The Med Thread - All Sailings - Mediterranean

[mom_rules]

Interesting article on this topic (mods please delete if not permitted).
cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/money/credit/currency.html

 

[taysmom]

here's another link for card rates by major banks.
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cc/20020513c.asp

hope this helps.
S

 

[nordkin]

Don't forget to notify your bank for your debit and check cards. My bank stops transactions if they are notified we are out of the country. I bank with PNC and they have account types that all ATM fees are refunded to your account on the same day they are charged for any ATM in the world you use that charges a fee regardless of the fee. This was wonderful when we were in South America and the bank fees were outragous for using their ATMs.

 

[din]

Hi everyone....

For what it's worth, I thought I'd let you know that the lowest airfare from LAX to London was Air New Zealand. Plus they have the biggest 'pitch' amount in coach. You can then get cheap flights from LHR to BCN.

Since I haven't seen too much from the West Coast, just wanted to share what I've painstakingly agonized over for days!

I share your pain!!! We had the same issue and ended up going with Delta. Cost a little more but one stop between CA and BCN.

 

[Doingitagain]

We use the Disney Rewards Visa for everything and pay it off each month. In Europe, whenever we will use it Chase will charge a International transaction Fee: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of the transaction, whether originally made in U.S. dollars or converted from a foreign currency.

So, for example on $3000 I will pay $90 additional. Does anyone use a card that does not charge a fee for international use and with no annual fee? It might be worth applying for a new card now if it saves us anything! Which will undoubtably be spent during this adventure anyway.

I am assuming that any charges on board the Magic during the cruise will be treated as if we were sailing from a U.S. port? Not a conversion from Euros to dollars.

At least if you book excursions and hotel pre/post stays through DCL you won't have a transaction fee, since they will do it in USD.

 

[DenverVal]

I don't believe any of my onboard purchases was ever charged a transaction fee.

 

[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 )

 

[funnybunny921]

Has anyone ever used them for hotels? considering it for barcelona for the pre-trip stay.

tia

 

[scottishwee35]

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 )

Hi

I miss it

I just switch it on now and miss it Hope repeat again?

Scottishwee35

 

[DadofLostBoys]

Has anyone ever used them (Priceline) for hotels? considering it for barcelona for the pre-trip stay.

tia

Yep. I got 1 night at Barcelo Atenea Mar for US$99. This is one of DCL's add-on hotels.

I also got 2 nights at Hilton Metropole in London for US$80/night.

John

 

[funnybunny921]

Yep. I got 1 night at Barcelo Atenea Mar for US$99. This is one of DCL's add-on hotels.

I also got 2 nights at Hilton Metropole in London for US$80/night.

John

cool. Was it hard to do? did you choos the east side, or the west side + suburbs or did you not do the name your price?

TIA!!

 

[M&C]

Hi - We are on the June 16th and our planning on taking the overnight train from Paris to Barcelona. We are a party of 4 - me, DH, DS(8) and DD(6). You cannot booked before 90 days so I am waiting. My kids are very excited about sleeping on the train. The website for the train is http://www.elipsos.com/htm/default.htm?lang=3. Another good website for train travel in Europe is http://www.seat61.com/Spain.htm.

We are flying into London and taking the Eurostar to Paris.

Good luck with your travel plans.

Thanks Carol, do you by any chance have an idea on cost? We're a party of 4 also w/ DD 11 and 4. I did look at the website, but still not very comfortable. Appreciate the help.

M&C

 

[carolmb]

Thanks Carol, do you by any chance have an idea on cost? We're a party of 4 also w/ DD 11 and 4. I did look at the website, but still not very comfortable. Appreciate the help.

M&C

I am thinking the cost will between 700-800 euros. Not sure what that equals in USD. I think I am conversion challenged. LOL. I should be able to book our travel in March.

 

[konslerg]

I think I am conversion challenged. LOL.

For easy conversion, for every 10 Euro, add $3 and you get $13 US
...or for every 100 Euro, add $30 and you get $130 US. Not exactly correct, but good enough for budgeting purposes. Of course, it could change before the trip. Hope it goes down again, not up even more. ;-)


Gloria in Miami

 

[Ruth B]

HI ALL,
does anyone hae any idea on what kind of wine package DCL will offer in the med. I know from other thread that th number of ngiht tend to be the number of bottles in the package and that you have a list to chose from.

Any idea on cost? and do you have to chose 11 different bottles or if you wanted could you chose 11 of the same.
Also do they do smaller packages if you thought you would not drink them all- will proberly want a galss or 2 most night's but not all.

I read some where that you can have a glass at the pool, in your room etc ( this would proberly make it more managable?!) is this right??

(sat writing a essay currently and dreaming of being on a cruise with a glass of wime and sunshine!!)
Best wishes
Ruth

 

[woody73]

. . . do you have to chose 11 different bottles or if you wanted could you chose 11 of the same.

Each time you order a bottle, you select from the wine package list. You could order the same wine each time.

Woody

 

[OurDogCisco]

Hi all...

I'm look at the port tours in Rome. I was looking at the Ultimate Rome Experience or Exlcusive VIP Vist of the Vatican & Highlights of Rome. There is a huge price difference between the two obviously. But I was wondering how important is it to see the inside of the Colosseum...

Ultimate Rome Experience

St. Peter's Basilica (inside portion can be cancelled if line too long
Renaissance Rome
External City
Trevi Fountain
Lunch
Then, 2 hours of Rome on your own
Tour is 10 to 10.5 hours

Private VIP Visit of the Vatican & Hightlights of Rome

Aurelian Walls
Pyramid of Caius Cestius
Circus Maximus
Piazza Venezia
Roman Forum
Lunch
Tour of Basilica & St Peter's Square
Private Tour of Sistine Chapel
Visit Pope's private collections
Tour 11.5 to 12 hours...

What tour would you pick and why? I've never been to Rome so I want to get the most out of this port.

Thanks,
Tina

 

[NejTheLion]

HI ALL,
does anyone hae any idea on what kind of wine package DCL will offer in the med. I know from other thread that th number of ngiht tend to be the number of bottles in the package and that you have a list to chose from.

Any idea on cost? and do you have to chose 11 different bottles or if you wanted could you chose 11 of the same.
Also do they do smaller packages if you thought you would not drink them all- will proberly want a galss or 2 most night's but not all.

I read some where that you can have a glass at the pool, in your room etc ( this would proberly make it more managable?!) is this right??

(sat writing a essay currently and dreaming of being on a cruise with a glass of wime and sunshine!!)
Best wishes
Ruth

When we took the 14-night repo cruise in '05, they just offered the 7-night package (which you could order twice to make up 7 days). When we just did the 10-night holiday cruise, only a 7-night package was offered. No 10-night.

I'd imagine the same will be true for the med cruises. Most people would actually probably prefer 7 bottles over 10 or 11 nights. It's possible they may do something special, considering Italy and France are such huge wine regions, but who knows?

I posted a thread back on the main DCL forum a week or so ago after I discovered that the wine package is not necessarily a good deal. Some of the wines are cheaper bought individually rather than as part of the package. So, you need to look at the available wines and decide which ones you plan to buy. For example, if you drink Conundrum every night, the wine package is a deal. If you like Sauvignon Blanc, you'll actually spend more on the package than you would if you bought 7 individual bottles.

Since you mentioned drinking the same wine every night, you should definitely look at it closely. Take the total price of the wine package and divide it by the number of bottles you can order (typically this is 7). Then take that number and compare it to the prices on the a la carte wine menu. You might be getting a deal; you might not. It depends on what you order.

 

[Ruth B]

Thank you NEJTheLion. I hope they do offer a 7 night package instead of the 11 and its helpful o know re cost. I will defentialy do my maths. Best wishes, Ruth

 

[Walsh clan]

Tina,

Both tours look good but seem to be very long. Can I suggest looking at Angel Tours for Rome? We did three tours with them on one day with two different guides, found them very good and they managed to get us past the majority of queues. It means you are more in control of your day, rather than having to stick with a group.

HTH M.

http://www.angeltoursrome.com/en/index.html