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

[elderfam]

Hey fellow Indiana native. Oracles right?
So KEWL that so many that have connection to the state are on this cruise.

Oh my ...Someone else on the planet has heard of the Oracles! Ha Ha Your right thats my High School mascot. I have three nephews going to school in Delphi all still trying to understand just what is an Oracle...ha ha kind of looks like this "bride"

 

[disneycruising]

thanks...thjat one does work...any others???

also, is anyone worried they will not get their passport on time???

Elizabeth,

We are also very worried about the passports getting here!! Last night we where online finding out how to get new birth certificates for the kids. This morning we order new ones!They will hopefully be here in two weeks. This way if the passport don't get here on time we can drive in San Fransico and get them done at the last minute.

 

[tazzmacd]

Got to love the Government, they put in the new rule so that everybody has to get passports but they don't ramp up their passport centers to be able to handle the increased demand that they will get. I hop eyou guys get them in time, not sure how that will affect you getting into Europe. I would be really worried if I were you guys.

At least here in Canada they anticipated the increase in demand and planned accordingly. Yes there is a little longer wait but it is no where near the 3-4 month wait you guys are experiencing.

Cheers!!

Pat

 

[cupcake]

also, is anyone worried they will not get their passport on time???

Me! I applied on January 22nd, and according to the web, I should get it by April 2nd. When I applied, I was told it was definitely six weeks, but that's clearly incorrect since it's now ten weeks. I figure if things start looking sticky, I will just have to pay up and deal with it. Thankfully, I may be one of the closest people to a regional passport center -- it is across the street from where I work! Plus, there's still a good amount of time. But I would prefer to just get it in the mail and have everything be OK.

When did you apply for yours, and when do they say you will get it?

I would feel better about this if the promises as to when it will arrive were reliable, but having moved it once, who's to say they won't do it again?!

C.

 

[padalyn]

"It is a strong antihystamine - so be ready to sleep"

This is a very good point - what works for one person doesn't work for another. My sister goes right to sleep with most drugs, Jonathan didn't feel any sleepiness with this one at all. He did everything like normal, but that doesn't mean it will be a miracle drug for others. But he tried the stretch wrist bands and they didn't work for him at all, but the electronic one did work I'm so grateful that I don't get motion sickness! Has anyone tried the patches, we heard those make people sleepy, but I'm wondering if that is true for everyone? Cayla, have you tried those? Also, I put my list in my Disney bag - I'll be on a mission to find those pins!!!!!!

I tried the patch - also an antihystamine - made me blind! Literally!!! My eyes dilated up so far that I couldn't see past about one foot. Scopolomine is powerful stuff. As you said - what works for one doesn't work for another!. The stretch wrist bands don't apply enough pressure on the pressure point to do any good. That is why I use the velcro ones. Be sure to get the pressure point between the 2 tendons on the wrist, it should be tight - you shouldn't be able to get a finger under the band if it is put on right. I often have a small bruise, but that is worth it in my mind.

I am the wierd one - I don't get seasick (once in my life, and that was after too many roller coasters the day before!) I do get wicked airsick...I HATE flying!!

I did use the wrist bands once on the Wonder - we came out of Canaveral into 20' seas - cap't almost decided not to leave due to the nasty weather. We did make it through it, but more than 50% of the ship was ill (that included the crew). My hunny was violently ill. Everyone was banned from the decks, the sailaway party was cancelled. It was very interesting...I had a fine time...but I am lucky that way.

For those who are worried -even in those really rough seas - the ship never "tilted" or leaned more than I would guess 10%. It was more a front back roll than side to side. Most of the time the cap't was going into the waves to cut the roll down. I was up as high as I could get to watch the front - and saw waves crashing over the bow. (quite a sight lemme tell you!!) The gym was the place to be as far as I was concerned...best view!!

Hunny thought I was nuts and retired to the cabin to sleep after I drugged her into oblivion with meclizine and tigan.

Everything was fine in the morning - except for all the cleanup the stewards had to do.

 

[cupcake]

Hey, what are the electronic seasickness thingys someone mentioned? (it was in a discussion of sea bands).

Stacy, I have dutifully brought an assortment of over the counter remedies with me and never have used them. I am usually pretty good about motion sickness except on small boats. The large boats don't have that icky tippy feeling that seems to get me. (could not resist adding the smilie you used, I haven't notice that one before and it seems all too apt). This is true even though the last time we were on DCL (7 night Western), we had an island canceled due to a bad storm. You could feel it, but it seemed that the size of the ship kind of smoothed everything out.

So hopefully you will be OK! Note that since I am totally paranoid, I will still have stuff with me. I hope if I need something, Sea Bands work, bc the OTC meds put me out like a light.

Cupcake

 

[padalyn]

Hey, what are the electronic seasickness thingys someone mentioned? (it was in a discussion of sea bands).

Stacy, I have dutifully brought an assortment of over the counter remedies with me and never have used them. I am usually pretty good about motion sickness except on small boats. The large boats don't have that icky tippy feeling that seems to get me. (could not resist adding the smilie you used, I haven't notice that one before and it seems all too apt). This is true even though the last time we were on DCL (7 night Western), we had an island canceled due to a bad storm. You could feel it, but it seemed that the size of the ship kind of smoothed everything out.

So hopefully you will be OK! Note that since I am totally paranoid, I will still have stuff with me. I hope if I need something, Sea Bands work, bc the OTC meds put me out like a light.

Cupcake

Sorry - cupcake the sea band brand isn't tight enough to work...look for the velcro ones.
This is the type - I have a couple of sets since I have a small boat and keep them on board for folks who don't like the rock and roll effect

http://www.travelgear.com.au/mm5/me...=T&Product_Code=KAN56&Category_Code=INAIRSICK

http://www.mph.com.tw/catalog/Home Care Series/H1014.htm

 

[NHdisneylover]

For all you motion sick types out there (NOT me, I am so lucky, but very much David):
David finds that giner pills (and to some extent even giner-ale) do the trick for him. He usaully takes them only if he starts to feel sick, but since this is a longer cruise and the very open water could be rougher he is going to start them 2 weeks before the trip to let it build up in his system (per the recomendations of several people we have spoken to). There are a few threads on this board which discuss this very topic. It seemed to me that more people found ginger to work than anythign else, and it is pretty safe Mythbusters even did an episode in seasickness once and found that ginger seemed to work for more people than anything else (even the meds)..

 

[padalyn]

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

 

[milestogo]

Hi guys, Yes, Jonathan also uses the Ginger and loves it the best because there are no side effects. He said thanks, Cayla. He's going to get the velcro ones you recommended. He reminded me to you all of you that the electronic wrist band was expensive and the goo that you have to put on under the band gave him a rash. On the first Mexico cruise last year we had a terribly rough night, where way over half the boat was ill. That was when I realized that Zoe didn't get her dad's side of the motion sickness - man was I happy, she didn't get my dyslexia, so if she doesn't get alcoholism and varicous I'll be thrilled. I must say though the service was fantastic in the dining room My husband's entire side of the family gets motion sickness and his dad was a sub capt for 30 years, sister a flight attendant.

 

[cupcake]

For the info on the velcro sea bands and the ginger. I'm totally a member of the better safe than sorry school! Plus on the ship, it's not like you can just pop out to the CVS.... This falls into the hope you don't need it, but if you do, you REALLY do category so thanks again!

C.

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Well.... the earth is still, the winds are calm, rivers are receding, snow stopped falling......I think I can actually do a catch up post tonight!


JW2736- I did get on the same flight as you We can do early boarding together.

I am leaning towards hiring a car service for the airport to DLP. The only reason is because we are flying into Orly and the bus does not run as frequently. And we have such a short time there, we can get going right away.

Motion Sickness- The worst night is the first one. Mom uses ginger chews and drinks ginger ale and that helps. I have used the elastic sea bands. And they are plenty tight... I guess I have fat wrists

Good luck all with the passports. I would be freaking out by now! We have ours from our first DCL cruise in 1998. As soon as I get back I need to renew mine as it will be within 6 months till it expires. Ya never know when you may need it!

Ok... that is long enough. I did do an update to the page. Have a couple of things to add but it is caught up. If you find an error, please let me know!

Debbie

 

[cquick]

I am also wondering about all my wonderful Disney T shirts - is this a "states" thing? From the travel shows and web sites - seems that sneakers and t-shirts are something we in the US wear a lot, but are not as common in Europe. I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb (yea, I know, as soon as I open my mouth I am tagged tourist).
.

I think Europeans will be less casual than the American tourists, although the young people will be wearing a lot of jeans. I think for an American tourist, white sneakers would be fine. Or comfortable sandals or regular shoes.

Our problem is that my husband ONLY wants to wear shorts. I think shorts for men are fine on the ship, but not too many European men wear them in town. But my husband will be wearing his shorts, his white socks and white sneakers. He doesn't plan to go in to any of the churches anyway. Men and women are requested to dress conservatively in them. I think shorts and t shirts would be fine for the Canary Islands and Gibraltar, they are more "touristy" there.

WE are taking Disney Tshirts to wear on the ship, but probably not onshore. I will probably wear either a skirt or long pants onshore. Capri's if it's hot. I have noticed European women wear a lot more skirts and dresses than we do. Connie

 

[OH 6]

HI All! Still a chatty bunch I see...lots of topics to cover this time.

Welcome Aboard to the new folks!!

Seems like Kathy's got it all going on up near her in North Ohio...we're pretty calm down near Cincinnati. Heard there was a small twister up there yesterday - after the earthquake and other issues, best be on the look out for a ....hope you're doing OK after all that excitement.

Erik - the ties sound great! I have probably 40+ disney ties from the years that I had to wear them at work - figured I might as well like them if I had to wear them....don't really have many villains ones though...and we don't dress up onboard unless we 'have' to - but looking forward to seeing all the cool one's you've been collecting!!

Passports - Mike's was within the 6 month window - sent his off and got it in 6 weeks - just got it back last Friday. Hopefully they're quoting longer times to set expectations and it won't really take that long. I hope you all get them very quickly!!

Seasick Remedies - Mike is the one that gets queasy.. Found out about 10 years ago when we were in Hawaii and driving the road to Hana...had to stop so many times to let him 'recover' that it was completly dark when we got there and couldn't find the house we rented - had to go to the Hana police station to get directions::cop: ...Since then he too has tried the Ginger Pills - used them on the Med Cruise last year...the Med's very calm - but on the hyrdofoil to Capri it was BAD. He took his Ginger and did OK. He also uses some kind of drops behind his ears too. Used to do Dramamine (less-drowsy) but described himself as a 'zombie' on that- wasn't ill, but just didn't wanna do anything. So we'll stock up on the Ginger and hope for the best - I'll have the dramamine just in case.

Don't want to be too long - good to hear from everyone - 4 pay periods to go!! Yay!!!

 

[BobandLee]

Oh my ...Someone else on the planet has heard of the Oracles! Ha Ha Your right thats my High School mascot. I have three nephews going to school in Delphi all still trying to understand just what is an Oracle...ha ha kind of looks like this "bride"

Actually I know a lot of folks from Delphi. Good friend of mine went to Carrol HS and his wife is from Delphi.

I even remember (pistol) Pete Manahan (sp?) was an Oracle. Early 70's I think.
Pro wrestler Dick the Bruiser was an Oracle. I'm sure there are others, but that's the best I can do right now.

Will be good to me you guys.

 

[BobandLee]

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

I've got cousins and an uncle in Manassas. Lee has relatives in that area also. Really enjoyed our last trip out that way. Nice area if you aren't on the interstates.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Here's another motion sick trick David has reminded me of. He (and his sister) has found that it really helps to face forward to the motion of the ship at meals. If he sits "sideways" or "backwards" he starts to feel queasy. It takes a moment when we get into the dining rooms the first nights to oreint ourselves at the table, but it really does seem to help and it is easy enough to do. The rest of us just sit around his needs.

 

[Scott H]

Actually I know a lot of folks from Delphi. Good friend of mine went to Carrol HS and his wife is from Delphi.

I even remember (pistol) Pete Manahan (sp?) was an Oracle. Early 70's I think.
Pro wrestler Dick the Bruiser was an Oracle. I'm sure there are others, but that's the best I can do right now.

Will be good to me you guys.

Bob, wasn't it Pistol Pete Maravitch???(SP) undergrad in Indiana, brings that to mind.

 

[txaggie94gigem]

what bothers me is we went to the county clerks office here in OKC about 3 weeks ago and we are still not on the site to check our passports...i will call in one more week if we do not show up...the problem is they have all of our sensitive documents...but i am sure we will get them on time....

on the form we had to fill out when we were takig our trip so i am hoping they are looking at that toherwise why would it be on there???

 

[cquick]

Hy Pooh and Tigger! I played Bunko with Millie (but not Chip) her daughter Tracy and Tracy's fiance Matt tonight at Osprey Park! I couldn't beleive it when after I mentioned our cruise, she said I should look for a big guy named Tigger! What a small world! She lives right near us. Millie told me to let you know! Oh, by the way, she's jealous of us going on the Magic!