**LIVE** From the May 26, 2007 FIRST DCL Cruise in the MED! (5/26/07)

[winotracy]

Can anyone tell me if you are tipping the tour guides on these excursions?

I know that someone mentioned that tipping is not customary but what about on the tours? Since I have been cruising - I've always tipped but then AGAIN - the excursions were never this expensive.

Any ideas from you out there?

We have been tipping and many others have. Personally, I think the guides have been great! The excursion we did yesterday was not but the guide invited us all to come visit her. We had bad weather and a couple other glitches, but it is to be expected.

Today was phenomenal!!! Chateauneuf du Pape and Avignon!!! I highly recommend this excursion!

 

[NejTheLion]

SCAVENGER HUNT UPDATE

For anyone onboard, I was asked if more time could be given for the scavenger hunt since excursions have been so time consuming in the ports. So, I'm going to give everyone until Tuesday, June 5 (the last sea day) at 4:00 pm. It may take me some time to look over the entries, but I want to make sure everyone has time to hunt around the ship.

Remember there's a $25 Disney gift certificate up for grabs!

Final Deadline: TUESDAY JUNE 5 at 4:00 PM to room 8028!!!!


Jen

 

[momma4v3]

Can anyone tell me if you are tipping the tour guides on these excursions?

I know that someone mentioned that tipping is not customary but what about on the tours? Since I have been cruising - I've always tipped but then AGAIN - the excursions were never this expensive.

Any ideas from you out there?

When we were in Europe last year, our Globus guide informed us it is customary to tip the local guides.
We have always tipped the Caribbean guides and will just budget the tips into what cash is needed in Europe, too.

Linda

 

[mostyn17]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if anyone has stayed at the Grand Marina Hotel in Barcelona before the cruise.

We want to stay there before our cruise.

Thanks,
Travis

 

[kugalbelle]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if anyone has stayed at the Grand Marina Hotel in Barcelona before the cruise.

We want to stay there before our cruise.

Thanks,
Travis

Hi,
We will be staying at the Grand Marina Hotel with DCL and were wondering what the situation is regarding luggage and Disney transportation.
How are bags handled on DCL transportation from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the ship?
Are bags placed outside in the hotel passage?
How early or late do you leave the hotel for the ship?
Is the hotel located as close to the ship as showen on maps?
Thank you
Charmaine

 

[kugalbelle]

Hi,
We are wondering if two of the very best servers we've had are still on the Magic.
Their full names from our gratuity stubs are:
Ritesh Biraswardas Mehra
and
Thiomir Vorgic
Thank you
Charmaine

 

[tupperny]

I would like add that we are looking for Jesse as a server.

Is he still there?

Thanks

Bill

 

[seaulater]

I would like add that we are looking for Jesse as a server.

Is he still there?

Thanks

Bill

There are so many changes happening with CM getting on and off the ship, my recommendation would be that if you are looking for a specific server or want to have that server that the easiest way to find out is to wait until you are on board. Go directly to Rockin Bar D and go to the dining room table (not the Palo's line) and ask. If you want that server and they are on the ship the dining room manager will change your rotation for you and get them for you if that is possible.

That is the easiest way to do that.

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Today was phenomenal!!! Chateauneuf du Pape and Avignon!!! I highly recommend this excursion!

Cool! I'm booked on this one. You did DCL right? Was clothing also strict here? I was going to take capris but am wondering if skirts and long cotten dresses would be best. Lots of walking? Should I bring hiking/walking boots or are tennis shoes/sandals work?

On that note - listened to Celeste's Podcasts and took her advice about FLorence and Pisa - I am in the processing of booking the company she used to get to the Leaning Tower there.
If you can get a message or answer this - GREAT!

How did you talk the driver or the guide to get the tickets ahead of time? Did you need to ask? Or was it done upon request?

DH is extremely heat conscious so I think I need to go this route - especially in August! Or he and DD and BFF and DH would do this:

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Hey guys - someone asked this on another thread - can you guys provide any info on this:

Thanks!

Can you wear open toed shoes in the cathedrals? How strict are the rules about shoulders and knees being covered? I assume this is strongly enforced at the Vatican, but what about in Palermo or at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and other places with cathedrals we might be tempted to stop at while walking around?

Thanks, Lisa

 

[ga9497]

Hey guys - someone asked this on another thread - can you guys provide any info on this:

Thanks!

Can you wear open toed shoes in the cathedrals? How strict are the rules about shoulders and knees being covered? I assume this is strongly enforced at the Vatican, but what about in Palermo or at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and other places with cathedrals we might be tempted to stop at while walking around?

Thanks, Lisa

Why take the change, plan on having your knees and shoulders covered for all church visits. It is the right thing to do when visiting other countries, respecting their rules. I do know for sure that the Vatican and La Sagrada do check to make sure you are dressed properly

 

[ga9497]

On that note - listened to Celeste's Podcasts and took her advice about FLorence and Pisa - I am in the processing of booking the company she used to get to the Leaning Tower there.
If you can get a message or answer this - GREAT!

Can you direct me to the podcast?
Thanks

 

[bengals01]

ritesh is suppose to be coming back i think this week

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Celeste's blog is at the link below. Her podcasts (audio) are linked from there.

http://icunurse-celeste-travels.blogspot.com/

 

[#1Fan]

I am so confused....in Rome do I do a DCL tour or do I attempt the train or bus and go in on my own? I am signed up for the Highlights of Rome and the Vatican tour....seems on first med cruise they didn't get the morning guided tour in Rome that was mentioned in the description, but got great Vatican tours in the afternoon. They were just dropped off for the morning. If I am going to end up doing it on my own, I would just like to plan ahead and do it....any tips?

Lisa

 

[Jeff Spencer]

I would be wary of doing Rome on my own, especially since I've seen reports of a planned rail strike on June 21-22.

 

[seaulater]

We have cruised with Celeste and she thoroughly checks everything out before she goes. I am going to look into some of the tours the group did while out on the 11 night and possibly change from DCL to private tours also.

 

[danfromca]

I am so confused....in Rome do I do a DCL tour or do I attempt the train or bus and go in on my own? I am signed up for the Highlights of Rome and the Vatican tour....seems on first med cruise they didn't get the morning guided tour in Rome that was mentioned in the description, but got great Vatican tours in the afternoon. They were just dropped off for the morning. If I am going to end up doing it on my own, I would just like to plan ahead and do it....any tips?

Lisa

Actually, I don't think the description was that far off. A lot of "make your way past" and "stand in the shadow of" and "experience the grandeur of" which is tour speak for "we're going to drive by and let you walk around a bit"

This one looks like a really good Vatican tour. I picked the "Ultimate Rome Experience" because I'm not as interested in the Vatican. On that one it's the Vatican language that is vague, and the Rome language that is more specific "narrated tour", "colloseum includes inside and outside visit", etc.

 

[icunurse_celeste]

I am so confused....in Rome do I do a DCL tour or do I attempt the train or bus and go in on my own? I am signed up for the Highlights of Rome and the Vatican tour....seems on first med cruise they didn't get the morning guided tour in Rome that was mentioned in the description, but got great Vatican tours in the afternoon. They were just dropped off for the morning. If I am going to end up doing it on my own, I would just like to plan ahead and do it....any tips?

Lisa

I would plan on doing the trqin-unless they are on strike. If I can get to Andy's computer, i will do some digging for you.

 

[JeanieP]

Celeste -- I truly enjoyed your blog and taking the time to provide us later Med Headers with such valuable inside information. I enjoyed your blogs becuase my DH and I like to visit ports on our own, so it was nice to hear about a fellow traveler doing so much on her own. Did you take the Express Train into Rome and hopped off at the Vatican? Is it possible to take a different train directly into the main termini? Did you buy your train tickets to Rome in advance or when you arrived in Port? Thanks also for the awesome info regarding locating the train in Naples -- super important.

Your Palermo guide was a land tour, or was that a dive as well? My husband and I don't dive, but we are avid snorkelers.

I am curious -- you don't need to answer this question -- what is your overall impression of Disney's first Med cruise? SO many folks respect your opinion, I was curious about your overall thoughts -- likes and dislikes. There has been much talk about the "premium" we all pay for a Disney cruise. As a Castaway Club member and Disneymaniac, perhaps my expectations are a little unreasonable. So, overall, how would you have rated Disney's Med Adventure? Perhaps not fair to ask you, but heck, I had to try!