"Seven Seven 07" 20070707-11 Night Mediterranean Cruise

[OurDogCisco]

Getting closer. Do you all get the letter from Disney showing the timeline for release of activities for the cruise? Seems we will see the excursion information in December. Then we can start planning the individual ports.

We did.... WE can't wait to see the shore excursions offered.

 

[maxs gm]

Are there any ports where an excursion isn't needed? Never been to Europe and we were wondering if we should plan anything on our own or if excursions are the way to go.

 

[ugarxdawg]

Not Yet. Here is a great link to Olbia, Sardinia. I've found it to be an interesting island.

http://www.goingtosardinia.com

Looks good!
When we see the excursions in Dec. we can decide which ports we want to try on our own. My dentist told me this week that he will write me down a few pointers that can save 2 to 3 hundred dollars a day if you do the ports on your own. He and his wife have done several of these cruises. I will share the info when I get it.

 

[ugarxdawg]

Not Yet. Here is a great link to Olbia, Sardinia. I've found it to be an interesting island.

http://www.goingtosardinia.com

I always seem to get the mail before you. I told you you need to move closer to Disney Cruise Lines. Georgia sure is nice.

 

[ugarxdawg]

Hey Monstro:
Just wanted to let you know that Ashlee made the High School Basketball team. We are all pretty excited.
Also; All 4 kids were in the local county pageant. Ashlee won her group, Allison won her group, Allisa was the only one in her group so they made her go up the next higher group and she got 1st runner up. Avery got 2nd runner up. It was a long day. Had to miss the GA - FL game to be at the pageant, but it was worth it.
How is soccer going?

 

[APinCA]

Hi,
I asked for second seating since DD doesn't have trouble staying up late and I wanted to maximize the time for day activities. I don't remember the exact time (15 min intervals), but it was probably the first one.

Is anyone else flying out of London Heathrow to Barcelona? We went with the cheap frequent flyer miles (United) so we had to fly into London. I'm trying to figure out how much time we'll need between flights in order to schedule a connection to Barcelona. Luggage retrieval, time between terminals, etc. I'm looking at British Airways or Iberia. Any suggestions?

Kathy

 

[ugarxdawg]

Hi,
I asked for second seating since DD doesn't have trouble staying up late and I wanted to maximize the time for day activities. I don't remember the exact time (15 min intervals), but it was probably the first one.

Is anyone else flying out of London Heathrow to Barcelona? We went with the cheap frequent flyer miles (United) so we had to fly into London. I'm trying to figure out how much time we'll need between flights in order to schedule a connection to Barcelona. Luggage retrieval, time between terminals, etc. I'm looking at British Airways or Iberia. Any suggestions?

Kathy

We were 1st seating, but changed to second. We also saw we might need more time in the ports. We did not want to have to rush back to the ship.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I asked for second seating since DD doesn't have trouble staying up late and I wanted to maximize the time for day activities. I don't remember the exact time (15 min intervals), but it was probably the first one.

I didn't know you could request a certain interval. I'll have to call them as I wanted the last interval for 1st seating.

Does anyone know if they will keep the current seating times or will they adjust them to be a bit later? I thought I read that on cruise critic before but I'm not sure.

 

[DadofLostBoys]

Hi,
. . . .

Is anyone else flying out of London Heathrow to Barcelona? We went with the cheap frequent flyer miles (United) so we had to fly into London. I'm trying to figure out how much time we'll need between flights in order to schedule a connection to Barcelona. Luggage retrieval, time between terminals, etc. I'm looking at British Airways or Iberia. Any suggestions?

Kathy

We are. Family decided since we are flying through London why not "stop and smell the roses" We arrive London early July 4 and are spending 2 nights. Want to see some sights and hopefully a stage show!

We leave Heathrow on the 6th around 9:30ish a.m. and arrive Barcelona around Noonish. All British Airways. Went through AAA. Betters fares than BA online and had $25/person AAA member discount too!

Now working on lodging for 5. What a challenge! It is frustrating when you find someplace, looks nice on their website, do a little research and you get conflicting info. Frommes says great place - then Tripadvisor says it is a dumper. What to do?

See ya later!

John

 

[APinCA]

Thank you for the travel info. We are trying to get to Barcelona to see the sights there before boarding, and then will see London after. We are on a red eye arriving in London on the 5th. We used AAA for the cruise, so I will definitely go back for the air

We are also having trouble deciding on hotels. We can use some Marriott points in Barcelona or London, but don't know which would be better. I've been using Frommer's, tripadvisor, and expedia reviews also.

This is a full time job, but I'm loving it!

Kathy

 

[Monstro]

Hey Monstro:
Just wanted to let you know that Ashlee made the High School Basketball team. We are all pretty excited.
Also; All 4 kids were in the local county pageant. Ashlee won her group, Allison won her group, Allisa was the only one in her group so they made her go up the next higher group and she got 1st runner up. Avery got 2nd runner up. It was a long day. Had to miss the GA - FL game to be at the pageant, but it was worth it.
How is soccer going?

We just got back (a week agao) from a Las Vegas Tournament which the girls won. The Las Vegas Mayor's Cup. Nicole played great - Shut down one to the top Nevada players on a team ranked 9th in the nation. We're now ranked 49th. It was a quick two day tour. We're headed for San Diego over Thanksgiving to the Surf Cup. The second ranked tournament in the country... Ranked second behind... Disney's Soccer Showcase in Orlando.

Tell everyone congratulations.. That's exciting news.

Jeff

 

[DadofLostBoys]

I was going nuts trying to find a reasonable place for a family of 5 to stay in London for 2 nights pre-cruise. Looking at hotels, motels, B & B's, apartments, everything!

I was leaning toward the Hilton Metropole since it was very close to the Paddington station which has a direct train to Heathrow (big selling point!), but the best price for a room for 5 was around $330/night. WOW!

I finally got my DW involved tonight and she did a little searching and found a Marriott a little ways out of the city for around $260/night. Better, but still WOW! She went ahead and made ressies since we could cancel with 48 hrs notice.

Of course, being a guy, I couldn't let HER get away with this! I've been researching hotels now for 2 weeks - no way am I going to let HER win! The gloves are off now! Time to break out the last resort - the great unknown - Priceline!

Yep. Priceline. Since you are not guaranteed a room size, I bid for two rooms and ended up at the Hilton Metropole for $80 per night. With taxes and fees it ended up being $387.22 total for 2 rooms for 2 nights! I win! I win!

Anyway. I thought this might be helpful to others. I never really thought about using Priceline.

Now it's time to tackle trip insurance.

-John-

 

[EPCOT_VA]

Greetings! Just wanted to drop in and say

We are planning on flying from Washington D.C. (Dulles) to London on the 4th. Spend the 5th touring London. Fly on to Barcelona on the 6th. The return to Washington on the 18th.

John

My family is flying out of Dulles on the 4th to London as well. We are on British Airways for the 8:05 AM flight.

We will be staying in London until Saturday morning. We arrive at BCN at 10:30 AM.

Hey Monstro, do you have any takers for a group transfer for the morning of the 7th?

 

[EPCOT_VA]

I have been looking into a private tour guide for Rome. It is the destination with the most that we want to see. The licensed tour guides say that they can get into certain places without waiting in line. The mention the Colloseum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, etc. I have a quote from one guide already. For a 7 hour personal tour, it would be approximately 500 Euros for our party of four. They also arrange for a car to pick you up dockside and then you meet your guide in Rome to start the clock ticking.

Does anyone have experience with personal tour guides? Any idea what the price range is likely to be per person for the DCL excursions?

Matthew (EPCOT_VA)

 

[Shercara]

Hi Everybody!

Been real busy here researching and applying to colleges – well our oldest son has been applying!! Just got back from a 26 hour driving “tour” of Univ. of S. Carolina and Campbell Univ. this weekend!

Meanwhile – trying to decide whether to use Disney Air or get the Air on our own and book pre- or post- cruise hotel with DCL?

I like the convenience of doing it all through Disney – but the cost is up there. They won’t guarantee a non-stop unless we do a deviation. We want to add on a few days in Barcelona too, and with a family of 4 our only hotel choice through them is at $374 per night.

What is everyone else doing? Would love to hear and could use a few tips/suggestions.

We need to fly out of Newark – or JFK.


Thanks,
Sherri

 

[EPCOT_VA]

We booked our own airline tickets on British Airways. We are flying to London to spend a couple of days, and then on to Barcelona to arrive the morning of the sailing. We are flying out of Washington D.C. The London roundtrip from D.C. was $842 per person. The London - Barcelona roundtrip was $183 per person.

If I recall, the Disney airfare to Barcelona was not really a bargain. On top of that, you are really at their mercy on how and when you get there. I didn't want to start the trip off arriving in Barcelona exhausted from the flight, or on an airline with really cramped seating.

Matthew
EPCOT_VA

 

[MJGirl]

Hi all ... Things are starting to progress... I just booked a flight from Paris to Barcelona ... I got Air France for $257 Cdn each return? It's a 2 hour flight, so by flying, I've saved myself 10 hours, plus I get to spend some time in Barcelona. Now I just have to book Toronto to London, then Paris to Toronto!

I also decided to switch to late seating! We usually eat late (around 7) in our house, plus with the late in ports, I thought this might be better for us!

How is everyone else's plans coming along!

By the way ... Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! We celebrate in October, so I will be thinking of you while I'm at work

 

[MJGirl]

Hi again ... Rumour has it that the tour excursions are going to be released tomorrow!

Can't wait to see what they have to offer !

 

[EPCOT_VA]

I don't see the excursions on the web site yet.

Will we get an e-mail from DCL when they are posted?

EPCOT_VA

 

[MJGirl]

According to the Med General Thread ... It looks like it's going to be 2 more weeks