a good time on the oasis. We were thinking about going with my parents next Spring Break. It just sooo big and my mom has mobility issues. Also was it hard to make reservations for all the specialty resaurants and shows.

Susan

Hi Susan, we saw a few people riding those electric scooters around the ship. maybe your mom could do that.

we did not eat at any of the specialty restaurants cause there were plenty of places to eat that were free. we tried different places for breakfast and lunch but had dinner every night in the MDR. we dined with two other families and looked forward to the company every night.

I reserved all shows online and it was easy to do. every night we knew which show we were doing and didn't have the stress of wondering if we would get in and get decent seats. as it turned out, even though the ship was full (about 6,100 passengers) people on the standby line were always able to get in and get seats.

ellen

 

[jel0511]

Well the balance pay off has begun!!!! I put a large chunk on on Southwest Visa today so I'd get a free ticket. I was only 4 credits away from a free one and had some credits expiring at the end of the year. Hopefully I can use this ticket next year to Seattle for our Alaskan, that's the plan! I was going to do both on Thursday, but didn't want to confuse the TA with multiple payments on the same day. Our balance isn't actually due until Sunday, I think, but with cutoff date poker, I can pay on Thursday and it's due the same day as if I pay on Sunday, so Thursday it is!!! The sooner the better I say!!!!!!

Also, I just wanted to thank everyone for the well wishes about my health. I'm hanging in there right now! It's been 5 years and so far so good!!!! Trust me, there are people out there MUCH worse than me!!!!

 

[MinnieDiva]

Kim -

that was me. We have 2 bags per person included, so 8 total. I'll probably be checking 6-7 on the way out, with them either half full or 1-2 empty, as well as pack another duffle so we have room for souvies.

Us, too. No I just have to find a duffel...I know it's around here somewhere...

 

[soxfan1495]

I can't believe I am asking this... My DD is 13, and when we went on a cruise last year on the Voyager of the Seas she was able to get her hair done. She really enjoyed doing this the day when formal pictures were taken. My DW says that she noticed on the DCL web site that this will not be possible for this cruise, as you must be 18. Is there any flexibility to this rule? Have other teenage girls been able to get their hair done?

 

[jel0511]

I can't believe I am asking this... My DD is 13, and when we went on a cruise last year on the Voyager of the Seas she was able to get her hair done. She really enjoyed doing this the day when formal pictures were taken. My DW says that she noticed on the DCL web site that this will not be possible for this cruise, as you must be 18. Is there any flexibility to this rule? Have other teenage girls been able to get their hair done?

Unfortunately, this is correct. The rule is that the salon is for only 18 and over. There is no flexibility here. DCL is VERY strict with their adult only areas.

 

[mindelmouse]

Hey Susie and Stacey - can you PM or email me (Stacey I think you have my email address) you ressie #'s for Palo. Everyone else sent them to me, so if I get yours, I'll have the flexibility of getting the private room or the the 2 tables for Palo when I book MOnday night. Also I need your last names, just in case.

Thanks,

 

[Subrbnmommy]

I just thought that I'd pop by to say hello. My family and I will be on the same cruise. I'll be travelling with DH, DD, my parents, my sister's family and family friends. All together, we'll be a group of 15.

It's my 2nd Disney cruise (4 night Wonder in 2008) but we have all cruised with different cruise lines in the past.