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

[Eeyore3838]

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.

That is great to hear! This will be our first International flight so I'm already freaking out a bit!

As far as FE goes, I don't think we will be participating. It would be different if the ship was leaving out of PC since we could bring everything home easily.

 

[yow]

This will be our first International flight

Oh that's great.

Get plenty of rest before you go; drink plenty of water whilst in flight; make sure to get up and stretch whenever you can... probably all advice you've heard and/or read already. And check out "No-Jet-Lag" pills -- homeopathic tablets available in most stores that sell luggage & travel gear -- we have taken these on every long-haul trip for the past five years with great results.

 

[yow]

We're probably a 'doubtful' on the FE as well... space restrictions, as others have said. As it is, we're reluctant to bring anything dressy, what with having to pack for multiple climates (I'll feel better about missing a sportcoat in the dining room than a fleece or shell in the Alps).

 

[eva]

That is great to hear! This will be our first International flight so I'm already freaking out a bit!

As far as FE goes, I don't think we will be participating. It would be different if the ship was leaving out of PC since we could bring everything home easily.

International flights are long. So bring things to read and occupy you. I will be bringing my MP3 player and my Kindle. Plus, I will bring a couple of magazines and puzzle books, just in case I can't concentrate on a book. Don't over pack too many snacks. We did this last time and had way too many things to lug around the airport. We really only needed a bag of trail mix. On the flights they kept us pretty well feed. Get up and move around every hour or two to keep your circulation moving. If you can sleep on the flight, it's best you do because you will be arriving in the morning. You should really try your best to stay awake until after dinner the day you arrive. I took melatonin right after dinner on the plane and slept great on the flight. Plus I took it each night while in Italy and found that I had very little jet lag and slept pretty good each night. DH refused at first to take it and suffered for it.

I have to agree on the FE. If we had kids on the cruise, they would probably enjoy it a lot. But we don't and I am trying my best to minimze what we are taking. Sorry to say, if I can pack another pair of shoes by leaving home an FE and exhanges, you better believe I will be bringing the shoes. Karen (Custard Tart) may be interested. She should be back from WDW soon. So everyone might want to ask again when she gets back. Actually I don't mind buying a little something on the ship for the kids and putting in their FE. That might work.

 

[froggie93]

Looking to find cheap airfare from NY or Orlando to Barcelona to meet the DCL ship leaving August 28, 2010. Can anyone help?

 

[cathicool]

Anyone interested in doing a private tour with us? We are a family of 5--2 adults, 3 "well-behaved" kids

 

[madmum63]

We have done several long haul flights to the states and always taken formal attire. We even had two Formal Evenings on the Panama Canal crossing in 08. Go on, make the effort like we do, its well worth it. We even do full on formal for the children. They love it, especially our now 10 year old daughter. x She and our 13 year old son are counting the days.

Andrea

 

[yow]

We have done several long haul flights to the states and always taken formal attire ... Go on, make the effort like we do, its well worth it.

I appreciate the thought, and the concept. For us, after having taken several cruises, the novelty of formal nights isn't quite what it once was. When we go to, say, the Caribbean, and it's all about the cruise, then we take dressier attire and enjoy that aspect. Travelling to Europe, however, with so much to see and do before and after the cruise (plus additional flights, trains, walking a stretch here and there with bags, etc.) every ounce counts. Just our approach.

Counting down the days, definitely. (and it's now 55 days -- less than 8 weeks!)

 

[madmum63]

We have made 33 trips in total across the Atlantic and always make the effort. This is our first "Local" cruise and believe me one where we have extreme limitations on luggage but we are still all doing the formal thing.

With regard to the sight seeing I couldn't agree more with you. Our children have only ever been to Europe for skiing. Never in the summer so doing lots is definitely on our agenda also. Perhaps its the attitude of us mad brits but we always try to participate to the full. What is it they say "Mad dogs and English men go out in the midday sun".

Well we will still struggle with the last ounce of luggage but from the bikini to the formal attire it WILL (hopefully) please god, all be packed. Only the next 8 weeks will tell though.

 

[yow]

Speaking of the sights, for those planning to go independently, tickets for the Vatican museum for our day in Rome (September 2) are now available here

 

[amackay]

My girlfriend and I will be on this cruise. We were on the 15th May 11-night Med cruise and loved it so much we're doing another one.

Any questions about the ports feel free to get in touch and i'll do my best to help.

 

[madmum63]

We're probably a 'doubtful' on the FE as well... space restrictions, as others have said. As it is, we're reluctant to bring anything dressy, what with having to pack for multiple climates (I'll feel better about missing a sportcoat in the dining room than a fleece or shell in the Alps).

Being new to the website (but travelled from the U.K. over 33 times to the states) I read this message and thought FE meant Formal Evening. I started ranting about everyone complaining about your luggage allowance from America to Europe and thought, well we manage, whats the difference.

Please may I humbly apologise as now I have read the Abbreviation list I know what it means. hurrah

Anyway we have decorated our doors every time we sail and thoroughly enjoyed the comments received. However I didn't realise how kind hearted you all were by swapping gifts. What a lovely gesture.

I can fully sympathise with you with regard to the luggage allowance issue as it is miniscule. Only in America would you find people exchanging gifts with such a good heart.

Keep it up. Now I know what it is about and how it is done the we will certainly take part on our next American cruise.

Looking forward to setting sail on the 28th Aug Med trip.

DH DW DS 13 DD 10
and DW's older sister

Hope I didn't offend anyone Really new to this but trying to get the hang of it.

 

[eva]

My girlfriend and I will be on this cruise. We were on the 15th May 11-night Med cruise and loved it so much we're doing another one.

Any questions about the ports feel free to get in touch and i'll do my best to help.

Aboard!

What did you do at each port? Do tell!

 

[amackay]

Aboard!

What did you do at each port? Do tell!

Malta - we just walked around Valletta and visited St Johns co Catherdal (amazing place, almost as impressive as St Peters)

Tunis - We did the DCL tour Medina & Carthage. Carthage was really cool, we had a fascinating guide who was a historian and clearly knew his subject. The Medina was interesting. I imagine it would be very easy to get disoriented or lost. We stuck with the guide and went to look at carpets, fragrance and the gold market.

Naples - We had a private tour with another group of Dis members (fantastic bunch). We did Pompeii, the Amalfi coast, Sorrento and Positano. We stopped off at the most beautiful italian restaurant in Positano right on the cliff side.

Rome - We spent the whole day in Vatican city. We had booked the Scavi tour which takes you into the necropolis below the crypt level of St Peters where the bones of St Peter are believed to be buried. This was the highlight of the holiday for me. I'm not particularly religious, but wow! We also did the vatican museum which was well worth a few hours.

La Spezia - Another private tour with our Dis friends where we visited Pisa and Florence. Theres not much in Pisa apart from the tower so it's not really worth spending too much time there. Florence is amazing and the Santa Maria Del Fiore is jawdroppingly impressive. We also visited the Uffuzi gallery to see the REAL statue of david. There is another replica somewhere else in Florence apprently. After that we visited the burial place of Michaelangelo (Basilica of Santa Croce).

This time we're planning on getting the train from La Spezia and doing Cinque Terre.

Corsica - we just strolled the ship at our leisure and had a walk around a farmers market.

Villefranche - we got the train from Villefranche sur Mer to Monaco (only 5euros return). We walked around the racetrack at Monaco as all the grandstands were still in place. The GP was only a week before we arrived.

 

[cathicool]

We are about to book a private tour for the ports of Naples, Rome and La Spiezia. We have room for 1-3 more people. The price will definitely beat DCL's excursion price.




Anyone interested?
Please PM me at catlang@optonline.net.

Thank you....

 

[eva]

I just heard from Karen (Custard Tart) and she has to cancel out on the cruise. We have a private tour in Naples booked with them if anyone is interested in joining us. It is of Pompeii and the Amalfi coast. We booked it through this site. It is highly recommended by Rick Steves in his book on the Amalfi Coast. We have also booked a private guide at Pompeii. We have only booked a tour for 4. So another couple would be ideal. The total cost with the guide is 670 Euro. So it would be 335 Euro per couple plus tip. We have reserved the Mercedes Minivan. If you are interested pm me or respond here.

We will miss you Karen!

 

[eva]

Malta - we just walked around Valletta and visited St Johns co Catherdal (amazing place, almost as impressive as St Peters)

Funny, your plans are very similar to what we have planned. Glad to hear that doing Malta on your own is fine. I have a walking tour of the city from Lonely Planet that we plan to follow.

Tunis - We did the DCL tour Medina & Carthage. Carthage was really cool, we had a fascinating guide who was a historian and clearly knew his subject. The Medina was interesting. I imagine it would be very easy to get disoriented or lost. We stuck with the guide and went to look at carpets, fragrance and the gold market.

Naples - We had a private tour with another group of Dis members (fantastic bunch). We did Pompeii, the Amalfi coast, Sorrento and Positano. We stopped off at the most beautiful italian restaurant in Positano right on the cliff side.

We are doing the Carthage and Sidi Bou Said tour in Tunis. It is nice to hear that you had a good guide in Carthage. I haven't been hearing the best about the guides in Tunis.

What company did you use in Naples? We have the same type of private tour planned. What was the name of the restaurant that you ate at? We are doing lunch in Positano too.

 

[amackay]

Funny, your plans are very similar to what we have planned. Glad to hear that doing Malta on your own is fine. I have a walking tour of the city from Lonely Planet that we plan to follow.



We are doing the Carthage and Sidi Bou Said tour in Tunis. It is nice to hear that you had a good guide in Carthage. I haven't been hearing the best about the guides in Tunis.

What company did you use in Naples? We have the same type of private tour planned. What was the name of the restaurant that you ate at? We are doing lunch in Positano too.

Malta is very easy to do on your own, it's about a 10-15 minute walk uphill to the main precinct of Valletta

It was another member on here who booked the private tours so I can't remember the name of the company.

The restaurant in Positano was called La Tagliata. It was fantastic.

 

[CustardTart]

I just heard from Karen (Custard Tart) and she has to cancel out on the cruise....We will miss you Karen!

Thank you, Eva - we are very disappointed but sometimes that's life... I'm more concerned about potentially ruining the Naples private tour for you and Steve - hope we can work something out...

 

[yow]

Karen, sorry you won't be able to sail with us. Hope your next cruise comes as quickly as possible.

Eva, I'd consider the tour but it's beyond our range. We're planning Pompeii and maybe Amalfi Coast (and/or some city time in Naples) on our own, and will probably want some flexibility at that point in the cruise. Same approach for Rome -- though we're somewhat focused on what we'd like to revisit (Pantheon, Piazza Navona and vicinity; Vatican museum, basilica and square; Forum and Colosseum) -- and La Spezia (self-paced Cinque Terre)... so Cathicool, we'll decline as well, sorry.

Madmum, no worries -- as long as by 'America' you're referring to the continent, including Canada and Canadians.

amackay, thanks for the tips!

Anyone else waiting on a cabin assignment?