May 26, 2010--5/26/2010 10 Night Mediterranean

[marlower]

My family and I will be doing all private tours.

In Naples, we have hired a guide who will take 10 of us to Pompeii, arrange in advance for a guide, then will take 7 in our group to Sorrento and drop them off (to shop and then take the hydrofoil back to the ship), and the other 3 of us (my mom, daughter and me) will go on an all-day tour of the Amalfi Coast. Can...not...WAIT!

Sounds awesome!! Getting so excited!!

 

[NHdisneylover]

I feel so behind on reasearch having only just booked!!!

Our booking window opened this morning so I went ahead and reserved all excursions I am considering and will drop those I determine not to be worthwhile once i have time to research. In 12 cruises I have only ever taken 2 ship excursions--we generally only do it if there is something we really want to see that we feel is far enough from the ship to worry us about something happening to keep us from getting back in time. We did the Kohunlich ruins about 60 miles inland from Costa Maya and took a boat to St Peter's Is;and near Tortola to go kayaking.

So, as of now i have a half day excursion to POmpeii booked which I will probably end up figuring out how to do better and cheaper on our own and drop (thanks LARGELY to information you have posted today), a half day in Tunisia to Carthage and a small town which I have to research to find out if there is a better way or not and the Vatican Sights tour in Rome booked. The Rome tour is soooooooo pricey, but I worry about going that far from the ship on a private tour and I realy want to be certain the kids see the Sistine Chapel and the Pieta. However as i read more about Rome and realize there are frequent trains to and from port (a back up if something goes wrong with a private tour) I am waffleing. Ugh--I am such a planner this all feels far too last minute for me! If anyone has any good information to share for the above I would LOVE to know about it. It is hard to find good guidebooks in English over here:rolleyes

I also booked tea at Palos on day 2 We are oddballs who did not care for brunch at all wither of our two attempts and now that we make the souffle at home we are not overly fond of dinner either, so more spots for everyone else. I just want my scones

I will try to figure out facebook this weekend. In the meantime, if any of you want to know excursion times for things if you cannot book yet let me know which ones and i will try to check for you.

 

[marlower]

I also booked tea at Palos on day 2 We are oddballs who did not care for brunch at all wither of our two attempts and now that we make the souffle at home we are not overly fond of dinner either, so more spots for everyone else. I just want my scones

Can you tell me more about the high tea? I've never done that and was thinking I may enjoy that. What time is the high tea? What do they serve?

Thanks so much!
Heidi

 

[sinnika]

I feel so behind on reasearch having only just booked!!!

Our booking window opened this morning so I went ahead and reserved all excursions I am considering and will drop those I determine not to be worthwhile once i have time to research. In 12 cruises I have only ever taken 2 ship excursions--we generally only do it if there is something we really want to see that we feel is far enough from the ship to worry us about something happening to keep us from getting back in time. We did the Kohunlich ruins about 60 miles inland from Costa Maya and took a boat to St Peter's Is;and near Tortola to go kayaking.

So, as of now i have a half day excursion to POmpeii booked which I will probably end up figuring out how to do better and cheaper on our own and drop (thanks LARGELY to information you have posted today), a half day in Tunisia to Carthage and a small town which I have to research to find out if there is a better way or not and the Vatican Sights tour in Rome booked. The Rome tour is soooooooo pricey, but I worry about going that far from the ship on a private tour and I realy want to be certain the kids see the Sistine Chapel and the Pieta. However as i read more about Rome and realize there are frequent trains to and from port (a back up if something goes wrong with a private tour) I am waffleing. Ugh--I am such a planner this all feels far too last minute for me! If anyone has any good information to share for the above I would LOVE to know about it. It is hard to find good guidebooks in English over here:rolleyes

I also booked tea at Palos on day 2 We are oddballs who did not care for brunch at all wither of our two attempts and now that we make the souffle at home we are not overly fond of dinner either, so more spots for everyone else. I just want my scones

I will try to figure out facebook this weekend. In the meantime, if any of you want to know excursion times for things if you cannot book yet let me know which ones and i will try to check for you.

Congrats on getting to book!!! Are you able to get a Rick Steve's Italy 2010 guidebook? Its filled with tons of info! Which Rome tour did you book? I think Rome will be easy to get to. Here are some details from another post from a 2007 med cruiser and how to book tickets for the Vatican:

"Originally Posted by panamaprincess
Your Post:

Rome --- again, we were off the ship as soon as they let us, walked to the train station and took the 8 am train into Rome (about an hour). We got off at S. Pietro and started our day at the Vatican. We had a reservation at Vatican Museum for 10:30 and were able to skip the line that went around the block a few times. You do pay extra for the reservation (about 10-12 E more) but well worth it. Send a fax to the Vatican, check out their website at Vatican.va. We hadn’t received our conf code when we left the US but we emailed home and got the number. The tour lasted about two hours and you do get to go into the Sistine chapel. After the tour, we had a nice lunch and took a bus to the Colosseum where we also had a reservation. Again, we skipped the line and were able to just walk in. We chose to see it on our own to save time and not follow the guide. We then took the metro to the Spanish Steps and walked to Trevi Fountain and Pantheon. After shopping and walking around, we took the train at the termini station back to the port.

I went to the Vatican.va site and could not figure out how to get a reservation. Other sites claim that you can only get a reservation by booking through a tour operator??? Also, is there a specific site for the Coliseum? And the train? ** We are on the July 18 departure


The number to send the fax to the vatican is 011 39 06 6988 5100 (the numbers 011 39 are the country codes) Just dial it exactly like that. You will need to state your requested day, names of people and if there are children and a return fax number...also the time of the tour that you want (10:30, 11:30,12:00 or 2pm).

For the colloseum, call 011 39 06 3996 7700. You will speak to someone---look up a few italian words in case--know the day of the week, month and day you need in italian. It helps if you are familiar with the numbers too.They have people who speak english but just in case. You'll need to tell them how many, and what time.

The Rick Steves book has all of this info in detail. I wouldn't travel without it.

For the train, trenitalia.com. Get familiar with the train schedule and print out the schedule for that day right before you leave or from the ship. "

Oh, and joining facebook is super easy. Just go to www.facebook.com
I am pretty computer illiterate and iI figured it out! LOL We have alot of discussions and great tips going on over there!

 

[sinnika]

More details of how to book the Vatican tours here from a 2007 poster:

"On the vatican, for a group tour anyway, and i think on an individual basis as well, they will only let you in at 9:30 or 10:30 booking directly through the vatican. Do not book a 9:30 tour, if you are late they will not let you in!!! And that time slot is cutting it very close!!! If you book through the bishops office for american visitors, they offer many more options, and the guide was absolutely wonderful. We had a 1:00 time slot, walked into where the group sales were and avoided a line that wrapped around the walls of the vatican. I could not believe the lines!! Anyway, they have a couple different options, museum and St. Peters Basilica, the gardens and St. Peters, etc. The cost includes admission into all of the above! And we did get to see the Sistine Chapel. Anyway, our guide also took us down below to see the burial sites of the popes. I think that was the highlight of our vatican tour for many in our group. http://www.pnac.org/general/visiting_vatican.htm
I was not able to get reservations through the vatican, but was able to get reservations through this office. "

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Congrats on getting to book!!! Are you able to get a Rick Steve's Italy 2010 guidebook? Its filled with tons of info! Which Rome tour did you book? I think Rome will be easy to get to. Here are some details from another post from a 2007 med cruiser and how to book tickets for the Vatican:

"Originally Posted by panamaprincess
Your Post:

Rome --- again, we were off the ship as soon as they let us, walked to the train station and took the 8 am train into Rome (about an hour). We got off at S. Pietro and started our day at the Vatican. We had a reservation at Vatican Museum for 10:30 and were able to skip the line that went around the block a few times. You do pay extra for the reservation (about 10-12 E more) but well worth it. Send a fax to the Vatican, check out their website at Vatican.va. We hadn’t received our conf code when we left the US but we emailed home and got the number. The tour lasted about two hours and you do get to go into the Sistine chapel. After the tour, we had a nice lunch and took a bus to the Colosseum where we also had a reservation. Again, we skipped the line and were able to just walk in. We chose to see it on our own to save time and not follow the guide. We then took the metro to the Spanish Steps and walked to Trevi Fountain and Pantheon. After shopping and walking around, we took the train at the termini station back to the port.

I went to the Vatican.va site and could not figure out how to get a reservation. Other sites claim that you can only get a reservation by booking through a tour operator??? Also, is there a specific site for the Coliseum? And the train? ** We are on the July 18 departure


The number to send the fax to the vatican is 011 39 06 6988 5100 (the numbers 011 39 are the country codes) Just dial it exactly like that. You will need to state your requested day, names of people and if there are children and a return fax number...also the time of the tour that you want (10:30, 11:30,12:00 or 2pm).

For the colloseum, call 011 39 06 3996 7700. You will speak to someone---look up a few italian words in case--know the day of the week, month and day you need in italian. It helps if you are familiar with the numbers too.They have people who speak english but just in case. You'll need to tell them how many, and what time.

The Rick Steves book has all of this info in detail. I wouldn't travel without it.

For the train, trenitalia.com. Get familiar with the train schedule and print out the schedule for that day right before you leave or from the ship. "

Oh, and joining facebook is super easy. Just go to www.facebook.com
I am pretty computer illiterate and iI figured it out! LOL We have alot of discussions and great tips going on over there!

Do I need to make a reservation for both tickets and the tour? Or does the tour include the ticket?

 

[sinnika]

Do I need to make a reservation for both tickets and the tour? Or does the tour include the ticket?

From Rick Steves book: "You can buy a ticket and reserve an entry time online at http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va for 18 euro. You choose your day and time, then print out the confirmation voucher with the reservation code. You can book tours given by the Vatican in English thru the same site for 30 euro which includes admission."

 

[Eeyore77]

I was also online last night at midnight to book my palo ressies and my excursions. This being me and my husbands first ever trip overseas we decided that it would be best to stick to the tours that the cruise has planned. I am way too worried about being somewhere unfamiliar on my own. we usually skip the excursions and venture off on our own, but we feel we will get a better experience if we go with someone who knows.

As for Palo we booked Dinner at 6:30 on formal night and we got brunch on the last at sea day at 11:30 am.

I am sooooo excited, but I need to get my airline tickets before I can feel really good. I can't seem to get a descent fare outta Miami. Is there any hope for some spring Europe sales like they did in the winter?

 

[NHdisneylover]

Can you tell me more about the high tea? I've never done that and was thinking I may enjoy that. What time is the high tea? What do they serve?

Thanks so much!
Heidi

Sure! Tea, like brunch, books up quite quickly. It is only available on sea days (which means hardly at all on this trip) and they only use about 1/3 of the dining room for it. It is at 3:00 only. I have never really been sure why that is The result is that there are perhaps 50 reservations for the entire cruise for tea.
It is a misnomer that they call it high tea, which I have always been taught means essentially a meal. This is finger sandwhiches and little pastries and scones only. it is good, but definately only a snack (not that you ever go hungray on the cruise or need more food). Anyway, it is very quiet and relaxing. You get a choice of teas and they will make it up for you in it's own little pot at the table. You can have more (and a different variety) later if you like. They will bring out the sandwhiches on a tierd tray and come around with scones, devonshire cream and jellies while you eat. The scones are generally very fresh and tasty and my favourite part. Towards the end they will bring out another tierd plate with several little finger pastires. There is a mini eclair I really like
Overall I think it is simple and sweet and Dave and I enjoy the break from our otehrwise hetic cruise pace (we like to join in all the activities) but it is not a big "wow" kind of item either.

Congrats on getting to book!!! Are you able to get a Rick Steve's Italy 2010 guidebook? Its filled with tons of info! Which Rome tour did you book? I think Rome will be easy to get to. Here are some details from another post from a 2007 med cruiser and how to book tickets for the Vatican:

"Originally Posted by panamaprincess
Your Post:

Rome --- again, we were off the ship as soon as they let us, walked to the train station and took the 8 am train into Rome (about an hour). We got off at S. Pietro and started our day at the Vatican. We had a reservation at Vatican Museum for 10:30 and were able to skip the line that went around the block a few times. You do pay extra for the reservation (about 10-12 E more) but well worth it. Send a fax to the Vatican, check out their website at Vatican.va. We hadn’t received our conf code when we left the US but we emailed home and got the number. The tour lasted about two hours and you do get to go into the Sistine chapel. After the tour, we had a nice lunch and took a bus to the Colosseum where we also had a reservation. Again, we skipped the line and were able to just walk in. We chose to see it on our own to save time and not follow the guide. We then took the metro to the Spanish Steps and walked to Trevi Fountain and Pantheon. After shopping and walking around, we took the train at the termini station back to the port.

I went to the Vatican.va site and could not figure out how to get a reservation. Other sites claim that you can only get a reservation by booking through a tour operator??? Also, is there a specific site for the Coliseum? And the train? ** We are on the July 18 departure


The number to send the fax to the vatican is 011 39 06 6988 5100 (the numbers 011 39 are the country codes) Just dial it exactly like that. You will need to state your requested day, names of people and if there are children and a return fax number...also the time of the tour that you want (10:30, 11:30,12:00 or 2pm).

For the colloseum, call 011 39 06 3996 7700. You will speak to someone---look up a few italian words in case--know the day of the week, month and day you need in italian. It helps if you are familiar with the numbers too.They have people who speak english but just in case. You'll need to tell them how many, and what time.

The Rick Steves book has all of this info in detail. I wouldn't travel without it.

For the train, trenitalia.com. Get familiar with the train schedule and print out the schedule for that day right before you leave or from the ship. "

Oh, and joining facebook is super easy. Just go to www.facebook.com
I am pretty computer illiterate and iI figured it out! LOL We have alot of discussions and great tips going on over there!

I do not have any guidebook yet. Having just booked on Monday and being in the land of stores which close early I have not had time to get downtown the store can order an English book yet. I really appreciate the information.
Thanks for the facebook tutorial also I can't do it now as I have to get the kids up for school in 5 minutes but will try this afternoon.

More details of how to book the Vatican tours here from a 2007 poster:

"On the vatican, for a group tour anyway, and i think on an individual basis as well, they will only let you in at 9:30 or 10:30 booking directly through the vatican. Do not book a 9:30 tour, if you are late they will not let you in!!! And that time slot is cutting it very close!!! If you book through the bishops office for american visitors, they offer many more options, and the guide was absolutely wonderful. We had a 1:00 time slot, walked into where the group sales were and avoided a line that wrapped around the walls of the vatican. I could not believe the lines!! Anyway, they have a couple different options, museum and St. Peters Basilica, the gardens and St. Peters, etc. The cost includes admission into all of the above! And we did get to see the Sistine Chapel. Anyway, our guide also took us down below to see the burial sites of the popes. I think that was the highlight of our vatican tour for many in our group. http://www.pnac.org/general/visiting_vatican.htm
I was not able to get reservations through the vatican, but was able to get reservations through this office. "

Thanks

 

[traceyjayne]

We have a good friend that has visited Italy at least 30 times and he is a super planner. The one thing he really emphasized was to do the Archeological Museum in Naples. He said it will all many more artifacts from Pompeii than Pompeii itself.

Did I already mention that you can download tours by Rick Steves for free--Podcasts actually from iTunes?? I downloaded several and look forward to using them for some of our tours.

Hi Heidi!
I am very keen to download some podcasts esp as they are free but when I called up the i tunes store from my PC I could not figure out the download bit. I have downloaded loads of music so my pc is set up. Perhaps the podcasts need something extra installed???
Tracey

 

[sinnika]

I was also online last night at midnight to book my palo ressies and my excursions. This being me and my husbands first ever trip overseas we decided that it would be best to stick to the tours that the cruise has planned. I am way too worried about being somewhere unfamiliar on my own. we usually skip the excursions and venture off on our own, but we feel we will get a better experience if we go with someone who knows.

As for Palo we booked Dinner at 6:30 on formal night and we got brunch on the last at sea day at 11:30 am.

I am sooooo excited, but I need to get my airline tickets before I can feel really good. I can't seem to get a descent fare outta Miami. Is there any hope for some spring Europe sales like they did in the winter?

Congrats on getting booked and esp for scoring a Palo's brunch!! I totally understand sticking with DCL tours as you can relax and let someone else handle the details! Which ones did you chose?

 

[NHdisneylover]

I was also online last night at midnight to book my palo ressies and my excursions. This being me and my husbands first ever trip overseas we decided that it would be best to stick to the tours that the cruise has planned. I am way too worried about being somewhere unfamiliar on my own. we usually skip the excursions and venture off on our own, but we feel we will get a better experience if we go with someone who knows.

As for Palo we booked Dinner at 6:30 on formal night and we got brunch on the last at sea day at 11:30 am.

I am sooooo excited, but I need to get my airline tickets before I can feel really good. I can't seem to get a descent fare outta Miami. Is there any hope for some spring Europe sales like they did in the winter?

I am so glad you got the Palo meals you wanted I agree with Sinnika that there is nothing at all wrong with taking the DCL excursions. Especially if you are not used to getting around on your own in Europe. If it makes you happy and you get to enjoy your vacation, that is what it is all about, right?

 

[lakerz5]

We will be doing the same thing tour-wise..DH is barely getting off the ship for excursions let alone doing them with anyone that is not DCL affiliated. Hopefully there will be some good tours left when we can book..and then when he is more comfortable we can venture out more on the next European cruise (someday)....."honey..really you NEED to get off the ship..."

 

[marlower]

Sure! Tea, like brunch, books up quite quickly. It is only available on sea days (which means hardly at all on this trip) and they only use about 1/3 of the dining room for it. It is at 3:00 only. I have never really been sure why that is The result is that there are perhaps 50 reservations for the entire cruise for tea.
It is a misnomer that they call it high tea, which I have always been taught means essentially a meal. This is finger sandwhiches and little pastries and scones only. it is good, but definately only a snack (not that you ever go hungray on the cruise or need more food). Anyway, it is very quiet and relaxing. You get a choice of teas and they will make it up for you in it's own little pot at the table. You can have more (and a different variety) later if you like. They will bring out the sandwhiches on a tierd tray and come around with scones, devonshire cream and jellies while you eat. The scones are generally very fresh and tasty and my favourite part. Towards the end they will bring out another tierd plate with several little finger pastires. There is a mini eclair I really like
Overall I think it is simple and sweet and Dave and I enjoy the break from our otehrwise hetic cruise pace (we like to join in all the activities) but it is not a big "wow" kind of item either.

Thanks so much for all the details of the high tea. Since we are leaving the ship early at Villefranche, that leaves us with just one day at sea so we will skip the high tea and hope for a brunch!! You know what that means, I just have to book another cruise to do the high tea

 

[marlower]

Hi Heidi!
I am very keen to download some podcasts esp as they are free but when I called up the i tunes store from my PC I could not figure out the download bit. I have downloaded loads of music so my pc is set up. Perhaps the podcasts need something extra installed???
Tracey

Hi Tracey,

You should be able to download them just like music only they are free!! I went to the itunes store and typed in Rick Steves Europe and several podcasts were available. They are about 30 minutes each so it takes a bit to download but not too long. They also include a map of the area they are talking about that you can download for free as well.
Hope that helps!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Thanks so much for all the details of the high tea. Since we are leaving the ship early at Villefranche, that leaves us with just one day at sea so we will skip the high tea and hope for a brunch!! You know what that means, I just have to book another cruise to do the high tea

Oh yes, DCL knows how to keep us comming back I think that is a very good reason to book another cruise

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I am a gold level CC and I booked both a high tea and a Palo Dinner. I am on the list for the group brunch so I didn't book one of those. I have been going back and forth over the excursions. Should I book a Disney excursion, go on my own, or a private tour. On my own is obviously the least expensive option of all three. However, I am traveling with my daughter and a Europe first-timer and I don't want to be stressed out. The private excursions are nice but not much cheaper than the Disney excursions and they won't hold the boat for you. I booked my excursions with Disney today. Another Disney executive will get a raise after my cruise. LOL.

 

[arg73]

Hi! We are a family of 4 with two daughters, 9 and 12. I was considering hiring "Your Tour in Italy" for a private driver to go to Pompeii, Sorrento, and along the Amalfi Coast. I wanted to see if anyone else is interested in sharing this tour with our family. I have booked the Disney excursion going to Pompeii and Sorrento but would rather be more flexible. Aldo (the owner) sent me an email with prices and a description of the day if you would like to see the general plan. The price for our family of 4 with everything (including lunch at a local restaurant @ 25 euros per person and Pompeii entrance @ 11 euros per person) is 674 euros. A private guide at pompeii is 130 euros additional and can be set up by them. Tipping is optional but usually 10-20% depending on service. The cost would be 50 euros more with another family of up to 4 for the car but would still be a lot less per family (434 euros including lunch and pompeii entrance). This is a little more than the Disney excursion for 4. They were highly recommended on the message boards and have a 5 star rating on the trip advisor site, plus I was really impressed with Aldo's email.

If anyone is interested please let me know! Thanks!

 

[sinnika]

Hi! We are a family of 4 with two daughters, 9 and 12. I was considering hiring "Your Tour in Italy" for a private driver to go to Pompeii, Sorrento, and along the Amalfi Coast. I wanted to see if anyone else is interested in sharing this tour with our family. I have booked the Disney excursion going to Pompeii and Sorrento but would rather be more flexible. Aldo (the owner) sent me an email with prices and a description of the day if you would like to see the general plan. The price for our family of 4 with everything (including lunch at a local restaurant @ 25 euros per person and Pompeii entrance @ 11 euros per person) is 674 euros. A private guide at pompeii is 130 euros additional and can be set up by them. Tipping is optional but usually 10-20% depending on service. The cost would be 50 euros more with another family of up to 4 for the car but would still be a lot less per family (434 euros including lunch and pompeii entrance). This is a little more than the Disney excursion for 4. They were highly recommended on the message boards and have a 5 star rating on the trip advisor site, plus I was really impressed with Aldo's email.

If anyone is interested please let me know! Thanks!

Welcome to the Dis boards and Welcome to the cruise meet!
Your tour sounds great and I'm sure you will find another family to join in with you! That's probably the most popular sites to see!

While I hope I don't regret missing the Amalfi coast, we are looking into a tour of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and the Archeological museum in Naples. I'm waiting to hear back on cost on that one, but if anyone is looking for those sites to visit specifically, we would not mind sharing a private tour. I'm estimating this would be an 8-10 hour excursion.

 

[jules4172]

Hi! We are a family of 4 with two daughters, 9 and 12. I was considering hiring "Your Tour in Italy" for a private driver to go to Pompeii, Sorrento, and along the Amalfi Coast. I wanted to see if anyone else is interested in sharing this tour with our family. I have booked the Disney excursion going to Pompeii and Sorrento but would rather be more flexible. Aldo (the owner) sent me an email with prices and a description of the day if you would like to see the general plan. The price for our family of 4 with everything (including lunch at a local restaurant @ 25 euros per person and Pompeii entrance @ 11 euros per person) is 674 euros. A private guide at pompeii is 130 euros additional and can be set up by them. Tipping is optional but usually 10-20% depending on service. The cost would be 50 euros more with another family of up to 4 for the car but would still be a lot less per family (434 euros including lunch and pompeii entrance). This is a little more than the Disney excursion for 4. They were highly recommended on the message boards and have a 5 star rating on the trip advisor site, plus I was really impressed with Aldo's email.

If anyone is interested please let me know! Thanks!

We're interested but I'm not sure how old you want the kids to be to join your family Our daughters will be 6 and going on 4 in July. There was another company I was looking at romeinlimo. I was thinking of going through them for the 3 Italy ports. They have good reviews on this board. Have to see what curisecritic and trip advisor have to say about them. If you want, you can email me and we can chat some more. I don't have enough posts to PM on this board. My email is docjules@yahoo.com. Just put "Your Tour in Italy" so I know it's from you.

Julie