Back to the Med Greece/Turkey in 2013! Complete!

[jedijill]

Sea days are gonna be awesome!!! Min and I were talking earlier today about how there is so little planned for them....

Sea days are such a nice break from the non-stop touring in the ports. One of my favorite memories is sitting on my veranda reading while looking at the coast of Corsica.

Jill in CO

 

[MinnieDiva]

Sea days are such a nice break from the non-stop touring in the ports. One of my favorite memories is sitting on my veranda reading while looking at the coast of Corsica.

Jill in CO

I'm excited to go thru the Strait of Messina (between the toe of Italy and Sicily). I'm contemplating bringing a tripod just for this...

 

[ame]

I'm excited to go thru the Strait of Messina (between the toe of Italy and Sicily). I'm contemplating bringing a tripod just for this...

my husband is looking forward to that too. I'm like meh! What time of the day do you think we'll go through there?

 

[MinnieDiva]

my husband is looking forward to that too. I'm like meh! What time of the day do you think we'll go through there?

I don't know, but it's gonna be one of the first questions I ask. Might have to rearrange spa appointments to accommodate the voyage thru. Yes, the Strait actually ranks higher than the spa.....shocking, I know.

 

[CJCPixieDust]

So I used to chime in a lot and lately, not so much

I figured I'd rectify that a bit. So while Kim sews, I am supposed to be losing the extra weight I put on this year, so that my cruise clothes actually fit. Notice how I say supposed to. I get through 6 out of 7 days and screw up on the 7th day. DH is no help because he's the one that leads me down the path. I don't have much time because I refuse to buy new and I have a whole closet full of clothes I could take.

It's been an "interesting" 2013 for us thus far. We started the year with DH being in ICU for a bleeding ulcer, 3 weeks later he was let go from his job ( and still hasn't had an interview for another, although I'm told there's lots of stuff in the works), we've had various expensive car repairs and untold other little lifetime stuff. We actually considered cancelling the cruise (the insurance we had bought the week before he got laid off, would have covered the plane tickets that we couldn't get refunded). We had a few weeks before final payment was due, but alas, I may regret this later, we are going. Most of our friends encouraged us not to change it and just to bite the bullet and go.

Since I'm such a nervous nelly about money, this is a tough one for me, but I've decided to go, have a great time with great friends and a crazy group of people that we've met on our DIS board thread and our FB page and just forget about all the other stuff. For those who know me, you know how tough that is but I'm trying

Another thing I don't see Kim mentioned is the great, lively group of people we've met thus far via DIS and FB that are joining us on this fabulous adventure. I can't tell you how much laughter has been generated by the antics of a few, but if this crowd is as lively in person, this looks to be a great cruise

Just catching-up on this thread and have to say how happy I am that your family is going! Sometimes, you just have to go for it and be grateful for the opportunity! It's the time and memories with family and friends that matters the most... Really looking forward to meeting this group in person! Here's hoping for an amazing trip and experience for all of us!

 

[MinnieDiva]

Just catching-up on this thread and have to say how happy I am that your family is going! Sometimes, you just have to go for it and be grateful for the opportunity! It's the time and memories with family and friends that matters the most... Really looking forward to meeting this group in person! Here's hoping for an amazing trip and experience for all of us!

The cruise would not have been the same.......and remember, good things happen to good people and KARMA sometimes works it's magic!

 

[MinnieDiva]

I don't spend any time over on cruise critic's boards, but RomeinLimo posted a link to this TR on their FB page. It's not on Disney, but it covers many of the ports and is a good, interesting, informative read with good pics:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1597451&highlight=magic

 

[mindelmouse]

The cruise would not have been the same.......and remember, good things happen to good people and KARMA sometimes works it's magic!

 

[MinnieDiva]

BAZINGA!!!


Let there be Vatican tickets! For anyone needing to book, stalk your dates....the next date is released at midnight Vatican time...so for me at 3pm PST. Sundays cause a day's delay.

 

[debsters41]

I was wondering what time you booked your tickets for?

 

[mindelmouse]

I was wondering what time you booked your tickets for?

We booked the tickets for 2 pm.

 

[MinnieDiva]

When I was on the obsessive hunt for a new camera bag? Wouldn't you know that Pacsafe finally decided to make an official bag for DSLRs? Actually, they made a few types in differing sizes, and the one I ordered is already out of stock. I had to get it off Zappos when Amazon failed to fulfill the order after a MONTH:

http://pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=216

It's fabulous. I can fit EVERYTHING in there, iPad included, and it feels lighter than the Clikelite bag (which I sold back to B&H). Used it the other day and am very happy with my decision to completely change my mind and spend a few more $$ on this bag.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

When I was on the obsessive hunt for a new camera bag? Wouldn't you know that Pacsafe finally decided to make an official bag for DSLRs? Actually, they made a few types in differing sizes, and the one I ordered is already out of stock. I had to get it off Zappos when Amazon failed to fulfill the order after a MONTH:

http://pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=216

It's fabulous. I can fit EVERYTHING in there, iPad included, and it feels lighter than the Clikelite bag (which I sold back to B&H). Used it the other day and am very happy with my decision to completely change my mind and spend a few more $$ on this bag.

Looks like a nice bag. I can't bring myself to buy anything by this vendor so I am still looking for my perfect bag

 

[MinnieDiva]

Looks like a nice bag. I can't bring myself to buy anything by this vendor so I am still looking for my perfect bag

Ok, I'll bite....bad experience with Pacsafe??

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Ok, I'll bite....bad experience with Pacsafe??

Nope. But I am not a fan of advertising designed to scare folks into buying costly products to protect themselves from threats the company makes sound much worse then they really are. Pax safe has made a lot of money creating unnecessary fear in travelers

 

[pixie08]

I'm excited to go thru the Strait of Messina (between the toe of Italy and Sicily). I'm contemplating bringing a tripod just for this...

Yes! I regret not having one last time. I wouldn't have brought it out with me but wish I had it on deck. Can't wait to see your report. I am contemplating the med in 2014 again... I will live vicariously through you until then!

 

[MrsScooby]

I don't spend any time over on cruise critic's boards, but RomeinLimo posted a link to this TR on their FB page. It's not on Disney, but it covers many of the ports and is a good, interesting, informative read with good pics:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1597451&highlight=magic

This is great
We have Rome in Limo booked for Florence, Rome and Naples and now have a better idea what to expect

When I was on the obsessive hunt for a new camera bag? Wouldn't you know that Pacsafe finally decided to make an official bag for DSLRs? Actually, they made a few types in differing sizes, and the one I ordered is already out of stock. I had to get it off Zappos when Amazon failed to fulfill the order after a MONTH:

http://pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=216

It's fabulous. I can fit EVERYTHING in there, iPad included, and it feels lighter than the Clikelite bag (which I sold back to B&H). Used it the other day and am very happy with my decision to completely change my mind and spend a few more $$ on this bag.

Looks great
Going to get one too

 

[mindelmouse]

Ok, so we're at a little less than a month and a half. Can't believe it. People are starting to get their cruise docs. I expect mine today since DCL told us they were mailed 4/30. Have made all our magnets. Kim has made embarcation shirts. Just starting to put things we dont use every day aside. Oh yes and in the mix painting the kitchen and bathrooms.

 

[MinnieDiva]

Yes! I regret not having one last time. I wouldn't have brought it out with me but wish I had it on deck. Can't wait to see your report. I am contemplating the med in 2014 again... I will live vicariously through you until then!

I see in your siggie you're about to take a vacation....cruise or WDW?

 

[texasgirl29]

It took several sittings but I finally finished reading through the entire pre-trip report. We are a three-generation family sailing in August 2013. I obsessed over the three days in Barcelona, then turned my obsessiveness to Italy. Then I saw y'all got your tickets to Sagrada Familia and I remembered I need to return my obsessiveness back to Spain.

I started a pre-trip report but it's not nearly so chatty as yours. I'm expecting my Keens in today. I'm a little (OK, a lot) worried about foot comfort. And heat. We really couldn't fit in the cruise before August because of camps and volunteer stuff so I'm hoping it will be OK -- we live in Texas, so we are used to it. As my 13 year old said, "Mom, it's going to be hot whether we are there or here."

Keep posting.... and I'll keep reading....

JoAnn