First time to the Med..Disney Magic 11 Nights....lots of questions.....

[tontok]

The itinerary seems wonderful, what do my fellow cruise critics think, has anybody done this sailing?

Will there be as many kids onboard as in the Caribbean and Bahamas?

We are currently booked in an oceanview, yesterday my travel agent notified me that we could upgrade to a balcony guarentee for $150 less than what we are currently paying for the oceanview, are there any bad balconies on this ship, should I switch to the balcony guarantee?

Has anybody ever used AirEuropa to fly to Barcelona, they seem to be considerably cheaper than the other airlines, how were they?

Since this is our first time ever going to Europe, please feel free to reply with any advice you may have to make this the best vacation ever!!!!

 

 

Here are my thoughts about the 2010 cruise I took:

 

I have been to Europe many times but last year took my first Disney cruise sailing 9/8 which was the last Med cruise before the TA. This was my first solo cruise and was the BEST trip I have ever taken.

 

If I had to do it again, I would most definately fly in the day before because I was so delayed then was rushing because of a tropical storm that came ashore in my home town Houston.

 

They announced at sailoff that this was a rare Disney cruise where the adults outnumbered the kids. I think it was 300 kids and over 2,000 adults. I met up with other singles and had a blast!

 

I had an inside cabin and did not spend any time in it except a few hours to sleep so I did not miss having a balcony.

 

I hope I have another great time on the May 17 Alaska cruise!!

[Disneynut66]

Yes we have sailed the Magic and loved it. The adult pool area is great. MUCH better than the adult area on the Liberty. PLuses and minuses between the two. I thought the food on Liberty was pretty darn good but no cruise line has equaled the food quality of Disney IMO. I also love changing restaurants every night. I think that's great. I am not so patiently awaiting the announcement for June 2012 and am hoping that one of the Disney ships will cruise the dates and places we are hoping to go in the Med.

 

We loved our Deluxe Family cabin on Disney but we really really loved the JS/D1 category on Liberty! Our kids will be 15 and 12 when we go to the Med and I would really love 2 separate cabins but don't want to break the bank. It's affordable on RCI but not so much on Disney.

 

I am really itching to try the Dream though!! I'll have to watch for deals...

 

We booked a deluxe family cabin for our sailing on the Magic on the 20/7/11 and we changed it to one inside cabin for the kids and just opposite we have a deluxe verandah cabin and it was $1000 LESS!! So now we get 2 bathrooms and 2 cabins, I couldn't beleive it either but it's true!

[BACON227]

Right now I am scheduled for the early seating. According to the Disney website it looks like early seating is 545pm and the late is 815pm.

 

Is this the same in the Med? If I switch to the late seating will my shows be before dinner instead of after?

 

545 just seems way to early........

[jelbnl]

Right now I am scheduled for the early seating. According to the Disney website it looks like early seating is 545pm and the late is 815pm.

 

Is this the same in the Med? If I switch to the late seating will my shows be before dinner instead of after?

 

545 just seems way to early........

 

Yes, your show would be at 6:30 with dinner being at 8:15. Times are the same in the Med as they are here in the Caribbean. those with early seating sometimes miss most of their meal due to some of the late excursion return times. They are still encouraged to come to early seating though.

[BACON227]

Yes, your show would be at 6:30 with dinner being at 8:15. Times are the same in the Med as they are here in the Caribbean. those with early seating sometimes miss most of their meal due to some of the late excursion return times. They are still encouraged to come to early seating though.

 

 

Thanks for the info. That was my exact concern, missing out on port time or missing dinner all together on which would be quite a few times due to excursions in port. How late do you think they would allow you to show up for the early seating if your on a late returning excursion?

[jelbnl]

Thanks for the info. That was my exact concern, missing out on port time or missing dinner all together on which would be quite a few times due to excursions in port. How late do you think they would allow you to show up for the early seating if your on a late returning excursion?

 

No idea, as we had late seating. Though I think any of the DCL excursions were back by 6ish, so I believe the latest people were showing up for dinner was around 6:30, but when we sailed, dining time were 6 and 8:30, so people were only showing up about 30 min late......

[tontok]

I thought this as well but on the nights that we were in port late, such as Rome and Naples, Disney moved the dinner times later in the night. When the excursion in Rome arrived back in port, a crew member would board the busses and announce to the guests that the dinner times for both seatings were moved later.

[BACON227]

I thought this as well but on the nights that we were in port late, such as Rome and Naples, Disney moved the dinner times later in the night. When the excursion in Rome arrived back in port, a crew member would board the busses and announce to the guests that the dinner times for both seatings were moved later.

 

 

Wow, that is great. I wonder if they do that on all the cruises. I'm thinking of switching specifically because of those two ports. I guess you had to go right to dinner in whatever you were wearing on the excursion? Did they mind if you were in shorts?

Thanks for that info, I just found out the 2nd seating on my cruise is waitlisted, so now I feel a little better about the early seating.

[tontok]

I guess you had to go right to dinner in whatever you were wearing on the excursion? Did they mind if you were in shorts?

 

After the crew member boarded our bus to make the dinner announcement, we all went to our rooms to drop off our daypacks, changed and went straight to dinner.

 

At dinner, it was cruise casual so the ladies in my group wore nice jeans or capris with nice tops or casual dresses. The men wore dockers and a polo/oxford shirt. Overall I thought that all the passengers dressed well and I only noticed one time that there was a man in shorts/Tshirt/ball cap at dinner.

 

I can remember being totally exhausted after the Rome and Naples day trips, partly because it was so hot in September. I have been to Rome many times and even had 2 extended city stays (3 weeks) and it was never so hot. (In Rome, my pedometer registered that we had walked 15 miles (I did the Rome On Your Own excursion)). Even during the Jubilee year it was not as crowded as last year.

[BACON227]

Was on the computer last night at midnight booking excursions. So far we have the following excursions through Disney booked, I figured I would grab them while they were available, but we are still open for suggestions...

 

Rome: Best of Rome

Naples: Almafi Coast and Ruins of Pompei

La Spezia: Florence & Pisa

Villafranche: Monoco, Monte Carlo, Eze

 

In Naples I'm debating switching to an excursion that goes to Capri, is it worth it?

[jelbnl]

Was on the computer last night at midnight booking excursions. So far we have the following excursions through Disney booked, I figured I would grab them while they were available, but we are still open for suggestions...

 

Rome: Best of Rome

Naples: Almafi Coast and Ruins of Pompei

La Spezia: Florence & Pisa

Villafranche: Monoco, Monte Carlo, Eze

 

In Naples I'm debating switching to an excursion that goes to Capri, is it worth it?

 

We did Flavors of Sorrento and Timeless Pompeii I can't recommend it enough!!! It was the BEST excursion. You go to a farm above Sorrento and you have the best meal of your life!!! You also get a couple of hours in Sorrento to wander around. You won't be disappointed!!!!

[grand isle joe]

Was on the computer last night at midnight booking excursions. So far we have the following excursions through Disney booked, I figured I would grab them while they were available, but we are still open for suggestions...

 

Rome: Best of Rome

Naples: Almafi Coast and Ruins of Pompei

La Spezia: Florence & Pisa

Villafranche: Monoco, Monte Carlo, Eze

 

In Naples I'm debating switching to an excursion that goes to Capri, is it worth it?

 

We also did Almalfi trip in 2oo7. Best excursion in Naples by far. As jelbnl states the farm and guided tour of Pompeii is fabulous. Been to Capri on another line and you actually can just get off the ship and the ferry is located at the base of the pier for Capri. Go with Almalfi unless you need to buy some Guicci or Rolex.then go to Capri. Also did the Florence and Pisa. A bit of a drive but you see the marble quarries off the highway. Florence is great but you only get an overview, some public artworks going back to the masters as well as the Duomo and a very nice lunch. Ours was 5 course. Pisa is good to see and play the "holding up" the bell tower pose. Did not have enough time to climb to the top though. We chose "Timeless Rome" and the "Vatican" tour. Both were very good with the tour guide being excellent. We also did the Monoco tour. Monoco is pretty but IMHO overrated. Glad I saw it. Eze we loved. Timeless mountaintown so bring plenty of camera chips. On Malta we took the island tour that got us into the St. John's cathedral which should not be missed. then we were taken to an archeology site that dates back pre historic. Later we had a great meal in a little restaurant overlooking the Med. On Corsica we took the island tour that circled the island. Curvy roads that at most times are only one lane with no guard rails. Great views and included a nice lunch. Sicily we took the Palermo tour which was O.K. and gave you a nice overview of the history of Palermo.

[BACON227]

We did Flavors of Sorrento and Timeless Pompeii I can't recommend it enough!!! It was the BEST excursion. You go to a farm above Sorrento and you have the best meal of your life!!! You also get a couple of hours in Sorrento to wander around. You won't be disappointed!!!!

 

 

jelbnl,

 

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check that one out also. I had heard that a drive of the Almafi coast was not to be missed. Since this is our first visit and who knows when we will be back I want to make sure we are seeing the best of the best. I know fellow CCer's opinions can always be trusted, I have never gone wrong following them.

[BACON227]

We also did Almalfi trip in 2oo7. Best excursion in Naples by far. As jelbnl states the farm and guided tour of Pompeii is fabulous. Been to Capri on another line and you actually can just get off the ship and the ferry is located at the base of the pier for Capri. Go with Almalfi unless you need to buy some Guicci or Rolex.then go to Capri. Also did the Florence and Pisa. A bit of a drive but you see the marble quarries off the highway. Florence is great but you only get an overview, some public artworks going back to the masters as well as the Duomo and a very nice lunch. Ours was 5 course. Pisa is good to see and play the "holding up" the bell tower pose. Did not have enough time to climb to the top though. We chose "Timeless Rome" and the "Vatican" tour. Both were very good with the tour guide being excellent. We also did the Monoco tour. Monoco is pretty but IMHO overrated. Glad I saw it. Eze we loved. Timeless mountaintown so bring plenty of camera chips. On Malta we took the island tour that got us into the St. John's cathedral which should not be missed. then we were taken to an archeology site that dates back pre historic. Later we had a great meal in a little restaurant overlooking the Med. On Corsica we took the island tour that circled the island. Curvy roads that at most times are only one lane with no guard rails. Great views and included a nice lunch. Sicily we took the Palermo tour which was O.K. and gave you a nice overview of the history of Palermo.

 

 

Thanks Grand Isle Joe,

 

It looks like you used ship excursions everywhere you went. I was debating on researching how to do these ports on our own, but I have a feeling that even though the Disney excursions are expensive, you get what you pay for. I'm sure they do a fantastic job.....it's Disney.

 

From what you are saying it sounds like the trip to Capri would not be worth it. After paying for this trip, there won"t be much shopping on this cruise, at least not for Gucci and Rolex!!!!!!! Did you take the same excursion that I have booked?

 

Do you have any other suggestions for Florence and Pisa. I chose the excursion I did because it looked like it covered alot "must sees".

 

I picked the excursion in Villafranche because it looked like it covered the major areas, Monoco, Monte Carlo and especially Eze, the pictures I have seen of Eze are incredible. Do you have any other recommendations here?

 

So far I have nothing booked for Sicily, Malta or Corsica, so I will check the ones you mentioned. Do you remember the names of the tours in Corsica and Malta?

 

Thanks for all the great info you have given me. By the way, we arrive in Barcelona on the 7th, any suggestions there? We are staying at a hotel in the Las Ramblas area, according to our travel agent it is ideally located in the middle of everything.

[grand isle joe]

Thanks Grand Isle Joe,

 

It looks like you used ship excursions everywhere you went. I was debating on researching how to do these ports on our own, but I have a feeling that even though the Disney excursions are expensive, you get what you pay for. I'm sure they do a fantastic job.....it's Disney.

 

I feel that logistically Disney is our choice just for the fact that everyone we have been on has been first class. Plus we always worry about delays to return to the ship. In Corsica one of the Disney buses was in a fender bender and the ship did wait for the return of the group. We left about 45 min. late that evening. La Spezia was the former base of the Italian Navy and a good drive from Pisa and Florence. Civitavecchia is also a distance from Rome but there is a railroad station close to the pier that does go to downtown Rome. Villefranche can be explored right off the pier and there is a shuttle that goes to Nice. Malta is also an easy taxi ride or shuttle to the historic district.

 

From what you are saying it sounds like the trip to Capri would not be worth it. After paying for this trip, there won"t be much shopping on this cruise, at least not for Gucci and Rolex!!!!!!! Did you take the same excursion that I have booked?

 

Yes we did the same excursion as you. LOVED IT. To date one of our favorites. Capri is a beautiful island but IMHO worth putting off until a return trip much like we did.

 

Do you have any other suggestions for Florence and Pisa. I chose the excursion I did because it looked like it covered alot "must sees".

 

We did the same excursion you selected the first time and was a great intro into the beauty of the cities.Yes you travel most of the historic center of Florence and the guide was superb. Last time we chose Portofino and Margherita which was very nice but glad we selected Florence and Pisa our first time around.

 

 

I picked the excursion in Villafranche because it looked like it covered the major areas, Monoco, Monte Carlo and especially Eze, the pictures I have seen of Eze are incredible. Do you have any other recommendations here?

 

Your selection was ours and Eze is the superstar of the trip in my opinion. Monte Carlo casino was nice to see(I'm not into gambling) and the ride along the coastal highway is scenic. sit on the passenger side of the bus for the views of the Med.

 

So far I have nothing booked for Sicily, Malta or Corsica, so I will check the ones you mentioned. Do you remember the names of the tours in Corsica and Malta?

 

In Malta we chose Highlights of Malta which was a great overview and tour of the rich history of Malta. Be sure to wake early and enjoy the sail into the historic port that dates back to the Pelepinisions (sp?) and beyond. One of the best sail in ports next to Venice in my opinion. Corsica we chose "les Calanches" which consisted of a bus tour around the island with stops at beautiful view points as well as lunch in a bay side rest. which was quite quaint.

 

Thanks for all the great info you have given me. By the way, we arrive in Barcelona on the 7th, any suggestions there? We are staying at a hotel in the Las Ramblas area, according to our travel agent it is ideally located in the middle of everything.

 

Hop on the Tourist bus that circles the city in three loops. One pass and you hop on and hop off all you want. They have head phones that describe the areas and features you are passing in most languages. Las Ramblas is a treat with an open market located off the area that is a fun stroll. Mount Serrate is outside the city and they do run day trips as well as a railway. Loved Barcelona so much. Foods are wonderful and easy to navigate around the city. We took the subway which is easy. Unfortunately it is known for pick pockets so take percautions. We never had any problems but just be aware. Perfect place to stay in Barcelona. :)

[jelbnl]

Thanks Grand Isle Joe,

 

It looks like you used ship excursions everywhere you went. I was debating on researching how to do these ports on our own, but I have a feeling that even though the Disney excursions are expensive, you get what you pay for. I'm sure they do a fantastic job.....it's Disney.

 

From what you are saying it sounds like the trip to Capri would not be worth it. After paying for this trip, there won"t be much shopping on this cruise, at least not for Gucci and Rolex!!!!!!! Did you take the same excursion that I have booked?

 

Do you have any other suggestions for Florence and Pisa. I chose the excursion I did because it looked like it covered alot "must sees".

 

I picked the excursion in Villafranche because it looked like it covered the major areas, Monoco, Monte Carlo and especially Eze, the pictures I have seen of Eze are incredible. Do you have any other recommendations here?

 

So far I have nothing booked for Sicily, Malta or Corsica, so I will check the ones you mentioned. Do you remember the names of the tours in Corsica and Malta?

 

Thanks for all the great info you have given me. By the way, we arrive in Barcelona on the 7th, any suggestions there? We are staying at a hotel in the Las Ramblas area, according to our travel agent it is ideally located in the middle of everything.

We didn't go to Sicily last year, so I can't help you. In Malta we did some sort of treasure hunt and it was a lot of fun, but it was more for our kids. In Corsica we just went to the beach and used it as a down day, as we were exhausted from all the Italy ports. In Villefrance, we did Wine and Cheese and Eze. You go to Nice and get a tour of Nice, and go wine tasting there. After that you head off to Eze. Eze is beautiful, but since it's in the mountains there is the possibility of fog settling in and not being able to see anything at the top. The tour doesn't meet until 1:45 on the pier (at least for us), so we took the train into Monaco ourselves in the morning. It's about a 15 minute ride and we enjoyed it. We used private tours in both La Spezia (we wanted to climb the tower AND go to Florence DCL doesn't offer that) and in Rome. Both were failures IMO, as they were more drivers that tour guides. I did hear good reviews of the DCL ones, so you're in good hands!

[BACON227]

We didn't go to Sicily last year, so I can't help you. In Malta we did some sort of treasure hunt and it was a lot of fun, but it was more for our kids. In Corsica we just went to the beach and used it as a down day, as we were exhausted from all the Italy ports. In Villefrance, we did Wine and Cheese and Eze. You go to Nice and get a tour of Nice, and go wine tasting there. After that you head off to Eze. Eze is beautiful, but since it's in the mountains there is the possibility of fog settling in and not being able to see anything at the top. The tour doesn't meet until 1:45 on the pier (at least for us), so we took the train into Monaco ourselves in the morning. It's about a 15 minute ride and we enjoyed it. We used private tours in both La Spezia (we wanted to climb the tower AND go to Florence DCL doesn't offer that) and in Rome. Both were failures IMO, as they were more drivers that tour guides. I did hear good reviews of the DCL ones, so you're in good hands!

 

 

It definitely seems like people that have taken a mix of private excursions and excursions through Disney are usually disappointed in the private and wish they had booked all through Disney. Especially since I don"t know much about the area, it's our first time and I'm guessing we may run into some language barriers I think the ship excursions are going to be the way to go.

[BACON227]

Hop on the Tourist bus that circles the city in three loops. One pass and you hop on and hop off all you want. They have head phones that describe the areas and features you are passing in most languages. Las Ramblas is a treat with an open market located off the area that is a fun stroll. Mount Serrate is outside the city and they do run day trips as well as a railway. Loved Barcelona so much. Foods are wonderful and easy to navigate around the city. We took the subway which is easy. Unfortunately it is known for pick pockets so take percautions. We never had any problems but just be aware. Perfect place to stay in Barcelona. :)

 

 

I heard about the pickposkets. I heard they are bad in Rome also. The bus tour sounds great. Is Mount Serrate worth dedicating a day to go see. We arrive in Barcelona on the 7th about 3pm and we leave on the cruise on the 9th. So we pretty much have a day and a half to do Barcelona. I guess if we really wanted to we didn"t have to board the ship till the afternoon which would give us some time on the 9th also.

[bigbootee]

It definitely seems like people that have taken a mix of private excursions and excursions through Disney are usually disappointed in the private and wish they had booked all through Disney. Especially since I don"t know much about the area, it's our first time and I'm guessing we may run into some language barriers I think the ship excursions are going to be the way to go.

 

We were on the same cruise as Lori and we booked a mixture of disney and privaste excursions. We had a great time. I would point out that you can do Corsica on your own. We just walked around Ajiacco with the kids, checked out the market and ate at a cafe. It was fun.

[tontok]

I have been to Europe many times so I feel comfortable doing things on my own. I did a mixture of Disney Excursions and my own thing.

 

Barcelona - Day trip to Montserrat. I absolutely LOVED this. I was completely blown away by the cathedral. The day I was there they were having their famous boy's choir perform. I spent so much time in the church that I missed the lunch that was included.

 

Malta - Did my own thing since they speak English and Magic docks in town. Walked to St John's Co-cathedral, St Paul's Shipwreck church then walked around.

 

Tunis - Disney Overview 1/2 day tour. Better than what I thought. A nice day.

 

Naples - Hike Mt Versuvius, Pizza, and Pompeii tour. Nice day but hot wish I would have had a hat in Pompeii.

 

Rome - Rome on Your Own tour - They drop you right outside the Vatican. I visited San Clemente, St John Lateran, Trevi, Vatican, and other churches. My friend did the most expensive tour in Rome and she lost her group at Trevi. She eventually got with a different Disney tour group. Hot and totally exhausted this day.

 

La Spezia - I took the Cinque Terra tour because I did not want to spend alot of time on a bus to Florence. My friend took this tour and she said that there was not too much time available to shop and there was not a restroom break until she demanded one. They spent a long time eating lunch which she finally skipped to shop. I have climbed the tower before in Pisa and enjoyed that.

 

Ajaccio - Turtle Preserve (only tour I have ever been on that was a waste of money)

 

Villefranche - Train to Nice and walk to Chagall and Matisse museum.

[BACON227]

We were on the same cruise as Lori and we booked a mixture of disney and privaste excursions. We had a great time. I would point out that you can do Corsica on your own. We just walked around Ajiacco with the kids, checked out the market and ate at a cafe. It was fun.

 

Are there any must sees in Corsica that you can suggest? Is everything pretty close to the port(walking distance) as compared to the sites in all the other ports?

[BACON227]

Here's a general DCL question for the frequent DCL cruisers.

I originally booked my trip onboard. I booked an oceanview cabin and received 20% off the price and $200 SBC for booking on board.

 

As you may have read in a previous post, Disney had a price drop for balcony cabins so I changed my reservation to a balcony guarentee and am now paying less than I was for the oceanview.

 

Disney now says I am no longer entitled to the 20% off or the $200 SBC, just want to make sure they are correct on that. I thought I read somewhere that people make ghost bookings while onboard just to secure the discount and SBC then eventually apply it to another cruise.

 

Just trying to make sure I am not loosing something I shouldn't.

[Almagetty]

If I'm not mistaken, those balcony guarantee deals that Disney is offering now are highly restricted and not combinable with any other discounts. They are also for new bookings only, so your original bookings that was made onboard was cancelled and you got a brand new "new" booking for your balcony.

 

But, you still got a great deal anyway! A balcony for less than you originally got a discounted outside cabin for? Awesome!

[BACON227]

If I'm not mistaken, those balcony guarantee deals that Disney is offering now are highly restricted and not combinable with any other discounts. They are also for new bookings only, so your original bookings that was made onboard was cancelled and you got a brand new "new" booking for your balcony.

 

But, you still got a great deal anyway! A balcony for less than you originally got a discounted outside cabin for? Awesome!

 

 

That explains it. So if it is just a regular fare you can make changes to the reservation and still maintain the benefits of the onboard booking?

I wonder if the balcony guarentee is offered onboard with the benefits of booking onboard or if they don't allow that............

[Almagetty]

That explains it. So if it is just a regular fare you can make changes to the reservation and still maintain the benefits of the onboard booking?

I wonder if the balcony guarentee is offered onboard with the benefits of booking onboard or if they don't allow that............

 

I don't know. :confused: But if I had to guess, I would say that they would probably allow you to book the guarantee rates while on the ship, but with no onboard booking perks (i.e. the on-board credit and the booking discount). Those guarantee rates are pretty low for DCL, I can't imagine they would add more discounts on top of them.