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

[Brooklyn]

Hi everyone! Just checking in to say hi!

We still are so busy through Sunday and then will totally be ready for this vacation!

I just bought our Leaning Tower of Pisa tickets! That was the last purchase that had to be made before leaving home in 23 days!!!!

So train tickets are bought, vatican, coloseum, and now tower. The last thing up in the air is the Amafali Coast and how we are going to see that.

 

[Becx N Gav]

I just checked my Disney Reservation page and the statroom number has changed - it was 2139 and now it's 2070! This means it's gone from a Cat 10 to a Cat 9

Has anyone else been changed? I have read it can happen multiple times before the cruise, but do they ever 'down grade' you? (I know it's not a down grade as we booked Cat 12 - but to be 'given' a Cat 9 then changed to a Cat 10 would seem like a down grade to me )

After today I have 26 days left at work

 

[Brooklyn]

I just checked my Disney Reservation page and the statroom number has changed - it was 2139 and now it's 2070! This means it's gone from a Cat 10 to a Cat 9

Has anyone else been changed? I have read it can happen multiple times before the cruise, but do they ever 'down grade' you? (I know it's not a down grade as we booked Cat 12 - but to be 'given' a Cat 9 then changed to a Cat 10 would seem like a down grade to me )

After today I have 26 days left at work

 

[caderi]

HI,
Does anyone knows why Disney is upgrading some people cabins? Is there any logic or purpose?
Caderi

 

[Brooklyn]

HI,
Does anyone knows why Disney is upgrading some people cabins? Is there any logic or purpose?
Caderi

I don't think there is ever much logic behind it. At this point though they are trying to open up as many of the cheaper rooms as possible to try to sell them cheap!

 

[caderi]

We got a cabin with a split bath. I am curious to know what is wrong with the split bathroom. I am concern if we made a mistake in picking that room. If you do not mind please let us know your concern in case that we could switch to another cabin with the single bath.
Thanks,
Caderi

 

[Disneyfalcon]

We got a cabin with a split bath. I am curious to know what is wrong with the split bathroom. I am concern if we made a mistake in picking that room. If you do not mind please let us know your concern in case that we could switch to another cabin with the single bath.
Thanks,
Caderi

Caderi, I definitely wouldn't switch. Most people love the split bath. In fact cruise lines everywhere started putting them in their new ships because clients love the Disney ones so much.

Corrinna has claustrophobia issues that's why she doesn't like them.

 

[Dicecatt]

We got a cabin with a split bath. I am curious to know what is wrong with the split bathroom. I am concern if we made a mistake in picking that room. If you do not mind please let us know your concern in case that we could switch to another cabin with the single bath.
Thanks,
Caderi

Caderi,

I think a good many people prefer the split bath, I know we do . It allows two people to get ready at the same time. It makes Dolphingirl feel clausterphobic. I personally LOVE the split baths, so unless you have clausterphobic issues, I think you'll like them too!

 

[NC_Tink]

We just purchased our Pisa tickets also! It's getting real now! I'm ticking off all of my to dos. These last few weeks are going to go by soooo quickly!

Becx and Gav - Congratulations on another upgrade!! How wonderful!!

The split bath versus the single bath is a matter of preference. The single bath is a little larger as a whole - but it's one bathroom. Versus the split bath - each section is smaller - but you have two separate bathrooms - one with sink and bathtub/shower and one with sink and toilet. These individual rooms are rather small - but for someone like us - with 4 people in a room it does make things easier.

 

[grlzmom]

Yes we have been at St. Peter's and it is enforced and it is advised if you wish to get into the tour. Also no backpacks and they have tight security lines. The dress code is expected in most if not all churchs and holy places in Europe and is a sign of respect towards the sight. Like alot in Europe sometime the rules are enforced and other days...well maybe not. We felt the security was appropriate without being intrusive. The Swiss guards are a great sight and take wonderful pictures.

Thanks for the info, always appreciate details!

I just bought our Leaning Tower of Pisa tickets! That was the last purchase that had to be made before leaving home in 23 days!!!!

So train tickets are bought, vatican, coloseum, and now tower. The last thing up in the air is the Amafali Coast and how we are going to see that.

Me Too! Yeah for getting Pisa tickets! Can't believe all of us are doing the same thing and didn't even plan it.

I just checked my Disney Reservation page and the statroom number has changed - it was 2139 and now it's 2070! This means it's gone from a Cat 10 to a Cat 9

After today I have 26 days left at work

Yeah for upgrade!

We just purchased our Pisa tickets also! It's getting real now! I'm ticking off all of my to dos. These last few weeks are going to go by soooo quickly!

Lubi so glad you got tickets too! I am looking forward to Pisa DIY day with you guys

 

[grlzmom]

We are back from a trip to Mall of America. I had never been there so was a thrill for me. Couple of days at home and then off on another trip. Two more trips to go and THEN can think about packing for this one.

Glad to hear everyone's plans are coming together.

We are pretty much set for Rome and Pisa DIY tours. Still figuring out Naples.

Lynne, thanks for doing the FE planning!

We are getting wound up here. Dd18 has stage performer audition at Disney in less than 2 weeks. She's already accepted as a performer for college program starting in May, this is just an audition for a bigger role I guess and very slim odds of getting it. However excitement is there nonetheless and it means another Disney trip before cruise which means more Earl of Sandwich for me

Pixie dust to everyone who is wishing for an upgrade or a further upgrade.

 

[Yvet]

I just checked my Disney Reservation page and the statroom number has changed - it was 2139 and now it's 2070! This means it's gone from a Cat 10 to a Cat 9

Has anyone else been changed? I have read it can happen multiple times before the cruise, but do they ever 'down grade' you? (I know it's not a down grade as we booked Cat 12 - but to be 'given' a Cat 9 then changed to a Cat 10 would seem like a down grade to me )

After today I have 26 days left at work

Whoohoo for that extra special pixiedust!!!!!

 

[shushh]

Did anyone get any offers for paid upgrades at all? I just saw over on the may cruises that some people have been offered them.

 

[mrosen]

Did anyone get any offers for paid upgrades at all? I just saw over on the may cruises that some people have been offered them.

None here. We got our room assignment last week and were given a free upgrade from Cat 12 to Cat 9 in terms of our room assignment. Thrilled with that.

I wonder if May cruise has seen any free upgrades vs could Disney be trying to offer upgrades for a fee to see who might take them up on that?

Hard to believe how close this cruise is getting.......and I feel behind with these pages of posts that I'm reading this evening....

 

[NC_Tink]

Did anyone get any offers for paid upgrades at all? I just saw over on the may cruises that some people have been offered them.

Nope - I actually asked my TA about what it would cost to upgrade to a CAT 3 and all I could respond was OUCH! I would lose my Kids Sail Free offer too! But, at least now, if pixie dust does come my way I'll really know if it's a good deal or not. I'm talking about the kind of pixie dust where DCL calls and offers one of those superb upgrades with minimal cost If I get the real pixie dust and just happen to get one of those magical upgrades -well then I'll be for joy!

 

[mrosen]

ST PETERS BASILICA
DRESS CODE​

I had heard about a dress code for women, didn't know that it also applied to men:

Dress Code

The Dress Code is strictly enforced at St. Peter's Basilica. No shorts, bare shoulders or miniskirts. This applies to both men and women. Even if you get through security, you will be turned away by the attendants at the door. On a hot summer day, I've seen dozens of men in shorts turned away.


per http://www.saintpetersbasilica.org/touristinfo.htm

That's good to know.

I see references to no backpack. We booked a Disney tour that includes St Peters Basicila tour. I plan to have a camera bag so anyone know if this has to be checked vs can I just keep with me for safe keeping.

 

[mrosen]

I just checked my Disney Reservation page and the statroom number has changed - it was 2139 and now it's 2070! This means it's gone from a Cat 10 to a Cat 9

Has anyone else been changed? I have read it can happen multiple times before the cruise, but do they ever 'down grade' you? (I know it's not a down grade as we booked Cat 12 - but to be 'given' a Cat 9 then changed to a Cat 10 would seem like a down grade to me )

After today I have 26 days left at work

Congrats on another upgrade. How lucky.

 

[TheCruisers]

That's good to know.

I see references to no backpack. We booked a Disney tour that includes St Peters Basicila tour. I plan to have a camera bag so anyone know if this has to be checked vs can I just keep with me for safe keeping.

I found this site, it depends on the size: http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-Info/MV_Info_Consigli.html

Don't forget to check your alcohol and more importantly, pick it up!

Eleasa

 

[carpenta]

That's good to know.

I see references to no backpack. We booked a Disney tour that includes St Peters Basicila tour. I plan to have a camera bag so anyone know if this has to be checked vs can I just keep with me for safe keeping.

The last tour through Disney we were encouraged to leave all the bags on the bus and bring the cameras hanging around your neck.This was a Disney sponsored tour through a local group. It is much easier to take a couple extra chips and batteries and put them in your pocket than the hassels of security IMHO.I believe it was done as not to break up the group while some go to check in the bags while the others are standing waiting. There is a place to check items but we never went there.
The tour itself was top notch in my opinion with our guide being an expert on the Vatican and its' history. We thought it was worth every dime. One down side is the pictures can never capture the size and scale of St. Peters. The souveniers found in the shops just outside the walls were quite expensive and made us choose carefully.

 

[carpenta]

I found this site, it depends on the size: http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-Info/MV_Info_Consigli.html

Don't forget to check your alcohol and more importantly, pick it up!

Eleasa

Also mark the bottle so to insure nobody "helps themselves".