9-08-2010 Pirates through the Mediterranean/ Yo Ho! Yo Ho! A Pirates Life for Us

[caaimee]

I'm considering doing a tour in Villefranche that my TA just used and highly recommended - doing Eze, Monaco, Monte Carlo, Nice etc. If anyone is interested I can get the details and try to get a group together - I think the van seats 8. She said it was one of her favorites of the trip.

I would love to join a smaller tour. Let me know the details.
Amy

 

[bitocas]

hi,everibody!please welcome ,pirates from portugal.

cast:
me-(34)
dh-(36)
dd-(4)

we are going to barcelona,on set 7,and stay in eurostars grand marina hotel,we arrive at nomm,and maybe we will tour de aqquarium and the chocolate museum,we now barcelona well from previous visits.i think dd
will enjoy this sites better.we book this cruise in november,a cat6 gty,and had
some pixie dust,because we were upgraded to cat.4 room 8088.we would do all the excursions tru disney,because our dd only speaks portuguese,and we can leave them in the clubs.we think going tru disney is safier.our dd is very low profile,and loves metting new places.ours excursions:
malta-hiligths of malta
tunisia-panoramic tour
rome-best of rome
naples-pompei,amalfi coast and capri for families
la spezia-florence and pisa
corsica-sweet corsica
villefranche-nice and monaco
just want to wich everibody a very nice cruise.lets all have lots of fun

 

[nyloc]

Hi everyone ...

So ... time is ticking away and unfortunately for once my usually obsessive pre-planning didn't get done. We did a TA west on the Emerald Princess last Sept. and had a marvellous time onboard and in port thanks to the fact that we were prepared, and thanks to cruisecritic.com and the fantastic friends we made there.

This time though we do seem to be piecing things together despite the lack of background work, but ...

While we don't actually avoid line-organised tours (the good ones are great ... Oslo last year being one of them) we find that the flexibility of the smaller, self-organised ones is far superior (and generally cheaper). Our Iceland tour last year was an example ... our group of 10 and the guide kind of had an instant affinity and we did things and went places that many tourists don't directly see and at our own pace (thanks for insisting we do Blue Lagoon, Eric).

Tour-wise this time we have a confirmation from Ronald and Twee for Malta. We've booked Tunis with the cruise line (European friends insisted on that for a first visit). Kind of hoping something will work out with QATZSD for Villefranche.

So ... though we know people in each of these places who have made suggestions, right now we're looking to see if anyone has tours or plans with openings for Naples, Civitavecchia (don't need the "normal/formal" Rome stuff - have spent several weeks visiting before), La Spezia (nothing defined, but thinking about train-ing it along the Cinque Terre and doing some hiking), and Corsica (friends who know the island think the Corte trip would be one of the best, but I'm still debating).

We'd love any input/suggestions offered, and would love the chance to consider any openings on private tours if they exist.

I do speak Spanish & Italian like a native, and can handle myself in French if any of that's a help.

Oh ... and by the way I did see a meet-up suggested for the first sea day, but couldn't quite figure out if it had been formalised. We'd love to join in if we'd be welcome.

And if anyone wants to know a bit about the "real" pirate history behind Castaway Cay stop me on the ship and ask! FWIW, my "ancestors" on my father's side are from the Abacos and these here islands of the Bahamas are where I grew up and where we raised our kids, and where our younger son will marry a Jersey girl next month.

Looking forward to running across you guys during this adventure.

 

[cquick]

doin the doc dance!!!!​

 

[cquick]

DOIN THE DOC DANCE!!!​

 

[gatzsd]

Hi everyone ...

So ... time is ticking away and unfortunately for once my usually obsessive pre-planning didn't get done. We did a TA west on the Emerald Princess last Sept. and had a marvellous time onboard and in port thanks to the fact that we were prepared, and thanks to cruisecritic.com and the fantastic friends we made there.

This time though we do seem to be piecing things together despite the lack of background work, but ...

While we don't actually avoid line-organised tours (the good ones are great ... Oslo last year being one of them) we find that the flexibility of the smaller, self-organised ones is far superior (and generally cheaper). Our Iceland tour last year was an example ... our group of 10 and the guide kind of had an instant affinity and we did things and went places that many tourists don't directly see and at our own pace (thanks for insisting we do Blue Lagoon, Eric).

Tour-wise this time we have a confirmation from Ronald and Twee for Malta. We've booked Tunis with the cruise line (European friends insisted on that for a first visit). Kind of hoping something will work out with QATZSD for Villefranche.

So ... though we know people in each of these places who have made suggestions, right now we're looking to see if anyone has tours or plans with openings for Naples, Civitavecchia (don't need the "normal/formal" Rome stuff - have spent several weeks visiting before), La Spezia (nothing defined, but thinking about train-ing it along the Cinque Terre and doing some hiking), and Corsica (friends who know the island think the Corte trip would be one of the best, but I'm still debating).

We'd love any input/suggestions offered, and would love the chance to consider any openings on private tours if they exist.

I do speak Spanish & Italian like a native, and can handle myself in French if any of that's a help.

Oh ... and by the way I did see a meet-up suggested for the first sea day, but couldn't quite figure out if it had been formalised. We'd love to join in if we'd be welcome.

And if anyone wants to know a bit about the "real" pirate history behind Castaway Cay stop me on the ship and ask! FWIW, my "ancestors" on my father's side are from the Abacos and these here islands of the Bahamas are where I grew up and where we raised our kids, and where our younger son will marry a Jersey girl next month.

Looking forward to running across you guys during this adventure.

Hi guys!
OK - to those of you interested, I am getting the details soon I hope - I am hoping the tour guide my TA used is available. She had a group use him just the other day and they confirmed he was fantastic. I believe it is 600 Euro for 8 people, so 75 Euro/person - but I will confirm as soon as I hear back - should be within the next day. We have 2 people, so would have room for 6 more. I guess, I will ask the people in the order in which they replied to make it fair. Stay tuned.....
Stacie

 

[cquick]

Hi guys!
OK - to those of you interested, I am getting the details soon I hope - I am hoping the tour guide my TA used is available. She had a group use him just the other day and they confirmed he was fantastic. I believe it is 600 Euro for 8 people, so 75 Euro/person - but I will confirm as soon as I hear back - should be within the next day. We have 2 people, so would have room for 6 more. I guess, I will ask the people in the order in which they replied to make it fair. Stay tuned.....
Stacie

Which tour is this for? Connie\

 

[cquick]

Tour-wise this time we have a confirmation from Ronald and Twee for Malta. We've booked Tunis with the cruise line (European friends insisted on that for a first visit).
La Spezia (nothing defined, but thinking about train-ing it along the Cinque Terre and doing some hiking), /QUOTE]


My husband, Chuck, would like to join you for hiking along the Cinque Terre area. He likes to walk and isn't really interested in Florence.

Connie

 

[renegade7]

hi,everibody!please welcome ,pirates from portugal.

cast:
me-(34)
dh-(36)
dd-(4)

we are going to barcelona,on set 7,and stay in eurostars grand marina hotel,we arrive at nomm,and maybe we will tour de aqquarium and the chocolate museum,we now barcelona well from previous visits.i think dd
will enjoy this sites better.we book this cruise in november,a cat6 gty,and had
some pixie dust,because we were upgraded to cat.4 room 8088.we would do all the excursions tru disney,because our dd only speaks portuguese,and we can leave them in the clubs.we think going tru disney is safier.our dd is very low profile,and loves metting new places.ours excursions:
malta-hiligths of malta
tunisia-panoramic tour
rome-best of rome
naples-pompei,amalfi coast and capri for families
la spezia-florence and pisa
corsica-sweet corsica
villefranche-nice and monaco
just want to wich everibody a very nice cruise.lets all have lots of fun

My cruisemate and I are doing the Sweet Corsica as well.

 

[bitocas]

hi,renegade!Me and my husband are wine lovers.and after all the tours in italy,we think is a excursion that is welcome,if you see a couple im the mid 30's and a litte girl.we would love to say hello,and chat.In portugal,we have very good wines.see you soon,

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

I know someone had mentioned (think it was William) meeting up on the first sea day at 4:30, should we go ahead and plan on doing this? We should have our muster drill the first day we board, so now we're talking about 9/9 at 4:30, anyone have suggestions as to where?

Also, since no one objected, I've added dopeylvr to the FE list (they are traveling with eeyorelvr10 who is on the list), we're at 15, and it's totally closed out!

 

[renegade7]

hi,renegade!Me and my husband are wine lovers.and after all the tours in italy,we think is a excursion that is welcome,if you see a couple im the mid 30's and a litte girl.we would love to say hello,and chat.In portugal,we have very good wines.see you soon,

My cruisemate and I are both drinkers . I do have a nice wine collection living near Napa & Sonoma (Northern California). We will be the 2 women in our mid-30's probably acting like we are 18-25 years old or 65+ (aka sr. citizen) since this will be day 7 and we might be wiped out. We choose this excursion partly because it had wine tasting, but also since it is a short day and we might need that. Look forward to meeting you guys.

We are also doing the Mt. Vesuvius hike in Naples that includes wine tasting as well. We are planning on bringing a case of wine on this ship in Barcelona and then replenishing it as we travel since we are also doing the 14-day Transatlantic. BTW will be going to Blandy's when we are in Madeira. I can't wait - only 36 more days!

 

[castmeaway]

We are doing the document dance!! Come on September!

 

[cquick]

My cruisemate and I are both drinkers . I do have a nice wine collection living near Napa & Sonoma (Northern California). We will be the 2 women in our mid-30's probably acting like we are 18-25 years old or 65+ (aka sr. citizen) since this will be day 7 and we might be wiped out. We choose this excursion partly because it had wine tasting, but also since it is a short day and we might need that. Look forward to meeting you guys.

We are also doing the Mt. Vesuvius hike in Naples that includes wine tasting as well. We are planning on bringing a case of wine on this ship in Barcelona and then replenishing it as we travel since we are also doing the 14-day Transatlantic. BTW will be going to Blandy's when we are in Madeira. I can't wait - only 36 more days!

I can already tell that we will be best buddies!

 

[cquick]

Hey, why isn't anybody posting more?
I am so excited!
Nobody has any news?
Ideas?
packinglists?
outfit news?
Is everyone bringing Pirate outfitls for Pirate night?
What about the Captains dinner night?

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Hey, why isn't anybody posting more?
I am so excited!
Nobody has any news?
Ideas?
packinglists?
outfit news?
Is everyone bringing Pirate outfitls for Pirate night?
What about the Captains dinner night?

I think I'm on excitement overload!!!!

My husband is planning out our trip as I type, he's booking tickets for the tower in Pisa, working on the trip budget to make sure we know about how much the fixed costs are going to be, I've been working on our FE list gifts, have to get some more work in today. I read the thread probably 6 times a day, but they're drive by's, since I shouldn't be looking at work <blush> but I do!

OK, I found this totally cool dress at Kohl's yesterday when I took the kiddos shopping, it's a great green and would be easy to dress up for formal night, but, here's the rub, it's kind of a batik/tie-dye fabric pattern and there's a dark green stripe right across my behind , I didn't buy it then, but am thinking I may go back and get it, what do you think, the color is great on me, the style is lovely, it's just this green stripe...?

I started planning my packing list, does that count?

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

And I almost forgot, we're going to bring out Pirate bandannas, but not full outfits, we don't have any, and we're hitting London and Paris first, so with the kiddos, we're trying to keep the packing list down a bit, having to lug all of that stuff all over England and France isn't going to be fun!

 

[renegade7]

35 days till vacation!!!!

Oh so much to do. I don't know where to start. On that note, off I go to try to get some things done.

 

[Marie Mary-Ellen]

Don't worry too much about the stripe, if you feel the dress is what you want and you are happy, get it, I made a green bracelet today, I'll bring it and if it suits the dress, you may borrow it

Marie

 

[gatzsd]

I am so excited too!!!
I swear this trip is all I am thinking about! I am starting to get a packing list/to do list together. I think what I need to do is carry around sticky notes with me to write things down, because I keep thinking of things I will need or need to do - and then I forget them later. And stupid me will update my travel plans I have going in a word document only to not save it and have my laptop die! We leave Sept 1st for Paris, so only 31 days!

For clothes - I am going to bring several sundresses - easy to pack and throw on, and are super comfortable. I hope we have good weather! Even though I am packing all these cute outfits for DD (3) I have a feeling she will be in Princess costume the entire time!

I did a Rick Steves marathon last night on hulu.com - watched all about Paris, Rome, Barcelona, French Riviera, Naples and Pompeii and Cinque Terre.

We are doing most stuff on our own, but are doing the DCL tour in Malta of the Blue Grotto and have a private tour of Amalfi/Pompeii. Still debating on French Riveria tour - but waiting to hear back the details.

If anyone wants to share their packing list - please do! I did download one that someone put on the DIS board which has been helpful, but was geared toward Bahamas.

Stacie