JUN 06 2007 Magic - 10 day Mediterranean ( READ INFO POST # 1 )

[grizbuzz]

Ok...I don't have a tip...I'm looking for one...

Regarding taxis and car seats. I'm assuming that I will be able to take my 2 and 4 year olds in taxis in London, Paris and Barcelona (as well as maybe in some of the ports)...are there any restrictions on taking kids in taxis if they don't have car seats?

And is anyone planning to take a taxi to the Barcelona airport from the port on June 16? I don't have anything arranged and am wondering if taxis will be there, in order to make an 11:30am flight. Logistics...

Also, crusincrazy...do you have any tips on fun things to do with small kids for our 1 and 1/2 day stay in London?

 

[sharolyn]

Just curious, what do you have to do to ear your ears?????

 

[crusincrazy]

Somewhere fantastic for children under 5 is Legoland in Windsor - yes where the castle is ! www.legoland.co.uk - we think train would be your best option but check the website . Under 5's are free on trains in the UK . I think London itself is too much for small children - it is after all a massive city - dirty , noisy and smelly . Legoland is tremendous fun .

Taxis - I will check with a taxi driver tomorrow for you ( I run a car wash and detailing centre !) it is a legal requirementt to have car seats in private cars but I am unsure if taxis are exempt - you will be using black taxis too in London - our son loves them - the doors open the oposite way and they have fold down seats !!!!! He is 14 !!!!!

Hope this helps

 

[J&HSal]

Sharolyn,

I was able to reserve Palo for me, Hayley, you, and David for Brunch on day 10 from 11:00 to 1:00 and Dinner on day 3 (Palermo) from 7:00 to 9:00!!!!

I hope adding you guys was okay. Let us know.

Also, do you know our dinning rotation? Is it in the docs we received?

 

[johnnymac1962]

Can anyone share their ideas for activities while we are in Olbia. I think it will be somewhat of a "rest" day between Naples and Rome. Not a lot of info in the tour books. What beaches are nearby and are they any good?


Thanks

John

 

[johnnymac1962]

Has anyone checked into our schedule to see if we tender or dock in each port? I have heard some (like Villefranche) are tender only. I am trying to be sure I know where to go for trains, hydrofoils, etc, from the ship for our own excursions.

John

 

[pjtulsa]

Sharolyn,

I was able to reserve Palo for me, Hayley, you, and David for Brunch on day 10 from 11:00 to 1:00 and Dinner on day 3 (Palermo) from 7:00 to 9:00!!!!

I hope adding you guys was okay. Let us know.

Also, do you know our dinning rotation? Is it in the docs we received?

How and when were you able to reserve Palo??? I have tried everyday for more than a month..... LUCKY you! I was thinking of giving up.

 

[sharolyn]

I know, joe is an addict to this disney cruise, lucky for me!!! i could not get in to palu the last time we cruised!!!

hey johnymac, there is a train in oblia that i was reading about that goes to the other side of the island. also, the emerald coast is there, and i guess you can get to it somewhat easily. also, on the cruisecritic site, on the west med link, i think this is where i found it, they have an article about sardinia. i can not type today, my nails keep getting in the way. and, did you get your message???

ok, i am excited and can not wait to leave. but oh my, i have so much to do...



yep, laundry and study!!! state boards in a week and a half...i will be SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad to be on that boat!!!!

 

[TravelingGypsies]

OK...I'll make the list

Just PM with your cabin number if you want to do the gift exchange. One gift per cabin, small gift for adults or kids (eg, postcards from where you are from). I'll keep you posted on how many people sign up, so you know how many gifts to bring and will hand out list with cabin numbers at Thursday meet and greet.

GrizBuzz... and all
I can't PM either... And I've already purchased the gifts, so please add us to the list.

We leave on May 29th just 5 days from now.

So much to do and so little time.

 

[grizbuzz]

Here's the list of those who want to participate in gift exchange...

grizbuzz
pjtulsa
aquaholics
sbassgva
funnybunny921
sharolyn
crusincrazy
TravelingGypsies

I need cabin numbers for sharolyn and TravelingGypsies. Email me if PM doesn't work.

If I missed you or you still want to be added to the list, PM or email me. The more the merrier

-Jen

 

[marlaymike]

I would like to be in the gift exchange but would like more information. . . How many gifts do we have to take, to how many peopple?

Let me know please...

 

[pjtulsa]

.....ok guys ..... we go to Spain Italy and France and I know some of you have been to these places before so I thought we could swop tips ..... the kind of tips you wouldn't find in guidebooks !

My tip is for france ...... use the restrooms on the boat before you get off carry tissues always - don't make me explain and if you need to 'go' whilst out head for a nice hotel NOT in a supermarket , NEVER public toilets ....... I know you Americans are all used to wonderful restroom facilities in the USA but believe me the rest of the world is a bit of a let down in that department.

Ok that's my tip .... anyone else ?????

Rachel

My Tip can save you money in Florence/Pisa....... If you are taking the train on your own, be sure and validate the ticket, if you are found to have an unvalidated ticket the fine is $40 Euro per ticket!!! I bet they made this rule up just to get more money out of the tourists that can't read Italian....That happened to us in Austria, but thats another story!

Looks like we do have 2 Tender Ports, #1 Florence & #2 Villefranche

 

[mHeywood14]

i'm new at this!!! my daughter and husband have been doing all this. are we to only bring one sized luggage? boy not sure if i cant do that!!!! this is our first time on a BIG BOAT. but can't wait!!! looking for our ears, door signs. but would like to do the gift thing, but need space for things i'm sure that i've overpacked!!! sorry i'm a women and like cloths! looking forward to meeting you all on thursday @ 1:00 not sure if this is right? does anyone know the weather? nice and warm or hot? boy i hope to get everthing together soon almost time to leave. oh, what about the ipod thing? ANY HELP WILL HELP ME ALL!!!!!

 

[sharolyn]

I did not find info to email or pm you are cabin numbers!! let me kwow what to do.

 

[mHeywood14]

hio

 

[sharolyn]

myhaywood, you can have what ever size lugguge you want, as long as it comply's with your airline!!! You can call them and find out what the limits are!! I think basically you are allowed two carry-on, possibly one! Your suitcase can not weigh over like 75 lbs, but that varies. As for the boat, you can bring whatever you were able to get on a plane!!! I think you might be referring to some other posts who mentioned limiting the baggage, but they are limiting it for other reasons.

As for weather, we all looked it up and it says it should be around high 70's - 80's. Since we are on the water, bring a sweater or two. I know when we did the disney cruise before, i was cold the whole time, in June!!! Especially in the resturants! So dress in layers!!!

ok, so i am off to a fifth grade graduation!! yippy!!! last day of school, time to put the kids to work packing and helping me get things ready for this trip!! goodness, the time is flying! dont you wish you could be like bewitched sometimes and just twittle your nose and it all be done???????

Yeah, that would be nice!!! Anyway, getting excited!!

 

[funnybunny921]

sharolyn, how many cabins should we buy for for your group?

 

[pjtulsa]

i'm new at this!!! my daughter and husband have been doing all this. are we to only bring one sized luggage? boy not sure if i cant do that!!!! this is our first time on a BIG BOAT. but can't wait!!! looking for our ears, door signs. but would like to do the gift thing, but need space for things i'm sure that i've overpacked!!! sorry i'm a women and like cloths! looking forward to meeting you all on thursday @ 1:00 not sure if this is right? does anyone know the weather? nice and warm or hot? boy i hope to get everthing together soon almost time to leave. oh, what about the ipod thing? ANY HELP WILL HELP ME ALL!!!!!

There are no luggage restrictions for the ship but you have to be careful with regards to the airline I think luggage weight in Europe is only 44lbs not 50 like the US and from what I can tell on the websites thats all you get in addition to your carryon. Be Sure and check with your airline with regards to your Europe flights.

We are set to meet on Thurs at 1:00, deck 9 at the adult bar. The weather is forcasted at mid 70's to high 80's with lows in the 60's on the websites I checked.

I lost my info on the IPOD thing so if anyone can share we would you

 

[grizbuzz]

I would like to be in the gift exchange but would like more information. . . How many gifts do we have to take, to how many peopple?

Let me know please...

At this point, we have about 10 people signed up for the gift exchange. Maybe this number will grow a bit more in the next few days...my guess is up to 15 or so. We'll exchange one gift per cabin and gifts should be small ($1-2); light and easy to pack. I'll give you a list at the meet and greet indicating which day/night and to which cabins to drop off your gifts.

Let me know right away if you want to sign up for the gift exchange. Right now it looks like people should plan to bring 10 to 15 gifts

-Jennifer

 

[aquaholics]

Ok...I don't have a tip...I'm looking for one...

Regarding taxis and car seats. I'm assuming that I will be able to take my 2 and 4 year olds in taxis in London, Paris and Barcelona (as well as maybe in some of the ports)...are there any restrictions on taking kids in taxis if they don't have car seats?

And is anyone planning to take a taxi to the Barcelona airport from the port on June 16? I don't have anything arranged and am wondering if taxis will be there, in order to make an 11:30am flight. Logistics...

Also, crusincrazy...do you have any tips on fun things to do with small kids for our 1 and 1/2 day stay in London?

Hi Grizbuzz -
I checked with my friends in Spain who both have young kids. They said if the child is over 4, they are exempt from using a carseat in a taxi. Since one of your kids is under 4, you may want to carry a booster? (light & can be packed in a suitcase) Maybe you can even rent only a carseat from a car service such as Hertz....they have international locations in most major airports. Hope this helps.
See you soon!
-Alysoun