May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread

[jedijill]

Speaking of soda on board.....any of you past Med cruisers know if they use American coke/diet coke on board or is the European formulations? I know silly question but I am a diet Coke addict and I just can't take the European formula.

Jill

 

[sarahgirl]

I think I'm planning the same thing. If you want company, let me know.

Jill

You are welcome to join me Jill. Don't know how long I'm going to stay out. Probably until I get sick of seeing Napoleon statues, which according to the videos shouldn't take too long.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

According to the touring website that I have checked out, it is about 1 hour to reach Florence.

Cindy,

FYI, I don't see any way to make it from La Spezia to Florence in an hour. It's right at 150 kilometers and it took us 1 hr. 45 minutes in 2007. I suppose a driver could drive REALLY fast, assuming traffic allows, and knock maybe 10-15 minutes off of the time but not 45 minutes.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Speaking of soda on board.....any of you past Med cruisers know if they use American coke/diet coke on board or is the European formulations? I know silly question but I am a diet Coke addict and I just can't take the European formula.

Jill

I do not know for certain, but I would expect that they would get the coke (and other soft drinks) syrup pouches for their carbonated beverage machines locally, which would mean "Coke Light" versus your beloved Diet Coke.

 

[sayhello]

So, is anyone planning on checking out the Magic Fountain in Barcelona on the evening of May 14th? I read on the May 5th thread that it's really fabulous, but I'm a bit nervous to head out at night by myself... Of course, that presumes that I'll still be conscious at 9pm that night....

Sayhello

 

[DopeyFan1966]

Cindy,

FYI, I don't see any way to make it from La Spezia to Florence in an hour. It's right at 150 kilometers and it took us 1 hr. 45 minutes in 2007. I suppose a driver could drive REALLY fast, assuming traffic allows, and knock maybe 10-15 minutes off of the time but not 45 minutes.

Thanks, Jeff.

I never even looked. I guess I need to look at some of the ones that you have posted on your site. Maybe I can find something. Haven't made any plans yet.

Cindy

 

[aldapl]

So, is anyone planning on checking out the Magic Fountain in Barcelona on the evening of May 14th? I read on the May 5th thread that it's really fabulous, but I'm a bit nervous to head out at night by myself... Of course, that presumes that I'll still be conscious at 9pm that night....

Sayhello

I am hoping to, but am nervous about being out with just my son, as my DH may not be able to make the trip. If he is with us, then we definitely will, if not, I will see how comfortable I feel.

 

[pixiedust519]

So, is anyone planning on checking out the Magic Fountain in Barcelona on the evening of May 14th? I read on the May 5th thread that it's really fabulous, but I'm a bit nervous to head out at night by myself... Of course, that presumes that I'll still be conscious at 9pm that night....

Sayhello

We will be there! Of course that's assuming that we will still be awake and coherent by that point! We have a full day of sightseeing in Barcelona that day after our flight and hope to make it to the Magic Fountains at 9pm for the first show. I saw that some of the April 24 cruisers met up there the night before their cruise - maybe we could do the same?

 

[jedijill]

Due to Greece's misfortune, the euro has dropped to $1.31 which is a 1 year low. This will certainly help our dollars go further.

Jill

 

[moneyhappy]

Hi again everyone! I am new to posting etc...My husband is the techno whiz. I just wanted to try to get a message to Tammy. (moneyhappy). On your tour of Rome, are you stopping at St. Peter's Basilica for a tour? Are you still looking for people to join your tour?
Karen

Hello Karen,

We still have three slots available. I will double check about St. Peter's Basilica. Did you want a tour of the inside?

We added a few picture stops, the information below is from one of the emails.

In Rome absolutely we can have a quick stop to Castel sant angelo and saint Peter square to make some picture but must tell you that we will not be able to go inside for parking reason and because from there we cannot jump the line

Let me know if you are still interest.

Thanks,
Tammy

 

[moneyhappy]

I am hoping to, but am nervous about being out with just my son, as my DH may not be able to make the trip. If he is with us, then we definitely will, if not, I will see how comfortable I feel.

So, is anyone planning on checking out the Magic Fountain in Barcelona on the evening of May 14th? I read on the May 5th thread that it's really fabulous, but I'm a bit nervous to head out at night by myself... Of course, that presumes that I'll still be conscious at 9pm that night....

Sayhello

We will also in Barcelona on the 14th, maybe a group of us could get together to see them. Safety in numbers.

 

[ebony]

Has anyone, booked transfers with Disney from the Airport to the Port ?.
I can't seem to find in my paperwork, which terminal they are picking up from.
Anyone know please ?
We are staying at an airport hotel the night before and then going back to the terminal in the morning, to get the shuttle.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

I saw that some of the April 24 cruisers met up there the night before their cruise - maybe we could do the same?

I read in one of the blogs where not that many showed up though...all too tired. We might be interested in doing this though.

 

[moneyhappy]

Has anyone, booked transfers with Disney from the Airport to the Port ?.
I can't seem to find in my paperwork, which terminal they are picking up from.
Anyone know please ?
We are staying at an airport hotel the night before and then going back to the terminal in the morning, to get the shuttle.

Terminal C at the Adossat Terminal (Moll D'Adossat)
It opens at 10:00 AM

 

[peterpanstout]

Due to Greece's misfortune, the euro has dropped to $1.31 which is a 1 year low. This will certainly help our dollars go further.

Jill

Unfortunatly it is not as great as it was a couple of months ago ($1=.77) but much better than the rate last summer ($1=.63).

I might be interested in the fountain as well.

Jill I am keeping my fingers crossed for your Diet Coke! I much prefer the Coke Light but I have only been drinking water for the past two years. I am hoping for some good German water on board mit kohlensaure, so un-American.

 

[aldapl]

Has anyone, booked transfers with Disney from the Airport to the Port ?.
I can't seem to find in my paperwork, which terminal they are picking up from.
Anyone know please ?
We are staying at an airport hotel the night before and then going back to the terminal in the morning, to get the shuttle.

That is what were are doing as well. I have been meaning to call Disney to find out what time we should be back at the airport. Or do you just show up and they put you on the next bus?

My papers are at home, I will look at which terminal when I get home.

 

[DopeyFan1966]

Hi Cindy...We would love to try and join you for a tour of Florence. Do you know how long it takes to get from Florence from the port? I thought I read somewhere that it was two hours. Do you know have a tour in mind?

Hello, it's me again. I've checked into a couple that were listed on Jeff's cruise website and have received a response from Limo In Rome. They do excursions in a lot of places. They are offering the same type of excursion as the other company I looked into, AND they are cheaper.

This is what they sent me:
About the excursion from LaSpezia: This excursion is taylored to visit Florence. Your driver-guide will be pleased to meet you at the pier to start your tour. Upon reaching the city, you will pause at Piazzale Michelangelo for a spectacular view of Florence, the entire Arno Valley and the Ponte Vecchio crossing the Arno River. You'll visit the Church of Santa Croce where Michelangelo is buried.
You will have some free time for shopping before continuing to "Accademia Museum" to visit the DAVID by Michelangelo and/or to the "Uffizi Gallery". (let me know if you want the reservation made so you won't have to wait in lines) After the Museum you continue to the main square of the city:S.Maria del Fiore: the Cathedral, the Giotto bell tower, the Baptistry and S. Lorenzo district famous for leathers market.
You can stop for an optional lunch to enjoy the traditional Italian cuisine.
In the first afternoon you continue to Piazza Signoria, stroll along the narrows streets visiting Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio famous for the "Gold market".
Time permitting, your tour ends driving through the rolling hills of Chianti countryside along the way back to the port.( estimated arrival time around 5:30/ 6:00 p.m.)
This excursion costs: EURO 500 ( up to 4 pax); EURO 540 ( up to 6 pax); EURO 580 ( for party of 8);
Entrance fee not included in my rates: Accademia Museum Euro 12 p.p.; Uffizi Gallery Euro 12 p.p.
The tour would be flexible according to your needs.
Vehicle used for touring isE LUXE MINIBUS airconditioned

I would look into buying tickets to the museums online (they maybe cheaper)

Only one thing though. I would be asking him to have us back to the Magic by 5pm. I don't want to miss pirate night.

Cindy

 

[taras]

I wanted to chime in on two more restaurants that we tried out in the last couple days here in Barcelona.
Also, I ran across a good looking, free guide to Barcelona. It's an 84 page PDF you can download at maribelsguides dot com (sorry, I don't have enough posts yet to make it a real link).

Taller de Tapas.
This was another very good tapas place, and has a strong focus on seafood. About the same price point as Cerveseria Catalana, and I think a bit better quality (especially if you like seafood) and service. The place was nearly full, but not packed, so no wait required. We had the arugula salad with goat cheese and quince jelly, chorizo cooked in cider, and the seafood paella.

La Taverna del Clinic
This one had amazing tapas (and twice as expensive, but I guess you get what you pay for). The menu is inspired by the standard tapas, but definitely takes things to the next level. We had the duck canneloni, patatas bravas, poached egg with spinach and caviar, veal with foie gras, morels in sauce, and two chocolate desserts (textures of chocolate and the taverna specialty). If you go here, you'll probably need a reservation, as it's pretty small - with the rain, we got lucky with an open slot just long enough for dinner.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Taller de Tapas.
This was another very good tapas place, and has a strong focus on seafood. About the same price point as Cerveseria Catalana, and I think a bit better quality (especially if you like seafood) and service. The place was nearly full, but not packed, so no wait required. We had the arugula salad with goat cheese and quince jelly, chorizo cooked in cider, and the seafood paella.

This one was #18 of 2,500+ restaurants in Barcelona on TripAdvisor and on my list as a candidate. Another you might consider is Cafe De L'Academia, which is about 2 blocks from the Jaume metro stop (Carrer dels Lledo 1).

 

[aldapl]

Has anyone, booked transfers with Disney from the Airport to the Port ?.
I can't seem to find in my paperwork, which terminal they are picking up from.
Anyone know please ?
We are staying at an airport hotel the night before and then going back to the terminal in the morning, to get the shuttle.

It does not say anything about a specific terminal. It states, "On embarkation day and based on the flight information you have provided to us, a Disney Cruise Line representative will meet you upon exiting baggage claim and customs and will provide further instructions at that time."