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

[mickg7dyd]

Here is a link to the Davidson site.
http://davidsondrifters.blogspot.com/2007/05/day-10-another-day-at-sea.html

Thank's look forward to reading them.

Mick.

 

[scrapycruiser]

momma4v3....looking forward to meeting you and your family and taking the bus with you. Do you know where they let you off ? It would help with our planning.

 

[nordkin]

Sorry I have not been around the last few days, but I have been out of town. It would be wonderful if everyone who recently joined the thread would provide the list of people cruising with ages for the children, I will update the list of cruisers. Those of you who posted early on and have returned, I will also update your information as you are already included on the list of cruisers.

Donna

 

[2Tinks]

2Tinks - DH, DW, DD7 Cat 6, late seating

 

[jillnan]

I've been reading the blogs of the current cruisers in the Med and was surprised to see that the seas have been quite rough. So much so, it affected plumbing for one blogger on deck 8 and also affected evening deck activities.

I expected to read that the transatlantic crossing was rough, however, thought the med was calm - guess I was wrong. I am hoping for smooth sailing during our trip in Aug.

Will be sure to bring Bonine and Ginger.
Any experienced cruisers out there that have sailed in the Med before?

 

[2Tinks]

2Tinks - DH, DW, DD7 - Cat 6, late seating

Sorry I have not been around the last few days, but I have been out of town. It would be wonderful if everyone who recently joined the thread would provide the list of people cruising with ages for the children, I will update the list of cruisers. Those of you who posted early on and have returned, I will also update your information as you are already included on the list of cruisers.

Donna

 

[scrapycruiser]

Does anyone know anything about tux rentals through the ship ? DH has decided he'd rather rent formal wear than pack his suit and dress shoes ! ?

 

[JeanieP]

There are several live blogs going on in the First Med Head trip report. Sounds like Olbia gave them a great welcome with dancers and free food! The bloggers are doing an excellent job of providing details on Disney excursions and do-it-yourself style trips. One blogger really enjoyed the Gallura train ride excursion and another detailed the Palermo excursion to Selinunte and Marinella beach. I tried to post the blog sites, but for some reason failed. Maybe someone with more experience can do that for the rest of the DISers on this thread. Great info and fun to be an armchair tourist.

Sounds like they are having problems with dinner service on the ship -- slow and unpredictable. I hope they iron things out for future cruises. Weather has also been a bit choppy, with some folks getting a little sea sick. The big advice for the day is to bring toilet paper whenever you visit a port-- whether you are visiting on your own or with an excursion.

All in all, bloggers seem very happy and pleased with the trip so far. Someone from the First Med Head cruise is going to scan their Personal Navigators for the rest of us to see. That will be awesome information to receive! I'll keep you posted.

 

[scrapycruiser]

JeannieP...thanks so much for the info ! Haven't found the blogs yet...not even sure what a blog is !!

I found at Bed Bath & Beyond in their travel size products small rolls of toitet paper and bought a couple.

I'll be bringing my Bonine and wrist bands for sure. Between seasickness and jetlag I need all the help I can get. Hope the seas calm down ! GINA

 

[scrapycruiser]

There are several blogs going:
http://icunurse-celeste-travels.blogspot.com/
http://www.allearsnet.com/blogs/debwills/
http://allearsnet.com/blogs/allearsteam/
http://www.allearsnet.com/blogs/guestblog/
http://breighton.qseg.org/

I think I found the blogs,don't know if this helps or not ???? GINA

 

[nordkin]

JeannieP...thanks so much for the info ! Haven't found the blogs yet...not even sure what a blog is !!

I found at Bed Bath & Beyond in their travel size products small rolls of toitet paper and bought a couple.

I'll be bringing my Bonine and wrist bands for sure. Between seasickness and jetlag I need all the help I can get. Hope the seas calm down ! GINA

Target has travel size rolls of Charmin for $0.99. I have bought several of these for our trip.

I have also updated the list of cruisers.

 

[giggles_32181]

Walmart also has those travel size rolls for .99 and the moist one for the kids for 1.29. I bought one of each thinking ya never know. They must make them for a reason. Know I know and I am going back for more.

 

[JeanieP]

Thanks Gina for posting the blogs!!! You are great!! Aren't they full of great info? I noticed there is a group doing Florence and Rome on their own, it will be wonderful hearing about their adventure. The blog from Celeste the ICU Nurse also contains an audio podcast -- she gives FABULOUS tips - like how you can get to Sorrento without the Disney excursion and where to find the best Limoncello and affordable meals. She is traveling with fellow DISer and Blogger WinoTracey, who was very kind to answer several of my questions on the First Med Head Live Trip Report.

I have heard that the seasick wrist bands have proved their worth, and I think I will have to pick some of thos up now, just in case. Thanks for the tips on where to find travel size toilet paper - this is a must have! Don't forget the travel size hand sanitizer too -- sheesh I am already sounding like a crazy American tourist!

 

[UMTerp]

Hello everyone!

Been out sick so I haven't been posting. I just read on another thread about a DIS'er who had their rental car tires slashed. When they stopped and got out one of the thieves stole the woman's purse from the car. Apparently, this is a well-known scam in Barcelona. FYI

UMTerp

 

[scrapycruiser]

UM Terp...hope you'll feel better SOON ! Gosh ! What is it with Barcelona ??We'll be there 3 days...I'm going to be watching for those guys and holding on to my shoulder purse for dear life ! Wonder if it's safe to see the Magic Fountain ??

Glad everyone's enjoying the blogs ! Still can't believe I figured it out
There is someone on the Europe Cruise Critic board that is sailing in the Med on DCL June 6. She is doing a blog ( ? ) or will be while on the cruise just about the cruise from a kids' perspective. At the present she's asking for ideas or questions to address. Check it out ! GINA

 

[nordkin]

Hello everyone!

Been out sick so I haven't been posting. I just read on another thread about a DIS'er who had their rental car tires slashed. When they stopped and got out one of the thieves stole the woman's purse from the car. Apparently, this is a well-known scam in Barcelona. FYI

UMTerp

I read the same post. She also warned about keeping a close eye on your children. Europe is full of gypsies and we have had encounters with them in Florence and Rome. They operate in gangs and from our experience they pick out single people in crowds. I would advise not wearing jewelry that can be snatched, such as necklaces or bracelets and make sure you have your valuables in a bag that is very easy to secure to your body and the strap can not be cut. I do not want to scare anyone, but I do want to make people aware of our past experiences. It is wise to be aware of your surroundings no matter where you are, even at home.

 

[JeanieP]

Some of the bloggers have posted their take on a couple of the Rome excursions. Both excursions sounded great and there weren't too many complaints. I think one was called "Jump Back into Rome" -- sounded well paced and everyone was pleased with the guide and the sites.

I haven't seen anyone post anything regarding doing Rome on their own. Celeste ICUNurse did advise folks to not bring small children into Naples on their own -- she suggested a DCL excursion due to the bad traffic. I have visited Naples a couple of times before, and I do remember the traffic, but we will plan to do Capri on our own via the hydrofoil and take the kiddies with us.

Oh! Don't know yet, because I haven't tried, but one of the bloggers also said that you can find Podcasts on the cruise and the DCL excursions at iTunes. I will check that out tonight! I'll let you know if I find any good info or tips. I also finally figured out how to create my own blog on blogger.com and named it: "Kidscruisemedwithmickey".

Ciao for now!

 

[UMTerp]

I read the same post. She also warned about keeping a close eye on your children. Europe is full of gypsies and we have had encounters with them in Florence and Rome. They operate in gangs and from our experience they pick out single people in crowds.

I have read this as well. Any specifics on how children are targeted? I remember in Mexico we were told to tell our children not to accept anything from another person/child. We were able to prepare them somewhat. Any suggestions?

Gina - thanks for the get-well wishes. I am on the mend!

Have a great weekend everyone!

UMTerp

 

[Pluto 2]

There are several live blogs going on in the First Med Head trip report. Sounds like Olbia gave them a great welcome with dancers and free food! The bloggers are doing an excellent job of providing details on Disney excursions and do-it-yourself style trips. One blogger really enjoyed the Gallura train ride excursion and another detailed the Palermo excursion to Selinunte and Marinella beach. I tried to post the blog sites, but for some reason failed. Maybe someone with more experience can do that for the rest of the DISers on this thread. Great info and fun to be an armchair tourist.

Sounds like they are having problems with dinner service on the ship -- slow and unpredictable. I hope they iron things out for future cruises. Weather has also been a bit choppy, with some folks getting a little sea sick. The big advice for the day is to bring toilet paper whenever you visit a port-- whether you are visiting on your own or with an excursion.

All in all, bloggers seem very happy and pleased with the trip so far. Someone from the First Med Head cruise is going to scan their Personal Navigators for the rest of us to see. That will be awesome information to receive! I'll keep you posted.

ya i heard europeans use their hands to wipe.

 

[nordkin]

I have read this as well. Any specifics on how children are targeted? I remember in Mexico we were told to tell our children not to accept anything from another person/child. We were able to prepare them somewhat. Any suggestions?

Gina - thanks for the get-well wishes. I am on the mend!

Have a great weekend everyone!

UMTerp

Years ago when we were in Florence and Rome they were warning people to keep a close eye on their children because they can be targets and some children were snatched. I am not saying this is the case today, but I would have conversations with children about the dangers of wandering any distance from you as well as not accepting anything from anyone other than you. Just use the same precautions there as you would at home.