The Med Thread - All Sailings - Mediterranean

[profdsny]

We got our book yesterday, which leads to two questions for the experts.

What do you think would be a better night to do Palo? A night at sea, or in one of the ports where we might not be so interested in?

Secondly, what is the "Tea" in the afternoon? I seem to recall they have had that on longer cruises (we only did a 4 night). What is it, and how much extra, if you know?

 

[bellelinus]

We got our book yesterday, which leads to two questions for the experts.

What do you think would be a better night to do Palo? A night at sea, or in one of the ports where we might not be so interested in?

Secondly, what is the "Tea" in the afternoon? I seem to recall they have had that on longer cruises (we only did a 4 night). What is it, and how much extra, if you know?

Generally speaking, you will have better availability at Palo on port days than on sea days . . . if there is a port you don't plan to stay in past late afternoon, that day would be my recommendation for Palo dinner.

Palo tea is around 3 PM, costs $10 per person, and features various teas, sandwiches, sweets, etc. Not as elaborate as Palo dinner or brunch, but nice nonetheless. It's usually just offered on sea days.

Since I am on the cruise after you, I will hope to get my booklet in 10 days or so!

 

[profdsny]

Thanks Julie, I appreciate the info. Tea could be fun. Sea days certainlly would be better as during the day at least we'd be off ship.

 

[taysmom]

I want to experience everything since it's my first cruise! I had asked on the meet link if anyone wanted to try with me and found some guinea pigs!

Steph

 

[jrabbit]

I find that ironic. I checked my flights yesterday and the cost has gone up $400. I finally purchased something at the right time !!!

I'm going to do you one better - the flights we selected (they were about $150 per person more expensive than some of the other options but WAY more convienent time wise) are not even available any more - sold out .

We don't leave until August and we purchased the flights within the first 3 weeks they became available (price started out high and stayed there until we purchased and the last time I checked and flights were available, the price had gone up over $400 per person)

 

[OurDogCisco]

I'm going to do you one better - the flights we selected (they were about $150 per person more expensive than some of the other options but WAY more convienent time wise) are not even available any more - sold out .

We don't leave until August and we purchased the flights within the first 3 weeks they became available (price started out high and stayed there until we purchased and the last time I checked and flights were available, the price had gone up over $400 per person)

My flight has gone up over $400 per person since we booked so I don't know where the cheaper flights are. I just looked at Kayak today and my flight is still cheaper when I booked it last August by couple hundred and my times are convenient. One flight I looked at was cheap but it took 87 hours to get there from SFO. Please... After booking hotels for your layovers that ain't cheap.

 

[jrabbit]

... One flight I looked at was cheap but it took 87 hours to get there from SFO. Please... After booking hotels for your layovers that ain't cheap.

a 3 1/2 day "flight" Its not just travel, its torture!! And just think of how many gormet meals you could have for the price of all of those over priced, crappy meals at the airport.

 

[Deb T.]

a 3 1/2 "flight" Its not just travel, its torture!! And just think of how many gormet meals you could have for the price of all of those over priced, crappy meals at the airport.

I frequently fly 3-1/2 hour flights and hate them. I used to love sitting in the window seat watching the world go by below but now I find that I feel claustrophobic if I'm not in an aisle seat. I'm absolutely dreading our flights to and from BCN. Eastbound it's 8-1/2 hours, Westbound will take 9-1/2 hours. The one good thing is I'll be sitting with my family instead of having to sit next to strangers, as usual.

As far as the yucky airport meals - at least we have options at the airport. I'm definitely not looking forward to whatever the one "meal" we're designated to receive on the BCN flights might end up being. I'm planning to bring one carry-on full of snacks!

At least we'll have a movie or two to look forward to! We'll all be packing our own headsets so we won't have to pay for the airline's headphones.

 

[RJAYL]

Has anyone done any research on the Beach's offered for Sardinia?

Which is better Coda Cavello Beach or La Cinta Beach?

Who has an opinion?

 

[carolmb]

Has anyone done any research on the Beach's offered for Sardinia?

Which is better Coda Cavello Beach or La Cinta Beach?

Who has an opinion?

The only difference I can see is at Coda Cavallo Beach you get drinks, a beach chair and umbrella for $60 more. At La Cinta Beach you get sand and water. We are on the June 16th cruise. I would of prefered the Coda Cavallo Beach because of the chairs and umbrella but it was no longer listed when I tried to book it this am.

 

[lzj21428]

Well, it's done. The airline tics are bought, the balance of the cruise is paid, the hotel is booked!!!!

Now all I have to do is decide on the shore excursions. I've gone through all of them and printed out the ones that look good to me. This seems to be the most mind boggling part of the whole planning process. The length of some of these excursions are scary. I can't imagine doing a 10.5 hr excursion. Most of the ones I've printed out are of a much shorter length.

Well, I'm just rambling on here. My excitement for this cruise is building, so I need to ramble to someone and who better than my fellow med cruisers.

Nina

 

[RJAYL]

The only difference I can see is at Coda Cavallo Beach you get drinks, a beach chair and umbrella for $60 more. At La Cinta Beach you get sand and water. We are on the June 16th cruise. I would of prefered the Coda Cavallo Beach because of the chairs and umbrella but it was no longer listed when I tried to book it this am.

I looked at the excursions more closely at Coda Cavallo the beach chairs are on the grass? Not the Beach.

At La Cinta you get beach chairs as well and you have access to food & drink for a charge.

Ill take the cheaper excursion!

 

[carolmb]

What is everyone doing for transfers in Barcelona (Disney, private shuttle, taxi)? I know some people have said before but I am having a difficult time using the search function to find what I am looking for. I do not like the way they changed the search function. Unless there is a secret I do not know about. Thanks for any help.

 

[Jeisur]

What is everyone doing for transfers in Barcelona (Disney, private shuttle, taxi)? I know some people have said before but I am having a difficult time using the search function to find what I am looking for. I do not like the way they changed the search function. Unless there is a secret I do not know about. Thanks for any help.

The Disney transfers are GREAT deal price wise. We booked transfers TO the hotel from the airport before the cruise, the hotel to ship but are staying at the airport hotel afterwards so we will just take the shuttle from the ship to the airport and foot it to the hotel or take the hotel shuttle from the airport!

 

[AnnaS]

What is everyone doing for transfers in Barcelona (Disney, private shuttle, taxi)? I know some people have said before but I am having a difficult time using the search function to find what I am looking for. I do not like the way they changed the search function. Unless there is a secret I do not know about. Thanks for any help.

We have booked our transfers with DCL (airport to port and vice versa).

 

[MrsJobba1]

We arrive in Barcelona 4 nights before cruise.

We are just going to take a taxi from airport to our hotel see below for details

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/airport/barcelona-airport-transport.html#taxi

 

[MJGirl]

I've booked DCL Transfers for Airport to Hotel to Ship through DCL Transfers on Embarkation day and Ship to Airport on the last day!

 

[michellebriana]

I am also planning on using a taxi. Should be a lot cheaper for a family of 4 than the transfers!

 

[OurDogCisco]

What is everyone doing for transfers in Barcelona (Disney, private shuttle, taxi)? I know some people have said before but I am having a difficult time using the search function to find what I am looking for. I do not like the way they changed the search function. Unless there is a secret I do not know about. Thanks for any help.

We are staying at an airport hotel and taking the shuttle to and from the airport. We are spending a day before the cruise and the day after the cruise at the airport hotel. So to get to the cruise terminal we'll be taking a taxi.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

We are staying at an airport hotel and taking the shuttle to and from the airport. We are spending a day before the cruise and the day after the cruise at the airport hotel. So to get to the cruise terminal we'll be taking a taxi.

Are you staying in the Renaissance Airport Hotel? We are staying there.
I read on trip advisor that it is very hard to find there shuttle.