May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread

[rashdecision]

We just realized that we are early sitting for dinner but if I am not mistaken the times for early seating are approx 545. Does anyone know what the seating times are and if we will be back from ports in time. We are planning a very active excursion list and if they keep the dinner seating that early, there is no way.

 

[Travelbee]

Well that just sucks! You'd think with 11 nights, there'd be plenty of availability for everyone. Guess not. I can see this is really not the kind of cruise to do as a first-timer to DCL.

Sayhello

Don't be discouraged about Palo. I understand that DCL releases a number of reservations per window (@ 105-day, 90-day & 75-day). So if you're a first timer, there will be new reservations made available at the 75-day mark. Of course, this means the 105-dayers get 3 opportunities to snatch up one of the resevations.

I think Jeff/family got a great room deal at the new hotel. I had just booked the day before on booking.com for a room at Hotel Jazz and paid for it as I was afraid the Euro would go higher but I do think the Spencers got the better deal. Mine was $229 which includes a full breakfast.

We don't have our flights booked yet, but do have a reservation at the Novotel Hotel that Jeff suggested for 1 night pre-cruise. The rates are just too passed up. We're traveling with another family, so we got two rooms with the second room at 50% of the rate. I think our total was 150 euros for two rooms.

 

[Travelbee]

Has anyone done Cinque Terre on your own? I was thinking a 4-hr roundtrip to Florence is probably too much for the kids and was thinking about doing Cinque Terre. I got info from another Diser on private tours but was wondering if it'd be just as easy doing it on our own? I read that the train is very accessible from La Spezia and the first town is only 20 minutes away. If anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it!

 

[abdmom]

Don't be discouraged about Palo. I understand that DCL releases a number of reservations per window (@ 105-day, 90-day & 75-day). So if you're a first timer, there will be new reservations made available at the 75-day mark. Of course, this means the 105-dayers get 3 opportunities to snatch up one of the resevations.

Do you know if they do the same thing with shore excursions?

 

[sayhello]

Don't be discouraged about Palo. I understand that DCL releases a number of reservations per window (@ 105-day, 90-day & 75-day). So if you're a first timer, there will be new reservations made available at the 75-day mark. Of course, this means the 105-dayers get 3 opportunities to snatch up one of the resevations.

Thanks. That does help to know!

Sayhello

 

[tripodjw]

We just realized that we are early sitting for dinner but if I am not mistaken the times for early seating are approx 545. Does anyone know what the seating times are and if we will be back from ports in time. We are planning a very active excursion list and if they keep the dinner seating that early, there is no way.

AFAIK the early dinner seating stays at the same time, even if there's some really late back excursions. I'd imagine there are only really 2 days where there is a possibility the excursions will be back late - Civitivecchia (as the Rome excursions are around the 10/11 hour mark) and La Spezia (as some of the Florence excursions are around 10 hours). The other ports i think early seating will be absolutley fine.

Don't forget there is always Topsiders or room service if you think you won't make it back for dinner on a particular night. After a 12 hour excursion i probably wouldn't want to bother getting dressed for dinner in the dining room.

 

[rashdecision]

AFAIK the early dinner seating stays at the same time, even if there's some really late back excursions. I'd imagine there are only really 2 days where there is a possibility the excursions will be back late - Civitivecchia (as the Rome excursions are around the 10/11 hour mark) and La Spezia (as some of the Florence excursions are around 10 hours). The other ports i think early seating will be absolutley fine.

Don't forget there is always Topsiders or room service if you think you won't make it back for dinner on a particular night. After a 12 hour excursion i probably wouldn't want to bother getting dressed for dinner in the dining room.

Thats a good point but after looking at the itinerary times, Naples, Rome, La Spezia, and Villefranche are all leaving port at approx 9pm. Do you know what time late seating starts? I appreciate the help. Early seating seemed to be a no brainer since we have 2 children 7 and 9.

 

[Travelbee]

Do you know if they do the same thing with shore excursions?

Sorry, I'm not sure about the shore excursions. It may be a good question in the general forum if you're concerned.

Thats a good point but after looking at the itinerary times, Naples, Rome, La Spezia, and Villefranche are all leaving port at approx 9pm. Do you know what time late seating starts? I appreciate the help. Early seating seemed to be a no brainer since we have 2 children 7 and 9.

I think late seating starts at 8 pm. I've never done late seating but are doing it for this trip because of the port times.

 

[tripodjw]

Thats a good point but after looking at the itinerary times, Naples, Rome, La Spezia, and Villefranche are all leaving port at approx 9pm. Do you know what time late seating starts? I appreciate the help. Early seating seemed to be a no brainer since we have 2 children 7 and 9.

Late seating was 8.15 when we cruised last year, and according to the DCL FAQ on the main page it still is 8.15, but who knows if they'll chnage the times to better suit the Med itineraries.

 

[tripodjw]

I have never done late seating before and see that most of those posted have listed late seating. Is there any concern about the time conflicting with ship activities ?

Sorry, missed this first time round and i can't see that anyone else has answered.

Most shipboard activitiies are arranged so that they do not conflict with the two seatings (they run before between or after). The main shows are repeated and run during the dinner slots. So late seating guests go to the first show at 6pm(ish) and early seating guests go to the second show at 8.30 (ish)

Some kids activities run at dinner time and aren't repeated which can cause a little annoyance for those kids (i think particularly its things like the teens being allowed into the gym just before it closes - this clashes with late seating dinner)

Generally i've not found that there were activities i couldn't do because of dinner. I think hte only time i struggled was on the last night - luggage is supposed ot be outside yout room by 11pm. When you're on late seating this can be quite tight - especially as our servers hung around and chatted to us and our tablemates - as it was the last night. I think we got back to our room about 10.15/10.30 and still had to pack a fair few things (including the clothes we'd been wearing to dinner that evening). It was pretty tight getting the bags out by 11pm

 

[ebony]

Hi everyone the med cruise is getting really close now only 103 days to go.

Left it a bit late but am just trying to see which excursions we would like to do. We want to do something in Rome and Monte Carlo, but not sure about the other ports. We usually go to the Beach and have wander round the shops in the town.
We have booked the Marriott hotel in Barcelona its right at the airport. We are flying in the evening before and then getting Disney transfers in the morning to The Magic.
I will try to keep up now with this thread and am looking forward, to trying to get to know some of you before we cruise.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

I have a daughter in the pre-vet program at the College of St Benedict in Collegeville Minnesota (freshman). The other is a freshamn at Normandale studying business. It might be fun for the girls to meet on the ship.

I'm sure my daughter would like that. I'll pass that on to her.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Well that just sucks! You'd think with 11 nights, there'd be plenty of availability for everyone. Guess not. I can see this is really not the kind of cruise to do as a first-timer to DCL.

Sayhello

Not to worry sayhello. As someone already mentioned, DCL doesn't release all the Palo reservations initially, it's done incrementally. Additionally, people tend to make and cancel reservations frequently so even if something is booked up I would encourage everyone to keep checking back for availability. Finally, if you weren't able to book a Palo reservation before arriving on the ship and would still like to dine there, I would encourage you to go to Palo after boarding and check availability again. They seem to reserve some slots for guests on boarding day too. At a minimum, put your name on the waiting list and you'll have a good chance of being called.

 

[sarahgirl]

Not to worry sayhello. As someone already mentioned, DCL doesn't release all the Palo reservations initially, it's done incrementally. Additionally, people tend to make and cancel reservations frequently so even if something is booked up I would encourage everyone to keep checking back for availability. Finally, if you weren't able to book a Palo reservation before arriving on the ship and would still like to dine there, I would encourage you to go to Palo after boarding and check availability again. They seem to reserve some slots for guests on boarding day too. At a minimum, put your name on the waiting list and you'll have a good chance of being called.

On traditional sailings (3,4,7 day) they reserve approx 1/2 of the reservations for people to be able to do them when they get on the ship. I just prefer to have things planned out ahead of time. I'm not really worried about getting a spot, I'm pretty sure with how long this cruise is and the fact that I am solo and can do anything I please that I will get a spot at dinner and brunch. I just was curious how it was filling up.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Thats a good point but after looking at the itinerary times, Naples, Rome, La Spezia, and Villefranche are all leaving port at approx 9pm. Do you know what time late seating starts? I appreciate the help. Early seating seemed to be a no brainer since we have 2 children 7 and 9.

In 2007, during the 11 night cruises, late seating was at 8:30 pm. Early seating was at 6:00 pm. Navigators from the DCL Med cruise in 2007 were scanned in for those that are interested.

 

[rashdecision]

In 2007, during the 11 night cruises, late seating was at 8:30 pm. Early seating was at 6:00 pm. Navigators from the DCL Med cruise in 2007 were scanned in for those that are interested.

Jeff, you are the man! I have been looking for old navigators to thumb through. That is perfect and thanks!

 

[leelee9878]

I have booked some excursions for the 3 ports in Italy and have some room left if anyone wants to join.

This is a link for his reviews on Tripadvisor
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...eviews-Rudy_s_Touring_Service-Rome_Lazio.html

This is the email I received from him:

In Civitavecchia you will have me or my partner and driving one hour ,we will arrive in the centre of Rome.
On the city we will drive you to visit many different sites such as
The Palatine
the Circus max
the Colosseum
the Roman forum
the Wedding Cake
The Pantheon
The Trevi fountain
The roman city walls
San Peter Basilica and more if we can.
The car is full licenced to drive everywere and anityme you will be beside the sites with me as your driving/guide,without walking too much.(I have a diploma in art and I'm full licenced to accompany you everywere-when the parking spot is avaible of course).
We will start the tour visiting the most ancient sites and we will end the tour visiting the most modern.
So we will tour the city concerning the time,talking about the monuments and at the end of the tour,you will know this city,its monuments,its history,its legends.
After lunch time, we will go to the Vatican museum to visit the Sistine chapel and San Peter Basilica.
Me or my partner will guide you inside (you save 120.00-150.00 euros of the guide).
After this I will drive you back to the dock.
Rates are entrance fees on the sites not included.
The service is 9 hours in total, it is on deluxe van full air conditioned and it will start at 8.00 am at the dock and it will end at 5-5.30 pm at the dock.
I HAVE 2 SPOTS LEFT

In Tuscany, from La Spezia port, you can have me or my associate Daniele.After your pick up,we will drive from La Spezia dock for 25 minuts and we will arrive in Pisa where you can visit the leaning tower and the square.
After we will drive 45 minuts to Florence.
On Florence we will drive you to visit the
the Duomo
The Giotto's tower
the Ponte Vecchio,
The Palazzo della signoria and if you wish,I can reserve for you the entrance on the Accademia museum to see the famous Michelangelo's David..
After we will drive you on the top of a hill to have a beautiful view of Florence.
At this point we will drive you back to the dock.
During the tour you willl have the time for your lunch and for your shopping.
I HAVE 3 SPOTS LEFT

In Naples you will have me or my associate Roberto.
From the dock of Naples we will drive to Positano (a beautiful fisherman's town on the ocean) and you will have one hour to visit the pedastrian area.
After Positano we will drive you to visit Sorrento (a wonderful town up the sea) and you will have time to visit the town and for your shopping.
After the shopping you can have your meal on a wonderful not fancy restaurant with a beautiful view of the coast.
At this point we will drive you to Pompeii to visit the ruins of the Roman town (if you wish you can have a guide - I can reserve one for you, because only the local guide can tour the site-cost is euros 100.00 for all of you).
After we will drive you back to the dock.
I HAVE 3 SPOTS LEFT

Booking the 3 ports rates are:

Livorno euros 500.00 (8 people, roughly $94 USD pp)
Civitavecchia euros 600.00 (7 people, roughly $129 USD pp)
Naples euros 500.00 (8 people roughly $94 USD pp)

Please let me know if anyone is interested in joining us!

Lisa

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Rudy is going to love our cruise!

 

[princess paula]

hi everyone !! Looking fwd to 15th May !!

 

[sarahgirl]

Rudy is going to love our cruise!

Definately! With all the people signed up from these boards, he's getting plenty of business.