May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread

[k8e]

We are definitely interested in a tour of the Amalfi Coast & Pompeii if anyone has space for 2. We are also thinking of doing one in Rome also.

Thanks

 

[k8e]

For anyone looking for a hotel room in Barcelona, just wanted to let you know that we got a good deal at Barcelona Princess (good reviews on TripAdvisor). We booked through booking.com for a little over $100 usd for the night of the 14th.

 

[peterpanstout]

booking is a great website to use! We have lived in Germany for three years and have done lots of traveling. booking is my go to site for good cheap hotels. You might also look into apartment or self catering rentals. They are usually cheaper and have kitchens. If you are traveling with a big group it's worth it! Most European hotels charge per person. booking has apartment rentals, we booked one! There is also a great site I use all the time:

http://www.homeaway.com/search/keywords:barcelona

Jeff, thank you so much for all the information. It is getting me even more excited!

 

[maddisney]

I'll also take part to this mediterranean cruise.

I have a GTY 12 cabin and early seating assignments.

Our party is composed of:
DW Olga (38)
DS Florian (1)
DH Marc (42)

 

[tripodjw]

I just realized (duh!) that you guys are so organized and keeping all the cruisers on the front page of the thread. Just wanted to add some details for myself.

Jill (36)
Sailing solo
GTY

Also, how do we sign up for the FE exchange? I would like to get into it please.

Jill in CO

All sorted, you're updated and signed up for FE's

Also updated the other details and added the new cruisers.

 

[jedijill]

All sorted, you're updated and signed up for FE's

Also updated the other details and added the new cruisers.

Thanks for organizing this! I know what a big job it is.

Jill in snowy CO...I"m ready for warm weather!!!!

 

[MPS516]

We still have room on the Naples and La Spezia tours for up to 4.

NAPLES
The ruins of Pompeii, part of an ancient Roman city destroyed and buried by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

Herculaneum is an ancient residential town of Greek origins, destroyed and buried in ashes, together with Pompeii, by the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in 79 A.D. that also offers a variety of beautiful scenery and invaluable arts.

View the crater of Vesuvius, 1281 meters above sea level, by walking for approximately 45 minutes up the steep mount, as the road for vehicles terminates half way up this climb.

La Spezia
Piazzale Michelangelo, to admire one of the most superb views of the city. The Monuments to Michelangelo (1875) the statue of David, the Accademia’s Gallery.

Piazza del Duomo: the Baptistery, the Giotto Bell Tower, built in 14th century; and the Duomo which is one of the world’s largest Cathedrals.

The Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), church of Santa Croce (13th century, Gothic), containing the tombs of Michelangelo, Galilei, Alfieri, Machiavelli, Foscolo and other great men. Take lunch in a fine local restaurant and, depending on time, experience the shopping malls of Florence in leisurely time.

The town of Pisa. The Leaning Tower, the "Field of Miracles", the cathedral, the “Campo Santo” cemetery, the Baptistery, and the cathedral museum.

The tours are through http://www.benvenutolimos.com/

 

[Jeff Spencer]

There is wireless on the ship but the minutes cost exactly the same as if you were using their computers.

That's our experience too. Here are the rates I've seen:

Disney Magic

* $0.75 USD per minute pay as you go
* $55 USD for 100 minute plan ($0.55 per minute)
* $100 USD for 250 minute plan ($0.40 per minute)
* $150 USD for 500 minute plan ($0.30 per minute)

As a heads up, you must be VERY conscious of turning off/disconnecting your laptop from the network; otherwise, your minutes keep on getting used up. The network has been a bit spotty too in the two cruises we've used it though I'd say it was definitely better in 2008 than in 2007 on the Med cruise.

I would typically type up and compose my blog off-line and then wrestle with the network connection to get everything uploaded.

 

[jedijill]

If you have any extra time in the ports, there are Internet cafes that are cheap and easy to use. I've used them on my previous trips to stay in touch with home.

Jill in CO

 

[tripodjw]

If you have any extra time in the ports, there are Internet cafes that are cheap and easy to use. I've used them on my previous trips to stay in touch with home.

Jill in CO

There's also the usual suspects like Mcdonalds that offer free wireless. There'll be some of those free connections especially in the bigger places like Rome.

 

[jedijill]

There's also the usual suspects like Mcdonalds that offer free wireless. There'll be some of those free connections especially in the bigger places like Rome.

Speaking of McDonald's....I saw a show on Travel Channel once about the fanciest McDonald's in the world and the location near the Spanish Steps was included. Supposedly full of marble and mosaics. I haven't been there but may be worth checking out at least for a free WC.

Jill in CO

 

[nanaguide]

There's also the usual suspects like Mcdonalds that offer free wireless. There'll be some of those free connections especially in the bigger places like Rome.

Thanks for the information and suggestions. I'm bringing my new notebook! I know my husband really bought it so I'd stay in touch when I'm in London. Does everyone buy the 250 minute package - probably most economical? On the TA in 2007 I had a terrible time getting on a computer - finally started getting up early just to beat the rush of people.

Welcome to all the new cruisers - we have a large group of cat.#12 - GTYs. I bet there are going to be many, many upgrades.They can't possibly have that many cat.#12 rooms. I can't wait for our Meet & Greet - we have people from so many countries. This should be a fun, fun cruise. If you read the Baltic thread they are praying for discounts like they're offering on our cruise.

Now I need to check weather sites to see what the temperatures will be when we're in the Med - don't want to take unneccessary clothes!! I bought shorts that come to the middle/top of my knee I hope that covers the basics for the churches - past Med cruisers - how strict were they when you went to Rome. Are they going to check the hems to see if they come to the bottom of my kneecap? Or am I worrying for nothing?

 

[jedijill]

Thanks for the information and suggestions. I'm bringing my new notebook! I know my husband really bought it so I'd stay in touch when I'm in London. Does everyone buy the 250 minute package - probably most economical? On the TA in 2007 I had a terrible time getting on a computer - finally started getting up early just to beat the rush of people.

Welcome to all the new cruisers - we have a large group of cat.#12 - GTYs. I bet there are going to be many, many upgrades.They can't possibly have that many cat.#12 rooms. I can't wait for our Meet & Greet - we have people from so many countries. This should be a fun, fun cruise. If you read the Baltic thread they are praying for discounts like they're offering on our cruise.

Now I need to check weather sites to see what the temperatures will be when we're in the Med - don't want to take unneccessary clothes!! I bought shorts that come to the middle/top of my knee I hope that covers the basics for the churches - past Med cruisers - how strict were they when you went to Rome. Are they going to check the hems to see if they come to the bottom of my kneecap? Or am I worrying for nothing?

I was reading a trip report from one of the May 2007 cruises and the author talked about it being rainy and chilly and having to buy a sweatshirt. I knw the dining rooms/theater gets chilly too so I'm planning on at least bringing some sort of jacket/wrap. I personally think your shorts will be fine. There wasn't anyone around the Vatican with a ruler. Just make sure your shoulders are covered.

Jill in CO

 

[Pinmeister]

Howdy again. My husband and I are interested in either starting a group or joining one for private tours in the Italy ports. Anyone have space available?

Hi I'm Frank,
This is my first time doing posting as I just signed up for disboards. My wife and I are going on our first cruise (5/15) ever and are really looking forward to it. We are interested in getting together with a group for the Italian port excursions and possibly others. Any insight from veteran cruisers would be greaty appreciated.Any leads would be really helpful.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Welcome Frank!

On the weather, I don't think it's going to be as warm as some think! Posted below are the average high and low for May (F).

Barcelona, Spain - 68/53
Valletta, Malta - 74/59
Tunis, Tunisia - 76/56
Naples, Italy - 72/53
Civitavecchia, Italy (Rome) - 74/51
La Spezia, Italy (Florence, Pisa) - 74/52
Ajaccio, Corsica - 70/50
Villefranche, France - 67/56

 

[abdmom]

Welcome Frank!

On the weather, I don't think it's going to be as warm as some think! Posted below are the average high and low for May (F).

Barcelona, Spain - 68/53
Valletta, Malta - 74/59
Tunis, Tunisia - 76/56
Naples, Italy - 72/53
Civitavecchia, Italy (Rome) - 74/51
La Spezia, Italy (Florence, Pisa) - 74/52
Ajaccio, Corsica - 70/50
Villefranche, France - 67/56

Thanks for the temps, Jeff. I don't think I'm going to worry about swimming in the Med, then. Looks like we'll just be packing our regular clothes rather than the stuff we wear in FL.

 

[sayhello]

Hey Sayhello...just wanted to tell you that I read your AK trip report tonight. Great job! Alaska is definately on my short term radar and ABD sounds like they did a great job.

Now back to our Med programming.

Jill in CO

Thanks, Jill! Glad you enjoyed the Report! ABD did do a fabulous job, and I can highly recommend it!

Are you using Disney transfers or taking a taxi? When are you planning to depart? I would expect the worst traffic to be from about 1 pm on. Before then, it shouldn't be bad at all on a Saturday morning. Also, looking at the Barcelona Port web site, there will be 3 other cruise ships at the port that Saturday beside the Magic (Brilliance of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Sovereign) so that will be contributing to the congestion.

Oh, cool! The Adventure of the Seas is the first cruiseship I ever cruised on, and it's a beautiful ship! It will be fun seeing her again. She's quite a ways from the Southern Caribbean!

Welcome Frank!

On the weather, I don't think it's going to be as warm as some think! Posted below are the average high and low for May (F).

Barcelona, Spain - 68/53
Valletta, Malta - 74/59
Tunis, Tunisia - 76/56
Naples, Italy - 72/53
Civitavecchia, Italy (Rome) - 74/51
La Spezia, Italy (Florence, Pisa) - 74/52
Ajaccio, Corsica - 70/50
Villefranche, France - 67/56

Excellent! Sounds like my very favortite weather!!!!

Sayhello

 

[Jeff Spencer]

At the risk of stating the obvious, I'll also point out that in the evenings out on deck it can be pretty chilly too with the breeze created by the ship's movement combined with the cooler temperatures. This was especially true for us the evening we were out on the deck for Pirate Night.

 

[jedijill]

At the risk of stating the obvious, I'll also point out that in the evenings out on deck it can be pretty chilly too with the breeze created by the ship's movement combined with the cooler temperatures. This was especially true for us the evening we were out on the deck for Pirate Night.

I'll take cooler weather over what Italy is like in July and August! When I was in the military we drove down to Naples over 4th of July weekend. We about died when we were touring Pompeii....it was soooo hot and humid! Actually, the nicer weather is what made me look at this cruise in May....I wouldn't even consider the August cruises.

Jill in CO

 

[nanaguide]

Thanks Jeff for the weather information - that sounds like what our weather should be here in Florida right now. This has been the coldest Winter we've had in the 7 years we've lived here. I agree with Jill I hear Europe is HOT in July and August. These temps are just right for touring - will bring a couple of jackets. It does get chilly on deck.