The Med Thread - All Sailings - Mediterranean

[woody73]

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

I have a BlackBerry, with service through T-Mobile. In Europe, I select a "local provider," then can use both the email and phone functions.

Woody

 

[woody73]

15 ) Are there crime or other concerns to watch out for in any of the ports we are visiting?

Pickpockets are a big problem, particularly in Paris and Italy. Be especially cautious on public transportation (trains, subways, busses), at tourist sites (churches, museums, monuments), and in queues.

Also beware of purse-snatchers. As we left the d'Orsay museum, we saw this happen to a well-dressed Parisian woman just a few feet away. By the time she screamed, the guy was gone.

Woody

 

[woody73]

. . . 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.

Be careful about taking a nap upon arrival. It often contributes to jetlag.

Woody

 

[wackywexler]

Any tips on dealing with/preventing jetlag would be appreciated. Our flight is not booked yet but it looks like it will be overnight, leavin los angeles late one afternoon and arriving around noon the next day. thank you!

 

[woody73]

. . . 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?

We are generally pleased with Virgin Atlantic.

But they have one of the most restrictive carry-on weight allowances: "9in x 14in x 22in and should not weigh more than 6kg (13lbs)" in Economy and Premium Economy.

Woody

 

[woody73]

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?

We have flown on Iberia to and from Spain, and were pleased, particularly with the in-flight service.

On the short-haul flights, they use small planes and the overhead bins would not fit DW's small 20 inch carry-on.

Woody

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

We are generally pleased with Virgin Atlantic.

But they have one of the most restrictive carry-on weight allowances: "9in x 14in x 22in and should not weigh more than 6kg (13lbs)" in Economy and Premium Economy.

Woody

you are joking, right? 13 pounds? I'm going to end up taking 4 suitcases just for me.

 

[Scratch42]

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

What No Porters? UH OH!

Good thing I purchased this carry on that has a strap that I can sling over me while I struggle with my two suitcases! DD is on her own!

Thanks for the warning!

j

 

[figment52]

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....

Yes, I am, especially this last week. I am not ready to cancel, but not ready to book air either. It's nice to know I am not alone.

 

[Skallywag]

Why would you be more concerned with security on a med cruise than anywhere else I wonder.

Terrorism now is a global threat and should not rule your life.

Like the thread - would agree that it is not wise to take a nap after landing. We just put our watches to the arrival time when we board the overnight.

We do the same when coming to the US and although it is a long day adrenalin keeps you going I think.

We are lucky this time as the flight from UK is only about 2 hours to Barcelona.

 

[baileysgm]

Yes, I am, especially this last week. I am not ready to cancel, but not ready to book air either. It's nice to know I am not alone.

Thank you, figment 52, that's exactly how I feel. We really, really want to go on this trip so I'm trying to remain positive!

 

[baileysgm]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! These are extraordinarily helpful links. I've been to several and gotten great information.

 

[woody73]

you are joking, right? 13 pounds?

Not joking. The quote is from the Virgin Atlantic website.

Woody

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Why would you be more concerned with security on a med cruise than anywhere else I wonder.

Terrorism now is a global threat and should not rule your life.

Like the thread - would agree that it is not wise to take a nap after landing. We just put our watches to the arrival time when we board the overnight.

We do the same when coming to the US and although it is a long day adrenalin keeps you going I think.

We are lucky this time as the flight from UK is only about 2 hours to Barcelona.

Can I reassure you that the Western med is very safe, as safe as any part of the USA is today. We have had security measures in place far longer than USA, and many ships with americians travel around the Med and far closer to the Eastend, than the Magic will go, and they all enjoy their trips.

 

[Scott H]

I have decided to wear one of those travel vests. It will weigh about 150 lbs or 70kgs.

Woody is not joking about the 13lbs. such is the cost of flying in stearage.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! These are extraordinarily helpful links. I've been to several and gotten great information.

Thank you if you need more let me know. Its nice for us to have more info this time around!

 

[sbassgva]

just wondering which airlines you were trying to redeem your frequent flyer miles with. it is early yet, and you should be able to find something if you are flexible. i just want to make sure that i am not saving the same miles that you are if you are having trouble booking something for a year away. good luck.

 

[sbassgva]

one of the biggest problems with booking two different round trip flights is that the baggage allowance for international travel is much different than it is for that within europe. i ran into the problem a couple of years ago when traveling between poland and germany. although the stop in germany was a stopover on my way back to the states, it was still an intercontinental flight, and i almost had to leave my stuff in the airport trashcan. luckily, a little repacking and i made it past the scales. however, it can be tricky.

also, security on many european airlines is different than that of the u.s. carriers. do not be surprised if you have two or three screenings to pass through before boarding a plane. they don't usually have long lines, but they will do a thorough check. upon my return flight aboard lufthansa, each passenger not only went through the metal detector, but also a thorough pat down search. offended? they don't mind, they just won't let you on the plane. i personally was impressed by it.

 

[slindamood]

Woody is right about the trains and luggage - although you are not restricted, you have to get it on the train in a short time with many others boarding - and do not count on porters - they are quite rare. Then once on the train, you are supposed to keep your luggage in the rack above your seat. This allows for about a 21" suitcase. I never take anything larger for even a 3 week trip. This June in Germany I saw many world cup fans with quite large suitcases - they had to stand at the end of the aisle because they could not get them down the aisle and there was no way they would go in the overhead rack. It was an inconvenience for everyone.

You can check luggage at some stations, but it is not a routine matter and you have to do it in advance. With the amount of luggage for a cruise, I would look into the requirements for checking luggage onto the baggage car. But not all trains have one.

Also - the European airlines are quite restrictive about carry-on - we will be flying SAS this August from Copenhagen to Frankfurt - they only allow one small carry-on item with a very low weight limit - probably a day bag will be the limit. This is typical of European airlines, not just the budget ones.

 

[woody73]

. . . Also still debating flying into London & taking eurotunnel to Paris & booking seperate air from Paris to Barcelona & Barcelona to Paris. . .

We have taken the Eurostar between London and Paris. It's convenient, inexpensive, and fast. Travel time was three hours each way, and I read they are making it faster.

Woody