May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread

[Foo Family - Canada]

From what I'm reading on the April 24th thread, DCL is saying "get your money from your travel insurance". DCL isn't doing anything for those whose flights have been cancelled.

Here is a link I received from our travel agent "Dreams Unlimited" from DCL.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/whats-new/special-message/

It's not very comforting.... I'd expected more sensitivity in the client service front from Disney. They say it might take at least a couple of weeks to clear up the backlog.... We're connecting in Frankfurt which hasn't been open for the longest time so I'm looking for plan B for air travel. But lots of $ at stake if we do that ....

 

[jlwhitney]

We are flying in the day before the cruise and get in at like 9:15....no disney transfers for pre cruise and are wondering if the Hilton Diagonal Mar will have a luggage hold area if our room is not ready before 4pm...such a waste of the day if we can't do anything till 4.

Then..for post cruise booked AC diplomatic with Disney....what to do with our luggage then since we will have Disney transfer....trying to figure out what to do and when...

 

[tripodjw]

I would like to get everyones sign ups for the wine tasting finished by tommorrow if possible and then I will tally up the names, post the responses on the web and board and get the info to the concierge. If anyone is still interested but not PM'd me their names and reservation numbers please do so by tomorrow so I can update the concierge. The last email she gave said that we would have the tasting on the first sea day but can not give me an actual time until the week before we sail. I would expect it would be between 2-4 since it would need to be after lunch but I doubt they would schedule it near their dining times. Previous tasting on our last cruise were either in the sports bar or the piano bar on the (I think) third floor so I would bet thats were we would have it.

On a side note, I called Apple and I will have my Ipad on April 30th!!! Just in enough time to download some cool apps for traveling through spain! I also just picked up the rest of the FE gifts so we should be good to go. Is it still the plan to give FE gifts per room or per person in the room? How are people going to do this?

It's up to you - as long as you give something to each room in your group. I'm giving a pack of little gifts -some will be applicable to the whole stateroom other parts of it are a one person thing. (sorry it's vague don't want to give away what i'm doing)

Exciting on the ipad - you do realise we'll all want to "play" with it.

The thing i really want to know about the ipad is how it functions as an ereader - say for sitting on a plane or beach or even in bed for a few hours of constant reading (i'm sure it's fine for reading newspapers or magazines in short bursts). I find normal computer screens tiring on the eyes. E-ink is much better to read but they're b&w and have other problems. If the ipad doesn't lead to eyestrain then i'll be getting that for sure.

 

[tripodjw]

We are flying in the day before the cruise and get in at like 9:15....no disney transfers for pre cruise and are wondering if the Hilton Diagonal Mar will have a luggage hold area if our room is not ready before 4pm...such a waste of the day if we can't do anything till 4.

Then..for post cruise booked AC diplomatic with Disney....what to do with our luggage then since we will have Disney transfer....trying to figure out what to do and when...

I'm positive the Hilton will have a luggage store you can use. Every Hilton i've stayed at before has had one so can't see why that would be any different.

Don't know about your return - guess your transfer will take you and luggage to hotel - and they should also have a luggage store if it's needed.

 

[moneyhappy]

In a earlier post I mentioned how DCL contact me about ground transportation. I called DCL and told them that we did not go through them for our hotel, so DCL does not offer ground transportation for us. The CSR said DCL was calling people to make sure they have some type of ground transportation. That other cruise under estimated how far their hotels are to the port and DCL wanted to remind people to have some type of transportation in mind.

Iberia and hand luggage. I mentioned that Iberia told me only one hand luggage (including any personal items). I did not research and as others have mentioned that information was incorrect. We should be allowed one carry-on and one personal item (laptop bag etc.)


FE items we are doing different things - several some items. If some one is celebrating something they will get something special. We are also adding thing for personal likes.

 

[sayhello]

Exciting on the ipad - you do realise we'll all want to "play" with it.

The thing i really want to know about the ipad is how it functions as an ereader - say for sitting on a plane or beach or even in bed for a few hours of constant reading (i'm sure it's fine for reading newspapers or magazines in short bursts). I find normal computer screens tiring on the eyes. E-ink is much better to read but they're b&w and have other problems. If the ipad doesn't lead to eyestrain then i'll be getting that for sure.

OK, that was weird... I hit "quote", and the window came up with all sorts of HTML formatting tags in the text.... I had to go in & edit them out. Very odd... And I've had issues with the editor losing all my formatting/line feeds, etc.

Anyways, you guys can play with my iPad, also! I've had mine for a little over a week, and the biggest challenge I'm having is that I don't have Wireless at home, so I can't play with a lot of the features. I kept meaning to get a wireless router. Now I have more motivation!

I'll let you know about using it as an eReader... Right now my biggest issue is how to get books & stuff onto the iPad that I haven't bought via iTunes or that isn't recognized by iTunes (such as word docs, which Pages *can* read). I think I can email stuff to myself, then download, but that seems like a really awkward, & stupid way to have to do it...

The screen is really nice & clear, but I haven't tried reading anything for a period of time on it. I also dislike reading off of the computer screen for any length of time. I adore my Sony eReader (PRS 505), and find eInk amazingly comfortable to read. I'm planning on bringing the eReader, also, as I'd hate to find I can't read the iPad for long periods, and be bookless. Plus, the iPad definitely does not fit in my purse. Much less portable than the eReader...

Now I'm just praying the camera connector actually ships & arrives before I leave!

Sayhello

 

[andgon]

FE update - group A

disneyuncle hadn't given me his daughters names:

Hope is 10 1/2 and Alexis is 11 (12 onboard)

Online version of lists is updated if you want to download a replacement.

Just a little update! On the PM I said my friends (cabin #7507) are First Time Cruisers on DCL!!! So for Group B that could be something useful when planning gifts.... I already ordered FE Gifts, still planning some "magic" though...
Looking forward to meet all of you!!!!!!!

 

[tripodjw]

OK, that was weird... I hit "quote", and the window came up with all sorts of HTML formatting tags in the text.... I had to go in & edit them out. Very odd... And I've had issues with the editor losing all my formatting/line feeds, etc.

Anyways, you guys can play with my iPad, also! I've had mine for a little over a week, and the biggest challenge I'm having is that I don't have Wireless at home, so I can't play with a lot of the features. I kept meaning to get a wireless router. Now I have more motivation!

I'll let you know about using it as an eReader... Right now my biggest issue is how to get books & stuff onto the iPad that I haven't bought via iTunes or that isn't recognized by iTunes (such as word docs, which Pages *can* read). I think I can email stuff to myself, then download, but that seems like a really awkward, & stupid way to have to do it...

The screen is really nice & clear, but I haven't tried reading anything for a period of time on it. I also dislike reading off of the computer screen for any length of time. I adore my Sony eReader (PRS 505), and find eInk amazingly comfortable to read. I'm planning on bringing the eReader, also, as I'd hate to find I can't read the iPad for long periods, and be bookless. Plus, the iPad definitely does not fit in my purse. Much less portable than the eReader...

Now I'm just praying the camera connector actually ships & arrives before I leave!

Sayhello

Cool, thanks. Will definately be keen to hear your opinions on ipad as ereader compared to sony ebook.

 

[jedijill]

Jeff, et al....don't know if we have this blog listed for the 4/24 cruise.

http://deliriouslydemented.blogspot.com/

Jill

 

[rashdecision]

Here is who I have at this time. Ive sent PM's to two people about needing either your last names or your reservation number. The concierge needs this to confirm the tasting to your ship board account. Could those two people get that to me as soon as possible. Jeff, could you add the 3 names at the bottom of the list below to the web site. If anyone is planning on doing the tasting but is not on the list then please let me know by tomorrow so I can close this up so the concierge can give us more accurate of a time frame. If people are not aware, the tasting will definately be on the first sea day but no time yet from disney. Thanks again everyone and it looks like we will have a great group together.
Wine Tasting list:
Rashdecision- 3
Picket Fence 2
Travelbee 4
Pinmeister 2
Jojo6617 2
JediJill 1
Prinny27 2
Sayhello 1
MPS516 2
ChristyVoltron 2
Moneyhappy 2
St.Lucielady 2
Dawne 577 2
DFSC 1
JeffSpencer 2
JenandMartin 2
Abird 3
Tripodjw 1
Amackay 2
Nanaguide 2
llkoolj40 2
K8e 2

Jubes 2
peterpanstout 2
mmickeya 1

 

[Jeff Spencer]

I'll catch up tonight. I'm in Nashville this week at a management strategy session so not much access to my computer. Off to dinner now.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Here is a link I received from our travel agent "Dreams Unlimited" from DCL.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/whats-new/special-message/

It's not very comforting.... I'd expected more sensitivity in the client service front from Disney. They say it might take at least a couple of weeks to clear up the backlog.... We're connecting in Frankfurt which hasn't been open for the longest time so I'm looking for plan B for air travel. But lots of $ at stake if we do that ....

I don't know what else Disney could do. For the flights booked through them, they're obligated to work with guests to get them there. For those, like myself, that didn't book through them because I could get a better deal with known connections I had some control over, I consciously took that risk. I bought insurance for the cruise but not airfare so I guess if worse comes to worse and I can't get there - I'm screwed. That's a risk I took - it's not up to Disney to make up for a choice I made.

 

[MPS516]

I'll catch up tonight. I'm in Nashville this week at a management strategy session so not much access to my computer. Off to dinner now.

Where are you staying in Nashville ? I am one of the few people in the world that is in love with Opryland.

 

[MPS516]

Our travel insurance will cover the loss of the cruise if we are delayed due to airline delays but does not cover the cost of the airfare since the airline provides a voucher good for 1 year.

 

[Travelbee]

I also just picked up the rest of the FE gifts so we should be good to go. Is it still the plan to give FE gifts per room or per person in the room? How are people going to do this?

I'm giving one gift per stateroom plus individual bags for the little ones.

 

[ebony]

I always do our holidays DIY, so do have insurance to cover it all, but a lot of Insurance co's are saying that the Ash, is an act of god and so they are not covering people in the uk. This is not all uk Insurance companies though.

My daughter is in Mexico on a package holiday and is staying in the hotel, that she was already in and is just waiting to be given a flight home. Hopefully that will be soon, but she is not that bothered, as she is in a 5* all inclusive hotel.
I dont think her boss will be that amused though, if she doesnt get home for ages, but what can she do .

Well 3 weeks tomorrow

we will be leaving for Barcelona and I am wishing the days away big time.
Catch up with you all soon.
Jan

 

[taras]

Hi everyone - we just signed up for the cruise (and it's our first)!

Ryan - 39
Danny - 36
Until recently from Los Angeles, CA

We don't have a stateroom number yet, as far as I can tell.

There's 170+ pages of posts, so I don't think I'll be able to catch up. Is there anything we can still sign up to join in on (lanyards, brunch, etc), or is it all too late?

Are there any pre-cruise meets in Barcelona? We'll be there from April 27 to May 4 and from May 13 to embarkation.

 

[rashdecision]

Hi everyone - we just signed up for the cruise (and it's our first)!

Ryan - 39
Danny - 36
Until recently from Los Angeles, CA

We don't have a stateroom number yet, as far as I can tell.

There's 170+ pages of posts, so I don't think I'll be able to catch up. Is there anything we can still sign up to join in on (lanyards, brunch, etc), or is it all too late?

Are there any pre-cruise meets in Barcelona? We'll be there from April 27 to May 4 and from May 13 to embarkation.

Well hello and welcome to the board!!! There are several things still available to sign up for. The best way to orient yourself is on the DIS board web site that Jeff Spencer set up last month. The link to it is just a few posting above on Jeff Spencers post. I believe it is called Magic Med Cruisers but just click on it above and it will take you there.
1) Wine Tasting- I have been assigned arranging private wine tasting. Sign ups unofficially end today but I can wait to send information on our numbers to Disney for a few more days if you would like. The cost is $15/person and will be held on the first at sea day. Time is still undecided by Disney. If you are interested, I will need you to PM me your reservation # and first and last names of the people who are planning on attending. I'd rather you not post your reservation number here on the board so if you dont have enough postings to PM me then let me know here and I can get you my email. The Disney concierge is arranging the event and will bill the tasting to your room.
2) Stateroom tour/crawl- I don't think there is a sign up deadline.
3) Meet and Greet- First day but I cant remember when. It should be on the web site.
4) Dining room groupings- Check the web site but I dont think it has closed yet. Basically we are trying to group everyone near each other or at each others tables and there are sign ups for both early and late seatings.
5) Private excursions- Again, on the website are many people who have signed up for private excursions and have openings in their groups for a certain number of people.
I can't think of anything else at the moment but anyone else please feel free to jump in here. I believe the fish extender group has closed already. As you can tell, this board is really hopping and is full of a wealth of information. Most of it is put together on the.....wait for it..... web site

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Where are you staying in Nashville ? I am one of the few people in the world that is in love with Opryland.

Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

 

[kehonuamemano]

Do you think the waiters will understand at dinner when we tell them we are all pau?

AlohaJoe23

Touche!