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

[DorothyDamato]

Coliseum wasnt available yet.....but I am on a mission!

 

[keenercam]

cam - what transfer service did you book with? i've contacted a few (we are going to sitges for 2 days post cruise) and they're all so expensive!!!

We are booked with Barcelona Airport Transfers. A few months ago I did a lot of research and read posts here, on cruisecritic and on tripadvisor, and decided they were the best bet. We are going from the port to a hotel near the airport. There will be four adults with 2 large pieces of luggage each and the cost is 83.6 euros. For the convenience and reliability it was the best choice for us. Their customer service has been extraordinary so far - VERY responsive and helpful and very patient with my many, many questions.

Their website address is Barcelona Airport Transfers website

 

[keenercam]

I just noticed a DCL Reservations credit on my credit card in the amount of $24.08. I'd read that some people were getting a refund. I think it was for some fuel surcharge that turns out to be less than expected.

Did anyone else get the credit?

 

[gmugirl]

Coliseum wasnt available yet.....but I am on a mission!

We also booked Vatican tickets this morning. The only guided tour time availalbe was 11 am. Do you think this will be a problem? I am a bit worried, considering we have to be there 20 mins. beforehand and since we aren't on a Disney excursion, we won't be the first off the ship.

 

[kmc33]

I just noticed a DCL Reservations credit on my credit card in the amount of $24.08. I'd read that some people were getting a refund. I think it was for some fuel surcharge that turns out to be less than expected.

Did anyone else get the credit?

Yes, I noticed a credit on ours too and was wondering what it was. I didn't know if the port charges changed with the Tunis stop changed to Palermo. Your idea about the fuel surgcharge sounds like a possibility too.

 

[DCLShel]

I just noticed a DCL Reservations credit on my credit card in the amount of $24.08. I'd read that some people were getting a refund. I think it was for some fuel surcharge that turns out to be less than expected.

Did anyone else get the credit?

Actually, I got two credits. One on 4/11 for $28.60 and another on 4/19 for $44.00. When I emailed my TA, she said the "taxes were lowered." Not sure why - just glad for the little pixie dust!

Dorothy - do you know when the colosseum tickets open? I was thinking its 45 days out. I need to purchase those and tickets to the Leaning Tower.

Hope everyone has a great weekend~

 

[DCLShel]

Cam - I found the place. Its on Las Ramblas - its called Taller de Tapas (am guessing we will probably have to translate to Catalan?) - Anyway - They have a seafood Risotto that 2 could share that looks wonderful!
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wbtZLza5SIk/SmCXvP7Z38I/AAAAAAAABAE/Rh6Q2MuAx2w/s1600-h/a+risotto.JPG

I checked out their website. YUM! I notice they do take reservations and do have group space available. Depending on how many people want to meet, maybe we should consider making a reservation. Thoughts?

 

[keenercam]

I checked out their website. YUM! I notice they do take reservations and do have group space available. Depending on how many people want to meet, maybe we should consider making a reservation. Thoughts?

I think that's a great idea, Shelley. I think many people still have not given me email addresses, so I can't get in touch with everybody that way, but I can certainly send an email out to those for whom I have an address, to ask who wants to join us.

I have heard that it is nearly impossible to get a dinner reservation for earlier than 9:00 pm. in most Barcelona restaurants, but I just can't eat that late, and I think that in a place like this, you can dine earlier. What time is everyone thinking? I am worried that if we make it too early, people may not want to break away from their touring to get transportation to Las Ramblas. If we make it too late, everyone may be wanting to rush back to their hotels to pack to board the Magic the next day. Does 7pm sound like a good compromise on those issues, assuming the restaurant would give us a reservation at that time?

 

[gmugirl]

I think that's a great idea, Shelley. I think many people still have not given me email addresses, so I can't get in touch with everybody that way, but I can certainly send an email out to those for whom I have an address, to ask who wants to join us.

I have heard that it is nearly impossible to get a dinner reservation for earlier than 9:00 pm. in most Barcelona restaurants, but I just can't eat that late, and I think that in a place like this, you can dine earlier. What time is everyone thinking? I am worried that if we make it too early, people may not want to break away from their touring to get transportation to Las Ramblas. If we make it too late, everyone may be wanting to rush back to their hotels to pack to board the Magic the next day. Does 7pm sound like a good compromise on those issues, assuming the restaurant would give us a reservation at that time?

If the restaurant is open yet for dinner (they often close down between lunch and dinner, as their main meal of the day is lunch at 3 or so, not dinner) you definatley won't need a reservation for 7 pm. Spaniards don't eat dinner til at least 9-9:30. That would be like saying you need to make a dinner reservation for 3:00 here. Good luck!

 

[sinnika]

We also booked Vatican tickets this morning. The only guided tour time availalbe was 11 am. Do you think this will be a problem? I am a bit worried, considering we have to be there 20 mins. beforehand and since we aren't on a Disney excursion, we won't be the first off the ship.

I don't think you will have any problem getting there by that time, although I did not see an 11am tour available when I just looked on the site. Only one for 10:30 and one for 2 pm (the Vatican museums group tour for individuals). Still not sure who we are using yet, though we want to do an afternoon tour if possible. I just got this train schedule from one of my many quotes for guides (this one was a walking tour guide for whom I requested an all day quote):

"There are at least 3 convenient trains such as 7:33-8:50
(#3259) or 7:59-9:20 (#7157) or 8:41-9:50 (#2335) going to the Roma Termini Station"

I believe the San Pietro station (Vatican stop) is before Roma Termini. www.roninrome.com gives you step by step description with photos of how to get to Rome from the port. Here is the direct link: http://www.roninrome.com/ transportation/cruising-come-to-rome-for-the-day-2
We dock at 7:45am and there are free shuttles to take you to the entrance of the port. It is a very long walk just to the entrance! From the port entrance, its another 10 min walk to the train station.

I am going to start studying over Ron in Rome's site - it has a wealth of info! We used him as our walking guide last year and he was amazing! Unfortunately he has moved to Copenhagen, otherwise we would have tried to hire him again for this year.

 

[sinnika]

I found this on the Ron in Rome website. Will help people estimate what time they will get to Rome. If you are going to the Vatican first, you get off at Roma S. Pietro. If you are going to the colloseum first, you will get off at Roma Termini and transfer to the subway.
•7:33 AM – Train # 3259 – Regional Train
Civitavecchia – Roma S. Pietro (8:25), Roma Trastevere (8:31), Roma Ostiense (8:37), Roma Tuscolana (8:42), Roma Termini (8:50)
•7:59 AM – Train # 3253 – Regional Train
Civitavecchia – Roma S. Pietro (8:53), Roma Trastevere (8:59), Roma Ostiense (9:07), Roma Tuscolana (9:12), Roma Termini (9:20)
•8:41 AM – Train #2335 – Regional Train
Civitavecchia – Roma S. Pietro (9:24), Roma Trastevere (9:30), Roma Ostiense (9:37), Roma Termini (9:50)
•8:59 AM – Train # 12233 – Regional Train
Civitavecchia – Roma S. Pietro (9:54), Roma Trastevere (10:00), Roma Ostiense (10:07), Roma Tuscolana (10:12), Roma Termini (10:20)
•9:17 AM – Train # 501 – Intercity Train
Civitavecchia – Roma Ostiense (10:00), Roma Termini (10:14)

This is the schedule as of March 2011. We will be there on a Monday and it is not a Roman holiday, otherwise the train schedule could be different. Your 9 euro BIRG ticket will allow transportation on all regional trains, subways and buses in Rome too. Do not take the 9:17am intercity train using a BIRG ticket. This train is more expensive and is assigned seating. Also make sure to validate your ticket before getting on the train in those little yellow validation boxes.

 

[DorothyDamato]

Shelly - I will take a look and see if I can find out when the Colisieum tickets open up....but I am crazy excited...so I will probably be checking every day til it lets me anyway!

Miss ReeRee - Welcome! Hope you do sail with us! If you do sail with us and want to do the Fish Extender, it might be better if you start up a new group. We had a specific request to close on 5/1. Besides, there will probably be a bunch of people joining the site over the next few weeks!

 

[DorothyDamato]

I am looking at the Omni ticket site for purchasing Coliseum tickets, and it refers to U.E citizens. Is that a European citizen only (not US)?

I didnt see anything about how far in advance I could book tickets - so I just asked via the customer support contact area! I probably wont know til Monday - it's my work e-mail. Will let you know when I find out!

 

[thinkoflaura]

I am looking at the Omni ticket site for purchasing Coliseum tickets, and it refers to U.E citizens. Is that a European citizen only (not US)?

I didnt see anything about how far in advance I could book tickets - so I just asked via the customer support contact area! I probably wont know til Monday - it's my work e-mail. Will let you know when I find out!

great site about doing Rome on your own --

http://www.roninrome.com/sites-and-attractions/rome-in-a-day-for-cruisers

and here's where this guy recommends buying Colosseum tickets online (service charge is relatively small):

http://www.pierreci.it/en/museums-and-monuments/colosseo/notice-tickets-colosseopalatinoforo.aspx

hope this helps!

 

[gmugirl]

I have a guide at the Vatican that I booked through Rome in Limo for 2pm.
Do you want me to ask if an outside party can join us? I am paying for it, so I don't mind. I can't ask until I return to work on Monday. They are very prompt at responding. I think I did read on the vatican site that you could change times but not days.....

Wow - I went back, and noticed I missed some Posts! Shelly - I will take a look and see if I can find out when the Colisieum tickets open up....but I am crazy excited...so I will probably be checking every day til it lets me anyway!

Miss ReeRee - Welcome! Hope you do sail with us! If you do sail with us and want to do the Fish Extender, it might be better if you start up a new group. We had a specific request to close on 5/1. Besides, there will probably be a bunch of people joining the site over the next few weeks!

Thanks for offering Dorothy, but I've already bought the tickets (and they are non-refundable/non-transferable). I think we'll be fine, we just will be under a tight schedule in the morning. As long as we get off the boat and on the train on time we can make it there.

 

[Jendisney9]

YAY got my vatican tickets...I am so glad you said that (sinnika). I thought the month was sold out already....which I can't believe I did.

DH is nervous about doing these on our own, especially with the day shortened in Rome. We bought the tickets, but not canceling the excursion until we plan in detail. The roninrome website looks to be very helpful. We will be having our planning session together tomorrow.

Cam and Dorothy, Yes dinner sounds great. So please count the 4 of us in. I will email you our other information. Not sure yet if we will be able to meet during the day. I would like to. I have to find out when my sisterinlaw is leaving BCN to get back to work.

Cam the earlier dinner option sounds like a great idea. I don't like to eat that late either.

Thanks for all the information you all are posting! It is getting me by!

Jennifer

 

[thinkoflaura]

We loved Manarola! We did the Rick Steve's guide tour from his Italy book called the Vineyard Walk and have some amazing photos from doing that walk. He dedicates over 60 pages to Cinque Terre in his guidebook. We had a wonderful lunch there too at the top of Manarola on the square. We never made it to Monterosso or Corniglia so we are looking forward to visiting those towns this summer when we go back to the Med with DCL!

you posted this on my Cinque Terre thread. so what's your Cinque Terre plan this trip? I'd love to know how a veteran med traveler plans to get to CT and tour around!

DH is nervous about doing these on our own, especially with the day shortened in Rome. We bought the tickets, but not canceling the excursion until we plan in detail. The roninrome website looks to be very helpful. We will be having our planning session together tomorrow.

So what's the official word on the shortened days in Rome? I called DCL customer service after people started buzzing about the change of times on the itineraries and the rep said she saw no itinerary time changes on her end. Strange...

 

[sinnika]

you posted this on my Cinque Terre thread. so what's your Cinque Terre plan this trip? I'd love to know how a veteran med traveler plans to get to CT and tour around!

This time we are heading to Monterosso first and working our way back. We started with Riomaggiore before. The train to Cinque Terre left around 10am last year, so we got off the boat a little before 9am, met as a group at the pier (this is a tender port) and walked over to the train station as a group. We bought the 9 euro Cinque Terre train card and they give you a map and the train schedule. We plan to take the boat between Monterosso and Vernazza if the seas are calm - you can buy the boat tickets at the pier right next to where you catch the boats, then take the train to the next towns. Now if it rains that day, all bets are off and I guess I'll need to work on a plan B now in case that happens!

 

[kmc33]

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

 

[thinkoflaura]

This time we are heading to Monterosso first and working our way back. We started with Riomaggiore before. The train to Cinque Terre left around 10am last year, so we got off the boat a little before 9am, met as a group at the pier (this is a tender port) and walked over to the train station as a group. We bought the 9 euro Cinque Terre train card and they give you a map and the train schedule. We plan to take the boat between Monterosso and Vernazza if the seas are calm - you can buy the boat tickets at the pier right next to where you catch the boats, then take the train to the next towns. Now if it rains that day, all bets are off and I guess I'll need to work on a plan B now in case that happens!

if you don't mind (and if my family can get our act together) maybe DH, DD6 and I can tag along with your family to the train station? I'm still not sure which villages we'll be stopping at, but it would sure be nice to not stress about finding our way to the train! let me know if that's ok!!!