June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[Jeff Spencer]

Here's a link to a "virtual cruise" aboard the Disney Magic. Not clear if this is real time or from the recently completed cruise.

http://cruisecritic.com/virtual/virtual.cfm?ID=25

Also, the Schiffy's Med Adventure Blog was updated for Olbia and Civitavecchia. Nice write up and photos.

http://schiffyinthemed.blogspot.com/

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

From what I understand from BA one piece of hand luggage i.e. laptop bag or purse cound as one item. Am pushing all of my bits into a small drag along case can get more in that way.

Bren

What is BA?

PJ,
Check the website for your airline AND your connecting airline to see the exact allowances. Also check the suitcase dimensions. My usual rolling carry-on is too large for most of the European flights.

Crocs are pretty popular over here - at least in Belgium.

Good luck on your finals. Be sure to SLEEP on your flight over, so you don't get sick.

Thanks. We're flying Delta so I'll look into it and advise the rest of my family as well.

We stayed at the Grand Marina with DCL and checked in at 10:30 or so at the hotel. We were picked up by the DCL bus and arrived at the ship by noon. We had already checked in so we just went through security and on the ship. Ate at Parrot Cay and were able to get into our staterooms by 1. We had a 1:30 excursion so it worked fine.

Another note: DCL is required to collect VAT since all the ports are in the EU. They do assist with filling out the forms etc however when you arrive back to depart from Barcelona, the VAT desk (where you MUST have the paperwork stamped) is in Terminal A and OUTSIDE. It is a tiny little window and we missed it completely. Luckily we had tons of time before our flight so we went back out and found the window for the stamp. It was a pain.

Now I wish we were staying at a Disney hotel. That sounds very convenient. Thanks for the info about the VAT. I am writing all of this down.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Well not good news here - Kara's passport is still in New Orleans and has been there since February

After numerous phone calls from me and my congressman, the passport office has admitted that we will not receive it today - well duh

I have pushed back all of our flights and now flying out Thursday morning, we will wave at London as we change planes and fly straight into Barcelona where we will more than likely crash for the night

Hope to see you all on Saturday - I will be the frazzled bald one

 

[silver7]

OH Marla--I am so sorry! Have they mailed it NOW at least??

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Nope - it is still sitting in New Orleans - was able to get through early this morning and got the bad news

have spent the whole morning changing and paying out the nose on flights

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Marla,

I am so sorry you still are awaiting your passport. That is absolutely dreadful and someone should compensate you for the stress it has caused.

BA is British Airways sorry should have put it in full.

Still resisting the temptation to open my padlocked suitcases.
Bren

 

[silver7]

Honey I am so sorry--are they guaranteed to make the passport get here by then? I would HOPE so!

 

[silver7]

The Navigators are up!!

http://www.allearsnet.com/cruise/medcruise/mednavigators.htm

 

[JsMom2]

Well not good news here - Kara's passport is still in New Orleans and has been there since February

After numerous phone calls from me and my congressman, the passport office has admitted that we will not receive it today - well duh

I have pushed back all of our flights and now flying out Thursday morning, we will wave at London as we change planes and fly straight into Barcelona where we will more than likely crash for the night

Hope to see you all on Saturday - I will be the frazzled bald one

I am so sorry you had to go through all this. NOT the way you want to begin a vacation. We will all try to make it up to you, by making sure you have an extra good time on the cruise.

 

[ljhayes]

The Navigators are up!!

http://www.allearsnet.com/cruise/medcruise/mednavigators.htm

I was just searching the internet for these so I could make my OCD itinerary! Yay!!!

 

[Jeff Spencer]

I noticed in the Embarkation day Navigator that it says Palo reservations will be taken at Palo from noon to 4 pm. It seems like I've been reading in these forums that Palo ressies were done in Rockin' Bar D. Am I confused or is this a change from what DCL normally does?

 

[pillow]

Well not good news here - Kara's passport is still in New Orleans and has been there since February

After numerous phone calls from me and my congressman, the passport office has admitted that we will not receive it today - well duh

I have pushed back all of our flights and now flying out Thursday morning, we will wave at London as we change planes and fly straight into Barcelona where we will more than likely crash for the night

Hope to see you all on Saturday - I will be the frazzled bald one

I'm so sorry!! Good reason to take a second vacation to London next year!! Uuugh . . . when you said "crash," - hoping you meant sleep.

PJ, I turn 40 this year (Nov), and life just keeps getting better and better. I have to say, 39 is much more fun for me than 21. You have lots to look forward to!!!

 

[Worktoplay]

Just wondering if we could pop down to the restaurant Friday evenign and say Hi to you all. It would be too late for us to eat being golden oldies but would love to meet up.

Bren

Please come and meet up with us! We will all be so excited for the next day...surely you won't have any problem finding us!


Marie

 

[auntsue1]

Nope - it is still sitting in New Orleans - was able to get through early this morning and got the bad news

have spent the whole morning changing and paying out the nose on flights

OMG! I'm so sorry! Surely they can't drag this out for you any longer. PLEASE keep us updated! Sending you out a group hug , but I wish WE could do more to help you!

Sue

 

[taysmom]

Sorry about the passport situation. I hope you get it in time. Are they sending it now or do you have to pick it up? Fingers crossed that all goes well!

One more day of work. My boss is officially freaking out. It's funny, but he's stressing me. Can't wait to leave wed.

So mickeyteachers is at sfo in the am. There was another california family going...what time are you leaving sfo? or is it LAX. We don't leave until the afternoon.

Mickeyteachers...make sure when you park your car, try to park in a large space that has only on side that is on another car. I left my car in a hotel parking lot and came back to my drivers side mirror missing and a nice dent in my door! Of course, you sign a waiver excluding the hotel from damages and no one left a note. Next time I will make sure I park against a wall!
Gotta run to target to get the last of my supplies.

Have a great night and all of you leaving tomorrow...fly safe!

Steph

 

[Vailcruiser]

Nope - it is still sitting in New Orleans - was able to get through early this morning and got the bad news

have spent the whole morning changing and paying out the nose on flights

I am so sorry! We are on the 8/8 Med cruise and looking for the blogs for your cruise and came across your passport nightmare. I am fearing that is going to happen to me. I sent my renewal in March and am still waiting. The new rules are a killer seeing my passport did not expire until December. My husbands expired February 08 and we missed the six month window by 2 days, DCL said it wasn't a problem, but to be safe with the airlines, we expedited his passport in April and he had it in 10 days. Do you have any suggestions for me? The passport agency says not to call them unless you are travelling in the next two weeks and I still have 6 weeks until we leave for Amsterdam. Do you live close enough to drive there? I am about 60 miles to the closest agency, a reasonable drive. Best wishes and prayers sent your way!!! Jocelyne

 

[Worktoplay]

I am so sorry! We are on the 8/8 Med cruise and looking for the blogs for your cruise and came across your passport nightmare. I am fearing that is going to happen to me. I sent my renewal in March and am still waiting. The new rules are a killer seeing my passport did not expire until December. My husbands expired February 08 and we missed the six month window by 2 days, DCL said it wasn't a problem, but to be safe with the airlines, we expedited his passport in April and he had it in 10 days. Do you have any suggestions for me? The passport agency says not to call them unless you are travelling in the next two weeks and I still have 6 weeks until we leave for Amsterdam. Do you live close enough to drive there? I am about 60 miles to the closest agency, a reasonable drive. Best wishes and prayers sent your way!!! Jocelyne

My husband sent his in in early March and received it back last week. Hopefully you will be soon. If they couldn't handle the work they shouldn't have made the ruling that everyone would need one this year!

Marie

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Nope would have to fly to New Orleans - where all her paperwork is, but they are only open to the public Mon, Wed, Fri - like 8 - 12 and you have to have an appointment to even stand in line around the building

The 14 day window is a load of crap, every time I have called, I have been given a different story of her status

Our government dollars being spent at its best - as usual

Could go to Chicago or Philadelphia but would have to have all new paperwork and pictures and of course that golden appointment

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Marla, I am so sorry that this is happening to you. I will keep you in my prayers.

Patricia

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Since I have seemed to anger the travel gods, taking no chances - spent some time separating outfits by suitcase, that way if one goes awol, we will at least have some clothes each