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

[keenercam]

I'm so jealous everyone is starting to receive their cruise docs! Can't wait to get mine!

I hope your documents arrive soon. It makes it so real!!!


Howard and I decided yesterday that we are going with suits and dresses for formal night, rather than packing tuxedos and gowns. For some reason, that feels like a load off my mind.

Also, I was reading about packing cubes and folders on another thread and ordered some that were on sale/clearance on REI. I am really looking forward to using them to make our packing efficient. For now, I only bought them for Howard and me, but if they are fantastic, I'll get a couple for Jenn and Andrew, too.

I had to break down and buy a telescoping walking stick, too, but again, it takes something off my "worried about" list. Yesterday was one year since my bone and cartilage graft/reconstruction to my left knee, and steps are still not easy for me. Having the walking stick means that hills, steps and cobblestone streets will be no worries!!

 

[DCLShel]

I hope your documents arrive soon. It makes it so real!!!


Howard and I decided yesterday that we are going with suits and dresses for formal night, rather than packing tuxedos and gowns. For some reason, that feels like a load off my mind.

Also, I was reading about packing cubes and folders on another thread and ordered some that were on sale/clearance on REI. I am really looking forward to using them to make our packing efficient. For now, I only bought them for Howard and me, but if they are fantastic, I'll get a couple for Jenn and Andrew, too.

I had to break down and buy a telescoping walking stick, too, but again, it takes something off my "worried about" list. Yesterday was one year since my bone and cartilage graft/reconstruction to my left knee, and steps are still not easy for me. Having the walking stick means that hills, steps and cobblestone streets will be no worries!!

We're still waiting for our docs, too. Poor DD is running to the Post Office every day, hoping they will be there.

I have used packing cubes for about 5 years. I love them! I bought another set for this trip along with a large folder. They really help with organizing things.

I talked DH into renting a tux onboard for formal night. Since its DD's 12th birthday, it was easy! Like you, Cam, just making the decision is a relief! And, its less things to pack.

QUESTION: I'm sure I read this somewhere but now I can't find it. What is a customary tip for a private tour? I don't want to insult our guide but I also don't want to be a "stupid American" and overtip. Can anyone offer any help with this? Thanks!

 

[thinkoflaura]

miss reeree might know this -- others, too...

we're staying 2 nights pre-cruise in London and 2 nights post-cruise in Spain. what kind of power adapter should I bring?

I saw these 2 -- of course I'd rather the cheap one, but do i need an adapter or converter to charge an ipad or camera battery?

links to what i saw:
ADAPTER
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...110944&ci_sku=B000Z57VDO&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

or
CONVERTER
http://www.target.com/Conair-1875-Watt-Converter-Kit-White/dp/B000Z4YK70/ref=sc_qi_detaillink

thanks!!!

 

[TPBChick]

miss reeree might know this -- others, too...

we're staying 2 nights pre-cruise in London and 2 nights post-cruise in Spain. what kind of power adapter should I bring?

I saw these 2 -- of course I'd rather the cheap one, but do i need an adapter or converter to charge an ipad or camera battery?

links to what i saw:
ADAPTER
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...110944&ci_sku=B000Z57VDO&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

or
CONVERTER
http://www.target.com/Conair-1875-Watt-Converter-Kit-White/dp/B000Z4YK70/ref=sc_qi_detaillink

thanks!!!

Someone correct me if I am wrong. Look on your ipad and camera battery charger. If they say they are ok for 100-240v, all you need is the cheaper adapter set so that the plugs will fit into the wall. You can also get a hair dryer with dual voltage. The US uses 110v and Europe uses 220v. If your US product cannot handle the 220v, you need a converter.

 

[MissReeRee]

Someone correct me if I am wrong. Look on your ipad and camera battery charger. If they say they are ok for 100-240v, all you need is the cheaper adapter set so that the plugs will fit into the wall. You can also get a hair dryer with dual voltage. The US uses 110v and Europe uses 220v. If your US product cannot handle the 220v, you need a converter.

Exactly! I know all of our laptops work fine with just an adapter, I'm pretty sure Apple's items would work as well... Just check the item.

Also we've forgotten adapters on trips before and our hotel has been able to supply them for a small deposit. Something to look into, although its nice to have them for charging in airports or any other place you are desperate!

 

[thinkoflaura]

thanks, gals!

i am starting to really wrap my head around the TO DO list for this cruise. Lots of little things to buy/arrange... anyone else have a generic checklist that I can look at for inspiration?

if you can't post it, email me!

 

[DorothyDamato]

The standard is 10% for tipping tour guides. Read this in one of my Fodor's guides, and then also asked someone who went on tours last year.
I know its stupid - but I have my 'to do' list and my packing list at work - will send mine tomorrow to you....am home now....unless someone else has.

 

[sinnika]

I don't know much about adaptors/convertors, but when we were in Ireland in March, 2 women in our group fried their hairdryers and had to go buy new ones! I don't use a hairdryer, so maybe its because of the high wattage it uses?
We also had the same thing happen to someone on our last Med cruise (fried their hairdryer in London.) So maybe there are different wattages or you need certain kinds of adaptors for high voltage items? Just letting people know. We only used ours to charge our phones/ipods so was not an issue.

 

[TPBChick]

I don't know much about adaptors/convertors, but when we were in Ireland in March, 2 women in our group fried their hairdryers and had to go buy new ones! I don't use a hairdryer, so maybe its because of the high wattage it uses?
We also had the same thing happen to someone on our last Med cruise (fried their hairdryer in London.) So maybe there are different wattages or you need certain kinds of adaptors for high voltage items? Just letting people know. We only used ours to charge our phones/ipods so was not an issue.

Do you know if they were using dual voltage hair dryers or were they using a converter?

 

[sinnika]

Do you know if they were using dual voltage hair dryers or were they using a converter?

I'm sorry I don't know if the hair dryers were dual voltage or not, but I think they were just using the adapter. I purchased a Jensen Mode 50 Voltage converter from Best Buy for our travel.

 

[MissReeRee]

Still up in the air on some excursions! Dh says he's perfectly happy walking around the towns, grabbing some lunch and hanging out... I am much more "I have to see as much as possible" but I'm trying to relax and realize that we had a GREAT time last year in the ports where we didn't do much.

I'm still holding onto our Palermo tour, haven't been able to find anything comparable in price that I could plan on my own or with a private tour company.

Mostly I am just SOOO excited for June to get here already! I don't know how people can plan a cruise a year in advance, two months kills me!

 

[keenercam]

Still up in the air on some excursions! Dh says he's perfectly happy walking around the towns, grabbing some lunch and hanging out... I am much more "I have to see as much as possible" but I'm trying to relax and realize that we had a GREAT time last year in the ports where we didn't do much.

I'm still holding onto our Palermo tour, haven't been able to find anything comparable in price that I could plan on my own or with a private tour company.

Mostly I am just SOOO excited for June to get here already! I don't know how people can plan a cruise a year in advance, two months kills me!

Rebecca - We booked this on a whim back in November 2009 when we were on the Magic for a western caribbean cruise. I can't believe it is now 30 days exactly until we leave for Barcelona!!!!!

 

[keenercam]

I'm sorry I don't know if the hair dryers were dual voltage or not, but I think they were just using the adapter. I purchased a Jensen Mode 50 Voltage converter from Best Buy for our travel.

Taina - I am going to be near a Best Buy tonight. I will have to check that out. Thanks!

 

[DCLShel]

Still up in the air on some excursions! Dh says he's perfectly happy walking around the towns, grabbing some lunch and hanging out... I am much more "I have to see as much as possible" but I'm trying to relax and realize that we had a GREAT time last year in the ports where we didn't do much.

I'm still holding onto our Palermo tour, haven't been able to find anything comparable in price that I could plan on my own or with a private tour company.

Mostly I am just SOOO excited for June to get here already! I don't know how people can plan a cruise a year in advance, two months kills me!

We were orignally booked for the same week but on a 5-night on the Dream. On a whim, I looked at the price for the 10-night Med cruise and it was only $600 more! How crazy is that! When I happened to mention it to DH, he immediately responded "Let's go on the Med cruise!" I was happily stunned!

We are so excited about this trip! I haven't made a "to do" list yet but I think I've got most things taken care of. I keep a packing list for myself on my computer. DH will just start pulling stuff out of his closet when I start packing. Same with DD.

I'm working on the FE gifts and am about half way finished with the "family" gift (also have a little something for the kids). I can't wait to share them!!

30 days - WOW!! We have graduation, lots of softball games, a few birthdays and our hometown celebration before we leave. Those 30 days are going to fly by!

 

[kmc33]

I can't believe it's only 30 days ... well I guess 31 for us as we leave on Sunday. We made our reservation in May 2010 so it seemed like forever away. Now I feel a little stressed because I better get cracking... make a to do list, a packing list, etc. I wish all stress could be this fun!

 

[keenercam]

We were orignally booked for the same week but on a 5-night on the Dream. On a whim, I looked at the price for the 10-night Med cruise and it was only $600 more! How crazy is that! When I happened to mention it to DH, he immediately responded "Let's go on the Med cruise!" I was happily stunned!

WOW! I can't believe the price differential, though, of course the airfare to Barcelona is a deal-breaker for many people.

30 days - WOW!! We have graduation, lots of softball games, a few birthdays and our hometown celebration before we leave. Those 30 days are going to fly by!

We are going through the same thing. It is all a bit crazy.

Tonight -- Senior parents cocktail party and dinner

Tomorrow night Andrew and our international student have prom. We are hosting the pre-prom party (for 10-12 kids and all their parents) AND the post-prom gathering (from 12:30 - 3:30 a.m.).

Tomorrow night is also Jenn's department graduation (convocation) before the university graduation ceremony on Saturday morning. So, as soon as we send the prom kids off in the limo tomorrow night, we have to hustle to the university, find parking, and get seated by 7 pm.

Saturday morning is the main graduation for the entire University and traffic, parking and seating will be a nightmare. So, after sending most of the kids home at 3:30 a.m., getting DH out the door to drive Andrew's date home about 50 minutes round-trip, and getting everyone settled who is spending the night, we'll all have to be out of the house Saturday morning by 7 a.m. (after everyone has breakfast, too!)

After the graduation on Saturday, we are doing a nice luncheon at Jenn's favorite restaurant. Then we get to relax for most of the weekend until Andrew's final parade and final band gathering Monday evening.

Next week is even more fun! A friend is visiting for dinner Monday and/or Tuesday. Wednesday night Howard and I have a Special Olympics meeting, Thursday night is Baccalaureate Mass (Andrew is leading song for this) and formal family portraits (they do them at the school). Friday night is Andrew and our international student's high school graduation. Saturday we are hosting an open house graduation celebration from 1-9pm.

We are looking forward to every single bit of this.

 

[TPBChick]

I can't believe it's only 30 days ... well I guess 31 for us as we leave on Sunday. We made our reservation in May 2010 so it seemed like forever away. Now I feel a little stressed because I better get cracking... make a to do list, a packing list, etc. I wish all stress could be this fun!

Hi Kim - We are leaving on Sunday too. Are you taking the US Airways flight from PHL by any chance?

Anyone else taking US Airways PHL-BCN on Sunday June 26th? It would be fun to say "hi" at the airport while waiting for the flight.

Suzanne

 

[keenercam]

Suzanne - We are taking that same flight a day earlier. Sorry we won't see you until Barcelona.

 

[kmc33]

Hi Kim - We are leaving on Sunday too. Are you taking the US Airways flight from PHL by any chance?

Anyone else taking US Airways PHL-BCN on Sunday June 26th? It would be fun to say "hi" at the airport while waiting for the flight.

Suzanne

We are not... I thought that's what we would end up on from Pittsburgh to PHL to BCN, but I couldn't not get a good price. I ended up booking on Delta.

 

[DCLShel]

The standard is 10% for tipping tour guides. Read this in one of my Fodor's guides, and then also asked someone who went on tours last year.

Thanks, Dorothy! That's what I had budgeted but I couldn't remember where I got the 10% from. Wanted to make sure I didn't just make it up!