Updated Page 1...Madly Making Memories Multiply in Mediterranean Mickey Mode-Pre-trip

[lmhall2000]

Mediterranean Medley

Cast:

Mrs. T : 42, heavily entrenched mom of 3 (meaning I play many roles and although over booked, somehow manage to get some things done)

Mr. Grumpy: 42, happily married to him for 17 years....(sorry I had to delete the but, somehow that seems to diminish the happily part)...AND he has a habit of finding the worst possible scenario in all things...he's already convinced we should never leave the boat for fear it will leave without us.

Goofy: 14, year old first born, he's a huge teddy bear 'and' has already asked me if he doesn't like the cruise, can he get another Christmas present (no presents this year in lieu of our May cruise)

Tink: 11, year old sweet pea...she is our avid book reader...author/illustrator..she is the romantic in the family...all that sensitivity can lead to sensitivities...

Ariel: 10, year old sunshine...always a smile on her face but can be a little persnickety....she's the smallest in the family and sometimes feels she has to let her presence be known with loud gestures.

Grandgrumps: 67, highly capable workaholic Dad...this man can do anything, he can predict weather trends weeks ahead, fly a plane, change his own brakes/water pumps, and get on my mom's nerves...like spraying grease from all those care repairs all over her clean kitchen...

Grandma: (Age withheld, but she's definitely young at heart!) let it be known she's been married to Grandgrumps for 47 years! She's a saint to everyone who knows her and loves her grandkids...her favorite saying in shock is "Hellooooo!" I'll be counting these on this cruise.

The Cruise:

May 5-15 2010 Mediterranean!!! First cruise for our family, 2nd for my parents

Historical references: (They might be helpful in explaining why we act/react the way we do to certain happenings)

Me: Last planned a vacation 3 years ago, we try to do something every year but right before this housing crisis hit, we had a dream to buy a farm and give our kids a home with a purpose...we homeschool so we thought it would be a great idea to run summer camps for foster children...our kids could help each summer and learn some great skills about giving back. We found an incredible once in a lifetime deal on a horse farm (small 5 acre) and bought it...well, our other home has not sold in 29 months...hence no vacation since then. I've been busy learning how to train these horses (2), running a scouting troop, leading a junior speech club, helping organize a science olympiad team, schooling these three sweet peas and paying bills...ugh bills. Disboards has been a heaven send to me, through W.I.S.H. I was able to lose 65 pounds 3 years ago...well, the stress of two houses just put me back...so I'm trying my hardest to get in shape for this cruise, it's kind of a huge reward for getting in shape and staying there...it's soo important. So, I'll be updating monthly my total losses and hopefully encourage others struggling! So far, I've lost 15 walking 2-4 miles a day and cutting back portions.

Grumpy: Well, it has been said that "imagination is the one weapon in the war against reality."...I'm sticking to it!! Poor Grumpy has worked 2 jobs for over 2 years to pay for these 2 mortgages...for the guy who thinks only the worst can happen, it has for him. He's had his moments, but I have been thoroughly surprised in his resilience and ability to just plug on...what a lesson he's giving our kids...we do what we can with what we have. So, this vacation is sort of a "YOU DID IT, WE LOVE YOU, ENJOY YOUR LIFE" kind of happening...If I could ever pocket imagination, I'd have to say carry Disney with you, I've never seen my husband get more excited than when we went to see Aladdin at the movies...he laughed so hard and had such joy from all those Genie lines that if anything will bring dh joy, it could be that Disney cruise.

The kids have just worked so hard at helping around the house, not having ddaddy around much of the day, they help graze the horses, feed/water all the farm animals that find their way here...they are really amazing, maybe it's because they sense that Dad and I have been under a lot of pressure the past 3 years, but they are so dear, I had swine flu last week that went into bronchitis....my ds made me breakfast in bed and my dh and Tink grazed the horses without me...they deserve so much...I just had to make this cruise happen.

Now Ariel has had a bad year. She was misdiagnosed last Christmas and went through horrific health crises. She ended up with a post-strep complication....100's of migratory pains skipping through her body, debilitating muscle cramps, tonsillectomy, 11 cases of confirmed strep, rocephin, clindamycin, you name it she had it...many times she cried out in pain, "Why me?"...we saw 8 specialists at 4 different childen's centers...so many tests and few answers...for the past 8 weeks she's been back to normal...the last penicillin shot seemed to do the trick..but there's always that fear that is it something deeper or just the steroids that rocked her body when she should have been given antibiotics?? We're just moving on and trying to give her back some of what she and all of us lost going through that.

Grandma and Grandgrumps: Oh man, these two are PurrrRecccccious!! They too had their year...Dad had a horrible (surgeon said it was the worst thing he'd removed from someone in his 40 years of being a surgeon) growth removed in his intestines....my Dad is the epitome of health, takes great care of himself and never has had a health crisis...so it scared us all..but he's back to feeling great...3 months after his surgery my mother had to have a surgery to repair hernias and involved this same surgeon doing something he had never tried...the surgery was supposed to last 5 hours and lasted till after midnight...bless that surgeon!! He really saved both my parents. But, they're the types that just won't take a vacation....they cruised to Alaska with my aunt and uncle about 7 years ago....they've been to Branson with my aunt and uncle and on their time share out in Gatlinburg with aunt and uncle. Last month, we lost dear uncle...and I mean dear. My Dad is the last man standing in my mom's family...I think it has hurt him greatly to lose all his brother in laws not to mention being surrounded by these great southern ladies who love to talk! So they need a BIG vacation...while they're still active I want them to enjoy something special.

So, there you have it, trip is booked, downpayment is made...we're cutting out eating out/Christmas/movies/ etc. to afford this...praying our house will sell before the cruise and looking for those can't be beat airfares! I'll post monthly updates (weight loss & bookings) and share how we'll plan all our excursions on our own...again we're broke and some excursions may just be hiking like the Sound of Music crew through the streets of Malta! Maybe I should bring my guitar??

I hope to bring some ideas to some of you, fish extenders and all magnets will be homemade thanks to some great Disigners helping out!!

Mrs. T

 

[lmhall2000]

Budgeting Tips

I think many of us have had to budget for something at one point in our lives, some of us make it a lifestyle...here are some of the ways we are making it happen.

1. KIDS SAIL FREE!! AND they offered a $999 adult fare on cat 12....so our trip is only 4k for the cruise!!Thank you Disney! 10 nights at that price, you can't beat it!!...I think this was a great value. Now if only the airfare would make that kind of offer for me!

2. Traveling (did you know you could spell this with one "L" or two? I actually had to look that up, I have such angst if I misspell something...feel free to find my errors...it helps me remember next time!) during the cheaper months...if we had booked a trip one month later the price would have been 10-30% higher.

3. Airlines (have yet to book)...gee, I thought we had enough for at least 3 if not 4 of our tickets...and in the past I've snagged outrageous deals to everywhere (Birmingham-Orlando for $38 RT, Atlanta to London for $200 RT) so I felt confident here...but lo and behold within the past 3 years an international flight uses 100,000 points!! It was only 50k last time! AAGH! I have 90k on my skymiles, and dh has 47k on his...we had relied on Am Ex for this but just last month they sent out a letter saying our low interest rates were shooting up (mine from 4.9-12.9 and my dh's from 7.9-19.9)..I've been a loyal Amex customer for years...I was so furious they wouldn't give us the option of opting out that I immediately closed it and any chances for more skymiles...so technically even though we have enough combined for one ticket, the fee for transferring his miles would be in the hundreds!! So, now I'm signing up at airfare watchdog, kayak, american airlines, delta and others to be alerted if something pops up. I did hear that with Delta and Northwest merging, they plan on having a one day sale in January...so hoping for a great deal! I need 7 tickets!!

4. Cutting back on eating out...with dh working 2 jobs, me running the kids around to all their events/activities..we had a hard time making it back home to cook dinner...so we ate out way too much...we can save $500 a month by no eating out and no grabbing a soda when we fill up the car, also no movies...although we only went to the movies about once every 2 months, it would still almost cost a family of five $60!! UGH!

5. Electrical bill...with 2 electrical bills we have to be careful...thermostat set to 65 in winter/lights out when you leave a room, we've done this for a month and noticed our bill is down from $300-$92...granted we did not use AC at all this month and no heat..but still it made me feel good!

6. Gas!!...We have a truck we had hoped to use to tow an RV...but the farm ministry keeps us home most the time now, (having horses means it's hard to leave!) so we decided to sell our truck and buy a Prius...the gas savings will amount to 3k-6k a year!! Or more!! The Prius costs less than our truck and the savings will mean a lot in pocket until the house sells...we put about 25k a year on our car/truck and at 10-15 miles per gallon v. 50-60 miles per gallon and gas almost $3....it's all in the math!!

7. Groceries...Sams Club for eggs/milk/bread/meat/condiments...fresh fruits/veggies from local store...no prepackaged foods...crockpot cooking for time crunches and always keep a fresh salad made in the crisper...it will be healthier and we're saving about $300 a month compared to buying prepared foods...

8. Making Christmas gifts! Taking up crocheting again...have about 20 things of yarn...making it work!! Saving hundreds here..

9. Booked with Dreams Unlimited...managed to book online for the $25 on board credit, transferred to DU for the $250 per room OBC, booked with Disney Visa for the $50 per room credit...so oila! We just made $650 to help with our vacation!!

10. Booking our own excursions....more to come on this...the one excursion I know we'll splurge on is a guided tour of Amalfi coast/Pompeii....just have not found a driver willing to take my offer yet....if it means waiting it out till the port day and taking chances we get an honest driver...so be it...adventure is my maiden name!

Please share any other saving tips...
Tara

 

[lmhall2000]

ARRIVAL IN BARCELONA

Wow! What a journey! I'll start posting our tips/helps/philosophical ponderings about our first cruise!

Our flight out of Birmingham left at 9am. We live about 2 hours away so we had to get the kids up at 4am to leave by 5..so far so good, my poor parents had to leave at 2am their time to make the 4 hour journey there...needless to say we needed sleep! Birmingham flight went off great, only one suitcase weighed 51 pounds..so a quick readjustment of hairbrushes/styling products and we're clear.

Had a 6 hour layover in Atlanta..this is our first shot of how we start vacations..

Sleep is a vital element to our day...it will affect travel plans later on...funny how closing the curtains can let you sleep through breakfast. We all managed to board the plane...since we were traveling and arriving the day of the cruise, this flight was very important..we miss it or it's delayed and all well laid plans spiral..but no need to fret...we arrived in Barcelona at 8:55am...retrieved our luggage and prepared for the onslaught of pickpockets I had read so much about..

To my delight we survived the BCN airport without trouble. I will admit once you leave the baggage area and if you're caught hanging around trying to find taxis you may be at a higher risk...our driver (Mario) from A2B Transfers was there with a sign and he immediately gathered us together and we quickly exited that part of the airport..a keen eye will alert you to the 'scanners' as I like to call them..it's a business to them and it's fairly easy to pick out the ones that are sizing up the exiters from baggage claim. Just don't look like you don't know where you are, be direct in where you're going and don't stop to discuss...do that inside baggage claim if you can. This tactic is useful in all the major metro areas...saw several 'teams' trying to work a pilferage....luckily no one in our party was ever a target. I did carry a pacsafe purse and husband had all monies around his neck under his shirt..

It's arrival time for the port..our driver had us there in less than 20 minutes, was a wonderful driver and had hoped to book him on the return but when we emailed his company directly (bystepping A2B transfer) his rate was 65 euro for pick up, we explained that we only paid $51 US for his services but they did not go down on rates and I had trouble trying to book that Saturday with A2B before traveling and trying to get an internet connection on the boat is laughable. We ended up taking 2 taxis on our return for a cost of 50 euros combined...still cheaper than his rate but not as cheap as booking our airport departure ahead of time.

The port was very well organized, they had ample check in guides and I did try to price an upgrade from our cat 12 (free upgrade to 9 prior to landing) to a cat 4..the cost would have been $1800...nah, we'll pass..but it was nice to know. I could not get any of my children to pose with the characters at the port...nothing like pre-teens and a teen to damper that pre-Disney feel good moment! I could easily understand... we had been traveling for over 24 hours with little to no sleep...how can Mickey overcome that? But at least we had the welcome aboard family call to get us in the mood! We were at the port at 10:00am and there was already a line of maybe 100 people...we managed a 2 boarding pass. As our number was called we gathered all of our carryons and headed to the line..our son (14) was having trouble staying focused and has in the past been known to sleep walk but look like he's awake...there were 7 of us so I had my sights set on checking in and walking on the ship..as we make our way through there are murmurs among us..."Where is Martin?" Our 14 year old son was nowhere to be found...my quick to panic dh went into frantic mode and returned back through the line to the large open area...he would glance back at me and give me this "Where could he be" look and frantically shrugging his shoulders...

The cast members were trying to push us forward to the ship but I explained we had lost our son..finally (probably only 5 minutes but felt like an eternity) my husband finds him huddled over in a chair fast asleep...we tried to ask him what he was thinking, but it was clear that he wasn't thinking..the lack of sleep had taken over his motor controls and he had no idea where he was and what we were doing there. We make it to the gangway and at least one of our children is getting that Disney feeling despite the lack of sleep..

Our names were called out and we were on board the Magic!! It was stunning to see the main lobby and all the smiling faces...little did I know that those smiling faces had been through a horrendous storm at sea the night before and many had been sick...and here they were welcoming us...wow..that's dedication!!

I am happy to report we did not forget one single item but throughout the day I was convinced I had forgotten something...we packed 5 checked baggages, 4 carryons and a camera bag and purse...we could easily have cut that back to 4 checked baggages (4 of which qualified by size for carryons) and no carryons...but this being our first cruise did not want to come up short on necessities! Correction, I did forget half the bag of fish extenders gifts..but not for lack of trying..I had put them up after buying them 2 months ago and frantically spent 2 hours searching..no avail..so had to make a quick stop at a gas station to load up on American candy...we had amazing gifts from all our FE participants...hope they forgive me for lack of organization!!!

Moving on to our first day of cruising....

 

[lmhall2000]

first day of cruise

First order of business was unpacking and decorating the door! I can not feel like I can rest until all clothes are hung, in drawers, organized, bathroom shelves in good order...worried that I messed up by not bringing the over the door shoe organizer but I found the bathrooms and drawer space for cat 9 were ample...after 1 hour we were unpacked and door ready! I had no time the week before the cruise to finish our FE...so necessity breeds invention and I cut up a shoe organizer to make one for our door and our parents, permanent marker and fish stamps and oila..instant FE..cost, nothing! The $50 I spent on fabric materials to make the original one, regrettable!

After unpacking the girls wanted to check out Ocean Quest, so sleep needed to be postponed..they checked them in and showed them around, very nice cast members running the show...girls felt right at home and we liked that it was on our floor (deck 2) so that made us feel better about them going on their own..

convinced teen to visit the Stack...he looked around and was polite but I knew we'd have an uphill battle getting him to engage with strangers at this self-conscious stage...I really found this cruise to be a lesson in parental introspection...areas we've excelled at, and areas we're walking in murky swamps....

The girls wanted to get their suits on and hit the pool..it was a bit cool..and my brain was screaming for sleep but we knew we had the life vest thingie in 2 hours so off to the pool it was! Now here is where the stresses of lack of sleep, personal angst, outside stressors hit the fan...I understand that first day of the cruise you're likely to meet/experience many types of family dynamics...and I am giving grace for hoping this was due to lack of sleep but as I sat at the tables watching my girls in the pool, I witnessed something that made my heart sank and almost propelled me into action.

A father and two daughters were walking to a table with a plate of food...the father had two plates and the older daughter (maybe 6 or 7) had one...she dropped her food as she neared the table. The pure hate and voluminous growling that came out of this father was heartbreaking. He cursed, he got in her face and grabbed her arm...if it had escalated one more step, I would have intervened, but at the moment I felt he was too hot for any stranger to try and come in and relieve the pressure..if the fact he did this in front of a very public place did not deter his wrath...I might make it worse. He went back to get another plate of food and if I only had a camera to take a shot of the expressions he left the girls with...pure fear....here we are on a vacation of a lifetime, a gift not many are able to partake in and this father instills that amount of fear into his precious children. It made me take note that we need to be mindful that we ourselves are running on empty (no sleep) and while we have never had those type of outbursts..we needed to give as much grace for those snippy comments everyone was capable of with 28 hours of traveling. It's one of those moments you wish a cast member had witnessed and brought some token to the kids to remind them they were in a happy place...

We went back for the life vest thingie, went really quickly, hurried back to the room and all immediately fell to sleep...alarm woke us up at 8:00 in time for dinner and then back to bed....just wipe this day out as travel recoup day!

On to our first port day!!

 

[lmhall2000]

Day 2 Cruising


We are AT SEA not port day..sorry jet lag zapping my memories!!!! Well, it did take a little longer to leave Barcelona than planned, not privy to why but I think we left around 9pm instead of 5pm...we just remember all being excited to see the ship move during dinner (8:30 seating). Worried that dh would get seasick, even brought 2 bottles of dramamine, but he only used it once the entire time! Even then he said he probably didn't need it but was getting dizzy so took it. Better to have it than not

We all slept so soundly and awoke for our character breakfast..this was the only character breakfast of the cruise so we knew we had to make it although our body time clocks were screaming SLEEP IN!! Our youngest while the most exuberant and boisterous kid around friends turns into a shell of her being around strangers...especially characters

...but by the end of the breakfast she was actually looking forward to the next one...our teen son likes to think he's too cool for characters at almost 15, but he too bent to their charm...dd #2 was just always so happy and gracious to see each and everyone...

amazing how all your children can be such different creatures in public! Taking that back, dd #1 is always so gracious and joyful...well, taking that back, I think I can find some pictures where her and dear brother were annoying each other! Bring on the Disney FUN!!

Pluto is fond of licking those cool hats!

The imaginears have completely captured the essence of Minnie..and the cast member playing her was amazing..I don't know how they all learn how to sign their names exactly the same! Incredible!

Can't end a character meal without the man of the ship! Mickey!!!

We all really enjoyed having this sea day to explore the ship and experience the Mediterranean...up on the top deck Dad and I enjoyed playing battle the wind...I guess because we had such a late start leaving the port of Barcelona the ship was almost maxing the 24 knots, I think we actually only maxed at 21 knots but boy those winds were head strong into the ship!

Then it was off to the pool...granted a little chilly...but the pool water was great, just the surface air coooool!

But when the cast member taught them some cruise ship dances, they all warmed up quickly!! KUDOS to a great entertainment guide, he was wonderful...give this man some love!!

One of the greater disappointments for the kids was the Mickey slide...not sure if it was just a bad day, but once down convinced my youngest to never try it again, she does Irish Dance and gymnastics but she said the workout she got from having to push herself down the slide was not fun...glad I was there for the shot!

Back to the room for nightly entertainment, a ventriloquist who we all thoroughly enjoyed! Then to our formal dining night at Animator's Palette....b/c it was formal night they did not change the lights, so it helped the kids really look forward to it on the next visit.

I actually had fretted about this night, we're just not formal people..long ago I used to have an assortment of business attire..but now living on a farm..the closest we get to formal is a clean pair of jeans for a dinner out at Macaroni Grill...I really did not even get a chance to take in all the pretty attire..they are pretty efficient about escorting you to your table and our first night had us in a quiet corner which was great for conversation but not for people watching, I'm sure many were nicely dressed but I think anyone could feel comfortable in any dress option, sunday best, semi or formal...there was always so much to do that we really never took part in the photo ops on the ship..I think we had a total of 8 pictures taken during the entire cruise, just not worth waiting in lines when there was so much to do...little regrets but we got enough pics with our cameras to make some good shots...just not many with the characters...

But this is what it's all about right here.....Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!!

Good looking crew, and wow, they match the room somewhat!

Here's the only picture you're likely to see of me...being the photographer and always on the go, not many opp's for photos...me likes it that way!

We had wonderful servers, Kendell from Trinidad/Tobago and Walter from Argentina...Kendell just found out he's promoted to the Dream and I think this may have been Walter's first year on the ship...we were switched to them at last minute b/c we had been assigned to early dining and knew we'd miss many dining opps with late port excursions..so it took a few days for them to get our information but they were very accomodating..my only disappointment comes on the last day so I'll save it for then...the first 9 nights of dining we had was a joy and treat to be served by them!

I liked how they remembered your drink preferences (unsweet tea for me!) and if you wanted to try something or could not decide between 2 entrees or appetizers they'd bring you both, not good for the scales, but something you don't see often! And were very patient with our shyest youngest daughter, cutting up her steak ( I believe she had md rare almost every night, she's definitely a carnivore)....

The sweet treat each night was coming back to a made up room with towel creatures...the chocolates were gone before you could say "Boo!"...I've surprised them on our return home by putting one on their pillow for these first nights back, easing them back into reality!

On to our first port day really! I was very excited to see the sunrise at Malta so I set my alarm for 5am to hit the gym and not miss it!

 

[lmhall2000]

Day 3

(Leaving all port tips below the trip report section)

Sunrise at Malta!!....woke up at 5:30..very excited to see the amazing sunrise against the cliffs of Malta...er, um..where's Malta???

Ah, we're not really near Malta yet...turns out we won't be docking until after 8 or 8:30..due to the late start leaving Barcelona and I think something may have needed to be tweaked, Dad said he saw men working on something as soon as we docked in Malta..but after our workout (Dad and I were the only ones willing to wake at sunrise and the first in the gym..it says it opens at 6:30 but we were able to be in at 6 with no problem) I was able to catch first sight of land!!

Here's my philosophical ramblings...maybe it was because we were practically the only ones up at this hour (many must have clued in we wouldn't hit land at sunrise) or maybe it was just the fact I felt like Columbus or Vasco De Gama when they spent months (okay one night) at sea and relished that first sight of land...but my imagination went into overdrive...John the Baptist lost his life on this island! Paul had the adventure of being shipwrecked on this mass of land in the middle of the Med...he had to stay for 3 months until the winds from the South would blow hard enough for the sails to carry him back to Rome...
At this point, I am rather grateful that we do not rely on sails...but just knowing the history of this isle and how many times their forts were attacked and powers relinquished/restored...gave me a sense of "This moment in time I will never forget..." I closed my eyes at the scene and just dwelled in the moment of seeing a land that had a history so rich and powerful.

Then reality checked back in and it was back to the room to shower and get the sleepyheads up for breakfast so we could take our first excursion off the ship!
Officially on dry land!!

We did this port on our own...my mom had done such a great job keeping up with the ship's events and travel beforehand but her ankles were swelling so we told them about the 1 euro (for both ways!) bus they could catch right outside the port..it's just to the right of the port, through the little shops and up a small hill...if you go further to the right you'll see where everyone is crossing the street and walking up the path that winds into the city center

...it's not a hard walk, but there are 5 sets of 20+ steps at one point that would have been hard on my mom. She had to have a minor surgical fix justs the day before our departing flight!(ongoing from her major surgery last year..her body builds fluid trying to reject the materials they had to use...she's a tough lady...so happy she is doing so well!!)
I loved the walk up b/c I love flowers, the steps take you through an interesting garden that should look beautiful in the summer (still planting) we saw an odd cathouse and apparently there are many cats that live in this garden...guessing the people of Malta feed them as mascots? But I like noticing these little nuances!


Here is a view from above on the city walk into the town wall..amazing, huh?

The buses drop you off just around King Triton's fountain or was that Neptune? It was a little hard at first trying to figure out where to turn after walking up the stairs, but you cross at the right of the stairs and follow the buses..you'll hit the fountain which will point you to the city center...

In this picture you can easily tell the child that is always happy and golucky or rather so eager to make momma happy...the other kids and grumpy clearly show you how much they wished they could have taken the bus with Grandma and Granddaddy rather than make the hike up...but COME ON people!! This is Malta!! Don't you want to make that historic trek and follow in the footsteps of so many men of history?? My historic pinings would receive a few eyerolls now and then...but my enthusiasm could not be quelled....WALK on!! Did they not get the clue when I was walking 4 miles a day in preparation for this trip??

We planned to meet up at St. Johns' Co-Cathedral..if any others plan this take note that there are two main sides you come to through the city gates, specify the entry side to the tour or you'll find you're both waiting on both sides thinking the others will certainly look here/there! We probably arrived on foot 10 minutes ahead of my parents who took the bus, but they did say they got to see a lot of the island on the bus ride! For 1 euro there and back, that's a deal!!!

St John's Co Cathedral...really not sure what the Co is for...but the picture speaks for itself!

We live in Alabama, architectural history maxes out at 200 years if that...THIS is why this trip is so memorable..(for me) I can look at this church and feel the hands that carved each and every crevace, I can feel the pain of those who came in here to share their woes, pray for comfort, be restored through their losses...imagine the conversations that took place in the confession booth...wonder at the ceremonies..the weddings...the dedications...and then you have my husband..he is convinced we've already been to room 14 (we had not)..sighed heavily at the LOOOONG line for the ladies room...(to be honest, I remember making note of this bathroom and saying I needed to remember that to report on Dis..but too much travel has zapped that memory, but there was something unique about it...just can't recall) and retorted only once (my cold stare stopped that in its tracks) "Can you imagine we paid 6 euros for THIS?" I have almost given up on bringing a love for history to my husband...maybe if I had time to read as many books to him as I did the kids in prep for this trip he would have had a greater bank of understanding, but I think he was still reeling from his decision to walk rather than take the bus...this early in the journey 1 euro was a lot..not knowing if we'd have emergencies in the days ahead! But guys, it's just WALKING...which has inspired me to put our family on a European styled fitness program..walk 4 miles a day and hop in the pool for 20 laps...the next cruise we will be as fit as the Dutch! I only picked the Dutch b/c my dear friend from Holland rode her bike all through Haarlem and has the best physical condition!

On to the amazing St. John's!! (Okay, after the 45 minute wait for the on bathroom for ladies...again, this irks me..I am considering coaxing my girls into industrial engineering just so they can redesign bathrooms to increase more stalls..!)
I am at a loss for this pictured fella, but wow! Look at those carvings!! Again, I am moved deeply within my soul and my husband is convinced we've been in this room before...if I had more caddy in me I would have shown him all the pictures and how we had NOT been in this room yet...oh, to be married to a grumpy, takes patience, skill and a touch of loss of hearing.

I am amazed and humbled by the wonders of this church..my grumpy is just happiest when he exits...oh me.

Here is a shot of the amazing little cafe's around the city center...lovely!

After taking in the vistas we decide to head back...it's hard on my mother's feet (the swelling) and we want to rest up for our next couple of stops (Tunisia is where we really rested!) They find their bus and hop on and we start the NICE walk back to the ship...wonderful weather, perfect breeze, beautiful vistas...this beats the treadmill anyday!!

Grumpy is determining how many seconds till he can fill up at Pluto's Galley...ah well, I succeeded in getting him off the ship..that in itself is a feat..so port one! Success!!!

On to Tunisia...not feeling the love for Tunisia from my party, this may be a hard sell...

Mrs. T




Researching options, hopefully these will help others plan, I copied/pasted tips from previous Med travelers....

Day 3: Valletta, Malta Friday: Bus service is 1 euro meets you at port and drops you at city gates…600m uphill into town
Valleta is the home to knights of Malta…a must see
Upper Barracca Gardens Took a 20 minute walk to Upper Baracca Gardens for great views. -9:30: 5 minute walk to St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Went in St. John’s Co-Cathedral for €6.00. A beautiful cathedral with great works of art notably by Caravaggio and one of the best things we did in Malta. The audio tour was included in the price. They do not allow stiletto heels or uncovered shoulders,
Malta was our first stop-very interesting-best thing we did was get off the ship and arrange at the taxi stand for a 3 hr. tour by taxi for 66E that included Mdina and a few other stops-very worthwhile
The highlight of Malta is going on upper deck like lots of other folks who have discovered this treasure and watching early morning sunset behind stone walls and beautiful scenery entering port. It was worth the missed sleep ( around 645 a.m.) and we got to sit on those comfy chairs on the upper deck for a moment! We took advice of cruise critic friends on this port and did it on our own. Two euros will get you to town and back on a bus. My big disappointment was after all the research I did for this trip, I still could not find a way to get to the Blue Grotto without doing a private speedboat tour in the thousands of dollars. Might have even saved up for it had I known I would not have been able to see this wondrous sight.

The one must-see site that I believe all would agree on is the Co-Cathedral of St. John in the walled city of Valletta. Plain on the outside but unbelievable on the inside - very historic, great audioguide to follow, good museum, great Knights of Malta history, and terrific Caravaggio soccerbobu - the other must see in Valletta is the Barakka Gardens. They overlook the Port and your ship.
I suggest you have a look at Trip Advisor - Malta forum. There are Top Questions on the right regarding cruising. They go into detail with video clips and will be very helpful
Well, we did the free route up that hill; was it you, hat, that suggested it to me last spring? (At the end of the day, we walked down the hill outside the city walls to the port.) Here it is:

Behind the horse-drawn carriages lining the waterfront, you will see a tunnel entrance, which actually is a ramp for a parking garage. Go up the ramp about 100 yards, and take the (free) elevator to the top floor, which will let you out about 50 yards west of the bus terminus just outside the gates of Valletta.

Enter the gate, walk down the main street east, and the Cathedral is on your right. Probably best to go to the Malta info booth just inside the gates on your right and get a map of Valletta first for ease in finding the Co-Cathedral and Upper Barracca Gardens.

With the few hours at your disposal, if you’re using public transport many people opt for just Valletta (the present capital) and Mdina (the medieval capital). Mdina is about 45 min from Valletta by bus , nymber 80 , or 81 stop at Saqqajja and walk 200 metres. The bus schedule is www.atp.com.mt and www.maltabybus.com You could go to Mdina first of all then return and spend the rest of the time in Valletta . The bus terminus is just outside Valletta city.

If you will have taken a taxi, you could tell the driver to stop you either at Mosta to see the church with a large Dome (one of the biggest in the whole of Europe) , or Attard to see the Presidenial Palace garden on the way to Mdina.

One of the must see’s in Valletta is the Barrakka Gardens overlooking the Grand Harbour and your ship. SALUTING BATTERY - You could make it a point of being in the Barrakka Gardens at about 11.00 and 12.15 for a guided tour of the Saluting Battery where the centuries old guns are still fired at noon by historical re-enactors dressed in 19th century military uniforms.. It is open till 1.00. After the guns are fired there is free transport to Vittoriosa (Birgu) and Fort Rinella and the Malta at War Musuem and Shelters. The firing of the guns evokes the days when the cannon firings took place at sunrise, midday and sunset.


Apart from the various Museums there is the splendid St Johns Cathedral, which many say rivals the Vatican , Casa Rocca Piccola (a nobleman’s house) and the War Museum . Also audio visual shows Also worth seeing is the Palace and the Armoury..

8:00 in port, off ship
8:30 Private Tour pick-up with Malta Travelnet
9:00 – 9:45 AM: Mdina (normally visits to this site are for 1hr , there are interesting musuems and stately home if you have more time at your disposal)
Medina is a medieval walled city, nicknamed "the Silent City. The walled city of Mdina is very small - only a long city block long and wide, . There were several streets each way, but very short blocks. Mdina Medieval City (walking tour or tour by horse drawn cabs - traditional mode of transport know as the karozzin)
9:45 – 10:15 AM: drive to Blue Grotto
10:15 – 12:00 AM: boat trip and quick swim stunning Blue Grotto (here you can grab a boat trip that takes through a series of coastal caves which are really stunning).
12:00 – 12:30 PM: drive to Valletta try to grab a snack or light lunch. Tour of the Upper Barraka Gardens.
12:30 – 1:45 PM: Valletta/St. John's Co. Cathedral (09.30hrs to 16.30hrs) Adults €5.80 Senior €4.65 Student: €3.50 Children under 12 Free The entrance fee includes the provision of handheld audio guides with 24 stops
*****proper dress no bare shoulders//high heels


1400hrs return to ship
Entrance fees - PAID LOCALLY and are OPTIONAL:
St. John's Co. Cathedral is EUR5.82 per person,
Blue Grotto is EUR7.00 per person

 

[lmhall2000]

Day 4

Rereading the caption on notes on Tunisia below, I guess you can say I went into this port a little jaded...so even I had a hard time selling our crew on this port...but our cruise director Brent (loved him!! Really, I did...my only pet peeve is having been in sales and now filling in roles as a teacher/scout leader...he could have said half the words he used...it was very hard for him to get to the point some days or would repeat repeat, which was probably necessary on some points) made an extra special point on the night of the entertainment that he had received numerous complaints from the previous week cruisers about Tunisia...warning about how aggressive the haggling can be, may not be a port to take young children or in other words just trying to set up the right tone so he makes sure no one is disappointed...great approach but for my family who is already hesitant it pretty much sealed the deal...we had decided to stay on the ship.

Until....we ate breakfast (slept in soo late this morning, who needs clothespins for those curtains, you close them and no daylight enters at all!) and looked over the side...NO ONE was exiting! There were 5-8 camels hanging out there and locals trying to make a living, musicians and gladiators hoping someone will come by and patronize their offerings...but no one was going..granted it was around 9:30am so maybe everyone had already left? Nah, looking around the ship you can see many had heeded Brent's warnings and decided to stay on the ship (do not believe that was his intent, he merely did not want families disappointed in Tunis)...so I look at my crew and tell them, come on, the least we can do is make it to the duty free shop and maybe even rent a taxi to go somewhere??

Mom and dd#1 were the only takers...everyone else was content to stay on board. Dad decided he would make it with us as far as the checkout station and keep an eye on us to make sure we were safe or to laugh at our adventurous spirit!

So we three ladies head out and first stop is camel alley...now if I won't pay 1 euro for a roundtrip bus ride you know I'm not about to pay 10 euros to get up on a camel and ride it around a circle. But my daughter really wanted to get a picture and try sitting on the camel...so I tried to ask if he would take 2 euros to just let her sit on the camel for a picture...he kept repeating 10 euro, 10 euro..I kept kindly saying 'no ride, just picture'..he finally acquiesced and had her get on..I just wanted him to let her sit on it, but he directed the camel up and moved her off the carpet about 10 feet and back..gave him the 2 euros and he seemed fine.

Then my mother decided she wanted a picture on the camel...people, this came out of left field!! I went back to my sales pitch and asked if he would take 2 euros for a picture with my mom, he agreed...at this point it's either 2 euros or nothing, we had not seen any people here for over an hour! She manages on like she was a camel racer and my Dad is at the check out station laughing his head off....see! All the fun you miss by being chicken?? He later would ask my mom, "What in the world made you decide to get up on that camel?" Mom quickly replied "If there's a camel there, you get on him! I'm not passing that up!" That's where I get my adventurous spirit from!!!

(Man, I love that picture!! Knowing what she went through last year with a horrific 10+ hour surgery and seeing that face makes this trip all worth it!)

Now mom is a true southerner...I had already paid him the 4 euros for the 2 shots but she felt sorry for him and gave him a 20...I think it kinda defeats the whole act of haggling...but I hope it helps them, we really did feel sorry for them based on the low number of people leaving the ship. The most expensive picture we've ever had...

Now I will say that Tunisia is trying really hard to make the port more attractive and hospitable...once they finish the new port buildings and landscaping, it will be worth it for pictures alone to get off the ship even if you're just going that far!

We then stopped at the musician row...they have 3-4 Tunisians in customary dress playing instruments, I guess their gig is to have you pay to sit with them and play instruments...I was trying my best to be courteous and friendly and again we felt sorry for the low turnout so we sat with them (this 5 minute port excursion was soon turning out to be the most per minute expensive excursion of the trip!)...I tried to make conversation and asked them how to say "thank you" in Arabic, the nice musician smiled a toothless grin and helped me with some conversational Arabic, but then it went down a different road...he then points to his eyes and proceeds to tell me the word for eyes, then nose, then mouth (I should have caught on right here where he was headed, but I'm much too well thinking) I actually thought he was just trying to keep me in the chair longer so we would feel obligated to pay more (I think I put in 2 euros for the picture op)..I say "Shokrun" and try to exit..he's getting up out of his chair and chasing me...he grabs my arm, points to his eyes and says it in Arabic, his nose and says that in Arabic, mouth and says it in Arabic then touches my busty region and gives me that word in Arabic...AAGH! I've just been molested! Granted he only touched me but puhleeasse! That seems like an approach a drunk at a college bar would try...so I guess the lesson is, don't ask for a lesson in Arabic.

It's time for a venue change...we catch a family returning (wow, must have been a short trip!) and ask how the transportation was, he warned us about haggling taxis and that each way was 40 euros...that sorta clinched our decision to only visit the duty free shop. We head into the country and were pleasantly surprised that they still stamp passports (just as a note, Malta also did this and several others, you just have to ask..I think in total we received about 6 stamps) most will not do it unless asked. We peek outside and duck right into the duty free shop. After our expensive 10 minutes outside the ship I decide it's best just to take some post cards with us...at the top of the post card rack you can still make out a faint .30euro sign...so I gather 6 post cards and take it to a sales clerk...he looks at me and starts counting out the post cards, "1-2-3-4-5-6..that will be 6 euros!" I gave him a rather sweet quizzical look and say, "I believe they're only .30 so it should be 1.80 euros"...he repeats 6 euros...I repeat and give him a NY kind of attitude, if you want me to buy these you'll take this and I counted out 1.8...he smiled and gave up his attempts to pull on over...it was a nice haggling, but come on, haggle over goods not post cards!! He was very kind to us after that and gave us great prices on some goods we got for the children...2 euros for a handmade pottery drum...so we left feeling we had experienced some of the culture and helped the economy in some very small way.

Then it's back to the ship! Girls are off to the Ocean Quest/Pool and ds is brooding...having a bad first couple of days, I forgot to mention this very sad part. The kids have gone through so much with Dad working 2 jobs, 2 house payments and the health issues that we said each could have $50 of on board credit to spend how they wanted...for us that's big spending money...so dear son on his first sea day heads to the arcade and can not figure out the system...he tries to get $10 and it doesn't work...I think it did he just did not know he loaded the card and gave it to a kid who knew what was on it..so he tried again and this time $50...this time it worked, he spent all his money on the arcade...no worries, right? Well, when you're not used to the system and don't understand that you must bring the card with you when you leave...it means major disappointment..he played 3 games and left...but left his $50 card in the arcade...you can guess, it was gone, this is why I missed the Dis meet...I was trying my best to go through Guest services/search the arcade/go back to the room/to try and get it back...guest services would do nothing..they really couldn't but a part of me says they could have tried, there are cameras in the arcade and they might have at least proven it was stolen and given this poor boy some credit, maybe asking too much but mamma bear is out now and I hate seeing my son see the lower part of life. When we went back to the arcade to look there was this boy right next to to the machine where my son lost it..when I started asking people if they had seen a card, this boy high tailed it out of there...later in the day this same boy walked by me and gave me a very concerted smirk...what do you do? He just found himself $50.

So my poor very dedicated son had lost his money...we really did not have it to give him again..although later on Dad took pity on him and gifted him with another $20...I know it meant a lot to him. What was kind of sad was I had the talk with my husband about the vicious pizza dropping Dad from day one and said, no matter how stressed we get, do not ever bring that kind of angst on a child...well, my Grumpy was not happy about ds losing the money and proceeded to give him a responsibility talk...our son takes it harder on himself than anyone can dish out to him...so it was just not a happy couple of first days for him. Grumpy felt awfully bad and we all had a 'this happens' kind of family talk and encouraged him to just be more careful. In comes a BLESSING!! I ran into another Dis'er who said her teen son also was not all sparkly and peppy..so after introducing them and giving them the run of the ship...our son finally found a fellow teen who got it and her son had lost his room key...so they both had come to the table experiencing a bit of absentmindedness...ah how that binds! Now that we're back, my ds has caught a bad cold (more on that) and enjoys playing online with his new found friend...years ago, you'd make a friend on ship and maybe a letter would pass and that would be it, but with today's technology, they can chat live with headphones while they play the same online game! Amazing!! And no keeping up with a video cash card!

So that was Tunisia...sorry, no amazing stories to tell...just the poor man's route...but hope it helps someone!!

Mrs. T



Right now, based on what I'm finding, this will be a stay on ship day!
New updates in blue...I'm trying my best to add helpful hints on these ports as I find them...looks like I may have an option here!

Day 4: Tunis, Tunisia The Mediterranean's version of Ocho Rios. In your face. pushy, obnoxious locals and shops full junk. Oh and the cab ride from the port to town 40 Euro. That's $60 for my fellow Americans at todays exchange rate. I've included Tunis here although we didn't go ashore, having done so in 2005 and not enjoyed it at all. The whole place just didn't do anything for us - we don't like haggling, and the pressure of being taken to various vendors (carpets, perfume etc) with the expectation that we will buy something makes for a really uncomfortable experience. I also don't like being ogled and called out to by random men in the souk while my husband is right there next to me. Our tour in 2005 was called 'Best of Tunis', but I have to say that if that's the best, I'd hate to see the worst! We did an excursion with HAL for Tunis. Our guide was very informative. Carthage was very interesting. The Museum was wonderful. Beyond that, Tunis has very little to offer. The lunch served at the restaurant on the tour was not very good. The port is a long way from anything but does have a newly built visitor centre with shops and retauarant facilities. There was no public transport and Msc did not provide a shuttle service to the town. Taxis were in abundance and we negotiated a 2-3 hour guided tour for 50 euros. This trip was probably the highlight of the holiday because the driver was so knowledgeable and took us to a number of places off the normal excursion routes but it could equally have been a compete disaster.
Do not miss Sidi Bou Said and skip Carthage ! If you decide to go to Sidi Bou Said try the Café des Nattes where you could enjoy mint tea served with dates,pastries or nuts ! then walk to the end of the Cape and have a view of the harbor and the bay !!!
Traveling by taxi is probably the fastest and cheapest way to do it ! Agree for a price before the run ! There are taxis everywhere in Sidi bou Said and Tunis ! I've read that the taxis to Sidi bou Said can be predatory. I would take the TGM train from port to Sidi and back-- a lot cheaper, and no arguments about the fare.

Tourist infrastructure is very well-developed and the locals are very accustomed to seeing and interacting with westerners. Anyone under the age of twenty can converse at least to a limited degree in English and all shopkeepers can conduct transactions and product discussions in English. You have hit upon the most obvious attractions in the Tunis metro area. If you are only there for a day, then the souks (bazaar) Bardo museum, and Carthage are probably too much. Maybe just two of the three. If you have seen Roman ruins elsewhere, then Carthage is unimpressive, but nearby is the tourist landmark of Sidi Bou Said, a ultra-quaint hilltop seaside village with its jasmine-scented cafes overlooking the bay. Quite the scene for tourists and locals alike. Have a great time, Tunis is a wonderful, and for the most part very safe and friendly, introduction to the Arab world.


From there we went to the Bardo Museum. While most places will accept Euros, the Bardo only accepts Tunisian currency. Hedi loaned us Tunisian money from his own pocket. Later at the Medina we stopped at an ATM to get a Tunisian bill to repay him.

(Oh, and if a band with camels meets the ship at the dock, agree on a price BEFORE choosing to have your picture taken with them or going for a ride. It's hard to haggle after the fact, and they're not there simply because they love you.)

 

[lmhall2000]

Days 5-6

Day 5: Naples (Tour with See Sorrento) We've booked a guide for Pompeii and plan on visiting a local farm where we'll eat lunch with the locals!

Amazing vistas like the one above are what you'll see sailing from port to port...we had great seas and beautiful sunny skies (so far!) Just to share something reallly quickly on how lucky you are to have safe seas...met a very nice couple in the airport who had been on the 13 night Brilliance of the Seas...the night before we boarded our cruise their ship (like the Magic) ran into some foul sea changes...1900 passengers had been out on excursions in Villefranche only to return and find their ship LEAVING port!! The waves had become so destructive that 8 yachts were sunk in the port! The ship's captain made the wise decision to LEAVE port and all 1900 guests and head towards Toulanne (sp?)...what was tough for those passengers was the bus was informed of the change so they had a 2 hour drive to the new port (after a long day) but in Italy buses can't drive after dark so the buses even after asking for a police escort so they could stay with the 1900 stranded passengers had to leave them in a large tent that had been put up to house them while they had to wait 2-3 more hours for the ship to make it to this port. She said it was very chilly, many had no water, no drinks were offered but at one point someone brought bread and they ate that...they were appreciative of everything their ship did, she said it cost the ship $50 pp to transport them all the way to the new port...but you just never know when a sudden storm will change plans...so hopefully no one will encounter this but be aware! It made us appreciate our very calm journey that much more!

We had used a tour company called See Sorrento...our ship was late arriving (had planned to meet our driver at 7:30am to squeeze in a 10 hour day)...but the ship was late again and we would not be off until 8:30 this morning..we wanted to make sure we were the first off so we would not lose time on this excursion..here's where my Grumpy's natural disposition was oh so charming...now let me explain..he's a wonderful wonderful husband..I just think after 20 years of knowing him he's found a unique way of coping with baggage...unfortunately it's biting sarcasm. I'm working on it with him but hard to change a leopard's spots! We asked 3x (to our main server) about the earliest place to get breakfast so we could meet our driver at 7:30am..we were told Topsider's would open at 6:30 and that would be the earliest place...we were running late and made it to breakfast at 6:50 (still not realizing we would not be allowed to leave until later) we show up at Topsider's and we hoped to walk right in, but the sign says 7:00 and it was just our family and one other waiting...but dh explained how we had been told it opened at 6:30 and how he guessed you can't believe everything someone says...UGH...come on, it's 10 minutes! And grumpy knows that but sometimes if things don't go planned he jumps first and thinks later...so thanking the poor jumped on cm profusely for his understanding and how grumpy we (some of us are early in the morning) we made it in at 7 and still had to wait to get off...what made it worse was that we were exiting on a level of a ship where the crew had no experience...they weren't even sure how to open the door..not instilling a lot of confidence, then they could not get electricity to the computers that scanned your cards so it was only building grumpy's jump now think later emergency response mode.

What was amazing is they had a crew with paint and brushes painting parts of the exit door (b/c it had never been used before atleast with this crew) covering areas I probably would never have seen..then we had to wait for the customs officials to board the ship (all official looking) and wait for the all clear...we raced out the door and thankfully our driver was waiting and understood the delay. Since we got started an hour later he decided to take us to Sorrento first and do Pompeii in the afternoon when the crowds would be less. I really appreciated this approach b/c it was great seeing the views of Sorrento, Positano and the Amalfi Coast and getting to lunch at the top of a cliff in Positano!
Mt. Vesuvius..you can just imagine how tall it was before it exploded!

The drive to Sorrento was amazing!!

I especially LOVED this pine trees! I am a fan of everything green and growing...the rows and rows of lemon trees/olive trees/grapes etc. were amazing..NO manufacturing plants..all green and growing stuff in every corner it could be planted their main industry is tourism...restaurants and hotels EVERYwhere but you could still see (at least in Sorrento) how wonderfully it would be to raise a family here...very safe and locals extremely friendly! Loved SORREnTO!! Our 1st dd found her muse, a Sorrento music box, she chose to spend her money here...we have heard "Isle of Capri" about 67 times since returning..beautiful inlaid wooden boxes and our other daughter picked a cameo necklace made from Pompeiian rock....hopefully something they'll keep for a good long time! Our driver stopped 5-6 times at vantage points for great shots, then let us spend about an hour in Sorrento to try ice cream and hit the shops...great shopping here!
Granted we didn't buy anything besides the girls gifts but for shoppers this is the place to be!
Our driver in front of his hometown Sorrento...Gianni!

Ailey enjoying her ice cream!!

Then it's off to the Amalfi Coast! I used to work in Colorado on the Trail Ridge Road..so I'm used to switchbacks and cliff drop offs..but for some it makes it more dangerous by the suicidal cyclists zooming in and out...don't know how there aren't more fatalities on a daily basis here..but for any doing the Amalfi Coast put your more queasy passengers on the driver side making this journey..didn't bother me but my mom wanted to scream out "WATCH THE ROAD" to our driver who kept engaging me in conversation and keepin his eyes towards me and not the road..but I knew he had traveled these roads 1000 times and had no fears in keeping us safe. We went through all the small villages, stopped at a fruit vendor's stall on the side of the road, Gianna may have known him b/c he sweetly offered us free fruit...and we bought 2 of those ridiculously large lemons..we tried a fruit we had never seen before and it was a cross between a peach and a plum...odd but tasty...then we were dropped off in another seaside town for shopping...we just walked up and down and mom bought some wonderful Italian cookies from a bakery, amazing!! Then we went to the beach area and soaked up the view...amazing!!

Many people will remind you to take pictures of your family not just the scenery but on a day like today where it's go go go..sometimes you just have to snap both whenever you get the chance...my family does not like posing for pics...so at least we can say they were there!

The view from our restaurant and a shot of those pine trees I love...this is an estate, it's either Sophia Loren's old one or the lady who some newspaper magnate...either way, amazing!!

Lunch was really wonderful, in the words of Grumpy "can't believe we payed 20 euros pp!" sigh. I guess his living in America and eating Outback Steakhouse has jaded his value of dining expenses...here's the low down...the view to KILL for!! that alone I would pay 5 euros for! The food was all farm grown, fresh aged 5 year olives, fresh tomatoes, homemade mozarella, homemade wine (granted they had 4 bottles already opened for us..but we're not wine drinkers..between the 4 adults I think we finished 1/4th a bottle and offered the remaining to tables around us) fresh meats, breads, eggplant, other cheese dishes, probably 5 platters just for the first course...the second course was fresh pizza and pastas..my son who is fairly very picky said he would pay anything to come back and have their pasta..
the discriminating gourmet!

they also say if you want seconds of anything to just ask, but it was soo much food..who could?? Third course was a sampler of 3 desserts..one was wonderful and the other two just not a fan of Italian desserts..but fresh for sure! They also had fresh nice cool water that was always refilled (bottled)...so just couldn't deny the price...Marcello *was the owner of See Sorrento and was with another group there right before us....even gave us a break by letting the two kids go as one adult...so THANKS Marcello! Just a great memory all around!! Then it's off to Pompeii for our guided tour..also worth it, grumpy didn't deny this!

Just some shots! We finished the tour and our guide (Leno) was amazing..100 euros for his help...taught us so much more than we would have known on our own! I won't bore you with many Pompeii pics but just one to give you a taste!

What was amazing was walking down the 'roads' where years of chariot wheels had driven impressions into the volcano rocked floors...my mind was whirling with all the history here...beautiful homes...you could easily envision how this port city was once thriving.

Our driver got us back around 5:30pm..so a good long day and to me worth the expense....wonderful memories! The name of the restaurant we ate at was Antico Borco...wonderful people and delicious eats!

To date, Grandma has not uttered one 'hellooo'..thinking the pace of our travel and jet lag has snapped that phraseology..but I thought for sure I'd hear one on that Amalfi Drive...I did, just not during the trip..she kept quiet during the ride but now on hearing her retell it to others, many helloo's in there!

Mrs. T

Day 6: Civitaveccia (Rome)

Let's try this again, I have one of those annoying laptops that if the palm of your hand grazes past the mouse area it will immediately delete everything and there is no 'undo' button.....(hmm, maybe that's why Dell gave me such a deal on it?) On to what's important!! ROME!! Viva Italia!! To be honest, there is a lot of hype to Rome, there is a lot of expectation, and there is much to be realized...first of which is you can't do it all in one day after having spent 10 hours in the Naples Valley region the day before...it would be ideal to have a sea day before Rome to prepare and then my commando approach may have worked..but we made a group decision to make it a Rome or a Vatican Day and since Grumpy had thoroughly had his fill of cathedrals...it was an easy choice. So, we decided to eat a 'later' breakfast of 8am and get off the ship around 9am.

We hopped on the great transport (free) bus to the port and started following those before us..amazing, we were on a full bus but since we were last getting off everyone seemed to scatter by the time we finally emerged into the streets of Civitaveccia (Cheewitawechia)...except for a trio of ladies also looking around for signs for the trains..there are none...luckily I had within the recesses of my brain meninges stored some of the trip reports of those before me and knew to head to the right and keep going until my brain locked on to some images I knew to look for....yes, I know, convoluted way of saying "JUST WALK"...it's pretty straight forward anyhow. We make it and I was savvy, I was prepared, knew what tickets I wanted, didn't need to stand there looking around for a sign to drop out of the sky saying "This way"...that's preparation meets opportunity! Yes! I triumphantly bought our tickets (BIRG) knew to stamp them in the little yellow box and here is where my savvy was trumped. I noticed a cast member and smiled and asked if she were going into Rome..she said yes and the train would be at platform 3....YEAH! I don't even have to look at the TV screen to confirm!! (Mistake)....we head to the platform and there were 5 other groups of cruisers there so we felt in good company...but when the train arrives I realize our error, this is the EXPRESS train not the BIRG trains that are much cheaper...so our ticket is not good on this one unless we want to pay 10 euros extra pp (BIRG only cost 9 euros)..so at that point I begin explaining to those trying to board that they'll charge you more...after all that was worked out we realize the train on platform 1 has passengers inside it waving to us!!

Hi there! It's Disers! Aw...so sweet they're waving!! But wait, they're trying to tell us something, they're holding up a 3 sign...huh? Well, it takes this savvy brain 3 minutes to realize they're trying to tell us THEIR train is the right one and it leaves in 3 minutes....sigh, double sigh..but no big hicccup...we wave them off as we see them heading to our destination..I NOW go back inside and look at the screen (no more asking anyone) and confirm the next train leaves in 12 minutes from another platform...we are soon on our way..whew...about 45 minutes total time from port.

Now all that savvy planning has made us all very eager for a bathroom break (not realizing there were facilities on the train and not really keen on using them if we had known)...so when we land after about an hour of travel (1 hour 12 minutes to be exact)...we were on alert for restroom signs.. As we come off the train who do we meet but our sign language (number 3) Disers coming back to board again?? Huh? They couldn't have been here longer than 15 minutes! But they had decided Rome was not for them, too much pushy shovy and not up to fighting the crowds..hmm...now I've been to London/NYC..surely, it's not that bad! We wish them a safe journey back and press on...where are those restrooms??

Yes!! We found them! Signs for the bathroom after walking what seemed to be an eternity through the train station....not bad, I think, looks like a nice clean facility surely the bathrooms are equally nice...we get to them and it looks like a bad dream...there are glass doors preventing our entry...they claim to open if you kindly pay them .80 euros...ugh...we're all scrambling for coins but having not needed any of our euros to date we really don't have many coins! So now that bathroom break is in the red hot zone...please, just give me .80 euros and let's work out the details later!! I run in....funny, felt just like another person ran in with me? She did! UGh, not that I mind people cheating the system but I don't like being pushed through so they can make it through the glass doors with me. Oh well, at least I could help another red zone bathroom needer...we consider doing this ourselves since we're low on cash and the changer does not seem to be cooperating but those glass doors close quickly and we don't want to hurt the kids or grandma so we somehow manage to get everyone in and out..but be warned...in Rome you pay for most everything!

We decide to take the metro to get to the Coliseum...(BIRG ticket works for all metro as well)..it's only 2 stops away, we find our way to the right line (B Line) and wait...I guess the attendant forcing us down the walk should have been a clue, but heck, our kids have survived the London tube for a week..we're savvy, remember? Well, we're also southerners and we'd much rather have everyone who's 'in a hurry' go before us..so as the metro arrived and the doors opened and some tried to exit...the sardine packing began...we're trying to be polite and let those pushing by do so..my body is weaved in with about 200 others in this car, it's the kind of packed in where your body is actually pressed up against 5 others and if you're lucky you might be able to reach a pole to hold on to...I immediately realized this is how pickpockets make money, but we're so packed in....the likelihood of the 5 being playdough pressed into my body are thieves is probably small...I can still feel my 10 year old holding my hand and as I'm helping to pull her closer to me I hear a horrendous scream...the doors have closed on my daughter!!! At the last second, three very large adults squished in leaving her stuck in the door and really, they had no look of remorse at all..they do at least try to open the doors again and I quickly pull her to me...she's screaming, her hand was hurt in the melee...big vein popping up....and to make it even more charming....I'm looking at my husband and two other children on the other side of the door, they never even made it in. So, now, I can see why our friends returned...

Sigh, this is supposed to be carefree touring..not fight for your life to get a ride on a metro! We make it to the right stop and hope that Grumpy was listening enough to know which stop to take...it wasn't 5 minutes before they were there with us and checking on dd#2...she's begging me at this point, "Please don't make me get on there again!" Knowing I'd have to. Time for some diversions!! Let's make it up into the city's fresh air!! We exit the metro station and oila!! The coliseum!! Now that's what I'm talking about...curbside service!

Lots of salespeople trying to talk you into a guided tour..but we had no plans on entering, free pictures on the outside..now this I did love..I'm sure one day they'll figure a way to block digital photo taking without a code, but for now, it's FREE! We walk through the area and decide to head towards the Trevi Fountain....and we're getting a little hungry after all this walking...we're fans of the 'Everybody Loves Raymond' episode and I think we watched the Rome episode 10x before coming, I had this fantasy of eating that slice of pizza he had and just walking up and getting a slice of authentic Roman fast food...but none to be found, all these cafes with 15euro 'deal' signs...sorry folks, not a deal with 7 of us...when I ask mom where she wants to eat, she says..."There's a McDonald's"....okay, this is probably the biggest concession I have to make..I'm in Rome, Italy...and my one meal here, well, it's going to have to be McDonald's..

They couldn't take my non-chip credit card but at least they got the order correct..so we're fed, it's McD's..done. Then it's off to the Trevi...really, I thought it would be much bigger and wide open than this, but there aren't many wide open spaces in Rome, somehow in the movies they make it seem much bigger...so just do your best Genie impression and prepare for 'tiny little living space' moments. As much as I tried to soak up the Roman nostalgia...the rush of people everywhere, cars going by so fast, I couldn't help but think of that song..."Wide Open Spaces"...and think back to our small farm....ah..space! Back to the game at hand...as much as I tried to push on to the Pantheon...my crew were ready to head back, they almost tried to talk me out of the Trevi, I had already conceded on the McD's...you can't take my Trevi away!

Loved this picture b/c it reminds me a lot of the training I've done with Dutch in the early days, now he's much calmer..but in the early days...whew!
But the startings of rain and being asked by probably a total of 35 umbrella salesman to buy one before we reached the station (and they even asked knowing we had one..I guess they're just on automatic)...so THAT was our day in Rome...thank goodness Donald was there to welcome the girls

...after this somewhat traumatic day...(for dd #2) I needed something to convince her to be my traveling buddy the next day. The rain was already convincing the rest of the crew that maybe they needed a rain day....but I can't stop due to a little moisture!

On to La Spezia!!!
Sorry, Vatican will have to wait for another day...

Mrs. T


Great Links

Trains in Italy
http://www.roninrome.com/ transportation/riding-the-trains-in-italy

Port to Italy helps
http://www.roninrome.com/ transportation/cruising-come-to-rome-for-the-day-2

Top 20 things to do when visiting Vatican
http://www.roninrome.com/ sites-and-attractions/20-tips-on-visiting-the-vatican-museums

Had to add this incredible summary of transportation in Rome!!
In Civitavecchia - as you frequent cruisers know - you can probably get off around 8 AM but you have to be often back sometime near 6:30 PM. Do check with your ship so you know your time parameters. That said, the best way to come into the city from the port – the fastest and cheapest way - is by train.

You can purchase a BIRG ticket at the train station or at a newsstand or Tabacchi shop on the way to the train station (avoid the lines!). The BIRG ticket cost and is good for the trip INTO Rome, the trip BACK from Rome, and also FREE metro, trolley and bus rides while in Rome! The BIRG ticket covers free transportation in FIVE zones of the Lazio Region, and Rome and Civitavecchia are in those five zones. Do note that for train travel, the BIRG ticket is ONLY good on Regionale Trains – not the IC and IC Plus trains - and only good for 2nd class travel on the Regionale Trains. But it's only about a 70-75 minute ride into Rome; less if you jump off early! The BIRG ticket is a GREAT buy and will save you hundreds of dollars in transfer costs – and don’t fear, the train will packed with other cruisers too! You will not be alone in your journey to Rome (nor your return)

As you come into town, you can get off the train at many stops. Most folks go all the way to Termini Station and travel from there. But you can also get off the Regionale trains at Roma San Pietro (the Vatican), Roma Trastevere (ride the #8 tram into the city center), or Roma Ostiense (jump on the metro and avoid the crush of Termini). If you ride into Termini Station, you will arrive usually at tracks 26-29 which is on the far outskirts of the train station. It will take you a good 8-10 minutes to get to the main station. Add this into your “return time” if you are catching a train back from Termini Station.

From Civitavecchia, most trains will stop nine times before they get to the LAST stop which is Termini. The Regioanle train stops – in order from Civitavecchia – USUALLY are as follows:

S. Marinella – Marina Di Cerveteri – Ladispoli-Cerveteri – Maccarese-Fregene – Roma Aurelia – Roma S. Pietro – Roma Trastevere – Roma Ostiense – Roma Tuscolana – Roma Termini .

It’s always good to know the stop BEFORE your stop! These should help you. Reverse, the path on the way back... the last stop on a Regionale before Civitavecchia on your return trip will USUALLY be S. Marinella. TAKE NOTE – If you are on the IC Plus trains, your BIRG ticket is NOT GOOD (you’ll have to purchase a reserved seat ticket before getting on the train) AND the stops will be different. These guidelines are for the open-seating and most frequent running Regioanle trains.

Here’s a copy of the current train options. DO CHECK the Trenitalia site as schedules do change twice a year (and also differ slightly on weekends)… but here’s the best REGIONALE trains you can use the BIRG ticket on for a journey to and from Rome.


The best trains to catch to Roma Termini from Civitavecchia are:
07:33 C.CCHIA 08:50 ROMA TERMINI #3259
07:59 C.CCHIA 09:20 ROMA TERMINI #12231
08:41 C.CCHIA 09:50 ROMA TERMINI #2335
08:59 C.CCHIA 10:28 ROMA TERMINI #12233
09:41 C.CCHIA 10:50 ROMA TERMINI #3263



Getting back, the train options for Roma Termini to Civitavecchia are:
15:39 ROMA TE 16:57 C.CCHIA #12244
16:09 ROMA TE 17:13 C.CCHIA #2344
16:39 ROMA TE 17:57 C.CCHIA #12246
17:09 ROMA TE 18:15 C.CCHIA #3262
17:14 ROMA TE 18:27 C.CCHIA #3264

If depart from Rome to Civitavecchia from stations Roma Ostiense, Roma Trastevere, or Roma San Pietro, the times will be slightly later than these posted from Roma Termini.
Upon getting off at cruise, the port has free shuttles to the edge of the port. We walked from the port to the train station, which was a 10 minute walk. We purchased a BIRG ticket for 9 euros/pp which was valid for the round trip ticket to Rome, and the bus/metro within Rome.
We had read "The Bones of St Peter" at home and knew the history and story. Highly recommend reading this book ahead of time

Plan on doing this on our own, pre-buying tickets for Vatican, buy all day train ticket/buses and see what we can see..oh and eat pizza.

 

[lmhall2000]

Days 7-8

TuesDay 7: La Spezia, Italy Cinque Terre from La Spezia is very doable on your own. About a 12-14 minute train ride. Be aware that the are some steep inclines, and stairs at every station. Check out http://www.ftroute.com/cinque.cfm

Buy a round trip train ticket from La Spezia to Monterosso. (a couple of Euros & I believe the same cost regardless of which town you choose). Get off at the first town. Between the 1st & 2nd town, there's the Dell A'More. Bring a padlock & forever lock your love with your DH, but you will have to buy a 5 Euro walking pass.
http://www.cinqueterre.com/eng/infor...hiking/2/1.php

Took the train down to Riomaggiora, looked, shopped, and took the 15 min. walk up to Manarola. This portion of trail is essentially a broad sidewalk, with no steps and is the only section they don't close during rain. We could see the rest of the trail to Corniglia from Manarola. It did not appear as though it would be much of a challenge. In fact, our initial walk that morning out of Corniglia to the southbound trail-head guard shack seemed to cover about half the distance

Skip the 2nd town, Definately skip the 3rd town (380 steps or a long zig zag road-or a free bus/if you have the Cinque terre pass, from the train to the town). 4th town I can't recall what was there.

Go to the 5th town. The largest of all towns with a beach a couple of blocks long. Good for kids.

La Spezia is charming (though there may be others that don't agree). On Fridays there's a 2 or 3 block market (Lots of stuff you wouldn't even buy in the states).
If you get off the train in La Spezia --- with your back to the station, turn left and you can walk down the ramp (it's also the way to town). If you turn left... lot's and lot's of stairs.

There's a supermarket there. Basko's. Can you pick me up the chocolate filled biscuits & bags of hazelnuts? I didn't buy enough last week. Cinque Terre is a very easy DIY area. Leaving from La Spezia, buy your Cinque Terre passes at the station before you head for CT. Pass covers all trains, plus the Walk of Love. The train stops at each station are only 1 minute (you have to be quick!) All towns (except Monterosso) are virtually pedestrian only. You will have stairs at every train station.

All the Cinque Terre towns have their own train station. Almost all the trains from La Spezia stop in Levanto. Check your train schedule carefully - some trains that stop in La Spezia, also stop in Levanto, so you do not need to change in La Spezia. Some trains from La Spezia may only stop in Levanto or Monterorsso, not all the Cinque Terre towns. Try the Cinque Terre day pass to travel all day between the Cinque Terre towns (specify 2nd class, La Spezia to Monterosso).

Don't be fooled; your pass says "24 hours", but expires at midnight (remember to write your name on it and stamp it). The 5km train day pass works for the Cinque Terre towns
Stamp your ticket in the machine on the platform before you get on the train. You will be fined by the conductor if your ticket has not been stamped.
Le Cinque Terre can be reached by train from La Spezia in 10 minutes or from Genoa in less than an hour.
You can travel between the towns by boat,foot or train.
Approximate hiking times between the towns.
Riomaggiore to Manarola (20 minutes)
Manarola to Corniglia (45 minutes)
Corniglia to Vernazza (90 minutes)
Vernazza to Monterosso (90 minutes)

We stopped in La Spezia in Sept. It was very easy to take the train from town to town.
Tendering was very easy and we walked to the IT a few blocks to the left from the tender drop off. We were given a map and told to walk down the pedestrian street to the train station about 15 minutes. We found the parks office along track one at the train station and purchased our CT pass for 8.50 which includes the train and hiking. On our first visit to Cinque Terre we hiked between Riomaggori and Cornigila so this time we were planning to hike from Cornigila to Vernazza. We took the 10:07 train to Corniglia. The 10:00 train only stops at Riomaggori and Montarossa. We walked around Cornigila before taking the trail to Vernazza. Part of the trail right out of Cornigila had been badly burned recently. There are a lot of ups and downs to this section of the trail. It took us 2 hours with frequent stops. We had lunch in Vernazza and went for a swim. We took the train back to Manarola so we could walk the Via Del Amore again. When we reached Riomaggori we got a gelato while we waited for the train back to La Spezia. It was a nice walk back to the tender boats through the pedestrian street.
You should probably should go to Riomaggori first and walk the Via Del Amore to Manarola. Before taking the walk go into the town of Riomaggori which is through the tunnel and take a look around. Walk to Manarola explore a bit than get back on the train and take it to Vernassa where you will find plenty of nice places to eat. If you want after lunch take the train to Montarossa which has a really nice beach. After walking around Montarossa take the train back to La Spezia.


WednesDay 8: Villefranche, France (Monte Carlo) Our first port was Villefranche. It's a beautifully small picturesque port. You could easily do Monaco, Monte Carlo and Nice on your own, which we did. The bus routes are extremely user friendly and straightforward. The yachts and the cars in Monaco were all just jaw dropping. The old town was lovely and quaint with old world charm. We did all of these gorgeous places on our own and were back on the ship on time. Exhausted from all that walking but happy that we did it! Gorgeous water, beautiful homes and a short train ride (10 minutes) to Monaco. This was my husband's favorite port as it was the most leisurely and very beautiful. You can purchase fresh lavender sache's that smell amazing! Quaint village, not much to do, so we took a 5 minute train to Nice and had lunch in the old village alongside the open-air farmers market. Great!
I think we're going to skip Monte Carlo/Monaco and instead head to Eze and Nice or possibly St. Paul de Vence, here is information on these!

I would aim for 5 or earlier to be back in VF. I don't think you'll have any trouble getting the 9:55 bus from Eze Bord du Mer up to Eze Village ... you could then leave Eze to head to Nice around noon or 1 (note that #82 also goes from Eze to Nice...giving you two choices of buses, but going to different locations in Nice). Spend a couple of hours in Nice and then head back to VF, and if you have some extra time, VF is a nice place to wander around.

p.s. Here's a link for the schedule for Bus #100: http://www.lignedazur.com/horaires_l...F2009&index=11 (To see earlier or later times, click on the links just above the schedule, where it says, "<< First < Earlier Later > Last >>". ) You can also enter the date that you'll be there to get the schedule for that day.
A couple of other thoughts....

If the schedule that I posted in my P.S. above comes up in French, click on the Union Jack, then 'Timetables' in the left index, and 'Timetables' in the centre of the screen, and choose the route number of the bus that you want.

I would also print a schedule, or take note of how many stops between l'Octroi and Eze Bord de Mer, so that you don't miss your stop there (you can get off at any of the 3 stops in Eze Bord de Mer as #83 also stops at these stops). When we were there, I wasn't counting stops or keeping track, but once we saw the first Eze stop, we just got off at the next one to connect with #83.

Have some euro change or smaller bills with your for the fare, rather than larger euro amounts.

If you have to show the bus driver how many fares you are purchasing by using your fingers, e.g. for three people, use your thumb and next two fingers. (The thumb counts as 1)

Tell the driver on bus #100 your destination ... Eze Village, and use the tickets you buy in Villefranche for bus #83 as well.

Validate your tickets in the machine inside bus #100 in VF.

You'll need to buy new tickets when going from Eze to Nice.

If you don't want to go to Eze you might try St. Paul de Vence

Located on high on a hill on the road leading into St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, is the Rothschild Villa and Museum. We purchased a bus day pass and hopped onto a bus from Nice to St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The bus trip alone was a wonderful and easy way to see more of the area! The buses are clean, and comfortable, and let us off at the entrance to the driveway to the museum.

The estate provides the most beautiful gardens we have ever seen! Expecting to only spend about a half hour there, we enjoyed ourselves and the spectacular views so much, we stayed significantly longer!!!! The garden is fairly large (be prepared to do a lot of walking) and is divided into themed segments. The rose gardens are incredible! Tons of photo op's here!

Just about anything is doable in a day but you need to decide whether to spend a longer time in a few places, or try to go to the maximum places with little time to see anything (more common than you would think). St Paul de Vence is the most difficult of the options (unless you take a tour) since its further from the port and has limited public transit (there are buses from the Gare Routier bus station in Nice). Eze is relatively close to the port, but does have its own issues regarding transportation. If using public transit you can take the train or bus to Eze/Bord sur Mer and than wait for the local bus that runs from the Eze train station up to the village (this bus runs an irregular schedule which can be frustrating). There are also buses that go directly to the Village of Eze from either Nice or Monte Carlo. The Villa Ephrusi (Rothschild place) is another good option that you can read about at http://www.villa-ephrussi.com/en/ephrussi/ . You should be able to couple a visit to the villa with a visit to either Eze or Nice. I believe the local bus line that connects Nice to Monte Carlo (and also stops at Villefranche) can get you within walking distance of the Villa

AN FYI...ONLY the May 5th cruise has Villefranche on this day...the Grand Prix at Monte Carlo is on Saturday so they moved us back one day to hopefully avoid the crowds...me thinks it'll still be crowded the day before the Grand Prix!

There are various options to see some of Monaco, despite most of the inner city is blocked for the GP race track:
Have a walking tour in Fontvieille in the morning, see the Princess Grace Rose Garden, stroll through the Fontvieille port with its incredible display of luxury yachts (especially on that weekend!), take a walk along Cap d'Ail coastal path.
Museums in Fontvieille, worthwhile a visit: The Top Car Collection (rather the garage of late Prince RainierIII), the Money and Stamps museum and the Marine museum.
While the races are on, the crowds are not so bad, since everybody is watching, so take a city bus, which is running from Place d'Armes to the Casino gardens / Office du Tourisme. The Casino gardens are closed to the public, since the race track is right there (incredibly noisy), but take a walk along Boulevard des Moulins with its beautiful shops all the way to Place des Moulins. There's an elevator going down to the beach front. Within easy walking distance you find the Hotel Le Meridien or Hotel Monte-Carlo Bay for some nice drinks on their terraces or gardens, or try the Forum Grimaldi (Zelo Bar/restaurant). Nice to visit, too: The Japanese Garden.
Opposite Grimaldi Forum, there's the NMNM (New National Museum of Monaco) with seasonal exhibitions in a beautiful Belle Epoque villa and small gardens.
Best thing that weekend: People watching --- this is simply incredible.
One more hint: The hotels along the race track and the Casinos are closed to the public, except for the people with entrance tickets to view the races from there.

Don't take a bus tour to Nice or Eze on your own that day, I strongly advise. Traffic is horrific and cars and busses are blocked from entering the city at a certain time in the afternoon, to permit the thousands of cars and transfer busses to get out of town after the races. Trains might be a possiblity traveling towards Nice (or Beaulieu, Villefranche or Menton), since most race fans get into town in the morning and out in the afternoon, just contrary to your possible schedule.
Again, I forgot, maybe you are interested to see the Grand Prix?! It's a very good opportunity for all fans of car races. Tickets can be obtained in advance from www.acm.mc, the Automobile Club. The Grand Stands nearest to Fontvieille, since you have to walk anyway, are tribunes V,W, T and L, or even K. However, tribune B at the Casino Square is very spectacular for the views and you can get there with the local bus (see above). Don't be shocked by the prices; you can find more expensive places in Monaco that weekend at any time. Count this as a once-in-a-life-time experience.

If you want to leave Monaco instead to tour the surroundings that day, a ship's tour might be recommandable, since they will always wait for their own busses, if they stuck in traffic or can't get to the tender boats in time.

 

[lmhall2000]

Days 9-10

Thursday: Ajaccio (Corsica) Go to kids play park and the beach is just down from there
You should definitely allow enough time to visit Bonifacio (marina and upper town).
Then you could take one of the boat trips, perhaps allowing yourselves an hour or two on the island of Lavezzi. Three of the companies cooperate so you can take one company's boat on the outward journey and they will tell you at what time to expect the boat for a return trip. It is just possible that in the high season they are not so flexible about this. This is one of the companies: http://www.vedettesthalassa.com/circuits.htm
Another possibility: take a taxi to Santa Manza beach. This would avoid the terrible traffic jams coming into Bonifacio from Ajaccio and Porto Vecchio. There is a restaurant there.
Whatever you choose, take no chances about getting back to your ship on time. It has happened that people on a private trip turned up too late and they had the choice between two expensive air tickets from Corsica to Palermo or hiring a boat from one of the local companies and catching up with the cruise ship, the captain having agreed to slow down slightly !!
Relax on the fun and friendly Tonnara beach near Bonifacio, whilst watching the windsurfing and kite surfing experts perform their impressive aerial tricks.
Alternatively join in the fun, by hiring a board or taking a windsurfing lesson. Great beach restaurants to refuel in

Friday (At Sea)

 

[lmhall2000]

Saying Goodbye & Did we book another one??

I knew if I didn't put these up, I'd make excuses for not finishing it from a tiring 10 day 'vacation' And I hope to make it easier for those to follow and easier for them to read them in a row!

T

 

[lmhall2000]

Character Flaws

Now, it's just not a trip report without preparing you for situations that may arise based on our unique character flaws. We have many, but I'll just focus on the ones you're most likely to encounter.

Mrs. T (me): I can not let things go, no not material items, the really important stuff like what time zone Colorado is in. If someone is convinced Colorado is in central time zone and i KNOW it is NOT because I LIVED there...I just can not let it go! Something terrible could happen, what if said person was to pick up someone at the airport and gave up waiting because they were on the wrong time zone? That could lead to tragic consequences....I'm just saying.

Mr. Grumpy: Aside from the sky has already fallen, just look around you misconception....Mr. Grumpy can be sarcastic. He lets it roll out like molasses, not a teaspoon at a time but once it starts pouring out it has to fill a cup and trying to get it to stop is like catching up to a grocery cart on a mountainside...you'd be exhausted so why even try. However, I will add that Disney has a unique effect on him..perhaps it's the fact I orchestrate no lines for his favorite rides, his table is always ready with those ressies and I plan incredible weather...I don't have as much control on a cruise, so I am a little wary.

Goofy: He's a teenager. Unfortunately, that sometimes is your character flaw. In trying to get him excited about seeing Pompeii, the Vatican etc...I get, "I'll just stay on the boat, I really don't care about seeing anything." AAAGH!! That just won't fly, I am counting this cruise as a historical field trip so he better enjoy it and learn something!!

Tink: She's one of those sooo sweet and soo dear you just hate to mention a bad flaw....but she can sulk...she can shut down and hang her head low and give you the pitifullest responses..."What's wrong, honey?" "nothing" but her whole body language is screaming.."Y'all never understand anything I mean!" Luckily, it's not that often, but you just hate to see her bring herself down! Let us do that for you!

Ariel: Also another too sweet to eat...however she likes to be a bit bossy. I don't know if her brother and sister will ever be able to make a decision without her telling them where they're going and what they'll be doing. I guess it's being the baby and trying to earn that Napoleon complex...can't wait for Ajocca...expecting her to have a moment of "A-ha" kindred spirit.

Grandgrumps: What can I say, he's my Daddy, do they really have any flaws?? My mom can name many, but to me, they're endearing...hmm..let me think...if you've broken an ankle, he's most likely to tell you to walk it off...if your merely a flesh wound starts flowing, he'll tell you to walk with your arm above your head...deal with it later...well...he is a workaholic but that's just a symptom of being raised right after the depression, not much work to be had, so he makes sure he's the first one in last one to leave....hopefully, he does not carry that over to excursions!! I think he has a secret dream of being left behind on the Amalfi Coast.

Grandma: Everyone who knows her loves her, I get all those comments, "I just love your mother!" Even in school, she was class mom, all the kids fell in love with my mother and would beam when she was bringing in cupcakes...but I think my mom and I are too much alike...I get my "do not let it go" flaw from her. She can master in it....you get the two of us together, it can either go along beautifully or we can have terse/tense moments of a bottle rocket about to explode.

There...it's the worst of it, no drinkers in the bunch so you won't get the funny dancing pics, no smokers, so you won't get the complaints about no smoking zones...but we do have a knack for being a hoot adventurous and that leads us down some slippery slopes...waiting to see what the Mediterranean has in store...I will be checking Mt. Vesuvius's tectonic plates before we sail...that would be our kind of luck...

Mrs. T

 

[siestakeys04]

Great job keep it coming.

 

[lmhall2000]

Little Particulars

* I just read that the Cruise Director on the Magic is supposed to be a gentleman named Brent. Nice name, pretty sure he's a cool guy, but the best part?? He's from IRELAND!! You see, Tink has had a fascina-no-preocuppa-no-obsession with Ireland. Not sure if it's that her given name is Gaelic for light or the stories of our Scotch/Irish heritage or the Irish Dancing performance we saw three years ago or maybe her favorite Irish restaurant down in Destin, Florida...but she begs to go to Ireland. She started Irish soft shoe dancing this year and you can routinely see her double skipping carrying her folded clothes to her room. She will be all dreamy and take it as a sign that she's destined to see Ireland in her lifetime by having Brent be a native. Ah, this trip just gets better!!!

HA!! I just read what I wanted to read! There was a poster who commented how she loved Brent's accent then went on to talk about a friend's husband who was from Ireland, I made the leap that she was talking about Brent, the word on the Dis is that he's actually Australian. I broke the news to dd and she was, "oh." Poor thing, I had her this close to someone from Ireland!! Here's hoping there are some servers from Ireland!!! Brent will have the adoration of my youngest daughter...her favorite restaurant is Outback Steakhouse My husband used to work alongside a 'bloke' from Australia, when I would call the office looking for dh I would try and chat it up with him just to keep him talking!

 

[lmhall2000]

Little Particulars

Creative ways to give your kids presents that reflect their 'real' gift is a cruise 5 months after Christmas.

I've created a travel book that I'll send to Kinko's to print out and bind with a spiral binding...I'm using the GREAT autograph pages created by one of the Disigners and made pages for each port we're visiting by putting the native flag on there and the name. It will be 5x7 and probably just for the girls...I may make my son one without the characters, not sure at 14 he'll want to chase all those siggies..???

I'm going to try and tackle the T-shirt for the group by painting swabs of color over a 'swirlie' Mickey that I'll either make with glue or flour paste, not sure which will be easier yet. I hope to make these next weekend so I'll post pictures...but I want to find nice quality t-shirts on sale to use...iron on designs just don't last longer than 3-4 washings but the paints stays a good long time...I hope they turn out!

I'm also making door magnets for each kid....I am soo thankful to all the great Disigners who have helped in creating all these! So fun! I can wrap all these and make it seem like Christmas...we were lucky or not so lucky, Grumpy (who never wins anything...remember, sky is always in a perpetual state of falling or has already) texted me while he was at a training conference and said he won a gift at the raffle...I was hoping for something we could sell to help us pay for this cruise...but he was excited b/c it was something we could actually put under the tree for the kids...he won an X-Box..I'm not that thrilled because I think we could live life without video games...but I will probably be the one on the cruise in Wii competitions, I rock at Mario Kart....but hey, one game isn't so bad? But how do you use an X-Box if you've already got Wii hooked up to it? We only have one TV to put them on. Guess we'll figure that out, but I guess it was kind of cool that we can technically say they get something non-cruise related..and it was free!

One more day closer and I even passed on that extra piece of pizza tonight, 2 slices and a small salad...the old days I could have had 3-4 pieces...baby steps and portion control!!

Mrs. T

 

[lmhall2000]

Why we NEED a vacation

The flight to Tokyo went without a bump, I even landed....got my rental car and somehow navigated the roads of one of the world's busiest thoroughfares to find my hotel, the Hilton. I was not looking forward to 5 days of business meetings at the launch of our company's new product. I go to my hotel room and start to unpack and realize that my daughter had packed my suitcase for me and all I had to wear were Ariel t-shirts. I panicked and asked where the nearest mall was so I could buy business attire...I'm frantically racing through Tokyo because it's getting late and I'm afraid that the stores will close and I'll be wearing what I wore on the plane for 5 days! Then something starts licking my face, it's our beagle Gabby...she needs to go outside. I never want to go to Tokyo again. That was reason #4 why we NEED a vacation. Why can't I dream of Kokomo and sunsets?

Reason #3....Started out a great morning...hot breakfast, dishes done, trash taken out, ready to start school right after we hand graze the horses..to save hay we hand graze in our neighbor's pasture, his is not fenced in so we can't just let the horses out there...all goes well, they're full and happy and we put them in their stalls to give them their supplement in their buckets....we have to close their stalls while I go shut the gate....we always let them out afterwards but not today, I return that late afternoon to realize we forgot to let Lena out....for some, this is not a big deal, but Lena has never been stalled in 2 years that she's been here...so she was not happy and we were just sick that she had been cooped up all day...my mind needs a break, we're forgetting the simplest things!! poor Lena.

I think she smells a rat.

Reason #2.....Do I blame Mediacom, the feline kingdom, paranoia, or residuals of swine flu...here is my story. Grumpy had been out of town for a week and I and Ariel had swine flu...well, our cable went out ..earlier Tink was asked to run out to close the garage...she swore she heard shoe steps running away from the house...so I reassured her it was a windy night and all those stray cats come in at night (maybe they've taken to the spare shoes we left outside?)...but it did alarm me.....when the cable went out and we had not heard from Grumpy (bedtime prayers call) I began to get worried that I had no way to call for help, we have a cable phone and my cellphone almost never gets a bar here plus it was on its last battery and my only charger to be found was a car charger.
But, I reminded myself that it's just my being alone without Grumpy that has me a little more on edge....but I wasn't going to worry...but no harm in locking all the doors, making sure all the door knobs are locked as well as the dead bolts....Then as I am about to crawl into bed, I hear a sound I do NOT want to hear, a cat in mating calls...those who've heard it know it sounds like an animal dying! UGH! We have not had a chance to take the female stray to be fixed...nor the leftover kitty from the first stray cat that had kittens under our house...ugh...I RACE outside to shoo them away and realizing that I had stopped anything from happening I was very happy, until I went back to the door and realized I had locked myself out....
Oh no....then I remembered I had left the garage door just a bit open so the girl kittie could squeeze back in...making sure not to have it high enough that a home invader could make it under...CRUD! I'm no home invader, but now I need to figure a way to get under that! The garage door I KNEW was open because I had run to check to make sure that kittie was not the one squawling...so I brave the chilled air and star at the gap in the garage....will I fit???
A MacGyver moment if I've ever had one...somehow my skull fit through only at a sideways slide, managing the other curves was quite Houdiniesque...but I DID It!!!! I was sooo happy I was inside the house...laughing at my former predicament and shutting that garage so that chaotic kittie could not squawl again. As I come in, perhaps it was the remnants of flu or just shear exhaustion....but my mind erased all that had just happened as I looked out on the back screened in porch and somehow our barn cat (evil attacking cat) had entered the back porch in my late night excursion...I had to get him out or he'd battle the other kittie (did I mention I hate cats??)
I race out the door to get him out of there...and as I made it down the second step a huge "NOOOOOO" hit my brain...I did NOT just shut that door! Yes, I was locked out again. But, this time, the garage door had no crack...so I just slowly trudge out in my wet socks and know that I must not bring my 11 year old's paranoid nightmares to life by banging on her bedroom window to come open the front door....I'm sure she knew the heavy footed intruder was now rapping at her window or trying to break in...after a few minutes of politely trying to wake her up she realized it was not a dream and let me in...now, would this happen to a man?? ugh. Oh and did I mention that I had a key I had hidden 2 years ago just in case this happened?

Reason #1...I hate cats. Sure, they're all cute and cuddly then they start multiplying, we have never 'invited' or brought a cat home, and somehow we have had 7 at one time on our farm....we're down to three and I'd like to keep it that way.

 

[lmhall2000]

Potential could go Wrongs

Did I mention we're trying to get the flight that flies in at 8:55 am....it's hard enough to take the time off work, find someone to house sit 2 dogs, 3 cats, 2 horses, and get back in time for my Dad's 50th high school reunion..yes, can you believe that there are enough people to pull together one?? So, I'm a brave traveler, have driven twice in the UK without a fender bender, although I will admit the first thought that came into mind when I read the signs at the rest stops along M1 "NO FOOTBALL COACHES ALLOWED" I immediately queried (to myself thank goodness) "Why won't they let Pat Dye exit??"...and I am NOT a blonde. I managed all the round-a-bouts in London, okay, a few took me about 5 trips to exit...and I only went down one 'one way' street before I realized what that little round thing with the line in it meant...come on, why don't they just have a big X on the sign???
All that to say, I do live a little on the edge..and having not heard of any travelers who have traveled the same day and had bad results...I figured, not bad odds....well, of course, today a thread shows 4 travelers who had bad results....but I'm staying chipper and positive....there is still a chance that the best fare may force us to fly in a day early, but only if it saves us mega $$$...cause a hotel in Barcelona for 7 people does not come cheap! Well, okay, I did get a cheap deal in London on Priceline, all this planning will be so great when it's OVER!! I love the coasting until departure time leaving no planning left....

Ah....anticipation!!

Mrs. T

 

[shushh]

I am the one who is on the cruise before yours and trying to get an upgrade!

Was about to do a pre-trip report when yours caught my eye. I really enjoyed reading it!

Lots of similarities in our stories...Initially booked in a cat 4 cabin for 5 being our first cruise and knowing nothing. Then parents decided to come along and so we got 2 cabins in a lower category. Only thought about upgrading recently. We figured if we were prepared to spend that much more originally, let's try to make "that much more" pay for MUCH better room. Also doing something that may be a gamble, catching a 1025 flight home!!!

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[lmhall2000]

Shushh! I am sending loads of pixie dust and well wishes your way...it is a bit worrisome planning the way we do! Have your parents ever cruised? I think so many memories will be created it will work out...Here's hoping we get a call BEFORE the port that gives us some options! I could hear the brief hesitation in my mom's voice when she asked since the rooms only hold four would one child need to stay in their cabin! It's just not the 'gift' I wanted to give them after such a hard year,...here pick a child each night to share your romantic 47 year marriage/cabin with! I know she would do it, but I also know they want their quiet time...that's another reason for me to lose this weight, it would be doable for me to sleep in the bed with the girls...and I know I would not be the first person to meet this challenge, but if we can swing paying for an upgrade...it would be a blessing on all fronts!

10:25 flight return?? I think we have an option of a 1 or 5pm flight....but I better double check, we could be looking at that early a flight, I was more concerned about getting there than leaving! I have heard they serve breakfast promptly before 8am and want you off by then! I think you should have plenty of time on an adventurer's idea of time!

Keep me posted on your excursions...are there 7 in your party or 6?

Have a Disneytastical trip!!!
T

 

[shushh]

Hehehe, definitely an adventurer here! Sometimes it makes me laugh how conservative people are here. Each to their own however! It's quite common on the RCCL cruises that dock in Barcelona for people to catch flights before 12pm (Disney's recommended time) because RCCL's recommendation is no flight before 10am!

I think you'll be ok with arriving on the day of. The ship doesn't leave til the evening so you still have all those hours leeway... Like you, have caught many international flights my whole life and yes planes do get delayed/cancelled but most work out in the end. I was more worried about losing my luggage!

As you have written in one of your posts, that's what travel insurance is for!

We are a party of 7, the only difference is that our children are littlies. Only aged 18 months, 4 and 7 at time of cruise. Again, many have asked why we bother taking them when they are so young...sigh

My parents are experienced cruisers but have never sailed on Disney. I am a bit worried about how they will like it. But I think they have been dying to go on holidays with the children for a while so i don't think they will really care!

Well, thanks a bundle for your pixiedust! Will have to figure out a real smart way to leave you some sort of a sign....

Belinda