7/13/13 ~~ Eastern Mediterranean Mouseketeers!

[FloridaMom3461]

Is anyone else visiting the beach in Malta, and if so which beach? We are doing the 10:30 Playmobil Factory tour first, and that will be over around 11:15, so we were thinking of a nice lunch and some beach time after that. I'm just not sure which beach. The closest one to Playmobil is called Pretty Bay, and its one of Malta's few sandy beaches, and looks great- except that it faces a nasty industrial port so its not the best view. The other beaches closest to Valletta (ie- St. Julian's, Sliema) are rocky. Anyone have any plans for the beach?

We are going snorkeling within the Blue Lagoon in Comino. It looks to be a beautiful and peaceful beach and lagoon. Not sure where it is compared to where you'll be....
Randi

 

[FloridaMom3461]

I need ideas. Going to climb the Leaning tower and then I have the rest of the day free. What should I do?

How about going to Lucca afterwards for a nice lunch and bike ride around the wall?
Randi

 

[tajz90]

How about going to Lucca afterwards for a nice lunch and bike ride around the wall?
Randi

Thanks. Good idea. I will look into it

 

[ky71]

We are flying into Barcelona on the 10th too. Hopefully there isn't a huge backlog to wait behind.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

We are going snorkeling within the Blue Lagoon in Comino. It looks to be a beautiful and peaceful beach and lagoon. Not sure where it is compared to where you'll be....
Randi

Randi, that island looks amazing!! If we had a longer port day I would do it, but since our Playmobil tour is on the opposite side of Malta, we wouldn't be able to do both in 1 day. Looks amazing for you though!

 

[bellelinus]

Would flights be affected as well or just luggage?

My impression from the email is that flights may be significantly delayed, and that luggage might not make it immediately. I was hoping that none of you would be affected. There is always a chance that they may avert the strikes.

 

[bellelinus]

Oh no! How horrible! I leave from Paris to Barcelona on July 10.

Will flights be cancelled?

It didn't look as though Barcelona airport was affected on July 10 . . . fingers crossed.

 

[bellelinus]

Our Leaning Tower tickets need some sort of identification to claim. I chose passport, but was wondering if a photocopy of passport would suffice. Does anyone know that answer?

I don't know for sure about the Leaning Tower, but I have successfully used a photocopy of my passport at internet cafes in Italy (where they do require showing a passport for security reasons).

 

[Cousin Orville]

I don't know for sure about the Leaning Tower, but I have successfully used a photocopy of my passport at internet cafes in Italy (where they do require showing a passport for security reasons).

I purchased mine with my passport as well. I'll likely just carry a copy just in case they really need it. The tickets are emailed to you. As you're not picking them up at will call, I doubt you will actually need your passport unless they're checking both tickets and pp at the tower entrance.

 

[tajz90]

I purchased mine with my passport as well. I'll likely just carry a copy just in case they really need it. The tickets are emailed to you. As you're not picking them up at will call, I doubt you will actually need your passport unless they're checking both tickets and pp at the tower entrance.

I have a ticket with 4 people on it, but someone said we needed to exchange them.

 

[fabulousoldshoes]

We're supposed to be arriving in Barcelona on the 8th :O Hopefully the strikes don't mess us up too badly.

 

[buddwaur]

Good news-DS12 will have his cast cut off before the cruise! He saw a hand/wrist specialist tonight and had more x-rays. They showed his bones are already healing very well and no need at all for surgery! We are beyond relieved that he'll get the cast cut off and can swim, go to the water park, etc. He might still be in a splint, but at least he can remove it for swimming and so on.

That's fantastic news!! I'm sure your son must be so happy! Glad to hear it all worked out for you!

 

[buddwaur]

Our Leaning Tower tickets need some sort of identification to claim. I chose passport, but was wondering if a photocopy of passport would suffice. Does anyone know that answer?

For buying entrance tickets to the Acropolis during our Athens tour, we were told that kids under the age of 18 would not be charged. The tour guide mentioned that a photocopy of their passports would be fine.

I would think the same would be true for the Leaning Tower...do they have any additional info on their website?

 

[Cousin Orville]

I have a ticket with 4 people on it, but someone said we needed to exchange them.

It says on the ticket instructions that it's the only valid document you may present at the entrance. I don't see anywhere that it has to be exchanged, but I'll bring a copy of my pp just in case. I'm sure if they need it, they really just need the pp number that's on the ticket. It does say on the website if you lose your ticket, a copy may be requested at the ticket office upon presentation of [your passport].
Still if you see anywhere that someone knows for sure, let us know. I visited Pisa about 10 yrs ago and always regretted (a little) not making the climb. Looking forward to doing it this time.

 

[tajz90]

It says on the ticket instructions that it's the only valid document you may present at the entrance. I don't see anywhere that it has to be exchanged, but I'll bring a copy of my pp just in case. I'm sure if they need it, they really just need the pp number that's on the ticket. It does say on the website if you lose your ticket, a copy may be requested at the ticket office upon presentation of [your passport].
Still if you see anywhere that someone knows for sure, let us know. I visited Pisa about 10 yrs ago and always regretted (a little) not making the climb. Looking forward to doing it this time.

I emailed office. I'll post response. We climbed in 07, bought tickets there. It's the only thing my child requested to do again.

 

[bellelinus]

Did I miss a post with the FE final list for printing out and taking along or is one yet to come??? Two weeks from today we will be on the ship!

 

[Stimpy]

I have a ticket with 4 people on it, but someone said we needed to exchange them.

I remember reading that somewhere recently too. There was a seperate booth across from the tower where you had to exchange them. I didn't pay too much attention because we weren't going to try to climb the tower itself this time. Was it on the Facebook group page maybe?

Ugh about the strike!! We're arriving on the morning of the cruise so it looks like we should be ok. Finally a good reason for arriving that day! LOL DH couldn't take anymore time off, as much as we would have loved to have stayed a few days earlier in Barcelona. (We have a WDW trip in August too) Hopefully they will get everything settled soon

Someone started posting their trip report from the first Greece cruise. She mentioned they had to change Pirate night and Semi Formal night around. She's going to scan the Navigators soon...can't wait

 

[Eleblanc]

Did I miss a post with the FE final list for printing out and taking along or is one yet to come??? Two weeks from today we will be on the ship!

The list is still posted on the first page, post #4. I will make a cheat sheet with just names and room numbers to hand out at the meet and greet on the first day as well.

 

[bellelinus]

The list is still posted on the first page, post #4. I will make a cheat sheet with just names and room numbers to hand out at the meet and greet on the first day as well.

Thanks, it was the cheat sheet I was looking for!

 

[LovesToRun]

We arrive to Barcelona on the 10th, so it sounds like this strike won't affect us, unless there are residual effects from the strike on the 8th. I guess we'll see... nothing we can do about it.

Oh, I can't wait to start reading trip reports from the first Greece cruise!!!

Can you all believe we are getting on the ship SO soon!! Safe travels to everyone!