May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread

[Travelbee]

Just wanted to share a deal I saw on Travelzoo for a 4-star hotel in Barcelona. It may be a good backup for those booked at Novotel in case it's not opened. Unfortunately, it won't work for us (well our friends) because the rooms don't sleep four.

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/international-hotels/772253

On a separate note - any tips on trip insurance? We've always decline it but British Airways crew is scheduled to go on a strike later this month and has me worried about them cancelling our flights at the last minute when the airfare is through the roof. I'm going to post this on the main board as well.

 

[jedijill]

Wow! This is a very active board. I was not following for more than 2 weeks. (recovering from my lasek surgery). We would like to join the FE. So excited! We are not very familiar with it. Will check the link to try to make one.
Joti

How do you like your lasik??? I got mine done on 1/29 and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I'd been wearing glasses/contacts for 20 years and its like a new lease on life!

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

Just wanted to share a deal I saw on Travelzoo for a 4-star hotel in Barcelona. It may be a good backup for those booked at Novotel in case it's not opened. Unfortunately, it won't work for us (well our friends) because the rooms don't sleep four.

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/international-hotels/772253

On a separate note - any tips on trip insurance? We've always decline it but British Airways crew is scheduled to go on a strike later this month and has me worried about them cancelling our flights at the last minute when the airfare is through the roof. I'm going to post this on the main board as well.

I purchased a policy through AAA although I did a lot of comparison shopping at insuremytrip.com. I was really concerned about travel delays and lost baggage. I ended up with a policy through Access America for $156.

HTH

Jill in CO

 

[sarahgirl]

I booked mine through insuremytrip as well. Since this is a 2-in-1 trip for me (cruise and then a land tour) I had it cover both. I'm using American Express and got the American Express Global Travel Shield Classic plan. For $5000 worth of coverage I paid $129. It provided me with peace of mind knowing that if something happens I am covered. Make sure you look at luggage reimbursement for lost or delayed items.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Jeff do you or anyone else know if there are any diving trips at any of the ports? My DSIL would love to go diving. Thanks

There are no DCL excursions for scuba. Earlier in our thread there were some people discussing the possibility of diving in either Corsica or Malta. From what I've seen, I agree with amackay - if I were going to dive on this trip I'd do it in Malta because it'd be warmer. For Corsica, I looked up some of the dive shops there and posted them on post #364. I'm a wimpy warm-water diver - the Med temps would be cold enough that I've decided to pass on diving on this trip.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Just wanted to share a deal I saw on Travelzoo for a 4-star hotel in Barcelona. It may be a good backup for those booked at Novotel in case it's not opened. Unfortunately, it won't work for us (well our friends) because the rooms don't sleep four.

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/international-hotels/772253

On a separate note - any tips on trip insurance? We've always decline it but British Airways crew is scheduled to go on a strike later this month and has me worried about them cancelling our flights at the last minute when the airfare is through the roof. I'm going to post this on the main board as well.

Thanks Connie. I'll look into the hotel as a backup for May 14th at the Novotel. I've already moved my 5/26 overnight stay to the Hotel Barcelona Catedral to be in the Gothic quarter and it had a good price too.

On insurance, we took the cruise insurance Disney had but I need to get insurance for our flights so I'll be following what you find as far as recommendations.

 

[Travelbee]

Thanks Sarah & Jill. I called InsureMyTrip and they told me since the threat of a strike has been in the news, the strike is no longer "unforeseen" and therefore would not be covered by the insurance if I were to get a policy. What a bummer!

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Does anyone know how much the rainforest passes are? I'm trying to figure out how much I'll need to put away for them!

Rainforest passes, last I saw posted was $15/day with some discount if you buy a pass for more days.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Thanks Sarah & Jill. I called InsureMyTrip and they told me since the threat of a strike has been in the news, the strike is no longer "unforeseen" and therefore would not be covered by the insurance if I were to get a policy. What a bummer!

A pre-existing condition?

And welcome to all the new cruisers! (can you tell I enjoy the little emoticons?)

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Wow, that's a lot! I'll just wait to see if we get a free upgrade. Think how many excursions/souvenirs that can buy.

Doing my usual lurking on the May 5th thread, there's one posting of an upgrade so far (booked cat 5 room upgraded to a cat 4) so things are starting to happen.

 

[familytravel]

How do you like your lasik??? I got mine done on 1/29 and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I'd been wearing glasses/contacts for 20 years and its like a new lease on life!

Jill in CO

I love it! It is like getting a pair of new eye.

 

[familytravel]

Rainforest passes, last I saw posted was $15/day with some discount if you buy a pass for more days.

Hi Jeff,
what is a rainforest pass?
Joti

 

[emmalouisenicholson]

Just noticed that they are no longer selling Cat 12 cabins for our Cruise on DCL's website. Still available for May 5 & 26 sailings but not ours

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Hi Jeff,
what is a rainforest pass?
Joti

The rainforest is steam room in the Vista Spa. The pass is the admission for it and they're sold on a daily or multi-day basis.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Another post on the May 5th cruise - an upgrade from a Cat 9 to a Cat 6. Looks like DCL is starting with those that booked the lower category rooms first (makes sense) before tackling the GTYs.

 

[sayhello]

Just noticed that they are no longer selling Cat 12 cabins for our Cruise on DCL's website. Still available for May 5 & 26 sailings but not ours

That happened a few days ago, and then they were back the next day. Really not sure what that means...

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

How do you like your lasik??? I got mine done on 1/29 and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I'd been wearing glasses/contacts for 20 years and its like a new lease on life!

Jill in CO

I love it! It is like getting a pair of new eye.

Isn't it just the best thing in the world? I'd worn glasses (pretty heavy-duty ones) since I was in the fifth grade, and contacts for well over 20 years. I had Lasik done 4 years ago, and am still giddily happy about it! I went to see "The Aviator" at the theatre a couple of days after the surgery, and was blown out of my seat by how very *CLEAR* everything looked! Amazing!

Sayhello

 

[sarahgirl]

Thanks Sarah & Jill. I called InsureMyTrip and they told me since the threat of a strike has been in the news, the strike is no longer "unforeseen" and therefore would not be covered by the insurance if I were to get a policy. What a bummer!

That really does suck. I guess they are putting it in BA's hands then. I am flying from BCN to London after the cruise with them one way and I hope everything is worked out by then. We have about 2 months so I really can't see the strike lasting that long.

 

[ahilman]

Hello all! My fiance (32) and I (24) booked this cruise for our upcoming honeymoon!!! We're so excited about the cruise! I've cruised quite a bit before, including a cruise in the Med last summer, covering some of the same ports in Italy. We're interested in seeing if anyone still has spots left in any private tours...??? Both of us have travelled quite a bit and don't mind keeping up with a quicker pace or lots of walking. We're especially interested in Rome, Pompeii/Amalfi Coast, La Spezia, Corsica, and Villefranche tours, as well as any other tours in other ports. We admit that we have had little time to work on honeymoon port excursions while in the thick of the wedding planning, but recognize that time invested into planning the ports is well worth it! We would welcome any advice or recommendations about tours! And if there are any tours with at least two spots open, we would be very interested in joining your group(s)! Thanks... and see ya on board! Ashley and Ricky

 

[jedijill]

Doing my usual lurking on the May 5th thread, there's one posting of an upgrade so far (booked cat 5 room upgraded to a cat 4) so things are starting to happen.

There are a few more upgrades over there this afternoon! It's getting closer for us! (I just know I'll be one that stays in a 12 though!!!! )

Jill