June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[LisaTex]

Warming up in Texas - yes, it actually got down to 25 degrees 2 nights ago. Today it is 70 and beautiful. Hope you guys warm up soon too.

We are considering the VIP vs. a private tour - just can't decide.

Is anyone totally finished with their excursion list?

I hear you do find out times etc when you book. WIll let you know what I learn at the 105 dy mark, however we are only doing a few of the DCL tours.

Happy President's Day!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Hello all! Things are looking up for the cruise for us! We are also snow-bound. Xavier, where I go to school even closed 2 days last week, that never happens!!!

We got our cruise packet in the mail on Wednesday I believe. I enjoyed looking through it! I can't believe the cruise is only about 4 months away!! Had a pretty stressful weekend and am definitely looking forward to it!

I am working on excursions still. So far I have decided for Palermo and Naples (I believe those are the first 2 ports) and am working on Olbia.

Are people doing private tours for some of the cities? Is there still talk of maybe working out a tour for us as a group? I am really hoping to find some less expensive alternatives to these excursions as they could quickly add up with all the ports.

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Everyone,

Just to let you know that we have received the packet here in England this morning so will get sorted out and down to a bit of relaxing reading I think.
Hope everyone else has theirs.
Brenda

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Everyone,

Just had time to look through the planning guide and am somewhat disappointed, perhaps it is me and I expected more. There are no times of the excursions and you still need to go on line to check on the prices.

The book says that lifeboat drill is 1 hour prior to sailing, this means about 9p.m I think and most people will stikll be at late dining. Also it does not say how many formal, and informal nights. Seem to remember that it was posted 2 formal but there does not seem to be anything in the pack and most imprtant no mention of a sail-away party. Shall refuse to go if we do not get that as it is something I find very enjoyable.

Anyone fancy phoning disney and finding a bit more information out -
Wish I could
Bren

 

[taysmom]

someone said what the formal nights would be...

"I just spoke to someone at Disney. She said for the 11 days formal night is the 2nd night the 7th night & the 10th night (in france) I haven't received my packet as of yet."

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1355508

This is the link to that thread.

Our packet said they were sending out something about a month before sailing too. I would check and make sure that you will get that timely as this packet took along time for you to get.

For those of us not casataway or concierge that date to book is 4/2/07.

I don't think we'll do the VIP vatican as I can't see spending that money to hear my nine year old say, "are we done yet" and "i'm bored"

Here are the excursions I am leaning towards...
Palermo: Unsure
Naples: Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri (not the one for families)
Olbia:Unsure possibly Train to Gallura (an ode to my dad who always made us take a train wherever we were!)
Rome: Highlights of Rome
Florence: Florence and Pisa
Marceille: Marseille and Little Train or Aix-en-Provence
Monaco: Unsure but if my child can stay on the ship then definately the evening casino.

It's hard to pick out excursions with a 9 year old. Trying not to get her too bored, but I want her to see the "historical" sights.

Does anyone know if they will have more "in depth" detail or someone describing them on board. I know we will have a sea day first so I would be willing to spend some time having someone explain them to me. I am not so worried about them "selling out" but I figure I will check the trip reports after as we are the 4th cruise so they should have them figured out by then. I can still book right before we go. I am worried about not being able to change if I book april 2nd and see that another excursion was much more worth it for the kids.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
LESS THAN 4 MONTHS! Can't wait!
Steph

 

[Skallywag]

Had an email from Angela at DCL saying that we will not get the timings for the excursions until 90 days before which is going to be a bit tight for anyone wanting to make plans for some exursions.

Bren

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Had an email from Angela at DCL saying that we will not get the timings for the excursions until 90 days before which is going to be a bit tight for anyone wanting to make plans for some exursions.

Bren

I find this very frustrating. I planned to be booking the excursions 90 days out and it would be helpful to know the times ahead of that date.

 

[taysmom]

I spoke with DCL today and the CM said that it would be just as safe to book them 90 days as it would to book them 1 week before. It would be harder to do it on board as they confirm space 1 day prior to sailing. Thats why we have 2 days before sailing to cancel.
I decided that I will hold the spot now (or april 2nd) and then read the trip reports from prior cruisers to see which excursions should be avoided and check the times. Then change/cancel any before we leave...I am still undecided on sicilly and sardinia...
Stephanie

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I spoke with DCL today and the CM said that it would be just as safe to book them 90 days as it would to book them 1 week before. It would be harder to do it on board as they confirm space 1 day prior to sailing. Thats why we have 2 days before sailing to cancel.
I decided that I will hold the spot now (or april 2nd) and then read the trip reports from prior cruisers to see which excursions should be avoided and check the times. Then change/cancel any before we leave...I am still undecided on sicilly and sardinia...
Stephanie

So was she saying that the excursions are not going to fill up? I was planning on being on my computer the second I could book them, but is that not actually that important?

 

[taysmom]

She was very casual...don't worry attitude. I was concerned about booking them and then changing my mind once I was on the ship and thought something looked better. Her advice was to book now and then cancel before I leave for spain if I was still unsure. I've been on other cruises and never had a problem booking on board. In fact, I have never pre booked any excursions, but I've never been to the med or on a disney cruise so I wanted to feel secure. As you know, it's alot of money to lose if you change your mind.
I figure, that I will keep calling to get updates and she made it seem as though they would not close any before cruise date. BUT I did not ask if there were maximums. Hmmm..maybe I'll call back tomorrow and ask about that?!
Steph

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Does anyone know the cancellation policy on the excursions? Is anyone doing a private tour in any of the cities? I know this has probably been asked a million times, but does anyone have a link for a company that does private tours?

 

[Skallywag]

Hi everyone,

Just went to the library a couple of days ago and got some books out on Barcelona, Naples and Sardinia and going to have a browse.

Think I saw it printed somewhere that you must cancel any excursions booked two days prior to the cruise or you will get charged.

Found a nice site for Sardinia which shows pictures of beaches in Costa Smeralda etc and that is www.discover-sardinia.com and you can click on English version which is helpful.

Must get down to some serious thinking about excursions.
Brenda

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Morning, Brenda. I probably should go to the library myself. That's a great idea. I was just looking over the excursions for Olbia and I am thinking we won't do a Disney excursion that day. None of them really sounded that exciting to me, we might just try to do something on our own. I do need to read more about it so I know what we might be interested in.

 

[Skallywag]

Hi from a damp wet England.

Have looked at a couple of the excursions for Olbia but like you am not decided. Have been looking at the french ports and probably will do Marseilles on our own as nothing there really excites me. Have got onto the web site and found where you can get boats to Chateau d'If which are quite reasonable and apparently the views of Marseilles from the Island are excellent. Just trying to find out where the boat will dock and if it posible to walk to Le Vieux port where the ferry leaves from.

There is a good site - www.France-for-visiors.com and they have maps and all sorts of information. This is in English so you do not have to brush up on the French.
Bren

 

[Skallywag]

sorry site is www.france-for-visitors.com.

Having a bad day with my parrot - cleaned his cage right out and he has just hidden from me and I have been found our bungalow trying to find him.
Bren

 

[Skallywag]

Understand from another site that DCL have the timings and if you phone up they can give them out. Wonder if someone could spare a minute and ask
them why they cannot post on the web site for us all to see.

Many thanks - have a great weekend.
Bren

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Understand from another site that DCL have the timings and if you phone up they can give them out. Wonder if someone could spare a minute and ask
them why they cannot post on the web site for us all to see.

Many thanks - have a great weekend.
Bren

You mean DCL already has the times for the excursions right now? If so, I don't understand why they could not just post them on the website?? I will call tomorrow and see if I can get any details.

 

[Skallywag]

Just received the reply below - if we can book on the 18th Does not give us much time to plan does it - anyone else any information please.

The specific meeting times for every Mediterranean shore excursion
option for your cruise will be available on our website starting on
March 18, 2007.

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further
assistance in planning your visit, please feel free to contact us.

Have a great day!

Bren

 

[Ruth B]

bump

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Ruth B are you on this cruise if so means we shall not be the only Brits aboard.
Bren