August 7th, 2010 Mediterranean Cruise

[GW45]

Yes they do take great care about allergies. We've only done one cruise, on the Wonder, when ds was 6. The first time we brought him to the Oceaneers Club before we even mentioned his allergies it was flashing on the computer screen to ask us for the Epipen. Everytime we checked him in or out they would see the Epipen reminder and ask us for it. My husband forgets to ask for it back constantly...I have had major meltdowns when he collects him from soccer practise or birthday parties and forgets to get the Epipen back ( I send him right back to get it, even though we have spares -drives me NUTS!!) but on the Disney Cruise they never let him forget it.Ok, I collected him a lot of the time but when he did he was always handed the Epipens before ds came through the little gate.

They don't have peanut butter on any of the buffets or menus but I think you can get PB&Js from room service so I always have this fear of some child eating it in their room and then not washing their hands or teeth and leaving smears of it on the slide or computers in the kids clubs. They try to get all the kids to use hand wipes on the way in so I probably shouldn't worry...

 

[GW45]

We are doing Carthage only. And only the 2 older kids (12 DS and 10dd), my dad, my siste, and myself. I teach history and have a masters degree in European History. My daughter is a junior in European History at PENN and is very jealous that we get to see Carthage. I have been looking up the history and legends and we are very excited. Two younger kids begged to stay on ship and we are touring with Disney because if their is a problem Disney will contact us and take care of us - happened to me 5 years ago on a 12 hr tour to Tulum, Mexico. They got hold of me and had me talk to my son on the ship. It was great and itwas all just a 10 yr old with nerves.

So are you booking a private tour to Carthage or just taking a taxi?

 

[xsjackson]

I know the feeling. I have the opposite allergies of my DD. I am highly allergic to all nuts, soy, fish, and strawberries. It's a little crazy when I cook, because I have to cook everything fresh at home. We hardly eat out.

I just went through another expired Epi-pen, jr. Just crossing my fingers. I also spoke to DCV's Medical Special Services Specialist, and she was so great to talk about my DD7's needs. She has made sure that my DD can have her epi-pen, jr. and inhaler bags with her at the front desk of the Oceaneer's Club. They also have Rice Dream ice cream.

I just found that DCL is so great in accommodating our allergies.

My son was allergic to all things with milk (not lactose-Dairy) and cloraphyil(green stuff). Most of that stuff is can tolerate at 17 but he now knows what to watch for. Disney and RCCL can handle almost anything given the opportunity. Wen he feels healthy mac and cheese is now a favorite. He has grown out of the worst of it but due to his early problems he is still a light weight. Almost 6 feet tall and barely 100 lbs. Still looks like a litle kids to me.

 

[xsjackson]

So are you booking a private tour to Carthage or just taking a taxi?

we are using Disney

 

[GW45]

Is there DCL excursion to just Carthage or are you doing one of the combination ones?

 

[xsjackson]

Is there DCL excursion to just Carthage or are you doing one of the combination ones?

Carthage and Medina

 

[abayaflowers]

Is there DCL excursion to just Carthage or are you doing one of the combination ones?

My DH and our friends are taking the Sidi Bou Said and Carthage DCL tour.

 

[xsjackson]

Just printed our boarding passes for trip #1 to Fredericksburg, VA.. Its getting started!

 

[abayaflowers]

Just printed our boarding passes for trip #1 to Fredericksburg, VA.. Its getting started!

That is so neat! Very excited for you.

We have to buy some travel pillows and the travel wallet. Are there any nice wallets out there? besides the fanny pack style.

I am thinking of designing my own.

 

[CruisingSarah]

Hi everyone, Well I have been busy and not on here for a while and so I have just caught up over 10 pages

Sounds like everyone is well prepared, not me, I am getting a bit stressed now!

Our travels docs finally arrived this morning and everything seems to be in order. I have started to make a list, and started to do the laundry

I have no magnets yet and not quite sure exactly how to get some made, I did post on that Magnets thread but noone has offered to help, do I need to send a private messge to someone in particular? It would just be nice to get a couple of magnets, it is our wedding anniversary on the cruise so one for that and one personalised for our son too.

Well, I have not even got a Fish Extender yet There was a mum at school who said she could help but I forgot to give her the details and now it's the school holidays! I am going to have to go out tomorrow and find something, I am not at all crafty

I have loads and loads of questions, I am going to get a list together and then post them up, hopefully someone will help.

We finally got a Barcelona Hotel sorted out for after the cruise, we are going to the Pullman for 2 nights, it looks really nice.

No excursions booked or planned yet, we have done several of the ports before and are happy to do our own thing mostly. I think we will make a plan to go to see Vesuvius whilst in naples though, DS has a thing for volcanoes!

Great to be back on here, looking forward to meeting by the Goofy Pool 2.30 on the first day!

Bon voyage to all who are setting out soon

 

[abayaflowers]

Our travels docs finally arrived this morning and everything seems to be in order. I have started to make a list, and started to do the laundry


Congrats! I received our travel docs a week ago. It's neat, isn't it?

As for the laundry, I have been going through so much and making sure that I don't over pack.

I have 40 extra clothes pins if someone needs them. Just send me a PM and I will be sure to drop them off with you at the ship.

I have no magnets yet and not quite sure exactly how to get some made, I did post on that Magnets thread but noone has offered to help, do I need to send a private messge to someone in particular? It would just be nice to get a couple of magnets, it is our wedding anniversary on the cruise so one for that and one personalised for our son too.

I just purchased decorations for our door and bought Elmer's tacky stuff. Discruisers are asked not to use tape or adhesive. The stuff that I bought today, supposedly, does not damage surfaces. I am absolutely freaked out about the magnets, because I don't want to demagnetize my credit cards and ATM cards.

At least you have travel in the areas before, so packing for you and your family should be easy

We will see you soon! Post the list of questions and we will try to answer them as best as possible for you.

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

Hi everyone, Well I have been busy and not on here for a while and so I have just caught up over 10 pages

Sounds like everyone is well prepared, not me, I am getting a bit stressed now!

Our travels docs finally arrived this morning and everything seems to be in order. I have started to make a list, and started to do the laundry

I have no magnets yet and not quite sure exactly how to get some made, I did post on that Magnets thread but noone has offered to help, do I need to send a private messge to someone in particular? It would just be nice to get a couple of magnets, it is our wedding anniversary on the cruise so one for that and one personalised for our son too.

Well, I have not even got a Fish Extender yet There was a mum at school who said she could help but I forgot to give her the details and now it's the school holidays! I am going to have to go out tomorrow and find something, I am not at all crafty

I have loads and loads of questions, I am going to get a list together and then post them up, hopefully someone will help.

We finally got a Barcelona Hotel sorted out for after the cruise, we are going to the Pullman for 2 nights, it looks really nice.

No excursions booked or planned yet, we have done several of the ports before and are happy to do our own thing mostly. I think we will make a plan to go to see Vesuvius whilst in naples though, DS has a thing for volcanoes!

Great to be back on here, looking forward to meeting by the Goofy Pool 2.30 on the first day!

Bon voyage to all who are setting out soon

Bring on the questions! Don't stress about the Fish Extender. I have seen a lot of great ideas on DISboards of people coming up with some cute alternatives. You might want to try a search on here. I saw someone link some small tote bags together. With all the college dorm room type stuff out in storms now, you might find a cute organizer.

I can't believe I can count on one hand how many days left before we leave...FIVE...woo hoo

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

So exciting, I decided to take a peek on the British Airways site to see if by chance or seats on the plane had been assigned already...and there they were! One thing I like about British Airways is they will assign families with children their seats at least 3 days before (which is Sunday) without a cost. I am happy we are all sitting together and I am okay with the seat position...so far so good! Holy smokes...the trip is so close!

 

[abayaflowers]

So exciting, I decided to take a peek on the British Airways site to see if by chance or seats on the plane had been assigned already...and there they were! One thing I like about British Airways is they will assign families with children their seats at least 3 days before (which is Sunday) without a cost. I am happy we are all sitting together and I am okay with the seat position...so far so good! Holy smokes...the trip is so close!

Ok. I am jealous and stressed. I read some reviews on US Airways from PHL to BCN and many people said that there were so many problems.

I am really trying to think happy thoughts., because I really don't want to be flying at the last minute to catch our cruise ship.

So, I have to think a lot happy thoughts. Does anyone experienced any problems with US Airways especially in PHL.

I am going to research a backup just in case.

 

[xsjackson]

So exciting, I decided to take a peek on the British Airways site to see if by chance or seats on the plane had been assigned already...and there they were! One thing I like about British Airways is they will assign families with children their seats at least 3 days before (which is Sunday) without a cost. I am happy we are all sitting together and I am okay with the seat position...so far so good! Holy smokes...the trip is so close!

Mine weren't assigned and I am on Britsh airways with 7 people 4 kids!

 

[bex1stcruise]

I am trying to send you a Private Message (PM), but there's not an option. I prefer to send it through this manner instead of posting it. Do you have it turned off on your account/profile?

I was thinking of skipping the lines, because I can narrate to my DD10 about all the paintings. Art History was one of my degrees from college. But, I know that she doesn't want to listen to what I know. I hired the tour company, because she is a licensed Art Historian. She can, apparently get us through everything. And get us through the crowds. Then, she will be taking us to the Colosseum where we will be meeting up with my DH and DD7 for a tour of that one.

The BIRG ticket is the one which you want to purchase to get into town, and purchase it from the newstand on the right when you get in the train station. It is 4 blocks from the port. But, remember to take the shuttle from the boat to the entrance of the port. It's long.

Then, get off on S. Petria (speling?)station. Apparently, termini is farther and you will have to take the Metro back to the Vatican.

Everyone has told me to plan for 1 1/2 to get from Civitavecchia to Rome.

Remember, the strict dress code - covered shoulders, no shorts, and covered knees.

Thanks so much for all the tips! Going to see whats going on with that PM situation now!

 

[xsjackson]

Thanks so much for all the tips! Going to see whats going on with that PM situation now!

you cant private message until you have 10 posts

 

[abayaflowers]

Remember, the strict dress code - covered shoulders, no shorts, and covered knees.

I just read on Huffington Post that the Strict Vatican Dress Code includes St. Peters Square. Essentially, you and your family needs to cover their shoulders, no shorts, and covered knees.

Vatican tourists told to cover up or face ban over skimpy clothes
By TRAVELMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 4:28 PM on 30th July 2010

The Vatican has imposed a crack-down on tourists' clothing and imposed a dress-code more commonly associated with the Royal Enclosure at Ascot.
'Inappropriately dressed' visitors to the Holy City have been told to cover up by Swiss Guards or face a ban.
Those entering St Peter's Basilica have long been required to dress modestly.
But since early this week the dress-code has been extended to St Peter's Square, which marks the border between the city state and Rome.

The Vatican has imposed a strict dress-code on tourists banning bare shoulders, skirts above the knee and shorts
From this point, shorts skirts and bare shoulders are not allowed.
The guards drew aside men in shorts and women with uncovered shoulders and short skirts to tell them that they were not dressed properly.
Some female visitors were obliged to buy shawls and scarves from nearby hawkers, while men had to wander off to the nearest shops to buy long trousers.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/a...ts-face-ban-skimpy-clothes.html#ixzz0vEk8yrWv

 

[WINIFISH]

What tours were you interested? The reason why I asked is because my DD10 and I are trying to book a private tour of the Vatican and the Colosseum. They quoted us $200 for 4 people. If you want to join us, we are taking the train into town. The tour is suppose to start at 9:30 a.m. Tickets to the Vatican are not included. The Colosseum tickets is found on Roma Pass. My DH and DD7 will not be joining us until the Colosseum. If you and your family are interested, I can ask our tour guide how much it will cost for 4 more people.

Let me know.

Thank you for the info and all the other good stuff you post. Finally got response from Rudy's Tours. For 7, it's $115 for a/c van transport to all sites including Vatican, Colliseum,catacombs, pantheon, Trevi fountin, Spanish steps, forum and others. Sounds like your guy is $50 each for tour in a couple of places once you get there. So haven't made up my mind. We don't have other people to go with us on a van tour yet. Who knows what we will end up with. Coming soon! Donna

 

[GreekMinnie]

Ok. I am jealous and stressed. I read some reviews on US Airways from PHL to BCN and many people said that there were so many problems.

I am really trying to think happy thoughts., because I really don't want to be flying at the last minute to catch our cruise ship.

So, I have to think a lot happy thoughts. Does anyone experienced any problems with US Airways especially in PHL.

I am going to research a backup just in case.

We are flying Philly to Barcelona too. What kind of problems did you read about? Flight delays? Hoping that goes well. We are flying one day early.