May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread

[aldapl]

We received our documents today via regular mail.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

We got ours today too.

aldapl: Are you on the 5/15/ cruise? If so, welcome!

 

[amtrak23]

Palo dinner for "Day 10 - Villefranche, France (Monte Carlo, Cannes, Nice)
Monday, May 24, 2010" @ 7pm available now.

 

[rashdecision]

I just emailed the concierge (got tied up at work until now). They are usually pretty good about responding to emails but only on weekdays so I should hear something by early next week.
My travel agent had a good idea for when she travels. She sets up a seperate banking account prior to the trip with ATM access. She puts only the amount she is comfortable spending and notify's the bank of her travel and a $1000 limit/day withdraw privileges which is more than she should ever need/day. She has the tour operator take her to the ATM at the conclusion of each trip and she pulls out what she needs each time. She takes a couple of hundred euros to begin with for travel or emergencies. She feels like traveler checks are getting harder to use and by the time you deal with everyones exchange rate and fees, the ATM account is about equal. Its all a learning curve for me.
BTW... My TA has my travel docs!! Its official, Im excited. I need a beer.

 

[rashdecision]

Just heard back from concierge. I think she was a little shocked at our numbers. Im going to ask her if I get a commission. I just asked about the exchange rate so no news on that yet.

4/9/10


Hello Rob,


Thank you for the information...WOW... "42"


Just waiting for the date and time. We are trying for a sea day for you.


I will keep you updated!!!


We look forward to sailing with you!


Have a Magical day!


Jamira

Concierge Services Specialist

Disney Cruise Vacations

 

[sayhello]

Whee! Cruise documents! I has me some cruise documents! Now if I could just get my box from ABD, I'll be good to go.

So, rashdecision, we're over-achievers in the wine tasting department, eh? They won't see it coming!

Sayhello

 

[rashdecision]

Whee! Cruise documents! I has me some cruise documents! Now if I could just get my box from ABD, I'll be good to go.

So, rashdecision, we're over-achievers in the wine tasting department, eh? They won't see it coming!

Sayhello

neither will my liver!

 

[llkoolj40]

I just emailed the concierge (got tied up at work until now). They are usually pretty good about responding to emails but only on weekdays so I should hear something by early next week.
My travel agent had a good idea for when she travels. She sets up a seperate banking account prior to the trip with ATM access. She puts only the amount she is comfortable spending and notify's the bank of her travel and a $1000 limit/day withdraw privileges which is more than she should ever need/day. She has the tour operator take her to the ATM at the conclusion of each trip and she pulls out what she needs each time. She takes a couple of hundred euros to begin with for travel or emergencies. She feels like traveler checks are getting harder to use and by the time you deal with everyones exchange rate and fees, the ATM account is about equal. Its all a learning curve for me.
BTW... My TA has my travel docs!! Its official, Im excited. I need a beer.

This may be a silly question,but when they set up their account did they get an ATM card with or without a visa logo? I was thinking of getting an ATM card only without the logo for safety. Will that work?

 

[MPS516]

travel documents arrived, most of them, one daughter sent to her address instead of home address - that gave me a scare. how can y'all begin packing or even shopping for cruise clothes so soon ? i still have two more state trips before leaving for Spain, then we will have our chance to prepare.

 

[rashdecision]

This may be a silly question,but when they set up their account did they get an ATM card with or without a visa logo? I was thinking of getting an ATM card only without the logo for safety. Will that work?

im not sure. I was told to make sure your card is Cirrus and it should work at most banks overseas. Love to get other peoples opinion on this.
I have another question for those disney veterans out there. Does disney allow you to bring wine onboard? We will be in wine heaven overseas and I would love to open a bottle or six from any vineyards we may travel through. Most of the cruise lines we have traveled with will confiscate the bottles when boarding then give them back on the last day but I saw someone mention that disney allowed you to bring wine on board.

 

[Ariel412]

So I got my cruise documents today with my luggage tags... now it is really sinking in that the trip we be here before I know it!! I went shopping tonight at Target and stocked up on all the travel items I could think of including a travel size wrinkle releaser by Downy... hope it works!! Has anyone bought anything unusual that maybe most people would not think of but you have found it to be useful???? Just wondering and hoping I remember to pack everything!

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Yes, Disney does allow wine (and other alcohol). Here is their official policy.

Alcohol is permitted on board. However, be aware that any fragile items (including bottled alcohol) must be hand-carried on board in a day bag and/or carry-on bag, the dimensions of which cannot exceed 22" wide, 14" high and 9" deep. Guests who request a Wine Steward to open and serve a bottle of champagne, wine or liquor that has been brought onboard will be charged a corking fee of $15.00 per bottle.

Please be advised: Disney Cruise Line reserves the right to remove fragile items (including beverages) from luggage. In such cases, items will be stored and returned at the end of the voyage. Beverage containers are considered fragile and have previously caused damage in checked luggage. All fragile items must be transported inside carry-on luggage.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

So I got my cruise documents today with my luggage tags... now it is really sinking in that the trip we be here before I know it!! I went shopping tonight at Target and stocked up on all the travel items I could think of including a travel size wrinkle releaser by Downy... hope it works!! Has anyone bought anything unusual that maybe most people would not think of but you have found it to be useful???? Just wondering and hoping I remember to pack everything!

Check out the packing list on the web site (copied off the DIS). It's under the links page. Here's a direct link.

Cruise Packing List

MPS516: Couldn't agree more! We'll start packing the day before we leave.

Web Site Addition: Check out the top of the links page for a Disney Magic Tracker. Click the link and find out where the Magic is, what the weather/sea conditions are like, what her speed is. It's pretty neat.

 

[k8e]

im not sure. I was told to make sure your card is Cirrus and it should work at most banks overseas. Love to get other peoples opinion on this.
I have another question for those disney veterans out there. Does disney allow you to bring wine onboard? We will be in wine heaven overseas and I would love to open a bottle or six from any vineyards we may travel through. Most of the cruise lines we have traveled with will confiscate the bottles when boarding then give them back on the last day but I saw someone mention that disney allowed you to bring wine on board.

When I went to Europe in Oct. '08, I took my ATM/Debit card (has a Visa logo so can be used as credit also). To get cash, I used ATM's in port. I actually had no Euros on me when I boarded my flight in the US. I had some USD on me for cruise gratuities, etc. Upon landing in Paris and clearing customs, I hit up the nearest ATM for some Euro. I used ATM's in a couple ports to get cash as needed. I also took a credit card for purcahses--as they're supposed to give a pretty fair exchange rate. In case of emergency (ie: lost debit card) I could always get cash using the credit card. I also made sure to call both my bank and credit card company about a week before I left to notify them of what dates I would be out of the country, as well as what countries I would be visiting. It's also wise to keep your card info (ie: customer service number, etc in the event that you need to report a lost card) on hand and keep in your stateroom safe.

5 weeks to go

 

[DopeyFan1966]

Hello fellow Disers,

I was looking for luggage tags on-line and saw that KLM is offering free personalized luggage tags. You can add one of your own pics or use the stuff they have. They looked really cool so I did some for our family. The site says it takes about 3 weeks so hopefully they will make it in time. If not, they will be good for the future. I couldn't figure out how to attach the link but you can find it baggagelabel.klm.com or by just doing a search for free KLM luggage tags.

Helen

These luggage tags are so cool. I got ours a couple months ago and I put the picture that we used on the roll call page. They are really cute.

Cindy

 

[DopeyFan1966]

Do they use Euro in Tunis or Dinar? If they use Dinar, where do we get it?

Cindy

 

[HelenMartinez]

I usually travel with my car seats but wasn't sure what to do on this cruise. What do you pros with kids do? My 2 year old will definately need one and I'm not sure how easy they are to come by on the tours.

Helen

 

[Christyvoltron]

Do they use Euro in Tunis or Dinar? If they use Dinar, where do we get it?

Cindy

They use their own Dinar, and they do not allow it to be taken out of the country, so you will not be able to obtain it ahead of time. Fortunately all of our other ports use the Euro.

This link provides further information: http://www.gocurrency.com/countries/tunisia.htm

Tom

 

[sayhello]

Whee! Off in a couple of hours to have lunch with sarahgirl!

Still trying to figure out how many euros I'll need. Most everything except for the tips for the Adventure Guides is included, so it's really just my time & transportation in Barcelona, and incidentals and maybe some souvenirs. I'm going to have to check with folks on the ABD board if they tip the Guides in Dollars or euros... Both the ABD's I have taken so far have been domestic.

5 weeks from today.... WHEE!!!!

Sayhello

 

[Travelbee]

We got our docs today! Now I can stop worry about DCL putting us back to a Cat 12 stateroom!

Helen - is Colin big enough for a booster seat or does he need to be in a 5-pt harness? If he can be in a booster, then that's the way I'd go because it's much easier to carry around. I don't think the taxis or airport shuttles will provide any car seats but I'll check to see if Rudy's will have them for the Amalfi Coast tour. Maybe others with younger ones can chime in?