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

[Subrbnmommy]

Glad you found us! Did you all just book?

kim

Nope we booked last year but I just started being in cruise planning mode.

Where in Ontario are you?

Ottawa

Anywho, we're taking her to Rome, but that's the only long structured day. I might try to do some sort of game to make it interesting. I'm going to make up a scrapbook, and I might put in pics of sights we're going to see, and do a "scavenger hunt" of sorts....with as of yet undecided "prize".

kim

We're doing a Rome tour but I'm thinking that Florence the next day might be a bit much. Too bad there's no rest day in between.

I like your Scavenger hunt idea! I'm not really crafty but I guess a book with pictures I can handle.
Were are you getting your pictures from?

 

[MinnieDiva]

"We're doing a Rome tour but I'm thinking that Florence the next day might be a bit much. Too bad there's no rest day in between."

DH and I are doing some hiking in Cinque Terre and avoiding Florence; DD gets a day on the ship.


"I like your Scavenger hunt idea! I'm not really crafty but I guess a book with pictures I can handle.
Were are you getting your pictures from?"

Not sure yet. Last time I did a WDW book, I googled "clip art" and various characters names and found a few sites. It's coming together in my head at the moment, soon to be transferred to the computer! If I think on it for a while, it fills the time until the cruise!

 

[ejw]

Nope we booked last year but I just started being in cruise planning mode.



Ottawa


We're doing a Rome tour but I'm thinking that Florence the next day might be a bit much. Too bad there's no rest day in between.

I like your Scavenger hunt idea! I'm not really crafty but I guess a book with pictures I can handle.
Were are you getting your pictures from?

we love ottawa. we go up for winterlude every year. love skating on the canal and getting beavertails, frozen maple syrup. also go to jacques cartier park for ice slides.

ellen

 

[jel0511]

Where is the captains cabin? You can balcony hop over to us at any time..I'll actually let you in the front door if you're nice to me.

All the way forward on deck 8, right next to the bridge, just past the passenger cabins. I'm not sure if he's starboard or port side. I think one is his, and the other is the 2nd in command, I forget his title.... That way, if there is an issue they can get to the bridge quickly! I'm ALWAYS nice to you, so the front door it is!!!!!!

 

[Subrbnmommy]

we love ottawa. we go up for winterlude every year. love skating on the canal and getting beavertails, frozen maple syrup. also go to jacques cartier park for ice slides.

ellen

Wow. Nice to hear! My DD loves Jacques Cartier park. Especially this year as it wasn't too cold.
We didn't have a chance to skate on the canal this year. Funny, I know!

 

[Subrbnmommy]

DH and I are doing some hiking in Cinque Terre and avoiding Florence; DD gets a day on the ship.[/COLOR]

We were thinking of doing the Cinque Terra boat tour.

Somebody else mentioned the Eze perfume tour. Looks like it's something that DD would enjoy!

Thanks for the suggestion!

I'm just hoping that shore excursions reviews get posted before May 20th. It'll be easier to make a decision.

 

[jel0511]

Is anyone getting nervous about this volcano ash thing? I'm really starting to pay attention since they closed all the Paris airports. So far it's not affecting anything in Spain,but who knows by the summer. They've said the last time this same volcano errupted it lasted 2 YEARS!!!! If this continues into summer, hopefully we'll all make our cruise with out incident. I'll try to get Air France to change our flights to fly into somewhere in Spain and then figure it out from there. I can always take a train into Barcelona.

 

[mindelmouse]

Is anyone getting nervous about this volcano ash thing? I'm really starting to pay attention since they closed all the Paris airports. So far it's not affecting anything in Spain,but who knows by the summer. They've said the last time this same volcano errupted it lasted 2 YEARS!!!! If this continues into summer, hopefully we'll all make our cruise with out incident. I'll try to get Air France to change our flights to fly into somewhere in Spain and then figure it out from there. I can always take a train into Barcelona.

can you update me on this...I've been out of it...I think I have the flu and this is the only the second time today I've been up from bed...I'm not sure what's going on.

 

[jel0511]

can you update me on this...I've been out of it...I think I have the flu and this is the only the second time today I've been up from bed...I'm not sure what's going on.

No problem. Feel better!!!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100416/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_iceland_volcano
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/04/16/volcano.travelers/index.html?hpt=C1

 

[MinnieDiva]

Hakuna Matada.
Some encouraging news tonight it seems. I'm currently in your time zone. As I got up at 3am PST, consider jet lag whipped!

 

[jel0511]

Ok Those of you with insurance, PLEASE read your policies!!!! One of my friends parents WERE to go on a Med this weekend on Holland America, but due to the ash situation, were unable to fly to their point of departure. There insurance co, is refusing to reimburse them, due to this being an "act of God". Also, HA is refusing to let them reschedule for another time. Now, we don't have insurance and will continue roll the dice, but those of you who do, be prepared that depending on your insurance carrier, you may NOT be covered with this current situation if it continues into Aug.

 

[susiemmfan]

Ok Those of you with insurance, PLEASE read your policies!!!! One of my friends parents WERE to go on a Med this weekend on Holland America, but due to the ash situation, were unable to fly to their point of departure. There insurance co, is refusing to reimburse them, due to this being an "act of God". Also, HA is refusing to let them reschedule for another time. Now, we don't have insurance and will continue roll the dice, but those of you who do, be prepared that depending on your insurance carrier, you may NOT be covered with this current situation if it continues into Aug.

On one of the other threads, it also said that the insurance purchased through Disney would not cover, but Disney would credit toward a future cruise. Very stressful I am sure for the people try to make the 4/24 cruise.

 

[MinnieDiva]

Looked at my coverage briefly and I think I'm covered.

 

[bigbootee]

Looked at my coverage briefly and I think I'm covered.

Our coverage is through american Express and it specifically covers weather andnatural disasters that disrupt travel services for more than 24 hours.

 

[bigbootee]

Is anyone getting nervous about this volcano ash thing? I'm really starting to pay attention since they closed all the Paris airports. So far it's not affecting anything in Spain,but who knows by the summer. They've said the last time this same volcano errupted it lasted 2 YEARS!!!! If this continues into summer, hopefully we'll all make our cruise with out incident. I'll try to get Air France to change our flights to fly into somewhere in Spain and then figure it out from there. I can always take a train into Barcelona.

Continental has direct flights from Newark to Barcelona. You may be able to switch airlines if Air France is still messed up.

 

[jel0511]

Continental has direct flights from Newark to Barcelona. You may be able to switch airlines if Air France is still messed up.

True, but Air France is no longer in an alliance with Continental, so we'd still have to fly our of JFK on Delta, who does have an alliance.

Good luck booking your stuff tonight. I think we finally have agreed on what we're booking.

Malta - Historical Hunt (might not do this one)
Tunisia - Medina and Carthage
Naples - Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri(originally doing the one with pizza making but my 9 YO is studying Italy in school and he just read a book on Pompeii and now wants to go there!)
Rome - our private excursion
Florence - our private excursion
Corsica - Beach Break
Villefranche -Monaco, Monte Carlo and Eze(so Darren can channel his inner Bond)

I think I'm going to need a vacation from this vacation!!!!!

 

[Cliffside]

can you update me on this...I've been out of it...I think I have the flu and this is the only the second time today I've been up from bed...I'm not sure what's going on.

I hope you are feeling better.

Just got back from Toronto from a friends wedding. The airport in Toronto was empty because there were no European flights coming in. When we got back to Newark it was crazy, there was a section set up with beds. I felt so bad for those people. Hopefully the air space gets opened soon and things will get back to normal. I hope those booked on the first med sailing don't have problems getting there.

Are you staying up till midnight to book your excursions, spa treatments, and Palo? How exciting!!!

 

[mindelmouse]

I hope you are feeling better.

Just got back from Toronto from a friends wedding. The airport in Toronto was empty because there were no European flights coming in. When we got back to Newark it was crazy, there was a section set up with beds. I felt so bad for those people. Hopefully the air space gets opened soon and things will get back to normal. I hope those booked on the first med sailing don't have problems getting there.

Are you staying up till midnight to book your excursions, spa treatments, and Palo? How exciting!!!

Thanks Susan...I have pneumonia and it is horrible. MY DH stayed up to book at midnight and what happened? The same thing that happened to us last time when we were excited to book, the system was down for maintenace. This is the second time I've cruised and it happened to me both times? Or is that the norm. Last time the system came back up at 5 am EST...and when I called them to complain the said there was nothing they could do. My hubby might as well call the concierge at 8:30 and have them book everything...

 

[jel0511]

Thanks Susan...I have pneumonia and it is horrible. MY DH stayed up to book at midnight and what happened? The same thing that happened to us last time when we were excited to book, the system was down for maintenace. This is the second time I've cruised and it happened to me both times? Or is that the norm. Last time the system came back up at 5 am EST...and when I called them to complain the said there was nothing they could do. My hubby might as well call the concierge at 8:30 and have them book everything...

Sorry Mindy, that sucks!!! It also happened to me when booking open for our Aug 2009 cruise, since it was a Sat, the system wasn't back up until 3pm SUNDAY!!!! FEEL BETTER!!!!

 

[mindelmouse]

Sorry Mindy, that sucks!!! It also happened to me when booking open for our Aug 2009 cruise, since it was a Sat, the system wasn't back up until 3pm SUNDAY!!!! FEEL BETTER!!!!

thanks...I thought I was a gonner this morning...had a 45 minute coughing spell...I managed to get on about 7:15 and got the excursions booked. DH is talking to the concierge as we speak about Palo. We actually couldn't get into a session of one of the excursions, which tells me that the system wasn't down for everyone. I'll keep you update when everything is finalized.