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

[jeanneg]

Stacey: sorry you had to experience that. It certainly was uncalled for, especially for a Disney event! You probably would have enjoyed the last Cruistoberfest.......They chose a lesbian DIS couple to play "Match Your Match"....turns out they were actually the only couple that was on their honeymoon. Well, when they came up, quite a few eyebrows were raised, but the emcee did a great job and handled it very tastefully. He never once used the term "husband" or "wife" and referred to all the parties as mates or partners. After the show, many people approached the female couple and applauded them for being so brave and having such a great sense of humor about the whole thing.

 

[milestogo]

Paris Hotel Warning

I dinked around long enough that when I went to make my reservations at the Holiday Inn in Paris, every hotel was sold out except 2 or 3 and the rates had gone up $20-$30. I called on the phone and they were able to get me into the Holiday Inn Disneyland Resort for 80euros (incl. tax) We were really on the fence about going to DL Paris - I guess we will be going now! But I thought I'd better let everyone know that the hotels are sold out because of the Paris Open (which I am still trying to figure out how to get tickets!) So, if you are planning a trip -do it now.

 

[sweetsue]

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!

Great questions - and I'll add them to my FAQs on page 1, post 15!

1. DCL had packages that were for their "wired" computers that might be cheaper than the wireless package, but I don't know for sure. I will be carrying my laptop for multiple reasons: a) Great place to play DVDs for the long flights, b) good place to download pics from my camera as backup to the backup - last cruise BOTH cameras broke AND my memory card was eaten, and c) I can quickly peruse emails from work. You can save time by using the old "dial-up method". Connect to the internet, download your messages, disconnect. Compose emails. Then reconnect to the internet and actually send the emails.

2. Yes - as long as they don't overlap. We are doing this in both Marseille and Villefranche. DCL will allow you to meet the second excursion on the dock so you don't have to reboard the ship or tender.

3. Best bet - wander the Gothic Quarter stopping in little places that look interesting and have "little plates" (tapas). Worst place - the little sidewalk cafes on Las Ramblas - high on $ and low on quality - but great for people watching! Great pick it up and go spot - La Boqueria market on Las Ramblas.
Seafood - lots along the port area. Be cognizant of typical Barcelona hours (lunch starts at 1, dinner at 9). Look for a crowded restaurant (at those times) - an empty restaurant is empty for a reason.

4. Getting off that early is realistic. However it does depend on what time they left the port previously, etc. The expected time will be on your navigator for that morning.

Hope that helps!

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

Paris Hotel Warning

I dinked around long enough that when I went to make my reservations at the Holiday Inn in Paris, every hotel was sold out except 2 or 3 and the rates had gone up $20-$30. I called on the phone and they were able to get me into the Holiday Inn Disneyland Resort for 80euros (incl. tax) We were really on the fence about going to DL Paris - I guess we will be going now! But I thought I'd better let everyone know that the hotels are sold out because of the Paris Open (which I am still trying to figure out how to get tickets!) So, if you are planning a trip -do it now.

Who all is going to Paris afterwards???? We'll be in Paris until the 13th. When is the Paris Open? And where is it held?

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

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.

WOW!!!! Looks like you've been really, really busy at work! (much like me - I'm happy to get back to work so I can surf the DIS!)

Thanks for all of the info.

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

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

Many of the cruise lines have cell phone availability on their ships. DCL is not one of them (maybe the next generation of boats?)

Cheapest way to call home is via a phone card. Second cheapest (per minute) is to get a GSM phone with a local GSM card for use in the countries you will be visiting. Next on the list is using your existing US cell carrier with an international plan (must have a GSM phone and unlocked SIM).

HTH!

Sue

 

[misseulalie]

Ok, I'm trying to figure out how to use our cell phones on the cruise. I will get my phone unlocked and it is a GSM phone. T-Mobile told me that since I will be on a cruise ship, my rates will be different $4.99 a minute vs. $.99 a minute

I am looking at the international pre-paid sim cards, but here is my question; will they work on a cruise ship? Especially since we are also doing the transatlantic.
I am on the http://www.telestial.com/ website and see the cards for the different countires, but how do I know it will work on the ship?

Also, are the Canary Islands considered to be Spain on these websites? I can never find the Islands.

Thanks!!!

Jennifer

 

[sweetsue]

Ok, I'm trying to figure out how to use our cell phones on the cruise. I will get my phone unlocked and it is a GSM phone. T-Mobile told me that since I will be on a cruise ship, my rates will be different $4.99 a minute vs. $.99 a minute

I am looking at the international pre-paid sim cards, but here is my question; will they work on a cruise ship? Especially since we are also doing the transatlantic.
I am on the http://www.telestial.com/ website and see the cards for the different countires, but how do I know it will work on the ship?

Also, are the Canary Islands considered to be Spain on these websites? I can never find the Islands.

Thanks!!!

Jennifer

Your cell phone won't work on the crossing even with an unlocked GSM phone and a SIM. The cruise line has to have a special setup to allow cell phone usage. RCCL and other cruise lines have it - DCL does not. Your TMobile contact should have known that.

For DCL, only satellite phones will work. These are phones that go directly to the satellite. You would definitely know if you had a satellite phone. These phones work anywhere in the world. They are very, very, very expensive.

To figure out whether a SIM card will work in the Canary Islands, go to the carrier's website and check out their coverage map. Spain has at least two major carriers - so pick the one that works the best for your trip. The card corresponds to the carrier. I haven't been to the website you posted, but other websites have links to the carrier's website so you can see their coverage map before purchasing the prepaid card.

Back to what TMobile said - they were quoting the cruise ship price IF you were on a cruise ship that offers cell phone coverage. You aren't. Your rates will be the $.99/minute rate since you'll be using land-based carriers, not satellite. If you look at the coverage map, you'll see it extends a bit into the ocean. As long as the carrier has coverage wherever we are, you'll be able to use your phone.

For staying in touch with family, I'd recommend email. The ship will have satellite coverage for the internet, so you'll be able to access your email throughout the trip. You can always designate a friend at home to send emails to you if there is a crisis with a "non-internet" family member. It's not quite as immediate as a cell phone - but quite frankly, if you're in the middle of the Atlantic - what are you going to be able to do?

Sue

 

[Jeni1781]

Your cell phone won't work on the crossing even with an unlocked GSM phone and a SIM. The cruise line has to have a special setup to allow cell phone usage. RCCL and other cruise lines have it - DCL does not. Your TMobile contact should have known that.

For DCL, only satellite phones will work. These are phones that go directly to the satellite. You would definitely know if you had a satellite phone. These phones work anywhere in the world. They are very, very, very expensive.

To figure out whether a SIM card will work in the Canary Islands, go to the carrier's website and check out their coverage map. Spain has at least two major carriers - so pick the one that works the best for your trip. The card corresponds to the carrier. I haven't been to the website you posted, but other websites have links to the carrier's website so you can see their coverage map before purchasing the prepaid card.

Back to what TMobile said - they were quoting the cruise ship price IF you were on a cruise ship that offers cell phone coverage. You aren't. Your rates will be the $.99/minute rate since you'll be using land-based carriers, not satellite. If you look at the coverage map, you'll see it extends a bit into the ocean. As long as the carrier has coverage wherever we are, you'll be able to use your phone.

For staying in touch with family, I'd recommend email. The ship will have satellite coverage for the internet, so you'll be able to access your email throughout the trip. You can always designate a friend at home to send emails to you if there is a crisis with a "non-internet" family member. It's not quite as immediate as a cell phone - but quite frankly, if you're in the middle of the Atlantic - what are you going to be able to do?

Sue

Is there a number that we can give our families if they need to reach us in case of emergency? Thanks.

 

[misseulalie]

Your cell phone won't work on the crossing even with an unlocked GSM phone and a SIM. The cruise line has to have a special setup to allow cell phone usage. RCCL and other cruise lines have it - DCL does not. Your TMobile contact should have known that.

For DCL, only satellite phones will work. These are phones that go directly to the satellite. You would definitely know if you had a satellite phone. These phones work anywhere in the world. They are very, very, very expensive.

To figure out whether a SIM card will work in the Canary Islands, go to the carrier's website and check out their coverage map. Spain has at least two major carriers - so pick the one that works the best for your trip. The card corresponds to the carrier. I haven't been to the website you posted, but other websites have links to the carrier's website so you can see their coverage map before purchasing the prepaid card.

Back to what TMobile said - they were quoting the cruise ship price IF you were on a cruise ship that offers cell phone coverage. You aren't. Your rates will be the $.99/minute rate since you'll be using land-based carriers, not satellite. If you look at the coverage map, you'll see it extends a bit into the ocean. As long as the carrier has coverage wherever we are, you'll be able to use your phone.

For staying in touch with family, I'd recommend email. The ship will have satellite coverage for the internet, so you'll be able to access your email throughout the trip. You can always designate a friend at home to send emails to you if there is a crisis with a "non-internet" family member. It's not quite as immediate as a cell phone - but quite frankly, if you're in the middle of the Atlantic - what are you going to be able to do?

Sue

Thanks for the info. The problem is that DH and I both work from our phones/email/fax. Hopefully we can do as much as possible by email.

 

[Hygiene99]

Ok, I'm trying to figure out how to use our cell phones on the cruise. I will get my phone unlocked and it is a GSM phone. T-Mobile told me that since I will be on a cruise ship, my rates will be different $4.99 a minute vs. $.99 a minute

I am looking at the international pre-paid sim cards, but here is my question; will they work on a cruise ship? Especially since we are also doing the transatlantic.
I am on the http://www.telestial.com/ website and see the cards for the different countires, but how do I know it will work on the ship?

Also, are the Canary Islands considered to be Spain on these websites? I can never find the Islands.

Thanks!!!

Jennifer

Use your laptop? speakers and mic required.
with Disney's wireless internet package!

www.skype.com you can call from Computer to computer FREE
must have skype on each computer.

I talked to winotracy via this method during her Panama canal cruise!


or buy some minutes and call a landline for .02 per minute.
www.skype.com

 

[Jeisur]

Paris Hotel Warning

But I thought I'd better let everyone know that the hotels are sold out because of the Paris Open (which I am still trying to figure out how to get tickets!) So, if you are planning a trip -do it now.

When we were there last time we stayed at "Hotel Brighton" it is right off the plaza about a 1 minute walk from the back entrance to the Louve. It was fantastic and beautiful. If you haven't found a place yet (or is you want to look into it)... We footed it around all of Paris and up and down every tower and catacomb we could find. DH even proposed at the top of the Eiffel tower! What a trip... Hence why our some is "Breighton!"

 

[padalyn]

from the DCL website:

==============================================
Can I call home from the ship?

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)
==============================================

please caution people - this will incur a room charge as well as a charge at the callling end. I would suggest only in a dire emergency that this be used. Also - as Sue said - from the middle of the Atlantic, what can one really do???

 

[sweetsue]

Is there a number that we can give our families if they need to reach us in case of emergency? Thanks.

Yes - and I will add it to the FAQs. It's an 800 number that you can use. It has ship to shore rates which are OUTRAGEOUS. I once had an emergency and by the time I made two phone calls for a total of about 10 minutes, my bill was almost $200.

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

Thanks for the info. The problem is that DH and I both work from our phones/email/fax. Hopefully we can do as much as possible by email.

I understand the problem! Think of a self-employed TA and you'll know how hard it can be. Here is how my TA handled it when he had similar phone issues;
a) Notify EVERYBODY to use email via phone and email. Provide continual reminders on this.
b) Set out of office on your email to automatically direct people to leave a message and understand that it might be a few hours before you can return the email. (This is optional depending on your business)
c) Find a friend you trust to transcribe your phone calls while you are gone and send an email to you with the details of the phone call. Forward your phones to that number. Pay them for this service (if it's your lifeblood, this is worth it).
d) While in country, re-forward your phones to your cell number so you get the calls directly. This will only work if your cell is GSM-based and you have your SIM unlocked and international roaming. Otherwise you'll never receive a call.
e) Change your voicemail just in case there ends up being an issue. Leave your friend's phone number to call in your absence along with details on how to email you.

And my personal favorite:

f) Remember that you work to live, not live to work. If you lived to work, you wouldn't be taking vacation.

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

Use your laptop? speakers and mic required.
with Disney's wireless internet package!

www.skype.com you can call from Computer to computer FREE
must have skype on each computer.

I talked to winotracy via this method during her Panama canal cruise!


or buy some minutes and call a landline for .02 per minute.
www.skype.com

Peter,

I thought Tracy said skype was blocked on her last cruise (the B2SB, first part).

Tracy,

Was skype blocked??????

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

When we were there last time we stayed at "Hotel Brighton" it is right off the plaza about a 1 minute walk from the back entrance to the Louve. It was fantastic and beautiful. If you haven't found a place yet (or is you want to look into it)... We footed it around all of Paris and up and down every tower and catacomb we could find. DH even proposed at the top of the Eiffel tower! What a trip... Hence why our some is "Breighton!"

What a great story!!!!

We'll be having a different experience. Three generations of women aged 6 to 60+ should be quite a fun time!

Sue

 

[winotracy]

Peter,

I thought Tracy said skype was blocked on her last cruise (the B2SB, first part).

Tracy,

Was skype blocked??????

Sue

I was told that it was blocked. However, on the B2SB, second part, others were able to use it and it was not blocked.

This was much better with the chat client than with the VOIP though. With the satelitte connection it was SSSSSLLLLLLLOOOOOOOWWWWWWW. There were large delays.

The other thing to keep in mind with the satellite connection for both email and trying to use Skype, DCL has had problems in the past when going to a different location than normal with the satellite connection. On the PC cruise we didn't have problems but on the Southern Caribbean we did. There were a number of times when the connection was down. My guess is we will have a lot of down times.

 

[sweetsue]

I was told that it was blocked. However, on the B2SB, second part, others were able to use it and it was not blocked.

This was much better with the chat client than with the VOIP though. With the satelitte connection it was SSSSSLLLLLLLOOOOOOOWWWWWWW. There were large delays.

The other thing to keep in mind with the satellite connection for both email and trying to use Skype, DCL has had problems in the past when going to a different location than normal with the satellite connection. On the PC cruise we didn't have problems but on the Southern Caribbean we did. There were a number of times when the connection was down. My guess is we will have a lot of down times.

DCL could block it if they decided to. It all has to do with ports and firewalls. I know there are people on the list more technical than me. I'll be finding out some of this soon - since I need an VPN connection to work from the ship. Here's the quote from Skype's FAQs section:

I can't connect to Skype from work or due to a restrictive firewall. Which ports need to be opened in order to use Skype?
If you aren't familiar with firewalls or ports, it may be a good idea to ask a system administrator or tech-savvy friend to help you. The minimum requirement is that Skype needs unrestricted outgoing TCP access to all destination ports above 1024 or to ports 80 and 443 (the former is better, however). If you don't allow either of those, Skype will not work reliably at all. Voice quality and some other aspects of Skype functionality will be greatly improved if you also open up outgoing UDP traffic to all ports above 1024, and allow UDP replies to come back in.

In the quest for even better voice quality, it is also advisable to open up incoming TCP and/or UDP to the specific port you see in Skype Options. This port is chosen randomly when you install Skype. In the case of firewalls, this should be easy to arrange. In some routers, however, you cannot configure incoming UDP at all (but you still can configure incoming TCP port forwarding, which you could/should do).

The randomness in port selection is to improve NAT traversal for cases where several users are behind the same NAT; if they all used same ports, many NATs would behave in a way that would reduce Skype voice quality.

Also make sure that you have the latest version installed. You can do it by clicking Check for Update in Help menu in Skype or just go to the download page where you can always download the latest version.

Skype supports authenticating HTTPS/SSL and SOCKS5 proxies.

Sue

 

[milestogo]

When we were there last time we stayed at "Hotel Brighton" it is right off the plaza about a 1 minute walk from the back entrance to the Louve. It was fantastic and beautiful. If you haven't found a place yet (or is you want to look into it)... We footed it around all of Paris and up and down every tower and catacomb we could find. DH even proposed at the top of the Eiffel tower! What a trip... Hence why our some is "Breighton!"

That is very cute, will check into it! thanks.