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

[eva]

Hi this is our first Disney cruise! Does anyone know of a good company for private tours in Rome? I want to make sure we have a great day there...

Aboard!

This is who we are using for our tour of Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast - Benvenuto. Rick Steve's highly recommend their Amalfi Coast tour in his book.

 

[yow]

Rick Steve's highly recommend their Amalfi Coast tour in his book.

LOL. We've used his books quite a bit as well. I'm not supposed to say this (apologies to DW) but Rick's info is usually pretty helpful, both books and TV shows. (there was a less-than-favourable incident with his store that left us feeling a bit sour, but that doesn't change the fact that his travel guidance is worthwhile)

 

[eva]

LOL. We've used his books quite a bit as well. I'm not supposed to say this (apologies to DW) but Rick's info is usually pretty helpful, both books and TV shows. (there was a less-than-favourable incident with his store that left us feeling a bit sour, but that doesn't change the fact that his travel guidance is worthwhile)

Sorry to hear that. I have never bought from him direct. I have a Kindle and I download his books through Amazon. I love that I can have oodles of travel books on the trip without weighing more than one paperback. Plus I keep all my current reading and the NIV Bible on it. Probably one of the best Christmas gifts I've ever received.

 

[yow]

Sorry to hear that. I have never bought from him direct. I have a Kindle and I download his books through Amazon. I love that I can have oodles of travel books on the trip without weighing more than one paperback. Plus I keep all my current reading and the NIV Bible on it. Probably one of the best Christmas gifts I've ever received.

Ooh, nice... we've had our hands on the Kindle as well as the B&N eReader -- definitely good technology. It's on our wish list (which just got a bit shorter with the acquisition of a Wii).

 

[eva]

Ooh, nice... we've had our hands on the Kindle as well as the B&N eReader -- definitely good technology. It's on our wish list (which just got a bit shorter with the acquisition of a Wii).

Love our Wii! Wii Fitness is great! We love having people over to play tournaments. On the cruise Diversions will often have Wii tournaments. Sometimes they are listed in the Navigators. But many times they just start them up if enough people ask. We've had great times there playing tennis and bowling while having a couple of beers. Wish my hand and eye coordination were better and I could win a few. Or maybe it is the couple of beers!

 

[yow]

We are now less than 10 weeks away from sailaway!

 

[eva]

We are now less than 10 weeks away from sailaway!

Hooray!!!! I can't believe that it is only 68 days till the cruise! In 67 days we will be only the plane to Atlanta. Then on to Barcelona!!!!

 

[eva]

Better give us a bump! We were on page 3!

I am so excited! Where I work is starting a Biggest Loser contest on July 1. What perfect timing! I am still trying to lose another 10 or 15 pounds before the cruise. I bet I can do it now. I love contests!

 

[cathicool]

We just booked! Super excited!!!!! not sure of our cabin numbers yet- we have a special needs child and are waiting for a call back from DCL.


Having trouble with the flights though...what time does everyone have their flight home booked on 9/8? Can we make an 11:20 am flight non-stop to NY/JFK?

did anyone book their flights thru DCL? Anyone care to share how much they are and the flight details? I am most interested in NYC flights.

so much to do in such a short time!!!!!! anyone want to point me to posts/threads that are filled with "really" important info? Not to say that socializing with everyone isn't important...but I have alot of catch-up to do!

Thanks!

 

[eva]

We just booked! Super excited!!!!! not sure of our cabin numbers yet- we have a special needs child and are waiting for a call back from DCL.


Having trouble with the flights though...what time does everyone have their flight home booked on 9/8? Can we make an 11:20 am flight non-stop to NY/JFK?

did anyone book their flights thru DCL? Anyone care to share how much they are and the flight details? I am most interested in NYC flights.

so much to do in such a short time!!!!!! anyone want to point me to posts/threads that are filled with "really" important info? Not to say that socializing with everyone isn't important...but I have alot of catch-up to do!

Thanks!

Aboard!

We paid about $1,200 per person for our flights. But we are flying out of Bloomington, IL. So that will add a couple hundred dollars more than a direct flight. I seem to see around $1,000 on average out of the major airports. We had DCl quote us flights and they were quite a bit higher than what I could get them for. All you have to do is do a dummy reservation with and without airfare to see what they will charge you.

We couldn't get a flight back to central IL after 10:30 am. So we are staying till the 9th. Not the best situation. Due to staying an extra night after the cruise, we have decided to fly in the morning of the cruise. So on August 27th/28th I will be nervous till we get to Barcelona at a decent time. And on September 8th I have a feeling that I will be more than ready to come home, but be forced to stay another night. Guess I won't complain too much!

For planning you might try the Med Blogs and videos from Pete's trip. Here is a link.

 

[yow]

Welcome, cathicool.

I think 11:20am is one of those flight times you "should" be able to make, so long as ship arrival and customs/immigration run on schedule. Some people say they wouldn't book a flight out before noon... just depends on what you're comfortable with. Check kayak.com for a selection of flights NYC-BCN and see how that compares to what Disney are offering.

 

[Eeyore3838]

I finally booked our flights a couple of weeks ago out of Orlando and We are paying $1140 pp. I wanted to make sure we only had one stop (in Altanta - Delta) on the way there since we are flying in on the day of the cruise. We also opted to stay one night in Barcelona after the cruise so we will fly out on the 9th as well.

 

[yow]

Eeyore3838, good that you got your flights. Looks like the fare stayed fairly constant, but at least you're flying through Atlanta and not Toronto/Montreal.

Advice for all of us, but especially those flying in the day of the cruise -- take as much as you can in carry-on, ideally a couple of days' worth of clothing plus meds etc. Fingers crossed, nobody will have luggage issues. But good to be prepared in case of airline snafus.

 

[eva]

Eeyore3838, good that you got your flights. Looks like the fare stayed fairly constant, but at least you're flying through Atlanta and not Toronto/Montreal.

Advice for all of us, but especially those flying in the day of the cruise -- take as much as you can in carry-on, ideally a couple of days' worth of clothing plus meds etc. Fingers crossed, nobody will have luggage issues. But good to be prepared in case of airline snafus.

I agree! We will be taking a carry on with a couple changes of clothes and swimsuits. We also will be taking 3 checked bags for the two of us. In each bag we are putting some of each of our clothes and toiletries. That way if 1 or 2 bags get lost someone won't be totally out of clothes. We do have a 5 hour layover in Atlanta. So I am trying to be optimistic that all luggage will arrive. If it were less than 2 hours layover on an international flight, I might be a bit more nervous.

 

[Eeyore3838]

I agree! We will be taking a carry on with a couple changes of clothes and swimsuits. We also will be taking 3 checked bags for the two of us. In each bag we are putting some of each of our clothes and toiletries. That way if 1 or 2 bags get lost someone won't be totally out of clothes. We do have a 5 hour layover in Atlanta. So I am trying to be optimistic that all luggage will arrive. If it were less than 2 hours layover on an international flight, I might be a bit more nervous.

Sounds like we will be on the same flight! I think our Atlanta layover is just under 2 hours. Our flight leaves Atlanta at 5:55p and lands at 8:55a in Barcelona.

Also, the flight price has really jumped since we booked (at least it has for the same itinerary). What I paid $1140pp for is now $1367pp. I am sure glad I booked when I did!

 

[eva]

Sounds like we will be on the same flight! I think our Atlanta layover is just under 2 hours. Our flight leaves Atlanta at 5:55p and lands at 8:55a in Barcelona.

Also, the flight price has really jumped since we booked (at least it has for the same itinerary). What I paid $1140pp for is now $1367pp. I am sure glad I booked when I did!

We are on the same flight! I bet there will be others on that flight! We flew Delta from Bloomignton to Atlanta to Rome a couple years ago and the flights were great. We were very pleased with the food and service.

Our flight prices never really varied much. But I am so glad that I bought them in the fall. We had great choices on seats and paying for them so many months in advance allowed me to spread the cost of the trip over an entire year. Those flights were paid for in November and I don't feel the pain of their coast anymore. And since we are using DVC points for the cruise, the only things I still need to worry about are drinks and excursions.

 

[cathicool]

ok....flights are done...we are on delta non-stop from JFK. $1158pp.

We are in connecting cat 10's, 2083 and 2085.

Are we doing FE's?

Still have to book 1 night in barcelona pre-cruise. still have to get flight insurance too.

anyone interested in doing a private tour with us? we are 2 adults, plus/minus our 3 kids, aged 10, 8 and 5. checked on the DCL tours and they are expensive and quite a few, sold out.....

 

[eva]

ok....flights are done...we are on delta non-stop from JFK. $1158pp.

We are in connecting cat 10's, 2083 and 2085.

Are we doing FE's?

I'm not sure if anyone has discussed doing FE. With all the weight and space limits for luggage, I've been leaning towards not doing it.

 

[liberty6201]

Oh I'd love to do an fe exchange if anyone is up for it!! I have a 6 yo who would love this - happy to keep it light if that's what people want

 

[EyeDisneyCruise]

We would also do the FE if people are interested... We are travelling with our DD (5 years old) and DS (6 years old)...they love the FE...