June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[Worktoplay]

Steph,

Thanks! You really do your research! Are you taking the bus or did you find something else interesting to do?

Marie

 

[taysmom]

Marie-
There's a walking tour too. I think we will do that. We'll be on so many buses and trains soon enough.
Steph

 

[pillow]

For those who didn't get Florence / Pisa, check out this alternative . . .

http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=193

Gorgeous!!

 

[tupperny]

We decided to gamble and give up our Cat 11 (Deck 6) and go for the Cat 12 guarentee (and save enough $$ for the Panama Canal cruise next year)

Checked last night (4 am) and found out that we have Cat 9--Deck 1 (We are in 1056 and brother-in-law and his wife are in 1054).

We are so excited! Now, it is getting real.

Just got the last grades in (I am a college teacher) so after graduation this weekend, only a million things to do before the cruise. Can't wait.

We are staying in Barcelona for 3 days before the cruise--figured that we won't be back for a while. Got a good deal on an apartment near Arc de Triomf.

See you on board! It looks as if we have a monopoly on Deck 1.

Bill

 

[pillow]

Taysmom and Worktoplay,

Found this on the cruise critic sight . . .

Palermo has a tourist on/off bus. Get your tickets right in the terminal and walk about 4-5 blocks up the the main street to board. Other nice features at the terminal was the information desk, internet access and telephones. Calls to the states are about 30 cents a minute. Didn't see anything like that in any of the other ports.

Jodie

 

[Worktoplay]

Jodie,

That's perfect! I was on cruise critic over the weekend and I never saw that. That's what we're going to do. I did hop-on, hop off in NYC and it so many parts of the city that I didn't even know existed.

Marie

 

[pillow]

Worktoplay,

After the bus, I thought we'd catch a cab to Mondello beach for the rest of the day - only so much "touristy" stuff I can handle. Kids will be dying for the beach.

-Jodie

 

[Worktoplay]

Jodie,

That's a great idea!

Marie

 

[bartty]

Can anyone help me with the dress code for the cruise(formal-semi-etc)? Is everyone's DHs getting tuxes? Is there a pirate night and if so some ideas? I can't overpack because of airline restriction and want to bring some souvies home...

 

[Skallywag]

My husband has a tux so we usually bring that with us but you can if you want to hire on board but I am not sure the cost.Think there are possibly 3 formal/semi-formal nights but again am not sure about this. Did read somewhere that there will be a pirates night or similar and hope so.

Welcome to the board - know what you mean about keeping luggage down have been putting things on our spare bed and shutting the door and the pile is getting larger by the day.
Bren

 

[bartty]

Thanks Skallyway- we are flying ryan air from stansted so not more than 15kg per bag!!

 

[Skallywag]

We purchased a suit carrier bag last year and it is surprising what you can get in that and when folded carry on board. I always think that shoes are the biggest problem and take up nearly a case on their own and are so heavy.

Where are you based in England? We are from the other side of the Thames on the Isle of Sheppey,Kent.

Bren

 

[bartty]

will definitely try the suit bag trick. Thanks! We are in huntingdon about 30 mins from cambridge.

 

[Skallywag]

For those who didn't get Florence / Pisa, check out this alternative . . .

http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=193

Gorgeous!!

Visited Portofino several times and it is certainly beautiful. So are the Cinque Terre Villages which we are going to do on this trip as my husband has never been.

Forgot to mention cat and parrot are both going up the cattery which my friend owns. She runs a wildlife unit for our island and as she never minds how many animals she has and they always get excellent treatment and I know they are safe with her.

Just wonder if anyone has checked their ressie and got an upgrade? Still hoping but it will never happen to us.
Bren

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Bartty,

Have a friend who lives in Bluntisham just the other side of cambridge, lovely part of the country although a bit flat and marshy. Some really nice villages to visit such as St.Ives and Ely.
Bren

 

[Jeff Spencer]

One definitely doesn't need to wear a tux on formal night but since I have one anyway I always bring it. Most get by just fine with a dark suit and tie.

The search function on these message boards is awful. It seems I recall the formal/semi-formal nights were on the sea days (17th, 22nd, 26th) and Pirates night would be when we were in port at Marseille (June 24th). Anybody remember or write it down somewhere?

 

[WVMD]

I have a tux so I'll be bringing it. If I didn't - I'd probably just wear a suit....

Welcome to all of the new cruisers!

Virgil

 

[WVMD]

We leave out of Pittsburgh on June 14th at 3:35pm on USAirways. We connect in Philadelphia to USAirways and fly direct. We arrive via USAirways on June 15th at 08:30. We are staying June 15th at the Hotel Arts. We leave on June 27th on USAirways at 12:10. We are using BarcelonaLuxuryDrivers (AngieTaxi) for transportation.

We are in room 8532 (next door to LeiLani and across from LisaTx and Silver7)

We are going to celebrate our 15th anniversary on the ship - even though it is July 11.

Day 1 - Barcelona, Spain - Saturday, June 16, 2007

Flamenco & Tapas at Spanish Village (Virgil, Frances and Lauren)

Day 2 - At Sea - Sunday, June 17, 2007

Palo Brunch 1030am (Virgil and Frances)
Day 3 - Palermo, Sicily - Monday, June 18, 2007

Boat Ride to Zingaro Park (Virgil, Frances and Lauren)

Day 4 - Naples, Italy (Pompeii) - Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri (Virgil, Frances and Lauren)

Day 5 - Olbia, Sardinia - Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Gnocchetti Sardi & Ravioli (Virgil, Frances and Lauren)

Day 6 - Civitavecchia, Italy (Rome) - Thursday, June 21, 2007

Exclusive VIP Visit of the Vatican & Highlights of Rome (Virgil, Frances and Lauren)

Day 7 - At Sea - Friday, June 22, 2007

Palo Dinner 7pm (Virgil and Frances)

Day 8 - La Spezia, Italy (Florence, Pisa) - Saturday, June 23, 2007

Portofino and Santa Margherita (Virgil, Frances and Lauren)

Day 9 - Marseille, France - Sunday, June 24, 2007

Marseille City Tour (Virgil, Frances and Lauren) 8:00AM 12:30PM

Day 10 - Villefranche, France (Monte Carlo, Cannes, Nice) - Monday, June 25, 2007

Create Your Own Perfume (Frances and Lauren) 1:15PM 5:45PM

Nice and Eze with Wine and Cheese (Virgil) 1:45PM 6:15PM

Day 11 - At Sea - Tuesday, June 26, 2007

No activities reserved

Day 12 - Barcelona, Spain - Wednesday, June 27, 2007

No activities reserved

Virgil

 

[auntsue1]

We decided to gamble and give up our Cat 11 (Deck 6) and go for the Cat 12 guarentee (and save enough $$ for the Panama Canal cruise next year)

Checked last night (4 am) and found out that we have Cat 9--Deck 1 (We are in 1056 and brother-in-law and his wife are in 1054).

We are so excited! Now, it is getting real.

Just got the last grades in (I am a college teacher) so after graduation this weekend, only a million things to do before the cruise. Can't wait.

We are staying in Barcelona for 3 days before the cruise--figured that we won't be back for a while. Got a good deal on an apartment near Arc de Triomf.

See you on board! It looks as if we have a monopoly on Deck 1.

Bill

WOW! Congratulations! You paid less now & get a better category!

 

[pillow]

Skallywag, I would love to go to Cinque Terre also, but I want to spend a lot more than a day there. Think that will have to be another trip. The hiking trails look great!

Jeff, Yes, Marseilles is the pirate night. I know there is 1 formal night and 2 semi-formal. I did write it down, but God knows where!

My husband doesn't own a tux, so a suit will have to do - although its 15 years old and probably hasn't been worn in 5 years (his office is casual). It probably has moth holes all in it. At least we'll be easy to recognize; just look for the man in the holey suit!! And I pretty much live in jeans and t-shirts. Guess we need to go shopping!!

-Jodie