Transatlantic & Med 2007 BLOGs and TRIP REPORTs and other Important FAQ

[CRSNDSNY]

Can anyone who has been on DCL's Transatlantic cruise before post a link to their blog and/or trip report?

Photos, too, would probably be helpful.

THANKS!

[lbgraves]

There are lots of trip reports for these cruises. If you go to the trip report forum and scroll to the bottom of the page there is a place in the left corner under DISPLAY OPTIONS where you can change the option from "the last month" to "beginning" then click on display options. The trip reports currently start on page 13. when that comes up. I went through page 17 and here are the reports that stood out. I may have missed some if they didn't have the date or med in the title. There are some really good threads here with general information too.

Bringing home the "Magic" from the Med with pics- Completed (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1561711)

My rather long Westbound Transatlantic trip report (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1570568)

28th July 07- Med trip report & photo diary- Romancing the Mouse - an aliens report!
(http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1561634)

ROME-ancing the Mouse - July 28th Med cruise
(http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1516497) [this one has a list of blogs in the first post too]

Transatlantic Aug 18 - Sept 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1568362)

July 28th Med Cruise-Romancing the Mouse-TRIP REPORT (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1559807)

Seaulater In The Med - Disney Magic July 18-28, 2007 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1533699)

July 18-28 Med Cruise (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1533313)

If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Barcelona! 7/18/07**Two Updates Added**!! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1519538)

May 07 Med Cruise (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1548104)

All in one place: Please Post info from your DCL Med excursions HERE (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1474234)

Barcelona Segway Tour (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1469676)

Just back from July 7/07 -have ???? - will try and answer (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1523437)

6/6/07 med report...long (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1488280)

Just back from the July 7th Med Cruise... (m)
(http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1521978)

Barcelona Hotel Reviews/Questions (all in one post): (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1492488)

Doing Med ports on Own questions (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1481572)

June 27, 2007 Med Cruise Report (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1494971)

Med Ports on our Own (long) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1501295)

June 27th Mediterranean Trip Report Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1509612)

Blogging the June 16th Mediterranean Cruise (until we can't type anymore!)
(http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1486371)

Blogging the June 16th Mediterranean Cruise (until we can't type anymore!) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1486371)

If You are flying back from the med on Iberia READ THIS!! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1510542)

Magic to The Med Report VERY LONG (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1466778)

June 16th Med Cruise Report (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1499933)

my first cruise/ trip to the med**back home, pic on blog**
(http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1470820)

Back from June 16 Med Cruise (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1501149)

**LIVE** From the May 26, 2007 FIRST DCL Cruise in the MED! (5/26/07) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1448391)

Hello from the Disney Magic in the Middle of the Med! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1492789)

Almost Live: Naples Excursion - wow (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1501428)

LIVE from the Magic (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1494952)

Trip Report from the First Med Cruise (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1494638)

To the Mediterranean and Beyond! June 6 Med Cruise with 2 young boys (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1489149)

Photos from first Disney Med Cruise (5-26 to 6-6-07) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491814)

Pictures of Eze on Med cruise?? (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1489079)

Med Cruise - 26 May/6 June (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1490623)

Tales of the Transatlantic (Photos too) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1486222)

Video of Party Paradiso:new Mediterranean exclusive deck party (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1486260)

Tales of the Transatlantic (Photos too) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1486222)

6/27 Med cruise- Sorrento/Pompeii Private tour? (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1488171)

6/27 Med Cruise-private tour in Florence (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1476748)

5.12.2007 - Live TransAtlantic Cruise Questions/Answers (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1453251)

Bloggers on 16 June MedHead Cruise (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1484302)

05.26.2007 - LIVE Mediterranean Questions/Answers (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1465593)

Disney Magic Arrives In Barcelona-fireworks May 24, 2007 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1472902)

Arrived in Barcelona for June 6 Med Sailing (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1473074)

Just back from EB Med cruise-happy to answer questions (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1467020)

Barcelona Port Information (telephones, Taxis, Shipping, Etc.) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1470805)

Some thoughts on my med. excursions (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1471231)

May 12th 2007 Trans Atlantic Cruise (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1469234)
We can make this a sticky once more have added to it.

[CRSNDSNY]

Oh cool. Thanks for that!!!

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I have had a few PM's for information I have found some old posts on these boards, some has had input from others and an acknowledgement to them is made.

HEATHROW
http://www.heathrowairport.com/
UK TRAINS
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

LONDON TUBE
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/modalpages/2625.aspx

LONDON TO PARIS

Http://www.eurostar.com/dynamic/index.jsp

VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/index.jsp;jsessionid=Be766dUM30orSOHgYjbbo4XFjWWqf Iaz4XA1HSuy4UTKIbKP9ACr!-1112292905!174843410!8001!7002

BRITISH AIRWAYS
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_gb
DISNEY UK/ LINK TO DLP

Http://www.disney.co.uk/

Port Of Dover
www.doverport.co.uk

BARCELONA HOTELS
Http://www.catalunya.co.uk/
Http://www.netpz.co.uk/hotel_spain_h...ona_hotels.htm

UP THE COAST
Http://www.apartmentspain.co.uk/blanes.htm
DCLS HOTEL (I THINK)
Http://www.grandmarinahotel.com/
SHORE TRIPS IN EUROPE IDEAS
Http://www.celebritycruises.co.uk/pages/home.php
CAR HIRE SPAIN
http://www.carhireinspain.com/index.php?cID=70

TRAIN DLP TO BARCELONA
the train to Barcelona from paris is the Elipsos Here is a link to a virtual tour - you can tour each type of room. To get a detailed floorplan, click on the little floor plan shown with the tour. There is luggage space located above the corridor. Some of the rooms have a small recessed space that might hold some luggage.

http://www.elipsos.com/flash/paseo/lnkpaseo.htm


Below is links for private tours, I posted one in 2006 but deleted it and cannot find it but this one here is similar and is partly based on a post by MV_Photon who put a lot of work into it.

Barcelona
• www.pepitotours.com/private-tours-barcelona.html Jose Soler
http://wwguides.com/forums/member.php?u=243
• www.gobarcelona.com/
• BCNtour-taxi Armando Panedas
(34) 60-419-756 armandopanedas@vodafone.es
• www.barcelonatourguides.com/ Patrick
• http://www.taxiinternacional.com/eng...ernacional.htm Angie
•


Naples (Pompeii)

• I used www.limoinrome.com/home.htm Claudio Caponera , Fabrizio

• http://driveamalfi.com/ Salvatore Lucibello, Adriano, Roberto
• www.drivesorrento.com/ Nello Russo
• www.seesorrento.com/chi_sono_eng.html Marcello Maresca, Eugiene, Marco
• www.aptours.it/Site/default.asp?Lang=EN Alberto
• www.francescomarrapese.com/excursions.htm Francesco
• www.pleasantravel.com/index.htm Mariano Fiorentino
• www.jackthedriver.com/ Jack, Lorenzo Bianco
• www.benvenutolimos.com/ Giovanni
• http://www.sorrentocardrivers.com/Si...lt.asp?Lang=EN Raffael
• www.cuomonet.it/ Renato
• http://aldotaxi.net/ Aldo
• www.driverinrome.com …but avoid Guiliana
• http://tourofitaly.com/
• www.hiddenitalytours.com/ Mariano Fiorentino

ROME Train station is close to the port

The main train station in Rome is Termini. From there, take the underground (Metropolitana):

Colosseum: take Line (Linea) B to the Colosseo station. The Colosseum is across the street.

Vatican: take Line A to the Ottaviano station. It's a 15-20 minute walk.

I would recommend anyone wanting to go to the vatician to book a private tour with an official tour guide who can get you in before the opening time of 10am.

The queues are long but you jump this I was in at 8.40am.



Civitavecchia (Rome)

• I used -www.limoinrome.com/home.htm Claudio Caponera , Fabrizio

• http://www.drivinguide.com/shore_excursions.htm
• www.driverinrome.com/ Daniele Melaragno, Remo (his father), Pepe, Manny
• http://romeinlimo.com/ Duman & Carlo
• www.romelimousineservice.com/ Max Leotta
• www.romecabs.com/ Stefano Costantini
• www.romeconnection.com/ Marco
• Don’t miss the Scavi Tour (Vatican necropolis):http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/in...040112_en.html
•
La Spezia (Florence / Pisa) –Book the tower of Pisa online in advance Pre-book to Leaning Tower of Pisa (available 45 – 16 days in advance): www.opapisa.it/boxoffice/index.jsp


• I used www.papillonservice.com/ Lisa, Roberto

• www.florencetour.com/ Paola Migliorni
• www.abcwine.it/off%20shore.htm Carla Giomi
• www.tuscanyinmypocket.com/ Guido
• Marcello Grandini Marcello.tourguide@tiscali.it
• www.tuscanybytaxi.it/ Ricardo
• www.sunflower-tours.com/services.htm Giovanni Sirabella
• www.limoinrome.com/home.htm Claudio
• Giovanni Bassi - architect & urban historian G.bossi@dada.it
• Alessandro Cammilli alecamma@hotmail.com
• Pauline Priore paulinep@tin.it
• Pre-book tickets to Ufizi and Academia Galleria:www.florenceart.it/
Dial 011 (U.S. international access code) 39 (Italy's country code) 055-294-883 during the hours of 8:30 AM -6:30 PM M-F & 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time.
•
Villefranche (Monte Carlo / Cannes / Nice)
• I used www.dream-tours.com/layout.php?page=106&lang=us Alain, Frederic, Jean Marc
•
• www.revelation-tours.com/cruise.html Michel LeGrand, Isoline
• www.azur-guides-interpretes.com/ Sylvie DiCristo
• www.riviera-prestige-tours.com/ Eva Devemy

[Claire L]

Wow alot of info there :)

Claire ;)

[Disney Fool]

Why, thank you, Andrew! How kind of you to share with everyone.

[kaseyC]

Also for those of us with larger families, there is a great thread on the Cruise Critic Med board with good information on accomadations for larger families in Barcelona.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=803716

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Wow alot of info there :)

Claire ;)

Why, thank you, Andrew! How kind of you to share with everyone.

Thanks as posted above, I have had a number of PM's requests for info, I didn't do a trip report from 2007, but have posted above who I used and they all were great private tours.

I the Med I know I did the very best thing booking Private tours, for a family of four they were comparable in price against DCL tours, but superior, as they can go faster than DCL tour buses, they can go into small roads buses cant, you do not hang around for missing people, get a good seat each time, move on faster or slower as you personally wish and have a knowledgeable guide who talks to you direct and only you, and can answer your questions.

The private tour of the Vatican was the very best, and well worth it, they bring it all to life.

Booking a trip up the leaning tower of Pisa was a highlight, the same as driving down the Amalfi coast where tour buses couldn't go.

We didn't go to any of the souvenier places where tours traditionally take you, but did eat with the locals, my pizza in Naples was great.

I did post in 2007 do not do Capri! from Naples so many people after wards said to me, why didn't we listen to you, they didn't like it.

The Med to get the most out of it, needs a plan, I will look more into the Baltic if/when I get on.

Mote Carlo was great and so was Florence,

[Disney Fool]

C'mon, Andrew. We're all waiting for you over on the Cruise Meet for the Baltic 7/18....Are you joining us? We need your expertise...

[Andrew DEREK UK]

C'mon, Andrew. We're all waiting for you over on the Cruise Meet for the Baltic 7/18....Are you joining us? We need your expertise...

I am a little superstitious I do not like to post on a cruise meets thread before I am booked.:) Just in case...............

[Melcatfish]

We were going to go for the Baltic but the price tag IS very high. I am contemplating the 11 night Med. DH and I have done a Med cruise with a lot of similar ports but many we want to return to and there are some new ports to us.

Does anyone have saved the list of the Shore Excursions (and prices) from the last Disney Med cruise. I am just interested to see how they compare with other lines, were there more kid friendly ones etc...

I have seen the navigators so can see the tour names but wondered about durations, prices and childrens options.

Mel
x

[gismo1554]

OK so I have some but not many as did the TA not the Med. Whether any of these will run as this time there isn't a night stop over in Barcelona like there was in 07 I do not know but here are the ones for Barcelona:

Aquarium & Park Guell
8:45am/11:45am
4-4.5 hours
Moderate level
$65.00 Adult or $45.00 child
Time to explore the museum and Park Guell

Barcelona & Codorniu Cellars
8:45am
5-5.5 hours
Moderate level
$59.00 Adult or $39.00 child
Includes glass of cava at the cellars and city tour

Flamenco & Tapas at Spanish Village
12:45pm
3-3.5 hours
Moderate level
$119.00 Adult or $79.00 child
Complete with flamenco show and delicious tapas

Discover Barcelona & the Spanish Village
8:00am
5-5.5 hours
Mild level
$82 Adult or $58 child
Walking tour of Barcelona including a scavenger hunt of the Spanish Village and visit to the Sagrada Familia church for 30 mins

Montserrat 1/2 day
8:15am
5-5.5 hours
Moderate level
$45.00 Adult or $35.00 child
Railway to Montseratt Monastery including free time to visit La Morenta

Montserrat full day
7:30am
8.5-9 hours
Moderate level
$129.00 Adult or $89.00 child
Railway to Montseratt Monastery plus visit to the black Virgin at La Morenta and the Sagrada Familia church as well as 1 hour siteseeing time in Barcelona

Science Museum & Maze
9:00am
5-5.5 hours
Moderate level
$75.00 Adult or $55.00 child
Visit Barcelona science museum and the Toree Sobirana Gardens

Barcelona & Tapas
9:00am
4-4.5 hours
Moderate level
$75.00 Adult or $55.00 child
Panoramic tour of Barcelona including 30 minute stop at Sagrada Familia and local tapas

Guadi & Barcelona
8:45am
4-4.5 hours
Moderate level
$49.00 Adult or $39.00 child
Scenic drive along Passeig de Gracia as well as Sagrada Familia chuch and Park Guell

Panoramic Drive through Barcelona
12:45pm
3-3.5 hours
Mild level
$42.00 Adult or $32.00 child
Panoramic drive through the city including the Spanish Village, Espana Square, Arc de Triomf, Citadel Park & Sagrada Familia church

Sorry don't have any other ports info

[joanflo]

Hi Mel
The 2007 excursions + prices can be found on this page http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-repo-med.html. You just have to click on the port you're interested in. What date are you looking at? We are hoping to book the 11 night 7 Aug Med.
Joan

[Melcatfish]

Hi Mel
The 2007 excursions + prices can be found on this page http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-repo-med.html. You just have to click on the port you're interested in. What date are you looking at? We are hoping to book the 11 night 7 Aug Med.
Joan

Hi Joan,

We are also looking at the 7th August sailing. I was so set in my mind that I wanted to do the Baltic but at almost $1000 more per person I am worried that we will save enough to get on board but then not be able to afford the excursions. I know on the med one there are places we have been several times so if we decided not to do an excursion at one of those ports we could enjoy a swim and use the ships facilities whereas in the Baltic it might not be warm enough to swim and make the most of a nearly empty ship!

Plus some of our party are not able to make the 18th July Baltic due to school holidays (teachers) so although we *could* do Baltic with just our own family we had been planning an extended family holiday for a while and it would be a bit sad to go without my Aunt and Uncle and cousin...

Thanks for the link, will go look.

Mel
x

PS Thanks Gismo for the Barcalona info :)

[Melcatfish]

I did post in 2007 do not do Capri! from Naples so many people after wards said to me, why didn't we listen to you, they didn't like it.



Andrew, just wondering what people disliked so much about Capri, I had a holiday there as a child and loved it. We took a trip into the Blue Grotto and enjoyed mooching round the town and found it to be pretty and a really nice destination...

I have been to Pompeii twice and my kids are too little to be interested in that so IF we go with the Med instead of the Baltic I thought we might take the ferry over to Capri and spend some time there.

I would love to hear your thoughts and any cons I might not have taken into account.

Mel
x

[grizbuzz]

Andrew, just wondering what people disliked so much about Capri, I had a holiday there as a child and loved it. We took a trip into the Blue Grotto and enjoyed mooching round the town and found it to be pretty and a really nice destination...

I have been to Pompeii twice and my kids are too little to be interested in that so IF we go with the Med instead of the Baltic I thought we might take the ferry over to Capri and spend some time there.

I would love to hear your thoughts and any cons I might not have taken into account.

Mel
x


People didn't like Capri? :confused3 We loved it! We took a ferry over and spent the day in town. Thought it was just beautiful. We went over early and noticed as we were leaving the island that the masses were just arriving (lots and lots of tour groups). I would definitely go back.

Here are our pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Grinold/Capri#

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew, just wondering what people disliked so much about Capri, I had a holiday there as a child and loved it. We took a trip into the Blue Grotto and enjoyed mooching round the town and found it to be pretty and a really nice destination...

I have been to Pompeii twice and my kids are too little to be interested in that so IF we go with the Med instead of the Baltic I thought we might take the ferry over to Capri and spend some time there.

I would love to hear your thoughts and any cons I might not have taken into account.

Mel
x

People didn't like Capri? :confused3 We loved it! We took a ferry over and spent the day in town. Thought it was just beautiful. We went over early and noticed as we were leaving the island that the masses were just arriving (lots and lots of tour groups). I would definitely go back.

Here are our pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Grinold/Capri#

Previous to the cruise I stayed in Sorrento for two weeks and on one day had a trip to Capri, we went over on small boats that bumped in the water and didnt have good restroom facilities.

After a choppy trip you went are crowded into a hill train and then around small crowded lanes of shops the island itself is very small.

So I didnt like it and posted so on the old 28th July thread for 07, some still went but a lot told me after on ship and by posts later that they wished they had taken my advice, some we met in Sorrento in the afternoon and had just been there and came back early to Sorrento and met up with us.

[jd99]

Anyone who did the med last time with kids - AND did a trip report? I'd love to see it. Mostly I'm interested in any kid friendly excursions. At the announcement they showed some video of what looked like "Adventures by Disney" types of excursions - I saw a pizza making or some such thing -- and I'm curious as to if Disney does these in some of the Med Ports. Would love to have a mix of history and fun for the kids. Anyone?

[Melcatfish]

I am also very interested in what the more child orientated excursions were like.

Mel
x

[OurDogCisco]

Truthfully, we did not do any of the kid-friendly tours. My kids had a blast. In fact we met another family onboard and most of our days were spent with them. My kids were 6 and 9 at the time of the cruise.

I did try and mix up our tours with half day tours and full day tours. The adults sitting at the table next to us did mostly all day tours so, they saw more than we did. With 4 sea days this time in Baltics I'm gonna aim for all day tours just because I thought they were more valuable.

I think, with Adventures by Disney they would have to have kid friendly tours in order to keep the kids happy. Where on DCL you don't have to do them as you return to the ship every evening.

My kids LOVED Pompeii, PISA, Rome & Villefranche Ports. They weren't too excited about some of the half day tours we did were we visited churches, etc... Florence was boring as it was a VERY long bus ride for them and the guide we had WAS HORRIBLE. She did not allow anyone to speak because she felt it was rude to talk while she was talking. We had to focus on her the whole trip. She wouldn't let people skip lunch to tour on their own. All the other tour guides were very FLEXIBLE. Like for our ROME tour it did not include the Steps (I can't think of the name of it). Anyways... many of us left at one point when the tour guide told us to and took a cab to the steps and fountains and then, met everyone for lunch. Lunches were 2 to 3 hours long so, it was pretty easy to do a quick tour of something.

DCL also provided each evening a little booklet about the next port. So, the kids could read about it every evening.

[jd99]

Truthfully, we did not do any of the kid-friendly tours. My kids had a blast. In fact we met another family onboard and most of our days were spent with them. My kids were 6 and 9 at the time of the cruise.

I did try and mix up our tours with half day tours and full day tours. The adults sitting at the table next to us did mostly all day tours so, they saw more than we did. With 4 sea days this time in Baltics I'm gonna aim for all day tours just because I thought they were more valuable.

I think, with Adventures by Disney they would have to have kid friendly tours in order to keep the kids happy. Where on DCL you don't have to do them as you return to the ship every evening.

My kids LOVED Pompeii, PISA, Rome & Villefranche Ports. They weren't too excited about some of the half day tours we did were we visited churches, etc... Florence was boring as it was a VERY long bus ride for them and the guide we had WAS HORRIBLE. She did not allow anyone to speak because she felt it was rude to talk while she was talking. We had to focus on her the whole trip. She wouldn't let people skip lunch to tour on their own. All the other tour guides were very FLEXIBLE. Like for our ROME tour it did not include the Steps (I can't think of the name of it). Anyways... many of us left at one point when the tour guide told us to and took a cab to the steps and fountains and then, met everyone for lunch. Lunches were 2 to 3 hours long so, it was pretty easy to do a quick tour of something.

DCL also provided each evening a little booklet about the next port. So, the kids could read about it every evening.


Thanks! I know that the Adventures by Disney is a different animal but if you watched the announcment by Tom Halpin of the itineraries, some of the video they showed - I SWEAR it was right out of the A by Disney video so I thought maybe they did some similar excursions on the Med Cruise.

I keep reading bad experiences by people who went to Florence. But Florence is where my late mother's family is from and I've never been there so I absolutely must see the city. I'm hoping to find someone somewhere (so far nothing on the trip reports I have read) who enjoyed their time in Florence.

[OurDogCisco]

I found my old tour excursion booklet from the Meditteranean. Here are what I thought were Kid friendly tours. I didn't see any that were similar as the ones by Adventures of Disney. But I'm sure this time around they would know more about the places to do more kid friendly ones.

Barcelona
Aquarium and Park Guell
Science Museum and Maze
Chocolate Museum (mold your own chocolate confection)
Barcelona Bicycle Tour

Palermo--We had the best Ice Tea/Lemonade drink here. YUMMY..

Palermo for kids (included a Sicilian puppet show & Arts and Crafts
A Day on the Farm -- tour of working farm & swimming pool & tour a cave
Beach Day

Naples

Pompeii, Sorrento & Capri for Families (we didn't do this tour as we thought it was too many places in one day. I heard that on the Pompeii part they didn't show some areas because kids might be senstive to it)

Beach Day

Sardinia

Gnocchetti Sardi & Ravioli (making pasta-- I wish we did this one as the island was pretty boring)

Train to Gallura (very popular)

2 Beach locations here

Lots of other cool things to do in the port but they had age limits. YOu had to be 10 and older.

ROME

Narnia tour

La Spezia

Lucca Treasure Hunt -- Scavenger hunt
Lucca by Bike (ages 10 + though)
Lerici's Castle and Dinosaurs
Beach excursion
Genoa, Aquarium & Chocolate Factory

Marseille

Soap & Marseille City (soap making)

VilleFranche

Monaco, the Marina & the Little Train
Create your Own Perfume
Beach day

HOpe this helps...

[jd99]

I found my old tour excursion booklet from the Meditteranean. Here are what I thought were Kid friendly tours. I didn't see any that were similar as the ones by Adventures of Disney. But I'm sure this time around they would know more about the places to do more kid friendly ones.

Barcelona
Aquarium and Park Guell
Science Museum and Maze
Chocolate Museum (mold your own chocolate confection)
Barcelona Bicycle Tour

Palermo--We had the best Ice Tea/Lemonade drink here. YUMMY..

Palermo for kids (included a Sicilian puppet show & Arts and Crafts
A Day on the Farm -- tour of working farm & swimming pool & tour a cave
Beach Day

Naples

Pompeii, Sorrento & Capri for Families (we didn't do this tour as we thought it was too many places in one day. I heard that on the Pompeii part they didn't show some areas because kids might be senstive to it)

Beach Day

Sardinia

Gnocchetti Sardi & Ravioli (making pasta-- I wish we did this one as the island was pretty boring)

Train to Gallura (very popular)

2 Beach locations here

Lots of other cool things to do in the port but they had age limits. YOu had to be 10 and older.

ROME

Narnia tour

La Spezia

Lucca Treasure Hunt -- Scavenger hunt
Lucca by Bike (ages 10 + though)
Lerici's Castle and Dinosaurs
Beach excursion
Genoa, Aquarium & Chocolate Factory

Marseille

Soap & Marseille City (soap making)

VilleFranche

Monaco, the Marina & the Little Train
Create your Own Perfume
Beach day

HOpe this helps...


Definitely helps. THank you . Not sure why the Mods keep insisting on hiding specific questions like mine in threads that have nothing to do with what I asked (my question is not related to transatlantic) but I thank you for finding me!

[lbgraves]

Definitely helps. THank you . Not sure why the Mods keep insisting on hiding specific questions like mine in threads that have nothing to do with what I asked (my question is not related to transatlantic) but I thank you for finding me!

Your thread was merged with this one because you were inquiring about trip reports and excursions from the summer of 2006 when the Magic was in the Med. This thread has a list of links to ALL of the trip reports from that time, not just the transatlantic. There is also a lot of information given on excursions that were available for those cruises, which would assist you with your initial question. I have added "& Med 2006" to the title to show that it is all inclusive.

[xangav]

I hope this will help as I don't know what age your kids are. Our children were DD 10 and DS 15. It was rather port intensive but they enjoyed the trip very much. We actually enjoyed the all day excursions as they fed us well and we enjoyed sampling the local cuisine.

In Naples we did an all day tour through DCL starting with a bus ride to Sorrento and a tourist shop. At first we weren't too pleased at being sent to buy souvenirs but it turned out to be educational as we learned about the process of inlaid wood. We then went to a farm where they produced their own olive oil, mozarella, and lemoncello, After a delicious lunch we headed to Pompeii which was amazing. It was, however very hot and quite crowded and not stroller friendly.

Although the 2010 med cruise is not going to Olbia, I scheduled a beach day there because it was midway through the cruise and I thought it would be a nice break from all the sight seeing. It worked quite nicely.

In Civitavecchia we did another all day excursion on the Roma Express which was a private train that got us to Rome in what seemed like no time at all. It was extremely hot but we made it to the Colliseum, bypassing the lines. We also walked through the streets to the Trevi Fountain and then the Pantheon. We did a bit more walking to the Piazza Navona before we took the bus to our lunch destination. After being well fed we went to the Vatican and St. Peter's square and the Basillica. Our kids were quite tired after all this but there was one toddler who seemed miserable most of the day.

In La Spezia because I figured we would be kind of burned out we went for a half day excursion to Pisa and we were glad we did. It was just enough for the day. My husband and I would have liked to have gone to Florence but it was a long bus ride and didn't think any of us were up to it. Plus, we wanted to see Pisa.

And, finally, in Villefranche, we decided to split up. Because the excursions didn't seem to satisfy everyone, my dd and I went to a perfumerie and the amazing village of Eze while the boys went to Monte Carlo to see the prince's car collection. It was only a half day and everyone agreed that it was well spent.

As I said, I hope this helps and we enjoyed our trip of a lifetime immensely!

[Andrew DEREK UK]

With kids I would recommend private tours as per my post on page one, you can tailor this to their kids build in breaks, if you want to move on faster/slower you can and the driver often knows the place to stop for a restroom.

Rome Naples and Florence/Piza in particular are places you should consider a private tour, and the cost might not be to far away from DCL tours for a familiy of 4, we share with another familiy and it was great value.

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Can anyone who has been on DCL's Transatlantic cruise before post a link to their blog and/or trip report?

Photos, too, would probably be helpful.

THANKS!



Could thread name be amended to the correct year of 2007

Might confuse!!!

[jd99]

Your thread was merged with this one because you were inquiring about trip reports and excursions from the summer of 2006 when the Magic was in the Med. This thread has a list of links to ALL of the trip reports from that time, not just the transatlantic. There is also a lot of information given on excursions that were available for those cruises, which would assist you with your initial question. I have added "& Med 2006" to the title to show that it is all inclusive.

Considering the Magic was in the Med in 2007, that's not very helpful .

[jd99]

I hope this will help as I don't know what age your kids are. Our children were DD 10 and DS 15. It was rather port intensive but they enjoyed the trip very much. We actually enjoyed the all day excursions as they fed us well and we enjoyed sampling the local cuisine.

In Naples we did an all day tour through DCL starting with a bus ride to Sorrento and a tourist shop. At first we weren't too pleased at being sent to buy souvenirs but it turned out to be educational as we learned about the process of inlaid wood. We then went to a farm where they produced their own olive oil, mozarella, and lemoncello, After a delicious lunch we headed to Pompeii which was amazing. It was, however very hot and quite crowded and not stroller friendly.

Although the 2010 med cruise is not going to Olbia, I scheduled a beach day there because it was midway through the cruise and I thought it would be a nice break from all the sight seeing. It worked quite nicely.

In Civitavecchia we did another all day excursion on the Roma Express which was a private train that got us to Rome in what seemed like no time at all. It was extremely hot but we made it to the Colliseum, bypassing the lines. We also walked through the streets to the Trevi Fountain and then the Pantheon. We did a bit more walking to the Piazza Navona before we took the bus to our lunch destination. After being well fed we went to the Vatican and St. Peter's square and the Basillica. Our kids were quite tired after all this but there was one toddler who seemed miserable most of the day.

In La Spezia because I figured we would be kind of burned out we went for a half day excursion to Pisa and we were glad we did. It was just enough for the day. My husband and I would have liked to have gone to Florence but it was a long bus ride and didn't think any of us were up to it. Plus, we wanted to see Pisa.

And, finally, in Villefranche, we decided to split up. Because the excursions didn't seem to satisfy everyone, my dd and I went to a perfumerie and the amazing village of Eze while the boys went to Monte Carlo to see the prince's car collection. It was only a half day and everyone agreed that it was well spent.

As I said, I hope this helps and we enjoyed our trip of a lifetime immensely!

Thank you for finding my now hidden post! This is greatly helpful.

[jd99]

With kids I would recommend private tours as per my post on page one, you can tailor this to their kids build in breaks, if you want to move on faster/slower you can and the driver often knows the place to stop for a restroom.

Rome Naples and Florence/Piza in particular are places you should consider a private tour, and the cost might not be to far away from DCL tours for a familiy of 4, we share with another familiy and it was great value.

Thanks Andrew. Great tip. Everyone talks about how far the port is from Florence. How long of a ride is it?

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thanks Andrew. Great tip. Everyone talks about how far the port is from Florence. How long of a ride is it?

My Private vehicle traveling above the speed limit did it in 1 hour 15, I think you should allow 1.5 hours.

Pisa is on a triangle of freeways getting back so breaks up the journey. Do book the tower in advance on-line the kids loved this. We did it around 3.30pm and told our Private tour operator.

[xangav]

Originally Posted by xangav
I hope this will help as I don't know what age your kids are. Our children were DD 10 and DS 15. It was rather port intensive but they enjoyed the trip very much. We actually enjoyed the all day excursions as they fed us well and we enjoyed sampling the local cuisine.

In Naples we did an all day tour through DCL starting with a bus ride to Sorrento and a tourist shop. At first we weren't too pleased at being sent to buy souvenirs but it turned out to be educational as we learned about the process of inlaid wood. We then went to a farm where they produced their own olive oil, mozarella, and lemoncello, After a delicious lunch we headed to Pompeii which was amazing. It was, however very hot and quite crowded and not stroller friendly.

Although the 2010 med cruise is not going to Olbia, I scheduled a beach day there because it was midway through the cruise and I thought it would be a nice break from all the sight seeing. It worked quite nicely.

In Civitavecchia we did another all day excursion on the Roma Express which was a private train that got us to Rome in what seemed like no time at all. It was extremely hot but we made it to the Colliseum, bypassing the lines. We also walked through the streets to the Trevi Fountain and then the Pantheon. We did a bit more walking to the Piazza Navona before we took the bus to our lunch destination. After being well fed we went to the Vatican and St. Peter's square and the Basillica. Our kids were quite tired after all this but there was one toddler who seemed miserable most of the day.

In La Spezia because I figured we would be kind of burned out we went for a half day excursion to Pisa and we were glad we did. It was just enough for the day. My husband and I would have liked to have gone to Florence but it was a long bus ride and didn't think any of us were up to it. Plus, we wanted to see Pisa.

And, finally, in Villefranche, we decided to split up. Because the excursions didn't seem to satisfy everyone, my dd and I went to a perfumerie and the amazing village of Eze while the boys went to Monte Carlo to see the prince's car collection. It was only a half day and everyone agreed that it was well spent.

As I said, I hope this helps and we enjoyed our trip of a lifetime immensely!

Thank you for finding my now hidden post! This is greatly helpful.
Today 01:30 PM

You are very welcome. And I agree that the posts shouldn't be "hidden". It's like a maze trying to find the info you want as is. Good Luck!

[Melcatfish]

Is there anyone out there who did the Med with small children? My DD's will be 5 & 2 and a half...

Mel
x

[grumpymakesmehappy]

Is there anyone out there who did the Med with small children? My DD's will be 5 & 2 and a half...

Mel
x
I've asked this same question, and from what I've been told it's mostly adults. We will have a little one that should be 18 months by the time of the Sept. Med that we want to book. We're going to go ahead and give it a try.

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I would say min age for any kid is 4 for the Med, but only parents know their own kids,

There is a lot to do, lots of very long days and it can be hard for kids, the Med trip I was on had lots of Children say 5 upwards on it.

[CACruisin']

It will really depend on the parents/kids. Remember that Europe is not "stroller friendly" at all so children will need to walk or be carried ( or stay on the ship).

[Andrew DEREK UK]

It will really depend on the parents/kids. Remember that Europe is not "stroller friendly" at all so children will need to walk or be carried ( or stay on the ship).

It is also very hot and the sun isnt good for babies/todlers skin, imho.

[jd99]

I would say min age for any kid is 4 for the Med, but only parents know their own kids,

There is a lot to do, lots of very long days and it can be hard for kids, the Med trip I was on had lots of Children say 5 upwards on it.

Ours will be nearly 6 and nearly 12 on the trip so we think it will be perfect. Don't want to wait too long for the oldest but wanted to wait until the youngest could handle it. Tough when you have such a wide age range in kids

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Ours will be nearly 6 and nearly 12 on the trip so we think it will be perfect. Don't want to wait too long for the oldest but wanted to wait until the youngest could handle it. Tough when you have such a wide age range in kids

That should be great and very educational for both,

[CRSNDSNY]

Is there anyone out there who did the Med with small children? My DD's will be 5 & 2 and a half...

Mel
x
I was hoping to find some information for those who took this age range as well. Mine would be 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 for the TransAtlantic cruise. I am mostly worried about the flight. They have some trouble with their flight from PA to FL!!!

[CACruisin']

I was hoping to find some information for those who took this age range as well. Mine would be 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 for the TransAtlantic cruise. I am mostly worried about the flight. They have some trouble with their flight from PA to FL!!!

We did the EB TA in 2007 DD was a month shy of 4. She did ok on the flights. I thought she would sleep, but :sad2: . Instead she watched hours and hours of french cartoons (Air France flight with personal entertainment set ups). She did final crash on our last leg from Houston to LAX. She had trouble with the descents (Sp?), but I knew that would be a problem. I gave her motrin, sudafed and Afrin (per pediatrician's instructions) and that helped a bit. She had been treated on the ship for an ear infection, but I could tell it was still there. I called DH from Spain (he was home in the States - had to work:guilty: ) and he contacted the pediatrician and made us an appointment for the day after our return. Turns out she had double ear infections and a sinus infection. :scared:

She loved the cruise, but was often asleep at dinner (and awake again at 1am!) The time changes were brutal for us from the west coast. After she was on the antibiotics from the ship doctor, she was allowed to go to the club. She did some things with the club, but I kept her with me a lot because I wanted her to take it easy.

[grizbuzz]

Is there anyone out there who did the Med with small children? My DD's will be 5 & 2 and a half...

Mel
x

We did the Med cruise with DS4 and DS2. We had a great time! We had a "less is more" philosophy when it came to excursions and only did 2 DCL tours. For more details, see my trip report:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1489149

I say it's definitely doable. A much different trip than for those families with older children, but still a very fun one. :thumbsup2

[CRSNDSNY]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about the double ear infection!
Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I have a request in with a TA for a price so perhaps the cruise cost will help me decide one way or the other.

How long was your flight total?

We did the EB TA in 2007 DD was a month shy of 4. She did ok on the flights. I thought she would sleep, but :sad2: . Instead she watched hours and hours of french cartoons (Air France flight with personal entertainment set ups). She did final crash on our last leg from Houston to LAX. She had trouble with the descents (Sp?), but I knew that would be a problem. I gave her motrin, sudafed and Afrin (per pediatrician's instructions) and that helped a bit. She had been treated on the ship for an ear infection, but I could tell it was still there. I called DH from Spain (he was home in the States - had to work:guilty: ) and he contacted the pediatrician and made us an appointment for the day after our return. Turns out she had double ear infections and a sinus infection. :scared:

She loved the cruise, but was often asleep at dinner (and awake again at 1am!) The time changes were brutal for us from the west coast. After she was on the antibiotics from the ship doctor, she was allowed to go to the club. She did some things with the club, but I kept her with me a lot because I wanted her to take it easy.

[Ruth B]

Hello all,
i'm going to be doing the 8 day Dover to Barcelona cruise in July 2010 with my 2 son's.( 15 y/o and a 2 and a half!).
Were there any excrusion that the older children could go on alone?( like at castaway cay.) i really hope there is as, being relistic the 2 1/2 y/o will only be able to deal with short/child friendly actvities.
Did anyone here do any trips in Cadiz or Gibrator?
Ruth

[BoosGram]

As another DISer who has signed up for one of the 2010 special cruises, I want to send Moderator lbgraves a HUGE THANK YOU for compiling those TRs.

And thank you to all of the wonderful DISers who are kind enough to share their experiences! :flower3:

:thanks: :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: :thanks:

[Disney Princess Elli]

I did the first med cruise and the west-bound trans-atlantic.

they were both amazing but the trans-atlantic was my fave! 8 sea days and 6 of them in a row!! :rotfl:

it was the best holiday of my life!

[nzdisneymom]

We never got around to posting a trip report, but sailed the 7/18/2007 Med (10-night) with our family - two adults, two boys ages just-turned-11 and 9 3/4. We did all DCL excursions to take away the anxiety of "missing the ship" for our older son (and me).

We arrived in Barcelona the day before sailing, but by the time we got to the hotel and did our pre-registration with DCL, we only had a few hours to explore Barcelona. We did the hop-on-hop-off bus tour which was actually worth the time and a good way to get an overview without having to figure it out by yourself. DCL was fabulous with the transfer from the hotel to the port (we did DCL for air, pre-cruise-hotel, and transfers).

Our first sea day was a catch-up-on-sleep-get-over-jet-lag day.

Because DCL will not go to all the same ports, I'll only write now about the ones that are common between 2007 and 2010.

Naples: We chose to do the Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii for Families tour which started with a rocky hydrofoil boat ride across from Naples to the Isle of Capri.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/nzmommy/dcl%202007/DSC00719.jpg

The hydrofoil was set up similar to airplane seats. There was a restroom onboard. It took a while to get over there so it was great for the boys to sleep a bit more as we had an early departure and a full day ahead. At the Isle of Capri, we boarded a tour boat which took us about half-way around the island, pointing out coral, and going through that famous rock formation Faraglioni.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/nzmommy/dcl%202007/DSC00737.jpg

Then we had some free time in the harbor area - about an hour or so, and we were given a voucher for a gelato (try the lemon-strawberry - mmmmm). There were restrooms to use in one of the gift shops but it was definitely an adventure. We was the funicular that takes people up but didn't go up. We would not have had time to do anything at the top by the time we figured out what to do, so we just did some shopping and took some pictures.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/nzmommy/dcl%202007/DSC00745.jpg

From the Isle of Capri, we took the hydrofoil over to Sorrento where we then took a shuttle up the cliff to the town. As a previous poster wrote, we were taken on a "tour" of a shop where we saw a demonstration of inlaid wood techniques and then allowed free use of their clean and air-conditioned restrooms. We had a nice lunch at a restaurant that was really delicious and also free use of their restroom. We didn't have long in Sorrento beyond the lunch but there wasn't a lot to see in the immediate area where we were.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/nzmommy/dcl%202007/DSC00765.jpg

We then had a bus ride to Pompeii where we were taken in a shop where they make cameos, and allowed to use their free and clean restrooms before going into the site. We were all interested in seeing Pompeii as the children had heard about it at school from time-to-time and we had talked about it before going. It was phenomenal. The only thing I would say is that doing it with children, I would have thought they would do that part in the morning rather than the end -- my guys were tired and it was blazin' hot - while we enjoyed Pompeii portion, I think we would've enjoyed doing our tour that day in reverse.

Then we had a bus ride back to Naples where we didn't see anything of Naples itself... but the kids had a great nap on the way back.

(more in following posts)

[nzdisneymom]

Choosing an excursion for Rome was the most difficult thing for us. We knew it would be a super-long day, and by having the 10-night cruise, we didn't have a sea day between any of the ports. We had some specific things we wanted to see in Rome and some specific things we didn't want to spend the whole day doing, so we used that to pick our excursion.

We wanted our excursion to include the Colosseium, but not just the outside - we wanted to go in. We wanted to see the Trevi Fountain. And we wanted to see the Vatican but not spend the whole day there.

Our excursion started early in the morning on the Roma Express. Peter Pan rode with us. That's one thing I wanted to mention, too -- DCL did a great job of getting their photographers out in the various ports as well as the characters. We had an escort from the Port to the train station in Rome where we met our guide. Our escort also stayed with us for the whole trip, too. Our tour guide in Rome was the best we had - she was fabulous - very knowledgeable, her English was excellent, and while we didn't dilly-dally anywhere, she certainly didn't rush us through. We had lunch at a restaurant with several other excursion groups and we had use of their restroom :) From there, we went to the Vatican where it was hot as blazes during our wait to enter. We had the obligatory souvenir store stop for restrooms and shopping before reboarding the bus to return to the Port. We nearly missed the train and would've had to wait thirty minutes if we hadn't all run through the train station. Whew.

The following day was La Spezia. We were exhausted and because we were on the 10-night, we didn't have the sea-day to rest between Rome and La Spezia (Florence/Pisa). We chose an afternoon excursion that took us to Pisa and included the climb to the top of the tower. This was our favorite excursion in terms of fun. I think getting to sleep in that morning was what the boys enjoyed the most. This was a tender-port, so we didn't head over to La Spezia until closer to time to meet our excursion. Again, we had an escort to Pisa (and one other thing - there was usually at least one DCL cast member accompanying the various tour groups on "non-official duty" although some went "officially") and took a bus to Pisa where we boarded a "choo-choo" which is an open-air tram/train that took us to the town.

We got to climb the tower:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/nzmommy/disboards/e043.jpg

and then had some "free time" while waiting on the rest of our group to finish - they only let so many up at a time - and if you don't do an excursion that includes climbing the tower, or if you do it on your own, make sure to find out ahead of time how to get tix because otherwise you won't get to go. We did a little souvenir shopping and got gelato.

Here's my souvenir from Pisa:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/nzmommy/disboards/DSC00399.jpg

We then had a walk through the town and ended up at a restaurant for pastries.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/nzmommy/disboards/e044.jpg

We took the choo-choo back to the bus. On the way back, the DCL guy who was with us noticed that our guide had miscounted and we had left someone behind at the pastry shop. So we waited while our escort went back to get her. The confusion resulted from some non-excursion tourists hopping onto our choo-choo and the escort got discombobulated when counting and having them get off. Anyway, that took about 30- minutes for the guest to be fetched -- she was on the excursion alone but no one knew she was alone so none of the rest of us were looking out for her (you know, like if your mom is in the restroom, you'd say hey, wait a minute, mom isn't here?). Anyway, all was well, but we made it back to get the last tender back to the ship for the night. Whew. Again, that's why we chose DCL excursions.

(more to come)

[nzdisneymom]

The other port that is the same between summer 2007 and summer 2010 in the Med is Villefranche:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/nzmommy/disboards/e072.jpg

We again did an excursion through DCL and went to Nice. Our tour guide met us at the port and we boarded a bus for the short drive to Nice. We chose the shorter excursion because of the children. We did an open-air "choo choo" again in Nice, and had a great overview of the area which was absolutely breathtaking. There was an opportunity for a carousel ride which our boys passed on in favor of walking down to the non-sand beach. This was a short excursion (about 3 1/2 hours) and very relaxing after the busier days in Italy.

In the afternoon, we left the boys onboard the ship (again, it was a tender port) and DH and I explored the shops in the immediate area. We thought this was the most beautiful of the ports.

I'd be happy to answer any questions about our experiences - it was truly a memorable trip. We still talk about it. And the boys get to say "hey, I saw that with my own eyes" when they have pictures of the colosseium or the leaning tower of Pisa or the ruins of Pompeii in their school books. Or when watching the Amazing Race on t.v. and seeing some of the places we have actually been....

[calmom]

I found another TR. It is really good -
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1450177

[Disney Princess Elli]

double post sorry.

[Princess Giselle]

Where can I find the description of the 2010 Med excursions from DCL? I want to compare the price with the private tour.

[bmr12]

My family and I went on one of the 2007 Med Cruises and I would be happy to answer any questions as folks plan for 2010. I did not post a formal trip report, unfortunately. We did truly enjoy it and I highly recommend it as an outstanding trip.

My family and I are also going to the Baltics this year (2009), but on RCCL instead of DCL, and I'd be happy to answer questions about that as well once we get back in late June.

[mkmommy]

I came across this trip report on cruise critic, under virtual tours, from the 2007 Med cruises. There are excerpts from a 10 year old to give you an idea of how children would enjoy the cruise.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/virtual/virtual.cfm?ID=25

[lbgraves]

Where can I find the description of the 2010 Med excursions from DCL? I want to compare the price with the private tour.

DCL will not release their excursion information for these cruises until December 2009/January 2010 at the earliest based on past history. If you want to see what was offered in 2007 you can find the link to the past excursion information on the first page of this thread.

[Angelhalo]

I need help! LOL!.

DH and I are thinking of doing the med transatlantic cruise next year but we want to do the Eastbound going to Barcelona and then fly back but I am having a very hard time trying to find a review of anything bu westbound. I see a lot of reviews on the first page here but are any of them eastbound?

[CRSNDSNY]

This one is Eastbound. (http://davidsondrifters.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html)

We're on the Eastbound next April, as well. I wish there were more blogs and reports from this route, too. I'm reading anything I can get my hands on! :)

[Cliffside]

I came across this trip report on cruise critic, under virtual tours, from the 2007 Med cruises. There are excerpts from a 10 year old to give you an idea of how children would enjoy the cruise.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/virtual/virtual.cfm?ID=25

Thanks for the link this was a great trip report to read. It has gotten me really excited to start my planning for Aug 2010.:cool1:

[Kurby]

Wow so much info. Too much to read on my blackberry. Ill have to make notes when I get my laptop on line

Thank you all for posting all the info for us to sort through

[Candy Apple]

I did the first med cruise and the west-bound trans-atlantic.

they were both amazing but the trans-atlantic was my fave! 8 sea days and 6 of them in a row!! :rotfl:

it was the best holiday of my life!

Please tell me more about the westbound trans-atlantic. We are booked on a 5 day double-dip next June on the Wonder, but now I'm thinking about switching to the longer trip. I love the sea days, but I'm wondering if it's just too many. What did you do on all those sea days? Did they have 14 different nightly shows? What was the weather like? TIA. If I'm going to do this, I need to arm myself with lots of info to convince DH to switch!!

[Kurby]

i'm sure they'll tell you all about it but in the FAQ section you can find the navigators for one of the TA's a couple of years ago - it would give you a good idea of what they offer each night

[gismo1554]

Please tell me more about the westbound trans-atlantic. We are booked on a 5 day double-dip next June on the Wonder, but now I'm thinking about switching to the longer trip. I love the sea days, but I'm wondering if it's just too many.

There's no such thing as too many lol

What did you do on all those sea days?

There was so much onboard that we ended up missing out on some things. What I do remember is: Mystery at Sea (like a murder mystery around the boat over a few days), Bingo, Quizes, Art tours, Stageworks (behind the scene at the Walt Disney Theatre), tastings for both food & drink, movies, deck parties etc. Seriously there was loads to do!

Did they have 14 different nightly shows?

Techinically yes but some were comedians. They had 5 stage shows I think (Disney Dreams, Golden Mickeys, The Art of the Story, When Mickey Dreams - special show with acrobats & Twice Charmed) Plus Welcome Onboard show & Remember the Magic. Then they had the On the Nose gameshow which was an audience participation show. They had a movie night plus 2 special guest star nights (Boyz II Men on EB, Susan Egan on WB and Jim Brickman on both). Then they did the Crew Talent show one night. So its:
5 Stage shows, 2 part shows (welcome & goodbye), 1 game show, 2 guest stars, 1 talent show, 1 movie night and I would therefore assume there were 3 comedians

What was the weather like? TIA. If I'm going to do this, I need to arm myself with lots of info to convince DH to switch!!

Right well on the EB one (May) it was very bad weather but we were told that this was the best time to go on a TA so it was unseasonal. On the WB (Aug) it was lovely weather and we were told this too was unseasonal. This time the TA's are running in April & September so I'm not 100% sure on what the weather will be like.

[Princess Giselle]

I'm very naive about this. Do you think Tunis is safe to go around with the small kids (4-5 years old)? This is my first time in Europe and reading the descriptions of Tunis, a muslim country, made me consider if we should stay in the boat that day. I personally do want to spend excursion money for a place I feel uncomfortable...am I thinking too much?!

[travelbug24]

I'm very naive about this. Do you think Tunis is safe to go around with the small kids (4-5 years old)? This is my first time in Europe and reading the descriptions of Tunis, a muslim country, made me consider if we should stay in the boat that day. I personally do want to spend excursion money for a place I feel uncomfortable...am I thinking too much?!

I am concerned too since I will be traveling with my cousin (we will be two women)...how should we dress?

[gismo1554]

OK my parents took me to Tunis as a child (I was around 7 or 8 I think). We didn't really do much but I know we did go out to a market and had someone offer to pay for me but that was about it. There were no major issues but it's you do need to make sure you have hold of your kids at all times.

As for clothes, you will need to cover up your chest and legs if you are a woman, and actually if you are a man as well. Especially if you are going in any of the churches, you need to be covered, but you don't need to wear traditional dress or anything just not too much flesh on show.

[travelbug24]

Sarah

Thank you for the information - very helpful.:thumbsup2

[gismo1554]

Sarah

Thank you for the information - very helpful.:thumbsup2

No problem. Even in some of the European countries you will need to cover up if you are going in any religious buildings. I know on our last cruise one lady carried a thick Sarong with her and wore shorts then just wrapped this around at areas she needed to cover up.

[Candy Apple]

There's no such thing as too many lol

There was so much onboard that we ended up missing out on some things. What I do remember is: Mystery at Sea (like a murder mystery around the boat over a few days), Bingo, Quizes, Art tours, Stageworks (behind the scene at the Walt Disney Theatre), tastings for both food & drink, movies, deck parties etc. Seriously there was loads to do!

Techinically yes but some were comedians. They had 5 stage shows I think (Disney Dreams, Golden Mickeys, The Art of the Story, When Mickey Dreams - special show with acrobats & Twice Charmed) Plus Welcome Onboard show & Remember the Magic. Then they had the On the Nose gameshow which was an audience participation show. They had a movie night plus 2 special guest star nights (Boyz II Men on EB, Susan Egan on WB and Jim Brickman on both). Then they did the Crew Talent show one night. So its:
5 Stage shows, 2 part shows (welcome & goodbye), 1 game show, 2 guest stars, 1 talent show, 1 movie night and I would therefore assume there were 3 comedians


Right well on the EB one (May) it was very bad weather but we were told that this was the best time to go on a TA so it was unseasonal. On the WB (Aug) it was lovely weather and we were told this too was unseasonal. This time the TA's are running in April & September so I'm not 100% sure on what the weather will be like.

Thanks so much! As you can tell from my siggie, it didn't take as much convincing as I thought it would!

[Princess Giselle]

OK my parents took me to Tunis as a child (I was around 7 or 8 I think). We didn't really do much but I know we did go out to a market and had someone offer to pay for me but that was about it. There were no major issues but it's you do need to make sure you have hold of your kids at all times.

As for clothes, you will need to cover up your chest and legs if you are a woman, and actually if you are a man as well. Especially if you are going in any of the churches, you need to be covered, but you don't need to wear traditional dress or anything just not too much flesh on show.

Thanks for the info! It's helpful!;)

[Yvet]

We are on the EBTA and i would like to know if the packinglist for a 14 night cruise is different then from any other cruise.

Would you pack more or different things then the normal lenght cruises??

[surf2di4]

We are on the EBTA and i would like to know if the packinglist for a 14 night cruise is different then from any other cruise.

Would you pack more or different things then the normal lenght cruises??

as far as clothes and under garments on a 14 day i would do a load:laundy: or 2:laundy: of wash!
bring more wine or beer and liquior1

karl

[gismo1554]

We are on the EBTA and i would like to know if the packinglist for a 14 night cruise is different then from any other cruise.

Would you pack more or different things then the normal lenght cruises??

We took more but shouldn't have bothered as only wore half of it. We had 2 formal nights and 1 semi on the EBTA but they changed this to 1 formal and 2 semi on the WBTA. I would still say it might be worth taking 2 formal outfits just incase as it's hard to know in advance but we emailed Disney a month before the EBTA and asked how many there would be. They then gave us the nights they would be as well.

Remember flying out of Europe you may have different luggage restraints so its best to keep this in mind when packing.

We did a wash on both TAs as this was the easiest option. Aiming for the same again this time.

Oh and with all those days at sea I would suggest if you swim take an extra swimsuit. I, on a couple of occassions, had to wear a damp swim suit up to the pool and it wasn't very nice - especially on the day we camped out in the hot tub as it was so cold.

Oh and try to take flat evening shoes incase the boat's rocky. We didn't think about this when we went and ended up having to walk round barefoot in long evening gowns as it was too shaky to wear heels. Fun but not something I would want to repeat.

[Yvet]

Thanks gismo1554 for the reply.
The hint about emailing Disney one month upfront about the days and schedule for the formal nights is a great one!!!

Remember flying out of Europe you may have different luggage restraints so its best to keep this in mind when packing.
Flying out of Europe isn't the problem there we can bring with us 2 suitcases of 50 pounds per person.
The problem is flying back home from Barcelona to The Netherlands....
There we are only allowed 1 suitcase of 44 pound per person.....

We are planning to do some washes on board (we have to), we are aiming on 2 washes.

Oh and try to take flat evening shoes incase the boat's rocky. We didn't think about this when we went and ended up having to walk round barefoot in long evening gowns as it was too shaky to wear heels. Fun but not something I would want to repeat.
I never wear heels, i can't walk on heels.
If you see me walking on heels i walk on land the same as you did on a rocky boat :rotfl:

[gismo1554]

Thanks gismo1554 for the reply.
The hint about emailing Disney one month upfront about the days and schedule for the formal nights is a great one!!!

Yeah I'm hoping they still do this next year as it was a God send to know in advance (although the dates altered when we were on board). Just knowing roughly how many is a bonus!

Flying out of Europe isn't the problem there we can bring with us 2 suitcases of 50 pounds per person.
The problem is flying back home from Barcelona to The Netherlands....
There we are only allowed 1 suitcase of 44 pound per person.....

Oh be careful with the Transatlantic route as British Airways has just cut its luggage to 1 bag as of October this year I believe so other airlines may follow suite (fingers crossed they wont!!!!)

We are planning to do some washes on board (we have to), we are aiming on 2 washes.

I never wear heels, i can't walk on heels.
If you see me walking on heels i walk on land the same as you did on a rocky boat :rotfl:

:rotfl2: The joys of being obsessed with heels as a kid (well teenager) I can wear wedges and platforms but not stiletoes. Always need heels with jeans and trousers as between leg sizes so they always drop below my flats - although I wear flats to work all day and put up with it. Unfortunately my trainers and flip flops didn't look right with my dress last time lol

[MKJEcruisers]

This is great info... Thanks!

[marlower]

I'm so excited! We just booked the 10 day Med. cruise! WooHoo! Thanks so much for all this great info. and a special thanks to the person who asked about Tunisia--I was wondering the same thing. Is there anywhere I can info on shore excursions for Tunisia, Malta and Corsica?

[hadleyzoo]

We just booked the 10-day, 26 May 2010 Med cruise today. We are so excited!

[scrapycruiser]

I was able to get alot of info on Tunisia, Malta, and Corsica form cruisecritic.com. Go to the ports of call/ Africa for Tunisia.

We are going to hire a taxi for a 1/2 day tour to the market, Bardo Museum and Sidi Bou Said. Prices for taxis are good at $25/hour, just confirm before getting in.

We are going to book a 1/2 day tour in Malta with Touring Malta. 210 E.

Corsica has a beach within walking distance of where we'll be docked. Also, they have a little train tour, 90 min, that takes you around town and along the coast.

We will be on the Sept 8,2010 Magic Med Cruise with our son & family.

Hope that helps !
Gina:cheer2:

[travelbug24]

I was able to get alot of info on Tunisia, Malta, and Corsica form cruisecritic.com. Go to the ports of call/ Africa for Tunisia.

We will be on the Sept 8,2010 Magic Med Cruise with our son & family.

Hope that helps !
Gina:cheer2:

Thanks for the link. We will be on the same cruise.

[scrapycruiser]

travelbug24...hope to chat with you again about our cruise. It may be a long way off but planning is half the fun ! Also, with so many cruising before us, we'll have lots of trip reports to read and tips to gain from .

I started a roll-call on the cruise critic board, but no one has joined yet.

Happy planning !

Gina:surfweb:

[travelbug24]

travelbug24...hope to chat with you again about our cruise. It may be a long way off but planning is half the fun ! Also, with so many cruising before us, we'll have lots of trip reports to read and tips to gain from .

I started a roll-call on the cruise critic board, but no one has joined yet.

Happy planning !

Gina:surfweb:

:thumbsup2
I'll check out the cruise critic board too.

[mrosen]

There are lots of trip reports for these cruises. If you go to the trip report forum and scroll to the bottom of the page there is a place in the left corner under DISPLAY OPTIONS where you can change the option from "the last month" to "beginning" then click on display options. The trip reports currently start on page 13. when that comes up. I went through page 17 and here are the reports that stood out. I may have missed some if they didn't have the date or med in the title. There are some really good threads here with general information too.

Bringing home the "Magic" from the Med with pics- Completed (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1561711)

My rather long Westbound Transatlantic trip report (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1570568)

28th July 07- Med trip report & photo diary- Romancing the Mouse - an aliens report!
(http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1561634)

ROME-ancing the Mouse - July 28th Med cruise
(http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1516497)[this one has a list of blogs in the first post too]

Transatlantic Aug 18 - Sept 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1568362)

July 28th Med Cruise-Romancing the Mouse-TRIP REPORT (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1559807)

Seaulater In The Med - Disney Magic July 18-28, 2007 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1533699)

July 18-28 Med Cruise (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1533313)

If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Barcelona! 7/18/07**Two Updates Added**!! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1519538)

May 07 Med Cruise (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1548104)

All in one place: Please Post info from your DCL Med excursions HERE (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1474234)

Barcelona Segway Tour (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1469676)

Just back from July 7/07 -have ???? - will try and answer (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1523437)

6/6/07 med report...long (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1488280)

Just back from the July 7th Med Cruise... (m)
(http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1521978)

Barcelona Hotel Reviews/Questions (all in one post): (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1492488)

Doing Med ports on Own questions (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1481572)

June 27, 2007 Med Cruise Report (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1494971)

Med Ports on our Own (long) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1501295)

June 27th Mediterranean Trip Report Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1509612)

Blogging the June 16th Mediterranean Cruise (until we can't type anymore!)
(http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1486371)

Blogging the June 16th Mediterranean Cruise (until we can't type anymore!) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1486371)

If You are flying back from the med on Iberia READ THIS!! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1510542)

Magic to The Med Report VERY LONG (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1466778)

June 16th Med Cruise Report (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1499933)

my first cruise/ trip to the med**back home, pic on blog**
(http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1470820)

Back from June 16 Med Cruise (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1501149)

**LIVE** From the May 26, 2007 FIRST DCL Cruise in the MED! (5/26/07) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1448391)

Hello from the Disney Magic in the Middle of the Med! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1492789)

Almost Live: Naples Excursion - wow (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1501428)

LIVE from the Magic (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1494952)

Trip Report from the First Med Cruise (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1494638)

To the Mediterranean and Beyond! June 6 Med Cruise with 2 young boys (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1489149)

Photos from first Disney Med Cruise (5-26 to 6-6-07) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491814)

Pictures of Eze on Med cruise?? (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1489079)

Med Cruise - 26 May/6 June (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1490623)

Tales of the Transatlantic (Photos too) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1486222)

Video of Party Paradiso:new Mediterranean exclusive deck party (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1486260)

Tales of the Transatlantic (Photos too) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1486222)

6/27 Med cruise- Sorrento/Pompeii Private tour? (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1488171)

6/27 Med Cruise-private tour in Florence (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1476748)

5.12.2007 - Live TransAtlantic Cruise Questions/Answers (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1453251)

Bloggers on 16 June MedHead Cruise (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1484302)

05.26.2007 - LIVE Mediterranean Questions/Answers (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1465593)

Disney Magic Arrives In Barcelona-fireworks May 24, 2007 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1472902)

Arrived in Barcelona for June 6 Med Sailing (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1473074)

Just back from EB Med cruise-happy to answer questions (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1467020)

Barcelona Port Information (telephones, Taxis, Shipping, Etc.) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1470805)

Some thoughts on my med. excursions (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1471231)

May 12th 2007 Trans Atlantic Cruise (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1469234)
We can make this a sticky once more have added to it.

Looks like you did a Disney Mediterranean Cruise in 2007. Do you recall what the range of prices were for the Shore Excursions? We are considering booking in April 2010 an 11 night Mediterranean Cruise. None of the shore excursion packages are available and Disney doesn't have any price ranges to give me. We are a family of 4 (2 kids 11 and 9) and I don't know what we might end up spending in added costs doing things in port and what to assume so looking for any experience you had.

[mkmommy]

Looks like you did a Disney Mediterranean Cruise in 2007. Do you recall what the range of prices were for the Shore Excursions? We are considering booking in April 2010 an 11 night Mediterranean Cruise. None of the shore excursion packages are available and Disney doesn't have any price ranges to give me. We are a family of 4 (2 kids 11 and 9) and I don't know what we might end up spending in added costs doing things in port and what to assume so looking for any experience you had.

Go to another cruise lines web site that does similar cruises and look at cost of their excursions to get a general idea. Royal Caribbean's web site is pretty easy to check out.

[lbgraves]

No, I have never been across the Atlantic but there are links to the DCL excursions that were offered in 2007 in the DIS DCL FAQ thread under EXCURSION REVIEWS. Some of the ports have been switched around for 2010 but if you look at both the TA & Med excursions you will be able to get most of what was offered back then and a good idea of what to expect this time.

[mrosen]

No, I have never been across the Atlantic but there are links to the DCL excursions that were offered in 2007 in the DIS DCL FAQ thread under EXCURSION REVIEWS. Some of the ports have been switched around for 2010 but if you look at both the TA & Med excursions you will be able to get most of what was offered back then and a good idea of what to expect this time.

Thanks so much......

[pixie08]

I was able to get alot of info on Tunisia, Malta, and Corsica form cruisecritic.com. Go to the ports of call/ Africa for Tunisia.

We are going to hire a taxi for a 1/2 day tour to the market, Bardo Museum and Sidi Bou Said. Prices for taxis are good at $25/hour, just confirm before getting in.

We are going to book a 1/2 day tour in Malta with Touring Malta. 210 E.

Corsica has a beach within walking distance of where we'll be docked. Also, they have a little train tour, 90 min, that takes you around town and along the coast.

We will be on the Sept 8,2010 Magic Med Cruise with our son & family.

Hope that helps !
Gina:cheer2:

Very handy info...thanks for sharing. I am making my own port guides using the info.

[kaseyC]

FYI for those of you who are thinking about doing private excursions. Many of the private driver/guide companies offer a discounted rate if you book more than one port with them.

We are using Rome in Limo this summer for 3 of our ports (Pisa/Florence, Rome and Pompeii/Amalfi Coast) and they offered a discounted rate for booking all 3. Most of the other private groups do the same. Much less expensive for our party of 9 than the cruiseline excursions, we get to set our own itinerary and avoid the big bus experience.

[shushh]

Andrew's very useful list of links for the 2007 med cruise is fantastic!! But I thought that it might be time to update it a little so its a bit more relevant to the 2010 cruises and some of the 2011 cruise. In particular, I've got a few more links for Malta, Tunis and private transfers for Barcelona. We're on the first 2010 med cruise and our "research" might be handy for others down the line.

Here's the info.
Barcelona private transfers
http://www.barcelona-airport-transfers.com/
http://www.a2btransfers.com/

Malta
http://www.touringmalta.com/

La Spezia - specifically for cinque terre and for a guided walking tour. ie somone picks you up from port, train/ferry to the towns and taken back to ship. The first 2 are local companies based in 5T itself.
Agenzia Viaggi del Parco Nazionale delle 5 Terre– Official Tourist Office of Cinque Terre National Park-
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/agenziaviaggi_catalogo09_2.asp?id_lingue=2
http://www.arbaspaa.com/
www.bellavitaitalia.com

Tunis
www.experienceittours.com
http://www.tunisiadiscoveries.com/

[marlower]

shushh, thanks so much for this information!!! I'm getting so excited. I had to get through Christmas first before I could really focus on our Med. cruise in May!!

[yorkshire disney fan]

I cant wait for this years EBTA :)

[chisley]

one of the great things about the transatlantic cruise is that the price is great!!! Also the ship is not full -there were only 300 children instead of 1200 on the May 2011 cruise... I also see the same people on all the longer cruises (transatlantic, panama canal - and plan on seeing them on Hawaii) The disney ships feels like a family - same staff and cruisers... I have cruised all lines but Disney is my favorite...

[laurenbasso]

okay...