Mediterranean Excursions

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Not yet Andrew ... But I heard it should be out soon (March sometime) .. PS .. what cruise are you on? I'm on the 7/7/7 cruise. I'll be joining you in Panama!

I will miss you this year I am on the 07/28 11 night.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I received my packet two days ago. I am on the June 27 sailing.

So about a month for me, late March?

MUCH IN IT?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

it it just the fluff packet with all the pics and short descriptions? I got that about 2 weeks ago .... the packet is nice and it really gets you excited but the website pages for each excursion have more info.

So not a lot new, if you have seen the website?

 

[Doingitagain]

So about a month for me, late March?

MUCH IN IT?

It came with a cover letter saying when we could book online. The book is similar to what we received for regular DCL cruises...short summaries of excursions for each port, tips, gifts, document info, trip insurance, formal wear.

The information on the website for excursions is much more thorough.

 

[Skallywag]

[As for the Italian traditional lunch on the Disney tours. I'm holding my breath. On the Panama Canal cruise, we were promised a traditional Mexican lunch in Acapulco and got hamburgers.[/QUOTE]

Dont think you will get burgers in Italy as they are very proud of their pasta and pizza but am wondering about Palo during this cruise with the ability to go ashore for italian food.

We have not received anything from Disney as yet either and just wonder why they send everything out in such a strange manner we too are on the 16th June - also on the Eastbound Panama.

 

[misseulalie]

Does anyone know how far the Vatican is from the Colosseum? I was wondering if we did the 7 hour tour, we could spend 2-3 hours around the Roman Forum and Colosseum, have lunch then go to the Vatican. Or maybe switch them around.

Also, here is the website to reserve a tour at the Vatican.

http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-Info/MV_Info_Servizi_Visite.html

 

[bellelinus]

Does anyone know how far the Vatican is from the Colosseum? I was wondering if we did the 7 hour tour, we could spend 2-3 hours around the Roman Forum and Colosseum, have lunch then go to the Vatican. Or maybe switch them around.

Also, here is the website to reserve a tour at the Vatican.

http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-Info/MV_Info_Servizi_Visite.html

You could walk it, but with the limited time we will have that day, a taxi would not be unreasonable . . . or you could take the subway. To walk it, it would be about 2 miles from the forum to the vatican, and the streets are twisty so you would need a good map (I like the Streetwise series). If you took an A line subway at the Vittorio Eman. station north of the Forum, you could get off at the Cipro Musei Vaticani stop. Subway tickets are for sale at tobacco shops and cost a euro or so apiece. However, I would go back to the idea of a taxi . . . there is a taxi stand (you don't usually hail them on the street) just at the V.E. monument north of the Forum and a taxi ride to the Vatican would probably only cost 9 or 10 euro or less.

 

[woody73]

When we were in Rome last March, a ticket for the bus or metro cost 1 EUR. A day pass (unlimited rides) cost 4 EUR.

Woody

 

[hankt10k]

Still struggling with which excursion to do in Rome and hoping some veteran travelers can offer some advice. The Med cruise will be our first trip to Europe and we're kind of zeroing in on Rome being our most highly anticipated stop. Where we're really stuck is trying to decide between the "Exclusive VIP Visit of the Vatican & Highlights of Rome" and the "Exclusive Behind the Scenes Tour of the Vatican".

The cost difference is significant ($299 per person vs. $599 per person) and we just don't have the knowledge to determine from the descriptions if the "Behind the Scenes" tour is worth it. The "Royal Room, "Balcony of Blessings" and the "Capella Niccolina" sound wonderful but is there really that much value over and above the less expensive excursion.

Would greatly appreciate any advice.

Thanks,
Hank T.

 

[Hygiene99]

Still struggling with which excursion to do in Rome and hoping some veteran travelers can offer some advice. The Med cruise will be our first trip to Europe and we're kind of zeroing in on Rome being our most highly anticipated stop. Where we're really stuck is trying to decide between the "Exclusive VIP Visit of the Vatican & Highlights of Rome" and the "Exclusive Behind the Scenes Tour of the Vatican".

The cost difference is significant ($299 per person vs. $599 per person) and we just don't have the knowledge to determine from the descriptions if the "Behind the Scenes" tour is worth it. The "Royal Room, "Balcony of Blessings" and the "Capella Niccolina" sound wonderful but is there really that much value over and above the less expensive excursion.

Would greatly appreciate any advice.

Thanks,
Hank T.

A bunch of us on the first 11 night trip are going together on the train!

it is a 60 minute ride!

And we are going to split off to do what we would like to do meet up later in the day to Have lunch, and take the train back to the ship.

Wish us luck !!!

Some have hired guides to meet them at different spots for the day!

 

[bellelinus]

Still struggling with which excursion to do in Rome and hoping some veteran travelers can offer some advice. The Med cruise will be our first trip to Europe and we're kind of zeroing in on Rome being our most highly anticipated stop. Where we're really stuck is trying to decide between the "Exclusive VIP Visit of the Vatican & Highlights of Rome" and the "Exclusive Behind the Scenes Tour of the Vatican".

The cost difference is significant ($299 per person vs. $599 per person) and we just don't have the knowledge to determine from the descriptions if the "Behind the Scenes" tour is worth it. The "Royal Room, "Balcony of Blessings" and the "Capella Niccolina" sound wonderful but is there really that much value over and above the less expensive excursion.

Would greatly appreciate any advice.

Thanks,
Hank T.

My personal feeling would be that it is not worth the difference in price -- you would have to already know a lot about the Vatican and what you would miss if you didn't do the "behind the scenes" tour for that to be valuable. The Vatican is so amazing that just walking around the Basilica (free!) could take up hours of your time, if you chose to let it, and would still be an amazing experience.

 

[bellelinus]

A bunch of us on the first 11 night trip are going together on the train!

it is a 60 minute ride!

And we are going to split off to do what we would like to do meet up later in the day to Have lunch, and take the train back to the ship.

Wish us luck !!!

Some have hired guides to meet them at different spots for the day!

We are getting to Rome on our own via train as well. I'm sure you have already seen this site, but in case someone else hasn't, I thought I would post it. This is a very clear explanation of how to get to Rome from the Civitavecchia port via train:

http://www.europeportreviews.com/Rome2.htm

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

Hey guys! For all of you that have been to Rome...I have a few questions! We are looking to book the "Highlights of Rome and Vatican Museums" excursion. This excursion takes you to the exterior of the Colosseum, but not the interior. However, we have two hours of free time to explore Rome. We want to see the followingt (in order of importance): The interior of the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, do some shopping, and see the Pantheon. I am not sure how much of this we can get done in 2 hours. How many of these are realistic to get done in 2 hours?

Also, I am considering two excursions for Palermo: "Mysterious Palermo" or Sellinute and Marinella"? Which would you recommend? Thanks for your help!

 

[MJGirl]

Also, I am considering two excursions for Palermo: "Mysterious Palermo" or Sellinute and Marinella"? Which would you recommend? Thanks for your help!

Both sound great... I too am having a hard time deciding ... Can't wait to hear the responses you get!

 

[konslerg]

>snipped< trying to decide between the "Exclusive VIP Visit of the Vatican & Highlights of Rome" and the "Exclusive Behind the Scenes Tour of the Vatican".

The cost difference is significant ($299 per person vs. $599 per person) and we just don't have the knowledge to determine from the descriptions if the "Behind the Scenes" tour is worth it.

The one thing we noticed in the tour description of the two is that the VIP Vatican and Highlights of Rome tour says "After your approximate 60-minute visit (to the Vatican), sit back and relax during your 90-minute ride back to the ship" and the Behind the scenes tour says "After your approximate four-hour visit, unwind during a scenic 75-minute drive back to the ship."

So, it would seem that the Vatican part of the tour is substantially longer for the more expensive "Behind the Scenes" tour. I would guess that's what you're paying the big bucks for ...so it really depends on how much of the Vatican you would enjoy seeing. If a little over an hour is enough, then do the "highlights" tour; if 4 hours sounds like what you'd enjoy, then do the "Behind the Scenes" tour.

...also note that the Behind the Scenes tour begins with about 3 1/2 hours of UNguided walking tour. That's something else to consider.

Gloria in Miami

 

[bellelinus]

Hey guys! For all of you that have been to Rome...I have a few questions! We are looking to book the "Highlights of Rome and Vatican Museums" excursion. This excursion takes you to the exterior of the Colosseum, but not the interior. However, we have two hours of free time to explore Rome. We want to see the followingt (in order of importance): The interior of the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, do some shopping, and see the Pantheon. I am not sure how much of this we can get done in 2 hours. How many of these are realistic to get done in 2 hours?

Also, I am considering two excursions for Palermo: "Mysterious Palermo" or Sellinute and Marinella"? Which would you recommend? Thanks for your help!

As for Rome, it would depend on where you are left for your two hours on your own -- if it is at the Vatican, you could certainly see the Pantheon quickly and stop by the Trevi fountain and make it back to your group (I would use taxis; there's a taxi stand at the Vatican - but you could easily walk from the Pantheon to the Trevi -- about 8 blocks or so). If you are left at the Colosseum, you could quickly buy your tickets to get in at the nearby Palatine hill to avoid the line at the Colosseum (tickets there get you both in there and to the Colosseum) and see the inside.

Unfortunately I think it will be hard to do the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Trevi all in two hours and be sure to make it back to your group.

I'm afraid I can't help you with Palermo -- I've never been and am looking forward to exploring!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I read every so often people post that the Med trips were not well taken up, in the press release for the two new DCL ships today the following is quoted, it confirms as we all know they are well subscribed.

New itineraries

Disney Cruise Line, which traditionally offers 3-, 4- and 7-night Caribbean cruises, has also enjoyed strong demand for new itineraries. Trips to the Mediterranean and to the West Coast have recently set booking records within the company and booked 30-50 percent faster than the existing itineraries at higher prices.

 

[milestogo]

Hi all, I'm on the back to back repo and first 11 night. We just booked our repo excursions and are about to book our 11 night this weekend. I am excited to find this thread. Will read through it and then post what I've learned. I'm posting now so that it will be on my user CP.

 

[MrsJobba1]

For those who have been able to book thier excursions - has DCL been able to give you an idea of the excursion times either on their website or in the pack you get sent out?

Thanks

 

[bellelinus]

Hi all, I'm on the back to back repo and first 11 night. We just booked our repo excursions and are about to book our 11 night this weekend. I am excited to find this thread. Will read through it and then post what I've learned. I'm posting now so that it will be on my user CP.

Lucky you!!!!! Those of us cruising later in the summer will be thrilled to hear what you have to report when you get back. There is also a thread on the Meet forum where a lot of info is pooled for those going to the Med this summer.