May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread

[maddisney]

We also would like to add ourselves to the early seating DISers list. My husband's first language is French and our daughter understands but refuses to speak in French How old is your little boy? She's three.

I alas, speak only English-unless you count Hawaiian Pidgin. Looking forward to meeting you and abdmom and family.

AlohaJoe23, does pidgin count as a second language.

Aloha kehonuamemano,

Our son will have one year the 3rd of June.

And my wife first language is Russian.

A hui Hou, in the boat !

 

[mmickeya]

Hi

I'm a Lost fan too, and hoping to see the finale on the ship even if it is in the middle of the night

 

[mmickeya]

I would like to add my mom and I to the early seating DiSers list. My mom only speak French.

 

[tripodjw]

I've just been looking in on the 24 April cruisers.

There's quite a few of them now who have had the flights cancelled with no alternatives being offered in time to get them to Barcelona.

Poor things - all this time planning and being excited and then not being able to get there.

I'm still optimistic we won't be affected but if there's still travel problems as of this weekend i'm going to seriously start investigating the alternatives (and even book refundable options) to be sure i can get to barcelona - i don't care if i get stuck in Spain afterwards as long as i can make it to port to sail.

 

[rashdecision]

There appears to be good news and bad news regarding the volcano this am. The bad new is the eruption appears to be increasing in regards to lava flow. The good news is it appears to be spewing less ash. I suppose that means the engines may suck less ash. We are flying directly from Atlanta to Barcelona. Do you think this cloud will be an issue that far south? Another thing we must all take into consideration is the fact that our boat will likely be completely full for our cruise if the previous cruisers cant get to barcelona since some people will try to rebook on the next boat out. There may be less upgrading then people hoped for. Just a thought.

Would someone tell me a bit about the early dining group gathering. Is this for small groups of people to join so they are grouped with fellow DISers? We are a group of six so I am unsure if we would be grouped together with another group or not. Im a little confused about that one.

I will email the concierge about the whole lost finale on the cruise. I would doubt they would show it as a special request b/c of the logistics of getting access to the tape but she could at least let us know if they already plan on showing it.

 

[jojo6617]

I'm still optimistic we won't be affected but if there's still travel problems as of this weekend i'm going to seriously start investigating the alternatives (and even book refundable options) to be sure i can get to barcelona - i don't care if i get stuck in Spain afterwards as long as i can make it to port to sail.[/QUOTE]



Yes Tripodjw I to will be looking for alternatives, quite a few UK airports opened this morning but have now closed again, I’m just keeping my fingers crossed at the moment.

 

[Pinmeister]

I feel so bad for the 4/24 cruisers. I'm not sure I could stand the stress.
The lucky ones are those who are on the EBTA cruise and staying onboard for the 4/24 cruise. Imagine being able to cruise with Disney for almost a whole month!
If anyone is interested there is a blog for the EBTA cruise on allears.net.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Would someone tell me a bit about the early dining group gathering. Is this for small groups of people to join so they are grouped with fellow DISers? We are a group of six so I am unsure if we would be grouped together with another group or not. Im a little confused about that one.

The dining groups are for DISers to be put in the same dining rotation (rotate to the same restaurant) and be seated together and in the same area of the dining room. With a party of 6, you'd either be seated at a table to yourselves, with a party of two, or a party of three. If you let dfsc (Felicia) know if you'd like to be seated with someone in particular, she'd let DCL know when she passed on the request.

I will email the concierge about the whole lost finale on the cruise. I would doubt they would show it as a special request b/c of the logistics of getting access to the tape but she could at least let us know if they already plan on showing it.

Cool. Speaking of the concierge, do you have an update for the wine tasting list? Any more info about when/where it will be?

 

[Jeff Spencer]

I just saw on DU's website that they were offering only $100 OBC for Cat 12's vs the $250 they were offering when I booked. I hope they didnt change it. Time to contact my TA I guess.

These changes aren't retroactive. We too had the $250 OBC when we booked the Cat. 12 back late last year.

 

[moneyhappy]

I about rolled over laughing so hard when I saw this. The chairman (or something like that) for air saftey with the EU was being interviewed and was quoted as saying..." the problem is the jet engines suck ash". Had to play that one back a few times. I hope I don't get stuck on a plane to europe and find out the engine sucks ash.

Roll Call: AlohaJoe23 and kids pics added
FE List: Deleted the old listing, added tripodjw's post about the two lists, changes, etc. as well as links to Group A and Group B Excel spreadsheets.
Excursions: Added moneyhappy's private tour openings for Naples, LaSpezia and Civitavecchia. Deleted KDavies29 tours as they are all full.
DIS Meets: Added maddisney, DopeyFan1966, kehonuamemano to the early seating dining list.

Lanyards: Both the lanyards and badge card holders are ordered.

Thank you Jeff!!!

Speaking of movies, I'm glad to see DCL is showing Alice in Wonderland in 3D, Sherlock Holmes & Princess & the Frog. I haven't seen any of those.

Looking forward to see some of the movie. We don't get a chance to go to the movies when my DH is on call for work.

Don't count on it! These folks are *really* good. I like to tell the story about one time I was in Las Vegas. I don't gamble much, so I got $10 worth of quarters at the cashier's window, and put them in a plastic bucket. I then scanned the room to look for some poker slots. I looked down, and every last quarter was gone from the bucket. Just a couple of seconds, and I didn't see or hear or feel a thing. You can never assume you'll notice!

Sayhello

I have read a lot about the crime in Barcelona and Italy. Everyone is in lock down when it comes to carrying money and/or credit cards. Everything that can be prepaid has been so we do not have to carry to much.

 

[MPS516]

Flying

Mpls Airport just reported UK flights to begin over the next 48 hours. They fly non stop to 4 airports and have not said which will be first. We have a group of French 5th graders who got stranded here last week when their connection from Portland to France never left. The Director of our French school here in St Louis Park has done a great job helping out, putting them in school and housing at the Hilton downtown. They are very excited they may be going home tomorrow.

 

[Greg M]

Speaking of movies, I'm glad to see DCL is showing Alice in Wonderland in 3D, Sherlock Holmes & Princess & the Frog. I haven't seen any of those.

We watched "Alice in Wonderland" and "Princess & the Frog" on our March cruise and loved both of them! Some cruisers were complaining about "Alice" but both my wife and I liked it. We are looking forward to seeing "Sherlock Holmes".

Rashdescision I would like to see the lab serum values app! I wonder if they have one for fluids and electrolytes... would make medsurg a breeze for nursing students

 

[kehonuamemano]

I would like to add my mom and I to the early seating DiSers list. My mom only speak French.

Welcome! I am so thrilled my daugther will be exposed to so many native French speakers on this trip. Don't forget to PM dsfc with your reservation number and the details of the people in your party.

I hope we get one big table

 

[Welsh Girl]

Hi all! Just got back this morning after a mamouth trip all throught France. We had to arrange a coach to take us from Monte Carlo all the way to Le Harve and then wait a day to get ferry across to Portsmouth and finally bus home to Wales. It took from 11.30 sun morn to 4 tues morn ....but i am finally home. We have heard so many people horror stories that i think we got away lucky.

On a brighter note Monte Carlo is so beautiful we had an amazing time. The perfume factory in Eze was nice...it's free to get in and the tour takes about an hour. You can also travel in to Monte carlo from Eze for 1 euro each way and the bus goes every 2 hrs. It also goes to Nice as well. Taxi from monte to eze are about £45 euro so the bus option was unbelivable...

Now just wondering if everything will be ok for us to fly from London next month...fingers and toes will be crossed!!

 

[tripodjw]

Have noticed from the "live from the EBTA magic" that with regards to currency exchange onboard you must have US dollars - cash or travellers cheques in order to exchange into another currency.

They definately will not charge it to onboard account and it sounds like they won't exchange from any other currency (e.g. UK pounds sterling to euros)

 

[tripodjw]

Hi all! Just got back this morning after a mamouth trip all throught France. We had to arrange a coach to take us from Monte Carlo all the way to Le Harve and then wait a day to get ferry across to Portsmouth and finally bus home to Wales. It took from 11.30 sun morn to 4 tues morn ....but i am finally home. We have heard so many people horror stories that i think we got away lucky.

On a brighter note Monte Carlo is so beautiful we had an amazing time. The perfume factory in Eze was nice...it's free to get in and the tour takes about an hour. You can also travel in to Monte carlo from Eze for 1 euro each way and the bus goes every 2 hrs. It also goes to Nice as well. Taxi from monte to eze are about £45 euro so the bus option was unbelivable...

Now just wondering if everything will be ok for us to fly from London next month...fingers and toes will be crossed!!

Glad you made it home

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Noticed in the posts from the EBTA cruise that DCL will also take traveler's checks for currency exchange. Apparently, a number of guests thought they could use their KTTW card and get Euros from Guest Services and were not happy when they found out they could not. TC would be a good alternative for those worried about carrying too much cash.

On the shows, the EBTA cruise has gotten to see the "filler" show "Once Upon a Song" that was on the Magic prior to "Villains Tonight" starting its run in March. Reviews for it seem to be pretty good. They've also seen a show called Walt Disney - The Dream Goes On and I've seen nothing but glowing reviews. I've not heard anything about this latter show and I'm hoping we get to see it. The awful reviews for Villains Tonight continue.

 

[sayhello]

I hope not - we're currently a couple of episodes behind you lucky americans - and the temptation to skip to the finale while onboard would be awfully high.

Then again it might not be advisable for me to watch onboard because if i find out that it's all a dream and hurley wakes up in the shower then i might actually hold mickey hostage until there's a better ending made

OMG, if it's all a dream, I'd have to kill somebody!!! And I only invested a couple of years into the show!!!

Have noticed from the "live from the EBTA magic" that with regards to currency exchange onboard you must have US dollars - cash or travellers cheques in order to exchange into another currency.

They definately will not charge it to onboard account and it sounds like they won't exchange from any other currency (e.g. UK pounds sterling to euros)

Supposedly they will cash one check for $100 which they can then convert into euros. But I don't know if that's only for US-based checking accounts or not.

Hi all! Just got back this morning after a mamouth trip all throught France. We had to arrange a coach to take us from Monte Carlo all the way to Le Harve and then wait a day to get ferry across to Portsmouth and finally bus home to Wales. It took from 11.30 sun morn to 4 tues morn ....but i am finally home. We have heard so many people horror stories that i think we got away lucky.

On a brighter note Monte Carlo is so beautiful we had an amazing time. The perfume factory in Eze was nice...it's free to get in and the tour takes about an hour. You can also travel in to Monte carlo from Eze for 1 euro each way and the bus goes every 2 hrs. It also goes to Nice as well. Taxi from monte to eze are about £45 euro so the bus option was unbelivable...

Now just wondering if everything will be ok for us to fly from London next month...fingers and toes will be crossed!!

Oh, man! Glad you were able to get home! I just can't imagine the frustration & fear going on out there.

Sayhello

 

[AlohaJoe23]

Well I have some more details of the Malta by private Yacht.

First it is normally crewed by a total of 9. Skipper + 8 Disers.

Normal cost is 400 euros per day. He is discounting us to 350 with the condition the interior of boat stays clean so absolutely no food down in the cabin area. I am setting the cost of the sail at 25 euros per person.

The morning sail is full with KDavies29 and AlohaJoe23 families. The afternoon sail has two confirmed Amtrak23. There are four more spots being considered by Florida Princess and may become available. Two spots remain open.

Location is at the Hotel Cavallieri in Portomaso in St Julian. This is about 5 miles from the city of Valletta. Just tell the cab driver that is where you want to go and should be a simple fare each way.

As far as where and what we do that is up to each group of 8. The Blue Grotto would take the full day. So the half day options would be Grand Harbour tour or St. Paul's island. Both have good swimming. Sailing and fishing are also options.

Weather of course is a key factor as what you will want to do so to much can't be planned in advance.

I am really hoping to fill all 16 slots. If so that will give us an extra 50 euros either to give to the captain if we are to messy or to refund ourselves to help pay for the cabfare/carhire costs.

As mentioned earlier we have rented a car. If someone wants to ride shotgun while my family squeezes in the back seat you could drop us off then use car for a few hours to go to Mdina, Golden Bay, and back to ship. About 1 hour drive time would leave 3 hours or so to sight see.

AlohaJoe23

 

[sayhello]

Noticed in the posts from the EBTA cruise that DCL will also take traveler's checks for currency exchange. Apparently, a number of guests thought they could use their KTTW card and get Euros from Guest Services and were not happy when they found out they could not. TC would be a good alternative for those worried about carrying too much cash.

On the shows, the EBTA cruise has gotten to see the "filler" show "Once Upon a Song" that was on the Magic prior to "Villains Tonight" starting its run in March. Reviews for it seem to be pretty good. They've also seen a show called Walt Disney - The Dream Goes On and I've seen nothing but glowing reviews. I've not heard anything about this latter show and I'm hoping we get to see it. The awful reviews for Villains Tonight continue.

Oh, now that's a good idea! (Traveller's checks). They aren't very useful in port, but if you could then exchange them for Euros onboard, that would work quite well. I like that idea!

I do hope we get to see that "The Dream Goes On" show. It sounds quite good. Sad to hear about "Villains". Ah, well. They can't all be hits!

Sayhello