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

[sweetsue]

Happy Valentines Day!

Has anyone found a good deal to exchange dollars for euros? I found a site to exchange for euros cash or traveler checks in euros at foreignexchangeservices.com/ They offered a rate of $1.3642/euro and an $8.00 shipping fee. I hesitate exchanging euros on the ship at guest services or in town as you never know what the exchange rate might be. Any other options or thoughts? Alex

Hi Alex! My TA did a med cruise last May. He said the best exchange rate is at the ATM machines and they are very, very plentiful in Europe. Guest Services (although who knows with Disney) is supposed to be the WORST. In my international travels (and my Dad's too), you usually get the best deal when you're in the country, not in your native country before you leave. The very best deal in exchange rates I ever got was at a youth hostel. I have a website through my TA that I could try. Shipping is free for any order over $750.

Sweet Sue

 

[sweetsue]

I just got my pre-cruise planning docs (not to be confused with the REAL docs). These are the one's I thought I got before, but didn't. Confused yet?

I thought I would share some info. The pre-cruise booklet (otherwise knows as the SHIP AND SHORE VACATION GUIDES) is new for the cruise. You can see where they reused a few words from the Caribbean booklet, but it is definitely new. It's fun to look at but for most of us it won't provide much new info. The one thing that you might find helpful - instead of the long wordy "restrictions" about the shore excursions they have pictures. I especially like that they have a "light stairs" one and a "heavy stairs" one. For me that's the difference between holding Christina's hand up stairs and having to carry her. Light stairs works, heavy stairs doesn't (unless I bring her backpack that some of you saw in St. Kitts).

I did want to "let in" on some info the sent me as concierge. They specifically outlined the following excursions as being "extremely limited". If you are planning on one of these excursions, get up in the middle of the night and book it the instant bookings open:
Civitavecchia -
Exclusive "Behind the Scenes" Tour of the Vatican
La Spezia -
Ferrar Adventure at Villa Peyrano
Ferrari Adventure at Villa Peyrano - Observer
VIP Tour of Villa Bernardini and Lucca
VIP Pisa
Ferrari and Maranello
Naples -
Exclusive Positano and Sorrento
Historic Don Alfonso Wine Cellar VIP Visit and Tasting
Exclusive Motoroboat Cruise of Naples
Villefranche -
Convertible Car Tour of the Cote d'Azur

They are also offering private vehicle reservations with or without drivers and guides at Civitavecchia, La Spezia, Naples, Villefranche and Marseille although I don't know if this will be available to non-concierge guests or how many $ it is. I will be trying this for Marseille since I want a private vehicle, no driver, no guide. Okay, so I want a driver, but I'LL be the driver!

Other important highlights we haven't yet discussed on the DIS:

1) Duty-free shopping and character photo ops available at the port before embarkation
2) Formal night is "Captain's Gala". Sounds familiar!
3) As Ken stated earlier, the booklet shows "PIRATES IN THE CARIBBEAN", Yes, "in the Caribbean". This section was obviously lifted incorrectly from the Caribbean booklet. Who knows what will REALLY be in the Med (or OUT of the Caribbean).

HTH everyone!

Sue

 

[kpros]

I was looking around today on the web at online exchange sites. Wells Fargo had on of the better rates I saw. With an $8 shipping fee. I think it was 1.3779 today. Many others were over 1.41.

Ken

 

[sweetsue]

Tracy,

What time are you and Bill going to do the Nice and Eze with Wine and Cheese? It's offered at 8:30 and again at 1:30 (or so). We'd love to meet with you AND would rather book the version you're on (Christina would never forgive me otherwise). It's a 4 - 4.5 hour tour.

Sue

 

[icunurse_celeste]

Good morning, welcome to another day closer to the cruise. I'm sitting here trying to stay awake.



RON- please check you email- I need to ask you a question.

 

[winotracy]

Tracy,

What time are you and Bill going to do the Nice and Eze with Wine and Cheese? It's offered at 8:30 and again at 1:30 (or so). We'd love to meet with you AND would rather book the version you're on (Christina would never forgive me otherwise). It's a 4 - 4.5 hour tour.

Sue

I hadn't really thought about the time. I usually like to go early to the excursions so we have the rest of the day to do other things. We'll chat

 

[sweetsue]

Hi everyone! After talking with Tracy, I realized one of the things DCL doesn't provide in advance is the TIME of their excursions. I've put together an Excel spreadsheet that lists every excursion DCL offers for this cruise and what time the shore excursions are. One of the things of interest is many of the Barcelona tours are available on May 26th in the afternoon. This includes ones like the Chocolate Factory (YUMM!).

Please PM me your email if you'd like a copy of the spreadsheet. If you don't have Excel, I can try and copy it into Word.

I really hope this helps everyone!

Sweet Sue

 

[misseulalie]

Hi everyone! After talking with Tracy, I realized one of the things DCL doesn't provide in advance is the TIME of their excursions. I've put together an Excel spreadsheet that lists every excursion DCL offers for this cruise and what time the shore excursions are. One of the things of interest is many of the Barcelona tours are available on May 26th in the afternoon. This includes ones like the Chocolate Factory (YUMM!).

Please PM me your email if you'd like a copy of the spreadsheet. If you don't have Excel, I can try and copy it into Word.

I really hope this helps everyone!

Sweet Sue

If you call DCL, they shoud give you the times. I called regarding the Repo excursions and they gave me times for all of them...

 

[milestogo]

Yes, the times would have been nice to have posted on the website. I've called them several times to get details, they could have saved a million phone calls if they would have listed them in the first place.

I finally made a decision and purchased my travel insurance yesterday. I compared DVC, DCL and Travel Insured and went with Travel Insured. It covered far more than the others and was half the price of DCL. Thought I'd post this big pain in the butt in case anyone else was burdened by this extra hassle (time, research and expense!)

 

[misseulalie]

What's everyone's choice for Rome? I still can't decide. One offers the Sistine chapel but takes the motorcoach. The other is by train but no tour of the Colluseum...decisions, decisions.....

Jumping back to Eternal Rome, Highlights of Rome and and Vatican Museums, and Exclusive VIP Visit of the Vatican & Highlights of Rome.

Can't decide.....
By the way we need to do a DCL excursion as we are leaving the kids on the ship.

 

[sweetsue]

Yes, the times would have been nice to have posted on the website. I've called them several times to get details, they could have saved a million phone calls if they would have listed them in the first place.

I finally made a decision and purchased my travel insurance yesterday. I compared DVC, DCL and Travel Insured and went with Travel Insured. It covered far more than the others and was half the price of DCL. Thought I'd post this big pain in the butt in case anyone else was burdened by this extra hassle (time, research and expense!)

Thanks for the travel insurance advice. I wish I had thought of it before purchasing the DCL insurance. I've always done DCL but mostly because it was convenient. With Christina and her chances of a last-minute hospitalization it always made sense to have the insurance. Next trip I'll try a private company!

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

List of people for DCL gathering/wine tasting in ROY SUITE (tour included)! 1PM on first sea day. Let me know if you need to be added!

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
Sandy (figment52)/Sharon
Jennifer (Misseulalie) / Rachid
Connie (CONNIEOSCI) / Frank

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

Hi!! One quick randomn question: I have only been active on this thread the past week(ish). I thought I read somewhere that we (DISers) have a Med Cruise website that someone here set up. If so, can someone post it for me?? Sorry if there is no such site...I guess I am just losing my mind! Thanks in advance!

 

[misseulalie]

Hi!! One quick randomn question: I have only been active on this thread the past week(ish). I thought I read somewhere that we (DISers) have a Med Cruise website that someone here set up. If so, can someone post it for me?? Sorry if there is no such site...I guess I am just losing my mind! Thanks in advance!

Yep, here it is:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1163406&page=66

 

[sweetsue]

Hi!! One quick randomn question: I have only been active on this thread the past week(ish). I thought I read somewhere that we (DISers) have a Med Cruise website that someone here set up. If so, can someone post it for me?? Sorry if there is no such site...I guess I am just losing my mind! Thanks in advance!

I was just looking at your signature and saw the info about your therapy dog. There's a therapy dog (Maggie) that visited Christina many times in Miami Children's Hospital. It really brightened Christina's day during those stays. It was amazing to see the smile on her face. The idea that - just for a few minutes - she didn't have to think about being sick - well, that was priceless.

Thank you for helping people like Christina have good days in the hospital too!

Sweet Sue

 

[kpros]

Hi!! One quick randomn question: I have only been active on this thread the past week(ish). I thought I read somewhere that we (DISers) have a Med Cruise website that someone here set up. If so, can someone post it for me?? Sorry if there is no such site...I guess I am just losing my mind! Thanks in advance!

You will find that info (and more) in the first post on page 55 of this thread.

or look here for the webpage: http://mysite.verizon.net/nejthelion/

Ken

 

[icunurse_celeste]

Bored beyond belief

Help, I can't take the screaming anymore...have I mentioned I don't like crazy people???​

Anyways, welcome to another day closer....I think I'm taking over for Ken.






RON- aka Legal Briefs...please check your aol account!

 

[kpros]

Anyways, welcome to another day closer....I think I'm taking over for Ken.
:

Hi Celeste

I'm more then happy to pass the duty of morning greeter to you - carry on, you're doing a wonderful job!

Ken

 

[Hygiene99]

Anyone considering taking the train to Rome?

here is a link!
http://www.europeportreviews.com/Rome2.htm

Originally Posted by sunshine state kim
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!

We maybe up for this as well!!!


Would we stay together as a group or are we welcomed to just get to the train and then each couple go see what they would like to see?

 

[Hygiene99]

I sat down last night and tried to finalize our excursions. I will post them later and thought it would be nice if others did the same. Some of them were toss-ups between 2 or 3 different tours, so if we knew that friendly faces would be coming along with us, we would consider switching. Most are not the key attractions because we have been to several of these places before and would rather do something different. As it stands now, we will probably stay on the ship - or fairly close to it - in Rome. We've done all the main attractions and don't feel like traveling long distances and spending big bucks for something we're already done. In all our cruising, we have never used the ship's pool.....maybe Rome will be the day and we can have the adult pool (and bar!) all to ourselves.
Does anyone know what is the exact day that Castaway Club members can start to book? My (old) TA tells me nothing. (Hopefully, my new one will be better.)

Dont you want to take us on a tour of Rome Please!

We can take the train there?

Peter