Is anyone cruising with me on the August 27th 2011 Meditteranean Cruise? Hellooooo?

[OhioDisneyDavid]

I have added your info to our Ship Mate page on our website! Email me a picture and I will add that too. Congrats on your 1st Disney cruise! This is also our first Cruise/Disney Cruise, 1st international travel too (except mexico, but does that really count?)

Thanks for the addition! Still to new to send you a PM. Send me your email address and I will send an awesome picture of us in Carmel, CA.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Hi Roni! Yes, Mexico counts! please show us a pic of your outfits! I agree, the main things are booked. This is also our first international cruise, and is our first 7 day cruise. I am a type "A" planner, so it seems like I am always reading up on something about this Med cruise. My latest mission is figuring out the "euro". How much to get, where to get them, and where to exchange them back if I have some left over.

And of course, finding that special "hat"!

I have added your info to our Ship Mate page on our website! Email me a picture and I will add that too. Congrats on your 1st Disney cruise! This is also our first Cruise/Disney Cruise, 1st international travel too (except mexico, but does that really count?)



I have felt twinges of overwhelmness - if that is a word. But, I take it one task at a time, one port at a time. Right now i've kinda taken a break from the research cause of the overload on info. So now i'm working on sewing outfits for the trip. I don't want to worry about transfers, I figure taxi's are plenty and easy enough. Saves me researching that.
Overall, the cruise, flight, hotel and Italy excursions are booked. Those are my key ingredients to this recipe, so now that those are booked, i'm not stressed.



We will be staying at the Fira Palace. It's away from the nightlife, which we aren't interested in. Thanks to mkmommy, we got a great early bird deal of 74 euro a night for the 4 of us. I've put a link on the Barcelona page on the website.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Very cool! Our youngest just got married last year so we are close to the same spot in our life. No Kids = More Mom & Dad Fun!

We have been putting off this big trip for +5 years and are using our DVC points to make it happen.

Wow, so you booked your cruise on points? Congrats!!

We rented out our DVC points for the cruise. But now I don't have any points left to use until 2013!

Hope to meet you on the ship, for a drink maybe!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

If you are staying with a hotel booked thru disney for pre and post it is 99 from the airport to hotel and hotel to port and back the return trips.

Is that per person? When I called there were separate charges for return transfers from the ship. I've been reading taxi's have a minimum from the airport, starting at 25 euro. I think a taxi from the airport to the port is 35 euro.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hi Roni! Yes, Mexico counts! please show us a pic of your outfits! I agree, the main things are booked. This is also our first internayltional cruise, and is our first 7 day cruise. I am a type "A" planner, so it seems like I am always reading up on something about this Med cruise. My latest mission is figuring out the "euro". How much to get, where to get them, and where to exchange them back if I have some left over.

Before we moved here we found that the easiest and cheapest way to exchange money was just to use our ATM card at an ATM once we arrived to pull out Euros. We got the best exchanges that way. Just confirm with your bank before you leave that your card will work in European ATMS.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Before we moved here we found that the easiest and cheapest way to exchange money was just to use our ATM card at an ATM once we arrived to pull out Euros. We got the best exchanges that way. Just confirm with your bank before you leave that your card will work in European ATMS.

Thanks Hadley! Well I need to pay for the private tours in euro, which will be quite a few! Also, my bank has a minimum to exchange back(200). There is a $10 fee thru my bank to purchase the euros regardless of the amount. I also read AAA does euros. The exchange rates... are they the same anywhere? I did hear the ATM's give the best rates. I'm just concerned about the limits.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Lanyard Team​

So, I am late on this. I promised last night and did not get to it. Sorry
Anyway, a fun thing that gets done on many DIS cruises (but does not have to be done--for all of you panicking about what all there is to do--no worries) is ordering and distributing custom lanyards. Disney supplies lanyards to previous cruises, but they are thick and uncomfortable to wear, new cruisers don't get them AND they do not help us DISsers identify each other.

I have been on several cruises now where they DISsers get together and order custom lanyards. These are much thinner ans softer and less hot to wear, they are specific to THIS cruise so they make a nice souvineer and we can find each other easily if we have them.

Every cruise I have been on since joining the DIS has had them, and I helped organize them on a couple (along with my best friend, who is sailing Alaska and not with me this year). If you look at photos in trip reports and on the DIS you will see lots and lots of similar lanyards.

Here is a photo of David, Rio and I in our lanyards on our first DIS cruise back in 2007 so you can visualize what I am talking about:

The little plastic pouch at the bottom has a custom nametag with the cruise graphic the group has used (in our case I suggest we use the great flag shaped map Roni has on the welcome page for the website), the DISname people associate with that person and the person's real name (all in big and easy to read type). There is plenty of room in the pouch to store your Key To the World Card (room key, used for charging to the room, etc) or other small, flat item (driver's license, etc). Some people only wear their lanyards that first day at the sailaway party, etc and figure that is enough to get to know people. Many others find them to be a very convenient way to carry their cards around and wear them throughout the cruise (the kids and I do. Sometimes I sling it over my shoulder more like a purse).

So, we can consider if we would like to order them as a group at some point. In the past, someone has organized it and people have volunteered to be a part of the lanyard team. The organizer keeps a list of all who want lanyards, including first names and staterooms numbers (so we can deliver your lanyard the first night if you do not find us at a meet the first afternoon to pick them up), orders the lanyards, etc. The TEAM just agrees to help split the cost. In the past I have contributed anywhere from $25 to $35--the goal is to not make it more than that ever, if it is then more team members are needed
The organizer(s) also print the name tag and have them in the lanyards when they hand them out (with the lanyard team written on the back with a big THANK YOU).

If there is interest (they really are FUN and a great way to get to know everyone), I am happy to coordinate gathering the information, ordering the lanyards themselves and bringing them to port (we are driving so the extra space and weight in the luggage will not be an issue). I do not have a decent printer so I could not make up the name tags. This is the part my best friend always did. He has the technical know how, and his husband's work was okay with them being printed there on their laser printer.

So, now the question is, are we interested in doing this? And, if so, can someone print the name badges to bring to the ship? Preferably someone who plans to arrive early and can possibly get them to me on Friday to start getting everything together (and maybe hand some out at Dominoes).

 

[NHdisneylover]

Thanks Hadley! Well I need to pay for the private tours in euro, which will be quite a few! Also, my bank has a minimum to exchange back(200). There is a $10 fee thru my bank to purchase the euros regardless of the amount. I also read AAA does euros. The exchange rates... are they the same anywhere? I did hear the ATM's give the best rates. I'm just concerned about the limits.

ATM limits tend to be higher here (all of the ones in our little town go up to 1000 Euro per transaction). Obviously you have to check with your bank--but ours in the US does not charge us if we use a foriegn ATM and the ones here have never charged us a fee either Our bank does charge a 1% conversion, but that is a lot less than what we pay anywhere else and we get a very good rate (the banks tend to do whatever the official rate is, exchange places usually work it more in their favour).
Since the ATM is just a straight 1% and no other per use fees we like to just get smaller amounts at a time and not have huge amounts of cash on hand and then we don't end up with a lot of leftovers to exchange back. If you are staying on in Barcelona at all after the cruise just give the hotel all of your extra Euros towards the charge and pay the difference on your credit card.

Oh, and when you are calculating amounts--don't forget to get enough to cover tips for those tours! I was forgetting that last time until only a couple of weeks out. It was one of those DUH! moments

 

[NHdisneylover]

Is that per person? When I called there were separate charges for return transfers from the ship. I've been reading taxi's have a minimum from the airport, starting at 25 euro. I think a taxi from the airport to the port is 35 euro.

That sounds about right. It actually varies depending on how much luggage you have and how many people.

 

[austraveler]

We are interested in being part of the lanyard group.

In respect of the hats, we have very fiece sun down here and a wide brimmed hat is essential. For women there are hundreds of different cloth sun hats of various styles and colours. I imagine these are available in europe as well. The advantage of a cloth hat is that you can stuff it in your bag when you dont want to wear it. The boys all have bucket hats. They actually have to wear these at all times when playing outside at school.

 

[jrs_mommy]

Wow you guys and gals have been busy! I unfortunately do not have a printer and as of right now we are flying in the morning of the cruise, but I am more than happy to contribute to the cost of the lanyards through paypal if possible..

DH just got news that we may be moving to Stuttgart Germany next month, so I may end up with different travel arrangements to the port. All of our flights and hotels are already booked in London!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Wow you guys and gals have been busy! I unfortunately do not have a printer and as of right now we are flying in the morning of the cruise, but I am more than happy to contribute to the cost of the lanyards through paypal if possible..

DH just got news that we may be moving to Stuttgart Germany next month, so I may end up with different travel arrangements to the port. All of our flights and hotels are already booked in London!

Wow! You may become our neighbors

If you move to Stuttgart you could drive to port. It takes us 11 hours. I think Stuttgart would be a bit less.

Other than the hassle factor--how would you feel about moving? Would it be another exciting adventure--or just too much for you right now?

Oh, and thank you and austraveler for saying you would like to help with lanyards. I will keep that in mind as we see how much interest there is

 

[jrs_mommy]

The very short notice is bit overwhelming. We are quite settled here. My son is in school,and we would have to sell our British car within weeks. Not to mention our appliances that we just bought less than 2 yrs ago (refrigerator etc) I am up for the adventure tho! My husband is more upset about it than I am. Honestly, he still has his job, and in this economy, and with all of the DoD budget cuts, that is something to be thankful for!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Hadley, I can print the name tags. I would need the dimensions of the plastic pouch. Also we would be interested in buying two lanyards as well.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Thanks for the hat advice. My friend who is sailing the Med cruise 2 weeks before ours sent me a link to some cloth hats. I do think the cloth ones will be easier to pack.

We are interested in being part of the lanyard group.

In respect of the hats, we have very fiece sun down here and a wide brimmed hat is essential. For women there are hundreds of different cloth sun hats of various styles and colours. I imagine these are available in europe as well. The advantage of a cloth hat is that you can stuff it in your bag when you dont want to wear it. The boys all have bucket hats. They actually have to wear these at all times when playing outside at school.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Since we will be at Villefranche on Sunday, we would like to attend Catholic Mass that day if possible. Would anyone know of a church close to the port in Villefranche? I'm going to post this on the DIS cruiseline board as well.

 

[TJFrack]

Is that per person? When I called there were separate charges for return transfers from the ship. I've been reading taxi's have a minimum from the airport, starting at 25 euro. I think a taxi from the airport to the port is 35 euro.

Yes that is $99 dollars per person for the Disney Transfers. Which would be
Airport to Hotel
Hotel to Port
Port to hotel
Hotel to Airport

Except Disney said they wouldn't do it unless you booked the hotel thru them. They told me to get a taxi which I heard from the aiport to the hotel is $35 euros total. For me I was looking more at piece of mind of boarding the bus and not worrying about my luggage either leg of the trip. Oh well taxi it is! No worries.

As for lanyards we don't wear them, I think we came home with 8 from our panama canal cruise Disney gives out for repeat sailings and DVC gives out for Members I am more than happy to donate mine, because we don't want them. They hung on our light it our room it was funny to see them all stacked.

What we did on the Panama Canal Cruise were the following:

1. Wine Meet and Greet where everyone brought a bottle of wine. If you had two people you brought one bottle if you had 4 people you brought two bottles and then we got space in the Promenade lounge and each group was charged the 18.00 corking fee to their room if they wanted to participate. It was a great way to meet people at the beginning of the cruise.

2. The other event was the Champagne girls where each attendy paid $15.00 and Disney provided the champagne tastings. The girls all wore pink boa's and tiaras

3. Then they had mixology classes for $15 per person and you learned how to make the fruity drinks on board the ship.

4. Room Tour to see all the categories on the ship. It was amazing! Someone in our group was staying in the Roy O Disney Suite which while we were on the patio about 150 dolphins swam by! Talk about our Magical MOMEnt!

Also there was a meet and greet right before the muster drill at 3pm at a lounge on dEck 3 which was great to meet everyone and get the party started.

These five things were all exclusive to Disboard members only.

 

[TJFrack]

Thanks Hadley! Well I need to pay for the private tours in euro, which will be quite a few! Also, my bank has a minimum to exchange back(200). There is a $10 fee thru my bank to purchase the euros regardless of the amount. I also read AAA does euros. The exchange rates... are they the same anywhere? I did hear the ATM's give the best rates. I'm just concerned about the limits.

Confirm with your driver but two of ours said we could pay is dollars or Euros at the end of the tour.

And don't forget the pesky credit card international transaction fee. Ours is 3% so that always sucks when that part of the bill comes through. We learned in Europe to try and take as much cash as possible. Like you mentioned with the $10 fee for the ATM that's a bummer too and it might not always be the same network to take the card.

 

[sissy_ib]

Yes that is $99 dollars per person for the Disney Transfers. Which would be
Airport to Hotel
Hotel to Port
Port to hotel
Hotel to Airport

Except Disney said they wouldn't do it unless you booked the hotel thru them. They told me to get a taxi which I heard from the aiport to the hotel is $35 euros total. For me I was looking more at piece of mind of boarding the bus and not worrying about my luggage either leg of the trip. Oh well taxi it is! No worries.

As for lanyards we don't wear them, I think we came home with 8 from our panama canal cruise Disney gives out for repeat sailings and DVC gives out for Members I am more than happy to donate mine, because we don't want them. They hung on our light it our room it was funny to see them all stacked.

What we did on the Panama Canal Cruise were the following:

1. Wine Meet and Greet where everyone brought a bottle of wine. If you had two people you brought one bottle if you had 4 people you brought two bottles and then we got space in the Promenade lounge and each group was charged the 18.00 corking fee to their room if they wanted to participate. It was a great way to meet people at the beginning of the cruise.

2. The other event was the Champagne girls where each attendy paid $15.00 and Disney provided the champagne tastings. The girls all wore pink boa's and tiaras

3. Then they had mixology classes for $15 per person and you learned how to make the fruity drinks on board the ship.

4. Room Tour to see all the categories on the ship. It was amazing! Someone in our group was staying in the Roy O Disney Suite which while we were on the patio about 150 dolphins swam by! Talk about our Magical MOMEnt!

Also there was a meet and greet right before the muster drill at 3pm at a lounge on dEck 3 which was great to meet everyone and get the party started.

These five things were all exclusive to Disboard members only.

Those events sound so fun! I want to wear a tiara and drink champaign!


Is anyone flying in the morning of departure? We are flying in from Paris arriving at 8:30. I'm not sure if I should do a transfer through Disney or just get a taxi. Does Disney do one way transfers-airport to port- and what the cost would be? If we were to take a taxi would it be ok to show up to the port so early? I know they don't want people there until a little later.

 

[jrs_mommy]

I purchased the Airport to Port transfers and they were 30 dollars per person one way. My flight comes in early as well, and I was hoping I could put my luggage with the first group heading to the port and then sneak off and do a little sight seeing. Does anyone know if they would they let me take a later transfer bus to the port, or do I need to stay with my luggage?