Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

MickeyMed 12 Night Cruise

DISNEY FANTASY

By DISNEY FANTASY,
in Disney Cruise Line

 Share

Recommended Posts

DISNEY FANTASY

DISNEY FANTASY

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Have you tried Aqua Dunk or Twist and Spout ? I am such a big kid - loved them both!!

 

 

Hello,

 

Not yet, but... Honestly... That's due to lack of time, I have photos of them and walked past many times, the queues are long, Twist and Spout is very very popular, long wait times, feels wrong to take a space and make a child wait longer.

 

We have a packed time. For example I " had" to spend an hour at Cove Cafe yesterday having my coffee, Toledo ? Loverly,

 

Sea day two.

 

First mystery, who stole an hour of my sleep last night? Clocks changed an hour forward so now two hours ahead of the UK. Firstly a round up of last night, we had Twice Charmed and the show presented to a packed audience. Again we have dual presenters Brent and Emaldo? In Spanish. I have seen it before but it has a different cast and it was very very good. This is the thing I like about the shows is that they evolve and develop and get better or change a bit due to the cast. So if someone says they saw this show a year ago, well it was a different show bar the structure. Tonight we have Grant Norman of Broadway, Phantom of the opera and beauty and the beast on.

 

It was light very early today so we needed the time zone change and feels a bit dry in the air, it is very hot already and the seas a very calm. Today we have a behind the scenes tour and also a concierge cocktail party.

 

Service continues to be fantastic, and the views outstanding.

 

Friday will be the port of Piraeus for Athens and we have a private tour all day, others have joined us and also others booked the same tour company.

 

Answers to some questions frequently asked.

 

The Magic is in very very very good condition and no issues on maintenance.

The smell is nice, in fact I think at times there pumping some nice smell around.

Last night they were selling freshly made popcorn at preludes.

The Internet is fast but my children and I are through four large packages so far.

No deck noise issues in our room so far!

 

Guardians of the Galaxy is on tonight, well at 00.01 so technically Friday for it's premier.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AF-1

AF-1

Posted
Posted

You take a lot of time to post your review and narrative; thank you. I know it takes quite a long time to post pics; etc; the time spend is very much appreciated. Glad you had a wonderful time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DISNEY FANTASY

DISNEY FANTASY

Posted
  • Author
Posted
You take a lot of time to post your review and narrative; thank you. I know it takes quite a long time to post pics; etc; the time spend is very much appreciated. Glad you had a wonderful time.

 

 

Thank you for that a lot more updates online today, less on Saturday.

 

Athens day

 

We have had a fantastic day in Greece today it was very hot at 35c and only a few odd clouds in the sky. We had a private tour and quite a few people on our cruise booked the same company, details at the top of the thread. Concierge guided us off the ship through the terminal which is used normally for ferris and cruises to the Greek Islands, our tour guide and driver were there for us, do far the easiest to find and then we were off. Our guide Georgia was fantastic, knowledgable, talking about Greece, history and background information. We had a great driver Demetri, a Liverpool FC supporter. So we had a quick transfer to the acropolis, Quick tip Children of the EU are normally privileged to free or reduced admission so take ID to prove their age and country if EU, it saved us over €25. That's at the Acropolis and the New Acropolis museum for example. So we were at the Acropolis quickly whilst open and dressy had some crowds there we got up fast with lots of space to see all the sights and it was only on the way back down we saw the 27 odd DCL coaches come up in groups, just think on the commission on that, it was noticeably busier and more crowded by then. We then had a city tour, then went to the new acropolis museum at the hottest part of the day. We then went to Monstraki for lunch and then the Greek agora. After a bit of shopping we drove to the highest point over the city and had breathtaking views. We were back around 5.30pm did some more shopping in the terminal and went on the ship. Tonight was Greek night on the ship, Greek food, Greek music playing. Live Greek band, characters dressed locally. The servers did a presentation dance in the gangways of the restaurant and invited cruisers up to Greek dance.

 

Tonight we have a Beetles tribute band in the WDT and the show times are 7 pm and 9 pm, it keeps changing in ports and entry times have varied from 45 mins before to 35 mins before tonight.

 

Far more updates on line in the blog.

 

Saturday is Kusadasi Turkey day and we have a deluxe tour all day including Ephesus. Great cruise so far.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DISNEY FANTASY

DISNEY FANTASY

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Kusadasi.

 

Due to cellphone and web Internet access today's report is limited and no photos until post cruise.

 

Weather today has been hot, from what we have seen we were lucky that the temperatures dropped today as it was partly cloudy, and therefore was a good touring day but still it was very very hot.

 

We left the ship at 7.40 am escorted off by concierge for speed and met our guide in the port terminal.

 

Our private tour included, Ephesus The House of Virgin Mary Terrace Houses. St Johns Basilica, Temple of Artemis. On arrival in port today there was a cruise ship in from Louise lines and later it went and at Princess cruises ship pulled aside us. So the Louise lines cruisers were already off and on tour.

 

We had a big van it could seat say ten people and it was just us four in the van with the driver and a personal guide who has had good reviews on trip advisor. We went straight to Ephesus, and went directly in, there were a few Louise line cruisers there but overall it wasn't too crowded some of the photos we got early on had no other people in them.

 

Ephesus is massive and very impressive what you see, we were guided around and shown the old way of life here when it was a port before it silted up. We visited the terrace houses that needs an extra admission ticket, that shows recent houses that have been excavated.

 

After Ephesus we got a horse and cart around to the entrance of Ephesus as we went one way from top to bottom some tours come in at the bottom and go around and miss a bit and leave the same way, we went one way and didn't miss anything. Our guide paid for the horse and cart, again we were lucky up and until the Library and odeon we were ahead of the crowds.

 

Then a quick ride to the Virgin Mary's house and again abut five people there on front of us and when we left the DCL tour buses were turning up, we counted up to 42 in Ephesus and Virgin Mary house. We went in the chapel, and around lit a cancel and drank the holy water there.

 

Then it was off to St Johns Basilica it was now getting very hot and we were pleased for the early start. All the buildings seen were very interesting and steeped in history.

 

We continued to the temple of Artemis that's basically one Column up but it has breathtaking views back up to St Johns.

 

We then drove to Serince a hill top village with bazaars and restaurants and we had lunch in what seemed to be someone's large house with lots of local Turkish food which was very nice. Our guide Banu joined us and all through this she was very informative and very caring, we were offered gifts, Turkish delight, water, a metal bath set, drinks, books all included.

 

We had free time to shop, later we went to a pottery and Turkish carpet presentation the pottery was interesting but a hard hard sell. The carpet presentation was interesting but a form no worked.

 

Post trip we went shopping in the Kusadasi bazaar and then went back on the ship. A great day and a loverly port of call, we have dinner tonight, which is a "Mediterranean" menu followed by film night.

 

The weather has just whipped up with a strong wind causing winds so it could well be choppy.

 

We are off to Mykonos tomorrow.

 

As I right this a Brent the CD has come on the ship PA as loud as possible, I think more directed to our close neighbouring ship the Princess ship, running down the benefits of DCL, the movie premier today, the Disney difference and the Beatles tribute in the entertainment bars. I think he was winding up the opposition. Well over half the cruise gone and we officially turn direction and turn back on ourselves now. A sign it's coming to an end.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DISNEY FANTASY

DISNEY FANTASY

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Sea day three. Currently we are away from any islands and sailing towards Malta it's hot and sunny with a strong breeze the sea is choppy but not felt on the pool decks as we are higher. Many cruisers have taken the opportunity to have a lay in, Cabanas was rather empty and there have not been too many cruisers on the pool deck. I have has a swim on my own in the Cove pool and a whirlpool on my own. A lazy day today after the hectic port intensive days. At Cove pool they have been very strict on reserving pool chairs with towels removed also a random strictness on under 18s one officer seems to like to enforce it in a Regis fashion but no one else does. As for the condition of the Magic on deck right there was a problem in the hallways where a sewage pipe was blocked. They dealt with it then washed the area including the carpet down making it soaking wet and then put dehumidifiers down to dry it out. These were very noisy. The location kept moving about maybe as people complained and post show last night ended up adjacent to our main bedroom making a noise. I spoke to guest services and they had been removed before I had reached the stateroom back.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DISNEY FANTASY

DISNEY FANTASY

Posted
  • Author
Posted

A great day in Malta today firstly weather wise it was very hot and dry getting to 32c and kill the breeze it felt the hottest of all the ports of call. We toured the island on a private tour details in the earlier posts, starting at 8am and finishing just after 4pm. Highlight for me was the boat trip to the blue grotto beautiful. St Johns Cathedral was also impressive. We had lunch in a fishing port which was nice, we are about to leave our last port of call, already feeling the last day of the cruise. We have tip sheets I am pre paid bar concierge which has a new tipping sheet. We have a lithograph gift by Don Ducky Williams and a new sign on the bed if you take anything from the room you will be charged for it. We have disembarkation information and luggage tags already it does feel like last night. It's been a great cruise we have seen so many places some we have been to before some new. These European cruises are the most profitable for DCL as well as a full ship at high prices all you need to do is see the forty odd coaches organised by DCL lined up in each port, the people booking DCL private tours say ten in each port at high prices , it's now the most profitable cruises above Alaska.Tonights show is "junk" music played on non instruments, ie Junk. Dinner is captains gala.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DISNEY FANTASY

DISNEY FANTASY

Posted
  • Author
Posted
How incredibly embarrassing. I think I'd fire my TA for being pushy and hunting Mr. Holz down in such a manner.

How truly gracious of him, to take time from his cruise, and talk with you.

 

That's one downfall with the internet, people in higher positions, movie actors, etc, have no privacy any more....someone is bound to be blogging their location, room number, whatever.:thumbdown:

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forums mobile app

 

 

It wasn't like that at all!

 

Sea day four / End of the cruise.

 

Well the inevitable comes, it's the last full cruise day and we are now all think I g about disembarkation tomorrow. On reflection it has been a fantastic cruise.

 

The plans for the day, well I was up early and went to Cabanas for breakfast the rest of the family had a lay in. Weather wise it's sunny blue sky's but a very strong breeze, partly as we are going very fast at 20 knots but also in the open seas. The seas are choppy but on our deck and pool deck we do not feel any movement.

 

I went for a swim in Cove cafe, fine water was a bit cold but ok to swim on, lots of people have reserved chairs with towels but few people there and not being enforced as before.

 

Tonight's show is Disney Dreams and the meal is till we meet again and in the lobby they will have the till we meet again character parade at 10.15pm.

 

I have just finalised my tips, increasing them for everyone above the pre paid amounts and also instructed guest services for the concierge tip.

 

We have our second Palo brunch at 12 noon today so more lunch than brunch, and then we need to think about packing for disembarkation.

 

Highlights, so pleased we booked our own private tours in each port that worked very well and those who joined us fully agreed, seeing the forty odd coaches outside on arrival each day and the groups being bearded around on whisper systems, not getting good photo opportunities hitting the restrooms and lunch all at the same time, our decisions were sound there. Service overall has been above and beyond expectations, they have gone a few notches up on this cruise, only encounter one rude staff member an officer, but the rest have been very nice and accommodating. On board booking desk is doing a roaring trade and when people ask to book the Norwegian fjord cruises it's often sorry sold out. The Baltic's 2015 are similar nearly sold out.

 

DCL is fully aware how popular the European cruises are and are looking at the future.

 

Interesting development of the cruise was that they had the International ambassador, Arnaldo, who in very show translated into Spanish what Brent had said. It does take an extra five minutes to deliver which eats into show time. It shows how popular the cruises are with Spaniards, some 25% on this cruise and increasing on the for coming 4/6/7 night cruises with dinner moved to 9pm for late sitting.

 

A word about last nights show, Junk, from the UK a very good show to a full house and very well received, very funny, just do not try to leave the show whilst it is on.

 

The guest entertainers overall have been very good, the extra. DCL cast shows, over Dreams, Villains, and Twice Charmed have been a little sub park with The dream goes on more like a Disney advert.

 

Internet has remained very good all cruise but it's fast to use up on the data packages now.

 

Shops have been doing a roaring grade selling out of some goods and clothing sizes early.

 

It was said pre cruise on the Internet that we needed our passports on every port of call and we took them they do remind you on the ship to take photo ID, whilst they asked this not once did we every show or were asked to show our passports or photo ID, any port with security just checked your cruise card and on the ship they have your photo linked to the card. They are however most strict on children below 18 they cannot get off unless the parent is there and the parent scans their card just before the child.

 

We have been told this is the re imagined Magic, well to me it's been the good old Magic with a couple of upgrades, 95% of it is the old Magic, Cabanas is the most noticeable improvement and works very well, we were used to it from the Fantasy. The rest blends in as it was before, Carioca's is basically Parrot Cay with new lampshades, Animators has been brought up to date and was great to be in on Pirate night. Animation Magic was fun brought over from the Fantasy. The kids clubs look nice, as well as the adult district After hours but it's more of a facelift than a change.

 

We have taken thousands of photos and have all the navigators these will uploaded post our holiday, we have a tour on Thursday picking us up in the port and dropping us at our hotel for two nights, then Friday we have some visits booked in Barcelona before flying back Saturday afternoon.

 

For those who have been reading my blog and I know it's a heck of a lot of people from the hits, a big thank you, keep tuned and bookmarked as we have the quality photos and inflation to come that we can't post on the spot, whilst we are on vacation.

 

We have our tips prepared, we have Chip and Dale luggage tags, and welcome to Barcelona instructions. Brent said he is on ship for a few more cruises in the Med then his ACD Natalie takes over. Our concierge Angelia leaves this cruise and is taken over by Wendy.

 

Great weather all this cruise hot sunny, blue sky's maybe a bit to hot.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DISNEY FANTASY

DISNEY FANTASY

Posted
  • Author
Posted

We'll we are now off the cruise and will tour and stay in Barcelona until the weekend. Disembarkation was fast we had 7am breakfast and we saw people start to get off at 7.12 we got off at 7.45 just a walk through luggage in one areaike a warehouse and no border control straight out. Plenty of taxis and DCL coaches and private transfers waiting. It's getting crowded now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DISNEY FANTASY

DISNEY FANTASY

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I find it quite interesting that your TA is such "close" friends with Mr. Holz but didn't make you aware that Karl Holz is not the CEO of DCL... he is the President of DCL and New Vacation Operations (Adventures by Disney). It may seem nitpicky but in the corporate world there is quite the difference between a Chief Executive Officer of the company and president of a division. ;)

 

I'm sure it was a cool experience meeting Mr. Holz but I gotta ask, why would you waste his time complaining about people posting misinformation on internet message boards. I know it's a pet peeve of yours because you post about it on multiple boards but why bother such an important man with it. I'm sure he knows everything on the inter webs is not fact! It may be time for you to "Let it go"!! :rolleyes:

 

I think any reader here will see your post as very very very nick picky I am on vacation I am posting live I will write CEO as everyone will know what that means! I will not write a full title when I want to enjoy myself Anyone would know that. Also he as well as a very very nice man took interest in many subjects and understood the issues he wanted feedback.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DISNEY FANTASY

DISNEY FANTASY

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Looking forward to more photos :D

 

 

 

Thank you for your reports Disney Fantasy, I have enjoyed them.

 

 

 

soccer

 

 

Thank you both, the quality photos will come post our holiday we are still touring and in Barcelona, I am glad that the it ended audience is enjoying it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MizDaisy

MizDaisy

Posted
Posted

Question....you mentioned the extended balcony with your suite. Is it still the same as it always was? In other words, they didn't change the size of the room and/or balcony, did they? Or did they?

 

I've stayed in every suite category from the Walt and Roy, to the HC one bedrooms on the Magic and Wonder, and hate the idea that they may have changed them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DISNEY FANTASY

DISNEY FANTASY

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Question....you mentioned the extended balcony with your suite. Is it still the same as it always was? In other words, they didn't change the size of the room and/or balcony, did they? Or did they?

 

 

 

I've stayed in every suite category from the Walt and Roy, to the HC one bedrooms on the Magic and Wonder, and hate the idea that they may have changed them.

 

 

No, it hasn't been changed from your knowledge I was referring to the four mid ship Cat Ts that have a triple extended verandah the only change is the verandah scan now be connected by unlocking a door.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MizDaisy

MizDaisy

Posted
Posted
No, it hasn't been changed from your knowledge I was referring to the four mid ship Cat Ts that have a triple extended verandah the only change is the verandah scan now be connected by unlocking a door.

 

Okay, thanks. That's good news. I like those rooms....even the ones that aren't midship, and the 2 bedrooms. I wish they'd put some of those on the new ships.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AF-1

AF-1

Posted
Posted (edited)

Disney Fantasy, I can not bring up your Disney Magic link "live here. The Wonder and RCI link in your address will pop up; but the Magic link does not. Can you check and see if it works? Thanks

Edited by AF-1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...