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

[nordkin]

Nordkin.........I guess you can clear the air traffic for us since you are leaving earlier. I could see Bethesda, MD but thought you were from MD. And the countdown is closing in.

I do live in Maryland, but work in Virginia. I live 20 minutes from National airport, 25 minutes from Dulles, and 40 minutes from BWI. So many choices, but the best deals were out of Dulles. I also get free parking at Dulles because my brother owns a cargo business there and I park in his lot which is just behind the daily parking garage. Every penny saved is more to spend on the cruise.

 

[Rat-a-too-ee]

Dyan...I checked with my husband and he said in the past when we've booked cruises using DVC points the taxes and port charges were include.We've never been charged extra for that.

Have you received your DOCS ? Wondered if we might get them after everybody else since we used points ??? GINA

Gina,

Thanks so much for the info on port charges. What a relief! Yes, I just got my documents by UPS 2nd Day Air yesterday, I am about 50 miles outside of Chicago and they came from Kissimmee, FL.

I just thought of a new question for those who recently returned from the med - any updates on the Naples garbage situation?

Dyan

 

[TeamHamer]

Nordkin............ We are departing SFO with United on Aug 4th connecting in Frankfurt to Barcelona. We may be on the same Lufthansa Flt 4454 on Aug 5to Barcelona.

We received our docs yesterday!! We cannot wait.

Maureen

 

[nordkin]

Nordkin............ We are departing SFO with United on Aug 4th connecting in Frankfurt to Barcelona. We may be on the same Lufthansa Flt 4454 on Aug 5to Barcelona.

We received our docs yesterday!! We cannot wait.

Maureen

We are on Lufthansa 4452 out of Frankfurt to Barcelona and United 916 from IAD to Frankfurt. I tried to get seat assignments for the Lufthansa flight and Lufthansa told me they do seat assignments at the gate for flights within Europe. I don't like it, but I guess I have to live with it. Our United flight is full, but with our FF status I was able to move us to Economy Plus. Business and first were full so I had no chance at an upgrade.

 

[UMTerp]

UMTerp -- we are flying out 8/6 on Iberia leaving at 6:00 pm and staying at the AC Barcelona. And you? I have to drive out past IAD twice a week for my daughter's cheerleading practice and keep thinking only a few more drive bys before we are flying out.

We transfer to Iberia in Heathrow on 8/7 and then fly into Barcelona from there. We are staying at the Hispano 7 Suiza apartments. Wow, you drive far for you DD's practices! She must be good!

Can't wait!

UMTerp

 

[Cinderella1001]

UMTerp -- we have a direct flight with one stop in Madrid but we get to stay on the flight thankgoodness.

Actually my DD does All-star competitive cheer (Level 5 top level for tumbling) It's the cheerleading competitions you see on ESPN. She has performed as an individual, with stunt team and also with her regular team. She has won many awards/trophies, jackets, and medals for her accomplishments. Heck, her stunt group performed at Wide World of Sports as a junior group competiting against senior girls, and came in 8th out of 16 teams. The older girls had no idea they could do the tricks they did. We have fun though. Legacy (cheer team) is closer than her old team (Maryland Twisters near BWI) We traveled over 1 1/2 hrs each way to get to practice 3 - 4 times a week. Her new team is much closer only 45 min. A few years ago we had to cancel a Disney cruise because there was a competition the day of the sailing. Boy were we bummed. Thank goodness this one is during the summer.

 

[nordkin]

Docs arrived in Maryland today. We received ours in Bethesda and my mother received hers in Temple Hills. It is definitely getting close. We leave a week from Saturday.

 

[miclen]

We recieved our Docs here in Southern California today too!!

We are leaving on Friday Aug 3rd and also go through IAD. Sounds like a lot of us will be passing though there. We are flying on to Rome though. We decided to spend a few days there first since we really wanted to see it. Then onto Barcelona and the cruise!! Can't wait.....but I am starting to stress about getting ready!

 

[scrapycruiser]

THEY'RE HERE !!!

I hope they never stop mailing out DOCS. We've been cruising for 30 years and I always get excited when they arrive !! It's funny how DOCS have changed over the years.

We leave a week from Sat ,also !

GINA

 

[Vailcruiser]

YEAH Sounds like the documents are arriving!!

Anxiously waiting for my sister to call with news of a new baby, she is having him today so that we can see him before we leave (she could pick a day within this week). Had massages to hopefully get us ready to destress and all we need to do is get to Boston - 48 hours for us.

Using DVC points - port charges all included in points - tips are not (unless it's the Member cruise and then everything is included).

Here is a new posting from someone on the sailing today, (the same person who gave me the water tips - I will ask about Naples garbage). Gina you mentioned how things have changed - it's amazing we can ask and receive messages from the ships.



Well, we were until today (just kidding about the today part.) They ran out of Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream on the ship and all they have left is Chocolate. I don't like plain chocloate. What to do??????? Guess I'll have to get my vanilla at dinner. Oh, terrible days, having to wait for dinner.....

Weather has been absolutely fabulous here but hot and humid. Amost 100 in Rome yesterday. Showered a little today at La Spezia but it's now sunny, about 80 with humidity but a great breeze.

If you take the Rome trips, make sure you take a bottle of water with you. You will need it to keep yourself hydrated which is very important at any of the tours. You will also be able to refill with "mountain spring mineral water" at any of the Rome fountains (this is the only city where you want to do this.)

Hope you have as great a time on your August trip as we have been having on our July trip.

 

[nordkin]

Nordkin............ We are departing SFO with United on Aug 4th connecting in Frankfurt to Barcelona. We may be on the same Lufthansa Flt 4454 on Aug 5to Barcelona.

We received our docs yesterday!! We cannot wait.

Maureen

I called Lufthansa again this evening about our seats. They had us as all wanting window seats. They did change that to at least one aisle seat and to seat everyone together. I was also told United would check us through and assign seats when we check in at IAD. Coming back we have to check in at the counter and can not check in on line since we are connecting to United. They also advised getting to the airport in Barcelona 1 1/2 hours before the flight. We are planning on getting there earlier than that if possible since we have a 10:50 flight and are using Disney transfers.

 

[ladyvet]

We got our stuff on Monday too. Have I mentioned on this thread that we are also moving into our new home this week? How's that for ultimate stress?

We're still trying to get the security system working and the loan closed and the driveway paved.................. you get the drift.

Two questions:
1) Do I understand that if we are headed to a Disney-reserved hotel that we need to be reunited with our luggage at the airport?
2) I read somewhere on this board about buying wine in Barcelona to "sneak" onboard. Does anyone remember where there is a convenient place to buy wine in Barcelona? Also (corollary to question #2), is there a corking fee in the restaurants, and if so, what is it?

I've always gotten the wine package before, but I thought we might branch out this time
Beth

 

[nordkin]

We got our stuff on Monday too. Have I mentioned on this thread that we are also moving into our new home this week? How's that for ultimate stress?

We're still trying to get the security system working and the loan closed and the driveway paved.................. you get the drift.

Two questions:
1) Do I understand that if we are headed to a Disney-reserved hotel that we need to be reunited with our luggage at the airport?
2) I read somewhere on this board about buying wine in Barcelona to "sneak" onboard. Does anyone remember where there is a convenient place to buy wine in Barcelona? Also (corollary to question #2), is there a corking fee in the restaurants, and if so, what is it?

I've always gotten the wine package before, but I thought we might branch out this time
Beth

Congratulations on the new house. I don't know about the wine, but you have to claim your luggage at the airport to go through customs.

 

[jillnan]

We just got back last week. Do not put your tags on, until the morning you leave your hotel. Also for last minute tours, Presto tours is great. We did Rome on our own, through them...and had a great time. Have fun, I know we did....

Thanks so much for the info. I appreciate it.

Jill

 

[UMTerp]

2) I read somewhere on this board about buying wine in Barcelona to "sneak" onboard. Does anyone remember where there is a convenient place to buy wine in Barcelona? Also (corollary to question #2), is there a corking fee in the restaurants, and if so, what is it?

Congrats on the new house! Wow! What alot of excitement all at once!

You don't have to sneak wine onboard. DCL allows it in your carryon bag. I have done this many times before. You may want to post to the Trip Reports section to ask about where to buy your wine. If I remember correctly the corking fee is $15.00. We have never done that. We just have a glass in our stateroom before heading to dinner if we want wine.

Oh, forgot to say - WE GOT DOCS TOO!!!!

UMTerp

 

[Vailcruiser]

From the boat:

We walked the streets of Napoli and didn't find anything out of the ordinary in reference to garbage. Didn't see any piled up in the streets we walked on. We were there on Saturday the 21st. Ship docked about 7:00 am with ashore at 7:30 and all aboard at 7:30 PM. We were on shore from about 11:00 until 3:00 PM.

They showed Pirates - At World's End for the evening show however YMMV on what they do.

Today we did the train from Villefranche to Monte Carlo. Did enjoy the approximately 20 minute ride after about a 1/2 mile walk to the train after the tender in to the shore.

Saw the Casino, but because we were there early in the day, there were only slots open and no table games in the casinos. Shucks.

 

[Vailcruiser]

Farewell! Wishing everyone safe travels. We look forward to meeting all of you at the DISmeet on August 8. Until then ....

Jocelyne

 

[nordkin]

Farewell! Wishing everyone safe travels. We look forward to meeting all of you at the DISmeet on August 8. Until then ....

Jocelyne

Have a safe trip. See you on the 8th.

 

[Rat-a-too-ee]

Vailcruiser - thank you so much for the garbage update. I will keep the plans to go on the Magnificent Naples tour.

Dyan

 

[CluelessSanFran]

Have a safe trip. See you on the 8th.

Hi Donna,

Just wanted to double check with you that there are 19 families participating in the gift exchanges? Also, I have never used a calling card before. Could you buy a card from the U.S. and use it in Europe? Sorry for my ignorance.

Clueless