08/08/07 Well, Olbia Monkey's Uncle! We're cruisin' on the 10nt Med Cruise!

[Vailcruiser]

Hi everyone, we do not have our cabin assignment yet either. I guess a lot of DVC's chose a gty vs assigned. I didn't know DCL would do a gty.

Can anyone offer ideas from previous cruises for the gift exchange? Is it a family gift, one for each person or for the children? Do you then go on a reverse scavenger hunt and put items on others (in our group) doors? Sorry, this is ALL new to me!! I was excited to get the magnet on the Member cruise. Jocelyne

 

[momma4v3]

Momma4v3 -
I saw your post about a private tour in LaSpezia (Florence). We also booked one for this port. I was wondering which company you used. We are using prestigerent. They will come to LaSpieza for us, but it made the trip more expensive.

miclen,
Tuscany Tours by Paola & Giuseppe
120 Via San Gallo - 50129 Firenze, Italy
www.florencetour.com - info@florencetour.com

I hope it helps.

 

[2Tinks]

Count us in on the gift exchange, need to come up with some ideas but it is sure sounds fun. Like the other DVC owners we do not have a cabin as of yet, it's guaranteed we're in a category 6, who knows we all could get bumped up.

Vailcruiser - We also have a daughter 7, so now there is 3 little girls who can have a wonderful time together.

Elizabeth

 

[miclen]

miclen,
Tuscany Tours by Paola & Giuseppe
120 Via San Gallo - 50129 Firenze, Italy
www.florencetour.com - info@florencetour.com

I hope it helps.

Thanks for the information. I emailed them for a quote.

 

[scrapycruiser]

Another guide for Florence... Lina w/ Papilliontours.com . We had booked with her, but decided to do DCL's Florence on Your Own. She had to charge extra to pick us up in La Spezia and with the travel time we were only going to have 4 1/2 hours in Florence. Similar to DCL, so we felt the extra cost wasn't worth it. But if anyone wants a priv guide for Florence she might be available. BTW, I understand Paola is excellent...I believe she was an art major !! GINA

 

[pclare]

I am so excited about the gift exchange count us in! My DH and I are in room 8532 with our DD8 and DS13, our oldest DD16 is in room 7054 with grandma. Ahhhh now off to shop for fish extenders and lightweight gifts....Yipppee. ( I have a feeling some time at the ports will have to include gift shopping to avoid luggage weight penalties when we fly to barcelona!)

Thanks for all the work everyone is doing to make this a fantastic cruise.
Pauline

 

[JeanieP]

Hi DISers!

For some reason, I thought our DIS meet was on embarkation day! I did not read carefully. Anyway, I don't believe we will be able to make the DIS Meet at 1:30 on the First Sea Day since we will be enjoying a villa spa treatment and kids will be in the Oceaneer Club.

As we get closer, and if I can figure it out (I probably won't be able to figure it out!), I'll try to post a picture of me and hubby so you at least know what we look like. We are also working on a blog, so I can post that too. If not, we will likely have a door decoration with our family photo, so you can cruise by our cabin and see our faces! Ha ha! ANother clue -- look for a crazy 4 year old boy constantly running away from his mom and dad and that be us!

On my blog, I plan to post some "doing ports on your own" info that I have been gathering. Also, although my hubby and I will not be visiting Florence, for those of you going to Florence, I wanted to mention the Uffizi gallery. The Uffizi is to Florence what the Louvre is to Paris. I know most folks just want to see David at the Accademie museum, but the Uffizi is Florence's loveliest museum, in my opinion, and there hangs the original works by masters Raphael, Botticelli (The Birth of Venus is here and it is SPECTACULAR!), Leonardo, Michaelangelo, just to name a few. And, you can see the Ponte Vechhio and Arno River via the Uffizi's gallery. A truly great museum in my opinion with one of a kind masterpieces...

 

[momma4v3]

Hi DISers!

For some reason, I thought our DIS meet was on embarkation day! I did not read carefully. Anyway, I don't believe we will be able to make the DIS Meet at 1:30 on the First Sea Day since we will be enjoying a villa spa treatment and kids will be in the Oceaneer Club.

As we get closer, and if I can figure it out (I probably won't be able to figure it out!), I'll try to post a picture of me and hubby so you at least know what we look like. We are also working on a blog, so I can post that too. If not, we will likely have a door decoration with our family photo, so you can cruise by our cabin and see our faces! Ha ha! ANother clue -- look for a crazy 4 year old boy constantly running away from his mom and dad and that be us!

On my blog, I plan to post some "doing ports on your own" info that I have been gathering. Also, although my hubby and I will not be visiting Florence, for those of you going to Florence, I wanted to mention the Uffizi gallery. The Uffizi is to Florence what the Louvre is to Paris. I know most folks just want to see David at the Accademie museum, but the Uffizi is Florence's loveliest museum, in my opinion, and there hangs the original works by masters Raphael, Botticelli (The Birth of Venus is here and it is SPECTACULAR!), Leonardo, Michaelangelo, just to name a few. And, you can see the Ponte Vechhio and Arno River via the Uffizi's gallery. A truly great museum in my opinion with one of a kind masterpieces...

I am sorry I will miss you at the dismeet. I am looking forward to meeting everyone!! We are going to the Uffizi with our private tour. We have been to the Accademie before and will go again if we have time but there is too much beautiful art in other places. I cannot wait.

Linda

 

[Vailcruiser]

Count us in on the gift exchange, need to come up with some ideas but it is sure sounds fun. Like the other DVC owners we do not have a cabin as of yet, it's guaranteed we're in a category 6, who knows we all could get bumped up.

Vailcruiser - We also have a daughter 7, so now there is 3 little girls who can have a wonderful time together.

Elizabeth

How great! This is going to be so much fun! Our DD is shy at first, but then when she warms up - look out! She is very energetic and loves to be active with other friends. I can see them running the ship!

Jocelyne

 

[JeanieP]

I am so excited for our girls! My girl is very petite and is missing three of her front baby teeth and is also shy at first, but once she gets to know her friends, is a little ball of energy. We are going to try and sign up for tea with Alice and MadHatter on the second sea day -- we will do this the minute we board the ship at Guest Services. We have done it before, and my girl really enjoys it. Are any of you doing tea wtih Alice?

 

[JeanieP]

2tinks -- I noticed you are on this excursion -- any chance you signed up for the morning trip? I am crossing my fingers because our daughters can play on the beach together.....

 

[sharonrs50]

Hi everyone. I have been having fun reading the trip reports from the Med, and didn't realize that it was so busy here on this thread. I am so excited about this cruise.

Thanks Nordkin for all your work.

Please count us in on the gift exchange. We are another DVC member who don't have a room # yet. Gty category #10. We are hoping for a secret porthole room. We will be at the meet on the sea day.

Here are our excursions:

Palermo - Cefalu
Naples - Amalfi coast drive & Pompeii
Olbia - Train to Gallura
Rome - VIP Vatican & Highlights of Rome
La Spezia - Florence & Michelangelo
Marseille - Arles & Olive Oil Mills of Les Baux

My husband & I having dinner at Palo on Day #5 and brunch on day #2.

Sharon

 

[Vailcruiser]

I am so excited for our girls! My girl is very petite and is missing three of her front baby teeth and is also shy at first, but once she gets to know her friends, is a little ball of energy. We are going to try and sign up for tea with Alice and MadHatter on the second sea day -- we will do this the minute we board the ship at Guest Services. We have done it before, and my girl really enjoys it. Are any of you doing tea wtih Alice?

My DD is really tall and thin. What time do you plan on boarding. We were thinking of being there for 11:30. Yes, she loved the tea although it was with Wendy Darling last time. I will try to do the same, what day will that be? Anyone else want to join us?? - J

 

[sharonrs50]

We are arriving in Barcelona on 08-07. We will be staying at the Hotel Avenida Palace.

Sharon

 

[sharonrs50]

This is all new to me. Can someone please post some more gift exchange ideas. Do we leave gifts at doors every day or every other day? I would appreciate some guidelines.

Thanks,

Sharon

 

[momma4v3]

Hi everyone. I have been having fun reading the trip reports from the Med, and didn't realize that it was so busy here on this thread. I am so excited about this cruise.

Thanks Nordkin for all your work.

Please count us in on the gift exchange. We are another DVC member who don't have a room # yet. Gty category #10. We are hoping for a secret porthole room. We will be at the meet on the sea day.

Here are our excursions:

Palermo - Cefalu
Naples - Amalfi coast drive & Pompeii
Olbia - Train to Gallura
Rome - VIP Vatican & Highlights of Rome
La Spezia - Florence & Michelangelo
Marseille - Arles & Olive Oil Mills of Les Baux

My husband & I having dinner at Palo on Day #5 and brunch on day #2.

Sharon

Sharon,

We are on the same excursions as you in Marseille, Olbia and Palermo. That is cool to know someone else on the tour!

Linda

 

[sharonrs50]

Sharon,

We are on the same excursions as you in Marseille, Olbia and Palermo. That is cool to know someone else on the tour!

Linda

Linda,

I agree. It will make the tours more enjoyable.

I had a really hard time deciding on another excursion after my first one in Palermo got cancelled last week. Cefalu sounds like it will be pretty and interesting.

Sharon

 

[sharonrs50]

We are planning on getting to the ship early to board. I am wondering if it would be a good idea to stay on the ship, or to disembark and try to tour some more in Barcelona. What are people's plans for embarkation day?

Sharon

 

[JeanieP]

My DD is really tall and thin. What time do you plan on boarding. We were thinking of being there for 11:30. Yes, she loved the tea although it was with Wendy Darling last time. I will try to do the same, what day will that be? Anyone else want to join us?? - J

Hi!

The second sea day is Friday, August 17 -- basically our last day on the cruise. Yes! I hope others join us for tea with Alice!! I know they will offer the tea on the first sea day, but we have spa stuff planned during that time.

I think we are planning on getting to the port around 12:00 ish. We will check-in, run around and try to get tea tickets, change Palo dinner reservations (they will be accepting reservations from 12:00 - 4:00 in Palo's on embarkation day), and just vegetate and relax. We won't be going back into Barcelona once on the boat. We hope to just enjoy the ship considering the intensive cruise itinerary and lack of the third sea day. I know that on embarkation day, the official dinner rotations will also begin (we have early seating), and we hope to meet our servers and fellow diners. The menu for that night is Let the Magic Begin. According to the recently published Navigators from the 11 day Med Cruisers, there is also a show on embarkation day called "All Aboard" in the Walt Disney Theater at 6:30 and 8:30 pm. And don't forget the sail away party at 10:00 at Goofy's pool. So, it will be a long night and day -- we are going to try and relax and just catch some sun, if possible.

 

[Vailcruiser]

Hi!

The second sea day is Friday, August 17 -- basically our last day on the cruise. Yes! I hope others join us for tea with Alice!! I know they will offer the tea on the first sea day, but we have spa stuff planned during that time.

I think we are planning on getting to the port around 12:00 ish. We will check-in, run around and try to get tea tickets, change Palo dinner reservations (they will be accepting reservations from 12:00 - 4:00 in Palo's on embarkation day), and just vegetate and relax. We won't be going back into Barcelona once on the boat. We hope to just enjoy the ship considering the intensive cruise itinerary and lack of the third sea day. I know that on embarkation day, the official dinner rotations will also begin (we have early seating), and we hope to meet our servers and fellow diners. The menu for that night is Let the Magic Begin. According to the recently published Navigators from the 11 day Med Cruisers, there is also a show on embarkation day called "All Aboard" in the Walt Disney Theater at 6:30 and 8:30 pm. And don't forget the sail away party at 10:00 at Goofy's pool. So, it will be a long night and day -- we are going to try and relax and just catch some sun, if possible.

We are in "the same boat" Once we board, we are going to relax and explore. Sign up for the tea, try to find previous staff and let it all sink in. We are going to try and see most of Barcelona on the 7th, my DH found a great walking map for people who are there only 24 hours. We will do what we can and then finish up on the 19th. My doctors are telling me 3 1/2 weeks will be great to decrease my stress - not sure if they knew how intense this vacation is becoming. Although one intense day of vacation is better than any work day! - J