May 28, 2011 - 11 Night Mediterranean Sailing from Barcelona

[wildonethirtyseven]

OK, now this is weird. My husband called from his work phone and DCL told him that as we paid through a travel agent, the travel agent had to assign the room. That doesn't sound right for a GTY rate. True, he's less involved and may have misunderstood, but he used the correct reservation number.

Anyone have an idea on this? Do travel agents ever assign staterooms in the GTY category? Will keep on it, thanks for the advice to call...I would have waited for weeks...

Never heard of that before.

 

[LaEsmralda]

So, I checked mail today and nothing for us.
But I was wondering, when is everyone doing the Palo dinner? We are doing it on the day of La Spezia/Pisa (Day 8, I think). Just wondering if anyone else is doing it that night.
Oh, and one more question? I was planning on bringing dresses, capris and shorts for myself and my daughter. Do you think that I should bring any long pants? I don't know whether or not it will be cold/chilly while we are at sea. Thank you!

 

[DopeyFan1966]

So, I checked mail today and nothing for us.
But I was wondering, when is everyone doing the Palo dinner? We are doing it on the day of La Spezia/Pisa (Day 8, I think). Just wondering if anyone else is doing it that night.
Oh, and one more question? I was planning on bringing dresses, capris and shorts for myself and my daughter. Do you think that I should bring any long pants? I don't know whether or not it will be cold/chilly while we are at sea. Thank you!

We haven't received anything yet either, but I don't expect to for another week or so.

We aren't doing PALO on the night of Le Spezia (even thought that is our anniversary night) because that is Pirate night. We had a lot of fun last year on Pirate night and that is the night they do the fireworks.

Last year it was kind of breezy on the upper decks. It did get a little chilly, I would bring a pair of slacks, just in case. Though our trip last year was 15 - 26 May, it may be a little warmer this year. I'm still going to bring something to cover up with just in case.

Cindy

 

[disney_bob]

So, I checked mail today and nothing for us.
But I was wondering, when is everyone doing the Palo dinner? We are doing it on the day of La Spezia/Pisa (Day 8, I think). Just wondering if anyone else is doing it that night.
Oh, and one more question? I was planning on bringing dresses, capris and shorts for myself and my daughter. Do you think that I should bring any long pants? I don't know whether or not it will be cold/chilly while we are at sea. Thank you!

We're also continuing to wait. As far as Palo goes, we're doing it Day 3 (after Malta).

 

[Maltese5]

I always do travel insurance for my trips. Years ago my son got sick and was hospitalized for several weeks. I would have NEVER gone on any trip without him and losing thousands of dollars would have made it even worse. We just had to cancel a spring break ski trip because my son broke his arm right before we left and we would have lost everything if it wasn't for trip insurance. Some of the insurance policies do cover things also such as loss of a job, jury duty, military duty etc, baggage loss, and trip delay. Check out www.insuremytrip.com and look at CSA or Travel Guard policies. You can put in the entire amount of your trip and coverage amounts needed. Hope this helps!

 

[Boomerang4]

OK, so regarding the GTY staterooms that have not been assigned, we checked with our travel agent and DCL and they're just simply not done yet. They say that they will guarantee assignment only 7 days prior to sailing.

In my particular case the situation was complicated by the use of a travel agent, and when my husband called, the customer service person said that the travel agent had to assign the cabin, which didn't apply to the rate we'd booked. So it was erroneous, but he was right in the sense that it's an entirely different office which does the assignments and he did not have any ability to check as to where things stood for us.

So I guess some of us may have up to 32 more days to wait for our staterooms. That's no fun, but at least nice to know.

We are doing Palo on the Villafrance night. It was a matter of deconflicting with full days out and what was still left when we booked our tickets.

 

[Melo597]

A question for all the experienced Med cruisers:
I'm reading that you want a second swimsuit (since they take forever to dry) on Disney cruises. Does that apply for the Med cruises as well? My kids like to swim, but I'm not sure there is "time" to be in the pool a lot. Any opinions?

Also, I am reading that Barcelona is the pick pocket capital of the world. We are staying a few days before and after the cruise. I am now paranoid after reading all the stories about pick pocketing on the internet (because EVERYTHING you read on the internet must be true ) about getting two small children and all our luggage from the plane to the hotel and then hotel to the ship (and back). Anyone have any experiences that can either prepare me or ease my mind?
TIA!!

 

[Boomerang4]

Also, I am reading that Barcelona is the pick pocket capital of the world. We are staying a few days before and after the cruise. I am now paranoid after reading all the stories about pick pocketing on the internet (because EVERYTHING you read on the internet must be true ) about getting two small children and all our luggage from the plane to the hotel and then hotel to the ship (and back). Anyone have any experiences that can either prepare me or ease my mind?
TIA!!

You have already solved 90 percent of the problem by being aware that you'll look different and that likely makes you a target. Yes, pickpocketing is more rampant in Europe than in the U.S. for some reason. Yes, we will all look like tourists at the port, (and in Naples and Rome, and the other ports for that matter) and may be targeted by criminals. But in most ways New York, Chicago, and Miami are more dangerous than Barcelona, so if you're comfortable in big American cities, don't let the internet rep get you stressed out. Use the same common sense that you already use in big U.S. cities (zipped purses, no totes, be alert, know that you look like a tourist, know who is responsible for which bags), and you'll be more than fine.

 

[Maltese5]

When we were in Barcelona last year I didn't see any real problems although like you I was worried as I had read about so much theft. I think you just need to be aware of your surroundings anywhere you travel. We did purchase a "slash proof backpack and camera strap" for that trip but luckily we never had any problems.

 

[scrapycruiser]

For those staying in Barcelona before the cruise, how is everyone getting to their hotel from the airport ? Has anyone ever used the Aerobus ?
Our hotel, Hotel 1898, is just 2 blocks from where they let you off. Not sure about pulling our suitcases even a short distance.

 

[kaceyisme]

For those staying in Barcelona before the cruise, how is everyone getting to their hotel from the airport ? Has anyone ever used the Aerobus ?
Our hotel, Hotel 1898, is just 2 blocks from where they let you off. Not sure about pulling our suitcases even a short distance.

We're only staying one night prior to the cruise (and 2 nights after), so prior to cruise we booked the Renaissance at the airport. They have a package that includes breakfast and transportation to the port.

 

[scrapycruiser]

Thanks, that sounds very nice and convienient ! And, restful !

 

[annichan]

When we were in Barcelona last year I didn't see any real problems although like you I was worried as I had read about so much theft. I think you just need to be aware of your surroundings anywhere you travel. We did purchase a "slash proof backpack and camera strap" for that trip but luckily we never had any problems.

Like previous posters have said, I think the whole secret is being aware of your surroundings. A friend of mine had her tote bag (complete with phone, purse and everything) stolen in Barcelona last year. However, she admits she was sitting on a bench talking to her young son, and she had placed the tote bag next to and slightly behind the bench, out of her view. When she turned around after several minutes, it was gone. So she says to tell you to just make sure to keep everything in sight, and exercise caution

(Even my friend was lucky in the end, though, as everything apart from the little cash she carried, her mobile phone and credit cards - which she had had cancelled right after the theft anyway - turned up a few weeks later. Apparently the thief had dropped the bag in a bin, and it had been found and turned in to the police.)

 

[Marymom]

Ok who has travel insurance? and who did they use? and why?

I bought cruise insurance with the travel agency we used and bought airfare insurance with Expedia. ( I booked the airfare myself). I don't usually buy insurance but with 6 of us going overseas the insurance was a fraction of the actual vacation cost. I figured better safe than sorry.

Mary

 

[Marymom]

So, I checked mail today and nothing for us.
But I was wondering, when is everyone doing the Palo dinner? We are doing it on the day of La Spezia/Pisa (Day 8, I think). Just wondering if anyone else is doing it that night.
Oh, and one more question? I was planning on bringing dresses, capris and shorts for myself and my daughter. Do you think that I should bring any long pants? I don't know whether or not it will be cold/chilly while we are at sea. Thank you!

We booked Palo dinner on Malta day. All the at sea days were taken and I thought since Malta leaves early evening, I wouldn't miss seeing the port from having to rush back.

We live in Florida. The cruise will be cooler than where we live so we are planning to take blue jeans and hoodies. If the high is in the low 70's, we will be more comfortable with cover.

 

[DopeyFan1966]

Anyone here a Passporter's Club member? Not just registered with them to read their boards, but a paying member to download their e-books and e-forms.

I was thinking about joining, but thought $45.00 for the year was a bit much, don't know if I will use their books that often, but they change so much month to month. By the time you order one things have already changed.

Thanks for any and all opinions.

Cindy

 

[LaEsmralda]

We booked Palo dinner on Malta day. All the at sea days were taken and I thought since Malta leaves early evening, I wouldn't miss seeing the port from having to rush back.

We live in Florida. The cruise will be cooler than where we live so we are planning to take blue jeans and hoodies. If the high is in the low 70's, we will be more comfortable with cover.

Yeah, when went to go book for Palo all the sea days were taken (along with every brunch and teas), so we booked it for the Pisa day because our excursion is a short one that day. We get back at noon, which leaves time for a short nap and time for getting gussied up.

As for us, we live in Germany, so low 70s are going to be like Florida to us. hehehe

 

[annichan]

Anyone here a Passporter's Club member? Not just registered with them to read their boards, but a paying member to download their e-books and e-forms.

I was thinking about joining, but thought $45.00 for the year was a bit much, don't know if I will use their books that often, but they change so much month to month. By the time you order one things have already changed.

Thanks for any and all opinions.

Cindy

I was thinking about it but in the end I decided against it, just like you I thought it was a bit much money. I bought a couple of their e-books separately, and I was thinking of buying the Cruise Clues one next. Probably will.

 

[annichan]

As for us, we live in Germany, so low 70s are going to be like Florida to us. hehehe

Boy, do I hear you on that one! And we even live a few hundred miles further north than you do - can't wait to get to the Mediterranean summer!

 

[Maltese5]

It will be 95 degrees here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas area today! Too hot way too soon for us!!! I am looking forward to a bit cooler weather on the trip!