May 26, 2007 (5/26/07) "First Magical Med Cruise!!" (The M&M's!)

[renegade7]

Has anyone used the "Space Bag" for packing? I am just wondering how wrinkeled everything will be when I unpack? (I am planning on brinking a small bottle of Downey Wrinkle Release.) Also, if they work well?

 

[icunurse_celeste]

Peter, I hope you have happy birthday! I would post bunches of smiles, but I can't on the blackberry. :-(

 

[icunurse_celeste]

Has anyone used the "Space Bag" for packing? I am just wondering how wrinkeled everything will be when I unpack? (I am planning on brinking a small bottle of Downey Wrinkle Release.) Also, if they work well?

The biggest problem with them is that you can't revac PAC the stuff, unless you get you cabin steward to do it

 

[icunurse_celeste]

Repeat after me:

You are a good Mom. You are a good Mom. You are a good Mom.

Then remind yourself:

That you too, need time to be you. If you get a chance to recharge, you will be that much better with Noah when you return.

Then:

Go ahead and cry into that hanky.

And finally:

Plan some really cool things to do - just you and Noah when you return. Work with him to plan his special day. Whether it be running around in pajamas until 11, eating chocolate cake for breakfast, having pizza for lunch and ice cream for dinner. Watching Star Wars movies and playing light saber. Whatever! Just make it a day that is HIS day alone.

Sue

Thanks!

 

[winotracy]

Another mobile note: Yesterday I called T Mobile to request my unlock code. Believe it or not- I got it via email TODAY! If you are interested in getting yours- ask if they can email it to you, so you can get it quickly!

Warning, warning!!!!

Some of you may like T Mobile. If you do not have T Mobile yet -- do not -- I REPEAT DO NOT!!!!!! -- get it for this trip!!!!!!

I have wasted all day dealing with their crap, lies, false advertising, etc., etc.

Let me first say that up until next week I wasn't concerned about having access by cell phone until I found out that my mom would be having surgery and recovering while I'm gone. Also my sister is having some other issues this weekend and I'm even more concerned about leaving the country.

I called last week about the pay as you go plan and international calling. I was told there was a waiting period to get the international roaming on the phone. So I hung up and called some other providers. I determined that none of them would work so I called T Mobile back and asked again about the waiting period. I was told there wasn't one. T Mobile is not in our area so I talked to a sales person about ordering the phone online. I couldn't do that because I couldn't activate the phone in my area. Fine, so I looked for the nearest location on T Mobile's website -- 50 miles away in either Rockford or Delafield. I still felt uncomfortable so I called back to check into this. I again was told there wasn't a waiting period to get the international roaming on the phone. It was then recommended that we go to a T Mobile dealer on the day that we fly to get the phone and get it activated. This was the plan.

Today started out very rainy so we decided to drive either to Rockford or Delafield to get the phone, make sure it works, etc. Based on the radar we decided to go to Delafield. We got to Walmart and were looking for the phones. Finally asked someone and they said they don't sell them. They were going to be selling them in a month or so, but not yet. (T Mobile's lie #1) I knew the next nearest location was Waukesha so we asked directions to that store, another 15 minutes down the road.

We got to the store and they had the phones, but no one there knew anything about the model of the phones so I called T Mobile and asked them. They told me either phone would work in Europe. I told the lady there that was I leaving in a couple weeks and she said either would be fine. I bought the phone and a 100 minute card. The salesperson at Walmart said we could activate the phone from any phone -- it didn't need to be the T Mobile phone and it didn't need to be in the calling area. (T Mobile's lie #2).

I waited on hold in the car with my other cell phone to activate this phone for 20 minutes. Finally someone came on the phone. I asked her immediately about the WorldAccess (or whatever it is called). She very knowledgably said she could activate that as soon as we activated the phone. We went through the whole process while Bill drove over to Target (our next shopping place). As the phone was activated I said now we need to activate the WorldAccess and she said you must wait 90 days to do that. She didn't need to look it up or anything, she knew you had to wait but activated the phone anyway. (T Mobile's lie #3). I asked for a supervisor.

The supervisor said that there was absolutely nothing they could do about it. I pointed out that no where on the packaging, in the materials or on the internet did it say there was a 90 day waiting period. Additionally, TWO of their customer service reps said there wasn't one. She said she could understand my frustration. I said could you understand that I had to drive 1:15 with outrageous gas prices, spend $200 and find out I can't use the phone? I asked for her superior and she said she could take my number and someone would call me back in 72 hours. Forget it! Then I'd have to drive back to return the phone if I don't get anywhere. We called Walmart and they said we could return it. So we did our Target shopping and guess what? They sold T Mobile! There was a Target we could have gone to in Delafield, but didn't because it wasn't listed on T Mobile's website (T Mobile's lie #4).

I am so mad about this!!! The letter writing has begun! I'm gonna have to stick with my original plan (thanks Sue!). What a waste of a day, gas, time and my patience.



Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[Hygiene99]

Thanks for letting me vent.

No prob...

 

[Hygiene99]

Wow, what an awful day Tracy! Sounds like you need a vacation!!! Hugs... Jenn

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Has anyone used the "Space Bag" for packing? I am just wondering how wrinkeled everything will be when I unpack? (I am planning on brinking a small bottle of Downey Wrinkle Release.) Also, if they work well?

The Downey works well, but I'm not sure it works a whole lot better than a little spray bottle. I bring both, and use the Downey for the really nice things. It's amazing what a little water and a blow dryer will do for getting wrinkles out. Just stretch the fabric a little while blowdrying it.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Sorry about your phone troubles.

Something for Noah: This is something that I've done with my kids. I have a box or bag that I put things in and everyday or everyother day (whatever you want) you put a little prize him to draw from. Maybe it's a toy, maybe it's a note, maybe it's a videotape of you telling him you love him. One day (or all of them) you can do a map of where the ship will be and let him track it at home. Daily pictures via email always help. Email him pictures of things he can learn about so that next time, if you go there again, he will know a lot about them so he can understand them when HE sees them.

Last time on our DCL, we ordered the birthday package for my son. It's a pluto that all the characters sign. I don't know if that would be cool if you brought him back a pluto that everyone has signed.


Just a side note , my passports are STILL not here. I called once again today and they said they'd put a 3rd request in. She said, where do you fly through? When I told her JFK, she suggested that I can make it to the passport office to get them if they haven't come yet (like in my 3 hr layover I can make it there and back before I leave for BCN). OR, go to SFO, LA, or Denver to the regional office. I then told her that it is a minimum 10 hr drive for 6 of us and taking off isn't really an option since we're self-employed. You'd think 12 weeks would be enough to get them. If you know anyone traveling, please tell them to allow 16 weeks for their passports to be processed.

Lori (who is seriously freaking out )

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Happy Birthday Peter​

Have a great day Peter!

 

[sunshine state kim]

I'm sure this is posted along the way, but know one of you smart people will have the info readily available.

What is the phone number people from home can call the ship in an emergency. Off the top of my head I can't think of an emergency I even want to know about when I am that far away and helpless to do anything about it, but the "people from home" will feel better having one.

 

[sweetsue]

I'm sure this is posted along the way, but know one of you smart people will have the info readily available.

What is the phone number people from home can call the ship in an emergency. Off the top of my head I can't think of an emergency I even want to know about when I am that far away and helpless to do anything about it, but the "people from home" will feel better having one.

Already listed in the FAQs section!

Here's the quote:

Is there a number that we can give our families if they need to reach us in case of emergency?
Yes. It is very expensive though and should only be used in real emergencies. You will incur ship to shore charges for every minute even if they are just leaving voicemail. Ship to shore charges are satellite charges and $$$$$$$.
From padalyn:
You can direct dial anywhere in the world right from your stateroom. Ship-to-shore rates apply and will be posted in your stateroom.
==============================================
The phone number to the Magic is:
1-888-DC AT SEA (322.8732)
==============================================

 

[Scooby3x1y]

The biggest problem with them is that you can't revac PAC the stuff, unless you get you cabin steward to do it

There are two kinds of space bags. Regular and Luggage. Regular you need the vacuum, the luggage bags you roll to squeeze the air out of. (I just checked, I have some I've never used.) I haven't tried them yet (they were lost in a closet), but some people swear by them.

 

[figment52]

Has anyone used the "Space Bag" for packing? I am just wondering how wrinkeled everything will be when I unpack? (I am planning on brinking a small bottle of Downey Wrinkle Release.) Also, if they work well?

I rarely have to iron when I use the space bags. I just use the Downey and steam them when I shower. Once in a while I'll have to touch something up. I don't use the ones that require a vaccuum, I use the other kind. For reference- I rarely iron anything.

HTH

 

[sweetsue]

Do you realize that two weeks from today we'll be at sea in the Mediterranean?

Three weeks from today we'll be in FRANCE!

My daughter has 7 school days left - I have 6 work days left.

My flight departs at this time in NINE days!



Sue

 

[renegade7]

Thanks for letting me vent.

Not a problem - makes me feel better about AT&T (aka Cingular), but now I am going to call them and triple check that my phone is going to work for sure.

Just a side note , my passports are STILL not here. I called once again today and they said they'd put a 3rd request in. She said, where do you fly through? When I told her JFK, she suggested that I can make it to the passport office to get them if they haven't come yet (like in my 3 hr layover I can make it there and back before I leave for BCN). OR, go to SFO, LA, or Denver to the regional office. I then told her that it is a minimum 10 hr drive for 6 of us and taking off isn't really an option since we're self-employed. You'd think 12 weeks would be enough to get them. If you know anyone traveling, please tell them to allow 16 weeks for their passports to be processed.

Lori (who is seriously freaking out )

Much Pixie Dust your way. I was over on the Repo thread starting about a week and a half before their departure. I was shocked at how many people were still waiting for passports. Some things I recall was calling your state representative as well as people driving to the local passport office. Similar to you someone was told when they got to Orlando they could go to the office and try. That is not a good response. Again best wishes.

There are two kinds of space bags. Regular and Luggage. Regular you need the vacuum, the luggage bags you roll to squeeze the air out of. (I just checked, I have some I've never used.) I haven't tried them yet (they were lost in a closet), but some people swear by them.

I have the luggage bags that don't require a vacuum you just roll the air out of them. I just started the clothing packing today. (taking a break right now)

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Do you realize that two weeks from today we'll be at sea in the Mediterranean?

Three weeks from today we'll be in FRANCE!

My daughter has 7 school days left - I have 6 work days left.

My flight departs at this time in NINE days!



Sue

I'd like to buy a vowel, or a passport, or just borrow a passport...

Sorry, still trying to not be freaked! You may be going without me (

 

[sweetsue]

I'd like to buy a vowel, or a passport, or just borrow a passport...

Sorry, still trying to not be freaked! You may be going without me (

You can always come and visit me on the way out. There's a passport office here in Miami. Or at least there used to be. We used to have lots of last minute business trips to China - where you need a passport AND a visa.

I can show you the beautiful ashen skys - and the red sun at noon! Our weather here in S. Florida has been so absolutely gorgeous lately (NOT!).

Have you tried talking to the supervisor to the supervisor to the supervisor? I think you need to get to the department that actually processes your passports.

Good luck!

Sue

 

[Ksmihein]

There are still some people on the list in GTY status. Have you all checked to see if you have a room number?

cocoswife
Disneyfn420
Holidayfanatic
Ksmihein
Padalyn


Jen

Jen~Sorry I thought you had received this info~I got a pm back saying thanks!! The last room in our group is in room #5127. Thanks! Let me know if you need more info!

 

[Jeisur]

The biggest problem with them is that you can't revac PAC the stuff, unless you get you cabin steward to do it

Our space bags do not require the vac attachment. Just my DH flopping around like a dead fish on the bag on the floor to get the air out. He fit WAY more than I thought was possible into his ONE suitcase!

We got our bags at Target.