May 14, 2011 - Eastbound TransAtlantic

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

We are in the final stages of booking, school dates are jiving, I have the time off from work. Price is right with MTO, the only thing left is to figure out our trip home. We are considering AMC Space A out of Rota, but summer travelers could make it a bit hard. It is only myself and DD Tink going and she HAS to be back to Virgina by the 4 June to graduate HS so our time after Barcelona will be limited as we have to get to ROTA to make rollcall for flight back. Either that or we shell out 1500 extra bucks for airfare and we would like to avoid that as this trip is 2 weeks after my oldest DS gets married and months before both DD start college. So unsure if we are going to pull the trigger yet....but I hope we do

 

[crown vic]

Have just joined this particular forum...and...it is a-maz-ing! Have our names on the 'Meet and Greet' spreadsheet. We are 'empty nesters' who have heard that DCL does things very well and we are looking forward to meeting you and joining in the fun onboard our first DCL cruise...

 

[TxMermaid1]

We are in the final stages of booking, school dates are jiving, I have the time off from work. Price is right with MTO, the only thing left is to figure out our trip home. We are considering AMC Space A out of Rota, but summer travelers could make it a bit hard. It is only myself and DD Tink going and she HAS to be back to Virgina by the 4 June to graduate HS so our time after Barcelona will be limited as we have to get to ROTA to make rollcall for flight back. Either that or we shell out 1500 extra bucks for airfare and we would like to avoid that as this trip is 2 weeks after my oldest DS gets married and months before both DD start college. So unsure if we are going to pull the trigger yet....but I hope we do

Sure hope you can work it out and join us. Good luck!

 

[TxMermaid1]

Have just joined this particular forum...and...it is a-maz-ing! Have our names on the 'Meet and Greet' spreadsheet. We are 'empty nesters' who have heard that DCL does things very well and we are looking forward to meeting you and joining in the fun onboard our first DCL cruise...

Welcome to the group. We are also empty nesters. We love going on Disney cruises even without kids!

 

[Yvet]

I love all your excitement!!
I sooo can remember the TA EB we did last year and this preperation part is also so much fun!!!

 

[heatherb819]

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!

 

[braysmommy]

Hi guys! I'm an overpacker too and stsomewhere gives me inspiration to par it down! What does your packing list look like for evening/dinner?

I found some cute l/s terrycloth hooded robe type cover-ups for my kids. Yes, I know they'll be bulky, but if the kids want to swim and it's on the chilly side while crossing, this might help us extend our use of the pool. Luckily, traveling with kids allows us to bring 4 bags if we want. Are any of you parents thinking along the same lines? This is only our 2nd cruise with kids, so I'd welcome your ideas on packing for the kids.

This parent is very happy to have my sons luggage as a backup if needed. We too will be at the pool on chilly days if he has his way! This is what I am planning on packing for him: 6 daytime outfits (shirts & combo of short/sweats), 4 shirts/2 ties/2 pr. pants and one pr. of shoes for dinner, 2 swimsuits (his goggles), sneakers, flip flops, 2 pr. PJ's, fleece, windbreaker. I am really trying to keep our clothes to a minimum!! We will be doing laundry 2 times during the trip since we have a night prior to sailing in Orlando and 4 nights in Barcelona after the cruise.

75 more days!!!

 

[stsomewhere]

I was reading that if you use your Credit card in Europe, you need to also use pin#.

I have a citibank card with a pin that I was planning on using for ship account.
Since it has a large limit, it can get me home or cover any expenses in an emergency. I was not planning on using this in port.

I have another card with a small limit I use for ports. I do not have a pin that I know of. Should I call and get one?

Also, would it just be easier to order euros/ponds and just use cash?

Thanks,
Christi

 

[twokings]

I was reading that if you use your Credit card in Europe, you need to also use pin#.

I have a citibank card with a pin that I was planning on using for ship account.
Since it has a large limit, it can get me home or cover any expenses in an emergency. I was not planning on using this in port.

I have another card with a small limit I use for ports. I do not have a pin that I know of. Should I call and get one?

Also, would it just be easier to order euros/ponds and just use cash?

Thanks,
Christi

Usually your Pin isn't required when doing day to day charging on your credit cards. It is sometimes required when you preorder tickets. I recently ordered tickets for the Alhambra in Granada and the website indicated I will need a Pin to pick up the tickets. I have traveled to France a few time and Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria and was never asked for a pin. You should however call your credit card company ahead of time and indicate you will be using it overseas. As for getting money ahead of time. It can be nice to have a few euros ahead of time if you feel you will be needed to use money right away. i.e. taxi. ATM are located in many locations but not quite as much as the US. To get the best exchange rate you should simply use your ATM card at any of the local ATMs. The big banks primarily can whack you a higher fee but it is usually less than the banks exchange rates at home and definitely better than the American Express Visa cards, travelers checks etc. Again you should let your local bank know you will be using oversees. Most credit cards charge a 3% charge to convert the money. You are usually better taking out cash out of the ATM as needed and paying cash assuming your bank doesn't charge you to much to withdraw. I use a credit union that doesn't change me money to withdraw from any ATM regardless of where it is located. I sometimes get charged from the bank where I withdrew the money from. I hope this helps.

 

[Can't wait to cruise]

I was reading that if you use your Credit card in Europe, you need to also use pin#.

I have a citibank card with a pin that I was planning on using for ship account.
Since it has a large limit, it can get me home or cover any expenses in an emergency. I was not planning on using this in port.

I have another card with a small limit I use for ports. I do not have a pin that I know of. Should I call and get one?

Also, would it just be easier to order euros/ponds and just use cash?

Thanks,
Christi

We did the East Bound Trans Atlantic in May 2007 and used our Citi Master Card in several places. No PIN required but HIGHLY recommend that you contact the bank you card is with a couple of weeks prior to sailing and advise them that you will be traveling overseas and what dates. Expect a nominal charge to your card for the conversion from Euros (we were charged a one time $35 fee) but the exchange rate was very reasonable. If you only use the card once or for very small amounts, consider any transaction fees with your charges.

We also found the customer service desk on deck 3 had Euros available for exchange with American Dollars (cash). Your local bank can also order Euros for you but get them ordered about 30 days in advance as they may take a couple of weeks to get. Expect to pay about 7 cents above the exchange rate you see on CNBC. Either get big bills and break them at the desk or order small bills to use on the port calls.

 

[twokings]

http://web.me.com/lyncorn/Site/Welcome.html


This is link from last years EBTA has some very useful information.

 

[twokings]

I was reading that if you use your Credit card in Europe, you need to also use pin#.

I have a citibank card with a pin that I was planning on using for ship account.
Since it has a large limit, it can get me home or cover any expenses in an emergency. I was not planning on using this in port.

I have another card with a small limit I use for ports. I do not have a pin that I know of. Should I call and get one?

Also, would it just be easier to order euros/ponds and just use cash?

Thanks,
Christi

This link has a lot of good advice.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneytip.htm

 

[stsomewhere]

Kerri,
Thanks for you help/ advice.
I will call the credit card company. I plan on using my Capital one card in ports since I will not be charged fees.

I will get some Euros before I leave. I can get more euros on board if needed. I will use my credit card for larger purchases.
I would rather not rely on finding an ATM since I will be on DCL excursions.

Thanks again,
Christi

 

[disneyaholic86]

Subscribing! Joined the spreadsheet.

DP Chris and I (Ryan) just booked! It will be his 26th b-day and first cruise. I have only been on one Disney cruise which was a 4-night Bahamas in Jan. 2000 on the Magic. It will be nice to return and experience it all again with an extra 10 nights of course.

Major Disney fans and usually go to WDW at least twice a year. Hoping to meet some new people. We are on the younger side (26 & 24), but just want to have a great time.

 

[twokings]

Kerri,
Thanks for you help/ advice.
I will call the credit card company. I plan on using my Capital one card in ports since I will not be charged fees.

I will get some Euros before I leave. I can get more euros on board if needed. I will use my credit card for larger purchases.
I would rather not rely on finding an ATM since I will be on DCL excursions.

Thanks again,
Christi

I would double check with capital one to confirm if any fees.

 

[RockingTiggers]

I would double check with capital one to confirm if any fees.

http://www.capitalone.com/creditcards/help/

58.Will Capital One charge me a fee if I use my credit card overseas?
Capital One does not charge a fee for using your credit card for foreign currency transactions. Foreign purchases will be converted at the foreign exchange rate in effect at the time of posting the charge.

 

[dylan'smom]

Subscribing! Joined the spreadsheet.

DP Chris and I (Ryan) just booked! It will be his 26th b-day and first cruise. I have only been on one Disney cruise which was a 4-night Bahamas in Jan. 2000 on the Magic. It will be nice to return and experience it all again with an extra 10 nights of course.

Major Disney fans and usually go to WDW at least twice a year. Hoping to meet some new people. We are on the younger side (26 & 24), but just want to have a great time.

Hi Ryan & Chris! Welcome!!
DH & I are probably the geezers of the group, lol, but glad to see you guys on board - there is a wide range of ages as far as I can tell!


Money matters.... We always use our ATM in Europe - seems we get the best exchange rates & always have some cash. We are charged $5 for the transaction, so usually just use the card once or twice. We have also pre-ordered both through our bank & AAA in the past, but the rates are not as good. Have also used a credit card, but not everyone takes that.

Just check with your bank and/or credit card company & ask them what their fees are when you let them know your travel dates - they really do vary!

 

[strawberryblonde]

Subscribing! Joined the spreadsheet.

DP Chris and I (Ryan) just booked! It will be his 26th b-day and first cruise. I have only been on one Disney cruise which was a 4-night Bahamas in Jan. 2000 on the Magic. It will be nice to return and experience it all again with an extra 10 nights of course.

Major Disney fans and usually go to WDW at least twice a year. Hoping to meet some new people. We are on the younger side (26 & 24), but just want to have a great time.

Good for him! Jumping into cruising with both feet, that is for sure. I think he is going to love it. Perfect birthday present. My DH and I are May bdays that fall during this cruise as well....40 + 41 though, but we still feel 20 something . Our kids are looking forward to all the seadays most of all, they have a blast on ship! Welcome

 

[strawberryblonde]

We are in the final stages of booking, school dates are jiving, I have the time off from work. Price is right with MTO, the only thing left is to figure out our trip home. We are considering AMC Space A out of Rota, but summer travelers could make it a bit hard. It is only myself and DD Tink going and she HAS to be back to Virgina by the 4 June to graduate HS so our time after Barcelona will be limited as we have to get to ROTA to make rollcall for flight back. Either that or we shell out 1500 extra bucks for airfare and we would like to avoid that as this trip is 2 weeks after my oldest DS gets married and months before both DD start college. So unsure if we are going to pull the trigger yet....but I hope we do

Hope you can!

 

[strawberryblonde]

Please don't feel like you HAVE to wear pink to the "pink ladies" Don't pack something just for it, there's no need to do that. I will call DCL once we get a little closer to inquire about setting up a private event for us. I also read on another report that they just arranged it themselves and each brought their own bottle of wine/champagne. They just did it after they had been to Madeira and that's where they all purchased wine to share. I'll get pricing from DCL and we can decide for ourselves how we want to do it. I tried calling today but was on hold for 35 minutes and gave up!

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