Mediterranean Excursions

[MrsJobba1]

I was able to book at 90 days. I woke up at 3:00 AM EST, but they still did not work out the daylight savings time issue. I went back to bed and woke up at 5:30 AM (90 minutes after booking opened). Everything was still available. Many days and times for Palo brunch, dinner, and tea. I only booked dinner & brunch though. The real test will be next week when I try to book the same excursions for my father. He is a first timer so can book at 75 days.

good luck - sending you some ixiedust:

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I think i posted before but we books at 75 days for the 6/6 cruise and we had problems (the dightlight savings thing) getting on at night . we were also moving that weekend and by the time we woke up our phone and DSL were disconnected. so my husband was able to get on at work around 9am central time. we were able to book all of our excursions, but the only palo was avalable when we wouldn't be on the ship. about 5 days later i decided to add on a spa treatment (the exotic rasul?) and had no problem doing that for our day at sardina.

the excursions we booked were (in order of how we booked too):
the highlights of rome and vatican
the almalfi coast drive and ruins of pompeii
the aix in provence
the evening casino

We knew we wouldn't be able to get any of the VIP trips as those didn't have many spaces to begin with, but we were very happy to get all of our first choices.

I am a bit disappointed that we don't have a palo dinner booked, but we'll try again on departure and if we don't get it this cruise wasn't about that anyway.

Well done and thank you for posting.

 

[Ruth B]

Andrew on a letter I got from DCL (end of last year) it said that 5 months out we'd receive a complete set of brochures and at 3 months to watch for more med magic to sail your way.

Perhaps we've not got the DVD because it comes @ the 3 month mark

Here's hoping anyhow.

Hi
we got the DVD just after the brocher

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew on a letter I got from DCL (end of last year) it said that 5 months out we'd receive a complete set of brochures and at 3 months to watch for more med magic to sail your way.

Perhaps we've not got the DVD because it comes @ the 3 month mark

Here's hoping anyhow.

Lets hope

I think i posted before but we books at 75 days for the 6/6 cruise and we had problems (the dightlight savings thing) getting on at night . we were also moving that weekend and by the time we woke up our phone and DSL were disconnected. so my husband was able to get on at work around 9am central time. we were able to book all of our excursions, but the only palo was avalable when we wouldn't be on the ship. about 5 days later i decided to add on a spa treatment (the exotic rasul?) and had no problem doing that for our day at sardina.

the excursions we booked were (in order of how we booked too):
the highlights of rome and vatican
the almalfi coast drive and ruins of pompeii
the aix in provence
the evening casino

We knew we wouldn't be able to get any of the VIP trips as those didn't have many spaces to begin with, but we were very happy to get all of our first choices.

I am a bit disappointed that we don't have a palo dinner booked, but we'll try again on departure and if we don't get it this cruise wasn't about that anyway.

Thank you

Hi
we got the DVD just after the brocher

Hopfully soon then!

 

[disneylover5]

I think I have completed my WISHlist:

I would love anyones thoughts on this:

Palermo - Mondello Beach
Naples - Pompeii, Sorrento, and Capri
Sardina - Coda Cavallo Beach
Rome - VIP Vatican and Highlights of Rome
Pisa - VIP Pisa
Marseille - ???? Open for suggestions
Villefranche - HIghlights of Monoco and Monte Carlo

 

[taysmom]

Looks good. I'd have a back up for the VIP tours. I hear they sold out fast on the cruises that are open. I have no suggestions for marseille as I ran into the same problem. I chose an overview tour in the afternoon and in the morning I'll go over to see chateau d'if (the alcatraz of france). It looks like an easy on our own excursion. Good luck with your choices.
Steph

 

[funnybunny921]

I think I have completed my WISHlist:

I would love anyones thoughts on this:

Palermo - Mondello Beach
Naples - Pompeii, Sorrento, and Capri
Sardina - Coda Cavallo Beach
Rome - VIP Vatican and Highlights of Rome
Pisa - VIP Pisa
Marseille - ???? Open for suggestions
Villefranche - HIghlights of Monoco and Monte Carlo

I liked the pompeii sorrento and capri one but my dh objected saying that capri didn't look as good as doing the amalfi coast drive. I think it is a prefence thing. unless you are a 105 dayer i would make sure you have a back up to the vip (ie regular highlights of rome vatican excursion) ones.

marseille i don't know how far you want to travel or spend but ther are some good options, and the port itself is supposed to be a wonderful city. We choose a half day trip to aix becaue i wanted to spend a little less and i wanted to see marseille on my own.

the highlights of monaco sound great... dh really really wanted to do the evening at the casino so i decided we would explore on our own. apparently there is a bus that goes both to nice and then through villefranche to eze and monaco. i think we might check out nice maybe go to a musuem and then head to eze if the weather is good. villefranche is supposedly cute but not much to do.

sorry this is so rambling. just wanted to give you my thought process.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I liked the pompeii sorrento and capri one but my dh objected saying that capri didn't look as good as doing the amalfi coast drive. I think it is a prefence thing. unless you are a 105 dayer i would make sure you have a back up to the vip (ie regular highlights of rome vatican excursion) ones.

Just imho I have been to Sorrento Amalfi and Capri.

I love Sorrento for the shops and town, ( beach isnt so good) Amalfi is beautiful, so many great views, I personally regreted going to Capri, didnt like the boat, and didnt like the island.

 

[DVC4US]

Could MED cruisers who start to book there shore trips soon, please post their experiance and availability.

We are on the 6/16 11 day cruise so I thought I would post what the cruisers on our thread experienced.

90 days out - no one seemed to have any problems with exursions but they did have trouble booking Palo. For some that signed on right at 3am EST they were able to get a brunch or high tea. Others stated there was no availability. One person stated that they could not book for 1/2 people, but when they put in 3/4 people it came up as available.

75 days out - most cruisers said that Palo had no availability for brunch, high tea, or dinner. For Rome - the "Jumping Back to Eternal Rome" was not available. For La Spezia - "Florence & Pisa" excursion was booked. Someone also said they had trouble with excursions in Naples, Nice, & Monaco, but they didn't say which excursions.

HTH

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We are on the 6/16 11 day cruise so I thought I would post what the cruisers on our thread experienced.

90 days out - no one seemed to have any problems with exursions but they did have trouble booking Palo. For some that signed on right at 3am EST they were able to get a brunch or high tea. Others stated there was no availability. One person stated that they could not book for 1/2 people, but when they put in 3/4 people it came up as available.

75 days out - most cruisers said that Palo had no availability for brunch, high tea, or dinner. For Rome - the "Jumping Back to Eternal Rome" was not available. For La Spezia - "Florence & Pisa" excursion was booked. Someone also said they had trouble with excursions in Naples, Nice, & Monaco, but they didn't say which excursions.

HTH

Thank you for that report.

 

[taysmom]

Here's a good website for barcelona.
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/specialist/barcelona-card.html
The link takes you directly to the "barcelona card" but the site has alot of other good information regarding barcelona.

I don't know why I bought all these books when the internet has better information!?!

Steph

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Here's a good website for barcelona.
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/specialist/barcelona-card.html
The link takes you directly to the "barcelona card" but the site has alot of other good information regarding barcelona.

I don't know why I bought all these books when the internet has better information!?!

Steph

Thank you

 

[slindamood]

So more info...I contacted Fat Tire bike tours in Barcelona to ask about kids and they said that they DO have kids bikes and the price for 12 and under is 15 euros and they recommend the day trips for kids

We have arranged with Fat Tire Tours in Barcelona to give a group tour for those of us on the August 18 repo. It will be at 9 AM on Sunday and hopefully the early hour will help with the heat and the traffic. Their normal tours start at 11 AM.

With as few as ten people they will do a private tour at a cost of 20E each, bikes included.

 

[taysmom]

good to know. thanks for the info. I think my dd and I are the only ones from the 6/16 cruise doing this, and as of now, I don't know what time or day. It all depends on how fast I can get around a foreign place. I will share my experience since I am before you.
Steph

 

[hankt10k]

Well, I tried to book excursions at midnight Eastern time but that didn't work. So, went back to bed for a 3 AM attempt. Got on a few minutes after 3 and was able to book everything we had planned except....drum roll please...VIP Pisa. Very disappointing for the family as we all were looking forward to entering the tower and climbing the stairs. Hadn't really given much thought to the other Pisa excursions as we were so set on VIP Pisa. Any suggestions for an alternative?


Thanks,
Hank T.

 

[Shercara]

Well, 90days out from our 070707 Med Cruise, and I too tried at midnight EST, and no luck until 3AM EST.
Was able to book Palo's for Brunch, Dinner & Tea, and got all of the excursions on our list:
Palermo - Mondello Beach 12:45 - 5:15 (other time avail was 8:45 -12:15)
Olbia - Day at Sea at Maddalena Archipelago 8:45 - 3:15 (not sure if other time avail.)
La Spezia - Florence on your Own 7:30-6pm ( one time offered)
Maseilles - Calanques of Cassis 8 -12:30 ( I think there was a 1:15? tour also)
Villefranche - Nice & Train Tour 8am - 12:30 (other time was 1:15 -5:45)
Naples & Rome - we went with private tours. Rome with DebT's family, and we are still looking to share our Naples tour if anyone is interested!

Only problem is - can't book anything for the Spa!! I keep getting Web Site Not Responding message. I tried from 3am to 4:30am - went back to bed, and tried a few times again since 6:30am!!

I (the bunny) just hid the easter eggs, and I guess now I will start making breakfast (pumpkin pancakes with pecans and buttescotch chips!) and keep trying on line, and then I guess call DCL when they open at 9am!!

Good luck to eveyone!

HAPPY EASTER!
Sherri

P.S. - Hank T - have you joined our cruise meet thread?? 07/07/07??
Come on over!!! : http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1075984&goto=newpost

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Well, I tried to book excursions at midnight Eastern time but that didn't work. So, went back to bed for a 3 AM attempt. Got on a few minutes after 3 and was able to book everything we had planned except....drum roll please...VIP Pisa. Very disappointing for the family as we all were looking forward to entering the tower and climbing the stairs. Hadn't really given much thought to the other Pisa excursions as we were so set on VIP Pisa. Any suggestions for an alternative?


Thanks,
Hank T.

Thank you for your report, Sorry you couldnt get everything you wanted.​

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Well, 90days out from our 070707 Med Cruise, and I too tried at midnight EST, and no luck until 3AM EST.
Was able to book Palo's for Brunch, Dinner & Tea, and got all of the excursions on our list:
Palermo - Mondello Beach 12:45 - 5:15 (other time avail was 8:45 -12:15)
Olbia - Day at Sea at Maddalena Archipelago 8:45 - 3:15 (not sure if other time avail.)
La Spezia - Florence on your Own 7:30-6pm ( one time offered)
Maseilles - Calanques of Cassis 8 -12:30 ( I think there was a 1:15? tour also)
Villefranche - Nice & Train Tour 8am - 12:30 (other time was 1:15 -5:45)
Naples & Rome - we went with private tours. Rome with DebT's family, and we are still looking to share our Naples tour if anyone is interested!

Only problem is - can't book anything for the Spa!! I keep getting Web Site Not Responding message. I tried from 3am to 4:30am - went back to bed, and tried a few times again since 6:30am!!

I (the bunny) just hid the easter eggs, and I guess now I will start making breakfast (pumpkin pancakes with pecans and buttescotch chips!) and keep trying on line, and then I guess call DCL when they open at 9am!!

Good luck to eveyone!

HAPPY EASTER!
Sherri

P.S. - Hank T - have you joined our cruise meet thread?? 07/07/07??
Come on over!!! : http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1075984&goto=newpost

Thank you for your report as well well done on getting everything you wanted, strange about the Spa?​

 

[2littlestitches]

We, too, were so disappointed about the VIP Pisa tour not being available. We were able to book at 90 days....the first minute I was online and trying for this tour. Nothing available. I'd love to hear from someone who WAS able to book it. Anyone????

I'm suspecting nobody was able to get it -- or only those in the suites.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We, too, were so disappointed about the VIP Pisa tour not being available. We were able to book at 90 days....the first minute I was online and trying for this tour. Nothing available. I'd love to hear from someone who WAS able to book it. Anyone????

I'm suspecting nobody was able to get it -- or only those in the suites.

Must have very limited availability