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

[kidcoos3]

Looking forward to security . . .
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/20/arts/tyler21.php?page=1

 

[bridegirl]

QUOTE=salliep;19860126]Quick suggestion for gift bags- once we did this at another function I went to and there was a some "childlike behavior" I guess you could say-
All the bags were placed on a table, and as with everything, some bags looked a little more enticing than others- well, as people were choosing, there was a rumble, and before you knew it, seemingly normal, happy adults actually began pulling on certain bags and came just short of getting into a fight over-them. I couldn't believe my eyes, but it did happen.
So I suggest, AND THIS ONLY A SUGGESTION AS I KNOW HOW WONDERFUL WE ALL ARE_ that we put numbers on the gift bags, and each of us pulls a corresponding number out of a paper bag which in turn is the number of the bag you get.
I just wanted to post this, because I have had experience with this, and when I do organize things like this, I now put numbers on everything and have everyone pick fairly out of a bag.
I can get the numbers ready and just print out the list and cut participant names and put them in bag... but its up to you all..
I dont want to rock the boat.. so please , if you think this is not necessary- NO PROBLEM-
Ok Im off to shower and get ready- I will check in when we get to the restaurant
Love Sallie[/QUOTE]

Sallie,

What a great idea! I love the numbers for the bag swap - I wish we had more time because I would love for people to open them one by one (like a baby shower) so that I could see everything that everybody "brought from home". I love the stuff that we bought and it's all very representative of where we live.

Sorry I haven't been posting much, I have gone into panic mode about getting everything ready with my husband out of town - 72 hours til our plane! The kids helped me last night with the FE gifts (fyi -my mom and my sister are also giving out their own FE gifts), there is jst so much to organize and so much to pack!!!

Is the FE list getting added to the cruise document? I keep waiting to print it til the last minute. Are they still making changes to it?

And I changed almost all my excursions but didnt post my new schedule, so many of mine are incorrect. My bad.

Thanks again to everybody who did so much work, organizing, listing, arranging - it's going to be so much fun!!

Susy

 

[bellelinus]

Top is my 12 year old, Katherine . . . bottom is the 10 year old, Meredith. The 15 year old was rocking to the band Harry and the Potters in Harvard Square!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

This picture has come into my possession from different source.

I wish you all the best Sallie. See you soon.

OMgosh! Toooo funny! Sallie, we'll be able to find you anywhere!

And we are checked in at the airport and will be flying in a few hours! See you all next week in Spain!!!

Safe travels! We'll see you in a week.

Ditto for my DH - I'll be pretty excited if he wears the DIS shirt - I think he will though - he's a good sport!
Well, I ordered 2 new pairs of shorts from Eddie Bauer on 7/9 and they still aren't here yet - when they have free shipping I think they fly it to China first and then send it to you - tomorrow's the last day they can come! I'm not a happy camper!!

Oh, gee, I hope you get your shorts soon! I ordered t-shirts for the kids & me, and they'll both be wearing them - and me, too!

Okay between the last quote & the next I stopped to clean & go back to sleep a bit. I woke up at 3:30 this morning, and was up til 5 & went back to bed... dreamt about Disneyland, and boy I ran into a lot of people I know there. Lol

Just got back from the thai restaurant -at the end of the meal this was the fortune in the cookie,

"You are going to have a very pleasant and successful journey soon"

Everyone looked at me and laughed ( they know I've been hyper @ school about this trip)

How appropriate.

Hi Maryann;

The party was a blast . . . I came home and read the first chapter and the last two (OK, I just couldn't help myself! -- boy do I wish I could talk to Dan right now!). Meanwhile, my oldest daughter, who is coming home from Boston today after spending a week with my sister, was in Harvard Square last night hearing rock group Harry and the Potters (opening acts the Hungarian Horntails and Draco and the Malfoys). . .

I'm hoping our local Sams will have this in today/tomorrow so we can get it...I don't want to read any spoilers, either. I want to enjoy the ride of the book. Cool about the band names. How fun is that!

 

[bellelinus]

From the party . . . Meredith has the "whomping willow" on her head . . . Katherine has a lightening scar (balloon creatures and face painting were part of the party).

 

[kidcoos3]

I love the pictures Bellinus! Thanks for sharing.

At about 10:30 last night, my DH and DS12 got the great idea to go to Barnes and Noble. I had reserved the book and was going to pick up today. So, they threw together some outfits/costumes and talked DD16 and her boyfriend into going too. DS13 and I stayed home - I was exhausted. They had lots of fun. They were home by 12:50ish or so - I was totally asleep. They brought me back some Harry Potter glasses - really cute. DH told DS13 (the fastest reader, therefore the 1st to get to read it) that he had to wait until we are at the airport on Monday morning to begin the book - he'll have to sweat it out til then! No spoilers!!

 

[AnnaS]

Top is my 12 year old, Katherine . . . bottom is the 10 year old, Meredith. The 15 year old was rocking to the band Harry and the Potters in Harvard Square!

Very Nice Julie!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Good thought, maybe we come up with numbers like UK 1, UK 2 etc, NY 1 NY 2,C 1, c2 etc..then if you pull out a number that has the wrong letter just throw it back in. If no one opens a bag until all the numbers are selected then we can make trades if we have to if the last person gets his/her own region.

Is this getting too complicated?

Just a suggestion.

Sandra

I like the idea of picking numbers, and if it's from your region putting the number back, but however we do it is fine with me.

Bellelinus, do you have pictures of your girls in their Harry Potter garb?

Top is my 12 year old, Katherine . . . bottom is the 10 year old, Meredith. The 15 year old was rocking to the band Harry and the Potters in Harvard Square!

These pics are adorable.... or brilliant, as Ron would say.


Here's our passport update.... on Thursday, I was at work and did a quick check of the boards. I received a pm from Lisa (alexcturner) urging me to call my senator to get extra help, and not rely on the Passport agency. She was very nice about it, but her last sentence was something like, "Pick up the phone now!" So I did. Lol I dropped everything I was doing & looked up the number to our senator's office, who directed me to call my local congressman. Hey, did you know that the 37th District (where I live) has a vacant seat. Well, that didn't surprise me. I did call one of the other local offices, and Mary answered. She took all my info & said she would look into, and would call me the next day. Well, she didn't call me, but the Passport Agency (New Hampshire office) did call me and tell me that they were sending Nick's passport via FedEx, and it would be here on Monday. That's cutting it a little toooo close, so I asked her if there was any way possible to accelerate FedEx to a Saturday arrival, so she's going to see if the passport can be delivered today. Keep your fingers crossed.

 

[AnnaS]

MaryJo,

What a rollercoaster ride, it has to come, it will come. Positive thoughts.

 

[bellelinus]

Here's our passport update.... on Thursday, I was at work and did a quick check of the boards. I received a pm from Lisa (alexcturner) urging me to call my senator to get extra help, and not rely on the Passport agency. She was very nice about it, but her last sentence was something like, "Pick up the phone now!" So I did. Lol I dropped everything I was doing & looked up the number to our senator's office, who directed me to call my local congressman. Hey, did you know that the 37th District (where I live) has a vacant seat. Well, that didn't surprise me. I did call one of the other local offices, and Mary answered. She took all my info & said she would look into, and would call me the next day. Well, she didn't call me, but the Passport Agency (New Hampshire office) did call me and tell me that they were sending Nick's passport via FedEx, and it would be here on Monday. That's cutting it a little toooo close, so I asked her if there was any way possible to accelerate FedEx to a Saturday arrival, so she's going to see if the passport can be delivered today. Keep your fingers crossed.

FINGERS CROSSED!

 

[bellelinus]

I love the pictures Bellinus! Thanks for sharing.

At about 10:30 last night, my DH and DS12 got the great idea to go to Barnes and Noble. I had reserved the book and was going to pick up today. So, they threw together some outfits/costumes and talked DD16 and her boyfriend into going too. DS13 and I stayed home - I was exhausted. They had lots of fun. They were home by 12:50ish or so - I was totally asleep. They brought me back some Harry Potter glasses - really cute. DH told DS13 (the fastest reader, therefore the 1st to get to read it) that he had to wait until we are at the airport on Monday morning to begin the book - he'll have to sweat it out til then! No spoilers!!

I just couldn't help myself . . . I had to read the end . . .

There were so many things given out at ours, it was really nice . . . harry potter glasses that glow in the dark, posters, candy, the nicest thing was a tassel in the griffendor colors (think of a graduation tassel) with a gold charm hanging off it that says 07/21/07. I'm tired today but it was an event and I'm glad we were there.

 

[kidcoos3]

That's cutting it a little toooo close, so I asked her if there was any way possible to accelerate FedEx to a Saturday arrival, so she's going to see if the passport can be delivered today. Keep your fingers crossed.

The squeaky wheel . . .
Good job!! Keeping the fingers crossed . . .

I just couldn't help myself . . . I had to read the end . . .

There were so many things given out at ours, it was really nice . . . harry potter glasses that glow in the dark, posters, candy, the nicest thing was a tassel in the griffendor colors (think of a graduation tassel) with a gold charm hanging off it that says 07/21/07. I'm tired today but it was an event and I'm glad we were there.

No spoilers!!
The glasses they brought me are glow in the dark. They have the tassel with 7/21/07 hanging off of them. Not sure about posters. DH is mowing, DD at work and DS sleeping (teens!!). I'm sure if there was candy, it is all gone by now!!

Trying to do some packing, last minute trying on of stuff etc. I'm not good at picking what I'm going to wear. Still have one more load of laundry - remember my old tag - never caught up on laundry unless your family spends significant time naked!! It's so true!! I told DSs to bring last minute stuff to me to wash - Did that load last night but I found the clothes that DS12 intended to give me on the ottoman in the living room - evidently he was sidetracked!! Do I wash them? Or let him be naked on the trip?

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Good thought, maybe we come up with numbers like UK 1, UK 2 etc, NY 1 NY 2,C 1, c2 etc..then if you pull out a number that has the wrong letter just throw it back in. If no one opens a bag until all the numbers are selected then we can make trades if we have to if the last person gets his/her own region.

Is this getting too complicated?

Just a suggestion.

Sandra

Sandra I think this is a great idea

 

[MrsG]

Great pics Julie!

Sandra, the C1, C2, etc. is a great idea. Do we have to put any # on the bag we are bringing? I'm a little slow (and in truth haven't been paying too close attention - trying to multi-task and it's not working too well! )

Maryann

 

[MrsJobba1]

No one has to tell me that dogs are not smart, but is anyone else having a problem with their pet having withdrawal symptoms already? Princess Jasmine knows something is up! She will not let us out of her sight. If dh goes downstairs and sits down at his desk, she climbs up his leg like a cat to sit in his lap. If I come downstairs to iron clothes, she follows me upstairs, and bites at me all the way up the stairs. She is like an animal possessed! I don't know what I will do with her between now and Wednesday when she goes to my friend's house! Oh, my I hope she is still my friend when we return!

I know what you mean - The cases are upstairs well out of the way of teh dogs. Sallie would fret if she saw them.

This will be Princess Jasmine's first big venture away from home. She stayed with our friend a few nights when dh had surgery, but she was still a puppy. Now she is a big one year old!! I know she will get spoiled--maybe I am more worried than she!

ok Sallie got there first...it is helen with impeccable timing after all

I was at the hairdressers - I've had all my hair cut off - its the shortest its ever been (well it must have been this short at some point in my life, but I cant remember when.) I really love it - only hope I can style like the hairdresser - or I'll be spending a lot of time and money @ the salon I died it dark brown with blonde streaks ( no more red flashes I'll leave that for Sallie )

[/COLOR]w DEREK UK;19860476]Just when you thought it was safe......


I am at the airport, couldnt use the WiFi but on a internet terminal.

Warning to UK CRUISERS

The security ment big delays, I arrived at 10.20am, I didnt actually get to check in until 11.50am and then 12.30pm for passport control and thats with fasttrack and business class.

Queues everywhere, with schools out yesterday the airport is very crowded.

I have a dealy until 3pm from knock on from yesterdays storms so I will not be in Barca until about 6pm/7pm their time.

See you!

Hope you have safe journey.

I am really panicing - I connect through heathrow and its all over the news about the delays and flight cancellations due to the bad weather. There is no let up as well - heavy rain forecast all week -

I like the idea of picking numbers, and if it's from your region putting the number back, but however we do it is fine with me.





These pics are adorable.... or brilliant, as Ron would say.


Here's our passport update.... on Thursday, I was at work and did a quick check of the boards. I received a pm from Lisa (alexcturner) urging me to call my senator to get extra help, and not rely on the Passport agency. She was very nice about it, but her last sentence was something like, "Pick up the phone now!" So I did. Lol I dropped everything I was doing & looked up the number to our senator's office, who directed me to call my local congressman. Hey, did you know that the 37th District (where I live) has a vacant seat. Well, that didn't surprise me. I did call one of the other local offices, and Mary answered. She took all my info & said she would look into, and would call me the next day. Well, she didn't call me, but the Passport Agency (New Hampshire office) did call me and tell me that they were sending Nick's passport via FedEx, and it would be here on Monday. That's cutting it a little toooo close, so I asked her if there was any way possible to accelerate FedEx to a Saturday arrival, so she's going to see if the passport can be delivered today. Keep your fingers crossed.

I agree with putting the number and region on the gift -
Also Mary Jo my fingers and toes are x for you let us know how you get on.

 

[kyla]

Ok everyone, I sent the final version of the Disney Cruise Guide to Dan and maryJo. I thought I saw a message from Dan that he would get it converted to pdf this afternoon. I got to go and pack now and clean the house and deliver my doggies to Uncle Bob's . See ya later!

 

[MrsG]

I know what you mean - The cases are upstairs well out of the way of teh dogs. Sallie would fret if she saw them.

I was at the hairdressers - I've had all my hair cut off - its the shortest its ever been (well it must have been this short at some point in my life, but I cant remember when.) I really love it - only hope I can style like the hairdresser - or I'll be spending a lot of time and money @ the salon I died it dark brown with blonde streaks ( no more red flashes I'll leave that for Sallie )




Hope you have safe journey.

I am really panicing - I connect through heathrow and its all over the news about the delays and flight cancellations due to the bad weather. There is no let up as well - heavy rain forecast all week -

I agree with putting the number and region on the gift -
Also Mary Jo my fingers and toes are x for you let us know how you get on.

Helen, I'm sure your hair looks great!! Can't wait to see you!!
Don't worry about the weather too much. It's beyond our control. Hopefully the delays won't be too bad and you'll be able to leave on Tues.



Maryann

 

[MrsG]

Ok everyone, I sent the final version of the Disney Cruise Guide to Dan and maryJo. I thought I saw a message from Dan that he would get it converted to pdf this afternoon. I got to go and pack now and clean the house and deliver my doggies to Uncle Bob's . See ya later!

Thanks Jeanne,

I think you're next to leave. Have a safe trip. See you next week!!

Maryann

 

[Sandaneli]

Great pics Julie!

Sandra, the C1, C2, etc. is a great idea. Do we have to put any # on the bag we are bringing? I'm a little slow (and in truth haven't been paying too close attention - trying to multi-task and it's not working too well! )

Maryann

It's just all the loose ends we are trying to hold together as the trip gets closer. Someone said they would make the numbers. I think it was Sallie. Whoever it was can just make a bunch with the letters and the numbers. If they use one pc of paper and put UK 1, for example, at each end then when you put your bag in take a number sheet, tear it in half staple or attach one to your bag and put the other half in the container with the numbers to be drawn from. When everyone is there we can start pulling numbers.

Sandra

 

[EPCOT_VA]

Hello everyone! My family and I just got back from the 07/07/07 cruise. This was our first cruise ever, so we learned a lot.

We were touring Barcelona on Thursday after we disembarked. While we were at the Sagrada Familia, we saw a Disney Cruise Shore Excursion bus. We briefly contemplated trying to blend into the crowd and get back on the ship.

I thought I would offer a couple of tidbits that might or might not be of use, FWIW.

- There were a LOT a people with lost luggage from the airlines. Some lost everything, others were only missing a bag or two. Spread your clothes out among your different suitcases. Just in case one or two don't show up, you're not completely without clothes.

- If you are not on a Disney Shore Excursion the day you sail, you may want to think twice about striking out on your own to explore Barcelona. We had considered it, and decided once we were aboard to just relax and get to know the ship. A couple of Disney Cast Members suggested that it was "safer" to stay onboard. (Safer = You Don't Miss the Ship) We explored Barcelona upon our return. (The Mandatory Lifeboat Drill was at 5:00 PM.)

- Bring US QUARTERS for the laundry rooms. The machines turned out to be very useful and not too bad as far as waiting to use one. (Plan on $3 per load. $1 for detergent, $1 for washer, & $1 for dryer) Next cruise, we will try to bring clothes that can be washed on the same temp & cycle settings to maximize what we can wash in a single load. We stopped in London for a couple of days on the way to Barcelona, so we used the laundry early on.

- PHOTO PACKAGES - DCL has a lot of photo ops with their photographers. I usually don't purchase the pictures that they take of you at WDW, but these turned out to be GREAT! They do offer packages versus buying individual pics. I highly recommend looking at the package deals. My wife originally bought two of the smaller packages, and then later upgraded for more pics. DCL refunded the smaller package price and just charged for the bigger package. So, you can start small and then upgrade without a penalty later if you find a lot of pictures that you like. The staff photographers were even out on the shore excursions. We got pictures by them in Roma and Pompeii. They even hired Gladiators to pose with in front of the Colisseum!
- Oceaneers Lab (8 & 9 year olds) - If your kids are in the Lab, the parents can give them the option to check themselves in and out. (The Club for the younger kids doesn't have this option.) We initially resisted allowing our kids to do this for safety reasons. However, we quickly became comfortable with the ship environment and the paging system to let us know what they are doing. So, after a discussion with our daughters, we did allow them the option to check in and out. Allowing them the freedom to "go get an ice cream" and come back was a great way to show trust and confidence. Just another step to their growing up. The kids usually travelled in "packs" anyway when they checked out. They all wear ID bracelets, and we were satisfied that it was "safe".

- Shore Excursion "Whispers" - These are headsets that you wear to listen to your guide. However, all "Whispers" are not created equally. Some have the headset plug in just like an iPod. Others use "tubules" to carry the sound to your earpiece. The "tubules" kept coming out and were very frustrating. If you brought a rubber band or even some scotch tape to hold the "tubule" onto the radio receiver, you will save yourself endless aggravation.

- Dinner - Late Seating worked very well for us. However, we found ourselves eating 4 meals a day! We would try to get something for our kids to eat around 6 PM to hold them over until dinner. On the day you visit Rome, dinner is delayed until 9 PM for late seating. So you can get back from your shore excursion and go straight to dinner. Disney Cast Members met each bus and advised folks to head straight to their dining hall that day.

- Charging Camera Batteries and Downloading camera cards etc. - The Magic has US Standard outlets. We brought along a short extension cord with an outlet multiplier to allow us to charge three devices at once. I devloped a routine for each evening to download my camera cards and charge batteries. I took 3821 pictures over the course of our trip! Trust me, you don't want to run out of memory space or battery life on this trip!

- Olbia Shore Excursions - Our "Day at Sea at Maddalena Island" was cancelled due to rough seas (high winds). We were actually grateful to have the day to relax instead of heading out. We did make the mistake of going into Oblia on our own for a couple of hours. (It was a waste of time except for the exercise from walking.) There is nothing that you can realistically walk to except for a City Park (Nice park though). The people that did go some of the bus excursions sounded somewhat disappointed. They said that the guides tried to "Make something out of nothing". Olbia might be a good relaxation day if you want one. By the way. the bus does not take you in to the center of town as advertised. It takes you to the Port entrance and drops you in the middle of a construction area!

- Pompeii Shore Excursion - We did they Pompeii, Sorrento & Capri for families. It was wonderful. But beware, it can get exhausting by the end of the day. We did Pompeii last and some folks were having great difficulty keeping up with all of the walking over uneven surfaces. Despite what the description might say, this was extremely tough for anyone with a stroller or wheelchair. You cannot realistically wheelchair at Pompeii. At the end, we were in the amphiteater and all of the kids immediately started climbing to the top. The tour guide was very clear that everything is at "YOUR OWN RISK". Almost inevitably, a young boy fell while jumping down the steps. We all heard the "crack" when he fell and it was thought that he broke his arm. The Disney Cast Member that accompanies the group had a first aid kit, but was not equipped for a broken arm. (The tour guides are local professionals, not Disney CMs. A CM accompanies the group though.) The family was given the option of calling for an ambulance. Fortunately, they decided to return to the ship and it turned out that the arm was not broken after all.

- If you bail out of a shore excursion early or are having difficulties, I believe that you are simply on your own. You cannot wait on the bus. The couple that was having trouble due to the physical demands was told where the bus would meet us and roughly what time. However, nobody would be able to accompany them. The CM can call for medical assistance, but must remain with the main group. Keep this in mind if you have concerns about physical demands. Make sure you have the resources with you if you need to get yourself back to the ship or need to seek medical assistance.

- Pirate Night - Make sure that you are at the deck party when it starts. The fireworks display is only 3 minutes long and you don't want to miss it (like I did ) If you have late seating for dinner, eat fast!

- VAT and Receipts - Start keeping all of your recipts from Shutters, Mickey Mates and Treasure Ketch in the envelopes provided in your staterooms from the first day! On the last night of the cruise, you take them down to the Shore Excursion desk and they process them. You get a form with instructions on how to get your VAT refund. This is only for receipts for the stores on the ship though. We misplaced one receipt for $200 until after we got home. When we got to the airport, their is a Customs desk on the ground floor in Terminal A near the bag claim exit. You present your form and receipts to get stamped. After that, you walk around the corner and they give you back your money in cash. We got 55 Euros back. You can also mail it in, but it takes 5 or 6 weeks. If you keep your receipts organized, it can be well worth it. The lines at the airport weren't bad for this process either.

Well, I could probably go on and on. Please let me know if you found it helpful. Good luck, have fun, and I wish I was going back with you all!

BTW - If anyone runs into Laura Dean from Shipboard entertainment, tell her the Crosman family from the 7/7/07 cruise says HI! We kept running into Laura in her different rolls thoughout the trip. We finally starting calling each encounter our "Laura" Siting for the day. Laura does everything from the deck parties to trivia contest, to the Golden Mickeys. She is from England, blonde and 24 years old (That is one of the trivia question).

Take care,

EPCOT_VA (Matthew)