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

[mom_rules]

Are formal/semi formal nights the same nights we are in port or at sea.

As previous poster mentioned, if we are in port on excursions we may not make it back in time.

 

[seaulater]

Are formal/semi formal nights the same nights we are in port or at sea.

As previous poster mentioned, if we are in port on excursions we may not make it back in time.

First and only formal night is Monday, May 14 (sea day)
Pirate night is Friday, May 18 (sea day)
First semi-formal night is Saturday, May 19 (sea day)
Second semi-formal night is Thursday, May 24 (sea day)

So all our dress up stuff is on sea days which I think is great. Will give us more time to get ready and not be hurrying back to the ship from an excursion.

Remember, DCL has been KNOWN to change the schedule when we have boarded the ship!

 

[seaulater]

Good morning all, I have a sinus infection and a turned disk in my back too! UGH I have too much to do right now to have any interference. I'd like to say it was from a gymnastics move, but I was leaning the wrong way into my passenger side wheel well and heard it pop - Me: UH OH that wasn't good! Good thing I only have two 90 min. lectures - 5 min. from the house this week. But got caught up on some tivo last night (loved Ugly Betty - I'm a TV junky) while on a heating pad.

We've just figured out that a opossum is stealing our oranges and strawberries. Our plan was to have a cat door so our cat could come and go for our 5 weeks and now we're not sure that is going to work at all! I've been working my butt off in the yard to have it ready for our departure and he/she is messing with me.

I want to know: what is up with all these people falling off cruise ships this week?

We love Ugly Betty. We TIVO each week also.

Saw on the Today Show this morning about the two people falling off the cruise ship. Can't believe they found them. Must have had a little too much to drink, ya think? I don't think 5 foot swells are anything that would have thrown them overboard.

Can't wait to hear "their version" of the whole thing.

 

[mom_rules]

First and only formal night is Monday, May 14 (sea day)
Pirate night is Friday, May 18 (sea day)
First semi-formal night is Saturday, May 19 (sea day)
Second semi-formal night is Thursday, May 24 (sea day)

So all our dress up stuff is on sea days which I think is great. Will give us more time to get ready and not be hurrying back to the ship from an excursion.

Remember, DCL has been KNOWN to change the schedule when we have boarded the ship!

Totally agree-don't want to rush back etc...

 

[misseulalie]

But the Wild Boar was new one on me. They sound dangerous? Won't they charge humans if they see you?

Yes, they went after one of the lawn service guys a few months ago. All of a sudden you could hear this guy screaming in Spanish. The pig went after his riding lawn mower. Pretty funny actually!

 

[misseulalie]

I have a question for all the women out there - how do you pack for 2 weeks - shoes, clothes, etc.! Are you an outfit repeater? Do you buy tons of clothes? Do you plan on doing wash? Any advice would help. When you have lived in the desert for so long, we don't own warm clothes and casual is usually the way we go.

For dinners, I will pack 2 skirts (formal and casual) and nice black pants. So I can mix and match tops with the bottoms. I will bring a fancy pair of black shoes and a nice casual sandal for the dinners. A couple pairs of jeans, khakis, shorts and sweat pants. 3-4 casual shirts, 3-4 nice blouses. a few t-shirts/polo shirts and sneakers.

 

[tazzmacd]

My TA is now telling me we will not get Airline info until 30 days out!!?!?! Anyone else hearing this from their TA????

That doesn't make sense, hwo can they not know your flight information. unless they are booking you on a charter flight and that charter information hasn;t been confirmed yet. That might be the case. I would confirm on the Airline that they are booking you with.

My mom and dad are actually on that cruise, they sent us an e-mail telling us they were on deck early in the morning looking for them and saw the guy in the water just before the rescue boats found him. I can hear her now worrying about the kids going overboard while we cross the Atlantic. Will have to remind her that Disney has plexiglas up around the rails so the kids will be safe and that our room doesn't have a balcony

Cheers!!

Pat

 

[cupcake]

If anyone lives w/in driving distance of Chicago, H2O Plus is located here and has an absolutely FABULOUS warehouse sale every summer. It is beyond amazing. They give you a box with a rope to drag behind you and load up, and there's an enormous warehouse filled with boxes of stuff that is priced at least 50% off, and often much more (I picked up a year's supply of different scents of mineral bath soak for $2/jar, for example). You can also get gallon jugs of products that are used at hotels, like hand wash, that will last the whole year, plus gift baskets. It is truly worth a visit!

It's nice that H2O Plus has a partnership with DCL-- it seems like a good fit and will certainly expand brand awareness. I love their stuff!

Cupcake

 

[AuntyBrat]

It's nice that H2O Plus has a partnership with DCL-- it seems like a good fit and will certainly expand brand awareness. I love their stuff!

Cupcake

OMG I love the way my hair smells...even after washing it last night, it is still smells so good!!! I am just sitting around DISing and sniffing my hair...

 

[NHdisneylover]

Lynn-Thanks for the idea to ride the EPCOT leg of the monorail to see the flower and garden stuff. I hadn't thought about it and the view would be great. We may go around several times.

Packing--The four of us should be in the same luggage we usually take ( we generally stay a week in the parks pre cuise and then a week on the ship so the time is the same). We have two large rolling duffles (technically these belong to the kids), one "Carry-on" sized rolling bag and one rolling bag which is the next sized up and one garmet bag. I ALWAYS end up wearing some outfits twice, and ALWAYS bring home items we never wore (depends on the weahter, activites, and how I feel on any give day). The garmnet bag will be stuffed with David's tux, a foraml with yards of fabric in it (hopefully--trying to get back into it), a formal for Marika, 2 other dresses for me and one of David's sport jackets (he'll wear the other). I put David's size 13 dress shoes (filled with cuff links, opera gloves, jewrly, socks and anything else I think to stuff in there) one on each side upside down over the shoulders of the garment bag items. They fit well there and fill that empty space and it saves TONS of room in another bag. Other wise we pack lots of sundresses and beach pants/capris, tank tops and light sweaters for the girls and shorts, slacks and button down tops for the boys. We like the pools but have never spent a day (other than CC) in suits so we really need the daytime clothes. Add in pirate costumes (including my black boots--I can't help it I WILL get them in), 3 swimsuits each, basics and two more collaspsible bags if we need them on the way home and call it good. It sounds like a lot but it always fits. We do use every nook and cranny (insides of shoes, makeup bags filled totally up, etc.).

April showers have arrived early here. They are rain today (not snow) so we are feeling springy.

 

[Scoobypop]

Robert got tired of me reading the posts and constantly saying, "We have SOOO much to do, we're never going to get everything done." So last night after Amazing Race and the awesome Grease finale, we made a Cruise Preparation Calendar marking out what will get done every day off between now and the cruise. Now I feel more organized and can have a little breathing room. Okay okay, I know some of you made this list 6 months ago. And although we've known what we needed to do for the past several months, it's easier seeing it written out with a clear cut plan.

Well, time to knock off today's list: Pirates costumes (We're not as talented as Erik and those of you others making your own from scratch) We may recycle our last ones, but we're going to look today anyway. There's a year round Halloween store here. Have a good day everyone, it's our "weekend"

 

[Michelle2]

Robert got tired of me reading the posts and constantly saying, "We have SOOO much to do, we're never going to get everything done." So last night after Amazing Race and the awesome Grease finale, we made a Cruise Preparation Calendar marking out what will get done every day off between now and the cruise. Now I feel more organized and can have a little breathing room. Okay okay, I know some of you made this list 6 months ago. And although we've known what we needed to do for the past several months, it's easier seeing it written out with a clear cut plan.

Well, time to knock off today's list: Pirates costumes (We're not as talented as Erik and those of you others making your own from scratch) We may recycle our last ones, but we're going to look today anyway. There's a year round Halloween store here. Have a good day everyone, it's our "weekend"

That is exactly what I was watching last night too! Add Cold Case onto it, and Sundays are a great night for me!

I need to do alot too, haven't even started. But I have really enjoyed reading what others packing lists are and what they are planning to pack clothes and shoes wise, etc, especially to conserve room....

We are using alot of things from previous cruises (pirate night shirts, etc), but I would love to make some new door signs!! What is everyone using to make theirs??

 

[misseulalie]

Hey, does anyone listen to Clark Howard? (He's on the radio; consumer advocate)
I was just on the radio with him!!

I called regarding the cruise and what was the cheapest way to get phone service. He recommended using Skype (I think someone here mentioned it, too)

http://www.skype.com/

You call through the computer. All you need is a headset and the calls go straight through to the states!

 

[milestogo]

Hey Chris, don't you have a permanent Disney outlet in Las Vegas? If you don't know about it I'll send you the Warehouse website. Making the countdown calendar is extremely helpful. Big Picture thinking makes micro management easier!!!

Floridians: Lynn made me wonder if there are any permanent Disney outlets near the parks?

I use powerpoint to make my signs, laminate and add magnets.

Yes, we are going to be doing lots of laundry, lots of repeat clothing, few shoes (planning to buy shoes in Barcelona)

 

[AuntyBrat]

Hey, does anyone listen to Clark Howard? (He's on the radio; consumer advocate)
I was just on the radio with him!!

I called regarding the cruise and what was the cheapest way to get phone service. He recommended using Skype (I think someone here mentioned it, too)

http://www.skype.com/

You call through the computer. All you need is a headset and the calls go straight through to the states!

Very Cool!!! I will check this out when I get home. No access from work... Might be a good solution, just have to figure out if we can afford to do it on the disney cost per minute...also makes me more likely to bring my laptop withme...

 

[Michelle2]

Skype is a great idea! We already have it and are pretty familiar with it, so it would be perfect. Never thought of that one....I guess we should take our laptop afterall.....

 

[AuntyBrat]

Skype is a great idea! We already have it and are pretty familiar with it, so it would be perfect. Never thought of that one....I guess we should take our laptop afterall.....

Does it work with a wireless card or does it need to be plugged into an outlet?

 

[cquick]

I want to know: what is up with all these people falling off cruise ships this week?

I'm so sorry to hear about your back!! I'm sending lots of love. You need a massage therapist to come to the house once a week! Patrick and I have a massage every week, but my DH said he didn't want anyone messing with him, BUT when he pulled something last spring, he fell in love with our therapist ( good thing she's a girl). He doesn't have regular therapy now, but it sure helped him a lot!

YEAH! I was wondering about all these crusiers falling off ships! Too many konch Koolers? To much dancing?>

 

[cquick]

For dinners, I will pack 2 skirts (formal and casual) and nice black pants. So I can mix and match tops with the bottoms. I will bring a fancy pair of black shoes and a nice casual sandal for the dinners. A couple pairs of jeans, khakis, shorts and sweat pants. 3-4 casual shirts, 3-4 nice blouses. a few t-shirts/polo shirts and sneakers.

I like your list!

 

[Michelle2]

Does it work with a wireless card or does it need to be plugged into an outlet?

Now please forgive me everyone, I am a computer dunce----so take this with a grain of salt. DH is the electrical engineer, so I will ask him when he gets home, he is the one that knows and uses Skype primarily.

As far as I know, Skype is a program you install on your computer (kind of like the old fashioned netmeeting programs---but newer) that allows people to speak through the internet. I think all you need to do to access it, is to download it free on the computer you will be taking (laptop), and then have internet access. I think you have to register a user name and things like that. And you have to make sure that the computer at home you will "call" also has the program and a different username, etc so you can talk back an forth between them. We use a headphone/mic combo, but if you just have a mic it can work too...just something that you can talk into. It would be just like a phone.