July 28, 2007 - "Rome-ancing the Mouse Cruisers" -11 days! Part 3

[Disneynutinlondon]

Also, I've been reading blogs instead of completing my list today.....

Wine tasting Update

First Sea Day - Italy
Second Sea Day - France
Third Sea Day - Spain

Jo Ann as I'm a non alcoholic drinker we've never done any wine tasting before but as we've hooked up with all you folks DH Paul is really interested in participating in the wine tasting as he wont have to go alone. How does he sign up for it ? Is it something I should have already done online or is it something he's signs up for once onboard ?

 

[Sandaneli]

Hi,
I haven't been on the boards since Saturday and haven't even started to catch up. I received a PM about the fish extenders and will post my response here in case others have the same questions.

The fish extenders are small "organizers" with pockets that hang over the fish outside the cabin door. The fish is acutally like a clip and DCL will put notes there if they need to and other people can do the same. But the Dis Groups use the fish extender and then sometime during the cruise those who are participating will go to each of the ones listed and put in a SMALL token to surprise the others when they come back to the cabin.

You can make one or I've been told you can buy them on Ebay or at the dollar store and decorate it yourself. If you make it it must be no more than 8 1/2 inches wide. The wall it hangs on is quite narrow.

The gifts are not something big or expensive. Some people will put candy in ie. lifesavers. some will make differnt wrappers for the candy to just tape around it and make it fit the cruise. Kind of like tha baby announcement candy bar wrappers, if you've seen them. Or it could be a postcard. There are some threads on the general cisney board that talk about the hangers and gifts. I will try to find some and post them today.

Please let me know if you need any more information.


I have never done this before so my information has all been gleaned from the boards. If anyone else has something to add or correct please do so.

Sandra

 

[Sandaneli]

DH Paul just said he couldn't wear a cap like that ......what a party pooper

Gerry saw the Disney green paint chips form Home Depot and told me yesterday that if that was the dis color it was "not happening" with him. He's usually not a party pooper but don't expect him a green Tshirt.

Sandra

 

[bellelinus]

But just think of the FUN we're going to have with our pleasant companions!!!!!!!!!!

Maryann

True!!!!!!!!

 

[jlawall]

Jo Ann as I'm a non alcoholic drinker we've never done any wine tasting before but as we've hooked up with all you folks DH Paul is really interested in participating in the wine tasting as he wont have to go alone. How does he sign up for it ? Is it something I should have already done online or is it something he's signs up for once onboard ?

I'm pretty sure you can't sign up until you get onboard, go to Guest Services, on previous cruises the Wine Tasting has been completely booked up so go early if you really want to do it. When I've done it with DISers we generally sat together, it definitely makes the experience more fun!

 

[MrsG]

Jo Ann as I'm a non alcoholic drinker we've never done any wine tasting before but as we've hooked up with all you folks DH Paul is really interested in participating in the wine tasting as he wont have to go alone. How does he sign up for it ? Is it something I should have already done online or is it something he's signs up for once onboard ?

Izzy,

This can be done once we board. I'm assuming the times for anything we need to reserve will be in the Welcome Aboard Navigator. Andrew did say it fills up quickly. I think it's about $12USD per person.

Thanks for reminding me: REMEMBER TO BRING A HIGHLIGHTER!! It is great to use to highlight the Navigators.

Maryann

 

[bellelinus]

thanks Maryanne and everyone for their well wishes. I can't wait and this too will be over before I know it. As long as I am here, I keep stuffing my luggage a bit more

Yes, have a wonderful time, Anna!

 

[jlawall]

usan here reporting on the VAT refund. The DCL folks provide envelopes to save your receipts for purchases from Treasure Ketch and Mickey’s Mates (combined) and Shutters. If I had been smart, I would have used those envelopes all along rather than getting it all together on the last sea day. Anyway, you can only claim items that you have not used or consumed. This is important! Also, all of the purchases have to be in the same name, so ladies, you can make all of the purchases!! There is a chance that they might check at Customs, so better to be safe on this. On the last sea day, from 6 pm to 10 pm, they have a number of Cast Members at the Shore Excursion Desk to check your receipts and fill out the forms for you. There was a pretty substantial line for this so be forewarned. Beverage purchases that you have consumed and spa services are not able to be claimed. All of this is explained on the back of the envelope, and obviously quite a few folks didn’t understand. I had all of my receipts together, they were totaled and the forms with my receipts stapled to them were returned later in the evening. I believe that there was a message on our phone with the times that the desk was open. At the Barcelona Airport, it took a while but I finally found the wee little white window where you get the stamp on your forms. It is located in Terminal A, just outside the Arrivals. When you walk into the door of Terminal A, look to the right for the arrivals, pass the information desk, and the window is to the right of the arrivals exit. There is a small sign that says “Tax Free” near the window. For those of you that need a landmark or two, there are some vending machines at the corner, and it is before you get to the bank windows and food court. FYI, you have to have your ticket and passport. At first, we had not checked in, so I wasn’t able to get the stamps, but after a quick and efficient check-in at KLM, I was back at the window and soon had stamped forms in hand. Yeah!!! I will mail them when I get home. I believe it will take 6-8 weeks to get the refund.

I pulled this from a blog.........

 

[jlawall]

Wow, thanks for posting JoAnn. It is great because it is step by step instructions including landmarks! Very practical, although it sounds like a pain in the neck. I guess it depends how much we spend whether or not we bother.

Maryann

Yes it does seem a little tricky!

 

[jlawall]

Yes, have a wonderful time, Anna!

Enjoy and when you return....................start packing!!!

 

[jlawall]

Izzy,

This can be done once we board. I'm assuming the times for anything we need to reserve will be in the Welcome Aboard Navigator. Andrew did say it fills up quickly. I think it's about $12USD per person.

Thanks for reminding me: REMEMBER TO BRING A HIGHLIGHTER!! It is great to use to highlight the Navigators.

Maryann

That's a good idea too!!

 

[jlawall]

Ello??

 

[jlawall]

Okay, I'll be back later, I have to go workout and start my list!!

 

[kidcoos3]

thanks Maryanne and everyone for their well wishes. I can't wait and this too will be over before I know it. As long as I am here, I keep stuffing my luggage a bit more

Won't be as much of a pain if you overpack and you're going to Disney, going to Europe, different matter! I'm worried about this part!!

Gerry saw the Disney green paint chips form Home Depot and told me yesterday that if that was the dis color it was "not happening" with him. He's usually not a party pooper but don't expect him a green Tshirt.

Sandra

Doubt my DH would wear it either - although the color would probably look nice on him.

Izzy,

This can be done once we board. I'm assuming the times for anything we need to reserve will be in the Welcome Aboard Navigator. Andrew did say it fills up quickly. I think it's about $12USD per person.

Thanks for reminding me: REMEMBER TO BRING A HIGHLIGHTER!! It is great to use to highlight the Navigators.

Maryann

Another hint that I saw was to bring different color highlighters - one for each member of the family so you can mark down who wants to do what. We do that for our family calendar, everyone has a different color pen. It helps with organization.

 

[alexcturner]

For those interested in learning a few important phrases, here in an interesting website:

http://www.single-serving.com/phrase/index.php

For French and some Italian, you can also hear the pronunciation, for those as well as Spanish, you can print out a little phrasebook.

usan here reporting on the VAT refund. The DCL folks provide envelopes to save your receipts for purchases from Treasure Ketch and Mickey’s Mates (combined) and Shutters. If I had been smart, I would have used those envelopes all along rather than getting it all together on the last sea day. Anyway, you can only claim items that you have not used or consumed. This is important! Also, all of the purchases have to be in the same name, so ladies, you can make all of the purchases!! There is a chance that they might check at Customs, so better to be safe on this. On the last sea day, from 6 pm to 10 pm, they have a number of Cast Members at the Shore Excursion Desk to check your receipts and fill out the forms for you. There was a pretty substantial line for this so be forewarned. Beverage it will take 6-8 weeks to get the refund.....

.......Thank you both for the great information!!! (I have been forwarding all of this to myself on email so I can refer to it when I have more time!!! Hopefully that time will come.)

Also, a THANK YOU to the Tag Fairy!! I love it!

 

[alexcturner]

Hello Sandra,
We bought little gifts this weekend to participate in the fish extender thingy.
How many do you think we need?

 

[MrsJobba1]

For those interested in learning a few important phrases, here in an interesting website:

http://www.single-serving.com/phrase/index.php

For French and some Italian, you can also hear the pronunciation, for those as well as Spanish, you can print out a little phrasebook.

Thanks Julie - will check it out

 

[MrsJobba1]

Found this on another thread: FYI

Last week, we completed a 11 day Mediterranean cruise.

I was looking forward to the Castaway Club reception; I was looking for the announcement on the Navigator for such information. Somehow, there was a mixup in the invitation information being conveyed to me - so I did not make the reception.

I found out later that the reception is NOT listed as an announcement in the "Navigator" - it is only listed there in the timetable of daily events. I also found out that the customer service representatives do not automatically readily have a recollection of this information; nor is the information readlily accessible to them on their computers.

FYI:

for 11 day cruises - second sea day at 1 PM
for 10 day cruises - at 5 PM, at the Olbia, Sardina port of call.

The reception is held in the Beat Street area.

So if we don't get an invite, ask or check the Navigator timetable.

Maryann

Thanks MaryAnn for this info.

I like the idea of the CC reception being @ 1pm instead of around dinner time when things are always rushed.

We've only ever been to one - and that was by accident -I think Dave found the place they were serving free drinks

I'll update my planner!

 

[MrsJobba1]

Jo Ann as I'm a non alcoholic drinker we've never done any wine tasting before but as we've hooked up with all you folks DH Paul is really interested in participating in the wine tasting as he wont have to go alone. How does he sign up for it ? Is it something I should have already done online or is it something he's signs up for once onboard ?

We've never done this either - we did try to get tickets once but it was sold out.

I am planning on going to Guest services when we board.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Just wondered if anyone remembers what they have read about the embarkation process.

Do we board on deck 1?

When do they announce you?

Dave gets very embarrassed about this - mainly because they have trouble pronouncing our surname.

I am hoping to visit guest services as soon as we board.