Mediterranean Excursions

[CubCatsK&D]

I would agree that you can do the highlights of the Vatican pretty well yourself with some advance planning. On my first trip to Rome a few years ago, we pretty much breezed through the Vatican museums to hit a couple highlights, and it was almost disappointing to have gone in at all only to realize how much you haven't seen!

Your first impressions of St. Peter's Basilica and Square will stick with you for a long time. The Vatican Museums, while fascinating, I think is a let-down if you can't spend the time.

Also, there is an excursion to the Basilica of St. Clement listed. If you've been to Rome and Vatican and have sort of "been there, done that" and are looking for something a little different, I would HIGHLY recommend a visit to the Basilica San Clemente. If you're the kind of person who is into church history, archeology, and Roman mythology, you'll enjoy this. I've been, and it really is fascinating.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Just a heads up for those of us in the UK.

BBC1 holiday programe is going to Monte carlo tonight 7pm

(sorry for the short notice )

 

[profdsny]

Sounds interesting. Good luck on the shopping thing. I think with a budget of $3500 you should be able to do a lot of touring.
Anyhow, as with hearing good things about Florence, I understand one can spend days just in the Vatican museum. So, behind the scenes might be great. May I suggest reading Angels and Demons, by Dan Brown(I think) which is a prequel to the DaVinci Code. A lot of this takes place in the Vatican, in the parts most tourists don't see. Might give you a good perspective on what you should see on this tour. Maybe others might have some ideas on things to read also.

I didn't realize until today that there is actually an Angels and Demons excursions listed. I must have missed that first time I looked at the list. If we had more time, or this was not my first trip, I'd love to do that one.

 

[MJGirl]

Well, I just went through all the tours and narrowed down my top four choices for each port.

If I book all my first choices for the two of us, it will cost us $2028.

If I book my most expensive choice for each part, we are looking at a total of $2392.

If I book my cheapest choice at each port, we are looking at $1202 for the two of us.

I also took the total of the average costs for my top four choices at all the ports and the cost would be $1749.

In my original budget I allocated $2500, so it looks like I might have a little bit more money to spend.

This was a fun adventure, albeit quite tiring!!

 

[funnybunny921]

I didn't realize until today that there is actually an Angels and Demons excursions listed. I must have missed that first time I looked at the list. If we had more time, or this was not my first trip, I'd love to do that one.

It was not listed when the tours originally came out. that plus all the additional info made me through my hands in the air and re-make my pdf...

the sights in the tour sound cool but i just think half of that price is because you are doing a dan brown tour....

MJ Girl, I am trying to figure out an avg perday type of thing and then balence the more expensive days with less... it is quite tiring thinking of it all (and when looking at France trying to pronounce it all) but it is so worth it.


Do you think many people will choose to stay on the boat any of the days? also can any of you explain to me how this tendering in thing works? how long do you think it will take to wait in line and get to land? and how often do they run boats back if you want to go back? (never been on a cruise and i haven't found a good explanation anywhere)


Thanks!!!

 

[Ruth B]

Does anyone know about the barcelona excursion that are running prior to the cruise. I am on the 28th of Jly cruise and the ino provided seems to suggest they are not running prior to this cruise?
"AQUARIUM AND PARK GUELL Tour Available: One Day Prior to Embarkation Day, Departure 2:00 p.m. Embarkation Day, Departure 1:45 p.m. May 25, Departure 9:00 a.m. Aug. 19, Departure 9:00 a.m. Aug. 19, Departure Noon "
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[funnybunny921]

Does anyone know about the barcelona excursion that are running prior to the cruise. One Day Prior to Embarkation Day, Departure 2:00 p.m. Embarkation Day, Departure 1:45 p.m.
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I would thing that the times listed for the day of and day prior are when they are running this one.

There are some that are only for the repo cruises.

 

[MJGirl]

FYI ... I don't get it here in Canada but the on the American Travel Channel is the following show tonight, Jan. 11. If anyone sees it, can they post any hints and tips she gives:

Passport to Europe
With Samantha Brown:
Monaco
Tonight, 8 p.m. ET/PT
For most of us, Monaco is a place where an American girl became a Princess. It's where the outrageously wealthy live a lifestyle beyond imagination, and Samantha is anxious to get a glimpse of how the rich and famous do it up in style.

 

[taysmom]

My understanding of the Barcelona tours is that if you are staying precruise then they are running the "day before" etc. They didn't list dates as they are for all cruises except the dated ones which are for repos only.

I added up all of our potential excursions and we are at $1500. Which seems expensive to me for just myself and DD9. But, I am thinking of this as our "once in a lifetime" trip so I am using that as my excuse to do it all.

 

[misseulalie]

There are 6 of us travelling; 4 are castaway club members, and the other 2 are new to DCL.. I am assuming the 2 can't book their excursions with us at 90 days, they will have to wait until 75 days? Any way to get around this? What happens if the excursion is sold out by 75 days? They can't come with us??? How fair is that?

 

[taysmom]

I asked the same question as I am a first time cruiser and they don't expect them to "sell out" before the cruise. They can add buses etc. They just want you to do it before you board so that you don't miss out trying to book on the boat. Although, if you sign up before and change your mind, I think they don't refund your money. Not sure on that one, but I believe that CS told me that. Hope that helps.
S

 

[Ruth B]

My understanding of the Barcelona tours is that if you are staying precruise then they are running the "day before" etc. They didn't list dates as they are for all cruises except the dated ones which are for repos only.

thanks for that

 

[renegade7]

Glad to know there are people as detailed as I am in figuring out the math while making your excursion choices. Planning on going through them this weekend and narrowing my choices down. Wish me luck.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Ok here is another question, I am going ask Disney.

The day of the sailing we are going to tour Barcelona, then board the ship. My question to Disney, is, can we drop off our luggage at the port early in the morning then go on our tour?

 

[taysmom]

DCl said that check in will start at 9am. I don't know what time your tour starts, but that would probably work out. Thats what I plan to do...be first over in the am, check in and then take my child to the aquarium for the day.
steph

 

[MrsJobba1]

Dont forget you will still have your carry on bags !

 

[MrsG]

I'm glad we're booking the excursions through Disney. I can't believe we have to pay additonal fees to use our charge cards in Europe. By booking with Disney, even if they are a little more expensive, at least we'll save the fee.

 

[NejTheLion]

The Barcelona times are a little confusing. With the ship sailing out of Barcelona at 9:00, there is time to do an excursion on your embarkation day.

But couldn't that also be intended for after your cruise as a post package? Someone's embarkation is another person's debarkation. The DCL VP who was on the Xmas cruise (Volberg?) said they were working on pre and post packages, and we're staying 2 extra days in Barcelona after the cruise, and Disney will still handle hotel and transportation. So, it sounds like you could do an excursion on the afternoon you debark after checking into your hotel.

Do these excursions meet at the hotels? At the port? These are all good questions for DCL. Once we've decided what we're interested in doing and when exactly we'll be arriving in Barcelona, we're going to call DCL and get this all straightened out

 

[taysmom]

You do need to call dcl to find post cruise packages. I called and found out they were doing a post cruise to DLP. I didn't ask if there were others. There might be.
S

 

[MJGirl]

You do need to call dcl to find post cruise packages. I called and found out they were doing a post cruise to DLP. I didn't ask if there were others. There might be.
S

Are you booked on it yet ??? I am supposedly on a wait list but haven't heard anything yet??