The Med Thread - All Sailings - Mediterranean

[MJGirl]

I'm with you. It is our first cruise as well. If we are unable to get at least some of our first choices, (especially Rome), then we may even consider cancelling our cruise for this year. I'm not concerned about Palo. However, it is distressing to hear that tours are already filled up when we still have 19 days before we can reserve anything.

Maybe a Cat 5 w/Verandah will be opening up if we can't get anything...

EPCOT_VA

I agree ... However cancelling isn't an option for me as my flights are non-refundable, plus my daughter will kill me if I cancel. Palo's is also not a concern, as it is just me and my 16 year old, and I don't like eating alone. I've booked into the EB Panama repo next year and she will be 18 then, so look out Palos. Here we come!

 

[Ruth B]

I'm with you. It is our first cruise as well. If we are unable to get at least some of our first choices, (especially Rome), then we may even consider cancelling our cruise for this year. I'm not concerned about Palo. However, it is distressing to hear that tours are already filled up when we still have 19 days before we can reserve anything.

Maybe a Cat 5 w/Verandah will be opening up if we can't get anything...

EPCOT_VA

Totally agree, we have began to look at other options. Its such a lot of money( both the crusie and then the excursion) to spend and not be able to get your first chocie!

 

[EPCOT_VA]

I'll be interested in hearing the reports from the 90 day crowd when they book their excursions in three days. Especially if certain tours are sold out.

EPCOT_VA

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I'll be interested in hearing the reports from the 90 day crowd when they book their excursions in three days. Especially if certain tours are sold out.

EPCOT_VA

Yes the feedback will be interesting, I think the later cruise's July etc will be fully booked there might be less full on the early ones so this is the test case for higher demand later.

 

[kidcoos3]

This is my first cruise that includes formal, semi-formal and pirate dining - we're trying to keep our luggage to a minimum because we'll be in Europe for 3 weeks. Any ideas? Do most people really dress up? How much would a guy in khakis standout? My 16 year old and 12 year old love to dress up - my 13 year old and 44 year old won't be as excited.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

This is my first cruise that includes formal, semi-formal and pirate dining - we're trying to keep our luggage to a minimum because we'll be in Europe for 3 weeks. Any ideas? Do most people really dress up? How much would a guy in khakis standout? My 16 year old and 12 year old love to dress up - my 13 year old and 44 year old won't be as excited.

Hello and Welcome, I find a high amount of people do dress up in formal wear and Pirates costumes. I usually have the luggage issue going to USA, but this time in the MED people from USA will.

It might have an effect but for formal wear you can hire, see DCL med packet, or CRUISELINEFORMAL, web site.

 

[jrabbit]

This is my first cruise that includes formal, semi-formal and pirate dining - we're trying to keep our luggage to a minimum because we'll be in Europe for 3 weeks. Any ideas? Do most people really dress up? How much would a guy in khakis standout? My 16 year old and 12 year old love to dress up - my 13 year old and 44 year old won't be as excited.

I don't know what you will be doing for your other 10 or 11 days in Europe - but if you're doing some moving from city to city - I would limit your luggage to ONE moderate sized (21x14) suitcase per person and one SMALL carryon (13x10) that can be "attached" to your suitcase. We are visiting 4 cities before catching the ship in Barcelona and that's what we are planning on doing.

The guys:
* Formal/Semi Formal night(s) - a dress shirt, tie, slacks
* "Normal" nights: Polo shirt and "dockers" and/or slacks (remember that the clean polo you put on for dinner tonight can be worn on shore the next day - only need one shirt per day instead of two!!)
* Pirates night - see "normal" night
* daytime wear: in attempt to "blend in" (but we'll be the ones with the cameras and saying "look at all of those old buildings" ) we are wearing slacks and polo shirts on our touring days. Considering getting some of those "convertable/zip off leg" pants.
* shoes: ONE pair of reasonable looking comfortable black shoes (maybe all black tennis shoes, or Ecco or Rockports. Also will bring one pair of sandals or thongs (oops... I mean flip flops )

The gals: (ok, so this is much more difficult but...)
* Formal/Semi Formal night(s) - a dress, or nice pants suit, but probably better would be a skirt and blouse
* "Normal" nights: Skirts, capri's and blouses - coordinating, but different so you don't/won't be wearing "the same thing" every day/night (I know how much you hate that ). Bring a couple of scarfs to change the "look" of your outfit.
* Daytime wear: see "Normal" above. Here's where the scarf can also come in handy - many churches (Vatican especially) require knees and sholders to be covered. If you are wearing a sleavless blouse, a scarf can be used to cover your sholders, and if you're wearing shorts or a short skirt, a scarf can be wrapped around your waist to get your knees covered.
* Pirates night - same as normal
* shoes - OK, you can take as many as you can fit in YOUR suitcase - no fair making anyone else carry your shoes.

For everyone
* one swimsuit and one pair of shorts - for when we need to cool down.
* toiletries: as minimal as possibile and as small of a size as possible - purchase refills as needed before the cruise.

Most of the above comes from the Rick Steves travel site - our plan is to pack as light as possible.

Link to his Travel Tips page

Link to Rick's Travel Bags (a bit pricey - but you know that they are going to be high quality).

Link to the most valuable/important item to take with you on your trip and how to use it (click on the Money Belt link - the packing one is good too!)

 

[DenverVal]

Nice list jrabbit!

This is my first cruise that includes formal, semi-formal and pirate dining - we're trying to keep our luggage to a minimum because we'll be in Europe for 3 weeks. Any ideas? Do most people really dress up? How much would a guy in khakis standout? My 16 year old and 12 year old love to dress up - my 13 year old and 44 year old won't be as excited.

Roll up the khakis and bring a sash to tie around your waist. Bring a white or red or striped shirt. Hoop earrings for the ladies.
They'll give you a scarf for the head...you're set! Nothing extra to haul.

 

[eeyorelvr10]

So glad I found this thread - I was dreading the packing but now looks like what I was suspecting is true - I must travel light! Thanks for the tip!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

So glad I found this thread - I was dreading the packing but now looks like what I was suspecting is true - I must travel light! Thanks for the tip!

I always find after packing take out a third of stuff, and you still have enough for the holiday!

 

[eeyorelvr10]

I always find after packing take out a third of stuff, and you still have enough for the holiday!

Hi Andrew - know what my worst fear is? Being left w/o "unmentionables" - I was dreading taveling with only 7-10 pairs (Planning on washing OF COURSE!) but after reading the list's mentioned above - realized they suggest about 7 days worth to help cut down! I now realize that for traveling sakes - I might want to stick to those guidelines! Especially considering the fact that I pick up things along the way. THAT for sure is a certainity!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hi Andrew - know what my worst fear is? Being left w/o "unmentionables" - I was dreading taveling with only 7-10 pairs (Planning on washing OF COURSE!) but after reading the list's mentioned above - realized they suggest about 7 days worth to help cut down! I now realize that for traveling sakes - I might want to stick to those guidelines! Especially considering the fact that I pick up things along the way. THAT for sure is a certainity!

You can always buy locally in an emergency, but the ships laundry will be busy on the three sea days!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Hi Andrew - know what my worst fear is? Being left w/o "unmentionables" - I was dreading taveling with only 7-10 pairs (Planning on washing OF COURSE!) but after reading the list's mentioned above - realized they suggest about 7 days worth to help cut down! I now realize that for traveling sakes - I might want to stick to those guidelines! Especially considering the fact that I pick up things along the way. THAT for sure is a certainity!

I learned a trick from my cousin. She was visiting us from Spain & stayed for a month. She had a medium size bag with all her clothes, and she told me that she washed her undergarments at the same time she bathed & just hung them with her clothes. She didn't have to carry much and they were always fresh. Ever since she told me that trick back in '98, I've done the same thing, and it works remarkably well.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I learned a trick from my cousin. She was visiting us from Spain & stayed for a month. She had a medium size bag with all her clothes, and she told me that she washed her undergarments at the same time she bathed & just hung them with her clothes. She didn't have to carry much and they were always fresh. Ever since she told me that trick back in '98, I've done the same thing, and it works remarkably well.

We usually take three large cases of clothes for our familiy of four and bring back at least one of clean clothes that have not been used.

 

[taysmom]

Hi all-
Just an FYI that disney paris is celebrating it's 15th anniversary this summer. I had no idea that it turned 15 on 3/31...so anyone going to DLP before or after the cruise should enjoy the following video of the celebration. Not sure if thats what happens nightly or if it was just a special event for the specific bday. I am sure daniel powter isn't there nightly!

http://www.dlrp.fr/actu_evenement_presse_15_ans_disneyland_paris_1116.html

Enjoy.
Steph

 

[kidcoos3]

Wondering what DCL cruisers have done in the past about Trip Insurance? Any and all suggestions and thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Doingitagain]

We bought trip insurance through DCL for our med cruise. Figured it would be the cleanest way to get reimbursed if there was an issue.

DD's band trip to Brazil over spring break was canceled due to an air traffic controller strike in Brazil and they couldn't get air craft in...so after a few days in Atlanta and Miami airports they sent the kids home. After that, I will always buy trip insurance (we will get some kind of a discounted refund, but how much is not yet known and I am sure it won't be as much as if we would have had travel insurance). I know someone who had something similar happen to them in Spain, which is where we fly in to for the Med cruises.

 

[disneylover5]

Wondering what DCL cruisers have done in the past about Trip Insurance? Any and all suggestions and thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

I have been studing this all day today. Such a timely question.

I am not going to do disney as we did not book our air though Disney and Disney insurance would not cover air.

My biggest fear is that we arrive the day the ship leaves. I am afraid if the flight has any kind of mechanical breakdown....we will miss the ship. I have found most insurances do not cover this. Reading the policies....you need to be an attorney. I have found it looks like Travelex will cover this. We are a group of 10 (when I added up we are spending $36,870 on this trip ) we can use the group insurance.

So check out www.insuremytrip.com or if you are 10 or more use www.insuremygroup.com

I even called them and they were very helpful explaining everything to me!!

Let me know what you think or what you find out.

Anyone else have thought on this?

 

[MJGirl]

Hi all-
Just an FYI that disney paris is celebrating it's 15th anniversary this summer. I had no idea that it turned 15 on 3/31...so anyone going to DLP before or after the cruise should enjoy the following video of the celebration. Not sure if thats what happens nightly or if it was just a special event for the specific bday. I am sure daniel powter isn't there nightly!

http://www.dlrp.fr/actu_evenement_presse_15_ans_disneyland_paris_1116.html

Enjoy.
Steph

Hi Steph ... The DLP 15th Anniversary celebrations will be going on all summer, plus they will be introducing two new rides this year, Crush's Coaster and Cars Race Rally! I can't wait!

Wondering what DCL cruisers have done in the past about Trip Insurance? Any and all suggestions and thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

I bought insurance from a Canadian provider. I only bought cancellation, as I have a good out of country provider here which covers most that our provincial medical doesn't cover. It also covers cancellation if anything (heaven forbid) should happen to my mother who had a stroke last June. It even covers pre-existing conditions, as long as you don't have an occurence within 90 days prior to purchase!

 

[d3boyz]

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?

Iberia is the main airline of Spain. The flight attendants were nice, but the flights I've taken were not on-time, my luggage was lost, and my seat was sold before my connecting flight arrived one time. I ended up in a hotel for two nights without my luggage and I was not too impressed. Don't get me wrong, the hotel was nice, but I wanted to go HOME ... and I had NO luggage!

We are flying to Barcelona from DC to take the 10-day Med cruise first (and I'm really concerned that we'll end up on Iberia), and taking the westbound repositioning cruise back to Florida. The only 'saving grace' I can see is that I booked our flights through Disney so I wouldn't have to worry about making it to the ship!

Deb