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

[GratefulDad]

Another neighbor! We are actually in Port Washington and have lots of friends in Long Beach!

In terms of the FE. There is no limit as to what how small the gift could be. It could be handmade, or bought. Usually most people give one thing for the adults, and another for the kids.

Some people give candy, gum, Disney goodies or things like mini wine keychains etc. Others who are crafty make scrapbook, frames etc. There are really no rules (excpet the gifts be family appropriate lol!).

Welcome Lilo+stich!!!!!!!

Mary,
Thank you for the guidance. I'll see if I can get creative, but be prepared for a bought gift.... Are you guys spending any time in Barcelona pre cruise? We're leaving JFK on the 13th....


Mike

 

[mindelmouse]

Mary,
Thank you for the guidance. I'll see if I can get creative, but be prepared for a bought gift.... Are you guys spending any time in Barcelona pre cruise? We're leaving JFK on the 13th....


Mike

We're doing bought..not only do I not have time to make all those FE's, I'm trying to keep them small so that I don't use too much luggage space. We're trying not to exceed one case per person, otherwise we'll have to pay for luggage. I don't want to give the adults and kids the same thing, so I have to find something for the adults.

 

[MinnieDiva]

I noticed that we can pre-pay gratuities. has anyone done this? is there a benefit to pay them now?

ellen

Paying them 6 months ago was one way to reduce sticker shock when the room bill comes up at the conclusion of the cruise....

kim

 

[Lilo+Stitch]

Thanks for the welcoming!

We are Joe and Christa btw.

 

[pixie08]

Mary,
Thank you for the guidance. I'll see if I can get creative, but be prepared for a bought gift.... Are you guys spending any time in Barcelona pre cruise? We're leaving JFK on the 13th....


Mike

We are also flying out of JFK on the 13th but we are going to Paris for a few days first. We will be on the 9:45pm Air France flight! I think Lori may also be leaving the same night (or maybe Sat) but also to Paris.

Mindy are you flying from JFK?

 

[pixie08]

I have a question...I know on our cruise two years ago, we gave the crew envelopes with cash. IS this still acceptable? Or are they charging it to accounts now?

 

[jel0511]

We are also flying out of JFK on the 13th but we are going to Paris for a few days first. We will be on the 9:45pm Air France flight! I think Lori may also be leaving the same night (or maybe Sat) but also to Paris.

Mindy are you flying from JFK?

Your right Mary, we fly out on the 14th out of JFK to Paris! Mindy is flying out out or EWR on Mon I believe....

 

[Vicky29]

Hi Pixie,

We got the choice of cash or charging it to our account in May. Think I'm going to take dollars this time - just seems a little more personal than slips of paper.

Vicky

 

[jel0511]

Mary - cash is still acceptable, but there is always the option to put it onto your room board account. We like doing it that way as there is less cash we have to bring with us.

 

[mindelmouse]

We are also flying out of JFK on the 13th but we are going to Paris for a few days first. We will be on the 9:45pm Air France flight! I think Lori may also be leaving the same night (or maybe Sat) but also to Paris.

Mindy are you flying from JFK?

We;re flying out of Newark on Monday night.

 

[mindelmouse]

I believe by prepaying your gratuities, they're not really gratuities. Meaning, gratuities should be for good service or excellent service. If you prepay your gratuities and your server or room steward or whomever is great, you can add more money to the gratuity. What happens if the person is mediocre or horrible? You have no way of knowing that precruise. You're not required to leave anything if you're not happy with them, but once you've paid for them, you're kind of stuck. I'm rather pay at the end and reward those that deserve it. JMHO

 

[pixie08]

I believe by prepaying your gratuities, they're not really gratuities. Meaning, gratuities should be for good service or excellent service. If you prepay your gratuities and your server or room steward or whomever is great, you can add more money to the gratuity. What happens if the person is mediocre or horrible? You have no way of knowing that precruise. You're not required to leave anything if you're not happy with them, but once you've paid for them, you're kind of stuck. I'm rather pay at the end and reward those that deserve it. JMHO

Yeah I kind of feel the same way.

 

[Merlin5]

Good Afternoon / Good Morning!

Hi Merlin and welcome. Are you part of the group with KingCole? I saw a post from them that said they were in a large group on our cruise and from the UK.

Well busy day at work yesterday, searching the net for various trip reports etc., Yet I still haven't a plan for Tunis yet! Malta, we have decided to take a cab to the Blue Grotto (early to beat the crowds) and then on over to the other side of the Island, as OH used to go there as a child and would like a trip down memory lane, then back to town I think for a wander around and a late lunch!

Superstar, I remember a while back you were interested in FE's, if you are, let me know and I am sure you will have checked with your parents before giving any info. out

Did my Week 3, Day 1 today, was honestly OK, last run a bit puffy, but running three minutes in one go!!!

Speak to you all later.

Kate

Kate,

Yes Kingcole is in the same party, he is the cruise veteran who convinced the rest of us to take the plunge.

Christian

 

[graysm]

I believe by prepaying your gratuities, they're not really gratuities. Meaning, gratuities should be for good service or excellent service. If you prepay your gratuities and your server or room steward or whomever is great, you can add more money to the gratuity. What happens if the person is mediocre or horrible? You have no way of knowing that precruise. You're not required to leave anything if you're not happy with them, but once you've paid for them, you're kind of stuck. I'm rather pay at the end and reward those that deserve it. JMHO

Hi Mindy - I totally agree with you. Tips stand for "to insure prompt service". What if the service isn't prompt or good! I always come with cash in hand to leave in the little envelopes - usually tipping more than the recommended amount.

 

[jel0511]

What the most expensive DCL excursion got you only $2,900 per person....

http://www.mouseplanet.com/9317/Building_the_Dream

 

[pirateluv]

Wow: That would be cool to see, but sooo expensive. Anybody here going on the Dream?
-Joan

 

[jel0511]

Wow: That would be cool to see, but sooo expensive. Anybody here going on the Dream?
-Joan

We are on April 17th for Spring Break next year! I can't wait to sail her!!

 

[Goofy559]

Wow: That would be cool to see, but sooo expensive. Anybody here going on the Dream?
-Joan

We are fortunate enough to be on the inaugural and a sailing in June (2nd one is with family from out of the country)

Can't wait!!!!

Lisa

 

[MinnieDiva]

Anybody planning to re-book while onboard?

We're looking at a dummy reservation as a placeholder until 2012 is announced.

kim

 

[Vicky29]

Hi Kim,

Yes - we're planning to rebook onboard for the Med again next year. Just trying to decide whether to do May or June Would love to do one of the others but will be travelling with my mum and she's said point blank there's no way she'll fly all the way to America.