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

[MrsG]

I think we East coasters have no choice but to have a few extra cups of coffee to stay awake for that 3AM booking. Hopefully we'll be able to get the ones we really want.

Good luck!

 

[disneylover5]

I have read that DCL release a percentage of shore trips/palos at each stage,
1/ 105 days 2/ 90 days 3/ 75, and 4/ on arrival for non internet users.

What percentage for each one its anyones guess, but if bookings for Pisa are fully used at stage 1/ and 2/ it is possible that at stage 3/ some come available.

Also some people might play the game of going for shore trips at stage 2/ and Palos stage 3/ or vis versa, to secure all they want.

I did not know this...I think this is fair and I am glad they are doing this!

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Hi everyone - hope you all had a wonderful Easter! I'm starting to panic and get - I'bve been trying to pace myself but life continues to get in the way - can't get everyone together on excursions which of course makes my life more difficult and then when I make statements like your on your own - I get the evil eye - what all your honest opinions - should I book online when I can and then deal with the aftermath? DH says go this route as we just found out we can cancel up until 2 days prior to excursion date.

DS - 21 at trip is the snootybooty one - one day he's no - I'm not doing anything on churches, history, etc and the next he's like - book me with the girls (the older ones) and so I'm torn between a rock and a hard place.

Would love to hear anyone's opinions on this one - the 2 older girls are probably no sweat so I'm not worried about that one - I'm more worried about me and DH and DD-14. We are all not much beach goers so even those trips might not be options.

Oh - what's a mom to do???????

 

[eeyorelvr10]

I think we East coasters have no choice but to have a few extra cups of coffee to stay awake for that 3AM booking. Hopefully we'll be able to get the ones we really want.

Good luck!

I agree with you - 3 am would smell! At least on the West Coast most people can handle midnight and then still get up for work - me - I'm probably gonna still be up at both time - LOL - what can I say - insomnia stinks!

 

[AnnaS]

Hi everyone - hope you all had a wonderful Easter! I'm starting to panic and get - I'bve been trying to pace myself but life continues to get in the way - can't get everyone together on excursions which of course makes my life more difficult and then when I make statements like your on your own - I get the evil eye - what all your honest opinions - should I book online when I can and then deal with the aftermath? DH says go this route as we just found out we can cancel up until 2 days prior to excursion date.

DS - 21 at trip is the snootybooty one - one day he's no - I'm not doing anything on churches, history, etc and the next he's like - book me with the girls (the older ones) and so I'm torn between a rock and a hard place.

Would love to hear anyone's opinions on this one - the 2 older girls are probably no sweat so I'm not worried about that one - I'm more worried about me and DH and DD-14. We are all not much beach goers so even those trips might not be options.

Oh - what's a mom to do???????

My 21 yr. old son (who almost backed out of cruise) is up for whatever I book since it will be his first time. My 19 yr. old son is another story - he was there last year for Easter (with his high school) and does not want to walk for hours and miles

My dd (14) will be fine also and will go with the flow. No one is really discussing it here so they will have to trust my choices.

Good luck

 

[disneylover5]

Hi everyone - hope you all had a wonderful Easter! I'm starting to panic and get - I'bve been trying to pace myself but life continues to get in the way - can't get everyone together on excursions which of course makes my life more difficult and then when I make statements like your on your own - I get the evil eye - what all your honest opinions - should I book online when I can and then deal with the aftermath? DH says go this route as we just found out we can cancel up until 2 days prior to excursion date.

DS - 21 at trip is the snootybooty one - one day he's no - I'm not doing anything on churches, history, etc and the next he's like - book me with the girls (the older ones) and so I'm torn between a rock and a hard place.

Would love to hear anyone's opinions on this one - the 2 older girls are probably no sweat so I'm not worried about that one - I'm more worried about me and DH and DD-14. We are all not much beach goers so even those trips might not be options.

Oh - what's a mom to do???????

I am going to book as soon as I can where I want to go. I have a list of first and second choices and if we don't get those, we will just stay on the ship. For the 5 of us, it added up to about $4,000 for excursions.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi all,

Hope you all had a good Easter.

I posted this on another med thread, but just wanted to share with you what I got today in the post for this cruise.

I have been to Spain a couple of times and I know how easy it is for tourists to stick out like sore thumbs, so for going around the towns I got this;

It looks like a normal shoulder bag but it has an adjustable slash-proof shoulder strap (with wire inside) and lockable main compartment. I was actually suprised how light it was.

The second question was about what to do with valuables when on a beach. There is just DH and myself. So I've bought this;

A pak pak waterproof pouch. You can wear either round your neck or on your arm.

I now think im sorted, and I cant think of anything else we need (yet:rolleyes)

Sadly we've not received the med DVD but I still live in hope.

Had a brilliant time this weekend but very exhausting, Floss was fantastic bless her. She ran her little heart out and really enjoyed it. It was also great to hear members of the public pick her out and notice her for her speed. Ben also ran well and I was very grateful to my friends who helped run them.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I am going to book as soon as I can where I want to go. I have a list of first and second choices and if we don't get those, we will just stay on the ship. For the 5 of us, it added up to about $4,000 for excursions.

I think mine will be simular about £3k. Inc Barcelona pre cruise.

 

[jlawall]

That's what I'm doing, I'm going to plan my excursions, try to get them on the 29th, and then book shoretrips.com as my backup plan......I've been reading a lot of books on Med cruising and they've been giving great suggestions for taxis vs. trains vs. walking (when you can and can't)....as I mentioned I'm worried about pickpockets and packing the right clothes and not looking like a tourist.....they say staying in an excursion group is the best way to deal with that stuff!

My oldest has now committed to the trip, so we're a group of 5 again with my parents it's 7.....

It sounds like you're up and about, Helen, we hope you are doing well!

Everyone's tips are really helping me! Only a few weeks to make our final decisions!!!

 

[eeyorelvr10]

My 21 yr. old son (who almost backed out of cruise) is up for whatever I book since it will be his first time. My 19 yr. old son is another story - he was there last year for Easter (with his high school) and does not want to walk for hours and miles

My dd (14) will be fine also and will go with the flow. No one is really discussing it here so they will have to trust my choices.

Good luck

Hi Anna - sounds like your family is mine - is your 14 yo looking for a pen pal? Did we pm each other? I'm so scatterbrained lately I don't know whether I'm coming or going! DH says to book everything and then cancel if we have too.


I just managed to get DD-14 transferred over to our cabin (She was in the cabins with the grown up kids) so just in case I can only get 3 excursions booked for places like Rome and Pompeii - I figured by the time I got off one reservation number - listings might book up by the time I went to get on the 2nd reservation - which is what happened when I told the TA to book the EB Repo next year first - her asst booked the WB repo and the Family vacation in July 2nd then did the EB repo last - consequently got the bottom of the pile - but at least we're on!


Oh well - no rest for the wicked!

 

[eeyorelvr10]

I am going to book as soon as I can where I want to go. I have a list of first and second choices and if we don't get those, we will just stay on the ship. For the 5 of us, it added up to about $4,000 for excursions.

Isn't it amazing how we're throwing out figures like $4K and don't blink an eye - yet if we were stateside and we had to 'fix' something for $4K - we'd be like - "Whoa is me!" Don't understand the hold this has on me but I'm going with the flow for this TOAL (Trip of a Lifetime!)

After all - its only $ right? :ear2:

What's extra 10,000 (Group of 6 with expensive frivilous taste!) to toss at the mouse anyway? {choke, choke, choke}

 

[AnnaS]

Hi Anna - sounds like your family is mine - is your 14 yo looking for a pen pal? Did we pm each other? I'm so scatterbrained lately I don't know whether I'm coming or going! DH says to book everything and then cancel if we have too.


I just managed to get DD-14 transferred over to our cabin (She was in the cabins with the grown up kids) so just in case I can only get 3 excursions booked for places like Rome and Pompeii - I figured by the time I got off one reservation number - listings might book up by the time I went to get on the 2nd reservation - which is what happened when I told the TA to book the EB Repo next year first - her asst booked the WB repo and the Family vacation in July 2nd then did the EB repo last - consequently got the bottom of the pile - but at least we're on!


PM me with your daughter's name/screen name. I will mention it to her and just make suggestions, they don't like it when I sort of ask them to do it .

My dd is booked in my sons' cabin but she will be staying with dh and I. We just get extra cabin keys/cards and put lifevest in our cabin (we put it back at end of cruise). For the lifeboat drill, she does go with my sons - only once were we in two separate areas (close - but not thrill about it).

I have figured our excursions to be a bit under $ 5K Hoping and keeping my fingers crossed that the "children" don't want to do any shopping

Have a great day everyone.

 

[disneylover5]

I have been on many cruises but I have never booked excursions online. I know I used to call them in, and I know they do not take call in ressies anymore.

Here is my question, if I logon to my reservation, can I book all 4 of us at the 90 mark.....or do I need to login as each cruiser (me, DH DD13 DD11?) We each have our own CC#.

There about 30 in our group and one of the cabins is 18-25 year old guys. In that group, 3 of 4 have sailed before. Will the 4th person in that group be able to book at the 90 day mark right along with the other 3?

 

[salliep]

HI Everyone!
My friend just got back from a week in Rome for her 20th wedding anniversary. She loved it of course, but said having a private tour guide was the best thing she did. She said the lines in Rome for the major sights were over 3 hours long, as I have been reading here and in my guide books. If that does not seem bad enough, add high temperatures, a tight schedule, and the summer crowd...- ouch!
She said the guide was extremely knowledgeable, able to avoid all lines ( apparently they wear a tag, and wait for the guard to call them over as they stand on the side.) They drove around in a new BMW, and were able to see most of major sights in just their first day.
I asked her for the cost, but unfortunately her husband 's boss booked the guide for her, (his brother lives in Rome) and did not charge them (lucky stiffs!!!). She is going to try to get the name of the tour guide and company, and I will post it when I get it.
I can’t believe how much these excursions are costing, but I'm very thankful we are going back to the ship each night since she said a bottle of soda cost $7.00 !!!!!!!!!!! : She was shocked with the outrageous high prices of everything, and now has a better understanding of money exchanges with the euro being so extremely deflated. So, I guess crusin to Europe is the better way to go at this time.
For anyone just getting back to the posts- I have a 13-year-old DD who would love to (and has been) email any other DD also cruising- Just PM me with the emails if they want.
Have a great day everyone!
Sallie

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Just checking in to say hello.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Hi everyone, I'm checking in also.

Going to read some posts, but have a question...

Have any of you talked about getting a private tourguide & going in together? Is there a limit to the number?

There are three of us, and I'm sure that we'd appreciate a private guide when in Rome -- that is the one place I am willing to go a bit extra to see the sites.

Thank you,

mj

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hi everyone, I'm checking in also.
Going to read some posts, but have a question...
Have any of you talked about getting a private tourguide & going in together? Is there a limit to the number?
There are three of us, and I'm sure that we'd appreciate a private guide when in Rome -- that is the one place I am willing to go a bit extra to see the sites.Thank you,

mj

On my Rome trip the company have organised for me to have a private tour guide for two hours at additional cost.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

PALOS BRUNCH

For thosse who said last year that they were interested in a group paloes brunch I need your confirmation numbers and names again.

If you replied within the last two weeks its ok, but some havent.​

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Checking in to give us a little BUMP

 

[kyla]

Getting ready to pay for my vacation. or ?
I really need to buckle down and decide on the excursion