Did anyone else here sign up for this? My wife and I did. I think David N. said he did a while ago. I just wanted to get a discussion going about it now that the travel docs are starting to come in.

I just got the Shore Excursions order form yesterday.

Tim

I haven't sent in the final payment yet. It's not due for a while.

I haven't received anything except the invoice.

I got mail a few weeks ago telling me the final payment is due Jan 26. It will automatically be charged to my card on that date.

I received the offshore excursion list yesterday. Whew....talk about finding new ways to rack up the costs!

Final payment on Jan 26th? Ouch.

We really need to discuss pre and post cruise festivities that anybody is thinking about....if any.

Chris

I know! It's kind of annoying considering our "free air fare" cost about 700 per person because the tax ain't free. Now 200+ bucks for each shore excursion. Oh, have you cheked out the phone rates for ship to shore? Yikes that could add a thousand or 2 to the total cost for 2 weeks. My $5K vacation is now costing over 12K?

All bitching aside, let me know if you folks are signing up for any of these excursions or are there other things planned?

Tim

I am first-class sleeper-seats round-trip. It cost me about $200 plus a gazillion miles

Looking at the book I received today I only see two tours we might buy. That is the second day in Venice and the one day in Dubrovnik.

We're going to be in Venice early. Anybody want to get together Wednesday night 5/9 for an offline at Harry's. I've hosted one party there before and it is really good (really expensive too). They will bring the food family-style and one really gets to sample many things on the menu.

Of course it is mandatory that we have Champagne and peach juice that night.

Love to join you but we're arriving the same day the boat leaves. I think.

The excursions: Yes, those two look good. I like noshing! The other one I'm wondering about is the Castello del Terriccio. I think they have some pretty good wines though I've never had one. I do love Super Tuscans but I'm hesitant because I wonder if our time would be better spent elsewhere.

We should get a hold of Ed and/or Michael and see what the unnofficial schedule is for wine jaunts. Chris, are you going to talk to either of them soon?

Tim

I'm having dinner with Ed and Michelle tonight. I'll bring the book.

I'll be talking with Dan more in depth about this over Presidents Weekend. Tim....did you see the thread on the party up in the RRV area? Should be a blast if you can swing it. It's Dan that's going on the cruise...not Michael.

David....looking forward to your report back after talking with Ed. I may join you for that offline in Venice....we are still trying to figure out when we are leaving though. I think I'll likely end up taking the credit and booking other flights. I'm going to be in hawk for this trip anyway....why not break the bank!

Chris

Nothing to report on the trip from last night.

We didn't come up with any solution as to which tour to go on. But our mouths were certainly full of some solution.

Maybe SuperBowl.

Some solution? I'm guessing lots of different solutions

Tim

Looking at booking our flights pretty quick here. Looks like we are going to fly out on May 7th (arriving May 8th in Venice) and then departing from Rome on the 24th early.

David, are you still planning on a dinner on the 9th? How soon are you flying in?

I think we will do the Dubrovnik trip, as well as Pompeii trip as the add-ons.

Chris

Our flights are booked now.  We arrive in Venice on May 8th at 1:40PM.  Still trying to book a hotel room.  We will be flying back from Rome on May 24th at 6:45AM (ouch).

We will be planning on dinner on the evening of the 8th with David and Tricia N.  We are planning on hitting Murano and Burano on the 9th....anybody up for joining us?

Chris

United 926
Departs SAN FRANCISCO MON 7 MAY 6:55P
Arrives FRANKFURT TUE 8 MAY 3:00P
3E, 3F
777


LUFTHANSA 4088
Departs FRANKFURT TUE 8 MAY 5:30P
Arrives VENICE TUE 8 MAY 6:45P Class
CONNOISSEUR 3A, 3C
737

---------------------------------------------------------------

LUFTHANSA 3845
Departs ROME/FIUMICINO THU 24 MAY 2:45P
Arrives FRANKFURT THU 24 MAY 4:45P
CONNOISSEUR


United 901
Departs FRANKFURT SAT 26 MAY 1:45P
Arrives SAN FRANCISCO SAT 26 MAY 4:12P
4E, 4F
747

---------------------------------------------------------

Venice: Hotel Danieli
Rome: Majestic
Frankfurt: Frankfurter Hof Steigenberger

You guys are going to have a great time. I wish we could join you. Our trip will be much shorter - we will wave at you over Italy as we will be in Piedmont May 5-12. Gotta kill some Barolo.

It's getting close! We'll be arriving on the 9'th at 12:00noon. Probably get to the ship around 2 or 2:30 for boarding? We'll be in room 7014 (Deck 7).

Chris, looking forward to seeing you and Kim again. David, looking forward to meeting you and your wife.

I've read nothing but high praise for the Oceana cruise line and their staff in the cruise forums.

Tim & Erica

I hope you guys post from the ship. Sounds like fun. Have a great trip!

Hey guys - my friend Karin and a couple of her friends from Houston are also going on the cruise so you guys are going to have a hopping good time.

Davidn - you probably remember Karin (and her tipsy friend) from the Santa Barbara Wine Cask dinner a couple of years ago.

Tim,

How did you find out what room you were in?  Not that it matters at this point....just curious.

We arrive in Venice on the 8th.  You can't board the ship on the 9th though....it won't be there until the 10th.  If you are flying in on the 9th you'll need a hotel room.

We are staying at the Villa Igea.  Ed and Michelle are also staying there on the 9th.  We are planning on hitting dinner with David N that evening.

We should talk this weekend to finalize some plans.  Can't wait to get to Italy!

As far as posting from the ship, I am going to give the computer a break for this trip.  Three weeks and no computer...that will be a first!

Looking forward to meeting your friends Winetex!

Chris

Scratch my question regarding the stateroom....we are in 6024.

Chris