June 29, 2011-10 "MAGICAL" nights in the Mediterranean

[travlbug]

I am new to the forum board...so I can see it is going to take me a while to read all the past posts. I am excited to read about the plans that everyone is making!! My husband and I are still trying to work out what we want to do at all of the ports. We can't wait until June 29th!

 

[DorothyDamato]

Love the name! Welcome - and have fun reading all the pages! Check the first page - it has a quick index of where to find some good info/details. I think we are all getting crazy excited because all the chatting/planning we have been doing. I have been listening the the FREE Itune downloads of walking tours/quick info and watching some of the FREE downloaded videos for Rick Steve's for Barcelona, Florence, Rome. ahhhhhh cant wait!!! CIAO BELLA!

Taina - Can't wait for the brunch!! More excited to meet everyone!
Cam - I got my Euros. Kept watching the Euro go up and up and it was driving me nuts. I am gald I did - cause Syria is heating up now!!!

All - I was re-reading some TripAdvisor comments posted for the tour guide we are going with (RomeinLimo) and one woman said she posted a blog with pictures we could look at.
HOLY COW!!! AND I DONT MEAN THE INDIAN KIND!! I am so excited looking at the pictures in the womans blog! Am doing it right now at 5am and have only gotten to Barcelona but had to share it!!! The hotel I booked is close to one of the pictures they took of the Tore Agbar water tower!!! Yeah!! Amazing pictures!

Check out http://sodell2.blogspot.com if you want to get more chills and thrills!

Some good tips too. Ex: I know women cant have bare shoulders and pants/dresses must come below the knees in Vatican. Didnt really think about the men. Well - its hot, so of course they want to wear shorts! This group of men packed pants for the Vatican in backpacks - and then changed in the car (women had to have eyes forward as they did this!!). Also - the Vatican isnt air conditioned in most places- with all the people it gets really hot inside....bring lots of water! She said to avoid the dressed up Gladiators at the Coliseum (I had heard that)- they sound like they can almost be abusive and try to scam you into pictures and charge outrageous prices for photos!

Also - she said Royal Carribean took their passports upon boarding and held them until the end of the trip - is that normal?! I have copies of my passport - but I figured I would just lock it in the room vaults they usually have?? They found they needed to have a photo ID when they were in Monaco at the Casino (I think) - so good idea to carry your drivers license with you just in case.

Pompeii has tons of stray dogs. Weird. Don't pet or feed - you will be 'begging' for trouble. Too funny. Are you all used to my word vomit yet (thats what my daughter calls my being too wordy)?

 

[TPBChick]

Hi everyone,

I went ahead and got some Euros too so I don't have to worry about changing money at the airport. It's been a really long time since I have been to Europe. I assume no one uses travelers checks any more. Are you just planning on using your ATM card?

 

[sinnika]

Welcome Travelbug! My home state is Maryland - born and raised in NE Baltimore. Most of my family is there - now living in the " burbs" (Perry Hall, Timonium, Catonsville).
Dorothy, can't wait for the brunch either and to meet the group. We will have the private dining room till they kick us out. Last time, we were there from 10:30am to 1pm! Wear your elastic waist outfits!
The tips on the covered knees and shoulders are true! Lots of guys brought those zip off pants that convert to shorts, so you just are carrying the legs. Women carried light scarves or pashminas to cover shoulders if you are wearing a tank top. When we were in Malta in St John's co-cathedral, my daughter was given this wrap at the entrance to cover her legs as she was wearing shorts.
Yes, its best to avoid the gladiators at the Colliseum. Our guide told us the same thing.
Our passports were never taken from us. We kept them in our room in the safe.
Euros - so wish they would come back down to last May's exchange rate (1.2 something!). That happened after the banks in Greece bottomed out. Carry a couple of ATM cards and try to use bank ATM's and during bank hours if you can (in case your card gets "eaten'). Look for cards that do not charge a foreign transaction fee. Capitol One used to be the main one, but I hear others are following suit. I'm not talking about the $3 or $5 ATM fee, but the 1-3% fee charged to exchange money.
We really have not made any hard and fast decisions yet on the ports. We do know we want to visit the Vatican museums this time, since we only had time to visit St Peters Basilica last year, and even missed the front part of the church as it was roped off to start mass.
I'm still checking airfares daily! Ouch! Anyone else still need to get airfare? Its hard to imagine that we might be paying more for airfare than our cruise!

 

[DCLShel]

Welcome to the newbies! Glad to have you joining us!!

I still haven't purchased my Euro yet. I really need to since it just keeps going up, up and up! I, too, wish I had purchased it at $1.25 when I first started watching it.

I read on another thread that you can give your passports to Guest Services and they will have it stamped at each port. Otherwise, you just keep it. Be sure to keep a copy of your passports with you regardless - just in case you lose it.

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

 

[agreenfamily]

Hello fellow cruisers!!! I Jen and am really looking forward to chatting with you. Reading through the blog it looks like a great group~all super excited for some Mediterranean fun ) We just booked our cruise and am really excited to meet some people before leaving.

We took the same cruise last year but in August and just loved it~wish we would have known about the fish extenders. My kids are super excited about their fish extender and are hoping to join in on the fun. We have two children -Steven (8) and Amber (7). I am from So Cal but have been living in Germany for the last 3 years.

Happy Easter to all!!! I look forward to chatting with you!

 

[agreenfamily]

Checked out Photo Pkg and all the other goodies. I've always wanted to do the 'Love Boat' type thing and get champagne for bon voyage party, but Cam - if I am going to splurge on my weight watchers points for an item - sounds like I should get that special bon voage drink instead of the room champage at the send off party - right?

This just kills me. I knew I wanted to order water too. Gotta have water if you are walking around in the ports - right? They are charging $35 for a 24 pkg of water! I suppose that if you bought it off the street you would be paying at least $1.50 or more for a bottle of water - right? But its so hard to purchase this when you think you can go to the local Shoprite and pick up a 24 pkg for 3-5 bucks.

There is a duty free shop at the port that sells water you can hand carry onto the boat~much cheaper than purchasing once aboard.

 

[gmugirl]

Welcome Travelbug! My home state is Maryland - born and raised in NE Baltimore. Most of my family is there - now living in the " burbs" (Perry Hall, Timonium, Catonsville).
Dorothy, can't wait for the brunch either and to meet the group. We will have the private dining room till they kick us out. Last time, we were there from 10:30am to 1pm! Wear your elastic waist outfits!
The tips on the covered knees and shoulders are true! Lots of guys brought those zip off pants that convert to shorts, so you just are carrying the legs. Women carried light scarves or pashminas to cover shoulders if you are wearing a tank top. When we were in Malta in St John's co-cathedral, my daughter was given this wrap at the entrance to cover her legs as she was wearing shorts.
Yes, its best to avoid the gladiators at the Colliseum. Our guide told us the same thing.
Our passports were never taken from us. We kept them in our room in the safe.
Euros - so wish they would come back down to last May's exchange rate (1.2 something!). That happened after the banks in Greece bottomed out. Carry a couple of ATM cards and try to use bank ATM's and during bank hours if you can (in case your card gets "eaten'). Look for cards that do not charge a foreign transaction fee. Capitol One used to be the main one, but I hear others are following suit. I'm not talking about the $3 or $5 ATM fee, but the 1-3% fee charged to exchange money.
We really have not made any hard and fast decisions yet on the ports. We do know we want to visit the Vatican museums this time, since we only had time to visit St Peters Basilica last year, and even missed the front part of the church as it was roped off to start mass.
I'm still checking airfares daily! Ouch! Anyone else still need to get airfare? Its hard to imagine that we might be paying more for airfare than our cruise!

We still haven't gotten airfare either!! It has me on pins and needles, I've been looking every single day! I was hoping that the closer we got to the date, the sales would start actually applying to our dates of travel. I;ve read that 4-8 weeks before was the best time to book. But now I just don't know if we should just cut our losses and book before things really skyrocket. I'm starting to think we will have to take a row boat over...

 

[DCLShel]

Good morning!

I sat down to read my new Budget Travel magazine last night. I was so excited when I saw the article "Eat Like a Local: Barcelona" It gave some good suggestions on places to eat. I encourage everyone to check it out. Also, when I was on BT's website, I found a "menu decoder" for Barcelona. It gives the Spanish word and a general description of the food item. I would be happy to send the PDF file to anyone interested~

Shelly

 

[keenercam]

Good morning!

I sat down to read my new Budget Travel magazine last night. I was so excited when I saw the article "Eat Like a Local: Barcelona" It gave some good suggestions on places to eat. I encourage everyone to check it out. Also, when I was on BT's website, I found a "menu decoder" for Barcelona. It gives the Spanish word and a general description of the food item. I would be happy to send the PDF file to anyone interested~

Shelly

Shelly - I'd love to have that pdf if you don't mind. Thank you!

 

[DorothyDamato]

Definitely send to me! Thanks Shelly.

Jen (agreenfamily) - So I should add your family to the Fish Extender list? I am going to do so (since the cut off is 5/1....we have some people making items...so this will give them time to be crafty)!
Let me know if I misunderstood.

 

[DCLShel]

Cam & Dorothy-

I sent you both an email. I'll be adding the decoder to my file folder!

Dorothy - I have two email addresses for you. Please let me know if you don't get it.

 

[sinnika]

Good morning!

I sat down to read my new Budget Travel magazine last night. I was so excited when I saw the article "Eat Like a Local: Barcelona" It gave some good suggestions on places to eat. I encourage everyone to check it out. Also, when I was on BT's website, I found a "menu decoder" for Barcelona. It gives the Spanish word and a general description of the food item. I would be happy to send the PDF file to anyone interested~

Shelly

Hi Shelly,
I would love the PDF file too! my email is: tainapo@comcast.net
I am going to check out that article. Always looking for good places to eat.

 

[DorothyDamato]

I am getting ready to purchase the Vatican and Coliseum tickets soon!

When I went online to look at prices, it said:

"Full price ticket: Euro 15,00. Reduced ticket: Euro 8,00.
Every ticket purchased online has a reservation fee of Euro 4,00.
In order to make the purchase online please have on hand the following documents: an identity document, a credit card and names of all the participants. It is possible to purchase a ticket at a reduced price for children aged between 6 and 18 years old (18 years included). It is also possible to purchase a ticket at a reduced price for students under 26 years old on presentation of a student identity card (International Student Card) on the day of the visit.*

Notes:

* If a reduced price ticket is purchased without the required documents the visitor will be asked to make payment of a full price ticket so as to enter. The reduced ticket will not be refunded. "

For kids between 6 and 18 - it says you need the required documents. Under frequently asked questions it states you can buy the reduced fare, but the 6-18 year old has to have the identity document to show on the day of the visit. I sent a note to the e-mail address on the vatican site, and they said the 6-18 year olds did not have to have the international student ID card - they could use other identification (passport? School ID).

 

[keenercam]

Dorothy - Andrew will be under 18, so he is no problem, but I wonder whether Jenn's university ID card will suffice?

 

[wakeboarder72]

Shelly, can you please forward the .pdf to me also? wakeboarder72@hotmail.com Thanks.

Still looking for airfare daily like some of you all. Anyone know if, for the return trip, if the flight leaves Barcelona at 10:25 a.m. if that will give us enough time to get from the ship to the airport that morning? Thanks.....

 

[keenercam]

Shelly, can you please forward the .pdf to me also? wakeboarder72@hotmail.com Thanks.

Still looking for airfare daily like some of you all. Anyone know if, for the return trip, if the flight leaves Barcelona at 10:25 a.m. if that will give us enough time to get from the ship to the airport that morning? Thanks.....

I had posted this question and got so many different points of view. I asked my travel agent who is a DCL specialist and she highly recommended against it. Since that is the only non-stop from Barcelona to Philadelphia, we are staying overnight at a hotel near the airport -- I figure we'll sleep, swim, eat pizza at a place down the street that is supposedly wonderful, enjoy the free refreshments in the mini-bar and use the complimentary shuttle to the airport Sunday morning.

 

[wakeboarder72]

Cam,

Thanks for the info. What hotel are you staying at that night in Barcelona? Cost? We've thought about staying a night in Barcelona on either side of the trip....maybe on the return side, like you all. I'm assuming your agent advised against it because of the time constraints, getting to the airport in time??? Not sure how far the airport is from the port, but I was hoping three hours (doesn't the ship get in to port by 7:00 am?) would be enough to get to the airport and get checked in. But, I guess a day/night in Barcelona wouldn't be a bad idea either....decisions, decisions! Thanks again.....

 

[keenercam]

Cam,

Thanks for the info. What hotel are you staying at that night in Barcelona? Cost? We've thought about staying a night in Barcelona on either side of the trip....maybe on the return side, like you all. I'm assuming your agent advised against it because of the time constraints, getting to the airport in time??? Not sure how far the airport is from the port, but I was hoping three hours (doesn't the ship get in to port by 7:00 am?) would be enough to get to the airport and get checked in. But, I guess a day/night in Barcelona wouldn't be a bad idea either....decisions, decisions! Thanks again.....

It seems like 3 hours would be fine, but if there is any delay disembarking, getting through customs, dealing with transportation, getting through security, etc., it could be a problem. I decided that the last thing we need at the end of a long wonderful trip is to be stressed about getting to our gate at the airport on time. I also figured arriving stateside having caught up some on sleep is a good idea. Thus, the decision to stay the extra night was easy.

We are also arriving pretty far in advance of the cruise, on Sunday morning. Sunday is for recovery and Monday and Tuesday are for touring Barcelona. We are very excited about that!

We are at Barcelona Catedral Hotel for 3 nights pre-cruise. We got our rooms at $193/room/night including all taxes. It is a fantastic location near Las Ramblas and it has a restaurant on-site and a rooftop pool. I know there are many less expensive hotels but Howard and I really liked the features of this one.

Post-cruise we are at Ciutat del Prat near the airport with free shuttle and a great pizzeria nearby and free refreshments in the mini-bars (and a pool) -- It is $94.75/night with taxes.

Here is a thread that has a lot of valuable information about Barcelona hotels:

Barcelona Hotel Recommendation Thread

 

[wakeboarder72]

Thanks again for the explanations/information. Trying to read up on tons of literature, many of which I've found through this thread (like those podcasts......whoever posted that info----THANKS!). We'll look into that post-cruise hotel that you're staying at, cause I KNOW you did the research already and it would be a great place to stay See ya.....