July 18, 2007 07-18-07 Med Cruise

[nzdisneymom]

being a newbiw--I'm having trouble working the private message response..hope you get this reply

Susan - you have to have a certain number of posts before you're allowed to do private messages, so get to posting I don't think it's many - CarolAnnC can likely tell you.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Once you have 6 posts here on the DIS, you will then be able to use the PM's.

Still tweaking some excursions here. We did cancel the City Tour in Marseilles and changed our Costa Smeralda to the morning since the afternoon folks said the shops were closed.

Tossing around a couple more ideas, too. Packing Central is progressing, I am afraid to see how much luggage we end up with YIKES.

 

[shortkathleen]

Here are some travel blogs for the group that is headed out this weekend that I came across.

Family, friends, travels, life……
http://www.vwsmaltz.net/wordpress/


Our Summer Vacation
http://tayandstephinmed.blogspot.com/

Mediterranean Cruise
http://www.lesselyong.com/med/

The Spencer's Magical Med Cruise
http://spencersmedcruise.blogspot.com/




Disney couldn't get us the earlier flight to Barcelona so we will be the crazy ones arriving the day of the cruise. We were bummed about not getting to spend some time in Barcelona. Oh, well. Have a great Friday everyone, not to many more of them left before we leave!!!

~Kathleen

 

[CarolAnnC]

We did pickup a supply of Euros at AAA. They have trippaks which have an assortment of denominations = $100 US per pak.

That way we at least have something for a taxi etc till we can exchange more.

 

[nzdisneymom]

We did pickup a supply of Euros at AAA. They have trippaks which have an assortment of denominations = $100 US per pak.

That way we at least have something for a taxi etc till we can exchange more.

Carol - thanks for the info about AAA - I need to call our local AAA and see if they have Euros because I do want to get some before we go so I won't have to worry about exchanging money as soon as we get there. I sure hope they do. (Edited to add: I just checked online and it says our branch DOES have the foreign currency trip packs as well as the free Visa travelers checks.)

Ok, trip related things for Friday: Call AAA about Euros. Call health insurance for duplicate health insurance cards (I need them anyway). Set up Count Down on desk at work - 19 more work days after tomorrow!

 

[DLRPfan.be]

Maybe a silly question, but do we need US Dollars on board? Or can we pay everything with a card?

 

[nzdisneymom]

Maybe a silly question, but do we need US Dollars on board? Or can we pay everything with a card?

You can pay for everything with your KTTW card, but a lot of people like to bring some small denomination cash for tipping room service instead of signing a dollar or two here and there. We found that having a small stack of $1's that we put where we all knew where they were was good because then if the kids ordered cookies or Mickey bars from room service, they could give the tip.

But other than that, DCL is a cashless environment.

I was reading on AAA that they give a 10% discount in the shop on DCL ships (Treasure Ketch particularly). Anyone ever used it?

 

[DLRPfan.be]

You can pay for everything with your KTTW card, but a lot of people like to bring some small denomination cash for tipping room service instead of signing a dollar or two here and there. We found that having a small stack of $1's that we put where we all knew where they were was good because then if the kids ordered cookies or Mickey bars from room service, they could give the tip.

But other than that, DCL is a cashless environment.

I was reading on AAA that they give a 10% discount in the shop on DCL ships (Treasure Ketch particularly). Anyone ever used it?

Thanks Cindy, i'll order some $1's , just in case.

 

[scottishwee35]

Good Afternoon

What is AAA? Is it exchange money?

Anyway, I hope everybody got a PASSPORT?? As it is priority!!

My freind is going on Disney Magic Cruise tomorrow for 11 days and she emailed and told me that:-

'One of the members on our board has not received their daughters passport which they have been waiting for since February and have given up hope of cruising. How sad is that I would be devastated.'

Scottishwee35

 

[Crissup]

What is AAA?

AAA is the American Autmobile Association. Here's their wiki page...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Automobile_Association

It's an auto club primarily for towing and roadside assistance. But, over the years, they've expanded to travel agents, shopping discounts, trip planning, etc.

 

[nzdisneymom]

AAA is "Triple A" which is an automotive / travel club that provides road-side-care should your car break down but also travel services including having foreign currency available which I didn't know until Carol posted about it. They also offer discounts to members on things like theme parks tickets.

We got our passports before we traveled in Dec. 2005. I have to remember to watch the renewal dates for the kids since theirs are only valid for 5 years.

I don't think you have to use US Denominations for tips on board - I'm sure that the CMs can exchange (or use) Euros... or perhaps they have to turn in all their tips and DCL adds them to their paychecks??

 

[CarolAnnC]

The laundry facilities on board ship will only take US quarters, but you should be able to get them from Guest Services.

 

[scottishwee35]

AAA is the American Autmobile Association. Here's their wiki page...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Automobile_Association

It's an auto club primarily for towing and roadside assistance. But, over the years, they've expanded to travel agents, shopping discounts, trip planning, etc.

Ah, I see now I got it!

Over here UK, called AA or RAC as we have premium bank for annual year for insurance, mobile etc.

Scottishwee35

 

[seaulater]

You can pay for everything with your KTTW card, but a lot of people like to bring some small denomination cash for tipping room service instead of signing a dollar or two here and there. We found that having a small stack of $1's that we put where we all knew where they were was good because then if the kids ordered cookies or Mickey bars from room service, they could give the tip.

But other than that, DCL is a cashless environment.

I was reading on AAA that they give a 10% discount in the shop on DCL ships (Treasure Ketch particularly). Anyone ever used it?

BTW-when we were on the TransAtlantic Cruise, DCL now has you sign a ticket showing you received your room service food. There is a line on their now when you sign "TIP", so if you want to add the tip to the receipt which doesn't have any charges on it, just a signature that you received it, you can and you no longer have to have a stack of one's stashed in your room.

 

[DisTeach]

I picked up some Euros from AAA for a pretty good exchange rate, too. Different AAAs might have different exchange rates. Some had 100-65 Euros while others had 100-63 Euros, etc. due to their bulk ordering process. So, it wouldn't hurt to call around to a few of your nearby AAAs to see what they have because it could differ, but when the trip packs at a certain rate are gone, they are gone!

 

[tinkerbell_29]

Just wanted to say hi to everybody. We moved into our new house yesterday so everything is a disater. Can't believe the cruise is so close. We have been preparing a box full of stuff that we will need for the cruise. Now lets just hope we can find the box.
Lissa

 

[scottishwee35]

Just wanted to say hi to everybody. We moved into our new house yesterday so everything is a disater. Can't believe the cruise is so close. We have been preparing a box full of stuff that we will need for the cruise. Now lets just hope we can find the box.
Lissa

Hi

I expect that and can be stressful when move into new house. Wish you all the best with new house and it won't be long to go now.

Scottishwee35

 

[minneapolismickey]

Great info from you guys in the past two days . I will check with AAA about Euro pak next week. Also nice to know that I don't need a stack of ones anymore to tip room service, but I might bring a few dollars in quarters for the laundry since I bet a lot of us will be needing that service.

Cindy, I think that you get a 10% discount with AAA when you do reservation with them. I seem to remember gettting a voucher or discount card from them at the time of check-in on the cruise. I think that they may also have an onboard credit, but can't remember the details of that right now . This is only if they booked the cruise for you.

I think that we will start packing this weekend also. At least I can pack up the formal clothes and costumes that we will not need in the next few weeks.

Keep the tips coming...

Angie

 

[RJMOMSusan]

Thank you so much for posting the blog sites..I ave really enjoyed reading them... Only 3 more days working with 7th graders and then I can really start obessesing on this trip full time...

Susan

 

[shortkathleen]

Hi everyone,

I just came across a great review about our cruise on www.cruisecritic.com

It is written by a mom with two sons ages 10 and 5. It is under "Virtual Cruises" It is very informative and interesting to read. Anyway, just thought I would share.

Kathleen