May 14, 2011 - Eastbound TransAtlantic

[strawberryblonde]

Welcome, TxMermaid! Nice to see a kindred spirit onboard!

I noticed on the one and only other DIS cruise we were on (2009) that Ariel wasn't (ever) in the line-up to pose for photos/meet & greets. My youngest DD was sad about that, though she did meet her at Ariel's Grotto last year @ Calif Adv. Has anyone ever seen Ariel at an onboard photo op?

Susan

I've not seen Ariel on the Magic before, but I would love to! Fun to have two mermaids posting on this thread

 

[strawberryblonde]

We are all very excited for this cruise. My MIL is talking to everyone she knows about it, she is the most excited of all!

I didn't pack any shorts for the Med. last year so I don't think I will for this trip either. I take little skirts that I can layer capri leggings under if cooler, and without if not. I'm bringing a long dress for formal night, it takes up no space and is light as a feather. I'll bring along a little black dress as well and a couple casual dresses. One pair of capris. One jacket. A couple of cardigans for layering. Pirate dress with boots (the boots are costume boots and weigh next to nothing). Jeans weigh so much, I may just bring one pair. Yoga pants, they are lighter (for packing weight) and are so comfy for watching a movie in the ship's theater. Shoes are hard for me to skimp on....I love shoes!...but I try to not take too many.

I pack mainly the same for my DD (except her long dress is poofy and cinderella like). DS takes polo tops and slacks for casual dining nights. He outgrew his tux from last year, so I haven't figured out what I'm doing for him yet...I'm thinking sports jacket, not sure. He wears his shorts long, so he will bring quite a few pairs for wearing around the ship.

We each get one suitcase (42 pounds) and one carry on (17 pounds) and I weigh them all before we leave. It is hard! At least I don't have to pack shampoo and conditioner...I like the stuff they provide on board now

 

[stsomewhere]

I haven't seen any boas around here but I will wear pink

Not sure where you live.
But, I saw some boas at Justice and Party City. If you wanted, also look in the toy dept for girl dress up clothes.

Christi

 

[njmom23grls]

Morning everyone! Welcome new cruisers! Its getting closer and I'm trying hard not to get too excited just yet!

I think the question about the Visa has already been asked and answered - but I also use the Capital One Visa specifically because of the no foreign transaction fees (they offer many types of cards but I searched for that one as someone else had told me about it) - I was really ticked off to be charged ftf on my Disney Visa in St Thomas or other places that put the charge through in US Dollars. You can also set a travel alert online letting them know which countries you will be traveling to.

I know all banks are different and that it is for my "protection" - but I was very frustrated in the fall because I tried to use my ATM card at a bank in Canada to take out what started as $100 but I couldn't even withdraw $20. Turns out my bank (Wachovia - so a very major bank) froze my account because I didn't set a travel alert with them! I was pi*sed because whats the point of having an ATM card to get cash if you can't get cash when you travel and have to tell your bank everywhere you go. I was very glad to have a credit card and even more greatful that Tim Hortons accepted it!

I'm looking forward to meeting everyone!
Lisa

 

[Happy Wanderers]

Not sure where you live.
But, I saw some boas at Justice and Party City. If you wanted, also look in the toy dept for girl dress up clothes.

Christi

Hi all

I just purchased my pink feather boa from Amazon it came last week

I think this will work here is the link for Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...rds=pink+feather+boa&sprefix=pink+feather+boa

I am getting organised I think LOL

Best wishes

Adele

 

[stsomewhere]

I am exchanging money before I leave. I would rather have it on hand and not have to worry about it.

We found in Germany that some ATMs took our card and some did not. If the bank denys it, I would be out of luck for the rest of the trip.

My question is...since I am already exchanging currency should I get British pounds for Gibraltar? I know that they will take euros but, I feel like I would be paying the exchange rate twice.


Christi

 

[platinumcruzer]

Hey fellow cruisers...are any of you flying Air Berlin out of Barcelona? I have been procrastinating about booking flights and have found a good deal flying with them, but am unfamiliar with the airline.Any reviews or opinions?

 

[sehandiph]

Hi all,

been away from the board for a week and so much activity....

welcome to all the new folks.

If any of you are travelling onwards to the UK - most places will expect a chip and pin card - but you can usually just sign (some places will make a bit of a fuss) but my sister who lives in the USA manages when she comes over without a chip and pin card. Just make sure that the back of the card is signed as they will probably carefully check the signature.

Anyone is more than welcome to view our cabin - if anyone really wants to view a deck 1 category 9 cabin. (as long as I get chance to see the 'posh' cabins )

secret mickey sounds interesting

Not long now.......

Sharon

 

[Fort Fanatics]

Ok, it's now confirmed and me and my DH are now booked for this cruise!!! We booked a Verandah, and got such an AWESOME deal, that we could not pass up. My husband is currently the Cheif Security Officer for another cruise line and got us a fantastic rate thru a friend of his who works on this ship!! This will be our first "Disney" cruise and we are hoping it will be a wonderful one at that!! We are looking to also fly out using AirBerlin and staying the night in Dusseldorf, Germany at the Sheraton located in the airport. Then we get back to sunny Miami in no time!! We are so excited and any tips that you all can provide would be great!!!!!!

 

[TxMermaid1]

If someone wants to add the secret mickey to the sign up sheet, I will be glad to organize it.

 

[runswithscissors]

Hello and Welcome to all newcomers!

 

[runswithscissors]

If someone wants to add the secret mickey to the sign up sheet, I will be glad to organize it.

I added Secret Mickeys to the events tab on the google doc. Thanks, TxMermaid, for offering to organize.

 

[dylan'smom]

Hey fellow cruisers...are any of you flying Air Berlin out of Barcelona? I have been procrastinating about booking flights and have found a good deal flying with them, but am unfamiliar with the airline.Any reviews or opinions?

Sorry to say I don't know anything about them, but I did see that rate - looked the best I've seen so far. We decided to book DCL air & then it's now waitlisted for the Hyatt pre-cruise night for west coasters...so waiting again to hear from them. So confusing to know which to book!

Can someone tell me more about the secret Mickey? I haven't done that before. Do we draw names or something?

Thanks!!

 

[stsomewhere]

I am interested in hearing more about secret mickey, too.

 

[TxMermaid1]

I've not seen Ariel on the Magic before, but I would love to! Fun to have two mermaids posting on this thread

Ariel was on the Wonder during the Panama Canal cruise in Jan


Re: SECRET MICKEY

We will be having a Secret Mickey exchange. If you are interested please sign up on the spreadsheet. Also please send me the name, age and a little something about each person participating. ex. girl, 4 likes Ariel and Donald Duck.

Sign ups are open until April 25th.

 

[TxMermaid1]

Sorry to say I don't know anything about them, but I did see that rate - looked the best I've seen so far. We decided to book DCL air & then it's now waitlisted for the Hyatt pre-cruise night for west coasters...so waiting again to hear from them. So confusing to know which to book!

Can someone tell me more about the secret Mickey? I haven't done that before. Do we draw names or something?

Thanks!!

The Secret Mickey..... Everyone that signs up needs to contact me with the name, age and a little info about the person signing up. example would be a girl age 4 likes Ariel and Donald Duck. This will help the person that is your Secret Mickey to know what to shop for.
I will be assigning the names to each of you along with the info that person sends me.

I think a max limit should be $25 to $30... any thoughts on this?

I think it is nice to get a few small items to give out on several days over a single item but that is at your discretion.

We will have a meeting near the end of the cruise to reveal who your secret mickey is.

Any feedback would be appreciated....

 

[Winstanik]

Welcome to all the new cruisers ! We are starting to get excited about our upcoming trip

 

[heatherb819]

Jill you Secret Mickey plan sounds wonderful. That's exactly how we did it on our last cruise. It was alot of fun trying to figure out who our SM was the entire cruise. I think it's a great idea to involve the kids if enough are interested. I know Hannah would love to participate, she love to do the FE and really looks forward to walking the ship to hand them all out. I'm anxiously waiting our air details. Disney told me it was already booked but won't tell me yet I guess it's top secret until the 60 day mark!

 

[twokings]

I am exchanging money before I leave. I would rather have it on hand and not have to worry about it.

We found in Germany that some ATMs took our card and some did not. If the bank denys it, I would be out of luck for the rest of the trip.

My question is...since I am already exchanging currency should I get British pounds for Gibraltar? I know that they will take euros but, I feel like I would be paying the exchange rate twice.


Christi

I was talking to various people about this today. Banks in the states can charge a lot of fees to exchange money. Some cruises exchange for better rates on board. Not sure about Disney. I am also told airport have better exchange rates than banks in the US. Something to consider. We should get the most out of our money!

 

[twokings]

Welcome aboard everyone! This group is really growing, I can't wait to meet and chat with new found friends! Cabin tour is something I'm interested in but we are Gty and we are hoping to upgrade at port so I don't know that I can offer our cabin up for viewing as I don't know where we will be just yet. SM sounds fun too, we did that on our previous cruise and had a ton of fun with it!

We can offer category 9C? 2nd floor large port hole window.