August 7th, 2010 Mediterranean Cruise

[ga9497]

Easyjet only sells 6 months or so ahead, so the best I could check was for next March, but you could fly Paris to Barcelona pretty much any day for 34.49 pounds each -- so about $300 for all four of you, and it is only a 2 hour flight. If you want to take the train, do it, but do look into flights on intra-European carriers, too. Vueling is another that sells inexpensive one way flights between Paris and Barcelona, but I seem to remember it had fewer flights to choose from than Easyjet, at least last year.

Yes, be sure to plan to get there the day before to be safe (although I will confess that we flew from Paris to Barcelona the morning of our transAtlantic cruise last year, and luckily had no problem).

Julie has a lot of great information posted - the only thing I would add is that with Easyjet and other budget European airlines is to check their baggage allowance as some charge a large fee for additional bags and bags that are over their weight limit. My sister was looking into one of the budget airlines going from Paris to Florence Italy this past summer and when reading the fine print it would have cost her more then a major airline once she figured out all the baggage fees. Just a heads up to read the fine print whomever you decide to go with

One company that I used a few years ago is Europebyair.com and had a very nice flight from Venice to Catania, Sicily

 

[bellelinus]

Julie has a lot of great information posted - the only thing I would add is that with Easyjet and other budget European airlines is to check their baggage allowance as some charge a large fee for additional bags and bags that are over their weight limit. My sister was looking into one of the budget airlines going from Paris to Florence Italy this past summer and when reading the fine print it would have cost her more then a major airline once she figured out all the baggage fees. Just a heads up to read the fine print whomever you decide to go with

One company that I used a few years ago is Europebyair.com and had a very nice flight from Venice to Catania, Sicily

True -- I know our limit on Easyjet last year was 44 lbs, one bag per person -- and we made it!!! Needless to say, I had a travel scale along . . .

I think others like Ryanair charge for each bag -- but it can still be very inexpensive to fly within Europe even if you have to pay for a bag.

We were in Europe last summer for over a month with one checked bag each (and under 44 lbs) -- you end up mixing and matching a lot on clothes, but honestly if you really look into it you don't need nearly as many clothes as you think you will.

 

[MrsJobba1]

True -- I know our limit on Easyjet last year was 44 lbs, one bag per person -- and we made it!!! Needless to say, I had a travel scale along . . .

I think others like Ryanair charge for each bag -- but it can still be very inexpensive to fly within Europe even if you have to pay for a bag.

We were in Europe last summer for over a month with one checked bag each (and under 44 lbs) -- you end up mixing and matching a lot on clothes, but honestly if you really look into it you don't need nearly as many clothes as you think you will.

julie - I don't know how u managed

well clothes are not my problem. its the shoes

dave despaired last time

 

[kaseyC]

Hello Everyone! Hope everyone is having a great day!!

We were in Europe last summer for over a month with one checked bag each (and under 44 lbs) -- you end up mixing and matching a lot on clothes, but honestly if you really look into it you don't need nearly as many clothes as you think you will.

DD and I on the TA repo brought 3 bags and we had way too much stuff. We did not wear half of it. I even did laundry because my DD favored a few items that she wanted to wear over and over again.

 

[bellelinus]

julie - I don't know how u managed

well clothes are not my problem. its the shoes

dave despaired last time

I know -- shoes are fun -- but I think I only had three pair on the Med last summer, and all looked nice enough with a dress but could be walked all over in . . . It's possible but you have to be ruthless when you pack!

 

[bellelinus]

Hello Everyone! Hope everyone is having a great day!!



DD and I on the TA repo brought 3 bags and we had way too much stuff. We did not wear half of it. I even did laundry because my DD favored a few items that she wanted to wear over and over again.

Exactly -- once you are there, you don't miss the extra clothes. It's the decisions before and during packing that are tough.

 

[ga9497]

We were in Europe last summer for over a month with one checked bag each (and under 44 lbs) -- you end up mixing and matching a lot on clothes, but honestly if you really look into it you don't need nearly as many clothes as you think you will.

Julie we have to talk on how you did that, I need some pointers

 

[bellelinus]

Julie we have to talk on how you did that, I need some pointers

I was brutal -- seriously. Two skirts, 3 capris, 5 shirts, one dress, one swimsuit, one nightgown, 3 pairs shoes, two light sweaters, two pashminas, one pirate costume, underwear, toiletries. Everything went with everything else. And my bag was a rolling duffle that only weighs 7 lbs empty.

 

[LynnTarrant]

and Julie and all 3 of her girls looked stunning everytime I saw them!!!

 

[Happy99]

deleted

 

[bellelinus]

and Julie and all 3 of her girls looked stunning everytime I saw them!!!

Wow, Lynn -- that was a very nice thing to say! Thank you!

 

[kaseyC]

I was brutal -- seriously. Two skirts, 3 capris, 5 shirts, one dress, one swimsuit, one nightgown, 3 pairs shoes, two light sweaters, two pashminas, one pirate costume, underwear, toiletries. Everything went with everything else. And my bag was a rolling duffle that only weighs 7 lbs empty.

That is awesome! Julie, we will need you to conduct a seminar on packing before we cruise.

 

[mndisfam]

I agree about the packing. We took WAY too much stuff for the PC cruise. Sine we had booked so much earlier, we could take two bags, but storing all that stuff in the room was a NIGHTMARE. Took 2 days to unpack, NEVER AGAIN.

I will be ruthless and repetitive next time. Also, this time,I splurged and had the laundry done. it was my only splurge...everyone else got treats, so that was mine.

the laundry came back to the room in beautiful wicker baskets. I would have done it myself, but when I would go down to the laundry, the dryers were never working right. People were spending HOURS in there.

They were a jolly bunch tho.

I wonder if the Euro crowd is more dressy - lets face it - the PC crowd were very relaxed....

 

[mndisfam]

What do you think modest dress in Tunisia means? Kathleen

 

[bellelinus]

I agree about the packing. We took WAY too much stuff for the PC cruise. Sine we had booked so much earlier, we could take two bags, but storing all that stuff in the room was a NIGHTMARE. Took 2 days to unpack, NEVER AGAIN.

I will be ruthless and repetitive next time. Also, this time,I splurged and had the laundry done. it was my only splurge...everyone else got treats, so that was mine.

the laundry came back to the room in beautiful wicker baskets. I would have done it myself, but when I would go down to the laundry, the dryers were never working right. People were spending HOURS in there.

They were a jolly bunch tho.

I wonder if the Euro crowd is more dressy - lets face it - the PC crowd were very relaxed....

When I was on the Med last year, people did look a little more dressed up . . . capris rather than shorts, dresses with light sweaters at dinner, etc. I had my laundry done on the Med cruises last summer and it was such a treat!

What do you think modest dress in Tunisia means? Kathleen

Generally, legs covered to below the knees, no chest showing, at least short sleeves. Same as in cathedrals in Europe, actually. I'm sure we won't have to wear a burqa in Tunis!

 

[mndisfam]

I didn't think we would have to wear a burka, but it would make for some memorable pictures!


I think we are looking forward to Tunis as much as any other port.

 

[bellelinus]

I didn't think we would have to wear a burka, but it would make for some memorable pictures!


I think we are looking forward to Tunis as much as any other port.

I agree totally -- I was not intending to book this cruise until I saw the new ports for 2010 compared to 2007 (Tunis, Malta, Corsica), and replacing my least favorite ports from 2007 -- then they had me hooked!

 

[kaseyC]

Good Morning Everyone!!

I agree totally -- I was not intending to book this cruise until I saw the new ports for 2010 compared to 2007 (Tunis, Malta, Corsica), and replacing my least favorite ports from 2007 -- then they had me hooked!

I originally wanted to do the Baltics but DH thought the Med would be better for our girls at this time. I was very excited to see the new ports. It's a great itinerary with the classic Med ports and a few new exotic ports.

 

[MrsJobba1]

I agree totally -- I was not intending to book this cruise until I saw the new ports for 2010 compared to 2007 (Tunis, Malta, Corsica), and replacing my least favorite ports from 2007 -- then they had me hooked!

Thats what had me hooked.

Last Feb I had a week in Tunisa with my mam and I really enjoyed it.

My dh has been to Malta diving - but I have not visited. - be warned he said the roads were very bad ie great big holes in them. He said travelling there was an experience similar to a riding a bone shaker.

 

[bellelinus]

Thats what had me hooked.

Last Feb I had a week in Tunisa with my mam and I really enjoyed it.

My dh has been to Malta diving - but I have not visited. - be warned he said the roads were very bad ie great big holes in them. He said travelling there was an experience similar to a riding a bone shaker.

Helen, as we get closer to time you are going to be our Tunisia expert!