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

[AuntyBrat]

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.

I just got done order Euros for our trip. We went back and forth about how much cash we would need and what to do about the balance we had left. And decided the following:

We are planning on about $150 Euros per port to cover food, drinks, souveniers (lots of family to buy for) and possible taxi fares, etc.

We figured we would know by Gibralter if we are going to use the balance of Euros that we have, and figured that if it looks like we will have a larger balance of cash left over than we will actually need, we will use it to pay part of our stateroom bill and/or since we usually tip more than the standard amount, we will use the extra Euros to tip some of the staff . That will also give them some ready Euros to use at all the other ports.

This solves the problem of having enough cash in the ports and not leaving us with a bunch of Euros we will have to convert when we get back to the states.

 

[seaulater]

JC Penny started carrying Men's tuxes (no boys ) last year. They are surprisingly nice looking and good quality (did a comparison on Good mOrning American to a $$$$$ tux and found both to be equal)and I think come to about $100 total (we just needed new shirts for Dave's he has had since college). Purchasing at Pennys would give you a chance to have him try it on, etc. which may be worthwhile. They do still carry them out here (was just in Pennys this weekend and saw them)

Thanks. Now if I could just get him to Penny's to check it out. He's working nights, I'm working days. That could be a challenge.

I have his measurements from DCL for the last 4 cruises we've been on. They keep his measurements on file, so it makes it easy so I don't have to remember.

I'll run over to Penny's and see what I can find out.

 

[BarbWhite]

Getting serious about packing now. I know that knees & shoulders need to be covered when visiting Cathedral's, etc. (and in Italy, at least, this really is strictly enforced.) My questions is do you think this would also apply to DD3? I was setting aside shorts outfits for her and realized that might not be appropriate ?

For everyone with passport woes. It is definitely time to use the "don't mess with mommy!" voice.

I was in Spain this last Sept and our tour guide said that all should be dressed appropiately for the Cathedrals. She even had several extra scarfs in her bag for those that "forgot". To be safe I would plan on a short sleeve top and light weight pants or a dress with short sleeves.

 

[seaulater]

Ok, I don't know who's posts and problems I am answering to....but here are my answers

!. I saw Grass Skirt table skirts at JoAnn's fabric very cheap. just tie one around your waist.

2. tux: buy the wool one....we bought Patrick a poly/wool one for his graduation,and it wasn't very nice......Mike got one not that much more expensive for orchestra concerts and it was much nicer feeling.

The good thing about the table skirt..............it will expand with the waistline!

Thanks for the feedback on the wool tux! I was just worried it might be too hot.

 

[mom_rules]

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!!

I love you guys!

 

[seaulater]

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

KEWL!

Thanks

 

[ssnyder]

I've been reading posts and keeping track of who said they are going to do Gibraltar on their own. I looks like we might 27 people.

meanmommmajean - 8
CAcruisn - 4
eller ? - 5
KarenNY - 2
milestogo - 3
litteownenmommy ? - 4
ssnyder - 1

Anyone else?

 

[misseulalie]

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.

Out of curiousity, how early did you "go grey?" (if I'm reading your post correctly)
I'm only 32 but I am close to 20% grey already...

Jen

 

[DonaldnMe]

Hello,

We'll be sailing on the 12th and are excited to join this group!

We are:
Greg (self) 40
DW 40
DD 10

 

[kpros]

Hello,

We'll be sailing on the 12th and are excited to join this group!

We are:
Greg (self) 40
DW 40
DD 10

Welcome Aboard! You may want to go back and read the first post on page 143 of this thread. It will tell you how to get on the cruise list and the lanyard list.

Ken

 

[eller]

Ya know, listening to all your passport troubles I do feel for your guys but one thing that shocks me. The USA Government put these rules into place that all people flying even to Canada would have to now have a passport so you would have thought that they woudl have anticipated the increase in demand for passports and staffed accordingly. From the sounds of all the trouble that you guys are going through they didn't staff accordingly. Maybe that should result in somebody's job, but then again it is the gov't and they will jsut send who ever did it to some other job to mess up.

Good luck with trying to get them.

On another note, still trying to find a couple of grass skirts, no luck so far but that is next weeks shopping trip.

Cheers!!

Pat

DD's passport is still out there.

Hey I just noticed (looking over Debbie's wonderful updated roster--thanks Debbie) that a group of the new cruisers are from BOULDER. Hey guys! Dave and I grew up there, and my in-law Hank and Jan and their freinnds Ken and Connie will all be on the cruise and are from Boulder as well (and BarbWhite on this thread is from Longmont).

Erik--I was thinking about mats the other day as Rio tried to do cartwheels in the kitchen (laminate floors). I figured mats would be safer, but cartwheels aren't so very dangerous I should care too much (hope I don't live to regret that someday). Besdies, Rio's ER visits always result from totally benign activites like sitting in a chair and tripping while just plain walking.

My sister lived in Boulder and my Aunt (before she died) lived in Longmont. I was born in Denver.

Deanna--I am so glad you booked this crusie becuase you can always make me laugh

Ditto!

Hadley, I'm looking forward to meeting you, too. I really do think it would be fun to go to Palo's!


Erik, if this "fighting over you" thing is bugging you, just let us know. It's really all in good fun! I think just about everyone on here would agree that you are going to be a really fun addition to the cruise!

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.

Jessica.

I've been reading posts and keeping track of who said they are going to do Gibraltar on their own. I looks like we might 27 people.

meanmommmajean - 8
CAcruisn - 4
eller ? - 5
KarenNY - 2
milestogo - 3
litteownenmommy ? - 4
ssnyder - 1

Anyone else?

Yes, we are five.

I emailed my senators. We'll see.

 

[DonaldnMe]

I've been reading posts and keeping track of who said they are going to do Gibraltar on their own. I looks like we might 27 people.

meanmommmajean - 8
CAcruisn - 4
eller ? - 5
KarenNY - 2
milestogo - 3
litteownenmommy ? - 4
ssnyder - 1

Anyone else?

My family of three are also interested in doing Gibralter.
Thanks,
Greg (DonaldnMe)

 

[NHdisneylover]

Jen--You asked Deanna but I will answer about my grey anyway. I had some grey hair even in high school. By 25 I was about 20% grey and started dying it occasioanlly. I am now 34 and about 60% grey if I didn't colour it. My mom was grey just as young and her dad's hair was 100% white by his late twenties. So, it must run in the family.

 

[kpros]

My family of three are also interested in doing Gibralter.
Thanks,
Greg (DonaldnMe)

You can help me by posting the first names of your DW and DD so I can get started on the free name bagdes to go with the free lanyards. And then you should E-mail Debbie to get on the cruise list.

Ken

 

[cquick]

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.

OH, DizzneyDAnn, your hair looks great in you avatar! My husband's family all went gray very early, and the women have the most beautiful hair!

I am going to wear my bathing suit too. Extra body and all, I say it's just more to love! So everybody has to tell me that!

Goin' to work now.....5:30 to midnight! I hate to work til midnight!

 

[gydell]

I've been reading posts and keeping track of who said they are going to do Gibraltar on their own. I looks like we might 27 people.

meanmommmajean - 8
CAcruisn - 4
eller ? - 5
KarenNY - 2
milestogo - 3
litteownenmommy ? - 4
ssnyder - 1

Anyone else?

We are!

 

[taxtracker]

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!

YEAHHHHHH!!!! DGS passport arrived today -- next day air -- without the expedite fee. Senator John Cornyn and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison - thank you -- thank you -- thank you!

If I lived in a third world nation, say the Congo, I would expect no less from a passport agency, if I lived in a military dictatorship such as Mynamar, it would be par for the course, but in America, a super power with very sophisicated computer technology? USA Congress deliberately changed the passport requirements and now needs to invest in staffing and training personnel to staff the passport agency. However, as Americans if we don't speak up and inform Congress -- they won't know it is a problem -- and won't work towards resolution.

Bettie and the now able to travel Chrissy

 

[gydell]

YEAHHHHHH!!!! DGS passport arrived today -- next day air -- without the expedite fee. Senator John Cornyn and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison - thank you -- thank you -- thank you!

If I lived in a third world nation, say the Congo, I would expect no less from a passport agency, if I lived in a military dictatorship such as Mynamar, it would be par for the course, but in America, a super power with very sophisicated computer technology? USA Congress deliberately changed the passport requirements and now needs to invest in staffing and training personnel to staff the passport agency. However, as Americans if we don't speak up and inform Congress -- they won't know it is a problem -- and won't work towards resolution.

Bettie and the now able to travel Chrissy

Glad you'll be there! You can now enjoy your trip to WDW.

 

[eller]

YEAHHHHHH!!!! DGS passport arrived today -- next day air -- without the expedite fee. Senator John Cornyn and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison - thank you -- thank you -- thank you!

If I lived in a third world nation, say the Congo, I would expect no less from a passport agency, if I lived in a military dictatorship such as Mynamar, it would be par for the course, but in America, a super power with very sophisicated computer technology? USA Congress deliberately changed the passport requirements and now needs to invest in staffing and training personnel to staff the passport agency. However, as Americans if we don't speak up and inform Congress -- they won't know it is a problem -- and won't work towards resolution.

Bettie and the now able to travel Chrissy

Woo hoo!

Lori

 

[Michelle2]

Hi,

I am certainly not an expert, but I would probably pay for the 12 to 6 upgrade if I were you. Here is my logic - it seems like a lot of people in GTY 12 are booking at that level and are also looking for upgrades, so your competition might be increasing. Also, to go from a 12 to a 6 for two weeks for $1,200 seems like a good rate to me. Good luck and I hope to meet you! Our son is 4 also, so hopefully he and Lauren will be friends!

-Susan

My son is 4 too! I was hoping there would be more kids his age that were boys....lol