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

[MissReeRee]

Whoopsie, double post...

 

[DorothyDamato]

YAY!! My FE stuff came in the mail today! So excited, I was getting nervous that it wasn't going to get here... now just waiting for my new fish extender that I ordered off of ebay! I made ours last year but I figured that I should be optimistic that this won't be our last Disney cruise.
You guys better LOVE what I had made, I am kinda in love with them myself!

Also I picked up some of those double wall insulated tumblers (like the cold drinks ones at Starbucks) and stuck initials on them for our family. I HATE the tiny little cups at the drink station!

Already have one suitcase packed with all of our dinner clothes and most of the kids daytime clothes, I am SO ready to get on the ship its not even funny!!

scubabonk, I am so glad you were able to rebook! Was your insurance through disney? I'm glad they were able to get you on the next cruise and thank goodness you guys were able to be flexible to do so!

Deja Vue! I was at Walmart this weekend and saw the double walled tumblers...picked them up and then said, "What am I crazy? Do I really want to pack this and carry it?". Hmmm. Maybe I will pick one up for my daughter.!

 

[DorothyDamato]

Thanks so much everyone, your well wishes did the trick and we are booked for the June 29th cruise!!!!

we are very excited, this time we are flying into Barcelona, arriving on June 27th, No air snafu's this time!

I am sure it is closed, but I don't supose we could get in on the FE exchange, I have 20 baggies of goodies to give away!

I would like to be in on the greet as well, just need the time and place.

We will have a GTY inside stateroom, hoping for something better at the port, we will see.

Looking forward to meeting you all,

Bonnie

Hi - I organized the FE.

I have some good news, and some bad news.

The good news is that you will meet us all on Promenade Deck 3 - at 3pm before the Drill! Yeah! Ask Cam (Keener) to put your family on the Cruisers list. I made up name tags, so give us all the names of your family members and I will make them tags too!

The bad news is that I have to say that we closed the FE awhile ago so others who were crafting their gifts would be ready for the set number we already had; I had to turn other people away - so I have to stay consistent. - sorry.

I could have extra stuff too - so lets talk at the Meet - we can get your room number and possibly still drop in some surprizes!

 

[OH 6]

I just found 2 $50 Disney gift cards in my desk drawer! I had been looking for them for a while, got then as a Christmas gift and knew I hadn't used them, but then resigned myself to having used them and forgot. In the end, I must have put them in there for safe keeping... at least I found them before we left. Yay!

My FE gifts are all done and packaged up.

Bonnie - glad you made the trip - travel hassles are never fun - especially when it's on vacation. If you can tell me how many of you there are I can put something together for your FE too. I did craft ours so if you want them personalized just give me names by tomorrow and I can put a set together for you. Just let me know.

Frantically trying to do 3 weeks worth of work right now, this week's and the 2 that we're gone - the week before vacation is always the most hectic, isn't it?

 

[kmc33]

Welcome Bonnie!
So glad that everything worked out and that you will be joining us!

 

[macassi]

Welcome Bonnie! Glad you were able to get rebooked. I unfortunately don't have extras of my FE, unless your family is entirely "pink".

It's going to be an exhausting week with visitors, the end of school, and DH trying to get all of his work done, but I'm so looking forward to next week!!

 

[scubabonk]

thanks everyone,

Here is our info, myself, DH Benny, DD Ashley 9, DD Sarah 12, Cabin #1039. If we get moved, I'll let everyone know at the meet.
Belive it or not, both girls like pink, especially DD9. But don't stress over it, I know it's hard pulling it all together.

Could you repost the list for FE so that I can give away what we had planned for the last cruise?

Thanks so much,
Bonnie

 

[keenercam]

thanks everyone,

Here is our info, myself, DH Benny, DD Ashley 9, DD Sarah 12, Cabin #1039. If we get moved, I'll let everyone know at the meet.
Belive it or not, both girls like pink, especially DD9. But don't stress over it, I know it's hard pulling it all together.

Could you repost the list for FE so that I can give away what we had planned for the last cruise?

Thanks so much,
Bonnie

Hi, Bonnie! Welcome aboard! I have been so sad and worried about your family and was hoping and praying and sending good vibes that you'd be able to get on our cruise. Please email me at keenercam@aol.com so I can add your family to the cruisers list and I will send it to you so you can have it at hand. I put something small together for your family's FE this morning with a huge smile on my face, knowing your girls must be so happy to know the cruise is in their near future.

Anyway, this is the info I need in an email:
DIS name - got it
email address-
adults - got it
younger cruisers names & ages - got it
pre-cruise hotel & arrival date (in case other DISers are there and you want to coordinate a hello)
post-cruise hotel & departure date (same)
cabin number - got it
early or late dining -

We are doing a DIS meet at a restaurant in Barcelona on Tuesday night. So far, 42 of the cruisers on this thread are coming. It is at 7 pm at a restaurant called Taller de Tapas on Plaza Catalunya. If you want information on that to determine whether you'd like to be added to our reservation, I can email it to you. Just remind me in the email to send you that information, too. The only thing is that I'd need a commitment ASAP to see if the group reservations coordinator can add 4 more people to our group.

Looking forward to meeting you!

 

[keenercam]

Now an "all about me" post (LOL!)-- Yay! The index card sets are done. Howard and the kids have the following cards:
Itinerary (Barcelona plans, ports and activities in each)
Pre-cruise hotel address (in case we want to split up and they need to find their way back)
Helpful Catalan phrases
More helpful Catalan phrases (too many for one index card)
Helpful Italian phrases
More helpful Italian phrases
post-cruise hotel address

My set has the following cards as well (in a different color):
One card to hand to every driver driving us anywhere
Phone numbers and confirmations for pre- and post-cruise hotels & post-cruise shuttle
Ship's agent/embassy or consulate/location where Magic is docked - one for each port
Restaurant location for DIS meet
List of all DIS meet attendees & their menu selections
List of all FE participant cabin numbers/family names (for those who provided that info)
Tipping guidelines for castmembers on the Magic
Amounts to be paid in Euros to each of our drivers & guides on private tours (I am going to do envelopes ahead of time)
Tipping guidelines for Barcelona
How much the cab should cost airport to hotel and hotel to port & what the surcharges are

Yesterday, I made front & back copies of credit cards & the debit card
I offloaded all the photos from our old camera onto CDRoms to clear that camera for Andrew to use
All of the bills are paid through anything due mid-July
Instructions for our housesitter
Medical authorization for non-emergency and emergency care for my sweet furbaby (our dog)

My to-do list is getting much smaller and I feel like everything is under control.

Tomorrow I may freak out. LOL!

What have I forgotten?

 

[DCLShel]

Thanks so much everyone, your well wishes did the trick and we are booked for the June 29th cruise!!!!

we are very excited, this time we are flying into Barcelona, arriving on June 27th, No air snafu's this time!

I am sure it is closed, but I don't supose we could get in on the FE exchange, I have 20 baggies of goodies to give away!

I would like to be in on the greet as well, just need the time and place.

We will have a GTY inside stateroom, hoping for something better at the port, we will see.

Looking forward to meeting you all,

Bonnie

Woohoo! What an adventure and you haven't even left the country yet~

I have an extra "family" gift so I'll put you on my list. However, no extras on the stuff for the kiddos - sorry!

Shelly

 

[kmc33]

Good Morning! DS and I are off to the gym, then go clothes shopping (for him mostly, I'm just about done). He had a growth spurt and his nice brand new black dress pants that he wore in Feb for a formal dance are no longer fitting! Shopped last night with DH for clothes too as he seems to have done the same!
DH was thinking of bringing his mess dress but its so much extra stuff so we settled on dress shirts, dark pants and ties for the men, and dresses for us. We are cruising DCL out of Galveston over New Years 2013 so we'll go all out then since we can drive to the port!
I'm also going to start packing soon after I pick out and pare down. We did laundry a few times on last years Med cruise - we'll do the same again.
Anyone have any experience with any good restaurants in Barcelona for paella? We went to one last year in the Gothic Quarter - our only true lousy restaurant the whole trip. Don't remember the name. Since we have 4 days total in Barcelona, I really need to plan more things there! At least the good food eats!

I was just searching for some ideas for paella. On the "where did you eat in Barcelona?" thread, somone posted this restaurant:
http://www.7portes.com/ing/index_7portes.htm
It looks like it is at the waterfront. It mostly seems to have good reviews on trip advisor, although it sounds like it may be a little pricey.

 

[keenercam]

I saw that too, Kim, and added it to my list. That "Poor Man's Paella" sounds delicious. I am thinking we may try that restaurant for dinner Monday.

EEK! The Euro is creeping up again and the exchange rate is back to $1.44/1e according to Bloomberg. I was just thinking I wish I'd bought another 500 euros. Oh well, I'll use my debit card at an ATM at the airport to get more if I am still feeling that is necessary when we get there. 3 whole days in Barcelona before the cruise is looking pretty expensive at the moment.

 

[thinkoflaura]

thanks everyone,

Here is our info, myself, DH Benny, DD Ashley 9, DD Sarah 12, Cabin #1039. If we get moved, I'll let everyone know at the meet.
Belive it or not, both girls like pink, especially DD9. But don't stress over it, I know it's hard pulling it all together.

Could you repost the list for FE so that I can give away what we had planned for the last cruise?

Thanks so much,
Bonnie

welcome Bonnie!
I think I have 2 FE gifts left. I will hook your girls up!

What have I forgotten?

uhm... to make me a set of those cards! jeez, girl! here i thought i was ahead of the curve downloading google translate to my iphone. of course, when i tested out the translation for "will you take our photo?" it came back as if to literally say "TAKE" it -- as in take it with you... just what i need, to instruct a stranger to keep my camera.

packed last night... just have toiletries and a few rogue items to cram in the bags. on the main board i asked if people recommend dry cleaning on board vs doing it at home before the trip and most people suggested doing it on board, that the prices are reasonable, etc. saved me one less errand to run so i had no problem wadding up DH's suit into my bag! LOL

 

[keenercam]

Laura - You just reminded me that Andrew's suit never made it to the dry cleaner after he wadded it up in his drawstring bag that he brought home from the last performance of his play. EEK! Thank you for reminding me that I have to take care of that.

 

[deplion]

Bonnie.

We have an extra FE item too just in case something like this happened. We'll talk with you at the meet up on 6/29 and try to coordinate something.

 

[thinkoflaura]

i am sure we've all talked about this but now that's it's becoming REAL i need a refresher...

we are doing Rome on our own -- planning to take the train from Civitavecchia to the Roma Ostiense station, then metro two stops to the Colosseum... from there we'll walk to the trevi fountain, spanish steps and piazza navona, then probably cab it back to the train station (either Roma Termini or Roma Ostiense) for our return to the port.

For those experienced with this:

1) What time can we reach the train station in Civitavecchia from the ship?

I am considering buying IC (express train) tickets ahead of time. I know the B.I.R.G. ticket is much cheaper, but considering all the savings from doing it on our own, I am ok with springing for the reserved seating, shorter travel time and (hopefully) A/C on the train. Has anyone done this before? So, can we make it from the ship to get the 9:17am train? The next IC train out of Civitavecchia to Rome isn't til 11 something...

 

[MissReeRee]

We bought our train tickets from the little booth right where the bus drops you off from the pier. I'm sure if you get off this ship early you will have no problem getting to the train station with plenty of time. It was maybe a 10 minute walk (and we had small kids). We did the train then metro and got off at the Colosseum, walked ALL around Rome and did a quick walk through Vatican City (no Vatican or Sistine Chapel) and then hopped back on the train station there (which was kind of weird to find).

 

[MissReeRee]

Also, I sent an email (with an additional one for some people I accidentally made some email group when I was trying to save all your contact into!) We are booking a super last minute Malta boat tour to Camino and Blue Lagoon... Its 100E for our family of four and includes lunch. They pick up and drop off at the pier. Right now he said he could have us back by 6 (which is all aboard) so I'm trying to see if he can move that up and also how much more room in on board if anyone else wants to book...

One more thing! We have a nice laminated Rome map that I am willing to let someone borrow as we aren't going back this time. Let me know!

 

[thinkoflaura]

We bought our train tickets from the little booth right where the bus drops you off from the pier. I'm sure if you get off this ship early you will have no problem getting to the train station with plenty of time. It was maybe a 10 minute walk (and we had small kids). We did the train then metro and got off at the Colosseum, walked ALL around Rome and did a quick walk through Vatican City (no Vatican or Sistine Chapel) and then hopped back on the train station there (which was kind of weird to find).

thanks for your input! what time were you back on the ship?

if we do decide to book the IC (express train), it would be departing Civitavecchia at 9:17 (arriving at 10:04am) and departing from the Roma Ostiense at 3:57pm (arriving at 4:35pm). since we'll have DD6 with us, we are ok with it being a quick trip (and since we're not hitting the Vatican, I imagine even with delays, 5 3/4 hours will be enough time in Rome to see the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and gelato). But I don't want to be unrealistic either... what do you think?

 

[MissReeRee]

I don't remember for sure but I do know we were back in time to change and sit for our main dining seating so it wasn't too late. We were also toting along a 2 and 9 year old, just wanted to hit the highlights and then get back.