May 14, 2011 - Eastbound TransAtlantic

[KevieKev05]

www.gibraltartours.org for the tour of the rock- for the dolphins we are booking directly w/ same company as DCL is using just on a "non blocked time"

do you have tours planned already? most of the time I go with a tour company recommended on the cruisecritic board, disboard,e tc- but didnt find alot of info on Gibraltar. Everything looks really close- so we are mostly using the tour company so my mom wont have to do so much walking--

Thank you for the info! Yeah, we weren't finding too much info on Gibraltar either. I emailed one company 3 times without a response. Another company was charging an outrageous amount. So we're just keeping our options open and seeing what we can come up with. We might wait until we get there since I've heard there will be taxis waiting to give the "official" Gibraltar Rock Tour that seem to charge a reasonable amount.

 

[tamsocal]

www.gibraltartours.org for the tour of the rock- for the dolphins we are booking directly w/ same company as DCL is using just on a "non blocked time"

do you have tours planned already? most of the time I go with a tour company recommended on the cruisecritic board, disboard,e tc- but didnt find alot of info on Gibraltar. Everything looks really close- so we are mostly using the tour company so my mom wont have to do so much walking--

another company I just found- we can customize the tour and for $310 US for 3 hours-- so that would be $39/pp-- so better price & a bit longer if anyone is interested. there is only space for 8 persons- so only 4 spaces available
here are details
Extended Rock Tour (Minimum 3 hours) – 6 stops – includes 100 Ton Gun, the lighthouse and Europa Point, St. Michael’s Cave, Top of the Rock with the Barbary Apes, the Great Siege Tunnels and the Moorish Castle.

 

[tamsocal]

Thank you for the info! Yeah, we weren't finding too much info on Gibraltar either. I emailed one company 3 times without a response. Another company was charging an outrageous amount. So we're just keeping our options open and seeing what we can come up with. We might wait until we get there since I've heard there will be taxis waiting to give the "official" Gibraltar Rock Tour that seem to charge a reasonable amount.

I saw this website but didnt send them an email
http://www.gibtaxi.com/ENG/rocktourENG.html

I have read that there are plenty of taxis but wasn't sure if i would get a great bargain if wait til the day of or chance no more taxis available..... or chance getting reamed with supply & demand prices-- so we decided to opt for pre planning of a tour- the taxi co above says may might be an issue w/ availability- see below

Price List

Standard tours are available from most of our taxi ranks and they range around £18-25 or €25-35 per person (minimum of 4-6 passengers) for a standard 4-5 stop tour. The prices depend on the seasonal demand and length of tour. The standard tour will last around 1hr 15 min – 1 hr 30 min approximately.

During the months of May-November it is sometimes very difficult to find a taxi for Rock Tours due to the sheer demand. Cruise ships create great demand especially the largest vessels that visit Gibraltar regularly during these months.

To avoid disappointment and time wasting it is strongly recommended to book a tour directly with us via our web page especially if you are arriving in a large cruise liner, if you are travelling with children, elderly persons or persons with disabilities.

Our cars will be ready to pick you up from the port or any other location of your choice and give you a memorable tour you will treasure for ever. Your holiday is our business, our priority and it is of utmost importance to us that you thoroughly enjoy our product.

You may pre-book one of our vehicles via this web page for extended VIP tours which will give you great insight to our Rock. These tours will take a minimum of 2 hours to complete but shorter tours are also available on request.

FEE SCHEDULE
1st hour £ 90
2nd hour
(and each additional hour after the 2nd hour) £ 60

 

[mboekhoff]

another company I just found- we can customize the tour and for $310 US for 3 hours-- so that would be $39/pp-- so better price & a bit longer if anyone is interested. there is only space for 8 persons- so only 4 spaces available
here are details
Extended Rock Tour (Minimum 3 hours) – 6 stops – includes 100 Ton Gun, the lighthouse and Europa Point, St. Michael’s Cave, Top of the Rock with the Barbary Apes, the Great Siege Tunnels and the Moorish Castle.

We have 3 in our party and we may be interested. Right now I can't get ahold of one of us

Would this include a guided tour of the tunnels? I want to learn more about the history of them. When do you need to know?

Thanks

 

[tamsocal]

We have 3 in our party and we may be interested. Right now I can't get ahold of one of us

Would this include a guided tour of the tunnels? I want to learn more about the history of them. When do you need to know?

Thanks

Great- we would love to have you join us if it works out for you. Not sure if I mentioned when I 1st posted- pick up at 8:30am (we are doing the dolphin boat tour at noon).
No urgency for letting us know . Let me email them & find out if the stops are just drop us off & tour on our own or if they come in with us. I will get back to you with more info. I have been planning the other ports- I can't remember the details of this one.

Now I have to sort out Cadiz & Barcelona...... some tentative plans but nothing official yet--

 

[mboekhoff]

Thanks! That is our biggest critera, getting a guided tour of the tunnels. If it doesn't work out because it would be too long (can't miss the dolphins can I get the company name so we can customize our own tour? Thanks, we were having trouble with Gibraltar also

 

[tamsocal]

Thanks! That is our biggest critera, getting a guided tour of the tunnels. If it doesn't work out because it would be too long (can't miss the dolphins can I get the company name so we can customize our own tour? Thanks, we were having trouble with Gibraltar also

yes- I just sent all 4 of the companies I had checked with emails re: do they do a guided tour, as we don't really care which company we use- so happy to use any of them that would give a guided tour for you. so you dont have to bother emailing all of them again- I will let you know which ones say yes or not & then you can decide if u want to do with us or on your own

I think we will have plenty of time for a guided tour of the tunnels since if we leave by 8 or 8:30 we will still have well over 3 hrs & the custom tour is 3 hrs- so would be fine

some have been quick to respond & others not so much.

We arranged independent plans for Madeira-- I dont like having to pay for the twins on excursions that Disney is charging for but in fact they are free if I do it on my own--- 12 person zodiac out whaale & dolphin watching & then we get to jump in the water & snorkel with the dolphins......(grandma & the twins will stay on the boat)

 

[mboekhoff]

We have booked a Madeira tour outside of Disney too. It was also customized So happy!!! Thanks for your help!

 

[singlis]

We have decided to do the Dolphin watching excursion on our own. I dont mind spending a few extra $$ for ship excursions but this one on our own saves us about $200 (disney is charging us for the toddlers & they are free when booking on our own (plus each of the fares are less)......

We have arranged for a private tour in the morning up the rock to the caves, Apes, tunnels, castle, etc & it is $25E each- we have 4 sspaces open in the tour van & wondering if anyone is interested in booking as well. We dont have to fill the spaces & they might already be taken by the time I email the company back but just wondering if anyone else on the roll call might be interested in coming along with us.

If you have 2 spots I am interested!

 

[TxMermaid1]

I read your post & decided to check, only to find my name was gone from FE4...too weird, but i added it back...not sure if anyone else had the same prob? Oh well...









I remember when Krisann opened it she said May 1st would be the cut-off, so here we are. Guess I got my name back on in the nick of time...lol

Happy May Day......



.

I was going to ask you why you got off the list... your name has been gone for a week or so.... glad you are back...

 

[bwcb4]

Hello!!!!

It's getting closer! Are others flying to Orlando on FRIDAY the 13th? I figure DCL is worth it. Safe travels pixie dust for all of us!

DH Dick and I have been working on finishing the fun stuff today for the cruise....our door magnets, my recipe cards, Secret Mickey gifts, pirate clothes, etc.

Remember if you are attending the Champagne gathering, to pack your tiara and pink boa and pink outfit to wear! Some or all of the above are tradition to wear to this event. And on DISNEY, no one really notices if you walk down the halls and look a bit "different".

Looking forward to meeting you real soon.

Barb

 

[mboekhoff]

Hello!!!!

It's getting closer! Are others flying to Orlando on FRIDAY the 13th? I figure DCL is worth it. Safe travels pixie dust for all of us!

Barb

Barb, DH Ross and I are flying in on the evening of the 13th and staying in the hotel right there at the airport! Can't wait

 

[stsomewhere]

Hello!!!!

It's getting closer! Are others flying to Orlando on FRIDAY the 13th? I figure DCL is worth it. Safe travels pixie dust for all of us!

DH Dick and I have been working on finishing the fun stuff today for the cruise....our door magnets, my recipe cards, Secret Mickey gifts, pirate clothes, etc.

Remember if you are attending the Champagne gathering, to pack your tiara and pink boa and pink outfit to wear! Some or all of the above are tradition to wear to this event. And on DISNEY, no one really notices if you walk down the halls and look a bit "different".

Looking forward to meeting you real soon.

Barb

I am flying in on the 13th, too.

 

[mboekhoff]

Woo Hoo! Where are you staying?

 

[bwcb4]

Barb, DH Ross and I are flying in on the evening of the 13th and staying in the hotel right there at the airport! Can't wait

Hi!
We are staying at a nearby airport hotel, LaQuinta Inn Orlando Airport West. They have a free shuttle and breakfast. We then return to the airport the next morning and check into the cruise and use DCL transportation to the port. This system has worked well for us in the past. AND the hotel is only $67, including tax.

Barb

 

[seamour]

Is anyone doing the D23 Scavenger Hunt at WDW on the 12th and 13th? We are signed up as the Hunnymooners.

oh that sounds like fun, can't wait to hear about it IN PERSON in less than 2 weeks!

 

[stsomewhere]

I am staying at Pop Century on Friday and and spending the evening at Epcot.

 

[mboekhoff]

Oh, I am jealous LOL

 

[Tx_Goofy_Crew]

We have decided to do the Dolphin watching excursion on our own. I dont mind spending a few extra $$ for ship excursions but this one on our own saves us about $200 (disney is charging us for the toddlers & they are free when booking on our own (plus each of the fares are less)......

We have arranged for a private tour in the morning up the rock to the caves, Apes, tunnels, castle, etc & it is $25E each- we have 4 sspaces open in the tour van & wondering if anyone is interested in booking as well. We dont have to fill the spaces & they might already be taken by the time I email the company back but just wondering if anyone else on the roll call might be interested in coming along with us.

Any room for a family of FOUR????

 

[teburgess]

So close now. And DVC called to tell me they upgraded our bon voyage villa to a 2 bedroom Magic Kingdom view the night before. Great send off from the vacation club.

Will there be a final listing of all the DIS events? This is the first time I am taking part in the DIS gatherings and fun and want to make the most of it.

I figured with 14 days with everyone, we might as well make some great friends.

Pirate costumes are cleaned and ready. The Dream crew (Cruise Director Rachel especially) and guests loved them. If only I could get the thread to let me upload it since I don't have a direct link.