May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread

[sayhello]

Didn't you hear about the underwater train that goes from Ohio to Europe?

Don't I *WISH*!!!!

Yes I know that but it's not as funny when you say that.

Too true!

Sayhello

 

[abird]

I called my insuremytrip.com to find out the scoop on if my flights got cancelled due to the ash, and so far, the the official answer is "We don't know". The wording on my policy is if "weather" causes a cancellation of services for more than 24 hours, but they said there is some question as to whether this really counts as "weather" or not, or is simply a "natural disaster", which is handled very differently than "weather". The representative said claims are starting to come in, and they'll have a better idea next week after they see how those claims are being handled. So there's no guarantee I'd be covered if I miss the cruise due to not being able to fly there... A little scary, but I'm not going to start worrying now... I don't have many alternatives anyway. Can't exactly drive or take a train...

Sayhello

I called our trip insurance company (Travel Guard) and they said that ash is considered a weather problem and we would be covered at 100%....so I bet other insurance companies will have to call it "weather related" also. Anne

 

[aldapl]

I called our trip insurance company (Travel Guard) and they said that ash is considered a weather problem and we would be covered at 100%....so I bet other insurance companies will have to call it "weather related" also. Anne

Travelex is considering it a weather related event as well.

 

[leelee9878]

I'll try to answer your questions. You can only rebook the same number of cabins as you are sailing. So, if you only have one cabin on the Med..you can only rebook 1 cabin for the future cruise. When I rebooked in November, I paid 50% deposit, 10% off, and an OBC (which varied depending on length of cruise.) I just gave them my TA's name and they sent the confirmation to her after I got back from my cruise.

HTH

Jill in CO

Thanks Jill! It would be a 4 night cruise on the Dream, do you have an estimate as to what I can expect for OBC?

 

[leelee9878]

In jan. we booked two cabins with the discount and obc...and only had one cabin on the sailing...we booked for us and my dh parents.

That's great! I am hoping they will allow me to book more than 1

 

[jedijill]

Thanks Jill! It would be a 4 night cruise on the Dream, do you have an estimate as to what I can expect for OBC?

I think I got $100 for the Dream (4 night) in Oct 11.I believe that 7 nights are $200. I have heard that after 2011 OBC's will be based on your Castaway Cay status.

HTH

Jill

 

[KDavies29]

I would think so. Looks like roughly 20 miles around the island. I guess it would depend on weather. He says he can go anywhere deeper than 2 meters. Top speed is 26 knots but I'm no sailor. My guess is it would depend on what the weather was like. If it is a very calm day it might not be possible.

Right now it is just my family and even though $500 is a good deal it is more than I want to spend for one day. I am really hoping to split this about 4 ways if possible.

AlohaJoe23

Joe,

Alas, I cannot PM you am a newbie here with only 4 posts. We are a family of 4 - Mom, Dad and 17 & 18 year old. How much to join you on this?
It sounds pretty great.

Kim (kdavies6@cfl.rr.com)

 

[moneyhappy]

SPAIN - Madrid airport open, but carrier Iberia cancels all its European flights except those to or from Portugal, southern Italy, Greece and Turkey. Northern Spanish airports, including Barcelona closed until at least 1400 GMT Sunday. Palma shut from 1000 GMT until at least 1800 GMT.


Information updated on April 18th at 20:00
Iberia expects to operate normally its dosmestic flights starting tomorrow

Madrid, 18 of April of 2010

*
Flight operations on European routes will be restricted until the airports affected will reopen
*
Iberia has hired 70 buses to carry transit passengers to destinations such as Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Munich, Geneva or Venice, among others. It has also scheduled additional flights to Roma and Barcelona
*
The airline has rerouted about 4,000 passengers in different means of transport and has accomodated more than 5,000 customers in hotels in Madrid
*
Iberia reminds its customers that destination and date changes, as well as reimbursements without any penalty, are allowed and can be requested through Iberia offices and travel agencies until the end of April. Passengers are kindly requested not to go to the airport, if their flight hasn’t been confirmed
*
The airline has increased the number of personnel attending its call centers and recommends to call only in case of extreme urgency
*
Flight status can be checked through Iberia’s website, Arrivals and Departures. Clients holding tickets with Iberia code, but operated by a different airline, are required to contact the operating carrier for further information
*
A flight recovery plan will be put in place as soon as the airspace will reopen
*
Iberia regrets deeply the inconveniences caused to customers, and thanks them for their patience and comprehension. At the same time, the airline thanks its employees for their dedication and great effort made

 

[MPS516]

I am currently in the process of booking a group cruise for my family in Nov. 2011. I am able to set up the group on Tuesday APril 20th, which I want to do because I want to make sure that they have availability. However, I know that there are benefits to booking on board. Does anyone know what the current benefits are, and how many staterooms I would be able to book? Also, does anyone know if I would be able to book Tuesday and then re-book onboard to take advanatge of the perks? Lastly, I am using a travel agent for all of this, does anyone know how they can get credit for my booking, has anyone used a TA before and booked onboard?

When we booked our Med Cruise on board, we had only 1 room and were unsure if we needed 2 in the Med, they gave us a certificate to be used in the event we did book the second room for the discount and OBC. The OBC was less than ours but the discount was the same.

 

[sayhello]

I called our trip insurance company (Travel Guard) and they said that ash is considered a weather problem and we would be covered at 100%....so I bet other insurance companies will have to call it "weather related" also. Anne

That's really good to hear! Thanks, Anne!

Sayhello

 

[tripodjw]

Hi all - one for the group A FE people - i accidentally misspelled K8e's moms name. It's actually Joann - no a on the end.

Sorry Katie (and Joann).

Ta

 

[maddisney]

As good news, a lot of airports situated in the south and east of Europe have reopened.

Moreover, all the Spanish airports are opened now. The Spanish minister of Public Works José Blanco, has proposed to use their airport as platform for transatlantic flights. And at the same time, to increase the frequency of trains between Spain and the rest of Europe for transfers.

 

[rashdecision]

As good news, a lot of airports situated in the south and east of Europe have reopened.

Moreover, all the Spanish airports are opened now. The Spanish minister of Public Works José Blanco, has proposed to use their airport as platform for transatlantic flights. And at the same time, to increase the frequency of trains between Spain and the rest of Europe for transfers.

I always liked Jose. Way to go!

 

[maddisney]

Last call....

Anyone else want to join the Dis group for dinner? This is the current list. I will call DCL and request "large" tables in the same proximity and dining rotation for the group.

Anyone want to join the early seating and form a group with abdmom?

If I missed you or if you are interested in joining the group send me a PM with your name, reservation #, and dinner time (early/late).

Late Dinner Seating Group:
Jeff Spencer (2)
Jeff Spencer's Kids (2)
sayhello (1)
jedijill (1)
sarahgirl (1)
dawne577 (2)
jojo6617 (2)
dfsc (2)
ebony (2)
Florida Princess (4)
tripodjw (2)
Prinny27 (2)

Early Dinner Seating Group:
abdmom (4)

I will join with pleasure abdmom to form an early seating group

My wife will be happy to discuss about educational subjects for our little boy.

And, while our level of english is limited, as abdmom comes from Toronto, maybe she understand a little French

dfsc, I will send you a pm with my reservation number. Thanks a lot.

 

[rashdecision]

Just saw on the cruise critic web site that one of their editors is traveling our itinerary next week and will be posting a daily blog starting on 4/26. They are requesting people give suggestions of where to go and see but deadline to comment is today. Go check it out!

 

[pilar7]

Has anyone purchased the colosseum online tickets? (using the link on the cruise web)

Do I have to buy a ticket for my 3 years old boy?
How much is the ticket? 13,5 € per adult?
The web says "In case there is not an exhibition hosted inside the ticket price is 3 € less". How do I know if there is an exhibition on 20th may?

I'm a bit confused because I found webs where you can also buy tickets for the colosseum, but they are more expensive and valid only for a fixed hour.

 

[KDavies29]

Hi All,

I have exactly 2 seats left on our "Exclusive Best of Rome" private tour for 8 (look at the driverinrome website - under shore excursions for a description) Right now it is our family of 4 (2 adults & 2 older teens) and another couple.
Cost for 2 is 150 euro plus tip.

Thanks to Jeff for posting this on his website. We got a lot of interest and the Naples tour is full.

Happy Planning!
Kim

 

[pixiedust519]

Just saw on the cruise critic web site that one of their editors is traveling our itinerary next week and will be posting a daily blog starting on 4/26. They are requesting people give suggestions of where to go and see but deadline to comment is today. Go check it out!

That is so exciting!! Wow I'll be checkng that daily. Thanks for the info. I went over there and posted right after you. I am getting so excited. Sometimes when I look at pictures of where we are going, I still can't believe I am going to see that! One month from today it will be my birthday as I travel through Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Wow!

 

[kehonuamemano]

I will join with pleasure abdmom to form an early seating group

My wife will be happy to discuss about educational subjects for our little boy.

And, while our level of english is limited, as abdmom comes from Toronto, maybe she understand a little French

dfsc, I will send you a pm with my reservation number. Thanks a lot.

We also would like to add ourselves to the early seating DISers list. My husband's first language is French and our daughter understands but refuses to speak in French How old is your little boy? She's three.

I alas, speak only English-unless you count Hawaiian Pidgin. Looking forward to meeting you and abdmom and family.

AlohaJoe23, does pidgin count as a second language.

 

[DopeyFan1966]

Does anyone have interest in doing a private tour in Rome or Naples. We are a family of 3 and would like to schedule the same tours that Kdavis29 booked, but are afraid to book and then have no one to share the costs with. She has filled her spots and had others that were interested.

Please let me know if you are interested in this please PM me or send me an email at cindy_perrier@yahoo.com.

For 5-6 people it would cost 400 Euro which we would split between how many people for the Rome excursion.

For 5 - 6 people it would cost 600 Euro, which we would split between how many people for the Naples excursion.

You can go to http://www.driverinrome.com and click on Shore Excursions and go to Rome or Naples. Then look at the CVT02 for Rome and NAP01 for details on the excursions.

Hope to hear from some one soon.

Cindy