July 28, 2007 - "Rome-ancing the Mouse Cruisers" -11 days! Part 3

[MrsJobba1]

OK I need to go and get ready - going to a red, white and blue party in honor of Your independance day.

I'll explain.

A good friend of mine who I worked with @ school went last July to work in Miami for a year - She has just returned back home for 3 weeks- so shes having a party tonight. When she goes back she is going to be working in North Carolina - I do envy her

 

[aPierceon050501]

Not only will this be our first cruise but I have booked a couples massage for us too. Neither one of us has ever had a massage before... I booked it for the last day so we can be nice and relaxed before we (I) start packing to go home

This will be the trip of a lifetime for us!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew - We have cancelled The Panoramic Tour of Marsielles (its only 2 and a bit hours)[/b]
MrsJobba1/Helen

Instead we have a pm slot for Calanques of Cassis

UPDATED FRONT PAGE

Isn't it amazing, Andrew. When the list first came out, I just scanned. Now I am LOOKING and it is so comforting that I KNOW the people on my excursions or who will be in Palo at the same time. Isn't that wonderful!


Maryann

THATS THE POWER OF THIS THREAD AND THESE TIMETABLES, GLAD IT WILL HELP THE OVERALL CRUISE ENJOYMENT

Hi I couldn't resist, so I phoned DVC.

They contacted DCL and were told ...

My docs were posted yesterday wonder when they'll arrive :

THATS GREAT

 

[LynnTarrant]

Hello everyone
Finally a weekend to call my own..well almost tomorrow i'm at wimbledon got centre court tickets for Ladies finals!

Plus because of the bad weather we'll also see the Nadal seni final!!!

But Sunday is my day I need to prepare for the cruise and that means DIS Ketchup time

Hope you've all been well oh BTW my Inspection went really well and we've been classified as a good school.

Speak to you all on Sunday
Lynn

 

[Aurora1959]

Hi Everyone checking in again. I had a really bad week. It's ending on a positive note though.

We drove the boys south last Saturday. On Sunday morning Jon was working on his mom's swamp coolers. They are up on the roof, so she was down below trying to get things for him, turn water on and off, etc. Well she fell down and hit her head on a rock and broke her arm. My SIL took her to the ER, being a nurse she could get her through faster.

As if that wasn't enough. Just after they left for the ER, I noticed bees had eaten a whole in her wall and it looked like they were nesting. I pointed it out to Jon when he finished the coolers. Pest control came out. They said they were african-ized honey bees. I'm doubting this though because when they came back the next day to remove the 45lb hive, they didn't wear suits. But the during that time we were all really concerned for her and the animals.

So - I'm really dissapointed about the whole scene. My biggest issue if of course that she is hurt and all the problems she is going through with her HMO. But, we were hoping the kids would get to spend a few weeks with her before the cruise. That would allow us to get a lot done around here. So I am behind by about 4 days on what I need to do. And we might have to drive south again before the cruise to help again. As you all know - the clock is ticking and we don't have a lot of time before that day comes.

So I will do my best to get caught up with what is going on around here. I think I saw someone putting together a list of families participating in fish extenders. Count us in.

 

[salliep]

​

hello everyone I hadevery intention of beginning some packing today,but again a friend forced me to go to the beach!I triedctelling hercthat many of my did friends have already begun packing and some are even almost done!but she didn't care and pulled me out of house and into her car agsinst my will! So here I sit at 6pm still on the beach.it is beautiful here right now-the kids are still in the ocean -I wish you were all here with me.
have I told you all how much I love my iPhone?????

 

[jlawall]

I folded my clothes today, but still no packing, I'll be back later!

 

[MrsG]

Hello everyone
Finally a weekend to call my own..well almost tomorrow i'm at wimbledon got centre court tickets for Ladies finals!

Plus because of the bad weather we'll also see the Nadal seni final!!!

But Sunday is my day I need to prepare for the cruise and that means DIS Ketchup time

Hope you've all been well oh BTW my Inspection went really well and we've been classified as a good school.

Speak to you all on Sunday
Lynn

Congratulations!!! NOW YOU CAN RELAX!

Sallie, I'm jealous!!!!!! Glad your enjoying your phone and enjoying our beautiful weather! Don't forget, we have a date sometime for BBB!

Maryann

 

[MrsG]

Carrie,

I hope you MIL is OK.

Maryann

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi its midnight here and I just got back from my friends party - she even brought red, white and Blue M&ms back from the states .
It was really good catching up. I think I might have a slight change of plan to next years trip.

I think it will be New york - Charlotte - Orlando now

Anyway I noticed barty on another thread mentioned briefly about the evening casino excursion -the only previous comment I'd read had been a bit negative. So I pm'd him to ask his opinions -this is the reply I got,
Re: Evening casino

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The meet time was 7 at Rockin Bar D - it took about 45 mins to get to the casino and the tour guide talks about the sights on the way. Once we got there we had 2.5 hours on our own. Some people went to the Cafe de Paris and had dinner and some (like us) gambled at the casino. It is nothing like vegas casinos. They had blackjack (minimun 25euros) roulette (minimun 5euros) baccarat and craps. And in another room it was machines - from 1cent to 2 euros per credit. You don't need to bring your passport unless you win over 800 euros. We brought ours cause you never know and no we didn't win much! We got back to the port to tender around 11:30 and we were the last boat to go back. We had to wait about 10 mins for the tender to show up but other than that it all ran smoothly. A lot of people dressed up (DH wore a tux) but it wasn't neceassary. Just look nice- only disappointment was that shutters told us there would be photographers infront but there wasn't and we didn't bring our camera (because you have to check it). It was an interesting experience. The world's quietest casino I have ever been to. Hope this helps and Have a GREAT time!!!


Im looking forward to it - glad to have a good review

 

[jlawall]

Thanks!

I still look at it and feel like I'm right there again "hamming" it up! I've reshot this a few times but it has not come out as good as this FIRST time of doing it. And on another note - I wanted to thank everyone else who has contributed to this thread and kept it alive. I come here every now and then to get some fresh images of sailing with DCL - and it is often so entertaining and pleasant here. I've only posted a few dozen images on this thread - but eventually I'll get around to doing more. My extrenal HD failed and that is where a lot of my images are stored - especially my most recent sailing - an 11 nite southern last september with 6,700+ images. Yeah - I shot 600+ images a day ... I'm a nut! So just yesterday I bought some parts which may enable salvaging my data from the exteral HD. And all I have to say/share in closing is... never buy a Western Digital external hard drive!

That is a funny picture, thanks for sharing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jlawall]

Shore Trips booked


*********************************************************
Leave:-Barcelona from Saturday 28th July

So, have you guys checked out who's going on what excursions & who you'll be sightseeing with?


Day 1 - Barcelona, Spain - Saturday, July 28, 2007

Flamenco & Tapas at Spanish Village
FORMERCPER, JIAWALL, LynnTarrant, Mary Jo
On our own, Gaudi
KYLA
No Activities are reserved
ANDREW
Bar (?)
JIAWALL
MARY JO - Segway tour on Friday & Tapas/Flamenco dancing excursion
Day 2 - At Sea - Sunday, July 29, 2007

Group Palo brunch 11.30am
ANDREW, JIAWALL, maybe KYLA, maybe LynnTarrant
Palo Dinner
MRSG
Palo brunch 1030
KYLA
DIS Meet
who all are going to be there?

Day 3 - Palermo, Sicily - Monday, July 30, 2007

Palermo For Kids 8:30AM 12:30PM
ANDREW, salliep, Bridgirl
A Day on the Farm PALERMO
FORMERCPER
Erice and Segesta
KYLA, Mary Jo
eeyorelvr10; -a private tour on Palermo, for both of my cabins.
Village of Cefalu
MRSG, Disneymagic 316
Mondello Beach-Early Excursion
Disneylover5 – Lisa
Mondello Beach-PM Excursion
MrsJobba1/Helen
Sights of Palermo
Iowazipcode
Private Tours/excursions
JIAWALL, LynnTarrant (Erice and Segasta), 10yrann (On our own-train/bus ride to Monreale), Sandaneli (just walking tour on our own)
w/family
ANNAS
Palo Dinner
10yrann (6PM), lovebeast
MARY JO- debating whether to go on our own
kidcoos3 Mysterious Palermo
aPierceon050501- Village of Cefalu 8am-130pm

Day 4 - Naples, Italy (Pompeii) - Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Timeless Pompeii and the Flavor of Sorrento
FORMERCPER, Iowazipcode, eeyorelvr10
Pompeii, Sorrento, and Capri
JIAWALL, Sandaneli, Disneymagic 316, MRSG, TOMSPIXIE, Mary Jo
The Hidden Treasures of Herculaneum
lovebeast
eeyorelvr10; As well as for Naples - Private Tour of Pompeii, Herculaneum & Mt. Vesuvisus.
Amalfi Coast and Ruins of Pompeii
ANNAS, Disneylover5 – Lisa
Private tours and On Our Own
ANDREW, salliep (private Tour-Sorrento, Amalfi, Pompeii), 10yrann (Private Driver-two families), MrsJobba1/Helen (Italian island and beach resort), LynnTarrant (Sorrento and Herculaneum or Capri), KYLA (Disney private vehicles, Pompeii), Bridgirl (private boat)
MARY JO - debating private tour
kidcoos3 - private (hydro to Sorrento and Pompeii)
aPierceon050501 Naples - Amalfi Coast Drive and Ruins of Pompeii 8am-530pm

Day 5 - Olbia, Sardinia - Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Train to Gallura 9:00AM 3:00PM
ANDREW, eeyorelvr10
La Cinta Beach (late) OLBIA
FORMERCPER
Kayak in Gallura
MrsJobba1/Helen (dh only pm slot)
Day at Sea at Maddalena Archipilago
MRSG, JIAWALL
SandaneliOlbia - Lacinta beach early
DCL Wild Sardinia
LynnTarrant
La Cinta Beach 9:15AM - 1:45PM
Disneymagic 316, ANNAS, Iowazipcode
Coda Cavallo Beach (Early Excursion)
Disneylover5 – Lisa
Private tour, On Our Own
Bridgirl (beach), Mary Jo (Take it easy in Olbia)
Mary Jo Olbia - we're going to wing it
kidcoos3 Olbia - winging it
aPierceon050501 Olbia - La Cinta Beach 915am-145pm

Day 6 - Civitavecchia, Italy (Rome) - Thursday, August 2, 2007

Jumping Back Into Eternal Rome
FORMERCPER, Iowazipcode, Disneylover5 – Lisa, lovebeast, TOMSPIXE
Ultimate Rome Experience
Disneymagic 316, JIAWALL, ANNAS, Mary Jo
Exclusive VIP Visit of the Vatican and Highlights of Rome
eeyorelvr10, MRSG
SandaneliRome - Private tour with PixiedustII and friends
Illuminati Tour /or/ VIP Exclusive Vatican
eeyorelvr10(DD, BFF & DH)
2nd DCL Etruscan Treasures
LynnTarrant
Private Tours or On Our Own
ANDREW & salliep (Private Tour-Rome), 10yrann (Private Driver-two families), KYLA (private tour of rome), Bridgirl (private)
MARY JO Rome- Claudio's tour
Palo Dinner
LynnTarrant, MrsJobba1/Helen
kidcoos3 Rome - private
aPierceon050501 Rome - Ultimate Rome Experience 715am-545pm

Day 7 - At Sea - Friday, August 3, 2007

Palo Brunch 11:30AM 1:30PM
MRSG, lovebeast
Palo Dinner
Iowazipcode
Spa Villa
LynnTarrant

Day 8 - La Spezia, Italy (Florence, Pisa) - Saturday, August 4, 2007

Florence and Pisa
FORMERCPER, Iowazipcode, , TOMSPIXE
Florence and Michelangelo
MRSG, Disneymagic 316, Mary Jo
Pisa
MrsJobba1/Helen, eeyorelvr10, Disneylover5 – Lisa, KYLA, lovebeast, AnnaS
Lerici Beach
JIAWALL
Private Tours & On Our Own
ANDREW &salliep (Private Tour-Florence Pisa), 10yrann (Private Driver-two families), LynnTarrant (La Spezia DIY Cinque Terre), Bridgirl:-Florence (some VIP Pisa, some Florence private, some Lerici's Castle), Sandaneli (Florence on Your Own)
MARY JO- Florence & Michaelangelo Tour
Palo Dinner 8:30
Disneymagic 316 and ANNAS
Sandaneli - Wine Tasting and Sarzana
kidcoos3 - private to Pisa and Lucca
eeyorelvr10; ..PISA. (We want to climb the tower)
aPierceon050501 La Spezia - Wine Tasting and Sarzana 115pm - 615pm

Day 9 - Marseille, France - Sunday, August 5, 2007

The Panoramic Tour of Marsielles (its only 2 and a bit hours)
MrsJobba1/Helen
Marseille City Tour
Mary Jo
Aries & Olive Oil
FORMERCPER
Palace of the Popes and Les Baux
eeyorelvr10, ANNAS, MRSG, Disneymagic 316
Aix En Provence
eeyorelvr10, Iowazipcode
Calanques
JIAWALL, LynnTarrant
Soap and Marseille City, Chateau Nauf De Pape & Avignon
KYLA:-Marseille
Marseilles - little train
Bridgirl
Castellet & Wine Tasting
Sandaneli
Private Tours & On Our Own
ANDREW (Private Tour-Marseille, Aix en Provence), 10yrann (On our own-love to see Chateau D'If (not sure if ok for kids), Disneylover5 – Lisa (On our own)
MARY JO-Marseille city tour, debating whether we should go on our own. I would love to take the tour to Avignon, but you have to be 21
SandaneliMarseille - will wander around on our own
kidcoos3 Marseille - winging it
aPierceon050501 - Calanques of Cassis 1245pm-515pm

Day 10 - Villefranche, France (Monte Carlo, Cannes, Nice) - Monday, August 6, 2007

Highlights of Monaco and Top Car Museum
eeyorelvr10
The Marina and the Little Train
eeyorelvr10 (DD, BFF, DS)
Create Your Own Perfume
eeyorelvr10:-Create Your Own Perfume (DD, BFF DS), FORMERCPER, TOMSPIXE, Iowazipcode, KYLA
Monaco, Monte Carlo and Eze
ANNAS, MRSG, LynnTarrant, Disneymagic 316, Mary Jo
Highlights of Monoco and Monte Carlo including the Grand Casino
Disneylover5 – Lisa
Juan Le Pins
KYLA, JIAWALL
Nice & the Train Tour
lovebeast
Evening Casino
MrsJobba1/Helen, eeyorelvr10, Iowazipcode, JIAWALL, Bridgirl, LynnTarrant, lovebeast
Private Tours or On Our Own
KYLA (a day at the beach), ANDREW &salliep (Private tour Monte Carlo, Nice etc. 9.00am>5pm), Bridgirl (convertible car), 10yrann (bus to Nice, Eze, and Monte Carlo)
MARY JO - changed to the Monaco, Monte Carlo, & Eze tour
Sandaneli- will take train to Monaco and explore on our own
Palo Dinner 6:00PM 8:00PM
ANDREW
kidcoos3 - Monaco, Monte Carlo and Eze
aPierceon050501 Villefranche - Monaco, Monte Carlo and Eze 845am - 515pm

Day 11 - At Sea - Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Palo Brunch
MrsJobba1/Helen
Palo High Tea 3:00PM 4:00PM
ANDREW, MRSG, lovebeast
Palo Dinner
Disneylover5 – Lisa
spa
KYLA
7th At Sea Try and get Brunch when on board
LynnTarrant

Day 12 - Barcelona, Spain - Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Last day

Thx to Andrew for doing this list and for posting all the wonderful pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have one excursion change.............we have canceled our Barcelona tour, we are just going to try to tour alittle once we've checked in..............so you can take that one off.....................THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Also, we are scheduled for PALO on Rome night at 8pm with "the Rents"..............I noticed Helen & Lynn also have a ressie for that night!!!

 

[eeyorelvr10]

But I hate to overpack, so here goes:

Note: almost everything can be mixed around with everything else

One formal dress
One pair velvet pants for dinner
two nice sweater/shirts for dinner
Three skirts (covering knees)
Three capris
2 short skirts for ship
6 shirts
1 lightweight cardigan
2 pairs sandals, 1 pair flip flops
swimming suit, nightgown, underwear, toiletries

That's actually much more than I would pack if I didn't have to deal with formal and semi-formal nights on the ship . . .

That's my idol! Your going for 5 weeks and so am I. I was starting to panic but your list is what I'm aiming for in mine.

1 pr jeans for the crossing
1 pr black slacks (nice type)
3 sundresses (covering knees and 1/2 shoulder)
2 cover-ups for the dresses
3 capris (beige or brown, khaki green and blue)
7-10 tops - mostly white but red too (probably picking up some along the way
1 Formal
2 skirts
2 sandals/tennise shoes/walking type
1 fancy pair
1 pr croc

And picking up a hoodie or sweatshirt over there.

and that is where I run into problems. I am having to cut down on lingerie but that is what I'm bringing the problem is where do I put all my face creams and lotions!

Here's My List:

• 1 pair Jeans
• 2 pair Dockers
• 3 pair Shorts
• 2 printed T-Shirts
• 3 Polos
• 2 Tommy Bahama Shirts
• 1 Swimsuit
• 1 Partridge in a Pear Tree
• 1 Suit (Formal/Semi Formal/Palo)
• 1 Dress Shirt/Tie
• 1 Silk Shirt (Semi Formal)

I'll be washing at least twice since i'm only going ashore 4 of the 8 days... I need to relax!!!

Good - your bringing the bird!

 

[jlawall]

That's my idol! Your going for 5 weeks and so am I. I was starting to panic but your list is what I'm aiming for in mine.

1 pr jeans for the crossing
1 pr black slacks (nice type)
3 sundresses (covering knees and 1/2 shoulder)
2 cover-ups for the dresses
3 capris (beige or brown, khaki green and blue)
7-10 tops - mostly white but red too (probably picking up some along the way
1 Formal
2 skirts
2 sandals/tennise shoes/walking type
1 fancy pair
1 pr croc

And picking up a hoodie or sweatshirt over there.

and that is where I run into problems. I am having to cut down on lingerie but that is what I'm bringing the problem is where do I put all my face creams and lotions!



Good - your bringing the bird!

I was just looking at all my summer clothes today...........trying to get organized and see what we need...............I guess we need to bring an item or two if it's blustery at night as well?

 

[jlawall]

It depends on location. There are no fireworks stands in our county either.

It's part of the "charm" of this part of California. Last rainfall we had was in early May I think, and we probably won't get more rain until September at the earliest - October is more likely. So "tinder dry" isn't an exaggeration.

We had a blustery, rainy day on the East Coast and we had a barbecue on the beach in sweats..........it was quite an adventure!!! Sorry about your drought!

 

[eeyorelvr10]

I already had that one, Maryann . . . I got all my tags from participating on the 2008 repo thread.

OK - I'm probably late again - but they have changed. That will teach me to stay off for 2 days. Julie got all changed over again.

And on another note - got our Paris Museum Pass packages on Thursday. They are nice. THey even include coupons for a free appetizer at the HRC in Paris. A mini Map of Paris that is about the size of 1/2 a busines card. A larger Paris map and a Paris Pass Couvher Booklet that includes:

1 ticket for the Open Top Sightseeing Bus,
Tour Montparnasse,
Opera de Paris, Palais Garnier
Espace Dali
Roue Libre Bicycle hire
Fragonard's Perfume Museum (maybe I can now cancel DCL's)
Chez Clement (restaurant)
Bateaux Pariisiens 1 hr Cruise
The History of Paris Exhibition
Paris Wax Museum
Le ToitDe La Grande Arche
Roland-Garros Tenniseum (stadium)
Free gift from the Galleries Lafayette
HRC free appetizer
Another appetizer from L'ateliet Renault
and a free cell phone rental for the length of the pass


Also, gives a the top 10 places to see with the Paris Pass:

1. Musee de Louvre
2 Open Top Bus Tour
3. Musee d-Orsay
4. Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise
5. Cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris
6. Arc de Triomphe
7. Tour Montparnasse
8. Centre Pompidou
9. Le Pantheon
10. Chateau de Versailles.

All in all - if it cuts down on standing in line for tickets - I'm glad I bought them. I'm sure I can be persuaded now to stay up late or go all day. I should be used to it by then.

OH yeah - forgot - unlimited use of public transport (Covering Paris Zones 1-3) for the entire 4 days of the pass.

 

[jlawall]

Hi Everyone -

This is my 2nd post YEAH!!!
It's very hard to keep up with you guys!!!
I admit it - I'm a lurker I don't have a computer at home so I can only check on your chats while I'm at work... Anyway I am SO excited I can barely stand it. I'm driving everyone I know crazy - all I talk about is getting ready for the cruise, shopping for the cruise, packing for the cruise etc etc etc. I'm driving my husband crazy because every day I come home from work with some new printed off info... packing list, travel tips, airline baggage limits. I read the blogs on allears.net and I can't wait to experience Italy and France.
Can't wait to meet you all. Take Care - See you on 7/28
Mary Jo Pierce
Feeding Hills, Mass.

 

[jlawall]

Three reasons

• People, good ones
• Pirates
• Pizza!

Ok no Pizza, its Piza, but I fancy one!

Hear, Hear!!!

 

[jlawall]

Hello everyone
Finally a weekend to call my own..well almost tomorrow i'm at wimbledon got centre court tickets for Ladies finals!

Plus because of the bad weather we'll also see the Nadal seni final!!!

But Sunday is my day I need to prepare for the cruise and that means DIS Ketchup time

Hope you've all been well oh BTW my Inspection went really well and we've been classified as a good school.

Speak to you all on Sunday! Lynn

Great news............welcome back.........we all missed you!

 

[jlawall]

Hi its midnight here and I just got back from my friends party - she even brought red, white and Blue M&ms back from the states .
It was really good catching up. I think I might have a slight change of plan to next years trip.

I think it will be New york - Charlotte - Orlando now

Anyway I noticed barty on another thread mentioned briefly about the evening casino excursion -the only previous comment I'd read had been a bit negative. So I pm'd him to ask his opinions -this is the reply I got,
Re: Evening casino

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The meet time was 7 at Rockin Bar D - it took about 45 mins to get to the casino and the tour guide talks about the sights on the way. Once we got there we had 2.5 hours on our own. Some people went to the Cafe de Paris and had dinner and some (like us) gambled at the casino. It is nothing like vegas casinos. They had blackjack (minimun 25euros) roulette (minimun 5euros) baccarat and craps. And in another room it was machines - from 1cent to 2 euros per credit. You don't need to bring your passport unless you win over 800 euros. We brought ours cause you never know and no we didn't win much! We got back to the port to tender around 11:30 and we were the last boat to go back. We had to wait about 10 mins for the tender to show up but other than that it all ran smoothly. A lot of people dressed up (DH wore a tux) but it wasn't neceassary. Just look nice- only disappointment was that shutters told us there would be photographers infront but there wasn't and we didn't bring our camera (because you have to check it). It was an interesting experience. The world's quietest casino I have ever been to. Hope this helps and Have a GREAT time!!!


Im looking forward to it - glad to have a good review

Thx for sharing your 4th of July party and the casino info............I'm not sure if we should do this, I think it would make DH happy so we'll probably do it (plus I've always wanted to go the the Monte Carlo Casino!).....BTW, my DH ate all the Red, White & Blue M&Ms that I had purchased for our gift bag.............................. so now I have to find something else and hide it better!!!

When are you visiting WDW next summer??