June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[tde1969]

THE UPGRADE FAIRY GIVITH AND THE UPGRADE FAIRY TAKETH AWAY!!!

OK, so here goes the rest of the story!!!!

I had called the TA Saturday due to a change in our departure time. We will be flying out Thursday not Friday, unless the Airline changes their mind again. So since I was on the phone, I asked how cheap is it to upgrade this late in the game. Blah, blah, still too much for my budget. Well somehow, the disney rep that they talked to, put in the upgrade. GREAT RIGHT! So this is the upgrade I saw yesterday. BAD NEWS! Disney also went ahead and billed my credit card for the upgrade and set confirmation to the TA. TA caught it and called today to say no harm, I would be put back in my cat 7!

I'm so depressed. This is after I went to work today and told everyone!

I'm still on the ship, right? I should just let it go?

I'm trying but boy is it tough.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Hello friends. Sorry I've been so absent. Real life took over. I'm not going to try to read back, anyone want to give me a brief synopsis? Did I miss anything?

 

[auntsue1]

THANKS for all the work you did for the brunch! Very gracious of you! Oh, & thanks to your "peeps" too!

On a side note, tomorrow Disney Lover Linda, her DH (my DB), myself & her family head to Peek 'N Peak resort for a week. We are staying in a ski-in-ski-out chalet with a fireplace! Yeah, I know there is no snow but WOW what views! I'm more the apres ski person anyways! (very after!) It's in Clymer, NY near Jamestown.

Not near as nice as going on the Med Cruise but that is coming!

Sue

P.S. I'm taking my laptop so I can still look @ the Dis Boards!

 

[auntsue1]

THE UPGRADE FAIRY GIVITH AND THE UPGRADE FAIRY TAKETH AWAY!!!

OK, so here goes the rest of the story!!!!

I had called the TA Saturday due to a change in our departure time. We will be flying out Thursday not Friday, unless the Airline changes their mind again. So since I was on the phone, I asked how cheap is it to upgrade this late in the game. Blah, blah, still too much for my budget. Well somehow, the disney rep that they talked to, put in the upgrade. GREAT RIGHT! So this is the upgrade I saw yesterday. BAD NEWS! Disney also went ahead and billed my credit card for the upgrade and set confirmation to the TA. TA caught it and called today to say no harm, I would be put back in my cat 7!

I'm so depressed. This is after I went to work today and told everyone!

I'm still on the ship, right? I should just let it go?

I'm trying but boy is it tough.

My heart goes out to you! WOW! &

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

P.S. I'm taking my laptop so I can still look @ the Dis Boards!

Oh, the laptop will be a must have!

 

[jmcdonnell04]

THE UPGRADE FAIRY GIVITH AND THE UPGRADE FAIRY TAKETH AWAY!!!

OK, so here goes the rest of the story!!!!

I had called the TA Saturday due to a change in our departure time. We will be flying out Thursday not Friday, unless the Airline changes their mind again. So since I was on the phone, I asked how cheap is it to upgrade this late in the game. Blah, blah, still too much for my budget. Well somehow, the disney rep that they talked to, put in the upgrade. GREAT RIGHT! So this is the upgrade I saw yesterday. BAD NEWS! Disney also went ahead and billed my credit card for the upgrade and set confirmation to the TA. TA caught it and called today to say no harm, I would be put back in my cat 7!

I'm so depressed. This is after I went to work today and told everyone!

I'm still on the ship, right? I should just let it go?

I'm trying but boy is it tough.

TDE1969 -- I was elated to hear about your good fortune before I left work and sad to hear about the misunderstanding. I hope that you will be surprised again -- keep the faith.

PrincessJasmine -- welcome back. I hope you are done with school so you can get back to planning this cruise. Looking forward to meeting you but after reading your trip report, I will have to keep my daughters away from you and your sister. Just joking... it will be great to meet people with as much passion for "all things Disney".

 

[taysmom]

Welcome back lauren...we all missed you!
Short list...planning a dinner on friday night in barcelona. Jodie (pillow) is doing the work.
Still planning to lunch on board. People just need to post if they are interested. Looking at 1:30ish on saturday.
All who are in barcelona and can are going to storm the port between 11-12 in our lovely medhead t-shirts and make all the other passengers jealous!
Brunch in the secret room looks full, but you can pm theresa(silver7) to see if there is space.
27 days until I leave. So excited to see the 6/6 are getting their docs.
We should be seeing ours in a week or 2!

Marie- I saw your post re:credit cards. I have done alot of research. Capital One is the best that I have found as it's free. No foreign transaction fee, just the exchange rate. Next best should be most credit unions. I have checked with mine (patelco) and they are at 1%. They told me that their co-operative CU's have 1% (most, said to call to verify) I didn't need to as I have patelco. This includes their ATM fee to w/d foreign money. Lastly are the standard credit cards. Check with the ones you have. Most are 2-3% on top of the exchange rate.
Most american express offices have currency exchange. Their rates are terrible and they chare $5.00 for amx holders and $15.00 flat fee for non amx holders.
According to DCL Customer service they are going to have exchange available on board with no transaction fee and since they do not accept cash on the ship it's supposed to show as a charge on your credit card. Which is great. However I don't really believe it until I see it. Which is why I asked the question..."how does it really work" on the live thread. I want someone to confirm. We'll see if we get that answer or not.

Jodie- I forgot that my mothers husband has a good friend who lives in barcelona. He has emailed him to find out the real deal on the restaurant and get some recommendations. Hopefully we'll hear something good.

Theresa- Thanks for the confirm. You have been so gracious.

In fact all of you have been great. You are all making this trip more exciting by the day!
Have a great night all.

Steph

 

[silver7]

All this talk is about the exchange rate IF you get money on the ship, not if you charge things like your final bill, right?

 

[taysmom]

right..all charges on the ship are in american dollars.
However, they are offering currency exchange on the med cruises. The question at hand is ...is it a cash advance on your credit card or a charge?
Customer Service says it's a charge, but the reason she told me that was "it's just like all other charges done on the ship. You'll get your card charged at the end of your cruise" I dunno...sounds too good to be true right. I can get cash in euros as a charge on my credit card. (Charged at the exchange rate..example I get 100 euros, shows as a $135.00 charge (not cash advance) on my bill.
Am I right to be wary????
S

 

[wonder]

THE UPGRADE FAIRY GIVITH AND THE UPGRADE FAIRY TAKETH AWAY!!!

OK, so here goes the rest of the story!!!!

I had called the TA Saturday due to a change in our departure time. We will be flying out Thursday not Friday, unless the Airline changes their mind again. So since I was on the phone, I asked how cheap is it to upgrade this late in the game. Blah, blah, still too much for my budget. Well somehow, the disney rep that they talked to, put in the upgrade. GREAT RIGHT! So this is the upgrade I saw yesterday. BAD NEWS! Disney also went ahead and billed my credit card for the upgrade and set confirmation to the TA. TA caught it and called today to say no harm, I would be put back in my cat 7!

I'm so depressed. This is after I went to work today and told everyone!

I'm still on the ship, right? I should just let it go?

I'm trying but boy is it tough.

Hi Tde1969,
Don't let it get you down...You will still have a great time!!!! I'm jealous you guys are flying out on Thursday...Did the airlines call and change your times? I wish that would happen to us!!!! Have a great day!!! Are you flying out of Raleigh?
Caroline

 

[silver7]

Hey TDE1969

YOU ARE STILL GOING WITH US!!! Don't worry, be happy! Perhaps you will still get the upgrade.

PJ--Missed you!

I need to know if anyone has read anything about the following statement. I was looking on a online site for our local credit union and was surprised to find this:

Avoid the new 3% SURCHARGE when using your favorite credit card overseas on purchases*.
*Effective April 2, 2005, major credit card companies are now adding a 3% surcharge to all currency purchases made overseas. The charge is added to your regular monthly statement. It's always best to arrive in a country with some of the currency in your pocket.

Has anyone heard of this or is it just a ruse??

PS
it also says todays exchange rate is 1.452759, but on the XE conversion it shows 1.34758 USD. Which is right? Or is it just the fee added on to the transaction for the first rate?

 

[pillow]

Silver7, Yes, most credit card companies add on 2-3% of the US dollars spent as a surcharge. Taysmom and I have both done some research on this (check her post on previous page).

Apparently Capital One has the best card (no surcharge), and most credit unions only charge 1% when you use their cards.

Also, I have found that the cheapest way to get cash is to use an ATM when you get to Europe. I plan on withdrawing money as soon as we get to the airport.

Steph, I'm a little skeptical about the exchange on the ship also. I find it hard to believe that Disney won't charge a surcharge when exchanging US dollars to Euros. However, if we charge things on the ship (wine, wine, and more wine for example) and pay with a credit card at the concusion of our cruise, it seems reasonable to me that it will be charged in US dollars on your credit card with no fees (just like when we cruise in the US).

If anyone else wants to join us for dinner (16 of us now) on Friday the 15th in Barcelona, please speak now, or forever hold your peace! I'm gonna make a reservation soon!!

I'm trying to find a tux for my husband. If anyone has one they'd like to sell, let me know (42R for jacket, 32-33 waist for pants). I've been checking e-bay but can't find his size.

-Jodie

 

[bartty]

Teresa- Thanks for Palo Brunch! That is awesome.

Jodie and all- as for Credit cards a fee - and after living overseas for 8 years we also found out that some banks can charge a fee for using not their atm's (does that make sense). Did a withdrawal once and got hit with a $5 fee from Bank of america and another 2euro fee from the bank we took the money out from!! EEEK!

So, since Dh works for army - we have USAA- They Rock! No fees ever! And as for Euros I would stay away from airport exchanger and use ATM - Another thing we learned is using the credit card, even with the 3% fee, is better because their exchange rate is always the best. And you have fraud protection, etc.

Everyone just dont forget to contact CC company to tell them you are traveling overseas- you don't want to get fraud alerted and have card blocked. (which by the way Chase LOVES to do!!)

Less than 30 days!!!

 

[silver7]

JODIE

I thought yall were talking about CASH advances on your CC, not using the CC!!!

I hate that!

Teresa

PS
If anyone goes to ABC.com and looks at the Dancing with the Stars there is one of the top Flamenco dancers in Europe performing! Something to get us in the Barcelona mood!

 

[jmcdonnell04]

I'm trying to find a tux for my husband. If anyone has one they'd like to sell, let me know (42R for jacket, 32-33 waist for pants). I've been checking e-bay but can't find his size.

-Jodie

Jodie,

I purchased a 100% wool tuxedo over the internet from www.tuxedodirect.com. For $ 149.00 you get tuxedo, shirt, and accessories.
I was very pleased with the their quality and service. They have the same deal now on the internet.

John

 

[silver7]

Hi Everyone--Happy Friday!

Only 4 more Fridays until we cruise!

Starting the diet yesterday--Linda we gotta talk. Need hints on making things taste better

I spoke with Lee in Concierge this morning and we are all set up for the secret room! I tried to get tables for those on the waitlist (Wonder, Worktoplay and CarolMB) and was told to tell yall that you need to sign up on board. Well I tried!

Disneylover Linda and JMcDonnell I am waiting to hear back to see if we can transfer the reservation over. They THINK they can but have to have the Palo people do it.

I had a couple of heart stopping times. I emailed the list, then she called me and said "I cannot find this person, and this person cancelled". I am telling you my heart dropped that there might have been someone who got cancelled and did not know it! In the end everyone was there but SHEESH I was worried!

Hope you all have a great day.

 

[jmcdonnell04]

Hi Everyone--Happy Friday!

Disneylover Linda and JMcDonnell I am waiting to hear back to see if we can transfer the reservation over. They THINK they can but have to have the Palo people do it.

Hope you all have a great day.

Thank you for very much for setting up the Palo Brunch.
You have a great Friday and weekend.

John

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

PrincessJasmine -- welcome back. I hope you are done with school so you can get back to planning this cruise. Looking forward to meeting you but after reading your trip report, I will have to keep my daughters away from you and your sister. Just joking... it will be great to meet people with as much passion for "all things Disney".

We're done with finals but now I'm taking summer classes. I switched majors twice so now I'm playing the catch up game! We also have a huge concert this weekend at the amphitheater at Keehner Park with my ballet performing group so rehearsals have been pretty crazy. And don't keep your kids away from us, let us corrupt 'em! Gotta start at an early age...

Welcome back lauren...we all missed you!
Short list...planning a dinner on friday night in barcelona. Jodie (pillow) is doing the work.
Still planning to lunch on board. People just need to post if they are interested. Looking at 1:30ish on saturday.
All who are in barcelona and can are going to storm the port between 11-12 in our lovely medhead t-shirts and make all the other passengers jealous!
Brunch in the secret room looks full, but you can pm theresa(silver7) to see if there is space.
27 days until I leave. So excited to see the 6/6 are getting their docs.
We should be seeing ours in a week or 2!

Steph

Thanks for the run through! We're definitely in for dinner in Barcelona (5 of us). Sorry to have missed the Palo room.

 

[jmcdonnell04]

We also have a huge concert this weekend at the amphitheater at Keehner Park with my ballet performing group so rehearsals have been pretty crazy.

Lauren,

My family and I will be at Keehner park tonight for my 7:30 pm softball game. If you are going to be there tonight let me know so we can head over to say HI!

John

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Lauren,

My family and I will be at Keehner park tonight for my 7:30 pm softball game. If you are going to be there tonight let me know so we can head over to say HI!

John

What a coincidence! Too bad we weren't there! I think some dancers might have been there to mark spacing but I wasn't there. We'll be there for sure tomorrow though!