7/25/2013 Med. Mickey's 12 Night Italian Job - with Nice, Valletta and Dubrov !

[thestewarts]

Hi. We are just going to grab a taxi to the cruise port. Our hotel is right near an airport bus stop, so we are going to take the airport bus to our hotel. The hotel said its really easy and only costs 5$! We ended up booking 2 rooms and we will each stay with a kid as I don't feel comfortable leaving the kids alone in a hotel room. We are staying at the Pulitzer (got a great rate on Expedia. 130 Canadian and includes breakfast). I hope the hotel is okay!

Kelly, looks like you're right next to catalunya square which is where the buses come in. We were just around the corner from that last time we sailed from Barcelona. A taxi takes about 10-15 min depending on the traffic.

 

[Kellycanada]

Kelly, looks like you're right next to catalunya square which is where the buses come in. We were just around the corner from that last time we sailed from Barcelona. A taxi takes about 10-15 min depending on the traffic.

Thanks. We have never been to Barcelona before, so we are using Rick Steve's book as a starting point. We're hoping all our "adventures" are fun.

 

[Figment_Fan]

Okay, in the middle of research and haven't found all of the answers yet. But, we are in Rome on a Sunday. Seems there are some complications due to this including the Vatican museum is closed on Sundays - now, the good news, this is except for the last Sunday of the month. WE have the LAST Sunday of the month.

Like I said, I'm in the middle of researching this. So, I thought the collective mind of the group might want to weigh in.

It looks, so far, like the last Sunday of the month is free (so more crowded), but is open. Hopefully, not too many problems with this.

 

[Figment_Fan]

At the Vatican Museums you choose from 4 different itineraries all ending with the Sistine Chapel. Because of the vastness of the museum it's wise to take a guided tour. Visitors with guided tour reservations or who book tickets in advance enter without waiting in line. The museums are closed Sundays and holidays except the last Sunday of the month when they're free.

So, we can get in.

 

[thestewarts]

At the Vatican Museums you choose from 4 different itineraries all ending with the Sistine Chapel. Because of the vastness of the museum it's wise to take a guided tour. Visitors with guided tour reservations or who book tickets in advance enter without waiting in line. The museums are closed Sundays and holidays except the last Sunday of the month when they're free.

So, we can get in.

We looked at this a while ago and realized the same. Unfortunately since it's a free day there are no bookings, tickets or tours so I think we're avoiding the Vatican at all costs.... it'll be very busy. This is taken from the Vatican website "Seeing the Pope

On Sundays at noon, the pope usually (if he's in town) appears at the second window from the right of the Apostolic Palace, to pray the Angelus and bless the crowd in the Square. Benedict XVI has continued this tradition, no ticket required. " The pope is usually in town July and August, so St Peter's square will be full at noon.
Think we're going to steer clear and spend the time doing other things in Rome. Pity, because we didn't get to see the museum the last time.

 

[Doingitagain]

We looked at this a while ago and realized the same. Unfortunately since it's a free day there are no bookings, tickets or tours so I think we're avoiding the Vatican at all costs.... it'll be very busy. This is taken from the Vatican website "Seeing the Pope

On Sundays at noon, the pope usually (if he's in town) appears at the second window from the right of the Apostolic Palace, to pray the Angelus and bless the crowd in the Square. Benedict XVI has continued this tradition, no ticket required. " The pope is usually in town July and August, so St Peter's square will be full at noon.
Think we're going to steer clear and spend the time doing other things in Rome. Pity, because we didn't get to see the museum the last time.

From the research I have done, it will be a "free" Sunday when we are there so the Vatican Museum will be crowded. But the Pope is scheduled to be in Brazil at that time.

 

[Celestine]

We looked at this a while ago and realized the same. Unfortunately since it's a free day there are no bookings, tickets or tours so I think we're avoiding the Vatican at all costs.... it'll be very busy. This is taken from the Vatican website "Seeing the Pope

On Sundays at noon, the pope usually (if he's in town) appears at the second window from the right of the Apostolic Palace, to pray the Angelus and bless the crowd in the Square. Benedict XVI has continued this tradition, no ticket required. " The pope is usually in town July and August, so St Peter's square will be full at noon.
Think we're going to steer clear and spend the time doing other things in Rome. Pity, because we didn't get to see the museum the last time.

We saw the Pope whilst visitng friends in Rome. It wasn't planned. We went to St Peters Square as one of those tourist things to do & wondered why it was so busy - being on holiday there are no days of the week, just a touring schedule, lol! Once he'd been out & done his thing, the crowd started dispersing. I hasten to add as DD was only 18 months or so at the time we didn't do the Vatican etc. so can't comment on that.

Celestine

 

[Figment_Fan]

when we are there. I hope the conclave will be over by July.

It would be interesting to be there to see the white smoke in person. But, I can't imagine the crowds.

 

[thestewarts]

when we are there. I hope the conclave will be over by July.

It would be interesting to be there to see the white smoke in person. But, I can't imagine the crowds.

Looks like their aiming for the new appointment to be made by Easter.

 

[Nevesmum]

Hello.

My name is Kimberly and my family I will be traveling with you on this cruise.
(My husband Mark, FIL John, and our two boys: Shane 10 and Riley 8).

I have some reading to do here in order to catch up!!! If someone hasn't already signed up to take care of FE, then I would be more than happy to do that. I've done it before.

I"ll be back soon. I'm going to try to read through this.

Hi

Thanks for the offer would love to take part in the fe. I have not done thiis before but my sister in law and niece who are also on the cruise have told me all about it I will let her know also

 

[starmaker]

Hello.

My name is Kimberly and my family I will be traveling with you on this cruise.
(My husband Mark, FIL John, and our two boys: Shane 10 and Riley 8).

I have some reading to do here in order to catch up!!! If someone hasn't already signed up to take care of FE, then I would be more than happy to do that. I've done it before.

I"ll be back soon. I'm going to try to read through this.

Hi Kimberley,

Welcome aboard! Thanks for offering to organise the FE, we'd like to participate. There's me, my husband and daughter (who'll be 14 when we sail) and we're travelling with my brother, sister-in-law and niece (6) My sister-in-law "Nevesmum" has already posted that they'd like to sign up too. This will be our 4th Disney cruise, 2nd in the Med. Thanks again

 

[tinkerbell_29]

Hi everyone! Looks like there are lots of new people. Haven't been able to get on as much as i like my health is still getting in the way of a lot of things. We had to make a change and are no longer going to be able to do the ABD add on which makes me sad but I never know form one day to the next how I am going to be feeling or what i am going to be able to do. Still looking forward to this cruise though it is being a great distraction. Now we are trying to decide what to do about excursions.
Right now we would love to be a part of the FE exchange. There are 3 of us all adults.

Happy Valentine's day everyone!

Melissa

 

[Jasrhon]

We are:
self
DH
DD (13 at time of cruise)
DS (5 at time of cruise)

We booked this cruise in August but have just recently found this forum. We are looking forward to the upcoming cruise. We have been on 8 previous Disney cruises and have not repeated an itinery yet. We have done the med before in 2007 but it was a bit different and are looking forward to the new ports.

Our past DCL cruises include:
Aug 2003 7 night Eastern Caribbean (Magic)
Aug 2005 7 night Mexican Riviera (Magic)
May 2007 11 night Maiden DCL Mediterranean Cruise (Magic)
Jan 2009 7 night Western Caribbean (Magic)
July 2010 8 night Dover to Barcelona Repo (Magic)
March 2011 4 night Bahamas (Dream)
Aug 2011 7 night Alaska out of Vancouver (Wonder)
Aug 2012 5 night NY to Atlantic Canada (Magic)

We have stayed at the Grand Marina Hotel in Barecelona prior to our 2007 sailing and at the Hilton Diagonal Mar post. The Grand Marina was beautiful and had the best location but it is way too expensive now and only sleeps up to 3 (we are now 4). The Hilton was nice but a bit out of the way. We got around mostly by the HOHO when we stayed there.

In 2010 we stayed at the AC Diplomatic which is now the Renaissance. Great location as well. It looks like they no longer have rooms that sleep 4.

We have decided to stay at the Novotel this trip since it seems to have the best prices and able to accomodate a family of 4 staying in the same room. It looks like a few others on this forum are staying there. Can anyone who has stayed there before tell me how easy it was to get around from there?

We are excited that we have also convinced friends to join us on this sailing (rounderjd)

 

[thestewarts]

We are:
self
DH
DD (13 at time of cruise)
DS (5 at time of cruise)

Hi and welcome to the roll call Jasrhon. We also have a dd who will be 13 on the cruise. Looks like they'll be plenty of company for them too.

It would be good to get all the girls in touch th each other, our dd already knows a couple of the girls having been on the magic in 2011 with them, where the four girls who met on here had a BALL.

 

[Celestine]

We are:
self
DH
DD (13 at time of cruise)
DS (5 at time of cruise)

We booked this cruise in August but have just recently found this forum. We are looking forward to the upcoming cruise. We have been on 8 previous Disney cruises and have not repeated an itinery yet. We have done the med before in 2007 but it was a bit different and are looking forward to the new ports.

Our past DCL cruises include:
Aug 2003 7 night Eastern Caribbean (Magic)
Aug 2005 7 night Mexican Riviera (Magic)
May 2007 11 night Maiden DCL Mediterranean Cruise (Magic)
Jan 2009 7 night Western Caribbean (Magic)
July 2010 8 night Dover to Barcelona Repo (Magic)
March 2011 4 night Bahamas (Dream)
Aug 2011 7 night Alaska out of Vancouver (Wonder)
Aug 2012 5 night NY to Atlantic Canada (Magic)

We have stayed at the Grand Marina Hotel in Barecelona prior to our 2007 sailing and at the Hilton Diagonal Mar post. The Grand Marina was beautiful and had the best location but it is way too expensive now and only sleeps up to 3 (we are now 4). The Hilton was nice but a bit out of the way. We got around mostly by the HOHO when we stayed there.

In 2010 we stayed at the AC Diplomatic which is now the Renaissance. Great location as well. It looks like they no longer have rooms that sleep 4.

We have decided to stay at the Novotel this trip since it seems to have the best prices and able to accomodate a family of 4 staying in the same room. It looks like a few others on this forum are staying there. Can anyone who has stayed there before tell me how easy it was to get around from there?

We are excited that we have also convinced friends to join us on this sailing (rounderjd)

We too are at the novotel & eldest DD is 13 - maybe they can hang out at the pool or something before we even get on board? Looking at a map (having never been to Barcelona before) it looks easy enough to walk to the metro & maybe even the main tourist Las RAmblas for the HoHo (although I guess a 5 year old may make that decision!)

Celestine

 

[thestewarts]

Hello.

My name is Kimberly and my family I will be traveling with you on this cruise.
(My husband Mark, FIL John, and our two boys: Shane 10 and Riley 8).

I have some reading to do here in order to catch up!!! If someone hasn't already signed up to take care of FE, then I would be more than happy to do that. I've done it before.

I"ll be back soon. I'm going to try to read through this.

Hi pixie if you're doing the fe list would it be possible to add us too please?

 

[Jasrhon]

We too are at the novotel & eldest DD is 13 - maybe they can hang out at the pool or something before we even get on board? Looking at a map (having never been to Barcelona before) it looks easy enough to walk to the metro & maybe even the main tourist Las RAmblas for the HoHo (although I guess a 5 year old may make that decision!)

Celestine

Celestine,

That is great, I am sure that my DD would love to meet up before the cruise.

 

[GA-yaya]

Hi. If you go to the Disney cruise ship website and click on cruises and destinations you will find port adventures there. Click on it and you will be taken to the excursions page. I don't think you are able to book any tours yet. We have booked private tours. Gladiator school can be booked through Viator. Kelly.

Thanks for that info! It'll be fun to browse.

We are staying the one night before. From what we have researched, the majority, if not all, of their rooms sleep only 2. Disney set us up with 2 rooms for the 4 of us. I did it for the convenience of Disney so that I don't have to juggle, which hotel, and how to get there, find the taxi, then to the port, then back. I'm letting them handle this one.

We are also staying at the Hilton Diagonal Mar. We will have 2 rooms since our adult "children" will be with us. We have stayed there for 2 previous cruises and love the hotel and the area. It's very easy to catch a taxi from the airport to the hotel, and also to get a taxi from the hotel to the cruise port. The Hilton has a nice perk that you are able to do your cruise check-in in the hotel lobby before the cruise - makes the actual boarding a snap. In addition, a Metro stop is about a block away if you want to go into town, Las Ramblas, to go play....highly recommend it!

 

[Jasrhon]

thestewarts,

Thanks, and yes it would be great to get all the girls together. I told my DD about it and she is excited.

 

[Bunless]

If anyone is interested, we are doing a couple of food tours in Barcelona after the return. The more people in your group, the less per person. PM me if you'd like information.

Tapas tour the night of August 6th
Outer tour (countryside with visits to several local producers) the day of August 7th