The Med Thread - All Sailings - Mediterranean

[piglet33]

Check on visas...the State Department website should help...I checked at work and it seems visas are needed for France and Spain, but not for a short trip in Italy.

I checked the State Department website and found this so it looks like Visas are not needed:

SPAIN - *Passport required. Visa not required for tourist or business stays up to 90 days.

FRANCE - *Passport required. Visa not required for tourist/business stay of up to 90 days in France, Andorra, Monaco, and Corsica, and 1 month in French Polynesia.

UNITED KINGDOM (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) - *Passport required. Visa not required for stay of up to 6 months.

GIBRALTAR - *Passport required. Visa not required for tourist stay of up to 90 days.

 

[BigBlueMan]

Twenty Questions to be answered before departure

1 ) boarding time in Barcelona. The itinerary says on-board 9:30 PM for the 10 day cruise. Anyone know if this boarding or departure time?

That is the departure time. You will be able to board around around 1 or so. Perhaps a bit earlier.

2 ) Any idea when Disney will announce shore excursions?

I don't know when Disney will announce theirs, but in the DIS thread for our cruise, we're probably going to get up our own. A friend of mine (travel agent) recently went on an 11 day Carnival Cruise that featured many of the same stops we're going on. He wrote an OUTSTANDING trip report that is available on our thread web site.
http://users.adelphia.net/~cknebel/
There's also links to shore excursions type companies that we've already researched in our various ports of call.

14 ) Cell phone? Which carriers will work in Europe?

Supposedly, Sprint works very well overseas. I have Verizon, and I'm going to have to rent a phone for use while over there. It's not cheap to use a phone. There are several European phone carriers from whom you can get a phone pretty cheap, but the number will be European. If you are strictly planning on calling from Europe to the USA, and not have people calling YOU.. that might be the way to go.

Can't help you with the other 17!

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

I am trying to figure out BCN to Paris after the Eastbound Repo. Would love to take the train, but it will take too long out of our precious DLP touring!

Since we have no idea what time they will let us disembark on Saturday, it is a bit tough to figure out what time to get a flight.

So anyone that is doing Paris to BCN, what airlines are you looking at. We will just reverse it!

Thanks
Debbie

 

[CACruisin']

#6 - Yes, pretty much always. When we were in Rome in April 2004, we arrived at the Vatican about 30 minutes before it opened. The line was all the way around the block and back to St. Peters. It moved relatively quickly, but still took some time. Access to the Sistine Chapel is at the end of the Vatican museum tour so you have to walk through a number of other exhibits first to get to the Sistine Chapel. It is stunning. The size of St Peters is also stunning.

#14 - DH's company used Cingular for worldwide access. It worked great (good coverage in Switzerland, Germany, and France), but was expensive.

#15 - Pickpockets are definitely an issue in Rome. I read about it before our trip and then was amazed to actually see some of the ploys I had read about taking place. Didn't notice the pickpockets in Sardinia. I have read that pickpockets are also a problem in Barcelona.

#18 - you are going to be an American tourist regardless of what you wear. Just remember to be respectful i.e. no shorts or bare shoulders (tank tops, etc) in churches or religious buildings, and wear very comfortable walking shoes. Italians tend to dress less casually than Americans. DH wore dockers mostly rather than jeans. DD's and I wore slacks, but it was cold when we went. For the summer cruises, I would opt for easy skirts with simple tops and a light jacket to dress it up for dinner and/or cover your shoulders in churches.

 

[GrayFal]

Great Thread idea.....

I also have been checking Kayak.com for 1 way European fares......Hoping to arrive early to mid morning and be able to board by 12 noon and CRASH for a few hours....get settled and then tour Barcelona that evening and the next day.

 

[Scott H]

We have our return flights all set and yes to heed the baggage allowance. Will be flying Virgin Atlantic for the first time. and am not sure how tight they are on carry on allowance. Any one have any experience here?

 

[BigBlueMan]

So anyone that is doing Paris to BCN, what airlines are you looking at. We will just reverse it!

Thanks
Debbie

Theres a ton of them. I just do an Expedia search and see what pops up. Right now I'm looking at a return flight (back to Paris) in mid-afternoon, as we plan to be on a Parisian dinner cruise that night. The most (and cheapest) flights will probably be Iberia and Air France, but theres a ton of airlines offering them. As for the part about timing the flight, you know they've got to get you OFF the ship pretty early, so I figure a 2PM or so flight shouldn't be a problem.

 

[RJAYL]

Theres a ton of them. I just do an Expedia search and see what pops up. Right now I'm looking at a return flight (back to Paris) in mid-afternoon, as we plan to be on a Parisian dinner cruise that night. The most (and cheapest) flights will probably be Iberia and Air France, but theres a ton of airlines offering them. As for the part about timing the flight, you know they've got to get you OFF the ship pretty early, so I figure a 2PM or so flight shouldn't be a problem.

Iberia seems to be the airline of choice to & from Barcelona (to other european locations)! Has anyone ever flown Iberia & if so your thoughts please?

There is also some airline called City Air?

 

[kaseyC]

12 ) Is there a must see in Barcelona?
Picasso Museum- many of his early works displayed, La Rambla- a great place to just sit and people watch, Gothic Quarter and Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia- spectacular If short on time, Barcelona has a hop on hop off tourist bus that follows 3 different routes. It is called the Bus Touristic and it is a great way to just sit and see the sites or you can choose to get off and explore the sites and just catch the next bus. They run about every 20-30 mins


14 ) Cell phone? Which carriers will work in Europe? My DH's Blackberry with Cingular service worked at all the ports and on our cruise ship. My cell phone with T-mobile international service (a free add on) worked at all ports. Your cell phone needs to be either a Tri-band or a Quad-band - just check your phones specs.

15 ) Are there crime or other concerns to watch out for in any of the ports we are visiting? Watch out for pickpockets and purse snatchers. Be forward in protecting personal space.


18 ) How to not look like American tourists? what do the locals wear? Don't worry they already know you are American. Just be aware that many cathedrals will refuse entrance if your shoulders and knees are not covered.

19 ) Shopping? Best port and what items. Of course Leather goods in Rome but what else is good? Limocello in Sorrento or Capri, you can also find wonderful leather goods in Florence. Avoid buying bootleg/knock offs, Italy has big fine for purchasing them.

 

[scottishwee35]

We have our return flights all set and yes to heed the baggage allowance. Will be flying Virgin Atlantic for the first time. and am not sure how tight they are on carry on allowance. Any one have any experience here?

hI

Before we went to Florida in April 06, my mother in law pay extra £55 pounds (95 dollars) for extra weight case up to 30lbs.

Perhaps you contact Virgin Atlantic and I am sure they have charge for extra baggage or heavy case. I am sure they have it!! Please double check with them.

Scottishwee35

 

[winotracy]

Unless Florida is your start or stop, try searching for a multi destination ticket instead of two one way tickets. It can be a lot cheaper. Sites like kayak and Travelocity will do that. We did that last year for the Panama Canal cruise -- Milwaukee to LAX and Orlando to Milwaukee. Was less than the price for round trip to LAX.

 

[scottishwee35]

KISSIMMEE

About Tweny Questions - wow

I only able give you some

2) I am still searching about excursions!!! I have been looking at Cruise Critic, They gave me some idea and about hire private driver sound good to me but again my husband and I both deaf. We are not sure about it, but hopeful near the time someone who going on the Cruise same time as us, hopeful they can share might be cheaper and worthing to see, might be useful but we wait to hear about DCL excursions first.

12) Oh yes, must see in Barcelona as we are staying there for 3 nights in apartment before going to Disney Cruise.

14) Don't know if it is working in europe depend what kind of mobile. As my mobile was won't working when I was in Florida but my husband's mobile was working!!

15) Yes, be careful in Barcelona, Rome and Naples High Crime but it happen everywhere!!!

17) I think it will be hot, need hat, sunscream and plenty water!!!

That is all I know lol

Scottishwee35

 

[jlawall]

Great thread idea! We are in the process of booking our flights................would everyone agree that NYC is a better departure than Philadelphia?

I'm toying with Paris before Barcelona, is it really cost effective? How would that compare to London?

 

[kimkatmom]

This is a great thread. I too am spazing about our air fare. Just tried frequent flyer miles to no avail. No help at all. So now that I have read all of your posts, I am enlightened and will try again.

This is going to be so much fun!

 

[kimkatmom]

OK you smart people. I just booked December for the same as I got this September for last March! There was no way that I was going to get from Sacramento to MCO for less than $311 and with the gas prices going where no man should ever go, I thought I should move quickly. Got it for $266. You guys are so smart. Thanks for your help!

Next challenge --- SFO to CDG or BCN! Here I go again!

 

[OurDogCisco]

what a great idea... I'm still on the fence about this cruise so this thread will probably be very helpful!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

LONDON
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tube/

LONDON TO PARIS

Http://www.eurostar.com/dynamic/index.jsp

VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/index.jsp;jsessionid=Be766dUM30orSOHgYjbbo4XFjWWqfIaz4XA1HSuy4UTKIbKP9ACr!-1112292905!174843410!8001!7002
BRITISH AIRWAYS
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_gb
DISNEY UK/ LINK TO DLP

Http://www.disney.co.uk/

BARCELONA HOTELS
Http://www.catalunya.co.uk/
Http://www.netpz.co.uk/hotel_spain_hotels/hotel_barcelona_hotels.htm
UP THE COAST
Http://www.apartmentspain.co.uk/blanes.htm
DCLS HOTEL (I THINK)
Http://www.grandmarinahotel.com/
SHORE TRIPS IN EUROPE IDEAS
Http://www.celebritycruises.co.uk/pages/home.php
CAR HIRE SPAIN
http://www.carhireinspain.com/index.php?cID=70

 

[baileysgm]

This is a great thread!
We are on the inaugural Med...is anybody else just the tiniest bit concerned, security wise, about the Magic sailing around the Mediterannean? I'm not worried enough to not go, but....

 

[woody73]

. . . Our group will be taking the Eurotrain from Paris to Barcelona. They don't restrict you on luggage, as much!

We travel regularly throughout Europe. Although taking luggage on trains is not as restrictive as on airlines, I'd be careful not to take too much. You have to be able to carry the luggage on and off the train.

In March, we were at the Termini train station in Rome and saw an American couple trying to get off the train with four suitcases. The wife was throwing the bags down the three steps of the train to the husband standing on the platform. There were not having a good time.

Woody

 

[woody73]

4 ) Is there a Rome train stop near the Colosseum or Vatican?

The main train station in Rome is Termini. From there, take the subway (Metropolitana):

Colosseum: take Line (Linea) B to the Colosseo station. The Colosseum is across the street.

Vatican: take Line A to the Ottaviano station. It's a 15-20 minute walk.

Woody