*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* - From Spain to Space Mountain - Part 5

[auntlynne]

Whoops! early Tuesday morning and I haven't taken any notes (new cruisers, topics of convo...) in preparation for the weekly recap. Better go back and cull the forum....

 

[TotallyAngelic]

How much GBP are you guys needing? We are only in Gib for one day; the taxi drivers for the Rock tour take both euros and pounds (sterling or Gibraltar). Morrison's will certainly take credit cards.

We will use our credit card for most things but will probably take about £50. Don't need to woryr about exchanging currency though in Gib

I hope you have a lovely weekend, wish Tony a happy birthday from us when it comes

Thanks Mary .... I am really looking forward to it. You can wish Tony a Happy Birthday in person .. his birthday is in October ( Halloween ) This trip is just an impulsive thing ... no kids around that weekend, rude not to really kind of thing. Just looking forward to relaxing and wandering, nice meal, theatre, picnic in Hyde Park on Sunday etc etc

Hope you are having a wonderful time out there and hope it isn't too hot for you.

 

[auntlynne]

Sarah, have you ever gone to the Theatre in the Park (Green Park, perhaps)?

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Those of you from the UK looking for a fee free credit card for overseas and the best currency deals check out this website .. I find it invaluable:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

I have a Nationwide CC for Europe, and Santander Zero and Post Office CCs for USA and cruise. I also have a Fairfx currency card which I load with dollars when the rate is good ( although I did have a problem with this not working in one place in Orlando, they said they couldn't get it to work, so I used a CC to pay, but then when I checked Fairfx online the amount had been frozen as a pending amount .... and I am still waiting for it to be released back onto the account

We will take euros for smaller purchases, drinks in bars, coffees etc when we are in Barcelona.

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Sarah, have you ever gone to the Theatre in the Park (Green Park, perhaps)?

Sorry Lynne ... we have never been to this one.

 

[Pinky166]

Good morning Trannies.

I hope they are issuing those cabin numbers for you all today.

Sue, I've spotted your cups in many places in the Magic Kingdom today, so no need for me to make a trip to DTD. The black Mickey Mouse ones are so cute they are really nice and I didn't realise they would be so sturdy. I'm swithering whether to get some myself

I think you should get one......I've got a plain pink one exactly like that, that i'm bringing for our Pimms.

 

[squitty]

We will use our credit card for most things but will probably take about £50. Don't need to woryr about exchanging currency though in Gib

It's going to make a nice change not getting charged any conversion fee's whilst on holiday for using the CC

We were thinking £50-£100 cash and have the cc for backup.

 

[squitty]

Someone mentioned taking old refillable mugs to use for drinks whilst onboard - would this still be ok, or is it frowned upon?

 

[auntlynne]

Mugs are fine. Although ecologically non-PC, use a fresh cup for each serving you add to your mug. Cuts down on viruses spreading through the cruisers.

 

[Pinky166]

Mugs are fine. Although ecologically non-PC, use a fresh cup for each serving you add to your mug. Cuts down on viruses spreading through the cruisers.

I'd heard about this & plan to do that. Can you clarify though, if my refillable mug takes two cupfuls to fill it up, do I use two separate cups or is it deemed ok to use one cup twice since it I have not drank from it, just held it at the base?

 

[squitty]

Mugs are fine. Although ecologically non-PC, use a fresh cup for each serving you add to your mug. Cuts down on viruses spreading through the cruisers.

I'd heard about this & plan to do that. Can you clarify though, if my refillable mug takes two cupfuls to fill it up, do I use two separate cups or is it deemed ok to use one cup twice since it I have not drank from it, just held it at the base?

I would never have thought of doing that Thanks.

 

[granmaz]

Good morning. I hope that today is the day you get your room assignments!!!

 

[dooledoo]

For all of you debating what to use in Gib. Euros and pounds can be used in MOST places in Gib, but not all. There are plentiful atms and as you would expect, credit cards can be used just about everywhere.

From personal experience, having lived in Gib for nearly 3 years, the exchange rate you get in Gib from the Bureau de change is actually very good, so I wouldn't worry too much about taking pounds with you as you can exchange it there.

A word of warning. You can use euros to pay in Morrisons and taxis etc but you won't get a very good exchange rate!

 

[liesbeth1012]

Have to echo about Capital One. We have a card we have used for about 10 years for traveling because they do not charge conversion fees on currency. Now the rate they use to convert might be a bit higher, but it does not compare with our Visa or our Chase cards. If you can get one before you go, I would advise it.

Just my two cents, but I would not stress about stocking up on cash before you go. ATMs will be available in all of the ports (including the Caribbean--where you can use $$) and I have found that you often get a better rate at an ATM than any money exchange in Europe or even from banks in the U.S. Now I cannot speak to AAA or other membership like places that would provide you a better rate as members, but we have always done fine with ATMs. I have never paid more than $1.45 in an ATM these days. So I am shocked that you all are paying over $1.50 in the U.S. Wow. I know it is only a difference of a few cents, but every little bit helps. Check with your banks to find out the fees for ATMs and do the math, but in my experience it has been a better deal overall.

Also,I agree with those who said use the currency of the country you are in. If you only plan to spend money in Morrisons, then just use a credit card, but it would be better to have a small amount of pounds as you will get ripped off on conversion with the Euro. We have had this happen in other EU countries that do not use the Euro, if you use local currency you get a better rate and better service (Hungary and Czech Republic for example.) I am sure there are ATMs there as well, at least that is what we are planning since we have no way to get pounds in advance.

FWIW,

Amanda

I had to look wat ATM means, but when I saw it I agree with you.
We always used ATM to get the money that we need. I use my bankcard for it, because then I didn't get to pay extra for Euro's and a little fee for other currency's. When I use my CC with ATM then I pay more extra money even in Euro countries.
I pay with my CC where it can.
So I don't take to many cash with me.
Thanks for the advice on the ATM's

I know what you mean about wanting to know which state room I'm in. Next time I think it might be worth the extra $$ to get an actual room. We'll see.

Oh, but isn't that part of the excitement?

Yes I think it's worth to pay less and get a better room. I don't mind to wait for it. The only thing that matters is that we get on board though?
And I know I get a verrandah, and which one I don't mind. For not knowing I paid the price for a oceanview on deck 2. So I think I made a good deal.
And yes that is also a part of the excitement. I agree with auntlynne.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Hi guys.

Welcome newcomers!!!

Think it was Marilyn who asked? Wont be home soon, week or longer. Still problametic and new problems from fluidlack found. Seriously talking about cancelling. :cry: Time will tell. Truely apprec. the support.


Just in case, if need be; anyone willing to organise te candy swap? If so pm me. If needed, Ill be handing that over around aug 5th if any takers.

 

[smootenloopers]

Thanks for the info. I checked it out and found the euro rate to be 1.5208, which is about the same as AAA (today, anyway), but with a s/h fee of $20. I'm just too frugal (cheap, stubborn...your choice) to pay fees if I don't have to! I'll check with my bank but will probably pick some up at AAA this week. I definitely want some cash in pocket before departure, and I only have about 30 euro left from the last trip.

LOL! I'm the opposite. If I can avoid a trip to a store/bank, I'll gladly pay the $10 shipping (I selected ground since there is plenty of time to get here).

 

[granmaz]

Hi guys.

Welcome newcomers!!!

Think it was Marilyn who asked? Wont be home soon, week or longer. Still problametic and new problems from fluidlack found. Seriously talking about cancelling. :cry: Time will tell. Truely apprec. the support.


Just in case, if need be; anyone willing to organise te candy swap? If so pm me. If needed, Ill be handing that over around aug 5th if any takers.

Oh Jacqueline I am so sorry things haven't gone according to plan. Those of us who pray, and those of us who send pixie dust or positive thoughts will get to work on your behalf. Mainly to get you well which is the most important, but also so you can get on the cruise.

Try and rest where you are as much as you can.

 

[Brookspayne]

Hi guys.

Welcome newcomers!!!

Think it was Marilyn who asked? Wont be home soon, week or longer. Still problametic and new problems from fluidlack found. Seriously talking about cancelling. :cry: Time will tell. Truely apprec. the support.


Just in case, if need be; anyone willing to organise te candy swap? If so pm me. If needed, Ill be handing that over around aug 5th if any takers.

Jacqueline, hang in there, lots of pixie dust and prayers coming your way from Perth . First and foremost get well, we all want to see you on the cruise.

Burnice

 

[lovingthemouse]

Jacqueline - you will be in my prayers as well. Hoping that the fluidlack improves, you're on the path to better health, and we might get to enjoy your company on the cruise. Caroline

 

[3canadianslovedisney]

Jacqueline, so sorry to hear things aren't going as planned. We'll definitely keep you in our prayer!


I know this is off topic a bit, but I just couldn't resist posting some pictures of our favourite spots around Crimea, Ukraine (where we live).

This is the Khan's Palace in Bachisarai.

This is the boardwalk in Yalta.

This is called Swallow's Nest and it is also in Yalta.

There are some kids dressed in traditional Crimean Tatar costumes and doing the traditional dance.

Thanks for allowing me to share!