JUN 06 2007 Magic - 10 day Mediterranean ( READ INFO POST # 1 )

[aquaholics]

I've been getting the vibe that travelers checks aren't all that necessary since most places take all major credit cards. I read one on-line review, however, that a couple had credit card "problems" in Portugal and cut their travel plans short as a result.

What are most people doing these days? I'm leaning towards a little of all of the above. Thanks for your input.

 

[TravelingGypsies]

Just so i can get my postings in, this is our second cruise....i love everything DISNEY, especially the cruise!!! I can NOT wait!!!! I do not even really care about the silly ports, and trust me, that is saying a lot. I just want to get back on the boat, and honestly, NEVER leave. I wish we had the time to do the atlantic crossing, i am jeoulous. Again, see you on board!!!

Question though, did anyone have any luck finding an apartment for rent. We have such a big group, and having to find a million rooms that sleep only two people, NOT going to work. Any suggestions.....

Sharolyn,
I'm new to the group and don't know if you found something or not.
We used gobcn.com website back in Feb and found some beautiful apartments in Barcelona. You can also ask them if there are a bunch in the same building... It'w worth a try.
Looking forward to meeting you and everyone else on the boat....
We leave on May 28 for Spain, then DCL, and lastly Poland.
Jen

 

[TravelingGypsies]

Aly,
DH usually has no problems just using the ATMs. You'll have to call your cc companies and bank to let them know you'll be out of the country.

Jen

 

[grizbuzz]

We are going formal too..
I'm new to the board and I have a lot to do in order to keep up with the rest of everyone. (The door signs, meeting place, pins... and WHY Lime GREEN?) Anyhow, I'll try e-bay for my son's (5 yr) tux. DS reserved one from cruiselineformals.com. My DD (3 yr) is waring an adorable princess PINK gown, probably with her sparkly flip-flops and tiera.

Jen

PS Anyone have a 3 yr old DD???

Re. eBay for tuxes, I used lorenccia and she shipped the tuxes right away and the tuxes are pretty nice for $15.99. Boe ties are a bit tight (elastic ties), but I can work with them.

I must admit I'm a bit confused as to the lime green as well. And I don't have a door sign. I did finally get the kids passports though!

A lot of stuff to get together before we leave for Europe on May 31.

 

[sbassgva]

Jen (TravelingGypsies):

I noticed that you were going Poland post cruise. How exciting. I just wanted to let you know that my partner was born and raised in Warsaw. Please let me know if you have any travel questions that she or I can help you with. If nothing else, meet up with us on Thursday with the rest of the group.

susan

 

[crusincrazy]

Lime Green - is traditionally the colour used by Disboarders ( don't know why )

Travellers Checks are not so well used or accepted as they are in the US - use credit cards - just be aware you need to use your pin number over here in shops and restaurants - 100% in France , not sure about Italy and Spain . If anyone is coming to the UK you will need a pin number too ( a few places will still let you sign but quite rare .)

Hope this helps .

 

[funnybunny921]

FunnyBunny921,
I'm not sure if this is where I post to join the group... I'm really new.

But we are going on the June 6th Med Cruise.
We are
Frank DH 47
Jen DW 35
William DS 5
Sarah DD 3

Thanks so much!

Done. Sorry i meant to do it when I saw your first post but work has been busy and home even busier, so I haven't been keeping up.

Welcome to the DIS boards....

I am sure you read that we are planning on trying to meet on Thursday (1st day at sea) at 1pm at the quite cove bar.

Where in Spain will you be traveling to? (you have a few days thereso I was wondering if you are going to more than one city.)

-Sarah

 

[J&HSal]

Lime Green - is traditionally the colour used by Disboarders ( don't know why )

Travellers Checks are not so well used or accepted as they are in the US - use credit cards - just be aware you need to use your pin number over here in shops and restaurants - 100% in France , not sure about Italy and Spain . If anyone is coming to the UK you will need a pin number too ( a few places will still let you sign but quite rare .)

Hope this helps .

I've used Mastercard and Amex in Italy several times over the past year and no pin was needed for credit purchases FWIW.

 

[crusincrazy]

Wow so you can still sign in Italy . France changed to pin only before the UK . We have been mostly pin for around a year now . Don't know what happens if you don't know your pin .... we are all so well trained we know them by heart !!!

Counting those days .....

 

[funnybunny921]

Wow so you can still sign in Italy . France changed to pin only before the UK . We have been mostly pin for around a year now . Don't know what happens if you don't know your pin .... we are all so well trained we know them by heart !!!

Counting those days .....

is that for debit cards? my cc has no pin.... that i know of.

 

[johnnymac1962]

It is news to me about the cc pin. However, I believe any cc with a cash advance option (most allow them to be used in an ATM) have a pin #. I never use the cc for cash advance so I have not a clue. Based on this information, I will be calling Visa to be sure I have a pin. You also need to be aware that most major cc's charge an internatonal usage fee of 1 - 3% (in US $). Check your terms or call Visa. I am also bringing two different cc's and an ATM card for euros and definitely tell Visa and your bank when you wil be in Europe.

John

PS Got green mickey's tonight at Home Depot!

 

[johnnymac1962]

Aqua - you can check with tuscany by taxi to get a quote. They gave me euro 420 ($588 usd) for 10 hours of taxi use from La Spezia to Pisa and Lucca. That is for up tp 6 people. We have not yet booked this but it seems high. May take a train. May reconsider if we can find 2 more to join us.

John

 

[WorknFires]

Has anyone gotten their travel documents yet? Seems like about this time every year that we get them so I figure it must be close now.

Cheryl

 

[J&HSal]

Hayley's passport came today!!!!! WHEW!!!!!!!!

 

[crusincrazy]

Hi Johnnymac - yes the pins are for cc as well as debit cards . It is supposed to make fraud more difficult . I would bring a couple of cards too ( helps with all those purchases apart from anything else !!) but I can't imagine how terrible it would be if one of them didn't work . Yes you are right to ring the cc company - my card was frozen when I was at the cash register in Disney on my last night with all my gift purchases I had to quickly summon DH to pay ! Apparently they presume it to be stolen if there is sudden usage abroad . I must say though we have been visiting the US for 20 years and that was the first time . Maybe they are more careful now . We have never had any problems using cash machines in the US so I presume it will be the same for you with your cards here .

So who is leaving home the soonest ????? Not me ! We leave on the day !

 

[marlaymike]

No documents here. . .

 

[aquaholics]

Aqua - you can check with tuscany by taxi to get a quote. They gave me euro 420 ($588 usd) for 10 hours of taxi use from La Spezia to Pisa and Lucca. That is for up tp 6 people. We have not yet booked this but it seems high. May take a train. May reconsider if we can find 2 more to join us.

John

Johnnymac - This quote does sound expensive. How are you getting from port to Florence? Since we just discovered our 5yr daughter can't climb the leaning tower, we aren't going to push ourselves to make it to Pisa. Hopefully you will find 2 more to join you so you can all share in the expense. See you on Thursday.

 

[crusincrazy]

Still no docs .... but we did get a welcome to the mediterranean DVD from Dis in the post today

Any one else ???

 

[aquaholics]

Still no docs .... but we did get a welcome to the mediterranean DVD from Dis in the post today

Any one else ???

No docs here. When I spoke with Disney they said not to worry as long as the on-line info is completed. The only thing we'll be missing are the luggage tags and they will have extras at the port.

No welcome DVD here...any new info about the cruise? or was it just to get us all MORE excited than we are right now!?!

 

[grizbuzz]

Dzień dobry!

OK...not quite in the know, but following DISboard tips, I went to Staples and got magnetic paper as well as some lime green paper. I'm a little confused as to why some are going to Home Depot for Lime Green Mickey Ears and opted not to make the trek (it's very far and there's no such thing as a quick trip to Home Depot and don't know where would you find that kind of stuff in Home Depot anyway...)

So what do I do now

I don't need to take any graphic arts classes to get this door sign made do I?? (looks like there are some pretty impressive door signs being made). This is just to help me find where I am staying on the ship, right?

And help me with the lime green ears? These are just to wear to meet up on Thursday? To pin on the shirt? Wear on the head? Dress my kids in?

I'm a novice here but willing to learn.

PS--I also bought my hanging shoe storage for Cat 11 room and nite light. Any other must dos that I need to get on in the next couple of weeks?