May 14, 2011 - Eastbound TransAtlantic

[Can't wait to cruise]

I need to go jean shopping, too. How many pairs do you think one person would need? I really don't want to do laundry on my vacation. I would be hard because most of my pants and tops I hang to dry.

I saw swim suits out, too. I do need a new one of those.


Christi

A couple of pairs should be fine. Long cargo pants with the button or velcro pocket flaps is also a good idea onshore. Not pick pocket proof but a little harder to get to your stuff. For as easy as it is to do a quick load of laundry on a sea day, I wouldn't think of packing enough to not need to do a load. We're limited to one free checked bag each on the international flights home so going light and doing some laundry is the way to go. We're all on the cruise to relax and have a good time. Never heard on any previous cruises (5) anyone complain about seeing someone in the same outfit twice. If you want to hang your stuff to dry, there is a laundry string in the tub/shower you can use too.

Only 10 more days to book Palo's!!! Yum Yum.

 

[stsomewhere]

Well, my husband told his dad that I was going alone. He was not happy about it. My poor DH got an earful. FIL said that would never happen since he likes to travel with family. His parents never went anywhere with out their kids. DH reminded him that we send the kids to camp each summer for a few weeks. This is camp for mom.

My inlaws are going to keep my daughter for the second weekend since my husband and son will be at camp out with Boy Scouts.

The day we leave my daughter has a pom pon competition. So, I will have to teach my husband how to do her hair and makeup or ask one of the moms from her team to do it.

Things are starting to come together. I am making a calendar for my husband of everything that needs to be done while I am gone. Plus, I will grocery shop, pay bills, etc. before I leave.

Still concerned about packing. I am an over packer. A few pairs of jeans will be fine. I am trying to compose a list of what I need. Bringing stuff to mix and match.

 

[heatherb819]

I'm thinking just a 3 pairs of jeans and a 3 pairs of capris, about 6 t-shirts and a jacket or two and some dinner clothes a bathing suit and I'm good to go. We've sent clothes off to be laundered on our past Disney cruise and was happy with ther service so I'll do that again. I'm not doing laundry on my vacation. I'll leave that to someone else.

 

[njmom23grls]

Quick question for those flying out of Barcelona on 5/28 - does anyone know what time the earliest flight out you can take it? I found info on the DCL website for the Med cruises - which said 12:30 pm - but that was for arrival back into Barcelona on the day of departure. However, the ship will arrive and be cleared on 5/27 so.... wasn't sure - most of the flights I found departed roughly 11:00 am. Just looking for a little advice from other travelers. Thank you

PS - found a terrific one-way fare on US AIR today (one way!) - $92 (incl taxes!) from PHL to MCO on 5/14 if anyone is from this area

 

[Can't wait to cruise]

Quick question for those flying out of Barcelona on 5/28 - does anyone know what time the earliest flight out you can take it? I found info on the DCL website for the Med cruises - which said 12:30 pm - but that was for arrival back into Barcelona on the day of departure. However, the ship will arrive and be cleared on 5/27 so.... wasn't sure - most of the flights I found departed roughly 11:00 am. Just looking for a little advice from other travelers. Thank you

PS - found a terrific one-way fare on US AIR today (one way!) - $92 (incl taxes!) from PHL to MCO on 5/14 if anyone is from this area

We have a 10am Saturday morning out of Barcelona. Will probably be cutting it tight but we may not leave our bags out the night before and just take them with us ourselves. Will see what guest services says about that to save time on departure. Cabs only take about 20 minutes to get to the airport and there is usually a bunch the morning we get off at the dock.

 

[stsomewhere]

I just got the call from my grandma. She was upset that I am traveling solo. I get about a 15 minute lecture. Apparently, traveling alone =marriage problems.

We have been together for 21 yrs. and married for 16 yrs on April 1.

This is why I did not tell anyone until after the paid in full date. I can't get a refund now.
She is hoping that Erik (my DH) will be joining me closer to the sail date. His vacation is spoken for already. Scout camp and Alaskan cruise in August.

 

[twokings]

I'm thinking just a 3 pairs of jeans and a 3 pairs of capris, about 6 t-shirts and a jacket or two and some dinner clothes a bathing suit and I'm good to go....

I am with you. This trip we are packing light. We have a week in Spain, traveling to a few destination. I don't want to lug tons of luggage on the train. I plan to mix and match. Now I just need to convince my 19 year daughter she has to do the same thing.

 

[sbassgva]

Stsomewhere:

Your posts have been making me laugh. Maybe this is one of those things that you should print and stick on your refrigerator in 25 years when your kids get older !! You know, they say that we generally end up being exactly like our parents (or other family members). Good luck getting out of town alone...sounds like you might need to work on some escape plan. Thanks for the smiles !!

 

[stsomewhere]

I will be going ALONE!

The funny thing is my husband use to travel a lot for work. My grandma never had a problem with that or when my husband goes hunting or to scout camp.
Technically, he is traveling alone.

I need to find out who told my grandma and give them a lecture of my own.


Christi

 

[stsomewhere]

I wanted to add:
When I told my husband about the conversation I had with my grandma, he laughed.

He said to tell her that he prevented martial problems by allowing me to go. Otherwise, he would be hearing about it for the next 20 yrs....LOL

Christi

 

[slcmom]

I really over-packed on the 2010EBTA! When I was packing to leave the ship there were maybe 3-4 outfits each that we had never even worn! I hope I don't do that again. I also took 2 different outfits for formal, plus 2 different outfits for semi-formal. True, I don't get to wear them normally, but I don't know that I'll be quite that heavy-handed again.

My dh always traveled for work. I was stay-at-home, and loved going with him sometimes, but he still went alone some. Our marriage survived! Now that he is disabled (and I am his only 24/hour/day caretaker), I try to get away several days a year, to keep myself sane. I've gone to conventions for my profession, I've taken workshops, I've even done medical tourism twice to Thailand. I think being apart from time to time is a wonderful break for all concerned. So there. And you may tell your grandma that I said so!
Ann

 

[stsomewhere]

I really over-packed on the 2010EBTA! When I was packing to leave the ship there were maybe 3-4 outfits each that we had never even worn! I hope I don't do that again. I also took 2 different outfits for formal, plus 2 different outfits for semi-formal. True, I don't get to wear them normally, but I don't know that I'll be quite that heavy-handed again.

My dh always traveled for work. I was stay-at-home, and loved going with him sometimes, but he still went alone some. Our marriage survived! Now that he is disabled (and I am his only 24/hour/day caretaker), I try to get away several days a year, to keep myself sane. I've gone to conventions for my profession, I've taken workshops, I've even done medical tourism twice to Thailand. I think being apart from time to time is a wonderful break for all concerned. So there. And you may tell your grandma that I said so!
Ann

Thanks!

 

[hrhdhd]

I just got the call from my grandma. She was upset that I am traveling solo. I get about a 15 minute lecture. Apparently, traveling alone =marriage problems.

We have been together for 21 yrs. and married for 16 yrs on April 1.

This is why I did not tell anyone until after the paid in full date. I can't get a refund now.
She is hoping that Erik (my DH) will be joining me closer to the sail date. His vacation is spoken for already. Scout camp and Alaskan cruise in August.

Okay, I've been lurking, but this post almost seems to be from me anyway, so I'm popping in!

I am also traveling alone, first time on DCL, leaving husband of 16 years (been together for 21, including as prom dates). I've gotten an earful from my mom about leaving my poor husband alone for 2 weeks. What's he going to eat, she wants to know. I figure he's old enough to figure that out.

I wouldn't mind joining some solo travelers at second dinner. How does that work?

 

[heatherb819]

FYI: You can send packages ahead of time to the Port, I have done this with my FE and will do again! Hope this helps some of you out.


Boxes Sent the Ship Ahead of Cruise - PLEASE follow these instructions carefully!!!!!! UPDATED AS OF 2/25/2009
• ONE box per stateroom, no exceptions.
• The package must have the guest full name, ship, sailing date, stateroom number or GTY if you have not been assigned a stateroom number.
• The package also must have a packing slip attached to the outside of the box that details the contents of the package. For prescriptions, a copy of the prescription is sufficient. Your list may or may not be read but it must have one. Write packing slip on the outside of the envelope.
• NO FOODS/DRINKS OF ANY KIND, LIQUOR OF ANY KIND, FIREARMS, ETC.. Items that cannot be shipped to the Disney Cruise Line Warehouse and delivered to the ship include: food products (any and all food products including baby food/formula), beverages (liquor, water, etc.), chemicals, and luggage. These items will not be accepted at the warehouse and will be returned. This may cause the dogs to hit on your box and that would be a bad thing.
• The required size of the cartons you are shipping down have to be about the size of a record storage box 12 inches on a side and should not weigh more than 20 lbs. (This has been asked personally by Dave Adams who is the owner)

Address your package(s) to:
Disney Cruise Line Warehouse
Guest Name / Stateroom # (GTY, if you don't know what it is when you send the package)
8633 Transport Drive
Orlando, FL 32832
Phone: 407-566-8196

In the bottom left corner of the top of the package put the following information: ATTN: HOUSEKEEPING
*Name
*Sail Date
*Ship
*Stateroom Number
*Packing slip that details contents of the package (for prescriptions, a copy of the prescription is sufficient)
• Packages must arrive by Friday by 3:00pm for the 7-Night Cruise on the Disney Magic (Saturday).
• Packages must arrive by Friday by 3:00pm for the 4-Night Cruise on the Disney Wonder (Sunday).
• Packages must arrive by Wednesday by 3:00pm for the 3-Night Cruise on the Disney Wonder (Thursday).

If your box is hit on by the screening dog or chosen for additional screening they will open the list and the box and look through it. They will close it back up and provided nothing bad is in it then it will be in your room as usual later after boarding. These boxes will be coming on the ship with the crew mail among other things so they may be in the staterooms later then they were before as they are low priority in the scheme of things for Disney

 

[heatherb819]

BTW-
You are all cracking me up about the solo traveling! I went to Cancun with my sister last January, I won a trip from a radio station and DH couldn't go so I took her. I wasn't going to forfeit the trip. I also take a girls only trip once a year or every other year. We need it! I don't know that I'm as brave as you to travel solo on a two week cruise (DH wouldn't let me, he loves to cruise and so does DD) but I sure do know that my girls trips are heavenly and I appreciate my family so much more when I've returned from a week away. DH feels the same way he takes weekend trips away now and then. It's even gotten to the point he'll take DD and then I have a long weekend home alone and that's just as nice. I think it's funny when other try to interfere with your marriage.

 

[stsomewhere]

Okay, I've been lurking, but this post almost seems to be from me anyway, so I'm popping in!

I am also traveling alone, first time on DCL, leaving husband of 16 years (been together for 21, including as prom dates). I've gotten an earful from my mom about leaving my poor husband alone for 2 weeks. What's he going to eat, she wants to know. I figure he's old enough to figure that out.

I wouldn't mind joining some solo travelers at second dinner. How does that work?

Too funny about your post! My husband and I were prom dates ,too. We started dating our senior year in high school.
My grandma asked we who was going to take care of the kids while i was gone. I told her-my husband/ their dad. It is not like they are babies. My son will be 13 and my daughter turns 10 tomorrow.

I have been a stay at home mom since my son was 1 yr old. My family is use to me taking care of things for them. It will be interesting to hear how they made it through the two weeks. I am preparing for my house to be in chaos when I get back

You will love DCl! This is my third cruise on them and have another booked for August. I have cruised 12 times on other lines (HAL, RCI, Carnival, and Majesty) But, we have not sailed on any of them since our first DCL cruise.

As for seating together at dinner, I have contacted DCL and are waiting for a response. I will let you know when I have heard back from them.

Christi

 

[stsomewhere]

BTW-
You are all cracking me up about the solo traveling! I went to Cancun with my sister last January, I won a trip from a radio station and DH couldn't go so I took her. I wasn't going to forfeit the trip. I also take a girls only trip once a year or every other year. We need it! I don't know that I'm as brave as you to travel solo on a two week cruise (DH wouldn't let me, he loves to cruise and so does DD) but I sure do know that my girls trips are heavenly and I appreciate my family so much more when I've returned from a week away. DH feels the same way he takes weekend trips away now and then. It's even gotten to the point he'll take DD and then I have a long weekend home alone and that's just as nice. I think it's funny when other try to interfere with your marriage.

Heather-
I usually go on a weekend shopping trip with my friends before Christmas. We have a really good time. i thought that Dh would not want me to go since he has wanted to do a transatlantic cruise for a long time. But, he said that I work hard and deserve it.

 

[stsomewhere]

My DH just called me. He was at the doctor and was discussing my upcoming trip with him. The doctor told him that it was good for a marriage to do things apart. It makes us appreciate our spouse more.

The doctor told DH that he could write me a prescription for a my vacation...



Christi

 

[Winstanik]

My DH just called me. He was at the doctor and was discussing my upcoming trip with him. The doctor told him that it was good for a marriage to do things apart. It makes us appreciate our spouse more.

The doctor told DH that he could write me a prescription for a my vacation...



Christi

You are killing me ! I am laughing out loud here ! I am so glad that my husband and daughter are not in the house

Seriously, I don't see the harm of going away without your spouse. I've done it a couple of time and it was good for both of us ! This time, we are going by ourselves for the first time (for more than 1 night) without our daughter. It's been 15 years that we are together and we need "us" time, so we can be better parents ! And I'm not worried about my daughter, she will be with my parents and on weekends, two of my friends already told me that they will each take her for a weekend to give my parents a break !

 

[stsomewhere]

Lisa- (njmom23grls)
and
hrhdhd

I have sent you a private message about linking reservations for dining.
Please let me know what you would like to do.

Christi