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

[EpcotKilterFan]

This article about passports confirms it is taking 10 weeks:

Passport Requests

Overwhelmed by unprecedented demand, the State Department is warning would-be travelers to brace for lengthy delays in getting U.S. passports, even when they pay a hefty fee to speed their applications.

The department has hired hundreds of employees to process passport requests over the past two years as tougher immigration rules have taken effect. Even so, the department says a crush of new applicants - more than 1 million a month - has inundated its staff and caused delays of up to a month-and-a-half at the peak January-to-April season when many people are preparing to travel over the spring and summer.

In addition, a regulation that took effect this year requiring Americans to have passports when traveling by air to any country, including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean "has increased passport demand and production to record levels," the department said in a statement this week.

Applications received between October and this March have risen 44 percent over the same period in 2005-2006, the department said in a notice sent Thursday to lawmakers. Some members of Congress have received complaints from constituents about delays.

According to the notice, routine passport processing could take 10 weeks instead of the previous six, and expedited processing could take four weeks instead of two weeks.

About 12 million passport applications were processed in 2006 and as many as 17 million are expected this year, the department said.

For adults getting their first passport, the routine processing fee is $97 with an additional $60 charge for expedited service. Passport renewals for adults cost $67, with the same expedited fee.

The department said by the end of 2008 it plans to have hired 400 passport adjudicators since 2004.

The agency's 16 production facilities are also working overtime, including 24 hours-a-day in three shifts at the National Passport Center in New Hampshire. A new center capable of making as many as 10 million passports a year is to open in Arkansas in April, it said.

Some 74 million Americans have valid U.S. passports.

You would have thought they would have hired the extra folks earlier

Debbie

 

[Michelle2]

I just applied Monday for my son's passport....I didn't even think about it until reading about it on here. Why? I have no idea. Probably since my DH and I have already had our passports for awhile....never thought our DS4 might need one! DOH! It didn't help that we decided to go on this cruise so last minute either....
I had to pay $60 extra to have it expedited...they said it should be here mid April, but after reading some things on here, I am a little nervous. At least 5 weeks is better than 10 weeks.

If anyone has any questions about Disneyland Paris, feel free to ask. I really studied up on it before we went. We went to the Wild West show too. I am so jealous, I would love to be able to go again.... I will just have to live through all of your experiences!

 

[roserae]

Well...we applied for our passports on March 2nd, and we got them in the mail two days ago (according to my neighbor, I'm out of town at the moment). That's less than two weeks! We paid to have them expedited...and I guess they did! We did have the most AWESOME postal service worker helping us and she said we needed to bring her chocolate chip cookies. I guess we REALLY do need to bring her some. Sounds like we got some super fast service! I wonder how we got ours so fast when it sounds like some of you have been waiting a lot longer than us, for sure!

 

[Scoobypop]

Welcome to all the new people who are posting...this looks like it is going to be a blast!!

Am I the only one who has a packing list done???

No Padalyn, you're not the only one with the packing list done. We have ours started as well.

 

[Kissimmee]

Well...we applied for our passports on March 2nd, and we got them in the mail two days ago

That is good news. We had an appointment for next week for our DD but we are on spring break this week and thought it would be worth seeing if the main Post Office would let us wait for a possible opening instead of her missing a day of school.

I asked the agent just before he went on lunch break and he said it was unlikely but if we understood there was no guarantee he would try to fit us in.

Normally they are strictly by appointment only and when we came back after his break we watched as three groups without appointments harangued him one after the other, demanding to see supervisors and they could not get through on the appointment line etc etc... No wonder these poor guys go postal...

But we quietly waited in our corner and his second appointment came not knowing their daughter had to be present. Their appointment was very short and while the other, no appointment, groups were still yelling at his supervisor he winked at us to come over. I think helping us after we were very nice to him was how got his revenge on the nasties...

If they had come in with our attitude instead of demanding this and that, he might have been able to do the same for them.

Sometimes the carrot really is better than the stick.

 

[milestogo]

Well, the 6am news here was carrying the big story about the 10 week wait even though they hired an extra hundred workers. I was a little worried I'd terrify you guys with the news, but you're all up before our sun comes up and have already been talking about it.

The other top story this morning is that our gas is the highest in the nation and Wyoming is the cheapest. We are at 3.09 per gallon!!!

We've been trying to prep our bodies for the time change and have been going to bed early and waking up early so we don't sleep through our entire vacation!

My recommendation for the weekend: Watch the Incredibles if you haven't seen it yet.

 

[KarenNY]

.

My DW is from VA (Northern, near D.C.). She loves to talk to other people from Virginia.



Kurt

I moved down here to Williamsburg in June. I'm really enjoying the weather here a lot better than where I previously lived (upstate NY).

 

[KarenNY]

OK, the name of the medicine for motion sickness that I promised about 3 months ago is marezine for motion sickness (cyclizine hydrochloride - antiemetic) 50 mg.

I'm a pharmacist and have been asked often about motion sickness treatments.
Marezine isn't available here anymore.
Meclizine(25mg) is the drug most often used (it's handed out at Guest Services on the ship in bad weather). I'm usually very sensitive to medication and, although this is an antihistamine, I haven't had any drowsiness problems the few times I've needed to take it. It is Bonine(chewable), Less Drowsy Dramamine or store brands over the counter. As a prescription, it is available as Antivert 12.5mg and 25mg( generic is meclizine). Depending on your prescription drug plan co-pay, sometimes an Rx is less expensive than the OTC (although at Target where I work, 32 store brand OTC are only $3.29). I'll have my Rx with me (no- co-pay for the generic) just in case. I've only taken it twice in rough seas.
The Transderm Scop (scopolomine) patches are effective for some but can cause the dry mouth. They do require a prescription.
I have had some feedback on the Sea Bands. They do work for some (whether just psychological or actual I can't say).
I have recommended ginger over the years. It does have proven anti-nausea properties.
There's a lot of choices. I'm hoping for calm seas so we won't need to use any of them

 

[milestogo]

Thanks, that is very helpful!

I went to W. Springfield High in N. VA.

 

[Scott H]

Well, the 6am news here was carrying the big story about the 10 week wait even though they hired an extra hundred workers. I was a little worried I'd terrify you guys with the news, but you're all up before our sun comes up and have already been talking about it.

The other top story this morning is that our gas is the highest in the nation and Wyoming is the cheapest. We are at 3.09 per gallon!!!

We've been trying to prep our bodies for the time change and have been going to bed early and waking up early so we don't sleep through our entire vacation!

My recommendation for the weekend: Watch the Incredibles if you haven't seen it yet.

Wonder why WY has the cheapest gas???? I won't complain, about $2.27.

WOW that is early prep fro the vacation, going west to east is easy for me , it is the east to west that messes me up.

The electic sea sickness band have great reviews.

Good luck with the passports, after this trip, we may have to get an extension page.

 

[kpros]

Here is the latest name badge and lanyard list:

Lanyard Team:
BobandLee - Bob, Leora
charwac1 - Charlene, Andy
first timers - Alex, Carolyn
gydell - Gydell, Betsy, Brent
kpros, spros - Ken, Shari
littleowensmommy - Kathy, Ted, Owen, Amy
milestogo - Kelly, Jonathan, Zoe
Scott H - Scott, Lynn
seaulater - Linda, Robert
tig82174, jasonroo - Erik, Jason
Tigrrtum, DzneLin - Terry, Linda
wrabitdad - Bob, Dale

Completed:
aarato - Andras, Eva, Adam, Alexandra
AuntyBrat - Laura, Jeannine
BethE, Harry in Michigan - Beth, Harry
Bilbo UK - Ann, Albert
CONNIEOSCI - Connie, Frank
cquick - Connie, Chuck, Patrick
crazy4pooh&eeyore - Nancy, Nicole
cupcake - Cynthia, Jim
disneycruising - Cindy, Mike, Ali, JC, Chris, Katie
disneylisa2 - Lisa, Mike, Lynda, Tom
elderfam - Cynthia, Jeff
EpcotKilterFan - Debbie, Jeanette
Euchre_U - Kurt, Marlea, Kyan Grace, Kristopher
EyeHeartDisney -Maribeth, Molly, Luanne
fizzymagic - Dave, Karen
hopemax - Hope, Jason, Kathy, Jim
Juergen - Juergen, Maria
jw2736 - Jerry, Sherry
KarenNY/iluvdisney - Karen, Mary
KathyOnA1A - Kathy, Mary, Sandy
kayleeshae - Shannon, Kaylee, Colton, Lori
Kissimmee - Rick, Heloisa, Hannah, Kevin, Aliisa, Helen
ladypoo - Patty, Misti, Dominique
lrk - Larry, Mary
maleficent1959 - Tina, Patrick, Prescott, Connor - (no dis name) Mike, Jo
Michelle2 - Michelle, Jared, Chase, Tyler, Hayley, Courtney
misseulalie - Jennifer, Rachid, Sophia, Lena
mom_rules - Anita, Paul
nanaguide - Anna, Carl
NHdisneylover - Hadley, David, Marika, Rio, Hank, Jan
NoWorriesMate - Michelle, Chris, Nick, Lilly
OH 6 - Nicholas, Michael
padalyn - Cayla, Barbara
pixie3 - Kimberly, Mark, Shane, Riley, John
roserae - Stacy, Glen, Emily
rufustee - Alex, Karen, Mackenzie
Scoobypop - Chris, Robert
Suecot2000 - Sue, Kelly
taxtracker - Bettie, Chrissy
tazzmacd - Pat, Joyce, Eric, Jason
txaggie94gigem - Elizabeth, Owen, Alexander, Karen
(no dis name) - Michael, Keith, Gary

Posted on thread but no names provided:
Magical_Dreams
juliekatie
pooh & tinker

MIA:
TADSMommy, TADSDaddy - Karen, Dave, Tiffany, Ashley, David
WeLuvDCL - Dawn, Robert

As always - please check your listing and let me know if something isn't correct.
Ken

 

[Kissimmee]

Anyone have someone in their party that is nervous about crossing the ocean?

 

[cquick]

my TA just sent out an email with a blog all about How Not To Dress Like a Tourist. It's pretty interesting! I don't know how to put it here on the disboards, it's pretty long, lots of advice! Does anyone know how I can put a link here? Connie

 

[milestogo]

Wonder why WY has the cheapest gas???? I won't complain, about $2.27.

WOW that is early prep fro the vacation, going west to east is easy for me , it is the east to west that messes me up.

I may drive to WY to get gas! Yes, we end up getting up at 10 or 11 am WDW time and miss the whole thing! Coming back is easier for us because we're home and don't have any commitments (except taking our houseguests to DL)

We're not too worried about the crossing and I hope nobody is watching Poseidon on HBO this month!!!

 

[tazzmacd]

Anyone have someone in their party that is nervous about crossing the ocean?

Nervous no, excited oh yea!!!

I think it will be really cool to be out in the middle of the Atlantic where there are no other lights and see the stars. I just hope that there is an area on the boat that you can sit and just gaze up at the stars at night without too many lights on. Not sure if that is possible but it woudl be cool.

You think your gas is expensive, try $3.33 a gallon roughly. That is about what I am paying now.

They are calling for the last blast of winter to hit us tonight, 10-15 cm of snow, about 5-8 inches somewhere around there. Oh yea.

Need to get the packing list started.......

Cheers!!

Pat

 

[cquick]

WE are REALLY looking forward to 5 whole days at sea! We think it will be great! I agree with Pat about the stars, we used to live in the Midwest far far far away from any city lights, but now we are in Orlando, only 15 miles from the airport and 20 miles south of downtown, so between the lights and the humidity, we just don't get those clear clear nights. If anyone has trouble finding a DARK place to see the stars, please come to our stateroom. We are at the back of the boat, and we can turn off our balcony lights, and it should be very dark!

 

[Kissimmee]

Nervous no, excited oh yea!!!

I think it will be really cool to be out in the middle of the Atlantic where there are no other lights and see the stars.

Pat

Bring your binoculars

I wonder how many other ships you pass and can see on a trans Atlantic cruise. I remember on the seven day eastern that we were shadowed by another ship on several nights.

Maybe ships intentionally sail in groups when they can...

 

[seaulater]

wow - I didn't know that about Ginger...I will take my ginger candy along for the ride!

You and I think alike. First thing I thought....oh, I need to go buy some ginger candy!

 

[seaulater]

No Padalyn, you're not the only one with the packing list done. We have ours started as well.

Packing list?

I have been known to be throwing our stuff into bags as we are headed out the door to the airport. Just never enough time to get it all done, let alone to plan ahead!

 

[seaulater]

Nervous no, excited oh yea!!!

I think it will be really cool to be out in the middle of the Atlantic where there are no other lights and see the stars. I just hope that there is an area on the boat that you can sit and just gaze up at the stars at night without too many lights on. Not sure if that is possible but it woudl be cool.


Pat

Deck 10 late at night can be pretty dark and no one is up there!