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

[skoi]

Roll call is updated, and it should be in color! But maybe not.

The dinner went well. He said he liked the food, but he's so polite, it might have been the worst food he ever had and he would have pretended to like it.

Lots of work, and I ended up dropping the beef bstilla (which is okay, because I mainly made it for my kids) and had to scoop it back up off the floor. There was filo dough everywhere.

Anyway, we still have our company, and I'm off to do something for brunch.

Julie

 

[shushh]

Belinda, we have done both, fly/train from NY to DC. My kids love to take the train (weird I know) and with having to get to airport early and stuff it doesn't really end up taking too much more time vs the train.

Jeanne, do you by any chance know if you can check luggage in at Penn Station? The Amtrak site says that its only available at certain station. And what actually happens? Is there somewhere special you have to go when you board and when you arrive at your destination?

 

[shushh]

Lots of work, and I ended up dropping the beef bstilla (which is okay, because I mainly made it for my kids) and had to scoop it back up off the floor. There was filo dough everywhere
Julie

Eeek!!! Glad it othewise went well. Enjoy brunch!

 

[shushh]

Been researching laundry...sad I know. But because we pack light, we usually wash once or twice on our holidays.

So detergent is available onboard for $2 per load. Is that correct? I hate paying so much for something I know I can get cheaper but I don't want to drag detergent all around the world either!

I saw on the main board a while ago a product called purex 3 in 1. It sounded fantastic! But sadly we can't get it here in Australia!

 

[grlzmom]

Been researching laundry...sad I know. But because we pack light, we usually wash once or twice on our holidays.

So detergent is available onboard for $2 per load. Is that correct? I hate paying so much for something I know I can get cheaper but I don't want to drag detergent all around the world either!

I saw on the main board a while ago a product called purex 3 in 1. It sounded fantastic! But sadly we can't get it here in Australia!

Purex 3 in 1 is easy to get here, I can get a box for you in Walmart and bring it if you want. It is nice for travel. Read reviews on it, some people don't like it. My college dd uses it all the time and loves it.

Laundry very easy to do on the ship (several floors have laundry rooms) 2 dollars a load. Don't need cash you swipe your key card and charged to your room. You can also send out the laundry and DCL will do it but expensive.

We do however like the pressing services offered by DCL and send all our clean but wrinkly dress clothes out to be ironed.

Baggage service on Amtrak depends on where you are traveling to (I think or used to anyway). They check it and you claim it afterwards. We have traveled on commuter trains with ALL our luggage that did NOT have baggage service and were able to shove it all in overhead bins and in front of us.

 

[grlzmom]

Roll call is updated, and it should be in color! But maybe not.

The dinner went well. He said he liked the food, but he's so polite, it might have been the worst food he ever had and he would have pretended to like it.

Lots of work, and I ended up dropping the beef bstilla (which is okay, because I mainly made it for my kids) and had to scoop it back up off the floor. There was filo dough everywhere.

Anyway, we still have our company, and I'm off to do something for brunch.

Julie

Julie, I bet the food was great! Sorry about the beef bstilla.

Forgot my roll call info is:

Jeanne, dh - Eric, dd18 Kayti, dd15 Kelsey, dd13 Emliy, dd8 Chloe, dd7 Bella and ds7 Nick. No rooms yet, GTY 12s.

Late Dining

 

[grlzmom]

Jeanne, do you by any chance know if you can check luggage in at Penn Station? The Amtrak site says that its only available at certain station. And what actually happens? Is there somewhere special you have to go when you board and when you arrive at your destination?

There used to be some Amtrak discussion boards that were pretty active, don't know if they are still around but used to be

 

[shushh]

Jeanne, so many things to thank you for! I found the Amtrak forum. I also emailed Amtrak directly to find out more about checked luggage. If it isn't too much trouble and it doesn't take up too much space, I will take you up on your offer for the Purex-3-in-1. Just let me know how much and I will give you the money. We'll need US dollars for the cruise and for Tunis anyway.

 

[grlzmom]

Jeanne, so many things to thank you for! I found the Amtrak forum. I also emailed Amtrak directly to find out more about checked luggage. If it isn't too much trouble and it doesn't take up too much space, I will take you up on your offer for the Purex-3-in-1. Just let me know how much and I will give you the money. We'll need US dollars for the cruise and for Tunis anyway.

I will bring you the Purex, no problem. I'm not worried about the dollars but if you have any extra Australian currency/coins, we kind of collect from everywhere and would love something Australian to add to our collection

 

[shushh]

if you have any extra Australian currency/coins, we kind of collect from everywhere and would love something Australian to add to our collection

That can easily be done!

 

[linkandclover]

Thanks for the Purex recommendation. It sounds like a great idea. I'll try it out at home first and see if it is as good as it sounds.

 

[grlzmom]

That can easily be done!

Yeah! Thanks would be great!

 

[goofprincess]

First day back to work 9-5 routine earning excursion dollars. I have been off on a leave of absence . I learned a few things about myself: I like structure, I miss working and talking to people and third I missed the extras like pedicures the most! With all the walking and up and down of this repetitive office job, I am sure to loose a few lbs.

It is good to be out of the house and off the couch. Anyhow, my house was getting way too much cleaning.

 

[Happy Goofy]

Does anyone have any information on the following company Italy Our Way? We are trying to get a group together for Naples, Rome and FLorence. I am still waiting for a price quote from them for a van. One other couple is interested and there is room for another two people.

 

[linkandclover]

We are using Rome in Limo. They are very easy to deal with and contact you right away. They also dropped the price by 50 Euro because we are doing Rome and Pompeii.

 

[shushh]

First day back to work 9-5 routine earning excursion dollars. I have been off on a leave of absence . I learned a few things about myself: I like structure, I miss working and talking to people and third I missed the extras like pedicures the most! With all the walking and up and down of this repetitive office job, I am sure to loose a few lbs.

It is good to be out of the house and off the couch. Anyhow, my house was getting way too much cleaning.

I think I miss work until I start...then I remember why I like being at home! But yes, the thought that every minute is earning me money to spend on my holiday is making work acceptable!

linkandclover we are using Romeinlimo as well for the same ports. Did you request a specific driver? I saw that at cruisecritic, quite a few people really loved certain drivers. Are you getting a guide for Pompeii? We are undecided, not sure that the younger 2 will be able to withstand a whole tour with a guide.

 

[linkandclover]

I haven't requested a specific driver as of yet and probably won't. We are not going to hire a guide but I had read somewhere that they offer audio tours and we may do that. I figure if the kids get fidgety they are only going to make it difficult so I figure it will be less of a waste financially if we do it on our own.

 

[grlzmom]

First day back to work 9-5 routine earning excursion dollars.

Yeah for excursion dollars! I need some lol.

One day I will probably have to go back to work now that the babies are 7. I surely miss it but still a little unmotivated.

Belinda, your Purex has been acquired.

We have booked the archeologist guide for Pompeii, had a hard time deciding on that vs. audio tour but after chatting some with the tour guide he said I will have the most flexibility with the private guide and he will tailor it specifically to the kids to make it interesting. I did read somewhere if you have an iPhone you can download a tour yourself (no iphone for me so I didn't check into it). I also got some great books off of Amazon for my kids about Pompeii so they can get excited about it before we get there. There are suprisingly a bunch for littler kiddos.

Happygoofy, no experience with the company you are looking at but maybe if you google their name and reviews something will come up? Hope you find what you are looking for!

 

[alltheparks]

We are new to cruising with Disney, so booking day is Feb 8. I have some questions for you experienced cruisers.

Do I have to complete all of the online forms first? Should I immediately try to book Palo, before excursions? How does the process work, if I have a saved activity, can I just click on that and add?

Any tips would be appreciated!

On another note, when Disney makes "upgrade calls -- either complimentary or for purchase", and you have booked through a TA -- do they call your house or the TA to notify you? Just wondering since we are in Australia, and I am not sure what phone number I gave Disney.

 

[alltheparks]

NC Tink -- I pm'd you about joining your Private Rome excursion -- please confirm.

Happy Goofy -- I sent you a detailed email on the private excursions we are wanting to book. Please let me know if you are interested in joining us.

For any others still looking for Private Tours in Malta, Naples, and Villefranche here are the basics (currently space for 3 more). I can send you the details if you pm me you email address. We are currently sharing these with Postman.

Private Tour with Touring Malta.
0900hrs pickup direct from cruise ship
0915hra - 1115hrs Valletta (visit Barraka Gardens, Triq Repbulikka and St. John's Co. Cathedral)
1145hrs - 1230hrs Blue Grotto (with time to the optional boat trip)
1259hrs - 1400hrs Marsaxlokk Fishing Village and Lunch Break
1430hrs - 1545hrs Medina Medieval City
1630hrs/1645hrs return to ship

http://www.touringmalta.com/index.htm

Private Tour with Rome Connections www.romeconnection.com
Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Sorrento

Private Tour with Riviera Premium Tour http://www.rivierapremiumtour.com
Suggested Tour (can be customized)
Departure from the dock of Villefranche where your guide will wait for your party.
Drive to Eze village , by the middle corniche
Visit of the medieval village
Visit the perfume factory Fragonard (option 45 min.)
Drive to the Principality of Monaco
Visit of the old Monaco, the Palace of the Prince, the cathedral, the oceanographic museum, sere the changing of the guards at 11:55am
Drive on the formula 1 circuit
Visit of Monte-Carlo and the casino, the golden square
Drive to St Paul de Vence by the highway
Visit of the medieval village, one of the highlight of the French Riviera, a “compulsory” stop !
Drive to Nice by the highway
Drive on "la promenade des Anglais"
Visit of the old town and the flower market
Drive up to the castle hill (picture stop).
Return to Villefranche (city of Cannes on option, you will need one extra hour)

This price includes : Free soft drinks, Gas, highway tolls, taxes, full insurance and driver-guide meal.

For 8 persons the fare is 490 Euros.