June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[carolmb]

I booked my excursions for Palamero and Sardinia.
Palermo: Palermo and Ballaro Market
Sardinia: La Cinta Beach

I wanted the Coda Cavallo Beach excursion but it was no longer listed. I guess that means it is sold out for now. I will keep checking back though. My DH wanted the beach chair and umbrella. I picked the early excursion times also. We have early seating and I figured that would give us time to relax and get ready for dinner.

No luck with Palo Brunch or High Tea. Will keep checking on those also. We opted not to do Palo dinner this time.

Is anyone doing one of the Barcelona excursions? We arrive on the 15th so we may try and see the city on our own. I would like to take my DS to the chocolate museum. She loves chocolate. I would like to see the aquarium.

I will also probably need to do laundry on our 1st sea day. Hopefully it will not be too crowded.

 

[Skallywag]

Still cannot get anything on the Palo Brunch so have reserved dinner for one night but would much prefer brunch - will try later.

Have been trying to work out the tips for the 11 night and thought it would be in the book under recommendations but cannot find.

Anyone any idea what the recommended amount is for our cruise.
Bren

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I will also probably need to do laundry on our 1st sea day. Hopefully it will not be too crowded.

That was our plan too! I picture it being relatively crowded in the laundry rooms.

Still cannot get anything on the Palo Brunch so have reserved dinner for one night but would much prefer brunch - will try later.

Have been trying to work out the tips for the 11 night and thought it would be in the book under recommendations but cannot find.

Anyone any idea what the recommended amount is for our cruise.
Bren

I am going to try again at 75 days and then again onboard because we really did want to try the brunch over dinner. I am not sure about the tips but I know I read a sort of guideline for tipping so it has to be out there somewhere. Let me see if I can remember where/find it.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

That was our plan too! I picture it being relatively crowded in the laundry rooms.


I am going to try again at 75 days and then again onboard because we really did want to try the brunch over dinner. I am not sure about the tips but I know I read a sort of guideline for tipping so it has to be out there somewhere. Let me see if I can remember where/find it.

http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/

 

[tde1969]

Well, I have everything booked but now I'm having second thoughts on all of it. It was about 4:15 am when the computer would finally let me start booking. I tried to book everything we wanted but then last night I sat down and started running the figures. Omg. On excursions right now, i'm right at $3,000.00 for three people and that doesn't include the spa, palo or drinks. That's crazy. I've now started lookin at ports we can do something on our own??? Any ideas? I was telling Bill, dh, there is nothing easy to cancel. Do you say no to Rome or Pompeii?? I also booked some spa trips but I'm wondering should I cancel those?? The whole hot tub on the balcony sounds great but is it worth $500.00. Is anyone else fretting over this??? We do ok money wise but this trip is blowing any budget I could have planned!!!

 

[taysmom]

I booked my excursions for Palamero and Sardinia.
Palermo: Palermo and Ballaro Market
Sardinia: La Cinta Beach

I wanted the Coda Cavallo Beach excursion but it was no longer listed. I guess that means it is sold out for now. I will keep checking back though. My DH wanted the beach chair and umbrella. I picked the early excursion times also. We have early seating and I figured that would give us time to relax and get ready for dinner.

No luck with Palo Brunch or High Tea. Will keep checking on those also. We opted not to do Palo dinner this time.

Is anyone doing one of the Barcelona excursions? We arrive on the 15th so we may try and see the city on our own. I would like to take my DS to the chocolate museum. She loves chocolate. I would like to see the aquarium.

I will also probably need to do laundry on our 1st sea day. Hopefully it will not be too crowded.

My DD9 and I will be there on the 14th. My plans are to take her to the aquarium and the choc. museum along with a bike tour. If you would like to join us for any of those, you are welcome. They are all "on our own" although, I thought we would do the aquarium after lunch on the 16th. I also wanted to take the metro to the old monestary. I don't remember the name here at work, but I will send it later. Just let me know, we are open to any companions. It gives my daughter a distraction ( I told her theres a strict no whining policy on this trip! )

Well, I have everything booked but now I'm having second thoughts on all of it. It was about 4:15 am when the computer would finally let me start booking. I tried to book everything we wanted but then last night I sat down and started running the figures. Omg. On excursions right now, i'm right at $3,000.00 for three people and that doesn't include the spa, palo or drinks. That's crazy. I've now started lookin at ports we can do something on our own??? Any ideas? I was telling Bill, dh, there is nothing easy to cancel. Do you say no to Rome or Pompeii?? I also booked some spa trips but I'm wondering should I cancel those?? The whole hot tub on the balcony sounds great but is it worth $500.00. Is anyone else fretting over this??? We do ok money wise but this trip is blowing any budget I could have planned!!!

I thought the same thing. SO we have scaled back. The only ports we are doing excursions so far...rome and la spezia and I am doing the casino night. All other ports at this point are on my own. Another disser and I are doing naples, pompeii and capri on our own. At Marseille, I am taking my dd to chateau d'if on our own. Still working on other "on our own" excursions. You CAN DO IT...you just have to plan and have faith.

Good Luck
Steph

 

[Lqqieee]

Hello fellow Med cruisers! My DH and I are very excited about this trip, our first to Europe ever!

We just finished booking our excursions except for Barcelona. We arrive in Barcelona on the 15th around 10am and we are staying at a hotel for one night in Barcelona. We're just going to hit the Dali museum, La Segrada Familia church, and possible do Montsurrat on the day of the cruise (check in our bags then head back out.) We cant find anything available through DCL for ANY Barcelona tours. Are they booked up already?!?

Oh and here is our trip itinerary so far:

June 14th flying into Barcelona and staying one night in Barcelona on 6/15.
Day 1 - Barcelona, Spain - Saturday, June 16, 2007
No Activities are reserved.
Day 2 - At Sea - Sunday, June 17, 2007
Palo Dinner
8:30PM 10:30PM
Day 3 - Palermo, Sicily - Monday, June 18, 2007
Erice and Segesta
7:45AM 4:15PM
Day 4 - Naples, Italy (Pompeii) - Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Timeless Pompeii and the Flavor of Sorrento
8:15AM 5:15PM
Day 5 - Olbia, Sardinia - Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Coda Cavallo Beach
9:15AM 2:15PM
Day 6 - Civitavecchia, Italy (Rome) - Thursday, June 21, 2007
Jumping Back Into Eternal Rome
7:45AM 5:45PM
Day 7 - At Sea - Friday, June 22, 2007
Exotic Rasul
9:30AM 10:20AM
Day 8 - La Spezia, Italy (Florence, Pisa) - Saturday, June 23, 2007
Florence and Michelangelo
7:30AM 6:00PM
Day 9 - Marseille, France - Sunday, June 24, 2007
Arles & the Olive Oil Mills of Les Baux
8:45AM 5:45PM
Day 10 - Villefranche, France (Monte Carlo, Cannes, Nice) - Monday, June 25, 2007
Nice and Monaco
9:30AM 6:00PM
Day 11 - At Sea - Tuesday, June 26, 2007
No Activities are reserved.
Day 12 - Barcelona, Spain - Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Flying out to Paris for 3 nights/4 days at Disneyland Paris staying at the Sequioa Lodge.
July 30th flying back home.




To the poster above having 2nd thoughts. I would say don't skip Pompeii or Rome. These are once in a lifetime place you'll ever get to see. You can always get a massage anywhere, besides we did the couples massage on out last honeymoon DCL cruise in '06, and while it was really awesome, it's not something that will stick out in your memory. So if anything skip out on the spa stuff.


Any Dis meets on this cruise?

 

[Worktoplay]

We will be arriving in Barcelona on the 15th am and plan to check out the city, but made no plans yet.
Day 1 - Barcelona - Flamenco and Tapas 1:45 - 5:15
Day 2 - At sea
Day 3 - Palermo - Plan to do on our own/dinner at Palo's 7:00
Day 4 - Naples - Decided to do private tour
Day 5 - Olbia - Coda Cavallo Beach 9:15 - 2:15
Day 6 - Rome - Rome On Your Own - 8:15 - 6:45
Day 7 - At Sea
Day 8 - La Spezia - Cinque Terre Scenic Boat Tour - 8:45 - 1:45
Day 9 - Marseille - Plan to do on our own
Day 10 - Villefranche - Highlights of Monaco and Top Car Museum
1:00 - 5:30
Evening Casino 6:45 - 11:15
Day 11 - At sea
Day 12 - Back to the States

That's what we have right now. I hope I don't over think my choices and start making changes!

Marie

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Hi Lqqieee,

My DD & I will be with you on Coda Beach day & also Montecarlo Monaco & Nice. Are you not going to the Casino PM?

Everyone, I saw this on another thread, & I thought it was interesting.

IF YOUR INTERESTED IN MAILING PACKAGES TO THE PORT IN BARCELONA:

Package Delivery to World Trade Center Terminal - Barcelona Blue Water Shipping- packages, boxes, gifts

Packages and boxed gifts can be delivered to the ship via the Blue Water Shipping Espana S.A. in Barcelona.

Items that cannot be shipped to Blue Water Shipping and delivered to the ship include: food products (all and any food products including baby food/formula), beverages (liquor, water, etc.), chemicals and luggage.

Shipping Packages and Boxes Gifts - Internationally

* Guests should allow approximately 10 business days for delivery
* International shipping rates apply
* The following information needs to be listed on the package
being delivered:

* Name
* Sail Date
* Ship
* Stateroom Number
* Packing slip that details contents of the package.


* DHL is a common carrier service in Barcelona

The address to send packages to is:

Blue Water Shipping Espana S.A
C/ Atlantic, 109-111
Z.A.L (Zona Actividades Logistica)
08040 Barcelona
Ph: 34 93 295 4848

 

[taysmom]

Monsurrat...thats the name of the place! Thanks and welcome. I guess I need to get over to cruise critic and read about some of the on your own places others have done.

Anyways..welcome again. This will be fun!

Steph

 

[Lqqieee]

Hi Lqqieee,

My DD & I will be with you on Coda Beach day & also Montecarlo Monaco & Nice. Are you not going to the Casino PM?

Great! Hope to see you and talk and exchange stories! We talked about the casino night, we aren't big gamblers and we weren't sure if it was worth it. Still have to think about it! What are your thoughts?

EDIT: I just looked at the casino start time which is 6:45pm. Our tour that day ends at 6pm with the ride back to the cruise, so that doesn't give us enough time to get back, possibly change into something nicer, and hop back on for the casino pm tour. Our day tour of Nice and Monaco does mention a stop at the casino to try our luck then, so that's what we'll end up doing.

 

[Lqqieee]

Does anyone have any information on Barcelona private tours not through DCL? TIA!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/

Thanks, Patricia, you did my work for me!

Well, I have everything booked but now I'm having second thoughts on all of it. It was about 4:15 am when the computer would finally let me start booking. I tried to book everything we wanted but then last night I sat down and started running the figures. Omg. On excursions right now, i'm right at $3,000.00 for three people and that doesn't include the spa, palo or drinks. That's crazy. I've now started lookin at ports we can do something on our own??? Any ideas? I was telling Bill, dh, there is nothing easy to cancel. Do you say no to Rome or Pompeii?? I also booked some spa trips but I'm wondering should I cancel those?? The whole hot tub on the balcony sounds great but is it worth $500.00. Is anyone else fretting over this??? We do ok money wise but this trip is blowing any budget I could have planned!!!

I am spending this week narrowing things down because something has to be cancelled. There are 5 of us. There is no way we can go on all the excursions I have booked. I hope to go to the library this weekend and look at some books on the ports we want to do on our own and get a feel for them. I think it is going to take a lot more work but it will be a huge money saver.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Lauren,

Try this website, you will find alot of information on Tour in all the ports

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=234

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Do it yourself Rome

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=147961

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Lauren,

Try this website, you will find alot of information on Tour in all the ports

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=234

Thanks, Patricia, I'll check it out! Also wanted to let you know my envelope arrived safely in the mail today--thanks!

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Thanks, Patricia, I'll check it out! Also wanted to let you know my envelope arrived safely in the mail today--thanks!

Lauren,

I can't beleive it took almost one week to get from NY to Ohio. USPS "Snail Mail"

I love reading your report, it's really awsome. Can't "wait" for the rest. You are going to make many more memories on this Cruise of a life time.

Thanks for sharing with us.

Patricia

 

[tde1969]

We would be happy to accomodate your request for a 9 hour private tour of the Major Highlights of Rome from the Civitavecchia cruise dock with a Mercedes Luxury Sedan and one of our English speaking driving guides .




Our rate for this daytrip excursion is 500,00 Euros for 2 persons and 1 child.



If you find more cruisers onboard, who are also interested in joining you on the tour our rates are,
5 persons - 105,00 Euros per person

6 persons - 95,00 Euros per person

7 persons - 90,00 Euros per person

8 persons - 85,00 Euros per person.

Just thought I would put this out there. Since we are only three, Is anyone else interested in doing a private tour???? Could save us all some cash. Let me know.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Is this right??

500,00 Euro = $664.4960 US Dollar

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Lauren,

I can't beleive it took almost one week to get from NY to Ohio. USPS "Snail Mail"

I love reading your report, it's really awsome. Can't "wait" for the rest. You are going to make many more memories on this Cruise of a life time.

Thanks for sharing with us.

Patricia

And you should have seen the envelope when it got here, Patricia, it was ripped to shreds and had big stamps all over it that said "damaged in transit by the US Postal Service." It was quite the sight! Thanks for reading the report and commenting on it, I am having lots of fun writing it, but it is a lot of work too! I didn't know it would be so time consuming! I am hoping to start day 2 tomorrow. This cruise will definitely be the trip of a lifetime...can't wait!

We would be happy to accomodate your request for a 9 hour private tour of the Major Highlights of Rome from the Civitavecchia cruise dock with a Mercedes Luxury Sedan and one of our English speaking driving guides .




Our rate for this daytrip excursion is 500,00 Euros for 2 persons and 1 child.



If you find more cruisers onboard, who are also interested in joining you on the tour our rates are,
5 persons - 105,00 Euros per person

6 persons - 95,00 Euros per person

7 persons - 90,00 Euros per person

8 persons - 85,00 Euros per person.

Just thought I would put this out there. Since we are only three, Is anyone else interested in doing a private tour???? Could save us all some cash. Let me know.

I'm not sure how the conversions go, but if it would save us money over the excursions we have already booked we would definitely consider it. There are 5 of us. Is there anywhere I can find out conversions?