August 7th, 2010 Mediterranean Cruise

[LisaWalkerC21]

Congratson Palo and the excursions. We also have to wait till 5/9.

Let's hope there are some good spots left for us! How is your planning coming along?

 

[abayaflowers]

We paid in full two weeks ago. Unfortunately, we still have not received any info. from our TA. Bummer! We are planning our off-shore excursions. We are planning to do DCL excursions for Tunisa and Malta. Then, we are planning for "on our own excursions" for the other ports. We are trying to save money and enjoy our time. Our DD10 and DD7 are so excited. We are, too!

Does anyone have any recommendation for overcoming jet-lag? We are flying in the day before the cruise. Will we be so jet-lagged that I should write a list down?

Very excited!

 

[Allesma]

Let's hope there are some good spots left for us! How is your planning coming along?

I'm amost done with the planning, we decided to skip Rome and do a train/boat combi at cinque terre. DCL excursions for Malta, Tunis and Herculaneum and rent a ar on Sicilie. The girl are getting excited also mostly because they know what to expect fter our cruise last feb on the Wonder.
I hope we will have time to see the shows this time. Last time we met so many Dis friends and where so overwhelmed that we missed the shows . Are we going to organise some meets? Marc and I like to walk the upperdeck later in the evening and sip a specialty coffee or Cocktail of the Day at the Cove Cafe when the girls are in their clubs. Are there others who would like to join in?

Is there going to be a dismeet/roll call on the first day so we can share room changes still silently hoping for a verandah upgrade....)for the FEE?

Lots and lots of planning...

 

[Allesma]

We paid in full two weeks ago. Unfortunately, we still have not received any info. from our TA. Bummer! We are planning our off-shore excursions. We are planning to do DCL excursions for Tunisa and Malta. Then, we are planning for "on our own excursions" for the other ports. We are trying to save money and enjoy our time. Our DD10 and DD7 are so excited. We are, too!

Does anyone have any recommendation for overcoming jet-lag? We are flying in the day before the cruise. Will we be so jet-lagged that I should write a list down?

Very excited!

Try to pickup the day rythm in Europe right away, stay as much as possible in the open air that day and use some melatonine to get a good night sleep. Do not drnk alcohol during the flight, and do drink a lot of water during the flight and the next day to prevent a headache.

Vaya con diaz! Vamos a la playa!
Have a disney day!

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

I'm amost done with the planning, we decided to skip Rome and do a train/boat combi at cinque terre. DCL excursions for Malta, Tunis and Herculaneum and rent a ar on Sicilie. The girl are getting excited also mostly because they know what to expect fter our cruise last feb on the Wonder.
I hope we will have time to see the shows this time. Last time we met so many Dis friends and where so overwhelmed that we missed the shows . Are we going to organise some meets? Marc and I like to walk the upperdeck later in the evening and sip a specialty coffee or Cocktail of the Day at the Cove Cafe when the girls are in their clubs. Are there others who would like to join in?

Is there going to be a dismeet/roll call on the first day so we can share room changes still silently hoping for a verandah upgrade....)for the FEE?

Lots and lots of planning...

I think a get together would be fantastic...and we would welcome meets to join others for coffee or a cocktail while the kids are in the Clubs. I have a feeling my boys will be spending more time in the Lab this time around. Hanging out with "the parents" probably won't be as much fun for them during the down time.

Still only four families participating in the Fish Extender Exchange...hope others will join in the fun. I think it is best to put a deadline on the Exchange sign-ups since many of us are heading to Barcelona early. I think giving anyone who wants to participate to the end of June to sign up might be a good idea to give the others some time to get their goodies together.

We are so excited for this trip - I can barely stand it! I just went out today and bought some luggage after I realized I miss-measured one of my pieces. What is everyone planning on doing with luggage? Mostly carry on luggage? Checked luggage? I actually have clothes piled in my room already to pack...OMG...we aren't leaving until August

Spoke to my friend who is living in Barcelona and she has started to plan for our visit. Since we are mostly in Barcelona to get over our jet lag, we are planning a day to Tibidabo where there is an amusement park at the top of the mountain and the best views. She also is planning on taking us to La Fonda Restaurant for paella and also to Ciudad Condal for tapas - supposedly one of the best places for tapas in the area. My kids are so looking forward to seeing their friends in Barcelona - what a great way to kick off our trip!

It won't be long now everyone...woo hoo

 

[jd99]

We are also up for a meet as well as opportunities to meet up with folks for a drink while kids are in clubs but I will confess we are not going to participate in FE this time. With luggage restrictions for international travel we'd rather not load up on fe gifts going or returning. Maybe that's why interest has been slow.

 

[abayaflowers]

What type of clothing should I plan to pack for the DD's? and for my DH, and I?

Shorts? Sweaters? Summer Dresses?

I plan to ship a box for our family through the DCL. I heard that we can ship extra items that we don't want to drag with us in our carry-on and check-in. Everyone is planning to take carry-ons with wheels, and checking in small carry-ons. I heard that the taxis and its trunks are small.

We also plan on checking into the Marriott which apparently has suites available for a family of four.

Thanks for all the info.

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

What type of clothing should I plan to pack for the DD's? and for my DH, and I?

Shorts? Sweaters? Summer Dresses?

I plan to ship a box for our family through the DCL. I heard that we can ship extra items that we don't want to drag with us in our carry-on and check-in. Everyone is planning to take carry-ons with wheels, and checking in small carry-ons. I heard that the taxis and its trunks are small.

We also plan on checking into the Marriott which apparently has suites available for a family of four.

Thanks for all the info.

I am bringing a bunch of sundresses for day and night as well as capri pants for days in port. I might bring a couple pair of shorts to wear on the cruise. My husband has long nice shorts that he will wear while in port. I just can't see him wearing pants while in port. Though I understand in Europe that is a standard custom.

It is going to be HOT. Though, I do plan on bringing a sweater and light sweatshirt for up on deck at night.

I love talking about packing...it makes me feel that the trip is that much closer

 

[xsjackson]

Been so busy at work...8th grade can be a handful. And I just took 64 9th graders to China over spring break. Now is time to get back into my own planning... oh wait June 20th I am taking 20 8th graders from Seattle to DC. I love to travel and I do it any way I can.

My sister and I are getting so excited. Can't wait to set up our excursions next weekend. I have Barcelona all planned! now I need to think wardrobe and fit it all into a 26 in suitcase.

miss being on line, Susan

 

[xsjackson]

Hi Gang -

I just wanted to send out a reminder that if anyone is interested in joining the Fish Extender Exchange for our sailing you can either respond here or send me a private message with the number of adults and children either by name or indicate boy/girl with ages in your party as well as cabin # if you have it already.

So far we only have 3 families participating...hoping more people with join in the fun!

Won't be long now...

We are in for the exchange we have 2 rooms on the 2nd floor. We have rooms on the 7th floor but when I changed from a 10 day cruise at the end of Aug to an earlier, 11 day cruise. Oh well.

Their are 7 of us.

Susan

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

We are in for the exchange we have 2 rooms on the 2nd floor. We have rooms on the 7th floor but when I changed from a 10 day cruise at the end of Aug to an earlier, 11 day cruise. Oh well.

Their are 7 of us.

Susan

Hi Susan -

Great to see you back on-line. China...WOW...that sounds exciting! Glad you will be participating in the FE Exchange! I will put you down on my spreadsheet. When you get a chance could you PM me or respond here with the number of adults and children and indicate boy/girl with ages for the kids? Also, when you know your room number I will need that info too.

I put everything in my 22" suitcase the other day to see how I was making out...so far so good! Hoping I can get the majority of everyone's clothes in each carryon. I am on a mission!

 

[Allesma]

Hi Susan -

Great to see you back on-line. China...WOW...that sounds exciting! Glad you will be participating in the FE Exchange! I will put you down on my spreadsheet. When you get a chance could you PM me or respond here with the number of adults and children and indicate boy/girl with ages for the kids? Also, when you know your room number I will need that info too.

I put everything in my 22" suitcase the other day to see how I was making out...so far so good! Hoping I can get the majority of everyone's clothes in each carryon. I am on a mission!

It sure can be HOT in August, but the evenings can be chilly so bring thin vest also, you will also need the vest to cover shoulders when vsiting the churches ( In the vatican men and women are not allowed to show knees so bring zipp-off shorts and summerdres over the knees and a this vest. Bring light weight clothes because it can be humid in Malta/Italy. Alo bring/buy hat. Make sure to drink enough water during day trips. We are planning to bring mix and mach clothes multiple tops that go with multiple shorts, skirts.

Feels good that there are more aboard now to chat!

For the FEE we decided to give a small light weight item per family, it is the attention that counts and not the amount we give.(Most of the time I buy some last minute candy items for the kids in the port were we leave or a port that we visit).

Have a disney day!

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

Hi -

I just noticed that they have started to post the Navigators for the 11 Night Med Cruise on-line. I also noticed that it appears to only be 1 formal night and 1 semi-formal night. This will help while I finalize what types of clothes to bring for the family.

If you click on the "Follow the Ultimate Trip Report" on this page you will see them posted...though most of you probably have already noticed them!

This is the actually link http://http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-cruise-line

I agree, I am going to bring light weight items as well for the Exchange. I am finalizing my design for my Fish Extender now...I don't have one yet.

It is so great to read all the comments and watch the video from everyone on the trip now. We are under the 100 day mark...woo hoo!

 

[Allesma]

I'm followng the report, listening to the blog and spelling ot the Navigators. Oh the Disguys sounded so satisfied about doing Malta on your own, now I'm doubting if we should do the DCL scavenger hunt or not....

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

I'm followng the report, listening to the blog and spelling ot the Navigators. Oh the Disguys sounded so satisfied about doing Malta on your own, now I'm doubting if we should do the DCL scavenger hunt or not....

I would probably book it just in case. There will be a few more cruises to the Med before we leave so you can read some more trip reports. I can't believe the people on the ship now are at the end of their trip. Not sure about you, but it actually seems to be going very fast. I hope it doesn't seem that fast when we are on the ship!

Going out today to see if I can find a good travel size blowdryer. I have always used the ship blowdryer, but the more I read on-line and the fact that this is a much longer trip...and my hair is much longer thinking it might be a good idea. Can't wear my hair in a ponytail every day!

Now that we are about 3 months away I think that things are going to start to go fast. I can't believe how long ago I booked this trip and it is actually almost here!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

Hi -

After reading the Navigators from the current Med cruise I contacted DCL to verify again what nights would be formal and semi formal for our sailing. This is how they responded:

The following is the current theme night schedule for your cruise,
however it is subject to change.

11-Night Mediterranean Cruise

*Nights 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11: cruise casual
*Night 2: "formal night" - formal wear for men: tuxedo or suit; for
women: gown or dress
*Night 8: pirate night with deck party - cruise casual or bring your
best pirate outfit!
*Nights 7 & 10: "semi-formal night" - semi-formal wear for men:
suit/jacket; for women: dress or pantsuit.

 

[Allesma]

At the moment snow in suroundings of Nice and waves of 6 meters high at the coast. We have tought to change the cruise when we heard of the kids sail free end of 2009 but our oldest DD did not get the second week free of school so changin was no option, and I'm so glad now because these waves are huge!

greetings and hope we will have a calm sea in august!

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

I hope it is smooth sailing too in August! Just ordered my Fish Extender and custom pillow cases for autographs on Ebay...I can't wait to get them!

 

[xsjackson]

Suppose to be grading papers and getting ready for state testing. As an 8th grade teacher I can tell you I have exactly 28 days of school left 41 with weekends!

Snowed at home twice this week! Its hard to wake up when its in the 30s in May. Cold summer. My college daughter reminds me every morning its in teh 80s and 90s in Philly. Thanks Alexis We haven't had much sun in days.

Lisa, i could not get your link to work at school so I will try it when I get home. Still got my fingers crossed that I can book all my excusions on Saturday. 9pm here on the west coast!

Can I order for both rooms? I have been on the 6 Disney cruises but my sister and her kids have only been on one.

oh my to catch up....

 

[jd99]

HI everyone.
Reading about the folks who just did the first Med cruise has gotten our whole family excited as all get out! We booked our excursions last week and got everything we wanted so we are pretty happy. We are "doing" more on this cruise than ever before because we think it's possibly a once in a lifetime - or at least once in a LONG time chance to see everything that we can possibly see out there - although we are doing beach days in Tunisia and Corsica. Italy is going to wear us out - thank goodness we have that sea day placed in the middle of our 3 Italian ports unlike this first sailing which did the three ports bang bang bang.

Hope everyone booking this weekend gets everything they want. The ONLY thing we didn't get was Palo High Tea (which we've never done before but with an 11 nighter thought we'd try it) so maybe when we get on board we can book it.

Happy Thursday!

Jeff