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

[abayaflowers]

Just in case if anyone was wondering whether the Vatican City will be taking any credit-card transactions and if the ATM machines are working again.

I found this article in:

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=17047

The Vatican Museums have resumed accepting credit-card transactions, and ATM machines in Vatican City are working again, after the Vatican reached an agreement with a Swiss firm to process the bank-card transactions.

The Swiss Aduno group agreed to process bank-card transactions at Vatican locations, breaking a stalemate that had occurred when Italian banking officials refused to handle the transactions, claiming that the Vatican has failed to meet new European standards to prevent money-laundering.

The Vatican, which has worked for months to meet European banking standards, was caught off guard by a January 1 announcement that Italys central bank would no longer process bank-card transactions from the Vatican. The Vatican had hoped to persuade Italian officials that new internal controls have satisfied the immediate concerns of security officials, and Deutsche Bank Italiawhich had handled bank-card transactions inside the Vaticanshould be allowed to resume processing those transactions. The agreement with Aduno apparently resolves the problem, however.

The freeze on credit-card and ATM transactions had complicated life for tourists at the Vatican and cut into sales at the Vatican Museums, post office, and other shops. The resort to cash-only business reportedly cost the Vatican roughly $40,000 a day.

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

I am all registered for Rick Steves spring Travel Festival.

You are confirmed for the following on Saturday, April 6, 2013:

> Packing Light and Right - 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Edmonds Center for the Arts (5 people)
> Italy - 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Edmonds Center for the Arts (5 people)
> Greece - 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Edmonds Theater (5 people)
> Provence and the French Riviera - 2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m., Edmonds Theater (5 people)

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I am all registered for Rick Steves spring Travel Festival.

You are confirmed for the following on Saturday, April 6, 2013:

> Packing Light and Right - 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Edmonds Center for the Arts (5 people)
> Italy - 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Edmonds Center for the Arts (5 people)
> Greece - 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Edmonds Theater (5 people)
> Provence and the French Riviera - 2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m., Edmonds Theater (5 people)

I wish I could do this, but there is no way that weekend. . Hopefully they will stream them again. Would really like to see the Provence talk

 

[lilpooh108]

I am all registered for Rick Steves spring Travel Festival.

You are confirmed for the following on Saturday, April 6, 2013:

> Packing Light and Right - 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Edmonds Center for the Arts (5 people)
> Italy - 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Edmonds Center for the Arts (5 people)
> Greece - 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Edmonds Theater (5 people)
> Provence and the French Riviera - 2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m., Edmonds Theater (5 people)

Nice If you get some good tips, please share them here

 

[suzysharp]

I have to say I'm super excited about the fact that I can start booking my excursions on Sunday!!! My question is where are you finding the excursions ahead of time so we can look at list? Thanks!!!

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

I have to say I'm super excited about the fact that I can start booking my excursions on Sunday!!! My question is where are you finding the excursions ahead of time so we can look at list? Thanks!!!

Click on the port you want, then scroll down and change the overview tab to port adventures.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/europe/ports/

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Do you know if Port Arrival times matter for the Med cruise?

All aboard time is 5pm....and we're thinking of getting there after lunch.

I am aiming for mid afternoon

On to another question

What time do they open up for shore excursion booking at the 90 day window? Do I have to stay up all night and do this at midnight?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I am aiming for mid afternoon

On to another question

What time do they open up for shore excursion booking at the 90 day window? Do I have to stay up all night and do this at midnight?

I used to but now I'd rather just get up early the next day. I think since we're platinum it helps. If there's something you really want, I'd stay up til midnight.
BTW, that's midnight EST.

 

[lilpooh108]

I used to but now I'd rather just get up early the next day. I think since we're platinum it helps. If there's something you really want, I'd stay up til midnight.
BTW, that's midnight EST.

Are you already booked for your cruise, then?

It's so port intensive on this cruise---there's nothing we really *need.* We're skipping Palo this time around too.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Are you already booked for your cruise, then?

It's so port intensive on this cruise---there's nothing we really *need.* We're skipping Palo this time around too.

Yes but we can't book excursions until Apr 19. We're undecided on Palo/Formal night. Dh loves Palo but I think I'd rather pack light and skip all the formality. We'll be exhausted anyway. We haven't been on the Magic since 2010 and we miss Twice Charmed, can only be seen there. We might be too tired for that too.

 

[lilpooh108]

Hi 7-night Med cruisers

I just logged in and for my 7-nighter, Pirate night is listed as Night 6, from 9:45 p.m to 10:30 p.m.

Dunno if this helps anybody planning, but now I'm super excited My booking window is coming up soon so that will be fun.

Here's a copy & paste:

Day 6
Thu, Jun 6
Naples (Pompeii), Italy
09:45 pm
(until 10:30 pm)

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Hi 7-night Med cruisers

I just logged in and for my 7-nighter, Pirate night is listed as Night 6, from 9:45 p.m to 10:30 p.m.

Dunno if this helps anybody planning, but now I'm super excited My booking window is coming up soon so that will be fun.

Here's a copy & paste:

Day 6
Thu, Jun 6
Naples (Pompeii), Italy
09:45 pm
(until 10:30 pm)

Thanks for sharing! I hope we can stay up that late after 4 consecutive long days of touring. At least we can sleep in the next day.

 

[lilpooh108]

Thanks for sharing! I hope we can stay up that late after 4 consecutive long days of touring. At least we can sleep in the next day.

I hear ya! I'm so looking forward to that sea day we're getting. During planning last year we thought it'd be a good idea to extend our stay by going to Paris...but I'm gonna be SO TIRED when we get off that cruise. Not that I'm complaining or anything

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I hear ya! I'm so looking forward to that sea day we're getting. During planning last year we thought it'd be a good idea to extend our stay by going to Paris...but I'm gonna be SO TIRED when we get off that cruise. Not that I'm complaining or anything

That sounds nice. Do it now while you're young. By the time your baby's old enough to drive, it even sounds exhausting.

 

[lilpooh108]

That sounds nice. Do it now while you're young. By the time your baby's old enough to drive, it even sounds exhausting.

Well my kids are only 3 & 1 right now, but I'm so tired most days I *feel* old.

 

[blessed2x]

We are booked for June 2014 and like many of you, we plan on arriving in Barcelona early (2 nights) and then afterward to Paris for 3/4 nights. There is 6 of us. Any suggestions on where to stay in Barcelona and Pairs? Thanks for all the great ideas regarding the trip already! This is one that needs to be well planned!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[nzdisneymom]

We are booked for June 2014 and like many of you, we plan on arriving in Barcelona early (2 nights) and then afterward to Paris for 3/4 nights. There is 6 of us. Any suggestions on where to stay in Barcelona and Pairs? Thanks for all the great ideas regarding the trip already! This is one that needs to be well planned!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

We are using DCL hotel pre-cruise mostly for convenience and a bit of a splurge. There are a couple of threads about Barcelona hotels that once the search is working again might help, but I think the best thing for the 2014ers is to watch for reports as the 2013ers come back. In fact, once it's time for the 2013 season to begin, perhaps someone will start a review thread for us to put our hotel and excursion reviews in one place.

 

[gatorfreud]

That's a great idea! I am dying for you guys to go so I can get firsthand reports!

I am 2014 too and looking at staying here in Barcelona. We will be there 2 nights pre-cruise.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...na_s_Guest_House_B_B-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

Hey I think you are on my cruise too! Or I'm on yours! Hahah. June 7 right?

 

[lilpooh108]

WOW. The cruisers on my 6/1 Med cruise are no joke. It's probably b/c there are alot of Gold & Plats doing back to back w/the EBTA.

I logged on "late" at 12:23 a.m. EST. Checked Palo Brunch, and Palo Dinner. Availability looked good. I'm Silver, btw (will be Gold after this cruise).

For our 9 people, I booked our DCL excursions first since we have nothing else planned. Pretty important, got what we wanted.

Then I booked our DCL excursions for ports which we may or may not need it. Offerings for Rome don't look that good.

Returned to Palo Brunch & Dinners---hardly anything left, can't get a table of 4 for anything. Alright, that's fine. We'll eat 2x2.

No more good Swedish spa appts or manicures. Only things left are on Port days....

OK....

Returned to Palo & Brunch ressies at 2:21 a.m EST, and there is absolutely no Palo Brunch left at all. None. I know things will open up but this is ridiculous

It's like BLACK FRIDAY but for DCL ressies. My goodness.

 

[Disney mam]

WOW. The cruisers on my 6/1 Med cruise are no joke. It's probably b/c there are alot of Gold & Plats doing back to back w/the EBTA.

I logged on "late" at 12:23 a.m. EST. Checked Palo Brunch, and Palo Dinner. Availability looked good. I'm Silver, btw (will be Gold after this cruise).

For our 9 people, I booked our DCL excursions first since we have nothing else planned. Pretty important, got what we wanted.

Then I booked our DCL excursions for ports which we may or may not need it. Offerings for Rome don't look that good.

Returned to Palo Brunch & Dinners---hardly anything left, can't get a table of 4 for anything. Alright, that's fine. We'll eat 2x2.

No more good Swedish spa appts or manicures. Only things left are on Port days....

OK....

Returned to Palo & Brunch ressies at 2:21 a.m EST, and there is absolutely no Palo Brunch left at all. None. I know things will open up but this is ridiculous

It's like BLACK FRIDAY but for DCL ressies. My goodness.

LOL I guess the rest of us will have to make do with the scraps.

I am holding tight for Rome as I think the new Pope will bring many visitors into the city especially on a Wednesday (when the pope comes out to wave).

I didn't plan on going into the Sistine chapel with my boys, but will may give it a miss completely depending on how popular the Vatican City is when we are there.