We booked with Nancy with the cruise mates group. I read a travel blog and ran across it. We were interested and started emailing with Nancy and decided to go for it. Our first in the Med also. We have done many sailings with Princess, but our last one from Quebec to New York will be just that ~ our last one with Princess. Every tour was horribly crowded, so much so that you were told you had 15-20 minutes at the site and there were already five busses from Princess already there. We were terribly disappointed. We did one to Alaska and it was totally great. Our best sailings have been with Viking on two river cruises. But we have always done our travels with another couple, never with a large group. Wondering if it works differently, or does everyone go off on their merry way?
Hi,
We are planning to go on our own merry way for the most part. There has not been much activity on this board but on another popular board there has bee a wee bit more posts. On that board many are doing private excursions but have asked people to joing them as sometimes they need 10 people or whatever to get the group. I think you will enjoy working with Nancy. I have been dealing with her since 1999.
We are planning to go on our own merry way for the most part. There has not been much activity on this board but on another popular board there has bee a wee bit more posts. On that board many are doing private excursions but have asked people to joing them as sometimes they need 10 people or whatever to get the group. I think you will enjoy working with Nancy. I have been dealing with her since 1999.
It seems my "notifications" got turned off on this thread but I see that we have more folks on board.
I am happy to see that Ray and his Grandson will be joining us.
We are still waiting to finalize our air flights. Betty and I will be spending four to six weeks in Europe after the cruise. It keeps getting longer as more relatives hear that we are coming. We aren't sure just "when" we are returning and from "where".
In regards to the cruise. Who is interested in doing a two day tour of Rome? We would return to the ship in the evening so no overnight hotel would be required. We used RomeLimo last year and had a great time. This year we would like to have one day seeing the highlights of Rome and one day at the Vatican.
Take care,
Mike
__________________ Cruisemates Community Leader/Moderator
"There is a great difference between being well traveled and just having been to many places." ~Me
My husband and I would be very interested in doing a two day tour of Rome. You said this year we would likely have one day seeing the highlights of Rome and one day at the Vatican. Sounds wonderful!
It seems my "notifications" got turned off on this thread but I see that we have more folks on board.
I am happy to see that Ray and his Grandson will be joining us.
We are still waiting to finalize our air flights. Betty and I will be spending four to six weeks in Europe after the cruise. It keeps getting longer as more relatives hear that we are coming. We aren't sure just "when" we are returning and from "where".
In regards to the cruise. Who is interested in doing a two day tour of Rome? We would return to the ship in the evening so no overnight hotel would be required. We used RomeLimo last year and had a great time. This year we would like to have one day seeing the highlights of Rome and one day at the Vatican.
Take care,
Mike
Mike,
My husband and I are booked for this cruise, but booked separately from your group. However, you had said that anyone can join in your activities. We are VERY interested in hearing about a two-day Rome tour! I hope that it would be possible for us to participate. Please let me know.
Just want to let you know that they have replaced Naples with a stop at Salerno. It is close enough to still to tours in Naples, but looks like it is an exciting port for those who have already been to Naples.
I did not have anything booked for Naples but Salerno will be a good substitute.
Take care,
Mike
__________________ Cruisemates Community Leader/Moderator
"There is a great difference between being well traveled and just having been to many places." ~Me
But there was never a stop in Naples--I'm confused--are you talking about the 6/27 Carnival Breeze sailing? Also--was there any interest in the two-day Rome tours?
But there was never a stop in Naples--I'm confused--are you talking about the 6/27 Carnival Breeze sailing? Also--was there any interest in the two-day Rome tours?
I believe it was a mistake. Our itinerary has not changed.
We booked with Nancy with the cruise mates group. I read a travel blog and ran across it. We were interested and started emailing with Nancy and decided to go for it. Our first in the Med also. We have done many sailings with Princess, but our last one from Quebec to New York will be just that ~ our last one with Princess. Every tour was horribly crowded, so much so that you were told you had 15-20 minutes at the site and there were already five busses from Princess already there. We were terribly disappointed. We did one to Alaska and it was totally great. Our best sailings have been with Viking on two river cruises. But we have always done our travels with another couple, never with a large group. Wondering if it works differently, or does everyone go off on their merry way?
Sorry to hear that you've decided to leave Princess. Not sure that you would find a different experience with any other mainstream cruise line's excursions. I've been on about 25 Princess cruises (and about 35 in total), and don't remember the last time I booked an excursion through the cruise lines.
This is our first time participating in a group cruise, although we were on the same ship as a Cruisemates group cruise a few years ago (Carnival Freedom transatlantic). We had an aft wrap balcony on that cruise, and are very glad we got one on the Breeze also. We've been using Nancy as our TA for years, and she does a great job. Very much looking forward to meeting her on the Breeze.
Three of us (out of our party of 5) have done the Med a few times (the transatlantic and a cruise from Istanbul to Barcelona). We've been to all of our stops except Marseilles and Messina. On our other Med cruises, we were able to hook up with others through the roll call on Cruise Mates and/or the "other popular board" mentioned previously (there is more activity on the "other popular board" thread) and put together groups to share privately arranged excursions.
We are planning on doing most of the stops on our own (train to/from Rome with an apartment for the night, train to/from Florence, vaporetto pass in Venice, cab from the port to the medieval city of Dubrovnik). Undecided on Messina and Marseilles (although we are open to sharing an excursion). Suggest getting Rick Steve's book on Mediterranean Cruise Ports--has guidance on all our stops except Messina.
I've also done a Viking River Cruise (China), and absolutely loved it. We had been considering an Egypt/Nile river cruise this summer, but decided that this Carnival cruise worked better. Also want to do a Russian river cruise since my father and my youngest daughter come from Russia.
I'd suggest that you allow yourself plenty of time in Barcelona (pre or post cruise). It is a fabulous city. We are going to be there 3 days pre cruise and 2 days post. I definitely plan on bringing some cava and spanich reds on board. Does anyone know if Carnival is very strict about limiting the amount of wine you can bring on to 1 bottle per adult?
I have begun to work on my flights. Looks like I will go out of MIA and return that way. My son is booking for me he can get a better deal than I can. Will be on to let you all know when we have the confirmations. Going over on 23rd June and coming back on 9th July. The flight time out of BCN is 11:50 AM so that helps in getting from the port to the airport in Barcelona.
__________________
RayB
I Sail The Carnival Dream.
The Royal Princess Transatlantic.
I sail The Crown Princess to The Southern Caribbean.
All is confirmed now. We fly on 23rd June MCO to MIA then MIA to BCN on AA. all the way. That is good having one Airline then Baggage is less apted to get lost.
Confirmed 2 days 24th and 25th in Hilton Barcelona. Then we move over to Nancy's Hotel when she selects one.
Robert is setting up his route.
Whoopee we is going cruising on Carnival Breeze.
__________________
RayB
I Sail The Carnival Dream.
The Royal Princess Transatlantic.
I sail The Crown Princess to The Southern Caribbean.
All is confirmed now. We fly on 23rd June MCO to MIA then MIA to BCN on AA. all the way. That is good having one Airline then Baggage is less apted to get lost.
Confirmed 2 days 24th and 25th in Hilton Barcelona. Then we move over to Nancy's Hotel when she selects one.
Robert is setting up his route.
Whoopee we is going cruising on Carnival Breeze.
Wonderful news Ray. It's going to be a fun time. I know that this leg will be better by then. It better be. I don't have any intention of not being able to see all the places.
We are still in a holding pattern with airfare. Still waiting to find out where and when we are going after the cruise. We know we're going to Poland, Germany and England after the cruise but coordinating with the relatives on how long in each place.
Take care,
Mike
__________________ Cruisemates Community Leader/Moderator
"There is a great difference between being well traveled and just having been to many places." ~Me
I have a question about Messina. Who's been there before and what is a "must see"? I've never been and need to do some more research to maximize the amount of time we have there.
Take care,
Mike
__________________ Cruisemates Community Leader/Moderator
"There is a great difference between being well traveled and just having been to many places." ~Me
Hmmm, my original invoice shows March 15th. I guess things have changed. Go by whatever Nancy says.
Take care,
Mike
Mine did also, but when I emailed her today, she said it was due by the 25th. I figure she knows what she is doing and will handle whatever has to be done.
Sorry cannot help about Messina as we have never done the Med.
So glad to find thread on Breeze . We are coming in on the 24 th and staying a couple of days after cruise. We are very intrested in doing some tours with the group and the 2 day one in Rome sounds good also. Mike will your tours be the same ones as Nancy is putting together? Also have you stayed at this Hilton before? do you Recomend it.? Thanks for any info .
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