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

[princesschantelle]

Hi everyone we have just been given great news in that myself and daughter and my grandad who is not on this cruise will also be going on the June 8th cruise. So I will be away for 10days come back for 11 then back again for another 10 day cruise. Can't get better than than that. So I'm sorry but I'm going to have to pull out the fe as it's goin tp cost me too much. Im not goin to be doin any ports on the first cruise as my grandad has a bad back so I can't answer any questions you will have but abiding else then let me know. I can't wait as I've bot told my 4year old yet that we are going on twice

 

[thinkoflaura]

Thank you again! I think I'll go ahead and book it now so we don't miss out. We'll discuss it more at home and I can cancel later if necessary.

just curious - what's the rule about canceling excursions after you book them?

 

[macassi]

just curious - what's the rule about canceling excursions after you book them?

You can cancel up until 3 days before the ship leaves.

 

[DorothyDamato]

Wow - I cant imagine doing 2 cruises within a couple of weeks of each other. You should be relaxed. Good for you!

 

[wakeboarder72]

Strange question, but I'm pretty anal, so here goes anyway

Just firmed up time off for this sailing, so we're about to reserve a cabin. My (strange) question is, for this cruise, would it be better to have a cabin on the port (left) or starboard (right) side of the ship. We'll have a verandah, and we intend on being able to sit out on the verandah and look at the coastline as we travel past it (whenever close enough). Has anyone been on this cruise before that could fill me in on whether or not one side of the ship is facing the coastline more than the other side? Any input is appreciated. Thanks.....looking forward to the sailing......

 

[sinnika]

Strange question, but I'm pretty anal, so here goes anyway

Just firmed up time off for this sailing, so we're about to reserve a cabin. My (strange) question is, for this cruise, would it be better to have a cabin on the port (left) or starboard (right) side of the ship. We'll have a verandah, and we intend on being able to sit out on the verandah and look at the coastline as we travel past it (whenever close enough). Has anyone been on this cruise before that could fill me in on whether or not one side of the ship is facing the coastline more than the other side? Any input is appreciated. Thanks.....looking forward to the sailing......

We sailed in cabin 8094 on our 10 night Med in May 201 (I believe that's a port side). There was a little secret stairway right by our room that took you right into topsiders. You really won't be able to see coastline as you sail past it because you'll be too far from the coast, but we did face in towards the port when we were docked, so we could see the cities we had arrived to.
Your best views though are going up to Deck 10 when pulling into port and leaving. Just amazing, esp pulling into Malta. This time we are sailing in connecting 9's on Deck 1. Quick exit to shore and also is on the port side.
HTH!

 

[wakeboarder72]

sinnika, thank you very much for the info. yes, it does help. Didn't see anything left on Deck 8 (the only deck we've ever sailed on to date), but maybe I'll call DRC and see if a live person can help me w/ getting on that deck. thanks again......wake....

 

[jonida3]

I haven't posted in a couple months but - yikes! - less than 80 days to go so I need to start reading and posting and planning! Can't wait to catch up on all the activity over the next couple of days!

 

[Jendisney9]

I am checking back in again. Felt very left out yesterday when I caught up with this new part of the thread. Winter was spent wrestling. My senior made it to the state tournament, which is an awesome achievement in Ohio. Had 2 weeks to decide on excursions. Did spring break at Bay Lake Tower with friends. Came home, got sick and here we are planning for the trip and prepping for senior activities and graduation.

We decided to stay at the Renaissance Airport; I used my Marriott points and my sister-in-laws' Marriott rate, so we got 2 rooms for about $500. A little out of the way, but can't overlook the cost.

We were thinking of dropping our stuff at the boat and spending a couple of hours at the aquarium. Last year on the Baltic cruise, we checked in and went to a castle in Dover.

I will get paperwork out and see what excursions I got, I think I got the one at the farm everyone was talking about a few pages ago. I do want to try and do a few excursions without Disney. Does anyone still have room for 4 on any tours?

 

[kmc33]

... spring break at Bay Lake Tower with friends.

How did you like Bay Lake Tower? We are going for the first time over Easter. I have been spending so much time studying information about the Med cruise that I am realizing that we are leaving soon and I need to pack and lay out a touring plan for the parks because i think they are going to be packed! But I am looking forward to seeing Bay Lake Towers.

Welcome back!

 

[sinnika]

Sounds like there are a good number of teens in this disgroup! We have a 14 yr old DS and almost 16 yr old DD. Last year, we didn't have as many teens on our 10 nt Med - we missed the last 9 days of school since we went in May. That's probably why.
Is anyone still looking for airfare? It just keeps going up!!! We are considering flying to Finland after the cruise but I need to finalize a few things first. I'm half Finnish (my mom). I'm also trying to find last year's stuff from our Med trip. I know my DD kept all the Navigators, but I am looking for receipts and cabbie numbers. We had the best taxi drivers tour us in Barcelona and Naples, and we ate at some amazing places in Rome - pizza, a gelato place, and a coffee stop. Would love to do the same! Still haven't decided what to do in Palermo. The Segesta/Eurice sounds really good but we may just do our own walking tour in Palermo. Just a little worried about safety there. Oh, choices, choices.....

 

[Jendisney9]

Sinnika, loved Finland from what we saw on our excursion. Would love to go back for some real time there.

KMC--loved BLT. Our room was on the fifth floor. This is the same as the fourth floor for main building. We were in a two bedroom and first one off the elevator. We really thought this made the trip. Girlfriend and I could just run across for drink refills. On early nights we could go stand on the bridge/walkway and enjoy fireworks. We liked the BLT pool better. Seemed more cozy there than the main pool. It was our spring break and tons of others...we thought all transportation was slow, mostly because of the number of people.

I have 2 teens. Boys, 15 and 18. They choose DCL over all other vacations!

 

[DCLShel]

Finally got DH's passport so I could complete Online check-in this morning! Faxed in my order for stateroom decorations and Shutter's package. All excursions and private tours are booked. Am I forgetting anything?! If so, I'll deal with it next week (this is the last week of tax season!).

 

[keenercam]

Hi, everyone! Life has been insanely busy. I really, really want to have time to plan for this trip, but our schedule is out of control, especially with 2 high school seniors in the house. EEK! Andrew has decided on where he is going to college, so at least that uncertainty is resolved and we won't be spending Easter weekend in SC for him to tour the campus and audition for the drumline. Lots of dates got added to the calendar now that we know where he will be at school, but those dates don't conflict with almost anything, thank God.

Here is what we have going on between now and when we leave for Barcelona:
Honors dinner for Andrew
Sending Andrew off to his spring break band trip
Seeing J. (the student we are hosting from Haiti) off for his spring break visit to Haiti
4 performances of the spring musical
2 AP exams
Andrew's girlfriend's junior prom
Band awards banquet
Mother/Son communion breakfast
tickets to see Beauty & the Beast at the local "little Broadway"
Spring concert at Fine Arts Day
Prom for Andrew & J.
Jenn's college (department) graduation
Jenn's university graduation
Jenn's graduation brunch
Baccalaureate ceremony
Senior Family formal portraits
Andrew & J's graduation
Huge open house graduation party at our house
Special Olympics Summer Games (Howard and I are on the organizing committee)
Coordinating J's departure when his student visa is up
My BFF's fiance's bridal shower
Father's Day
Howard's birthday

(somewhere in there are work and some 5ks for Howard and me, various doctor/dentist appointments, etc.)

I think the next 10 1/2 weeks are going to fly for us!!

 

[kmc33]

I think the next 10 1/2 weeks are going to fly for us!!

Exactly what I was thinking as I was reading your list... our Med cruise is going to be here before you know it!

Sounds so exciting! I love seeing young people (don't I sound old??) moving on to the next chapter of their lives. It brings back good memories and it is exciting to here about their plans, hopes and dreams! They have there whole lives in front of them!

 

[wakeboarder72]

Silly question, but never having been to Barcelona before, if we fly into Barcelona and get there at 10:05 a.m., is that enough time to get from the airport, through any red tape and stuff, and arriving at the port/ship on time? I think I read somewhere that we can't board the ship until 4:00 p.m......is that correct also? Thanks....wake

 

[sinnika]

Silly question, but never having been to Barcelona before, if we fly into Barcelona and get there at 10:05 a.m., is that enough time to get from the airport, through any red tape and stuff, and arriving at the port/ship on time? I think I read somewhere that we can't board the ship until 4:00 p.m......is that correct also? Thanks....wake

Boarding time in Barcelona was 1pm last year (I think its the same again). The terminal opens at 10am (though there is not alot to do there). All aboard time is 4pm (the time they want everyone checked in), though the ship left port much later when we cruised (around 9pm). If you are booking your own flights, you may want to consider coming in a day early (in case there are delays). If DCL booked you, they will get you on the ship, even if it they have to fly you to the next port to meet the ship. Also, something to consider if you haven't already, is trip insurance. Last years May Med cruises had to deal with a volcano from Iceland, and a British Airways strike! Made for some tense weeks!

 

[gmugirl]

Hello all,
Since there have been some newcomers, I wanted to repost my request for some people to add on (we are 4 adults) to our RomeinLimo tours of Rome and La Spezia (Pisa & Florence), up to 16 people total (romeinlimo.com). Please PM me or email me if interested: erinfisher@verizon.net. Thanks!

from La Spezia, 9 hours (Pisa/Florence):

to 6 people: Euro: 650
up to 8 people: Euro: 700
up to 15 people: Euro: 1400

from Civitavecchia , 9 hours (Highlights of Rome)

up to 6 people: Euro: 550
up to 8 people: Euro: 600
up to 15 people: Euro: 1400

 

[Jendisney9]

Silly question, but never having been to Barcelona and arriving at the port/ship on time? I think I read somewhere that we can't board the ship until 4:00 p.m......is that correct also? Thanks....wake

People will start to board at 1. I would caution you to come the day before. One is jet lag. Get in and sleep next am and try to acclimate to new time. Two, I have seen people on the boat but no luggage til a day or two later. In this case, since we are at sea, if your luggage doesn't make ship, you wouldnt get it til first port.

Port isn't far from airport. Good luck.

 

[thinkoflaura]

Finally got DH's passport so I could complete Online check-in this morning! Faxed in my order for stateroom decorations and Shutter's package. All excursions and private tours are booked. Am I forgetting anything?! If so, I'll deal with it next week (this is the last week of tax season!).

hey there - so i can book excursions and check in on-line on 4/15... but I and my daughter don't have passports yet. will i still be able to do those things and fill in the passport info later?