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

[thinkoflaura]

One more thing! We have a nice laminated Rome map that I am willing to let someone borrow as we aren't going back this time. Let me know!

if no one else claimed it, i will happily and gratefully borrow that Rome map... i'll return it the next day!

thanks!!

 

[sinnika]

The ship docks in the Port of Civitavecchia at 7:45am, and you will be able to catch the shuttle bus to the end of the port (do not attempt to walk like we did - it is pretty long). Like Rebecca said, you can get your tickets when you get off the bus, or any tobacchi place along the way there. Its a 10 min walk to the station from where the bus lets you off. Follow the massive crowd! We bought our tickets in the train station at the tobacchi stand, not the VERY VERY long train ticket line inside the station. Buy a full day B.I.R.G.ticket for only 9 euro that covers the trains to and from Rome, along with any random buses or metros you may use for getting around. There are at least 3 convenient trains: 7:59-9:20 (#3253) or 8:41-9:50 (#2335), or 8:59-10:28 (#12233) going to the Roma Termini Station. If you are coming back from Roma St Pietro (the Vatican), your journey is shorter. Here are a few possible times from there: 17:29-18:15 (#3262), 17:35-18:32 (#12256), 17:59-19:06 (#12258). I got these from the trenitalia website for July 4, 2011 http://www.trenitalia.com/

We have already visited the Colloseum, Forum, and Pantheon last year, so we are going to hit some new sites this time in the morning. Believe it or not, I am still looking at hiring a private walking guide. It gives so much more meaning to what you are looking at. We have Vatican tickets for 2pm with the Vatican guide. Still so much to do, and so little time!

 

[sinnika]

Good Morning All!
One week until we sail! I am in full packing, buying and organizing mode! Finished up some more clothes purchases for DS yesterday so he's all set. Still trying to narrow down the shoes. Those seem to weigh the most! One thing I brought along last year, which I am bringing again is a hard poster tube filled with bubble wrap and scotch tape. We bought a few sketches and water colors that I had framed, and I used the bubble wrap to package up fragile items.
I am also unsubscribing to the tons of junk email I get, so my mailbox won't be inundated or I waste time weeding thru them while we are in port. There is free wi-fi at several places throughout the cruise. There's probably a thread on it too!

 

[DCLShel]

If anyone is a fan of the Podcast, check out the one about the team's recent Med cruise. They did the ABD add-on but its fun to listen~

Don't have time to listen before you leave? Download and listen to it on the plane~

 

[keenercam]

Hey, did you guys see that Brad Pitt is filming a movie in Valetta, Malta right now? Apparently, Angelina and their two eldest daughters visited him there yesterday.

 

[sinnika]

Hey, did you guys see that Brad Pitt is filming a movie in Valetta, Malta right now? Apparently, Angelina and their two eldest daughters visited him there yesterday.

Oh, I heard that! Maybe we'll have some star sighting if they are still there next week!
The people from Malta were some of the friendliest we encountered on our cruise! Make sure you are up on deck when we sail into this port. It is gorgeous!

 

[thinkoflaura]

The ship docks in the Port of Civitavecchia at 7:45am, and you will be able to catch the shuttle bus to the end of the port (do not attempt to walk like we did - it is pretty long). Like Rebecca said, you can get your tickets when you get off the bus, or any tobacchi place along the way there. Its a 10 min walk to the station from where the bus lets you off. Follow the massive crowd! We bought our tickets in the train station at the tobacchi stand, not the VERY VERY long train ticket line inside the station. Buy a full day B.I.R.G.ticket for only 9 euro that covers the trains to and from Rome, along with any random buses or metros you may use for getting around. There are at least 3 convenient trains: 7:59-9:20 (#3253) or 8:41-9:50 (#2335), or 8:59-10:28 (#12233) going to the Roma Termini Station. If you are coming back from Roma St Pietro (the Vatican), your journey is shorter. Here are a few possible times from there: 17:29-18:15 (#3262), 17:35-18:32 (#12256), 17:59-19:06 (#12258). I got these from the trenitalia website for July 4, 2011 http://www.trenitalia.com/

thanks for your insights!

I know the B.I.R.G. ticket is a great economical option, but considering the crowds of cruisers heading into Rome (not to mention other tourists), I was thinking of springing for the I.C. (express) train that leaves at 9:17 and gets in at 10:04. I like the idea of having confirmed seats, and with a "kids ride free" promotion they have going on, it's only 19 euro for the 3 of us... (I know, that's 19 euro we could spend on something fun, but it feels worth that extra money to start the journey stress free.) Does that seem crazy?!!!!

although that 8:41 train arrives at Roma Ostiense (our stop for the Colosseum) @ 9:37... and it's only 10 mins longer... but how insanely packed will that train be???

Our plan is to get out at Roma Ostiense... take the metro 2 stops to the Colosseum... walk to the Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps, then metro from Spagna to Roma Termini to head back to Civitavecchia...

I don't know why I'm stressing about this particular port... we're going with the flow for all the other ones.

 

[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!

After reading posts from recent Med cruisers, here's what we're thinking for a plan to do Cinque Terre... if the weather holds up, we'll take the ferry all the way to Monterosso, just enjoy the scenic ride there... then we'll explore that village, have lunch, maybe play on the beach, then take the train to one other village and then back to La Spezia...

From your experience, does that seem like a decent plan?

And if you were to stop in one other village on the way back to La Spezia, which would you recommend?

 

[sinnika]

After reading posts from recent Med cruisers, here's what we're thinking for a plan to do Cinque Terre... if the weather holds up, we'll take the ferry all the way to Monterosso, just enjoy the scenic ride there... then we'll explore that village, have lunch, maybe play on the beach, then take the train to one other village and then back to La Spezia...

From your experience, does that seem like a decent plan?

And if you were to stop in one other village on the way back to La Spezia, which would you recommend?

Its so funny that you say that. I was thinking about the ferry as well! First, I was thinking of doing it in the reverse - going train, then coming back the ferry - a good option, or doing the ferry first. The 9:15 am ferry gets to Monterosso at 11:10am. As soon as you get to Monterosso, find out what time the trains leave to the next town you want to visit (not all trains stop in every town) so you can plan your schedule. The town next to it is Vernazza, considered the "Jewel". We got to Vernazza late afternoon so the crowds weren't too bad. Someone mentioned wall to wall people in Vernazza in another post, maybe because its described as the "jewel" and everyone wants to go there! Last year, we spent most of our time exploring Riomaggiore and Manarola (our personal favorite so far!) following Rick Steve's guide.
So here is my new plan: If the weather is good (calm seas - I have 2 family members prone to sea sickness - we'll be taking Bonine as a precaution anyway). We plan to take the 9:15am ferry to Portovenere. From there, we will take a later ferry on to Monterosso, then take the train back.
In order to make the 9:15am ferry, I recommend that you go to the Buena Vista theatre by 8:15am so you can get a tender before open tendering starts. Your whole party will need to be together, and they form a que system there, but that should get you off in time. I think I'll post a question on the main boards about where the ticket office for the ferry is located, and where exactly the boat leaves from. HTH!

 

[macassi]

Just noticed that Cars 2 gets released in the US this week. Will it be on the ship as well?

 

[thinkoflaura]

HELP - I am finally getting around to ordering my Colloseum tix online, and I can't figure out how to buy the kid ticket (1,5 euro?). The only thing coming up in the drop down menu is the adult ticket (13,5 euro). It'll be worth 12 euro to avoid the headache of the lines, but if it's just a matter of me pressing the right buttons, i'd rather get her the cheap ticket.

Can anyone help me?

I'm on this site...

http://www.ticketclic.it/Gb/HTML/musei/colosseo.cfm

EDITED TO SAY: Wait! ...and heads up to anyone else getting the 1,5 tickets for their kids - i think some of you mentioned this.... on the website, it says the discount is for seniors and kids from EU... the way it's phrased on the main page made it sound like ALL kids...

Free entrance State Museums

Admission is free of charge to all visitors during the Culture Week and on European Heritage Days. Other conditions for free admission are:

* citizens under 18 and over 65 years old of the European Union and of countries subject to conditions of reciprocity (Austria, Belgio, Bulgaria, Cipro, Danimarca, Estonia, Finlandia, Francia, Germania, Grecia, Irlanda, Islanda, Italia, Lettonia, Liechtenstein, Lituania, Lussemburgo, Malta, Norvegia, Olanda, Polonia, Portogallo, Regno Unito, Repubblica Ceca, Romania, Slovacchia, Slovenia, Spagna, Svezia, Svizzera, Ungheria);

 

[DCLShel]

Just noticed that Cars 2 gets released in the US this week. Will it be on the ship as well?

I'd say there's a good chance it will. POTC premiered on the ships when it opened at theaters.

 

[MissReeRee]

Just noticed that Cars 2 gets released in the US this week. Will it be on the ship as well?

It better be!! We also haven't seen Pirates 4 yet because I wanted to wait and see in on the ship!

 

[sinnika]

It better be!! We also haven't seen Pirates 4 yet because I wanted to wait and see in on the ship!

Pirates 4 will be showing, and Cars 2 will be PremEARing (showing in the Walt Theatre one night) for our cruise. Monte Carlo with Selena Gomez comes out July 1st but its a Fox movie (I thought it was Disney as that would be very cute to PremEAR right before that port!)
My boys (DS and DH) are going to the midnight showing of Cars 2 tonight! I can't stay up that late!

 

[wakeboarder72]

Ok, ok, I know it's WAAAAYYYYY late for planning, but I had to get the airfare taken care of first, and I just did that about two hours ago....whew!!!

Sooooo, rather than read through all the pages of messages here (sorry, i know i should.....sorry!), can anyone recommend any "must-do" excursions, either through Disney or other private excursions? There's so many to go through that are offered through the Disney cruise plans site. I thought that most of them would not be available this late into the game, but seems like most of them are in fact still available.

Or, if anyone needs two more for their party on any excursions, please advise. In the meantime, guess I'll start sorting through what Disney has to offer.

Thanks, Bill

PS-It's the wife and I going....no kids on this one (but we wouldn't be opposed to going on some excursions w/ others that have kids....just fyi)

Edit: Ok, I'm really considering that Pompeii/Amalfi Coast/Capri excursion, but it's $425/person....a lot of money! Worth it, vs. trying to get that Salvatore guy I've been reading posts about that people recommend hiring for a driver/guide to Amalfi and Pompeii? Ayyy....choices!!

 

[sinnika]

Ok, ok, I know it's WAAAAYYYYY late for planning, but I had to get the airfare taken care of first, and I just did that about two hours ago....whew!!!

Sooooo, rather than read through all the pages of messages here (sorry, i know i should.....sorry!), can anyone recommend any "must-do" excursions, either through Disney or other private excursions? There's so many to go through that are offered through the Disney cruise plans site. I thought that most of them would not be available this late into the game, but seems like most of them are in fact still available.

Or, if anyone needs two more for their party on any excursions, please advise. In the meantime, guess I'll start sorting through what Disney has to offer.

Thanks, Bill

PS-It's the wife and I going....no kids on this one (but we wouldn't be opposed to going on some excursions w/ others that have kids....just fyi)

Edit: Ok, I'm really considering that Pompeii/Amalfi Coast/Capri excursion, but it's $425/person....a lot of money! Worth it, vs. trying to get that Salvatore guy I've been reading posts about that people recommend hiring for a driver/guide to Amalfi and Pompeii? Ayyy....choices!!

Bill, at this late in the game, I would do one of two things - either wait to get on the ship and talk to the port adventures desk to book some excursions (you will get more details of them there, plus maybe you will have a chance to talk to other Dis'ers at our Dismeet at 3pm (Promenade deck 3 at 3pm) for some input, or once you arrive at each port, arrange taxis to go to various places. At all of the ports, there were taxis arranging tours - they do it every day for all those cruisers. Many have menus where you pick certain places for a certain price. It helps if you speak some of the language but not essential. For instance, on last year's Med cruise, we got a taxi for the 4 of us in Naples (they will even arrange you to go with others to save money if you are doing the main highlights, but we had an itinerary set in our minds. We went to Pompeii (spent about 2 hours there), then drove to Amalfi for a quick photo, then went shopping at an inlaid wood factory in Sorrento, followed by a wonderful lunch on the water in Sorrento. We asked the driver to drop us off in Naples at the Archeological museum after the tour. We paid 260 euros (plus a tip) for 8 hours.
For Malta, I would definitely recommend getting a taxi to the Blue Grotto first thing before the crowds, then maybe a quick visit to Mdina, or the little fishing village, then have them drop you in Valleta. With your map you get from the ship, Valleta is very easy to tour on your own. Make sure to visit St John's Co-Cathedral.
For Rome, its easy to get there on your own. It just depends on what you want to do and see. Many sights are close together, and you can hire a guide to take you around once you get there (though you should pre-arrange this if possible). If you want to visit either the Vatican museums (which includes the Sistine Chapel) or the inside of the Colloseum, book your tickets in advance. I personally would recommend booking one or the other. You can still get Vatican tickets for the afternoon.
http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do?action=booking
There are no more openings for the official Vatican guided tour though you can still get admission tickets, but you may be able to find someone when you get there (ask to see their official license - all genuine guides need to carry one). I just booked a private walking tour with Rome Walks http://www.romewalks.com/ At this late, maybe call them to see what they have available. We are going to visit other less known sites since we saw the highlights last year.
Hope this helps. Many of us are leaving this weekend and are probably in the throws of packing and doing all those last minute things so you may not get too much feedback. Maybe post your question on the general DCL boards too for more info! See ya real soon!

 

[wakeboarder72]

sinnika,

Thanks for the info. I've appreciated your insight (in your response to me, as well as previous posts you've made within this thread). I know I got into the planning of excursions awfully late.....things just kept coming up, ya know??
Anyway, I did sign up for two things so far....the Vatican museums/Sistine Chapel (38 euro for the two of us) via the Vatican's website (that you had linked to also) and the Wine/Cheese excursion in Nice/Eze. Signed up for that one after reading a post by someone in this thread that highly recommended it. Sure would like to jump in w/ a group that is doing Salvatore's Amalfi/Pompeii tour. For the 7-8 passenger rate, it's soooo much cheaper per person than the 1-3 passenger rate! Anyone? Anyone???

Also picked up the Rick Steves Italy 2010 book from the library today and will take that w/ us for some of the "on our own" tours that we'll do. Got all his podcasts too...hopefully it'll work out ok.....

Any other last minute (yeah, really, definitely LAST MINUTE HERE!!!) must-sees or must-dos over there tips from anyone is appreciated. Otherwise, thanks again for the helpful thread.....Bill

 

[thinkoflaura]

My BFF who is an executive at ABC called DCL on my behalf to see if there were any room upgrades for friends and family (why not ask, right?)... they said the SHIP IS FULLY BOOKED!!!

For you frequent cruisers, does that impact the comfort level on the ship? Any tips???

 

[sinnika]

My BFF who is an executive at ABC called DCL on my behalf to see if there were any room upgrades for friends and family (why not ask, right?)... they said the SHIP IS FULLY BOOKED!!!

For you frequent cruisers, does that impact the comfort level on the ship? Any tips???

Our last Med cruise, we sailed full. I don't feel like it impacted comfort level. There were 1200 kids on our last cruise. Be interesting to know how many kids this time. We have alot of teens on our current meet - thinking there are more older kids than when we sailed in the end of May last year. The cruise that we added on (the June 5th Barcelona to Dover repo) was noticably lighter (we heard 1500 passengers, another officer said 1800). Never had a problem getting seats in the Walt Theatre - there were lots of empties. With a full cruise, this may or may not be the case. The full number can vary, goes my cabins booked, so if all cabins had 2 adults each and no kids, numbers could be quite smaller than all cabins filled with families.

 

[DCLShel]

I checked in online this morning for our flight from St. Louis to New York (JFK) onto Barcelona. I was a little surprised to see our depature time had been moved to an hour later. Cool~ As I was supplying some last minute info to the airlines, I decided to sign up for a text message to give me the flight status a few hours before departure.

Imagine my surprise when I got a text at 9:00pm tonight indicating that our flight from St. Louis to JFK had been cancelled! I immediately called the airlines and was told several flights coming/going to New York had been cancelled. The agent was very nice and worked to get us on an 8:00am flight into Laguardia. We'll have to leave ALOT earlier and we have a 6 hour layover but it beats the alternative - no flight!

Guess I better get a couple hours sleep. I'll be up at 3:00am to get the airport on time!!