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

[sweetsue]

I've been thinking up questions we should ask DCL about the cruise. I'll be glad to volunteer for that duty. Here's what I've thought of so far. Just add any questions to the list and I'll give DCL a call (or better yet, probably ask my TA to do it for me).

1) When is the lifeboat drill?
2) When is the sail away party?
3) What are the theme nights on the cruise? And what days are they?
4) When are the formal night(s)?
5) When is the Goofy PJ slumber party for the kids?
6) When is Tea for Wendy?
7) Are there any special wine seminars/tastings/classes?
8) What is the liquids policy for Barcelona? We’d like to carry aboard wine like we have in Port Canaveral, will the policy be the same? What about at ports (like Marseille/Nice)?
9) On boarding day, can we go on and off the ship until sail-away? In other words, can we check-in, go to our staterooms and then leave the ship for a few hours?
10) What time do we have to be on the ship in Barcelona?
11) Can we check-in our luggage at the port and then leave for awhile to see Barcelona before we check-in for our stateroom?
12) What is the latest DCL transfer from port back to airport?
13) Is left luggage available at the Barcelona port?

 

[sweetsue]

I just looked at the port website to see if that website could answer some questions. They show the Disney Magic arriving in Barcelona on Friday, May 25th at 5:30AM and departing on Saturday, May 26th at 10:00AM. OOPS! I hope we aren't departing at 10:00AM!!!!

Sweet Sue

 

[sweetsue]

Another interesting item. The QE2 will arriving in Barcelona at 7AM the day we arrive back (June 6th). We arrive at 4:30AM, so we should be able to see the QE2 come in if we get the sleep out of our eyes. COOL!

Sweet Sue

 

[kpros]

Thanks for all the info Sue - keep up the good work!

Time for an updated name badge list.

baileysgm - Carolyn, Keith, Elisabeth, Bailey
charwac1 – Charlene, Andy
Coalchick - Karen, Doug, Jordan
CubCatsK&D – Kim, Deb
dd3rover - Dan, Sheryl, Nancy, Kaitlin, Brian, Michael
DebWills – Deb, Linda
disneyfamilyforever – Mike, Cathy, Allsion, Megan, Kelly ?
DisneySpirit – Tom, Lynn, Shane, Laurie
figment52 – Sandy, Sharon
first timers - Alex, Carolyn
garylpn – Gary, Karen ?
Hygiene99 – Peter, Jenn
icunurse_celeste – Celeste, Jennie
jeanneg – Jeanne, John
Jeisur – Laurie, David, Breighton, JoAnne, Howard
konslerg - Gloria, Gary
kpros/spros – Ken, Shari
LegalBriefs - Ron, Monica
littleowensmommy - Kathy, Ted, Owen, Amy
Ltl Mermaid - ?
meb51 – Marie, Steve, Beverly, Dora, Katie, Will
milestogo – Kelly, Jonathan, Zoe
NejTheLion – Jen, Debbi, Barry
poconoboatniks – Ellen, Bob, Kate, Brett, Bob, Helen, Linda, Colleen
renegade7 – Johanna, Gary ?
ronunc – Ron, Becky
Schiffy - Mark, Carol
Smetheringham - ?
sunshine state kim – Kim, Todd, Savannah, Carter
sweetsue – Sue, Barbara, Christina
TikiGirl - Leslie, Ed
Winotracy/AskAGeek – Tracy, Bill
wrabitdad – Bob, Dale
plantman - Peter, Joe, Delores
padalyn - Cayla, Barbara, Stacey, Bev

I haven't heard from the groups with a "?". If you see an error in your listing please let me know. Remember, these name badges and lanyards are free.

Ken

 

[meb51]

Great questions Sweet Sue. I am particularly curious about the lifeboat drill. I know there are a number of young children on the cruise and I would think that a drill after we set sail would be too late for them. Perhaps they will hold it on Sunday since we are at sea that day. I think I remember that they must have the drill within 24 hours after embarkation.

I'm a little late in introducing our crew. My DH (Steve) and I (Marie) enjoyed the Panama canal cruise so much in May 05 that we jumped at this cruise. We are traveling (as we did for the Panama canal cruise) with our DD (Katie - who is 15) and DS (Will - who is 11 and who will turn 12 on the cruise), my adult stepdaughter Dora and my MIL (Beverly). Steve, Katie, Will & I live in Mississippi where both Steve and I teach at different universities

I mostly lurk here but I appreciate all of the great info that I get from this board.

Marie

 

[winotracy]

I've been thinking up questions we should ask DCL about the cruise. I'll be glad to volunteer for that duty. Here's what I've thought of so far. Just add any questions to the list and I'll give DCL a call (or better yet, probably ask my TA to do it for me).

1) When is the lifeboat drill?
2) When is the sail away party?
3) What are the theme nights on the cruise? And what days are they?
4) When are the formal night(s)?
5) When is the Goofy PJ slumber party for the kids?
6) When is Tea for Wendy?
7) Are there any special wine seminars/tastings/classes?
8) What is the liquids policy for Barcelona? We’d like to carry aboard wine like we have in Port Canaveral, will the policy be the same? What about at ports (like Marseille/Nice)?
9) On boarding day, can we go on and off the ship until sail-away? In other words, can we check-in, go to our staterooms and then leave the ship for a few hours?
10) What time do we have to be on the ship in Barcelona?
11) Can we check-in our luggage at the port and then leave for awhile to see Barcelona before we check-in for our stateroom?
12) What is the latest DCL transfer from port back to airport?
13) Is left luggage available at the Barcelona port?

I wouldn't ask your TA to do it this week Most TA (and DCL) will be really busy with the 2008 schedule selling starting Wednesday. Let me know what you don't get answered and I can try a little closer to our sail date.

 

[winotracy]

T- you are unusally quiet!

Just swamped! With the 2008 cruises coming out on Wednesday, plus finishing up my other job, plus just doing my current job...no time to breath (except at the job I'm leaving! Oh no!).

Trying to keep up on the reading though!

 

[sweetsue]

I wouldn't ask your TA to do it this week Most TA (and DCL) will be really busy with the 2008 schedule selling starting Wednesday. Let me know what you don't get answered and I can try a little closer to our sail date.

Great point! Since I won't be going on any of those cruises I'd forgotten about it. I'll give us until Friday and have them researched then. We'll be out next week in CO skiing!

Sue

 

[LegalBriefs]

Wow, I never knew you owned a Comedy Club in Boston... Which one? I used to hang out in Boston a LOT when I was in Law School...

OK, even though its late, here is the bio for me and my girl...
I'm Ron, I'm 38, and I'm a Disney-holic... (Crowd says in unison "Hello Ron!") I was born ind raised in Connecticut, but for the last 8.5 years have lived in Las Vegas where I am a Corporate Attorney. I have been (as my signature will attest) to WDW many times, DL a few times, Paris DL twice, and this will be my 10th trip on DCL.
My girlfriend, Monica, is 38, and is a first grade teacher originally from West Virginia (though, I promise, no accent). This will we her 2nd trip with DCL, she has been to WDW and DL. She has a DD (16) named Nicole who will unfortunately not be joining us on the trip.
We are on the wait list for the First West Coast DCL and for the eastbound Repo...
So, any thoughts about the Wine Tasting I mentioned?

Hi all,
This is our third Disney cruise, my husband (Jonathan) gets motion sickness so thought he could not cruise. We finally gave it a try (inaugural Mexico 05)bringing every type of motion sickness item we could find and he ended up only having one bad night during a storm! BUT loved every minute of it, so much so that we went again 6 weeks later while it was still here. We live very close to Disneyland, so spend a lot of time there throughout the year. We love WDW, but rarely get there (he's been 3 times, I've been about15+ times.) We met 12 years ago when a mutual friend told me she had a comic who she wanted me to meet. I owned a comedy club in Harvard Square (Boston) and snobbily said, "I don't date the comics!" On our first date I found out he had never been to Disneyland - stunned, I said, "If we go on another date then someday I'll take you to DL!" 3 years later he went to DL and loved it, 2 more years and honeymooned in WDW and he was hooked for life. This spring we joined DVC with the intention of using our points for cruising. 11 years ago we closed the Comedy Project and started Miles To Go Drug Education lecture series. and are now the largest private program in California. We created programs using science and humor and work primarily in private schools and conferences. This year we are publishing our first book series and are in the beginning phases of syndicating our articles about parenting. This year I will finish my Ph.D. and begin my dissertation, so if you see me with a textbook on the cruise, don't be surprised.

We have a 3.5 year old daughter named Zoe who has inherited the theatrical side of mom and dad. She believes that Mickey, Goofy and Minnie is her personal friends and is in love with the villains and the princesses. She changes costumes a dozen times per day!

That's who we are and can't wait to meet all of you. It has been such a booster all year getting to know you. It has made me work harder to make this trip happen.


Celeste you are required to come and share your anniversary with us!

 

[kpros]

So, any thoughts about the Wine Tasting I mentioned?

I think the wine tasting is a great idea. The afternoon on the first sea day would be a good time. But I think the luggage restrictions may impact peoples ability to bring wine from home.

Ken

 

[icunurse_celeste]

So, I know this is strange, but it does impact my packing. Has anyone used the new toilietires on the boats? The new H2O ones? I used them at the Poly over marathon weekend- well, kind of used them- everything except the shampoo and conditioner. At the poly you got: lotion, shampoo, conditioner, after sun gel, facial soap, bath soap, and shower gel. They are the aquatics line. What do you get in the steerage rooms? aka the non-suite rooms? Unless anyone here feels like providing an upgrade to a poor nurse who is going through grad school (They say it never hurts to ask, the worst answer you can get is no!)


Sue- BWT, with the vests for SASY- you really don't need swimming skills. Just floating skills. I'd love to get some cool shots of Christina from below! We had someone who was nice enough to get a family shot of us snorkeling when we were on the first repo cruise. Noah was leaning through a life ring, because his swimming skills were poor. (Noah is less than fond of getting his eyes wet, but yet he is learning to dive) Someone went below of us and took shots of us looking down at them- it is one of our favorite pictures from the cruise.


I'm off to purchase supplies for my son's car for the pinewood derby at scouts.


T- glad to hear the new job is off to a good start!

 

[icunurse_celeste]

So, any thoughts about the Wine Tasting I mentioned?

Hi Ron,
You might want to ask Sue. She and Dianna (Dianna isn't coming on this cruise.) hosted one on the 11 night September cruise. It was a lot of fun. I'm surprised that Peter & Tracy are not going on about their favorite stuff- Rosa Regale, or something like that. As I don't partake of the drink of the Gods, I'm not much help. I have gone in the past and brought a fine vintage of sparkling cranberry cider made in Wisconsin. Only the best for my friends.

With the weight limitations, you might find you have lots of bottles of stuff from the airport or Barcelona. Or- you could do it one of the other nights after we have been out for a while and maybe people will bring in bottles from the ports we have visited? That might be kind of fun- a tasting party from wines from the ports visited!


Now, I really am leaving

 

[milestogo]

SweetSue: Excellent stories for my work - any others are welcome for our parent classes and books. We learn more from other parents experience than anything out of a book or a study.

Ron: First I was at Catch A Rising Star in Harvard Square in the downstairs location (used to be a Jazz club) Then I owned The Comedy Project upstairs at the Hong Kong (home of the famous Scorpian Bowl) - loved it, but it was during a time that stand up comedy was saturated by little clubs and television shows. Most of my comics are now writers for many shows - I'm proud to be a part of their lives and careers.

 

[sweetsue]

Hi Ron,
You might want to ask Sue. She and Dianna (Dianna isn't coming on this cruise.) hosted one on the 11 night September cruise. It was a lot of fun. I'm surprised that Peter & Tracy are not going on about their favorite stuff- Rosa Regale, or something like that. As I don't partake of the drink of the Gods, I'm not much help. I have gone in the past and brought a fine vintage of sparkling cranberry cider made in Wisconsin. Only the best for my friends.

With the weight limitations, you might find you have lots of bottles of stuff from the airport or Barcelona. Or- you could do it one of the other nights after we have been out for a while and maybe people will bring in bottles from the ports we have visited? That might be kind of fun- a tasting party from wines from the ports visited!


Now, I really am leaving

I'll be glad to help out! Besides the wine tasting party, I've also done a BYOB party on a prior cruise. Never had anything big like the Roy suite though so I'm looking forward to it!
I always liked to have the party on the first sea day for two reasons: a) the stateroom is still relatively "neat" and b) I just got too busy on the later sea days.
People have always seemed to figure out a way to bring a bottle of wine - although asking to have it from their home state might be a bit much. I'd just leave it open - bring your own wine to share! We did find some people even bought wine on board. We had few to no repeats.

Sweet Sue

 

[milestogo]

Celeste, we'll be bringing non-alcoholic sparkling cider and wine too. Trader Joe's has an excellent line. Although I haven't figured out if we will make it from LA - Orlando and then the repo - so I may go with SweetSue's idea of getting a bottle in barcelona.

SweetSue: here are some more questions to add:

Are we allowed to bring food, wine and olive oil on the boat from our ports?

 

[sweetsue]

SweetSue: here are some more questions to add:

Are we allowed to bring food, wine and olive oil on the boat from our ports?

Consider it added!

Sweet Sue

 

[icunurse_celeste]

Celeste, we'll be bringing non-alcoholic sparkling cider and wine too. Trader Joe's has an excellent line. Although I haven't figured out if we will make it from LA - Orlando and then the repo - so I may go with SweetSue's idea of getting a bottle in barcelona.

SweetSue: here are some more questions to add:

Are we allowed to bring food, wine and olive oil on the boat from our ports?

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing_goods/agri_prod_inus.xml
This is a quick list- not inclusive. I don't know about wine, olive oil or food. I have heard you can bring in cheese, but I will try to find the link. I belive wine will be okay- as long as it is within your declairable amount. Food- depends.

 

[icunurse_celeste]

http://help.customs.gov/cgi-bin/cus...nMuc2VhcmNoX25sJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=&p_topview=1



olive oil, cured cheeses- okay. I think as long as your bring them onto the ship and don't take them into other countires- aka they stay in your room- you are okay. I'm trying to figure out if I can bring Italian cheese into France (where I go home from) or if I should mail it home from Barcelona.

 

[icunurse_celeste]

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov...ravel/knowbeforeyougo.ctt/knowbeforeyougo.pdf

 

[icunurse_celeste]

http://help.customs.gov/cgi-bin/cus...SZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PXdpbmU*&p_li=&p_topview=1




AM I becoming CAPTAIN CRASH?? Sorry, this is an inside joke.