The Med Thread - All Sailings - Mediterranean

[carolmb]

I think I recall reading somewhere here that dining times would be different on the Med cruises than on normal Disney cruises--that instead of the staggered times, there would just be one seating time for dinner. Does anyone know if this is correct? Or what the dining times are?

Thanks!

I think the dining times are 6pm and 8:30pm.

 

[DadofLostBoys]

I just wanted to let those sailing on the July 7, 07 Med cruise (and have not yet stumbled across our cruise meet thread, come join us at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1075984) know that there are Magical Med Cruise 070707 t-shirts for sale.

The shop link is below in my signature. Prices have not been marked-up other than 1 penny (I hate $x.99 stuff).

Getting closer!

Ciao,

John

 

[lzj21428]

We booked the Rome on Your Own Excursion for our 6/27 Med cruise. I was thinking that if everyone pooped out on me, we could just take a taxi back to the ship instead of waiting for the bus to take us back.

Any thoughts on this idea? All the Rome excursions are very lengthy and the moans and groans from the kids when I told them the length probably we heard all the way in Rome!! It's my birthday the day we're in Rome, so everyone should do what I want to do anyway. Right?

 

[MJGirl]

We booked the Rome on Your Own Excursion for our 6/27 Med cruise. I was thinking that if everyone pooped out on me, we could just take a taxi back to the ship instead of waiting for the bus to take us back.

Any thoughts on this idea? All the Rome excursions are very lengthy and the moans and groans from the kids when I told them the length probably we heard all the way in Rome!! It's my birthday the day we're in Rome, so everyone should do what I want to do anyway. Right?

I agree .. It's your day! So you rule!!!

 

[FutureSailor]

I think the dining times are 6pm and 8:30pm.

Isn't this different from the usual cruises, which have staggered times (5:30, 5:45 and 6:00 or something close to that)?

Anyone know the reason for the change? We currently have first dining but are a little worried that some of the excursions get back at 5:30 or even 6:00. But late seating would really not work for us kid-wise. I guess maybe we will be eating a lot of chicken fingers and pizza!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Isn't this different from the usual cruises, which have staggered times (5:30, 5:45 and 6:00 or something close to that)?

Anyone know the reason for the change? We currently have first dining but are a little worried that some of the excursions get back at 5:30 or even 6:00. But late seating would really not work for us kid-wise. I guess maybe we will be eating a lot of chicken fingers and pizza!

Cruises orginally had 6pm/8.30pm DCL then last year brought in the staggered times, I read on various posts, they have reverted to 6.oopm/8.30pm for the Med.

 

[lzj21428]

With the dining times and the end times of alot of these excursions, it seems to me that the dining rooms, especially early seating,will be pretty empty.

We have late seating, so I think we would make our dining time unless we are too exhausted from the day to even think about food.

 

[EPCOT_VA]

We booked the Rome on Your Own Excursion for our 6/27 Med cruise. I was thinking that if everyone pooped out on me, we could just take a taxi back to the ship instead of waiting for the bus to take us back.

Any thoughts on this idea? All the Rome excursions are very lengthy and the moans and groans from the kids when I told them the length probably we heard all the way in Rome!! It's my birthday the day we're in Rome, so everyone should do what I want to do anyway. Right?

As I recall, Rome is a 45 minute ride from the port. I wonder what cab fare would run for a trip like that?

 

[MJGirl]

As I recall, Rome is a 45 minute ride from the port. I wonder what cab fare would run for a trip like that?

Not sure about cab fare, but I think I read earlier that train fare wasn't too much ... I came across the following on another travel forum:

The train station is in the middle of town. Trains take a bit over an hour to Roma Termini, the ride is E4.10 one way for adults, E2.10 for children (not sure about age cut-off), or "Offerta Famiglia" (family ticket) for 3 -- two adults and one child E8.20 (essentially, the kid rides for free).

Hope this helps!

 

[OurDogCisco]

Isn't this different from the usual cruises, which have staggered times (5:30, 5:45 and 6:00 or something close to that)?

Anyone know the reason for the change? We currently have first dining but are a little worried that some of the excursions get back at 5:30 or even 6:00. But late seating would really not work for us kid-wise. I guess maybe we will be eating a lot of chicken fingers and pizza!

If you came back too late for your dining time, you can go to Topsiders (a buffet area on deck 9). They will be serving a limited menu.

 

[OurDogCisco]

With the dining times and the end times of alot of these excursions, it seems to me that the dining rooms, especially early seating,will be pretty empty.

We have late seating, so I think we would make our dining time unless we are too exhausted from the day to even think about food.

I thought the opposite. I figured nobody is gonna make dinner in Rome unless you take a shorter excursion. Our excursion goes from 8:45 am to 8:45 pm. So I think everyone is gonna miss. I bet they will have extended offerings at Topsiders.

The other 2 ports that have long excursion times were Naples & La Spezia. We will miss our dinner in La Spezia but for Naples we are doing a private tour that returns at 5 pm. So I wasn't planning to dress up super fancy that night. So all and all we'll only miss 2 meals in the dining plus one more night for Palo. I can live with that.

Other than that all the tours I picked were only 4 hours to 5 hours long and we won't be missing dinner unless we choose to stay in port longer like in Villefranche or Marseille.

 

[FutureSailor]

I thought the opposite. I figured nobody is gonna make dinner in Rome unless you take a shorter excursion. Our excursion goes from 8:45 am to 8:45 pm. So I think everyone is gonna miss. I bet they will have extended offerings at Topsiders.

The other 2 ports that have long excursion times were Naples & La Spezia. We will miss our dinner in La Spezia but for Naples we are doing a private tour that returns at 5 pm. So I wasn't planning to dress up super fancy that night. So all and all we'll only miss 2 meals in the dining plus one more night for Palo. I can live with that.

Other than that all the tours I picked were only 4 hours to 5 hours long and we won't be missing dinner unless we choose to stay in port longer like in Villefranche or Marseille.

Are you dining early? We have planned all along for missing dinner in the ports you mentioned--Naples, Rome, and La Spezia. We are doing private drivers but probably will get back later than 6 (certainly later than 6 for Rome and La Spezia, probably later for Naples). But we are doing Disney excursions in Olbia and Villefranche. One of them (Villefranche I think) is scheduled to end at 5:30 and the other is scheduled to end at 6:00. I'm wondering if we will miss those nights too.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Are you dining early? We have planned all along for missing dinner in the ports you mentioned--Naples, Rome, and La Spezia. We are doing private drivers but probably will get back later than 6 (certainly later than 6 for Rome and La Spezia, probably later for Naples). But we are doing Disney excursions in Olbia and Villefranche. One of them (Villefranche I think) is scheduled to end at 5:30 and the other is scheduled to end at 6:00. I'm wondering if we will miss those nights too.

Yes, we are dining early. Normally, we take late seating but I know my kids could never make it to then, if we spent all day in port. I know we'll probably be rushed to get ready when we return from a tour in some ports but I'd rather do that than wait until late seating. I figured I'm gonna have to be pretty flexible on this trip and see how we feel. But I only booked long excursions at 3 ports. The other ports all our excursions are only 4 to 5 hours and start in the morning.

I think, you'll make your dinners. We had an excursion once in Key West that ended right about when our late seating started. So we kinda dressed up for the excursion by wearing resort casual clothes and then, we return to the ship we went directly to dinner. We were about 5 minutes late. We didn't all look smashing that evening but at least we made it to dinner.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I e-mailed the passporter people to ask what is considered a large backpack. As some of the Rome excursions do not allow them. Apparentely, the large backpacks are in reference to those traveling by backpack through Europe. I guess, they don't want those backpacks that have all of their luggage in it. I thought my backpack is pretty big but I'm traveling with 2 kids and I carry all their stuff. I tried looking into messenger bags but they are too small for a camera. I'm thinking for Rome... I'll need to pack a game boy & one book or workbook for each child, video camera, Digital SLR camera, extra lens, battery, memory cards, maybe a monopod, water & snacks. Dh could probably carry some of the stuff in his day pack but it is a lot of stuff. What are others doing that are traveling with kids. I'm thinking of just using my trusty backpack and just be extra careful when we get in pickpocket situations. I could always take it off my back and carry it with my hands at that point. What do you think?

 

[MJGirl]

I e-mailed the passporter people to ask what is considered a large backpack. As some of the Rome excursions do not allow them. Apparentely, the large backpacks are in reference to those traveling by backpack through Europe. I guess, they don't want those backpacks that have all of their luggage in it. I thought my backpack is pretty big but I'm traveling with 2 kids and I carry all their stuff. I tried looking into messenger bags but they are too small for a camera. I'm thinking for Rome... I'll need to pack a game boy & one book or workbook for each child, video camera, Digital SLR camera, extra lens, battery, memory cards, maybe a monopod, water & snacks. Dh could probably carry some of the stuff in his day pack but it is a lot of stuff. What are others doing that are traveling with kids. I'm thinking of just using my trusty backpack and just be extra careful when we get in pickpocket situations. I could always take it off my back and carry it with my hands at that point. What do you think?

I lucked out ... My kid is 16, she can carry her own stuff!!!

 

[woody73]

I e-mailed the passporter people to ask what is considered a large backpack. As some of the Rome excursions do not allow them. Apparentely, the large backpacks are in reference to those traveling by backpack through Europe. I guess, they don't want those backpacks that have all of their luggage in it. I thought my backpack is pretty big but I'm traveling with 2 kids and I carry all their stuff. I tried looking into messenger bags but they are too small for a camera. . .

When we went on the Vatican's "Secret Itineraries Tour," no backpacks were allowed. I had a small messenger bag and had no problem.

If you check a backpack in Rome, take a small padlock to secure it's contents. I've read many reports of electronic equipment being stolen.

Woody

 

[EPCOT_VA]

I e-mailed the passporter people to ask what is considered a large backpack. As some of the Rome excursions do not allow them. Apparentely, the large backpacks are in reference to those traveling by backpack through Europe. I guess, they don't want those backpacks that have all of their luggage in it. I thought my backpack is pretty big but I'm traveling with 2 kids and I carry all their stuff. I tried looking into messenger bags but they are too small for a camera. I'm thinking for Rome... I'll need to pack a game boy & one book or workbook for each child, video camera, Digital SLR camera, extra lens, battery, memory cards, maybe a monopod, water & snacks. Dh could probably carry some of the stuff in his day pack but it is a lot of stuff. What are others doing that are traveling with kids. I'm thinking of just using my trusty backpack and just be extra careful when we get in pickpocket situations. I could always take it off my back and carry it with my hands at that point. What do you think?

We are travelling with two kids who still complain that "they're back is breaking" if they are asked to carry anything.

My wife and I are each going to carry a day pack. Mine will have all of the camera stuff and minimal necessities (Water bottle on the outside). My wife will have any other stuff we might need. (Small snacks for the kids, other necessities, and room for anything we might buy.)

We plan to leave the kids unencumbered (DD 7 & DD 9). If all goes well, they won't ask us to carry them. Yes, the seven yo still likes to ride on Daddy's shoulders. I draw the line for DD 9, TOO BIG!

My camera bag / day pack is a Quantaray Pro U60. Very versatile.

EPCOT_VA

 

[EPCOT_VA]

I have been trying to guestimate how much cash (Travellers checks, Euros, etc.) to bring on the trip. What is a good ballpark to plan for meals and minor incidentals for the shore days? (Euros) We have two adults and two kids (DD7 & DD9).

EPCOT_VA

 

[taysmom]

I have been trying to figure out the same thing. I would figure that look at how much you spend in cash here on vacation and then add 25%. That should do you in euro countries. You can always use plastic if you run out of euro. The ship will offer exchange services also.
For 3 days in barcelona, for 1 adult, 1 child...I am thinking about e150. That should cover all excurstions on our own. BUT...I have already bought my metro pass and some excursion tix online. ( better deal..online discounts).
Think about that when trying to figure it out.
Steph

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Hi Everyone,

Funny you should ask, just about an hour ago, I said to my DH, "How much spending money should I bring?" It will be for myself & DD. We came up with the amount of $2,500.00

I already went to AAA & got 500.00 in Euros. I probably will get another 500.00 in Euros and the last $1,000. put on a AAA debit card. (you need a pin number for usuage)

Patricia