May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread

[sayhello]

Did you all also check to see if your model of phone works in Europe. I'm on Sprint, which also offers an international roaming plan (which we used in Mexico last summer), however my Blackberry won't work over there. There are only 1 or 2 models on Sprint that have capabilities in Europe and, of course, mine isn't one of them.

I contacted Verizon, and they are actually loaning me a Global phone (it's costing me $9.95 shipping, but nothing for the phone) and I added a plan for $4.99 that reduces the per minute charge to $0.99 and the text charge, also, although I forget how much). No roaming charges. All I have to do is make sure I return it to them before 30 days is up. I'm not planning on using it that much, but I feel better having it for emergencies.

It's hard to believe but I'm leaving 2 weeks from tomorrow!!!!!

I just transferred money into my brand spanking new Fidelity checking account so I can use my check card. It only charges 1% transaction fee and reimburses ATM fees. I alerted them to the fact I was using it overseas so hopefully they won't block it.

I have soooo much left to do. I did sit down and write out my packing list Monday night. Now I just need to settle down and start packing.

Jill in CO

2 weeks from tomorrow here, too! Whoohoo! Must get more serious about "pre-packing", making sure I have my OTC meds, everything is laundered, etc. I can't believe this trip is almost here!!!!!

Sayhello

 

[Welsh Girl]

I have just got back from there and you will easily do Monte carlo in the morn. There is a bus which goes from Monte Carlo straight to Eze for 1 euro and it goes every 2 hrs.

Alright, I am looking at our excursions, and we booked the Nice & Eze w/ wine and cheese for our Villefranche day. But that doesn't start until 2 pm. Would it be possible to visit Monaco/Monte Carlo on our own in the morning? Or would it be too busy a day and cutting ourselves too close? Thanks!

 

[peterpanstout]

If you can't find it, I know that I can. Just let me know. I can make a Costco run.

Jill

Jane, Jill can get BIG bags from Costco for you. I live near a US military installation here in Stuttgart, the shops here only have small bags (if any at all). I am happy to check but if you want to stock up, you might be better off with Jill.

Jill, I was going to be the candy man...Ritters for you, Lifesavers for Jane...

 

[Prinny27]

I have just got back from there and you will easily do Monte carlo in the morn. There is a bus which goes from Monte Carlo straight to Eze for 1 euro and it goes every 2 hrs.

Good to know! Now I will look into planning it out!

 

[jedijill]

I'm starting to try to finally flesh out my self-touring for the ports with the exception of Tunis and Rome which are done. I'm planning on going to Herculaneum and Sorrento on my own in Naples and the Cinque Terre in Le Spezia. Probably hit Eze and Monte Carlo in Villefranche. If anyone wants to join me, I would love the company.

Still trying to decide on Malta and Corsica.

Jill

 

[Prinny27]

I'm starting to try to finally flesh out my self-touring for the ports with the exception of Tunis and Rome which are done. I'm planning on going to Herculeum and Sorrento on my own in Naples and the Cinque Terre in Le Spezia. Probably hit Eze and Monte Carlo in Villefranche. If anyone wants to join me, I would love the company.

Still trying to decide on Malta and Corsica.

Jill

Jill, we'd love to join you for Monte Carlo, if you're going to do that in the morning! We have a DCL excursion to Eze and Nice at 2, but we'd like to see Monte Carlo in the morning if we could. And I'm still lost on Corsica - we have nothing planned, and have no clue what we want to do that day! I'm still working that one out, too.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Good to know! Now I will look into planning it out!

But if you're doing a DCL tour, you'll depart from the ship, not meet it in progress in Eze. Also remember Villefranche is a tender port. Having said that, you could still get your tender tickets, get off the boat and on land by 8:30 am, catch the #100 bus to Monte Carlo and be there by 9:15 am, spend 3 hours there, back track to the boat and be ready to meet your tour in the Promenade Lounge or where ever the muster spot is. You could also check about meeting them at the pier - I've never done it but it may be OK with them.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Jill, we'd love to join you for Monte Carlo, if you're going to do that in the morning! We have a DCL excursion to Eze and Nice at 2, but we'd like to see Monte Carlo in the morning if we could. And I'm still lost on Corsica - we have nothing planned, and have no clue what we want to do that day! I'm still working that one out, too.

Nice, Eze and Monaco/Monte Carlo are very easy to get to from Villefranche via the bus or the train. The distances are short and the directions are simple. If these areas are all anyone wants to visit, you're really wasting your money on a tour.

Touring French Riviera

 

[kikina9]

We are doing the Blue Grotto excursion in the morning and then plan on going back to the ship for lunch and then head back into the city for a little more sightseeing... From where the ship docks, do you know if we can walk to St. John's Co-Cathedral or is a taxi needed? Just trying to figure out the layout so we know how far of a walk it might be!

Thanks and welcome to our group!

From where the ship is docked, it is about 20-30 minutes walk. The road is a little steep but it should not be a problem to walk from the ship to the Cathedral.

Also while walking up to Valletta there are some nice views.

I have seen Jeff's map and it is very good. These are the roads you will have to follow to arrive in Valletta.

Ix-Xatt tal-Kurcifiss, It-Telgha tal-Kurcifiss (Crucifix Hill). Watch out for steps on your right which will shorten the walk to Triq Gilormu Cassar (hill).

They can be seen on the map posted by Jeff.

Then you arrive at a roundabout, Misrah Kastilja
go down Triq Nofs in-Nhar (South Street) and turn right on Triq iz-Zakkarija (Zachary Street).

Walk down Zachary Street and you will arrive in front of the St John's Co-Cathedral. The entrance to the chapels, Museum, Flemish Tapestries etc is on the side of the Cathedral from Triq ir-Repubblika (Republic Street).

You could also go through the City Gate and Walk Straight down Republic Street to the entrance to the Chapels, Museum etc of the Cathedral and then go back to the ship by following my instructions in reverse.

Hope this helps.

Just one more note, you should be adequatly dressed to enter the cathedral. No bare shoulders or shorts and no stiletto heels to protect the marble floors (I cannot imagine you going up Gilormu Cassar Hill in stiluettos)

 

[jedijill]

Jill, we'd love to join you for Monte Carlo, if you're going to do that in the morning! We have a DCL excursion to Eze and Nice at 2, but we'd like to see Monte Carlo in the morning if we could. And I'm still lost on Corsica - we have nothing planned, and have no clue what we want to do that day! I'm still working that one out, too.

That would be cool. I'm completely flexible since its just me. Last time I was in Monte Carlo was F1 race weekend and it was crazy! Awesome experience but I'm looking forward to seeing Monte Carlo in its normal self.

Jill

 

[kikina9]

We have independantly booked a Dolphin Swim for 1pm whilst visiting Malta
(It was much cheaper than the DCL excursion and I am told that it is easy to get there by bus)

Do you have any idea how long the actual Dolphin swim lasts and if there is enough to do at the park if we were to arrive at approx 10am?

I have tried to ask the questions by e-mail but cannot seem to get an answer

Any help you could offer would be much appreciated!

I am sorry i have never been there so I do not know any details.

 

[Prinny27]

Nice, Eze and Monaco/Monte Carlo are very easy to get to from Villefranche via the bus or the train. The distances are short and the directions are simple. If these areas are all anyone wants to visit, you're really wasting your money on a tour.

Touring French Riviera

Jeff, thanks for all the info! We had originally booked the excursion b/c I wanted to see Eze and the wine tasting is right up DH's alley. I didn't think it was that easy to get around to all of them! I'm going to look over all this tonight and see if he'd possibly want to cancel the tour, or if we'll just keep it (he loves his wine!) and try to do Monaco in the morning.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Heather,

I'm sympathetic to Jared...I'm a wine lover myself...but for what ya'll will pay for the tour you could have a nice lunch with wine while touring on your own and bring back a couple of bottles to the ship for later consumption!

 

[tripodjw]

Jane, Jill can get BIG bags from Costco for you. I live near a US military installation here in Stuttgart, the shops here only have small bags (if any at all). I am happy to check but if you want to stock up, you might be better off with Jill.

Jill, I was going to be the candy man...Ritters for you, Lifesavers for Jane...

In that case I'll go with Jill, bigger is better no matter what some people say

Thanks sooooo much for offering in the first place though.

Jill - Can i place an order for a big bag of blue jolly ranchers and a big bag of blue lifesavers. You are indeed a lifesaver and i will be very jolly, though probably never a rancher. That's enough terrible puns from us lot for the day i think.

 

[jedijill]

In that case I'll go with Jill, bigger is better no matter what some people say

Thanks sooooo much for offering in the first place though.

Jill - Can i place an order for a big bag of blue jolly ranchers and a big bag of blue lifesavers. You are indeed a lifesaver and i will be very jolly, though probably never a rancher. That's enough terrible puns from us lot for the day i think.

Consider it done! Writing it on my to-do shopping list.

Jill

 

[tripodjw]

Consider it done! Writing it on my to-do shopping list.

Jill

Thank you!

Let me know how much and i can sort out cash onboard or paypal if you want it before then.

Yummy!!!!

 

[thecooley]

Hey y'all, if anyone is still looking for a Palo dinner, I just saw an opening for 1-2 people on the first night at 6:30. Go go go!

 

[sarahgirl]

I am so glad that I didnt schedule Palo until Corsica night. I have a feeling that it is going to be a crazy first few days onboard.

 

[jedijill]

Hey y'all, if anyone is still looking for a Palo dinner, I just saw an opening for 1-2 people on the first night at 6:30. Go go go!

Thanks for posting. I want to move mine but I don't want the first night.

Jill

 

[thecooley]

Thanks for posting. I want to move mine but I don't want the first night.

Jill

Same here. I was hoping for later in the week because I don't know what night the show in Animator's is going to be. We missed it last time.

BTW, I just checked and the opening is gone. Congrats to whomever got it!