July 28, 2007 - "Rome-ancing the Mouse Cruisers" -11 days! Part 2

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Hi everyone! Man, what a busy day. This is the first I've been able to get on & it's almost 23:00. Nice to see you all

I finally booked our hotel -- you should have seen how many screens I had open trying to see if there were discounts and what the best deals were for a triple room. We'll be staying at Las Ramblas Hotel from the 25th - 28th. One less thing to prepare for!

I was just reading another thread about the transatlantic trip......

I've been doing that, too, and reading the trip reports and the blogs. I kind of was inspired by the blogs and created one for our trip. I'll be having my laptop w/me, so I told the kids we could write our reports in Word, and then upload them. I like the idea of posting from the three of our perspectives with the highs & lows.

I will attempt to summarize (teacher talk) what I found out on another thread about the transatlantic trip last week.......

• Cruiser was on her third cruise
• Liked the new Shutters services (came on excursions, better groupings of photos)
• Cruise staff joined excursions
• Loved the fireworks in Barcelona
• Felt that there were a lot of new staff being trained
• Did not think the food was as good as previous trips
• Felt that people should not book their young children on long excursions (they get bored)
• Change Euros before you arrive (you can use extras as tips at the end of cruise)
• Bring back your purchases rather than pay expensive UPS shipping in Barcelona

Thought I would share this info along............lots of good tips and food for thought!

Thanks again for the summarizations. They are great quick reads.

Finally got through all these posts. Thats what I get for staying away

Hi Kyla

Yep, I spotted it. I'm not even sure what this makes me - a polygopassportomist? Is that even legal? Will hundreds of desperate tourists praying for their single passport to arrive before their cruise besiege me to try to find out how I accomplished it? Will Jason Bourne, upon regaining his memory, snicker at me and call me a rank amateur, given that he's had hundreds?

I can only wonder with trepidation what this will bring. Excuse me for a moment, someone from the Department of Homeland Insecurity is knocking on my door. Be right ba.....

Very funny! great tag

Welcome..........my "rents" are also joining us ....and we are also on second seating!

We have 2nd seating, too. It'll be interesting to see how many of us are in the same rotation.

How will we know you when we see you? Black sunglasses and multiple neck passport holders?

Wow, I just read through this trip report - not good!
During the trip I was following a blog called Davidson Family Travels and the women had a few complaints - but they were young and sarcastic in nature - it was actually very refreshing to read. Now I am beginning to think that they were actually being pretty kind about things. I hope that the kinks work their way out!!

I read their blog, and wondered if they had any fun, but then I read it again, and enjoyed their sense of humor as well as their perspective. The more I read about the Transatlantic, the more I feel for those cruisers sailing such rough waters.

Oh boy - looks like a lot has been going on. I'll have to wait until this evening before I can ketchup.

FYI - I did get at least one bathroom painted. And I mowed the lawns, and bought and assembled a new bbq grill, and I mopped all the floors, and did the carpets, and scrubbed the grout in the kitchen, and cleaned the patios in the backyard, and washed the cars, and cleaned the garage.

All of this was while my DH was at work, he has worked from 8 or so everyone morning until around 12a or 1a since Thursday. So I had plenty of time to do lots of things. Now I just need to sit back and catch up on the dis.

Wow, you have so much energy!! Um.... are you planning on coming out to So Cal anytime soon?

You know how it is........it depends on your expectations.....there's probably a particle of truth in everyone's posts ....I personally think it's helpful to know what people are thinking to be better prepared!

Curiously, this was one of my reasons for picking the 7/28 cruise. While I didn't expect them to have a bunch of new staff, one has to assume that there would be "kinks" on Disney's first cruise to the Med. I figured that by late July, they will have had time to work out most of the problems relating to the new itinerary, and because it's not the very last Med cruise, they wouldn't yet be sick and tired of it.

The part about the food and customer service is a concern though. Hopefully these were really start-up problems and not the start of a trend.

I have the same concerns, and I hope they iron out the kinks. Although I'm hoping for the best, I'm also pretty good at making the best of things, so I'm lôôking forward to having a great time.

I am hoping everyone is doing okay this evening. The weather here in Washington is wonderful!!

I am feeling sad tonight.....I am hoping I cheer up some......

We're here for you. Here's a thought: OUR CRUISE IS NOW LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AWAY!!!!

Odd that we were on the same cruise and yet I had the experience of a lifetime. It was posted in our very lengthy thread that the temps might be cold, that Europe was expensive... I think the food was fine, the Cm's were super. The cruisers were great and cheery and there was a real sense of community. I didn't think most were sick in their cabins. Those with illness issues had a patch behind their ears. The excursions were so cool. I cried repeatedly the last day at the thought the cruise of a lifetime was over. "Only had lobster once?" And you need it more than once during a two week period? How about the crab, the lamb, the fine beef, the salmon, chicken wellington, etc...more than enough variety for the two weeks. I', sorry you had such a rough time. For me, the experience was nothing less than wonderful, magical, spectacular, fabulous, life changing.

Here's another post with a more favorable experience!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for posting this. I'm glad to read this different perspective of the cruise.

Hi ! Mary Jo, Kyla, Anna, Sallie, Maria, Julie, JoAnn, Mrs. G., and anyone else I may have missed.

Thanks for all of the kind comments from everybody.

Sallie, my daughter has already read all of the tween/teen posts and is currently creating her own e-mail message.

A big thank-you to everybody that is monitoring the tween/teen site. I reviewed what was currently was up there and was very impressed with what I saw. I feel this is a good first safe/public step for Deanna in internet posting and she is very excited to meet and participate with the others. In the past her mother and I have been very wary of giving her the opportunity to go to public sites. It may take a while before we allow her to have her own account.

One of the great things about the DIS are the moderated boards (though not everyone always agrees with that.

 

[danfromca]

Dan, whats the deal with the passports? I guess I must have miss something

One of my "adventures" where I found myself responsible for about 50 passports and kept them in the only safe place I could think of. Good thing too - part of the time we were at a youth hostel and a lot of people had all sorts of things stolen - right out of their rooms during the night.

Hope this makes you smile!

Well, we can hope things will improve; however, our last Disney Cruise left a lot to be desired in the food department. If it had been our first Disney Cruise, I would have been very disappointed. Every night there was some sort of steak selection on the menu and that was the only thing that saved the day! It was not a good menu and that was March, 2006. Palo was excellent as always, but that is only one night!
Now that I'm thinking about it, the food on our last DCL was not as good as the 7 day Western. We figured it was because it was the 4 day Wonder. Although in all honesty, it really wasn't that bad, just not great

I will have to trust to others to judge the quality of the food. I am not exactly a gourmet. In fact, I adhere strictly to the official USDA food pyramid - the one that has four food groups:

• Dark Chocolate
• Pizza
• Honey Roasted Cashews
• Everything else

In short, the food would have to be close to indigestible before I'd even notice.

Besides, the real reason I go on these cruises are the chocolate smoothies - which comprise a major budget item for me on these trips...

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Hi everyone!
I finally booked our hotel -- you should have seen how many screens I had open trying to see if there were discounts and what the best deals were for a triple room. We'll be staying at Las Ramblas Hotel from the 25th - 28th. One less thing to prepare for!

MARY JO! MARY JO!

That's where we're staying! We're supposed to have triples too. Except we get in on the 26th by 7 pm. Don't take the best spot ok? Are you doing only 1 room? We were supposed to have 2 but things are up in the air right now.

I talked to WinoTracy -she's doing the cruise right now - the 1st 10 day - anyway, she said that she stayed there in a triple. That is was ok - the buffet was decent which was one of the reasons I decided to book there although I found several cheaper. My DH and the girls are very picky and I just wanted to make sure that the girls and he ate something that they might be able to digest. The beds were as described - 2 twins and a sofa bed. You'll have to scout out the best places to go.

Oh Yeah - BTW, your two kids are going right? If so, are they planning on hitting any nightlife? You know kinda doing some young hip thing? If so - let me know - I have a proposition for ya!

Yeah - - I'm not alone anymore.

 

[captaincrash]

Hey Tom AKA Capt Crash -

Laura here - I have a favor to ask. (PLEASE PLEASE HANDSOME PLEASE - ) You know that slideshow you posted on the 11 Night Southern Carribean cruise? It has about 121 images? I was wondering if you can possibly post a link on our July 28, Rome-mancing the Mouse Thread?

I seem to be having problems posting it and it didn't go through and when it did - you needed a password. Somehow I can see it here on this thread but not there.

Anyway, I was telling them about you and the wonderful pictures you took. Many are just now learning about the fish extenders and although Lisa/Disneylover5 posted a picture of 1, thought they might get a kick out of seeing more. Also, it looks like we might also be insituting a door decorating contest. I was telling them about how many people decorate and as we have many newbies - some are very interested in seeing them. Your slideshow had some pictures of them. I, in all of my infinite wisdom rotfl2: ) keep forgetting to take pictures of doors. Can I please impose on you and ask you to post your slideshow on there?

I also told them that for once - I saw a picture of DH and me that I liked - you took it on the morning of our dismeet in Parrot Cay. Thank you and I would most appreciate it! Thanks!

Your wish is my command...

Here it is and if it does not work then tomorrow I'll reload a set for you and try again. The boards are gonna shut down any moment now....

OK...

... this exercise has just REMINDED me of WHERE my photos are. I have some 6000 photos from - not sure here- the trip or that particular month. I think I had 6700 photos from the cruise because I recall it was a rediculous number!

Here are just under 200 DIS specific photos combined with a few (a handful) of photos from the cruise. And here are some links:

Because some types of links are more fun (imbedded slide show, slide show in a pop up window, manual photo view, or a field of 50 thumbnails where you click on just the images of interest to enlarge... so with these different links come different issues to view (your sysytem may like some and not other links)... here are the various links to TWO albums ~ The 1st one is of 120 general images, and the 2nd link is to about 50 mostly from Scotts' Pre Cruise meet:

< Try the little "FULL SCREEN" command in the slide show >

Link to Slide Show
http://www.dotphoto.com/Go.asp?l=nma4cnc&P=DCL2006e&AID=3919270&Show=Y

http://www.dotphoto.com/Go.asp?l=nma4cnc&P=vse54&AID=3884437&Show=Y

SINGLE larger Image view
http://www.dotphoto.com/Go.asp?l=nma4cnc&P=DCL2006e&AID=3919270&Pres=Y

http://www.dotphoto.com/Go.asp?l=nma4cnc&P=vse54&AID=3884437&Pres=Y

Thumbnail field view
http://www.dotphoto.com/Go.asp?l=nma4cnc&P=DCL2006e&AID=3919270&T=1

http://www.dotphoto.com/Go.asp?l=nma4cnc&P=vse54&AID=3884437&T=1
​

 

[crawford5]

Hi all

well it's 8am here in the UK and I see you've all been busy with your posts, makes great reading over my coffee this morning. I have so much admiration for those of you who have sad stories of loss to tell. Your words are so inspiring.

As for the weather in the Med in can't be any worse than here in the UK, and as for the food on board, well if it means we all lose a few pounds whilst away that can only be a good thing too.

I spent alot of time yesterday looking at the excursions etc, I guess you guys have already done this. So much to do whilst away!

My Husband and I are off to Rome next Thursday for 4 nights, so we can let you know if it's worth the long bus ride to see the sites there. I'm certain it's going to be.

Best get on with the washing(laundry) again now

bye,

 

[salliep]

Hi ! Mary Jo, Kyla, Anna, Sallie, Maria, Julie, JoAnn, Mrs. G., and anyone else I may have missed.

Thanks for all of the kind comments from everybody.

Sallie, my daughter has already read all of the tween/teen posts and is currently creating her own e-mail message.

A big thank-you to everybody that is monitoring the tween/teen site. I reviewed what was currently was up there and was very impressed with what I saw. I feel this is a good first safe/public step for Deanna in internet posting and she is very excited to meet and participate with the others. In the past her mother and I have been very wary of giving her the opportunity to go to public sites. It may take a while before we allow her to have her own account.

JoAnn, maybe we will share the same dining rotation. We have always been big fans of second seating except for pirate night. I see all of that good food up on deck yet I am stuffed from our meal.

Mrs G. Do you teach? I currently teach animation and graphic design at the high school level.

Now I need to order our tags!

Yes, I love the teen/tween thread- I was also very very concerned about internet safety issues, especially with my husband being a retired NYC police Sgt. He is very overprotective, and checks the site twice a day. Our kids are great- and the posts seem full of excitement. AS I mentioned about a billion times, for a parent of an only child, on the cusp of being a "teen" I am so happy she is finding friends she could feel some independence with on the ship. The best part is knowing that she with be kids of whom I will know, because of this thread. I can't wait for her to tell me she's going to the pool/ club/ etc. with "her friends"- not to get rid of her, just to see her having fun without her "old" parents lugging behind. I know she is going to have as great a time as we will because of this thread. ( Mind you, my husband will never be too far away

Both Mrs. G and I are teachers!!! She teaches high school science and I am a first grade teacher- there many teachers on this thread!!!

 

[jlawall]

CONGRATS! And major one at that!

Thx!

 

[jlawall]

Hi all

well it's 8am here in the UK and I see you've all been busy with your posts, makes great reading over my coffee this morning. I have so much admiration for those of you who have sad stories of loss to tell. Your words are so inspiring.



As for the weather in the Med in can't be any worse than here in the UK, and as for the food on board, well if it means we all lose a few pounds whilst away that can only be a good thing too.

That'll be the day!

I spent alot of time yesterday looking at the excursions etc, I guess you guys have already done this. So much to do whilst away!

My Husband and I are off to Rome next Thursday for 4 nights, so we can let you know if it's worth the long bus ride to see the sites there. I'm certain it's going to be.

Tell us how it is!!

Best get on with the washing(laundry) again now

bye,

Enjoy!!

 

[jlawall]

Both Mrs. G and I are teachers!!! She teaches high school science and I am a first grade teacher- there many teachers on this thread!!!

Yes, I'm a fourth grade teacher and Lynn is a "headmistress."....Helen also teaches (I forget what grade?!)

 

[jlawall]

Another hot day here in Pennsylvania.......wish me luck (no air at school! ) We have 11.5 school days left around here....how about everyone else??

 

[crawford5]

Another hot day here in Pennsylvania.......wish me luck (no air at school! ) We have 11.5 school days left around here....how about everyone else??

Here in the Uk our kids are at school until July 20th, we are on half term break at the moment, the weather is awful so my kids are getting bored because they can't play out. We are going to do some baking which is nice to do but not good for the hips because then we have to eat what we make

 

[jlawall]

Here in the Uk our kids are at school until July 20th, we are on half term break at the moment, the weather is awful so my kids are getting bored because they can't play out. We are going to do some baking which is nice to do but not good for the hips because then we have to eat what we make

 

[kidcoos3]

There's nothing you can do about the weather, but, having done the Eastern Caribbean trip, those waves can get choppy!

If people get sick on the boat, does the infirmary (sp?) have patches? No one in our family has gotten sick before, but you never know, better safe than barfing!!

Another hot day here in Pennsylvania.......wish me luck (no air at school! ) We have 11.5 school days left around here....how about everyone else??

We have 6 1/2 days left

Here in the Uk our kids are at school until July 20th, we are on half term break at the moment, the weather is awful so my kids are getting bored because they can't play out. We are going to do some baking which is nice to do but not good for the hips because then we have to eat what we make

I agree - I try not to bake - cause I end up eatting it (bloated stomach smiley) - I need to get into animation so that I can write the code for some of these awesome smileys I've come up with - bloated stomach smiley, flag waving smiley - I had another one, can't think of it right now!

 

[jlawall]

If people get sick on the boat, does the infirmary (sp?) have patches? No one in our family has gotten sick before, but you never know, better safe than barfing!!

Yes, they had medical services for this!


We have 6 1/2 days left

Lucky you!!!

I agree - I try not to bake - cause I end up eatting it (bloated stomach smiley) - I need to get into animation so that I can write the code for some of these awesome smileys I've come up with - bloated stomach smiley, flag waving smiley - I had another one, can't think of it right now!

 

[disneylover5]

Here is something fun....find your pirate name!!

www.piratequiz.com

Here's me.....


Red Prudentilla Vane

Passion is a big part of your life, which makes sense for a pirate. You tend to blend into the background occaisionally, but that's okay, because it's much easier to sneak up on people and disembowel them that way. Arr!

 

[jlawall]

Here is something fun....find your pirate name!!

www.piratequiz.com

Here's me.....


Red Prudentilla Vane

Passion is a big part of your life, which makes sense for a pirate. You tend to blend into the background occaisionally, but that's okay, because it's much easier to sneak up on people and disembowel them that way. Arr!

Too cute, we all have to try this!!

 

[kyla]

Kyla,

Payment has been sent.

Thanks, Don

Got it. But I have to deny it. It uses a credit card or is the premium account which I can't accept. do you have a personal account?

 

[kyla]

One of my "adventures" where I found myself responsible for about 50 passports and kept them in the only safe place I could think of. Good thing too - part of the time we were at a youth hostel and a lot of people had all sorts of things stolen - right out of their rooms during the night.



I will have to trust to others to judge the quality of the food. I am not exactly a gourmet. In fact, I adhere strictly to the official USDA food pyramid - the one that has four food groups:

• Dark Chocolate
• Pizza
• Honey Roasted Cashews
• Everything else

In short, the food would have to be close to indigestible before I'd even notice.

Besides, the real reason I go on these cruises are the chocolate smoothies - which comprise a major budget item for me on these trips...

Chocolate smoothies? where?

 

[disneylover5]

It is too nice of a day to feel sad! Get away from the computer, go outside and enjoy the sunshine for awhile. Everything will look much better when you come back inside! Take good care of yourself!

After I posted, I went and walked the dog...the weather has been so awesome. When I read the post about Sandra's sons friend....it brought back such memories.....I guess it overwhelmed me. The VA Tech shootings are so raw right now for so many of us here in VA. Everyday, we get mail from VA Tech (as Daniel will be a freshman in the fall), all about security and updates...so very sad.

Yesterday as well, on of my BF found out her 45 year old sister had passed, totally unexpected. She was crying so hard....so sad. I will be traveling to Fort Washington PA for the funeral on Sat. My PA friends...anyone close to this town?

Thank you to those who were so encouraging when I was down. There really isn't anything you can say to the parents and family. We will just continue to pray for them in the weeks and months ahead. The funeral was very crowded with hundreds of students. There is something haunting about a teenager singing "Amazing Grace" at her friends funeral, and two 16 year old girls giving a eulogy for thier friend since elementary school, or the 6 teenage boys being pall bearers for her casket. There are not words to describe the grief. Tonight my son is doing better, after the funeral he spent the day with his group of friends which included the younger sister of the girl who died. They were a comfort to her and to each other. It's hard to watch your children go through this and know there is nothing you can do. It was easier when they were little and we could fix everything or at least they thought we could.

Again, thank you.

Sandra

As for the cruise. I was able to read some of the blogs and was not greatly cheered up. Does anyone know if the weather they are experiencing is typical for this time of year or do I have to rethink my packing. I wasn't planning on packing heavy clothes for cool weather.

Is there any explanation for the poor food and service that anyone can think of. I'm praying that the blogs will be more positive as the summer goes on and the staff is more experienced.

On a brighter note the weather here was beautiful today.

I am so continuing to pray for your son and his friends.

Sorry.........I have a great idea........go back to last night..........read Lynn & I engaged in a massive pirate fight................GUESS WHO WON!!!

Okay, this made me laugh...I haven't been smiling much, but you do crack me up with your competition!!

Disneylover, I got your check!

Great, not to bad since it had to travel across the country!! Did you look at the check....isn't it cute???? (all of my checks are Disney themed!!)

I'm so sorry. You gave them a wonderful gift. I have a coworker who says/writes the most beautiful prayers. I have always found strength in her prayers. She prayed for my father when he was passing away, and I've send snippets of posts from time to time asking her to pray for DISers in need. She always does.

This is such a gift. It is such a struggle for me......but I keep trying!!

Lisa - Thank God there are still people like you out there. Sometimes in this fast paced world you need God-loving people that are willing to take a chance and reach out to those that are in need. Just such a thing happened on the 11 Night Southern Caribbean for me. I got notified that my BFF died suddenly, the next day at an excursions - 'stuff' happened and I almost lost it. 1 tablemate (we were at a table of 14) who sat at the other end noticed something was wrong - she came up to me on the excursion asked what was wrong and when I spilled - she reached out and me. Thank God for that - at that time she was almost a stranger to me - she didn't know me from anyone else (I am shy in person) and yet she had the guts to reach and touch a stranger. For someone like me - that was the world! So please keep doing what you do - your soul is special and someone out there needs someone like you. P.S. - Pam and I are now good buddies - we talk almost every single day and we are cross-country from each other. Pam is DisneySweetie - we're handling the SM on the EB together. Go figure!

You will have to help me meet DisneySweetie on the EB. She sounds wonderful!

I can not imagine getting bad news while on a trip like that.....

MY DH was on mission work in Europe 2 summers ago. When he left he knew it was very likely his mom would not be alive when he returned. Sure enough, she passed while he was gone...but it was not a shock, like you had....

Sandra, just had to address this issue. Last Sept - (see my note on earlier post) On our 11-Night Cruise, I was notified that my BFF from high school had died suddenly. She'd been hospitalized in August due to seizures. I last saw her before I had my gallbladder surgury on Aug 25. She called me 2 nights before I left (Sept 12th or 13th) asking me to take her to the Drs. As I hadn't packed yet, I had to beg off. We all thought she would be fine. I got notified in St. Lucia that she had been readmitted to the hosptial and that she was having trouble. I forgot to call that night. The next morning in Barbados, I was notified (and that was a horrendous effort to get the news to me) that she had passed away. There I was in the middle of the port terminal and I just got the bad news. People there must of thought that my poor DH had hit me - I melted on the spot. Anyway..

She died leaving 2 kids - 1 10 year old and an 18 month old - my godson. I was unable to get off the ship due to miscommunication at guest services. But I was able to send my 2 girls at home - 1 19 yo and 1 13 yo in my place. Our church seats well over 2000 people and that's the 1st floor. She was very young - had just turned 40 in Jan. Well to cut the story short, the church was filled to capacity and then people waiting to get in. There is no better last image than to see how many lives this one person touched! The wake was the same way. I unfortunately forgot to tell DD to speak on my behalf. The 6 pallbearers were all friends from high school and they still would hang out once a month. The bond was so tight with this group. Its amazing. I say amazing as they have now included me and say that in God's own way, Loretta - that was her name handpicked me to be there in her place. She would make light of that and sometimes we would take turns showing up when one or the other couldn't make the gatherings.

I cried for what seems like months but we have all made a conscious effort to include her husband and children and I visit her mother once a month just to check on her. She had 1 sister but her mom gave me the biggest compliment when I saw her upon returning for the first time. She said that Loretta had handpicked me as the Godparent due to the fact that she viewed me as her sister or the sister she had always wanted. She does have one - and coincidentally - we share the same birthday just 1 year apart.

So while things are hard, both the other Godparent and I have made a conscious effort to hold our group together and to help raise her sons (dad is an electrician and has lots of out of state jobs) so we make sure that we stop by Grandma's place and visit our Godson.

I have since made a time capsule box that I hope to give to him one day as he was too little to remember his mom. I hope that one day - he can come to appreciate how many lives his mom touched in such a small amount of time.

Ironic - I allowed my DD13 to stay out of school for the funeral. When I called from FL to notify them that she would not be there. I didn't get through so the next day I called to confirm. When I told the secretary the reason - she said - oh you mean that big beautiful funeral mass? There was standing room only she must of been a wonderful lady.

My answer? She was indeed a beautiful person but most of all - she was a wonderful friend. And the best BFF a girl could ever chance to meet. we should all be so lucky.

So I hope I didn't bring anyone down - I simply wanted to reiterate what Sandra said earlier - enjoy what you have and that special someone for you never know what tomorrow will bring. I am so glad for having known her and having her in my life. Your son can keep his friends in his memory and use her death in good ways - to touch other people's lives in such a wonderful way.

Ok - sorry all. Just had to write - this had been a long and emotional weekend and I thank you all for putting up with me! ixiedust:

P.S. - now you all know what a small can mean to a person. God Bless all you nurturers - the world needs more people like you!

Such a sad and wonderful story!!

 

[kyla]

Here's mine:


Your pirate name is:
Dirty Jenny Rackham

You're the pirate everyone else wants to throw in the ocean -- not to get rid of you, you understand; just to get rid of the smell. You have the good fortune of having a good name, since Rackham (pronounced RACKem, not rack-ham) is one of the coolest sounding surnames for a pirate. Arr!