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

[mrosen]

Here's the only information I could find on the Vatican website regarding bags:



And here's the info. regarding photography:


I found this all on the following link: http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-Info/MV_Info_Consigli.html

very helpful. thanks.

i'll have to see if my camera bag is smaller than these dimensions. given the various posts from several people around these "anti theft" bags, straps, etc - i will consider some of these. while not cheap, sounds like they help to reduce the risk of being a victim of pick pocket schemes and may be some money well spent for additional peace of mind.

also, anxiously waiting til monday to book some port excursions with disney.

 

[carpenta]

So, now I have a question...

On debarkation day, if I remember correctly, you have to be off the ship by 9am at the latest. I've purchased DCL transportation -- they'll take my family and our bags to BCN. However, our flight doesn't leave until 1:30 - I'm assuming we'll be at the airport before we're technically allowed to check in the bags. So, does DCL have a holding place for the luggage and then they take care of checking bags for us? Or, are they going to give me all of my bags at the airport and I have to take care of it? Normally, we would put our luggage out the night before debarkation and not see it again until we arrive at our destination - correct? But what happens when your flight doesn't leave until the afternoon?

Having flown out of BCN before you will need about 2.5 t0 3 hrs.to get through the security especially since new checks are in place. I flew out of Amsterdam last May and it toook three check points with baggage scans and a personal interview before you reach your gate.Plus you have to be matched up with yur luggage, turn in your VAT tax forms, and go through customs to stamp your passports. BCN has some shops and food stores to enjoy some tapas for the last time and it is not the worst airport to wait So 4 hours should not seem out of line to board.
We have been in Barcelona a couple times and traveled by subway and bus and walked and you just have to be aware of your surroundings like any city, But we never felt unsafe.

 

[grlzmom]

Having flown out of BCN before you will need about 2.5 t0 3 hrs.to get through the security especially since new checks are in place. I flew out of Amsterdam last May and it toook three check points with baggage scans and a personal interview before you reach your gate.Plus you have to be matched up with yur luggage, turn in your VAT tax forms, and go through customs to stamp your passports. BCN has some shops and food stores to enjoy some tapas for the last time and it is not the worst airport to wait So 4 hours should not seem out of line to board.
We have been in Barcelona a couple times and traveled by subway and bus and walked and you just have to be aware of your surroundings like any city, But we never felt unsafe.

Thanks for the great info.

I have never flown out of BCN. Is all this new security done AFTER checking in at the airline and them taking the checked luggage? Are the baggage scans for your carry ons? I'm trying to figure out my timing as I know the airline desk doesn't open until 3 hours before departure.

I have heard that the BCN airport can be a nightmare and certainly not looking forward to it

 

[linkandclover]

Ooooh, shiny new coins. I am so excited!

Thanks to everyone for the pacsafe tips, I'm looking into which one to purchase. Will have to do it online since I'm in the middle of nowhere so the details really help!

Just to let you know (having already researched it online). Luggage.com and BaseGear.com have a good selection. The Metrosafe 250 is only available at BaseGear (better price) and Pacsafe. The problem with ordering from them is that although some of them provide free shipping if you return it then you pay for return shipping and they deduct your initial shipping costs from the amount refunded. I ordered a few different ones from zappos (slightly more expensive but with free shipping both ways I figure I can check to see which one works and send the rest back).

 

[carpenta]

Thanks for the great info.

I have never flown out of BCN. Is all this new security done AFTER checking in at the airline and them taking the checked luggage? Are the baggage scans for your carry ons? I'm trying to figure out my timing as I know the airline desk doesn't open until 3 hours before departure.

I have heard that the BCN airport can be a nightmare and certainly not looking forward to it

If I do remember correctly and if they do it the same way you pick your bags up off the bus that transports you to the airport. The ride is about 30 minutes with the traffic.They scan everything and I was told they have full body scans but was told that fact as second hand so I cannot confirm that fact.Traffic can be heavy in Barcelona but I believe that we will be going against the flow at that time of the morning.You pass the Skaroski (sp?) crystal factory as well as cliffs with rows of crypts dug into the side that parralell the highway.The checks are after you check in, I thought you can check in onboard but I'm not sure of that. I find Barcelona no worse than JFK. The only difference is the presence of armed military guards patroling at our times.I wouldn't worry about flying home and Disney does a great job getting you to the airport in a timely manner. One thing that Disney has done this trip was to visit Tunis. This way all purchases onboard is not subject to the E.U. VAT tax (16%). Under E.U. law if you travel outside the E.U. nations cruise lines don't have to charge this tax. Last cruise that tax really added up quickly and it was one expense we overlooked on our budget.
We love Barcelona and find the people very warm and helpful even though we don't speak Spanish. The tour bus is pay one price and will take you around the entire city in three large loops. They provide ear sets that plug in and narrate the scenery. The buses are double deckers with the top open and gives you a great view of all the Gaudi buildings as well as las familias cathedral.You can get off and on where ever you wish. Los Rambus is the main street that you have to stroll and really comes alive at dusk. Families appear around sundown and their evening meal is much later than the U.S. That threw us for a loop the first time but you can understand the logic. You will come to love Barcelona as a secret jewel of Europe with all it's culture and living art.

 

[grlzmom]

Just to let you know (having already researched it online). Luggage.com and BaseGear.com have a good selection. The Metrosafe 250 is only available at BaseGear (better price) and Pacsafe.

The Metrosafe 250 looks nice. Thanks for the websites

If I do remember correctly and if they do it the same way you pick your bags up off the bus that transports you to the airport. The ride is about 30 minutes with the traffic.They scan everything and I was told they have full body scans but was told that fact as second hand so I cannot confirm that fact.Traffic can be heavy in Barcelona but I believe that we will be going against the flow at that time of the morning.You pass the Skaroski (sp?) crystal factory as well as cliffs with rows of crypts dug into the side that parralell the highway.The checks are after you check in, I thought you can check in onboard but I'm not sure of that. I find Barcelona no worse than JFK. The only difference is the presence of armed military guards patroling at our times.I wouldn't worry about flying home and Disney does a great job getting you to the airport in a timely manner. One thing that Disney has done this trip was to visit Tunis. This way all purchases onboard is not subject to the E.U. VAT tax (16%). Under E.U. law if you travel outside the E.U. nations cruise lines don't have to charge this tax. Last cruise that tax really added up quickly and it was one expense we overlooked on our budget.
We love Barcelona and find the people very warm and helpful even though we don't speak Spanish. The tour bus is pay one price and will take you around the entire city in three large loops. They provide ear sets that plug in and narrate the scenery. The buses are double deckers with the top open and gives you a great view of all the Gaudi buildings as well as las familias cathedral.You can get off and on where ever you wish. Los Rambus is the main street that you have to stroll and really comes alive at dusk. Families appear around sundown and their evening meal is much later than the U.S. That threw us for a loop the first time but you can understand the logic. You will come to love Barcelona as a secret jewel of Europe with all it's culture and living art.

We are doing a private transfer because there are 8 in my family and DCL is just too expensive for the transfer for 8. Our driver should be there waiting for us when the ship clears. So hoping that is at least as fast as doing the Disney Buses.

I read somewhere (on the DIS) that last time people had trouble with the Disney buses in getting their whole families together on one bus and waiting for them to be full to leave and that the airport was a nightmare, people having to repack carry ons because they were over "carry on" weight ugh. So I'm reading it all ahead of time to be prepared. If it's like JFK I'm not worried because I've been to much worse

Wow, I didn't know that about the VAT, so glad we are going to Tunis! Since we are doing the TA back to back with the MED we will have plenty of time in Barcelona and may try the tour bus. We are doing a Segway in Barcelona and looking forward to that.

Thanks for all the good info!

 

[NC_Tink]

If I do remember correctly and if they do it the same way you pick your bags up off the bus that transports you to the airport. The ride is about 30 minutes with the traffic.They scan everything and I was told they have full body scans but was told that fact as second hand so I cannot confirm that fact.Traffic can be heavy in Barcelona but I believe that we will be going against the flow at that time of the morning.You pass the Skaroski (sp?) crystal factory as well as cliffs with rows of crypts dug into the side that parralell the highway.The checks are after you check in, I thought you can check in onboard but I'm not sure of that. I find Barcelona no worse than JFK. The only difference is the presence of armed military guards patroling at our times.I wouldn't worry about flying home and Disney does a great job getting you to the airport in a timely manner. One thing that Disney has done this trip was to visit Tunis. This way all purchases onboard is not subject to the E.U. VAT tax (16%). Under E.U. law if you travel outside the E.U. nations cruise lines don't have to charge this tax. Last cruise that tax really added up quickly and it was one expense we overlooked on our budget.
We love Barcelona and find the people very warm and helpful even though we don't speak Spanish. The tour bus is pay one price and will take you around the entire city in three large loops. They provide ear sets that plug in and narrate the scenery. The buses are double deckers with the top open and gives you a great view of all the Gaudi buildings as well as las familias cathedral.You can get off and on where ever you wish. Los Rambus is the main street that you have to stroll and really comes alive at dusk. Families appear around sundown and their evening meal is much later than the U.S. That threw us for a loop the first time but you can understand the logic. You will come to love Barcelona as a secret jewel of Europe with all it's culture and living art.

Thanks for that info!

 

[carpenta]

I read somewhere (on the DIS) that last time people had trouble with the Disney buses in getting their whole families together on one bus and waiting for them to be full to leave and that the airport was a nightmare, people having to repack carry ons because they were over "carry on" weight ugh. So I'm reading it all ahead of time to be prepared. If it's like JFK I'm not worried because I've been to much worse
!

WE had no trouble with the bus but we only number 3. The local driver will probably get you to the airport in no time even with traffic. (knock on wood for luck.) The repacking even happened to us at Burlington VT, airport so it just isn't overseas. The Segway tour sounds great and the harbor is scenic with the resturaunts and markets are someplace you can enjoy.One of the main markets was featured on Rachel Rays show on Food Network and its great to see in real life.

 

[grlzmom]

WE had no trouble with the bus but we only number 3. The local driver will probably get you to the airport in no time even with traffic. (knock on wood for luck.) The repacking even happened to us at Burlington VT, airport so it just isn't overseas. The Segway tour sounds great and the harbor is scenic with the resturaunts and markets are someplace you can enjoy.One of the main markets was featured on Rachel Rays show on Food Network and its great to see in real life.

Thanks, we travel alot but haven't run into getting our carryon luggage checked and weighed lol. What's next?

Thanks for the market info. My dd15 loves Rachel Ray, we will look into it!

 

[shushh]

all purchases onboard is not subject to the E.U. VAT tax (16%)

Dooney and Bourke bad here I come!

 

[shushh]

carpenta you are a wealth of information! Thanks for taking the time to share. Every little bit helps.

 

[uwo93]

with all the airport security horror stories, we are so glad that we are not connecting through the US on this trip. just hope that our KLM flights don't get changed or cancelled!

we had no problems with a camera in the Vatican last time. don't forget to check the Vatican dress code when planning your wardrobe for Rome. similarily for Monte Carlo, not exactly a shorts and t-shirt sort of place, but I believe only the casino has actual rules for proper attire.

we had no issues with pick-pockets/crime and never felt unsafe during out last med. cruise, but one young girl did swipe an apple that we had brought off of the ship, while we were relaxing in Florence. we were careful, especially in Naples, but we felt comfortable exploring on our own.

 

[Michelle2]

we had no problems with a camera in the Vatican last time.

I am so jealous. The guards were out watching people like a hawk in the Sistine Chapel when I was there, but it was awhile ago way back in December 2001. I would do anything to be on a private tour where I could photograph and film it for myself.

 

[grlzmom]

I am so jealous. The guards were out watching people like a hawk in the Sistine Chapel when I was there, but it was awhile ago way back in December 2001. I would do anything to be on a private tour where I could photograph and film it for myself.

Probably on private tour it also depends on who the guards are because I think officially your aren't supposed to

 

[carpenta]

Probably on private tour it also depends on who the guards are because I think officially your aren't supposed to

I was told because the Japanese paid the bulk of the restoration in exchange fore the copyright of future pictures of the Sistine Chapel the guards are not too excited to enforce the rules in "private" showings and like the traffic laws in Europe it is only a guideline. Check out the traffic in Naples and God Bless anyone having to cross a main street. It has been said that a driver was beaten to death for stopping at a red light. Wow that gives road rage a new plateau.

 

[Dicecatt]

Just booked, my husband and me, leaving the 4 kids with his mom

Please add us to the very exciting list!

 

[alltheparks]

Just booked, my husband and me, leaving the 4 kids with his mom

Please add us to the very exciting list!

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! I thought I had the best mother-in-law!

 

[shushh]

welcome Dicecatt!

Lara welcome back. How was your trip to Bangkok and HongKong? Did you end up deciding to hop on the TA as well?

 

[Dicecatt]

Thanks for the welcome!

We are excited. Originally we planned to go on a 7 night Ocean Princess voyage, but then a deal sort of fell into my lap for this cruise, and since we were planning on a med cruise this year we just moved up the plans a bit. Plus I'm delighted to sail Disney rather than another line.

I'm not used to only having 2 months to plan, so this is quite weird I've got a lot to get going on!

 

[NC_Tink]

Just booked, my husband and me, leaving the 4 kids with his mom

Please add us to the very exciting list!

Welcome Dicecatt & DH!!