August 18, 2010...Can't wait for the MAGICal Mediterranean!!!

[mindelmouse]

We're in the same boat to Villefranche. We don't care to gamble (went to Vegas and didn't do any..), and not sure I want to try to rent a car to see the coastline. I think we'll leave it open and just wander the town. Or, wait and see what other have to say on their trip reports and go from there.

And from what I've seen....you're up at midnight anyhow....but that's kind of annoying about the concierge thing...

Kim

unfortunately, I usually am up at midnight, although I try hard not to be LOL

 

[jel0511]

Okay I need help - (yes I know I left myself open for comments...)

I can not figure out what to do in Villefranche.....nothing that Disney if offering is exciting me...moreover, there's nothing I see that the kids won't be bored with.

Any help or suggestions - will be appreciated.

So far this is what I'm booking next week:

Malta - Valletta for kids
Tunis - The excursion where they make the mosaic
Naples - Sorrento and Amalfi coast with pizza making
Cittavecchia - hmm...think that may be a private tour
Florence/Pisa - same as above
Corsica - Tortoise preserve (because again there was nothing that caught my eye and the kids like turtles)
Villefranche - ?????

Booking group Palo on Tunis night, going to try to get Palo brunch and tea on days at sea and probably a spa treatment on one of the days at sea....

Anyone wants to join us feel free.

I found out that I actually have to go and book everything myself because I can do it as of midnight of the 20th and the concierge doesn't open until 8:30.

I think it looks good Mindy. We're also planning on doing the same tour in Naples, hopefully we get in. We don't book until May 20th. They also removed the one excursion we were looking forward to, which was a scavenger hunt in Tunisia. Mindy, can you ask concierge about that one if you wouldn't mind. The kids were really looking forward to it. The Tunisia one you're looking at, looks like the one that replaced the one we wanted. It looks like fun, so we might join you if the scavenger hunt one is really gone. The do have another one in Malta, but doesn't look as fun as the Tunisia one did.....

 

[mindelmouse]

I think it looks good Mindy. We're also planning on doing the same tour in Naples, hopefully we get in. We don't book until May 20th. They also removed the one excursion we were looking forward to, which was a scavenger hunt in Tunisia. Mindy, can you ask concierge about that one if you wouldn't mind. The kids were really looking forward to it. The Tunisia one you're looking at, looks like the one that replaced the one we wanted. It looks like fun, so we might join you if the scavenger hunt one is really gone. The do have another one in Malta, but doesn't look as fun as the Tunisia one did.....

Lori,

What was that excursion called in Tunisia exactly, I thought I saw that it was still there. I'm trying to check now, but the website is working really slow. We didn't want to really go too far in Tunisia, I'm just not comfortable in Arab countries.

Mindy

 

[mindelmouse]

Now, I see...it was there a couple of days ago. DH is calling right now to find out...stay tuned.

 

[jel0511]

Lori,

What was that excursion called in Tunisia exactly, I thought I saw that it was still there. I'm trying to check now, but the website is working really slow. We didn't want to really go too far in Tunisia, I'm just not comfortable in Arab countries.

Mindy

No idea. It was saved to my saved activities under my reservation and it just disappeared. I think it was Sidi Bou Said scavenger hunt or something like that.... I definitely can't find it anymore! I hadn't looked at them in awhile, and when you mentioned the mosaic one, I decided to check it out. That's when I noticed it was gone... I then went to my saved activities and it had disappeared!

 

[jel0511]

Now, I see...it was there a couple of days ago. DH is calling right now to find out...stay tuned.

Thanks!!! It's nice to know people who can call people!!!!!

 

[mindelmouse]

Thanks!!! It's nice to know people who can call people!!!!!

I am going to call you...it's just easier

 

[MinnieDiva]

Now, I see...it was there a couple of days ago. DH is calling right now to find out...stay tuned.

Well? What'd they say?

 

[jel0511]

Well? What'd they say?

Kim -

They did cancel the excursion, though no real reason was given. I have to reavulate the Tunisia excursions now.... I'm thinking the one Mindy is doing, or Medina and Carthage. I have to talk to DH about it. We'll be picking up the Valetta Historical Hunt in replacement of the Tunisia one cancelled. My guess is that these two the cancelled one and the Valetta one are pretty similiar, but the Valetta one is MUCH cheaper, so most people who wanted a "hunt" type of excursion booked the Valetta one because it's cheaper. We wanted to do the Tunisia one, because it sounded more fun..........

 

[ejw]

Whew! I was beginning to wonder! So how was that massive ship?

Where are you on the planning scale?

kim

had a wonderful time on the oasis. the ship is amazing. we probably had about 6000 on the ship including 1900 kids but never felt the crowds. there is so much to do and see on the ship that the cruisers are well dispersed at all times. we did ziplining, rock climbing, flowrider, cupcake decorating. all shows were great....hairspray, aquashow, ice skating. neighborhoods....central park, boardwalk, royal promenade were "wows". it's all about the ship and you can forget there is an ocean out there. lots of eating choices. i would recommend this cruise. we did a future booking for the allure.

at disney we stayed at the animal kingdom villas overlooking the savana. it's incredible to watch giraffes, wilderbeast, ostriches, storks, antelope....from your balcony.

thanks for thinking of me for the Palo dinner but i have to decline. DH likes to eat dinner in the MDR so we always do a Palo brunch instead.

started going thru the port excursion lists and whittling down the choices. am disappointed the treasure hunt in tunis is cancelled.

we are flying out of jfk on the delta nonstop at 5:40pm on the 17th and flying home on the 29th on the delta nonstop at 11:20am. just wondering if anyone else is on these flights.

ellen

 

[MinnieDiva]

I'll have to look and compare whatever I saved with what's there now...

 

[jel0511]

started going thru the port excursion lists and whittling down the choices. am disappointed the treasure hunt in tunis is cancelled.

we are flying out of jfk on the delta nonstop at 5:40pm on the 17th and flying home on the 29th on the delta nonstop at 11:20am. just wondering if anyone else is on these flights.

ellen

Ellen, count me also as disappointed in the Tunis cancellation. We're on your flight home, but we leave on the 14th on Air France to Paris!

 

[mindelmouse]

Kim, Susan, Susie, Stacey and Lori (but we talked already),

The concierge called my DH back yesterday and told us she researched the private room in more detail and found out, if we get the private room we need everyone's ressie # and it will count as your time at Palo. In the alternative, we can get 2 tables (one of 6 and one of 5) use 2 peoples ressies (mine and Lori has graciously offered hers) and they will put the tables near each other. I think the second way is the way to go, since that way everyone can do Palo on their own if they'd like.

Lori - DH said he thinks he can book the second table with the concierge without linking our ressies. I'll let you know next week.

Let me know your thoughts...

 

[jel0511]

Kim, Susan, Susie, Stacey and Lori (but we talked already),

Lori - DH said he thinks he can book the second table with the concierge without linking our ressies. I'll let you know next week.

Let me know your thoughts...

You can link my ressie to yours, I wouldn't mind being able to book on the 20th...... I'll still get my brunch and tea... Hey Mindy do you want to do tea together, or is your DH also going with you?????

 

[mindelmouse]

You can link my ressie to yours, I wouldn't mind being able to book on the 20th...... I'll still get my brunch and tea... Hey Mindy do you want to do tea together, or is your DH also going with you?????

DH said he had wanted to go, but let me find out how much he does. Perhaps I can talk him out of it...and we can do a ladies only tea...

 

[MinnieDiva]

DH said he had wanted to go, but let me find out how much he does. Perhaps I can talk him out of it...and we can do a ladies only tea...

Sorry, moving a little slow this morning to join the conversation. DH and I want to experience Palo, and aren't inclined to leave poor DH on her own too much (she'll probably dump us after a day in the club now that I've said that). So, I'm way ok this being our only Palo dinner. Mindy, I'm emailing my rezzie # to you in case you need it. I figure that depending on which person you talk to, you're probably going to get 6 different answers. Tea would be fun, too, but I'm pretty sure DH would want in on that..

k

 

[jel0511]

DH said he had wanted to go, but let me find out how much he does. Perhaps I can talk him out of it...and we can do a ladies only tea...

Mindy, if you don't want to persuade DH not to go to the tea, I can always check with Stacey and see if she'd like to join me......

 

[mindelmouse]

Mindy, if you don't want to persuade DH not to go to the tea, I can always check with Stacey and see if she'd like to join me......

Just talked to him - he wants to do tea. He said you're welcome to join us.

 

[jel0511]

Just talked to him - he wants to do tea. He said you're welcome to join us.

Thanks... I'll check with Stacey to see if she wants to do it with me. I don't want to be a 3rd wheel during your romantic tea...

I'm being bad today... just had birthday cake for lunch!!!! Yesterday was DS's 9th birthday and DH picked up his cake from Carlo's Bakery (of Cake Boss) and it was SOO GOOD!!!! My trainer will be here in an hour, so I'm sure she'll make me pay!!!!!!!!

 

[mindelmouse]

Thanks... I'll check with Stacey to see if she wants to do it with me. I don't want to be a 3rd wheel during your romantic tea...

I'm being bad today... just had birthday cake for lunch!!!! Yesterday was DS's 9th birthday and DH picked up his cake from Carlo's Bakery (of Cake Boss) and it was SOO GOOD!!!! My trainer will be here in an hour, so I'm sure she'll make me pay!!!!!!!!

Wow...our kids really are close in age...Sam and Haylee will be 9 on 5/11. I love Cake Boss....you must be one of those nice and thin people....well don't get shocked...I'm not...I said I was gonna lose 60 lbs before the cruise....guess what...nada ...I just can't get in that hour a day just for me, no matter how hard I try....don't hold it against me...I wish I could have a trainer...you are so lucky. Romantic tea...yea right...LOL