Bound for Barcelona - April 10, 2010 EB TA - Part 4

[woody73]

We have the following for Mexican Train Dominoes:

Woody73 - Woody & Mrs. Woody
Michelle2 - Michelle & Jared
KrisannB - Krisann & Ashley
Happy Goofy - Charlotte & John
ayntlynne - Lynne & Karen
goofprincess - Sandy & Tony

Anyone else?

For starters, let's play on Game Days (sea days, 1:00pm, Diversions, deck 3 forward). See post #24 on page 2.

From there we can add other days and times to accommodate Bunco players and the level of interest.

Krisann - would you please bring the game to the first Game Day? Thanks.

Woody

 

[auntlynne]

....Tomorrow I'm going to the bank to figure out the whole Euro, Gibraltar Pound, Pound Sterling (for our three days in London aftewards) vs. traveler's checks vs. debit card thing.

You can use Pounds Sterling in both Gibraltar and London. You just can't use your Gibraltar money in London - that cuts out one currency.

 

[auntlynne]

Reading through the internet (yes - the entire thing ), taking money out of an ATM with a debit card seems to offer the best exchange. Of course, there are exceptions - credit cards that waive the exchange fee, etc.

For London - I found credit cards to be the simplest way to go (May 2008). Even sandwich shops would take them. We didn't use taxis, I purchased a 2-day card that covered the subway and buses (you don't even have to show your ticket on the bus - it is an honor system - and a hefty fine if you don't actually have a ticket). I bought these tickets in Victoria Station after arriving by train from Gatwick.

 

[thossink]

I was just doing the end of the song; Donald doesn't pipe in there, does he?

I guess I should have put the beginning of the song on this new thread...


- Lynne

This Donald Lover will forgive you.

 

[woody73]

You can use Pounds Sterling in both Gibraltar and London. You just can't use your Gibraltar money in London - that cuts out one currency.

Correct.

So, if you make a purchase in Gibraltar, and receive Gibraltar Pound banknotes as change, be sure to spend them in Gibraltar.

Gibraltar Pound banknotes are not legal tender in the UK.

Woody

 

[tjbole71]

Has anyone ever mailed packages to their stateroom ? I like the idea but am a little worried that it won't get there and then all my presents, etc are in a warehouse while we sail the seven seas ! Any hints to ensure that packages will arrive safe and sound ?

 

[dertoyou]

...and you get to know where you are staying.

...and it is one of those giant cabins with a giant deck.

You'll be joining brannose, Brooklyn, grlzmom, goofprincess, Happy Goofy, michelle2 (just Michelle), shaylahc1, susanowen27, TheCruisers, Yvet and auntlynne in the B2B bunch.

The Med cruise is not nearly so talkative - we are on Thread #1, page 94 or so. Mainly we are just discussing port excursions right now.

You can add my cabin, 7136, to a tour if you would like.

Someone asked about military rates. You can be retired and sometimes you can book more than one cabin for family or friends. The rates on this and the Med (24 Apr) are great but, my understanding, can change at any moment. The rates seem to be about 1/2 of brochure price, I was able to change a Cata 11 to Cata 5 without any extra cost, or they would have given me back $800. Since it was after payment, I just decided to have a better ride with the Cat 5 and now with the B2B will be able to see some of Europe and Africa I failed to see in the past.

 

[Beauty & the Best]

Hot Chocolate sounds good I'm not a coffee drinker either....mmmmmmm chocolate covered strawberries. Started my crazy diet again this morning in the hopes of losing 10 more pounds before we leave so I will be loving eating stuff again when we board.

They really don't want you using anything but their 12 (16?) oz paper cups. I think it is a health issue. And no refilling the same cup - use a new one - and cringe at the non-greenness of that (of course, you are sailing on a giant hotel, are we really being green?) Now, you can bring your own cup and use as many of their paper cups as necessary to fill it. They do have Coca-Cola products - someone else will let you know about your specific choices - not finding much online right now.

So, DCL uses paper cups and not plastic (rewashable) ones? That is very strange.

 

[woody73]

Has anyone ever mailed packages to their stateroom ?

. . . Any hints to ensure that packages will arrive safe and sound ?

We used Priority Mail with delivery confirmation, and it worked fine.

Just make sure you your package is not oversize, overweight, or has prohibited items.

Woody

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

So, DCL uses paper cups and not plastic (rewashable) ones? That is very strange.

Only at the drink station and (if memory serves) the quick service food stations. All of the restaurants, including the buffet use glasses.

 

[Ginamarie]

Somebody gave a great suggestion. Go to the beverage station with our cool castaway club cups put some milk in the cup, then walk over to the ice cream station put some ice cream and chocolate syrup and shake. And there you have it instant (sort of) Milkshake.

Oh, that sounds pretty good! Add some coffee in there and you have one of those iced moccacinos!

 

[Wild4Disney]

Which of you want to join in the BUNCO fun?

How old is Madeline?

Would you like your name tag with or without Donald?

- Lynne

Just me (Heather) for Bunco. Not hubby's cup of tea (lol). Madeline is 8. Thanks to whoever created the countdown calendar! She's now counting down the days!

Name tag/lanyard with Donald would be great!

We are also staying at the Country Inn & Suites the 8th & 9th. I could have sworn there was a thread about a meet & greet - but can't find any info on it now. Can anyone fill me in on details?

 

[bound2travel]

We are also staying at the Country Inn & Suites the 8th & 9th. I could have sworn there was a thread about a meet & greet - but can't find any info on it now. Can anyone fill me in on details?

Check on either page 1 or 2, but I believe the meet is at the pool beginning at 6pm until.....

Kristi

 

[auntlynne]

Has anyone ever mailed packages to their stateroom ? I like the idea but am a little worried that it won't get there and then all my presents, etc are in a warehouse while we sail the seven seas ! Any hints to ensure that packages will arrive safe and sound ?

I have and had no problems - when my luggage came, so did the box. Use the instructions found here on the Boards (I think sdlong329 posted them in one of the early posts of this thread.

...Thanks to whoever created the countdown calendar! She's now counting down the days!...

I could have sworn there was a thread about a meet & greet - but can't find any info on it now. Can anyone fill me in on details?

Stephanie (Brooklyn) created those fun calendars.

Post one more time to get Private Message (PM) privileges, and I'm send you a PM with the details.

Lynne

 

[dee47]

Kileybeth and Yvet -- you have PMs!!!! (No, not PMS...Private Messages! )

 

[goofprincess]

I have now booked the B2B, could not resist the pricing, and Disney Air is not going to charge more for changing the date. Going to be in the same room, 7136. It was surprising after checking the availability of similar cabins online the numbers still showing available, since 7136 is HA, and calling that the same cabin was available and they even gave me an extra day hold so air department could verify if there would be an upcharge.

Held from Sat to Mon. Was booked using military rating and it was half of what regular pricing showed. Don't know if could of done the trip with that cabin without them having such good pricing. Either they need to load the ships or just being generous, expect they are loading the ship. This is going to be a long cruise 25 days (the longest other cruise we have taken was a B2B 19 day) in a lesser class.

WELCOME to the B2B.

 

[sdlong329]

I'll be missing my Diet Dr. Pepper, also. It's the only diet drink that I like. I'll stick to unsweetened tea and water instead. Except, of course, for the occasional glass of wine with dinner.

--We picked up three six-packs of 16 ounce Caffeine Free, Diet Pepsi. We'll stow them in our baggage on the flight (gosh, I hope they travel okay). We're Pepsi fans, and like to have a sip every now and then (especially at night) ... to wash that gosh-awful taste of COKE out of our mouths!

Has anyone ever mailed packages to their stateroom ? I like the idea but am a little worried that it won't get there and then all my presents, etc are in a warehouse while we sail the seven seas ! Any hints to ensure that packages will arrive safe and sound ?

---Just make sure the package is RECEIVED at the Orlando warehouse (not Port Canaveral), as stated on page 2. thread #17, by Noon, the day before the cruise departs. For us, that would mean package arrival is required by Noon, Friday, April 9th.

...a friend was asking if the military rate applies only to those on active duty?

---ACTIVE DUTY includes RESERVES as well (since duty is still *active*). I am not sure about retired. The Military Discount is offered to EVERYONE sailing in the same stateroom.

 

[Missymowse]

After several HOURS of phone calls. Telling some small fibs (I worked for a bank, my dad is a lawyer (sorry God)) and all your prayers etc... I am all set!! Expedia will refund the whole amount to our credit card no fees or penalties w/in the next 10days. I am soo relieved I could cry!! I think I have sat here staring at my computer for the past two days in total shock!! Thank You all so much for your prayers, warm wishes and fuzzies. NEVER underestimate the power of prayer and positive energy!!

Thanx sooo MUCH GUYS!!
My station will now resume normal cruise programming!!​

 

[dee47]

After several HOURS of phone calls. Telling some small fibs (I worked for a bank, my dad is a lawyer (sorry God)) and all your prayers etc... I am all set!! Expedia will refund the whole amount to our credit card no fees or penalties w/in the next 10days. I am soo relieved I could cry!! I think I have sat here staring at my computer for the past two days in total shock!! Thank You all so much for your prayers, warm wishes and fuzzies. NEVER underestimate the power of prayer and positive energy!!

Thanx sooo MUCH GUYS!!
My station will now resume normal cruise programming!!​

And there is much rejoicing! I'm so relieved for you guys!

 

[dertoyou]

--We picked up three six-packs of 16 ounce Caffeine Free, Diet Pepsi. We'll stow them in our baggage on the flight (gosh, I hope they travel okay). We're Pepsi fans, and like to have a sip every now and then (especially at night) ... to wash that gosh-awful taste of COKE out of our mouths!



---Just make sure the package is RECEIVED at the Orlando warehouse (not Port Canaveral), as stated on page 2. thread #17, by Noon, the day before the cruise departs. For us, that would mean package arrival is required by Noon, Friday, April 9th.


---ACTIVE DUTY includes RESERVES as well (since duty is still *active*). I am not sure about retired. The Military Discount is offered to EVERYONE sailing in the same stateroom.

The Current Disney Rules per their Web site are:

Special Military rates are available to all retired and active U.S. Military personnel, including U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marines, U.S Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Department of Defense personnel. Active and retired members of the U.S. military must provide valid identification at time of check-in. This offer is limited to a maximum of 3 staterooms per military member, per sailing. A U.S. Military service member is required to sail to take advantage of this offer. Activated members of the U.S. National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserve must also show active duty orders (active duty papers must be dated as of January 1st of the previous year to qualify).