The Med Thread - All Sailings - Mediterranean

[scrapycruiser]

Question about cell phones...we'll have our 10 yo Grandson with us. We wanted to have cell phones with us ,in case, God forbid, we get separated. What kind should we use or should we just carry walkie talkies ???

 

[carolmb]

Question about cell phones...we'll have our 10 yo Grandson with us. We wanted to have cell phones with us ,in case, God forbid, we get separated. What kind should we use or should we just carry walkie talkies ???

I am wondering about cell phones also. We have Verizon wireless and I do not think that they are set up to go overseas. Does anyone know anything about renting one for the trip.

 

[kyla]

Rick Steves travel books talk alot about being able to rent a phone but I think they will only work in a particular region and then you have to get another phone. I'll try and look it up tonight. However, if you have Cingular, he mentions they have pretty good plans for overseas. Thats what I plan to do. Just before I leave, I will add on international. I already upgraded my phone to make sure they will work in the countries we are visiting.

Good questions on the batteries, power converters, etc. I will be anxiously awaiting for the answers. I know for my camera, I plan to bring an extra battery. I just need to worry about my cell phone not dying before we get to the ship.

 

[buck4568]

I am wondering about cell phones also. We have Verizon wireless and I do not think that they are set up to go overseas. Does anyone know anything about renting one for the trip.

I have a Razr from Verizon and that will not work in Europe. Then I looked into renting a phone. That would cost over $50.

So, I then found a phone that you can buy for $50 and you get the SIM card, the phone, and voltage adapters for different countries. You do not have a monthly service charge. Your assigned a UK phone number and your charged only when you use the phone. I actually upgraded to the higher priced phone because we cruise often and I have clients in Europe and it will work all over the world with the upgrade plus I can call from the U.S.. The standard phone will work all over Europe and several other countries.

Send me an e-mail for more details!! I can get you a $10 call credit!!!

 

[carolmb]

Question about cell phones...we'll have our 10 yo Grandson with us. We wanted to have cell phones with us ,in case, God forbid, we get separated. What kind should we use or should we just carry walkie talkies ???

Here a link to an article I found on Cruise Critic.

http://www.thetravelinsider.info/2002/0308.htm

Here are 2 links for global cell phones and sim cards

http://www.telestial.com/

http://www.mobalrental.com/

 

[micluver]

East coaster got up at 3 and then discovered ressies didn't start til 4 so got up again at 4 and brunch and high tea were available for about 30 minutes but everything got booked pretty quick!

Seems like they are allowing one lunch, one dinner and one high tea. I think that's fair, gives those who aren't concierge or castaway club to get some booking times, hopefully!

Micluver

I was able to get both brunch and tea at Palo. My problem was that the online booking didn't open up until an hour after I expected it, perhaps the daylight savings time issue...but that should go away April 1.

 

[RJAYL]

East coaster got up at 3 and then discovered ressies didn't start til 4 so got up again at 4 and brunch and high tea were available for about 30 minutes but everything got booked pretty quick!

Seems like they are allowing one lunch, one dinner and one high tea. I think that's fair, gives those who aren't concierge or castaway club to get some booking times, hopefully!

Micluver

Concierge can book again when they first get on the Ship

 

[nordkin]

From experience the adaptors will only convert the plug on what ever you are plugging in to fit in the plug in the wall. Most are marked with the country they are for. Remember the US is on 110 and Europe is 220 so you also need a power converter. Yo can purchase a set that includes the converter and all the adapters for about $30. I purhased mine at Rand McNally and have had it for years. There are many cameras and camcorders made today that will work with eiter 110 or 220, but I still plug mine into the converter to be on the safe side.

 

[Funfoody]

Does anyone know if Port de l'Estaque is walking distance from the cruise terminal Disney docks at in Marseilles? I've got a map where it looks like a little less than half of the distance between the cruise terminal and Vieux Port. There seem to be some good restaurants at Port de l'Estaque according to Yahoo Travel.

I guess what I'm really looking for is a nice local restaurant walking distance from the port for lunch.

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Hi all - 1st time posting on this thread - I'll ask here - but can you book excursions online or do you have to do it via phone? Not first time cruiser (I'm CC member at least) but first time booking via Disney before we set foot on the ship. Any answer rwould be greatly appreciated - thanks!

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Just realized I have another thread to keep on and I'm not doing so hot with the others. How do you all do this? This is enough to drive me

 

[taysmom]

You have to book all excursions, spa and palo online for the med. Not sure about other cruises. I highly recommend that you book when you can too. So that you get what you want.
S

 

[eeyorelvr10]

You have to book all excursions, spa and palo online for the med. Not sure about other cruises. I highly recommend that you book when you can too. So that you get what you want.
S

Thank you - Just got off the phone after being on there for 1 hour - she told me 90 days out - which for me is April 29 at 5 am our time (West Coast time) does this sound right for any others out there?

 

[OurDogCisco]

Thank you - Just got off the phone after being on there for 1 hour - she told me 90 days out - which for me is April 29 at 5 am our time (West Coast time) does this sound right for any others out there?

Nope... that doesn't sound right. Online is available at 12:01 am EST. I've heard that on some days it was really 1:01 am EST because of daylight savings problem. But someone posted on another thread they got through at 12:01 am this past weekend.

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Nope... that doesn't sound right. Online is available at 12:01 am EST. I've heard that on some days it was really 1:01 am EST because of daylight savings problem. But someone posted on another thread they got through at 12:01 am this past weekend.

Thanks OurDogCisco - looks like as usual I get better info on DIS than on DCL - go figure!

 

[michellebriana]

Nope... that doesn't sound right. Online is available at 12:01 am EST. I've heard that on some days it was really 1:01 am EST because of daylight savings problem. But someone posted on another thread they got through at 12:01 am this past weekend.

It is actually 12:01 AM Pacific. I tried at 12:01 AM ET last week and at 3:00 AM but had to wait until 4:00 AM due to the daylight savings issue. It is all fixed now, so 12:01 AM pacific will work.

 

[eeyorelvr10]

Hey out of curiousity - has anyone ever stayed at a apartment/hotel anywhere in Europe - we have come across an apartment suite that will house all 6 of us - and the Master has a king size bed! but most important - its air conditioned (this is in Paris) Just wondering if anyone has experience this type and whether its better than a regular hotel room - since this is our first time not sure if this is better - do we really need the fridge, hot plate, etc? We'll be outside most of the day - air conditioning is a must though - sorry if this has been addressed elsewhere - just found this thread and subscribed to it - thanks for any help!

 

[woody73]

Hey out of curiousity - has anyone ever stayed at a apartment/hotel anywhere in Europe - we have come across an apartment suite that will house all 6 of us - and the Master has a king size bed! . . .

Make sure you book through a reputable source. There are many scams out there.

Woody

 

[taysmom]

On our thread 6/16 there are many people staying in hispanos suiza which is an apartment hotel ( I believe). I just booked 12:01pst. I'm in cali too. Lucky for us, I would hate to have to stay up later.
S

 

[EPCOT_VA]

Okay .. I'm starting to officially freak out. This is my first cruise, so I can't book until 75 days out Are there going to be any excursions left if everyone is a castaway club member. Can you waitlist excursions? What are the chances of them opening up more later on? What time can you sign on to book?

I'm with you. It is our first cruise as well. If we are unable to get at least some of our first choices, (especially Rome), then we may even consider cancelling our cruise for this year. I'm not concerned about Palo. However, it is distressing to hear that tours are already filled up when we still have 19 days before we can reserve anything.

Maybe a Cat 5 w/Verandah will be opening up if we can't get anything...

EPCOT_VA