The Med Thread - All Sailings - Mediterranean

[RJAYL]

I am hoping to get a bit of advice/help here. We are going on the May 26th Med cruise and were not planning on doing any "pre cruise" time in Barcelona. I already am taking May 25th-June 8th off (since I don't want to come back to work for 1 day before the weekend...it just seems sorta pointless to me) which is 10 days off of work (instead of 11 since Memorial day is a day off for us anyway!). So I then decided I would just do an xtra day or two after the cruise and fly home on the 7th or 8th, so I could at least do a bit of sightseeing and it doesn't look like most flights from the US will be getting to Barcelona until about 10:30am on the 26th. Even though I booked air through DCL I am starting to get a little worried about flight times and delays...I do NOT want to miss my cruise! Also, airfar booked online directly through a company is almost $500 cheaper per person!!! I am thinking that I should just cancel the DCL airfar, book it myself, get on the ship right away when we arrive in Barcelona, and then stay for two days at the end...what do you guys think??? I just don't know what to do and I really cannot take more than 10 days off of work, any advice or suggestions would be great! Thank you!

You only live once! Take the time!
Book the air yourself save some money! fly in a little early see the sites!

 

[PURTYPAT1]

I just came back from my travel agent AAA & I think I am booking for next June 2007 11 day myself & DD13

I am so......excited.

Lot's of planing Lot's of $$$$$

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

It is not Western Europe that I am concerned about - it is just a bit unsettleing with the activity going on back and forth between Israel and Lebonan and that whole area that I can't help but wonder what is going to happen in the year. I don't have my geographical perspective in check yet.

I really want to go on this trip because my last plans for touring Italy were November 2001 and I am sure I don't have to remind anyone why that one was cancelled.

Thanks for trying to calm my nerves Andrew DEREK, I will be fine if I just don't watch the news too much

Whilst the flare up in Israel is concerning it is a very long way away from where the MAGIC will be, to be honest it flares up every so often, but the Western Med is safe.

I went to RHODES recently which is far closer to the current troubles and there were many cruise ships in and I would say the bulk of customers were very happy Americians. They didnt seem concerned.

 

[BigBlueMan]

I just came back from my travel agent AAA & I think I am booking for next June 2007 11 day myself & DD13

Gosh Purty... I'm soooo sorry.... Didn't you get the memo? The one about all the COOL people being on the June 27th cruise?

Seriously, congrats and welcome to the great 10-12 month planning session!!

 

[kreedham]

Target sells a wallet with a lanyard that you can take off. The wallet can then go thru your belt. On our last cruise and to DW I used it and only put in my DL, 1 credit card, KTTW card and some cash. Wore it on my belt in front. It would be hard to steal. No regular wallet in back pocket or keys just some change.

Thanks to everyone for the various tips.

 

[jlawall]

Thx again for all the excellent tips, especially all the helpful links, Andrew!
Soon we will be able to book our flights, we're not quite 11 months out, yet! Our decision is whether or not to extend the beginning of our trip to visit Barcelona or Paris or London.

Also, I was hoping we could start discussing the ports of call and what are the "not-to-be-missed" excursions or places to visit........any suggestions???

 

[woody73]

. . . For there, I have already purchased one of those money belts that you wear under you clothes!

Thanks for all the great information!

j

I always wear one when traveling in Europe.

Woody

 

[woody73]

. . . I just don't know what to do and I really cannot take more than 10 days off of work, any advice or suggestions would be great! Thank you!

With 10 days off, I would put the extra days at the front end -- adjust to the time zone and wind down before the cruise.

Most importantly, if your flight is delayed or canceled, you'll still make it for embarkation.

Woody

 

[woody73]

. . . No regular wallet in back pocket or keys just some change. . .

On our first trip to Paris, we rode the Metro with three friends. It was crowded, so some of us stood. Later, one friend told us, "I can't believe what just happened. I'm standing there and this man has his hand in my front pocket!"

Be careful out there.

Woody

 

[Scratch42]

With 10 days off, I would put the extra days at the front end -- adjust to the time zone and wind down before the cruise.

Most importantly, if your flight is delayed or canceled, you'll still make it for embarkation.

Woody

How many days would you recommend? It's been a long time since I went to Europe and now that I have a DD that likes to sleep alot, teenager! I remember when I returned after a week of being away, my days consisted of School and Sleep only!

j

 

[sbassgva]

Have enjoyed reading the other posts here. I too have been TIVOing Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel !! Although she can be rather ditzy, she does have some good information and I have been taking notes.

I ordered my iLingo for my iPod Nano...so, hopefully I will be ready to tackle what ever translation difficulties that I may have.

I have room reserved in Barcelona for the night before the cruise right on La Ramblas.

I just got off the phone booking the return flight on the 17th...was able to get business class for entire trip using air miles!!

Boy am I happy...now if someone can just make the next 10 + months go by quickly it will be even better.

 

[Skallywag]

We are sailing on the 16th June and have booked our flights from London Gatwick to Barcelona. They are booking now and we thought, as usual, they could only be done 11 month out to the return date.

Would advise getting to Europe a couple of days early rather than holding time until after the cruise. From experience will give you time to adjust a bit and they say it takes 1 day for every hour difference in time to adjust.

 

[Rogillio]

We are booked on Continental - Huntsville, AL/Atlanta/Newark/Barcelona.

It feels stange booking something so far in advance but I read once about vacations that they are planned with great anticipation, experienced with some discomfort and remembered with great fondness.

Anybody have a 'must see' list for Barcelona? We're getting there 1.5 days before we sail so we can explore Barcelona.

~Mike

 

[DebWills]

I'm a tad nervous doing the 2 round trip tickets. We plan to fly from the states to Paris. Spend a few days at DLP and then to Barcelona. Home the day after the cruise.

I can get decent r/t fares from DC to Barcelona, or DC to Paris. Roundtrip from Paris to Barcelona is around $250; but a ONE way from Paris to Barcelona is over $700!!! YIPES.

Anyone with experience doing the 2 round trips?
Also, anyone have any historical info about the one ways inside Europe..do the prices eventually come down?

Thanks!

Deb

 

[ImprovGal]

I'm a tad nervous doing the 2 round trip tickets. We plan to fly from the states to Paris. Spend a few days at DLP and then to Barcelona. Home the day after the cruise.

I can get decent r/t fares from DC to Barcelona, or DC to Paris. Roundtrip from Paris to Barcelona is around $250; but a ONE way from Paris to Barcelona is over $700!!! YIPES.

Anyone with experience doing the 2 round trips?
Also, anyone have any historical info about the one ways inside Europe..do the prices eventually come down?

I'm doing pretty much the same game plan as you -- a few days at DLP and then on to Barcelona. I thought I'd had the transportation all figured out for my friend and I, although we're on the 6/27 cruise so can't really book anything yet.

What I had figured on doing for flights was open-jaw -- (in my case Boston-Paris and then Barcelona-Boston). That type of itinerary can be booked online by selecting a multi-city or multi-destination option. (Hitch #1? All of a sudden I can't find the multi-city option on Air France's website. Where the heck did it go?)

To get from Paris to Barcelona, I had looked into a one-way flight on a low cost European carrier like easyjet (heavy luggage restrictions), booking a rt paris-barcelona but only using the first half (risky, i think), booking flight one-way ($$$$), or going back and booking the whole thing on Air France and including a Paris stopover in the itinerary (also kind of expensive). I think we've decided on doing the overnight train. I know someone posted above warning about theft on overnight sleeper trains, though. Could someone please elaborate on that? I can understand the risk factors if one is in a shared sleeping compartment (T4 couchette, for example). However, when I started looking at info on the Elipsos trenhotel, one of the features it advertises in club class and grand class is a private roomette w/magnetic key lock. Wouldn't that be a theft deterrent?

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

We are sailing on the 16th June and have booked our flights from London Gatwick to Barcelona. They are booking now and we thought, as usual, they could only be done 11 month out to the return date.

Would advise getting to Europe a couple of days early rather than holding time until after the cruise. From experience will give you time to adjust a bit and they say it takes 1 day for every hour difference in time to adjust.

So now it's time to book airfare... with the cruise still 11 months away (with lot's of time for things to happen), what is the penalty for cancelling airfare? Anyone know specifically about American and their partners?

I, personally, was hoping to put all of this off for a few months. Do you think it would make that much of a difference in $$$ to wait? (I'm hoping to buy cattle and upgrade with miles)

 

[BigBlueMan]

So now it's time to book airfare... I, personally, was hoping to put all of this off for a few months. Do you think it would make that much of a difference in $$$ to wait? (I'm hoping to buy cattle and upgrade with miles)

Ponders Soccermom buying "cattle"... You a rancher, Cheri? A jolly one?

 

[RJAYL]

I'm doing pretty much the same game plan as you -- a few days at DLP and then on to Barcelona. I thought I'd had the transportation all figured out for my friend and I, although we're on the 6/27 cruise so can't really book anything yet.

What I had figured on doing for flights was open-jaw -- (in my case Boston-Paris and then Barcelona-Boston). That type of itinerary can be booked online by selecting a multi-city or multi-destination option. (Hitch #1? All of a sudden I can't find the multi-city option on Air France's website. Where the heck did it go?)

The reason you cannot get good pricing is because it is still to early most airlines will no quote untill you are in 11 month window of return leg!
Wait a little while patience fares will be available about the middle of August. I myself am debating about AirFrance however get there best price round trip to Barcelona on-line then call to book & try to delay the Paris to Barcelona leg! All of Air Frances flights go through Barcelona, amusingly their roundtrip price to Barcelona is less expensive than to Paris. Makes you wonder?

You can also wait a couple of months more without consequences (Cheri)

 

[Honu13]

So now it's time to book airfare... with the cruise still 11 months away (with lot's of time for things to happen), what is the penalty for cancelling airfare? Anyone know specifically about American and their partners?

I, personally, was hoping to put all of this off for a few months. Do you think it would make that much of a difference in $$$ to wait? (I'm hoping to buy cattle and upgrade with miles)

Cheri,

While I want to get all this planning done early, I'm more inclined to wait. Generally for the lowest fares, you can cancel the flight - BUT - you have to reshcedule within 12 months of the ISSUE date, not the cancel date. So, if you purchase 11 months out, you will still have to use by August of next year!

Drawback to waiting is that if gas prices continue to rise, so will the cost of airfare. Also, most people traveling to Europe have the same idea as us - buying cattle, using miles to upgrade. When waiting, you risk the chance that all the business or first seats are gone!



Decisions, decisions, decisions!!! Aargh...

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

Ponders Soccermom buying "cattle"... You a rancher, Cheri? A jolly one?

like a bad episope of Bonanza

Cheri a jolly rancher? Nope, but I'll have one thanks
(Jolly Rancher: 2 oz vodka,1 oz Midori® melon liqueur, cranberry juice - in case you don't already have the recipe)