Mediterranean Excursions

[Andrew DEREK UK]

For those of you that are planning to use private tour companies or have done so in the past, do you have any advice on tipping the drivers/guides? I assume that a tip is expected for good service but I'm wondering if it's a percentage of the total cost of the tour (which could get pretty expensive) or more of a "flat fee" approach?

Thanks,
Hank T.

I think its down to your preference either a flat round amount or a percentage, normal taxis are loose change or round it up to a full note, 10% on my tours would be expensive. Just read up my books it says Italians rarley tip but we are expected to do so , I think something like 20euros round amount

 

[bridegirl]

I had been working from a notebook I created from printing out the huge document that a kind DIS'er made of ALL the med excursions.

When I just went back to the website to see the price for the VIP motorboat (no price was listed previously) it says over $1200. per person - with a minimum booking of four people!?!?!?!?

Am I reading that wrong?

 

[funnybunny921]

bride girl that sounds right, and you got the xls from me...

i wanted to let people know that there were some more recent updates made to the excursions namely they added that hire a car/tour guide for a day thing for each port. they added that well after everything else, but I don't want people to not know about it.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

bride girl that sounds right, and you got the xls from me...

i wanted to let people know that there were some more recent updates made to the excursions namely they added that hire a car/tour guide for a day thing for each port. they added that well after everything else, but I don't want people to not know about it.

Can I thank you again for the work you did on the PDF.

I think the prices are correct for speed boat it would be expensive, plus insurance etc.

 

[kidcoos3]

I have been trying to send my e-mail to funnybunny - but I keep getting a message that says my post count is too low - any ideas?

 

[funnybunny921]

I have been trying to send my e-mail to funnybunny - but I keep getting a message that says my post count is too low - any ideas?

just email me directly sarahyoung921 at gmail dot com

 

[kyla]

For those of you that are planning to use private tour companies or have done so in the past, do you have any advice on tipping the drivers/guides? I assume that a tip is expected for good service but I'm wondering if it's a percentage of the total cost of the tour (which could get pretty expensive) or more of a "flat fee" approach?

Thanks,
Hank T.

I think its down to your preference either a flat round amount or a percentage, normal taxis are loose change or round it up to a full note, 50% on my tours would be expensive. Just read up my books it says Italians rarley tip but we are expected to do so , I think something like 20euros round amount

I asked the private tour company we booked with in Rome and they said not necessary but 10% would do it.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I asked the private tour company we booked with in Rome and they said not necessary but 10% would do it.

I ment 10% on mine 50% would hve been a bit high, corrected now.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Hi all,

Still working to decide what we want to do excursion-wise on our 6/16 cruise. Our party consists of me (Jeff-47), wife (Susan-46) and daughter (Katy-17). So far, we've booked a private tour of Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast with Driveamalfi (Salvatore). On Olbia, Sardinia I'm thinking that we'll probably just walk around the town some and then go to Pittulongu Beach, which is only about 1 mile away. I found on a web site where this is the favorite beach of the residents of Olbia. LaCinta Beach looks beautiful but it seems a bit silly to spend $180 to go to a beach when we can walk to one nearby.

I'm leaning towards private tours also in Rome, La Spezia and Villefranche but haven't yet booked. I haven't yet thought about Palermo or Marseille. Ugghhh...so much to learn and plan.

Anyone on the June 16th cruise that might want to share private tours, please post, PM or email me at jlspence@hiwaay.net. Thanks!

 

[scrapycruiser]

Just wondering, other than the Euros we need to pay our private guides, how many Euros should we have on hand? I read where they prefer you to pay cash ( Euro ) for small purchases. Then there's taxi's, tips,soft drinks....what am I forgetting ?

 

[APinCA]

If you are a Castaway Club member and are planning on booking excursions 90 days out online, make sure that DCL has checked the box on your reservation that says that you are not a first time cruiser. We gave our member numbers when we booked, paid in full, and were all set to book excursions when they opened at midnight PDT. We could not get in to book and had to wait until the phone lines opened six hours later. The operator had to check the box, even though they already had our Castaway Club numbers, so that we could make our reservations. Hope you all have better luck than we did.

 

[disneylover5]

I have been on many cruises but I have never booked excursions online. I know I used to call them in, and I know they do not take call in ressies anymore.

Here is my question, if I logon to my reservation, can I book all 4 of us at the 90 mark.....or do I need to login as each cruiser (me, DH DD13 DD11?) We each have our own CC#.

There about 30 in our group and one of the cabins is 18-25 year old guys. In that group, 3 of 4 have sailed before. Will the 4th person in that group be able to book at the 90 day mark right along with the other 3?

 

[Worktoplay]

As long as one person in the room has cruised with Disney before you should be able to book everyone at the 90 day marker. When you book the excursion each person in the room comes up and you click on who wants to attend that particular excursion. This happens after you click on the excursion. I was nervous at first thinking I was only booking myself and then at the end it showed others in the cabin and the times of the excursions. If the excursion is for people over 18 you won't be able to book the younger cruiser. It's pretty simple, however, the people in the cabin show up at the end of the booking.

Good luck booking!

 

[disneylover5]

As long as one person in the room has cruised with Disney before you should be able to book everyone at the 90 day marker. When you book the excursion each person in the room comes up and you click on who wants to attend that particular excursion. This happens after you click on the excursion. I was nervous at first thinking I was only booking myself and then at the end it showed others in the cabin and the times of the excursions. If the excursion is for people over 18 you won't be able to book the younger cruiser. It's pretty simple, however, the people in the cabin show up at the end of the booking.

Good luck booking!

Thanks very much! That is what I was looking for.

Now I just need to make sure the little box is checked!!

 

[kyla]

Hi all,

Still working to decide what we want to do excursion-wise on our 6/16 cruise. Our party consists of me (Jeff-47), wife (Susan-46) and daughter (Katy-17). So far, we've booked a private tour of Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast with Driveamalfi (Salvatore). On Olbia, Sardinia I'm thinking that we'll probably just walk around the town some and then go to Pittulongu Beach, which is only about 1 mile away. I found on a web site where this is the favorite beach of the residents of Olbia. LaCinta Beach looks beautiful but it seems a bit silly to spend $180 to go to a beach when we can walk to one nearby.

I'm leaning towards private tours also in Rome, La Spezia and Villefranche but haven't yet booked. I haven't yet thought about Palermo or Marseille. Ugghhh...so much to learn and plan.

Anyone on the June 16th cruise that might want to share private tours, please post, PM or email me at jlspence@hiwaay.net. Thanks!

Are you sure about this distance? I looked at the satellite view of Olbia and it looks like Pittulongu Beach is 4 miles away.

 

[kyla]

If you are a Castaway Club member and are planning on booking excursions 90 days out online, make sure that DCL has checked the box on your reservation that says that you are not a first time cruiser. We gave our member numbers when we booked, paid in full, and were all set to book excursions when they opened at midnight PDT. We could not get in to book and had to wait until the phone lines opened six hours later. The operator had to check the box, even though they already had our Castaway Club numbers, so that we could make our reservations. Hope you all have better luck than we did.

Where can I check for this? is it online? or do I need to call in and make sure they have the box checked?

 

[din]

Thanks very much! That is what I was looking for.

Now I just need to make sure the little box is checked!!

FYI for those with two rooms .. you will need to book the excursions for both rooms. I belive if you are the lead reservations you can changes between the confirmations for the rooms.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Are you sure about this distance? I looked at the satellite view of Olbia and it looks like Pittulongu Beach is 4 miles away.

Kyla,

No, not sure at all. Finding much info on Olbia has been a challenge. I've since seen other info that indicates your estimate is better. Furthermore, I've read that the road connecting the two isn't one that people would want to be walking on anyway. I'm researching now how I might get from the port to the beach and whether or not there might be another beach closer.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Try this link, has maps.

http://www.world66.com/europe/italy/sardinia/olbia/sightsdaytrips

http://insurance.essentialtravel.co.uk/tg-europe/italy/olbia-travel-guide.asp

 

[linda8892]

Hi all,

Still working to decide what we want to do excursion-wise on our 6/16 cruise. Our party consists of me (Jeff-47), wife (Susan-46) and daughter (Katy-17). So far, we've booked a private tour of Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast with Driveamalfi (Salvatore). On Olbia, Sardinia I'm thinking that we'll probably just walk around the town some and then go to Pittulongu Beach, which is only about 1 mile away. I found on a web site where this is the favorite beach of the residents of Olbia. LaCinta Beach looks beautiful but it seems a bit silly to spend $180 to go to a beach when we can walk to one nearby.

I'm leaning towards private tours also in Rome, La Spezia and Villefranche but haven't yet booked. I haven't yet thought about Palermo or Marseille. Ugghhh...so much to learn and plan.

Anyone on the June 16th cruise that might want to share private tours, please post, PM or email me at jlspence@hiwaay.net. Thanks!

I was on the 3/14 sailing of the new Carnival Freedom and had Salvatore (driveamalfi) as our driver on our Amalfi Coast and Pompeii tour...he was very good and there at pier at the promised time with his sign with my name on it; he was recommended by someone who used him on their Carnival Liberty sailing.