June 29, 2011-10 "MAGICAL" nights in the Mediterranean

[DCLShel]

Shelly, can you please forward the .pdf to me also? wakeboarder72@hotmail.com Thanks.

Still looking for airfare daily like some of you all. Anyone know if, for the return trip, if the flight leaves Barcelona at 10:25 a.m. if that will give us enough time to get from the ship to the airport that morning? Thanks.....

I just sent the email~ Please let me know if you don't get it.

I agree with Cam on the 10:25am flight. We considered that flight, too, but decided it was too risky. We booked a 12:30pm flight on the 9th. Good luck with the airfare hunt!!

 

[DorothyDamato]

I googled International Student ID that you need for for reduced Vatican Tickets - it costs money - looks like $22 bucks!!! (so forget that for me - its not worth it for 1 child).
Vatican site indicated this was the ONLY ID you could use for reduced ticket - but I will send a note and double check.
(I sent note to vatican e-mail address on site - THEY WILL ACCEPT any ID for ages 6-18 (passport, student school ID). It is only the over 18 that need the International Student ID! I posted this on another page as well)Anyway - for those who are interested - some info I copied from site:

Any full-time student aged 12 years and over, at high school, college or university is eligible for an ISIC card. As long as you're a student, it doesn't matter whether you're 12 or 112.

Generally, full-time student status usually means a minimum of 15 hours of study a week, for a minimum of 12 weeks per year. However, this can vary from country to country.

Anyone under 26 can get an International Youth Travel Card (IYTC), which gives you access to similar offers to the ISIC card.
If you've left your student years behind you and now work full-time as a teacher or professor, the International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC) also gives you great discounts and services.
You can get your IYTC and ITIC cards at the same places that issue the ISIC card.

 

[kmc33]

I can't believe our flight leaves for Barcelona in under 2 months!

We just got back from a wonderful Easter trip to WDW. I have been going through Disney withdraw this week but looking forward to the cruise is keeping me going through the work week!

 

[TPBChick]

kmc33- Glad you had a nice trip to WDW.

Did I see on another post that you are going on the 1/2 day excursion to Montserrat on debarkation day? I was looking at that too. We are staying at the Renaissance Barcelona Airport Hotel the night after the cruise. I was thinking that if they let you off at the airport after the trip, we could catch the free shuttle from the airport to the hotel. This would eliminate waiting in line for a taxi and waiting till the afternoon for the room to be ready.

 

[kmc33]

kmc33- Glad you had a nice trip to WDW.

Did I see on another post that you are going on the 1/2 day excursion to Montserrat on debarkation day? I was looking at that too. We are staying at the Renaissance Barcelona Airport Hotel the night after the cruise. I was thinking that if they let you off at the airport after the trip, we could catch the free shuttle from the airport to the hotel. This would eliminate waiting in line for a taxi and waiting till the afternoon for the room to be ready.

That is exactly what we are planning to do... take the 1/2 day excursion and then when it ends at the airport, take the shuttle over to the Renaissance as that is where we are staying Saturday evening.

It did not appear that you can book this excursion until onboard the ship. I was very excited to see it because I really wanted to go to Montserrat and liked the idea of avoiding the long taxi queue!

 

[TPBChick]

That is exactly what we are planning to do... take the 1/2 day excursion and then when it ends at the airport, take the shuttle over to the Renaissance as that is where we are staying Saturday evening.

It did not appear that you can book this excursion until onboard the ship. I was very excited to see it because I really wanted to go to Montserrat and liked the idea of avoiding the long taxi queue!

It also makes for a cost effective excursion considering you do not need to pay for a taxi to the hotel.

 

[thinkoflaura]

hi all!

work's been nuts, but today i was scheduling a meeting and while marking it on my calendar i realized that we sail away in exactly 2 months... time is whizzing by!!!!

still feels like so much to do. tomorrow - somehow between my DD's gymnastics class, swim lesson and playdate we have to hit the post office to get our passports. assuming there are no surprises, I think we'll be safe to get them the standard way (not expedited)... it says 4-6 weeks on the state department website.

am i crazy to not pay the extra $60 each to expedite? now that i write this, i think, ISN'T THE PEACE OF MIND WORTH $120??? (it's just mine and my daughter's PPs -- DH has his already). I dunno.

Hey Cam -- I know there's at least 1 other 6 year old cruising so far... any others yet?

is anyone NOT doing FE's -- or am I the only party pooper hold out so far? i am usually up for these kinds of exchanges, but i'm feeling a lot of pressure on this trip in so many other aspects (traveling with my parents, dh and dd - none of whom are handling ANY of the planning!). i worry if i do FEs, then i have to figure out an FE extender, right?

and the last thing i'd want to do is something super lame for all of you...

i dunno...

 

[TPBChick]

hi all!


is anyone NOT doing FE's -- or am I the only party pooper hold out so far? i am usually up for these kinds of exchanges, but i'm feeling a lot of pressure on this trip in so many other aspects (traveling with my parents, dh and dd - none of whom are handling ANY of the planning!). i worry if i do FEs, then i have to figure out an FE extender, right?

and the last thing i'd want to do is something super lame for all of you...

i dunno...

You are not the only one. I am being a party pooper too. Work has been really hectic and I am not very crafty. I felt like I couldn't add anything else to the "to do" list.

 

[DorothyDamato]

There are actually only about 8/9 families doing the fish extenders. I am not crafty AT ALL. Trust me. I am buying all my stuff and trying to come up with creative ideas. As Shelly told me, "Just have fun with it..."

I am having fun - but even though I am excited about some of the stuff I am picking up, I hope kids wont be disappointed. Maybe it's just a girl thing.

Now that it is getting 'down to the wire' with the trip right around the corner - it is a little freaky thinking about everything that should be done (most of its done for me....but still....calling the transportation that is supposed to pick us up the day before, calling the hotel I booked 11 months ago to ensure they show I paid, plugging any international phone numbers I could need into the cell phone...) and then thinking about these fish extenders is nuts. BUT - I am glad I am doing cause it just feels like an 'ice-breaker' of sorts for me.

 

[jonida3]

Crafty? You had me worried for a minute there. I was planning on going to the dollar store! I caught up on all my posts last night and dreampt (sp?) about fish extenders all night. Seriously! Still so much to do, I need to book boarding for our puppy (80 lb. Golden) and diabetic kitty (Now THAT gets expensive! LOL More than a RomeinLimo excursion!)

 

[jonida3]

Last cruise we took in 2006, I decorated the outside door. Do people still do that?

Laura, (thinkoflaura) you all are right across the hall from us - we are in 6140 and 6142!
Shelley (DCLSEL) you are staying in the same hotel as us and I think I recall you are on the same flight as us out of JFK only a day earlier!

 

[sinnika]

We are not doing FE's either. We did them on one cruise - a caribbean one, and I had custom wristbands made with the cruise date for everyone. We got so much trinkets, it was really too much to pack up and we left alot of it with the CM's. And flying internationally, I really want to save any extra space and weight for souveniers we buy.
I need to finalize our travel dates so I can book airfare and hotel still. And make some reservations for places like the Vatican museums. I am thinking of booking the guide thru the vatican. Anyone had experience with Vatican guides? They seem to be the least expensive but I'm not sure how large the groups are and whether or not you have headsets.
I am also going to book hypogeum tickets in Malta. Anyone been there? Or is anyone else considering going on their own? I read about it last time, but we opted to go to the Blue Grotto on our own, then visit St John's co cathedral in Valleta and go shopping. This time, we want to also go to Mdina.
Time to get busy booking!

 

[OH 6]

DLD - Close date - We are going to change to 5/1 per request

LET US KNOW IF ANYONE HAS ALLERGIES so we all know what to avoid!

Will still do a sep post. A casual meet-up has been suggested between the safety drill and the sailaway party so we can get the rest of the room numbers for those who do not have them. People show up with green ribbons on somewhere noticeable and look for other DISers. Anyone with suggestions on where to meet?

Grizbuzz
deplion
Keener Cam
Damatos
Macassi
DCLSHEL
TinkBell67 (Sucharczuk's)
Johnwdw
AGREENFAMILY
JONIDA3

Hi All! We just booked today. Looks like we just made the deadline for the FE list too. Please add us to the FE list. We are in a GTY cabin for now, so when we get the cabin #, we'll let you know.

Looking forward to this cruise - we really need a vacation.

 

[DorothyDamato]

Good Morning OH6!

You are doing HI in 2012? Will have to tell me about that!
Am putting your name on the list this am - and I closed it out at the same time. Looks like you have 2 boys (Nick and Mike)? What are their ages? I actually picked up some stuff last night in a store that I NEVER thought to pick up Fish Extenders - want to make sure I have items for them. I kind of have gifts based on 'older teens' and younger kids.

Great to have you with us!

 

[keenercam]

Welcome aboard, Nicholas and Mike!

I am swamped. We are about to go into the 5 craziest weeks of my entire life. I am hoping to come out on the other side of this with everyone healthy and happy and with wonderful memories of a spring musical, 2 different proms, a baccaulareate celebration, 3 graduation ceremonies and many, many party events hosted by Howard and me. Let the fun begin!

 

[macassi]

Finally booked airfare yesterday and a hotel today. The family decided they wanted (a) a hotel vs. apartment and (b) a pool. I wanted a central location. Let me tell you -- that was no easy task! I'm quite happy booking 2 rooms for a family of 5, but most places wanted us to book 3 rooms. Umm, no. Not willing to let a child sleep on their own at this point!

Still have to check in, but I do believe all my hard work is done! Only remaining task will be a shuttle from the boat to the airport. I don't want to stand in that taxi line! Planning to just take the taxi from airport to hotel, as we are going down a few days early to sightsee and enjoy Barcelona.

Dorothy, I think way back you suggested meeting up with your group to sightsee. I'm going to politely decline as you seem to be a group of very nice adults, and I don't want to subject you to the whims of 3 children! My friend has recommended the bike tour, so I think this will be on our "must do" list. Living in mountainous Switzerland, the kids are overjoyed whenever they can bike in a flat(ter) city! It was their favorite outing when we toured Paris.

 

[keenercam]

Finally booked airfare yesterday and a hotel today. The family decided they wanted (a) a hotel vs. apartment and (b) a pool. I wanted a central location. Let me tell you -- that was no easy task! I'm quite happy booking 2 rooms for a family of 5, but most places wanted us to book 3 rooms. Umm, no. Not willing to let a child sleep on their own at this point!

Still have to check in, but I do believe all my hard work is done! Only remaining task will be a shuttle from the boat to the airport. I don't want to stand in that taxi line! Planning to just take the taxi from airport to hotel, as we are going down a few days early to sightsee and enjoy Barcelona.

Dorothy, I think way back you suggested meeting up with your group to sightsee. I'm going to politely decline as you seem to be a group of very nice adults, and I don't want to subject you to the whims of 3 children! My friend has recommended the bike tour, so I think this will be on our "must do" list. Living in mountainous Switzerland, the kids are overjoyed whenever they can bike in a flat(ter) city! It was their favorite outing when we toured Paris.

Marci - I am so glad you got your air and hotel booked. I've watched prices increase and the dollar get weaker and would probably have done it now too, if I hadn't already. So, what hotel did you decide on? Yes, a pool and central location were critical to our crew, too. And I LOVE that we will be right off Las Ramblas.

I was reading a trip blog that Dorothy shared with me and the woman was talking about a tapas place near or on Las Ramblas that sounded good. I wonder if anyone would be interested in a very casual, come-if-you-like, get-together for a tapas dinner the night before we board the Magic? We are touring with Dorothy's family that day and if they can still stand us by dinnertime, that might be a good dinner option. Shall we figure out what we are going to do and where and share it via email in case anyone wants to come to the same place for dinner? Hmmmmm...

 

[macassi]

Fortunately, I got a great deal on tickets as I was able to get a saver fare from Swiss. I wasn't as worried as it is a much shorter flight for us and we probably have a few more options. : - )

We booked at the Silken Gran Havana. It gets good reviews, and I love the idea of the pool on the roof!

The tapas dinner sounds like fun! I love that idea. We tend to be pretty good with planning daytime activities, but horrible about pre-planning meals and, unfortunately, we've had some bad meals as a result of lack of planning. Everyone's good company and sharing the excitement of boarding the ship will be the icing on the cake!

Marci - I am so glad you got your air and hotel booked. I've watched prices increase and the dollar get weaker and would probably have done it now too, if I hadn't already. So, what hotel did you decide on? Yes, a pool and central location were critical to our crew, too. And I LOVE that we will be right off Las Ramblas.

I was reading a trip blog that Dorothy shared with me and the woman was talking about a tapas place near or on Las Ramblas that sounded good. I wonder if anyone would be interested in a very casual, come-if-you-like, get-together for a tapas dinner the night before we board the Magic? We are touring with Dorothy's family that day and if they can still stand us by dinnertime, that might be a good dinner option. Shall we figure out what we are going to do and where and share it via email in case anyone wants to come to the same place for dinner? Hmmmmm...

 

[keenercam]

Fortunately, I got a great deal on tickets as I was able to get a saver fare from Swiss. I wasn't as worried as it is a much shorter flight for us and we probably have a few more options. : - )

We booked at the Silken Gran Havana. It gets good reviews, and I love the idea of the pool on the roof!

The tapas dinner sounds like fun! I love that idea. We tend to be pretty good with planning daytime activities, but horrible about pre-planning meals and, unfortunately, we've had some bad meals as a result of lack of planning. Everyone's good company and sharing the excitement of boarding the ship will be the icing on the cake!

Marci - The hotel looks gorgeous!! Oh, I'd forgotten that you are in Switzerland. SOOO glad for you that you don't have to deal with the dollar-Euro conversion.

Okay, I am going to figure out where that tapas place was and try to post the information here about it and the location and we'll figure out a time. It would be so much fun to meet others before we board.

 

[DCLShel]

Last cruise we took in 2006, I decorated the outside door. Do people still do that?

Laura, (thinkoflaura) you all are right across the hall from us - we are in 6140 and 6142!
Shelley (DCLSEL) you are staying in the same hotel as us and I think I recall you are on the same flight as us out of JFK only a day earlier!

Glad we'll have some DisFriends in the same hotel! We'll be flying out of JFK on the 25th. When is your return flight? We're heading out on the 9th at 12:30pm on American.

And, I will definitely be decorating our door. DD (Kiley) will be turning 12 on the 30th so I want to make some special stuff for her. I LOVE seeing all the cool ideas people have on their doors!!

Regarding door decorations - be sure to use magnets. DCL does not permit tape on the doors. I use magnetic tape on mine and its works great!