Med Cruisers . . . Let's Discuss 2013 Planning!

[MrsScooby]

Originally Posted by bellelinus

Yes, John's is a classic New York pie, so are Lombardi's and Totonno's, but the places I mentioned do the different, more authentically Italian, pizzas. I know you aren't in NYC that much anymore, but when you do, you will have plenty of options! Maybe ordering pizza and pasta is a good idea in Italy until you are sure you like the pizza there. I think we are getting on the Magic as you get off, BTW - we are doing the 12 day including Greece. If you have any questions about Venice, feel free to ask me since I've been there three times and in fact will be there a few days before going to Barcelona for the cruise this summer. Venice is not Italian, IMO - it was its own republic for a long time and neither the food nor the people seem Italian like those in say, Tuscany or Rome do. It's a very, very unique place. Hopefully you will be able to get away from the super-crowded touristy areas and explore some of my favorite places, like shopping along the Strada Nova or eating in Cannareggio.

The stop in Venice was the reason we jumped on this cruise
Since it is our first time there we will be visiting the usual touristy spots, but we planned on getting to the really popular spots early in the morning on our second day in Venice (hoping to avoid some crowds that way).
So definitely looking to avoid the crowds the first day if we can and having dinner in Venice on the first night.
Do you remember where you ate in Cannareggio ?
And what was your favorite souvenir when shopping???

Bummer that we will be in Barcelona on the same day but not able to meet

[lilpooh108]

Originally Posted by MrsScooby

The stop in Venice was the reason we jumped on this cruise
Since it is our first time there we will be visiting the usual touristy spots, but we planned on getting to the really popular spots early in the morning on our second day in Venice (hoping to avoid some crowds that way).
So definitely looking to avoid the crowds the first day if we can and having dinner in Venice on the first night.
Do you remember where you ate in Cannareggio ?
And what was your favorite souvenir when shopping???

Bummer that we will be in Barcelona on the same day but not able to meet

We visited Venice on a different trip about 3 years ago. Our favorite restaurant was off the beaten path---it was no all meat no seafood. The restaurant is called Osteria La Bitta and is well known with the locals.

There is a delicious gelateria about 3 stores down from La Bitta, on the same stop.

You can get to it by getting on the vaparetto and getting off at Ca Rezzonico.

La Bitta is about 7 tables total, cash only, must make reservations. Venetians dine early so they close at 11pm. The "rush" was at around 7 to 8pm. We ate there twice on our 4 day trip.

I believe there are reviews on Tripadvisor, etc.

[MrsScooby]

Originally Posted by lilpooh108

We visited Venice on a different trip about 3 years ago. Our favorite restaurant was off the beaten path---it was no all meat no seafood. The restaurant is called Osteria La Bitta and is well known with the locals.

There is a delicious gelateria about 3 stores down from La Bitta, on the same stop.

You can get to it by getting on the vaparetto and getting off at Ca Rezzonico.

La Bitta is about 7 tables total, cash only, must make reservations. Venetians dine early so they close at 11pm. The "rush" was at around 7 to 8pm. We ate there twice on our 4 day trip.

I believe there are reviews on Tripadvisor, etc.

Thanks
I looked it up and the reviews sound great http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ce_Veneto.html
How far out do you make reservations?

[lilpooh108]

Originally Posted by MrsScooby

Thanks
I looked it up and the reviews sound great http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ce_Veneto.html
How far out do you make reservations?

I really don't remember, but you can call at any time. They speak english. We were there for NYE weekend one year and had called a few months out. They were always turning away people since it's so small. Great wine selection, but cash only. So bring plenty of cash

Best dish we had was some kind of stewed pork. YUM....that thing was super tender and you can tell it took all day to cook.

My DH especially loved it since he's not a huge seafood lover (I am), so we compromised and ate here twice and ate at other seafood restaurants the rest of the time. Best food we had in Venice that trip, though.

[lilpooh108]

We also liked this restaurant for their fried mixed seafood (fritto misto). They're known for fried seafood, but the best thing I ate here was the squid ink pasta (which was great).

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ce_Veneto.html

It was tasty, above average, and good if you stumble on it but I wouldn't go out of my way (like I would to eat at Osteria La Bitta).

[bellelinus]

Originally Posted by MrsScooby

The stop in Venice was the reason we jumped on this cruise
Since it is our first time there we will be visiting the usual touristy spots, but we planned on getting to the really popular spots early in the morning on our second day in Venice (hoping to avoid some crowds that way).
So definitely looking to avoid the crowds the first day if we can and having dinner in Venice on the first night.
Do you remember where you ate in Cannareggio ?
And what was your favorite souvenir when shopping???

Bummer that we will be in Barcelona on the same day but not able to meet

The place we stayed 2 out of the 3 times I have been there (and plan to book for this summer) is in Cannareggio, so we would just literally wander around and look at the menus and find a place we liked - if you get off the beaten path there are so many lovely non-touristy places. The one place I have reserved in advance before is not in Cannareggio - Osteria Oliva Nera, which is fantastic, if hard to find (tucked into some labyrinth behind the lagoon past St Mark's in the Castello sestiere). It's not inexpensive but is a memorable experience. Here is their website:

http://www.osteria-olivanera.com/

Favorite souvenir - Murano glass jewelry, which I wear often. Just be sure it has the Murano mark on the back or you could be getting cheaper things imported from China. You don't have to go to Murano to get the real stuff, though. Also, leather gloves - I have two pair that i wear all the time.

With your limited time, you probably won't be able to venture away from Venice, but for a future trip consider a day trip to the island of Burano. Unbelievably cute, much lower prices on everything than in Venice.

Take a traghetto across the grand canal (only 1 euro each!) and experience what it is like to be in an authentic gondola at a fraction of the price. The traghetto stops are noted on most maps.

Also, don't forget that Venice is a walkable city - don't be so thrown by all the water that you think you have to take a vaporetto everywhere.

[MrsScooby]

Originally Posted by lilpooh108

We also liked this restaurant for their fried mixed seafood (fritto misto). They're known for fried seafood, but the best thing I ate here was the squid ink pasta (which was great).

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ce_Veneto.html

It was tasty, above average, and good if you stumble on it but I wouldn't go out of my way (like I would to eat at Osteria La Bitta).

Thanks
I'm making a list

Originally Posted by bellelinus

The place we stayed 2 out of the 3 times I have been there (and plan to book for this summer) is in Cannareggio, so we would just literally wander around and look at the menus and find a place we liked - if you get off the beaten path there are so many lovely non-touristy places. The one place I have reserved in advance before is not in Cannareggio - Osteria Oliva Nera, which is fantastic, if hard to find (tucked into some labyrinth behind the lagoon past St Mark's in the Castello sestiere). It's not inexpensive but is a memorable experience. Here is their website:

http://www.osteria-olivanera.com/

Favorite souvenir - Murano glass jewelry, which I wear often. Just be sure it has the Murano mark on the back or you could be getting cheaper things imported from China. You don't have to go to Murano to get the real stuff, though. Also, leather gloves - I have two pair that i wear all the time.

With your limited time, you probably won't be able to venture away from Venice, but for a future trip consider a day trip to the island of Burano. Unbelievably cute, much lower prices on everything than in Venice.

Take a traghetto across the grand canal (only 1 euro each!) and experience what it is like to be in an authentic gondola at a fraction of the price. The traghetto stops are noted on most maps.

Also, don't forget that Venice is a walkable city - don't be so thrown by all the water that you think you have to take a vaporetto everywhere.

We are planning to walk around quite a bit but a gondola ride is a must for us too. That traghetto sounds great

I am a bit worried about making sure the souvenirs I buy are authentic
So doing the research now as I know I'll be short on shopping time given how much my DH and DS hate shopping

http://www.ehow.com/how_5933371_iden...ano-glass.html

[ruadisneyfan2]

For those of you who have cruised DCL in the Med before, do you recall if a lot of cabins opened up as the final payment approaches? I like our cabin location. It's not my favorite but I can live with it. We were kind of limited with booking later than usual & having our teens in an inside cabin across the hall. Not all window/verandah cabins even have any rooms across the hall.
I'm hoping that some cabins open up though.
Thanks!

[bellelinus]

Originally Posted by MrsScooby

I am a bit worried about making sure the souvenirs I buy are authentic
So doing the research now as I know I'll be short on shopping time given how much my DH and DS hate shopping

Laurie, the quickest way to be sure is NOT to buy in the most crowded, super-touristy shops right around St Mark's, the Rialto, etc. If you go off the beaten path a bit the shops are more likely to be authentic. There are some good ones near the Accademia bridge.

[bellelinus]

Originally Posted by ruadisneyfan2

For those of you who have cruised DCL in the Med before, do you recall if a lot of cabins opened up as the final payment approaches? I like our cabin location. It's not my favorite but I can live with it. We were kind of limited with booking later than usual & having our teens in an inside cabin across the hall. Not all window/verandah cabins even have any rooms across the hall.
I'm hoping that some cabins open up though.
Thanks!

I honestly don't remember from when we did the Med in 2007 because we were happy with our cabin, but it would surprise me if many did not open up - there are always people whose plans change, reconsider the cost, can't get reasonable airfare, etc. Good luck!

[poohmomof5]

Whew, I finally made it through the whole thread! What great info everyone! Thanks for sharing!

Our Pay in full date is 3 weeks away and we have GTY rooms. I have been stalking the website actual rooms to open up, but no luck. It seems the ship is really full.

Getting really excited!

[Celestine]

Jumping in to say hi! I recognise many of you from Panama Canal & Baltics cruise. We are doing the 2nd Venice cruise. Great tips, thank you for sharing.

Have finally booked 2 night pre cruise stay at the Novotel now just to decide on excursions - mainly independent, but toying with an DCL or viator trip in Naples

Some-one earlier in the thread asked about restaurants in London. I can recommend the following: Loch Fyne (fish specialist ,but I'm told by the non fish eaters that the burgers & steak are excellent). Also, if you're in Covent Garden, Porters restaurant. Numerous chains & some are better than others - my girls like Bella Italia. Any other London questions, just ask away - that is where I originally hail from!

Celestine

[DL1957]

Those going to Turkey and Greece the DCL shore excursions are posted.

[nzdisneymom]

Originally Posted by DL1957

Those going to Turkey and Greece the DCL shore excursions are posted.

And we are very excited to finally have something to work with to finish our planning for this cruise!!! Now for Venice and Dubrovnik to hurry up and post!

[Celestine]

Originally Posted by poohmomof5

Whew, I finally made it through the whole thread! What great info everyone! Thanks for sharing!

Our Pay in full date is 3 weeks away and we have GTY rooms. I have been stalking the website actual rooms to open up, but no luck. It seems the ship is really full.

Getting really excited!

Checked out our cruise the other day & only cat 9A & 9C showing availability! Wonder if things will open up a bit as PIF date arrives?