July 28, 2007 - "Rome-ancing the Mouse Cruisers" -11 days! Part 2

[salliep]

Good price, I have a ''junior suite'' for four, so higher cost and no brekkie included, but I must say I wouldn't want a full buffet breakfast every day, the week before going on the Magic and topsiders, I will burst, I will get something from the bakers most days.

Yes - I do feel the same way... I figured I wanted


to see as much as possible w/o worrying about a good breakfast, so I though we would get up early, eat and go sight-see... but dont worry- I will be able to find you in any baker or coffee shop- lo-jacks are 100% foolproof!!!!

 

[paulandjayne uk]

Good price, I have a ''junior suite'' for four, so higher cost and no brekkie included, but I must say I wouldn't want a full buffet breakfast every day, the week before going on the Magic and topsiders, I will burst, I will get something from the bakers most days.

That is A very good Price, we too have a Junior suite for 4 so paid a higher price without breakfast, we probably wont eat there both days but its just good to know its there if we want it !! think i am going to take my travel kettle for hot drinks.......are we allowed to usetravel kettles in our staerooms? as previous ships we have been on have not allowed.

Thanks
Jayne

 

[paulandjayne uk]

I to have 'read' its free now after recent upgrades to the hotel and rooms but I didn't want to post it as 'gospel' at this time. Yes from certain websites It is posted as free, but their website doesn't say its free, so if it is, its a bonus.

And I might be able to post as DD is taking her laptop with her.

Breakfast, I do not know that, its a little on the expensive side, for my family thats Euros 50 if kids are the same, my guess they are cheaper, but again, my facts are not certain and I haven't read kids prices.

Euros 50, would be £34, about £8, thats cheaper than central London four stars, but, more expensive than USA.

We were going to stay at the Grand Marina originally, thier brekkie was Euro 17.50 with no reduction for children,so i guess 12.50 is not bad.
Do you recon we weill get a hydro bath in the Junior suites?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Been reading reviews heres one.

We stayed in this hotel for 3 nights celebrating our 10 yr anniversay. The hotel was in an excellent location and was close to many of the main attractions. The bus stop and metro station are minutes away and its very easy to find.
The hotel staff were very friendly and we was given a warm welcome, our room was very large with a lovely bathroom and jacuzi bath and was very quiet.
Breakfast was a buffet and was very nice with a large variety of food that would suite any taste- again the staff were very friendly and the service brilliant as they were constantly refilling things when they were getting empty, it was very good that it was until 10.30am.
It was very handy to have computers that were free to use to guests staying in the hotel.
I would highly recommed this hotel to anyone who is going to Barcelona and it made our stay a very memorable one.

Another one, person from Orlando off a Cruise, in June!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6 of us booked 2 rooms before and after a cruise that left from Barcelona. I made the reservations through the hotel website and experienced no problems. The hotel staff was polite. and courteous. Check-in was efficient and we were quickly escorted to our rooms. The rooms are average in size but comfortably fit 3 of us in each room with the help of a rollaway bed. The rooms were clean and quiet. The breakfast buffet had several selections from dry cereal to eggs. The front desk staff was helpful at directing us to several good area restaurants.

The Hotel is centrally located in the city with an easy walk to Las Rambles, Placa de Catalunya, and the Bus Turistic stops. There are plenty of nice restaurants and bars in the area.

On the day of our departure we had an early Sunday morning flight. We requested 2 taxis for the six of us at 5:30 in the morning. They were waiting for us when we checked out.

Another one.

As a family with 2 teenage boys, we booked 2 rooms and we were all very impressed with the hotel. I had already booked another hotel on a different website as I couldn't find it on the 'Venere' website, however at the last minute I discovered that my reservation had never been confirmed. I then went back to 'Venere' as I had previously used the website and selected this hotel. I found the reviews very usefull and always check them out before booking. The hotel was in a perfect location, probably a bit more expensive than I would have originally chosen, however it was worth it and I would definitely go there again, and also recommend it to anyone else staying in Barcelona. Breakfast was not included but that suited us so we didn't have any meals in the hotel, the menu looked very good though and prices seemed ok. We would have been happy to eat there if we were staying longer. The staff were very friendly and very helpful with advice for getting around town. I think I will stick with 'Venere' the next time I'm booking rather than chance another website, even if it is a bit cheaper.

 

[paulandjayne uk]

Been reading reviews heres one.

We stayed in this hotel for 3 nights celebrating our 10 yr anniversay. The hotel was in an excellent location and was close to many of the main attractions. The bus stop and metro station are minutes away and its very easy to find.
The hotel staff were very friendly and we was given a warm welcome, our room was very large with a lovely bathroom and jacuzi bath and was very quiet.
Breakfast was a buffet and was very nice with a large variety of food that would suite any taste- again the staff were very friendly and the service brilliant as they were constantly refilling things when they were getting empty, it was very good that it was until 10.30am.
It was very handy to have computers that were free to use to guests staying in the hotel.
I would highly recommed this hotel to anyone who is going to Barcelona and it made our stay a very memorable one.

Another one, person from Orlando off a Cruise, in June!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6 of us booked 2 rooms before and after a cruise that left from Barcelona. I made the reservations through the hotel website and experienced no problems. The hotel staff was polite. and courteous. Check-in was efficient and we were quickly escorted to our rooms. The rooms are average in size but comfortably fit 3 of us in each room with the help of a rollaway bed. The rooms were clean and quiet. The breakfast buffet had several selections from dry cereal to eggs. The front desk staff was helpful at directing us to several good area restaurants.

The Hotel is centrally located in the city with an easy walk to Las Rambles, Placa de Catalunya, and the Bus Turistic stops. There are plenty of nice restaurants and bars in the area.

On the day of our departure we had an early Sunday morning flight. We requested 2 taxis for the six of us at 5:30 in the morning. They were waiting for us when we checked out.

Thats where i must have read it, apparently all the junior suites are located in a building adjacent to the hotel and is nice and quiet.

We went out to get the last of our shopping bits and pieces today...DH got all his, together with DD8 and DS11 so they were all very happy, i needed to go to Bristol to the out of town shopping centre but the M5 north was at a standstill so somehow i still need get there......dont know how and when jsut not enough days left!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We were going to stay at the Grand Marina originally, thier brekkie was Euro 17.50 with no reduction for children,so i guess 12.50 is not bad.
Do you recon we weill get a hydro bath in the Junior suites?

Not sure, I know they are on the ninth floor seen that posted a number of times, you would have thought so, though.

Grand Marina is expensive ! and CP Hotel is central to everything.

This is their website, its the same chain as the Grand Marina.

http://www.eurostarshotels.com/en/hotels-in-spain-barcelona-eurostars-cristal-palace.html

ROOMS

Recently renewed

It has 149 comfortable bedrooms, 11 suites and 7 duplex. All of them recently renewed, equipped with the last technologies and the maximum comfort to satisfy needs and expectations of either tourists or businessmen and women.

The spacious guest rooms are attractively decorated, with a patterned gray carpet, wooden headboards, salmon walls and cheerful bed covers.


Doble /Double


Room Facilities: Minibar, Shower, Bath, Safety Deposit Box, Pay TV, TV, Telephone, Air Conditioning, Bathroom Amenities, Toilet, Bathroom, Heating, Internet Facilities, Hairdryer, Wake Up Service/Alarm Clock, Work Desk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individual

Room Facilities: Minibar, Shower, Bath, Safety Deposit Box, Pay TV, TV, Telephone, Air Conditioning, Bathroom Amenities, Toilet, Bathroom, Heating, Internet Facilities, Hairdryer, Wake Up Service/Alarm Clock, Work Desk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suite

Room Facilities: Minibar, Shower, Bath, Safety Deposit Box, Pay TV, TV, Telephone, Air Conditioning, Toilet, Bathroom, Heating, Shared Toilet, Internet Facilities, Hairdryer, Wake Up Service/Alarm Clock, Bathrobe, Work Desk, Seating Area, Slippers

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thats where i must have read it, apparently all the junior suites are located in a building adjacent to the hotel and is nice and quiet.

We went out to get the last of our shopping bits and pieces today...DH got all his, together with DD8 and DS11 so they were all very happy, i needed to go to Bristol to the out of town shopping center but the M5 north was at a standstill so somehow i still need get there......dont know how and when just not enough days left!

Now you say that, I remember that, I am in the annex, adjacent to hotel.

The main building can be a little small.

M5 every time I have gone down that, I have been in a long jam.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Yes - I do feel the same way... I figured I wanted to see as much as possible w/o worrying about a good breakfast, so I though we would get up early, eat and go sight-see... but dont worry- I will be able to find you in any baker or coffee shop- lo-jacks are 100% foolproof!!!!

I have five days head start! I will tell you where the Baker is!

 

[bellelinus]

THank you for the information. I'm pretty sure that's the way for us to go. Are you saying that you have to have a different card for each country we go to?

Sandra

Unfortunately that is the information I have -- you will need one for Spain, one for Italy, one for France . . . sounds pretty reasonable, price-wise, though.

 

[bellelinus]

No problem if you want to do more than one gift it's up to you. But it's not required.

Sandra

I know it's not! I was just wondering whether to do more than one gift -- IF I wanted to!!!! ---on the same day or different days . . . I'll decide once on the ship. By the way, I would appreciate not being scheduled for the Civitavecchia or LaSpezia days, since I will be doing well to even make it back to the ship, much less also pass out fish extender gifts!!!!

 

[bellelinus]

Julie, I'm so glad to see that you have a great measure of self control when it comes to sarcasm

Sandra

Actually, I have an incredibly hard time reigning it in! You have no idea!!!!!! I'm actually being really, really, good (for me) . . .

 

[bellelinus]

Thanks, I was so excited to get a major pirate I know, I need to get a life.

I'm very pleased that you will still be getting dressed up for the semi formal nights too. THis is going to be so much fun

Can I help with the taste testing?

Sandra

I will definitely be dressing more than cruise casual most nights as well . . .

 

[AnnaS]

Congrats on the !

These are some phrases that might help (I wouldn't count on English from a Sardinian taxi driver):

Vorrei alla la spiaggia. (I would like to go to the beach.)

Quanto costa? (How much does it cost?

Puo' riportarmi indietro? (Can you take me back?)

Julie,

I apologize and am not trying correct you - did you get this from a book? You are doing a great job.

First one - I would like to go to the beach - should it be
Vorrei andare alla spiaggia.


Trust me - I speak dialect and starting to loose that too. Forget about the proper Italian - I really should practice more often w/Italian speaking people so I don't forget. I will regret it someday the way I regret that my kids don't speak it.

 

[Perdie]

I am trying to do the online check-in for the cruise and it's asking for my flight information, but does not have London, England listed as a departure or arrival city and I can't add it. Any Brits on here go through this exercise and if so what did you do??? Cheers!

 

[AnnaS]

Information about Cala Sabina (check any map of Sardinia and you will see that Golfo Aranci is quite close to Olbia, the train can't take that long, nor would a taxi).

Cala Sabina (Golfo Aranci, province Olbia-Tempio)

Cala Sabina is located in Golfo Aranci. The beach is characterized by white fine sand alternate to pebbles and rocks. The cove is bordered by a thickly vegetation of junipers and Mediterranean "macchia". The shallowness of the water makes Cala Sabina an ideal place for children. Also it is a good place for snorkeling and scuba diving.


How to reach the beach

You can reach the cove by boat or by train from Olbia to Golfo Aranci. It stops just near to the beach. It is a summer service, actually it starts the 14 of June and it ends the 14 of September. Finally you can reach the beach on foot passing through a path which joins the road SP 82 to the beach.

http://www.sardegne.com/sardegne/0/...lfo_Aranci,_province_Olbia-Tempio).en.notizie

Nice Work Julie!

If I did not have 4 other minds to worry about/check with, I would personally go this route.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I am trying to do the online check-in for the cruise and it's asking for my flight information, but does not have London, England listed as a departure or arrival city and I can't add it. Any Brits on here go through this exercise and if so what did you do??? Cheers!

If you used a T/A e.mail them, if not E.mail DCL via their website with the details, they do ovveride it, mine shows Gatwick for Saturday.

Dreams my t/a sorted this for me and its on my tickets now.

 

[bellelinus]

Julie,

I apologize and am not trying correct you - did you get this from a book? You are doing a great job.

First one - I would like to go to the beach - should it be
Vorrei andare alla spiaggia.


Trust me - I speak dialect and starting to loose that too. Forget about the proper Italian - I really should practice more often w/Italian speaking people so I don't forget. I will regret it someday the way I regret that my kids don't speak it.

No problem -- anything that can get a person to the beach! I have several Italian friends and have been trying to learn Italian off and on for some time, but certainly would never claim to actually have any expertise in the matter.

 

[kidcoos3]

Happy Sunday everyone - a bit off topic here,
We are hoping to have a nice picture taken on formal night. How does that work? Are the lines horrendous? We have late dinner. Also, are the pictures typically vertical or horizontal - there are 5 of us. I have heard that the sizes are usually 6x8 or 8x10, sound right?

Thank in advance for any info . . .

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Happy Sunday everyone - a bit off topic here,
We are hoping to have a nice picture taken on formal night. How does that work? Are the lines horrendous? We have late dinner. Also, are the pictures typically vertical or horizontal - there are 5 of us. I have heard that the sizes are usually 6x8 or 8x10, sound right?

Thank in advance for any info . . .

They can be long they are popular, there is lines/queues in the Atrium either deck 3 or deck 4.

Yes they get longer as dinner ends. Usual on formal nights. Mine are Vertical /portrait.

 

[AnnaS]

Julie,

Thanks regarding the info. on the calling cards. I had not thought of that. We do buy them here all the time to call Italy. I am going to get one for my son as soon as we get to Italy so he can call his girlfriend. (How will they survive two weeks without each other )

I did call tmobile - land price is .99 minute. Price on ship is $4.99 a min. Also text messages (land?) incoming are free and .35 cents outgoing. We are only taking my son's phone and will only use it for emergency/his girlfriend. I told him his phone must be turned off while out at sea. I am not paying $4.99 a minute.

The card will be much better if he wants to spend a few minutes on the phone.