Mediterranean Excursions

[taysmom]

The Pisa only tour has the ability to enter the tower, just price not included. If you want to enter you should check that out. However you cannot do florence too. Sorry to hear about the VIP. Hope everything else works out!
Steph

 

[KarenMom]

I'm on the 6/6 cruise and couldn't the VIP Pisa at 90 days. I checked back at 75 days and it was available, so check back at 75 days out.

 

[bridegirl]

We are coming up on our middle of the night booking time, just trying to get evrything in order.

- Does anyone know the capacity of any of the excursions? Like the VIP Pisa that has been selling out? I ask because we are a group of 12 and I don't want to waste precious internet booking time if there's no chance we can get all four rooms onto the tour.

- Palermo/Mondello Beach - does anyone know how far the motor coach ride is? Most tours specify driving time but that one does not. We are trying to avoid long drives because we have so many little kids.

- Also Mondello question, can we order picnic lunch from the boat to take with us since lunch is not included? We don't want to have to scavenge the town for a place to eat with hungry little ones.

- Last Mondella question, it says water sport rental available - does anyone know know what kind of equipment? I tried internet surfing for "Lo Stabilimento Charleston" but I could only find pictures of the place - no info.

- VIP motorboat/Naples, the web page says "this tour is non-refundable after booking" - but there is no price listed. Does anyone have the price? Is it really non-refundable from my first late night internet booking? That's such a commitment. My worry is that some of our group will get it but if it's sold out to the others, then we can't cancel and get a refund. Is that really how it works?

- Olbidia/Maddalena Archipelago - does anyone know how long the drive is?

Thanks for any and all insight.

Pixie dust,

Susy

 

[OurDogCisco]

- Does anyone know the capacity of any of the excursions? Like the VIP Pisa that has been selling out? I ask because we are a group of 12 and I don't want to waste precious internet booking time if there's no chance we can get all four rooms onto the tour.

I did some research on the VIP of Pisa. They only allow 30 people in the tower at a time. We were able to book at 105 days but I couldn't on that day so I booked my excursions around day 103 and I still did not get VIP of PISA tour. I'm thinking Disney had very few spots for this tour. I think, I read that one person got it but I can't remember. I'd do a private tour company and have them get the tickets for your group of 12 to go. I'm sure you wouldn't have any problems that way.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I'm on the 6/6 cruise and couldn't the VIP Pisa at 90 days. I checked back at 75 days and it was available, so check back at 75 days out.

I knew I read that some people got it.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thank you for your continued reports, very interesting.

 

[GeneralMax]

I need help/advice on the VIP tour of the Vatican in Rome. The fine print says you might have to wait 1 to 2 hours to get in? I thought the extra expense was to avoid the lines.

Can anyone help.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I need help/advice on the VIP tour of the Vatican in Rome. The fine print says you might have to wait 1 to 2 hours to get in? I thought the extra expense was to avoid the lines.

Can anyone help.

I never thought that. I always thought you'd have to wait in line no matter what. I guess the exclusive part of this trip to me is a visit to the inside of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. Also, you can take no flash photography inside the chapel.

However, I did noticed that they changed the wording for the Colussiem to a drive by as appose to stopping and taking a picture from the outside. I might have to re-think that one.

 

[JeannieH]

My cousin has just returned from Rome: unless you have 18 hours in the city, you will not be able to visit all the major attractions. The lines were enormous! (And thats not in peak season!) Consider your options carefully. You need to do a lot of walking to make the best of your time there. Do your homework before arriving. Many people visit Europe, but go home having not even scrapped the surface of the cities visited. You may never get there again, so choose your options carefully. There will be 1000s of other travellers there, not just guests from cruise ships.

 

[CarolAnnC]

- Palermo/Mondello Beach - does anyone know how far the motor coach ride is? Most tours specify driving time but that one does not. We are trying to avoid long drives because we have so many little kids.

- Also Mondello question, can we order picnic lunch from the boat to take with us since lunch is not included? We don't want to have to scavenge the town for a place to eat with hungry little ones.

The DCL website under excursions says this one is 45 minutes drive each way to Mondello beach.

As far as food, we are not allowed (as far as I know) to take food off the ship in the foreign countries. I know bottled water and sealed beverages are ok, but it is my understanding that food is not ok. Now, not to say that some have not done it.... but those Immigration law signs always scare me. I would be the one doing 20 years for sneaking an apple off I am sure..LOL!

 

[disneylover5]

Can anyone help with these questions:

1. What do think the difference between Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri and Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri for families? My kids are 17, 13 and 11.

2. It sounds like VIP Pisa may not be available when we can book, so I am coming up with alternatives. I am thinking of just PISA tour or changing my plans and going to the beach with Lerici Beach.

Any thoughts would be apprecaited.

 

[taysmom]

Can anyone help with these questions:

1. What do think the difference between Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri and Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri for families? My kids are 17, 13 and 11.

2. It sounds like VIP Pisa may not be available when we can book, so I am coming up with alternatives. I am thinking of just PISA tour or changing my plans and going to the beach with Lerici Beach.

Any thoughts would be apprecaited.

To me, it looked like the capri portion for families was just a boat ride around the island and not to get off on capri.
So if you think they will be tired but want the overview then families would be better.
Hope that helps.
Steph

 

[disneylover5]

To me, it looked like the capri portion for families was just a boat ride around the island and not to get off on capri.
So if you think they will be tired but want the overview then families would be better.
Hope that helps.
Steph

We want to get off in Capri, so I think I will book the regular tour then!
Thanks

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I was reviewing the cruises yesterday and the 28th July 11 night has only 11 staterooms available, June cruise have more availability so this would imply that Shore trips will book up faster on the later cruises as they are so full now.

 

[MJGirl]

I was reviewing the cruises yesterday and the 28th July 11 night has only 11 staterooms available, June cruise have more availability so this would imply that Shore trips will book up faster on the later cruises as they are so full now.

How can you figure out the number of available cabins?? I'm curious how many are available on our cruise? Thanks!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

How can you figure out the number of available cabins?? I'm curious how many are available on our cruise? Thanks!

I went through the DCL site yesterday with mock bookings to see whats available.

I posted my findings on the July 28th thread. If you are on the June 6th trip, I compared ours with that and posted the details already.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1064311&page=85

 

[taysmom]

interesting...I am hoping for an upgrade on board..i'll have to check out how many rooms are available on 6/16. I know that someone just added as we got a new member on our meet thread. Not sure if prices have come down yet?
Thanks for the info...
Steph

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

interesting...I am hoping for an upgrade on board..i'll have to check out how many rooms are available on 6/16. I know that someone just added as we got a new member on our meet thread. Not sure if prices have come down yet?
Thanks for the info...
Steph

Prices have gone up not down, when I checked the 16th had some availability more than 28th July, less than 6th June.

The rooms free were more on the lower grades.

 

[taysmom]

I'm the lowest grade possible...so there's only up for me! But I am not spending 4k to do it.
S

 

[hankt10k]

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.