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

[MissReeRee]

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!!!

I just wanted to reassure you that it is a VERY easy walk to the train station! La Spezia was wonderful with tour guides handing out maps at the port along with a kids guide for the kids. The walk to the train station goes through a pretty park, along a great walking district with shops and restaurants and is a very straight shot to the station. It is clean and a BIG change from Naples (the stop before!)

 

[sinnika]

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!!!

I just wanted to reassure you that it is a VERY easy walk to the train station! La Spezia was wonderful with tour guides handing out maps at the port along with a kids guide for the kids. The walk to the train station goes through a pretty park, along a great walking district with shops and restaurants and is a very straight shot to the station. It is clean and a BIG change from Naples (the stop before!)

The walk is very easy! If anyone wants, we can meet at the pier and walk over as a group (like a little Dis meet!). That's what we did last year. There were about a dozen of us! I would suggest being at the pier side by 9am so take into account time to tender over. If that's something anyone wants to do, let me know!

 

[DCLShel]

DH is nervous about doing these on our own, especially with the day shortened in Rome.

I think the only port that has changed is Naples. Departure time was moved up to 7:00pm. When I checked yesterday, DCL is still showing 9:00pm as the departure time for Rome.

 

[DCLShel]

The walk is very easy! If anyone wants, we can meet at the pier and walk over as a group (like a little Dis meet!). That's what we did last year. There were about a dozen of us! I would suggest being at the pier side by 9am so take into account time to tender over. If that's something anyone wants to do, let me know!

Would this be the same train station we would take to Pisa? If so, count us in!

 

[sinnika]

Would this be the same train station we would take to Pisa? If so, count us in!

Yes, its the same train station. I just went to the train italia site www.trenitalia.com and pulled up times for Pisa. There are earlier trains to Pisa so I guess it depends on when you want to leave. Looks like there is a 10am train to Pisa as well, so would work well with meeting up at 9am.

 

[DCLShel]

Yes, its the same train station. I just went to the train italia site www.trenitalia.com and pulled up times for Pisa. There are earlier trains to Pisa so I guess it depends on when you want to leave. Looks like there is a 10am train to Pisa as well, so would work well with meeting up at 9am.

THANK YOU! We're going to take it easy that day so we won't be in a big hurry. I'm sure the 10am train will be fine. We're going to go to the Tower, walk around a little then take the train back.

 

[MissReeRee]

So excited! Just booked the cruise and airfare! We had gotten a GREAT military deal last year and were looking for the same thing this year... well prices had been over a thousand more for the same time of year even with the military discount... Well of course I have been watching and checking just in case and this fare dropped, yay!!! We are SO excited to do this cruise again!!

I would love to start a second FE group for anyone else interested!!
Please PM me with your information, planning on keeping this small, 10 cabins to make it easy on everyone last minute!!

 

[sinnika]

So excited! Just booked the cruise and airfare! We had gotten a GREAT military deal last year and were looking for the same thing this year... well prices had been over a thousand more for the same time of year even with the military discount... Well of course I have been watching and checking just in case and this fare dropped, yay!!! We are SO excited to do this cruise again!!

That's great! We are still looking for airfare deals (so expensive flying over the pond!). What kind of deal did you get? We booked connecting cat 9D's a month ago and those rates are still showing the same (well $24 less), but I have a $24.08 credit on my AmEx from DCL for each of our cabins. We sailed in a cat 4 last year - the military rate was definitely less than even one cat 9 this time. We figured for an extra $600 we would splurge for a second connecting cat 9! Two bathrooms and 2 tv's! Yea!!!

 

[MissReeRee]

Well we have a much easier time catching a flight as we live in southern Spain! I can't imagine having to book international airfare on top of the cruise!! And I don't know why the cruise is so much more expensive this year over last when it supposedly isn't selling as well! I hope you are able to book some cheap flights!

 

[keenercam]

So excited! Just booked the cruise and airfare! We had gotten a GREAT military deal last year and were looking for the same thing this year... well prices had been over a thousand more for the same time of year even with the military discount... Well of course I have been watching and checking just in case and this fare dropped, yay!!! We are SO excited to do this cruise again!!

Is there anyway we can change the FE CLOSED on this thread? I would love to start a second FE group for anyone else interested!!

Thanks!!!!

Welcome aboard, MissReeRee!

I'll change the title on the thread to indicate "2nd FE forming -page 21 post 307".

You may want to edit your post to indicate that people should PM you if they are interested.

If you send me all the information for your travel party, I'll add you to the chart and send it to you.

 

[grizbuzz]

I just wanted to reassure you that it is a VERY easy walk to the train station! La Spezia was wonderful with tour guides handing out maps at the port along with a kids guide for the kids. The walk to the train station goes through a pretty park, along a great walking district with shops and restaurants and is a very straight shot to the station. It is clean and a BIG change from Naples (the stop before!)

How long was the walk to the train station. On our 2007 DCL cruise we took a cab from the port to the train station and the distance seemed quite long (do you think the cab took us for a little ride perhaps?) I'm planning on doing Cinque Terre again as it was so beautiful. The kids are a little older now, so I'm thinking walking might be doable. How long did it take to get to the train station by foot? Also, how did you get the train tickets. I remember we tinkered around with the automatic machine and got something and in the end I don't know if we did it right or not. Don't think anyone ever checked out tickets. Interested how others did it.

Oh, and does anyone know where do you get the passes to do the walk between cities? Is it too steep/potentially dangerous for energetic 6 and 8 year old boys?

Thanks

 

[TPBChick]

Hey Everyone with a GTY room. Check your reservation. I looked today and had a room number. We were given an 11A on deck 7. I am happy with this room. Anyone know if a GTY room ever changes once it has been assigned?

 

[MissReeRee]

Hey Everyone with a GTY room. Check your reservation. I looked today and had a room number. We were given an 11A on deck 7. I am happy with this room. Anyone know if a GTY room ever changes once it has been assigned?

We are a 10C on deck 2... I was REALLY hoping for an upgrade since we got upgraded from an 11 to a large porthole room last cruise. Oh well, we aren't in our room at all anyways, I'm okay with no window!

 

[DCLShel]

Hey Everyone with a GTY room. Check your reservation. I looked today and had a room number. We were given an 11A on deck 7. I am happy with this room. Anyone know if a GTY room ever changes once it has been assigned?

Just checked - we're still GTY. Thanks for the heads-up, though. Hoping for some pixie dust and an upgrade~

Not sure about GTY room assignments changing once they've been set. Before this cruise, we've always booked the exact room we wanted.

Shelly

 

[grizbuzz]

Still guarantee here, as well.

 

[keenercam]

Hey, everyone - When you get cabin assignments, please be sure to email me to add it to your information on the cruisers chart, if you have indicated a willingness to have your information there.

Also, was anyone trying to get a couples spa villa appointment the first sea day but unable to get it? If so, please PM me.

 

[sinnika]

How long was the walk to the train station. On our 2007 DCL cruise we took a cab from the port to the train station and the distance seemed quite long (do you think the cab took us for a little ride perhaps?) I'm planning on doing Cinque Terre again as it was so beautiful. The kids are a little older now, so I'm thinking walking might be doable. How long did it take to get to the train station by foot? Also, how did you get the train tickets. I remember we tinkered around with the automatic machine and got something and in the end I don't know if we did it right or not. Don't think anyone ever checked out tickets. Interested how others did it.

Oh, and does anyone know where do you get the passes to do the walk between cities? Is it too steep/potentially dangerous for energetic 6 and 8 year old boys?

Thanks

Here's a thread that should answer lots of your Cinque Terre questions. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2715893
Its about a 20 min walk and train tickets are available at the train station. There is also an office at the train station that sells the different Cinque Terre tickets which include the walk between towns. Make sure to get your tickets validated (you get them stamped in these yellow boxes at the train station). We've seldom run into anyone that checked our tickets, but if they do come around and check them and you don't have them or you did not validate them, there is a fine. The trail between Riomaggiore and Manarola is the easiest one (Via Del Amore) and is mostly flat ground and takes about 20 min. Will be perfect for your 6 to 8 year old boys.

 

[SinghIsKing]

6/29 Disney Magic Mediterranean - Any one interested in shared excursions?
Just joined this discussion group, so I have not yet looked at all the valuable inputs in these threads;

We (40&40) traveling with our boys (6 and 11) are thinking for taking private tours romeinlimo.com from the following ports:
Naples, Italy
Civitavecchia, Italy
La Spezia, Italy

Anyone interested in sharing the van with us? Did some research and looks like price for 1-4 is 450-500 Euro and for group of 8 is approx 600 Euro. This is our first cruise vacation..

Thx.

 

[gmugirl]

6/29 Disney Magic Mediterranean - Any one interested in shared excursions?
Just joined this discussion group, so I have not yet looked at all the valuable inputs in these threads;

We (40&40) traveling with our boys (6 and 11) are thinking for taking private tours romeinlimo.com from the following ports:
Naples, Italy
Civitavecchia, Italy
La Spezia, Italy

Anyone interested in sharing the van with us? Did some research and looks like price for 1-4 is 450-500 Euro and for group of 8 is approx 600 Euro. This is our first cruise vacation..

Thx.

Hello...
I doubt you will have much luck with romeinlimo. We tried to book La Spezia a month back and they were booked. (I 'm not sure about Rome). We would be willing to do Naples though if they are availalbe. Email me at :erinfisher@verizon.net and we can discuss details. We are four adults (31, 40, 60, 62). Welcome to the boards!

 

[keenercam]

Just a reminder - If you are interested in purchasing Euros, keep an eye on the exchange rates. I think it's down by about 5 cents from where it was recently. That could mean a significant savings.