August 13, 2011 Med - Mickey's Marauding Mates

[Kels Sem]

Private transfers DO sound like the way to go...and I'm super glad we can buddy up on the way TO the port but we're not staying at the Novotel afterward...I didn't realize you were doing both before & after there! Actually, I don't think I knew WHEN you were going home! Anyway, we're going to the Hotel Jazz for 2 nights afterward...not sure if they'd be willing to drop you then us or vice versa...or how much time that would add to either...but you could always ask I guess if they could do 2 drop off points?! Could probably work for both of us if they're willing!! UGGG on the cruise balance!! I have that money STASHED but it's all the OTHER stuff that's piling up on us now!! (DLP and the other hotel in Paris etc.)

Still working on planning out our shore excurions too... ChaCHing!!

I think that it worth asking if they will drop off at 2 different hotels. I can't see why not since we are paying them and there's no harm done if they won't..

yes, we're staying in the Novotel post cruise as well and we are flying home on Monday 22nd. I think our flight is around 10.30am.

I think we arrive in Barcelona around lunch time as well on the Friday and I'm thinking of going to the aquarium in the afternoon.

Have DCL updated the excursions on the website yet?

 

[luke]

Nothing wrong with the Novotel location in that respect, but only having a night either side of the cruise I'd rather be more centrally, maybe near the port for the pre cruise night.

We arrive at BCN on Friday morning, and fly back on the Sunday night. Hoping my friend will be flying out planes both ways, he's trying to make sure his rota is like that anyway.

Been thinking more about what we will do at the ports now. Thinking of Cinque Terre at La Spezia and Monte Carlo and Nice at Villefranche. Will probably just explore Mallorca when there too

 

[Anal Annie]

I think that it worth asking if they will drop off at 2 different hotels. I can't see why not since we are paying them and there's no harm done if they won't..

yes, we're staying in the Novotel post cruise as well and we are flying home on Monday 22nd. I think our flight is around 10.30am.

I think we arrive in Barcelona around lunch time as well on the Friday and I'm thinking of going to the aquarium in the afternoon.

Have DCL updated the excursions on the website yet?

Sounds good to me if you don't mind asking & sharing!! I DREAD our return flight home - we leave BCN at 7:30 am!! So I have to figure out what time we need to leave the hotel & what time we need to be at the airport! I guess I need to make a call to Air France on that one huh?!

And NO, DCL has not updated the website with new shore excursions...I just called them to see if they could tell me when they would be up & the rep said they're working on it (of course) but that it should probably be within the next week. I think LAST year they posted the info. around the end of January. So it should definitely be soon. Curious to see how much they raise their prices on stuff!! Also anxious to see what they offer on Majorca. I also called bcuz I was trying to find out if we decide to go to Pisa & book one of their Pisa tours that doesn't include the tix to climb the tower how we would know what TIME to order our tix for. Last year they offered several diff. excursions that included Pisa but only ONE that included tix to climb it. They were charging WAY more for that one than the others - I checked the website where you order the tix online & they should be 17 Euro each with the advanced purchase fee (about $23 USD). Meanwhile, DCL is charged like $80-90 more pp last year to include the tix to climb the tower!!

Been toodling around on the DCL website looking at the shore excursions...only 9 5C's left!! We're filling up! Just not with DIS'ers I guess.

OH, BTW Kelly, my DH has been snoring SOOO bad lately!! I am worried with you guys being in the next room that you will HEAR him!! He has been waking me up almost every night unless I take like a Tylenol PM or something before I go to bed!!

 

[Kels Sem]

Sounds good to me if you don't mind asking & sharing!! I DREAD our return flight home - we leave BCN at 7:30 am!! So I have to figure out what time we need to leave the hotel & what time we need to be at the airport! I guess I need to make a call to Air France on that one huh?!

And NO, DCL has not updated the website with new shore excursions...I just called them to see if they could tell me when they would be up & the rep said they're working on it (of course) but that it should probably be within the next week. I think LAST year they posted the info. around the end of January. So it should definitely be soon. Curious to see how much they raise their prices on stuff!! Also anxious to see what they offer on Majorca. I also called bcuz I was trying to find out if we decide to go to Pisa & book one of their Pisa tours that doesn't include the tix to climb the tower how we would know what TIME to order our tix for. Last year they offered several diff. excursions that included Pisa but only ONE that included tix to climb it. They were charging WAY more for that one than the others - I checked the website where you order the tix online & they should be 17 Euro each with the advanced purchase fee (about $23 USD). Meanwhile, DCL is charged like $80-90 more pp last year to include the tix to climb the tower!!

Been toodling around on the DCL website looking at the shore excursions...only 9 5C's left!! We're filling up! Just not with DIS'ers I guess.

OH, BTW Kelly, my DH has been snoring SOOO bad lately!! I am worried with you guys being in the next room that you will HEAR him!! He has been waking me up almost every night unless I take like a Tylenol PM or something before I go to bed!!

Oh Annie, Don't worry about the snoring. My DH can snore really bad as well and I was worried about you guys being beside us We'll have to wait & see which one is the worst Although I was hoping with the rocking of the boat he would sleep better and not snore...

I'll look into the transfer from the port. I can't remember what time we arrive in BCN but I think it's around 1pm but I will check.

One of my best friends is married to an Italian. She said that the leaning tower of Pisa is a really anti-climax when you actually see it and told me not to waste my time going but that is just her opinion. I am personally going to take her advice especially as my kids aren't old enough to climb it, it would be a bit of a waste of time for us.

Kx

 

[west&east]

Wow, busy conversations today!
I finally have 2 healthy children, thank you! Good thing since they could enjoy 62 degrees today and 66 forecast for tomorrow! 60s all week here in Charlotte! I am beginning to remember why I moved here.

Because we have 2 nights pre-cruise in BCN, we want a more centrally located hotel preferably. Especially with an 8 and 12 year old, it would be nice to be able to return to the hotel for breaks as needed. We have one night post cruise too and I'm trying to figure out what to do. I don't think we'll stay near the airport but am considering whether we should try to find someplace with a pool and just relax on Saturday or what.

Is anyone concerned about the heat during our trip? My mom keeps telling me that we are going to roast in Pompeii! Not sure there's anything that can be done about it except the usual hats, sunscreen,water, etc.

 

[jd99]

I was looking into the Hotel Arts for our last night. We probably can get a free room there, but I was concerned about 4 in the room. Maybe we should just book it with points and play dumb.

Also found Duquesa de Cardona. It is on the harbor at the base of Las Ramblas. They have beautiful looking family rooms but are 300 euros per night.

If you can book the Hotel Arts and play dumb to just stay in one room, I'd do it in a moment. There was no problem when we didn't have the connecting rooms we were promised. No argument - just said "we'll only bill you for one room" so it's not like they don't do it. I suspect that had we pushed it when we booked it would have been okay. the rooms are very large.

Wow, busy conversations today!
I finally have 2 healthy children, thank you! Good thing since they could enjoy 62 degrees today and 66 forecast for tomorrow! 60s all week here in Charlotte! I am beginning to remember why I moved here.

Because we have 2 nights pre-cruise in BCN, we want a more centrally located hotel preferably. Especially with an 8 and 12 year old, it would be nice to be able to return to the hotel for breaks as needed. We have one night post cruise too and I'm trying to figure out what to do. I don't think we'll stay near the airport but am considering whether we should try to find someplace with a pool and just relax on Saturday or what.

Is anyone concerned about the heat during our trip? My mom keeps telling me that we are going to roast in Pompeii! Not sure there's anything that can be done about it except the usual hats, sunscreen,water, etc.

Last August we were quite worried about the heat but the only places where we really noticed it were Malta (we were on a sailing ship and it was quite hot when we weren't moving fast but not a big problem). Carthage in Tunisia was a bit warm but not overwhelming; and Rome at the Vatican was a bit warm. But nothing was unbearable or crazy hot. Most of the weather was warm and pleasant.

 

[Anal Annie]

Wow, busy conversations today!
I finally have 2 healthy children, thank you! Good thing since they could enjoy 62 degrees today and 66 forecast for tomorrow! 60s all week here in Charlotte! I am beginning to remember why I moved here.

Because we have 2 nights pre-cruise in BCN, we want a more centrally located hotel preferably. Especially with an 8 and 12 year old, it would be nice to be able to return to the hotel for breaks as needed. We have one night post cruise too and I'm trying to figure out what to do. I don't think we'll stay near the airport but am considering whether we should try to find someplace with a pool and just relax on Saturday or what.

Is anyone concerned about the heat during our trip? My mom keeps telling me that we are going to roast in Pompeii! Not sure there's anything that can be done about it except the usual hats, sunscreen,water, etc.

Glad everyone is feeling better! We are supposed to be in the 50's up here this week!! Glad for that EXCEPT for we wanted to get out skiing one more time before the season ends!! It will be too warm for them to even MAKE snow at those temps! DS has another swim meet next weekend so our next chance is the last weekend in Feb. Hoping it will warm up for this week then become a little more seaonable for just another 10 days or so!!! With the pass that we bought for our local ski resorts we NEED to get out at least 1 more time to get our money out of the cards! So for once I am hoping for a cold snap for the last week of the month!! THEN it can warm up allllll it wants!!

I JUST booked our package at Disneyland Paris this evening (hoping their next deal isn't too much better than the 30% off I got on it)! I got an error on the confirmation page that freaked me out for a minute but then I got an email to confirm so it's all good. Capital One (our credit card co.) fraud dept. keeps calling me to be sure that all of these charges are valid (the shuttle transportation co. put all of the transfers thru already too). I had CALLED Capital One to tell them we were planning this trip and to expect some odd charges but they still keep calling every time. I am getting worried that they won't put things thru while we're away. I mean I'm glad they're watching BUT I told them and still they call each time.

Karen - I don't expect it to be any warmer in Italy or Barcelona than home is during the summer - I'm mostly worried that I can't wear my little tank tops & shorts everywhere tho. I will have to wear capris & tops with sleeves to the Vatican etc. For Pompeii we're going in the morning which is supposed to be cooler. I will be on the prowl this summer at TJ Maxx for some lightweight, loose cap sleeve tops tho. I'm actually worried that I could be COLD in Paris!! I looked at the average temps for August & it's not all that hot there (70's). I am cold at anything below 80!! I am hoping DS doesn't outgrow the couple of pairs of convertible zip off pants that I got him this fall. That's a long shot tho...and they're hard to find. Anyway, I was planning to bring some of those for him if they still fit him 'cuz I thought they'd be good for going in churches. I got them at Penney's...I wish I'd gone back while I'd found them & bought some in the next size up too. They were a nice soft microfiber - so they were casual but he COULD get by wearing them to dinner at night & as shorts during the day. Oh well. I will look for them again this spring just in case. He is just likely to grow a couple more inches by August!!

 

[Anal Annie]

So we were all chit chatty over the weekend and today nuthin'!!

Karen - we hit the 60's today!! But WINDY out - there's a Wind Advisory for our area so DS's pool is closed. Darned bubble!!

I went to Border's today looking at Rick Steve's tour books. DH gave me a Kindle for Christmas (so now we're a 2 Kindle family) but I still feel like I have to SEE the book before I download it. I am probably going to buy a couple of his books for it. My current mission is trying to figure out what to do in La Spezia! We hate to miss seeing the Leaning Tower but we also know that that's all there is to do in Pisa. BIL recommends Lucca but I realllly would like to also do Cinque Terre!! So I am investigating the idea of doing it all on our own - taking the train to Pisa then taking the train straight to Montessoro al Mare (the furthest of the 5 villages). There is supposed to be a decent beach there...so I think it's POSSIBLE that we could have a couple of hours in Pisa then be in Montessoro around 1:00 - just in time for lunch and then we could spend an hour or so on the beach. Then we could visit the next town, Vernazza, before heading back to La Spezia. We just have to make sure we keep tabs on the time & train schedule I think.

 

[Kels Sem]

So we were all chit chatty over the weekend and today nuthin'!!

Karen - we hit the 60's today!! But WINDY out - there's a Wind Advisory for our area so DS's pool is closed. Darned bubble!!

I went to Border's today looking at Rick Steve's tour books. DH gave me a Kindle for Christmas (so now we're a 2 Kindle family) but I still feel like I have to SEE the book before I download it. I am probably going to buy a couple of his books for it. My current mission is trying to figure out what to do in La Spezia! We hate to miss seeing the Leaning Tower but we also know that that's all there is to do in Pisa. BIL recommends Lucca but I realllly would like to also do Cinque Terre!! So I am investigating the idea of doing it all on our own - taking the train to Pisa then taking the train straight to Montessoro al Mare (the furthest of the 5 villages). There is supposed to be a decent beach there...so I think it's POSSIBLE that we could have a couple of hours in Pisa then be in Montessoro around 1:00 - just in time for lunch and then we could spend an hour or so on the beach. Then we could visit the next town, Vernazza, before heading back to La Spezia. We just have to make sure we keep tabs on the time & train schedule I think.

I have been following the thread on Cinque Terre. I'm really not sure what we are going to do at this port. DCL have an excursion to a castle with Dinosaurs i think it's at leicri (sorry probably not spelt correctly) or I was wondering if this is doable ourselves? I read somewhere on here from someone who did this excursion through DCL last year and they said that after the castle there is a walking tour of the town. They said that they just skipped this bit and went to the beach and had a lovely time there and then rejoined the group to get the transport back.

Decisions, decisions

 

[Anal Annie]

I have been following the thread on Cinque Terre. I'm really not sure what we are going to do at this port. DCL have an excursion to a castle with Dinosaurs i think it's at leicri (sorry probably not spelt correctly) or I was wondering if this is doable ourselves? I read somewhere on here from someone who did this excursion through DCL last year and they said that after the castle there is a walking tour of the town. They said that they just skipped this bit and went to the beach and had a lovely time there and then rejoined the group to get the transport back.

Decisions, decisions

I don't see Lerici on the train schedule from La Spezia so I am not sure how far it is or how you would get there if you don't use DCL...

 

[Kels Sem]

I don't see Lerici on the train schedule from La Spezia so I am not sure how far it is or how you would get there if you don't use DCL...

I suppose a could use a taxi or did the DCL website not say there was a bus? I will probably play it safe and use DCL.

 

[Anal Annie]

I suppose a could use a taxi or did the DCL website not say there was a bus? I will probably play it safe and use DCL.

Hummm....yeah. I tried to see if the ferry boats run between La Spezia & Lerici but it didn't look like they did. If that's what you decide to do you'd probably be safer using DCL...

I bought a hat yesterday to bring along. It's just a plain white Booney hat but it has like 100 SPF sunscreen in it. Found it at Costco. It's got a wide brim & is very floppy - seems like it will pack easily without getting ruined. I am NOT normally a big hat person (I look pretty goofy in them) but I read where they come in handy for the Italy & the Med... SOOO I figured it said on the tag that it only weighed 2.5 ounces I could bring it. I also bought a pair of those Sketchers Shape Up shoes! I need to get in shape between now & then so I thought I might start walking a little bit or something. Yeah. Right. I'll let ya know how that goes!!

 

[Anal Annie]

Yeah we are with the State Department and this is our first overseas assignment. We are really looking forward to it, but these last few days are crazy! We are going to slip down for a quick trip to WDW before we leave though!

We have a hold on a reservation until Wednesday, while I express the urgency to my parents. We'll see!

Hey there JP! Have you made it official yet? Are ya booked? I see our cruise is down to only 3 Cat 5C's today...looks like we won't be on an empty ship after all. Waiting for all the scoop on your group so I can add you to the first post!!!! Are you at WDW this week or packing for your big move!?

 

[Anal Annie]

Well so I had a completely frustrating day. I accomplished NOTHING. I THOUGHT I had our plans for Paris all sorted out. I had booked DLP over the weekend and had arranged for the shuttle company for the 3 transfers and I THOUGHT I had settled on our hotel in the city. It was recommended by our neighbors. But something kept nagging at me. They had a room they called a "triple" with a corresponding rate and I was so excited to have found a deal. But I couldn't find any pictures of the room. I decided to search back thru all the pictures I could find posted online of this hotel - I scrolled back to like 2006!! Nothing of this particular type room. There were a couple of pics I found that had this thing in it - sort of a daybed looking thing but not QUITE that big even. So I decided yesterday to email the hotel and ask if the extra bed was in fact a regular length bed. They answered back that no, it's more of a toddler size bed. So then they have what they call "family rooms" but this is really just a discounted rate to book 2 separate rooms (non-connecting). I just don't want to put DS into a room all alone in a foreign city. Nor does he want to be alone like that. It would be fine if the rooms connected and we could open the door....but these do not. I might be able to persuade DH to sleep alone! That would solve the snoring problem!

Anyway, SOOO I spent all day on Trip Advisor & Booking.com etc. looking for alternate hotels and pinpointing them on my map. I am really frustrated. There are 3 times as many hotels in Paris as in Barcelona but even FEWER I think that will offer a true triple or family size room. I had decided I wanted to stay in the Latin Quarter or Saint Germain Des Pres which limits the choices even further. There are over 1,800 hotels in Paris!! How far down on the ranking should I go??? Would you try to stay in the top 100? Top 200? Top 300? Does anybody know much about Paris? Should we consider staying closer to the Eiffel Tower or closer to the Arc de Triomphe? I'm so torn!! The original hotel I was going to book was in the Latin Quarter and ranked at #26 on Trip Advisor...I was very happy with that! On my short list now are #28 which is still in the same general vicinity and # 15 which is over by the Eiffel Tower...Then #156 which is near Montparnasse (and is referenced in my Frommer's guide book). But it is a little more $ than the #28 one. Other properties that have triples are #134 & #161 & #21 and #130. But I'm just not sure I like where they are located & I can't say as I am impressed with their photos online. Another fly in the ointment!!!

 

[mikki.young]

Sorry can't help with the Paris hotels even though I am nearer them than you! However I have just booked for the 13 August cruise!

 

[Anal Annie]

Sorry can't help with the Paris hotels even though I am nearer them than you! However I have just booked for the 13 August cruise!

Yay! Welcome aboard!! Come back & chat & tell us all about you & your crew!! I am still waiting on Jeremy's info. to add to the first post too!! Tell us who's sailing with you, age at sailing, names etc. Is this your first DCL?!

Now that the Hotel du Pantheon is out I am thinking now of booking this hotel in Paris: http://www.paris-hotel-odeon.com/uk/index.php Any thoughts anyone??

 

[Anal Annie]

HEY!! Where's all my peeps a hiding?!

Gotta get to bed...DS has a swim meet this weekend all the way around the Beltway in Alexandria, VA...must be there by 7:00 am for warm-ups & positive check-in! Uggg!! Means another weekend where Mama's gotta be up by 5:15 makin' some eggs!!

TTYL....

 

[Anal Annie]

Hey ya'll.... Started to add Jeremy & Mikki to the first post... Still need more info tho!!

SOOO we had TERRIBLE wind all night long & I barely slept. I woke up at 5:15 for the meet, got dressed & came downstairs to turn on the coffee pot around 5:30. Mind you I still needed to get DS up & feed him something and we needed to LEAVE home by 6:00 for the meet! OMG!! I had gotten the coffee ready in the basket & had put the water in the pot before I went to bed but for whatever reason I didn't want to mess with resetting the timer so I'd just left the pot of water sitting on the counter next to the coffee maker. I don't know why I didn't just pour it in for the night. But I didn't. WELL, apparently curiosity got the cat!! One of them had knocked the pot off the counter!! SHATTERED glass and water ALL OVER the floor!! OMG! WHAT a mess! And a mess that I REALLLLLY didn't have time for!! The water had run under the cabinets & the stove, around the island, under the stools...and the laminate on the end of the island was warping already from soaking up so much water!! They must've done it pretty early into the night for as much water as there was soaked into the cabinet. We quickly picked up the glass & threw down some dish towels to mop up what we could real quick...but the damage was done. I have a fan in there running now. But GEESH!! Damaged cabinets and NO COFFEE at such an awful hour!! I still need to run out & buy a new pot... I keep putting it off...but I think it's time!! It is evening now! I really wasn't in love with this coffee pot but so I can't decide if I just want to buy a replacement carafe for $25 or a whole new system (a Keurig) for $150?! OH, and DS swam like crap to top it all off.

 

[Kels Sem]

Hey ya'll.... Started to add Jeremy & Mikki to the first post... Still need more info tho!!

SOOO we had TERRIBLE wind all night long & I barely slept. I woke up at 5:15 for the meet, got dressed & came downstairs to turn on the coffee pot around 5:30. Mind you I still needed to get DS up & feed him something and we needed to LEAVE home by 6:00 for the meet! OMG!! I had gotten the coffee ready in the basket & had put the water in the pot before I went to bed but for whatever reason I didn't want to mess with resetting the timer so I'd just left the pot of water sitting on the counter next to the coffee maker. I don't know why I didn't just pour it in for the night. But I didn't. WELL, apparently curiosity got the cat!! One of them had knocked the pot off the counter!! SHATTERED glass and water ALL OVER the floor!! OMG! WHAT a mess! And a mess that I REALLLLLY didn't have time for!! The water had run under the cabinets & the stove, around the island, under the stools...and the laminate on the end of the island was warping already from soaking up so much water!! They must've done it pretty early into the night for as much water as there was soaked into the cabinet. We quickly picked up the glass & threw down some dish towels to mop up what we could real quick...but the damage was done. I have a fan in there running now. But GEESH!! Damaged cabinets and NO COFFEE at such an awful hour!! I still need to run out & buy a new pot... I keep putting it off...but I think it's time!! It is evening now! I really wasn't in love with this coffee pot but so I can't decide if I just want to buy a replacement carafe for $25 or a whole new system (a Keurig) for $150?! OH, and DS swam like crap to top it all off.

Not a very good day then...

Yesterday I caught up with some of my friends for lunch who I haven't seen in a long time so that was a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Sorry I can't help with your Paris hotel either but the one you posted the link for does look lovely.

DCL must finally be starting to update the excursion pages on their website as there haven't been any excursions available for Villefranche. I'm really starting to have a think about what we might want to do in each port.

Have a nice Sunday everyone

 

[mikki.young]

Sorry you had such an awful start to the day! The hotel in Paris looks lovely and is certainly in a good location.

OK, our cruisers are:
Mikki (me - and with that name you know how I got into Disney)
Andrew (dh)
and Figaro the toy cat who has his own blog and writes all our trip reports.

This will be our second DCL cruise - the first was a 3 nighter that we won back in 2002. Apart from wanting to see Florence and Pompeii we are not at all sure what to expect! We are staying for a few days before the cruise in Barcelona as we have not been there before.