The Med Thread - All Sailings - Mediterranean

[pyramid2000]

We are so excited. We booked airfare ($750 pp), pre-cruise apartment (a nice 2 bdrm NE of Bari Gothic) and post cruise hotel (Marriott near airport).

We searched a long time for apartments but felt that we would want to do some cooking on our own (Dinner after 9 pm wasn't for us).

We are so relieved that we are set with resers. Heard about a couple of events going on and some hotels were already booked (not the Disney ones).

Has everyone else booked their apartments/hotels? We found the www.bcninternet.com a good company to work with and they have great reviews.

Bill

What a good idea!! We will probably be in Barcelona for at least a few days prior to sailing and this would solve the 5 member family problem that occurs with hotels! I'll have to wait until August to check on prices!

 

[Hygiene99]

Me and my family are sailing on the Med. Cruise in June. My Question is what is the Port Called?? Also we are trying to find a car rental near or at the port because we are going to spend a couple of days in southern france. if anyone has passed this in there research let me know!

PORT

 

[BigBlueMan]

You might want to use the following link for reference purposes. it searchs over 150 different sources for airfare. (I discovered these guys because '60 Minutes' did a feature on one of their executives a while back)

http://www.mobissimo.com/search_airfare.php

It's too early for me to book my airfare, but in a test airfare two weeks before my trip (of the Nashville to Paris leg), on Expedia I was getting a fare of $1,252 per person. Mobissimo found a fare of $857, using a combination of Delta and Air India. (There were a couple others with the same rate, but I didn't look at details.)

Might be fun to search occasionally, just for planning sake.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Thanks for the search link.... I had a question. I noticed all these search engines usually the best price is by using multiple carriers. When you use multiple carriers does luggage automatically go from airlines to airlines? Are they using airlines that codeshare? I'm just curious how the luggage thing works out.

 

[slindamood]

When the entire trip is on one ticket, even with multiple carriers, the luggage is sent to the final destination. If you purchase two separate tickets, it depends on whether the two airlines have an agreement.

I have bought separate tickets several times and have been able to have my luggage sent to the final destination if I show both tickets to the agent at the time of check in. However, this does not always hold true if one of your tickets is on a budget airline in Europe.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Okay, I have another question about France. We are thinking of flying out the Sunday before our Saturday cruise date. So I was thinking of flying to France to spend time at Disneyland Paris but my kids do want to see some things in Paris. Should we make our home base Disneyland Paris and then, spend a day in Paris sightseeing? Or should we book a hotel in Paris for 1 night then, go to Disneyland Paris for 3 nights? We definitely want to fly to Barcelona on Friday and spend the night at the Marriott at the airport.

The main thing I'm concerned about is when we go on Cruises I tend to pack more clothes than we need. So I'm working on packing less but we'll see how that goes. Anyways, I'm concerned about trying to get to Disneyland Paris from the Paris airports with our luggage. I know you can take a train but is that feasible with the luggage?

Any advice would be great? My in-laws weren't much of help in this department because they travel with Europe with minimal amount of luggage.

 

[BigBlueMan]

Should we make our home base Disneyland Paris and then, spend a day in Paris sightseeing? Or should we book a hotel in Paris for 1 night then, go to Disneyland Paris for 3 nights? We definitely want to fly to Barcelona on Friday and spend the night at the Marriott at the airport.

We're staying in Paris a couple of days after our cruise. We're making home base DLP. If you do that, you'll have no problem getting around as the mass transit goes to DLP, and most tour groups are set up to pick up and deliver to the resorts. For example, our first night we're doing a river dinner cruise that ends up at the Eiffel Tower. They pick us up at DLP and return us after the pah-tee!

 

[slindamood]

In terms of ease of travel, DLP is easy to get to from CDG and easier and quicker to get to than central Paris. There are buses and trains to DLP. The train station is in the airport and the first stop is DLP - about 15 minutes. I assume you would then take a taxi to your hotel.

We took the train once to DLP from CDG - it is a nice TGV train and you probably could get the extra luggage on. We saw the buses loading and if I had a lot of luggage it looked easier than the tain, especially if they would drop you off at your DLP hotel. I would think a cab or an airport van would not be too unreasonable for the short distance from CDG to DLP.

I would never take the train from CDG to central Paris - very difficult with much luggage at all. If you decide to stay in Paris, take a cab (very expensive) or a van to your hotel. The prearranged airport vans are reasonable compared to a taxi.

 

[woody73]

. . . Just wonder if anyone has found any reasonable ways of getting from airport other than public transport and taxi and also to the port prior to the cruise. . .

You could reserve a shuttle.

Woody

 

[woody73]

. . . However, this does not always hold true if one of your tickets is on a budget airline in Europe.

This is true.

Woody

 

[woody73]

. . . So I was thinking of flying to France to spend time at Disneyland Paris . . .

DLP is worthwhile. We have had annual passes.

Woody

 

[woody73]

. . . the mass transit goes to DLP, and most tour groups are set up to pick up and deliver to the resorts. For example, our first night we're doing a river dinner cruise that ends up at the Eiffel Tower. They pick us up at DLP and return us after the pah-tee!

If this is your first visit to Paris, a tour is a very good choice. You will have a great time.

For price comparison, if you wanted to visit Paris from DLP on your own, you could get a one day Moblis pass for 12.10 EUR (zones 1-5), that includes the RER train to and from DLP, and unlimited rides on the Metro. A cruise on the Seine (without dinner) costs ~10 EUR.

(Prices are from our most recent trip to Paris in March 2006.)

Woody

 

[woody73]

. . . I would never take the train from CDG to central Paris - very difficult with much luggage at all. If you decide to stay in Paris, take a cab (very expensive) or a van to your hotel. The prearranged airport vans are reasonable compared to a taxi.

slindamood offers good advice.

We visit Paris at least twice a year. We take the RER train, but with only one carry-on each.

Woody

 

[BigBlueMan]

We visit Paris at least twice a year. We take the RER train, but with only one carry-on each.

Woody, the subject came up a while back about luggage limitations on European airlines. You have any knowledge of this?

Domestically you can have 40 pounds on the carry on (per piece) and 70 per piece for checked luggage.

Do you (or anyone) know if this is different in Europe? (I did some searches, but it was all greek to me)

 

[winotracy]

Woody, the subject came up a while back about luggage limitations on European airlines. You have any knowledge of this?

Domestically you can have 40 pounds on the carry on (per piece) and 70 per piece for checked luggage.

Do you (or anyone) know if this is different in Europe? (I did some searches, but it was all greek to me)

I have no knowledge of the limits in Europe, just wanted to add that the domestic limits vary from airline to airline. We usually use Midwest Express and the limits there are only 50 pounds for checked luggage. Haven't seen a limit for carry ons.

 

[slindamood]

We will be flying SAS within Europe in September - the limit is a total per person of 20Kg checked (44 pounds) and 8 kg carry on (17 lbs) - but limit of 1 item carry-on.

I also checked Sterling, a budget airline - the limits are 20 kg checked and 10 kg carry-on. Interesting note - Sterling charges extra for everything - including a reserved seat (7 Euro) and emergency row (20 euro). the fares are quite cheap, though.

 

[woody73]

Woody, the subject came up a while back about luggage limitations on European airlines. You have any knowledge of this?

It's much more restrictive than in the States, and varries by carrier. Some airlines are more restrictive than others, and I suggest checking their allowance before booking.

Some airlines are notorious for enforcing the weight restrictions. (We went from London to Paris on British Airways with some friends, and on the return, a six-pack of Perrier in our friends carry-on luggage required him to check is bag).

Woody

 

[misseulalie]

We have enough points for 4 of us to travel roundtrip to Barcelona from Orlando.

I just called Delta today and the options are horrible. There were basically 2 flights to choose from. One that leaves Barcelona at 7am (which means we get up at 3am) or a flight with 3 stops before getting to Orlando. (not an option with 2 small children)

They said to keep calling every 14 days. This is ridiculous. What is the point of having sky miles if you can't get a flight?

I guess we may have to fly into Madrid or even Paris and take the train.

So....What are your strategies for using sky miles successfully???

 

[jlawall]

My questions is.....if we book to NY to Paris, then take the train, can we then return from Barcelona to NY economically, or will that make the price substantially worse?

 

[ButterbearUK]

don't know if it would work or not. But for those of you who can travel direct to Barcelona from the US, and want to visit DLP, Paris or London:

Have you considered booking return flights to and from Barcelona, booking into a hotel for one night, then leaving some of your luggage with hotel bell services in Barcelona, and taking the train, or plane up to DLP with just one small suitcase for a few days... You could then return to Barcelona the night before the cruise, pick up the bags and not have to worry about low baggage allowances on internal european flights.

Obviously, you'd have to be staying in a hotel that was willing to watch your luggage for a few days, and would have to be careful not to leave valuables in the bags. But it might be worth looking into.

Milia