May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread - Part 2

[jubes]

Does anyone know how sticky hotels are with their 2-3 person max/room in Barcelona? We have 2 rooms booked but can fit into 1 room for the 1 night. We are staying at the Renaissance Airport Hotel, my kids are only 7 and 9. Anyone know? We would rather just all stay in the one room.

 

[peterpanstout]

Has anyone seen what Sayhello's pick was on the number of posts? Im just the conspiracy therorist but those are some long posts.... Im on to you girl!
Charlotte, go get a beer, its out of our hands.
Jeff, are the people meeting at the fountains going to wear anything to identify themselves so we don't get stabbed by a local when we walk up to see if they are with our group? Im not sure if we will be there on Friday or not since we may plan on doing this Thursday night as a means of keeping the kids up but if we are there should we wear something to identify ourselves? I have an idea, Ill show up early and start swimming naked in the fountain which should identify me as a member of the DIS so no confusion there! Remember, the water is probably cold so no small comments.

OH MY GOODNESS! I was just cracking up! Tooo funny!

As for the kids jet lag, I say give them a nice little rx for the plane. Problem solved! Seriously I think they should be ok, they will be on a Disney cruise and so excited! DS (7) and I do the flight quite frequently, it normally takes him about a week to get to normal. But that is us flying home and jumping into normal life, school, activities and such. Best thing to do is eat before you get on the plane, take a really good sleep kit, and go straight to sleep. When you get into Barcelona take a short nap, then go to bed as normal. But jet lag remmodies are like hang over remmodies...every one has one and no one's works.

 

[pooh & tinker]

I am finally thru with work...Will call DCL tomorrow and find out about the flights going to barcelona.. we have a connection orlando to atlanta and then non stop red eye to barcelona arriving saturday morning 9am. If there is a cahance that we will be cancelled I will try and move the flight up since everyone is now on vacation and we can fly any time. Is any one on the orlando to atlanta flight friday afternoon. pooh

 

[moneyhappy]

Has anyone seen what Sayhello's pick was on the number of posts? Im just the conspiracy therorist but those are some long posts.... Im on to you girl!
Charlotte, go get a beer, its out of our hands.
Jeff, are the people meeting at the fountains going to wear anything to identify themselves so we don't get stabbed by a local when we walk up to see if they are with our group? Im not sure if we will be there on Friday or not since we may plan on doing this Thursday night as a means of keeping the kids up but if we are there should we wear something to identify ourselves? I have an idea, Ill show up early and start swimming naked in the fountain which should identify me as a member of the DIS so no confusion there! Remember, the water is probably cold so no small comments.

 

[moneyhappy]

It looks like there is going ro be a pretty good size crowd of us at the fountains. We are not on the list, but we will try our best to be there. Sounds like fun.

Kim

Jeff, are the people meeting at the fountains going to wear anything to identify themselves so we don't get stabbed by a local when we walk up to see if they are with our group? Im not sure if we will be there on Friday or not since we may plan on doing this Thursday night as a means of keeping the kids up but if we are there should we wear something to identify ourselves? I have an idea, Ill show up early and start swimming naked in the fountain which should identify me as a member of the DIS so no confusion there! Remember, the water is probably cold so no small comments.

I have added you to the fountain list, just in case you have time to stop by.

We are going to be such a large group they my send the police after use.

 

[Hilari Smith]

I sent you a PM AlohaJoe about a post from the FIRST thread. This thread is out of control; I read bits and pieces but I'm usually a week behind. At this rate, I won't get caught up before we leave!!

This is the only train schedule site for Corsica I know of.

http://www.corsicabus.org/Train_services.html

The times in pink DF are the Sunday trains.

Looks like you would catch the number 5 train at 8:00. The closest city to Vero is Carbuccia. Arrives at 8:26. Then you would have to find a way to get to Vero. Return train is the number 6 and leaves Carbuccia at 12:44. That is the only train leaving Ajaccio in the morning. You could travel as far as Corte look around for an hour and come back.

It is possible I guess but what happens if you miss the one train returning?

The other Adventure park in Vizzavona I haven't looked at much because the train arrives at 9:08 and departs at 12:07. Since I was to nervous to depend on one train each direction I decided to rent car and go to the closer park.

 

[leelee9878]

Some 100 pages or so ago someone was asking about the on board booking policies. We received a promotion a week or so ago and figured everyone was getting it as well. Did not see any discussion so I thought I would highlight: Can book as many rooms as you like with the number of rooms up to the number of people in your existing party receiving the 10% discount and OBC. Reservation may be shifted to another cruise date or itinerary within the pre payment window established for each cruise.

So even though we have but a single room this trip, we can prebook up to 4 rooms for a future cruise and can all be under the same single name with other guests to be determined.

It was me that asked, thank you!

 

[leelee9878]

Is anyone taking gymwear. I can't decide whether to bring gym stuff or whether to just take 2 weeks off my normal routine.

I am bringing gym wear! I need to work off all of the food. If I were you I would bring it to have it, this way if you are feeling working out you have your clothes.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

jeff, i love your magnet!!!!!!

can i have one?, i love it.

Sure, I'll print another for you.

...Im not sure if we will be there on Friday or not since we may plan on doing this Thursday night as a means of keeping the kids up but if we are there should we wear something to identify ourselves? I have an idea, Ill show up early and start swimming naked in the fountain which should identify me as a member of the DIS so no confusion there! Remember, the water is probably cold so no small comments.

For the people that are on moneyhappy's list we'll bring your lanyards to the fountain. We'll have ours on and we'll be on the Espanya station side of the fountain. Having done the web site and spent the most time looking at Roll Call photos I'm pretty sure I can recognize most people. We get enough people with lanyards and it'll be easier for others to pick us out. If that doesn't work, we can always look for volunteers to go the naked route.

 

[rashdecision]

Not planning on bringing any clothes to work in since I learned that I'm actually not over weight. My gut is simply a protective covering for my rock hard abs!
I finished the FE gifts and thank goodness we split into 2 groups b/c I barely fit these into my luggage and I have no idea how much it weighs.

 

[Travelbee]

Hi all, for those of you that may be affected here are the details of the BA strikes that have been announced:

Cabin crew will walk out for four separate five-day strikes in May and June.

The first strike will begin on 18 May, ending on 22 May, with the three further strikes beginning on 24 May, 30 May and 5 June.

Seems like the they could disrupt some journeys home after the cruise.


Joe

Update on the BA strikes (for return journeys) BA have some contingency plans:



http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10105863.stm

Just check BA's website. They are going to have info on their contingency plan tomorrow.

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/strike-ballot/public/en_gb?refevent=info_strike

 

[k8e]

k8t, I notice in your sig you cruised the Med on RCI in 2008. What ports did you visit? Also, I'll be interested to hear how you compare RCI with DCL.

Last time on RCI, I sailed from Barcelona with stops in Villefranche, Livorno (Pisa), Rome, Naples, and Palermo. Enjoyed it very much, looking forward to going back and seeing some more ports.

 

[sayhello]

Not planning on bringing any clothes to work in since I learned that I'm actually not over weight. My gut is simply a protective covering for my rock hard abs!

Why didn't I think of that???

Sayhello

 

[kehonuamemano]

Heres our plan:

Malta: DCL blue grotto, might walk into valletta afterwards if we have time
Tunis: No idea what yet
Naples: DCL Sorrento and Pompeii
Citivecchia: Doing Rome on our own
La Spezia: Cinque Terre on our own
Corsica: Les Calenches
Villefrance: Monaco, Monte Carlo and Eze

We are thinking about going to Cinque Terre also. how are you getting there?

We're doing all of these on our own.

Valetta: Explore the town, see St. John's, swim if the weather is good
Tunis: Bardo museum for sure. Considering Dougga or Bulla Regia by taxi if it looks like there's time (but probably won't be).
Naples: Herculaneum, eat pizza, buy limoncello
Rome: Ostia Antica and fast Rome favorites (Pantheon, Trevi, Navona, gelato shop near the Pantheon, candied oranges from the sweets shop at Termini), maybe a small museum
La Spezia: explore Pisa, climb the tower
Ajaccio: Find some corsican food, see a couple Napolean sights. We'd go to one of the adventure parks if someone has extra room.
Villefrance: TBD. Maybe the beach if the weather is good, otherwise sights in Monaco

WOW!!! You must be very organized to be able to do all of these on your own. I am impressed.

Here is our itinerary:

1. Malta - Jeep Safari (DCL)
2. Tunis - Bardo Museum, Carthage, Medina, Sidi Bou Said (DCL)
3. Naples - Private tour with MoneyHappy
4. Rome - Private tour with FloridaPrincess (Driver in Rome)
5. La Spezia - haven't decided yet. I want to do Cinque Terre and my husband want to do Lerci's Castle and Dinosaurs
6. Ajjacio - Beach Break (DCL)
7. Villefranche - Private tour with MoneyHappy (Travel Tour Prestige)

Sounds fun! We are you going on the private tour of Naples?

We're doing the following:

Malta - Explore Valletta ourselves as its all very compact
Tunis - DCL excursion - 1/2 day Carthage and Medina, then pm we'll spend an hour or two exploring area around dock there's supposed to be some interesting fish restaurants
Naples - DCL excursion - Hike Vesuvius and Pompeii (I've been to Pompeii before and really wanted to go up Vesuvius, the schedule for this excursion suited us and is paid for by some of our OBC)
Civitavecchia - Hanging around Civitavecchia - seeing the small number of sights there and will do some shopping. Willikely spend the afternoon kicking around on the almost empty ship. (I think we are going to be one of the few people not going to Rome)
La Spezia - Again hanging around in the port area, there's museums and a marina to chill out in.
Ajaccio - Explore town ourselves, visit the Napoleon sights (some are open some are not)
Villefranche - Going by train or bus to Monaco - walk the F1 circuit, see the sights. Head back to Villefranche and if we have time we will mooch around the old town/beach there.

A nearly empty ship, I think we will all envy you at the end of that day. What's the F1 circuit?

Malta - Dolphin swim at Mediterraneo Marine Park (organised privately)
Tunis - DCL excursion - not sure which one yet (possibly the Beach Break)
Naples - Nothing planned as such. Think we will explore the Port area & enjoy the boat whilst many others are visiting Pompei etc..
Civitavecchia - Taking the train to Rome for DIY visit (Colesseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon etc) Meeting other DISers to walk to the Train Station
La Spezia - Taking the train to Pisa for DIY visit (Climbing the tower)
Ajaccio - Explore town ourselves & possibly 1/2 day on the Beach depending on the weather and/or a trip on the Petit train
Villefranche - Going by train or bus to Monaco - see the F1 circuit, Casino etc.. Explore Villefranche on our own if time

We are going on the DCL beach excursion when in Tunis. I believe it is going to Garrmath-I didn't realize there was another one.

Heres our port plans:
1) Malta- I am scuba diving with crestadive centre while other 5 in party go to blue grotto.
2) Tunis- Disney bardo museum with kids then tunis on our own
3) Naples- Private excursion with limo in rome to pompeii (guide) and amalfi
4) Rome- Private excursion with limo in rome to rome and vatican (guide)
5) La Spezia- Private excursion with limo in rome to florence and piza
6) Corsica- NOT A FRIGGIN CLUE.
7) Villefranche- Private excursion with Revelation to Monte Carlo, Monaco, Eze

My DH is also a certified scuba diver. Did you organize this privately?

Valletta - Private Tour (uPhotoMalta)
Tunis - DCL Jeep 4x4
Naples - Private Tour (Rudy's Touring Service)
La Spezia - Private Tour (Rudy's)
Civitavecchia - Private Tour (Rudy's)
Ajaccio - D-I-Y (Still no firm plans)
Villefranche - Private Tour (Dream Tours)

I see you like the private tours

We are doing:
Malta: On our own-St. John's and Upper Bakkarta Gardens
Tunis: DCL beach break
Naples: DIY-possibly HOHO bus or maybe just pizza and enjoy the ship
La Spezia: DIY-hopefully Cinque Terre if not explore town and enjoy ship
Civitavecchia: Private tour with KDavies29 (driverinrome)
Ajaccio: DCL Tortoise Protection Center with DD
Villefrance: DIY-train to Monaco

 

[rashdecision]

We are thinking about going to Cinque Terre also. how are you getting there?



WOW!!! You must be very organized to be able to do all of these on your own. I am impressed.



Sounds fun! We are you going on the private tour of Naples?



A nearly empty ship, I think we will all envy you at the end of that day. What's the F1 circuit?



We are going on the DCL beach excursion when in Tunis. I believe it is going to Garrmath-I didn't realize there was another one.



My DH is also a certified scuba diver. Did you organize this privately?



I see you like the private tours

We are doing:
Malta: On our own-St. John's and Upper Bakkarta Gardens
Tunis: DCL beach break
Naples: DIY-possibly HOHO bus or maybe just pizza and enjoy the ship
La Spezia: DIY-hopefully Cinque Terre if not explore town and enjoy ship
Civitavecchia: Private tour with KDavies29 (driverinrome)
Ajaccio: DCL Tortoise Protection Center with DD
Villefrance: DIY-train to Monaco

Actually, Jason from the boards contacted them. They have room for more divers if your group would like to go. No sign up necessary, they will be waiting for us off the ship when we arrive. We should finish around 115pm for enough time for a little sight seeing!
rob

 

[kehonuamemano]

Actually, Jason from the boards contacted them. They have room for more divers if your group would like to go. No sign up necessary, they will be waiting for us off the ship when we arrive. We should finish around 115pm for enough time for a little sight seeing!
rob

Thanks! I'll ask my husband. But wait..does this mean he would need to bring all his Scuba gear cuz that's not gonna fit in our carryon

 

[sayhello]

I'm doing the ABD add-on

1) Malta: going to the Island of Gozo & the Crafts Village in Ta'Dbiegi to watch glass blowers
2) Tunisia: Visiting Zaghouan and going to Sidi Jedidi for a lesson on baking Berber bread.
3) Naples: Visiting Agriturismo La Galatea Farm, making our own pizzas for lunch, then sailing to Capri for a land & sea tour & a swim.
4) Rome: guided walking tour of the Vatican City Museum and Sistine Chapel, the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Spanish Steps and the Coliseum.
5) Florence: Michelangelo's "David", the Duomo and a tour of the Grom Gelateria
6) Corsica: Touring a nougat candy factory and visiting some Napolean sites. Going to the Prunelli River Gorges (if it's accessible)
7) Monaco: Tour Monte Carlo and a private tour of the Prince's State Apartments.

Sayhello

 

[jlwhitney]

To: kehonuamemano

For Cinque Terre we are either taking the 9:15 ferry

http://www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it/contatti.asp?lang=eng (website for ferry)

it arrives at the vernazza at like 10:55 (goes one more down cant remeber time)

or we are going to take the 10 o clock train and that gets in at 10 26 into vernazza.


plan is to go to vernazza and then train to corniglia and then hike to the next one and then train back....didnt want to push it by trying to do all 5 towns...i am so excited it looks amazing

let me know if you need anymore info

 

[moneyhappy]

Well the bags are packed, the euros are in, the house is clean, and the laundry is done.

We are flying out tomorrow so I will not be on the board for a few days.

Safe travels everyone and see you soon!

 

[MPS516]

So it seems like Thursday morning is the worst day there is to get anyone to take me to the airport. Everyone has doctor's appointments, meetings they can't miss, etc. So, against my better judgement, I accepted a ride from a friends' sister. Yep, you guessed it, she called me today to tell me "Gee, sorry, but I can't take you to the airport." Seems their Mom, who refuses to move closer (she lives 2 1/2 hours away) but relies on them to help her when she needs it, is getting the cast off her broken arm Wednesday, and the sister is driving up Wednesday to take her to the doctor, and will be driving back on Thursday. Honestly, I'm not surprised, and I suppose it's better for her to cancel on me today than on Thursday.

Sayhello

I used to take the Hilton shuttle to the hotel and get picked up there, kept someone from having to drive to the airport. Also have used high school seniors who were willing to make some money, we have a career center counseling staff who gave me recommendations, they also used to link me with reliable students to help out at our end of school year parties at the lake.