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

[eva]

Villefranche- Nice an Eze with wine and cheese

I think that we are doing this excursion too.

 

[eva]

Hi everyone,

We've booked this cruise recently. First Disney cruise for us, after having been on Celebrity, NCL, Princess, Oceania, RCCL and Carnival. Did DCA in March and definitely got the Disney vibe going.

Been to Rome, Florence and Nice before -- other ports are new. No definite plans other than La Spezia, where we're very much looking forward to seeing the Cinque Terre again. Colleague just got back from Tunis, was impressed with Sidi Bou Said.

Welcome Aboard!

We are doing a private tour of the Cinque Terre region too. We booked it through the national park service. We've heard the same thing about Tunis too. I am pretty sure we will be doing the Carthage-Sidi Bou Said DCL excursion. Happy planning everyone!

 

[Eeyore3838]

Are you looking at departing on August 27 and returning September 9? The AC flights seem to go through Montreal on the way out and Toronto on the return. In Montreal you'd have to clear Canada customs and immigration before connecting to the Barcelona flight, but 2 hours should give you enough time. Flying back through Toronto you may be able to bypass Canada customs and go directly to US customs/immigration pre-clearance, though with a 6-hour layover it's not a factor (or ideal).

Yes, those are the dates we are checking. We have checked on this one too. Sometimes the cheaper stop in Montreal, and sometimes it is Toronto. Always seems to be Toronto on the return though. I am watching another flight (USAir) that stops in Philly also, but the price has gone back up on it.

 

[liberty6201]

i am really worried about booking my airfare after reading about people on the other threads who had their cruise cancelled. As i booked this at such a cheap deal because it is so empty i am worried they will cancel it so i'm not sure about booking my flights - what does everyone else think? i want to book to get the flights i want at as good a deal as i can but am really worried i will book them and then be lumped with flights i don't want to use. People are saying their travel insurance is not covering them?? Please somebody reassure me!!

 

[Eeyore3838]

i am really worried about booking my airfare after reading about people on the other threads who had their cruise cancelled. As i booked this at such a cheap deal because it is so empty i am worried they will cancel it so i'm not sure about booking my flights - what does everyone else think? i want to book to get the flights i want at as good a deal as i can but am really worried i will book them and then be lumped with flights i don't want to use. People are saying their travel insurance is not covering them?? Please somebody reassure me!!

I don't think we need to worry about this cruise being canceled. The PIF date is Friday.

 

[liberty6201]

I have paid in full - does it mean once the PIF date is passed we are ok and i can go ahead and book flights?

 

[eva]

i am really worried about booking my airfare after reading about people on the other threads who had their cruise cancelled. As i booked this at such a cheap deal because it is so empty i am worried they will cancel it so i'm not sure about booking my flights - what does everyone else think? i want to book to get the flights i want at as good a deal as i can but am really worried i will book them and then be lumped with flights i don't want to use. People are saying their travel insurance is not covering them?? Please somebody reassure me!!

I have to admit that I haven't been keeping up completely with the cruise thread. Are the cruises that are being canceled 2010 Med cruises? I know that I read about some of the 2011 cruises being canceled. But I haven't seen any of the 2010 ones canceled yet. It is not unusal for cruises more than a year out to be canceled. But you normally can't buy flights until 11 or 10 months out any way.

 

[Eeyore3838]

I have to admit that I haven't been keeping up completely with the cruise thread. Are the cruises that are being canceled 2010 Med cruises? I know that I read about some of the 2011 cruises being canceled. But I haven't seen any of the 2010 ones canceled yet. It is not unusal for cruises more than a year out to be canceled. But you normally can't buy flights until 11 or 10 months out any way.

None of the 2010 Med cruises have been canceled. There was a 10 night Southern Caribbean in December that had a change of itinerary (became 2 5 night Bahamas cruises) and some of the 2011 Med cruises changed itineraries to become 7 night cruises. I think we are pretty safe.

 

[CustardTart]

I have to admit that I haven't been keeping up completely with the cruise thread. Are the cruises that are being canceled 2010 Med cruises? I know that I read about some of the 2011 cruises being canceled. But I haven't seen any of the 2010 ones canceled yet. It is not unusal for cruises more than a year out to be canceled. But you normally can't buy flights until 11 or 10 months out any way.

That's what I thought - not been well so wasn't sure if I'd missed something...

None of the 2010 Med cruises have been canceled. There was a 10 night Southern Caribbean in December that had a change of itinerary (became 2 5 night Bahamas cruises) and some of the 2011 Med cruises changed itineraries to become 7 night cruises. I think we are pretty safe.

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[CustardTart]

I have paid in full - does it mean once the PIF date is passed we are ok and i can go ahead and book flights?

I would - we paid in full ages ago and have had flights booked for quite a while...

 

[CustardTart]

Hi everyone,

We've booked this cruise recently. First Disney cruise for us, after having been on Celebrity, NCL, Princess, Oceania, RCCL and Carnival. Did DCA in March and definitely got the Disney vibe going.

Been to Rome, Florence and Nice before -- other ports are new. No definite plans other than La Spezia, where we're very much looking forward to seeing the Cinque Terre again. Colleague just got back from Tunis, was impressed with Sidi Bou Said.

Sorry I missed saying !!! Nice to have you with us...

 

[CustardTart]

I know!

Well, I shouldn't say that I have absolutely nothing planned. Steve and I are going to Puerto Rico in November of 2011. But part of that is business for Steve. But we are tacking on enough days to make a whole week. We are also thinking about doing a trip to Israel in June of 2011. But that is tentative right now. There is a conference for my new position there and I think that we may be able to go. So business trips are all that we really have planned in 2011. Crazy, huh?!?

Ahhh, I see - there are plans in the pipeline, albeit business-related ones. Sound fab tho'!!!

We have PLENTY of 2010/2011 plans - only problem is knowing which ones we can stick with as it's all change in our house. Richard has left Citi and is moving to another MUCH smaller and cosier investment bank!!! I am so pleased as it's been a bit of a struggle (to say the least) over the past couple of years. Anyway, he gets 3 months garden leave which started yesterday so all vacation plans have to be reconsidered. He's chosen the cruise over the October WDW trip - I am going to cancel the accommodation as well as try and move those flights around today...

The new job is wonderful. The people are awesome and it is different every day. It keeps me really busy. Before I know it the day is over.

How is school?

Glad to hear you're having such a great time - it sounds wonderful!

As for me, I actually took this year off from studying to project manage the building works. Except they ground to a halt due to poor weather/planning problems so I really wish I hadn't bothered now!!! However, all issues have now been resolved and we should be back on track by mid-May - I am just crossing my fingers it'll be done by the time I am due to return to Uni in October. It will have been a long hard year...

PS: Just noticed it's only 3 days till your WDW trip!!!!!

 

[liberty6201]

Does anyone fancy doing an fe exchange since there's not that many of us ?

 

[eva]

None of the 2010 Med cruises have been canceled. There was a 10 night Southern Caribbean in December that had a change of itinerary (became 2 5 night Bahamas cruises) and some of the 2011 Med cruises changed itineraries to become 7 night cruises. I think we are pretty safe.

Good to hear. I was pretty sure we were safe. They rarely change cruises too dramatically this close to sailing unless there is a major issue.

 

[eva]

Ahhh, I see - there are plans in the pipeline, albeit business-related ones. Sound fab tho'!!!

We have PLENTY of 2010/2011 plans - only problem is knowing which ones we can stick with as it's all change in our house. Richard has left Citi and is moving to another MUCH smaller and cosier investment bank!!! I am so pleased as it's been a bit of a struggle (to say the least) over the past couple of years. Anyway, he gets 3 months garden leave which started yesterday so all vacation plans have to be reconsidered. He's chosen the cruise over the October WDW trip - I am going to cancel the accommodation as well as try and move those flights around today...

Wow, I had no idea Richard was considering a career change. Tell him Congrats! And I am glad that you are able to keep the Med cruise in your plans.

As for me, I actually took this year off from studying to project manage the building works. Except they ground to a halt due to poor weather/planning problems so I really wish I hadn't bothered now!!! However, all issues have now been resolved and we should be back on track by mid-May - I am just crossing my fingers it'll be done by the time I am due to return to Uni in October. It will have been a long hard year...

PS: Just noticed it's only 3 days till your WDW trip!!!!!

Sorry to hear about the building plans on hold. I know how frustrating that can be. When we built our house it took nearly 4 months longer than estimated.

Yes, we are down to 2 days now! Or just 36 hours! But who is counting?!?

 

[CustardTart]

Wow, I had no idea Richard was considering a career change. Tell him Congrats! And I am glad that you are able to keep the Med cruise in your plans.

Thanks Eva...

Sorry to hear about the building plans on hold. I know how frustrating that can be. When we built our house it took nearly 4 months longer than estimated.

Yes, we are down to 2 days now! Or just 36 hours! But who is counting?!?

Have a wonderful time, guys!!!

 

[Eeyore3838]

Giving us a BUMP since we are on Page 3.

Also, DH and I just booked the Barcelona Segway tour for 9/8 since we will be staying one night after our cruise before heading back stateside. We are pretty excited about this one! It seems to get great reviews.

We also have decided to try the Cinque Terre excursion in La Spezia. After some more research in that area, this seems to be such a neat area to explore without the hassle of a 2.5 hour drive into/out of Florence.

 

[CustardTart]

Giving us a BUMP since we are on Page 3.

Also, DH and I just booked the Barcelona Segway tour for 9/8 since we will be staying one night after our cruise before heading back stateside. We are pretty excited about this one! It seems to get great reviews..

I've just been reading about that - sounds great!!! Love the Segway tours I've done in WDW...

 

[liberty6201]

are there any other people on this board with younger children? I remember reading about someone with teenagers but no one else seems to have little ones - am i crazy to bring mine????

 

[Eeyore3838]

are there any other people on this board with younger children? I remember reading about someone with teenagers but no one else seems to have little ones - am i crazy to bring mine????

DH and I are in our upper 20's with no kids, so I can't help you there. But I do not think you are crazy!!