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

[DL1957]

We are on our first sea day of the inaugural cruise to Venice, and after four intense port days in a row, you can really tell that everyone is glad to have a sea day. The weather is beautiful and the family and kid pool areas are busy. The CM working the soda machines can barely keep the cups filled. Quite a difference from last week when there were more adults and fewer kids. There are many European families onboard this week that couldn't sail last cruise because their children were still in school. So, we have had four ports so I thought I would post a quick update on them.

Villefranche: tendering was better than the previous sailing but excursions still returned later than the last scheduled tender time. It was a beautiful sunny day, unlike the muggy, overcast day 12 days prior, so we were able to get some good photos. We did not do an excursion here. The teenagers stayed onboard and slept. DH and I went into town around 10:15 and walked to the beach and then to the train station to have a look around. There was another ship in town and the line for the ticket office was busier than I would have expected. But the trains apparently were running on time, so no worries there. There is free wifi in the port area, valid for 20 minutes. It's located to the right as you enter the port building from the tendering pier... Just follow the crew.

La Spezia: we did the Florence and Michelangelo tour through DCL. This was a good tour to the heart of Florence and included a visit to the Accademia to see The David which is why we picked this one over others. We had a walk about the historical center which took us outside the Uffizi and by the river, through some of the streets, and by the Duomo before going to the Accademia for our 12:15 entry time which ended up being closer to 12:45 because the museum was overbooked. Our guide did t give us our water bottles when we arrived in Florence but rather at the end of the day, but there was a grocery shop rig across from the Accademia so we were able to dash in and get a drink there. After the Accademia, some folks split off to start their free time earlier while the rest of us went back to the Duomo for a better viewing. By then, the crowds had begun to disperse and it was easier to see and hear. We then had approximately two hours of free time for lunch and whatever else we wanted to do, meeting back at 3:45 at the Michelangelo leather shop. Several of us asked our guide for her recommendation for lunch so she took us to an underground restaurant where our limited Italian let us order the best ravioli we have ever had. We had about 45 minutes left after lunch and were about 15 minutes away from our meeting point, so we did some souvenir shopping and had gelato on the way back. The drive for this tour takes a bit over two hours going and two and a half on the way back. This was on a Saturday and our guide said it takes more time on a week day. Most of us slept on the way back. Oh, we did have a rest stop about an hour into the trip for the driver to fuel up the bus.

Civitavecchia: the boys and DH stayed onboard while I went on the Bracciano and Wine Tasting excursion. DH wasn't feeling well so he opted not to go. We aren't wine drinkers but wanted to see the countryside and also try local foods that would be offered as part of the excursion. It was a beautiful, relaxing day and I enjoyed getting to meet more of our cruise companions. The others reported the wine was good. We were at a local winery where they also produce several other products such as cheese and jams. The time in Bracciano was too limited, not enough time to walk up to the castle which houses a museum in part of it, but as it was Sunday morning, not much was open besides the churches. There is free wifi in the main square. In the afternoon, DH was feeling better, so we took the shuttle to the edge of the port and walked around the boardwalk area... Not much going on but apparently a lot of places to get good wifi. We had a 7:30 all aboard time which was an hour later than our previous stop. At 6:15 there wee a dozen buses dropping off guests and the line of people to board was literally from the forward gangway to the aft. Crazy!

Naples: we did the Half Day Pompeii through DCL for this port. Our meeting time was 8:30 and we were back to the ship by 1:00. We had a full two hours in Pompeii plus about 15 minutes pre-entry to collect a refreshment that was included, and the another 20 minutes at the end for souvenir or shopping. We were able to use the Cameo factory's restrooms which were clean and well supplied. After we got back to the ship, two other DISers and we took taxis to a pizzeria we had found on TripAdvisor so we could have authentic Napoletana pizza. It was a successful venture and we were back onboard by 3:00. Tomorrow we arrive in Venice.

Today is formal night, and there is also the Bella Italia deck party at 10:15 tonight. The Lone Ranger premEARs at 12:01 tonight and will show again at 8:30 AM and again tomorrow night. We arrive in Venice around noon so a morning showing of the movie works better for me than staying up so late tonight. So that's it from here. VAT is 21% for onboard purchases. My of can cash a personal check for up to $300 once per cruise. They have Croatian Kuna onboard that we can exchange for beginning today.

Cindy
Great to get your updates! Those of use from the last cruise who are now back at home working! Enjoy. Sue

 

[nzdisneymom]

On the Greek OPAparty day and also on the Bella Italia party day, they have a decorated door contest as part of the party. The take photos of a few of the doors on the ship and then you cheer for the one you ,Ike the most. If you have personal info that might identify you, they skip you, so if you want a chance for your door to be featured, fill it with fun magnets but leave off anything too personal. They go around one night before and look for the doors to feature. There was one DIS door in both the Greek and the Italy ones, so DISers, continue to represent!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

To those of you who flew US Airways transatlantic, did your flight offer WIFI for purchase? Dh would like this and most of their domestic flights offer it. I'm not sure about international flights though.

Thanks!

 

[Mommb]

I don't think our US Air flight from Philadelphia to Barcelona had WiFi available. We did have screens in front of each seat that offered a variety of movies, TV shows, music, and games at no cost. Headphones were distributed, free, to anyone who wanted them.

Each seat did have a port to use for charging electronic devices, but I don't recall seeing instructions for getting Internet access through personal devices.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I don't think our US Air flight from Philadelphia to Barcelona had WiFi available. We did have screens in front of each seat that offered a variety of movies, TV shows, music, and games at no cost. Headphones were distributed, free, to anyone who wanted them.

Each seat did have a port to use for charging electronic devices, but I don't recall seeing instructions for getting Internet access through personal devices.

Thanks. I think this is better than wifi anyway. I usually bring my tablet on a plane to watch movies but in this case I think I'll leave mine home.
Dh likes to catch up emails when we have some downtime.

 

[Kellycanada]

I found this and thought it might be fun.
There is also a 2 hour course. Kelly.


CA’ MACANA s.n.c.
Dorsoduro 3172
30123 Venice
Tel. +39-041-2776142, +39-041-5203229
Fax +39-041-5203229
e-mail info@camacana.com


- For families or similar groups, we have two different proposals appropriate for the requests
we generally receive.
- for a description of our mini courses etc., see our website www.camacana.com

ABC OF DECORATION OF A PAPIER-MÂCHÉ MASK

Characteristics:
Language: Italian
Length: 1 hour (they said that language isn't an issue)
Choice of mask: one from the 43 different models available, all in papier-mâché and handmade.


A- instead of the theoretical introduction on technique and history, each family will receive
a copy of our book "Maschere a Venezia" (Masks in Venice) in English, French,
German and Italian, covering those and other subjects.
For a description of the book, see our website:
http://www.camacana.com/eng/book/index.html


B- Practical part:
- Participants choose a mask and decorate it, then take it home immediately as in the
previous mini course

No advance payment is required for the ABC OF DECORATION. The workshop is open to welcome you from Monday to Saturday from 11.00 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 18.00.
Let us know when you will be arriving and we will confirm our availability.

ABC OF DECORATION
length 1 hour
choice of one mask


PEOPLE
EURO/PERS
1-47
2-42
3 or more-37

 

[lilpooh108]

We are blogging including pictures. Link is in my sig line but for mobile users, you might not see sig lines. Http://medcruise2013.blogspot.com

Cindy,

I just started reading your updates and I LOVE the pics of Minnie & Daisy with the Mt Vesuvius backdrop! I don't recall seeing them out on the gangway for my cruise (but we did leave really early and get back pretty late). Glad you're having a great time!

 

[nzdisneymom]

To those of you who flew US Airways transatlantic, did your flight offer WIFI for purchase? Dh would like this and most of their domestic flights offer it. I'm not sure about international flights though.

Thanks!

Delta doesn't offer wifi for international flights, only domestic, so it may be similar with other airlines.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Cindy,

I just started reading your updates and I LOVE the pics of Minnie & Daisy with the Mt Vesuvius backdrop! I don't recall seeing them out on the gangway for my cruise (but we did leave really early and get back pretty late). Glad you're having a great time!

They came out starting around 4:00 PM. I missed Mickey be ause I woke up from a nap at 4:15 and DH was watching from the verandah and told me Minnie had just gone out. He knew I was trying to get photos with her every chance I got. Today she rode in the elevator with me before dinner. I was over the moon!

 

[DisneyNurse19]

I am sure the answer is here somewhere but i can't find it but is Topsiders Buffet on the Magic open on disembarkation morning for breakfast?

 

[lilpooh108]

They came out starting around 4:00 PM. I missed Mickey be ause I woke up from a nap at 4:15 and DH was watching from the verandah and told me Minnie had just gone out. He knew I was trying to get photos with her every chance I got. Today she rode in the elevator with me before dinner. I was over the moon!

Oh! I just LOVE these kind of random character interactions on the cruises. Another reason why I love the classic ships. Don't you just adore the Italian Mickey & Minnie outfits? Soooooo cute.

I am sure the answer is here somewhere but i can't find it but is Topsiders Buffet on the Magic open on disembarkation morning for breakfast?

Yes, it is.

 

[lilpooh108]

WOW. JUST WOW.

I mentioned a few pages back (and in my TR) that we had a negative experience with the company "See Amalfi Coast" in Naples.

I ended up posting a Trip Advisor review on the same subject. I just checked it and See Amalfi Coast's "response" accuses me of posting a false review since I'm allegedly a secret competitor. WTH?

FWIW, it's easy to see on my TA profile that I've been a member since 2004 with 44 reviews in 19 different cities. I'm obviously not a "shill" poster.

This "not my problem" and bullying attitude was the reason why our whole day was so horrible.

I'm really hoping others who read this will avoid this company at all costs. I specifically did not post the driver's name because this company has my name, address and credit card number and I didn't feel like getting miscellaneous false charges on my card since I wouldn't put it past them to do something like that.

Here's the link to my TA review: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...Coast-Naples_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html

 

[pxlbarrel]

Unbelievable. Well, I just went on it and voted that it was a very helpful review.

I'd go back in and write "another" review to rebut this bozo ... naming the driver. It could be this driver is pulling the wool over their eyes too. As for them having your name, credit card, etc ... it's one thing to accuse you of being a fake, it's quite another to be fraudently charging your credit card ... while you're in the U.S.

WOW. JUST WOW.

I mentioned a few pages back (and in my TR) that we had a negative experience with the company "See Amalfi Coast" in Naples.

I ended up posting a Trip Advisor review on the same subject. I just checked it and See Amalfi Coast's "response" accuses me of posting a false review since I'm allegedly a secret competitor. WTH?

FWIW, it's easy to see on my TA profile that I've been a member since 2004 with 44 reviews in 19 different cities. I'm obviously not a "shill" poster.

This "not my problem" and bullying attitude was the reason why our whole day was so horrible.

I'm really hoping others who read this will avoid this company at all costs. I specifically did not post the driver's name because this company has my name, address and credit card number and I didn't feel like getting miscellaneous false charges on my card since I wouldn't put it past them to do something like that.

Here's the link to my TA review: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._Campania.html

 

[lilpooh108]

Unbelievable. Well, I just went on it and voted that it was a very helpful review.

I'd go back in and write "another" review to rebut this bozo ... naming the driver. It could be this driver is pulling the wool over their eyes too. As for them having your name, credit card, etc ... it's one thing to accuse you of being a fake, it's quite another to be fraudently charging your credit card ... while you're in the U.S.

Thanks for the support. I actually tried to submit a further review in order to provide clarification in response to the "owner comments." However, TripAdvisor does not allow editing or the submission of a 2nd review within 3 months of your 1st review. I wasn't previously aware of that rule.

In any event, my profile on TA is open to receiving user messages. I will respond to user messages if any are sent on the subject.

Sorry to interrupt everyone's planning. I know people are subscribed to this thread for planning and tip purposes. Rant over

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Thanks for the support. I actually tried to submit a further review in order to provide clarification in response to the "owner comments." However, TripAdvisor does not allow editing or the submission of a 2nd review within 3 months of your 1st review. I wasn't previously aware of that rule.

In any event, my profile on TA is open to receiving user messages. I will respond to user messages if any are sent on the subject.

Sorry to interrupt everyone's planning. I know people are subscribed to this thread for planning and tip purposes. Rant over

I also said your comment was helpful & reported his comment as inappropriate. Even if technically it isn't, it still is. What a dog.
If I were you, I would note my calendar for 3 mos from now just to say my piece & clear my name. I can hold a grudge forever.

 

[lilpooh108]

I can hold a grudge forever.

You guys are too funny Thanks for the support.

I've calmed down now and I'm thinking that his ridiculous comment might actually backfire on him. It's fairly obvious that I'm not a shill poster and when deciding which company to use, I frequently look at how the owner responds to low ratings. There was one company that I didn't use (also in Naples) because the owner response was pretty rabid for a legitimate complaint about being picked up late. The angry owner responses usually indicate that the owners will argue with you when problems arise. Now I know how they would have responded if I called them asking for a rate reduction for missing Sorrento.

We are thinking of doing the Med in the future and we'll be using RIL for Naples like everyone else.

 

[jeni37]

What was the other company you didn't use. I want to make sure I know what I am getting into if I am booking tours. Thanks for all the info. so far!

 

[lilpooh108]

What was the other company you didn't use. I want to make sure I know what I am getting into if I am booking tours. Thanks for all the info. so far!

Italy limousines based in Naples. Contact name was Josephine. We initially agreed on a date and a price. About 9 months before the tour she emailed asking for a positive review on TripAdvisor. When I told her that we hadn't taken the tour yet, she told me she didn't care. All they wanted were positive reviews even though they hadn't provided the service.

If you look closely at the reviews for many of the Naples companies, many of them have 5 star reviews from posters who only have 1 review submitted. For me that lacks credibility. Alot of DIS'ers have had luck with Rome In Limo. I didn't book with them due to pricing but will probably go with them next time.

 

[Cousin Orville]

I appreciate the time you put into writing your tripadvisor review. I agree that the owner's response looks unprofessional. It's frustrating; I think it often boils down to luck of the draw of whether you get a good or bad driver. But it should be the owner's responsibility to weed out the bad guides/drivers. It's also so frustrating when you ask for the driver's advice on where to eat lunch and they sit you down in the back room of a mediocre tourist trap. I've had that happen once with Rome in Limo in Rome. Of all the Italian restaurants in Rome, they took us to the crumbiest one. I gave your TA review a helpful vote. Thanks again.

 

[lilpooh108]

I appreciate the time you put into writing your tripadvisor review. I agree that the owner's response looks unprofessional. It's frustrating; I think it often boils down to luck of the draw of whether you get a good or bad driver. But it should be the owner's responsibility to weed out the bad guides/drivers. It's also so frustrating when you ask for the driver's advice on where to eat lunch and they sit you down in the back room of a mediocre tourist trap. I've had that happen once with Rome in Limo in Rome. Of all the Italian restaurants in Rome, they took us to the crumbiest one. I gave your TA review a helpful vote. Thanks again.

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

May I ask.... which restaurant was bad in Rome? I'd like to know the name so we can avoid it in the future if any tour companies suggest it. Thanks!