June 27, 2013 - Magic in the Med (Venice)

[nzdisneymom]

Sorry for all the posts at once, got some quiet time today and good connection. Sea day. Came aoround the boot of Italy yesterday afternoon.

The onboard reports are that the ship will be charging VAT at about 20% for onboard purchases next week.

 

[jkind]

We brought travelers checks to exchange onboard. Very easy to do and then if you have leftovers, you can exchange back. The rate this week was $1.35 per Euro.

We prepurchased euro thruAAA / TravelEx before we left at $1.37. Then I replaced what we spent in BCN via an ATM that was at $1.40. Then the ship was $1.35. Exchange on the ship is at guest services. You can also cash a personal check for Euro at the same rate... Not sure if there is a limit, but they call some check clearinghouse thing with your account number and amount you are writing the check for to get pre approval. Hope this helps with your planning.

Thank you! This is very helpful!

 

[jel0511]

Thank you! This is very helpful!

BTW this is a maximum amount you can write in for a check with a guest services I believe.... If I recall that amount is $100 a day..... Now it might be different on a longer cruise, but I wouldn't want that to be my only way to get cash. Luckily DH works for AMEX, so he got Euro yesterday 1.42, transaction fee waived, rest of cash we'll use ATM's for.... Thought of getting Euro travelers checks and cashing them at guest services, but decided against it.....

 

[LyndaC]

Cindy, on the 12 night cruise right now, posted on our facebook page that the exchange rate onboard earlier in the week was $1.35

 

[jkind]

We brought travelers checks to exchange onboard. Very easy to do and then if you have leftovers, you can exchange back. The rate this week was $1.35 per Euro.

We prepurchased euro thruAAA / TravelEx before we left at $1.37. Then I replaced what we spent in BCN via an ATM that was at $1.40. Then the ship was $1.35. Exchange on the ship is at guest services. You can also cash a personal check for Euro at the same rate... Not sure if there is a limit, but they call some check clearinghouse thing with your account number and amount you are writing the check for to get pre approval. Hope this helps with your planning.

Did you bring regular travelers checks or international? We are getting conflicting information on how useful they really are from the banks we are talking to on our end. There is concern that they aren't being accepted. Although, clearly the ship took what you brought. Just wondered if the type made a difference.

 

[Kouris_Family]

Oh, man, I've missed the ice breaking activities!



Spokane-Minneapolis-Amsterdam-Barcelona and reverse on the way home.

1) When does your vacation begin? (out the door, flight, Spain, boarding...)
Out the door! June 25th -- 1 day in Barcelona precruise at the Renaissance.

2) What are you most looking forward to tasting?
Wine from each port (I copied this answer from some other kindred soul on our cruise.


3) What is your favorite secret that you know or have heard about on the Magic?
The "secret" deck a few steps away from our cabin.

4) Which port are you most excited about? Least?
Rome and Naples

5) How will you dress for pirate night?
I'm not sure yet. I will be person running in a pirate skirt on Deck 4 several days.

6) What one thing do you wish you'd known before your first cruise?
This is our first cruise!

7) Most irrational fear about this vacation?
Being run over in Naples traffic.

8) Most rational fear about this vacation?
Pickpockets

9) What moment are you most looking forward to?
Sitting on the verandah drinking wine from our port.

10) What is your favorite Disney Character?
Mickey!

So I couldn't help but notice you copied my quote on the wine from each port, won't that be fun? I also noticed you said you were going to enjoy yours on your deck, Hmmm, maybe I can join you and we can do wine tasting together, are you white or red? I'm red, but enjoy white too. The 3rd thing is your least excited about Naples, well myself Kay and my family, DH Mark, DS 14, DD 10, very well behaved kids and well traveled, we have rented a driver and car to take us along the coast, Positano, Sorrento, Amalfi, and anything else, Pizza in Naples. Just more of a relaxing day taking in the culture, picking some good wines, lemoncello and getting some Gelato. The cost of this private tour is $450 Euro. We can share. Interested in looking forward to Naples? Let me know.
Kay

 

[MrsScooby]

We used Rome in Limo and it was fabulous. Highly recommend them. We had Mike for our driver. So if you get him, tell him that Cindy, Gary, Nathan and Zach from the last Disney pick up said hello!

good to hear

 

[MrsScooby]

So I couldn't help but notice you copied my quote on the wine from each port, won't that be fun? I also noticed you said you were going to enjoy yours on your deck, Hmmm, maybe I can join you and we can do wine tasting together, are you white or red? I'm red, but enjoy white too.

Kay

Kay,
I'm a wine drinker and my DH is not. So I could use someone to help drink any wine I buy in port...
I prefer red, but really like a good white chardonnay too

We're in cabin 7024, so give me a call and we can plan to swap glasses.

Anyone else is welcome too
Just let me know

 

[Kouris_Family]

Kay,
I'm a wine drinker and my DH is not. So I could use someone to help drink any wine I buy in port...
I prefer red, but really like a good white chardonnay too

We're in cabin 7024, so give me a call and we can plan to swap glasses.

Anyone else is welcome too
Just let me know

Oh thanks, that would be fun

 

[Kouris_Family]

Oh thanks, that would be fun

Our room #6504, we might change though, going to see when we get to port if we might get a different room.

So excited, we leave LAX tomorrow for Madrid, touring Spain for a while and we'll see you on board very soon...

 

[lgajohnson]

The suitcases are packed and sitting by the door. I have a quick half day at work tomorrow, and then we are planning on leaving our house by 1:30pm for our 4:30pm flight from Boston to Frankfurt to Barcelona. We have 5 nights in Barcelona pre-cruise. I can't wait to meet all of you!!!! Safe travels to all of you!!!

Laura

PS We are in cabin 6520...and I would love to share a nice glass of wine with any of you folks

 

[n8tivecaligirl]

My husband and I haven't even started packing, lol. We will get to it maybe tomorrow. We don't leave till Monday, also we are in 6317 (if we are sharing room numbers ) see everyone in a week!

 

[thinkoflaura]

Hi all!
We arrived in Holland yesterday for our pre-cruise stop... It's 4:30am and I can't sleep! Glad to get the jet lag issues out of the way now- I hope!! Anyway, a couple things...

1) I forgot to pack a power adapter for the European sockets. Fortunately the Hilton we are staying at had some to borrow and the ship uses American plugs, but this may be something to add to a packing list depending on where you are staying pre or post cruise.

2) We traveled with cash in a money belt and changed a bunch at the airport in Amsterdam. So easy. Hope we got a decent rate: each dollar got us .68 euro (so $400 got us about 275€). We will change more today in another part of town so I will let you know what we get today. I remembered a tip from our Med cruise in 2011 and asked for smaller denominations. The guy was reluctant to give it, but it will be easier to break 5€ and 20€ (and have the 1€ and 2€ coins) in ports at places and markets that are cash only.

3) this probably wont apply to any of you directly, but one lesson learned yesterday - don't cheap out and try to take mass transit from the airport to the hotel with your luggage and 8 year old in tow. In the rain. On cobblestones. Haha! Amsterdam is a very public transport-friendly city and sure we saved 25€ but it was NOT EASY on us or our suitcase wheels!! I had planned to take the tram to the train for our next stop, Paris, but we will be cabbing it to Centraal Station, even if it's gorgeous out! I think the cobblestone streets were what made it so difficult. Even more than the rain. Just something to keep in mind if you were planning to get around whatever European city on foot with suitcases.

Anyway, safe travels to you all!!! I have been checking the weather daily and it seems like the rain clears up by 6/27!!!

xo
Laura

 

[thinkoflaura]

My husband and I haven't even started packing, lol. We will get to it maybe tomorrow. We don't leave till Monday, also we are in 6317 (if we are sharing room numbers ) see everyone in a week!

OMG- we are in 6319!! We are not participating in the FE exchange or anything but it will be great to have a fellow DISer next door.

 

[poohmomof5]

Hi everyone!

So excited! Last day of work for all of us!

Last day of any scheduled activites prior to our departure from O'Hare at 4:00pm Monday!

By midnight tonight, the whole family will be home and we shall commence "Packalooza" (thank you FB friends for giving it a name).

YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!

 

[MrsScooby]

Well, hoping I can get my family to start getting their clothes together so I can shop for them this weekend to get any needed items and then pack for them hopefully on Sunday. All this while trying to do my job as well.


Not a happy camper today

 

[poohmomof5]

Well, hoping I can get my family to start getting their clothes together so I can shop for them this weekend to get any needed items and then pack for them hopefully on Sunday. All this while trying to do my job as well.


Not a happy camper today

Laurie (I think I got your spelling right),

Hang in there, just a few more days!!!

 

[n8tivecaligirl]

OMG- we are in 6319!! We are not participating in the FE exchange or anything but it will be great to have a fellow DISer next door.

Super Excited! We aren't doing the FE either due to such a short time since booking but it's good to know we have you next door!

 

[rotary2808]

Halfway through the last work day!! I figure tonight I'll start going through the clothes and try to figure out what misc. items I might be missing. I'll probably start packing Sunday. So ready to go!!!

 

[thumpery]

I am feeling the excitement in the air with each post!!!

Boys are completely packed, I'm approximately 80% and husband hasn't even started. Typical!

Laurie - I felt like that last week.