July 18, 2007 07-18-07 Med Cruise

[seaulater]

Okay-I'll try to answer some of the questions:

Linda

I hope you will enjoy Dublin. I was there 2 years ago with a friend and we had a great time although we did find it to be quite expensive.

I also had the Chocolate Museum booked via DCL but this was cancelled and we too plan on doing this ourselves as we will be in Barcelona from the 15th. Have you seen the pictures on their website? It is amazing that they can make all these things out of chocolate (they wouldn't last long if I was around all day )

Andrea

Chocolate is my weakness! I prefer milk chocolate over dark chocolate. But any chocolate will do! I love that website! Can't wait to go there!

Thanks Andrea. Our house held up against the weather thanks, though the celler was very damp. We were just totally cut off for a while. Some roads are closed even now - and it's still raining...

On a lighter note - anyone making their own pirate costumes?

Shaun

I made pirate costumes for 13 of us for our December, 2004 Christmas Cruise on the Magic. That's what started it all. Since then I have added more pieces, taken some away and done different things. There is a great pirate store in Key West Florida where I "added" some things to our costumes after I had made them all!

Hi all!!! We will be on the July 18 10-night cruise as well!! I am SO excited!!

Who are we?
- Me - DrDolphin - NFlorida
- DMom/DDad - New Mexico
- DNiece - Oregon

Cat 4 cabin #8250!!

I CAN NOT wait!:

Welcome Dr. Dolphin. Do you work with animals? Just curious. Love the disboard name!

I know some folks won't be able to make it to the Meet before the safety drill... anyone interested in setting up a 2nd meet for the next day (Thursday, at sea)? Any thoughts, ideas, times, place, etc., just toss them on out.

We could have lunch in Lumiere's at 12 noon for those that want to attend. If I can get a round about number of how many would come, I can arrange with my good friend who is in charge of the dining room to seat us all together in one part of the dining room. Let me know if anyone is interested in this and I'll be happy to follow through.

Hi there , again some questions..

- How is breakfast and lunch ?
I mean: dinner is at a preset time and place as I understand. And also roulating. But how about breakfast en lunch ? Can we choose time and place ourselves ?

greetings,
From Tiems, during work, just in between patients....

For breakfast and lunch, there are many options. You can start by ordering room service, or you can go to Topsiders on the deck. Goofy's Galley by the Mickey Pool also has breakfast items now. If you want to splurge, you can try to get a reservation for brunch in Palo's ($10 cover charge each) which includes a glass of champagne. Remember, only those 18 years and older are allowed in Palo's. Lumiere's will also be open for breakfast.

For lunch, you can just about eat anywhere, anytime. There is a buffet in Parrot Cay or at Topsiders. There is sit down in Lumiere's with a traditional menu that you order from. Out at the pool's there is Goofy's Galley with wonderful salads and sandwiches and fruit and ice cream. Then there is Pluto's Dog House which has hot dogs, chili dogs, hamburgers, tacos, chicken fingers, french fries, fish sandwich, and a couple of other things I can't remember what they are. Then at Goofy's Pool there is Pinnochio's Pizzeria with pizza of every kind. Oh, and there is room service in case none of that catches your eye! I am hungry now!

We also enjoy room service breakfast, especially when we are in a hurry to get ready and go! Just give the delivery person $1 or $2 tip and they will deliver to your stateroom.

You will find a menu card for breakfast in your desk drawer. Just fill it out and place on your door the night before and breakfast will arrive at your appointed time. This will be a choice of items such as croissants, bagels, toast, cereals, juices, coffee etc.

Starting in May of this year, you now sign for your room service order (guess they thought the cast members were eating the food on their way to the room? HAHAHA) Anyway, on the slip that you sign for, there is no charge for the food, but there is now a place to put in a tip amount so you can have it charged to your room in case you run out of dollar bills! It makes it much easier leaving the tip that way.

Shaun,

You can go to itunes and find a podcast from Disney Cruise Line. Just go to "Itunes Store" (online) and type in at the search bar "Disney Cruise Line". You will see several choices. I found the "official" podcast from Disney Cruise Line for the Mediterranean cruise listed as #3. I hope this helps! I have downloaded it, but haven't listened to it yet. I think that it includes video as well. I plan to watch it on the flight over to Barcelona from the U.S.A.

Thanks! I'll have my daughter do that. Is there a charge?

I am wondering about this as well...our documents say we dock at 6:45 AM. Does this mean we need to get off the boat that early, or what time is "check-out"?

Everyone has to be off the boat by about 9 a.m. If you have main dinner seating you will be eating breakfast in the same dining room that you ate the previous night at 6:45 a.m. (I think, if my memory is right) If you had the late dining you eat around 7:45 or 8. Basically though, you can get off the ship anytime after they make the announcement!

 

[nzdisneymom]

I am wondering about this as well...our documents say we dock at 6:45 AM. Does this mean we need to get off the boat that early, or what time is "check-out"?

Once the ship docks, the ship has to be "cleared" through customs or whatever procedure they have in Barcelona. That takes a bit of time. I know at Port Canaveral, that's when the non-US citizens also have to report early for immigration. Not sure how that will work in Barcelona, but typically once the ship is "cleared" then they start letting people disembark. I read somewhere that DCL doesn't recommend a departing flight from Barcelona before 10 a.m. so you figure that they hope to have passengers disembarking around 8 a.m. or so. I haven't read the other trip reports lately to see what their experience has been.

They do have an all-off-board time that they'll tell us - remember that they have to "turn the voyage" to clear all of us out and clean and ready the ship for the next lucky ducks.

 

[seaulater]

Once the ship docks, the ship has to be "cleared" through customs or whatever procedure they have in Barcelona. That takes a bit of time. I know at Port Canaveral, that's when the non-US citizens also have to report early for immigration. Not sure how that will work in Barcelona, but typically once the ship is "cleared" then they start letting people disembark. I read somewhere that DCL doesn't recommend a departing flight from Barcelona before 10 a.m. so you figure that they hope to have passengers disembarking around 8 a.m. or so. I haven't read the other trip reports lately to see what their experience has been.

They do have an all-off-board time that they'll tell us - remember that they have to "turn the voyage" to clear all of us out and clean and ready the ship for the next lucky ducks.

There was no customs in Barcelona. We were quite surprised when we just walked off the ship and we didn't have to show anything to anyone. We met the porters, got our luggage, and off we went. I had our passports out and everything, but we did not need it.

Some people actually had early morning flights around 10 a.m. DCL had you go to Rockin Bar D at 6 a.m. to depart the ship at 6:15 a.m. Then they had a bus take everyone to the airport. Also, all our luggage had to be out the night before by 10 p.m.! YIKES! If you have an early morning departure and you are NOT using DCL transfer service, they asked you to go to Guest Services with your flight documents to show you needed to get off the ship early.

Okay, that's what happened when we got off the ship in Barcelona the first time around in May.

Here's a link to the 11 night navigator for the Welcome Home back into Barcelona: http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/DCL-Navigators/5-26-07-Med-Misc/pages/Welcome Home p1.htm

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/DCL-Navigators/5-26-07-Med-Misc/pages/Welcome Home p2.htm

They also have all the navigators from the 11 night posted here if you want to see what happened each day.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Linda - thanks for the disembarking information. That is quite a bit different than when the ship docks in the US. Interesting. Yikes about a 8 p.m. luggage-out time. Seems like that will just jam the hallways as people are going to and from dinner. Oh well. Maybe it will be a bit later for us. But at least we have a "sea day" that day - when we sailed before, our last day was at Castaway Cay and we didn't reboard til late in the afternoon so packing was a flurry.

 

[ButterbearUK]

I made pirate costumes for 13 of us for our December, 2004 Christmas Cruise on the Magic. That's what started it all. Since then I have added more pieces, taken some away and done different things. There is a great pirate store in Key West Florida where I "added" some things to our costumes after I had made them all!

My Mum is making our pirate costumes out of the lightest material we can find to ease packing. All I need now is a hat and I'll be set.

We could have lunch in Lumiere's at 12 noon for those that want to attend. If I can get a round about number of how many would come, I can arrange with my good friend who is in charge of the dining room to seat us all together in one part of the dining room. Let me know if anyone is interested in this and I'll be happy to follow through.

Sounds like fun Count me in. And probably Pete too. He never says no to food! I'll ask the rest of the family later on.

Milia x

 

[nzdisneymom]

You can count me in for lunch at Lumiere's for Thursday, too. Not sure that DH and the boys will come - in fact, I'm pretty sure they won't - but I definitely will... although DH might as we always enjoyed having lunch in Lumiere's. So put me down for 2.

 

[sharper_fin]

All I need now is a hat and I'll be set.
Milia x

Ha! U have a hat, Milia, but at the moment that's all that I do have!
I'm sure that I'll sort something out for the night. As you say, it's a matter of space and weight vs content. If memory serves me well there's not much room for lots of baggage in the cabins.

Shaun

 

[wendy151950]

Not that I'm wishing the time away just yet, but do we know what time we arrive back in Barcelona on the last day? I know, I should know this but....

And has anyone managed to find a MedCruise-related audio podcast?

Thanks

Shaun

I also started listening to an interview that Deb Willis gave. I think it is on on another WDW site but I was on her site a somehow found this one? Anyways, here is the link.

http://www.wdwtoday.com/article.php?story=20070615090130921

She also blogged her trip and there is a ton of pictures. Almost too many to absorb.

Wendy

 

[todds34]

We could have lunch in Lumiere's at 12 noon for those that want to attend. If I can get a round about number of how many would come, I can arrange with my good friend who is in charge of the dining room to seat us all together in one part of the dining room. Let me know if anyone is interested in this and I'll be happy to follow through.

Sorry I will not be able to make lunch at Lumieres as I will be enjoying my Spa Alone Time but I hope you all have a lovely time and I will see you at the Promenade Lounge 1 hour before Life drill on the 18th.

Only 13 days to go

Andrea

 

[shortkathleen]

Hi everyone,

I am not sure about Thursday lunch yet but it sounds fun! Those of you from the states how much US cash are you going to bring? Also, are there safes in the rooms? Any tips on dealing with jet leg with the little ones? We are flying in the day of so I am worried that the kids are going to be completely wiped out. So I am not planning anything for Thursday and we will just play it by ear. I bought some of that herbal "NO JET LAG" stuff. My in laws say it is great stuff.


I am getting excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH!

I can't believe it is almost here!

Kathleen

 

[tinkerbell_29]

Hey Everyone,
You can put three of us down for lunch on Thursday sounds like a great idea. Can't believe the trip is almost here!!! I'm so excited not only to see new places but to meet new people.
Lissa

 

[DVC725]

Shaun,

In answer to your question about the itunes download....NO CHARGE!!! It's actually FREE!!!!! Good luck....hope you find it

 

[nzdisneymom]

Thanks to Shaun for studying up on the ship layout -- my faulty memory had Promenade Lounge one deck off.

The Promenade Lounge is located on Deck 3, aft of Lumiere's, one deck down from Shutters, forward of Parrot Cay. Mid ship-ish. One end is where the internet cafe was / is (Linda, was it still there?), and I thought we could gather on the other end (the end toward Lumiere's).

Sorry for the confusion - glad to get that corrected before we had DISers wandering all over Deck 4 looking for us.

 

[DisTeach]

There are safes in each stateroom, right within the closet. It's a great place for extra money as well as your original passport (bring a copy to port!) I'm not sure how much cash I am going to bring; I'd prefer to use a credit card where I can instead of carrying around wads of cash for those pick-pockets! Also, I'd like to rack up some Disney points on my Disney Visa

 

[RJMOMSusan]

Hello,


Hey great to see Hans found his way over to the board. IT's a great place for inforamtion. I called DCL today because I haven't yet recieved our travel docs.. They confrimed that they were sent out and that I should have them by tomorrow...

Thanks for the AAA tip, went and picked up 2 Euro packs today..64 per $100.00. Just can't relax if we don't have something in our pocket when we get there. Also, went and got the mail held, while we are away.. another reminder picked up here..

Any word on how HOT it may be in Barcelona?

Can't wait to meet you all...

Today is a perfect weather day today in New Jersey.

Susan

 

[seaulater]

Those of you from the states how much US cash are you going to bring? Also, are there safes in the rooms? I bought some of that herbal "NO JET LAG" stuff. My in laws say it is great stuff.
Kathleen

We will only bring about $250 US cash. We will bring about $1200 EUROS. We have a couple of tours already planned that we have to bring Euros for, because we have to pay cash when we do the tours.

Yes, there are safes in the rooms. FYI-I always use a card with a magnetic strip, and not my key to the world card. I have used a library card in the past as well as a credit card and they work great. Just another safeguard I have so I am not using the KTTW card in case I happen to lose it.

Tell me about the "No Jet Lag" stuff. What's it called?

Thanks to Shaun for studying up on the ship layout -- my faulty memory had Promenade Lounge one deck off.

The Promenade Lounge is located on Deck 3, aft of Lumiere's, one deck down from Shutters, forward of Parrot Cay. Mid ship-ish. One end is where the internet cafe was / is (Linda, was it still there?), and I thought we could gather on the other end (the end toward Lumiere's).

Yes, right next to the internet cafe is the Promenade Lounge. You can either take midship or aft elevators to deck 3. Coming out of the elevators on the aft, there is only one way to go, so you would make a right and you will end up at the internet cafe/promenade lounge.

Can't wait. Getting excited!

 

[CarolAnnC]

We are not bringing much US cash, just what we might need in the airport here in Chicago and for tips coming and going...

Will have to let everyone know later if we can make the sea day lunch or not, I think that may be our Palo Brunch time..will check tonight at home.

Update on yesterdays progress - I assembled all my outfits for dinners and most of the excursions. Just have to choose a couple of t shirts and shorts for casual on ship time and bathing suits.

The guest bedroom is looking like a cyclone hit it, lol. Plan on bringing up suitcases soon and starting to assemble non wrinkling items.

Also, I called to confirm our pre cruise hotel ressies in Barcelona. Did not get through on our post cruise hotel stay but will try later this week.

So very excited..getting closer and closer!

 

[shortkathleen]

We will only bring about $250 US cash. We will bring about $1200 EUROS. We have a couple of tours already planned that we have to bring Euros for, because we have to pay cash when we do the tours.

Yes, there are safes in the rooms. FYI-I always use a card with a magnetic strip, and not my key to the world card. I have used a library card in the past as well as a credit card and they work great. Just another safeguard I have so I am not using the KTTW card in case I happen to lose it.

Tell me about the "No Jet Lag" stuff. What's it called?



Yes, right next to the internet cafe is the Promenade Lounge. You can either take midship or aft elevators to deck 3. Coming out of the elevators on the aft, there is only one way to go, so you would make a right and you will end up at the internet cafe/promenade lounge.

Can't wait. Getting excited!

Thanks for the good info. The Jet lag stuff is called "No Jet Lag" It is homeopathic and we got it at a store called "Wild Oats" I am sure any whole foods type grocery store would have it. My in laws went to the Maldives and took the pills on the plane and were the only ones in their group who didn't suffer from jet lag. It is safe for children as well so we will be giving ours some. Happy organizing everyone!!

Kathleen

 

[scottishwee35]

Hi

My neighbour knock my door and hand me the TRAVEL DOCUMENT.

When I opened it up and it is okay and same the stateroom nos. We are happy with it.

My daughter have 5 beautiful dresses and I cannot decide which one to take, She had trying on all of it look lovely. She want take all of it plus she want bring Cinderella dress too!! That is 6 dresses!!

Scottishwee35

 

[seaulater]

Thanks for the good info. The Jet lag stuff is called "No Jet Lag" It is homeopathic and we got it at a store called "Wild Oats" I am sure any whole foods type grocery store would have it. My in laws went to the Maldives and took the pills on the plane and were the only ones in their group who didn't suffer from jet lag. It is safe for children as well so we will be giving ours some. Happy organizing everyone!!

Kathleen

We have Wild Oats here in Utah. There is one not too far from our house. I will go check it out!