June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[Marla Hellwig]

Well as of this morning they are finally acknowledging my congressional upgrade request but it is still sitting on someone's desk in New Orleans

The jerk on the phone said well you could go to NO with an appointment, hope that you get in the building but they can't guarantee that you would walk out with a passport - it would cost me 2,200 to fly us to NO for a chance to get it - totally unreal

At this stage no clue what I will do, not sure if we can find another cruise to move to or what

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Last I saw on the rail strike on the cruise critic message boards was that it began at something like 9 pm on 6/21 and went 24 hours. If that info is correct, those using rail in Civitavecchia should be fine.

On gift exchange, 1:30 pm is correct but we never did specify a place for the gift exchange. Is there a lounge or some other type gathering place near the Roy Suite for us to meet?

We depart Memphis at 7:20 pm on Thursday.

On Saturday for the lunch at 1:30, I saw where Parrot Cay was the restaurant open for lunch listed in the Navigator posted on Deb Wills' web site. I'd be surprised if they changed it from cruise to cruise.

 

[taysmom]

Sing it to the annie song!

Hi everyone!

I'm so busy this week! Yikes! I'm working thru thursday and then we have a 6:20 flight so I really need to get in gear. My DS graduates today! Going out to dinner after with the family. I'm getting clothes ready but I have not packed.

OK, gift exchange....anyone know where we are doing this?

Just thought I'd drop a line as I know every day someone else leaves for a fabulous trip!

Marie

1:30 is correct for the exchange. Hmm..don't know where to have it. I am not familiar with the ship. We'll figure something out.
Congrats on the graduation. You've got alot on your plate! At least you'll be flying soon!

Just wonder if I have missed the posting but last itme I remember it mentioned was the time of 1.30 before Lialani's visit. Can someone enlighten me please.

Hope we can find you on Friday evening - our hotel is a little way on the outskirts but that is what you get when you pick something up reasonable on Sky travel shop.

Habve my little gifts packed (20 of them) hope that is enought.
Bren

Hope to see you friday.

Well as of this morning they are finally acknowledging my congressional upgrade request but it is still sitting on someone's desk in New Orleans

The jerk on the phone said well you could go to NO with an appointment, hope that you get in the building but they can't guarantee that you would walk out with a passport - it would cost me 2,200 to fly us to NO for a chance to get it - totally unreal

At this stage no clue what I will do, not sure if we can find another cruise to move to or what

this stinks. I know they aren't going on vacation, but a little empathy would be nice. Where's the one employee that realizes you need it. I hope it all works out

So I am sitting here, 6:34am, don't need to go to work until 9am, all packed. Suitcases measured for Iberia (within dimentions) just on the dis.

I need a vacation!

 

[ljhayes]

Hello Fellow Med-Head Cruisers!!!!!!

Sorry I havent been around but I have been reading! Less than 72 hours we will be flying to BCN this Thursday from JFK. We have a layover in Dublin. We're flying Aer Lingus. Hopefully we dont lose our luggage!

Few questions:

- I see some people mentioned MedHead tshirts. It's probably too late and my fault for not asking for one sooner, but if anyone has extras I will gladly pay for one!
- I remember reading somewhere that you will need copies of all official documents like passports, drivers license, insurance cards, etc.... What do you actually carry on your body when you are out on excursions? Do you leave your original passport in the room safe or bring it with you on excursions?
- We are flying Aer Lingus from JFK to DUB then DUB to BCN. Do we have to go claim our luggage in DUB to then check in our luggage again for BCN? It all seems confusing and I dont want to lose our luggage!

Looking forward to meeting you all during the DIS meets and in the Roy Suite on the 17th at 2pm! Btw, when will we know when DIS meets are?


So we are packed for the most part. Bringing 2 large suitcases, one for Lou one for me. Not much room for souveniers, have to work on that one. As the suitcases are, the each weight approx 38 lbs. So we have to be careful because Ryannair have severe restrictions on the weight of checked in luggage since after the cruise we will be flying to DLP for a few days.
We're getting our binder together for official paperwork.
Our parents are dog watching Bowser for us at our place. Helps out with mail, etc...
We basically just need to get our carry-on in order with things, pack the electronic stuff, do a once over with the luggage and head to JFK around 2pm on Thursday!

See you all real soon!!!!

SO PSYCHEDDDDDD!!!!

Glad to see you posting again, Lisa!

We plan on carrying copies of our docs with us, but some people have carried originals. I think it's whatever you're comfortable with, and if you plan on doing anything that would require you to have an original.

I'm curious about luggage, too. I heard that we will not have to go through customs in Barcelona if we have a layover first, which led me to believe we'd have to go through customs on our layover (in Zurich). But I haven't read anything one way or the other to verify that.

Good luck finishing up your packing, and have a good flight on Thursday! Can't wait to see you guys at dinner on Saturday!!!

Who is the last one to leave I wonder. Our flight is not until Friday morning from Gatwick - packed already big mistake now so restless that I cannot think and the thought of preparing or eating a meal is just too much.

That might be us! We fly out of Boston at 6:55 pm on Friday night. We couldn't afford more time off work, after a week and a half for the wedding, and two weeks for the cruise, so we'll be working Friday and then flying out. But in my mind, we're leaving now with everyone else

Well as of this morning they are finally acknowledging my congressional upgrade request but it is still sitting on someone's desk in New Orleans

The jerk on the phone said well you could go to NO with an appointment, hope that you get in the building but they can't guarantee that you would walk out with a passport - it would cost me 2,200 to fly us to NO for a chance to get it - totally unreal

At this stage no clue what I will do, not sure if we can find another cruise to move to or what

Marla, I don't even know what to say, but I hope that this somehow works out for you. Lots and lots of pixie dust headed your way!

 

[jmcdonnell04]

We are leaving in a couple of hours to drive to Columbus to fly to JFK and then fly Air France from JFK to Paris (CDG) arriving Wednesday at 9:30 am
so I am saying farewell to the Disboards and looking forward to meeting everyone on the Magic on Saturday at lunch with our Medhead shirts.

Katie says goodbye to all of her new 11-12 year old friends -- she will miss IM'ing them over the next couple days.

Prayers and good wishes for everyone to travel safely and on-time.

John

 

[Marla Hellwig]

We are leaving in a couple of hours to drive to Columbus to fly to JFK and then

we will wave at you as you drive by Kettering

safe travels

 

[mickeyteachers]

I think I am going crazy. I woke up this morning and decided my carry on bag is too big. So I now need to figure out what bag I will be using. I hate to get to the airport and they tell me it is too big.
My husband loaded the ipod with lots of songs and podcasts. So we should be entertianed.
I still need to finish the door signs. I try to make different signs for each day. I think I will get that finished.
My son does not understand why we are not leaving this morning. The plane does not leave until Wed. morning at 8:30 a.m. We are just staying over night at the hotel. So we can leave anythime today. He thought if we left this morning then he could go to the hotel and have fun. He loves to read. So he would sit by the pool and read. I want him to vacuum the entire house before we leave. I hate coming home to a messy house. So I put clean sheets on all of the beds. I washed all of my clothing before we leave. And I wash the kitchen floor before we leave. This way we come home to a dusty clean house. I know we will be totally exhaused by the time we get home on the 27th.
I feel like I do not have anything to complain about considereing the Passport issue. That is something to worry about. So we all need to say a prayer. I am so sorry.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Brenda...I thought you might have some input on this as you are the wildlife guru and I don't want to leave this little guy to die while we go!

We have a solarium in our kitchen with floor to ceiling windows. There is this bird that must not understand that they're windows! It flies into the windows over and over all day long. Sometimes it flies into them so hard it falls to the ground and doesn't get up for awhile. Yesterday it was laying there for over an hour and I thought it was dead. I am trying to think of some way to get the bird to go away because it's going to kill itself! If I go outside and get close to it it'll leave for a little while but then it's right back. Any suggestions?

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

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

Oh my goodness. I don't even know what to say. What a nightmare. I will keep praying and sending pixie dust that you will be on that ship on Saturday. I am so sorry you're having to go through this, I can't even imagine.

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!!!

I'll hold you to that.

We are leaving in a couple of hours to drive to Columbus to fly to JFK and then fly Air France from JFK to Paris (CDG) arriving Wednesday at 9:30 am
so I am saying farewell to the Disboards and looking forward to meeting everyone on the Magic on Saturday at lunch with our Medhead shirts.

Katie says goodbye to all of her new 11-12 year old friends -- she will miss IM'ing them over the next couple days.

Prayers and good wishes for everyone to travel safely and on-time.

John

Happy travels, see you Saturday!!

About 24 hours until we leave and I still have packing to finish! Took my last final last night so school's finally out!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Sorry for the excessive posting, but....

WE JUST GOT OUR DOCUMENTS!!!!!!!!!! I had given up on them!

On a less exiting note, I just spoke with DSL about my cell phone which was supposed to be here "by Friday." As in last Friday. They said they tried to deliver it twice already and no one was home. One time they attempted to deliver it was yesterday at 3:30 and I know all 5 of us were home at that time. We finally figured out that they were delivering it to the wrong street. There are 2 streets by the same name in Cincinnati. They are going to try to get it to me in time but we might not have a cell phone over there.

 

[Skallywag]

Marla I am so sad about all your problems no-one deserves to be treated in such an offhand manner. Do you have anyone high up in authority that could stamp their feet for you. Over here would ask our M.P. (Member of Parliament) would be seriously considering an email to the white house or a telephone call to them. Surely your government have an overseas division that must be a watchdog for the passport people.

Safe journey to everyone - Marla certainly hope that this sorts itself out but am sure there must be someone in aurhority that you can have a go at.

Bren

 

[Skallywag]

Brenda...I thought you might have some input on this as you are the wildlife guru and I don't want to leave this little guy to die while we go!

We have a solarium in our kitchen with floor to ceiling windows. There is this bird that must not understand that they're windows! It flies into the windows over and over all day long. Sometimes it flies into them so hard it falls to the ground and doesn't get up for awhile. Yesterday it was laying there for over an hour and I thought it was dead. I am trying to think of some way to get the bird to go away because it's going to kill itself! If I go outside and get close to it it'll leave for a little while but then it's right back. Any suggestions?

I have problems with birds flying into my windows so hard they knock themselves out. Have not put some of these stickers on the window as we have a large patio door and think that they cannot see the glass (not that the window is that clean but sometimes it seems to be the young birds that do this. If they knock themselves out best to put them in a box with a cover over until they come round or not as the case may be. Usually they get a clot on the brain and sometimes spin around also on the ground. The clot will disperse sometimes if you just cover them over. Dont know really how to stop the little devils doing what they do it is a real problem


Meeting to exchange gifts.

Just wondering about secret deck 7 for this at 1.30 hopefully it will not be busy at that time of day and we can then shoot up the rear elevator to deck 8.

Bren

 

[JsMom2]

Marla,
I am SO sorry, not only about the passport, but that you were treated that way. That is just inexcusable! I wish I help, but will be sending good thoughts your way.

After what you've been through I will most certainly keep my passport locked up tight in the ship's safe. I think it'd be easier to escape a foreign jail than to get a replacement passport!


PJ,
Congrats on getting your documents! Miracles do happen. So it was what 4 days for your OVERNIGHT delivery??

Bren,
I was going to suggest the secret area on deck 7 for your gift exchange - guess great minds think alike!

I don't remember who mentioned the size of their carry on, but just remember that they sometimes will also weigh your carry ons for int'l flights!

Mostly packed up now....just a few details to finish up on

Thanks again for welcoming me to the group, you guys are great!
Wendy

 

[Skallywag]

Wendy we are definitely on the same wave length - did you say you are not on our list to do the exchange. Hope you will come down anyway and say hello.

I have 20 items packed and I think the 20 included me so I have a spare which you can have if that is the case. Just a little something from UK.

For everyone that is still watching the boards - do you agree secret deck 7 at 1.30? At least that way we have somewhere planned.

[B]SECRET DECK 7 AT 1.30. ON THE 17TH UNLESS ANYONE CAN COME UP WITH ANYTHING DIFFERENT[/B].

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Secret deck sounds good to me....now I just need to figure out how to find it.

 

[swandiverpatt]

Oh, come on, Jeff! Even I know where the Secret Deck is!

Long time -- no see your name!

 

[Skallywag]

Jeff just bang on room 7094 is you get lost finding secret deck 7.

For those that do not know - deck 7 right at the back of the ship through a little door wonderful place but dont tell too many people.
Bren

 

[DVC4US]

Hi All from London!

I need to catch up later but this is the first chance I've had to get online so wanted to post an update. Our flight out of Newark was good but we did leave about 1 1/2 late. They said the plane was really dirty and then we had a security issue. They actually took some guy out of the gate area in handcuffs. We never did find out what he had done wrong. After the late arrival in London we then stood in the passport line at Gatwick for over an hour. It was not very pleasant but once we were through there it was on to the hotel. We have been running around London ever since and are having a great time. We went to see Mary Poppins last night and it was great! We are off now to walk around some more and have dinner. I'll try to post again tomorrow.

See ya soon!

 

[auntsue1]

Princess Jasimine: I'm so glad the Travel Gods have answered our prayers & you got your documents. I thought a lot about your predicament. About the bird, we also have that problem at our office. As Brenda said stickers on the windows do seem to help.

Marla: We have to REALLY try & not anger the Travel Gods. Hopefully Silver didn't anger them too much when she was probably cursing them out over the lost travelers checks! (Just kidding Silver, we love you!)

Silver: I hope all is going okay & you got your new travelers checks.

Steph, Brenda, JsMom2: Great minds do think alike! That's the place I was thinking could be a great place to have the gift exchange. I hope it's quiet that time of day. This is my 3rd cruise on the Magic & I have never been to the secret deck (I've just looked @ it.)

Guys, I don't know but we are running a close first place for the last ones to leave for Barcelona. Our flight out of Philadelphia is @ 5:40pm EST. But if our plane is late or we miss our connection (we only have a 55 minute layover in Philadelphia) then we'll be leaving on the 8:00PM flight. But anyways, yes please the last person to go please turn the lights out!

I know I forgot to say something so I'll have to exit & add more on another posting.

Sue

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Hello Fellow Med-Head Cruisers!!!!!!

Sorry I havent been around but I have been reading! Less than 72 hours we will be flying to BCN this Thursday from JFK. We have a layover in Dublin. We're flying Aer Lingus. Hopefully we dont lose our luggage!


We basically just need to get our carry-on in order with things, pack the electronic stuff, do a once over with the luggage and head to JFK around 2pm on Thursday!

See you all real soon!!!!

SO PSYCHEDDDDDD!!!!

Hay Lisa,

We are flying out of JFK on Thursday also. What time is your flight? Ours is at 6:30pm with AA flying into London & then BCN. In JFK we will be wearing out Medheads Jackets. We are leaving from Jersery at 2:30(never know with traffic) If your near American look for us.

See ya on Friday or Saturday

Patricia