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

[aPierceon050501]

Yes, it is truly hard to believe . . . the strangest thing of all will be when the actual experience exceeds these incredibly high expectations we have!

I'm gonna be black and blue from pinching myself. yesterday my DH and I watched a show on the travel channel about the DCL. We just kept saying "I can't believe we are going to be on that ship", "I can't believe it's only 2 weeks away".

Mary Jo P.

 

[bellelinus]

For once, I wasnt joking about Thursday!

Seriously? Then why were you still talking about having to put up with work on Friday? Regardless, I hope it all works out . . .

 

[bridegirl]

To all prospective poker players-

Laura is right, we may want to play someplace where we won't be disturbed, probably better to play in one of our living rooms.

Laura - We won't be mad at all if DH takes our $, luck is a big part of the game! ANd congrats on the big win to help pay for your cruise.
You also had the great idea to give me your room number...

***COULD EVERYONE INTERESTED IN POKER*** please send me a PM with your room number and the name or names of the people who might want to play. When we get a time together for a game, I will call on the house phone and leave word of the details.

Pixie dust,

Susy

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Va bene, Andrew . . . . luckily Fabrizio can handle things for you in Napoli and I'm sure others will watch out for you in the other ports . . .

I spent two weeks in Sorrento in the past and travelled to Pompeii, Amalfi and Capri whilst there, so I know it well, but I am sure Fabrizo knows it even beter and can speak the lingo!

 

[bellelinus]

I spent two weeks in Sorrento in the past and travelled to Pompeii, Amalfi and Capri whilst there, so I know it well, but I am sure Fabrizo knows it even beter and can speak the lingo!

Hmmm, and probably look better doing it . . . if he turns out to be old and fat, please don't let me know, OK? Let me keep my dreams!!!!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I'm gonna be black and blue from pinching myself. yesterday my DH and I watched a show on the travel channel about the DCL. We just kept saying "I can't believe we are going to be on that ship", "I can't believe it's only 2 weeks away".

Mary Jo P.

The ship is great, but with all these ports of call you will miss something, DCL run it very well, far better, imho, than other cruise lines. You will enjoy.

Seriously? Then why were you still talking about having to put up with work on Friday? Regardless, I hope it all works out . . .

I am just standing up ''to be counted'' on Thursday, sent a PM.

 

[paulandjayne uk]

FOR THOOSE STAYING AT MY HOTEL CRYSTAL PALACE.

The Cristal Palace Hotels is established at the head of the four-star hotels of Barcelona city. A completed thorough refurbishment in year 2000, makes availalbe to their clients very high standards of quality, comfort, service and above all, the Hotel's enviable location in the heart of Barcelona.

Hotel Facilities General Parking (fee required), Restaurant, Bar, 24-Hour Front Desk, Newspapers, Non-Smoking Rooms, Elevator, Safety Deposit Box, Valet Parking, Heating, Luggage Storage, Gay Friendly, Breakfast Buffet.

Services Room Service, Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Business Centre, Laundry, Dry Cleaning, Breakfast in the Room, Ironing Service, Bridal Suite, Internet Services, Currency Exchange, Shoe Shine, Packed Lunches, Car Rental, Tour Desk, Fax/Photocopying, Ticket Service, Wi-Fi/Wireless LAN.

Location City Centre, Shopping Centre, Museum Area, Near Train Station, University, Near Subway, Near Exhibition Centre, Old Town.

Hotel informationThe hotel offers first-class facilities in a privileged environment in the midst of Barcelona's prestigious cultural, shopping and business centre, near the famous Art Nouveau Passeig de Gràcia and only 5 minutes from and Las Ramblas.

Meeting and convention rooms represent the ideal place to celebrate business meetings and also personal events and banquets.

Any type of audio-visual material can be provided previous request and budget. Overhead slide projector, projection screen, video and monitor TV, PC projector VGA 350 Lux and Public-address system.
Food & beverageMediterranean cuisine is one of the most international and healthy ones. At our Pictory restaurant you can enjoy that pleasure. Imagination and tradition: all in one.

The elegant restaurant blends delicious Catalonian and international cuisines designed by our Chef Angel Hervás, including fresh fish and seafood, always acompained by a good selection of Spanish Wines.

Start your day with our Buffet Breakfast! Will give you the energy and optimism to start your sightseeing or business. A wide range of products and an exclusive Healthy Corner provided with dietetic products.

Restaurant Timetable:
Monday to Friday:
Breakfast: 7:00 – 10:30
Lunch: 13.30 – 16:00
Supper: 20:00 – 22:30

Saturday & Sunday:
Breakfast: 7:00 – 11:00
Lunch: 13.30 – 16:00
Supper: 20:00 – 22:30

Room informationThe hotel boasts 168 fully-equipped rooms with marble floors, decorated in a contemporary style. The size of the elegantly-decorated suites ranges from 30 m² to 40 m². The spacious suites have a bedroom and a separate living room.

Rooms with hydromassage are available on request.
Area informationLocated in the heart of Barcelona, the Cristal Palace is the ideal staring point to discover the city. The majestic Paseo de Gracia, main exclusive shopping thoroughfare, houses as well two of the main buildings of the Catalan modernism by Antoni Gaudi: La Pedrera and Casa Batlló.

Plaza Catalunya, Las Ramblas and the romantic Barrio Gótico, with its cathedral, are only 5 minutes away from the hotel. Excellent public transport connections with other places of interest (Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Museo Picasso, Puerto Olímpico, Montjuich or Tibidabo)

Close to Paseo de Gracia and PLAZA CATALUNYA & LAS RAMBLAS

The hotel is 200mt from Paseo de Gracia Rail and Metro Station and 2 km from Monjuic Park, Olimpic Stadium "Palau St. Jordi".
Some places to visit near the Hotel:

PARQUE GÜELL (GAUDÍ) 4,5km
SAGRADA FAMILIA (GAUDÍ) 3km
PICASSO MUSEUM 1,5km
CAMP NOU -FC BARCELONA FOOTBALL TEAM 3,0km
GRAN CASINO DE BARCELONA 4,0km
OLIMPIC HARBOUR, PUBS AND DISCOS / BARCELONA BEACHES 3,0 km
GRAN TEATRE DEL LICEU (Opera House) 1000 mt
BCN CATHEDRAL - GOTIC QUARTER 1000 mt
FERIA DE MONTJUIC (Olimpic Stadium and Palau St. Jordi) 2,0km

Well Providing they have my reservation which they still have not confrimed but will have to take hotels.com word.......I think it stounds fab
Perhaps if you get a spare min. over the week end you arrive Andrew would you check with reception that they have my reservation should be Griffiths x 4 junior suite or suite 26th and 27th, and let me know on the free internet in reception

 

[Sandaneli]

That's a great idea -- I was thinking that it could be a bit of a disappointment if everything came the first sea day! However, what if we want to give more than one thing? Both on "our" day or on two days????

No problem if you want to do more than one gift it's up to you. But it's not required.

Sandra

 

[Sandaneli]

Here's the info I have:

Using Phone Cards: European phone booths usually have card-operated phones rather than coin-operated phones. You can buy a telephone card at European post offices, train stations, and most tobacco shops and newsstands. You just slide your card into a slot in the phone and dial away. The phone reads your card's magnetic strip and a display tells you how much money is remaining on your card.

Your phone card works for local, long distance, and international calls made from card-operated public phones throughout the country where you purchase your card. Particularly in France and Britain, keep an eye out for the new phone cards that require the use of a PIN code. The French version is called KOSMOS. The cards can be used from any phone, even from your hotel room, and allow you to make calls at a cheaper per-minute rate than regular European phone cards. These can be as cheap as about 5 cents a m inute, if you buy the international kind that require you dial the toll free number and use a PIN . . . the kind you insert into a phone have less good rates.

THank you for the information. I'm pretty sure that's the way for us to go. Are you saying that you have to have a different card for each country we go to?

Sandra

 

[paulandjayne uk]

Andrew, Do you know how much the Buffet breakfast is at Cristal palace? again I have emailed them to ask...but as always no reply

Thanks
Jayne

 

[Sandaneli]

I am working on the nametags this weekend. The list I just posted on page 911 is what I am working from. If someone is getting a nametag (I know several signed up after I disappeared from the site) ...please PM me. Do npot post here. This has been a real luxury today to be able to read some of the board. No telling when my mom goes off again.

I love her so much. I just want what is best for her. I really do not want her to die. Her doctor told us she is in full starvation mood. My pastor said she is like a teenager addicted to drugs. There is no reasoning with her....

Anyway, PM me any updates or adds.

Jeanne, you might be the best one to tell me adds,

Love you guys,
Thanks
Lisa

Lisa,
The love and compassion you are showing for your mom is incredible. You are in a very difficult situation and my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your mom and family. We'd love for you to come and to actually get to meet you but also understand that family comes first, always. We'll pray for things to work out that you can come but understand that things don't always work out as we plan but usually work out for the best in the end.

Love and prayers,
Sandra

 

[Sandaneli]

I feel the same way. One of the things that I really like is that there is no pressure to participate in all the activities. I don't feel bad or left out because I chose not to do fish extenders, because there's no pressure or snide comments or anything like that about it.


\QUOTE]



When I read Dan's comment I find an irresistable urge to post "WHAT? Dan! You're not doing fish extenders? I can't BELIEVE it!" but I keep telling myself that joking and sarcasm are very hard to detect in written form . . .

Julie, I'm so glad to see that you have a great measure of self control when it comes to sarcasm

Sandra

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Well Providing they have my reservation which they still have not confrimed but will have to take hotels.com word.......I think it stounds fab
Perhaps if you get a spare min. over the week end you arrive Andrew would you check with reception that they have my reservation should be Griffiths x 4 junior suite or suite 26th and 27th, and let me know on the free internet in reception

They do have internet and Wifi in all rooms and in reception not sure if 'free' but might be. I have a junior suite as well, do not worry about the hotel not getting back to you by e.mail I have the same but my company Spainish based have confirmed a number of times its ok.

See what I can do, can you remind me Friday night here?

Funny had a lot of problems with Spain and e.mail recently, many come back saying ''spam blocked''

 

[salliep]

Andrew, Do you know how much the Buffet breakfast is at Cristal palace? again I have emailed them to ask...but as always no reply

Thanks
Jayne

Hi stopping on for a quick check before I go to the I reserved a room with breakfast included at the Cristal Place- it was 134.00 euros.
I will check posts at the beach with my iphone!!!

 

[Sandaneli]

Congratulations, Sandra on the MAJOR Pirate--good job



I will!




I would like to say that anyone who would cancel their cruise over this thread has misconcepcions. I think we are so fortunate to have bonded as we have and made friendships prior to the cruise. My friends have always marveled at the friends we make on a Disney Cruise and they are just astounded at what this group is doing together prior to the cruise. For any one to cancel is just beyond belief to me. I am so excited about everything and everyone and can't wait until we actually meet. It just does not get any better than what we have right here!





Congratulations on the Pirate Izzi!!

Thanks, I was so excited to get a major pirate I know, I need to get a life.

I'm very pleased that you will still be getting dressed up for the semi formal nights too. THis is going to be so much fun

Can I help with the taste testing?

Sandra

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew, Do you know how much the Buffet breakfast is at Cristal palace? again I have emailed them to ask...but as always no reply

Thanks
Jayne

Euros 12.50 pp.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hi stopping on for a quick check before I go to the I reserved a room with breakfast included at the Cristal Place- it was 134.00 euros.
I will check posts at the beach with my iphone!!!

Good price, I have a ''junior suite'' for four, so higher cost and no brekkie included, but I must say I wouldn't want a full buffet breakfast every day, the week before going on the Magic and topsiders, I will burst, I will get something from the bakers most days.

 

[Sandaneli]

And you don't think anyone will laugh at my paper bag one?



Oohh, can you send me the link to the luggage scale. I need to get one.

Don't feel obligated to use the paper bag fish extender. It was just something that came into my mind when you said paperbag, so I threw it together. My feelings will NOT be hurt if you use something else.

Sandra

 

[paulandjayne uk]

Euros 12.50 pp.

Thanks for that Andrew, I will remind you Friday, if you don't mind just to give me piece of mind, i am pretty sure i have read on trip advisor or a similar review site that they have free internet in the reception!

That's a fair price for Buffet Breakfast......is there a reduction for children?

Thanks
Jayne

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thanks for that Andrew, I will remind you Friday, if you don't mind just to give me piece of mind, i am pretty sure i have read on trip adviser or a similar review site that they have free Internet in the reception!

That's a fair price for Buffet Breakfast......is there a reduction for children?

Thanks
Jayne

I to have 'read' its free now after recent upgrades to the hotel and rooms but I didn't want to post it as 'gospel' at this time. Yes from certain websites It is posted as free, but their website doesn't say its free, so if it is, its a bonus.

And I might be able to post as DD is taking her laptop with her.

Breakfast, I do not know that, its a little on the expensive side, for my family thats Euros 50 if kids are the same, my guess they are cheaper, but again, my facts are not certain and I haven't read kids prices.

Euros 50, would be £34, about £8, thats cheaper than central London four stars, but, more expensive than USA.