All in one place: Please Post info from your DCL Med excursions HERE

[Valencia Joe]

I forgot one other thing. This is mainly directed for the "cruisers" who will be stopping in Italy during the month of August. August in Italy is a popular vacation month. Over half the country has it off. What you will probably find are that some stores or restaurants will be closed during this time. More than likely that the main stores in Rome will be open, but the smaller, out-of-the-way stores will be closed. Don't know if this applies to other countries in Europe, but I know this to be the case for Italy.

 

[konslerg]

>>snipped<<Second, the reason why photographs are not allowed in the Sistine Chapel is that the flash will eventually wear down the color of the paintings. I know it may sound obsurd, but over time, flash light will wear down the color of that magnificent work of art. Fuji was paid millions to restore the Sistine Chapel, and I don't think that the Italians or the Vatican would hand over picture rights in addition to paying them their fees.

You are right about the bright flash/light eventually deteriorating the color of the Sistine frescoes, but you have your facts a bit mixed up about Fuji.

The recent restoration of the frescoes was primarily paid for by Fujifilm. They paid multiples of millions of dollars footing the bill for the restorations. In exchange, the Fuji Corporation was given exclusive "image rights" on it for a certain number of years.

...and that's the main reason why you're not allowed to take pictures.

 

[taysmom]

I did the disney excursion monaco, monte carlo and eze...but you need alessandra as your guide. I can't stress enough how excellent she was. The other bus didn't really care for their guide.
I have very little respect for the excursions dept. on board DCL. They really weren't very helpful with MY issues. I have heard many others say they were wonderful with their issues, but the same said they had problems too.
My recommendations would be to do what you can on your own, or hire private tours. Everyone I spoke with who did those two options, including my own experience in palermo and naples, were successful and well worth it. The only excursion I really liked was Monaco, Monte Carlo and Eze. Aix en Provence was nice, but I think the 10 dayers will be more happy cause the shops are open on their day. 11 dayers are there on a sunday.
Have a great time. We did!!!

Steph

 

[Valencia Joe]

You are right about the bright flash/light eventually deteriorating the color of the Sistine frescoes, but you have your facts a bit mixed up about Fuji.

The recent restoration of the frescoes was primarily paid for by Fujifilm. They paid multiples of millions of dollars footing the bill for the restorations. In exchange, the Fuji Corporation was given exclusive "image rights" on it for a certain number of years.

...and that's the main reason why you're not allowed to take pictures.

Thank you for correcting me. I knew Fuji was involved, but I did not know that THEY paid to have the Chapel restored. No wonder they wanted the rights. All I remember were my Italian relatives complaining about a Japanese company doing the work to restore a part of Italian history, and not one Italian company was able to step up to the plate.

 

[OurDogCisco]

if you search my posts you will see that i can not say enough about touring with this group. it depends on what you want if you get someone who will go in and comment or not. for pompeii, we had him go in with us and comment. with the vatican, we went through the bishop's office for american tourist, so we could get a group tour so we had a tourguide through the vatican do commentary. We did not buy our tickets to the collesium through them, so no tour guide there, but we had someone in our group who had just gone tell us what we needed to know. Anyway, they were awesome...highly recomend them!!! They worked with all the reservations that I had made, and just made it all work for us. It was great....no worries, great guides, great drivers, wonderul buses. They took what we asked for and helped us to it all. And we asked for a lot...combine about three different tours in one at each port - naples, rome and florence/pisa.

Sharolyn... thank you so much for your reviews. I'm seriously considering using this private tour company. The only thing I'm curious about is the booster seat. Did you use one? Did you need one? I have 6 year old but she is pretty small for her age about 38 lbs.

Thanks,
Tina

 

[misseulalie]

First of all, Italy is NOT a third world country and it is safe to drink the tap water in any small or large city you to to. A matter of fact, some towns have a central water faucet and I have never tasted water so clean and cold coming from a tap in my life.


Finally, with regards to the language barrier, make an honest effort and try to speak the language of the country you are visiting. Don't be the arrogant American and start speaking English everywhere you go and expecting whoever is helping you to know English too. It helps to bring along a little phrase book with you when you go out touring. I found that the person helping you appreciates the fact that you are trying to communicate with them in their language. That has worked in every country that I have visited.

Yes, please TRY to say at least a few words in the home language. Even if it's just "hello" and "thank you". It can possibly determine whether they give you correct info or not (I actually saw it happen in France)

The tap water MIGHT make you sick. It's not that it's dirty, but sometimes people's stomachs are more sensitive then others. If you are prone to getting sick easily, then it may bother you. I drank tap water in Rome and Paris and nothing happened. (I drank about 3-4 glasses of water in each city, plus the veggies and fruit were washed in it)

Keep coins with you at all times. I had to pay to use the bathroom about 40% of the time while on the cruise (touring the ports) Typical amount was 50 cents to 1 euro. There were public bathrooms is Pompei that were free but had a line a mile long. Or I could pay 1 euro and get right in. I had no problem paying the Euro!

 

[Valencia Joe]

The tap water MIGHT make you sick. It's not that it's dirty, but sometimes people's stomachs are more sensitive then others. If you are prone to getting sick easily, then it may bother you. I drank tap water in Rome and Paris and nothing happened. (I drank about 3-4 glasses of water in each city, plus the veggies and fruit were washed in it)

The other thing that people with sensitive stomachs should watch out for is fresh fruit. Fruit sold is very natural (without chemicals) and it can upset the stomach if you eat too much. That has happened to me a couple of times in the past and it goes away in a day.

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Sharolyn... thank you so much for your reviews. I'm seriously considering using this private tour company. The only thing I'm curious about is the booster seat. Did you use one? Did you need one? I have 6 year old but she is pretty small for her age about 38 lbs.

Thanks,
Tina

OK Tina/OurDogCisco - I hope you don't get mad but I just had to laugh at your comment above. I have the same problem - but its with my dog - she is a Siberian Husky who THINKS she's a big one but is small for her breed and weighs 38 LBS. I have even discussed buying some kind of dog seat for her but everyone just does this . Although I do buckle her in but like a true 3 yr old - she has figured out how to get herself out of the seat belt. She waits until I turn around and hits the red buckle portion with her paw and out she goes. She's a smart AND fast one she is.

 

[OurDogCisco]

OK Tina/OurDogCisco - I hope you don't get mad but I just had to laugh at your comment above. I have the same problem - but its with my dog - she is a Siberian Husky who THINKS she's a big one but is small for her breed and weighs 38 LBS. I have even discussed buying some kind of dog seat for her but everyone just does this . Although I do buckle her in but like a true 3 yr old - she has figured out how to get herself out of the seat belt. She waits until I turn around and hits the red buckle portion with her paw and out she goes. She's a smart AND fast one she is.

Awww.... sounds like a cutie...

I worry about my dog to. We have a golden retriever and the other day I slightly applied pressure to my brakes and fell from the seat. It worries me because dogs can get injured just like children. There has to be something out there to help buckle our dogs in.

Tina

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Awww.... sounds like a cutie...

I worry about my dog to. We have a golden retriever and the other day I slightly applied pressure to my brakes and fell from the seat. It worries me because dogs can get injured just like children. There has to be something out there to help buckle our dogs in.

Tina

I have searched over and over. I actually have 2 huskies but the white one just finds a spot and settles down. Doesn't move usually so she's find. The other ond ONLY STOPS when we stop. Several times she has gone flying forward since she isn't that heavy but the darn doggy just can't stay buckled. She'll stay until she figures out how to get out. I'm waiting for the day that my nephews and nice figure it out. They are 2 yrs old and haven't caught up to Isis/small one yet. When that day comes - I will stop driving them together.

I guess its up to us pet lovers to figure something out. The closest thing I can come to is a harness with a separate small buckle strap. Some day Tina - someday!

 

[OurDogCisco]

So has anyone done the Historic Rome & the Underground Mysteries of St. Clemente Basilica (CV-22) tour...

I was thinking it might be a good choice since you travel via train and you get to see the coloseum inside and out which my oldest daughter wants. It doesn't sound like they pack a ton of activities into one day but you see enough?? I don't I keep reading trip reports and I keep changing my mind.

Thanks,
Tina

 

[konslerg]

Thank you for correcting me. I knew Fuji was involved, but I did not know that THEY paid to have the [Sistine] Chapel restored.

Actually, I need to correct both of us ;-) In doing a little research, it seems it was Nippon Television Network Company of Japan not Fujifilm that was the main provider of funds for the restoration (although I'd almost swear our tour guide said Fujifilm!). Maybe Nippon Television owns Fuji or vice versa?? According to Wikipedia they paid $4.2M for the filming rights. Hmmmmm...
That doesn't really sound like much money considering it was a 20 year project. Maybe there's more to the story still...

 

[kyla]

Awww.... sounds like a cutie...

I worry about my dog to. We have a golden retriever and the other day I slightly applied pressure to my brakes and fell from the seat. It worries me because dogs can get injured just like children. There has to be something out there to help buckle our dogs in.

Tina

http://www.ruffrider.com/
These have been rated to withstand an accident without breaking the buckles or webbing. Unlike other seatbelts designed for dogs, these don't put the strain on the plastic snap buckles which will certainly break in an accident. You need to measure your dog to get the right fit.
In an accident, unsecured dogs are like a missile going through your windshield.

 

[ms7479a]

Did anyone do the Palace of the Popes and Les Baux excursion? If so, how was it?

 

[Valencia Joe]

Has anyone done the gnochetti and ravioli excursion in Sardinia? If it is interesting, I may pursue it once we get on board.

 

[Hygiene99]

It looks like their goodies comes in fancy bottles. How did you get your purchases home safely?

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19221416&postcount=164

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19399769&postcount=26

Both the Balsamic Vinegar and the OO are the Best we have ever had!!!!

Just said a prayer a Customs LOL

our second favorite place was the Winery tour - Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both bottles are now gone!
and they want $55.00 around here.

Still have some Limoncello in the freezer, but the creamy style bottle did not make it off the ship..

Still have some pear flavored liquor, and the Moonshine was a gift for Bil...




Both our Server LIAM and our Favorite head Server Michelle, Both Received a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape... Both where very happy with the Gifts!

More on Liam, From Jamacia!!!
I think he is The best Male server We have had on 12 cruises!!!
And our other Favorite is AnneMarie, Now in Palo..Had her in Regular Dining Rooms..

Both Where given the Task of Taking Care of Me for the Cruise!
What does that mean?

Well He decided what I would have for an App, Salad, Main Course & Desert!!!

He had alot of fun with it!!
As did his Friend in the Kitchen, Also Jamacian.
Several nights I received Dinners that where not on the menus, but Liam & Friend. Came up with!!!
Was always something Special!!!!

If anyone see's Liam, Please tell him Peter of the First Med cruise says, Thank You!!!
And Hello!!!!


He was Great!!!!!

 

[sharolyn]

We had a group of 30ish of us doing these ports, so we had our own coach bus!! We did have my nephew who is also a VERY small 6 year old, and he did not ride in any type of restraint on the bus. if we were in a car, it might have been different, or even in a van. But on the big bus, we all just went with sitting in the seats. come to think of it, i am not sure they even had seatbelts!! so depending on the size of your group, it might make a difference on what you can or can not use for restraints. i know the fleet they use are all mercedes cars, vans and busses. hope this helps....

 

[kidcoos3]

Which places make you cover your shoulders and knees? Vatican - got that. But, which other places? Anywhere in Pisa? The Gothic cathedral in Naples? The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona? Anywhere else??

 

[konslerg]

Which places make you cover your shoulders and knees? Vatican - got that. But, which other places? Anywhere in Pisa? The Gothic cathedral in Naples? The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona? Anywhere else??

All the churches in Italy require covered shoulders and knees. I'm not sure about Sagrada familia.

 

[wendy151950]

We are signed up for the Boat Ride to Zingaro Park in Palermo (my DD's choice). Anyone do this one?

Wendy
7/18 trip - getting close!