July 20th, 2011 – 10 Night Mediterranean "Mickey's European Explorers"

[K8T]

We would def be interested. Looks like rate is €550 for a day trip for up to 14 people. Getting a few of us together would make it much more reasonable (and 86 people less) than the Disney excursion. I'd like to know how they got the rate for 440!

http://maltayachtcharter.webs.com/ratesservices.htm

I have PM'd them to ask just that question.

However, if we could get some more to come along, it would be cheaper and more exclusive than DCL!

Anyone else interested?

Kate

 

[Ridicolon]

Hi

Just checking in to say that I have all but two email addresses now, so if you haven't sent me an email and would like a copy of the deck plans for FE's then please do. I will send them out this week.

Did you see the new posts on the main boards about recent trips/excursions? I think I may rethink my Schooner Trip!!! But still want to swim in that blue sea in Malta!

For those in the UK, there has been a programme on Sky about the Palermo Catacombs, should be repeated, if I could remember what Channel!!!! Interesting, but not suitable for a six year old!!

Bought a couple more things for the FE's today, not good though, I shall have to make them up without Otherhalf seeing and hide them at the bottom of the case

Just get this busy week out the way and I can plan and pack in earnest.

Kate

Kate,
In case you don't have my email, it is: dionecolon@msn.com

Thanks! We leave from US in 5 days!!

 

[Bec-n-Ken]

I have PM'd them to ask just that question.

However, if we could get some more to come along, it would be cheaper and more exclusive than DCL!

Anyone else interested?

Kate

I looked at the website but couldn't really find anything. What all does the cost include? Thanks!

 

[jdybnsn]

I have PM'd them to ask just that question.

However, if we could get some more to come along, it would be cheaper and more exclusive than DCL!

Anyone else interested?

Kate

This might be a wild shot... but if you do end up hiring it I would be interested in joining you in the afternoon (4 of us) - we are committed to going to the Hypogeum in the morning but would be free by 12 noon (possibly earlier) and are fairly confident in travelling around the island having stayed there a week already. We would be happy to meet up the group for a part day if that would be possible to arrange but would of course pay the full rate

...or if it suited everyone else to shop, sight see etc.. in the morning, perhaps the company would consider a cheaper half day hire ??

 

[jdybnsn]

Another long shot.....I am unexpectedly going to the Trafford Centre tomorrow (Sat) - I'm now taxi service to my dad & DH takig them to a cricket match at Old Trafford.

...is anyone in the area free for a coffee, and pre cruise chat tomorrow - I will be there from 11am to at least 3.30pm.

 

[helenreed]

I have PM'd them to ask just that question.

However, if we could get some more to come along, it would be cheaper and more exclusive than DCL!

Anyone else interested?

Kate

Hi Kate,
We would be interested, there are 5 of us

 

[jdybnsn]

Hi Kate,
We would be interested, there are 5 of us

The review mentions the person that has the yacht firm, has a friend that has another one and that they work together - perhaps we can hire them both if there are enough of us ?? ...and other maybe run one full day, and one part day one that meets up ???

...ooohhh I am geting all excited about this option now

 

[cegs27]

Hi, if there was room for us we'd possibly be interested in doing a private yacht in Malta - either for half day or full day - but if there's not enough space that's fine too. There are 3 of us, 2 adults and a 5 year old. Let me know what you guys find out!

 

[K8T]

I have emailed him to find out if he is free. He seems to be able to take 14 so let's see what price he comes up with. The website is saying 500 euros so that would be split between us per person.

I will let you know when I hear back.

Judy I would have loved to meet but we are at the Gramd Prix this weekend. A corporate hospitality invite. In fact I am lounging in a room of a very posh hotel as I speak!!

Kate

 

[jdybnsn]

Judy I would have loved to meet but we are at the Gramd Prix this weekend. A corporate hospitality invite. In fact I am lounging in a room of a very posh hotel as I speak!!

Kate

Wow ! I am sooo jealous !

Last time I went to the British GP we camped in a two man tent (pre kids obviously) in field near the entrance....and then sat on a grassy bank all day on Abbey Corner. Lucky you !! Have a good weekend.......hope you get to see a good race from Hamilton & Button

 

[jdybnsn]

I have emailed him to find out if he is free. He seems to be able to take 14 so let's see what price he comes up with. The website is saying 500 euros so that would be split between us per person.

I will let you know when I hear back.

Kate

His calendar is showing availability (but it does recommend early booking for Summer months) - so fingers crossed

Would you ask him about half day and or the possibility of another boat (his friend) as looks to me like we could almost fill two already.

Wondering too if he would be allowed to drop us back (from the yacht) to the ship in the part of Valletta harbour where the Disney ship will dock - private yachts do sail into the harbour in this area (we watched them from our apartment all week, last October), If he can't drop us near the Disney pier, yachts can moor (presumably with permission) in an area opposite where ship will be, call Vittoriosa - from here you can take a short (and very pleasant) water taxi ride of 10 mins., directly back to the ship for about E5pp, There is even a water taxi stand there, so these water taxis could be arranged in advance with a little pre trip organising. This is a far better option than dropping back in Slimea where most yacht excursions run from (most tourist are based in Slimea - think Blackpool with yachts !!) as its a good 20 -30 mins or more depending on Maltese traffic (very unpredictable) back to the ship.

Though one good thing to point out there are excellent ferry & hydrofoil services from Valletta to Palermo should you miss the ship !!

 

[mommy_grrl]

I have PM'd them to ask just that question.

However, if we could get some more to come along, it would be cheaper and more exclusive than DCL!

Anyone else interested?

Kate

Did you ever hear from the OP how they got that rate??? (I didn't look to see if they sailed in May, perhaps that was it...)

Looks like we've filled the boat (and then some) so I'm hoping that you hear from him! (I had emailed him before I mentioned it to you, just to request some general info i.e., what was included but have not heard back from him yet....)

 

[mommy_grrl]

Since we head down to London a week from today (spending the night at the airport and heading to Barcelona early Sunday am) I need to get everything sorted quickly!

I've lost over a stone this spring and have just discovered today (trying things on in a panic) that nothing fits aside from the few outfits (meant for cooler upper 60's weather) that I am wearing now. Literally. Nothing. I'm so dense, I bought a new pair of black trousers for dinner, etc, but didn't think to try on my tops and everything is practically tent-like.

I have no problem packing for the Caribbean but this won't be a live in swimsuits kind of trip so I'm struggling, as I know it will be hot and we'll all be sweaty (and while I can wash some of the tops, most of my stuff gets line dried to avoid any additional shrinkage)

Is it totally tacky if I wear a top twice to dinner? Its that, or I'll be wearing an outfit for dinner, clean, and then the next day on an outing. I'm seriously short on clothing and not needing to go out and buy a warm weather wardrobe when it rarely gets over 72 here.

also:
- do I need to pack beach towels for excursions (i.e., like a boat ride in Malta, LOL) or do they have them available to take off the ship like they do in the Carib?

I also need to get a good guestimate of Euros as I sure don't want to be hitting the ATM in Naples!.....

and I need to print off all the fantastic tips I've seen on the boards, or else I'll be sitting on the ship going "I know there was a short cut.....)

SOOOOO excited, I can't wait to start packing. It's too early, huh????

 

[mommy_grrl]

and one last annoying post....

did we decide if are we meeting for lunch on the first at-sea day and doing a gift exchange?

Just making my last and final to do list!!!

 

[Bec-n-Ken]

Will we need to pack towels to use at the pool on the ship? or do they have them available for us?

Thanks!

 

[designertravels]

Hi,
I am frantically packing and shopping as well. I'm not sure what a stone is, but I probably gained one! And this week had to buy a lot of clothes

Towels: you do not need to bring towels. The ship will not offer them to you to bring off board, but you can put some in your bag from the pool. I would not waste packing space on towels.

Clothing: It is quite normal to mix outfits up and wear things twice. You will not be in your evening wear long anyway.

Euros: OK. I need help here too. We were doing all the ports on our own and figuring for EVERYTHING from getting off the plane to heading back to Texas, 2100 E. (3 total days in BCN) Now we might be doing some private tours which will cost more.
Any suggestions here?????

Rome - I am in the process of possibly booking a private driver in Rome for 7 hours. We have 8 yr. old twin girls. The tour guide, who will stay in the van, has great dis reviews. We have room for 1 - 3 more people. I am waiting on an exact price. Please PM me if you want more info when I get it.

Jill

 

[mommy_grrl]

Hi,
I am frantically packing and shopping as well. I'm not sure what a stone is, but I probably gained one! And this week had to buy a lot of clothes

A stone is 14 pounds, and is one of my favorite British terms at the mo', as saying "I need to lose almost stone" is no where near as overwhelming as "I need to lose 25 pounds" I've caved and have adapted to my new home language, although I will NOT say "to-MAH-to" or "GAR-ahjze" and will occasionally slip up and say "pants", for which I will NOT apologize for.

And despite what my son and daughter sound like, they are not English or Welsh, they are Americans - although my son will tell you he is half-Welsh/half-American.

I will be doing mad shopping this week, also.

Towels: you do not need to bring towels. The ship will not offer them to you to bring off board, but you can put some in your bag from the pool. I would not waste packing space on towels.

Thanks - figured as much but didn't want to have to backtrack it to the room.

Clothing: It is quite normal to mix outfits up and wear things twice. You will not be in your evening wear long anyway.

Euros: OK. I need help here too. We were doing all the ports on our own and figuring for EVERYTHING from getting off the plane to heading back to Texas, 2100 E. (3 total days in BCN) Now we might be doing some private tours which will cost more.
Any suggestions here?????
I thought I had seen an estimate of daily spending on another board (although I thought it was pretty frugal) - when I find it, I'll link to it as while we have no problem hitting an ATM in BCN, I don't want to have to do it in a busier port

Rome - I am in the process of possibly booking a private driver in Rome for 7 hours. We have 8 yr. old twin girls. The tour guide, who will stay in the van, has great dis reviews. We have room for 1 - 3 more people. I am waiting on an exact price. Please PM me if you want more info when I get it.

Jill

I think it's going to be a busy week!!!!

 

[helenreed]

There is a great review on the forum by Sisterville of the private yacht charter on Malta

 

[K8T]

His calendar is showing availability (but it does recommend early booking for Summer months) - so fingers crossed

Would you ask him about half day and or the possibility of another boat (his friend) as looks to me like we could almost fill two already.

Wondering too if he would be allowed to drop us back (from the yacht) to the ship in the part of Valletta harbour where the Disney ship will dock - private yachts do sail into the harbour in this area (we watched them from our apartment all week, last October), If he can't drop us near the Disney pier, yachts can moor (presumably with permission) in an area opposite where ship will be, call Vittoriosa - from here you can take a short (and very pleasant) water taxi ride of 10 mins., directly back to the ship for about E5pp, There is even a water taxi stand there, so these water taxis could be arranged in advance with a little pre trip organising. This is a far better option than dropping back in Slimea where most yacht excursions run from (most tourist are based in Slimea - think Blackpool with yachts !!) as its a good 20 -30 mins or more depending on Maltese traffic (very unpredictable) back to the ship.

Though one good thing to point out there are excellent ferry & hydrofoil services from Valletta to Palermo should you miss the ship !!

I have emailed him and waiting for a reply, I also emailed to say that we had extra people, who may be interested in another boat, if he knew of anyone. Fingers crossed. If he does get back to me (I expect he will be busy over the weekend, I will ask about being picked up and dropped off near the ship.

Did you ever hear from the OP how they got that rate??? (I didn't look to see if they sailed in May, perhaps that was it...)

Looks like we've filled the boat (and then some) so I'm hoping that you hear from him! (I had emailed him before I mentioned it to you, just to request some general info i.e., what was included but have not heard back from him yet....)

I have heard, apparently they originally booked a yacht for four, and then things changed and they were asked if they would mind going with Peter, but they didn't get charged any extra. However, she did say she was so pleased with Peter, that she would book him again.

There is a great review on the forum by Sisterville of the private yacht charter on Malta

Hi Helen, this is the person I have been in touch with and emailed the guy they used - Keep up!!!!!!

 

[jdybnsn]

Great work Kate ...hope you enjoyed the qualifying today.

Had a long day in the Trafford Centre waiting for the cricket to finish......bought lots in the shops, as they are all currently having sales...but nothing for me ....except a basic pair of £4 flipflops in the Monsoon sale !