The Med Thread - All Sailings - Mediterranean

[lzj21428]

I looked into Iberia, as they were the least expensive of some of my choices. The drawback of Iberia were the return flight times, they were way too early. I ended up going with British Airways. For the 5 of us, it was a bit over $6,000. I would have preferred Air France, but they were close to $8,000 for all 5 of us to fly.

Just got the credit card bill with the cruise balance and airfare!!!

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi all,

I just wanted to share with you what I got today for this trip. I have been reading a lot of guidebooks with lots of info on safety. I also asked a couple of questions on cruise critic.

I have been to Spain a couple of times and I know how easy it is for tourists to stick out like sore thumbs, so for going around the towns I got this;

It looks like a normal shoulder bag but it has an adjustable slash-proof shoulder strap (with wire inside) and lockable main compartment. I was actually suprised how light it was.

The second question was about what to do with valuables when on a beach. There is just DH and myself. So I've bought this;

A pak pak waterproof pouch. You can wear either round your neck or on your arm.

I now think im sorted, and I cant think of anything else we need (yet:rolleyes)1

 

[OurDogCisco]

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?

We used insuremytrip too. I'd definitely wouldn't get Disney's unless you purchase air through them. Also, Disney's wouldn't cover private shore excursions. I never got the answer from Disney if it would cover their shore excursions like if you got sick and could go. My impression for Disney's insurance it just covered the cruise & air (if you purchased it through them). I figured if we are going to spend $2000 on shore excursions I want to make sure it is covered.

Also, be careful on the air portion as many airlines are not covered if they are in bankrupcty. I don't think you have worry about it now that we are so close to the sail date but if your airline goes out of business that has already declared bankrupcty then, most likely the insurance will not cover it.

Also, many policies won't cover pre-existing conditions unless you purchase the policy with X amount of days of making the 1st deposit. This includes pre-existing condtions of your parents. I bought because my father's health isn't the best so I figured if I had to cancel for his health then, I could. He has a lot of pre-exisiting conditions too.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Also, on trip insurance if you have kids sailing with you make sure you cover their portion of the cruise. Don't divide the cruise price 4 ways and giving everyone an equal portion. As the 2 passengers in the cabin are at a higher price the remaining passengers. So make sure you cover everyone at the right price.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Hi all,

I just wanted to share with you what I got today for this trip. I have been reading a lot of guidebooks with lots of info on safety. I also asked a couple of questions on cruise critic.

I have been to Spain a couple of times and I know how easy it is for tourists to stick out like sore thumbs, so for going around the towns I got this;

It looks like a normal shoulder bag but it has an adjustable slash-proof shoulder strap (with wire inside) and lockable main compartment. I was actually suprised how light it was.

My friend who went to Paris last year said that you can't use the wire type bags because you can't make it through security at many places. She was visiting a few museums and several people got turned away because of the wire in their shoulder bag. Does anyone else have experience with this?

 

[OurDogCisco]

I looked into Iberia, as they were the least expensive of some of my choices. The drawback of Iberia were the return flight times, they were way too early. I ended up going with British Airways. For the 5 of us, it was a bit over $6,000. I would have preferred Air France, but they were close to $8,000 for all 5 of us to fly.

Just got the credit card bill with the cruise balance and airfare!!!

I'm so glad I bought my tickets last year. We paid a little over $3500 for the 4 of us on AirFrance. Air prices have definitely gone up.

 

[UMTerp]

My friend who went to Paris last year said that you can't use the wire type bags because you can't make it through security at many places. She was visiting a few museums and several people got turned away because of the wire in their shoulder bag. Does anyone else have experience with this?

I'd be interested in knowing this too! I bought this same bag a few months ago and planning to use it in Europe for this cruise. I never thought about a problem with security because of it! I just wanted to keep my things and not loose them to pickpockets!

UMTerp

 

[OurDogCisco]

I'd be interested in knowing this too! I bought this same bag a few months ago and planning to use it in Europe for this cruise. I never thought about a problem with security because of it! I just wanted to keep my things and not loose them to pickpockets!

UMTerp

Well apparently, the museums my friend went through had the metal detectors you had to walk through but they did not scan purses, backpacks like you do at airports. She said that you walked through the detector with everything on you. So if you had metal in something big like a purse or backpack they weren't letting people through.

 

[scrapycruiser]

I just emailed TravelSmith, who I bought my bag from. I asked them about the metal in the handbags and if they had heard about people being refused entrance. I bought mine a few months ago, but may exchange it. Sure don't want to be turned away !

 

[EPCOT_VA]

I just emailed TravelSmith, who I bought my bag from. I asked them about the metal in the handbags and if they had heard about people being refused entrance. I bought mine a few months ago, but may exchange it. Sure don't want to be turned away !

It sounds a bit suspect that they would send people through mags with purses and backpacks and then turn away everyone who beeps. That would be a very large percentage of people. It would be more likely that they would conduct a hand search for people who beeped. Many common tourist items have a fair bit of metal in them. (Cameras, lenses (the good ones) binoclulars, etc.)

EPCOT_VA

 

[EPCOT_VA]

I just emailed TravelSmith, who I bought my bag from. I asked them about the metal in the handbags and if they had heard about people being refused entrance. I bought mine a few months ago, but may exchange it. Sure don't want to be turned away !

I bought a TravelSmith bag too.

http://www.travelsmith.com/jump.jsp...UCT&path=1,2,292,327&iProductID=8361&sortBy=0

The PacSafe large secure day pack. It should ship at the beginning of June.

EPCOT_VA

 

[OurDogCisco]

It sounds a bit suspect that they would send people through mags with purses and backpacks and then turn away everyone who beeps. That would be a very large percentage of people. It would be more likely that they would conduct a hand search for people who beeped. Many common tourist items have a fair bit of metal in them. (Cameras, lenses (the good ones) binoclulars, etc.)

EPCOT_VA

That's why I asked the question.... I'm not sure I believe her. However, after reading some of the excursions it says large backpacks are not allowed. So maybe she assumed they got turned away because of the metal detector when it might have been other things. I saw on some excursions it says no video cameras allowed, too. I really can't wait until the first group goes so we can get these annoying questions answered.

 

[EPCOT_VA]

That's why I asked the question.... I'm not sure I believe her. However, after reading some of the excursions it says large backpacks are not allowed. So maybe she assumed they got turned away because of the metal detector when it might have been other things. I saw on some excursions it says no video cameras allowed, too. I really can't wait until the first group goes so we can get these annoying questions answered.

Yeah, those first cruise trip reports will be nice to read. Which tours said "no video cameras"? Did it mean no video taping? Surely they wouldn't keep you from having one in your bag turned off.

EPCOT_VA

 

[disneylover5]

Yeah, those first cruise trip reports will be nice to read. Which tours said "no video cameras"? Did it mean no video taping? Surely they wouldn't keep you from having one in your bag turned off.

EPCOT_VA

I live in DC and we went to the Ronald Reagan funeral. The invitation said no video cameras and no cameras.

We were searched and they even took a cell phone that had the ability to take a picture. They had a awesome system of security and as you left the furneral, you picked up your things at a Secret Service tent.

I know this is not the same, but at least close

 

[scrapycruiser]

I new a fellow Virginian would come up with a logical response !!

 

[OurDogCisco]

Yeah, those first cruise trip reports will be nice to read. Which tours said "no video cameras"? Did it mean no video taping? Surely they wouldn't keep you from having one in your bag turned off.

EPCOT_VA

Nope for the VIP of the Vactian & Highlights of Rome it says no video cameras. You may have to check it in at the security area. Here's the quote from the website:

For security reasons, larger backpacks are discouraged. Guests may be required to check large bags, backpacks, video cameras and water bottles at security checkpoints.

You can find the same message under VIP of the Vactian, the ultimate Rome experience, the Exclusive Vactian tour, etc... Mainly the Rome activities have this disclaimer. I'm not too worried about the video camera but I'm worried about what they consider "large". I just don't want to wait in another line for my stuff.

 

[EPCOT_VA]

OK, well if they have a bag check that's fine. I was envisioning that you would have to leave your camera back on the ship for the whole day.

I can't go to Rome and not have any pictures to prove it.

There are certain areas that don't allow filming, etc. No problem.

EPCOT_VA

 

[FutureSailor]

I think I recall reading somewhere here that dining times would be different on the Med cruises than on normal Disney cruises--that instead of the staggered times, there would just be one seating time for dinner. Does anyone know if this is correct? Or what the dining times are?

Thanks!

 

[EPCOT_VA]

I think I recall reading somewhere here that dining times would be different on the Med cruises than on normal Disney cruises--that instead of the staggered times, there would just be one seating time for dinner. Does anyone know if this is correct? Or what the dining times are?

Thanks!

I was asked whether I wanted early seating or late seating. So, I think they do still have two different times.

EPCOT_VA

 

[woody73]

I live in DC and we went to the Ronald Reagan funeral. The invitation said no video cameras and no cameras.

We were searched and they even took a cell phone that had the ability to take a picture. They had a awesome system of security and as you left the furneral, you picked up your things at a Secret Service tent.

Sounds like the security at Disney Company shareholder meetings. NO cameras, camcorders, or cellphones with cameras.

Woody