Bugs and Plugs

[MJGirl]

Hope the title got your attention!

I will be cruising DCL for the first time next summer in the Med. Now I know most of you have cruised the Carribbean, but do any of you know about the bug situation on the ship while in the Med? I tend to attract every mosquito possible, as well as black flies and other biting bugs. Will this be a problem? Should I pack my trusty bug repellent?

My second topic is plugs? I'm assuming that we will not need current converters on the ship. Is this correct? Do the ships use the same plug types that they use in the States?

Thanks for your answers!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Ha ha - it SURE did. Not sure I've ever met a bug I liked....

I haven't cruised YET- but I'm pretty sure you do not need plug converters. I'm sure those who have been on already will chirp in on this one. Pun intended...well crickets chirp don't they?

 

[Scratch42]

Don't know about any bugs, since this will be the first time sailing over there in August?

But as far as the plugs are concerned, just bring an extension cord.

I found a great one at Dollarama which is actually a small corded power bar which allows us to plug many items at once!

Happy Sailing

j

 

[AhoyCaptainMickey]

no idea on the bugs...but we always bring a power cord and night light...

 

[woody73]

The outlets are 110-120 volt. If you have multiple items to plug in, an extension cord or power strip is handy.

Woody

 

[KimberlyC]

Fear not, you can plug just about anything you bought at Canadian Tire (after all they sell more than just tires) into a DCL outlet without a adapter.

If you are doing a pre-cruise stay, go to Canadian Tire and buy an outlet adapter because while the Magic outlets have the same 3 prong (2 flat and one round) configuration used throughout the US and Canada, outlets used in Europe (I believe UK is different but this is true for Spain) have the 2 round prong outlets. An adapter only costs few dollars. Also you may want a voltage converter because US/Canada uses 110 V and Europe uses 220 V AC. This will cost about "One Thousand Canadian Dollars...Or Ten Dollars US, if you prefer." (Couldn't resist making reference to Canadian Bacon). Look in the travel section next to the luggage tags and travel locks. Sometimes they'll come in kits, usually $20 or less.

I take a power strip and extension cord on all cruises because I've yet to find one that has enough plugs in convenient places in my stateroom.

As for the bugs, I sailed in early October so I have no idea what the summer brings. Nevertheless, the only bug problem I ever encountered was in port in Malta (is DCL even sailing to Malta?). Anyway Malta had locust like bugs. They certainly weren't arriving in plague quantity but a few made their way to my balcony and I didn't care for them. Spain, France, Italy, Sicily...never noticed any bugs and I'm a woman who has a Mosquito Magnet and a professional company spray my yard all summer long because I loathe bugs, especially mosquitos.

The Med is lovely! Enjoy your cruise!

 

[woody73]

. . . This will cost about "One Thousand Canadian Dollars...Or Ten Dollars US, if you prefer." . . .

LOL!!!

 

[palmickey2005]

This will cost about "One Thousand Canadian Dollars...Or Ten Dollars US, if you prefer." (Couldn't resist making reference to Canadian Bacon).

Have you checked the exchange rates of the US Dollar to the Canadian lately ?

Check first

MJGirl I hope you have a great trip!

 

[disneycruise05]

I lived in Germany from the summer of 2001 to the summer of 2005 (yay for being an army brat ) and traveled to Italy during the summers or '03 and '04. The one place I remember having to deal with any flying bugs (not mosquitos) was Venice due to all the canals. So I wouldn't worry about any bugs on the Med. cruises.

HTH!

 

[MJGirl]

Thanks everyone... I will definitely bring a powerbar, and according to Disneycruise05, it looks like I can leave the bugspray at home!

 

[Surroundedbyboys]

We were in Italy in June 2 years ago (Rome, Venice, Florence, etc) and had no problems with any bugs at all. It was HOT- take lots of sunscreen and those portable water fans work great!

 

[MJGirl]

Thanks for the tip about the water spray fans...it's already on my list of things to bring!

 

[smoof]

I have spent some time in Italy and have not had any problem with bugs. I can probably say, less of a problem than I do in the states. I am very allergic to mosquito bites. My family lives on an island off Naples, and they don't believe in air conditioning or screens. I have never had a problem.

 

[KimberlyC]

Have you checked the exchange rates of the US Dollar to the Canadian lately ?

Check first

Yes. My best friend and her DH were visiting from Toronto this weekend and she was a happy camper that she didn't get hosed on the exchange rate. Couple that with the fact that Michigan has 6% sales tax versus 15% for GST/PST and she had a damn good excuse to go shopping. So shop we did

Ah, the good ol days when the exchange rate hovered around $1.54....


As for the fans, I bought one from Walmart yesterday for just under $5 and the stupid thing is defective. Make sure to test it right away. They take 2 AA batteries. My batteries are good but my fan is not. Looks like I need to make another trip to WallyWorld before we leave for WDW!

 

[woody73]

. . . I tend to attract every mosquito possible, as well as black flies and other biting bugs. Will this be a problem? Should I pack my trusty bug repellent? . . .

I suggest bringing it. When we visited Spain, we had no problems in Seville, or Marbella. But when were in Cadiz, we were out one evening and my DW got bit by bugs. By the next morning, her feet were swollen.

On a Mediterranean cruise, you'll be visiting very diverse climates and conditions that can change, even week to week. I suggest being prepared.

Woody