August 7th, 2010 Mediterranean Cruise

[LisaWalkerC21]

Hello to everyone! I JUST found this board, and we JUST booked our cruise at the end of June. I think it's super neat that you all have been chit chatting, tip sharing and trip supporting on here for as long as you have. I'm so happy to share the excitement with you. Lisa, saw your message on the other board about the Goofy pool @ 2:30 and we will plan to meet there! Happy packing everyone!

YEAH! I am so glad you moved over here! I wasn't sure if I could mention DISboards on that "other" site Welcome Aboard!! Glad you joined our group

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

Okay, so I went back and forth about whether or not to get a global phone for the trip. I am one of "those" people who is addicted to their Blackberry. I am so nervous that for some reason I may need a phone while we are away, i.e. lost luggage, sick kid, etc...So, I broke down and rented a phone from Verizon. They had originally told me they would send a flip phone, but he said they were all out (hmmm) and that he was sending me a Blackberry. The good news is I can shut data off (which is so expensive anyways) and the plan is to turn it on for emergencies only. I think I will have my husband hide the battery!

My problem is that if it gets turned on and there is a text from a client that may not be "good news" I will let it bother me...ugh! So, I have an idea DON'T TURN THE PHONE ON. (I always wanted to use that cute graphic )

So, the phone is on its way...another thing crossed off the list.

 

[DeDe711]

Hi Lisa...I'm dealing with this phone/data issue right now...My DH will likely need to be on a few conference calls while we were at sea, and I was starting to look at the options...UGH!! The cruise/maritime roaming rates are $2.49/minute, and there is no data plan while on the ship...It's $20/MB!! I'm thinking our best bets are to only use the cell phone when in port...

Cute "idea" smiley

 

[Allesma]

Also got the suitcases ut of the staircase and piles on the DD's desks and on our spare bed, looks as if I have to leave halve of it at home due to travel regulations within Europe which only allows us to take 1 suitcase of 44 lbs pp. Will have to make some hard decisions about the shoes..... And have some items dry cleaned or washed via our room attendent and mix and match.... At least my ebook saves some lbs!

Happy packing and a Disney day to all

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

Also got the suitcases ut of the staircase and piles on the DD's desks and on our spare bed, looks as if I have to leave halve of it at home due to travel regulations within Europe which only allows us to take 1 suitcase of 44 lbs pp. Will have to make some hard decisions about the shoes..... And have some items dry cleaned or washed via our room attendent and mix and match.... At least my ebook saves some lbs!

Happy packing and a Disney day to all

I just tested my portable luggage scale...happy to report I believe it is pretty accurate. I hear ya, I have been taking things out the last few days and will most definitely services on board to press and dry clean if need be!

I am in single digits now...leaving in 9 days! I can barely stand it!

 

[bex1stcruise]

Welcome aboard! How many happy cruisers in your party?

Thank you! It's my husband and I, and our two boys. 8 yrs and 6mths.

 

[abayaflowers]

Hi Lisa...I'm dealing with this phone/data issue right now...My DH will likely need to be on a few conference calls while we were at sea, and I was starting to look at the options...UGH!! The cruise/maritime roaming rates are $2.49/minute, and there is no data plan while on the ship...It's $20/MB!! I'm thinking our best bets are to only use the cell phone when in port...

Cute "idea" smiley

Then, your husband can make phone calls for .02 a minute and video conference is the same.

 

[abayaflowers]

Thank you! It's my husband and I, and our two boys. 8 yrs and 6mths.

That's great! We have two DD's 10 & 7. Looking forward to meeting you soon.

 

[DeDe711]

Then, your husband can make phone calls for .02 a minute and video conference is the same.

Please do tell!! How would we do this? I thought I saw that Skype was prohibited due to bandwidth issues?

 

[GW45]

No Skype? I thought we could use that if we had our little laptop with us.... Oh well, will have to wait until we get off the ship to make any calls. Never mind....I'M STILL SO EXCITED!!!:

Thanks to all of you super organised people who gave me a fright about a week ago when I saw how far ahead you all were with planning and packing I made a start and now have 4 suitcases laid out on the bed in the spare room and have been gradually adding things to each case and am about 75% there......that is a result for me as I'm usually still doing the laundry for the trip the day before and pack during the night when we have an early flight.......not good for the stress levels but it always happens.

Hopefully this will make a difference next Tuesday -we leave for Barcelona on Wednesday.Had originally booked to fly out on Friday evening but those volcanic ash clouds got me worrying back in May that we might need an extra few days to get to Barcelona. Cost a lot to change our flights and add the extra days to hotel booking but at least now we'll have some time to explore Barcelona ...or chill for a few days

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

Thank you! It's my husband and I, and our two boys. 8 yrs and 6mths.

My boys will be excited to have more boys their age. My youngest will be eight next month and my oldest is 9. It will be fun to see all the kids meeting each other at the Goofy Pool

 

[GW45]

My ds is turning 10 a few days after the cruise so he'll be glad to have a few kids near his age in the Lab. He's afraid that now they let the younger kids go between the Oceaneers Club and Lab he'll have our dd whos 5 (almost 6) following him around the whole time. He's starting to sound like a teenager!

 

[makaylee]

Also got the suitcases ut of the staircase and piles on the DD's desks and on our spare bed, looks as if I have to leave halve of it at home due to travel regulations within Europe which only allows us to take 1 suitcase of 44 lbs pp. Will have to make some hard decisions about the shoes..... And have some items dry cleaned or washed via our room attendant and mix and match.... At least my ebook saves some lbs!

Happy packing and a Disney day to all

Are you allowed a carry on? We're flying Easyjet and our carry on has no weight limit. I was going to use that to put all my heavier items in and hopefully be able to cram the rest into my 44 lb check in. My fingers are crossed, I don't usually pack until the day before so we'll see.

Good luck on the packing to everyone! Gotta love those European weight restrictions!!

 

[abayaflowers]

Are you allowed a carry on? We're flying Easyjet and our carry on has no weight limit. I was going to use that to put all my heavier items in and hopefully be able to cram the rest into my 44 lb check in. My fingers are crossed, I don't usually pack until the day before so we'll see.

Good luck on the packing to everyone! Gotta love those European weight restrictions!!

I didn't realize that there is a European weight restriction. So, does that mean if I go into Europe with a 50 lb weight limit on one airline and then turn around from BCN to the US, I would have to make sure that my luggage weighs less than 44 lbs.?

So, I am going over the DD's luggages yesterday and the youngest has the heaviest carry-on. Maybe, it's all those stuffed animals that she has.

Good luck to everyone and if there are more last minute tips that I need to know... I would be able to use them.

 

[xsjackson]

Packed right at the weight limit. May have to take things out. My "purse" is very heavy with stuff to entertain 4 kids on the long flights from DC to London and London to Barcelona. My camera bag is another extra that I will have a hard time stuffing in my "purse" if I have too.

For spring break in China we took EVA air and they had a 7lb weight limit on carryons. Had to re adjust everything at the airport

 

[GW45]

Most UK airports only allow one piece of carry-on. If you have a purse that counts as your one bag so you have to make it fit inside whatever carry on bag you take. Some airlines are strict about the size and weight of your carry on....Ryanair, for example, are real sticklers.I think they allow 10kg for carry on but are strict on size and shape of bag.

 

[abayaflowers]

Most UK airports only allow one piece of carry-on. If you have a purse that counts as your one bag so you have to make it fit inside whatever carry on bag you take. Some airlines are strict about the size and weight of your carry on....Ryanair, for example, are real sticklers.I think they allow 10kg for carry on but are strict on size and shape of bag.

Thanks for the information. I am going down to the airport this weekend to check out if my suitcase fits. I just don't want to be told at the last minute that I cannot take my carry-on suitcase.

 

[makaylee]

I didn't realize that there is a European weight restriction. So, does that mean if I go into Europe with a 50 lb weight limit on one airline and then turn around from BCN to the US, I would have to make sure that my luggage weighs less than 44 lbs.?

So, I am going over the DD's luggages yesterday and the youngest has the heaviest carry-on. Maybe, it's all those stuffed animals that she has.

Good luck to everyone and if there are more last minute tips that I need to know... I would be able to use them.

Your weight restrictions should be the same they were coming over as long as it is the same carrier. I believe the 44lbs is just if you fly a carrier that is based out of here. My mom is coming from the states to go on the cruise with us, she is flying continental to get to our house in England and her weight restriction is 2 bags @ 50 lbs each. But when she does Easyjet to Barcelona with us she will only get the one bag at 44 lbs.
Have a good day

edited to add

she was actually only allowed 1 bag for free the second was $50 =)

 

[xsjackson]

My bag only weighed 39 lbs. see how many times I repack before I leave on Sat!

 

[abayaflowers]

My bag only weighed 39 lbs. see how many times I repack before I leave on Sat!

That's great! I need to go over everyone's suitcase before hand. Just in case, someone decided to sneak something in.