Mediterranean Excursions

[figment52]

Everyone is very welcome. I am glad I could finally figure out how to do it! I am so excited about the cruises next year!! I have been creating packing lists already

I found that I way overpacked for the 14 day. This time I am going to use the laundry service a lot more! I am doing the eastbound crossing then the first 11 day - will I have any company????

Yes you will have company - there are threads started on the meet board for both cruises you are planning. Come on over, join us.

 

[padalyn]

Thanks for the invite Sandy - which thread? I will gladly jump in and read it!

 

[profdsny]

I haven't been able to find anything about Sardinia on some of the cruise sights. Anyone spot anything yet?

 

[Surroundedbyboys]

Princess Cruises has a listing of Sardinia Shore Excursions. They range in price from $44-$129 pp. There's a walking tour- old town with a castle and church, cruise to a beach, etc.

 

[profdsny]

Didn't find the Princess links, but here is one on the port the ship pulls into.

http://en.rent.it/content137_olbia.aspx

 

[Surroundedbyboys]

http://www.princess.com/shorex/shor...sTradeId=E&tempresTradeId=E&tempresPortId=AHO

I hope I'm not breaking any rules by posting this! (just trying to give an idea of possible shore excursions for Sardinia)

 

[konslerg]

Didn't find the Princess links, but here is one on the port the ship pulls into.

http://en.rent.it/content137_olbia.aspx

Olbia sounds like one of those wonderful little towns where you really don't need to do a shore excursion at all ...just walk around and soak up some of the local atmosphere ...and some food, of course! ...a nice relaxing day to get ready for the crammed day in Rome (the next day).

 

[profdsny]

Is there more than one port in Sardinia? Apparently it's sort of a big island. Not sure how big. Haven't met anyone who's been there yet.

 

[konslerg]

Is there more than one port in Sardinia? Apparently it's sort of a big island. Not sure how big. Haven't met anyone who's been there yet.

From looking at other cruise lines' websites, it would appear that most ships dock at Porto Cervo, a bit north of Olbia or at Alghero on the complete opposite side of the island of Sardinia. Also a number of sites mention Cagliari as their port of call.

As with Palermo (Sicily), it would appear that Disney has chosen one of the "lesser" ports. For Sicily, many/most? of the ships dock at Taormina.

...and for Florence, most cruise lines show the Port of Call as Livorno rather than LaSpezia. La Spezia is farther from Florence and according to most websites, it is a less than charming port.

 

[AnnaS]

hi everyone

Subscribing so I can keep up with any new details.

 

[mickeyfanmom]

...and for Florence, most cruise lines show the Port of Call as Livorno rather than LaSpezia. La Spezia is farther from Florence and according to most websites, it is a less than charming port.

Yes, I have heard that. One of my friends whom is very familiar with travelling to Europe asked me why Disney is going to all of these ports that are "so far" from the major cities that we want to visit.

I wasn't really sure and still am not...........

I hope that they have some good excursions planned though, because I would rather they plan it then me..........

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Yes, I have heard that. One of my friends whom is very familiar with travelling to Europe asked me why Disney is going to all of these ports that are "so far" from the major cities that we want to visit.

I wasn't really sure and still am not...........

I hope that they have some good excursions planned though, because I would rather they plan it then me..........

Like DCL has contracts with St Marten, St Thomas, etc on the number of visits it must make in any year, the regularl cruise ships in the MED will have snapped up the local ports, DCL is only there for part of the summer season other ships have been there many years and snagged up all the best slots.

A bit like booking Palos

 

[mickeyfanmom]

Ahhh- that makes sense!

Thanks Andrew DEREK UK for the info!!

 

[kaseyC]

Those of you who are cruising the Med next summer are going to have a wonderful time. DH and I just returned from our Med cruise last week with an Itinerary similar to the Magic's and we had an awesome time. We took some great tours - Classical Rome, Pisa and Florence, Capri, Sorrento and Pompeii, Mt. Etna 4x4 and Nice and Eze. Very port intensive, exhausting but extremely rewarding and informative.

Barcelona is a true treasure. The city is gorgeous and it never sleeps. We spent 2 days pre cruise and 1 day post at a great new hotel - Hotel 1898. The staff was fabulous, the rooms were a great size and tastefully decorated-comfy beds, flat screen tvs and luxurious bathrooms. Rooftop terrace and pool as well as another pool, a spa and fitness center in the basement. It is located in the top part of La Rambla so you are in the middle of everything. A quick walk to the Bus Touristic (hop on hop off bus)

Enjoy your planning!

 

[profdsny]

Kasey, thanks for the info. Is it possible you have links for any of the places? Also, about what price range are the hotels in Barcelona? And, one more if you will, how is it to get into town from the airport?
Thanks,
J.

 

[Surroundedbyboys]

KaseyC- You're probably going to get bombarded with requests for info now! Can you tell us a little bit about Pompeii? We can't wait to go there. Any advice? Thanks!

 

[kaseyC]

Kasey, thanks for the info. Is it possible you have links for any of the places? Also, about what price range are the hotels in Barcelona? And, one more if you will, how is it to get into town from the airport?
Thanks,
J.

Sorry, I do not have links for the places. We used AAA Spiral Guides - one for Barcelona and one for Italy. They are an excellent resource, great info on all the ports and a great size that I could easliy carry in my daypack on tour days.

I booked our hotel using Venere.com in November. I got a great rate of 213 Euro per night for superior room ( larger room with street view). Take a look at tripadvisor.com, rates at the Hotel 1898 have gone up quite a bit. It was a truly wonderful hotel - new, modern and the location can not be beat.

We used a private car service for our transfers. http://www.taxiinternacional.com/english/taxi_internacional.htm
They were absolutely the best. It was nice to come out of BCN's baggage claim and see someone waiting there with our name. Another advantage was not having to hunt for a cab large enough to carry us an our luggage. The cars are tiney. We used them for:
Airport to Hotel - 40 Euro
Hotel to Port - 30 Euro
Port to Hotel - 30 Euro
Hotel to Airport - 40 Euro

I know from cruise critics some folks use the bus or metro but since Barcelona is known for petty crime - I would be wary lugging my luggage around public transport and labeling myself a tourist.

I hope I answered your questions.

 

[woody73]

. . . Can you tell us a little bit about Pompeii? We can't wait to go there. Any advice? Thanks!

We visited Pompeii in March. Some advice:

1. Wear comfortable sturdy walking shoes. The streets and sidewalks are made with large cobblestones, and the surfaces are not very level.

2. Bring a bottle of water.

3. Wear sunscreen and wear a hat for sun protection.

4. Go on a guided tour, or get the audio guide and tour on your own.

For a town that was wiped out in 79 AD, Pompeii is incredibly well preserved.

Woody

 

[Surroundedbyboys]

Thanks Woody!

 

[kaseyC]

KaseyC- You're probably going to get bombarded with requests for info now! Can you tell us a little bit about Pompeii? We can't wait to go there. Any advice? Thanks!

Pompeii is amazing. As the previous poster stated wear comfortable shoes. It is very well preserved. Pompeii was an interesting experience for me because I had visited the site 25 years ago at age 16 with my Latin class and it has changed so much. Many places are now closed off to prevent futher deterioration and there are alot more tourists.
I wish we would have had more time to explore this trip but it was part of a 10 hr tour that included Capri, Sorrento and Pompeii. Fortunately, we had an excellent guide who made it an informative and fun experience.