Is anyone cruising with me on the August 27th 2011 Meditteranean Cruise? Hellooooo?

[sissy_ib]

I find Rick Steves books and podcasts to be good for finding out what to see. Once you figure out what cities you want to go to I find here and also cruisecritic under the port threads has a ton of info on how to take the train to each city.

I have been to Europe before and the trains are easy to use

Thanks. I'll take a look at his books. I know what cities I want to go to, and more or less what sights I want to see. But I would like to do and see some things "off the beaten path". Since this is our first trip to Europe I'm trying not to let myself get overwhelmed or over ambitious!

 

[mkmommy]

Thanks. I'll take a look at his books. I know what cities I want to go to, and more or less what sights I want to see. But I would like to do and see some things "off the beaten path". Since this is our first trip to Europe I'm trying not to let myself get overwhelmed or over ambitious!

Www.Viator.com is what I call a tour broker you can book all kinds of city tours through them . I used them in Cadiz last summer to book a hop on hop off bus tour as it was less expensive then booking directly with the bus company , and I had no problems , but you do not know who the actual tour company is, so that may be an issue for some.

 

[RoniBoBoni]

Is anyone else considering just touring on your own? Even the "on your own" packages are a little pricey, but I guess it would be less worry than getting back and forth on your own. It seems way over priced and it looks like somewhat a waste of time to book with Disney. I visited cruisecritic.com, but all I saw was info on the ports. Some good stuff, but I pretty much know what I want to see in each port. Where would I go to book a tour outside of Disney?

I am planning private tours in Italy mostly. Hiring a private tour company to pick us up at the ship and drive us around. This seems to get good reviews on Trip Advisor. I really want to get the most from my visit and this is what I have decided:
1: I don't want to have to pay THAT much money for a Disney Excursion to be on a bus load of people, and waste time waiting around for the late comers or other groups (since eceryone has a different walking pace, mine is more fast pace).

2: I don't want to have to fumble with maps and bus or trains stops and times. I don't want to wonder where am I? How do I get here or there? Who can I ask for help?

3: I want the freedom to stop and take a picture if I see something I picture worthy, which you can't do on a Disney Cruise Tour. Or if there is a shop that strikes my fancy, I want to be able to go. And food wise too, I don't want touristy places to eat, I want authentic where the locals go.

4: I want to be on my own time. Not on anyone elses time schedule (other than port times).

So, for the same cost as I would be paying for a Disney Excursion, I am willing to pay for a private tour. The reviews alone are incredible and I want that kind of experience.

This will only be for Italy though, where there is sooooooo much that I want to see. But we only have one day in each port.

The other 2 ports, Villefranche and Palma Mallorca, I want to do it on my own, we have enough time in port and these places are relatively small. I don't mind fumbling with maps and trains. There really isn't as much to see or do like there is in Italy. The Disney Excursions are way too expensive for us, we will just pass on these ports.

I would start with Trip Advisor, do a search for Italy Private Tour and see what comes up. But the prices can run from $500 and up per port, per car (it doesn't matter if there is one of you or seven of you, you pay that price per car).

 

[sissy_ib]

I am planning private tours in Italy mostly. Hiring a private tour company to pick us up at the ship and drive us around. This seems to get good reviews on Trip Advisor. I really want to get the most from my visit and this is what I have decided:
1: I don't want to have to pay THAT much money for a Disney Excursion to be on a bus load of people, and waste time waiting around for the late comers or other groups (since eceryone has a different walking pace, mine is more fast pace).

2: I don't want to have to fumble with maps and bus or trains stops and times. I don't want to wonder where am I? How do I get here or there? Who can I ask for help?

3: I want the freedom to stop and take a picture if I see something I picture worthy, which you can't do on a Disney Cruise Tour. Or if there is a shop that strikes my fancy, I want to be able to go. And food wise too, I don't want touristy places to eat, I want authentic where the locals go.

4: I want to be on my own time. Not on anyone elses time schedule (other than port times).

So, for the same cost as I would be paying for a Disney Excursion, I am willing to pay for a private tour. The reviews alone are incredible and I want that kind of experience.

This will only be for Italy though, where there is sooooooo much that I want to see. But we only have one day in each port.

The other 2 ports, Villefranche and Palma Mallorca, I want to do it on my own, we have enough time in port and these places are relatively small. I don't mind fumbling with maps and trains. There really isn't as much to see or do like there is in Italy. The Disney Excursions are way too expensive for us, we will just pass on these ports.

I would start with Trip Advisor, do a search for Italy Private Tour and see what comes up. But the prices can run from $500 and up per port, per car (it doesn't matter if there is one of you or seven of you, you pay that price per car).

I'll check out Trip Advisor, thanks for the tip. I pretty much have all the same reasons as you for not wanting to do Disney tours. To expensive for an bus ride, and I want as much freedom with the itinerary as I can get. I don't know when I'll get back to these places so I want to make the most of it.

 

[sissy_ib]

So I may want to rent a car service for the Florence/Pisa day. Gonna keep looking at what I really want to do since it will be about double an excursion through Disney. I think I'm just going to pay Disney the $99 each to take us in to Rome. I think it will be kinda fun for my fiance and I to explore Rome on our own. I still haven't bought my airfare as I may be moving in the next few months so a ticket out of the airport here would be useless. If I buy tickets out of Houston it would be a few hundred cheaper but if I don't move by then it's a 10 hour drive. I'm hoping the prices don't go up much over the next 2 months when I'll know more. I did however buy tickets from Paris to Barcelona the morning of the cruise. I am so excited I am adding on to this trip! We are gonna have 13 full days in Europe!

 

[RoniBoBoni]

I just read that the Accademia where Michelangelo's David statue is at, is closed on mondays. That and the Uffizi (where I really wanted to go in Florence) are both closed on mondays. I am so bummed! Those are the top 2 attractions in Florence I am a BIG art fan, especially renaissance art. Well, I guess there is so much more to see and do.

So I talked to the inlaws, and we are going to book the private tours on the three Italy ports. There are three seats open in a seven seat van if anyone else is interested (mkmommy might be interested in Rome, so that leaves 2 seats open for that port, 3 seats in la spezia, 3 seats in naples). If anyone else is interested, please pm me and I will give you the details.

 

[sissy_ib]

I just read that the Accademia where Michelangelo's David statue is at, is closed on mondays. That and the Uffizi (where I really wanted to go in Florence) are both closed on mondays. I am so bummed! Those are the top 2 attractions in Florence I am a BIG art fan, especially renaissance art. Well, I guess there is so much more to see and do.

So I talked to the inlaws, and we are going to book the private tours on the three Italy ports. There are three seats open in a seven seat van if anyone else is interested (mkmommy might be interested in Rome, so that leaves 2 seats open for that port, 3 seats in la spezia, 3 seats in naples). If anyone else is interested, please pm me and I will give you the details.

I figured that out last night. I was so disappointed when I figured out we were going to be in port on a Monday! I'm not sure about that port at all now. I know I want to go to Pisa, but I'm not sure if I want to make the long drive to Florence. I read it's about 2 1/2 hours. I would love to see Florence, but that is such a big part of the day, especially considering two main attractions closed.

 

[RoniBoBoni]

I know what you mean, I was thinking maybe do a winery tour instead, afterall, we'd be in tuscany - the land of wine makers
We still want to do Pisa too though.

 

[gusdmh]

I know what you mean, I was thinking maybe do a winery tour instead, afterall, we'd be in tuscany - the land of wine makers
We still want to do Pisa too though.

Pisa and wine!
What a great combination.

 

[dizmomof2]

We're coming too!!

Dh and I did the Eastern TA last April and spent a few days in Barcelona. While on board we booked an Alaskan cruise for this summer. Last week I checked it out and realized the European cruise was cheaper then the Alaskan! We couldn't pass up the chance to show our DD's more history.

It's now official, I've changed over the reservation and it's back to Barcelona for us!

It will be me, DH, DD 16 and DD15. (oh and the girls are dying to do their first ever FE exchange)

FISH EXTENDER PARTICIPANTS
dizmomof2 2 adults DD 16 DD15
RoniBoBoni 2 adults 2 children (ages ??)
jrs mommy 3 adults 1 child (ds 3)
TJFrack 2 adults
NHDisneylover 2 adults
NHDisneylover2 dd (14) ds (12)
dwcsk8 2 adults
austraveler 2 adults DS(11) DS(10) DS(7)
JoyB-UK 2 adults 1dd (12)
diane aggelidou 2 adults dd(6)
halo 2 adults dd(11) dd(9) ds(6)
disneywithkids 2 adults dd(14) dd(12)
gusmh
BecDan 2 adults DS(13) DD(11)
Tiggerfan2k2 2 adults DS(8) DD(6) DS(3)
Celocey 2 adults
wmbgfiddle 2 adults DD11 DD9 DD9
JeanJoe 2 adults DD(9) DD(7)

 

[goiu]

Hi there!

Me and my husband are trying to decide if we are going to book this trip or not. We did the westbound transatlantic last fall. The first week was great. The second week not so good. Our then 1 year old got the roto virus. Then passed it on to our 4 year old and us. We were sick the whole time. So, this time thinking of doing the cruise by ourself. Just trying to figure out how much it would cost. There's so many great ports! Has anyone figured out about how much they'll spend on excursions?

Thanks so much!
Lisa

 

[sissy_ib]

Hi there!

Me and my husband are trying to decide if we are going to book this trip or not. We did the westbound transatlantic last fall. The first week was great. The second week not so good. Our then 1 year old got the roto virus. Then passed it on to our 4 year old and us. We were sick the whole time. So, this time thinking of doing the cruise by ourself. Just trying to figure out how much it would cost. There's so many great ports! Has anyone figured out about how much they'll spend on excursions?

Thanks so much!
Lisa

If we were to Disney excursions in every port I figured it would cost us about $2000 (two adults). I don't think we are doing any. Not for those prices and for being at the mercy of someone else.

 

[RoniBoBoni]

Pisa and wine!
What a great combination.

HaHa! Gus did you mean piZZa and wine? Cause it sounds like it

dizmomof2 - Glad you and your family are joining us! I am on the same page as your girls, this will be our first FE exchange, never did one before, kinda hoping someone will volunteer to take the reigns on it

goiu - Lisa, I hope you are able to take part in this cruise, whether its the whole family, or just you two. Sorry that the last one wasn't great, hope this one is WAY better!

 

[disneychic]

I just read that the Accademia where Michelangelo's David statue is at, is closed on mondays. That and the Uffizi (where I really wanted to go in Florence) are both closed on mondays. I am so bummed! Those are the top 2 attractions in Florence

Thanks for the info! I'll pass it along to my husband, my mom & her fiance so we can decide what to do that day

 

[auntlynne]

...I think I'm just going to pay Disney the $99 each to take us in to Rome. I think it will be kinda fun for my fiance and I to explore Rome on our own....

Hi, I've signed up for this cruise, having done the 11-night Med last year with DCL. So much to see in the ports, one day just wasn't enough.

We used public transportation to get to/from Rome. For less than 10 euros pp, we had a train ride (RT) from the port and unlimited subway and bus access in Rome. The only read downside was that the last transport bus to the docked ship (about 1 mile) didn't tell the long line of people waiting that there was no later bus coming (about 7pm).

We also took the train to Pisa and then the bus to the Tower.

 

[mkmommy]

Hi, I've signed up for this cruise, having done the 11-night Med last year with DCL. So much to see in the ports, one day just wasn't enough.

We used public transportation to get to/from Rome. For less than 10 euros pp, we had a train ride (RT) from the port and unlimited subway and bus access in Rome. The only read downside was that the last transport bus to the docked ship (about 1 mile) didn't tell the long line of people waiting that there was no later bus coming (about 7pm).

We also took the train to Pisa and then the bus to the Tower.

Was it easy to find the train station in La Spezia, I want to go to Cinque Terre.?

Looks like there are some new excursions on the DCL website or I
Never noticed, Rome by Segway

 

[dizmomof2]

I'll be glad to see you again Aunt Lynne! Is your niece joining you again this year? This year The Real Dizdadof2 and I are bringing the girls with us. Glad to know that it was easy getting in to Rome on the train. With 4 people it gets way to costly to take the Disney tours. (and I hate being on someone else's schedule for what I want to see and how long I want to stay there)

Is the website still up from last year where you posted all the information about the stops on?

 

[mkmommy]

Barcelona hotels, I have been checking the price of the Fira Palace as I wanted something close to the Magic Fountains, it has always been over 300 euros but today it was 74 euros for Aug 26 and 84 euros for Sep 3. I found this on the www.Fira-palace.com

 

[auntlynne]

Was it easy to find the train station in La Spezia, I want to go to Cinque Terre.?...

We walked from the port; basically just up through town. However, the 20-minute walk took us about 45. We did stop shortly in one shop, and I was slowed down by my knee (which I managed to damage a week before). There are also city buses and taxis which would make it faster to get to the station.

I'll be glad to see you again Aunt Lynne! Is your niece joining you again this year? This year The Real Dizdadof2 and I are bringing the girls with us. Glad to know that it was easy getting in to Rome on the train. With 4 people it gets way to costly to take the Disney tours. (and I hate being on someone else's schedule for what I want to see and how long I want to stay there)

Is the website still up from last year where you posted all the information about the stops on?

Karen will be a freshman at Auburn U, which starts a few weeks before this cruise, so I'm scheduled as a solo traveler.

I just checked; the website still comes up.
http://web.me.com/lyncorn/Site/Welcome.html

 

[sissy_ib]

Hi, I've signed up for this cruise, having done the 11-night Med last year with DCL. So much to see in the ports, one day just wasn't enough.

We used public transportation to get to/from Rome. For less than 10 euros pp, we had a train ride (RT) from the port and unlimited subway and bus access in Rome. The only read downside was that the last transport bus to the docked ship (about 1 mile) didn't tell the long line of people waiting that there was no later bus coming (about 7pm).

We also took the train to Pisa and then the bus to the Tower.

That is very good to know. About how long did you spend in Pisa? I want to see the tower, but I also want to see Cinque Terre. I'm a little torn on what to do...
I am hoping DCL will open there 2012 dates soon so I can plan on what I want to book onboard. I already know I will want to go back.