Med Cruisers...Let's Discuss Planning!(Updated Tour Info, Links & BCN Info on Page 1)

[bellelinus]

The stop in Venice was the reason we jumped on this cruise
Since it is our first time there we will be visiting the usual touristy spots, but we planned on getting to the really popular spots early in the morning on our second day in Venice (hoping to avoid some crowds that way).
So definitely looking to avoid the crowds the first day if we can and having dinner in Venice on the first night.
Do you remember where you ate in Cannareggio ?
And what was your favorite souvenir when shopping???

Bummer that we will be in Barcelona on the same day but not able to meet

The place we stayed 2 out of the 3 times I have been there (and plan to book for this summer) is in Cannareggio, so we would just literally wander around and look at the menus and find a place we liked - if you get off the beaten path there are so many lovely non-touristy places. The one place I have reserved in advance before is not in Cannareggio - Osteria Oliva Nera, which is fantastic, if hard to find (tucked into some labyrinth behind the lagoon past St Mark's in the Castello sestiere). It's not inexpensive but is a memorable experience. Here is their website:

http://www.osteria-olivanera.com/

Favorite souvenir - Murano glass jewelry, which I wear often. Just be sure it has the Murano mark on the back or you could be getting cheaper things imported from China. You don't have to go to Murano to get the real stuff, though. Also, leather gloves - I have two pair that i wear all the time.

With your limited time, you probably won't be able to venture away from Venice, but for a future trip consider a day trip to the island of Burano. Unbelievably cute, much lower prices on everything than in Venice.

Take a traghetto across the grand canal (only 1 euro each!) and experience what it is like to be in an authentic gondola at a fraction of the price. The traghetto stops are noted on most maps.

Also, don't forget that Venice is a walkable city - don't be so thrown by all the water that you think you have to take a vaporetto everywhere.

 

[MrsScooby]

We also liked this restaurant for their fried mixed seafood (fritto misto). They're known for fried seafood, but the best thing I ate here was the squid ink pasta (which was great).

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...5-r47449329-Vecio_Fritolin-Venice_Veneto.html

It was tasty, above average, and good if you stumble on it but I wouldn't go out of my way (like I would to eat at Osteria La Bitta).

Thanks
I'm making a list

The place we stayed 2 out of the 3 times I have been there (and plan to book for this summer) is in Cannareggio, so we would just literally wander around and look at the menus and find a place we liked - if you get off the beaten path there are so many lovely non-touristy places. The one place I have reserved in advance before is not in Cannareggio - Osteria Oliva Nera, which is fantastic, if hard to find (tucked into some labyrinth behind the lagoon past St Mark's in the Castello sestiere). It's not inexpensive but is a memorable experience. Here is their website:

http://www.osteria-olivanera.com/

Favorite souvenir - Murano glass jewelry, which I wear often. Just be sure it has the Murano mark on the back or you could be getting cheaper things imported from China. You don't have to go to Murano to get the real stuff, though. Also, leather gloves - I have two pair that i wear all the time.

With your limited time, you probably won't be able to venture away from Venice, but for a future trip consider a day trip to the island of Burano. Unbelievably cute, much lower prices on everything than in Venice.

Take a traghetto across the grand canal (only 1 euro each!) and experience what it is like to be in an authentic gondola at a fraction of the price. The traghetto stops are noted on most maps.

Also, don't forget that Venice is a walkable city - don't be so thrown by all the water that you think you have to take a vaporetto everywhere.

We are planning to walk around quite a bit but a gondola ride is a must for us too. That traghetto sounds great

I am a bit worried about making sure the souvenirs I buy are authentic
So doing the research now as I know I'll be short on shopping time given how much my DH and DS hate shopping

http://www.ehow.com/how_5933371_identify-murano-glass.html

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

For those of you who have cruised DCL in the Med before, do you recall if a lot of cabins opened up as the final payment approaches? I like our cabin location. It's not my favorite but I can live with it. We were kind of limited with booking later than usual & having our teens in an inside cabin across the hall. Not all window/verandah cabins even have any rooms across the hall.
I'm hoping that some cabins open up though.
Thanks!

 

[bellelinus]

I am a bit worried about making sure the souvenirs I buy are authentic
So doing the research now as I know I'll be short on shopping time given how much my DH and DS hate shopping

Laurie, the quickest way to be sure is NOT to buy in the most crowded, super-touristy shops right around St Mark's, the Rialto, etc. If you go off the beaten path a bit the shops are more likely to be authentic. There are some good ones near the Accademia bridge.

 

[bellelinus]

For those of you who have cruised DCL in the Med before, do you recall if a lot of cabins opened up as the final payment approaches? I like our cabin location. It's not my favorite but I can live with it. We were kind of limited with booking later than usual & having our teens in an inside cabin across the hall. Not all window/verandah cabins even have any rooms across the hall.
I'm hoping that some cabins open up though.
Thanks!

I honestly don't remember from when we did the Med in 2007 because we were happy with our cabin, but it would surprise me if many did not open up - there are always people whose plans change, reconsider the cost, can't get reasonable airfare, etc. Good luck!

 

[poohmomof5]

Whew, I finally made it through the whole thread! What great info everyone! Thanks for sharing!

Our Pay in full date is 3 weeks away and we have GTY rooms. I have been stalking the website actual rooms to open up, but no luck. It seems the ship is really full.

Getting really excited!

 

[Celestine]

Jumping in to say hi! I recognise many of you from Panama Canal & Baltics cruise. We are doing the 2nd Venice cruise. Great tips, thank you for sharing.

Have finally booked 2 night pre cruise stay at the Novotel now just to decide on excursions - mainly independent, but toying with an DCL or viator trip in Naples

Some-one earlier in the thread asked about restaurants in London. I can recommend the following: Loch Fyne (fish specialist ,but I'm told by the non fish eaters that the burgers & steak are excellent). Also, if you're in Covent Garden, Porters restaurant. Numerous chains & some are better than others - my girls like Bella Italia. Any other London questions, just ask away - that is where I originally hail from!

Celestine

 

[DL1957]

Those going to Turkey and Greece the DCL shore excursions are posted.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Those going to Turkey and Greece the DCL shore excursions are posted.

And we are very excited to finally have something to work with to finish our planning for this cruise!!! Now for Venice and Dubrovnik to hurry up and post!

 

[Celestine]

Whew, I finally made it through the whole thread! What great info everyone! Thanks for sharing!

Our Pay in full date is 3 weeks away and we have GTY rooms. I have been stalking the website actual rooms to open up, but no luck. It seems the ship is really full.

Getting really excited!

Checked out our cruise the other day & only cat 9A & 9C showing availability! Wonder if things will open up a bit as PIF date arrives?

 

[poohmomof5]

I check everyday! Seems like one or 2 rooms open up and then go away pretty quick. Good for Disney that they can sell out!

 

[lilpooh108]

Has anyone done Monserrat on their own?

We're looking into taking the train to the station and taking the funicular up the mountain.

It looks pretty do-able according to the monserrat website.

Would like to hear any personal experiences.

I've gotten a few quotes but all the private tours want to charge for my 2 kids (3 and 1) which takes it way out of our budget since we've got a total of 7.

Thanks!

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

Would anyone recommend Lucca?

Florence is 2.5 hours away from the port. My kids can't sit that long in a car. They'll go nuts and drive everyone else nuts. Lucca is closer. Is it worth the trip? There's a DCL combo excursion for Lucca and Pisa...

We are doing Lucca and Pisa because of the travel time to Pisa. We are heading to Lucca first. Going to bike around the walls a couple of times and see a couple of the squares and grab a bite to eat.

Then head to Pisa for the field of Miracles. Not taking an excursions. I already have the train and bus schedules downloaded. Will leave with a couple of trains to spare. We figure we will be able to do the Duomo and a tower climb.

 

[Celestine]

We are doing Lucca and Pisa because of the travel time to Pisa. We are heading to Lucca first. Going to bike around the walls a couple of times and see a couple of the squares and grab a bite to eat.

Then head to Pisa for the field of Miracles. Not taking an excursions. I already have the train and bus schedules downloaded. Will leave with a couple of trains to spare. We figure we will be able to do the Duomo and a tower climb.

Where did you download the train timetables from? We are doing PIsa on our own & will pre book tower climb tickets but have no idea on timings

TIA

Celestine

 

[psimon]

Has anyone seen the Adventures By Disney Pre-cruise Barcelona tour?

http://www.adventuresbydisney.com/europe/3-night-barcelona-vacations/

I asked about pricing.... $1899 per person! Looks great..... but..... $1900?

Thoughts?

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[slg]

I'm booked on the ABD. Yes, it is super pricey, but having done one ABD before, its completely wonderful. This is my 50th birthday present to myself.

If you have any questions about ABD, i can answer to the best of my ability.

For sure I can do Barcelona cheaper, but cheaper is not always better. If that was the case, I wouldn't be doing DCL but Carnival. We are doing Paris on our own (cheaply I hope), but I want to do another ABD and since they are so pricey now, 3 days is our best option. And I love what they are doing and I'm hoping that we will make friends that we can then hang out with on the ship.

My two cents. I'm really looking forward to someone doing all the work for me and letting me just relax.

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

We are doing Lucca and Pisa because of the travel time to Pisa. We are heading to Lucca first. Going to bike around the walls a couple of times and see a couple of the squares and grab a bite to eat.

Then head to Pisa for the field of Miracles. Not taking an excursions. I already have the train and bus schedules downloaded. Will leave with a couple of trains to spare. We figure we will be able to do the Duomo and a tower climb.

www.lefrecce.it

The intercity 651 leaves la spezia at 9:19 and gets in to viareggio at 9:55 then transfer to the regionalle 3053 that leaves at 10:10 and arrives in Lucca at 10:27

Lucca Pisa bus schedule.

http://www.vaibus.com/pdf/Extraurbano4feb13.pdf

 

[rossjen2]

thanks for sharing the great information! Keep it coming - looking forward to learning more!

 

[glassslipper2004]

This is a great thread - can't wait to read it all the way through!

 

[lilpooh108]

MontSerrat, anyone? Anyone done this on their own?