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

[Scooby3x1y]

We are still in the $2.58...plus range. Very annoying, since the newspaper here says gas at most stations is in the $2.30something range.

I filled up today for $2.27 at Sams Club. Sorry to hear about some of the weather; it was a beautiful 70 degress here.

We also go our Disney Med CD today.

 

[poconoboatniks]

Ltl Mermaid,

I LOVEPandie's website. How often do you visit the kids? Do you have to do the grooming routine everytime you visit the kids? I love the costumes and the kids look like the love seeing her. My daughter tried dressing up a Lab a few times.

Pocono

 

[icunurse_celeste]

Welcome to another day closer to the cruise- hope there aren't too many hang overs this AM!!!!

 

[winotracy]

Good morning everyone! Looks like it's going to be a beautiful day here today!!

 

[Kissimmee]

I filled up today for $2.27 at Sams Club. Sorry to hear about some of the weather; it was a beautiful 70 degress here.

We also go our Disney Med CD today.

I use Gasbuddy.com to fine the lowest local prices.

 

[Jeisur]

The med green bracelets came in the mail yesterday! Even MORE awesome in person! THANKS SO MUCH! Once again.... AWESOME!

 

[misseulalie]

The med green bracelets came in the mail yesterday! Even MORE awesome in person! THANKS SO MUCH! Once again.... AWESOME!

Wow, that was fast! I just sent them Friday!!!

Glad you like them!!!

Jennifer

 

[milestogo]

When we returned from a b-day party last night our gas station was 3.14! Hope everyone has their air travel done!!!

Has anyone heard that you need to make a reservation for the Colosseum? (For those of us doing Rome on our own?)

Also, does anyone know if Roland Garros in Paris (Tennis French Open) has a free viewing area like Wimbeldon?

 

[Jeisur]

Wow, that was fast! I just sent them Friday!!!

Glad you like them!!!

Jennifer

As you know mail in Florida only travels fast when there is no rush!

-Laurie

 

[Jeisur]

Has anyone heard that you need to make a reservation for the Colosseum? (For those of us doing Rome on our own?)

When we did the Colosseum a few years ago there were NO issues. The lines can get a little long at times but never more than a 20 mintue wait.

FYI to anyone traveling on their own or just wandering the ports... if you dine outside you will be charged MORE for your dining experience at a LOT of places! Also, the bread on your table in most places has a cost and it NOT free.

In Rome we stopped at an outside cafe for hot cocoa while having film developed at a one hour place and hot cocoa for 2 cost us over 20 euros!!!! Stupid us for not asking the prices up front... we learned--- always ask what the price is for where you sit and what you eat.

My husband said to add that Rome was the WORST for this of all the places we traveled.

 

[Coalchick]

I trust that everyone is enjoying their weekend. I have a couple of questions that I was planning on e-mailing DCL, but thought that I would post them here first.

1. I know that it is sick to think of work while on a cruise - but does anyone know if there is a business center or internet cafe onboard where I can get caught up on e-mails? I do not want to lug a labtop. If so, any idea as to the cost?

2. Is it possible to book two excursions in the same day? I would really like to see Cinqe Terre and Pisa. (The DD really wants to see the Leaning Tower. She has seen it on Disney' Little Einsteins; the tower symbolizes Italy for this 5 year old) Is it possible to do both in the same day?

3. Does anyone have any restaurant ideas for Barcelona?

4. Any idea on how soon we can get off the boat in Rome. The Disney stuff says something about 7:30, but I wasn't sure if that was realistic. I have never been on a cruise before, so I do not know what logistics are involved.

Thanks .... I will be one of those watching Samantha Brown tonight. Does she not have like the best job in the world .... We are getting so excited!

 

[figment52]

I trust that everyone is enjoying their weekend. I have a couple of questions that I was planning on e-mailing DCL, but thought that I would post them here first.

1. I know that it is sick to think of work while on a cruise - but does anyone know if there is a business center or internet cafe onboard where I can get caught up on e-mails? I do not want to lug a labtop. If so, any idea as to the cost?

Yes, computers are available at a couple different locations but I don't know what the rates are for this cruise. DCL has gone wireless if you do bring your laptop

2. Is it possible to book two excursions in the same day? I would really like to see Cinqe Terre and Pisa. (The DD really wants to see the Leaning Tower. She has seen it on Disney' Little Einsteins; the tower symbolizes Italy for this 5 year old) Is it possible to do both in the same day?

If the times do not overlap you can book multiple excursions in a day. Different people in the cabins can bok different excursions.


3. Does anyone have any restaurant ideas for Barcelona?

No ideas but SweetSue had done a ton of research on Barcelona, she should be checking in here and can maybe recommend a few.

4. Any idea on how soon we can get off the boat in Rome. The Disney stuff says something about 7:30, but I wasn't sure if that was realistic. I have never been on a cruise before, so I do not know what logistics are involved.

As long as we are not tendering you should be able to disembark at ports when DCL says. Tendering ports will be slower.


Thanks .... I will be one of those watching Samantha Brown tonight. Does she not have like the best job in the world .... We are getting so excited!

Answers are included above.

The cruise has become more real to me since we booked excursions

 

[Scooby3x1y]

I trust that everyone is enjoying their weekend. I have a couple of questions that I was planning on e-mailing DCL, but thought that I would post them here first.

1. I know that it is sick to think of work while on a cruise - but does anyone know if there is a business center or internet cafe onboard where I can get caught up on e-mails? I do not want to lug a labtop. If so, any idea as to the cost?

Here you go. I too will have to work some. We're self-employed (my dh and I and so is my dad), so keeping in touch is a must. A few months ago I was on a Panama Cruise on RCCL and used the interent w/my laptop. There were a few issues about connectivity that will apply no matter what cruise line you're on. Let me know if you want to know what's up. Here's DCL's reply to the same question.

We are pleased to announce that guests who bring their wireless ready
laptop will be able to utilize our wireless Internet access onboard
and
get connected!
The wireless Internet and Internet Cafe are interchangeable. For
example, guests who purchase a block of minutes for the wireless
system
can use those minutes on an Internet Cafe desktop computer and visa
versa.
Below, please find the locations from which you may gain access and a
selection of plan pricing.
Cadillac Lounge
Wavebands
Promenade Lounge
Studio Sea Deck
Cove Cafe Deck
Open Decks Decks (Decks 9 & 10)
Atrium Decks (Decks 3, 4, & Mid-Ship)
$.75 per minute pay as you go
$27.50 for 50 minute plan ($.55 per minute)
$40 for 100 minute plan ($.40 per minute)
$75 for 250 minute plan ($.30 per minute)
Currently on the wireless plan you may surf the Internet, send/receive
email, download/upload files, print and open/send attachments. Guests
will also have free access to disneycruise.com
An unlimited package is unavailable with the wireless Internet
offering,
because the capacity of the wireless system is limited.
You can request to have a Hypo-Allergenic, White Goose Down or
Therapeutic Memory foam pillow placed in your stateroom prior to your
arrival at no additional cost.
I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further
assistance in planning your visit, please feel free to contact us.
We look forward to sailing with you! Have a Magical Day!
Kaye
Reservations Department
Disney Cruise Vacations

Also, I don't know what cell phone carrier you are on, but we used our Sprint PCS onboard the RCCL. It worked great everywhere but while in port. Most ships have installed a satellite system that our phones will used to connect. However, international rates applied along with other charges. It wound up being about $4.00 a minute or a little more.

We've researched phone cards and will be making calls to our employees, et al while in port. They seem to be a lot cheaper.

Lori

 

[milestogo]

"Coalchick: Is it possible to book two excursions in the same day? I would really like to see Cinqe Terre and Pisa. (The DD really wants to see the Leaning Tower. She has seen it on Disney' Little Einsteins; the tower symbolizes Italy for this 5 year old) Is it possible to do both in the same day?"

Coalchick, we are doing this exact plan of excursions. We are taking the train to Pisa on our own because the Little Einsteins have heavily influenced our trip! We are then returning to go to Cinque Terre - from the train you can walk the trails. We plan to go there to walk and eat. PM me if you want me to send you my notes when I finish organizing them.

 

[icunurse_celeste]

In relation to working on the ship- as a grad student I have never before been able to have access to a word processor unless I had my own computer. If you were really tricky- you could get into the "word pad" program, but that was about it. However, I know that they are now doing the laptops- but I don't know if they have Word, Word Perfect, Excel, or something else. I frequently had to take my memory stick into the port and send stuff that way. I could download some stuff off of the internet- but I could not access my memory stick or CD from their terminals. Maybe this is different now, but I plan on bringing my laptop so I know there won't be issues.


I guess it depends on how important it is to you. AKA if you can use the I can't access this from the ship option will work for you- I would leave your laptop at home. If it like me- no paper work equals a failing grade- you would probably not risk it and bring your own.

 

[icunurse_celeste]

News, News, News

Alfrado’s will be closing this summer and will be replaced with another Italian restaurant- WDW has not released who it will be yet.

The company who will be building the new ships frequently shows pictures on their webcam:
http://www.meyerwerft.de/page.asp?lang=e&main=2&subs=0&did=826

Here is their press release: http://www.meyerwerft.de/page.asp?lang=e&main=3&subs=0&did=1365

Pirates, pirates, pirates:
There will be new Disney dollars released to correlate to End of the World:

http://psc.disney.go.com/eventservices/disneygallery/dldisneydollars.html

The trailer was shown for the first time today in correlation with this event:

http://home.disney.go.com/movies/pirates/fanevent/

If you have a website, you can put a virtual count down on your website. The trailer will be shown on the public TV some time between 8pm and 10pm with the season premiere of Dancing with the Stars. It will be available on the website after 10pm PST.

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/pirates/atworldsend/


Disney will be opening a new art studio in Salt Lake City, Utah where you can purchase Disney art.

http://www.DisneyArtStudio.com

Disney is also hiring people to work in Chicago at the new DVC site….hmm, should I get a new job? Think it pays better than nursing?


http://www.disneycareers.com

Disney has also posted a website where they will be listing auditions for parks and shows world wide:
http://www.DisneyAuditions.com


Sea World will be opening a new park in 2008. They will have an area where you can go down a water slide and through a clear tube where you can see dolphins….
http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2007/3/4/sea_world_unveiling.html


It will have two “lazy rivers” one that it traditional and the other will have rapids!

Official website:
http://www.aquaticabyseaworld.com/


Oh and by the way- WDW executives officially announced that they read many threads to see what their customers want….Hello!


This new was adapted from The Dis Unplugged and Inside The Magic podcasts….gotta get back to work.

 

[icunurse_celeste]

Welcome to another day closer to the cruise


Morning T....

 

[winotracy]

Welcome to another day closer to the cruise


Morning T....

Morning C!

 

[tiggr33]

Well, I'm sorry to say that gas is $3.10 here today!

And I'm sorry to say that I have heard several horrible stories about Bob Saget. I worked with him on the show Full House for several years and I know him as an extremely kind, gentle, great dad, and extremely funny person. I can tell you that I was shocked to hear that he was performing on the Disney cruise. He is famous for his very blue humor (R-rated), so he usually only does adult only and late night shows. He has so many gay friends that I'm really surprised that he would do such an offensive show. His character on TV is nothing like him personally. He knows and anyone booking him on DCL should have known that the character on stage is NOT a Disney match!!!! The Bob I know, won an student academy award for his writing and directing and is sought after to write family comedy scripts - all of that success was achieved on the desk that I am currently sitting at. When I lost my home, my pets and everything in it to a fire he was the first of the cast to track me down to offer any help he could. He gave me his desk with some very kind words. I'm sorry for everyone who went through such a bad experience with him onboard, but I thought I'd share my gentler memory of the Bob I know. I'm sure they will be much more careful in the future.
Kelly

With all due respect this man is not a nice person. I'd even say he isn't that bright. Umm hello, you look out at your audience and you see half of it is under the age of 10 you change your routine on the fly. It's touted as a family show -You tame it down in advance. He must have multiple personality disorder, the man you portray is nothing like the poor excuse of a comedian, let alone a man that was on the Magic. He is a closeted HOMOPHOBE in capital letters. He wasn't even the slightest bit funny. Padalyn forgot the next verse of his song, after the ryhming part, he went on the sing "EWWW I'm NOT gay". As a member of the LGBT community, I found it extremely uncomfortable when I heard multiple times kids asking questions like "Mommy what's a (insert word that ryhmes with saget)" or "dad whats gay mean". I don't parade my lifestyle in front of kids, it's not my place to make parents discuss an issue before they want/need to address it. It was a sad night to say the least, many parents were forced to have the "gay" talk with their kids out of anger over this display. This man is vile and rude. He made a choice, and a poor one at that. He knew it was a Disney cruise and Disney means kids. Is DCL partly at fault yes, but Mr. Saget played a much greater role. He chose to ignore his audience/demographics.

For those that do not know I am Padalyns other half, and she doesn't know I am responding to this, I usually lurk on this thread. Mr. Saget's hateful performance contributed to my migraine. As I'm sure it tensed every muscle in my body, but I am sensitive to bright flashes. (MY PSA, PEOPLE LISTEN UP - If you are told NO flash photography , turn off your flashes. There is no way your flash is going to be effective unless you are in the first row anyway)The fact that I missed Kermit still makes me sad (if anyone has a video, I'd be more then happy to pay a copy cost). A crew member had to bring me back to my cabin in a wheelchair. It was not a fun night.

I have and will continue to boycott any project Mr. Saget is involved with. I voiced my opinion to DCL and ABC. This man needs some help, too bad he doesn't work on Gray's Anatomy, he'd be forced into a program for using such a word. Why use deragatory terms at all?. I don't know who is worse Mr. Saget or Michael Richardson.

Stepping off my box now.

 

[milestogo]

Yes, you are right (as a former comedy club owner) the performer should know better as well as the booker - esp. on a Disney cruise!!! It makes me sick to think that someone I thought so fondly of has done something so hurtful. I'm torn between calling him to ask what on earth were you thinking? and letting it go and saying goodbye to him. It's really bothered me all weekend. As I told Cayla in an email this weekend, I'd heard that it was bad, but I assumed it was a structural type of bad (with the set up and punch construction), but this was much worse than I had thought. I've seen many comics self destruct on stage (seems to be the only place they do it) but on a DCL is shocking