7/9/11 - Summer Magic in the Med

[lcsmom]

Hi, back! We are DH - Lee, me - Susannah, and DD - Lauren, 17. I've been concentrating on the college visit stuff lately and really need to get excited about the Med.
Need to get our airfare, too! It seems there is no easy way to get to Barcelona, particularly from Houston. If we had any real experience in European travel, I might try something adventurous. Maybe fly to Paris or Madrid, then take the train. But this Texan doesn't even use US trains. I can see us trying to make connections using my Spanglish or DD school French.

 

[corbett744]

Hello, we are also joining this cruise. We're very excited.

 

[MaryJaneP]

Still hoping to go w/DH & 3 DD. Is there any word on Tunis being out with all the upheaval there?

 

[corbett744]

I am new to this chat stuff. What is the fish extender game? I have read several entries about a website for this cruise referenced by Jeff/Monstro. How would one find this website? Thanks

 

[ohMom]

Corbett! i have never participated in a FE...but my understanding is each family brings a "Fish extender" to hang outside their cabin door on the fish that is mounted on the wall. this FE is like a fabric hanging with pockets for each family member. throughout the cruise, DISboard families leave gifts in the pockets and trade items such as cruise-useful things like highlighters, notepads or items from their hometown... if you search Fish extender on the main cruise board i think you'll find more explainations --

i wanted to share this website http://www.contexttravel.com/home

 

[Minniespec]

Hello Again!

I've been MIA for quite some time, but I thought I'd re-introduce myself and my family. Our party will be me (a month shy of 15 and heading into 10th grade at the time of the cruise) and my parents (Warren and Wendy, whose ages will remain a secret so I survive until the cruise )

At this point we're not actually sure if we'll be going on the cruise-- we're having a really rough time working out the logistics of airfare/getting time off/getting the dogs into kennels/and a million other things. We've got our fingers crossed, but it's up in the air.

We went on a five night cruise on the Wonder to the Bahamas this past July and loved it. We booked this cruise partially because 11 nights sounded like heaven and partially because I go to a school that stresses everything classical, so seeing the historical aspect of Rome and the like is a dream come true for me.

I hope that we're able to get this board a little busier and hopefully get a fish extender set up. There's not long now until the cruise!

 

[drleblanc]

Hey All, just to let you know, we were looking at the DCL site and it appears that they have dropped Tunisia (not surprised) and added Palermo, Italy (boo, another Italy stop) in Sicily. I have a co-worker from there so I hear it is a nice place. Was hoping they would add Greece or something like that to really make it a comparable stop (ruins, etc.), but at least it is not another day at sea.

Looking forward to the trip, we are up for Fish Extenders, postcards, etc. This is just our second cruise (did the Baltic last year) and are looking forward to it. I work in Switzerland and am in Rome 2-3 times a month so let me know if you have any questions about the city.

Dan Leblanc

 

[Monstro]

Hey All, just to let you know, we were looking at the DCL site and it appears that they have dropped Tunisia (not surprised) and added Palermo, Italy (boo, another Italy stop) in Sicily. I have a co-worker from there so I hear it is a nice place. Was hoping they would add Greece or something like that to really make it a comparable stop (ruins, etc.), but at least it is not another day at sea.

Looking forward to the trip, we are up for Fish Extenders, postcards, etc. This is just our second cruise (did the Baltic last year) and are looking forward to it. I work in Switzerland and am in Rome 2-3 times a month so let me know if you have any questions about the city.

Dan Leblanc

Welcome Dan! We're still on this cruise and very excited for it. I'm disapointed about Tunis being dropped. We did however enjoy Sicily on our last cruise. We booked a private tour and went to the Monreale, out to see the temple ruins at Segesta and ended with a quick tour of the Catacombs... . which my kids absolutly loved.

I'm working on our tours and airfare right now....

Jeff

 

[VACruiser]

Things are starting to pick up in here.
Welcome and Welcome back....

I'm working on our tours and airfare right now....
Jeff

If your not too busy.... Can you go ahead and take care of ours too?

 

[Monstro]

Things are starting to pick up in here.
Welcome and Welcome back....



If your not too busy.... Can you go ahead and take care of ours too?

Sure, but I must warn you that I charge pretty hefty fees.

 

[VACruiser]

Sure, but I must warn you that I charge pretty hefty fees.

Yeah... That would probably break my budget.

Oh well, I tried!!!

 

[Monstro]

Yeah... That would probably break my budget.

Oh well, I tried!!!

I'll give you an "A" for effort...

 

[Monstro]

I am new to this chat stuff. What is the fish extender game? I have read several entries about a website for this cruise referenced by Jeff/Monstro. How would one find this website? Thanks

Yep. That would be me. I was putting together a cruise website on a wiki platform, but then I viewed it without signing in and realized that they (the hosting company) were splashing ads all over it. I can't say i blame them. they have to make money somehow. The site is still out there and I'll reactivate it if there is interest. Here is the link to what i had... It needs to be cleaned up and adjusted to everything that has changed. I'd like to see what the interest level is.

http://magic2011.wikidot.com/

Jeff

 

[Dazed]

Hi all.
Just wanted to add two Scots on board. Myself and DS 15. First cruise for us both so very,very excited. Been good to read a bit about our fellow passengers here. Very much looking forward to a disney fix without crossing the Atlantic.

Ann

 

[Monstro]

Hi all.
Just wanted to add two Scots on board. Myself and DS 15. First cruise for us both so very,very excited. Been good to read a bit about our fellow passengers here. Very much looking forward to a disney fix without crossing the Atlantic.

Ann

Welcome! Welcome! Good to have more onboard. Crossing the Atlantic is proving to be more costly than I originally budgeted.

 

[Pixiedustdawn]

I am having a problem finding airfare and hotel. This one vacation is just about costing close to, or more than $20,000 already. I hope i don't have to pull out.


I will keep checking the airfare.

 

[Monstro]

I hear you.... Are you going over early or staying for an extended period of time?

 

[ohMom]

i got some travel alert emails today....airfare seems to have taken a small dip ...

 

[emma2]

Hello, we haven't posted in a while - dealing with the sticker shock as we are adding up the $ we will need. We are five(myself,DH, DS will turn 12 on cruise, DD will just have turned 14 and, DD15). The kids do not know about this trip yet. I have booked flights ( 3 with mileage and pd for 2 from NYC). We plan to arrive 7/6 morning and have reservations for 3 nts at Casp74 Apartments.
Since this is my family's first time in these places I plan to do many private tours (Rome, Naples, Pisa and Lucca, and now Palermo - may do Malta as well). (I don't want them to get so tired that they won't want to do this again!) I have booked with ROMEINLIMO for 5 people, but may end up doing a small van to lower the price and get another family of 2 or 3 with us. I think we will skip Florence - the ride is too long - it is better done on a relaxed trip when we can spend a few days.
It seems that we would need to budget another $8000 for everything to be on the safe side -hotels, food, tours, shopping,etc. It's crazy!!! But I think it is a great introduction for the kids and my DH.

 

[corbett744]

I really like your website. I am always impressed that people know how to do this. I hope you keep it going as the information is interesting, and I think useful.