4/24/2010 Med cruise: Friends, Romans, Countrymen lend me your Ears

[grlzmom]

Good morning Jeanne! I was just about to head into bed when I read your message.

The only thing keeping me laughing about the whole thing is the thought of the group of us in line waiting to get off with all our luggage munching on breakfast while we're waiting!

At least we are not alone but boy I do NOT like the idea of having to drag my luggage with me.

 

[NC_Tink]

Thanks Lubi for the info. As we're going from city centre to city centre, we thought we'd consider it.

Hey Belinda -- I was actually wrong on price and time to get from one to the other. I haven't done it in many years - so forgive me. I just looked on the Amtrak website and fare for 4 adults and 4 children on a regionale train runs about $430 one way (I priced for this Feb. - since you can't look up prices for December yet). The trip is approximately 3.5 hours and will take you from NYC - Penn Station right into Washington DC - Union Station. Sorry for the misinformation I will tell you, however, that the Regionale train is not overly comfortable and can be very crowded depending on time and date. Now, you can upgrade to business class seats for about $288 (for your entire party) - this would give you a nicer trip. But, that's just my opinion

Like I said, JetBlue flies JFK to DC - Dulles for about $59 (w/taxes and fees) - so the fares are really comparable there. But, Dulles is about 26 miles from downtown DC and you would need to find ground transportation from the airport. There are several options available.

Good luck!

 

[Brooklyn]

I can't comprehend 14 bags Where did you put them all in your staterooms?

The problem for me is always bringing back way more than I take (especially with girls who love to shop). Too bad there isn't an economical shipping stuff back home option for after the cruise.......

We fit them under the bed and various other places between our 2 staterooms. We also couped them together so there were not 14 that needed places.

For those leaving on the early flights out of BCN. As stated before we did this through DCL. There were about 6 buses waiting outside. These were for those who booked air through Disney and those that didnt but bought transfers. You will be lumped in with all of their people who bought air, I hope. They did have topsiders open super early for us. I will go back and see if I can find the paper explaining our early morning "fun".

As the pp said about BCN it really is awful. I can only imagine how bad it is now bc of the extra security. I know on the Delta flight we were on we had to wait in the terminal area, then board buses to get to the plane itself. Just one more thing that adds time. I have no idea if every airlines is like that I just know that is what we had to do.

 

[Happy Goofy]

We are still looking to share a van in these cities. If anyone has room for two more please let us know.We are pretty flexible in the places we want to see. Also may be interesed in sharing in some of the other ports.

 

[uwo93]

Last cruise in Naples, we did Pompeii (definitely worth it for those who have not been). For this cruise, thinking about Capri (and Sorrento if there is time). Anyone else heading that way? What are your plans? Must sees?

In Tunis, planning on taking train to Carthage on our own if we can past the tour operators and taxi drivers. Sounds like the train station is near the port: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1004051

 

[carpenta]

Would love to hear about your previous excursions to Rome, Florence and Naples!

Here goes:

Rome we took the excursion that sounds the same as "Classical Rome" listed this trip. Our trip took in St.Peters the Musuem and the Best ever PRIVATE viewing of the Sistine Chapel. There was only a couple hundred people and it was remarkable. We even got to take pictures and video which during business hours is fobidden. The guards said since it was private they did not care. We toured Rome from the bus and walked primarily around the Vatican. Great lunch included. Don't forget that in Europe the mid-day meal is the largest.
We were on the "Timeless Pompeii and the Flavor of Sorrento". This was my favorite for first we went on a drive along the coast.The drivers are truely the best in the world and I would never want to try that drive. Blind corners with tunnels and narrow roads with drops of a couple hundred feet to the water make it exciting. Sit on the passenger side of the bus for the best view. We went to Sorrento and viewed a wood inlay shop and then we had about an hour free time to discover the town. We met back up and were taken to a local lemon and olive farm for lunch. First we were shown how mottzerella is made and then proceeded to lunch under a conopy on local cheeses,cold cuts, farm made wines(yum) and a choice of entree. After barely being able to move we went on to Pompeii and were met by our guide,given head sets to listen to our guide which was great so you could take your time to view the unbelievable ruins. Our guide was the best and was great with our daughter as well as the other kids in the group. After the afternoon tour we had cappachino and pie, boarded the bus and back to Naples. It was one of the best trips we took.
Florence we took "Discovering Florence" tour. We met our guide downtown Florence and took a "spirited" tour of the Duomo" as well as the historic markets and Bridge.Then we went to have a 7 course meal in a local resturaunt that was a choice of osso bucco, rabbit or chicken as well as pasta, appetizer,ann wine with the meal. Fabulous lunch. After we reboarded and discovered the "artist side" of the city. It was a big day for our guide covered alot of the city and we saw most everything you can in one day.Slept well that night.
Villefranche we took the "Monaco,Monte Carlo and Eze tour". Another ride along the beautiful sea side. It was nice to see but the highlight to us was the town of Eze. Beautiful ancient stone town built high on the top of a "mount" overlooking the Med. I don't gamble so I was not impressed with the Casino but Monaco was a nice little city that is easily traversed by foot.
The tour companies that we took were "Trumpy Tours". They were first class and we felt well worth the monies. I hope they are the same company in Italy and France. Yet I don't know about that. We have toured Barcelona with another cruise line and can recommend Mount Serrate(spell?). It is a monestary high in the hills and is a great tour but if it is your first time in Barcelona take in the city. It is very easy to get around and you can walk most every where and the subway is quite safe. Also there is a tour bus line you pay one price,jump on and off and has headphones that narrate the areas you are in at the time.In all languages. Dine on some great tapas.
Because it was 2007 I tried to match up what is listed today to those we took. I can't promise the ones we took are exactly the same but pretty close.
Hope that helps. Joseph

 

[carpenta]

Last cruise in Naples, we did Pompeii (definitely worth it for those who have not been). For this cruise, thinking about Capri (and Sorrento if there is time). Anyone else heading that way? What are your plans? Must sees?



Hi uwo93. We took a tour of Capri this past spring with another cruise line. Beautiful island and worth the trip. Although the ferry can be rough and our day it was rocking and rolling, But we got there and the view from the top of the island is breathtaking. Sorrento is also great and just wrote about our trip there with Disney in "07.

 

[skoi]

uwo93:

We would be interested in meeting up and trying the Carthage train with you, if you're interested in the company, at least for the trip out. I speak a little bit of Arabic so I might even be useful. And when I say a little bit, I mean a little bit.
كنعرف شوية العربية
(kan'ref shwiya alarabia- I know a little Arabic). Beyond that, nothing useful except numbers and small talk. I can buy train tickets, at least in Moroccan Arabic. I'm hoping it will work for Tunisia.

Julie

 

[grlzmom]

Here goes:

Rome we took the excursion that sounds the same as "Classical Rome" listed this trip. Our trip took in St.Peters the Musuem and the Best ever PRIVATE viewing of the Sistine Chapel. There was only a couple hundred people and it was remarkable. We even got to take pictures and video which during business hours is fobidden. The guards said since it was private they did not care. We toured Rome from the bus and walked primarily around the Vatican. Great lunch included. Don't forget that in Europe the mid-day meal is the largest.
We were on the "Timeless Pompeii and the Flavor of Sorrento". This was my favorite for first we went on a drive along the coast.The drivers are truely the best in the world and I would never want to try that drive. Blind corners with tunnels and narrow roads with drops of a couple hundred feet to the water make it exciting. Sit on the passenger side of the bus for the best view. We went to Sorrento and viewed a wood inlay shop and then we had about an hour free time to discover the town. We met back up and were taken to a local lemon and olive farm for lunch. First we were shown how mottzerella is made and then proceeded to lunch under a conopy on local cheeses,cold cuts, farm made wines(yum) and a choice of entree. After barely being able to move we went on to Pompeii and were met by our guide,given head sets to listen to our guide which was great so you could take your time to view the unbelievable ruins. Our guide was the best and was great with our daughter as well as the other kids in the group. After the afternoon tour we had cappachino and pie, boarded the bus and back to Naples. It was one of the best trips we took.
Florence we took "Discovering Florence" tour. We met our guide downtown Florence and took a "spirited" tour of the Duomo" as well as the historic markets and Bridge.Then we went to have a 7 course meal in a local resturaunt that was a choice of osso bucco, rabbit or chicken as well as pasta, appetizer,ann wine with the meal. Fabulous lunch. After we reboarded and discovered the "artist side" of the city. It was a big day for our guide covered alot of the city and we saw most everything you can in one day.Slept well that night.
Villefranche we took the "Monaco,Monte Carlo and Eze tour". Another ride along the beautiful sea side. It was nice to see but the highlight to us was the town of Eze. Beautiful ancient stone town built high on the top of a "mount" overlooking the Med. I don't gamble so I was not impressed with the Casino but Monaco was a nice little city that is easily traversed by foot.
The tour companies that we took were "Trumpy Tours". They were first class and we felt well worth the monies. I hope they are the same company in Italy and France. Yet I don't know about that. We have toured Barcelona with another cruise line and can recommend Mount Serrate(spell?). It is a monestary high in the hills and is a great tour but if it is your first time in Barcelona take in the city. It is very easy to get around and you can walk most every where and the subway is quite safe. Also there is a tour bus line you pay one price,jump on and off and has headphones that narrate the areas you are in at the time.In all languages. Dine on some great tapas.
Because it was 2007 I tried to match up what is listed today to those we took. I can't promise the ones we took are exactly the same but pretty close.
Hope that helps. Joseph

Thanks for the great review! Always nice to read what others did for tours and get ideas and makes me more excited for the trip!

Eze sounds really pretty and how great you had such an experience in the Sistine Chapel!

 

[Lyrah]

Last cruise in Naples, we did Pompeii (definitely worth it for those who have not been). For this cruise, thinking about Capri (and Sorrento if there is time). Anyone else heading that way? What are your plans? Must sees?

In Tunis, planning on taking train to Carthage on our own if we can past the tour operators and taxi drivers. Sounds like the train station is near the port: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1004051

We are planning on going to Capri. We have visited there before but had to leave shortly after arriving as my daughter became ill. I loved it and can't wait to go back and see some of the places we couldn't make it to. Here are our plans:

We will take a hydrofoil right from the port.

Once arriving at Marina Grande we will buy the transportation pass. It is around 7.00 euro each and includes the funicular up and back down, and the busses. We rode the busses last time and it was a very easy and super cheap way to get around.

First we are going to Anacapri. From there we will take the chairlifts (8.00 euro) to Monte Solaro (best view) and check out the Barbarossa Castle (Red Beard).
We could possibly go to the Villa San Michele in Anacapri.

Next we will head to the Marina Piccola for a quick view.

Then back to the Capri area. I think we will see the Blue Grotto this time. If you go to the Blue Grotto via the road access, the fee is only 10 euro and you do not have to change boats. We could possibly change this up for a boat ride around the Faraglioni Rocks for 12 euro.

And then last we want to walk around Capri and the Augustus Gardens.

Hope this is helpful

Charyl Lee

 

[uwo93]

Lyrah, great plan. Thanks for the info.

Skoi - strength in numbers? Sounds good.

 

[skoi]

We're planning Nice for Villefranche, but did consider taking the bus to Eze. I think by then, we'll be completely worn out.

Julie

 

[TheCruisers]

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with Pompeii vs Herculaneum?

We had planned on the Pompeii excursion, but my Doctor mentioned Herculaneum as a place to see and looking at the pictures Im thinking we should change. Not sure if the 2 are even caparable.

Thanks
Eleasa

 

[auntlynne]

I was leaning toward Herculaneum; the people frozen in that moment of terror seems a bit creepy (Pompeii). If I were to go to Pompeii, it would be that my grandfather was there around 1919 as a soldier aboard a US Army hospital ship.

But now the descriptions of Capri are tempting and a drive along the Amalfi Coast is supposed to be spectacular.

 

[auntlynne]

carpenta - is that the way you pronounce "carpenter" in New England?

Mighty nice to meet more of our fellow cruisers - Welcome y'all

Lynne

 

[auntlynne]

I just sent off an email about lanyards to determine if we could use a stylized Mickey Mouse hat in the imprinted logo.

I was planning on "Friends, Romans, Countrymen - Lend Me Your Ears" and use the ears image in lieu of the word Ears."

They are on sale now and I plan on getting 150 - we gave a group of 79 (+ mehaul's cabin - don't know there # of passengers), 13 of whom have joined in the last two weeks. I imagine we will have a few more joiners in the next 3 months.

Julie - do you want to edit the title of post #1 to read "Friends, Romans, Countrymen - Lend Me Your Ears" where it currently has "(insert snappy title here)" ?

 

[Michelle2]

Here goes:

Rome we took the excursion that sounds the same as "Classical Rome" listed this trip. Our trip took in St.Peters the Musuem and the Best ever PRIVATE viewing of the Sistine Chapel. There was only a couple hundred people and it was remarkable. We even got to take pictures and video which during business hours is fobidden. The guards said since it was private they did not care. We toured Rome from the bus and walked primarily around the Vatican. Great lunch included. Don't forget that in Europe the mid-day meal is the largest.
We were on the "Timeless Pompeii and the Flavor of Sorrento". This was my favorite for first we went on a drive along the coast.The drivers are truely the best in the world and I would never want to try that drive. Blind corners with tunnels and narrow roads with drops of a couple hundred feet to the water make it exciting. Sit on the passenger side of the bus for the best view. We went to Sorrento and viewed a wood inlay shop and then we had about an hour free time to discover the town. We met back up and were taken to a local lemon and olive farm for lunch. First we were shown how mottzerella is made and then proceeded to lunch under a conopy on local cheeses,cold cuts, farm made wines(yum) and a choice of entree. After barely being able to move we went on to Pompeii and were met by our guide,given head sets to listen to our guide which was great so you could take your time to view the unbelievable ruins. Our guide was the best and was great with our daughter as well as the other kids in the group. After the afternoon tour we had cappachino and pie, boarded the bus and back to Naples. It was one of the best trips we took.
Florence we took "Discovering Florence" tour. We met our guide downtown Florence and took a "spirited" tour of the Duomo" as well as the historic markets and Bridge.Then we went to have a 7 course meal in a local resturaunt that was a choice of osso bucco, rabbit or chicken as well as pasta, appetizer,ann wine with the meal. Fabulous lunch. After we reboarded and discovered the "artist side" of the city. It was a big day for our guide covered alot of the city and we saw most everything you can in one day.Slept well that night.
Villefranche we took the "Monaco,Monte Carlo and Eze tour". Another ride along the beautiful sea side. It was nice to see but the highlight to us was the town of Eze. Beautiful ancient stone town built high on the top of a "mount" overlooking the Med. I don't gamble so I was not impressed with the Casino but Monaco was a nice little city that is easily traversed by foot.
The tour companies that we took were "Trumpy Tours". They were first class and we felt well worth the monies. I hope they are the same company in Italy and France. Yet I don't know about that. We have toured Barcelona with another cruise line and can recommend Mount Serrate(spell?). It is a monestary high in the hills and is a great tour but if it is your first time in Barcelona take in the city. It is very easy to get around and you can walk most every where and the subway is quite safe. Also there is a tour bus line you pay one price,jump on and off and has headphones that narrate the areas you are in at the time.In all languages. Dine on some great tapas.
Because it was 2007 I tried to match up what is listed today to those we took. I can't promise the ones we took are exactly the same but pretty close.
Hope that helps. Joseph

It really helps! So the Rome tour you went on where you had the private tour inside the Sistine Chapel, was that through Disney? Did you know that it was going to be private before you got there? I would LOVE to get pictures/video of it!!

 

[Michelle2]

Thanks Lubi for the info. As we're going from city centre to city centre, we thought we'd consider it.

I am rather upset at DCL at the moment. The TA called on my behalf with regard to any priorities/special arrangements for those with early flights. She was told that unfortunately, they can not make any special accommodations. We will be able to disembark at 7:00 AM. They recommended that I disembark as
early as possible. When the TA mentioned DCL having booked a passenger on the sailing a 10am flight, they went into denial mode and they said that is very strange since they haven't released the air scheduled for these sailings and won't until 45 days prior.

Why can't they behave like other cruiselines? The ones we've been on arrange their passengers disembarking based on flight schedules. They don't make them skip breakfast and carry their own luggage down. When I cruised celebrity, the luggage of those with the earliest flights were especially tagged and set aside in one area. I feel so frustrated.

Me too. I hate it when they do that!!! If they don't watch their act, they will lose alot of customers to other cruiselines. I know that I have known some people that have left them for good.

For those with early flights, I thought I'd post this. This is from someone on cruisecritic...

"Just off ship on Sunday. We were on CO flight to EWR at 10:30. anyone providing info to you on a trip prior to 12/24 doesn't have the correct info so just beware of the new flight rules for US bound flts. Basically, So long as the ship arrival in BCN is on time, you will be able to make a 10:30 flight. We were off the ship by 6a.m and at the airport by 6:45. we didn't take our own luggage off and we took the NCL bus to the airport. the airline check in counters only open 3 hours prior to flight. Beware of this NOW in BCN. There are 3 checkpoints to consider. First, normal security, 2nd, border checkpoint, 3rd and WORST, checkpoint for flts departing to US. complete hand search of EVERY carry on article and body search. I do mean EVERY.
Our flt. was delayed due to airport screw up but nonetheless expect 2 hours for all of the above. Don't dilly dally in the shops. go to the gate as soon as you can. Really."

That is great information. I will probably be right down there with everyone too....

Good morning Jeanne! I was just about to head into bed when I read your message.

The only thing keeping me laughing about the whole thing is the thought of the group of us in line waiting to get off with all our luggage munching on breakfast while we're waiting!

I will be there too!!

We fit them under the bed and various other places between our 2 staterooms. We also couped them together so there were not 14 that needed places.

For those leaving on the early flights out of BCN. As stated before we did this through DCL. There were about 6 buses waiting outside. These were for those who booked air through Disney and those that didnt but bought transfers. You will be lumped in with all of their people who bought air, I hope. They did have topsiders open super early for us. I will go back and see if I can find the paper explaining our early morning "fun".

As the pp said about BCN it really is awful. I can only imagine how bad it is now bc of the extra security. I know on the Delta flight we were on we had to wait in the terminal area, then board buses to get to the plane itself. Just one more thing that adds time. I have no idea if every airlines is like that I just know that is what we had to do.

I remember that.....I also remember people from the same TA with DCL were not quite so happy and friendly anymore.

 

[linkandclover]

May I ask my American friends your thoughts on flying vs taking the train from New York to Washington DC in Jan for a group of 4 adults and 6 children (aged 2-8)?

We live about 20 minutes outside of DC and if you are planning to fly I would definitely recommend landing at Regan National as opposed to Dulles airport. Traffic here is horrendous and rush hour can truly be all day long and in every direction. This could potentially add another hour or hour and a half to your travels and potentially 80 to 100 dollars to your cost. Also if you need any information about the DC area let me know as we have been here for over 10 years and I can bring you some information if you want (just beware the weather here in January is highly unpredictable).

 

[shushh]

Thank you linkandclover! That is very generous of you. Our trip is still a fair way away but I thought I'd start looking into transport so that I know what kind of specials I should be looking out for! I have to be honest, it took me a while to work out where all the different airports were (eg 3 in NY). This plus the combinations of the different airlines gave me a big headache. One of the joys of Australia having a small population is 1 major airport per major city (and there's not too many of those too...) with limited airline options! Easy to plan but not so competitive with price.

What would be nice to know though are your recommendations of good places to go for food!