June 18, 2011 - 11 Night Mediterranean Sailing from Barcelona

[2PrincesseInTow]

Maybe you all had this figured out but here it is if you didn't like me.

I called DCL to get the schedule for my NYE cruise and they don't have it yet but they did for this one, go figure...

6/19 Formal Night (Sea Day and Fathers Day)
6/24 Semi Formal Night (Sea Day)
6/25 Pirate Night (La Spezia)
6/27 Semi Formal Night (Sea Day)

I have to get back in planning mode.... it's October already.

 

[JulieWent]

Okay, we've officially paid off the entire cruise and the flights (to London and to and from Barcelona). I made contact with Claudio from Limo in Rome this week to start planning our excursion in Rome, and I can start setting aside money to pay for our London adventures and our various excursions.

Looks like this is shaping up!

What things are you thinking about doing in Rome?

Julie

 

[2PrincesseInTow]

Okay, we've officially paid off the entire cruise and the flights (to London and to and from Barcelona). I made contact with Claudio from Limo in Rome this week to start planning our excursion in Rome, and I can start setting aside money to pay for our London adventures and our various excursions.

Looks like this is shaping up!

What things are you thinking about doing in Rome?

Julie

Wow! That must feel great..... Congratulations!

We're going to do a private tour in Rome at the kid's pace. All of the adults have been to Rome so we can take it easy. I'd like them to see the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Vatican.

 

[JulieWent]

We're going to do a private tour in Rome at the kid's pace. All of the adults have been to Rome so we can take it easy. I'd like them to see the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Vatican.

That's what I think we'd like. When Claudio sent back his recommendations, he had a whole list of things, but I don't want to see EVERYTHING and remember NOTHING! I think your schedule looks good. We might add the catacombs if they're not too far out or won't make things too difficult. Plus, I'd like us to have a leisurely meal. I just want my husband and son to remember the city happily instead of as a blur.

Julie

 

[MacG]

We went to Rome on our own on the cruse in August. We walked to the train station from the ship. When we got to Rome(Termini) we took the Metropolitana di Roma to the Colosseum (Colosseo Metro station) We bought tickets in advance online for the Colosseum. We were really glad we had because there was a long line.....at least 2 hours. After the Colosseum we hopped on the metro to see the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Museum. There was a line at the Vatican Museum too but it moved pretty quickly. We bought ticket vouchers for the Vatican museum in advance too. I was really surprised by the huge size of the museum. The other thing that sticks in my mind is that there was a woman on one of the tours that didn't have anything to cover her shoulders. She ended up purchasing something to cover them up to get into the museum.
We're not early risers and took our time to get to Rome so the Colosseum and Vatican Museum was about all we could do. We were happy with that though....It was very hot and we knew that there is more in Rome than you can see in one day. We plan on seeing Rome on our own again in June....don't know what we'll see yet but we still have time to plan.

 

[2PrincesseInTow]

So now it's less than eight months...... The year is flying by! will be here before we know it.

 

[ctldavis]

wow - getting closer!!!!!!

 

[2PrincesseInTow]

There is a new tour at the Colesseum in Rome. You may want to check it out.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39780004/ns/travel-destination_travel/

 

[2PrincesseInTow]

So I was waiting to book my MIL's air on miles and when I went to book it today all of the FF seats are gone.

Now I need to decide if I should bring her in on the 18th and risk it or stick with the 17th and pay cash....

On the positive side, I booked our post cruise Paris nights on points.

 

[Calfan]

So I was waiting to book my MIL's air on miles and when I went to book it today all of the FF seats are gone.

Now I need to decide if I should bring her in on the 18th and risk it or stick with the 17th and pay cash....

On the positive side, I booked our post cruise Paris nights on points.

Where did you book on points in Paris? We are also going to Paris after the cruise and were told that Disneyland Paris was the closest option for points. Or maybe you are not using DVC points? Sorry about the air situation with your MIL.

 

[2PrincesseInTow]

Someone must have sent some pixie dust because I went back to Continental last night and right before I booked my MIL's ticket for two days before the cruise (didn't want to risk day of) I decided to recheck my original plan (day before cruise) and it was available . So now it's all booked and done!

Where did you book on points in Paris? We are also going to Paris after the cruise and were told that Disneyland Paris was the closest option for points. Or maybe you are not using DVC points? Sorry about the air situation with your MIL.

Sorry, it's not DVC points.... Hilton points. We're not DVC members.

Sara

 

[lornak]

Hi, everyone! It's been a while since I have posted so I just wanted to say hello and check in!!

We still don't have our plane tickets booked so I am a little nervous about that. After working through our budget we plan on being able to purchase them in Jan or Feb---hope it all works out!! We are willing to fly out of just about any city (originating from Mpls) so please post any deals you may see as you are searching!!!

We DO have our pre-cruise hotel nights booked (the new Novotel) as well as our private tours in Rome and Naples. We are so, so, so excited about it all!!

 

[hygienist999]

It's been awhile since I checked out our meet page. Can't believe we have less than 8 months til we sail. The only thing we have left to do is book the shore excursions which we will book thru Disney.

To Julie: Big War Eagle and Congrats to my ds Austin, who received acceptance into the Pre-Engineering program at Auburn today. He is thrilled about being an Auburn Tiger come next Fall.

This site will be hopping after the New Year. Lets get ready people.

 

[JulieWent]

I
To Julie: Big War Eagle and Congrats to my ds Austin, who received acceptance into the Pre-Engineering program at Auburn today. He is thrilled about being an Auburn Tiger come next Fall.

This site will be hopping after the New Year. Lets get ready people.

Congrats to YOUR Austin! Hope he'll get to meet my DH on the cruise. DH is a professor in electrical engineering.

War Eagle and keeping my fingers crossed for Friday's game.

Julie

 

[goofydadeo]

Well it's been a long time since I stopped by to catch up.

I've finally booked our flights - looks like we will be splitting time in London and Paris before/after the cruise. Got a great deal on Skymiles tickets to/from Europe on Delta after lots of digging around.

I feel like I am behind as we are just starting to map out hotels, ground arrangements in port, etc. compared to the rest of you... but nonetheless it's good to finally begin making those arrangements... with just under 7 months to go!

Cheers!

Goofydadeo (aka John)

 

[lornak]

I'm happy to report we finally have our airfare!!! After watching prices from MSP to BCN stay at $1200-$1400 the past 6 months I couldn't believe it when I found US Airways flights for $893!!! We grabbed them and I am so relieved to have that piece figured out! We are leaving MSP on 6/15 and coming home on 6/30. So we will have a few days in Barcelona which I am really looking forward to!

I think this makes it official...we are really going!!!

 

[Angie_Ohio]

lornak
did you use airfare.com to secure your flights?
I found those flights but the airline was not identified.
Angie

 

[jmatias]

Checked passports this week and realized Need to renew the kids passports. Add that to the list of things to get done for the cruise.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Jen

 

[lornak]

lornak
did you use airfare.com to secure your flights?
I found those flights but the airline was not identified.
Angie

I did. But the flights I chose stated US AIRWAYS right by them. I did see the unidentified carriers but I didn't need to choose those as the US AIR ones were better. I honestly was a little nervous using airfare.com---not a lot of great reveiws out there. But I tried to counter the concerns by booking an arrival two days early and a departure one day after the cruise. I figure that gives us a lot of cushion time!! I also went right to US AIR to check and see if our reservations were listed. They pulled right up and I was even able to choose our seats... So, I am feeling cautiously optimistic about airfare.com.... Where are you flying from???

 

[MacG]

I'm happy to report we finally have our airfare!!! After watching prices from MSP to BCN stay at $1200-$1400 the past 6 months I couldn't believe it when I found US Airways flights for $893!!! We grabbed them and I am so relieved to have that piece figured out! We are leaving MSP on 6/15 and coming home on 6/30. So we will have a few days in Barcelona which I am really looking forward to!

I think this makes it official...we are really going!!!

Wow....that's a great price!!! I hope we can get a good deal like that too.

Kim G.