May 26, 2007 (5/26/07) "First Magical Med Cruise!!" (The M&M's!)

[eeyoretat]

hey everybody,

I'm Colleen, Poconoboatnik's sister, I've been lurking since the very first day.
Everyone is posting one day closer to the cruise. Hey I don't know about everyone else this is so cool. Can't wait until that plane takes off.

Have a good week.

Colleen

 

[figment52]

Another day gone, we'll be booking excursions before you know it.

Happy Monday all

 

[milestogo]

welcome newcomers and new lurking posters -

Cayla,
I hadn't noticed that you were temporarily off the 11 night list, but I had you on the B2B - I should have noticed!

Those of us on the B2B haven't been posting much this weekend because the reservation system went nuts and made everyone crazy trying to book their excursions. Some of us were able to book and others weren't able to book anything. We don't know what happened yet, but we should warn everyone to make sure that you have paid your bill and that your online 'my cruise' info is listed correctly in advance of the bookings.

 

[icunurse_celeste]

Welcome to another day closer to cruising!

 

[milestogo]

We are planning on taking the trains from the ship to both Rome & Pompeii. Anyone else planning on doing that?

Hey Kim, I spent the entire weekend glued to my computer trying to research the trains and self touring in Rome I've read a thousand trip reports from other cruise boards as well as all the Italian tourism brochures and tour excursion companies.

Here are my questions:
Have you ever done it before?
Will there be cabs available at the boat/dock?
Can you buy your subway ticket to the A & B line at the same station?

Here is what I've found:

It looks like the train station is only one mile away from the boat. You can either take a cab for approx. 10 Euros or walk for 10 - 15 min. In some cases there are free shuttles. The ride via http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

Going from CIVITAVECCHIA to RomaTermini (main terminal station) is apparently between 5-10 euros each way. It is supposed to be comfortable, clean and very safe. It is 1 hour and 9 min. into Rome running every half hour. From the Roma Termini it is easy to use the subway or bus system that has stops near or at every major site.

1. BIT - Integrated Single Ticket
A BIT ticket costs 1 euro and can be used on all buses, subways and trams in Rome. This ticket allows 75 minutes of travel after the initial validation on the buses and trams and only for 1 ride on the subway or 1 ride on an urban train or on trains to Ostia or Sacrofano.

2. BIG - Integrated Daily Ticket
A BIG ticket costs 4 euros and is a good deal if you're planning a lot of sightseeing. The day pass can be used for unlimited rides until midnight on the day on which the ticket is validated. It is accepted on ATAC buses and trams, the subway, and COTRAL buses in the city limits. This ticket also only permits 1 ride on the subway or 1 ride on an urban train or on trains to Ostia or Sacrofano and cannot be used for travel to Fiumicino Airport.

4. Roma Pass
On April 2006, the Municipality of Rome instituted the Roma Pass Program. This Pass costs 18 euros and is valid for three days Including the day it is validated. It entitles the holder to:
- full access to the public transportation system
-free admission to the first two museums and/or archaeological sites visited
- reduced tickets and discounts to many other museums and sites (after the first 2 free admissions) as well as to exhibitions, musical events, theatrical and dance performances and other tourist services.
The Roma Pass comes with a Kit that includes the public transportation ticket, a map of the city illustrating the location of Tourist Information Centers, Underground stations, museums and sites of interest including addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation and directions.
Also included in the Kit is the Roma Pass Guide, the complete list of museums & sites of interest that have joined the initiative and the Roma News, the program of events and tourist services that are eligible for discounts.
Roma Pass can be purchased from all museums and sites that have joined the Program and from Tourist Information Centers in the Municipality of Rome including Fiumicino Airport (International Arrivals, Terminal C) and the main RR Station (Termini Station) on via Giolitti 34, Platform 24.

5. BTI - Integrated Tourist Ticket
A BTI ticket costs 11 euros and allows use of all buses, subways, city trains and trams in Rome for 3 days including the day the day of validation


I've read several times that people from other cruises said they wished they'd had more free time outside of the tours and not to try to do it all in one day!

And to take the horse and carriage ride.

If anyone else is interested in doing this together, let me know and we can organize ourselves. I think we have finally decided how to do this and have decided on which sites we want to see. We really want to be able to sit and eat at a restaurant and shop (probably in the Piazza Navona.) We want to see the colosseum, pantheon, Via Appia Antica and Catacombs, forum, Trevi fountain.

Please keep in mind that all of this is internet research, I don't know how it will work in reality, so I'm looking for input and ideas??? It just seemed we weren't seeing what we were looking for with the DCL excursions. Fortunately, many cruisers before us felt the same way and posted their experiences!

 

[kpros]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I received the lanyards today and I'm very happy with them. So, if you want to participate in the free name badge and lanyard give away, make sure you get on the cruise list. You can find cruise list info in the first post on page 55 of this thread.

Ken

 

[winotracy]

Just out of curiosity, how many of us (other than those not getting off the ship after the repo), are coming in to Barcelona on the 26th? Or is everyone coming in a day early?

 

[Hygiene99]

We are coming in on the 25th!!
about 9:30 or so..

I think!

 

[sunshine state kim]

Hey Kim, I spent the entire weekend glued to my computer trying to research the trains and self touring in Rome I've read a thousand trip reports from other cruise boards as well as all the Italian tourism brochures and tour excursion companies.

I've never been to Italy before, but have friends who just did this from Civitavecchia to Rome and the message boards sound encouraging at least for that port. I thought this site looked good as it shows pictures of where you actually walk:
http://www.europeportreviews.com/Rome2.htm
We're going to go by train and meet up with a walking tour at St Peters then take the train back.

We'd be happy to try the trains as a group. I read about buying tickets online early, I just don't know what time is realistic with getting off the ship and walking (or whatever) to a ticket booth I never been to before.

Naples to Pompeii seems doable as well from what I've read and we'll try that by train too.

 

[jeanneg]

We also arrive on the 25th at 9:35 am. Peter/Jenn, are you still on the Delta flight?

 

[milestogo]

I thought this site looked good as it shows pictures of where you actually walk:
http://www.europeportreviews.com/Rome2.htm
We're going to go by train and meet up with a walking tour at St Peters then take the train back.

This was outstanding! I printed it out for my 3 ring binder - thank you very much. It is just what I was looking for.


We'd be happy to try the trains as a group. I read about buying tickets online early,

Yes, I decided that we'd buy when we arrive, so we don't prepurchase and have something change on us. We may have xllnt intentions of being out a certain time, but you never know. Plus we can ask questions there - I read several times that they speak English at the Civ. station.

 

[sweetsue]

Hi everyone! I just got back from skiing in Colorado. We had a wonderful time. It's nice to see a few new names on the boards. WELCOME!!!!

I've caught up so I'll be answering a few posts all in one. I figure it's better than my usual 7 posts in a row!

littleowensmommy - I'll be glad to handle the Tea with Wendy reservations. I'll just need to know how many. I think milestogo is handling the list, right?

jeanneg - you can switch your TA now if you want. I'm not sure what incentives you're getting - our local resident TA might be able to match them.

milestogo - my favorite character is Tigger, Christina's favorite is piglet, and Nana's favorite is unknown. I'll update when I find it.

Excursions - I am BOOKED! This is what I have:
A Day on the Farm Palermo
Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri For Families Naples
Gnocchetti Sardi & Ravioli Olbia
Portofino and Santa Margherita La Spezia
Nice and Eze with Wine and Cheese Villefranche

We are going to Rome on our own with a private guide. The tour price was comparable to what I was going to pay through DCL for 3 and we get to see all major sites plus the Vatican and Sistene Chapel! Our TA used the same tour guide last year, so we know he's good with kids.

Palo, Friday 6/1/07 at sea day, 8 pm (this is the only one I booked but we'll probably go a few other nights too)

Someone new asked about hotels in Barcelona and I forgot to save the post. My advice - book NOW! They have 90% occupancy year-round. I did a ton of research and would be glad to help guide but I need to know what type of accomodation you are looking for - close to tourist area, close to beach, kids?, quiet, near party scene, cheap, moderate, expensive, etc., etc.

Someone else booked about using a UK website for the turistic bus passes. I found the official website had the best deal. The other websites seemed to mark up the price a Euro or so. I also had seen that gastronomic tour and would LOVE to do it - but not with a 6-year old!

We arrive in Barcelona on the 23rd at 10:30am in the morning if we make our 45 minute connection through Milan (otherwise it'll be 3:30). We're flying Alitalia.

Okay - so I lied. I'm going to have two more posts. But just because they are lists and it makes it easier!

Glad to be back!!!

Sweet Sue

 

[sweetsue]

Here's the list. I think I got everyone from both PMs and the thread. Please let me know if I've missed someone:

List of people for DCL gathering/wine tasting in ROY SUITE (tour included)! 1PM on first sea day.

Ron (LegalBriefs)/Monica (host/hostess)
Jeanne (jeanneg)/John
Tracy (winotracy)/Bill (AskAGeek)
Ken (kpros)/Shari (spros)
Sue (sweetsue)/Barbara
Peter (Hygiene99)/Jenn
Celeste (icunurse_celeste)/Jennie
Kelly (milestogo)/Jonathan
Kim (sunshine state kim)/Todd + kids
Kathy (littleowensmommy)/Ted
Andy (charwac1)/Charlene
Ron (ronunc)/Becky
Bob (wrabitdad)/Dale
Marie (meb51)/Steve/MIL ?
Karen (coalchick)/Doug
Ellen (poconoboatniks)/Bob/Kate-12/Brett-9/Bob/Helen/Linda/Colleen
Cayla (padalyn)/Stacey/Barbara/Bev
Deb/Linda (debwills)
Alex/Carolyn (first timers)
Melanie (LtL Mermaid) /Allison

Sweet Sue

 

[sweetsue]

Here are the answers my TA got for all of the DCL Questions we submitted.

1) When is the lifeboat drill?
9 pm

2) When is the sail away party?
10 pm

3) What are the theme nights on the cruise? And what days are
they?
4) When are the formal night(s)?
5) When is the Goofy PJ slumber party for the kids?
6) When is Tea for Wendy?
7) Are there any special wine seminars/tastings/classes?

Disney said that all of these are still in planning stages - not set
yet. Some we may be able to find out before the cruise, while others
you may have to wait until you see the events in your personal
navigator.

8) What is the liquids policy for Barcelona? We'd like to carry
aboard wine like we have in Port Canaveral, will the policy be the same?
What about at ports (like Marseille/Nice)?

Same policy as Port Canaveral - you can carry on unopened wine and other
liquids.

9) On boarding day, can we go on and off the ship until sail-away?
In other words, can we check-in, go to our staterooms and then leave the
ship for a few hours?

Yes you can come and go from the ship in Barcelona - bring your
passports with you when you leave the ship.

10) What time do we have to be on the ship in Barcelona?

Everybody must be onboard by 9 pm. I'd recommend getting back at 8:30
pm at the latest (since the lifeboat drill is at 9 pm)

11) Can we check-in our luggage at the port and then leave for awhile
to see Barcelona before we check-in for our stateroom?

yes

12) What is the latest DCL transfer from port back to airport?

everybody needs to be offboard by 9 a.m.
9:30 a.m. is the last transfer

13) Is left luggage available at the Barcelona port?

Disney said probably no but they do not have control over this.

14) What terminal will DCL be in at Barcelona?

Moll Adossat - Terminal C

15) What ports require tendering?

La Spezia
Villefranche

16) Are we allowed to bring food, wine and olive oil on the boat from
our ports?

Bringing food onboard is a definite no according to DCL. Unopened wine
and other liquid bottles are ok.

17) Will euros be available on the ship for exchanging $$?

yes there will be euros on the ship

My recommendation: You'll get a bad exchange rate on the ship for
dollars to euros. That's ok if you are in a pinch but I would recommend
you bring an ATM card, too, tell your bank in advance you'll be
traveling in Europe, and use the ATM machine to get cash. ATM's are
plentiful in europe (much more so than in the U.S.)


Feel free to keep the questions coming! Between all of us here we'll get our answers. That way we can focus on having FUN instead of trying to figure out the logistics.

Sweet Sue (otherwise known as the local president of the Ft. Lauderdale chapter of compulsive planners)

 

[sweetsue]

Okay - so it's the 4th one in a row. I just wanted to let you know that your TA can book excursions. My TA booked all of mine since I was in Colorado at the time. If I was local though - I would have booked them myself.

Reservations open up at 90 days for castaway club members (someone along the way asked that), 75 for regular. Mine opened at 105 which was February 9th, I think. Adding 15 would get you February 24th. Someone please correct me if I have the date wrong.

Booking opens at midnight West Coast (or 3am Eastern) if I remember correctly. Make sure you have backup plans since some excursions and Palo ressies will go very, very quickly.

Sweet Sue

 

[sweetsue]

I was doing research to find out what clothes to bring and thought I'd pass along this weather information. This is the average high/low temps for all of our ports on the day we'll be arriving. I've also included sunrise/sunset times. All of the EU is in the same time zone so there won't be any time changes. Those of us with kids/family/etc. that can't sleep when it's light outside will have a BIG, BIG problem this time of year. Sunrise at 5:40 AM is a killer!

Barcelona (5/22 - 5/26) - 70/55 (sunrise on 5/26 6:24 AM, sunset 9:13 PM)
Palermo, Italy (5/28) - 73/63 (sunrise 5:48 AM, sunset 8:22 PM)
Naples, Italy (5/29) - 75/56 (sunrise 5:35 AM, sunset 8:25 PM)
Olbia, Sardinia (5/30) - 76/57 (sunrise 6:00 AM, sunset 8:42 PM)
Civitavecchia, Italy (5/31) - 71/60 (sunrise 5:40 AM, sunset 8:41 PM)
Rome, Italy (5/31) - 75/57 (sunrise 5:40 AM, sunset 8:38 PM)
La Spezia, Italy (6/2) - 74/56 (sunrise 5:40 AM, sunset 8:57 PM)
Marseille, France (6/3) - 75/58 (sunrise 6:00 AM, sunset 9:14 PM)
Nice, France (6/4) - 71/60 (sunrise 5:52 AM, sunset 9:08 PM)

Sweet Sue

 

[kpros]

Thanks for all the great info Sue! Welcome back!!

Ken

 

[Jeni1781]

I Think we are all young!!

What is young these days anyways..
As you can see from the list posted above there are a lot of Couples..
Jenn and I are pretty old 36 & 40 respectively..

I Dont know much about the hotels in Barcelona.

But Welcome Aboard...

Thanks for the nice welcome. This is our first Disney cruise and we are so excited but overwhelmed with the planning process. Do you know where you are staying on the 25th? We are arriving that day as well. Thanks.

 

[Jeni1781]

Someone new asked about hotels in Barcelona and I forgot to save the post. My advice - book NOW! They have 90% occupancy year-round. I did a ton of research and would be glad to help guide but I need to know what type of accomodation you are looking for - close to tourist area, close to beach, kids?, quiet, near party scene, cheap, moderate, expensive, etc., etc.


Sweet Sue

I asked about hotels in Barcelona. We don't have a lot of preferences. In a safe area of town, not to far from tourist attractions/the port and moderate price. We don't have any kids either. Thanks.

 

[figment52]

I wanted to mention something we did on our last cruise and it worked well...

Someone ordered light green rubber bracelets (like the Lance Armstrong kind) that had the sailing date on it. All the DIS members wore them, so it was always easy to spot a DIS member on board or even at an excursion. I think they were like $3 a piece.

I thought this could make a nice addition to the t-shirts. This way, it could be formal night and we could still spot a DIS member!

Jennifer

Good Idea

How do we do this?