The Med Thread - All Sailings - Mediterranean

[woody73]

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. . . I have to tell you though, there's no way in the world that I'm going to be able to pack for the cruise in his "big packpack."

I travel to Europe often with a Rick Steves "big backpack" carryon. One time we spent two weeks in France and Spain with just one piece of carry-on luggage each. It's very convenient to travel light, especially when taking public transportation (many Metro stations have stairs only).

Woody

 

[vickmey]

We are trying to plan a couple of our own excursions(on a June med. cruise). Med cruise being a new one it may be hard to predict, but could some of you experienced cruisers guess as to what *time* we can expect to be off ship in the a.m. at any given port?
Thanks!

 

[bellelinus]

We are trying to plan a couple of our own excursions(on a June med. cruise). Med cruise being a new one it may be hard to predict, but could some of you experienced cruisers guess as to what *time* we can expect to be off ship in the a.m. at any given port?
Thanks!

The DCL website has the plans for the ports -- the one for the 10 night cruise looks like this:

Wednesday Barcelona, Spain onboard 9:00 p.m.
Thursday At Sea
Friday Palermo, Sicily ashore 7:00 a.m. onboard 5:30 p.m.
Saturday Naples, Italy (Pompeii) 7:30 a.m. 7:30 p.m.
Sunday Olbia, Sardinia 8:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m.
Monday Civitavecchia, Italy (Rome) 7:30 a.m. 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday La Spezia, Italy (Florence, Pisa) 7:30 a.m. 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday Marseilles, France 8:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m.
Thursday Villefranche, France 8:00 a.m. 11:30 p.m.
Friday At Sea
Saturday Barcelona, Spain ashore 6:45 a.m.

 

[misseulalie]

I am trying to book my airline tickets for the cruise and have really long layovers in Newark and Amsterdam. I was told that we couldn't leave the airport unless we bring all of our luggage with us. (not just our carry-ons, but ALL of our luggage; even the stuff we check-in.) Delta said it looks suspicious why we want to leave the airport and leave our luggage at the airport. I said "we will be in Newark for 7 hours, with two small children. How is that suspicious???"

So, am I naive and does everybody already know this? Or do we plead ignorance and just sightsee around the city for those 7 hours...
I heard we can get to Manhatten in about 30 minutes from the Airport.

 

[jrabbit]

I am trying to book my airline tickets for the cruise and have really long layovers in Newark and Amsterdam. I was told that we couldn't leave the airport unless we bring all of our luggage with us. (not just our carry-ons, but ALL of our luggage; even the stuff we check-in.) Delta said it looks suspicious why we want to leave the airport and leave our luggage at the airport. I said "we will be in Newark for 7 hours, with two small children. How is that suspicious???"

So, am I naive and does everybody already know this? Or do we plead ignorance and just sightsee around the city for those 7 hours...
I heard we can get to Manhatten in about 30 minutes from the Airport.

1) I don't know how they (the airlines / airport port authority / the TSA) would know that YOU and YOUR family out of the how many thousands of people wandering around the airport had a connecting flight out of the airport later in the day. BUT YOU NEVER KNOW. I'd hate to come arrive in Barcelona and find out that the TSA confiscated your luggage in Newark and took it outside and blew it up

"The Voice" -- "Unattended luggage will be confiscated..."

2) can't you get a direct flight out of Atlanta to Barcelona? It would be a lot less wear and tear on the travel days - maybe worth the extra $$$.

 

[bellelinus]

My brother and sister in law had a long layover in Newark coming back from Germany to their home in MI a year ago. They had their luggage checked through to the final destination and took the NJ transit PATH train from the airport into Manhattan to spend a few hours with us.

I can't see how anyone in the airport would know that you had left and gone into the city! Just be sure to leave plenty of time to get back to the airport and go through security before your flight leaves.

 

[misseulalie]

I should have mentioned, we are using frequent flyers, so we don't have much of a choice...

They said we won't see our bags until Barcelona, so really, how will they know? The only way would be through security. Don't they look at your ticket and would question why we left the airport without the bags?

 

[bellelinus]

I can't imagine that security would have any way of knowing where your bags are. All I can say is that I know it has been done, so I don't see a problem as long as you leave enough time to get back to Newark.

 

[jeanneg]

Misseulie: I'm originally from that area and yes, the PATH train will get you to NYC in about half an hour. (Don't even THINK about driving or taking a taxi.) That said, once you get into the city it could take you forever to get around and you never know what could happen. Sometimes dignitaries come into town and they shut down major roads...it can be a real zoo. A 7-hour stopover is a real drag, but I just wouldn't chance going into Manhattan....especially when the next leg is an international flight since those are usually only one a day. Unfortunately, the Newark airport is also pretty boring in that it doesn't have lots of nice shops. That's been the problem lately with using FF miles....they only offer flights with ridiculously long stopovers. I really feel for you in that situation with 2 children. I don't know their ages but maybe you can buy 2 new hand-held games and don't give them to them until you get there. That way they won't get too bored quickly. Of course, your first flight can always be horribly delayed and then you'll br thankful for all the extra time.

 

[GrayFal]

Misseulie: I'm originally from that area and yes, the PATH train will get you to NYC in about half an hour. (Don't even THINK about driving or taking a taxi.) That said, once you get into the city it could take you forever to get around and you never know what could happen. Sometimes dignitaries come into town and they shut down major roads...it can be a real zoo. A 7-hour stopover is a real drag, but I just wouldn't chance going into Manhattan....especially when the next leg is an international flight since those are usually only one a day. Unfortunately, the Newark airport is also pretty boring in that it doesn't have lots of nice shops. That's been the problem lately with using FF miles....they only offer flights with ridiculously long stopovers. I really feel for you in that situation with 2 children. I don't know their ages but maybe you can buy 2 new hand-held games and don't give them to them until you get there. That way they won't get too bored quickly. Of course, your first flight can always be horribly delayed and then you'll br thankful for all the extra time.

Consider getting a "Day Room" at an airport hotel - we did this at MCO - got a room at the Hyatt after our Disney Cruise - we checked in by 10 am and left at 5 pm to get our 6:30 flight home.

You could let the kids swim in the pool, have a meal, and maybe catch a nap before you go for your overnight flight.
Just a thought....

 

[Rogillio]

Have had an email confirming that we (UK residents) will not have to surrender our passports in the Med unlike when sailing from US. Assume US and non European cruisers will have to surrender their passports and be given a photo copy to carry with them this time.

I don't plan on surrendering my passport to anyone. DCL is NOT an agent of the government and you are under no obligation to relinguish your passport. Give them the copy and keep the original with you. I will not step foot on foreign soil w/o my US passport in my pocket. I got confirmation of this from the US State Department.

~Mike

 

[Skallywag]

Sorry Mike but this is something we from the UK have to put up with when we sail Disney from USA. They take your passport, give you a copy of the photograph and you have to get up extra early on the last morning to retrieve it.

This time Disney have told me we from UK and presumably from Europe do not have to surrender our passports as they are required as proof of our i.d at times.

If it is your government rule that you keep y ur passport with you perhaps they could clarify why we have to surrender our British Passports to your authorities. Would be very interested to hear.

Brenda

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I don't plan on surrendering my passport to anyone. DCL is NOT an agent of the government and you are under no obligation to relinguish your passport. Give them the copy and keep the original with you. I will not step foot on foreign soil w/o my US passport in my pocket. I got confirmation of this from the US State Department.

~Mike

Interesting. I would bring that confirmation with you.

 

[jrabbit]

Consider getting a "Day Room" at an airport hotel - we did this at MCO - got a room at the Hyatt after our Disney Cruise - we checked in by 10 am and left at 5 pm to get our 6:30 flight home.

You could let the kids swim in the pool, have a meal, and maybe catch a nap before you go for your overnight flight.
Just a thought....

This is a good idea -- BUT I would NOT take a nap before departure. You want to sleep on the plane because you want to get over your jet lag as soon as possible. If you're arriving in Barcelona in the morning you will want to stay awake for as long as possible upon arrival. Unfortunately the kids too!!

Here's an article about fighting jet lag. Six hours for those of you on the east coast will be hard, but us west coasters have a 9 hour adjustment!!

 

[Skallywag]

We have the same only in reverse when we visit your country. Always put our clock back when we get on the plane in England and that way our minds are already into the new time zone. When coming home on the overnight flight we always think of ourselves already in British Time and never eat the meal they provide. This is because logically putting the clock forward 6 or more hours usuallybrings you into early hours of the next morning. You would not eat a heavy meal then so just have something to drink and perhaps a couple of crackers and try and sleep. This has worked for us but usually find once home it takes about a week to get the body really back into British time. Far easier for us coming to your country we find, wonder if this is because we are coming on holiday.
Brenda

 

[misseulalie]

Consider getting a "Day Room" at an airport hotel - we did this at MCO - got a room at the Hyatt after our Disney Cruise - we checked in by 10 am and left at 5 pm to get our 6:30 flight home.

You could let the kids swim in the pool, have a meal, and maybe catch a nap before you go for your overnight flight.
Just a thought....

Does anyone know if Newark airport has a airport hotel like MCO? That may be an idea...

 

[MrsJobba1]

Sorry Mike but this is something we from the UK have to put up with when we sail Disney from USA. They take your passport, give you a copy of the photograph and you have to get up extra early on the last morning to retrieve it.

This time Disney have told me we from UK and presumably from Europe do not have to surrender our passports as they are required as proof of our i.d at times.

If it is your government rule that you keep y ur passport with you perhaps they could clarify why we have to surrender our British Passports to your authorities. Would be very interested to hear.

Brenda

I would also be very interested to hear this.

 

[jeanneg]

Unless things have recently changed there is no hotel within the airport as with MCO. There are several that are just a few minutes away and probably provide free shuttle service.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Does anyone know approximately how much it might cost to take a cab from the airport to the pier?

 

[ErikaD]

You guys are all amazing! Thanks for sharing all the information. I have a really stupid question: I included our air w/DCL but have no information on flights, times etc. My reservation says "Red Eye". When will I get the specifics or was I supposed to call them again? I feel really stupid but we've never traveled outside of US and figured having them do it would be easier and TA said to book through them because rates were higher trying to book seperate. We're on the June 6 - 10 night!