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

[Andrew DEREK UK]

No on my last cruise a disser booked the private room for us, when I contacted DCL they didnt seem to want to do it, and said I could only contact them a month in advance.

I checked this through my T/A who confirmed.

So I will try then. and if they say yes ask for everyones details again.

I have sent them an e.mail

 

[eeyorelvr10]

ALL!

Just checking in - see we're starting to finally pick up - ok - who's coming in again on the 26th? Pixie Dust II or Kyla? We are coming in also that evening - we'll be traveling with a group of 6 - 3 adults - 3 young adults (20 & 21) and 1 14 yo. We are comtemplating staying at hotel on Las Ramblas - darnit - forgot the name. Oh well, will look it up. We decided against the Grand Marina as we would have had to book 3 rooms in that one. Plus for the price - even though it looks fantastic and we were only 2 we would - with 3 young adults itching to hit the night life -figured it might be best to have them not walk so far.

Ok all - is gift exchange or is it SM? If so - would love to consider it - but not sure what is entitled. Any more info would be great. Meeting would be fine but we may still be recovering - I dont' sleep well on planes and I usually have 2 sick people who don't travel well. Anyone else in that same situation? How do you all handle that?

Ok - will check back later.!

 

[kyla]

ALL!

Just checking in - see we're starting to finally pick up - ok - who's coming in again on the 26th? Pixie Dust II or Kyla? We are coming in also that evening - we'll be traveling with a group of 6 - 3 adults - 3 young adults (20 & 21) and 1 14 yo.

Ok, as near as I can figure, here who is arriving into Barcelona when:
24th: MrsJobba1
26th: Kyla (eve), Eeyorelvr10 (eve), RuthB
27th: LynnTarrant, PixieDustII, MrsG, profdsny
28th: jlawall

 

[MrsJobba1]

Ok, as near as I can figure, here who is arriving into Barcelona when:
24th: MrsJobba1
26th: Kyla (eve), Eeyorelvr10 (eve), RuthB
27th: LynnTarrant, PixieDustII, MrsG

Hi that is correct for us

 

[MrsJobba1]

ALL!
.

Ok all - is gift exchange or is it SM? If so - would love to consider it - but not sure what is entitled. Any more info would be great.
Ok - will check back later.!

Not sure - don't even know what SM is?

Looking forward to getting more info

 

[LynnTarrant]

Not sure what SM is either but the grab bags Joann was talking about we did on the west coast cruise each family in the exchange brought a bag of goodies typical to their hometown ( I think we agreed an approximate amount of money to spend) then we agreed a meeting point on board and all showed up with our bags, we put them on the table and then after a while we went round and grabbed a bag we liked the look of, we all opened the bags there and then so evryone had the fun of seeing what was in them everyone came with something and went away with something just like secret santa! Joann was right it was a great way to break the ice and share gifts with the people we'd been speaking to for weeks on the boards.

The other way I did it on the christmas cruise in 2006 was evryone in the exchange brought enough small gifts for everyone else and someone collected it all and then evryone got a similar bag.
Personally I liked the first way best cos you can't miss anyone out if you bring a bag you get to grab a bag and with packing restrictions it's just one gift as opposed to a possible 50!!!!!

 

[MrsJobba1]

Thanks Lynn;

I really like the idea of the grab bags too.

Last year we did something similar too the second where we just bought a selection of gifts to give out from our home town. Although we wern't sure of how many to actually bring.

I had a word with my dh tonight, and he agreed and said yes to meeting up for a drink before the cruise. ( He is very shy and was quite overwhelmed at first at last years dismeet). It would be good for him to meet a few people at a time

MaryJO / Joann I just wondered could we perhaps put on the first page of this thread when everyone is arriving in Barcelona?

Oh well I'd better get of to bed
Good night all

Disney Dreams

 

[disneylover5]

Carley (DD) already has two girls to email to!!! She is just as thrilled as I am- thanks !!

Gretchen is having fun e-mailing Carley. We are coming in on Sat....will just get right on the ship and stay. We have 2 days after the cruise...before we get back to DC.

Would love to do a gift from DC....lots of fun things to pick from....just let me know.

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Gretchen is having fun e-mailing Carley. We are coming in on Sat....will just get right on the ship and stay. We have 2 days after the cruise...before we get back to DC.

Would love to do a gift from DC....lots of fun things to pick from....just let me know.

The 27th is the right date for us. The grab bag gift idea sounds great..just let me know and let me know if anyone wants to meet the evening of the 27th at the Grand Mariner.

 

[profdsny]

Hi, we are coming in on the 27th also. I'm not sure which hotel, but it was one of those arranged by DCL. There will be just the two of us. A meet of some sort could be fun before hand. I'd say pretty much count us in.

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Hi all - grab bag sounds cool - any ground rules - minimum amt etc? Does it have to be from home -as someone mentioned - luggage restrictions is going to be pretty scary - I already have to tone down the shoes and yet if I tone down more that's all the less room for my other necessities Oh the horror of it! OK - just for the record - SM on another board stood for Secret Mickey which is similar to the Secret Santa that most people are more familiar with.

Now, hey any of you out there coming in - are most of you staying in the hotels 2 to a room? Just curious if its better to get 2 triple rooms or 3 double rooms - any one have any ideas out there? Been reading all the posts and other tips but havent really come across this one. The only thing I've come across is recommendations from past travelers and they simply say - usual stuff like triples were ok - roomy but you - know when you have so many dynamics in one room - is it better to bite the bullet and get the 3 rooms? Oh decisions, decisions.....I'm terrible at them.

OK - one more ? to throw out there - are most of you booking directly to the hotels, thru Disney or thru a TA? I happen to have one TA whose not too familiar with Europe - now let me tell you - that's a scary prospect - - sometimes in doing all the research I've done - I feel like more of an expert than she is -truly troubling I tell you! I've never been to Europe - Carribean yes - Europe - (technically nope)

Ok - nite all!

 

[jlawall]

Ok, now I'm getting nervous about arriving early on the 28th!!

Let's do the "SM".....Secret Mickey......I suggest that we only spend about $10 (that's what we did last time and it was enough.) Bring someone that represents your hometown..............we'll just exchange when we get there.

Helen, you've "signed up" for the Margarita tasting.............seriously, we'll have to see when it is when we get onboard. It does fill up quickly so we'll have to coordinate our plans when we get there. I'll check to see if we can prebook this like when we do the excursions. Hopefully we will know what we want to do by April 29th when we are 90 days out............

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Ok, now I'm getting nervous about arriving early on the 28th!!

Let's do the "SM".....Secret Mickey......I suggest that we only spend about $10 (that's what we did last time and it was enough.) Bring someone that represents your hometown..............we'll just exchange when we get there.

Ok - now don't you start that - if you start - I have to follow suit. I'm worried about getting ourselves to the Port with luggage as we'll get in a few days earlier. We're not doing Disney transfers as the hotels that they are contracting to are what seems on the outskirts of the center of town and we want to be in the hubbub of things. The next thought is - when can we drop our luggage off. Does anyone recall if they going to be allowing us back off the ship once we get onboard? As we're not leaving till later right?

jlawall - are you guys doing Disney transfers, flights or did you book on your own? Just curious.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Now, hey any of you out there coming in - are most of you staying in the hotels 2 to a room? Just curious if its better to get 2 triple rooms or 3 double rooms - any one have any ideas out there? Been reading all the posts and other tips but havent really come across this one. The only thing I've come across is recommendations from past travelers and they simply say - usual stuff like triples were ok - roomy but you - know when you have so many dynamics in one room - is it better to bite the bullet and get the 3 rooms? Oh decisions, decisions.....I'm terrible at them.

OK - one more ? to throw out there - are most of you booking directly to the hotels, thru Disney or thru a TA? Ok - nite all!

Hi Laura,

We are lucky in that there is just the two of us, however hotel rooms in Europe tend to be a lot smaller than the USA. We were amazed when we went to disney for the first time... way back. The wardrobe or closet space is also normally quite limited.

PRE - CRUISE (4 nights)

For our trip we have picked a hotel called the Hotel Cram - the reason we picked it was it seemed to be near enough the main tourist locations but not right on las Rambas. Also I loved the design of the building and interior. It looks super trendy. I read lots of reviews about it on line which were all very positive. So I bit the bullet and booked. I also booked direct with the hotel as when I compared the price on a lot of different websites it came out cheaper.

POST CRUISE - (1 night)
We are stopping in one of the hotels Disney is using - just to see what it would be like. It the AC Barcelona. However again we booked direct with the hotel as it was nearly half the price of what Disney was charging (if I remember correctly) I paid just under 100 Euros.

I booked both hotels back in November 2006

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi

Talkng about hotels etc I just wanted to make you all aware of a brilliant thread on cruise critic. com
It is written by Bea who lives in Barcelona (BCNlady) and gives great advice and recommendations. It covers all sorts from Shopping to eating out .

The title of the thread is Some help and answers from a Barcelona

Not sure if Im allowed to post the link, but I'll try

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=380847

happy reading

 

[kyla]

The SM grab bags sound like fun. Now I need to think of something to get.

Helen, again thanks for the informative links

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

PRIVATE DINING AREA PALO'S

Ok I have had a response we can put in a request but its not on a guranteed basis and will be reviewed at 30days.

I suggest we go for Brunch on a sea day, hopfully the first sea day.

I have things to do,

1/ Can I have help of a USA cruiser on this cruise with a fax or access to one.

2/ Please could everyone who showed me interest before PM me with you names and confiirmation numbers.

If you have now joined but didnt mention interest before PM me but numbers limited to 14.

I will go for Brunch, if anyone was to try dinner i can pass on details how to go about it.

 

[MrsJobba1]

PRIVATE DINING AREA PALO'S

Ok I have had a response we can put in a request but its not on a guranteed basis and will be reviewed at 30days.

I suggest we go for Brunch on a sea day, hopfully the first sea day.

I have things to do,

1/ Can I have help of a USA cruiser on this cruise with a fax or access to one.

2/ Please could everyone who showed me interest before PM me with you names and confiirmation numbers.

If you have now joined but didnt mention interest before PM me but numbers limited to 14.

I will go for Brunch, if anyone was to try dinner i can pass on details how to go about it.

hi Andrew,

Thank you for trying to organise this - I've sent you a PM to confirm Dave and myself.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

hi Andrew,

Thank you for trying to organise this - I've sent you a PM to confirm Dave and myself.

Got your PM, I have to do a few things with DCL in the mornnig and await others, the e.mail I had this time was more constructive.

 

[MrsJobba1]

No problem Andrew.

I know we haven't got Shirley but is anyone getting any of the gifts delivered for their stateroom.

I've never done it before from Disney however - I really love choc strawberries so im thinking about getting the bottle of bubbly and petit fours .
As a surprise for Dave.

Do you know if you pay when you phone or is it added onto your ship account? I really want to pay up front: