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

[TPBChick]

We are doing the Nice and Eze with Wine and Cheese too. .

Did you pick the morning or afternoon excursion? We picked the afternoon. We are planning on exploring Villefranche in the morning.

 

[kmc33]

Did you pick the morning or afternoon excursion? We picked the afternoon. We are planning on exploring Villefranche in the morning.

We picked afternoon too. I thought I would enjoy the wine and cheese more then (rather than in the morning).

 

[3 girls mom]

Hi everyone! DH is wondering if the other men in our group will be bringing a suit for formal night, or renting a tux?

 

[sinnika]

Hi everyone! DH is wondering if the other men in our group will be bringing a suit for formal night, or renting a tux?

We are still up in the air. Last year, I brought along a gown, and DH rented a tux. This year, he is considering bringing his mess dress uniform. I will tell you that tuxes were the exception on our Med cruise last year on formal night and more men wore either a suit or just a dress shirt and tie. Men don't even need a jacket any more in Palo's for dinner either.

 

[MissReeRee]

It was Marinella beach, about a 20 min bus ride away. It was very nice sandy beach, not crowded and you could rent umbrellas and chairs. There were also restrooms (pretty primitive one) and a restaurant was there as well (we brought snacks with us so I can't rate the food). We met up with our tablemates, and there were also other dis'ers that we saw there.
A taxi was 15 euro to get there - we opted for the bus for 1 euro pp (I think it was bus 51). The water was beautiful but COLD!!! I have pics on FB looking out into the water and DS being buried in the sand and a group photo of my DS and DD and our tablemates 3 girls. Just friend me if you want to see them (Taina Po). Or can someone tell me how to post photos here on this site? Could you rent chairs and umbrellas at the beach you went to? DH is very fair and needs shade! Oh, and just FYI to everyone, there were a few topless sunbathers. Its normal for Europe.

I am hoping that by cruising a month later the water will be warmer! We did the beach in a few ports and I had to force myself to get in and swim!
The beach in Corsica didn't have any umbrellas or beach chairs, I believe I saw a small cafe on the beach but we had some snacks and ate on the way back to the boat at another cafe. We'll have to think about hopping the bus to the other beach!

 

[DCLShel]

First and foremost, thank you to everyone for your encouraging words! We've got a great group here!

I guess when I think about the details - everything's taken care of (hotel, flights, transfers, shore excursions). I just have to realize that I can't plan every little detail.

I'm going to try to talk DH into renting a tux. We haven't done this in the past (opting for jacket & tie); however, formal night is DD's (Kiley) 12th birthday and I want to make it as special as possible. Plus - its one less thing to pack

We are doing three shore excursions through Disney - the Turkish Schooner in Malta, the Day on the Farm in Palermo (which cracks me up cuz we're from the Midwest and my older DD & SIL are farmers!) and the Perfumer's Apprentice in Eze.

I've booked a private tour in Rome with Rome in Limo. And a private tour in Naples with AP Tours. La Spezia & Corsica we're going to try on our own.

We purchased some Euro this week! We had a little snafu but we finally got it. Fingers crossed that the price keeps dropping so we can buy the rest that we need. I'm hoping to avoid using my credit or debit card except on the ship.

Ok - I think my anxiety is turning into excitement - thanks to the help of my DisFriends!!

 

[sinnika]

First and foremost, thank you to everyone for your encouraging words! We've got a great group here!

I guess when I think about the details - everything's taken care of (hotel, flights, transfers, shore excursions). I just have to realize that I can't plan every little detail.

I'm going to try to talk DH into renting a tux. We haven't done this in the past (opting for jacket & tie); however, formal night is DD's (Kiley) 12th birthday and I want to make it as special as possible. Plus - its one less thing to pack

We are doing three shore excursions through Disney - the Turkish Schooner in Malta, the Day on the Farm in Palermo (which cracks me up cuz we're from the Midwest and my older DD & SIL are farmers!) and the Perfumer's Apprentice in Eze.

I've booked a private tour in Rome with Rome in Limo. And a private tour in Naples with AP Tours. La Spezia & Corsica we're going to try on our own.

We purchased some Euro this week! We had a little snafu but we finally got it. Fingers crossed that the price keeps dropping so we can buy the rest that we need. I'm hoping to avoid using my credit or debit card except on the ship.

Ok - I think my anxiety is turning into excitement - thanks to the help of my DisFriends!!

Your plans sound great! All 3 of your DCL excursions were on my list of possibilities. The schooner tour got good reviews from other dis'ers that did it last year. We toured the perfume factory on our own last year, but the only way to make your own perfume is thru the excursion so we are tempted to do it for that reason! La Spezia is really easy to do on your own, and so is Corsica.
My biggest dilemma right now is Rome and whether or not to hire a guide when we get there for a walking tour, or just get a guide for the Vatican. I wouldn't mind sharing a guide with another family but we have already seen alot of the sites and would like to view some new things. Anyone been to Rome before and looking to tour some of the other things like
the Baths of Diocletian, Baths of Caracalla, Basilica di San Clemente?
I looked at the tapas website in Barcelona (www.tallerdetapas.com) and would love to meet up with the group! I just booked our pre-cruise hotel and we are staying right in that area at the Hotel Continental Palacete! Its on the Ramblas but its north of the big Plaza de Cataluna so its in the less touristy and I personally think nicer part of the Ramblas. Is anyone keeping track of how many want to go there for tapas? We are a party of 4. I looked at their virtual tour and the biggest table looks like it will hold 8 maybe. There is a group reservation contact person on their website and a semi-private dining area. May be worth looking into if enough people definitely want to go.
Speaking of food, we are first dining on the cruise. We are on the waiting list for late but I think I am going to keep the early and just eat up at topsiders the days we get back too late. We did late dining last time, and our kids wanted to get to their clubs. I figure eating early, they can still hang out with their friends and still make it to bed at a reasonable time for all those early ports of call!

 

[kmc33]

My biggest dilemma right now is Rome and whether or not to hire a guide when we get there for a walking tour, or just get a guide for the Vatican. I wouldn't mind sharing a guide with another family but we have already seen alot of the sites and would like to view some new things. Anyone been to Rome before and looking to tour some of the other things like
the Baths of Diocletian, Baths of Caracalla, Basilica di San Clemente?

We were thinking about exploring some off-beat things in Rome too. Some of the ideas I was considering are Via Appia Antica and one of the catacombs along there, and Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The Baths and Basilica di San Clemente look interesting too.

I hadn't really thought about a guide since most of the tours I saw covered the main tourist sites and we were looking to do something different. We are planning to take the train from the port into Rome. I would be interested in learning more about sharing a guide.

 

[grizbuzz]

I totally understand what you mean! This trip is a huge undertaking and there are SO many options for each port. As far as the researching goes I had to pick some ports where I really had a plan and then figured everything out to the tiniest detail, and then other ports like Corsica we just hit up the beach, wandered around the market, and ate plenty of gelato. It was perfect.


Hey Grizbuzz, where are you from in the SF bay area? I am from Walnut Creek!

Born and raised in El Cerrito, lived with my husband and kids in Castro Valley before moving to Switzerland and will be moving into a house in Orinda when we return. So basically, in your neck of the woods.

 

[DCLShel]

Question for those who have been on the Med cruise before - should we bring bug repellent for mosquitos? I haven't seen anyone address this issue on other boards. DD & I swell up when we're bitten. Just want to be prepared~ Thanks!

 

[sinnika]

Question for those who have been on the Med cruise before - should we bring bug repellent for mosquitos? I haven't seen anyone address this issue on other boards. DD & I swell up when we're bitten. Just want to be prepared~ Thanks!

That's a good question! I don't remember having a problem with mosquitos when we went last year. We were there May 26-June 5th. Now if we were on the Alaska cruise, I would highly recommend it! Their mosquitos are huge!
They say they're the state bird!

 

[DCLShel]

That's a good question! I don't remember having a problem with mosquitos when we went last year. We were there May 26-June 5th. Now if we were on the Alaska cruise, I would highly recommend it! Their mosquitos are huge!
They say they're the state bird!

Haha! Good to know! I'll pass that on to my brother and his family. They leave on their DCL Alaskan cruise on June 7th.

 

[thinkoflaura]

We are planning to take the train from the port into Rome. I would be interested in learning more about sharing a guide.

We are also doing Rome on our own and taking the train in... not planning on going to the Vatican though and will probably just follow "Ron in Rome"'s advice about getting to the Colloseum, Trevi Fountain, etc... we'll be staying ON the beaten path! hahaha

http://www.roninrome.com/transportation/cruising-come-to-rome-for-the-day-2
and
http://www.roninrome.com/ sites-and-attractions/discount-passes-cards-tickets-in-rome

We like the idea of taking the express train - and since we're planning on spending just about 5 hours tooling around Rome, I think we will be able to time it right to be back on the ship around 4pm. I know - that seems like an insane rush, but we'll have DD6 in tow and this is her first big trip -- we're just hoping to get a taste of the city and leave her wanting more!

We are doing three shore excursions through Disney - the Turkish Schooner in Malta, the Day on the Farm in Palermo (which cracks me up cuz we're from the Midwest and my older DD & SIL are farmers!) and the Perfumer's Apprentice in Eze.

We're also doing the Day on the Farm in Palermo -- maybe Kiley and Isabella will pal around (if Kiley doesn't mind a girl half her age!)

 

[kmc33]

We are also doing Rome on our own and taking the train in... not planning on going to the Vatican though and will probably just follow "Ron in Rome"'s advice about getting to the Colloseum, Trevi Fountain, etc... we'll be staying ON the beaten path! hahaha

http://www.roninrome.com/transportation/cruising-come-to-rome-for-the-day-2
and
http://www.roninrome.com/ sites-and-attractions/discount-passes-cards-tickets-in-rome

Thanks for the links! They look really helpful.

 

[keenercam]

Hey, everyone! If you are interested in meeting in Tuesday, June 28 for dinner, please PM me or email me as soon as possible. I want to contact the restaurant this weekend but need to have an idea of how many people they would have to accommodate.

 

[sinnika]

6 WEEKS UNTIL OUR CRUISE!!!!!

 

[DCLShel]

We're also doing the Day on the Farm in Palermo -- maybe Kiley and Isabella will pal around (if Kiley doesn't mind a girl half her age!)

Kiley has a 3yr old and 1yr old nephews so she used to being around little kids~

 

[keenercam]

Woohoo! Our tapas dinner on Tuesday night is now at 22 people!!!!

Who else is joining us????

 

[MissReeRee]

Just reserved the Boat Ride to Zingaro Park for Palermo... I want to wait and see some reviews first though! We've never done an excursion before but I really like the sound of this one and I don't know that I could pull it all together myself!

 

[DorothyDamato]

Paul HATES HATES HATES dressing up. Shirt and tie is about all I will get out of him.

We did the Alasakan cruise - heck, even in August - we were wearing our WINTER COATS - so the mosquitos cant even get through those suckers!!!

Miss ReeRee - Zingaro Park sounds interesting....Is that on the Disney cruise excursion or something you found on your own? There were a couple of options and I just -ugh. Don't even feel like spending the time to look. The farm sounded fun, but my daughter is a Vet major and we are seeing/experiencing so many farms - I am still kind of wishy washy about that one. Thought about doing the morbid Cappucini Catacombs on my own - because its just bizarre hanging dead people on the walls.