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

[eeyorelvr10]

THat's where our room is!!! we are the only downgraders who didn't get upgraded

Oh well at least we are on the ship and have $3000 in our pockets (so to speak).

Sandra


PS let me know how the directions are, I'm curious if anyone can understand them>

Really quick - confirmed that our cabins are 2083 and 2085 - no upgrade either! But that's ok - come excursions days - we'll be able to get to our rooms quickly - up one flight of stairs!

 

[Sandaneli]

Thanks Julie. I hope the passport arrives in the mail and she does not have to spend the restof the week stressing only to have to spend an entire day at the Passport office. Yikes!!! Just what you need before a long awaited vacation.
The feds dropped the ball on this passport thing. They really did not plan for the overwhelming number of requests which would flood their offices. They should have planned better since only like 20% of Americans had passports prior to this year. We have been spoiled.

WHile I'm not usually one to defend the beaurocracy (sp) of Washington and our Gov't. THis has been scheduled for at least 2 years so it's not necessarily their fault for the back up it's more because we all (or Most of us) waited until the last possible minute to actually apply for them.

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Good quote

Andrew--You are always saying "Good Night" just when I get on line, so hope this finds you still awake to let you know how much I appreciate all the help you have been over the months, actually a year +. It will be so great to finally get to meet you. Have a wonderful, restful week in Barcelona. You deserve a great vacation!

 

[eeyorelvr10]

And on another note - I LOVE JUSTINE!

The poor lady stayed online with me and walked me through the way to cancel the exursions. Figured out what I was doing wrong. But the best part is that she confirmed that the online checkin is exactly the same as what's in the booklet/paperwork we get. She said no need to stress.

Also, she just returned from the cruise last week. Jet Lag is heck - AND THE SHIP IS FREEZING!!!! She said that the mornings were cool but the afternoons were pretty warm. Then again this was the beginning of July so we'll be even hotter - although she did warn me the ship is cold which is what I remember anyways!

That did it - I will be wearing my UGG boots on the airplane and on cruise casual nights! I might be able to can 1 pr of shoes!!!!

Ok more to tell - not much but I have got to pick up DD14 from school - next week she's out -and we're flying!!!!

Oh yes - what to do with the onboard credit that was to be used for DCL ? excursions? I have to think about that!

 

[ukmickeyc]

Hi does anyone know whether we have to register teens for the Stack? Last time we sailed our DD was 12 & we had to register her for the Oceaneer Club. She is now 14.

 

[4kittymagic]

I'm taking an informal poll...

Are there others out there like me who define cruising as staying aboard the ship, relaxing, eating, napping, relaxing, more napping, etc. rather than getting off at every port for 12hrs and then needing an additional week off when you return home to rest from your "vacation"?

This DH (Jeff) is only going ashore on 4 excursions...

The rest of the time will be savoring some very relaxing moments on board my favorite ship!

 

[bellelinus]

Hi does anyone know whether we have to register teens for the Stack? Last time we sailed our DD was 12 & we had to register her for the Oceaneer Club. She is now 14.

No need to register teens for the Stack . . .just have her show up whenever she wants to check it out. They all come and go as they please, too . . . no pagers or sign out.

 

[eeyorelvr10]

I'm taking an informal poll...

Are there others out there like me who define cruising as staying aboard the ship, relaxing, eating, napping, relaxing, more napping, etc. rather than getting off at every port for 12hrs and then needing an additional week off when you return home to rest from your "vacation"?

This DH is only going ashore on 4 excursions...

The rest of the time will be savoring some very relaxing moments on board my favorite ship!

4KittyMagic - remind me of your name again?

DH would love nothing better than to sit on the ship and sleep, eat and snore away but this evil, wicked woman is always dragging him around. Although, if he enjoys himself - you might be able to convince him to stay aboard a few times for a game of poker!

Poker in the Med! Who'd a thunk it!

 

[bellelinus]

I'm taking an informal poll...

Are there others out there like me who define cruising as staying aboard the ship, relaxing, eating, napping, relaxing, more napping, etc. rather than getting off at every port for 12hrs and then needing an additional week off when you return home to rest from your "vacation"?

This DH is only going ashore on 4 excursions...

The rest of the time will be savoring some very relaxing moments on board my favorite ship!

Sorry, but no, not for this cruise -- I will be in full commando mode (note that I did not say "going commando" . . .). I agree that the ship can be an extremely relaxing place, but this itinerary is so unique that I really want to experience everything I can off the ship, and have my girls experience it. This was true even before we decided to go on the repo cruise too and have all those days at sea. But the great thing about a cruise is that it allows so many people with so many different idea of what a terrific vacation is to have their own unique perfect vacation.

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Good quote

And on another note - I LOVE JUSTINE!

The poor lady stayed online with me and walked me through the way to cancel the exursions. Figured out what I was doing wrong. But the best part is that she confirmed that the online checkin is exactly the same as what's in the booklet/paperwork we get. She said no need to stress.

Also, she just returned from the cruise last week. Jet Lag is heck - AND THE SHIP IS FREEZING!!!! She said that the mornings were cool but the afternoons were pretty warm. Then again this was the beginning of July so we'll be even hotter - although she did warn me the ship is cold which is what I remember anyways!

quote]

Just remember if enough people complain that the ship is freezing, it won't be when we "Red Hot Mama's" get there. They will have changed the temperature!

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Sorry, but no, not for this cruise -- I will be in full commando mode (note that I did not say "going commando" . . .). I agree that the ship can be an extremely relaxing place, but this itinerary is so unique that I really want to experience everything I can off the ship, and have my girls experience it. This was true even before we decided to go on the repo and have all those days at sea. But the great thing about a cruise is that it allows so many people with so many different idea of what a terrific vacation is to have their own unique perfect vacation.

Sometimes, but not this time--new territory!

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Who will be a ??

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Not me

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Julie?

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Surprise!

 

[bellelinus]

Julie?

Congrats! I waited off on this one, after getting the last one by accident!

 

[danfromca]

WHile I'm not usually one to defend the beaurocracy (sp) of Washington and our Gov't. THis has been scheduled for at least 2 years so it's not necessarily their fault for the back up it's more because we all (or Most of us) waited until the last possible minute to actually apply for them.

It's an expression of the Dilbert Principle "We are all idiots sometimes".

For example, on this trip I wouldn't be at all surprised if I come to realize that I was an idiot for sticking with the DCL excursions instead of arranging for private tours (though my reasons for doing so still seem valid).
Applies to governments as well - sure, they should have had the foresight to realize the if they said passports took 12 weeks to get, most people would wait until exactly 12 weeks before their trip to apply (the rest would wait longer). But they didn't - very Dilbertian.
This particular time was my turn not to be an idiot - I just seemed like one seven or eight months ago when I was browbeating the rest of my group to get their passports.

I'm taking an informal poll...

Are there others out there like me who define cruising as staying aboard the ship, relaxing, eating, napping, relaxing, more napping, etc. rather than getting off at every port for 12hrs and then needing an additional week off when you return home to rest from your "vacation"?

This DH is only going ashore on 4 excursions...

The rest of the time will be savoring some very relaxing moments on board my favorite ship!

That's me. And all but one of the excursions are just 1/2 day trips.

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Congrats! I waited off on this one, after getting the last one by accident!

Thanks, Julie---I don't think I have ever had a by accident, but I have been so close so many times! It is just fun on this board talking to everyone and I know by now we are all feeling the "crunch"; however, I think I am a little more organized than previous times, just concerned over weight of luggage! . I even weighed my cologne bottles today...now that is obsessive!

Oh, by the way--my t-shirt arrived today from cafepress.com and it is very nice. I should have ordered one for dh, but he is doing such a nice job on the iron on ones that I would not want to interfere with a work in progress!!

 

[funluvin]

WHile I'm not usually one to defend the beaurocracy (sp) of Washington and our Gov't. THis has been scheduled for at least 2 years so it's not necessarily their fault for the back up it's more because we all (or Most of us) waited until the last possible minute to actually apply for them.

I don't know. It just seems the gov't did not make abig deal out of this. It's not like they were doing the passport dance. Not that it is entirely their responsibility. However, knowing that the vast majority of the population did not have passports,one would think they might have lodged a bigger as campaign.
Thankfully, most of my travel partyalready ahd passports. The only non-holders were my niece and nephew. My SIL submitted the apps in early March and as ofearly last week had not received the passports. She has been in constant contact with the passport authority and has been given a confirmation number. Basically she was told they would guarantee arrival of the passports prior to the trip. However, their passports were put in the "July" pile. Apparently, the apps are not being processed in the order received, but rather when trips are scheduled. While this is somewhat understandable, some people are being stressed because others wait until the last minute to submit apps. This has been more like 20 weeks, not 12.
My SIL was prepared to spend the day at the NYC Passport office if necessary. I haven't heard fromher, so I am confident that the passports arrived.
I just feel badly for people like Mary Jo that have to be stressed before a vacation.

 

[bellelinus]

Thanks, Julie---I don't think I have ever had a by accident, but I have been so close so many times! It is just fun on this board talking to everyone and I know by now we are all feeling the "crunch"; however, I think I am a little more organized than previous times, just concerned over weight of luggage! . I even weighed my cologne bottles today...now that is obsessive!

Oh, by the way--my t-shirt arrived today from cafepress.com and it is very nice. I should have ordered one for dh, but he is doing such a nice job on the iron on ones that I would not want to interfere with a work in progress!!

Yes, it is definitely crunch time . . . and most of you are leaving before I do (July 26). By the way, a confession: I didn't do a shirt -- but I will enjoy seeing my tag on any of yours!