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

[mrosen]

Did you get an email? I didn't get one, or at least not that I know of. I can't think of what it might be for either -- sorry. But, congratulations -- that's a couple more drinks! Or that almost pays for one meal at Palo

We got a credit too. Showed up on our credit card. I compared an older reservation showing the price to what I saw last night when I logged into disneycruise.com to see our reservation and noticed it was a little lower (matches the credit we saw on the credit card). It appears to me to a slight reduction in govt taxes, cruise fee portion of the bill. Not a huge amount. We had roughly $27 in savings and I assume the amount is tied to how many people may be in cruise reservation. I would assume this will apply to everyone or everyone who booked by a certain date in the past if the amounts here have been lowered.

 

[Lyrah]

Hi all

Changed plans for Rome and also for Pompeii - decided against DCL trip and now booked DIY - booked train 1st class with seating for 2 adults , 2 children for 66 euros and the same again for Pisa. I dont think you can book the one to pomepii online?

Does anyone have any advice re booking tickets for colloseum and sistine chapel - some sites say book in advance , some say for colloseum go to palatine hill gate and get tickets there - anyone any experiences?

Last summer we took the Circumvesuviana train from the Naples train station to Pompeii. It is located in a different area than the main tracks and is about a 10 minute walk. I can't remember how much is was exactly, but it is very cheap, just a few euros per person. It was about a 45 minute trip.

As far as the Colosseum, we were there in the summer and when we walked up by the entrance there were so many english speaking tour guides (companies) offering tours of the Colosseum which include Palatine hill, and the Forum for around 25 euro each. You pay them directly, and I would say they leave about every 15 minutes or so. No standing in line. Most of the guides were from the US and were professors. We loved our guide. He was very knowledgeable and funny and he really made our trip memorable. There was a wait line for tickets, but the wait did not seem too long.

We didn't make it to the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, but are possibly planning to go on this trip. I don't think that we will purchase anything in advance. I am a little worried about meeting time deadlines. Things never seem to go as planned when we travel, so we just kind of go with the flow.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[lynnemcb]

thanks for the info all - have now booked colloseum tickets but no times on them so thats OK just the date. Think Im being a bit over confident looking at doing Vatican too in same day - does anyone know how much a taxi would be between the two places and how long approx to get there - depends if its a nice day - if so would probably be happy seeing everywhere from outside rather than going in but then again if it rains

Will likely get a tour guide is easily available at colloseum - what about pompeii ar there also guides there. Looked on one site and prices were really high.

Lynne

 

[auntshell]

Hi Everyone, We are getting excited now, we will be cruising with you guys as well, this is our first Cruise....we live in Canada. We have been to Disney Land and Disney World, so are taking the next step.....cruising...my DH (42) myself (38) DS (12) & DD (7) can't wait. My DH found this site last night and have been booked since Oct 2009, we got in on the kids sail free.

Well I just wanted to say Hi everyone and we will see you soon...=)

 

[carpenta]

Hi Everyone, We are getting excited now, we will be cruising with you guys as well, this is our first Cruise....we live in Canada. We have been to Disney Land and Disney World, so are taking the next step.....cruising...my DH (42) myself (38) DS (12) & DD (7) can't wait. My DH found this site last night and have been booked since Oct 2009, we got in on the kids sail free.

Well I just wanted to say Hi everyone and we will see you soon...=)

WELCOME OUR Neighbors to our North (west).

 

[ema]

Hi Everyone, We are getting excited now, we will be cruising with you guys as well, this is our first Cruise....we live in Canada. We have been to Disney Land and Disney World, so are taking the next step.....cruising...my DH (42) myself (38) DS (12) & DD (7) can't wait. My DH found this site last night and have been booked since Oct 2009, we got in on the kids sail free.

Well I just wanted to say Hi everyone and we will see you soon...=)

Hello and welcome We are from Canada as well...our DD is 8!! Can't wait. It's been a while and a lot has happened since my last post. I just wanted to wish those on the TA a safe trip!! Hopefully you'll be able to post...if not, we can't wait to meet you all in person. This has been such a wonderful and helpful place. You've all helped with the planning of this trip...Just a few weeks now!!!

Elena

 

[Happy Goofy]

We also got a credit but it was $3.98- no clue what for

 

[NC_Tink]

Hi Everyone, We are getting excited now, we will be cruising with you guys as well, this is our first Cruise....we live in Canada. We have been to Disney Land and Disney World, so are taking the next step.....cruising...my DH (42) myself (38) DS (12) & DD (7) can't wait. My DH found this site last night and have been booked since Oct 2009, we got in on the kids sail free.

Well I just wanted to say Hi everyone and we will see you soon...=)

auntshell and family!

 

[mrosen]

Does anyone know what the suggested tips are or guidance to give on the cruise? I believe I had seen before advice on disboard but couldn't find it readily and hoping someone here can provide me some advice. Just trying to plan for this accordingly as part of final getting reading for the upcoming cruise.

 

[NC_Tink]

Does anyone know what the suggested tips are or guidance to give on the cruise? I believe I had seen before advice on disboard but couldn't find it readily and hoping someone here can provide me some advice. Just trying to plan for this accordingly as part of final getting reading for the upcoming cruise.

Here's what's linked from the FAQs page: Cruise tipping calculator Hope that helps.

 

[grlzmom]

Just looked at my account and we got 2 credits from DCL. Each one was 27.64 and they both posted yesterday.

No idea what they are but happy to get money back

 

[Dicecatt]

Just looked at my account and we got 2 credits from DCL. Each one was 27.64 and they both posted yesterday.

No idea what they are but happy to get money back

It certainly is better than owing more

 

[grlzmom]

It certainly is better than owing more

Gotta agree with you on that one, especially after doing the Taxes this week

 

[grlzmom]

Keep forgetting to ask the board here,

On the Transatlantic, Stephanie is the keeper of the write on/wipe off board for DIS cruisers. Just a board centrally located where messages and updates are left, changes, etc. Anything somebody else might want to know.

We don't have much group activity planned on this cruise but it might still be helpful if she would keep it for the MED.

Comes in handy if you forgot or need something someone else might have, i.e, need to borrow a certain type of battery charger or luggage scale or group brunch reminder or whatever

So hoping Stephanie is going to volunteer to keep up with it for the MED if we might use it.

 

[Happy Goofy]

That would be a good idea to have the white board on this part of the cruise. Times and places change - this is a way we can keep in touch with each other.

 

[auntlynne]

I second the nomination for Stephanie to be the keeper of the board!

Does anyone know what the suggested tips are or guidance to give on the cruise? I believe I had seen before advice on disboard but couldn't find it readily and hoping someone here can provide me some advice. Just trying to plan for this accordingly as part of final getting reading for the upcoming cruise.

If you received your cruise docs, you'll have the Gratuity Guidelines page in the "Important Extras" section.

11-Night Cruise Gratuity Suggestions (per person, including children)

Restaurant Server $44
Restaurant Assistant Service $33
Head Server $11
Stateroom Host(ess) $44
Room Service - Your discretion

$132 pp for the cruise.

I found a thread that discussed the pay for the workers on the ship. The cruise line industry standard is that the above type of employees are almost totally dependent on the tips for their pay. The cruise lines may only be paying them $100 or less per month. Once onboard, you will notice that the employees in these tip-intensive jobs are from countries that have few jobs that offer comparable earnings.

Made me think again about begrudging that extra money. And with the $100 pp early booking bonus some of us got, it's not that much out of our pockets.

 

[auntlynne]

and what we learned on the TA thread: if you use a Disney Rewards VISA card and like to use their free 6-months interest for paying off the cruise:

You can charge an onboard credit BEFORE the cruise - especially if you have excursions or tips or known drinks... and that will qualify as part of the interest-free charges.

If you wait to settle your account ONBOARD, those charges will not have the 6-month free interest.

And don't designate what the money is for (like tips), just make yourself a gift.

 

[Californiacruisers]

Hi Everyone, We are getting excited now, we will be cruising with you guys as well, this is our first Cruise....we live in Canada. We have been to Disney Land and Disney World, so are taking the next step.....cruising...my DH (42) myself (38) DS (12) & DD (7) can't wait. My DH found this site last night and have been booked since Oct 2009, we got in on the kids sail free.

Well I just wanted to say Hi everyone and we will see you soon...=)

Welcome. We too are first time cruisers and feel like we have a ton to learn. Looking forward to meeting everyone on the cruise.

 

[auntlynne]

What you don't get to do this cruise you can do on the next one We are going to be so busy with all the ports, you will have a totally different experience if you do a more "regular" Disney cruise in the future. I've been on DCL 3 times - each one unique. But so glad to not be dragging luggage from one town to another.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Hi Everyone, We are getting excited now, we will be cruising with you guys as well, this is our first Cruise....we live in Canada. We have been to Disney Land and Disney World, so are taking the next step.....cruising...my DH (42) myself (38) DS (12) & DD (7) can't wait. My DH found this site last night and have been booked since Oct 2009, we got in on the kids sail free.

Well I just wanted to say Hi everyone and we will see you soon...=)

on board

Corinna