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

[Scooby3x1y]

I don't recall seeing this on the packing list (I am probably mistaken):

One (two is spouse can't share!) small indiglo-type battery powered alarm clock. There are no digital clocks in the rooms and VERY few outlets to plug one in. I got a clock at Target for $6 that you press a button on top and the display lights up. VERY handy for the darkness of night, since the rooms get REALLY dark at night. Ours has an alarm setting too, I covered the speaker with electircal tape to muffle the alarm and not wake the kiddo. Since wake-up calls are LOUD after a long night! The light was also enought to safely get me to the potty... I took my mini flashlight for trips back!

You don't want to miss din-din, bingo or towel animals because you forget to look at your watch!

One thing that was invaluable to us was (I don't know the official name) outlet extensions. Converting one outlet to 3. By the time you plug in phone, computer, camcorder, camera, battery charger, night light, mp3 player, blow dryer, curling iron, hmmmm the kitchen sink??? there is no room.

 

[sweetsue]

I think we should meet at 3:30pm on deck 10 -midship, Dockside... We could meet up distribute any info or lists, etc. Does that sound good to anyone else?

We'll probably be at the aquarium in Barcelona - or somewhere else. We've seen the ship so many times I hate to lose the opportunity to see all of Barcelona while I can.

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

The sailaway party is at 9pm. Everyone should be onboard but late diners will be eating.

Tracy,

I had the sailaway party at 10pm. Has that changed? Just want to update the FAQs.

Susan

 

[Scooby3x1y]

I think we should meet at 3:30pm on deck 10 -midship, Dockside... We could meet up distribute any info or lists, etc. Does that sound good to anyone else?

Page 55, Page 55, Page 55.....just so I can print it off to remind my Dory brain.

 

[sweetsue]

Great idea! I'm going to add it to my packing list so I don't forget. Wtih the time change I just might not wake up early enough for some of the excursions!

Went and looked and it's already there!

My packing list is different than the one that Peter posted though - so it might not have been on the one he refered to.

Sue

 

[winotracy]

Tracy,

I had the sailaway party at 10pm. Has that changed? Just want to update the FAQs.

Susan

You are right Susan (are you working while you are DISing? ). All aboard is at 9 pm. Still, with past experience it will be close.

Tracy

 

[ronunc]

Talked to DCL this morning and they said our cruise documents were UPS'd Friday and should be here no later than Wednesday. Be on the lookout, everyone's should be arriving soon!

 

[sweetsue]

You are right Susan (are you working while you are DISing? ). All aboard is at 9 pm. Still, with past experience it will be close.

Tracy

Nope - just DISing today! DD had a follow-up in Miami so I've been only handling phone calls and a bit of email today. Tomorrow I have to actually go IN to the office! Not sure if I can handle wearing real work clothes. Not sure they even fit anymore!

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

You are right Susan (are you working while you are DISing? ). All aboard is at 9 pm. Still, with past experience it will be close.

Tracy

Okay, so my brain is totally dead! Took me two reads before I figured out you were talking about my name. Must need a pixie stix.

Sue

 

[kpros]

Page 55, Page 55, Page 55.....just so I can print it off to remind my Dory brain.

Page 55 has been updated to include the first day dismeet.

Ken

 

[winotracy]

Okay, so my brain is totally dead! Took me two reads before I figured out you were talking about my name. Must need a pixie stix.

Sue

 

[misseulalie]

Serious question...Is anyone still in a GTY'ed room that hasn't been assigned?

There's a good chance my inlaws will not be able to come and we now need to switch to a cabin that fits 4 people. The ship is pretty much sold out and they are saying that there are no cabins that will fit 4. DH has insisted that there is no way we are going to pay $12,000 for 4 people to sail in 2 rooms. (we originally had 6 people in 2 rooms).

My TA is working VERY hard to find us another room, but if not, there's a good chance we may not sail.
My TA said we could take the $12,000 and use it towards future cruises, but still... There's the problem with our FF miles for our flights and all the other issues.
There's a ton more details, but I don't feel like getting into right now.

Wish us luck and pixie dust that they will find us a room to fit 4.
(A little prayer wouldn't be too bad either!)

Jennifer

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Serious question...Is anyone still in a GTY'ed room that hasn't been assigned?

There's a good chance my inlaws will not be able to come and we now need to switch to a cabin that fits 4 people. The ship is pretty much sold out and they are saying that there are no cabins that will fit 4. DH has insisted that there is no way we are going to pay $12,000 for 4 people to sail in 2 rooms. (we originally had 6 people in 2 rooms).
Jennifer

I'm sorry for your troubles. Our room was GTY'd, but we got our room number. Is there anyone else that might be willing to go in their place?

 

[flrealtorgrl]

Tell us the measurements, pretty please. I have the material, I'm just waiting to figure out how to make it.

Thanks!

The rod at the top is 9".
The width of the fabric is 8" and the length of the fabric is 26".
The distance from the point of the rope (if hanging) to the rod is 4".
Hope that makes sense.

 

[Hygiene99]

Just wanted to say a quick hello...

My trip home has been delayed by two days, so I will be in Florida until Tuesday afternoon. (Does anyone know when Scott & Lynn arrive)

Ken- awesome to hear about your son. I actually like watching VB- it's really cool. It was also a sport I was interested in when I was yonger- but not very good at.


T- sent you some emails.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and will have a great week!

5/10/07 around 6 pm...

 

[princesslisa71]

Does anyone know of a good tour company in Barcelona? I am working on ny itinerary for our 3 days before the cruise. (Of course I have added the DIS meetups.) But it would be great if someone had a good recommnedation for a tour company.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

I need help! We switched to Late dining for obvious reasons, but now my sister wants to switch back. Please give me some good reasons for staying on late.

 

[figment52]

Does anyone know how the tax refunds will work (sales taxes in Europe can be much higher than we are used to)? Do we collect receipts with every purchase and just fill out one form when we exit Europe (hopefully Barcelona rather than at connecting airports) or do we have to do this in each country?

Has anyone talked with DLC to see if they will have the necessary forms on board?

Hopefully it will be covered in a shopping talk on board but just in case it isn't

Has anyone travelled in Europe or cruised Europe lately with any suggestions on how to handle this?

TIA

 

[Jeisur]

I need help! We switched to Late dining for obvious reasons, but now my sister wants to switch back. Please give me some good reasons for staying on late.

1) Late dining means you see the shows first. which means you arent sitting in a crowded theatre feeling all ick after gorging on 3 deserts!

2) Fewer kids are at late dining.

3) keeps more with eating to your time zone if you are from the US (east coast especially!)

4) ask for as many deserts as you want since no one else will be dining after you!

 

[figment52]

A friend came thru with this information on taxes

http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/mdd/v05/i05/html/05money.html

Lifted from the above site -

Is there an alternative to the normal VAT refunds? Yes, at least for tourists. Of the 20 European countries that impose the VAT, all except Iceland, Ireland, and Switzerland participate in a program called Europe Tax-Free Shopping (ETS). This program represents 70,000 merchants and is growing. When you buy from participating merchants that display the ETS logo, you show your passport and receive a Tax-Free Shopping Check. The check shows the amount of refund owed to you after ETS has deducted a fee of about 20%. When you leave that country or the last European Union country on your itinerary, you show your purchases to an appropriate customs official, who stamps your checks. You then obtain your refund from the ETS desk on site, by mail, or by transfer to your credit card account.