May 12, 2007 -- Taking the Magic to the Mediterranean -- 14 day Repo Cruise! Part 2

[NHdisneylover]

Jen--We'll send pixie dust towards you as well . How many passports are you wanting on (I know you've posted that, but I can't keep up--sorry).

For boys and churches: We bought Rio beach pants at The Children's Place (he lived in these last summer and loves them). They are the kind of pants which roll up and fasten with a tab.

 

[AuntyBrat]

I wasn't aware there was such a thing as non-4digit pin. Are there ATM cards with pin numbers of more or less than 4 digits? All the ATM machines here in our area are for 4 digits, too.

Jason and I are not big shoppers but knew we would need a little cash in each port....so we figured if we would want $75-$100 in cash in each port....so we bought $350 american worth of Euros. It's all packed and ready to go in our trip binder as we speak!


Erik

Yes, Jeannine's is a 6 digit pin number, so she needs to go to the bank and change it to a 4 digit pin number. Hopefully that won't take as long as the stupid passport is!!!

 

[txaggie94gigem]

well...i just called one of the senators offices and left a message for their passport guru so maybe he will get back to me soon!!!!

 

[AuntyBrat]

They are strict about it even for the wee-ones. We bought our son some LONGER shorts that cover his knees when standing ... If he is sitting in his stroller I plan to just toss a blanket over his legs. Or toss in a nice pair of tights for a girl! That or lightweight pants. Good luck!

Just remember that most of the churches won't let you roll a stroller into the buildings so longer pants might be needed anyway.

 

[txaggie94gigem]

i am waiting on all of our passports!!!!!!! i just want them so i do not have to stress over them anymore!!!!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Also for the churches--it isn't usauuly mentioend but nothing which has an open back or shows a belly either. I know some of the little girl tops have kind of an oval cut out in the back and this would not be okay either) in most places).

 

[NHdisneylover]

Okay Pixie dust needed for Laura, Jan and Elizabeth for passports! Who else? I really can't imagine living with that stress at this point in the game.

 

[cquick]

so now you have made me paranoid even though the nice lady on the phone told me my passports would be here by may 2nd...i guess i should call my senators now.....

YES YOU SHOULD!!! GET RIGHT ON IT. DON'T WAIT ANY LONGER. DO IT TODAY. NOW, NOT TOMORROW. cONNIE

 

[gydell]

We are just going to keep a pair of pants in our backpack and put them on over dgs shorts when we do the churches.


I hope every one gets their passports in time. When I applied for mine many many years ago it was a disaster. The passport office said I did not exist. We found this out after my dh got his passport back so time was crunched. My mother - thank God she was still living - with an attorney had to go to court and swear that my bc was legal. It had not been filed until I was 10 years old and my name was spelled different. It was a nightmare and I will never let it expire! So keep checking daily on all missing passports.

 

[cquick]

WE GOT OUR DOC'S AND OUR LUGGAGE TAGS ARE LIME GREEN!

 

[jw2736]

After reading the last several posts regarding bringing cash or using ATM's, would I be correct in assuming that I should just bring some Euros and plan on using my credit cards or bankcards to make other purchases? I really dont wanna bring alot of money with me.

Also we are flying to Paris after getting off the ship in Barcelona. My cruise docs say I can sign up for DCL tranfers. Can anybody recommend if I should go with DCL or on our own from the port to BCN?

 

[AuntyBrat]

We are just going to keep a pair of pants in our backpack and put them on over dgs shorts when we do the churches.


I hope every one gets their passports in time. When I applied for mine many many years ago it was a disaster. The passport office said I did not exist. We found this out after my dh got his passport back so time was crunched. My mother - thank God she was still living - with an attorney had to go to court and swear that my bc was legal. It had not been filed until I was 10 years old and my name was spelled different. It was a nightmare and I will never let it expire! So keep checking daily on all missing passports.

This passport process (although how they can call is a process when nothing seems to move or happen) our friends applied 13 weeks ago and the wife got her's and they had to go to LA and get the husbands done.

IMMEDIATE update - Congressman's office just called and they are working on it, and she is going to be calling back with more info. Said this whole thing was ridiculous and we should NOT have to make any more phone calls.

CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR SENATOR RIGHT NOW!!!!!

 

[ssnyder]

Just got on to post this and noticed that I'm ten pages behind in only one day!

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

I agree that at this point if you are having passport problems, a call to your government representative would be wise, but I find it strange that one would be required to do this. With so many important matters in our nation, the system desperately needs improvement, relieving our representatives to address larger issues. If we cannot be more efficient in our passport system, how are we going to improve anything else? It is disheartening and frustrating. How does one achieve simplicity in the beurocratic arena, though?

It sure is a good thing I'm going on a cruise with Mickey! He makes the world seem so right!

 

[AuntyBrat]

I agree that at this point if you are having passport problems, a call to your government representative would be wise, but I find it strange that one would be required to do this. With so many important matters in our nation, the system desperately needs improvement, relieving our representatives to address larger issues. If we cannot be more efficient in our passport system, how are we going to improve anything else? It is disheartening and frustrating. How does one achieve simplicity in the beurocratic arena, though?

It sure is a good thing I'm going on a cruise with Mickey! He makes the world seem so right!

I agree with you, but when push comes to shove, technically this is what we pay them for!!! And let's face it, not like we didn't do our job and apply in a timely fashion, or are asking for special treatment and a deviation from the rules. We have totally played by the rules and have just been shut down by the State Dept, which is not playing fair. They are not getting passports out in a timely manner or even in time for the trips people are taking, resulting in needless stress and aggrevation. I think pretty soon you will see this on the news, and yes, I have got the phone number for the two big consumer advocates out in this area.

 

[CACruisin']

Thanks everyone for the info about shorts and little ones. DD3 really, really, really doesn't like to wear pants. She loves dresses, but that is so impractical for long shore days, oh well. I guess she'll be wearing dresses on port days (She'll be happy!) The big girls and I will be in Capri's.

For ladies, in Italy, there were often vendors outside the churches selling large scarves. These can be wrapped around the waist or thrown over your shoulders to cover up. This may be the case in other places in Europe as well.

Yea, Susie, on the doc dance Maybe we will get our soon too!

for everyone waiting for passports. May they arriving SOON!

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

I finally decided to have my hair dyed in order to look more my age.When I informed my family, My 10 year old cried. Another asked what I was going to do about my eyebrows, as they are grey, too. <<pout>> I didn't realize my eyebrows were grey! Hair dying --on hold.

I tried on bathing suits the other day. I just want to apologize ahead of time for not taking off that extra 50 I had promised to (a month ago! ). I will find it completely acceptable and appropriate when you avert your eyes.

 

[Scott H]

HELP!

I'm going to buy DH a tux. Figure that I am tired of renting them and now with Jamie on drill team DH has to escort her to a couple of functions the next year and tux is the order of the day.

So, I am on Ebay and am looking at two different tuxes. The one cost $79 and is a poly-vicose blend and the other is $99 for 100% wool.

Any thoughts on which would be better? They both look the same.

Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=250107408267&rd=1&rd=1

Thanks. I am clueless when it comes to this sort of stuff!

Linda, the wool would be better and that price is good.

 

[AuntyBrat]

I finally decided to have my hair dyed in order to look more my age.When I informed my family, My 10 year old cried. Another asked what I was going to do about my eyebrows, as they are grey, too. <<pout>> I didn't realize my eyebrows were grey! Hair dying --on hold.

I tried on bathing suits the other day. I just want to apologize ahead of time for not taking off that extra 50 I had promised to (a month ago! ). I will find it completely acceptable and appropriate when you avert your eyes.

Hey, just go along with my theory that we are genetically superior to all those skinny women. When the next ice age comes along, and the mammoth runs short, we will still survive and be around to get all the good looking men!!

 

[ssnyder]

Am I the only one that is planning to exchange money when I get there? I think most places accept credit cards anyway? Am I missing something? I don't want to be unprepared.

I'm not planning on doing anything until we get there either. I just don't plan on spending that much cash. I'll probably get a little at the Guest Services before disembarking the first time and then maybe find an ATM machine if I need more. I'll credit card any larger purchase and just eat the 3% fee.