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

[Dicecatt]

I haven't arranged our transportation yet from the airport to our hotel, or from the hotel to port. We'll probably prebook the one from the airport, and take taxis from the hotel, just because we aren't sure exactly when we'll leave for the port as of right now.

I picked up my Euros yesterday! I decided the heck with hoping there are no ATM problems, and even though it cost me a few cents on the dollar I ordered what should be most of the Euros I might need, unless I shop too much which is entirely possible. I am making cute little envelopes for each of our tour guides. I feel much more comfortable having the euros on hand, although I probably would have gotten a slightly better rate if I waited. My comfort level outweighed a few cents.

After tomorrow when we have 40 people coming over for Easter, I can start devoting myself to packing . And finish my FE gifts.

Heck, I should have plenty of free time over the next couple of weeks! I only have yet another weekend in Kansas City for cheer, two cheer banquets for my two oldest girls, baseball games for son, my youngest's 5th birthday, and about a million things to do for work. No problem

 

[grlzmom]

Thanks all for the well wishes! We are on central time now, and it is 12:30 pm. DS has been out for the last 12 hours. I am thinking I will have to wake him up. Busy holiday weekend planned with all of the family. Talk to you soon.

Glad you are with family and ready for the holiday

I picked up my Euros yesterday! I decided the heck with hoping there are no ATM problems, and even though it cost me a few cents on the dollar I ordered what should be most of the Euros I might need, unless I shop too much which is entirely possible. I am making cute little envelopes for each of our tour guides. I feel much more comfortable having the euros on hand, although I probably would have gotten a slightly better rate if I waited. My comfort level outweighed a few cents.

After tomorrow when we have 40 people coming over for Easter, I can start devoting myself to packing . And finish my FE gifts.

Heck, I should have plenty of free time over the next couple of weeks! I only have yet another weekend in Kansas City for cheer, two cheer banquets for my two oldest girls, baseball games for son, my youngest's 5th birthday, and about a million things to do for work. No problem

We did the same thing with Euros. Don't want to have to worry about ATM working or not. Been burned on that before and not fun.

With all you have going on you will need the vacation!

 

[auntlynne]

Easter's almost over in Aussie land, but it's just Sunrise Service time around here.

We actually have a cool (not cold) clear, not rainy, Easter morning. The dogwood tree managed to turn to creamy from green overnight. The redbud, ornamental peach and cherry trees are in bloom. The Japanese magnolias were beautiful this past week (they loved the extended cold winter we had), but are now shattering their petals, scattering them at their feet like a deep pink snow blanket. The jonquils have bloomed and are on the way out; the irises are starting to send up their shoots and buds. I've got windows open in the house and the birds are singing.

Still a lot to do, but we don't get a lot of nice Easter mornings (sometimes there are tornadoes around this time of year).

 

[susanowen27]

Easter's almost over in Aussie land, but it's just Sunrise Service time around here.

We actually have a cool (not cold) clear, not rainy, Easter morning. The dogwood tree managed to turn to creamy from green overnight. The redbud, ornamental peach and cherry trees are in bloom. The Japanese magnolias were beautiful this past week (they loved the extended cold winter we had), but are now shattering their petals, scattering them at their feet like a deep pink snow blanket. The jonquils have bloomed and are on the way out; the irises are starting to send up their shoots and buds. I've got windows open in the house and the birds are singing.

Still a lot to do, but we don't get a lot of nice Easter mornings (sometimes there are tornadoes around this time of year).

What a beautiful visual picture!! Happy Easter!!!!

 

[RichC17]

Easter's almost over in Aussie land, but it's just Sunrise Service time around here.

We actually have a cool (not cold) clear, not rainy, Easter morning. The dogwood tree managed to turn to creamy from green overnight. The redbud, ornamental peach and cherry trees are in bloom. The Japanese magnolias were beautiful this past week (they loved the extended cold winter we had), but are now shattering their petals, scattering them at their feet like a deep pink snow blanket. The jonquils have bloomed and are on the way out; the irises are starting to send up their shoots and buds. I've got windows open in the house and the birds are singing.

Still a lot to do, but we don't get a lot of nice Easter mornings (sometimes there are tornadoes around this time of year).

Hey... I went to your site to see what the final count is for the FE for the group that my family are in and I could not find it. Could you Please let me know what group that we are in and the list of people in the group? Thanks and see all of ya'll when you are in Spain. The weather is starting to get really NICE!

 

[skoi]

Wow Lynne- an artist with words as well as graphics!

Easter Greetings in Arabic:

المسيح قام ! حقا قام

Dicecatt: Dinner for 40? Sounds like me in the old days. Just immediate family and maybe Arabic teacher today for us, so I'm still in relax mode.

For those booking private cars, do you mind sharing what you're paying from airport to hotel, etc? We're seeing about 50 Euros.

Any idea if it's better to go and exchange for Euros or order through someone like Wells Fargo?

Julie

 

[alicecr]

Hoping to find how to book reserved seating on express train from Rome back to port. Also need train schedule.

 

[shushh]

Julie, these are quotes for a minibus for 7. I'm sure it'll be cheaper for a smaller party.
Airport to apartment (city off Las Ramblas): €56.40
Apartment to port: €33.60
Port to airport: €41.60

 

[cam71099]

Hoping to find how to book reserved seating on express train from Rome back to port. Also need train schedule.

The schedule, prices and booking can be done through the trenitalia site.

 

[Californiacruisers]

Julie, these are quotes for a minibus for 7. I'm sure it'll be cheaper for a smaller party.
Airport to apartment (city off Las Ramblas): €56.40
Apartment to port: €33.60
Port to airport: €41.60

What company did these come from? I would like to arrange for our pickup as well.

Thanks!

 

[shushh]

Its with a2b transfers.

 

[auntlynne]

Hey... I went to your site to see what the final count is for the FE for the group that my family are in and I could not find it. Could you Please let me know what group that we are in and the list of people in the group? Thanks and see all of ya'll when you are in Spain. The weather is starting to get really NICE!

You should have all the info in a PM (check for one sent sometime last week - if its not there, I'll PM you again, if someone in your FE group hasn't beat me to it. ).

I took those lists off for personal security issues.

 

[alltheparks]

Hi! I hope everyone had a wonderful day. We so enjoyed being with our family, even if we did have to eat two dinners within three hours!

I know I am late in the game, but I finally got to go through our US mail, and am so excited to see our cruise docs. Can't believe how quickly it is coming up, and just a few days for those of you on the TA. Night All!

 

[Giant talking head]

Hi all Just wondering if anyone has any idea at all about formal nights on this cruise ? I haven't been able to find anything written in any of the paperwork that I've recieved so far - or on the Disney website. This is our first ever cruise and as such - we are really lost on some issues Thanks for all of your help

 

[Mineu]

How much is everyone budgeting for tips for excursion guides-I've read everything from a couple of euros per person to 10-15%??

 

[skoi]

How much is everyone budgeting for tips for excursion guides-I've read everything from a couple of euros per person to 10-15%??

Do you mean guides on private excursions, or the DCL excursions?

I was wondering the same thing, myself, since we're doing a mix of both.

Julie

 

[Dicecatt]

Do you mean guides on private excursions, or the DCL excursions?

I was wondering the same thing, myself, since we're doing a mix of both.

Julie

My plan is to tip 5-10 Euro per person for the DCL excursions, depending on how they go...for private tours, closer to 10-15 percent.

 

[Mineu]

My plan is to tip 5-10 Euro per person for the DCL excursions, depending on how they go...for private tours, closer to 10-15 percent.

Thanks!!

 

[Happy Goofy]

Time is getting close for us on the BTB. We will be meeting some of our fellow cruisers on Friday night before the cruise. It will be interesting putting together names with faces.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. Did anyone book the Tunisia tour- Bardo Museum-Medina, Carthage and Sidi Bou

and Corte- The Former Capital of Corsica

 

[Lyrah]

I just want to give everyone wanting to do Rome on their own a little helpful info. You can purchase a BIRG (Biglietto Integrato Regionale Giornaliero) ticket at the train station in Civitavecchia. This one day ticket allows unlimited travel on all city and regional transport, including buses, trains, (not the Fiumicino services), trams, and the metro in Lazio (which includes Rome!). It’s priced according to zones and should be aprox €9 from Civitavecchia.