August 28, 2010 Pirates of the Barbary Coast - 11 nights in the Mediterranean

[eva]

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you guys can join us, Eva! I haven't had a chance to talk to Richard about it too much but seems he has this idea of going to Seattle and riding the Rocky Mountaineer train so I'm fairly sure we'll be doing the cruise come what may...

I can't quite believe it but I don't have any Disney trips planned between now and this Med cruise!!! And I can't tell you how 100% wrong that feels!!!

I may do a quickie day trip to Disneyland Paris over the next couple of months as I've discovered that I can purchase a restricted access annual pass very cheaply AND I can catch a train directly there. So it's a plan. Sort off...

Karen, I can't believe that you don't have another WDW trip planned in the next 10 months! How unlike you!

I still have to make reservations for our short trip to WDW in May. We are still trying to decide whether to stay 5 nights at GF or 6 nights at YC. We are using reservation points, so those are our two choices. I am leaning towards GF. Since we will have DGD with us, I am having a tough time deciding. The GF is close to MK, but the pool at YC can't be beat. I'm sure I will be crying in 2011. We have no intention of going to WDW that year. We need to recoup our points. That is why the cruise to Alaska is very enticing to us.

 

[eva]

My countdown tells me that it's now 334 days until this cruise starts so flight bookings are more than likely open!

What are everyone's pre/post cruise plans??? I'm thinking we'll fly in a couple of days before and enjoy some time in Barcelona. Despite the fact that we visit Spain regularly, we have never made it to Barcelona so looking forward to exploring...

We will be flying into Barcelona the day before the cruise. I don't know how much sightseeing we will get done. We may ride around the city on one of those tourist buses that allows you to get off and on at the major sights. If we do that, we will want to find a hotel somewhere along the route. We did that the day we arrived in Rome a couple years ago and it went well. This helped us to stay awake the first day, allowing us to adjust to the time difference fairly well.

I have been looking at possible flights back and it appears that we may not be able to fly out the day we get back to port. Most of the decent flights back to our area in the states leave before noon. I'm still waiting for the actual flights for our dates to be released. To get an idea, I have been looking at flights a couple weeks before the cruise. Maybe we will be pleasantly surprised with a flight out around 1:00 or so. We'd like to leave right after the cruise.

Right now my major task is to find a hotel in Barcelona. When we were in Rome we were at a hotel that was right across the street from a tourist bus stop. That worked out great for us. Now to see if I can do the same in Barcelona. It will probably be another month or so before we purchase our flights. So I have a bit of time.

 

[CustardTart]

Karen, I can't believe that you don't have another WDW trip planned in the next 10 months! How unlike you!

I know!!!

...I still have to make reservations for our short trip to WDW in May. We are still trying to decide whether to stay 5 nights at GF or 6 nights at YC. We are using reservation points, so those are our two choices. I am leaning towards GF. Since we will have DGD with us, I am having a tough time deciding. The GF is close to MK, but the pool at YC can't be beat...

That is a tough choice. I guess it comes down to how much time you'll spend in MK. Personally, I think I'd go for YC - that pool is just too fab for the downtime. And Beaches & Cream is onsite. EPCOT/DHS is walking distance or on the boat and you can walk thro' EPCOT to pick up the monorail to MK... Plus there's that extra night...

...I'm sure I will be crying in 2011. We have no intention of going to WDW that year. We need to recoup our points. That is why the cruise to Alaska is very enticing to us.

I think we might book a short pre-cruise DL trip in 2011 but again WDW doesn't seem to feature!!! We're keen on cruising at the moment so may book something on the Dream when that's an option and tack on a few WDW days...

 

[CustardTart]

We will be flying into Barcelona the day before the cruise. I don't know how much sightseeing we will get done. We may ride around the city on one of those tourist buses that allows you to get off and on at the major sights. If we do that, we will want to find a hotel somewhere along the route. We did that the day we arrived in Rome a couple years ago and it went well. This helped us to stay awake the first day, allowing us to adjust to the time difference fairly well.

I have been looking at possible flights back and it appears that we may not be able to fly out the day we get back to port. Most of the decent flights back to our area in the states leave before noon. I'm still waiting for the actual flights for our dates to be released. To get an idea, I have been looking at flights a couple weeks before the cruise. Maybe we will be pleasantly surprised with a flight out around 1:00 or so. We'd like to leave right after the cruise.

Right now my major task is to find a hotel in Barcelona. When we were in Rome we were at a hotel that was right across the street from a tourist bus stop. That worked out great for us. Now to see if I can do the same in Barcelona. It will probably be another month or so before we purchase our flights. So I have a bit of time.

The bus tour idea sounds great! I think we may opt for something like that too. I found some info here and it seems very straightforward. As the 2 day (27€) option is not much more than the 1 day (21€), I think we'll go for that. The only consideration seems to be to avoid the Placa de Catalunya pick up as it is incredibly busy...

 

[eva]

The bus tour idea sounds great! I think we may opt for something like that too. I found some info here and it seems very straightforward. As the 2 day (27€) option is not much more than the 1 day (21€), I think we'll go for that. The only consideration seems to be to avoid the Placa de Catalunya pick up as it is incredibly busy...

That is the same website I had looked at. There appears to be some nice hotels in and near the World Trade Centre. Since that is a stop, it seems to make sense to stay near there. These hotels seem to be near the port too. As a matter of fact, the Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel seems to be right at the port and inside the World Trade Centre. Right now they have suites for 214 Euros. That seems to be a good price.

 

[CustardTart]

I've spent much of this afternoon thinking about the cruise and I've got myself extremely excited!!!

Just to refresh everyone's memory, here's the itinerary...

Saturday Barcelona, Spain
Sunday At Sea
Monday Valletta, Malta
Tuesday Tunis, Tunisia
Wed Naples (Pompeii)
Thursday Civitavecchia
Friday At Sea
Saturday La Spezia
Sunday Ajaccio, Corsica
Monday Villefranche
Tuesday At Sea
Wednesday Barcelona, Spain...

Anyway, I'm thinking Richard and I will do some serious, hardcore sightseeing in Naples and Rome (Civitavecchia) whilst focusing on the Amalfi Coast when we get to La Spezia - I am very keen to see Positano...

We'll probably spend some time relaxing on Malta and Corsica, whereas I have simple needs in Tunis, I wanna buy a big rug - tho' goodness knows how I'll get it home!!!

Villefranche is simple too - we're planning on getting a cab from the port into Nice, catching the water taxi to St. Tropez and having lunch there. We love St. Tropez - it's one of our fave places in Europe and we don't get there as often as I'd like. I'm also keen to buy a painting from one of the quayside artists... I don't want much, do I???

 

[CustardTart]

As I have loads to do, I decided making a logo for our cruise was THE most important priority!

So what d'you think...?

I also made a little one to fit the signature bar...

I'll probably keep tweaking but I really have to get on so that's it for now...

 

[CustardTart]

As a matter of fact, the Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel seems to be right at the port and inside the World Trade Centre. Right now they have suites for 214 Euros. That seems to be a good price.

Just had a look at that hotel and love it! I think we may book there ourselves - not least because the restaurant has an awesome-sounding tasting menu...

 

[eva]

As I have loads to do, I decided making a logo for our cruise was THE most important priority!

So what d'you think...?

I also made a little one to fit the signature bar...

I'll probably keep tweaking but I really have to get on so that's it for now...

That's awesome Karen!

I am really getting excited about the cruise too! I looked back at the ports that are the same from the Med cruises in 2007. The Naples port is where DCL offered the Amalfi driving tours. They had one with Pompeii included. We are hoping that will be the case in 2010. That was the one that interested us the most. In La Spezia we will be touring the Cinque Terre region. It is a line of 5 small towns that are connected by walking paths along the sea. Rick Steve did a special on them. It looks heavenly.

So far here are our plans:
Saturday Barcelona, Spain - Friday and Saturday Morning tour city by bus
Monday Valletta, Malta - Not sure yet
Tuesday Tunis, Tunisia - Tour of Carthage
Wed Naples (Pompeii) - Amalfi Coast drive and Pompeii
Thursday Civitavecchia - Rome on our own
Saturday La Spezia - Touring Cinque Terre
Sunday Ajaccio, Corsica - Not sure yet
Monday Villefranche - Not sure yet

We'll probably do Rome on our own. We did the Viva Italia tour through ABD two years ago and spent 4 days in Rome. So there are a few places that we would like to revisit. But most of the day I plan to shop and relax at an outdoor restaurant in one of their lovely piazzas. I love just wandering around Rome.

I know that a lot of people will want to do either Florence or Pisa when the ship docks at La Spezia. But we also did Florence on our previous trip. It was a very magical day. But we would like to try something a bit different in this port. Italy is such a great country for wandering around. So the Cinque Terre Region appears to be right up our alley.

 

[eva]

Just had a look at that hotel and love it! I think we may book there ourselves - not least because the restaurant has an awesome-sounding tasting menu...

I just booked a city suite for Friday night. I had thought about the marina view, but decided to save the money and go for a city view. We will be at sea for 12 days and will have plenty of water views then. I read a number of reviews at Trip Advisor. Most really enjoyed their stays. Plus they said that is was a very short taxi ride from the hotel to the cruise port entrance. I think the main problem is going to be transporation from the airport to the hotel. I have been trying to figure out if they have a shuttle. Maybe we will have to take a taxi.

 

[CustardTart]

I just booked a city suite for Friday night. I had thought about the marina view, but decided to save the money and go for a city view. We will be at sea for 12 days and will have plenty of water views then. I read a number of reviews at Trip Advisor. Most really enjoyed their stays. Plus they said that is was a very short taxi ride from the hotel to the cruise port entrance...

We've booked that too! I'm not interested in being on Las Ramblas for the sake of it - especially as so many of those rooms look very small... And I think the view of the city will be very dramatic at night...

I think the main problem is going to be transporation from the airport to the hotel. I have been trying to figure out if they have a shuttle. Maybe we will have to take a taxi.

I think we're going to pre-book a shuttle. I haven't researched pricing much but this company don't seem too bad...

 

[eva]

We've booked that too! I'm not interested in being on Las Ramblas for the sake of it - especially as so many of those rooms look very small... And I think the view of the city will be very dramatic at night...



I think we're going to pre-book a shuttle. I haven't researched pricing much but this company don't seem too bad...

Good site. And the rates look pretty good too. I'm temped to get the private car at $48 Euros. But I will wait until we get a bit closer. I doubt their rates change.

I got on Google Maps to see where everything is. We are only about 6 or 7 miles from the airport and are right next to two of the three cruise ports. It looks like you could walk to them. But I have been warned that is it a bit further than it looks. The third port is about a mile south. Not sure which one DCL will be using. But it looks like you can get to port in a matter of minutes.

Yum! I just looked at their menu! Oh, I am getting so excited!

 

[CustardTart]

Oh, I am getting so excited!

I know!!! It's getting so much more real now - especially with booking the hotel...

I just can't wait for the excursion lists to be released tho' I'm seriously thinking about doing a couple of private ones (particularly in Rome and Pompeii where I want to hit the sights hard) that a UK DISer called AndrewDerek recommends... I think I'll start researching those in detail next week as I'm going to Paris tomorrow for the weekend...

 

[eva]

I know!!! It's getting so much more real now - especially with booking the hotel...

I just can't wait for the excursion lists to be released tho' I'm seriously thinking about doing a couple of private ones (particularly in Rome and Pompeii where I want to hit the sights hard) that a UK DISer called AndrewDerek recommends... I think I'll start researching those in detail next week

If you have never been to Rome, I would hire a private tour guide that is licensed by the city. They can get you into places very quickly and really know what they are talking about. On our ABD we had a guide name Stephano. He was awesome and got us right into the Vatican with no wait. There were people waiting to get in over two hours the day we were there. We really enjoyed the Vatican (St. Peter's Basilica), the Colosseum, The Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and lunch at Piazza Navona. I'm not sure how much time that we will get in Rome, but hopefully you can cover at least those sights in a day. You will walk your feet off though!

I'm going to Paris tomorrow for the weekend...

Lucky you! I love Paris, but haven't been in years. Have a lovely time!

 

[eva]

I hope that we aren't scaring Jennifer off with all our recent chatter!

 

[eva]

Well, I found a great self walking tour plan and map for Valletta at this site: http://www.planetware.com/do-it-yourself-tour/valletta-walking-tour-m-vallwt.htm So I think that we will be doing Valletta, Malta on our own. I copied and pasted all the descriptions and the map into a Word document. If anyone is interested in having it, let me know and I will email it to you. This seems pretty doable in a day.

 

[CustardTart]

Well, I found a great self walking tour plan and map for Valletta at this site: http://www.planetware.com/do-it-yourself-tour/valletta-walking-tour-m-vallwt.htm So I think that we will be doing Valletta, Malta on our own. I copied and pasted all the descriptions and the map into a Word document. If anyone is interested in having it, let me know and I will email it to you. This seems pretty doable in a day.

Sounds good, Eva! I would certainly appreciate a copy - need to reign in those excursion expenses somehow! A wander around the area with maybe a nice lunch and a glass (or two) of wine thrown in sounds like a great plan...

From my minimal research, Corsica sounds like a great place to do some serious wine-tasting! It's an interesting area and their wines aren't that well known outside the island so I feel it's a must-do for my grape-loving husband...

 

[eva]

Sounds good, Eva! I would certainly appreciate a copy - need to reign in those excursion expenses somehow! A wander around the area with maybe a nice lunch and a glass (or two) of wine thrown in sounds like a great plan...

Exactly my thoughts! I've mapped out a route. But I don't want to feel like we have to see everything on the list. We will just hit what looks good that day and then finish with a late lunch and some wine. I will email you the document. The route is pretty easy to follow. Just start at the city gate and follow the list of sights.

From my minimal research, Corsica sounds like a great place to do some serious wine-tasting! It's an interesting area and their wines aren't that well known outside the island so I feel it's a must-do for my grape-loving husband...

This is so funny. While I was reading about Corsica on the DCL site today, I was thinking of an excursion in the vineyards. I am all over that and some serious wine tasting too! Wow! It seems that I have pretty good ideas of what we are going to do at each port, accept Villefranche. I am leaning a bit towards doing an excursion to Nice at that port. I will be happy when they finally release the excursions. I can't believe how much planning I have done today!

So far here are our new improved plans:
Saturday Barcelona, Spain - Friday and Saturday Morning tour city by bus
Monday Valletta, Malta - Self Walking Tour of Valletta
Tuesday Tunis, Tunisia - Excursion of Carthage
Wed Naples (Pompeii) - Excursion Amalfi Coast drive and Pompeii
Thursday Civitavecchia - Rome on our own
Saturday La Spezia - Touring Cinque Terre
Sunday Ajaccio, Corsica - Excursion Wining Tasting
Monday Villefranche - Maybe Excursion of Nice

That would give us about 4 actual excursions. Now we twiddle our thumbs until the excursions come out and the flights get listed.

 

[CustardTart]

...I can't believe how much planning I have done today!

I know!!! I'm feeling the same!!!

Here are our revised plans...

Wednesday - Saturday: Barcelona, Spain. City bus tour and trip to a local Cava vineyard.
Monday: Valetta, Malta. Walking tour and a tasty lunch.
Tuesday: Tunis, Tunisia. Buying my rugs!!!
Wednesday: Naples (Pompeii). Tour of Pompeii and Amalfi Coast.
Thursday: Civitavecchia (Rome). Tour of Rome and Vatican.
Saturday: La Spezia. Tour of Florence and Pisa.
Sunday: Ajaccio, Corsica. Wine-tasting and general relaxation.
Monday: Villefranche, France. St. Tropez at leisure...

 

[eva]

I know!!! I'm feeling the same!!!

Here are our revised plans...

Wednesday - Saturday: Barcelona, Spain. City bus tour and trip to a local Cava vineyard.
Monday: Valetta, Malta. Walking tour and a tasty lunch.
Tuesday: Tunis, Tunisia. Buying my rugs!!!
Wednesday: Naples (Pompeii). Tour of Pompeii and Amalfi Coast.
Thursday: Civitavecchia (Rome). Tour of Rome and Vatican.
Saturday: La Spezia. Tour of Florence and Pisa.
Sunday: Ajaccio, Corsica. Wine-tasting and general relaxation.
Monday: Villefranche, France. St. Tropez at leisure...

Your itinerary sounds great! St. Tropez might be nice. Maybe one last day at the beach.