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

[flrealtorgrl]

Passport update:

I think I'll have them tomorrow. I called good old Senator Hatch's office yesterday, and they got right to it. They made an immediate call yesterday, and today at noon they told me that they will be overnighted today. I hope the passport agents were more honest with the Senator's office than they were with me. (Since I had been told that 3x previous.)

So, thanks for the pixie dust, just give me one more dusting for good luck that they'll arrive tomorrow.

I firmly believe in faith, trust and pixie dust...so here's to wishing your passports arrive as promised.

 

[memarmay]

Passport update:

I think I'll have them tomorrow. I called good old Senator Hatch's office yesterday, and they got right to it. They made an immediate call yesterday, and today at noon they told me that they will be overnighted today. I hope the passport agents were more honest with the Senator's office than they were with me. (Since I had been told that 3x previous.)

So, thanks for the pixie dust, just give me one more dusting for good luck that they'll arrive tomorrow.

Now, is another story. I keep washing, my teenage boys keep wearing, and despite my threats, nothing is staying in the suitcase. They're up for sale....on second thought, I'll pay you to take them!

FYI....I'm taking more than one pair of underwear, so ya'll can stand to be around me.... JK....we're still laughing here about turning them inside out.

Here ya go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's amazing how quickly governmental processes can be fulfilled once a senator gets involved. At least THAT works.

Just weighed my packed suitcase with 1 more item in it...sans shoes and other 'dry goods'. It weighs 41lbs. I am so very impressed!!!! Went to look for more to pack...I don't want to take any thing else....Maybe I'm the sicko!!!!Just took DGD'd temp....it's 98.2 and without any tylenol. Mysterious....oh well, that's just her.
Mari

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Went to look for more to pack...I don't want to take any thing else....Maybe I'm the sicko!!!!Just took DGD'd temp....it's 98.2 and without any tylenol. Mysterious....oh well, that's just her.
Mari

Glad she's feeling better. Don't worry about the extra few pounds, I'm sure that'll be made up with all the things you throw in at the last minute.

I usually double my suitcase size in the last few minutes before closing it.

 

[LegalBriefs]

Talked with Cingular / AT&T last night and they are $1.29 per minute, I don't need to do anyting special -just dial a 1 for numbers to the states - local for each country I am in.

That is true, except for TWO things... they failed to tell you that if you sign up for the "World Traveler" plan for only $5.99 the calls will only run you $0.99 a minute while we are in port, (so, if you talk for 18 minutes or more, it is a good idea) HOWEVER, I cannot get a difinitive answer on what the per minute cost is for cingular when we are at sea... Has anyone gotten a clear answer on the Cingular rate when we are at sea?

 

[sunshine state kim]

I just talked to someone in customs at the ATL airport about how much wine we can bring back into the country. She said "bring in as much as you want!" The duty free is 1 liter per adult, but the duty is based on alcohol content and the fee ends up being $1 or less and there is a $10 waiver so whatever fits in my 50# luggage is coming home.

 

[icunurse_celeste]

That is true, except for TWO things... they failed to tell you that if you sign up for the "World Traveler" plan for only $5.99 the calls will only run you $0.99 a minute while we are in port, (so, if you talk for 18 minutes or more, it is a good idea) HOWEVER, I cannot get a difinitive answer on what the per minute cost is for cingular when we are at sea... Has anyone gotten a clear answer on the Cingular rate when we are at sea?

I was just going to post this...
For instance, Cingular offers a World Traveler Program that charges $5.99 a month to reduce roaming fees in more than 80 foreign countries. You can add or drop the service at any time. In some cases the reductions are significant -- calls from France and Germany that normally cost $1.29 a minute drop to 99 cents. Great minds think alike!


I can't get answers from Tmobile- they weren't aware they were offering service yet.

 

[sweetsue]

Online Registration:

Has anyone else completed their online registration? My sister went to complete hers and it wouldn't let her do the final step until her flight information was input (even though it wasn't made through DCL). She went to put the information in and it would not allow her to because it did not take international flights. She had to call DCL and they told her that you must call them so that they can manually input the information into their computers. Weird, huh?

Has anyone else had this information or process verified?

We had the same problem. I notified DCL that they had issues with any European gateway since the only choices they have are US cities and Barcelona! Stupid.... I decided I didn't care since DCL wasn't getting me to or from the airport. I think I told them "Other" or something like that.

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

Lori - I cannot believe your passports are taking this long, I would be fuming!!! I hope they do print them tomorrow.

I started to pack DH's clothes and I think I overpacked already His stuff is taking a lot of room in our bags.

Here's what I packed:

-6 tshirts
-5 polo shirts
-7 dress shirts(4 short sleeve/3 long sleeve)
-3 pairs of jeans
-2 casual pants
-1 black dress pants
-1 windbreaker
-3 pairs of shoes (black,brown and Crocs)
-1 bathing suit
-1 track pants
-3 pairs of shorts
-Tuxedo (we are renting the shoes)

Am I over packing?


What are the guys bringing on this trip?

Sounds like you are never planning on doing laundry! If you are, cut it at least in half.

Sue

 

[Arizona Rita]

Lori, if it was up to us you would be covered in pixie dust!!!

 

[sweetsue]

Does anyone have any ideas regarding bags when we get back to barcleona. Our flight is a late flight not until 9.45pm so we are goign to have to drag bags around all day. I have been thinking about hiring a car for the day but I don't know which rental office is close to the port - any ideas?

Rachel

1. You can rent a car through Avis - although I would not recommend this option if you are going to stay within Barcelona. Crime is fairly high and leaving bags in a car in the city is not good. We are using this option ourselves, but going to Montserrat for the day. Avis is at the world trade center which is about as close as you can get to the cruise ships. I couldn't find any other agencies closer.

2. You can take them to a train station. Two are nearby that have luggage lockers. One is at the RENFE/RER station. It's near Port Vell. The other one is the Sants station.

3. You can take them to the airport. They have left luggage there if it's too early to check them in for your flight. Price was 4 Euros per bag/day when I last looked into it. Not sure if they have a shorter-term price since I was looking to store luggage during our entire cruise.

That's about all of your options beside lugging them. There have been known scams on people lugging their luggage, so I would strongly recommend against this option.

HTH!

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

Just stopped by the sprint phone people at our mall, They recommend buy a pay as you go phone in europe ,since they don't have many service areas in europe, they said to call the international office for sprint to find out if our areas will be covered. He also said if you buy one of the phones over there you can forward your calls from you phone to that phone. It will run you about 50cents a minute. He gave me the info to do that so if anyone needs that let me know. I don't know about anyone else but feels like my anxiety level has hit a high. I am the only one in my family who is trying to get packed. Teenage DD not worried. DH probably depending on me to pack for him. Have to Go to College DS tomorrow to get him packed .. After reading all the threads how people are already packed and repacked i am really worried. Have to work the 3 days before we leave so want to have everything done this weekend. But at least we have our paper work. Lori any word on your passports. well i am off to work my 12 hour shift in a pedi er everyone have a good day and happy packing cindy

Cindy - don't worry about the packing. I haven't started anywhere except in my mind. I have segregated a few items in the closet that I believe will be going. Otherwise - NADA! My packing will probably happen on Sunday. If I'm lucky. Otherwise I'll hit panic mode on Monday (I leave tuesday) and will pack it then. Or not. It might end up being Tuesday morning, except my Mom will be here and her panic is awful, so I'll probably pack Monday so she won't drive me nuts on Tuesday. Airport transport picks us up at 1pm Tues.

So - no need to panic yet - you've got DAYS left!

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

DD wants to bring her Crocs. What do you guys think about taking those colorful shoes? Will they be ok to tour churches? They don't weigh very much and they can be smushed in the luggage.

TAKE THEM! I'm only leaving mine behind because they take up too much room. The churches only complain about knees and shoulders. Don't know how much your DD is into fashion though. She may find herself a bit embarrased after she sees all of the much-more-sophisticated looking shoes those Italians wear! We're a very casual bunch in the US.

Sue

 

[memarmay]

THe only reason I'm replying is because my brain cannot figure out how to post a new message.

Ok, as much faith, trust, pixie dust and prayer as you can, please send it to DGD, Lauren's, way. My daughter just took her to the ER on dr.s orders. Ruling out appendicitis, kidney infection...or ?. She wants lab work, ultrasound of her belly, and quite a few more things. Sure, worried about the trip, but more worried about Lauren. So please, keep her in your thoughts and prayers and let's all pray for her that this is something minor.....ok?
Thanks everyone. If it's ok, I'll keep you posted.
Mari

 

[winotracy]

Mari I hope she is ok! Keep us informed!

 

[sweetsue]

THe only reason I'm replying is because my brain cannot figure out how to post a new message.

Ok, as much faith, trust, pixie dust and prayer as you can, please send it to DGD, Lauren's, way. My daughter just took her to the ER on dr.s orders. Ruling out appendicitis, kidney infection...or ?. She wants lab work, ultrasound of her belly, and quite a few more things. Sure, worried about the trip, but more worried about Lauren. So please, keep her in your thoughts and prayers and let's all pray for her that this is something minor.....ok?
Thanks everyone. If it's ok, I'll keep you posted.
Mari

Wow! that it's just a little virus and nothing to worry about.

Sue

 

[Scooby3x1y]

THe only reason I'm replying is because my brain cannot figure out how to post a new message.

Ok, as much faith, trust, pixie dust and prayer as you can, please send it to DGD, Lauren's, way. My daughter just took her to the ER on dr.s orders. Ruling out appendicitis, kidney infection...or ?. She wants lab work, ultrasound of her belly, and quite a few more things. Sure, worried about the trip, but more worried about Lauren. So please, keep her in your thoughts and prayers and let's all pray for her that this is something minor.....ok?
Thanks everyone. If it's ok, I'll keep you posted.
Mari

I'm sorry Mari, I misunderstood, I thought she was doing better with the lower temp. I hope you find an answer soon and she feels better!

 

[Scooby3x1y]

TAKE THEM! I'm only leaving mine behind because they take up too much room. The churches only complain about knees and shoulders. Don't know how much your DD is into fashion though. She may find herself a bit embarrased after she sees all of the much-more-sophisticated looking shoes those Italians wear! We're a very casual bunch in the US.

Sue

When we were in Italy, we never had issues because we always wore pants. However, I know this trip my boys will want to wear shorts. The are long shorts that cover most of their knees. Will they balk about this? If you think they might, it may be easier to have they were pants that day?

 

[memarmay]

I'm sorry Mari, I misunderstood, I thought she was doing better with the lower temp. I hope you find an answer soon and she feels better!

No, you didn't misunderstand. She was. and then all of a sudden WHAMO! Tears, fetal position 'grammie, my side hurts'. Hopefully it is just a quickie virus (please, please, please ) and it can resolve itself quickly. This is what I am going to focus on...yup. Nothing more than a tiny little bug....squish that sucker!!!
Thanks everyone!
Mari

 

[figment52]

THe only reason I'm replying is because my brain cannot figure out how to post a new message.

Ok, as much faith, trust, pixie dust and prayer as you can, please send it to DGD, Lauren's, way. My daughter just took her to the ER on dr.s orders. Ruling out appendicitis, kidney infection...or ?. She wants lab work, ultrasound of her belly, and quite a few more things. Sure, worried about the trip, but more worried about Lauren. So please, keep her in your thoughts and prayers and let's all pray for her that this is something minor.....ok?
Thanks everyone. If it's ok, I'll keep you posted.
Mari

OMG Mari - what a quick change. I thought she was diong a little better. Tell Lauren to take a deep breath and breathe. Everything will be ok. Tell Allison she has to get better because I am looking forward to meeting her.


and a couple of wishes that everyone stays healthy and no one has any more surprises or problems before we sail.

Sandy

 

[figment52]

When we were in Italy, we never had issues because we always wore pants. However, I know this trip my boys will want to wear shorts. The are long shorts that cover most of their knees. Will they balk about this? If you think they might, it may be easier to have they were pants that day?

Do they have a paid of those zip off pants that they can put the legs on to go into the churches and then take them off and go back to shorts as soon as they are back outside?

After much searching I found skimmers (Dockers) that hit right at the bottom of the knee caps insteasd of midcalf. That should be good if the weather is warmer. I gave up trying to find dresses and skirts which is what I really wanted.