July 18, 2007 07-18-07 Med Cruise

[nzdisneymom]

Well, I still haven't worked out what I'm going to do about Euro's and cash, etc. I do need to check with our bank to see what the ATM limit is per-day so that I don't try to get more out than they will allow at a time.

And still no travel docs as of this morning - but maybe this afternoon. UPS used to deliver in the mornings in our neighborhood but I didn't hear it this morning, so maybe they are in the afternoons now. I wish I had a tracking number to see

Nathan and I went through his shirts today to figure out which ones he wants to take and to go ahead and have the "formal night means your shirt needs a collar" conversation (he's 11).

I'm wearing a new shirt today to see how I like it; I bought it for the cruise but thought I should make sure it's comfortable (any excuse to go ahead and wear it - hee hee).

We have tomorrow off from work for Independence Day; I plan to do cruise-related stuff for much of the day, and go see Ratatouille at the theater.

 

[justhat]

Barbie - I live in DC. Right near the zoo.

I don't believe that the ships have ATMs, though I never looked, because we just got back from a 4 night cruise on the Wonder last week and I got an email survey about it last night. One of the questions was about having an ATM on board, what would be a fair charge, would I use it, etc.

I wish I could make lunch, but with my kids I think everyone would run the other way!

 

[sharper_fin]

Just a note to warn folks that we tend not to use American Express cards all that much over here in Europe, it's mostly Visa and Mastercard. While I'm pretty sure you'll have no trouble using your AmEx, it's just not something we ourselves use that much. I personally don't know anyone that has an AmEx card, but everyone has Visa and / or Mastercard.

Just a warning,
Shaun

 

[sharper_fin]

On the Rome day, 23 July (my birthday!) we've booked the Ultimate Rome Experience. We today received a letter saying that they've extended the day trip from 10.5 hrs to 11.5, which would be no problem apart from my beloved has booked us into Palo at 7:30 that evening.

So do you think we'll make it? What if we're a little late, will the hold our table? If we tell them what we're doing beforehand, would that help?

We can get showered & changed really quickly if we have to!



Shaun

 

[seaulater]

On the Rome day, 23 July (my birthday!) we've booked the Ultimate Rome Experience. We today received a letter saying that they've extended the day trip from 10.5 hrs to 11.5, which would be no problem apart from my beloved has booked us into Palo at 7:30 that evening.

So do you think we'll make it? What if we're a little late, will the hold our table? If we tell them what we're doing beforehand, would that help?

We can get showered & changed really quickly if we have to!



Shaun

Go to Rockin Bar D once you embark on the ship Wed. the 18th and go to the Palo's table, tell them your dilemma and that it is your birthday dinner. I'm sure they can work something out for the birthday boy!

 

[seaulater]

Update on Lunch in Lumiere's-Thursday July 19 12 noon

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Okay, I am keeping this list for my benefit here, more than for anyone else. Here's is any updated list of who is planning on going to lunch on Thursday at noon for a mini-meet after we have sailed:

Seaulater (2)
Butterbear (2) + sister (1)
Nzdisney (2)
Tinkerbell29 (3)
Barbie3-4 (2)
Smilis (2)
Wendy151950 (1)
Lilian and Alex (2)
Ariel39 (4)

Just an FYI, you are NOT committed to lunch, just cuz I have your name (actually I will hunt you down if you don't show up ), but I need to give them an idea of how many will show up at one time so they can plan an area for us accordingly.

This is a casual lunch, anyone is welcome to attend!

 

[nzdisneymom]

Speaking of Shaun's birthday on the 23rd, is anyone else in our group celebrating a birthday, anniversary, etc., while on board?

 

[ButterbearUK]

Update on Lunch in Lumiere's-Thursday July 19 12 noon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, I am keeping this list for my benefit here, more than for anyone else. Here's is any updated list of who is planning on going to lunch on Thursday at noon for a mini-meet after we have sailed:

Seaulater (2)
Butterbear (2)
Nzdisney (2)
Tinkerbell29 (3)
Barbie3-4 (2)
Smilis (2)

Just an FYI, you are NOT committed to lunch, just cuz I have your name (actually I will hunt you down if you don't show up ), but I need to give them an idea of how many will show up at one time so they can plan an area for us accordingly.

This is a casual lunch, anyone is welcome to attend!

Thanks seaulater. Could you also add my sister to the list? She's off to Amsterdam tomorrow so is busy, busy, busy, but I managed to get her attention for long enough to ask her if she wanted to join us and she said yes.

Thanks
Milia x

 

[RJMOMSusan]

Speaking of Shaun's birthday on the 23rd, is anyone else in our group celebrating a birthday, anniversary, etc., while on board?

We will be celebrating our 9 year wedding anniversary on July 18!! time has just flown bye...


Susan

 

[BarcelonaTiems]

Everybody ,

Living in Europe, the Netherlands I can tell you :
Best to bring euros and / or a Mastercard - credit card.
American Express is not accepted everywhere , can be difficult.
Traveller cheques can also be a little difficult.

I think I read somewhere that on the cruise there is an machine to get euros, but it will probably cost you a fair amount of money to take it from there. You can also go to a bank, and outside usually you can pin money with your credit card, but then yuo must know your code for the money machine.

By the way, you must know, but to be sure: ever taken Melatonine as a
anti-jet-leg medicine ? Thats the only thing I know (as a MD) that actually can work (evidence based ). I think you all in the US know this already, I think you can buy it everywhere. In the Netherlands it is only on prescription.


Many greeting from Hans Tiems

Only 3 days to work !

 

[Barbie3-4]

On the Rome day, 23 July (my birthday!) we've booked the Ultimate Rome Experience. We today received a letter saying that they've extended the day trip from 10.5 hrs to 11.5, which would be no problem apart from my beloved has booked us into Palo at 7:30 that evening.

So do you think we'll make it? What if we're a little late, will the hold our table? If we tell them what we're doing beforehand, would that help?

We can get showered & changed really quickly if we have to!



Shaun

Shaun, Mom and & are also booked on that Ultimate Rome Experience.

What do you think it means when they wrote, "While lunch will be provided, this may not take place in a local restaurant."?

I read a report on another Dis board about this excursion and the person complained that the lunch was too long. I'm wondering if, because of that one complaint, they decided to end our local restaurant experience (which I was looking foreward to) and give us food on the bus....bummer!

 

[DisTeach]

And still no travel docs as of this morning - but maybe this afternoon. UPS used to deliver in the mornings in our neighborhood but I didn't hear it this morning, so maybe they are in the afternoons now. I wish I had a tracking number to see

I hope you get them soon! Mine came early afternoon, so you never know. At least you know they are enroute.

This summer has flown by so quickly; I can't believe tomorrow is the 4th! I think it is because I've been looking forward to the cruise that time is escaping me! Does everyone in the US have some plans? We are having a cookout and watching the Boston fireworks on tv (reminds me of home since I am a New England transplant to Chicago!).

 

[tinkerbell_29]

I can't believe we leave for Barcelona in 12 days. The time has flown by.

We are not doing much for the 4th. We usually are at the beach or WDW but with the cruise so close we decided to stay home. Tomorrow we are going to cook out and if it does not rain we will go downtown for the fireworks. If it does rain we will also be watching Boston on TV.

Lissa

 

[seaulater]

Shaun, Mom and & are also booked on that Ultimate Rome Experience.

What do you think it means when they wrote, "While lunch will be provided, this may not take place in a local restaurant."?

I read a report on another Dis board about this excursion and the person complained that the lunch was too long. I'm wondering if, because of that one complaint, they decided to end our local restaurant experience (which I was looking foreward to) and give us food on the bus....bummer!

McDonalds!

We were also booked and got the letter, but I cancelled over the weekend. Our friends did the 1st Med. after the TransAtlantic with us and they took the train. They told us to save our money and do it on our own, so we are taking their advice and cancelled the DCL excursion!

 

[shortkathleen]

We have used melatonin, but never for jet lag. I think I will pick some more up and bring it with us. It even works great for my little ones.


We are celebrating our 10 year anniversary this summer and my in laws are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. We really want to go to Palo to celebrate. The only time we could get was Wed. at 8:00. I think we are going to be to tired to really enjoy it as our flight arrives the day of the cruise. We also don't want to miss the sail away party. I am going to try to switch it once on board.

Still no docs in Oklahoma.......


Kathleen

 

[RJMOMSusan]

I hope you get them soon! Mine came early afternoon, so you never know. At least you know they are enroute.

This summer has flown by so quickly; I can't believe tomorrow is the 4th! I think it is because I've been looking forward to the cruise that time is escaping me! Does everyone in the US have some plans? We are having a cookout and watching the Boston fireworks on tv (reminds me of home since I am a New England transplant to Chicago!).

Kristen,

where in new england... I am from springfield Mass, went to college in Boston.

Enjoy the Fourth

Susan

 

[nzdisneymom]

Our documents came today - late this afternoon I checked everything over and it's all good. I had forgotten about how the luggage tags are - and that you separate them lengthwise until I saw them again.

Which reminds me - if you have pre-addressed labels, bring them with you to use for labeling your luggage tags for disembarkation. Saves a lot of writing on the last day!

Tomorrow is the day I officially start packing! woo-hoo! But only after we go see Ratatouille!

Oh, regarding Pirate night - Nathan has decided to just wear one of his Pirates of the Caribbean t-shirts that we had picked up at the Character Premier store in Orlando. He has a 2nd one that perhaps he'll be nice enough to let his brother wear. I did read a thread on the main board about swords, etc., at Pirate night - have y'all seen it? We won't be bringing anything like that, but I thought it was an interesting observation.

 

[wendy151950]

The last thing (besides packing ) is figuring out how much money to bring. For tipping at end of cruise, are others figuring to use US or Euros??

 

[DisTeach]

Kristen,

where in new england... I am from springfield Mass, went to college in Boston.

Hi Susan,

Wow, I guess it is a small world! I'm from Nashua, New Hampshire right there on the NH/Mass border. I was born and raised there as well as attending college in the area before coming out here to Chicago just a couple of years ago. I had many friends at school who were from Springfield, Easthampton, Amherst and that area. It's funny to go on a cruise to Barcelona and find someone who is originally from New England! I tell ya, I have only met 2 people thus far who have made the trek from New England to Chicago! When I explain to my students each year why I speak a little differently from them, they ask where the state of New England is located... lol Did you move away a long time ago or recently?

 

[colleenlg]

Speaking of Shaun's birthday on the 23rd, is anyone else in our group celebrating a birthday, anniversary, etc., while on board?

My DH, Phil & I will be celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary on July 14 (the day we embark on our 16 hour trip - including layover - from San Diego to Barcelona with a 2 year old - how romantic!).

Everybody ,

By the way, you must know, but to be sure: ever taken Melatonine as a
anti-jet-leg medicine ? Thats the only thing I know (as a MD) that actually can work (evidence based ). I think you all in the US know this already, I think you can buy it everywhere. In the Netherlands it is only on prescription.

I sometimes suffer from insomnia so I have used Melatonin for that. It's basically an herb-based sleep aid. (Your body naturally produces Melatonin, which makes you tired.) No need for a prescription for it in the US. Wow - a drug that is easier to get in the US than in the Netherlands!