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

[sweetsue]

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) You are in Europe. Restaurants in Europe do not OPEN until 8pm. By having late dining (8:30), you will fit right in with European dining customs. European lunches are generally from 1pm - 3pm. By having your dining on the ship aligned with dining off the ship, you'll find it a lot easier to make the transition.
2) You are in Europe. There is a time difference. You won't be ready to eat breakfast at 7am, lunch at noon and dinner at 6. You'll feel like having breakfast at 1pm and lunch/dinner at 8pm. Having late seating will be easier to adjust to.
3) You won't ever have to miss dinner because of an excursion.
4) You'll have less screaming children at dinner. Those children that are at late dinner seem to be quieter and more well-behaved. Christina definitely is!
5) You can enjoy a leisurely time getting ready after your excursions and before dinner.
6) Cocktail hour (ever try getting ready and also having a cocktail hour with munchies before a 6pm dinner?)
7) You get to see the show first while you're more awake.
8) If you have kids at the table, they will generally nod off after dinner or become quiet. This leaves lots of time for adult talk at the table.
9) On the very last day of the cruise, when all those early dining people have to be out of their staterooms and down for breakfast at 6:30am, you get to sleep in (at least more than they do).

The only other thing to keep in mind - if this is something that is very important to your sister, it might not be worth the battle. I've found with my mother that it can sometimes be less painful to just agree with her. My mother thought early seating was the only way to go. One time we didn't have a choice and had late seating. We enjoyed it. The next cruise we had early seating per usual. Once she saw the difference she swore we would never have early seating again. Once it was her idea, it was fine.

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

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

That's an excellent question! My mother and I were just talking about the VAT refund. I do know that you can request your VAT refund at the Barcelona airport. I don't know if they accept it for every country though - or if it's just for Spain.

I don't know when I'll have a chance to research. T - can you ask DCL?

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

Rick Steves has an excellent article on the VAT refund. Here's the URL. It's more consumer oriented and it has all the details. The VAT refund should be handled at the last stop in the EU (probably Barcelona for most people - connecting flights don't count as long as you stay in the airport).

Hope that helps!

Sue

 

[winotracy]

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.

Just tell her that it is sold out. It may be anyway

 

[winotracy]

That's an excellent question! My mother and I were just talking about the VAT refund. I do know that you can request your VAT refund at the Barcelona airport. I don't know if they accept it for every country though - or if it's just for Spain.

I don't know when I'll have a chance to research. T - can you ask DCL?

Sue

Sure, I'll ask tomorrow when I call LOL

 

[kpros]

Just an FYI - this is the final lanyard list. The lanyard list is closed.

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See you soon.

 

[figment52]

Rick Steves has an excellent article on the VAT refund. Here's the URL. It's more consumer oriented and it has all the details. The VAT refund should be handled at the last stop in the EU (probably Barcelona for most people - connecting flights don't count as long as you stay in the airport).

Hope that helps!


Sue

Thanks Sue, that's what i was looking for.

 

[memarmay]

Just because there's snow on the roof doesn't mean there's no fire in the furnace!

Just cuz you're on a diet doesn't mean you can't look at the menu!

Mari

 

[memarmay]

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

We will be on an excursion...Flamecos and Tapas... and arrive on board around 5:30 or so. Mari

 

[Arizona Rita]

Hey Everybody!!
Today I bridged my Brownies into Junior scouts and they gifted me with a Disney gigt card. I know I can use it at the parks, but does anyone know if or where I can use it on the ship? Maybe Mickey's Mates?
16 and counting :

 

[winotracy]

Hey Everybody!!
Today I bridged my Brownies into Junior scouts and they gifted me with a Disney gigt card. I know I can use it at the parks, but does anyone know if or where I can use it on the ship? Maybe Mickey's Mates?
16 and counting :

There are a couple gift cards that you can only use at Downtown Disney. Unless it is one of those (if it was purchased at a Disney Store it isn't) you can! It might say on the back of the card where it's good and if it lists any place other than just DTD, you probably can use it on the ship. It doesn't take much room to pack so bring it along!

 

[kpros]

Good morning everyone! Another day "really closer" to cruising!!!!!

Ken

 

[flrealtorgrl]

Just wondering if anyone includes binoculars in their packing? I've never brought them before, but thought I may want to use them for the Mediterranean coast. I have some, but packing for this trip is a totally different experience than packing for Port Canaveral. Any opinions?

 

[winotracy]

Just wondering if anyone includes binoculars in their packing? I've never brought them before, but thought I may want to use them for the Mediterranean coast. I have some, but packing for this trip is a totally different experience than packing for Port Canaveral. Any opinions?

We do! They are a staple in our packing.

 

[winotracy]

I followed up with DCL on the VAT refund today.

They are informing guests to sae receipts - separated by country visited. We will receive more information onboard about the refund. My guess is this is one time we may want to attend or watch the disembarkation talk

 

[winotracy]

OMG OMG OMG

Do I have everyone's attention now?

Every time I call DCL I ask people if they have new info for me. Well today I was really excited about what I heard!!!!

Starting 5/12, wireless internet will be expanded on the Magic to be available in the staterooms

Also starting 5/12, cell phone service will be available when the ship is at least 2 miles out at sea!! Cingular, AT&T, Sprint & T-Mobile services will be available. They recommend that you contact your cell phone company and international rates may apply. Now I wish I had one of those carriers

 

[cocoswife]

OMG OMG OMG

Do I have everyone's attention now?

Every time I call DCL I ask people if they have new info for me. Well today I was really excited about what I heard!!!!

Starting 5/12, wireless internet will be expanded on the Magic to be available in the staterooms

Also starting 5/12, cell phone service will be available when the ship is at least 2 miles out at sea!! Cingular, AT&T, Sprint & T-Mobile services will be available. They recommend that you contact your cell phone company and international rates may apply. Now I wish I had one of those carriers

Great news, thanks!!!!

 

[konslerg]

Just wondering if anyone includes binoculars in their packing?

We are definitely packing binoculars!

 

[memarmay]

I have a couple of questions.
1) What time is breakfast scheduled? We have some early morning excursions and I do not want to go hungry....or is it just the character breakfast scheduled and we hit Topsiders? Room Service? My measely memory is failing me!!!

2)...Ladies. Have a dilemma...for the semi and formal nites...one fancy dress with different accesories or a couple of dresses? Mine don't take up a lot of room, but I just don't want to over-pack. Any help is appreciated.

3) I am getting sooooooooooooooooo excited.

Ok, these questions are not earth shattering but MAYBE someone else is also thinking the same thing (please,,,,don't make me feel too stupid!)

Thanks, mari

 

[winotracy]

I have a couple of questions.
1) What time is breakfast scheduled? We have some early morning excursions and I do not want to go hungry....or is it just the character breakfast scheduled and we hit Topsiders? Room Service? My measely memory is failing me!!!

2)...Ladies. Have a dilemma...for the semi and formal nites...one fancy dress with different accesories or a couple of dresses? Mine don't take up a lot of room, but I just don't want to over-pack. Any help is appreciated.

3) I am getting sooooooooooooooooo excited.

Ok, these questions are not earth shattering but MAYBE someone else is also thinking the same thing (please,,,,don't make me feel too stupid!)

Thanks, mari

1 Character breakfast is scheduled, the rest is not. When we are in port early, many of the dining options will be available earlier.

2 I am bringing an easy to pack formal and a little black dress that is reversible so two dresses for the packing of two. I can wear the same shoes for both.

3 I am there with you!!!

Tracy