The Med Thread - All Sailings - Mediterranean

[bellelinus]

I plan on "dragging" my DD9 to the far away ports rome and florence. For the same fears..what if something happens and I am far away! But I am overprotective anyways... I am considering leaving her on the ship for some of the shorter distance ports, especially monte carlo as I really want to see the casino. Plus, I am looking at this trip as our "one in a lifetime" and she's 9 so she should remember most. I don't think we'll get back to italy before she's an adult as there are so many other places to visit. I want her to see everything regardless of whether she is bored! I have been prepping her that even though the art will get old, just remember that we will be back with mickey each night. Since thats for her she should do the excursions for me. She says she understands, but she's 9, I am sure I'll hear the whining there! . I just don't think you can cancel booked excursions if you change your mind...anyone have any insight on this?
Steph

You can cancel an excursion, up to (I think) 48 hours in advance, with no penalty.

My youngest daughter will have just turned 10 on our Med cruise and I'm taking her everywhere (and we will be doing excursions on our own -- train to Rome, for example). It has less to do with being worried about her safety or comfort on the ship than it has to do with wanting us to see all these fabulous places as a family.

 

[RJAYL]

Membership??? What membership? Educate me? Are you staying in a category 1, 2 or 3?

Yes we are in a suite, for our cruise last February we had a Hot Breakfast delivered to the room & didnt leave the untill after 9AM.

But I am also a DVC, CC, AAA member!

 

[scottishwee35]

Hi

Thank for your response.

I asked my son Keith (10) and he said that he want to go to Rome as he said that he want to see Colaseum!!! So I think we take our kids to Rome and I think Rome is history and good for kids to remember it?

Well, mil and friend tell me off, perhaps I should listen my son what he want to do, not them.

As there are plenty times in Club as 10 days.

As my kids had been using travelling with us as no problems.

So we decide to go ahead to book when 90 days come up and other way there will be cancel within 48 days anyway.

Scottishwee35

 

[scottishwee35]

Well, my kids want to see Rome.

Anyways, if they wanted to stay on board, I would let them stay. Honestly, I don't know what could happen that they would need emergency attention. There is a doctor onboard so I wouldn't be too worried. They don't get to go swimming so no fears there. I just really can't see what would happen that is different from normal everyday life. Anyways, I wouldn't worry about it. Ask them what they want to do too....

I agreed with it

I should ask kids what they want.

Scottishwee35

 

[justhat]

Yes we are in a suite, for our cruise last February we had a Hot Breakfast delivered to the room & didnt leave the untill after 9AM.

But I am also a DVC, CC, AAA member!

Has this always been the case? Our last cruise was 6/04 when we were in a Cat 3 and we were booted out to eat breakfast at AP and could not eat in the room. We were glad though cause we ate in the room the other days so it was nice to actually experience the dining room.

We're in a Cat 3 again on the Med cruise but this time with 2 young kids it would be very nice to eat in the room the last day if we can!

 

[buck4568]

I am shopping for trip insurance and wondered if anyone had found a good deal with any particular insurer.

We used points and cash to book the cruise and to insure that portion of the trip through Travel Guard would cost $428.12. Medical Coverage would be an additional $3.65 per day per person or about $300 for the four of us. And the air tickets would not be covered because we did not get them through Disney.

So, I am thinking, after looking at quotes on InsureMyTrip.com that I might be better off just going with another company that will cover medical and air and the cash portion of the trip and forget about the points insurance.

 

[RJAYL]

I am shopping for trip insurance and wondered if anyone had found a good deal with any particular insurer.

We used points and cash to book the cruise and to insure that portion of the trip through Travel Guard would cost $428.12. Medical Coverage would be an additional $3.65 per day per person or about $300 for the four of us. And the air tickets would not be covered because we did not get them through Disney.

So, I am thinking, after looking at quotes on InsureMyTrip.com that I might be better off just going with another company that will cover medical and air and the cash portion of the trip and forget about the points insurance.

I heard that Disney's Trip Insurance now covers air! Check with your TA or DCL when it isnt as crazy as today!

 

[RJAYL]

Has this always been the case? Our last cruise was 6/04 when we were in a Cat 3 and we were booted out to eat breakfast at AP and could not eat in the room. We were glad though cause we ate in the room the other days so it was nice to actually experience the dining room.

We're in a Cat 3 again on the Med cruise but this time with 2 young kids it would be very nice to eat in the room the last day if we can!

Cannot speak for anyone but ourselves, and we were in a Cat 1. It may be only the Cat 1 & 2's get breakfast in there rooms. I do remember however that it was not the usual choice full menu, but a special day of departure menu.

 

[slindamood]

Hi

My mother in law and my friend told me that they think it is no good idea to bring our kids to day in Rome as 10 hours trip.

Please advise me.

Worry mum!

Scottishwee35

We took our DD to Rome for a week when she was 6. Friends said that a child would ruin the trip - WRONG - she loved it and we had a fantastic time. The forum is a great site, as is the Trevi fountain, the Parthenon, and most places. Kids are fascinated by the tales of chariot races, gladiators, the fountains and squares, painting the ceiling of the Sistene chapel, seeing the Vatican guards, etc., not to mention gellato. We found that six was old enough. You know your kids better than anyone - go with your instincts.

 

[misseulalie]

If it was only my 6 year old with us, then yes, she would be travelling to Rome with us, but my 4 year old could never handle a 10 hour excursion. So instead of only leaving her in the club for that long, we will keep the 6 year old there, too. I'm sure we will come back when they get a bit older, but since this is our first time in Rome, we want to explore it, then when we go back, we know what to see and what we wouldn't mind missing.

This is what's great about a cruise, you get to have a "taste" of these cities, and then decide which one's you want to visit again...

 

[CarolAnnC]

Regarding the Medical Coverage from Travel Guard - $3.65 per day for the 10 day cruise for 4 of us would be $146.00. There is also a plan available that covers your air fare (if booked through Disney) and medical coverage combined. We are booking our own air, hence it would be quite a bit more to insure if we book air ourselves.

I am definitely going for at least the Medical Coverage, possibly the coverage for our DVC points as well.

 

[misseulalie]

We had Berkley Care insurance and they were really good. We had to file a claim because my parents backed out last minute because of an illness with my father. They paid his fare, plus my mother's fare, too! I was only expecting to receive my father's share since he was the reason the didn't go, but they gave back both!

 

[funnybunny921]

We just got an email informing us that we will have to pay an additional tax of 40 pounds pp trans atalatic and 10 pounds pp within europe since we are flying through london. that is almost 200$ of unexpected taxes even though we booked almost 2 months ago. - and the worst part... we can't pay it now.... we have to pay before we check in!!!! so angering

sorry had to vent as that might make the difference of taking one more excursion

 

[PURTYPAT1]

We also received an email from American Airlines:


Following the UK Government's decision to double the Air Passenger Duty paid by passengers traveling from the United Kingdom, American Airlines customers who have purchased tickets to travel on or after February 1, 2007, will be required to pay the increased tax before flying.

For long-haul flights to the United States, APD (GB tax) has increased to:

- £40.00 for Economy Class travel (previously £20.00)
- £80.00 for Business & First Class travel (previously £40.00)

 

[funnybunny921]

i understand increasing taxes, but it basically punishes those that bought early (not with the tax but with the in ability to check in online).... and now with that increase it seems like we should have flown through nyc not lhr. we chose london originally because the times worked a lot better.

governments.... can't love em can't say you hate em.....
(seriously, i know that taxes are often needed but it is being blindsided by them that i don't enjoy)

 

[Deb T.]

i understand increasing taxes, but it basically punishes those that bought early (not with the tax but with the in ability to check in online)....

I don't know if it will help, but you might try going to the ticket counter of the closest airport and see if you can pay the extra charge. If they can take the payment now, then you'd be able to check-in online when the time comes. Good luck!

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Good ideal Deb T I am actually going to Disney World in 2 weeks. I am going to call AA & see if I can prepay while at the airport.

Thanks for the headsup

Patricia

 

[Deb T.]

Good ideal Deb T I am actually going to Disney World in 2 weeks. I am going to call AA & see if I can prepay while at the airport.

Thanks for the headsup

Patricia

Hi Patricia - I'm sending lots of Pixie Dust your way, hoping it all works out for you! Please be sure to let us know!

 

[OurDogCisco]

Okay... I'm sure this will sound like a stupid question but I noticed a lot on the Disney excursions it says that large backpacks are not allowed. So I'm wondering what people are gonna use. I bought a messenger bag but I don't think it is big enough. I was trying to find something that I can carry with it in front of me. Anyways, does anyone have any good suggestions on bags to buy? websites? I did check e-bags and they have a lot but not sure about the sizes.

 

[scrapycruiser]

I bought 2 large waist packs for my husband and I. They are larger than most.Three zippered pouches. Got them from TravelSmith.com. The waist strap has steel band inside so it can't be cut by thief. They come in many colors. But the main thing is they'll hold a lot.