NC_Tink
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2008
- Messages
- 480
Mark, Darlene and Finn! Glad to have you on board! Like Auntlynne said - we're a small group - but we definitely make up for it! This is a super bunch of people! 
4/24/2010 Med cruise: Friends, Romans, Countrymen lend me your Ears
- Thread starter skoi
- Start date
Mark, Darlene and Finn! Glad to have you on board! Like Auntlynne said - we're a small group - but we definitely make up for it! This is a super bunch of people! 
shushh
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2009
- Messages
- 2,328
Welcome Mark, Darlene and Finn! Seing as this'll be your second med cruise. You'll be pros! Its nice to see this thread gather momentum.
What do people do usually for meets? Do they organise something onboard or before the cruise? Julie, any thoughts on when you wanted to do Palo brunch? We're usually early breakfast and hence early lunch people! but I've heard that Palo brunch is something really worth trying.
What do people do usually for meets? Do they organise something onboard or before the cruise? Julie, any thoughts on when you wanted to do Palo brunch? We're usually early breakfast and hence early lunch people! but I've heard that Palo brunch is something really worth trying.
auntlynne
Aunt Lynne
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2008
- Messages
- 8,232
Ok, Lynne...I made a logo in word! Woohoo!!! What do I do next?
Belinda,
On a Mac, I chose print and then use the pull down "PDF" and chose save PDF to iphoto. I then have a "photo" of the logo page. Crop it to get rid of extra white border. Then you can upload it to Photobucket (free account) and copy to your signature, a reply, etc. (I'll give further details on anything that's not working). However, I am a Mac and don't know much about playing around on PCs (and am somewhat limited on Mac, compared to all its capabilities).
Right now (4:25 am ?! Didn't realize it was so late), I am working on a web site for both Eastbound and Med cruises to consolidate cruiser lists, etc. I've never done this and don't know if it will work.
Lynne
Wow, all the graphics are amazing! I don't even know how to use photobucket or upload a picture to the DIS boards 
Every time someone posts I get more excited, insane I know but true.
So happy there are more people and can't wait to meet everyone.
For excursions, me and my girls (my son will do a couple of ports and stay onboard for a couple) will probably do a combo of DCL and private stuff. Have been looking but haven't comitted to anything yet but way open to suggestions and if anyone is doing private tour and wants to combine/share/hook up or provide their wonderful info and plans, that would be awesome too.
My girls want to see the Vatican/Colliseum/Trevi Fountain for sure (as does my son who is more like a little old man than an almost 7 year old). And of course some good authentic Italian food.
For the other ports, still undecided! Obviously want things that appeal to both me and the teens.
On the transatlantic, of course Gibraltar (in a van on our own I think) and who knows what else.
With all the time that the BTB will get in Barcelona would like to spend an hour in the chocolate museum if can arrange it ahead of time.
Would love to hear others plans so I can make some of my own lol.
If any BTB cruisers are interested in hanging out debarkation/embarkation day in Barcelona, that would be great. Not sure how the BTB process goes when not sailing out of Port Canaveral.
My teen dd 15 and 13 (turning 16/14 within couple weeks of cruise) both have facebook so if anyone elses teens do and want to be facebook friends, please pm me. Girls would love to have some familiar names and faces prior to cruising.
Happy Saturday to everyone!
Every time someone posts I get more excited, insane I know but true.
So happy there are more people and can't wait to meet everyone.
For excursions, me and my girls (my son will do a couple of ports and stay onboard for a couple) will probably do a combo of DCL and private stuff. Have been looking but haven't comitted to anything yet but way open to suggestions and if anyone is doing private tour and wants to combine/share/hook up or provide their wonderful info and plans, that would be awesome too.
My girls want to see the Vatican/Colliseum/Trevi Fountain for sure (as does my son who is more like a little old man than an almost 7 year old). And of course some good authentic Italian food.
For the other ports, still undecided! Obviously want things that appeal to both me and the teens.
On the transatlantic, of course Gibraltar (in a van on our own I think) and who knows what else.
With all the time that the BTB will get in Barcelona would like to spend an hour in the chocolate museum if can arrange it ahead of time.
Would love to hear others plans so I can make some of my own lol.
If any BTB cruisers are interested in hanging out debarkation/embarkation day in Barcelona, that would be great. Not sure how the BTB process goes when not sailing out of Port Canaveral.
My teen dd 15 and 13 (turning 16/14 within couple weeks of cruise) both have facebook so if anyone elses teens do and want to be facebook friends, please pm me. Girls would love to have some familiar names and faces prior to cruising.
Happy Saturday to everyone!
auntlynne
Aunt Lynne
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2008
- Messages
- 8,232
I've made an attempt at making a website (EB Transatlantic & 11-night Med together) - never done this before! Give it a look - it is still a work in progress.
http://web.me.com/lyncorn/Site/Welcome.html
http://web.me.com/lyncorn/Site/Welcome.html
skoi
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2003
- Messages
- 2,053
Wow, great logos and website.
I did my last magnets on Powerpoint with downloaded graphics. I'm going to work on some, but I don't know when.
Does anyone want to decide on a dismeet time and place? For the Caribbean we always did them at sailaway, but we might want to try for earlier this time around.
Also is anyone up for activities like martini tasting, etc? I don't know what else they're going to have.
The brunch is looking like a non-starter. I think we have six people. So maybe we can just decide on a day, all try to book, and then link them.
Also- it might be helpful to know who is able to book when. We're gold, so we can book at 105 days.
Julie
I did my last magnets on Powerpoint with downloaded graphics. I'm going to work on some, but I don't know when.
Does anyone want to decide on a dismeet time and place? For the Caribbean we always did them at sailaway, but we might want to try for earlier this time around.
Also is anyone up for activities like martini tasting, etc? I don't know what else they're going to have.
The brunch is looking like a non-starter. I think we have six people. So maybe we can just decide on a day, all try to book, and then link them.
Also- it might be helpful to know who is able to book when. We're gold, so we can book at 105 days.
Julie
skoi
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2003
- Messages
- 2,053
Your son sounds like our older boy. He was always like that, since he was about four. Loves museums and history. His Rome list is Vatican, Vatican Museum, Forum, and Saint Paul Outside the Walls church. His first trip anywhere was to Italy when he was 9 months old because we had Air Force friends stationed there.
We're really torn between doing Tunis on our own (Carthage and the medina), because I'll be deadly fluent in Arabic by then
or doing the Berber day. I'm still looking for reviews of the place or the program.All the other ports we'll be on our own. Here's what we're looking at:
Malta: Mdina and the sites there.
Tunis: Debating.
Naples: Antiquities museum and catacombs, some churches, maybe Pompeii if we don't do Carthage instead of the museum.
Rome: as above.
La Spezia: Crazy, but we're doing Florence. Planning just to get tickets to the Ufizzi and see the Duomo, visit Rialto bridge, etc.
Corsica: Napoleon. Son is wild for him, and Augustus Caesar. I think I have a little conqueror on my hands.
Villefranche: Probably Nice and the Chagall museum, walking along the Corniche.
We'll be in Barcelona three days prior, so we'll be doing some of the churches, Montserrat, and some of the Gaudi buildings.
So we're planning everything on our own, except maybe Tunis. Even if we don't do the excursion, we might get a private guide. It depends on how I feel about my level of Arabic and French after Morocco.
So what's everyone else doing?
Julie
shushh
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2009
- Messages
- 2,328
Good morning everyone! Lynne, the website is fantastic!
We too are getting more excited. Ever since DCl released the shore excursions, it seemed more real. Even though we're not going on any one of them! Lol..
We're arriving in Barcelona in the morning 3 days before, but after a 22 hr and 45 min flight, I dare say our first day and maybe the 2nd will be write-offs. So we haven't really made any definite plans. We're staying right on Las Ramblas in a an apartment, so hopefully will be able to walk to many sights. Otherwise, considering the hop-on hop-off bus for the other sites that require "travel" and maybe a day trip to montserrat.
In many of the ports, we're either doing a private tour or just pottering around the town. This is mainly because of the 3 kids. We needed some control over what we want to see, how quickly we want to see it, and when we want to go. Also for some ports like Rome, it makes it more efficient when there's so much to see. Also, Jonah being only 18 months excludes us from many DCL shore excursions that we're interested in.
After being convinced that we're going to potter around Malta, we organised ourselves a private tour. LOL! Mal really wants to see the Blue Grotto and we discussed doing this ourselves. In the end, because of limited time and travelling with 3 young children we decided to let someone one worry about the logistics and just enjoy our day. DCL didn't have any excursions that covered all that we wanted to do. The only DCL port adventure that comes close is Highlights of Malta but that didn't include a visit to the Blue Grotte. DH managed to bargain the price down and got entrance fees to St John's Co Cathedral included. I am so proud of him! So here's the plan...
** Valletta (visit Barraka Gardens, Triq Repbulikka and St. John's Co. Cathedral)
** Blue Grotto (with time to the optional boat trip)
** Marsaxlokk Fishing Village and Lunch Break
** Mdina Medieval City
Total Price EUR395.00 including private guide for the whole day and entrance fees into St. John's Co. Cathedral. So once you take into account all the entrance fees. We are essentially paying the same price for "Highlights of Malta" but we get a our own mini-van with a private guide and we get to see the Blue Grotto.
In Tunis, weve booked a private tour with a local company. The plan is:
** Drive to Carthage and the charming village of Sidi Bou Saïd
** Drive to Tunis itself: Sightseeing of the modern part of the city, then a pedestrian walk in the old city " the Medina " a stroll in the souks to have an idea about the local handicraft and for shopping!
** Lunch at authenticTunisian restaurant. Coffee/tea at a local Tunisian coffeshop
Total cost: US$300
We have intentionally left out the Bardo Museum as it will probably be too much for the children. We shall just have to come back when we do the Tunis Star Wars tour
We've booked a private tour with Romeinlimo for Civitavecchia and Naples. For Rome, we're still deciding on which sites to drop! I realise its unrealistic to see everything but probably including at least the catacombs, the colosseum, forum romanum. Naples will be Pompeii, Positano and Sorrento.
After 2 busy days, we didnt want to subject anyone to another long drive. So we have opted to visit Cinque Terre instead of the popular Florence at La Spezia. As much as we love Florence and as much as it breaks our hearts, we feel that it is a city best seen when you have a little bit more time, especially with young children.
Cinque Terre is very close to La Spezia. We have hired a local guide from the official tourist office of the Cinque Terre National Park who will meet us at the port and take us through the Villages taking a combination of trains and ferry. We will go by foot to the train station, walking through the main street of La Spezia ( 15 minutes ). Well then catch the train ( 6 minutes ) to Riomaggiore. Walk through the Via dell'amore and visit Manarola. Catch the train to Vernazza, catch the train to Monterosso before taking a ferry back to la Spezia harbour.
The best part is that it only cost a bargain price of 360 Euro for all of us including transport costs! As we will there on Friday, there will also be a local market in La Spezia that we can visit.
Ajaccio is a "potter" town. The tourist train sounds fun and the views are meant to be beautiful. Other than that, we may visit Napolean's birthplace and then head down to the beach.
We will also be lazing around Villefranche. Many report that it is a lovely town to soak up the atmosphere of the French Riviera, so we will doing just that. Relax with the children, swim at the pebbly beach if the weather permits, enjoy the café scene and catch the bus to nearby Nice should we get bored. Thought seriously about Eze, but can't be bothered to sort out the logistics of having to change buses or trains.
We've also just cancelled our DCL transfers. We've managed to organise private transfers for 7 of us for a total of US $195. This includes airport to apartment, apartment to port, and port to airport. DCL wanted $344 for just airport to apartment and port to airport.
Julie, just use your bossy nature and decide on a few things for us! I find that once something is "loosely" organised, its easier to finetune. In other words, a job started is a job half done! I'm a compete newbie to DCL so I wouldn't have a clue what people do, where to go etc.
Sorry about the post being so long...I am VERY EXCITED and keen to share everything!!!
I went crazy with magnetic paper, our local supermarket had them on clearance for AUS$6 for 5 A4 sheets. I bought 5 packs!
We too are getting more excited. Ever since DCl released the shore excursions, it seemed more real. Even though we're not going on any one of them! Lol..
We're arriving in Barcelona in the morning 3 days before, but after a 22 hr and 45 min flight, I dare say our first day and maybe the 2nd will be write-offs. So we haven't really made any definite plans. We're staying right on Las Ramblas in a an apartment, so hopefully will be able to walk to many sights. Otherwise, considering the hop-on hop-off bus for the other sites that require "travel" and maybe a day trip to montserrat.
In many of the ports, we're either doing a private tour or just pottering around the town. This is mainly because of the 3 kids. We needed some control over what we want to see, how quickly we want to see it, and when we want to go. Also for some ports like Rome, it makes it more efficient when there's so much to see. Also, Jonah being only 18 months excludes us from many DCL shore excursions that we're interested in.
After being convinced that we're going to potter around Malta, we organised ourselves a private tour. LOL! Mal really wants to see the Blue Grotto and we discussed doing this ourselves. In the end, because of limited time and travelling with 3 young children we decided to let someone one worry about the logistics and just enjoy our day. DCL didn't have any excursions that covered all that we wanted to do. The only DCL port adventure that comes close is Highlights of Malta but that didn't include a visit to the Blue Grotte. DH managed to bargain the price down and got entrance fees to St John's Co Cathedral included. I am so proud of him! So here's the plan...
** Valletta (visit Barraka Gardens, Triq Repbulikka and St. John's Co. Cathedral)
** Blue Grotto (with time to the optional boat trip)
** Marsaxlokk Fishing Village and Lunch Break
** Mdina Medieval City
Total Price EUR395.00 including private guide for the whole day and entrance fees into St. John's Co. Cathedral. So once you take into account all the entrance fees. We are essentially paying the same price for "Highlights of Malta" but we get a our own mini-van with a private guide and we get to see the Blue Grotto.
In Tunis, weve booked a private tour with a local company. The plan is:
** Drive to Carthage and the charming village of Sidi Bou Saïd
** Drive to Tunis itself: Sightseeing of the modern part of the city, then a pedestrian walk in the old city " the Medina " a stroll in the souks to have an idea about the local handicraft and for shopping!
** Lunch at authenticTunisian restaurant. Coffee/tea at a local Tunisian coffeshop
Total cost: US$300
We have intentionally left out the Bardo Museum as it will probably be too much for the children. We shall just have to come back when we do the Tunis Star Wars tour
We've booked a private tour with Romeinlimo for Civitavecchia and Naples. For Rome, we're still deciding on which sites to drop! I realise its unrealistic to see everything but probably including at least the catacombs, the colosseum, forum romanum. Naples will be Pompeii, Positano and Sorrento.
After 2 busy days, we didnt want to subject anyone to another long drive. So we have opted to visit Cinque Terre instead of the popular Florence at La Spezia. As much as we love Florence and as much as it breaks our hearts, we feel that it is a city best seen when you have a little bit more time, especially with young children.
Cinque Terre is very close to La Spezia. We have hired a local guide from the official tourist office of the Cinque Terre National Park who will meet us at the port and take us through the Villages taking a combination of trains and ferry. We will go by foot to the train station, walking through the main street of La Spezia ( 15 minutes ). Well then catch the train ( 6 minutes ) to Riomaggiore. Walk through the Via dell'amore and visit Manarola. Catch the train to Vernazza, catch the train to Monterosso before taking a ferry back to la Spezia harbour.
The best part is that it only cost a bargain price of 360 Euro for all of us including transport costs! As we will there on Friday, there will also be a local market in La Spezia that we can visit.
Ajaccio is a "potter" town. The tourist train sounds fun and the views are meant to be beautiful. Other than that, we may visit Napolean's birthplace and then head down to the beach.
We will also be lazing around Villefranche. Many report that it is a lovely town to soak up the atmosphere of the French Riviera, so we will doing just that. Relax with the children, swim at the pebbly beach if the weather permits, enjoy the café scene and catch the bus to nearby Nice should we get bored. Thought seriously about Eze, but can't be bothered to sort out the logistics of having to change buses or trains.
We've also just cancelled our DCL transfers. We've managed to organise private transfers for 7 of us for a total of US $195. This includes airport to apartment, apartment to port, and port to airport. DCL wanted $344 for just airport to apartment and port to airport.
Julie, just use your bossy nature and decide on a few things for us!
I find that once something is "loosely" organised, its easier to finetune. In other words, a job started is a job half done! I'm a compete newbie to DCL so I wouldn't have a clue what people do, where to go etc.Sorry about the post being so long...I am VERY EXCITED and keen to share everything!!!
I went crazy with magnetic paper, our local supermarket had them on clearance for AUS$6 for 5 A4 sheets. I bought 5 packs!
alltheparks
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2009
- Messages
- 157
Hi - I've been watching this page, and we having finally booked, and I am getting ready to confirm my airline tickets! So I thought I better introduce myself.
We are Lara (33), Chris (34), and Aiden (6), booked in category 12 guarantee, for late seating. Currently we live in Sydney, Australia, and plan on returning home to St. Louis next fall.
We had been booked on the Panama Canal, but when the fantastic deal came out, with Kids Cruise Free, we decided to save $$$, an head to Europe.
We have cruised lots, but never with Disney, so I am very excited to try it, and getting to know all of you!
We are Lara (33), Chris (34), and Aiden (6), booked in category 12 guarantee, for late seating. Currently we live in Sydney, Australia, and plan on returning home to St. Louis next fall.
We had been booked on the Panama Canal, but when the fantastic deal came out, with Kids Cruise Free, we decided to save $$$, an head to Europe.
We have cruised lots, but never with Disney, so I am very excited to try it, and getting to know all of you!
shushh
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2009
- Messages
- 2,328
Welcome aboard! Hurray, another family from Sydney!
Someone else to share the long flight with...Out of interest, who will you be booking airfares with?Julie, the private transfers in Barcelona are with a2b transfers.
alltheparks
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2009
- Messages
- 157
Unfortunately we won't be sharing that one, we are taking an extended holiday. Flying home to visit family at the beginning of April, then using American points to fly to Buenos Aires (Chris has a meeting) and then from there through the US to Barcelona (arrive 9:45 am on April 23nd), we are taking a day layover in London after the cruise, and start a very long London to Dallas, to LAX, to Sydney on May 5th. The only flights we are purchasing is round-trip from SYD-LAX.
For Christmas / Birthday - I am asking for my very own Airport Lounge Membership....Aiden and I wil be spending alot of time in them!
I love planning travel, but right now feel a bit overwhelmed. We leave on Dec 9th for a 10 day stay in Southern California (Disneyland at Christmas--Yeah!), and then are also planning to accompany Chris on business meeting in January school holidays Hong Kong (our final Disney park) and Bangkok. Trying to get all of the details arranged, and flights confirmed. Plus now I can start planning our shore excursions!
I better get on with my busy day .... Lara
For Christmas / Birthday - I am asking for my very own Airport Lounge Membership....Aiden and I wil be spending alot of time in them!
I love planning travel, but right now feel a bit overwhelmed. We leave on Dec 9th for a 10 day stay in Southern California (Disneyland at Christmas--Yeah!), and then are also planning to accompany Chris on business meeting in January school holidays Hong Kong (our final Disney park) and Bangkok. Trying to get all of the details arranged, and flights confirmed. Plus now I can start planning our shore excursions!
I better get on with my busy day .... Lara
shushh
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2009
- Messages
- 2,328
Lara, your flights sound worse than ours! I like extended holidays though. When its too short, I feel like I've just started to unwind...and then its over. Lots of nice trips coming up for you! Hong Kong and Bangkok, 2 of my favourite destinations. A paradise for food and shopping lovers!
From what you've written, I am taking that you're returning to the states in the US fall. Have you been in Sydney long?
From what you've written, I am taking that you're returning to the states in the US fall. Have you been in Sydney long?
alltheparks
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2009
- Messages
- 157
We have been here 2 1/2 years! Loved every moment, and would like to stay longer, but duty calls and St. Louis wants my husband back!
Perhaps we can schedule a pre-cruise meet in Jan or Feb, since the boys are about the same age! We are in the West Pennant Hills area.
Perhaps we can schedule a pre-cruise meet in Jan or Feb, since the boys are about the same age! We are in the West Pennant Hills area.
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