7/25/2013 Med. Mickey's 12 Night Italian Job - with Nice, Valletta and Dubrov !

[thestewarts]

Doesn't seem to have been a lot from those who've just got off which is obviously most useful as they are on the same itinery. Hoping for navigators ASAP!

FE completed & packed. Just checking tickets, currency etc so we can top up this week!

Celestine

Similar here, Celestine. FE finalised and packed today, phew! Now checking pre booked tickets and printing what's needed. We put them all into a folder which we then also put all of our navigators into too.
Would be good to see some navigators or trip reports from those just back from the Venice trip.
F

 

[thestewarts]

Hi all
For any of you who are not over on the group's Facebook page, we've arranged to meet up on board on set sail day at 2.30 in the Promenade Lounge sporting either red ribbons or Tide pens!!!!
Hope to see you there!

Just a wee reminder for the meet up. Hope to see you there.
Fi.

 

[mikeandmela]

Ok, here we are

L to R, Mela, myself and our son Nic. Mela's dad will be staying at our house with Nic while we are on the trip. I was hoping for a better pic, it was about 102F when this was taken and it shows.
Anyway see y'all in a few days.

 

[kazerneke]

Today in La Spezia .... Magic docked again.... Is there anyone who has the confirmation that we also dock in stead of tender ?

 

[Pavilion 2000]

Same for us. We fly GLA/LGW/BCN on 24th too. Woooooooo hoooooooooo!!!

Frantically trying to finalise the FE today.

AHHHHHH, we fly in a week and I haven't even started packing yet!

 

[Cptjackandcrew]

This is a re-post/double post as I also put it on the DCL thread:

I just returned from the Med cruise and I wanted to recommend Casa Rocca Piccola as a must do for those of you going to Malta. It is located in Valletta where the ship ports and just a bit down Republic Street. We had MANY wonderful experiences, but this one was truly a highlight.

Amazing cruise! You all are going to have such a MAGICal time.

 

[Figment_Fan]

Thanks Cpn Jack.

Now, I know we will see Mt. Vesuvius. Will we also see Stromboli and Etna. Etna looks like it may be in view after we pass the straights of Messina. But, it is hard to tell just from the map. Anybody know?

Weird geekiness coming to the front. I'm interested as those are the 3 volcanoes that are used to name the ovens in Via Napole in EPCOT.

 

[cdnxpat]

Thanks CptJack!

 

[Cptjackandcrew]

Thanks Cpn Jack.

Now, I know we will see Mt. Vesuvius. Will we also see Stromboli and Etna. Etna looks like it may be in view after we pass the straights of Messina. But, it is hard to tell just from the map. Anybody know?

Weird geekiness coming to the front. I'm interested as those are the 3 volcanoes that are used to name the ovens in Via Napole in EPCOT.

That's very neat about the oven names. Not geeky at all.

Some other notes: We are do it yourselfers, so other than a last minute decision to go to Florence (via Disney) we made all of our own arrangements. If this is your plan you'll want to take the train to Pompeii and you'll see Mt. Vesuvius out the window. On your way back get off at the exit for Herculaneum. It is the best. Everyone goes to Pompeii because we're all familiar with it, but Herculaneum is the lesser known little brother. The area is much smaller, the buildings are more intact and the mosaics are just beautiful.
Just beware of pick pockets in Naples. That was the only place we were truly uncomfortable. Also watch out for the crazy drivers. The motorbikes even drive on the sidewalks.
We took the EuroRail to Rome. We didn't get as much time as many others, but we made it to four sites. A family we met onboard spoke Italian and were able to hire a driver at the port for 200 Euro and then tipped him another 100 Euro. They had a full stressless day. I think I can get his name if someone is interested. Just send me a PM.
Dubrovnik just joined the EU a few days before we arrived. Only some of the vendors accepted Euros as payment. You can exchange for Kuna's on the ship. We walked the wall. Probably not the best use of our time. It was very hot, very crowded and nothing special. They only accepted Kuna's and credit cards. I don't recall the name of the restaurant although DD took a picture of their blackboard which read, "You're standing in front of the best restaurant in town". They claimed it was the best Italian dish (spicy Penne Pasta) they had the entire trip. I was too hot to try it.

 

[Melcatfish]

Thanks for the info - it is good to hear from someone on our itinerary.

Mel
x

 

[Figment_Fan]

Okay, I have slowly started to adjust my sleep clock over the past week and a half. I am now getting up at ~3:30 a.m. our time - 9:30 a.m. Barcelona/Med time. It was neat last night as DW and DD went to bed early too. They got up around 4:30a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

DS can't join in yet as he is working evenings at his job. We warned him he is off as of Saturday. So, Friday night/Sat morning he is getting a crash course.

We're hoping to stave off a little of the jet lag problem.

How is everyone else doing? Not long now.

 

[Celestine]

Okay, I have slowly started to adjust my sleep clock over the past week and a half. I am now getting up at ~3:30 a.m. our time - 9:30 a.m. Barcelona/Med time. It was neat last night as DW and DD went to bed early too. They got up around 4:30a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

DS can't join in yet as he is working evenings at his job. We warned him he is off as of Saturday. So, Friday night/Sat morning he is getting a crash course.

We're hoping to stave off a little of the jet lag problem.

How is everyone else doing? Not long now.

I think our family are set for the 1 hour time difference Makes a change - we struggled no end with the 8 hour difference between here and LA on the Panama CAnal cruise, but less so at CHristmas. Hopefully all your hard work will allow you some quality touring time pre cruise

Celestine

 

[Kellycanada]

Probably not a new idea, but I just thought of putting our email address on our luggage tags.

 

[Figment_Fan]

Sure Celestine, rub that one in. I'm sure you're fine with the quick flight down to Barcelona too. Actually, I'm glad some of us will be awake and not travel weary. I'll be the one with my hand on your shoulder, eyes half open and following as closely as possible. Please just guide me to the nearest boat drink stop on the ship.

Never thought about adding e-mail. We generally have our contact information as the first picture saved on the camera. Thanks for the reminder, we still have to do that yet. I'm dreading the suitcase weigh in. We weighed 2 of them last week, and I think DW has been adding since then. When she found out we had extra weight to go, she began cramming more in.

Ordered Euros today. Can't wait to get them. They should be in within 2 days. Now, need to double check the credit cards.

Any other ideas?

 

[Melcatfish]

Sure Celestine, rub that one in. I'm sure you're fine with the quick flight down to Barcelona too. Actually, I'm glad some of us will be awake and not travel weary. I'll be the one with my hand on your shoulder, eyes half open and following as closely as possible. Please just guide me to the nearest boat drink stop on the ship.

Never thought about adding e-mail. We generally have our contact information as the first picture saved on the camera. Thanks for the reminder, we still have to do that yet. I'm dreading the suitcase weigh in. We weighed 2 of them last week, and I think DW has been adding since then. When she found out we had extra weight to go, she began cramming more in.

Ordered Euros today. Can't wait to get them. They should be in within 2 days. Now, need to double check the credit cards.

Any other ideas?

Just remember that us Brits have to make that long transatlantic flight every time we want to visit WDW or sail out of Port Canaveral so don't begrudge us our little smug moment when it is our turn to be only a short distance from our destination!!!!

Mel
x

 

[Figment_Fan]

Oh Mel, I didn't want to bring up that unfortunate flight situation you have to endure to come to WDW. I have some familiarity - we have a 22 hour drive to get there. Can't find flights cheaper than the drive. Gotta save money somewhere. I do love to drive. If I could I would drive to Barcelona. But, there is too much water in the way.

My concentration at work is beginning to really suffer from daydreaming about this cruise. Today, mostly how many courses and choices for dinner. I reviewed many of the food pictures. sigh.

 

[Cptjackandcrew]

I think I'm living vicariously through your thread as our cruise was so amazing and I'm wishing we could be back on board.
On that note, I have another recommendation:
I had everyone pack their outfits in ziplock bags, the ones with the slider. We pushed all the excess air out and then wrote what day we were going to wear it. It was easy for DD's and I as we have enough clothes for two weeks and our outfits are smaller and needed minimal ironing. DH used the 2 gallon size vs our 1 gallon. At the end of the day items not needed again were put back in the bag with air pressed out and put under the desk drawer until it was time to get off the ship. We had a cat 9 so I'm not sure what your room layout will be, but you get the idea. We've always had bags of laundry and this eliminated all of that. The items we needed again went into the two pop up hampers that I had brought along. I also brought a bag of those laundry detergent tablets.
Have fun everyone.

 

[Celestine]

I think I'm living vicariously through your thread as our cruise was so amazing and I'm wishing we could be back on board.
On that note, I have another recommendation:
I had everyone pack their outfits in ziplock bags, the ones with the slider. We pushed all the excess air out and then wrote what day we were going to wear it. It was easy for DD's and I as we have enough clothes for two weeks and our outfits are smaller and needed minimal ironing. DH used the 2 gallon size vs our 1 gallon. At the end of the day items not needed again were put back in the bag with air pressed out and put under the desk drawer until it was time to get off the ship. We had a cat 9 so I'm not sure what your room layout will be, but you get the idea. We've always had bags of laundry and this eliminated all of that. The items we needed again went into the two pop up hampers that I had brought along. I also brought a bag of those laundry detergent tablets.
Have fun everyone.

That is exactly what I do for youngest DD - also helps with not over packing. Can't convince DH in this strategy who still insists on taking far too much and then only wearing 1 pair of shorts

 

[clairedy6]

We're leaving in five days!! I think I heard this somewhere but can anyone confirm that Disney offers a free shuttle from the port to the old town of Dubrovnik? Is it also offered on the way back?

 

[Flora Fan]

Okay, I have slowly started to adjust my sleep clock over the past week and a half. I am now getting up at ~3:30 a.m. our time - 9:30 a.m. Barcelona/Med time. It was neat last night as DW and DD went to bed early too. They got up around 4:30a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

DS can't join in yet as he is working evenings at his job. We warned him he is off as of Saturday. So, Friday night/Sat morning he is getting a crash course.

We're hoping to stave off a little of the jet lag problem.

How is everyone else doing? Not long now.

We fly on Saturday. We've traveled a good deal (military family). We usually take a night flight over and sleep as best we can. When we arrive it's morning in Europe, so we stay up as long as possible. Collapse and then we are on European time the next morning.

I'm afraid the hard part is coming home. It takes a week to get sorted out. We've never found a good secret to coming back home.