Was wondering if anyone else will be with us on this sailing..We are very excited even though we have to wait a year..we are going to be with quite a large group that we have become friendly with, many of whom are sailing in the AFT......

Mel

Hi Mel,

This is one quiet thread.  Happily we know where the real party is taking place <g>.

Jim

Hi,

we are going to sail 10/03/09 it is our second time on this iterinary.

We were booked on the Liberty but she was cancelled.

There would be 2 families of 3.

We are going to celebrate my sister's honey moon.

Well i just might be on this one or on the OCt 15 cruise. So what should i expect?????

I think the Oct 3rd sailing is the one to go for..Why you may ask, well not only are we going to visit some amazing ports of call but there is a bunch of great people going!! If you check the roll call at cruisecritic dot com and look under this sailing date!!  We have a lot of tours and fun activities plan if you want to join in one or all of them, plus, someone is there chatting at least once a day and will help pass the time!!

See you there..Mel

many people from the Liberty have switched to this sailing!! If you check the posting I sent you will find us al!!!l

well like I said this is our second time we did this cruise in October 2007.

Be prepare to walk a lot, there are plenty excursions on this trip, we did not buy much from Carnival we did a lot by ourselve.

You can easily rent a car at the port and explore the Europe.

Food and entertainment on the boat is great as ususall.

We have sailed many times with Carnival in the Carribean.  This is our first mediterranean cruise.  I realized that we should make the most out of this trip due to the distance and location.  I have just started researching the ports over the internet and reading the reviews from past cruisers.  Would you have any advice regarding private tours before or after the cruise?

Thanks, Ben 

I echo the comments of thmnms:  the 3 Oct 09 sailing is the one to book on both because of the wonderful ports-of-call and because of the very active, very well organized, group of fellow cruisers.

Jim

Before cruise I am not sure, becuase we rented an appartment near Vatican for 4 days and we just enjoyed Rome going usual tourist's places.

Europe is safe and we had no problems.

You can get everything on your own, english is not a problem in Europe.

After the cruise we took train from Chivitavechia back to Rome and enjoyed the city one more day going to Collisseo and local restaurants (we left our laggage at the Termini station, very convenient and not expensive)

HI Ben,

There is lots of discussion on pre and post cruise touring taking place on the Cruise Critic thread for this particular cruise.  This is our first Mediterranean cruise as well and we are planning a short pre-cruise visit to Florence and a post-cruise stay in Rome.  E-mail me directly if you wish:  jim.eakins@ns.sympatico.ca

Jim

Thanks for your comments.  I have been reading many cruise critics reviews and sort of have an idea of what to do.  We plan to arrive a few days early before the cruise and tour Rome.  I get the feeling that many cruisers try and make the most out of the trip by hiring private tours in Naples and Livorno.  Is this recommended and would the private tour companies group you with other couples?

Ben 

The private tour company our group has engaged is providing the service for us alone.

Again, if you come over to the Cruise Critic Members Only Roll Call for the Carnival Dream (October 3, 2009 Grand Med. Back of the Bus Dream Team Tour thread) you will find 70 pages of discussion on this particular cruise and answers to all of your questions.

BTW, I am not trying to take business away from the Carnival Connections site or to advertise for Cruise Critic:  I am simply playing traffic cop and pointing you to the most active site for this particular cruise.

 Jim

 we will be on that ship.  was on the liberty, now we are on the dream.  looking forward to the new ship.  second time to rome, but looking to do other things in some of the different ports.

frank &  rose 

 My husband and I,   from Toronto, as well as 2 friends from Scotland will be on the Carnival Dream,  Oct 3 sailing. We are very excited but all 4 of us are first time cruisers. Before we book the very expensive Carnival tours,   I will check out cruise critic for some alternatives. This is all so new to me. I would appreciate any help in this area.  Jaz