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

[lilpooh108]

How does everyone know who they were?

 

[disprincess4ever]

What happened? They were late making the ship departure time?

They were late to the ship by a little over an hour.

We knew who they were because the captain and the cruise director had to make an announcement on the loud speaker; even the emergency one; telling them to contact guest services.

 

[clairedy6]

They were late to the ship by a little over an hour.

We knew who they were because the captain and the cruise director had to make an announcement on the loud speaker; even the emergency one; telling them to contact guest services.

I'm surprised that the ship waited for them for that long! I guess the benefit was that you got an extra hour in port

 

[lilpooh108]

Here is the picture.

http://medcruise2013.blogspot.com.es/2013/07/shipping-and-luggage-storage-at-port-in.html

Thanks so much Cindy. Can't wait for you guys to get back and post more pictures of your trip after you get more time to sort through.

I'm surprised that the ship waited for them for that long! I guess the benefit was that you got an extra hour in port

There was a family that came back late (honestly don't know if they made it or not) during our Rome day. The ship left port way after 7:15pm. Even though we had "extra" time, there wasn't much to do with it since we were all back on the ship. I guess Venice port is more scenic than Civitavecchia though. That Rome port was u-g-l-y.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Thanks so much Cindy. Can't wait for you guys to get back and post more pictures of your trip after you get more time to sort through.

There was a family that came back late (honestly don't know if they made it or not) during our Rome day. The ship left port way after 7:15pm. Even though we had "extra" time, there wasn't much to do with it since we were all back on the ship. I guess Venice port is more scenic than Civitavecchia though. That Rome port was u-g-l-y.

Nope, nothing to really see from the port in Venice, either. At least not from our pier.
One of the DIS families was sown at the health center when the couple got on. They had been shopping. Also they had their kids in the club so that is why they didn't get left.

 

[woody73]

. . . I guess the benefit was that you got an extra hour in port

I'm not sure how leaving an hour late was a benefit to those who returned to the ship on time.

Woody

 

[Melcatfish]

Could you tell me, in Venice did you berth at the main Marittima cruise terminal or the smaller San Basillico (Sp??)

Mel
x

 

[DenverVal]

We are also back from the Venice sailing. My group chose to walk from the ship to San Marco Square, and enjoyed getting lost in Venice. The place is a maze of narrow alleys, streets, canals, and bridges. We ended up at the people mover as we walked into town, and were a little disappointed that it was all of about a football field-long ride. If we had continued straight on the road we were on instead of turning right to get to the people mover, we would have come up on a main street, turned right and continued for a bit to Piazzale Roma and the bus station. We only took the people mover once. If you're walking, there are really only three signs you need to know: San Marco, Piazzale Roma, and Rialto. Directions to San Marco are painted on buildings with an arrow. If you're going back to port, and you see the San Marco signs, usually if you turn around 180 degrees, you'll see a sign for Pzl Roma with an arrow. That will get you back to the bus station. Rialto gets you to the Rialto Bridge, the big bridge that crosses the Grand Canal. We took the vaporetto the first evening because our feet were shot and we were too tired to figure this out. Some of the streets began to look familiar and we actually found shops the second day that we never expected to find again. Bought Murano glass, Venetian masks, had a great dinner, explored the Doge's Palace and San Marco Basilica, had several gelatos, and did the Secret Walk with San Rocco tour. Having an extra hour in port would have been great if we'd been late, but we were back on time.

 

[tufbuf]

Could you tell me, in Venice did you berth at the main Marittima cruise terminal or the smaller San Basillico (Sp??)

Mel
x

The Marittima

 

[Deb in IA]

Yes, apparently now there is a counter right in the terminal. We saw it but we were late for our transfer so I ran right past it. If you remember, you remember. It's not a huge deal.

My DD starts year-round school next July....so next May is actually last year we can do the EBTA. That's our major motivation. If I end up doing the WBTA instead I'd have to leave her and DH at home. My mom (who is a major DCL fan) doesn't care if DD misses school. She said, "Who cares it's just kindergarten!" So yea, um, I guess the WBTA is technically still in the running.

Hey, lilpooh! We are booked for the EBTA!!

The kids will both finish their spring semester in college by May 16, so we can do it! They are both ready for more sea days, so this works out great. And the price is really reasonable, compared to the 12-night Med cruise!

 

[DenverVal]

Could you tell me, in Venice did you berth at the main Marittima cruise terminal or the smaller San Basillico (Sp??)

Mel
x

If you type "San Basilio, Venice, Italy" into google maps, this is NOT where we docked. If you look at the tracks for cruise ships, where we docked is where the lines converge. The building is the cruise terminal and you enter on the south side.

 

[lilpooh108]

Hey, lilpooh! We are booked for the EBTA!!

The kids will both finish their spring semester in college by May 16, so we can do it! They are both ready for more sea days, so this works out great. And the price is really reasonable, compared to the 12-night Med cruise!

Hi Deb The price on the EBTA is really great! I am really trying to keep it "on" for now. Not sure yet though. If we go, I'll bring a Prevacid for you for those wine tastings

Are you going to do the B2B? I'm not sure I have the funds but I'm SO tempted since basically I wouldn't have to do much more planning at all based on this year's research

 

[n8tivecaligirl]

ATM in BCN terminal 2 is right near the food court (in front of mc Donald's) (we flew KLM/delta) also there was NO Customs check when flying into BCN from another EU country (we flew MSP-AMS-BCN) also I recommend a taxi to the hotel or port. The train took us 2+ hours and a taxi would have been 20 minutes, after a long flight it would have been much better to take a taxi.

 

[n8tivecaligirl]

This is my first Med. cruise and I was wondering if anyone might know the answer to this question. My sister has celiac disease and must eat gluten free. We've done Disney cruises before and know she will be well taken care of on the ship. However, she is not sure that she will be able to get gluten free food at the ports, so we were going to try to pack a little lunch for her in our bag for the day while we're out on excursions. Is this okay or are you not allowed to bring food off of the ship in port?

Thanks in advance!

I did see "some" restaurants post they were gluten free but few and far between. But I wasn't keeping an eye out for it either.

 

[clairedy6]

I'm not sure how leaving an hour late was a benefit to those who returned to the ship on time.

Woody

I didn't mean it like that, but staying in Venice is always nicer and the people who did make it back on the ship on time got to enjoy the views a little longer.

 

[Celestine]

Can anyone back from a Dubrovnik stop let me know about getting in to town from the port? Was there a shuttle bus and if so the cost? On the Baltic in Sweden DCL ran a free shuttle bus, but in Copenhagen we had to make our way on local buses - interesting experience!

Many thanks

Celestine

 

[nzdisneymom]

Can anyone back from a Dubrovnik stop let me know about getting in to town from the port? Was there a shuttle bus and if so the cost? On the Baltic in Sweden DCL ran a free shuttle bus, but in Copenhagen we had to make our way on local buses - interesting experience!

Many thanks

Celestine

There was a complimentary shuttle bus in Dubrovnik that let's you off right near the Pile Gate of the old city.

Also a free shuttle in Civitavecchia and a free shuttle in Mykonos. Not sure about other ports as we didn't use one other than these.

 

[Deb in IA]

Hi Deb The price on the EBTA is really great! I am really trying to keep it "on" for now. Not sure yet though. If we go, I'll bring a Prevacid for you for those wine tastings

Are you going to do the B2B? I'm not sure I have the funds but I'm SO tempted since basically I wouldn't have to do much more planning at all based on this year's research

Hope you keep it "on"! We'd love to cruise with you!!

Don't think we will be able to do the B2B, although it sounds really fun! We kind of went all out with this year's 12-night Greece and Turkey cruise, and can't afford the time or $$ for another one like that for a while.

 

[Celestine]

There was a complimentary shuttle bus in Dubrovnik that let's you off right near the Pile Gate of the old city.

Also a free shuttle in Civitavecchia and a free shuttle in Mykonos. Not sure about other ports as we didn't use one other than these.

Excellent - thank you for the info. Great to know I don't have to scratch around for correct money!

Celestine

 

[gjramsey]

ATM in BCN terminal 2 is right near the food court (in front of mc Donald's) (we flew KLM/delta) also there was NO Customs check when flying into BCN from another EU country (we flew MSP-AMS-BCN) also I recommend a taxi to the hotel or port. The train took us 2+ hours and a taxi would have been 20 minutes, after a long flight it would have been much better to take a taxi.

We took the Aerobus from the airport to Plaça Catalunya. Our hotel was on the north end of La Rambla, so we only had about a 5 minute walk from the bus stop to the hotel. Buses run every 5-10 minutes, and cost 5.95 Euro per person. Plenty of space on the bus for luggage. We flew from IAH-AMS-BCN and found it to be pretty easy to find the bus stop and get to the heart of Barcelona.