June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[pillow]

Hi Steph! I got the names of a couple good restaurants in Barcelona. I think both of them are on Las Ramblas (or close to) although I'm not really sure how kid friendly they are. . . Les Quinze Nits and The Attic. We'd love to meet Friday night if you'd like. I'm sure my kids would love you meet your daughter. The magic fountain sounds great, but I have a feeling we'll probably all be asleep by then with the jet lag - esp my 7 year old - she doesn't last as long as the rest of us.

You know, although I'd love to see Florence and Pisa at some point in my lifetime, we decided that we'll have to do them on another trip - when we travel by land and when the kids are older. Honestly, I think my kids would be bored in Florence. We decided to do the Portofino and Santa Margherita tour. I noticed last night that Portofino is listed in my "1000 Places to go Before you Die" book (love that book!!).

I think I'm gonna have to buy some more luggage - don't think I have enough + I think we should probably take an extra one so that we can take back souveniers.

Jodie

 

[pillow]

Does anyone remember what the deal is with the laundry machines on board the ship. Do they take quarters???

Jodie

 

[pillow]

Thought I saw someone ask this question in an earlier post . . .

Just confirmed with Iberia - their luggage limit is 50 pounds if flying either into or out of the States.

Jodie

 

[taysmom]

Jodie...Friday sounds great. Our plans are to go to montserrat in the AM and then head back into town and check out some places.
I believe the machines take quarters. I have read other tips of what to bring, and it states quarters and laundry detergent/dryer sheets. I only want to do laundry once in the middle since we will still have 4 more days after.
BTW..did you see what Iberias weight limit is for flying around europe. I can go look, but I'm lazy
S

 

[pillow]

The Iberia website didn't get specific on weight - said it depended on where you're flying from or to. It gave some general guidelines, and I think it was 44 pounds for within Europe. I had to call to get the 50 pound limit. You probably should double check.

We don't have specific plans for Barcelona. I've got a few ideas of what we'd like to do and see, but I'm pretty much playing it by ear, depending on how the kids feel. Montserrat looks beautiful. Are you doing a tour there or going on your own?

-Jodie

 

[taysmom]

The Iberia website didn't get specific on weight - said it depended on where you're flying from or to. It gave some general guidelines, and I think it was 44 pounds for within Europe. I had to call to get the 50 pound limit. You probably should double check.

We don't have specific plans for Barcelona. I've got a few ideas of what we'd like to do and see, but I'm pretty much playing it by ear, depending on how the kids feel. Montserrat looks beautiful. Are you doing a tour there or going on your own?

-Jodie

We are doing on our own. I have purchased a 3 day metro/train pass so I can get around the city and I have all of the places we want to check out on index cards with directions from our hotel. We were going to do a bike tour, but I've changed my mind on that. So now, the only thing outside of the city is montserrat. I am going to let my daughters mood lead us on a couple of trips, but I have pretty much told her that we are going to look at alot of stuff that will be boring to her..but we'll throw in some fun things too. And the souvenier shopping...my dd can always be bribed
Steph

 

[bartty]

Hi all,
We just booked - very last minute- for this cruise.. can't wait. Now off to research excursions. Any advice where to start??
Thanks!

 

[silver7]

Hi Bartty and Welcome!!


The tshirts for the cruise are still up and available for ordering if you want--

When are you coming in, where are you staying if you are coming in early, what cat are you in, how many in your party, ages of kids, which dining rotation?

In other words---

We want to know everything

There will be a meet onboard the first day, a lot of us have signed up for the palo brunch and tea. DVC4US is graciously hosting a welcome wine and cheese reception on the first sea day.

Teresa

 

[bartty]

I will definitely order some shirts!
We are actually coming in on the 16th- We live in Uk because husband works for military and flying in to Girona via Ryan air!
The reason we booked is the discounted rate for cat 12 guarantee- we just got back from vacation in FL 3 months ago and this was spur of the moment thing!
This time there will be NO KIDS!! Woo hoo... just DH and Me - (we have 3 girls- ages 5, 3, 1 who will be with godparents).
We are doing second dinner rotation so we can just relax and enjoy- don't have to worry about kids or anything!
I tried to book palo but no luck. Would like to try brunch or tea but if we don't get it no big deal.... there's better food in the med I bet!
We are very excited - we are HUGE disneyholics and can't wait to meet some new friends from the dis!

 

[silver7]

Wow that is great! We have another Brit on our cruise (probably more, but lurkers ) Skallywag is from across the pond as we say.

How long is the flight from England? When does your flight land? I THINK the meet was talked about starting at one but that may be me in my old age making numbers up

We have 2 adults, one Mother in Law (who will not let me put her age in her (shh 83 ) one 19 yo and one 14yo. We are from Texas (as are a lot on this cruise)

I was told if you did not get Palos to go straight to the Palo sign up when you get on the ship.

Teresa

 

[Disney Lover Linda]

Hey Wonder - Three emails and 2 phone calls later, I have our airline info from Disney! They told me they are having problems with the 6/16 US Airways flight listings. Since US Air changed computer stuff several months ago, does not go directly to their site. We are leaving 6/15 at 3:35 pm and go Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, Phili to Frankfurt (!), Frankfurt to Barcelona and arrived 11:55 am. Coming back much easier: 6/27 12:10 p.m. Barcelona to Phili, Phili to Pgh arrive 6:38 p.m. I'm just glad to have it! We are going to explore Barcelona on our own after checking in so I'm glad we will arrive at a decent time. Hope we make all our connections!

By the way, the laundry does take quarters. I believe it takes 4 quarters for each and they have a coin changer in the laundry rooms. It has been 15 months since we were on the boat so it may be more now. Pretty nice machines but it does get CROWDED on at sea days. I'm trying to find the detergent tablets to take with us - they are getting harder and harder to find but are so neat to take. It does have a detergent dispensing machine there also. Hope this helps!

 

[WVMD]

Hey Disney Lover Linda - We're on some of the flights with you.... We go from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia together - then we have a direct flight to Barcelona..... We're also on the same flights on the return........

Virgil

 

[bartty]

Silver,
The flight is about 1.5 hours we will be getting in around 4 and will be off to make palo reservations! We have to stop by Germany first to drop off kids....
We are actually from Florida - DH works for the army and was posted in the UK

 

[bartty]

Was just looking for vatican dress code and I found this

Vatican City Protocol

Although the summers are hot and humid, and dressing for comfort can be a necessity, keep in mind that if you plan on visiting the churches of Vatican City and surrounding Rome, you will not be allowed in if you are wearing shorts, short skirts, and/or a sleeveless top. This goes for men and women! Make sure you pack some light comfortable pants or a long skirt, and a top with sleeves. A light pull-on skirt and wrinkle-free blouse that can be carried in your bag and pulled over your other clothes is a great option! Formal Vatican ceremonies require an even stricter level of dress. Formal attire is a necessity. Dark suits for men, and high necked, long skirted dresses or suits for women. While it is not necessary, it is customary for women to wear a mantilla (a black lace scarf) covering their hair.


site is: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/lazio/vatican-city.asp

Hope this helps.
Also, if anyone needs info on DLP PM me - we've been about 5 times!

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Dining - late.

Palo - None available (will try once on board).

Are you in London or Paris before or after cruise? No

Arrival date in Barcelona & hotel you are staying in? 6/15 & Hotel Regencia Colon

Celebrating any special occasions on the cruise? Wife's Birthday (6/19)

Barcelona - Will tour on our own.

Palermo - Village of Cefalu (PL-11) @ 8 am.

Naples - Private tour of Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast (Drive-amalfi)

Olbia - No plans yet.

Civitavecchia (Rome) - Private tour (limoinrome).

La Spezia (Florence) - Private tour (florencetours).

Marseilles - Private tour.

Villefranche - Private tour.

 

[jmcdonnell04]

Lei Lani,

Cast: John (42), DW (43), DD (11), DD (7), DMIL (75)

Cabins: 2546, 2548 (connecting Cat. 9's)

Dining: Late Dining

Palo: Wednesday, June 20th at 8 pm (DW & me)

Celebrations: Daughter’s 12th birthday (June 21)

Pre-Cruise
Paris: Leave Tues. night, June 12th from Columbus to JFK to Paris on Air France
Arriving Wednesday, June 13th 9:30 am (jetlag & parks)
Staying at Disney’s Sequoia Lodge (DVC points includes park tickets)
Touring Paris on Thursday, June 14th (on our own via train & bus)
Visit DLP parks on Friday, June 15th
Depart on Saturday, June 16th from CDG on Air France

Barcelona: Arriving at BCN at 11:30 am
Disney Ground Transport from BCN to Port
Hopefully, tour Barcelona on our own after lunch on Magic

Parlermo: nothing planned

Naples: Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri (7:30 am to 6 pm)

Olbia: nothing planned

Rome: Jumping Back Into Eternal Rome (7:45 am to 5:45 pm)
(Civitavecchia)

Florence: Florence and Pisa (7:45 am to 6:15 pm)
(La Spezia)

Marseilles: nothing planned

Villafranche: Monaco, Monte Carlo and Eze (8:45 am to 5:15 pm)


Welcome Aboard Bartty and thank you for your DH's service to our country!

 

[wonder]

Hey Wonder - Three emails and 2 phone calls later, I have our airline info from Disney! They told me they are having problems with the 6/16 US Airways flight listings. Since US Air changed computer stuff several months ago, does not go directly to their site. We are leaving 6/15 at 3:35 pm and go Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, Phili to Frankfurt (!), Frankfurt to Barcelona and arrived 11:55 am. Coming back much easier: 6/27 12:10 p.m. Barcelona to Phili, Phili to Pgh arrive 6:38 p.m. I'm just glad to have it! We are going to explore Barcelona on our own after checking in so I'm glad we will arrive at a decent time. Hope we make all our connections!

By the way, the laundry does take quarters. I believe it takes 4 quarters for each and they have a coin changer in the laundry rooms. It has been 15 months since we were on the boat so it may be more now. Pretty nice machines but it does get CROWDED on at sea days. I'm trying to find the detergent tablets to take with us - they are getting harder and harder to find but are so neat to take. It does have a detergent dispensing machine there also. Hope this helps!

We go through Frankfurt also......I think we are doing the around the world flight...any recommendations for JETLAG????

 

[wonder]

I just realized this...for all the Dads on board this cruise....We will all be celebrating Father's Day on June 17th!!!

 

[also]

If anyone wants the creepy skull (the one with the eyes) on a shirt, it is now up at www.cafepress.com/medheads3 . I will repost the other one next Monday night on www.cafepress.com/medheads2. I think the medhead3 site will stay up, surely they can’t say this logo is too Disney. also the banner is at www.cafepress.com/medheads if any wants that one.

Brian

 

[earpiemom]

I wonder if they will do anything special for Father's Day. Has anyone ever been onboard on Fathers Day that could tell us. Thanks