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

[quinnc19]

I am trying to decide whether to go to the archeological museum in Naples in addition to Pompeii. Has anyone done that? Is it safe and easy to get back to the ship? I will probably have my DD7 with me. She likes museums and very psyched about Pompeii. I am also considering Sorrento as limoncello is yummy and it looks beautiful! Any advice?

BTW - thanks Lorna for the heads up on your awesome trip report!

 

[texasgirl29]

I am trying to decide whether to go to the archeological museum in Naples in addition to Pompeii. Has anyone done that? Is it safe and easy to get back to the ship? I will probably have my DD7 with me. She likes museums and very psyched about Pompeii. I am also considering Sorrento as limoncello is yummy and it looks beautiful! Any advice? BTW - thanks Lorna for the heads up on your awesome trip report!

We used Can't Be Missed Tours to Sorrento and Pompeii. We were there on a national holiday with a lot of traffic but they got us back with no trouble. The bus ride was beautiful. Pompeii is very hot, but if she is very interested in it I think she'll enjoy. Watching some videos about it beforehand will benefit her.

 

[quinnc19]

Thanks for that recommendation!

We used Can't Be Missed Tours to Sorrento and Pompeii. We were there on a national holiday with a lot of traffic but they got us back with no trouble. The bus ride was beautiful. Pompeii is very hot, but if she is very interested in it I think she'll enjoy. Watching some videos about it beforehand will benefit her.

 

[ldo]

I highly recommend ordering this Pompeii book (see my prior posts for more raves about it).
From amazon. Pompeii Reconstructed: Book with DVD in English Hardcover – January 1, 2007
by Lozzi Editori (Author)
They also have similar one for the Coliseum.
These books are so worth it to have when you are standing looking at some ruins and then see what it looked like back then--even if you don't have kids. I saw them at the FCO (Rome) airport, Pisa, etc., but I would order in advance to make sure I had them, plus great to get kids interested in what they will be seeing. Elaine

 

[abdgeek]

I am trying to decide whether to go to the archeological museum in Naples in addition to Pompeii. Has anyone done that? Is it safe and easy to get back to the ship? I will probably have my DD7 with me. She likes museums and very psyched about Pompeii. I am also considering Sorrento as limoncello is yummy and it looks beautiful! Any advice?

BTW - thanks Lorna for the heads up on your awesome trip report!

If you want limoncello, you don't have to go to Sorrento. I did the DCL Mt. Vesurvius and Pompeii tour and after we did Pompeii, we were given time to shop at a store right near the exit(don't remember the name, but there was a restaurant right in front of it). They were selling limoncello.

 

[austraveler]

There is a shop right at the port as you exit the ship that has lovely limoncello

 

[quinnc19]

Those books are great - ordered them based on recommendations here. And thanks all for the limoncello advice!

 

[lilpooh108]

We did the 11 night Med in 2011. BEST TRIP OF MY LIFE!! I'm so excited for all of you that are planning this cruise!!

I did a pretty lengthy trip report if you are interested in reading another one!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2761025

Just wanted to endorse Lornak's TR It really really helped during our planning phase for our 2013 Med cruise (and she was super nice to answer my questions as well).

 

[bats]

I am trying to decide whether to go to the archeological museum in Naples in addition to Pompeii. Has anyone done that? Is it safe and easy to get back to the ship? I will probably have my DD7 with me. She likes museums and very psyched about Pompeii. I am also considering Sorrento as limoncello is yummy and it looks beautiful! Any advice?

BTW - thanks Lorna for the heads up on your awesome trip report!

We did Herculaneum with Sorrento in one day with www.yourtourinitaly.com and it was great. Herculaneum is much better preserved than Pompeii and, as it's smaller, it's easier to navigate and take in. People don't realise how huge Pompeii is and there is no shade, so it's really hard going. Herc on the other hand, is smaller and has lots of places to grab some shade on your way around .. awesome place.
Sorrento is the only place where you can get authentic Limoncello (apparently). It's a bit like buying a New York cheesburger in Florida I guess. They give away free samples in nearly every shop in Sorrento and you can also get lovely Limoncello sweets, chocolates and souvenir bottles. The old town of Sorrento is beautiful and well worth a visit, it's easy to do both Herc and Sorrento in one day.

Hope that helps

 

[MsJiminyCricket]

Does anyone know if there will be a lot of Med specific items in the shops on board?

Thanks!

 

[minniemouse1]

.....

 

[lilpooh108]

Does anyone know if there will be a lot of Med specific items in the shops on board?

Thanks!

Lots of tshirts, one specific pin for the Med cruise and different pins for the different types of cruises last year (Greece, Venice I believe).

With the VAT the stores were not as busy as usual. I remember on the Alaska cruises I had to swing by the store all the time to find items. On the Med cruise, it didn't seem like people were buying as much. I know I didn't.

 

[Baidoo]

Thanks! Maybe we'll take in some sight seeing before our train leaves.

We hung it out as long as possible, but I think it was about 9am. You may be able to hang out longer if you are later sitting breakfast.

 

[MsJiminyCricket]

Lots of tshirts, one specific pin for the Med cruise and different pins for the different types of cruises last year (Greece, Venice I believe). With the VAT the stores were not as busy as usual. I remember on the Alaska cruises I had to swing by the store all the time to find items. On the Med cruise, it didn't seem like people were buying as much. I know I didn't.

Cool. Do you remember if they had a Med beach towel? From what I understand, the VAT doesn't matter if you spend something in anon-EU nation, right?

 

[squirrel]

Hi I'm doing the Transatlantic this September and was wondering if anyone knows how hard it is to get on the Metro with our luggage?

I was thinking of taking the Aerobus to Playa d' Espanya and then getting on the metro to our hotel (Tryp Apolo).

My mom is worried that there will be stairs and it will be a pain with all the luggage?

My other though was to take the Aerobus and then catch a cab to our hotel (not sure if that would save us much $ over just taking a cab from the airport).

 

[lilpooh108]

Hi I'm doing the Transatlantic this September and was wondering if anyone knows how hard it is to get on the Metro with our luggage?

I was thinking of taking the Aerobus to Playa d' Espanya and then getting on the metro to our hotel (Tryp Apolo).

My mom is worried that there will be stairs and it will be a pain with all the luggage?

My other though was to take the Aerobus and then catch a cab to our hotel (not sure if that would save us much $ over just taking a cab from the airport).

To be honest, we did the metro alot and there are stairs. I don't think it'd be easy with luggage.

We used Suntransfers and it was really cheap, I think 35 Euro for a minivan so it must be cheaper for just an auto. Their website will give you a quote.

Lots of people recommend Barcelona Day Tours but their rates are pricey unless you plan on doing their tour -- their transfers are overpriced.

I personally wouldn't do the bus, then metro. Just seems like a hassle and the pickpockets were out and about alot. They are fairly obvious. It's hard to keep an eye on everything when you're in a new place trying to figure stuff out. You don't want to start your trip off with issues.

 

[squirrel]

To be honest, we did the metro alot and there are stairs. I don't think it'd be easy with luggage.

We used Suntransfers and it was really cheap, I think 35 Euro for a minivan so it must be cheaper for just an auto. Their website will give you a quote.

Lots of people recommend Barcelona Day Tours but their rates are pricey unless you plan on doing their tour -- their transfers are overpriced.

I personally wouldn't do the bus, then metro. Just seems like a hassle and the pickpockets were out and about alot. They are fairly obvious. It's hard to keep an eye on everything when you're in a new place trying to figure stuff out. You don't want to start your trip off with issues.

Thanks, I priced it out for our date and it's 38.14 Euros. We arrive in the evening so Barcelona Day Tours isn't a good option for us.

 

[debsters41]

Thanks, I priced it out for our date and it's 38.14 Euros. We arrive in the evening so Barcelona Day Tours isn't a good option for us.

A taxi is not much more than that, I think. I would also check out getting a quote from a private transfer, like Autos Vilar. We were quite pleased with him.

 

[debsters41]

Cool. Do you remember if they had a Med beach towel? From what I understand, the VAT doesn't matter if you spend something in anon-EU nation, right?

VAT will be charged on the cruises that stay within the EU (the seven night, for example) If your cruise goes to Turkey, you are good.

When actually shopping in port in EU countries, the price you see is (generally) inclusive of VAT so that is what you pay at the register. It is a bit of culture shock for Europeans to pick up something in the USA and find out that tax is added at the register.

HTH

Oh, forgot to add.... I was on the last cruise of the season and there was no Med towel for sale... I don't know if there were any beforehand though

 

[quinnc19]

I am considering using Barcelona Day Tours post cruise, in part so as to avoid the potentially long line at the taxi stands. Does anyone have experience with this? Was it so bad that you wished you considered other options? Thank you!