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

[NHdisneylover]

I knew I would forget something! Books. I am quite an avid reader at home but I love doing all the activities on board so will only bring a book or two. Marika, on the other hand, will bring as many as we can fit (I have been stocking up on the 95 cent schoalstic novels so we can leave them behond). Our librarian tells me she avergaes 11 of their novels a week (and she generally pulls a few off of our shelves when we haven't been by the library fpr a few days!), so she will still have to cut way back. But, she can't possibly sleep without reading for a while before bed. And having a staterrom and a book all to herself is pretty much her idea of heaven (okay, was mine too, but I Dave travels so much for work anymore I'd rahter spend the time with him and read when he is gone).

 

[CACruisin']

Not to totally hijack to discuss laundry detergent but what HE detergent do you use? The only thing we could find was a bunch of organic things (Nature's Something or Other) at the Whole Foods that did not get the laundry clean (I know I sound like a TV commercial, but you should have seen my whites!!) and the incredibly expensive but excellent Persil Free, which we use. I know I could use half the amount of a regular detergent, but it just seems better to use a full amt of a low sudsing detergent, plus I have visions of some sort of dire sudsing problem if I use non-HE detergent.

Neurotically yours,
Cynthia

I have had SUDS issues with using small qty of normal detergent in things like towels, but ok with stuff like kidsize clothes. (That is what I did with the DREFT up until about a year ago.) Now we use TIDE HE (about 1/2 the reccommended amount) and 1 scoop of baby OxyClean (scent & dye free). Then I always use a 2nd rinse cycle as part of the wash cycle. Most of the time, that works ok for everyone. Occasionally, somebody will start having a rash and then for a few weeks I will do a rinse/spin cycle after the the wash/double rinse cycle is completed.

Hey, don't worry, I'm 30 minutes from the DCL office and I haven't received anything!!

In a wierd sort of way this does actually make me feel better. It shows just how random DCL is with mailings

 

[CACruisin']

It sounds like we have a lot of avid readers in our kid group too. I am willing to put a bag outside our stateroom as a "book exchange" for the kid group. My girls read anything and everything (multiple times if there is nothing else to read or sometimes just because they liked it and want to read it again.)

Harry Potter, Narnia, fantasy type things, anything related to horses/animals, etc. Recently read Uglies and just read Pretties this weekend, like I said, pretty much anything ... They are in 6th and 7th grade, but read way above grade level. I do tend to scan books for appropriate content.

 

[faithfullyeeyore]

Just recently it came to my attention that only the "Men Folk" are allowed to wear the grass skirts. (yeah, should have figured it out by the frat thing) HOW EVER, there is a group of women who will be wearing grass skirts as well. As someone who shall remain nameless posts all the time "when there is one and so on and so forth." So WOMEN, pack your grass skirt and we will show the guys just how much "movement" we can make!!!






And for you guys...thanks for the great idea!


OH! Tell Rio I bought HSM the other night and am practicing my moves!!

 

[Brooklyn]

Follow this link for an example of both:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=16662927&postcount=12

Ken

THANK YOU! This door is too cute!!! Now I have to come up with something for our 2 doors!

Ok, so after the Kindergarten Diploma is done it is on to making signs for the doors!

 

[kpros]

THANK YOU! This door is too cute!!! Now I have to come up with something for our 2 doors!

Ok, so after the Kindergarten Diploma is done it is on to making signs for the doors!

Don't forget - use magnetic paper - no tape or glue to attach the signs to the door.

Ken

 

[Michelle2]

I sure hope not. We have cruised with both before. Hope they don't repeat from the inagural PC cruise. Would love new entertainment this cruise since it is a new 1st itinerary! But, I am confident to say that Bob Saget won't be on board (unless he is a paying passenger of course!)

Yeah, I heard about that.

Yes. And if you want to be a part of the great group pirate photo, it will happen in the atrium at 7:50 p.m. on Pirate night.

There will be a group pirate photo at 7:50?? Cool!

Just about one year ago (actually May 4th) we were headed to Hong Kong DL for our free trip from DVC for adding on points from the Member Cruise 2005. Hong Kong was a blast! Would love to go back. Now the only park we haven't been to yet is Tokyo and we plan on going there sometime in the near future (although cruising seems to keep getting in the way!)

You got a free trip to HK Disneyland??? Wow, where do I sign up?
I hear ya about other trips getting in the way. I went to Tokyo when DH had to go there for business anyway, and we added on a few days.
TOTALLY AWESOME!!! No other park can compare to some of the things they have there... (mainly at Disney Sea) Incredible, but hated the food (I am not a big japanese food fan)

Don't worry about hauling to DL this weekend. Take them to Guest Services as soon as you board the ship and put in a big ziplock baggie and Guest Services will give them to Mickey and have him sign and then they will deliver to your stateroom. Shouldn't be a problem!

Would I be able to do this for a preschool graduate too? If not, no biggie.

 

[KathyOnA1A]

4 days!!!!



Erik

Oh stop!!!
I'm tied to my desk until the 11th!

 

[Michelle2]

Oh stop!!!
I'm tied to my desk until the 11th!

Me too. except it is DH that has to stay. I am so jealous of those going earlier.....

 

[hopemax]

Ok I am officially in major "cram" mode (remember the week before finals in college? Like that!) Realizing that I cannot possibly do all the internet research I want on the ports of call before we go, I am relagated to getting some guide books.

Possibilities we are interested in:
Tenerife:
pyramids, market or Mt. Tiede (volcano)
Cadiz:
really don't know much about this one at all and the Rick Steves book I looked at didn't have anything.
Gibraltar:
rock on our own
Barcelona:
again, don't know much. The chocolate museum seems interesting.

I know how you feel. I have about 6 guidebooks that I have picked up from used book stores, and even garage sales. Cadiz and Barcelona are throwing me a little too. I'm afraid of missing something.

Tenerife: We are going to the flea market in the morning, for about an hour, and they we have to get back to the ship for our 12:30 excursion to Mt Tiede. If the local soccer team is playing at a reasonable hour, DH is going to stay behind and go the game instead of an excursion (he isn't currently booked on the excursion, but I figure the empty ship we should be able to add him, but he doesn't mind walking around port a little by himself or just staying on ship)

Cadiz: The only thing for sure I know we are doing is going to the Torre Tavira. It seems like Cadiz is mostly a place to wander around and soak in, than a bunch of places to visit and check off. Because of its geography, the Moorish influence, and age it's supposed to be very stunning, compared to what we are used to. It claims to be the oldest continuous inhabited city in the Western World. It was one time home to Hannibal, and the place where Julius Caesar first held office, as well as where Columbus departed for 2 of his 4 voyages. There are some interesting churches, fortifications and the remains of a Roman theater. There is also the Plaza de los Flores which is their central market area. We also plan on getting the fried fish from somewhere. If there is time we might want to check out one of the beaches.

Gibraltar: We are also doing stuff on our own. Plan on touring the Rock, going down to Europa Point, Nelson's Anchorage, Trafalgar Cemetary, shopping for crystal, and anything else we can squeeze in.

Barcelona: This is where I get really nervous. There are two lines of the tourist bus, and each takes 2 hours just for the ride, not counting stops. And of course La Sagrada Familia is on one line and Montjuiic is on the other and I want to do both. The Maritime Museum has been recommended to me. And if anyone is a soccer fan, the museum run by FC Barcelona is supposed to be excellent, and they have tours of the stadium too. We're not doing those, but DH has requested a stop at the Puma store because he likes the jerseys they do for the various teams.

 

[AuntyBrat]

OH Elizabeth, I'm so happy! I meant to put you in my earlier post that I was thinking about you all weekend. Now Laura is the last one right????

No, Laura got a great birthday present on Friday because Jeannine got her passport!!!

I don't have magnets, either! I wanted my magnets more than my docs!

OMG All Jeannine keeps doing is complaining about not having magnets and that people who booked after us got magnets and why don't we have magnets??? All I care about is she got her freaking passport!!!

Oh stop!!!
I'm tied to my desk until the 11th!

I am tied to my desk until the 9th and then off to the hotel on the afternoon of the 10th, and then flying out the 11th. 10 days and I am just sooo busy, I am having to schedule in laundry!!

Oh and I have video of the imfamous school play!!! Sunday had a whole new wrinkle to it, because there was a pigeon in the auditorium that kept flying around. It was hysterical! Perhaps the pigeon thought flapping arm girl was flirting with him!!!

 

[AuntyBrat]

Ok, picked up my Euro's today and noticed the following:

the smaller the denomination, the smalled the size of the bill

it is much smaller than US money

It comes in pretty colors w/ metalic trim

I thought it looked like monopoly money, but someone else pointed out that they really look like the old Disneyland Tickets!!! And they are right!!!

 

[Scott H]

Just recently it came to my attention that only the "Men Folk" are allowed to wear the grass skirts. (yeah, should have figured it out by the frat thing) HOW EVER, there is a group of women who will be wearing grass skirts as well. As someone who shall remain nameless posts all the time "when there is one and so on and so forth." So WOMEN, pack your grass skirt and we will show the guys just how much "movement" we can make!!!






And for you guys...thanks for the great idea!


OH! Tell Rio I bought HSM the other night and am practicing my moves!!

KEWL!!!

 

[CACruisin']

Oh and I have video of the imfamous school play!!! Sunday had a whole new wrinkle to it, because there was a pigeon in the auditorium that kept flying around. It was hysterical! Perhaps the pigeon thought flapping arm girl was flirting with him!!!

 

[gismo1554]

We fly down on Friday...so 5 days for us, too!!

It's starting to feel more real....more stuff is packed, banners are being made...i coached my last shift at the gym today and said bye to all my girls!



Erik

Looks like loads of us going down early!

You know, I have been getting more and more jealous of 2 groups of people. At first it didn't bother me because I was just happy to be on this cruise....
But I have been getting so jealous of:
1. The people who are getting to go so early to WDW
2. The people who are going on the B2B.

So I think you are soooo lucky. (pout)

Hey even with the cruise I need my Disney time!

 

[gismo1554]

We will be at Riverside late 5/9 - 5/12! Maybe we could meet by the pool.

lol yeah we'll be the mad brits wandering round go on about the cruise!

 

[gismo1554]

I have mine yay!!! My mum and dad (who booked before me) and my sister (who booked with me) havent had theirs mind. My Mum threatened to keep my magnets but they are now safely in my hands.

Lindsay

PS 5 days to go for me!!!

I have to point out my magnets arrived today and Mums still haven't even though she booked before both me and Lindsay

 

[CACruisin']

Thanks for the Info Hope. I've added it to my file.

Yea - Jannine has a passport!!!

grass skirts on women folk? I think my kids would disown me ...

 

[gismo1554]

Ok this is just wrong, UK gets theirs and the Canadians have none yet...... OK maybe Disney is trying to butter you up for that big tea issue that you had before so you don;t get any ideas on this trip

Cheers!!

Pat

lol I guess we're just special over this side of the water!

 

[hopemax]

Got the money ordered.

For those of you that are Bank of America customers, they have "no ATM fee" arrangements with several foreign banks. Unfortunately, it doesn't include Spanish banks. However, they do have an agreement with Barclays and they have a branch in Gibraltar, so if we run out that's where we plan on restocking . For those traveling to Paris, BNP Paribas banks are who you would want to use.