August 7th, 2010 Mediterranean Cruise

[abayaflowers]

I sent it through PM. Geri's kids 10 and 7 will also be doing the Choc Artist that day. They that they give the tour in English, Catalion, and Spanish so the kids will be fine and at this rate it will be all DIS kids anyway.

We are also arriving on the 4th.

Yes, the DD's are so excited. We are from the "Silicon Valley" in California. I will try to figure out soon how to get the pics of our family on here soon. It will help everyone out to figure who we are.

Looking forward to our trip.

 

[abayaflowers]

I just printed 6 to a page and wrote our real names in.

2:30 sounds good to us. I hate to be late. We have our tansfer picking us up at 11am on the 7th but we are an unruly group of 7 and getting everyone to do the same thing at once is never easy.

We will be there at 2:30 p.m. We also pulled out our lanyards and have printed out our names on it.

This is exciting!

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

I spoke to two airlines, because we have two legs of the trip on different airlines. I have learned the way to correctly measure carry-on suitcases.

1. Take a measuring tape. Then, measure the height of the suitcase. Do not measure the wheels or the handle which does not count towards the measurements.
2. Then, measure the width of the suitcase = W. Remember not to include the handle.
3. Lastly, measure the depth.
4. If you add all three measurements and the sum is under 45 linear inches. Then, your carry-on is good.
5. Warning: If you are over the 45 linear inches even by 1/2", they will have to check it in.

I hope that this helps everyone with Carry-on Questions.

You are lucky. We are flying British Airways and according to their diagram, I need to include the wheels and handle...frustrating.

 

[abayaflowers]

You are lucky. We are flying British Airways and according to their diagram, I need to include the wheels and handle...frustrating.

Bummer, Lisa...I wish that the airlines were consistent and not make it so difficult to fly. If they made it easier, people would want to fly more.

Anyways, I went to my bank today and found out that I had to notify them about my travel abroad and which countries.

Then, when I asked for a Debit Card with the Visa/Maestro logo, they told me that no businesses in Spain will not take it. They take cash. Did anyone hear this, too?

The bank told me that Spain has had a lot of Visa/Maestro fraud. So, Spain is the only country which Visa/Maestro will not honor purchases. Frustrating if this is true.



Anyways, I have to do some more research and get my finances straightened out.

 

[armyferret]

Bummer, Lisa...I wish that the airlines were consistent and not make it so difficult to fly. If they made it easier, people would want to fly more.

Anyways, I went to my bank today and found out that I had to notify them about my travel abroad and which countries.

Then, when I asked for a Debit Card with the Visa/Maestro logo, they told me that no businesses in Spain will not take it. They take cash. Did anyone hear this, too?

The bank told me that Spain has had a lot of Visa/Maestro fraud. So, Spain is the only country which Visa/Maestro will not honor purchases. Frustrating if this is true.



Anyways, I have to do some more research and get my finances straightened out.

i had not heard this at all - in fact, i used my visa to pay for my hotel in spain already - is there some way you can call visa directly - sounds like someone was lazy at the bank. i LIVE in europe, and have only had acceptance issues here in Germany - and that is just because the germans don't really like credit in general (errr - don't like paying the 3% transaction fee).. as far as crime, etc, italy is just as bad, and i have NEVER had issues there with my credit cards at all..........

i would hazard a guess, that blocking an entire country from using your brand of credit cards would be a BAD business practice....

 

[armyferret]

and FYI, there is NO mention of it on VISAs website - and there are cust. service #s to call if you are in spain....

 

[makaylee]

really??????? wow! go fig, a few weeks ago, it was wide open, and we got our mil discount! think there is a chance of any upgrades at the port becoming avail?

I asked and she said that if people cancel there might be some available. For people to cancel this late though it would have to be a real emergency since you would get no money back. Which leaves me to think there will only be a few if any. Oh well, we'll see. It's like my husband said though, on a normal sailing we are hardly ever in our room except to sleep and get ready, so why pay all the extra money? Bless him, he was still going to let me pay the extra $850 to have a verandah though. With all of the stops on this sailing I doubt we would have gotten our moneys worth. Oh well, that's more money I can spend on the ship and ports.

 

[makaylee]

Just to let everyone know, our ship is fully booked. I called about paying for an upgrade and they have NOTHING! Wow

I take this back. I just went on the website this morning and they were showing cat 6 and 11 available. hmmm Now I have to go back to debating over the verandah.

 

[abayaflowers]

I take this back. I just went on the website this morning and they were showing cat 6 and 11 available. hmmm Now I have to go back to debating over the verandah.

I am hoping for an upgrade, too!

I am starting to stress out, because half of my to-do list is still outstanding. O.k. I have to remember to breath.

I hope that some Pixie Dust falls your way, too.

 

[xsjackson]

Bummer, Lisa...I wish that the airlines were consistent and not make it so difficult to fly. If they made it easier, people would want to fly more.

Anyways, I went to my bank today and found out that I had to notify them about my travel abroad and which countries.

Then, when I asked for a Debit Card with the Visa/Maestro logo, they told me that no businesses in Spain will not take it. They take cash. Did anyone hear this, too?

The bank told me that Spain has had a lot of Visa/Maestro fraud. So, Spain is the only country which Visa/Maestro will not honor purchases. Frustrating if this is true.




Anyways, I have to do some more research and get my finances straightened out.

Yes we were told this when we went to reserve our hotel. It is a small local hotel and they would not take Visa or Amex only cash or mastercard. I had to get a Mastercard from my dad because I only have 2 visa's and an Amex

My husband and I travel alot - ALWAYS tell your cc company where you are going or they cut you off and you are stuck at dinner with no cc. This has happened to us in Miami and on a layover in Heathrow!

 

[abayaflowers]

and FYI, there is NO mention of it on VISAs website - and there are cust. service #s to call if you are in spain....

I am planning to do that this morning.

 

[xsjackson]

Two week's tomorrow I leave for my sister's and the East Coast!

Then a busy 2.5 days at her house to help her pack her 4 kids then off to Barcelona. It's soooo hard to wait until August for vacation.

 

[armyferret]

SO, I called DCL, and was told the ship is COMPLETELY booked - also asked what flicks are playing - - was told the list is...

Princess and the Frog
UP
Toy Story I, II & III in 3-d
Old Dogs
When in Rome
Alice in Wonderland
Last Song
Oceans
and while we are on the ship (aug 16), Step Up III will be premiering...

 

[GreekMinnie]

Hi all! Last week I felt like I was ahead in getting things done. Now not so much. Time to finalize my list and get more organized.

 

[abayaflowers]

I just received confirmation for our DD's class at the Chocolate Museum. There is still room if you are interested, please let me know and I will send you a PM.

Also, I confirmed with my hotel that they take VISA. Yeah!

Now, I don't have to worry. However, it is true that many small restuarants and businesses will not take the VISA, Maestro, or AMEX.

I double checked with all the places that we were interested in having dinner in Barcelona, Italy, and our private tour guides.

I am so glad that I found about now than later.

 

[abayaflowers]

SO, I called DCL, and was told the ship is COMPLETELY booked - also asked what flicks are playing - - was told the list is...

Princess and the Frog
UP
Toy Story I, II & III in 3-d
Old Dogs
When in Rome
Alice in Wonderland
Last Song
Oceans
and while we are on the ship (aug 16), Step Up III will be premiering...

I am so glad about this list. My DD's and I will try to watch every single one. If you need to take a break and would like your DD or DH watch one of the movies with us, just let me know and I will schedule it in. Take the time to schedule a spa, pedicure, or relax by the adult pool. We haven't been to a movie theater in a year. We are so busy with school and work including after school activities.

 

[abayaflowers]

Collapsible laundry hamper - you know the one, it's mess with a hard frame that collapses flat. Even on short cruises we bring it. It saves from having laundry all over the place. On longer cruises it's the wake up call that it's time to do laundry.

I found this idea on the disboard. It's a great idea. I just bought one for $3.99 at Walgreens.

 

[makaylee]

I am hoping for an upgrade, too!

I am starting to stress out, because half of my to-do list is still outstanding. O.k. I have to remember to breath.

I hope that some Pixie Dust falls your way, too.

.


I feel you on the stressing out. I still haven't finalized

what we're doing at all of the ports.

I called DCL this evening and they had a cat 6gty available for us for only $800 more. That's coming from a cat 11 gty. Pretty affordable! Gotta love the military discount. But alas we decided against it. My mom is traveling with us and our kids are going to be in her room, we ended up getting connectiong cat 10's so we figured we better not mess with it. This way if our ds 4 wants to come sleep with mom and dad at night he can come right through the door.
Have a MAGICal day all

 

[makaylee]

I found this idea on the disboard. It's a great idea. I just bought one for $3.99 at Walgreens.

Yes those are a must, especially since we are going to be on the ship so long. Definalty gonna need to do laundry.

 

[abayaflowers]

Yes those are a must, especially since we are going to be on the ship so long. Definalty gonna need to do laundry.

Where is a good place to pick up laundry detergent in Barcelona? I need to get some detergent that is perfume-free and dye-free.