MSC Poesia

[Beamafar]

I'm afraid I don't 'do' FB, Ciara, but I'll keep an eye out for you, either at the airport or at the shuttle bus in Venice.

We're travelling up from Wexford, too (though we're both Dubs, just to let you know :D). We're parking the car in the Clayton Hotel (where we always park) and using their shuttle to the airport.

You certainly have the trip well planned. We've been to most of the ports a few times now, the exception being Sarande, which is the port we have an MSC excursion booked for. The ship is the destination for us this time.

I've booked with your TA before and didn't have any problems with tickets. I hope you get it resolved today; you need time to check them over to ensure everything's in order. I remember we had a similar situation with another TA (they specialise in tours; we did Lake Garda pre-cruise with a stay in Venice post-cruise). We were 5 days out before we got the tickets - it was frustrating (to say the least!). Best of luck.

About Dubrovnik ... last time we were there the taxis were charging €15 each way to the town. Better value than the shuttle and more flexible around timings, too.

Edited August 28, 2018 by Beamafar

[ciaradowlingwx]

They've arrived - much to the amusement of my colleagues here who were sort of gobsmacked at the fact I had no flight vouchers yet! Yes, Joe and I will be there after all. We're taking Wexford bus up - it's leaving Redmond Square at 1:30 am and at the Coach Park at 4 am - but we're staying over on the way back as we're not into Dublin until 1 am. Like yourselves, we're just used to doing that, habit really.

 

Well BeamAFar, I'm not from Wexford either but from Roscommon, came down here a good few years ago - so grew up on the banks of the Shannon - Joe is a native though so he can fly the flag for us !

 

Thanks for the tip on the taxi at Dubrovnik - it's worth considering. Isn't it interesting how people get something different from a cruise, like the hungry sightseeing lots, the glimpse about and the relax onboard and the beauty of each. Well hope you have yer white and 70s theme wear sorted - where are those flares ! We're trying to get our meal changed to the second sitting.

 

Let me know how you get on with the tour

 

C

 

I'm afraid I don't 'do' FB, Ciara, but I'll keep an eye out for you, either at the airport or at the shuttle bus in Venice.

We're travelling up from Wexford, too (though we're both Dubs, just to let you know :D). We're parking the car in the Clayton Hotel (where we always park) and using their shuttle to the airport.

You certainly have the trip well planned. We've been to most of the ports a few times now, the exception being Sarande, which is the port we have an MSC excursion booked for. The ship is the destination for us this time.

I've booked with your TA before and didn't have any problems with tickets. I hope you get it resolved today; you need time to check them over to ensure everything's in order. I remember we had a similar situation with another TA (they specialise in tours; we did Lake Garda pre-cruise with a stay in Venice post-cruise). We were 5 days out before we got the tickets - it was frustrating (to say the least!). Best of luck.

About Dubrovnik ... last time we were there the taxis were charging €15 each way to the town. Better value than the shuttle and more flexible around timings, too.

[Beamafar]

Delighted to hear the tickets have arrived - now you can focus on other things.

 

We're in Aurea, so have MyChoice dining this time, so we don't have to worry about what time we want to eat. We got a good deal due to a couple of discounts we'd received from MSC from a previous cruise, so it was worth it.

 

I've just come from upstairs, where I was trying to get a start on the packing. I usually have it done by now, or at least have everything sorted on the bed in the spare room. Just can't decide what to bring (or leave behind LOL!).

 

I'm curious about your plans for Venice. What do you plan to do with your luggage for the day? I'm wondering if MSC will do an excursion ending at the airport - I think I'd consider it. Otherwise, we'll just take the transfer and hang out at the airport. It's a long day, for sure, but we've done it a few times before and survived it. :rolleyes: Plenty of stuff downloaded on the iPad to watch as well as a few books to keep us occupied.

[ciaradowlingwx]

You can get the peoplemover to Piazzale Roma and there's a Baggage Deposit spot right beside the station - "Deposito Bagagli is located on the West side of Piazzale Roma next to Pullman Bar"

 

Then you just walk over to your left - there's the ACTV vaporetto where you can get a ticket into Venice (take Line 2 - Line 1 is the workhorse route) - it's 7 euro each - or 20 e for a day ticket (available from HelloVenezia or the kiosk in the middle of the square). After a great day in Venice you can get the vaperetto back to Piazzale Roma collect your bag and get the airport buses (the oranges ones in the middle of the square) - you can buy your ticket at their kiosk or office. There's some handy maps online of Piazzale Roma - show you were everything is. We plan on using the vaporette to get from St Marks to the Academia to Rialto - this is all theory - I can't say I've done this but I have researched it like I did for Barcelona last time, and it seems to work really well for us!

 

Dont' forget the adapters, and remember PMT - passport money tickets - you can get the rest on yer way around! There's some good cruise packing lists on Pinterest - I found a magnet handy to stick up the day's itinerary (the cabin walls are magnetic) and a highlighter!

 

C

 

 

 

 

Delighted to hear the tickets have arrived - now you can focus on other things.

 

I've just come from upstairs, where I was trying to get a start on the packing. I usually have it done by now, or at least have everything sorted on the bed in the spare room. Just can't decide what to bring (or leave behind LOL!).

 

I'm curious about your plans for Venice. What do you plan to do with your luggage for the day? I'm wondering if MSC will do an excursion ending at the airport - I think I'd consider it. Otherwise, we'll just take the transfer and hang out at the airport. It's a long day, for sure, but we've done it a few times before and survived it. :rolleyes: Plenty of stuff downloaded on the iPad to watch as well as a few books to keep us occupied.

[Beamafar]

You're a mine of information, Ciara! :D

 

We've been to Venice a few times, now, and wouldn't be able to direct you to St Mark's Square (although we have made our way around the place a couple of times :rolleyes:).

 

It's certainly something to consider. I'll wait 'til I see the weather before making a decision - Venice in the rain is not very pleasant.

 

I have the same approach on leaving the house - Passports ✔️ Tickets ✔️ Money & Credit Cards ✔️ We can either do without or purchase anything else we need.

 

Hope to see you next Saturday morning. :cool:

[ciaradowlingwx]

Googled most of it :-) and some of Rick Steve's books are really good - got his Med cruise ports one on kindle. Weather in Venice is going to be dry Saturday 8th, well so far it's OK and not as humid - we both visited Venice previously and I remember the crowds or people - just total chaos - it was September too.

 

A lot of folk don't like Venice at all - I didn't mind last time but I'm older and grumpier now, so maybe it will unnerve me, still I spent a day in O'Hare once with wifi and my mac, on my own! I like the idea of the baggage deposit and just making them most of the last port of call! My belated Mum was my tour guide last time - so maybe there's sentimental value in the Bridge of Sighs for me and a few sighs!!

 

see you Saturday for sure, let you get on with the packing!

 

C

 

 

 

 

 

 

You're a mine of information, Ciara! :D

 

We've been to Venice a few times, now, and wouldn't be able to direct you to St Mark's Square (although we have made our way around the place a couple of times :rolleyes:).

 

It's certainly something to consider. I'll wait 'til I see the weather before making a decision - Venice in the rain is not very pleasant.

 

Hope to see you next Saturday morning. :cool: