May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread

[jenandmartin]

Jan, here's the website I was talking about...hope it helps!

http://www.roninrome.com/ transportation/cruising-come-to-rome-for-the-day-2

 

[tripodjw]

...sorry...trying to meet post quota...by the way..I logged in right at midnight and there were no brunch or tea options available...what's worse, they didn't have the only Malta excursion I really really wanted (Blue Grotto) so I'm bummed

Sorry to hear you didn't get your excursion online. Might be worth a call to DCL as they do seem to be having some problems with the spa and excursions sections of the site.

In any case, keep checking online as other people may have booked space on the excursion as "placekeepers" and might cancel if change their mind closer to the trip.

 

[tripodjw]

tripodjw,

First of all, thanks for putting the info on page 1 of this thread. It's the best anyone can do with these types of threads and I appreciate your taking the time to do the updating.

Unfortunately, unless everyone was keeping up with all the posts, they wouldn't know to look there. Anyway, the page is set up! Here's the link. I'm not finished but it's close enough for people to take a look at.

http://5-15-10-medcruisers.weebly.com/

Sorry forgot to reply to this one to say i've put the link in post one and have also added it to my sig. Hopefully that means people will spot it as we go through the thread.

I'll keep the roll call and FE updated on this thread for those who don't/can't check out the website (the weebly bit makes it a blocked site at my work - but disboards is not blocked - go figure huh?)

Jeff - You're welcome to use the pirate costume picture i posted above in post 785 (just click and save it)

 

[Jeff Spencer]

All,

Tinkered with the site a little more to add an "Excursions" tab and relocated the DCL Excursion links there (with icons for each port) and a button for openings on private tours others have booked. Skimming back through the thread a bit it looked like MPS516 (Mike) and Pinmeister (Frank) were the only ones that had openings. Frank, I put a link to your email on your name. Mike, I didn't have your email (PM me if you like) but did link the tour descriptions to the icons. Any suggestions, links, etc. let me know.

tripodjw, will use the pirate pic. Others, if you've got a pic you like to have on the roll call, just post it in the thread, PM me or email me. I'll set up an email link on the web site to make it easier. One day closer to the cruise.

 

[peterpanstout]

Jeff, I LOVE your non-clothing packing list!!! Fantastic! I love the GPS suggestion. When we did the trans-atlantic, that was my husbands favorite part. Tracking where we were, especially in the middle of nowhere. Thank you.

BTW, after two hours of trying, I finally got the Rome excursion with youth activity that my son wanted. Persistance pays off...sometimes.

Now to start packing! (off Jeff's list.)

 

[Jeff Spencer]

I can't take credit for the list...it comes of the DIS boards; however, it's only in Microsoft Excel form there, and I didn't think everyone had Excel, so I cut and pasted the text onto their own sub pages so everyone could read them. I like the item "Sense of humor" item on the non-clothing list.

prinny27 also has 3 slots in her private tour of Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast (Naples) through Pleasant Travel so I added that and an email link to me on the bottom of page 1.

 

[rashdecision]

I leave this thursday for a 2.5 wk trip to the caribbean and Im freaking out more about the fact that this board is flying so quickly that I will never catch up when I return. Ill need someone to send me the abridged version of the whats happened when I return! Every time I log back on, there must be three new pages of posts. If anyone is interested, my family and I are in the aft suite which has a huge veranda (its the one you see from topsiders above). The concierge service apparently is there to assist with partys etc and if we want an informal gathering when we are on ship, we could do so. Problem is, there are a whole bunch of people on this board so Im unsure if it would work but we could still utilize the concierge to help plan an event at a bar etc. Let me know if anyone is interested and I can work on it when I return from Miami/Rincon puerto rico/southern caribbean cruise. Life is hard but someones got to do it!

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Poor you...going to the caribbean for 2.5 weeks. Have a great trip!

I was skimming back through the entire thread to pick up where people are from and noticed the thread grew by 40 pages in February, so yes, you'll have some catching up to do.

 

[tripodjw]

I leave this thursday for a 2.5 wk trip to the caribbean and Im freaking out more about the fact that this board is flying so quickly that I will never catch up when I return. Ill need someone to send me the abridged version of the whats happened when I return! Every time I log back on, there must be three new pages of posts. If anyone is interested, my family and I are in the aft suite which has a huge veranda (its the one you see from topsiders above). The concierge service apparently is there to assist with partys etc and if we want an informal gathering when we are on ship, we could do so. Problem is, there are a whole bunch of people on this board so Im unsure if it would work but we could still utilize the concierge to help plan an event at a bar etc. Let me know if anyone is interested and I can work on it when I return from Miami/Rincon puerto rico/southern caribbean cruise. Life is hard but someones got to do it!

Have a fab time in the caribbean. hope the weather has improved in comparison to a couple of weeks ago.

 

[pixiedust519]

Thanks again, Jeff, for the website! It looks great! I'll send you some pictures later for you to add. Just wanted to add a few more updates to the cruise that I've found out by talking to DCL and going through old navigators from the last Med cruises to make a few guesses:

Dinner will be at 6:00 or 8:30 on the Med cruises.

Night 1 - my guess would be that this is the night for "All Aboard: Let the Magic Begin Variety Show"

Night 2 is the Prince & Princess Dinner (leads me to guess that with the princess dinner and being formal night, that this may be the night for "Twice Charmed")

Night 7 semi-formal night - my guess would be that this is the night for "Villains Tonight"

Night 10 semi-formal night - my guess would be that this is the night for "Disney Dreams" and the Captain's Gala Dinner

Night 11 - based on past cruises, guessing that this is the Til We Meet Again Dinner and the "Remember the Magic" show.

I could be way off, but they all seem to make sense to me when you look at DCL history... Of course we'll have to wait and see what our 11-night counterparts report back after April, but at least this gives us a few ideas of what to expect until then!

 

[jenandmartin]

Thanks again, Jeff, for the website! It looks great! I'll send you some pictures later for you to add. Just wanted to add a few more updates to the cruise that I've found out by talking to DCL and going through old navigators from the last Med cruises to make a few guesses:

Dinner will be at 6:00 or 8:30 on the Med cruises.

Night 1 - my guess would be that this is the night for "All Aboard: Let the Magic Begin Variety Show"

Night 2 is the Prince & Princess Dinner (leads me to guess that with the princess dinner and being formal night, that this may be the night for "Twice Charmed")

Night 7 semi-formal night - my guess would be that this is the night for "Villains Tonight"

Night 10 semi-formal night - my guess would be that this is the night for "Disney Dreams" and the Captain's Gala Dinner

Night 11 - based on past cruises, guessing that this is the Til We Meet Again Dinner and the "Remember the Magic" show.

I could be way off, but they all seem to make sense to me when you look at DCL history... Of course we'll have to wait and see what our 11-night counterparts report back after April, but at least this gives us a few ideas of what to expect until then!

Thanks! This said...would a 9pm dinner at Palo on night 11 be a bad idea? Us first-timers weren't left with many choices. The other openings we are considering are day 3 and day 10. Help!

Update: I went to our new website...thanks Jeff, it looks awesome!!...and based on our possible show schedule we went for day 3 instead.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Thanks! This said...would a 9pm dinner at Palo on night 11 be a bad idea? Us first-timers weren't left with many choices. The other openings we are considering are day 3 and day 10. Help!

Are you sure Jen? I looked at Palo ressies this afternoon for two (just curious) and I saw all kinds of availability. We ended up with a 7 pm on night 11 for our party of 4, which is earlier than we wanted. We'd rather be closer to our normal late dining time of 8:30 pm.

 

[Pinmeister]

All,

Tinkered with the site a little more to add an "Excursions" tab and relocated the DCL Excursion links there (with icons for each port) and a button for openings on private tours others have booked. Skimming back through the thread a bit it looked like MPS516 (Mike) and Pinmeister (Frank) were the only ones that had openings. Frank, I put a link to your email on your name. Mike, I didn't have your email (PM me if you like) but did link the tour descriptions to the icons. Any suggestions, links, etc. let me know.

tripodjw, will use the pirate pic. Others, if you've got a pic you like to have on the roll call, just post it in the thread, PM me or email me. I'll set up an email link on the web site to make it easier. One day closer to the cruise.

Hi Jeff,
Thanks for your time updating. But, as of last night my 2 tours are fulll (Naples & Civitavecchia). As of right now I am, looking for La Spezia but may initiate my own tour(looking for a tour company).
Thanks. Frank

 

[abird]

Are you sure Jen? I looked at Palo ressies this afternoon for two (just curious) and I saw all kinds of availability. We ended up with a 7 pm on night 11 for our party of 4, which is earlier than we wanted. We'd rather be closer to our normal late dining time of 8:30 pm.

Hi Jeff. Thanks so much for putting together the web site.....it looks great!!
I got on last night and tried to get Palo on 5/17 (to celebrate my 50th) and could only get a table for 2 (at 8:30). So I logged on later and got another table for 2 (for our 2 girls), but they only had 7:00 open....so I took it in hopes that they can change it and have them seated with us at 8:30. What do you think the possibility of that is?

 

[familytravel]

I am new on Disboard. So happy to find this site.
This is our 2nd disney cruise. We love our first ever cruise. We used to be DIY traveller before we were parents. Now with a young child, we usually do DIY in one to two location each time. Want to share with my mom and the young child how europe is, disney cruise will be a perfect choice as a floating hotel with disney theme.
This time we have a party of 4,
Me Joti (38)
DH Alex (39)
DM Alice
DD Jean (4)
Room GTY

 

[jenandmartin]

Are you sure Jen? I looked at Palo ressies this afternoon for two (just curious) and I saw all kinds of availability. We ended up with a 7 pm on night 11 for our party of 4, which is earlier than we wanted. We'd rather be closer to our normal late dining time of 8:30 pm.

There was a 9m slot on day 11 but I didn't want to miss the "til we meet again" dinner. According to the Disney rep, it's a sampling feast and farewell party not to be missed. I figured there would be less going on day 3 so we wouldn't risk missing any cool activities.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Pinmeister: Got it, will update.

abird: Hmmm...I'm not sure about that one. The way Palo is set up is tables for 2 and 4. I don't think you're really buying yourself anything by having the reservations at two different times. I could see booking 2 reservations of 2 at the same time but I think you're just going to end up either re-booking all 4 of you on embarkation day or getting on the wait list (depending upon when you board). Sorry.

familytravel: Welcome to our cruise!

jenandmartin: Ahhh...I got you. Didn't think about your juggling around the themed evenings.

All: I updated the site again to change the Excursions page so there's a subpage that lists all the DCL Shore Excursion so we can list (for those that want to) which excursions we're on so we can see who we might run into. I also moved the DCL excursion links back to the link page (made more sense). Will create another subpage for the private tours as well (probably tonight while watching TV).

 

[familytravel]

Do you know if 2 way radio will work on board? Anyone has experience using them?
Thanks
Joti

 

[Jeff Spencer]

We have FRS radios but have never tried to use them on-board. However, we have tried to use them in multi-story buildings and found they don't work well. I would expect the same to be true on the ship, especially when you could be trying to talk from one end of the ship to the other and through 3-7 decks. Many folks use the low tech method - white board and markers stuck on your stateroom door and/or post it notes.

For those that have tried them there seems to be mixed results. Here are some links to threads on the main DIS Cruise Board:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2401876&highlight=frs+radio

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2215553&highlight=frs+radio

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2090960&highlight=frs+radio

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1991981&highlight=frs+radio

 

[familytravel]

We have FRS radios but have never tried to use them on-board. However, we have tried to use them in multi-story buildings and found they don't work well. I would expect the same to be true on the ship, especially when you could be trying to talk from one end of the ship to the other and through 3-7 decks. Many folks use the low tech method - white board and markers stuck on your stateroom door and/or post it notes.

Thanks Jeff, we will get some post it notes.

Joti