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

[salboz]

Yes, we are going into the Vatican and it is about a 2 hour tour through it to the Sistine chapel. You are right, the fees are extra, but they aren't much. I have found most of the operators recommended on here charge about the same so, based on poor communications with Miles + Miles, I have actually booked with Fabrizio of All Around Italy. He includes the Vatican for the same price, but Miles and Miles wanted another 100 euros to go into the Vatican. Would love to have you join us on any or all of the tours in Italy. All are about the same price and are about 9 hour trips. If you give me your email address, I can send you the itinerary that he sent me. They say that Fabrizio is fabulous and very entertaining.

 

[salboz]

We still have room for two more on our Villefranche tour...Monaco, Monte Carlo, Eze, Saint-Paul and Old Nice...600 euro divided among everyone (we have 6 now, looking to top out at 8).

Also, anyone going to Portofino on the la Spezia day? We have the Portofino Santa Margherita tour booked through DCL but I've been trying to figure out if there is a better way...and the one tour guide that answered me is like 800 Euro which is a little outrageous!

If you are spending enough time in Monaco to really see it, we are two women who would love to join as that is the tour we want to do. Count us in if you still have room

 

[brannose]

We still have room for two more on our Villefranche tour...Monaco, Monte Carlo, Eze, Saint-Paul and Old Nice...600 euro divided among everyone (we have 6 now, looking to top out at 8).

We are interested in joining your Villefranche tour. Please email me at brannose(at)yahoo.com. Obviously you will need to replace the (at) with @ since I don't have 10 posts yet. If you have any more specifics, I would appreciate those. Thanks.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I am slowly but surely catching up with this thread. I would love to do FE. I was originally booked for the EB Transatlantic, but had to cancel it. Because this was such a special cruise, I got a new FE and I am itching to use it. I also already have the gifts, which I am planning to give out anyway. I promise they are extremely light-weight and will fit in your pockets.

I am definitely up for a Dis party or any other meet or gathering.

I still have no idea what to do at the various ports, but will probably be going down the DIY route rather than doing any organized excursion. We are going to have to sit down at the weekend to discuss this.

It still has not sunk in that we are really going. I still think I am dreaming.

Corinna

 

[Yvet]

Thanks everybody for the warm welcome!!!!

 

[linkandclover]

Hi Corrina,

If you want to get on the FE list contact Auntlynne as she is the one organizing it.

Also if there is anyone out there looking to see the Lamborghini factory and Ferrari museum when we are at La Spezia let me know. My husband and son are booked on the one through DCL but would love to do it through an independent source as it would be much cheaper.

 

[shushh]

Good morning all!

Lubi, I just saw how much weight you've lost. WOW! That is really impressive. Congratulations! I would be wanting to show it off too.

 

[NC_Tink]

Congratulations on the weight loss.

Good morning all!

Lubi, I just saw how much weight you've lost. WOW! That is really impressive. Congratulations! I would be wanting to show it off too.

Thanks so much!!!

 

[lynnemcb]

Hi its Lynne from Scotland - thanks to all who've welcomed us to cruise

noticed still discussion around fish extenders - On other cruises my two children have looked at the doors/ magnets / signs and fish extenders with envy so feel the need to join in if possible.

How do we join - pm the other Lynne or will this post do. Also dont think I mentioned for the roll call husband coming too.

Lynne

 

[Happy Goofy]

Does anyone have the name of a good tour company for Florence.We are looking for a van tour.

 

[auntlynne]

Lynne - Just posting will do for joining the FE

Here's what I've got so far:

alltheparks

auntlynne
Brooklyn
dolphingirl47
grlzmom
Happy Goofy
linkandclover
lynnemcb
NC_Tink
RichC17
shushh
skoi


12 family groups - 14 cabins - 25 adults - 23 kids

Including the following children:

Jonah (18m)

DD Kelsie (4)
DD Madison (4)

Lara (5)

DS Bryce (6)
Aiden (6)
DS (6)

Bella (7)
Nickolas (7)
Elliot (7)

DD Brooklyn (8)
Chloe (8)
DD (8)

DS Jared (10)
DS Kieran (10)

DS Sigurd (11)

DS Connor (12)

DS Ryan (13)
Emily (13)

Kelsey (15)
DD Sadie (15)

Karen (16)

Kayti (18)

 

[auntlynne]

Hi its Lynne from Scotland...Also dont think I mentioned for the roll call husband coming too.

Lynne

You had said "we" are going on this cruise - I decided not to be presumptive and include a husband. I also try not to put "DH, DW" - Dear Husband or Dear Wife before partners names, in case people are not married. Although on these boards, no one has mentioned the parent of their children as a "SO," Significant Other.

Do you want to share names?

- Lynne (not from Scotland)

 

[auntlynne]

I meant do you want to tell us the names of your DH and children? Not do you want to share the name of Lynne.

 

[Becx N Gav]

Lynne - Just posting will do for joining the FE

Here's what I've got so far:

alltheparks

auntlynne
Brooklyn
dolphingirl47
grlzmom
Happy Goofy
linkandclover
lynnemcb
NC_Tink
RichC17
shushh
skoi


12 family groups - 14 cabins - 25 adults - 23 kids

Including the following children:

Jonah (18m)

DD Kelsie (4)
DD Madison (4)

Lara (5)

DS Bryce (6)
Aiden (6)
DS (6)

Bella (7)
Nickolas (7)
Elliot (7)

DD Brooklyn (8)
Chloe (8)
DD (8)

DS Jared (10)
DS Kieran (10)

DS Sigurd (11)

DS Connor (12)

DS Ryan (13)
Emily (13)

Kelsey (15)
DD Sadie (15)

Karen (16)

Kayti (18)

Hi Lynne, thanks for organising this, we'd love to do the FE exchange

We're Becky and DH Gavin 2 x adults

Do you think there will be groups for this or will everyone be in one group? I guess it depends how many people sign up

 

[cam71099]

Hi all!

I know I don't post much, not too big on that! However I love to read what everyone has to say The biggest thing I am interested in is how many of you are doing tours and such on your own as opposed to doing a Port Adventure through DCL. Since reading about this I have been wondering if we should do the same and my husband has been searching trying to figure things out. He asked if I could go on here and ask you all where you are going though and how you are doing it. We are mainly looking at Rome but any other information is welcomed! Thanks so much in advance. I will try and become more active on here, I promise

Alyson

 

[auntlynne]

Hi Lynne, thanks for organising this, we'd love to do the FE exchange

We're Becky and DH Gavin 2 x adults

Do you think there will be groups for this or will everyone be in one group? I guess it depends how many people sign up

I have promised people to keep it small & simple - aiming for group(s) of 12 cabins. We now have 12 cabins. I think I will send out PMs to those already on the roll call and see how much further interest there is. Could be 13 cabins total. I won't put you in a group alone. So you are on the list, now.

Website has been acting up lately - keeps telling me to try later. This is an Apple, that's not supposed to happen!

Lynne

 

[linkandclover]

Wow the FE list is growing. Thank you so much Lynne for taking care of this.

 

[mrosen]

Hi all!

I know I don't post much, not too big on that! However I love to read what everyone has to say The biggest thing I am interested in is how many of you are doing tours and such on your own as opposed to doing a Port Adventure through DCL. Since reading about this I have been wondering if we should do the same and my husband has been searching trying to figure things out. He asked if I could go on here and ask you all where you are going though and how you are doing it. We are mainly looking at Rome but any other information is welcomed! Thanks so much in advance. I will try and become more active on here, I promise

Alyson

We booked all the ports with shore excursions through Disney. I don't think that is the case for everyone here in this forum. We've not been on a cruise nor to many of these places in Europe before and with some younger kids just felt it was easier for us to opt that route and book through DCL. And in several cases, we had a tough time narrowing down which adventure to pick from the DCL choices. In a few ports we did only 1/2 day adventures but in most ports we picked all day ones we are doing.

We are doing things on our own in Barcelona as we have a hotel for before and after the cruise for a few days. We've not figured out yet everything there we are doing in Barcelona . We are still trying to find time to research that and then decide we do everything there on our own vs find anything we want to do through some local tour company as there are some day trip options to places 1-2 hours outside of Barcelona.

 

[NC_Tink]

Hi all!

I know I don't post much, not too big on that! However I love to read what everyone has to say The biggest thing I am interested in is how many of you are doing tours and such on your own as opposed to doing a Port Adventure through DCL. Since reading about this I have been wondering if we should do the same and my husband has been searching trying to figure things out. He asked if I could go on here and ask you all where you are going though and how you are doing it. We are mainly looking at Rome but any other information is welcomed! Thanks so much in advance. I will try and become more active on here, I promise

Alyson

Alyson!!

Where on LI are you? I grew up in Manhasset!

To answer your question... you'll find some folks are doing DCL, others are hiring tour companies, some are DIY, but I think quite a few of us are a combination of a little bit of everything Our family's plans as they currently stand...

Valetta, Malta: DCL - Blue Grotto and Fishing Village
Tunis, Tunisia: DCL - Medina and Carthage
Naples, Italy: We've hired a driver to take us to Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius (my oldest DS wants to climb!) with a stop in Sorrento for lunch and a little shopping - cause you know if DS is going to make Momma climb - then Momma's going to make them all shop
Civitavecchia, Italy: We and another family are going via private driver and guide (Vatican) to Rome and see the highlights
La Spezia, Italy: DIY - we're hooking up with a few fellow travelers and going by train to Pisa
Ajaccio, Corsica: DIY - think we're going to walk into town - maybe see a couple of sites, go to the "market" and grab a picnic and then head to the beach and soak up the sun!
Villefranche, France: DCL - Monaco and Top Car Museum

 

[grlzmom]

Alyson!!

Where on LI are you? I grew up in Manhasset!

To answer your question... you'll find some folks are doing DCL, others are hiring tour companies, some are DIY, but I think quite a few of us are a combination of a little bit of everything Our family's plans as they currently stand...

Valetta, Malta: DCL - Blue Grotto and Fishing Village
Tunis, Tunisia: DCL - Medina and Carthage
Naples, Italy: We've hired a driver to take us to Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius (my oldest DS wants to climb!) with a stop in Sorrento for lunch and a little shopping - cause you know if DS is going to make Momma climb - then Momma's going to make them all shop
Civitavecchia, Italy: We and another family are going via private driver and guide (Vatican) to Rome and see the highlights
La Spezia, Italy: DIY - we're hooking up with a few fellow travelers and going by train to Pisa
Ajaccio, Corsica: DIY - think we're going to walk into town - maybe see a couple of sites, go to the "market" and grab a picnic and then head to the beach and soak up the sun!
Villefranche, France: DCL - Monaco and Top Car Museum

We are on the blue grotto tour too. Your plans in Corsica sound great, we are still trying to come up with something for Corsica and Villefrance.