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

[AJDonn]

For the spreadsheet and map:

At this point, i'm in 8602.

 

[AJDonn]

I grabbed two books on mediterranean cruising and I thought I 'd give some reviews coming from a DCL in the Med standpoint. I've had a chance to review the first one of them for ya:

Frommmer's European Cruises & Ports of Call 4th Edition
Golden & Brown

This book is written as a jumping off point for someone who knows only one thing: "I'd like to cruise in Europe." Since we are cruising the Western Med the title already indicates that the book's scope is going to be a bit broad. Much of the information pertains to cruises to the Eastern Med and even as far north to Finland and Russia

The book is basically text with greyscale maps of ports and cities. The ship reviews have a thumbnail photo of the ship but nothing else graphically. The book is also filled with phone numbers and web addresses for easy reference.

The guide starts off with a basic overview of cuising life and answers many questions about what to expect when onboard. The book then provides some information about what to expect while shopping for cruises. The bulk of the book (about half) is a guide that rates and describes all the cruise lines and ships that sail both offshore and inshore in Europe. (River cruising is included) Since everyone's here because we've thrown our lot in with the Mouse this makes about 2/3rds of the book unneeded info. The earliest parts of the book (about 25 pages) seem to be "Best of..." lists that might be handy for getting a very quick look at what a particular port or cruise line might be known for but good for little after that.

The final 1/3 of the book (about 130 pages) is the reviews of the cruise ports and tourist areas that are served by the ships. At their best, these reviews talk about the local basics like language and currency, a section on expected cruise line excursions, a guide to things to do on your own, and perhaps a good place or two to eat. Almost all these come with phone numbers or web addresses for info and reservations. The down side for DCL cruisers is that only Barcelona and Rome are covered in detail over about 7 pages. There is little to no info about the other DCL ports.

For the experienced DCL traveller I would recommend looking elsewhere or perhaps a trip to the library with a pen and a piece of paper to write down the 3 lines of notes you might take away.

 

[AJDonn]

Found this in the NY Times Travel section for you Barcelona tourists...

Affordable Europe: Barcelona

NOTE: The NY Times online version requires that you register to view the article.

 

[AnnaS]

First, thanks for taking the time with the book reviews. I have not had any time yet, perhaps this summer.

I finally went to look at our cabin numbers. We have cabins 6521 and 6522. Dining says Main. I have read on boards that some say 6 pm which is what we would prefer. I wonder if we should call back and specifically request 6 pm (I thought we did that though).

 

[jlawall]

Thx for all the info to everyone! I'm going to check out the Barcelona hotels!

 

[tomspixie]

Hey AJ...thanks for muddling through the book. Sounds like I would have gotten pretty frustrated at not being able to really get the meat I would have been hoping for!

We happened to be in Barnes & Noble the other day and they had a great book on Pompeii! Picked up for informatitve purposes. That is definitely on the top of DH list to visit. Actually, our 3rd grader was mentioning studying it is school this year and wants to go visit.

Anyway...again...thanks for taking the hit on this book for us!
Wishing you all Pixie Dust!!!!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Found this on the mid part of page 2, so I thought i would bump up by saying its my birthday!!!

 

[MrsJobba1]

Happy Birthday



Hope you have a good one !!

 

[AJDonn]

Found this on the mid part of page 2, so I thought i would bump up by saying its my birthday!!!

I'm just here for the cake.

 

[AnnaS]

Happy Birthday Andrew.

Very busy here. Daughter receives confirmation tomorrow and Saturday am she has cheerleading competition at Great Adventure .

No time to play - yet - soon though

 

[jlawall]

HB, Andrew...................................

 

[AJDonn]

Another cruise guide review for ya!

My wife, Lindell, pulled out the bullet formatting in Word and put together a review for us. Ain't she sweet?
She's pulled out much of the important data from the book to save everyone the reading.
=========
Insight Guides : Mediterranean Cruises 2005

380 pages, I call this out because you only really need ~ 40 pages.

Do not need any of the info on selecting a cruise, or life on board. Disney Passporter covers all you need there.

I found it really hard to find much of interest in their information.

Barcelona

• 7 pages
• Siesta goes until 5, so stores are closed most of the afternoon

Palermo

• 4 pages
• Suggest visiting Duomo cathedral, and for the bizarre, a visit to the Capuchin Catacombs which “Displays the unique the embalming skills of the Capuchin monks”
• Cefalu – 38 miles from Palermo, “only practical if you hire a car”

Naples

• 2 pages, call out only 4 sights to see
• “On cruise itineraries due to its location rather than its own attractions”….”enable passengers to choose from a variety of shore excursions”
• Major archeological site of Pompeii & Herculaneum. Pompeii is a 30 minute train trip
• Capri – 45 minutes by hydrofoil

Olbia

• ¼ page -“uninspiring port”
• Classic shore excursion is to Porto Cervo – “ a beguiling tourist trap,….a celebrity haunt… bewitching turquoise seascapes”

Citavecchia

• Only 5 pages for Rome?
• 1 page for Vatican
• They suggest taking train to Rome rather than cruise excursion, 50-75 minutes, Buy tickets on train. Morning – 2 trains/hour
• Shops close from 1-4 for siesta

La Spezia

• Not covered, although Florence & Pisa have 2 pages combined

Marseilles

• 4 pages
• Cruise terminal is ~ 20 minutes from “old port”

Villafranche

• Villefranche – 1 page, mainly telling how to get to Nice or Monte Carlo, although they call it “a small, relatively uncrowded town with plenty of Gallic charm, but no major historical attractions.”
  • Tenders to port, which often need to wait 10-15 minutes to dock.
  • Taxis outside terminal
  • Main Bus – 20 minute uphill walk
  • Mini-bus – outside terminal, but less frequent
  • Train – 10 minute walk, suggested transportation method
• Nice– 2 pages – 7 minutes by train from port
  
  
  
  
  • Perfume is suggested shopping experience
  • Mondays Coers Saleya has an antiques market
  • They suggest several museums to visit
• Monte Carlo – 3 pages – 20 minutes by train
  
  
  
  • If visiting Grand Casino – they have a dress code and you need to show your passport if you want to play
  • The Grand Casino costs $$$... errr... Euros to move through to more exclusive gaming rooms.
    
    
    
    

Some key insights I learned from Travel tips section at the end of the book.

• All the countries we visit share the Euro currency
• Italy
  • Prefer cash to credit cards except for large purchases.
  • Shopkeepers will not change money, so have Euros on hand.
  • Beware of pickpockets.
  • Service charge of 15% is usually added to restaurant bills, and additional tipping of waiter is expected.
• France
  
  
  
  • Credit cards widely accepted, but not always Amex
  • 10% tip automatically added to restaurant bills “service compris” Taxis also add this fee, but appreciate extra.
  • Beware of pickpockets in Nice, and always do not flash cash.
• Spain
  
  
  
  • If staying in Barcelona, advisable to book “well in advance”. A well-respected agency for bed & breakfasts is www.bcnrooms.com.
  • Tipping not included in bills. 10% tip suggested unless bill marked as “servicio includo”. €0.20 tip for a typical taxi ride.
  • ATMS easiest ways to get cash

From my time with the book I must say that it is quite the visual tome. Pictures compromise the majority of page space in the book. It tries to convey a feeling of a Discovery Channel travel show. (since Discover Channel is the publisher - duh!)

Very pretty to look at and certainly capable of getting you dreaming about the cruise. If you're looking for detailed info then you 'll need to look elsewhere.

 

[AJDonn]

I posted a file for use with Google Earth that lets you use satellite photography to view close ups of the cruise route.

See my thread for the file and for a link to using Google Earth (its free!)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1097488

 

[MrsJobba1]

Another cruise guide review for ya!

My wife, Lindell, pulled out the bullet formatting in Word and put together a review for us. Ain't she sweet?
She's pulled out much of the important data from the book to save everyone the reading.
=========
Insight Guides : Mediterranean Cruises 2005

From my time with the book I must say that it is quite the visual tome. Pictures compromise the majority of page space in the book. It tries to convey a feeling of a Discovery Channel travel show. (since Discover Channel is the publisher - duh!)

Very pretty to look at and certainly capable of getting you dreaming about the cruise. If you're looking for detailed info then you 'll need to look elsewhere.

Thanks for the info.

Hope everyone has a good weekend - and to those in the UK - hope you have a good bank holiday and the rain stays away.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi,

I dont know whats up with the DCL website - 5 years ago we moved from Cheshire to Sunderland (200 miles)

I just checked my reservations and the guest info on each of the cruises I have booked has the wrong address although they have the correct post code! Needless to say I have just been on the phone to DVC - they said that on their screen all they can see is the correct address but they will contact DCL.

This must have altered in the last couple of days.

It might pay you to check

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thank you for the birthday wishes,

Also on the shore trips one recomendation out of Naples try for Sorrento and the Amalfi Drive, the views are terrific, I did Capri before and DIDNT like it!!

RE PALOs

Had lots of issues this week, not the birthday but lots of other stuff so will contact DCL during next week and post a note on the reply. I think we are full.

 

[tomspixie]

Sorry, didn't see it was your birthday till today! So Andrew DEREK...HAPPY BIRTHDAY...belated!

Thanks to Lindell for the review too! She did a great job!

Today was rough for us. They took graduation pics for our 8th graders. They don't graduate until the 21st of May, but when did my baby girl get so grown up!!!! She looked WAY to old, and way too lovely.
Thanks for listening!!!

See ya

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Sorry, didn't see it was your birthday till today! So Andrew DEREK...HAPPY BIRTHDAY...belated!
See ya

THANKS

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Thanks to AJDonn & his Google link (I have to learn how to plot those - very cool


I created a powerpoint that shows the Disney 2007 Mediterranean Cruise map with ports of call. (I think this takes a bit to load. So give it a few minutes)

Disney's 2007 Mediterranean Cruise



... and by the way -- HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO ANDREW DEREK UK!

 

[MrsJobba1]

Disney's 2007 Mediterranean Cruise[/url]


:

Thanks a lot for this, its really great
I get goose pimples every time I hear the horn