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

[keenercam]

Just trying to organize some thoughts~ We (as a group) have some different times we've talked about getting together. Some are more definite (dinner in Barcelona) than others. I just wanted to put things on paper.

The following is what I recall:

June 28th, 7:00pm - Dinner at Tallar de Tapas (organized by Cam)
June 29th, 1/2 hour before Sailaway Party - Promenade Lounge - FE meet to update stateroom list (organized by Dorothy) Do we want to include everyone on our thread in case some don't make it to the dinner?
July 5th - Walk to train station as group in LaSpezia - I'm not sure this is something we decided to do for sure. Is anyone still interested?

Am I missing anything?

Shelly - Here are my musings on this

We have 42 people signed up for dinner at Tallar de Tapas. How exciting!! I know Andrew has been in touch with some of the teens who are going to be at dinner. I'm sure they'll all hang out together there.

We should definitely do a get-together on the ship for all the DISers on this thread so that we can all say hi, regardless of whether people are participating in the FE exchange. I think that scheduling it for 1/2 hour before the sailaway party is great. Promenade Lounge on Deck 3 sounds perfect!

LaSpezia - We will have a driver waiting for us at the port for our tour, but how cool to share the walk to the train station. I am hoping others will want to do this in Villefranche, since we will probably take the train to Nice there.

It's getting closer!!! 2 weeks from today we will be "at sea", enjoying the beautiful Disney Magic!

 

[thinkoflaura]

LaSpezia - We will have a driver waiting for us at the port for our tour, but how cool to share the walk to the train station. I am hoping others will want to do this in Villefranche, since we will probably take the train to Nice there.

Since we're just exploring Cinque Terre, I am toying with the idea of doing ferries instead of the train to the different towns... kind of make my own version of the DIS excursion... we'll see. But other than that, we'll DEFINITELY be hoofing it to the trains on our own - possibly there, and in Villefranche, and Civitavecchia for sure.

JONIDA -- according to the FE exchange list, we're a few doors down from each other -- we're in cabin 6143!!

So, for my DD6's kindergarten "graduation" next week, the kids are performing a few songs for the parents... then they are going to "brag" about themselves, each finishing the sentence, "I'm special because..." My daughter told me she's planning to say, "I'm special because I get to go on a 10 day Disney cruise because I'm a good girl." LOL!! (What's funny is -- I feel the same way about myself!!!!)

 

[keenercam]

Laura - That is so adorable!!

In case anyone is interested, the exchange rate has improved some. Our bank is selling at 1.49 today (we bought originally at 1.52). The rate is a bit lower than that, but it seems to take a few days for our bank to react to any fluctuation.

 

[kmc33]

Just came across this while making my post cruise hotel reservation today...

BARCELONA HARLEY DAYS - From 8 to 10th July 2011
Roaring into action once more, riders from all over Europe will converge on Barcelona for one of the biggest events in the calender.

 

[DorothyDamato]

Shelly - Here are my musings on this

We have 42 people signed up for dinner at Tallar de Tapas. How exciting!! I know Andrew has been in touch with some of the teens who are going to be at dinner. I'm sure they'll all hang out together there.

We should definitely do a get-together on the ship for all the DISers on this thread so that we can all say hi, regardless of whether people are participating in the FE exchange. I think that scheduling it for 1/2 hour before the sailaway party is great. Promenade Lounge on Deck 3 sounds perfect!

LaSpezia - We will have a driver waiting for us at the port for our tour, but how cool to share the walk to the train station. I am hoping others will want to do this in Villefranche, since we will probably take the train to Nice there.

It's getting closer!!! 2 weeks from today we will be "at sea", enjoying the beautiful Disney Magic!

We will walk with you to train in Villefranche - if we are going to the same areas. I wanted to hit Eze, and Prince's antique car collection in Monaco - and gardens...and maybe the aquarium.

 

[DorothyDamato]

Just came across this while making my post cruise hotel reservation today...

BARCELONA HARLEY DAYS - From 8 to 10th July 2011
Roaring into action once more, riders from all over Europe will converge on Barcelona for one of the biggest events in the calender.

my husband will wet his pants! Thanks for the info! Will try to see if we can watch it...if I am not ready to drop!

 

[DorothyDamato]

Since we're just exploring Cinque Terre, I am toying with the idea of doing ferries instead of the train to the different towns... kind of make my own version of the DIS excursion... we'll see. But other than that, we'll DEFINITELY be hoofing it to the trains on our own - possibly there, and in Villefranche, and Civitavecchia for sure.

JONIDA -- according to the FE exchange list, we're a few doors down from each other -- we're in cabin 6143!!

So, for my DD6's kindergarten "graduation" next week, the kids are performing a few songs for the parents... then they are going to "brag" about themselves, each finishing the sentence, "I'm special because..." My daughter told me she's planning to say, "I'm special because I get to go on a 10 day Disney cruise because I'm a good girl." LOL!! (What's funny is -- I feel the same way about myself!!!!)

Funny! Good for her!

 

[thinkoflaura]

We are staying at the Renaissance Marriott Airport Hotel in Barcelona before the cruise... I believe others in our group are too.

Anyone know how to arrange for the complimentary shuttle from the airport to the hotel? It says "scheduled" on the website, but I'm not sure what that means.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/fact...hs&vsrelink=dhf&vsrebrand=BR&vsremarsha=BCNBR

 

[DorothyDamato]

I know this is the final hours of planning. I bought cheapo Walmart ponchos for rain because I didnt want to lug around raincoats or umbrellas. Has anyone else used them while traveling? Are they good enough?

 

[kmc33]

I know this is the final hours of planning. I bought cheapo Walmart ponchos for rain because I didnt want to lug around raincoats or umbrellas. Has anyone else used them while traveling? Are they good enough?

We take them with us when we go to Disney. I really hadn't thought about them for this trip, but they would be lightweight, small and easy to pack. I know I wasn't planning to bring a raincoat but may pack a small umbrella.

 

[sinnika]

I know this is the final hours of planning. I bought cheapo Walmart ponchos for rain because I didnt want to lug around raincoats or umbrellas. Has anyone else used them while traveling? Are they good enough?

Those are the ponchos we'll pack to carry in case of rain. I will also bring our jacket in a packet rain coats - we used them on last year's cruise when we knew the forecast was calling for showers. They came in handy. We got them at Old Navy last year. I'll also pack an umbrella. DD may pack one too.
The one thing I bought this year that I used alot in WDW last week was a water bottle holder and a carabiner and hooked it to my purse. Kept my hands free and kept my water pretty cold. Got the holder at Walmart - its super lightweight and made of a fabric. I noticed all the CM's had them too in the parks.

 

[Happy99]

I know this is the final hours of planning. I bought cheapo Walmart ponchos for rain because I didnt want to lug around raincoats or umbrellas. Has anyone else used them while traveling? Are they good enough?

Personally I don't like wearing ponchos as I find them hot and sticky
Great to have just in case but you will definitely have a huge sign saying tourist. I don't think any locals wear ponchos, they just use umbrellas

 

[macassi]

I am going to toss in some ponchos. They have Disney written on them, so I'm sure it'll scream tourist. I doubt we'll use them, but better than bringing rain coats! I'll toss in an umbrella as well. If it is really bad, we'll just buy a couple more umbrellas. I think I bought one for $5 in NYC, so I might bring that one as it is "disposable".

Not sure if it was this thread or on the main board, but I read to bring toilet paper. I'm just bringing packets of tissues.

 

[Happy99]

I am going to toss in some ponchos. They have Disney written on them, so I'm sure it'll scream tourist. I doubt we'll use them, but better than bringing rain coats! I'll toss in an umbrella as well. If it is really bad, we'll just buy a couple more umbrellas. I think I bought one for $5 in NYC, so I might bring that one as it is "disposable".

Not sure if it was this thread or on the main board, but I read to bring toilet paper. I'm just bringing packets of tissues.

We bought two rolls of the travel charmin found in the travel aisle and we always bring the individually wrapped cottonelle flushable wipes just in case a stall doesn't have toilet paper, we bring these anywhere we travel. They are great for cleaning a spot on a shirt, wiping down a table, etc

 

[sinnika]

Just trying to organize some thoughts~ We (as a group) have some different times we've talked about getting together. Some are more definite (dinner in Barcelona) than others. I just wanted to put things on paper.

The following is what I recall:

June 28th, 7:00pm - Dinner at Tallar de Tapas (organized by Cam)
June 29th, 1/2 hour before Sailaway Party - Promenade Lounge - FE meet to update stateroom list (organized by Dorothy) Do we want to include everyone on our thread in case some don't make it to the dinner?
July 5th - Walk to train station as group in LaSpezia - I'm not sure this is something we decided to do for sure. Is anyone still interested?

Am I missing anything?

Just an FYI, the manatory boat drill is at 4pm. The sailaway party (Adventures Away) follows that at 4:30pm according to the Navigators.
Also, that night for adults is Match your Mate in Rockin Bar D at 10:30pm -11:15pm. Lots of fun!
We are planning to walk to the train station in La Spezia unless its raining. I think the train leaves around 10am (there is an 8am train but we won't be able to make that ). We are just planning to buy tickets to Monterosso and then take the ferry back if the weather cooperates. We would like to visit Portoverne as we have visited most of the towns in Cinque Terre last year (Manarola was our favorite!) Train only tickets can be purchased in the machines (have euro coins handy). If you want to buy the Cinque Terre train card, those need to be purchased at the station in the office facing the train platform. The lines can get long so allow for that. Someone posted a 40 min wait time to purchase their tickets. I remember a wait last year too and just making the train. You can also just buy a train ticket in the machine, then just get the Cinque Terre card at the first town train station. (that card is the trails only). Cost may not be much more.

 

[keenercam]

We also have small bottles of anti-bac, but I am wondering where I could find individually wrapped anti-bac wipes. I've checked Walgreens and Targe to no avail.

The other thing still on my list that I haven't found is a waterproof pouch to put our passports in when we are at the beach. I saw one on the REI website but didn't order it and now I am wondering if it would get here on time. Eastern Mountain Sports does not have anything like that.

Last night, I found sleep masks for the flight, with earplugs. They were only 5.99 at BB&B plus 20% off. These are going in our "flight survival bags." LOL!

 

[sinnika]

We also have small bottles of anti-bac, but I am wondering where I could find individually wrapped anti-bac wipes. I've checked Walgreens and Targe to no avail.

The other thing still on my list that I haven't found is a waterproof pouch to put our passports in when we are at the beach. I saw one on the REI website but didn't order it and now I am wondering if it would get here on time. Eastern Mountain Sports does not have anything like that.

Last night, I found sleep masks for the flight, with earplugs. They were only 5.99 at BB&B plus 20% off. These are going in our "flight survival bags." LOL!

DD always carries a small bottle of anti -bac, and I carry a travel size pack of wet ones. Also kleenex for the bathrooms. Target carries the travel Charmin if you prefer that.
I bought sleep masks and ear plugs for last year, and Air France provided us with a complimentary set too (plus socks and a blanket!).
Here's my travel tip: eat before you board the plane for your transatlantic flight portion. As soon as you get settled in, take a benadryl, put in your ear plugs and put on the sleep mask and go to sleep. They often don't serve the meal until a couple hours into the flight (depending on your flight time), then you are tempted to stay up and watch the movie and you get in little sleep time. We got a good 5 or 6 hours of sleep last year, and woke up to a nice breakfast on the plane. We arrived fairly restful and ready to sightsee. DH, who did not follow our plan, was exhausted and went right to sleep as soon as we got to Paris. We were able to stay up all day and got on local time without any problem.

 

[TPBChick]

We are staying at the Renaissance Marriott Airport Hotel in Barcelona before the cruise... I believe others in our group are too.

Anyone know how to arrange for the complimentary shuttle from the airport to the hotel? It says "scheduled" on the website, but I'm not sure what that means.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/fact...hs&vsrelink=dhf&vsrebrand=BR&vsremarsha=BCNBR

Hi Laura- I found this in a review on tripadvisor.com, hopefully it is accurate.

We arrived Terminal 1 and only had to follow signs to Parking G, a short walk with an elevator at its end. Within minutes the Renaissance van showed up, as scheduled every 30 minutes or so.

Does anyone know about scheduling the hotel shuttle from the port to the hotel after the cruise?

Kim- are you thinking about booking the hotel shuttle? I could not find an email address for the hotel.

 

[Greenvalley122]

Hi everone,
We are new to this forum. I just had2 questions, initially... What are fish extenders? and why do people keep using DH, DS etc. Is the word D Disney, darling, Divorced, ????

 

[sinnika]

Hi everone,
We are new to this forum. I just had2 questions, initially... What are fish extenders? and why do people keep using DH, DS etc. Is the word D Disney, darling, Divorced, ????

Hi!
Welcome to the Disboards! Are you sailing on the June 29th Med cruise? Introduce your sailing party!
OK, here is the DCL FAQ with both of your questions and more you haven't even thought of answered here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2068966