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

[bellelinus]

Julie,

I was just reading an article this AM in the NYT in the Business Section about the lousy exchange rate. One tourist in Paris paid 9.5 euros for a can of coke in a cafe and a glass of coke at the hotel bar for 4 euros!!!! All of a sudden, NYC prices don't look so bad!

Maryann

I read that, too . . . of course there are always problems with people getting overcharged in touristy areas, and the exchange rate just worsens it . . . there are plenty of places to get a coke (not that I would want one) for a lot less than that.

The exchange rate is going to kill us on souvenirs, though . . .

 

[kidcoos3]

Just when I thought I could really seriously get down to packing---another baseball tournament--in Paris----PA

You had me there for a minute!!

Congratulations - that's 2 pretty close to each other, isn't it?

You know I have no idea - I think its Sept 3rd?

That's not too bad - still time after the cruise to rest and relax

ok Im panicing now - We still cant find the charger for our digital camera you know the wdw promo dvd from last year when DAve gets people to take his picture then Email it too him - thats us now.

Seriously though IM worried

Good luck!

My poison used to be softdrinks (good ol' Coke), but I've mellowed and switched to fruit juices mostly.

Of course, while you can talk about the meals, and rave about Palos, we all know that the high point of DCL cuisine are the chocolate smoothies (which have their own line item on the trip budget)

I'll need to have the kids try those!

Not a dumb question -- I won't carry more than I think I will need for the day, plus a bit extra, and do have the travel wallet for under my clothes. I'm not really worried about it, though, most crime reported there is pickpocketing or bag snatching, not actual hold-up style robbery.

I bought one of those under shirt wallet things also. Problem, I also bought some cute little halter tops and tank tops and given my size I couldn't hide a dime under any of them so I don't think this plan is going to work for me.

Sandra

I have a travel wallet for DH and an across the body/strap purse for me - I'll just be careful - don't want to let fear ruin my vacation. I do typically use a backpack when flying though. Anyone think I'll have trouble with a backpack in the Barcelona airport? What if all the money etc is hidden somewhere else?

The tax in NY must be high. VA is 5%. My venti sugar free is $4.04 including tax. When I am at the DE home (no sales tax at all) it is $3.85.

No tax in MT - it's a beautiful thing. Although, living in a tourist town, I would love to see somethings taxed - so we can keep up on improvements etc.

Found this on the main Cruise board:

(JSMOM2) Photot packages are a great deal! You purchase a package that includes a set number of 8x10, 5x7 or combination of both. They give you a card with your name and a number for each photo. Everytime you find a photo you like, you bring it up to the desk and they mark another number off your card. The awesome thing is that they are completely refundable!! Also, if you have a package they will allow you to swap out photos if you find one you like better later. You can't do this if you don't buy the package.

Maryann

Thank you!

Just for all of you Starbucks/NYC lovers. THere are 171 Starbucks in Manhattan. I don't know how many blocks there are but it seems like you couldn't get very far without running into one. THere is a review of them in one of the NY papers today. Someone actually went to all 171 in 24 hours and rated them.

Sandra

Just some of the useless information that enters my brain on a daily basis and never leaves. Crowding out the cells that actually used to have useful information in them

I guess I'm used to tons of Starbucks having lived in CA - the thing that I couldn't believe was the number of Dunkin Donuts in Boston!!

 

[bellelinus]

Just for all of you Starbucks/NYC lovers. THere are 171 Starbucks in Manhattan. I don't know how many blocks there are but it seems like you couldn't get very far without running into one. THere is a review of them in one of the NY papers today. Someone actually went to all 171 in 24 hours and rated them.

Sandra

Just some of the useless information that enters my brain on a daily basis and never leaves. Crowding out the cells that actually used to have useful information in them

I'd like to see that! I only read the Times, so if it was in one of the other papers, I missed it. I'd like to see how the 4 I go to regularly stack up . . .

 

[Sandaneli]

WOW, I just realized we are almost at pge 1000 and approaching a new major pirate. We are a chatty group. And a lot of fun.

Can't wait to meet everyone in about 9 days!!!!

Sandra

 

[kidcoos3]

LOL!

I have this Starbucks additiction as well (Venti Americano with room). Everytime I go with My oldest DD we look at the ceramics cups they sell that look just like the paper cups you get and we think.... Hmmm we should get those to put our coffee on in the ship, and then, when we walk around the ship with them people from all around will come running up to us, short of breath, flushed with excitement, with face splitting smiles and say: "Where did you get that?!!! I didn't know they had Starbucks on the ship!!!

Depending on the weight of my suitecase - could still happen....

Roan

Did someone say you were related to danfromca? You have the same sense of humor I Like it.

Sandra

That would be really funny Use a hidden video camera - I'd love to see the reactions!!

 

[alexcturner]

Someone suggested that we remember to download the software for our camera so we can download pictures. I have finally got DH to stop packing. He can't find the software disc with the download info on it. so that is his job. It's good we have loads of memory cards that hold thousands of pictures because we probably won't be able to download them until we get home. Of course that was one of the main reasons for buying the laptop in the first place.

Anyway, we can't wait to be away together.

Sandra

We won't be downloading either until we get home. Great that you will get this time alone. sort of alone, with the rest us I mean...Does your husband realize how many of us are traveling with you???.

 

[MrsG]

Just read on the tips board:

To prevent your fish extender from "swimming away", secure it with one of those pull through ties that you use to lock the luggage. Then you just snip it off with a scissor the last day.

Thought this might be a good idea.

Maryann

 

[Sandaneli]

You had me there for a minute!!


Congratulations - that's 2 pretty close to each other, isn't it?


That's not too bad - still time after the cruise to rest and relax


Good luck!


I'll need to have the kids try those!




I have a travel wallet for DH and an across the body/strap purse for me - I'll just be careful - don't want to let fear ruin my vacation. I do typically use a backpack when flying though. Anyone think I'll have trouble with a backpack in the Barcelona airport? What if all the money etc is hidden somewhere else?


No tax in MT - it's a beautiful thing. Although, living in a tourist town, I would love to see somethings taxed - so we can keep up on improvements etc.


Thank you!


I guess I'm used to tons of Starbucks having lived in CA - the thing that I couldn't believe was the number of Dunkin Donuts in Boston!!

I live 28 miles south of Boston and drive 8 miles to School/work in the morning I pass 4 on my way and one of them is actually the busiest one in the whole chain. THere are 3 drive thru windows with lines out to the street at all hours of the day. THey are reconstructing the road so the traffic can be off the road because there are lots of road rage issues when people block the road or cut others off to get into the drive thru. THey have police there in the mornings. I drink Decaf tea black no sugar. Quite boring!!
Sandra

 

[MrsG]

Hurry up and post so we can make 15000 before the Brits get home!!!

Actually, I have to leave soon and finally get my hair cut. It's to the point where I can't stand it anymore!!!! And I get to cross another thing off my "to do" list.

Also, don't forget to put a card inside your luggage with all your info in case the luggage does not make it with you. They recommend cell phone #'s and maybe even what hotel you will be at what days and DCL, of course.

Maryann

 

[bellelinus]

I bought one of those under shirt wallet things also. Problem, I also bought some cute little halter tops and tank tops and given my size I couldn't hide a dime under any of them so I don't think this plan is going to work for me.

Sandra

Hopefully Gerry won't be wearing tanks and halters??!! Maybe he can hide the money!

 

[MrsG]

I guess we're lucky. DS works at Starbucks part time and he gets to bring a lb of coffee home each week!

Maryann

 

[Sandaneli]

We won't be downloading either until we get home. Great that you will get this time alone. sort of alone, with the rest us I mean...Does your husband realize how many of us are traveling with you???.

Actually he has mentioned that. He asked if I thought I'd have time for him given that there are so many new friends on board.

We'll see.

Sandra

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

I just wanted to say a huge congrats to whoever nabs the 15000 as no doubt it will go whilst I'm on my way home this afternoon

 

[bellelinus]

I won't be around today when the Brits get home so: note to Andrew. Thanks from me and from Chris (Grandmax3) for giving us the information for how to reserve the private Palo brunch -- we were able to get it for the repo cruise next month, just heard yesterday. Also, Micmse2003 from the 2008 repo thread wants me to say hello to you in person on the cruise . . . she says you were very helpful to her when she was just starting out on the boards.

 

[bellelinus]

I guess we're lucky. DS works at Starbucks part time and he gets to bring a lb of coffee home each week!

Maryann

That is lucky! I had a niece who was working there and nabbed me (hope she paid for it, but I didn't ask!) an entire bottle of their gingerbread syrup for my birthday (which is in early Dec.) one year . . . I was able to fake myself a gingerbread latte every morning for a while . . .

 

[Sandaneli]

Just read on the tips board:

To prevent your fish extender from "swimming away", secure it with one of those pull through ties that you use to lock the luggage. Then you just snip it off with a scissor the last day.

Thought this might be a good idea.

Maryann

Thanks for reminding us of that. I have also suggested that people personalize their Fish Extender to help prevent swimming. Most of the complaints seem to be about teenagers stealing them and throwing them overboard. Since we are such a large group I'm hoping that there will be enough of our good kids on board so that won't be a problem.

Sandra

 

[kidcoos3]

Jeanne - great job on the publisher document! We have a brunch scheduled for 8/3 if you'd like to add that.

Hurry up and post so we can make 15000 before the Brits get home!!!

Actually, I have to leave soon and finally get my hair cut. It's to the point where I can't stand it anymore!!!! And I get to cross another thing off my "to do" list.

Also, don't forget to put a card inside your luggage with all your info in case the luggage does not make it with you. They recommend cell phone #'s and maybe even what hotel you will be at what days and DCL, of course.

Maryann

Yes, hair appt and facial today too!
Thanks for the reminder in the luggage!

I just wanted to say a huge congrats to whoever nabs the 15000 as no doubt it will go whilst I'm on my way home this afternoon

Yep, I'm getting ready to run out too - seems like yesterday we were at 10,000!!

Sandra-when looking at Jeanne's publisher document, I realized that I gave you the wrong room numbers for the "leaving date" document - we are in room 2136 and 2139

 

[jlawall]

Hope he finds it, Helen!

Well, we've had a similar problem, and after looking for two months, I gave my husband the exact same digital camera so I could get another cord (I couldn't even find the cord online)........so now..........hopefully we'll both be taking excellent pics of this trip!

 

[bellelinus]

I have a travel wallet for DH and an across the body/strap purse for me - I'll just be careful - don't want to let fear ruin my vacation. I do typically use a backpack when flying though. Anyone think I'll have trouble with a backpack in the Barcelona airport? What if all the money etc is hidden somewhere else?

No, don't let fear ruin your vacation . . . on the other hand, don't let having something stolen ruin it either . . . not sure about how careful you would have to be in the Barcelona airport. I would think that it is easier to keep the pickpockets out of there than it is on Las Ramblas, though. I was in Prague last year and the pickpocketing there is probably worse than almost anywhere -- there were notices in our hotel room about it, even. I kept a little money in a pocket and the rest under my clothes and had no problems. My oldest daughter and I wandered all over the place and loved it. It's just funny though how many people tell you to do this and then say "just as you would in New York" and I would never even think of having to do it here! Not even in very touristy places or in Central Park after dark, etc., etc. New York is much safer than most people realize.

 

[Sandaneli]

That is lucky! I had a niece who was working there and nabbed me (hope she paid for it, but I didn't ask!) an entire bottle of their gingerbread syrup for my birthday (which is in early Dec.) one year . . . I was able to fake myself a gingerbread latte every morning for a while . . .

We have a little boy in first grade with ADD and his dr suggested caffeine in the morning would help him settle down. His mom works at Starbucks so at 8:45 am everymorning he has a steaming hot cup of black Starbucks delivered to his desk. THe first day I brought it in the teacher's aid thought it was for her. We had quite a laugh when I gave it to Jonathan. He loves it and it does actually help him settle down for his morning work.

Sandra