Cruising the Med with Mickey and the Crew Updated 11/25 COMPLETE
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lauren-roxy · 11-24-2007, 08:53 AM

Great update!! Congrats on the DVC membership!

**Colexis Mom** · 11-25-2007, 02:20 PM

Great update Terri! Congrats on DVC

And the food in Palo looked delish

**DrDolphin** · 11-25-2007, 03:03 PM

I picked up Jolene from the club - and we headed back to the room for Aunt T to change clothes before heading to the show. We saw "Disney Dreams" (this was my 3rd time) and as always it did not disappoint.

Then - after the show - Jolene and I headed up on deck for the Pirates in the Caribbean party- I got a few photos before the camera DIED again (batteries...)

Jolene stayed down on deck to be closer to the party zone, while I went up to deck 10 and took a couple of photos from on high. I was actually pretty tired - and if I'd had my way would have been in bed - but a certain young lady had been promised the party - and wanted to hang with some friends - so I watched from a distance.

And here is where the camera died.

After awhile - Jolene found me, and told me she was ready to leave the party and get some rest - so we headed down to the cabin and were quickly tucked in for the night.

Next - floating in the Med, packing up to go home and Eastward bound.

**DyanKJ130** · 11-25-2007, 03:07 PM

I can't understand why you are so tired!

Honestly, I don't know how you've been doing it all!! It looks like Jolene was enjoying the party.

your batteries died!

Can't wait to hear more

**DrDolphin** · 11-25-2007, 03:54 PM

Our last day at sea -

We woke up around 8am - which for us was a late day, given our excursion schedule for most of the cruise. Got some breakfast and reviewed the Navigator. First Jolene and I went in search of all the stamps she needed to complete her book and get the medal for the front of the book.

I really liked this idea - Disney had excursion specific worksheets for the kids - although they didn't seem to have different ages - and some of the puzzles, etc were HARD (mom and I ended up finishing some of it).

After stamp collection was complete, Jolene and I decided to head to the Walt Disney Theatre to meet some of the cast and crew who had been entertaining us all cruise with such fabulous shows. I don't have any recollection what mom and dad did.

First we got to talk to the stage manager and some of the performers - and then the technical crew showed us how some of the lifts work and some of the costumes (Eileen - I could not help but think of you).

Prince Charming's costume

Cinderella's gown for the ball

Snow White's gown
And the piece de restiatance - the 40 lb and $40,000 (YEP!!!!) gown that belongs to BELLE -

There are only 2 of them in the world - $40,000!!! And it DOES weigh 40 lbs. Can you imagine having to DANCE with 40 lbs balanced on your hips??

After all of this - we headed and met mom and dad for lunch at Lumieres - and while we were there - they had a huge character signing session going on in the atrium - so Jolene took my camera and got some autographs and photos while we ate.

After lunch I headed for my last trip to the rainforest (I had to make up for all that no-swimsuit time I missed earlier). While I was there - I noticed that the ship was not under steam - in fact - we were just drifting offshore. Due to the schedule change - there was very little steaming time needed between Marseilles and Barcelona - so we went offshore and drifted all day. It was very relaxing. I do know I also managed some internet time - posting to you guys and attempting to check us in for our flights to Heathrow and Philadelphia.

After my last trip to the rainforest spa for this trip - I met dad and Jolene and headed to the Buena Vista theater to see "Ratatouille". It was really cute - and we all really enjoyed it.

After the movie - it was getting close to dinner time - and as mom and dad were dressing - Jolene asked to the pool for the last time. I told her we wold not get to say goodbye to the guys and I needed to give them my tip envelopes... well the pout came out - and I told her it was ok - only if grandma approved. SO - she ran down to the room and got permission - only to return and find that the mickey pool was being drained due to a biological spill.... so we headed to the goofy pool (mondo crowded...) and then back to the mickey pool to wait it out. While we sat - Jolene wrote Stoyan and Delroy a note explaining that she really wanted to swim and was sorry she missed them at dinner.... well at some point, she decided she did NOT want to miss dinner - so we gathered everything up and headed down to the room, quickly changed and high tailed it to the dining room. Where we discovered my dad had NOT brought my tip envelopes with him - so J ran (oh to have the energy of an 8 year old again) back to the cabin and got my tip envelopes and gave them to Stoyan and Delroy and Praglen as well as her notes to Stoyan and Delroy. Now Stoyan is this big Bulgarian guy....and he had tears in his eyes!!!

After dinner - we went to Shutters to look for the last of our photos and close out accounts on that front - and then - well I don't remember. I know we packed the bags, but I don't recall seeing a show...

We got all of the suitcases (still missing the one....) outside in time and headed to bed.

The next day - we were up bright and early - and made it to breakfast without too much challenge (this is where having the early seating is SO not fun). We had changed our plane tickets from the 1pm flight to Heathrow to the 11am flight to heathrow (given the fiasco with transfers coming into Heathrow - we didn't want to miss the only BA flight to Philadelphia).

We ate breakfast, disembarked - I headed to UPS to get the turtle and the model of the Magic shipped home to Jacksonville ($250.00 later!!! - yep for SHIPPING) and then headed outside with all our bags and onto our transfer to the airport. Easy peezy.

We arrived, found a luggage cart (I love how these were FREE!!) loaded everything up and headed to teh British Airways desk - which was closed. So - we staked out a place and waited - as the line behind us grew longer and longer.

After the station finally opened, we got all checked in and the bags checked - and set off to get the paperwork for mom's VAT tax refund taken care of at the airport. We left dad sitting and Jolene, mom and I headed to the office to get the refund - on the complete other end of the airport. Mom and Jolene got in line - while I people-watched - and then I saw this woman...

Can you see the tutu??? With the pink pokadot tights???

After the paperwork was done - we mailed it off

I guess it worked - I never heard anything from mom about not getting her refund.

I also saw this arrival's board while I was waiting - love the spelling of FILADELFIA.

Then back to the gate to get food and wait for the flight to board. We started on the upper level - and at some point, the gate was switched - there was no announcement - we just saw the gate header change from BA Heathrow to Lufthansa frankfurt.... So Jolene and I went and found out the new gate number on the screens and we all moved to the new gate (located below us). We also got some lunch - and I ended up in a nice conversation with a woman from the UK traveling with her husband and two very young children about the cost of things in Europe and how we were on opposite ends of that spectrum.

We were allowed to pre-board with Dad, since he had to climb the stairs to get into the plane - and we thought it might take awhile. We had a much nicer plane this time than we did coming from Heathrow - it was a 2-3-2 arrangement - dad, mom and Jolene in the middle - with me across the aisle from J.

I sat next to a gentleman from Canada (Vancounver??) who works for the Olympics and was preparing for the Bejing games. He had never traveled to Europe before - and was returning home to Canada. It was an interesting flight which went by very quickly.

After landing in Heathrow - we made it through the transfer and security without too much of an issue and were quickly at our gate for the flight home to the USA. I saw this while I was waiting - and since I Clive Owen....

One word - YUM!!!

We boarded the flight to the US on time and then sat on the tarmac for about an hour before wheels up. Traffic delays I guess. I waved goodbye to all of our UK PPs as we took off. Next time I fly through London - I hope to stay a bit longer.

London below us as we take off (not a clue what any of this is - Karen? Chezp? - look familiar?)

Heading home (or at least to FILADELFIA).

My seat for the flight home. This time we were 2-4-2 again -- Jolene had one window with mom next to her, dad on the aisle, 3 people next to them and I had a lady next to me who was a complete crankypants for the entire flight - so I watched movies, listened to my Ipod and read books.

Back on US soil

After landing in PHL - we went to baggage claim, got all of the bags (mine made it this time) and headed to customs - turned all the paperwork and were let back into the country.

After that we headed to the exit - and I called the embassy Suites shuttle to come and pick us up. The shuttle bus showed up and I kid you not - he put all of us, our bags and 5 other people in that bus. Somehow I managed to get gum on my rear end....
We made it to the hotel and checked in. I don't think I would stay there again... they had a security guard roaming and LOUD people running up and down the halls. The pull out couch left much to be desired - but it was only for one night. My flight to JAX was scheduled to leave at 730am - while the rest of the fam was scheduled to leave later in the morning - so I woke up at 5am, kissed everyone goodbye and headed out to catch the shuttle home.

I must admit - I slept the entire way from PHL to ATL, and part of the flight to JAX. After landing, I claimed my two bags (including my new Disney cruise line suitcase that I had to purchase on board to carry all of the replacement clothing that would not fit in my garmet bag that was at 48.5 lbs when I left JAX) and headed to the shuttle to get the car.

After claiming the car - I headed home, kissed the kids and went back to bed for a few hours. Then it was up and at 'em to unpack and get ready to face the real world again!

Next - Final Thoughts and lessons learned.

**DrDolphin** · 11-25-2007, 04:04 PM

Final thoughts and lessons learned -

#1 - CROSS PACK!!! DO NOT put all your underwear and unmentionables in ONE suitcase when you have more than one - even if you are a single traveler.
#2 - Disney does not have much in the way of ladies dainties in the shops - you may be on your own in that department
#3 - Always rely on the kindness of cruise staff when they offer to dress you for formal night or get you toiletries.
#4 - Carry a spare pair of shoes in your carry ons - ones that you can wear with nice clothes so that you can take off the stinking pink crocs - at least for a few moments.
#5 - GO BACK TO ITALY!!!! I Fell in love and can not wait to return (maybe the dollar will be a wee bit stronger??? A girl can dream - right)
#6 - Traveling with family does not get easier the older you get.
#7 - Cruises with lots of excursions are great - since you can see SO much in a little amount of time - but they wear you out!!
#8 - British Airways is not my favorite airline when it comes to luggage issues.
#9 - Volcanoes are hot dusty places and hiking up them can and will give you blisters.
#10 - Shipping UPS from Europe is EXPENSIVE!!!

Oh - I should tell you that the missing bag was delivered (damaged) 2 weeks after I returned home and that BA did refund me every single dime of my claim for the clothes, suitcase, etc. Of course I had receipts - and it took more than 6 weeks to clear it all up - but my travel insurance hardly paid a dime (something about a daily limit on the amount you can spend)... something to consider in the future.

I loved this trip - and it seems it was over too fast - but I would not hesitate to do it again (and I will in May when we cruise through the Panama Canal!!).

**DyanKJ130** · 11-25-2007, 08:17 PM

What a great finish, Terri!! Even with the lost luggage you were able to make the most of your trip. I'm also sure that you created many memories for Jolene that will last her entire lifetime!!

for sharing your TR with us! I have enjoyed every second of it!!

**Colexis Mom** · 11-25-2007, 08:33 PM

Great finish Terri

I can't believe that Belle dress costs $40,000

I'm so glad you had a great trip with your parents and Jolene

Thanks so much for taking us along on the trip with you

**Earkid** · 11-25-2007, 10:05 PM

Thank you for taking the time to write such an extensive trip report. Every time I read one of your updates I would say to myself "but what about her missing luggage". Glad to hear how it was all resolved. We will be on the May Magic repo cruise as well and I'm already thinking about how I am going to pack......just in case.

Tink and co. · 11-25-2007, 10:47 PM

What a fabulous report! Thanks for taking the time to share your incredible trip with us. I will be going to some of the very same places on my trip to Italy next summer, so I took good notes.

My daughter Zoie has enjoyed this as well and is so jealous of Jolene. "Can't Terri adopt me?" She wants to do a Med cruise for her high school graduation. We'll see.

**jpod523** · 11-25-2007, 11:21 PM

great TR!!! i had a great time reading it! i learned so much about the med just by reading your tr! i can't wait to learn all about the panama canal!!

**chezp** · 11-26-2007, 01:10 AM

Great finish Terri!

I have no idea what that is in that picture as you took off - I can only guess industrial units, as there are a lot of those around Heathrow? It's certainly not a landmark I recognise.

: I know you said you'd like to come back to London and spend more time here and I hope you will one day - it's a superb place to visit!

As for the last bits on your cruise, I really wish they'd had the option to meet the cast and crew from the Walt Disney Theatre on our cruise - I'd have definitely done that and it sounds like it was a fascinating tour.

Can't wait to see you for MouseFest and to hear all about your detailed plans for your return to Italy....

Teresa · 11-26-2007, 03:55 AM

thanks for the report Terri. I've loved it all.
I agree with you - Italy in particular is wonderful! It's one of the places I'd love to visit anytime.

lauren-roxy · 11-26-2007, 08:32 AM

Great trip report Terri, thanks so much for sharing it!!!

**Kenny** · 11-26-2007, 11:34 AM

For a great story, and as Marnie said: "Thanks for taking us along". Your TR has kept me captivated for all these weeks when I could not wait for the next update.

Kenny