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

[captaincrash]

I might bring a laptop

See you later,

I do believe this is your ...

9000th posting!!!!

Congrats ANDREW!

you are indeed a

fire breathing DIS ANIMAL!

 

[AnnaS]

In Feb I bought some for my boys at Kohls. I didn't look for men's.

However, REI sells them for the whole family http://www.rei.com/category/4501798.htm

Thank you. I will check this out. I have called every store I can think of - Kohls, Jc Penny, Old Navy, Sears, Target and no one has them. I might be able to get them in Dick Sporting or cabelas - but they are no where near me. I did look at some websites - some do not have right sizes left or they are nylon (which they do not want).

Anyway - one of my sons came in last night and I noticed his shorts were just below the knee. I will see what my other son's shorts look like. I might just order them on-line for dh.

Will go check it out.

 

[AnnaS]

We are bringing a laptop and cell phone. I've never left the kids for this long before and I'm very nervous and guilty about it.

Sandra

I would bring laptop and phone also if I left kids at home or older parents. I am not sure what we will be bringing. I think one laptop. Except for my oldest son (he has a girlfriend/also coming close to 1 yr. anniv.), and maybe my middle son, I think we should be able to survive it. Just don't want anything extra to carry if I don't have to.

 

[lovebeast]

i'm planning on doing pisa on our own. lord help us. when i told my mom she had this crazy look of what is she thinking.

 

[disneymagic316]

Before we downgraded to cat 12, we were in 5627!

I'm glad you were able to downgrade and save some money but I would've liked to have you as a neighbor!

 

[alexcturner]

Good morning crusining buddies!!! I have not posted much (we recently booked, so waay behind all of you regarding planning etc)!!
Noticed some of you just got your cabin assignments..so I checked ours...
We were assigned 2541. Very happy because of the split bath.
I do have a question about laptops. I would like to bring mine (if husband does not object...). How does that work on the ship? (I know I can get an answer here quicker than anywhere.)
Also, Andrew Derek, thank you for the information on the Cristal Palace Barcelona. I have checked that out but a family room does not come up. I will have to look for a phone number.
We have no tours booked yet. I am interested in a few private tours since we have a 5 year old (and 11 year old).
If any of you have any tips for us...bring them on. I have got to get my last 2 hotels booked so I can try to do a little planning!!

We are Lisa and Dale Turner. Our children are Alex (boy) 11, and Meredith 5.
we live in Longview Tx. We are in 2541.

We want to participate in the gift bag exchange. Is that one gift bag per family?

 

[kidcoos3]

Oh, I wouldn't say that. I'm generally of the opinion that in the ultra-protective/restrictive zero-tolerance society we've created for kids these days (at least here in the U.S.), that kids don't get into nearly enough trouble. So without compromising on reasonable safety, and ethics/values, I'm far more likely to encourage and instigate than to remain silent

Well, I might need to change my room then - my kids don't need anyone to encourage and/or instigate anything and/or anyone

Thank you. I will check this out. I have called every store I can think of - Kohls, Jc Penny, Old Navy, Sears, Target and no one has them. I might be able to get them in Dick Sporting or cabelas - but they are no where near me. I did look at some websites - some do not have right sizes left or they are nylon (which they do not want).

Anyway - one of my sons came in last night and I noticed his shorts were just below the knee. I will see what my other son's shorts look like. I might just order them on-line for dh.

Will go check it out.

Unfortunately, whenever you really need an article of clothing, Murphy's law says that you will have to pay full price. They do have those pants at Eddie Bauer (mens - not sure about kids) and at REI (both mens and kids).
Now if I can only find a slinky black dress that makes me look 5"7" and a size 4 . . .

i'm planning on doing pisa on our own. lord help us. when i told my mom she had this crazy look of what is she thinking.

We booked our tickets to climb Pisa last night -- so exciting!!!!

Good morning crusining buddies!!! I have not posted much (we recently booked, so waay behind all of you regarding planning etc)!!
Noticed some of you just got your cabin assignments..so I checked ours...
We were assigned 2541. Very happy because of the split bath.
I do have a question about laptops. I would like to bring mine (if husband does not object...). How does that work on the ship? (I know I can get an answer here quicker than anywhere.)
Also, Andrew Derek, thank you for the information on the Cristal Palace Barcelona. I have checked that out but a family room does not come up. I will have to look for a phone number.
We have no tours booked yet. I am interested in a few private tours since we have a 5 year old (and 11 year old).
If any of you have any tips for us...bring them on. I have got to get my last 2 hotels booked so I can try to do a little planning!!

We are Lisa and Dale Turner. Our children are Alex (boy) 11, and Meredith 5.
we live in Longview Tx. We are in 2541.

We want to participate in the gift bag exchange. Is that one gift bag per family?

I bag per family - some families are also participating in the fish extender - little gifts to be distributed during the cruise - not sure if we'll do that - someone else can tell you more.

 

[MrsG]

Pretty sure we'll be bringing the laptop. In one way I hate to carry it (I mean DH will carry it - men are such good pack animals ) Actually DH doesn't mind at all - he is a real sweetie. Anyway, once we get on the ship it can stay put. Still not sure how many minutes to purchase through DCL. Everyone on past cruises said it tends to run slow. We'll be bringing a cell phone too. I have AT&T so I just need to add international calling.

Maryann

 

[AnnaS]

Good morning crusining buddies!!! I have not posted much (we recently booked, so waay behind all of you regarding planning etc)!!
Noticed some of you just got your cabin assignments..so I checked ours...
We were assigned 2541. Very happy because of the split bath.
I do have a question about laptops. I would like to bring mine (if husband does not object...). How does that work on the ship? (I know I can get an answer here quicker than anywhere.)
Also, Andrew Derek, thank you for the information on the Cristal Palace Barcelona. I have checked that out but a family room does not come up. I will have to look for a phone number.
We have no tours booked yet. I am interested in a few private tours since we have a 5 year old (and 11 year old).
If any of you have any tips for us...bring them on. I have got to get my last 2 hotels booked so I can try to do a little planning!!

Hi Lisa,

Is this your first post on this thread? If it is, welcome to our cruise group here. A funny bunch might I add

Your screen name looks very familiar - not sure if it similar to someone else here or I have seen it throughout the board - regardless - a big welcome to you and your family.



We are Lisa and Dale Turner. Our children are Alex (boy) 11, and Meredith 5.
we live in Longview Tx. We are in 2541.

We want to participate in the gift bag exchange. Is that one gift bag per family?

Hi Lisa - is this your first post on this thread? Not sure, but your screen name looks familiar - perhaps someone has a similar one or I have seen your posts throughout the board.

Regardless - a big welcome to you and your family. Start reading - this is a great, funny group.

 

[AnnaS]

As you can see from my last post - not sure what I do sometimes

I cannot do the multi quote thingy and can barely do the one quote thingy - When I quote, type a reply and submit - sometimes it comes back saying my post is too short so I keep doing it over and over - I have no idea what I am doing.

 

[AnnaS]

Cell phones - I recently called t-mobile to see what they would charge for int'l minutes since my son went to the Bahamas a few weeks ago and was told $2.99 a minute. It seems a bit high to me and I am afraid if my oldest one wants me to add it since he might want to have contact w/his girfriend.

What rate is everyone getting w/their provider?

Also - I know I saw a list somewhere w/minutes and prices for the internet on dcl. Can someone post please if you have it?

thank you.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Good morning crusining buddies!!! I have not posted much (we recently booked, so waay behind all of you regarding planning etc)!!
Noticed some of you just got your cabin assignments..so I checked ours...
We were assigned 2541. Very happy because of the split bath.
I do have a question about laptops. I would like to bring mine (if husband does not object...). How does that work on the ship? (I know I can get an answer here quicker than anywhere.)
Also, Andrew Derek, thank you for the information on the Cristal Palace Barcelona. I have checked that out but a family room does not come up. I will have to look for a phone number.
We have no tours booked yet. I am interested in a few private tours since we have a 5 year old (and 11 year old).
If any of you have any tips for us...bring them on. I have got to get my last 2 hotels booked so I can try to do a little planning!!

We are Lisa and Dale Turner. Our children are Alex (boy) 11, and Meredith 5.
we live in Longview Tx. We are in 2541.

We want to participate in the gift bag exchange. Is that one gift bag per family?

Hi Lisa,
Welcome back. I'll try to find the summary post so you can kind of catch up (or ketchup as we're wont to say).

I'll be taking our laptop. The ship offers wireless connectivity in the staterooms and some of the lounges, I belive, and also, you can get on one of the ship's terminals. I want the ability to upload pics, though, and the kids & I are planning on blogging (we'll see how that goes).

If you want to check out another hotel, Laura (eeyorelvr10) and I are both staying at the one called Barcelona Ramblas Hotel (it just worked out that way), so if you want to stay in a hotel w/fellow cruisers, this is another option: http://www.barcelonaramblas.com/
I speak Spanish, and I think Laura does, too.

We have a private tour in Rome that includes a private tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, & St. Peter's Basilica, I believe, as well as entrance to the Coliseum and visits to the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, etc. There are three of us, and I believe that the private tour can hold up to 8. If anyone is interested in joining us, you're welcome. I'm looking into a private tour in Naples, with focus on Pompeii, Herculeum, and a drive up the Amalfi Coast to Positano (I believe). Haven't booked that one yet. Debating on doing Palermo & Marseilles on our own. Already doing Olbia on our own - I think that will be a down day to relax for the most part.

Your cabin has been added to the Powerpoint deck layout & the Excel info sheet. I believe the info is up-to-date now.

http://www.maryjomellado.com/MedCabins.ppt
http://www.maryjomellado.com/MedMagicCruisingList.xls

 

[Sandaneli]

For cellphone we were quoted $2.49 per minute on the ship with Verizon. It's steep but better than the $6.95 DCL charges.

I think the internet charges were $150.00 for 500 minutes ($.30 per minute). There were smaller packages but this is the one we will probably get. I think they were in increments of 50 minutes, or .75 per minute without a package.
With the service being as slow as we've heard it seemed best to just go with the largest package. Also, our kids will be in two differnt places, DS15 at summer camp and DD13 at her grandparents so we'll have 2x as many posts or calls.

Sandra

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

As you can see from my last post - not sure what I do sometimes

I cannot do the multi quote thingy and can barely do the one quote thingy - When I quote, type a reply and submit - sometimes it comes back saying my post is too short so I keep doing it over and over - I have no idea what I am doing.

Anna,
At the bottom right of each post there are 4 icons (edit, quote, multi-quote, quick-reply). As you read through the thread, each post you want to respond to, click on the multi-quote

icon, and it will then look like

. When you are ready to reply, click on the reply button located at the upper left & lower left of the thread

. If you click on the quick reply

the multi-quote won't work.

When you hit Post Reply, then all of the posts you selected will be displayed in the window. Reply after the /quote] and then your posts will look like

funny comment

Your comment

Hope that helps. (We'll get it yet!)

 

[kidcoos3]

For cellphone we were quoted $2.49 per minute on the ship with Verizon. It's steep but better than the $6.95 DCL charges.

I think the internet charges were $150.00 for 500 minutes ($.30 per minute). There were smaller packages but this is the one we will probably get. I think they were in increments of 50 minutes, or .75 per minute without a package.
With the service being as slow as we've heard it seemed best to just go with the largest package. Also, our kids will be in two differnt places, DS15 at summer camp and DD13 at her grandparents so we'll have 2x as many posts or calls.

Sandra

I am purchasing a mobal world phone for our trip. Here is the link:

http://www.mobalrental.com/gsm/handsets.asp?source=0006DN02NMOBWEB

Has good reputation - has anyone heard differently?

 

[Sandaneli]

Hi Lisa,
Welcome back. I'll try to find the summary post so you can kind of catch up (or ketchup as we're wont to say).

I'll be taking our laptop. The ship offers wireless connectivity in the staterooms and some of the lounges, I belive, and also, you can get on one of the ship's terminals. I want the ability to upload pics, though, and the kids & I are planning on blogging (we'll see how that goes).

If you want to check out another hotel, Laura (eeyorelvr10) and I are both staying at the one called Barcelona Ramblas Hotel (it just worked out that way), so if you want to stay in a hotel w/fellow cruisers, this is another option: http://www.barcelonaramblas.com/
I speak Spanish, and I think Laura does, too.

We have a private tour in Rome that includes a private tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, & St. Peter's Basilica, I believe, as well as entrance to the Coliseum and visits to the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, etc. There are three of us, and I believe that the private tour can hold up to 8. If anyone is interested in joining us, you're welcome. I'm looking into a private tour in Naples, with focus on Pompeii, Herculeum, and a drive up the Amalfi Coast to Positano (I believe). Haven't booked that one yet. Debating on doing Palermo & Marseilles on our own. Already doing Olbia on our own - I think that will be a down day to relax for the most part.

Your cabin has been added to the Powerpoint deck layout & the Excel info sheet. I believe the info is up-to-date now.

http://www.maryjomellado.com/MedCabins.ppt
http://www.maryjomellado.com/MedMagicCruisingList.xls

MaryJo,
Thank you for the excel spread sheet info. I finally figured out how to view it on my computer. This DIS Board has really added to my limited computer skills.

Sandra

 

[Sandaneli]

I am purchasing a mobal world phone for our trip. Here is the link:

http://www.mobalrental.com/gsm/handsets.asp?source=0006DN02NMOBWEB

Has good reputation - has anyone heard differently?

Leslie,

Thanks for the information. I will look into it. It's cheaper per calls to the US but then anyone calling us would have to pay for the call to the world phone so I have to find out what those charges would be as well.

There is so much to do to get ready to go and I'm not even thinking about packing. The logistics of leaving 2 kids and making all of the arrangements necessary as well as communication, I'm getting overwhelmed.

I wonder sometimes about those people who can just pick up and go and not stress out about all the little details and contingencies etc... It must be nice. (Sort of like being a husband. )

Sandra

 

[MrsG]

Anna,

We have AT&T for our cell. I will add the World traveller package when time gets closer. For $5.99 month, the cost per call is 99 cents per min. Without it, it would be $1.29 per min.

Maryann

 

[MrsG]

Leslie,

Thanks for the information. I will look into it. It's cheaper per calls to the US but then anyone calling us would have to pay for the call to the world phone so I have to find out what those charges would be as well.

There is so much to do to get ready to go and I'm not even thinking about packing. The logistics of leaving 2 kids and making all of the arrangements necessary as well as communication, I'm getting overwhelmed.

I wonder sometimes about those people who can just pick up and go and not stress out about all the little details and contingencies etc... It must be nice. (Sort of like being a husband. )

Sandra

Sandra,
My thoughts exactly!!!!! I am stressing about the calling plans and DH just expects me to research it and figure it out! (And he's right, I will because it bothers me and doesn't bother him).
OH well, at least I'm not the only one stressing. Misery loves company!

Maryann

 

[kyla]

Anna,

We have AT&T for our cell. I will add the World traveller package when time gets closer. For $5.99 month, the cost per call is 99 cents per min. Without it, it would be $1.29 per min.

Maryann

This is what I have too.
Just be careful that some plan require that you request this way in advance mostly for new customers. AT&T told me that since I was a long time customer that they could turn it on right away. They have my preset to start just before my vacation but was told to make sure I make a call to someone before I leave to actually activate it. I'm just wondering if I should do both our cell phones.

Does anyone know if I will be able to charge up my phones at the Barcelona hotels? Or do I need to buy the converter thingy? I know, once I'm on the ship, I will be OK but since I'm spending 4 days in London and 2 in Barcelona, wondering if I will need to do some charging. Of course, I heard and read that its best to keep your phone off, I guess to avoid some charges