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

[CustardTart]

The total for the tour of Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast is 670 Euros. So each couple will pay 335 Euros. That includes the private guide in Pompeii. They do recommend a tip. But that will be up to you on the amount. I have read anywhere from 10 to 20 percent or so. When I asked about lunch on the tour, I was informed that they normally give you a number of suggestions in Positano. But there are no autos allowed inside the city. So we may have to walk 10 or 15 minutes to get to lunch. They also said that we can bring "refreshments" in the van. They are picking us up at port at 9:00 am. We should return around 6:00 or 7:00 pm.

Thanks! We'll be sure to bring plenty of €€€... So glad we get to lunch in Positano - it looks so beautiful... EXCITED NOW!!!

 

[lonegungirl]

Hey--

My Mom and I have leaped on board with the recent discount on the cat 12's. Looking forward to sailing with everyone!

 

[eva]

Hey--

My Mom and I have leaped on board with the recent discount on the cat 12's. Looking forward to sailing with everyone!

Aboard!

 

[eva]

Thanks! We'll be sure to bring plenty of €€€... So glad we get to lunch in Positano - it looks so beautiful... EXCITED NOW!!!

I'm getting excited too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been looking at some reviews of restaurants in Positano. Here's a link - Positano Restaurant Reviews. Here's another. Anything look good to you?

 

[CustardTart]

I'm getting excited too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been looking at some reviews of restaurants in Positano. Here's a link - Positano Restaurant Reviews. Here's another. Anything look good to you?

OMG!!! How on earth to choose - so many sound wonderful?!! Da Vincenzo is recommended by Rick Steves and Next2 sounds lovely... I guess we'll be guided by the driver but it would be fab to go somewhere with food as great as the view...

 

[CustardTart]

Giving us a little *bump* as we were on page three!!!!!!!!

 

[EyeDisneyCruise]

Hello All,

We could not resist joining the fun on this cruise...

Sailing will be...

Francine & Vince -- celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary...
Trisha & Ben -- celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary...
And
Alexandra DD(5)
Zachary DS(3)

Looking forward to a great adventure!

 

[eva]

Hello All,

We could not resist joining the fun on this cruise...

Sailing will be...

Francine & Vince -- celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary...
Trisha & Ben -- celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary...
And
Alexandra DD(5)
Zachary DS(3)

Looking forward to a great adventure!

Aboard!

Glad you are joining us. I'm sure it is going to be an awesome cruise!

 

[eva]

Not sure if anyone has noticed from the Navigators, but there is only 1 formal and 1 semi-formal night on the 11-night cruises. This is good news for us. That will be less to pack. The formal night is on the first "at sea day." And the semi-formal night is the at sea day right after Rome.

 

[rav4lcrv]

Hey kids, getting closer. has anyone considered getting trip Insurance?

 

[CustardTart]

Hello All,

We could not resist joining the fun on this cruise...

Sailing will be...

Francine & Vince -- celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary...
Trisha & Ben -- celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary...
And
Alexandra DD(5)
Zachary DS(3)

Looking forward to a great adventure!

aboard and congratulations!!!

 

[CustardTart]

Not sure if anyone has noticed from the Navigators, but there is only 1 formal and 1 semi-formal night on the 11-night cruises. This is good news for us. That will be less to pack. The formal night is on the first "at sea day." And the semi-formal night is the at sea day right after Rome.

Yes, I spotted that. TBH I was very surprised but not overly disappointed - like you say, Eva - less packing. We're planning on travelling overland from Paris and the luggage allowance is even worse than flying!!! I'm probably going to bring a full length dress for the formal plus an LBD for the semi-formal and Palo. Richard can make the same suit work for all 3 occasions...

 

[CustardTart]

Morning, all!!! Hope everyone is keeping well and eager to set sail in little more than 3 short months!!!

I've just packed my case ready for a WDW trip I'm taking with a girlfriend - we fly over in 12 days time and are very excited!!!

 

[eva]

Hey kids, getting closer. has anyone considered getting trip Insurance?

Since we are using DVC points for the cruise, we have to do our insurance ala cart. So I bought the insurance already for the flights when I purchased the tickets. We will definitely take out medical for overseas travel. But I am going back and forth on insuring the points for the cruise. I have till 76 days out. It is nearly $350 to take out the insurance. But I will kick myself if something happens and I don't buy it. With the volcano and such I am leaning towards buying it. If something happened at least I would have almost $7K for another trip. All three insurances definitely add up!

 

[eva]

Am I losing my mind? Didn't there used to be a kayaking or canoeing trip offered through DCL in Corsica? When I looked on line today at the excursions in Corsica, there were only 7 listed. Where did the rest go? I could have sworn there were 2 pages of stuff listed before. Maybe I will try again later.

 

[CustardTart]

Am I losing my mind? Didn't there used to be a kayaking or canoeing trip offered through DCL in Corsica? When I looked on line today at the excursions in Corsica, there were only 7 listed. Where did the rest go? I could have sworn there were 2 pages of stuff listed before. Maybe I will try again later.

I found quite a few excursions not available, Eva - and not just in Corse. The beach day we'd hoped to have in Malta wasn't available - goodness knows why...

Actually I am wondering if some of the excursions originally planned in the new ports haven't come up to scratch...?

 

[eva]

I found quite a few excursions not available, Eva - and not just in Corse. The beach day we'd hoped to have in Malta wasn't available - goodness knows why...

Actually I am wondering if some of the excursions originally planned in the new ports haven't come up to scratch...?

I was wondering the same thing. Maybe they had difficulty with some of the companies they were using. I really thought DCL was better at ironing these things out beforehand. Now there really isn't much at all offered in Corsica. If it doesn't change I think that we may just do another self walking tour there. We would really like to do something more outdoorsy, like a hike or rafting. I hear that Corsica is a great place for things like this. Right now we are down to only 3 DCL excursions.

 

[CustardTart]

I was wondering the same thing. Maybe they had difficulty with some of the companies they were using. I really thought DCL was better at ironing these things out beforehand. Now there really isn't much at all offered in Corsica. If it doesn't change I think that we may just do another self walking tour there. We would really like to do something more outdoorsy, like a hike or rafting. I hear that Corsica is a great place for things like this. Right now we are down to only 3 DCL excursions.

We have 4 - and are thinking of cancelling at least one of those as we've decided we really don't want to herded around too much and would rather try and do our own thing.. Plus the trip reports I'm reading reinforce how easy it is to do just that, so I'm keeping an open mind for now. Once I return from Florida, I shall apply myself and re-think our plans...

 

[eva]

We have 4 - and are thinking of cancelling at least one of those as we've decided we really don't want to herded around too much and would rather try and do our own thing.. Plus the trip reports I'm reading reinforce how easy it is to do just that, so I'm keeping an open mind for now. Once I return from Florida, I shall apply myself and re-think our plans...

Well, I did fill out a "contact us" form on the webiste to see what is going on with the excursions. I'll let you know what I hear. Ajaccio, Corsica may be on our own. I just don't see anything I like there. I know that we will do a DCL excursion in Tunis. We have decided to stay on the ship on Rome day. I agree about keeping things more relaxed. With our 2 private tours, I'm thinking that we may be at our limit for big excursions.

I am jealous about your trip to WDW. Where are you staying? I have only been back 2 weeks and already wish I could go again. I think it is tougher than normal this time because I have no idea when we will be going back. Of course as DVC members, I know we will be going back sometime.

But it may not be until 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CustardTart]

Well, I did fill out a "contact us" form on the webiste to see what is going on with the excursions. I'll let you know what I hear. Ajaccio, Corsica may be on our own. I just don't see anything I like there. I know that we will do a DCL excursion in Tunis. We have decided to stay on the ship on Rome day. I agree about keeping things more relaxed. With our 2 private tours, I'm thinking that we may be at our limit for big excursions.

Thanks. I have spent the whole afternoon reviewing our plans and decided to ditch all our DCL plans except for Tunis (definitely) and the Beach Break in Corsica (possibly).

SO I think we'll take a walk around Valletta before heading to a recommended restaurant for a tasty lunch.. We are opting to get ourselves into Rome by train (I just don't fancy the whole coach thing) which takes under an hour. We're going to do one of those hop on/hop off bus tours and make late lunch reservations at place that does a tasting menu.. We're also going to let the train take the strain from La Spezia and head for the Cinque Terre towns. Again we'll be exploring and lunching... I just can't believe the DIY costs compared to DCLs offerings. It's a no-brainer, really.

I am jealous about your trip to WDW. Where are you staying? I have only been back 2 weeks and already wish I could go again. I think it is tougher than normal this time because I have no idea when we will be going back. Of course as DVC members, I know we will be going back sometime.

But it may not be until 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!

My friend and I are staying for 9 nights in a 1 bedroom villa at BLT which should be fab. We have some great plans - including a night at Jelly Rolls!!!

Last year I remember having definitely no plans to return in 2010 - but hey, I'm back next week and then going with the family (tho' no Richard sadly ) for 10 days in October to take advantage of the free dining offer....