August 7th, 2010 Mediterranean Cruise

[dustermom02]

So I realize - unlike oh so many other cruises - ours does not seem to have a name - any ideas? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

Fabulous movie - however - I don't recommend showing it when your neighbors show up with their 6, 4 & 2 yr old dds! And that is based on personal experience, unfortunately.

I agree -We have been so lame. I've been calling it "Our Magical Mediterranean Cruise" for our FE gifts.

 

[dustermom02]

Holy Cow! Does that ticker really say 30 days??!! Oh my word. I have so much left to do...

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

Holy Cow! Does that ticker really say 30 days??!! Oh my word. I have so much left to do...

I know! I am starting to freak out a little bit. Why is every time you want to go on vacation, things get crazy busy with work!

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

Fabulous movie - however - I don't recommend showing it when your neighbors show up with their 6, 4 & 2 yr old dds! And that is based on personal experience, unfortunately.

I agree -We have been so lame. I've been calling it "Our Magical Mediterranean Cruise" for our FE gifts.

We have been calling it, "The Walker Family's Mediterranean Adventure"

Maybe we should combine the two...Magical Mediterranean Adventure

 

[dustermom02]

Why is every time you want to go on vacation, things get crazy busy with work!

so true!!

 

[armyferret]

One thing to keep in mind is you usually get a better rate on foreign currency if you get it from that country. We are military living in England right now with an American credit union on base for us. I still get my Pounds from local ATM machines at a lot better rate, same with Euro when we visit other countries. Just something to keep in mind.

same for us here, and when we went to italy in may - the local banks atm's are usually the best exchange rate you will get..

i would NOT worry about getting euro before you even get into bcn - JMHO

 

[xsjackson]

I was just worried about getting some basics Like our first meal with younger kids when we arrived. Do the ATM have large $ service fees in Europe? We obviously dont use a European bank but an American bank like BOA.

Maybe I will let it go and get a little at our layover in London before we come into Barcelona.

 

[xsjackson]

I totally understand, Lisa. I am a teacher so its my time off, but I have a second job at a scrapbook store and was only to work 4 days in July but as fate has it, no one wants to work weekends - so now I work every Fri, Sat, and Sun until the 30th! AND they keep calling me in to work 2 other days during the week nights. Its not hard work but it is a min wage job - I just keep telling myself extra spending money for our cruise.

As soon as we get back I start "teacher days" and coaching 7-9th grade badminton, with my scrapbook job. Better enjoy my vacation!

In the last 2 weeks I have made 2 scavenger hunt mini-books and a baby album for my sister.

Oh, by the way, I am an aunt for the 8th time, Lucky Ray, 8.2 lbs baby boy born 7/7. Grandpa's grandchildren now range from 20 (mine) to 2 days old. You will meet the 4 in the middle on this trip. We are a very close family even though we dont live close to each other.

 

[makaylee]

I was just worried about getting some basics Like our first meal with younger kids when we arrived. Do the ATM have large $ service fees in Europe? We obviously dont use a European bank but an American bank like BOA.

Maybe I will let it go and get a little at our layover in London before we come into Barcelona.

Most of the ATMs I have used over here are free. If some did charge I would guess it's just a euro or so. You might want to check with your card company also because most charge a fee for european transactions. Mine charges 1% but I get 1% cash back and with the much better rate than my bank I still make out.

 

[armyferret]

I think i get charged at the most, 2 euro per transaction like makaylee said - FYI, the german banks beat the US banks exchange rate by about 3 cents on the dollar - which adds up, because we never take out less than 50 euro at a time.

And contrary to the way I was taught to travel (put it on the credit card, you will get a better interest rate... ) maybe ten years ago traveling in europe on credit was no biggy, but now, a lot of places will just not accept credit (including some hotels, etc), AND i know capital one, and chase both RIP you off on the exchange rate - by like 10 cents on the dollar - ridiculous! And then charge a foreign transaction fee of up to 10% of the purchase price. Can we say rip off?

oh, and most atm's are "international" so don't worry about language issues, english is ALWAYS an option! And being international - i honestly have NEVER found an atm anywhere we have traveled that would not take my debit card... just FYI...

On another note - WE GOT OUR TRAVEL DOC's TODAY!!! YIPPEE, It's really, really, really real now! If i can only make it through the next few weeks, all will be dandy!

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

I think i get charged at the most, 2 euro per transaction like makaylee said - FYI, the german banks beat the US banks exchange rate by about 3 cents on the dollar - which adds up, because we never take out less than 50 euro at a time.

And contrary to the way I was taught to travel (put it on the credit card, you will get a better interest rate... ) maybe ten years ago traveling in europe on credit was no biggy, but now, a lot of places will just not accept credit (including some hotels, etc), AND i know capital one, and chase both RIP you off on the exchange rate - by like 10 cents on the dollar - ridiculous! And then charge a foreign transaction fee of up to 10% of the purchase price. Can we say rip off?

oh, and most atm's are "international" so don't worry about language issues, english is ALWAYS an option! And being international - i honestly have NEVER found an atm anywhere we have traveled that would not take my debit card... just FYI...

On another note - WE GOT OUR TRAVEL DOC's TODAY!!! YIPPEE, It's really, really, really real now! If i can only make it through the next few weeks, all will be dandy!

Really? I was under the impression that Capital One did not charge a fee...I will be giving them a call before we head out! I had a feeling that if they did not charge a fee that their exchange rate wouldn't be that great on purchases.

 

[armyferret]

You're right - capital one did NOT charge a foreign transaction fee- just chase does - capital one, however has the WORST exchange rate of anyone - going exchg rate is about 1dollar to 1.24euro - capital one charges 1.35 - which makes quite a difference....

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

You're right - capital one did NOT charge a foreign transaction fee- just chase does - capital one, however has the WORST exchange rate of anyone - going exchg rate is about 1dollar to 1.24euro - capital one charges 1.35 - which makes quite a difference....

I figured that...nothing is for "free" these days. So, in your opinion, what is the best credit card to use? How did you find out Capital One's exchange rate?

 

[jd99]

uh-oh. I have 2 chase cards and an american express. Am I screwed? Do I need to quickly apply for another credit card to use on this trip and hope it comes in time?

 

[xsjackson]

Will I think I will wait until I hit Europe to get my Euros. I am usin BOA and Am EX for credit it will have to do.

I am so ready!

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

Will I think I will wait until I hit Europe to get my Euros. I am usin BOA and Am EX for credit it will have to do.

I am so ready!

I am sooooo ready too! Let's all join in with the Happy Dance...it is so close!

As for the credit cards, I am not going to worry too much about it. I had read that Capital One was a good card to get for overseas and that is the card that I obtained, so I guess that is still the card I will use. I always knew their exchange rate would be higher because of the "no fee" situation. I will also be bringing my Disney Visa to use onboard and of course my debit card if I need extra $$. I have my Euros, and well, I am almost packed and ready to go.

Though, I had a panic attack today. I noticed Tylenol has had yet another recall. I had went out and bought a bunch of meds for the trip and of course some of the meds that I bought were part of the recall...never a dull moment. Two steps forward, two steps back. Still dancing

I am looking forward to trying to get a bunch accomplished this weekend both with work and getting ready for the trip. It's almost here everyone!!

 

[xsjackson]

Lisa, I just looked at your great map of the ship and where people are. I am so jealous of those with balconies. Our last 4 cruises we have had balconies but this one was out of consideration for my sister with 4 kids in anything but a inside room. AND I would be a fool to not go over a balcony...or even let her feel bad. Oh the other hand (and the bright side, the kids will love that so many of you have kids and are on the 2nd deck too.

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

Lisa, I just looked at your great map of the ship and where people are. I am so jealous of those with balconies. Our last 4 cruises we have had balconies but this one was out of consideration for my sister with 4 kids in anything but a inside room. AND I would be a fool to not go over a balcony...or even let her feel bad. Oh the other hand (and the bright side, the kids will love that so many of you have kids and are on the 2nd deck too.

It was fun doing the map to see where everyone was staying. It is going to make passing out gifts easy since many of you are on the 2nd deck. Did you see...CruisingSarah is pretty much across from you and Dustermom02 is pretty much across the hall from me

You are welcome to come hangout with me on my balcony anytime You made the right choice for your situation. I went back and forth several times about whether or not to spend the extra $$ on the balcony. Heck I am still second guessing myself!

 

[makaylee]

I think i get charged at the most, 2 euro per transaction like makaylee said - FYI, the german banks beat the US banks exchange rate by about 3 cents on the dollar - which adds up, because we never take out less than 50 euro at a time.

And contrary to the way I was taught to travel (put it on the credit card, you will get a better interest rate... ) maybe ten years ago traveling in europe on credit was no biggy, but now, a lot of places will just not accept credit (including some hotels, etc), AND i know capital one, and chase both RIP you off on the exchange rate - by like 10 cents on the dollar - ridiculous! And then charge a foreign transaction fee of up to 10% of the purchase price. Can we say rip off?

oh, and most atm's are "international" so don't worry about language issues, english is ALWAYS an option! And being international - i honestly have NEVER found an atm anywhere we have traveled that would not take my debit card... just FYI...

On another note - WE GOT OUR TRAVEL DOC's TODAY!!! YIPPEE, It's really, really, really real now! If i can only make it through the next few weeks, all will be dandy!

I guess it depends on your credit card company. I personally get a better rate than my bank and have never had any problems using my VISA any where in Europe. It's probably a safe bet to call your card company before you travel and find out the fees. You should always let them know you're traveling anyway.

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

Well I am happy to report I now have 3 suitcases packed and two more to go! As I was packing for DH, I realized that there will of course be ironing to do. I have never sent out clothes to be pressed on DCL...have any of you? Have you encountered any problems?

I was thinking it would be nice to send out what needed to be done on the first day and not worry about getting clothes ready for the rest of the trip. Because "you know who" will be the one seeking out the iron. I do have some of that wrinkle free spray too - that stuff works great!