July 28, 2007 - "Rome-ancing the Mouse Cruisers" -11 days! Part 2

[kyla]

Oops, I forgot to order reels for me.

 

[kyla]

Hi all,

Just checking in - I'm stressed and mad to day - so need to think about my holiday to chill out.

I ordered 2 skirts on 1st May from Marks & Spencers online _ Dont know whether the USA Lot will have heard about them - but they are one of the major chains in the UK.

The total cost of the 2 skirts was £47 ( roughy $95)

The £47 was debited from my bank -however only 1 skirt turned up as 1 was out of stock.
I called to chase up a refund (as I had not got the skirt and they said they would have to send a cheque) I have chased it up several times but no cheque. Then on 14th May they took another £47 from my account . I called last friday they said whilst I was waiting for the cheque they would send me some complimentry vouchers £20 for my troubles.
Well I checked my bank today and they have taken another £47 Plus they have charged me £24.95 for the £20 complimetry vouchers
I have been on to head office today and am awaiting a phone call form them. I am owed now a total of £140.95 and It has made me go overdrawn in my account.

I am soo cross -Just wait till the person phones me -

sorry about that rant

 

[kyla]

I think Alexturner is here in the U.K so maybe they will pay in Barcelona like the rest of us Brits

You think so?

Ok, I think I'll just order today and get this going and out of my hair.

Wonder what I should do about donoic?
Any suggestions?

 

[danfromca]

I agree with you Dan. But I need help. Like my tag says I want to see everything. I tried to be good this time and have a rest day, every other day but towards the end of the cruise I ended up booking half day tours. I think the only full day tours I have booked is Palermo (well it was the first port and I will be super excited) and Rome (private). In Rome, since we have a private, we can take it our pace and decided just focus on the must do sites. We have a child in our group, so we realize we may have to cut it short. My DH is surprising me because he is booking at every port and many are full day. He usually is happy sitting by the pool.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to see everything and setting a more intense pace. I've certainly done trips like that in the past and did not regret doing so. It's all a question of what you're looking for.
I have every expectation that after the cruise I'll realize that I really need to spend a week or two in Italy - in which case I'll start making plans accordingly for some future (non-cruise) trip.

anyone get a room yet? or are we still in the gty category 12? I keep checking. DCL said soon about 2 weeks ago. I bet they wait til 30 days out before they assign rooms. It still amazes me that people are still booking from the response here on our thread. I never thought we would get these late cruisers. I hope they get the excursions they want.

Well, not good news. Maybe I should call again. They said they will assign rooms as late as a week before the cruise and will send out the luggage tags a week to 10days before the cruise. I asked about those of us who start our vacation a week before the cruise, but she didn't seem to hear what I was saying and just said they will be mailing them out 3 day UPS. Finally, she said that we could always pick up our tags at the airport. Weird. I thought they did these things a month out. Guess, they don't think anyone has other plans.

Frankly, I wouldn't even bother talking to the DCL reps on this one. Either they don't know (it's not their decision), or they've been instructed to tell people that it will be very near the cruise (if only to avoid numerous calls from people when assignments don't occur until later after being "promised" at a certain date).

From another thread I saw someone getting an assignment 30 days out. My working assumption is that the earliest we would get assignments would be end of June. My guess is that at that point they'll at least start assigning some of them to get them out of the way, possibly reserving others for late signups.

Kyla,

Just call DCL back, you'll get a different answer. You may not have your room assignment but you'll find out if the information regarding room assignments and luggage tags is correct. We usually follow the 2 our of 3 rule. If 2 CS reps give us the same information we believe them.

There are sure a bunch of people booked into those 13 cat. 12 rooms

It's going to be crowded
Sandra

From what I gather, they're good rooms. Easy to get off the ship, and easy to get elevator space going up.

Whoa! You are busy!! I was planning to get some euros at the Atlanta airport - I think the costs are reasonable. Anyone know differently?

you go girl!!

Reasonable is questionable.... but there are some places where you can buy currency online ahead of your trip.

American Experss (note, their rates for foreign currency traveler's checks are better than for cash).

Bank of America - ok rates if you have an account, but avoid using a credit card to avoid cash advance fees. Same for Wells Fargo.

From what I've seen, using your own bank gets you the best rate. American Express comes in a close second unless you want traveler's checks, in which case their rates are very good. AAA and other online foreign exchange sites are expensive.

I haven't checked airports in a while, but my basic assumption is that they are among the most expensive places to exchange currency.

 

[kyla]

Nope, she is from Texas. I just don't know if donioc and alexcturner have sent payment and its on its way or what. I guess I better just order it just in case. Ok, thats what I'll do. Hate for the payment to arrive later. But it sounds like the vendor will to a proof first and then the order will proceed. I better get going on it.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Good Evening (USA afternoon)

I love my pirate name - thank you!!

Great a mixture of dis name and tag

I keep checking my reservation too for a cabin number . I'm ready to give DCL another call, I think.

I just booked the LaCinta Beach. The Coda Cavallo was full yesterday, but I see its not today. Not sure what the difference between the two, but I think someone said the LaCinta Beach was very nice.

Cabin numbers should be finalized before 30 days so soon as they then will send out tickets 14 days plus.

I had a GTY in 2005 after an upgrade and suddenly it was on my DCL ressie one day between 60 -30 days.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I've been reading on the various blogs and Dis threads about excursions, and it occured to me that it's very important to consider one's own priorities in evaluating which ones to take.

Some things are clear:

• Full day excursions are exhausitng no matter how you do it.
• You can save money and potentially do more if you plan/reserve things on your own.

That said, I'm sticking with my DCL excursions (though I did make one switch based on the reports to date). But that's because my priorities are possibly different from that of others.

1. I'm not trying to see as much as possible. Though this is my first visit to each of these ports, I've traveled enough to know that I can come back. The purpose of the excursions is to get a quick taste/survey of each place to help me decide which ones I want to come back to one day.
2. I'm on vacation. If it's "exhausting" it's the wrong choice for me. So with the exception of Rome, none of the excursions are full day.
3. I'm on vacation. If it's stressful, it's the wrong choice for me. That means I want to make as few decisions as possible - I want someone to tell me where to go and describe to me what I'm seeing in as entertaining a manner as possible. I want to know that if the bus breaks down on the way back, somebody else will be worrying about how to get me back to the ship on time.

I know I'm going to miss seeing a lot, and miss a lot of great experiences. At the same time, I figure an hour nap on deck is arguably equal to seeing yet another 500 year old cathedral.

My point in this, is I think in evaluating excursion choices, it's important to first set ones own priorities. "Best choice" really depends on one's individual perspective.

Good points and each to their own

 

[kyla]

Reasonable is questionable.... but there are some places where you can buy currency online ahead of your trip.

American Experss (note, their rates for foreign currency traveler's checks are better than for cash).

Bank of America - ok rates if you have an account, but avoid using a credit card to avoid cash advance fees. Same for Wells Fargo.

From what I've seen, using your own bank gets you the best rate. American Express comes in a close second unless you want traveler's checks, in which case their rates are very good. AAA and other online foreign exchange sites are expensive.

I haven't checked airports in a while, but my basic assumption is that they are among the most expensive places to exchange currency.

I was planning on purchasing from bank of america. So if I use my bofa card you are saying they will charge me a cash advance fee????? I didn't see that mentioned anywhere. Will American Express do the same?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

OMG, I have to get a Tshirt!! Is HRC near the port?

Is in the area of Placa Catalunya,which is going up La Rambla from the port, its very doable. Just down from my hotel.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thx for continuing to keep us on here, pirating each other like crazy....sort of a Disney idea, with a cruel, evil twist.....I really need a pirate name for post 7000 (so that I can take the Kiera Twice Nightly name off!).....perhaps something more Disney....any ideas!!

Tell me your ideas?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

?
Maryann

Congrats on 7800

 

[AnnaS]

Hi all,

Just checking in - I'm stressed and mad to day - so need to think about my holiday to chill out.

I ordered 2 skirts on 1st May from Marks & Spencers online _ Dont know whether the USA Lot will have heard about them - but they are one of the major chains in the UK.

The total cost of the 2 skirts was £47 ( roughy $95)

The £47 was debited from my bank -however only 1 skirt turned up as 1 was out of stock.
I called to chase up a refund (as I had not got the skirt and they said they would have to send a cheque) I have chased it up several times but no cheque. Then on 14th May they took another £47 from my account . I called last friday they said whilst I was waiting for the cheque they would send me some complimentry vouchers £20 for my troubles.
Well I checked my bank today and they have taken another £47 Plus they have charged me £24.95 for the £20 complimetry vouchers
I have been on to head office today and am awaiting a phone call form them. I am owed now a total of £140.95 and It has made me go overdrawn in my account.

I am soo cross -Just wait till the person phones me -

sorry about that rant

You can rant all you want Helen - what a mess

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Oooooh how exciting!

Tags!!

Thank you

Nice tags!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I was thinking of just taking Andrew's summary and getting that all into the pocket guide.

Good idea, I might edit it down before we go.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Hi all,

Just checking in - I'm stressed and mad to day - so need to think about my holiday to chill out.

I ordered 2 skirts on 1st May from Marks & Spencers online _ Dont know whether the USA Lot will have heard about them - but they are one of the major chains in the UK.

The total cost of the 2 skirts was £47 ( roughy $95)

The £47 was debited from my bank -however only 1 skirt turned up as 1 was out of stock.
I called to chase up a refund (as I had not got the skirt and they said they would have to send a cheque) I have chased it up several times but no cheque. Then on 14th May they took another £47 from my account . I called last friday they said whilst I was waiting for the cheque they would send me some complimentry vouchers £20 for my troubles.
Well I checked my bank today and they have taken another £47 Plus they have charged me £24.95 for the £20 complimetry vouchers
I have been on to head office today and am awaiting a phone call form them. I am owed now a total of £140.95 and It has made me go overdrawn in my account.

I am soo cross -Just wait till the person phones me -

sorry about that rant

That is so unlike M & S I would be tearing my hair out and blowing my top at them by now.

You scream all you like Helen

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

I booked our flights to Orlando for our April 2008 WDW trip We leave April 16th and return April 28th

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

PIRATE POSTS

MAJOR PIRATES
Given at posts ending in thousand 000 or five hundred.
DISNEYMAGIC316 Pirate '' Dead men tell no tails''
JLAWALL Captain Threadstarter. or for 4500 Keira Twice Knightly???
SallieP Flash-cook, Cook the men a hot meal.
disneylover5 Elizabeth Swan
AL'N'STEVE (Kids of Andrew) Captain Jack Sparrow
Mrs Jobba Captain Hook
bellelinus Pirate Tea bags, aka Will Turner
Mary JoCaptain Tom and also later Captain Colourful-tech-Weebles-wobble
MRSJOBBA A honorary Captains Lady!!!
KYLA Mr Smee
ANDREW DEREK Admiral Andrew
Eeyorelvr The Sneaky Pirate award.
Disneylover 5 -Elizabeth Swan
Disneynutinlondon- Capt Bovvered
Danfromca- Captain Cat-purrfect.
islandmom3Captain Calypso
kidcoos3 Pirate Navigator-the-kid.


Thread Starter jlawall
100 AJDonn
200 MrsJobba1
300 AnnaS
400 AJDonn
500 disneymagic316
600 benspock
700 kyla
800 Andrew DEREK UK
900 Andrew DEREK UK
1000 jlawall
1100 Kissimmee
1200 eeyorelver10
1300 jlawall
1400 MrsJobba1
1500 jlawall
1600 disneylover5
1700 Andrew DEREK UK
1800 MrsJobba1
1900 formerCPer
2000 salliep

2100 lovebeast
2200 MrsG
2300 disneylover5
2400 LynnTarrant
2500 disneylover5
2600 kidcoos3
2700 MrsJobba1
2800 MrsJobba1
2900 Andrew DEREK UK
3000 AL'N'STEVE
3100 LynnTarrant
3200 MrsJobba1
3300 eeyorelvr10
3400 kyla
3500 MrsJobba1
3600 jlawall
3700 MrsJobba1
3800 jlawall
3900 MrsJobba1
4000 bellelinus


4100 Mary Jo
4200 Sandaneli
4300 LynnTarrant
4400 crawford5
4500 jlawall
4600 jlawall
4700 kyla
4800 Aurora1959
4900 LynnTarrant
5000 Mary Jo

5100 lovebeast
5200 MrsJobba1
5300 MrsJobba1
5400 MrsJobba1 hat trick
5500 Disneynutinlondon
5600 LynnTarrant
5700 Jlawall
5800 Mrs Jobba1
5900 Mrs Jobba1
6000 Danfromca
6100 islandmom3
6200 Disneynutinlondon
6300 kyla
6400 LynnTarrant
6500 kidcoos3
6600 Aurora1959
6700 Kyla
6800 eeyorelvr10
6900bellelinus
7000 jlawall
7100 Kyla
7200 Aurora1959
7300 Andrew Derek
7400 Andrew Derek
7500 Mary Jo
7600 Mrs Jobba1
7700 Andrew Derek UK
7800 MrsG
7900
8000
Thanks for help Mary Jo

 

[MrsJobba1]

You can rant all you want Helen - what a mess

That is so unlike M & S I would be tearing my hair out and blowing my top at them by now.

You scream all you like Helen

Thanks

Im just waiting now for the phonecall from head office - Giving them until 7:15pm then I'm getting back on the phone

You think wishes is a good firework show - you aint seen me lol

 

[AnnaS]

Just received mail. I have finally received the dcl med. dvd. Will comment on it when I get to see it.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Just received mail. I have finally received the dcl med. dvd. Will comment on it when I get to see it.

It is helpful, the DCL podcasts on ITUNES have a bit more port information.