July 18-28 Med Cruise

[ariel39]

Hello Everyone, I wanted to work on this while we were on the ship but the internet was horrible. I tried from the room and from the internet cafe and had a heck of a time getting on.

I hope you all enjoy reading about our wonderful trip.

This trip was with my family of 10 - Me and my 3 DD, 11, 15 and 17. My DS, BIN and Niece 5, My Parents and my Niece 22. My DH had to stay home and take care of all of our animals. We really wanted him to go with us.

My DH who wasn't going with us drove me and the girls to the airport in Las Vegas at 430 am on July 17. We flew to Philadelphia and then on to Barcelona. Uneventful flights which just made the trip so much better.

Once we arrived in Barcelona it was 830am and the airport was extremely crowded. We gathered our luggage, yes all of it was there, and proceeded to the checkin counter for Disney.

We were brought outside to our bus and once we left the airport, we were told that it was too early to go to the port terminal, therefore we were getting a tour of Barcelona.

That was a nice surprise, however we were exhausted after flying for so long and just wanted to rest.

They took us through Barcelona and up in the hills. We visited a church that Christopher Columbus brought native americans back to be baptized. A beautiful church I must say.

We were allowed in the square for about 30 mins or so and I found a cell phone store where I wanted to purchase a phone card for my cell phone since T-mobile didn't have any service in Europe.

I purchased the card for 24 Euros and it didn't work. They stated I needed an unlock code from T-mobile and of course couldn't get that since I couldn't get signal. I thought oh well, I will try to call my DH from the ship to see if he could call T-mobile and get me the information.

We proceeded back to the bus and off to the terminal.

We arrived there around 1130am, went thru security and we were given group #6 to board. I sat the girls down and went to check us in. When I checked in, it was such a fiasco. This is the one area that Disney needs to work on. I presented my documents and then they wanted me to complete the forms agand and wanted my credit card. I couldn't believe that I had to fill everything out agian. I was livid. My mom wanted to put her credit cards on the rooms and we did that online prior to leaving. I explained that my parents and sister stayed over night at a hotel and wouldn't be there until later that day, they didn't care. I still had to give my credit card. I asked them what was thepoint of doing registration online if it didn't mean anything, and they couldn't answer me.

Once I got thru the check in, I got the girls and we moved to the other side of the terminal and saw that they were already boarding our group!! YIPEE!!! We were so excited. Finally getting on board.

Once we proceeded thru the line, we were sent outside to walk on the ship. The line was long but that was because we had to take elevators up to Deck 9 where lunch was being served in Topsiders. Once we were up to Deck 9 we were announced and the party began. That was such a thrill for us. We were approached at buying water but didn't want to do that just yet and we proceeded into Topsiders.

We ate lunch and decided to check out our rooms. Of course Disney didn't want anyone in the rooms until 130pm, but we wanted to see anyway. We met our Stateroom Host Danny. What a great guy. I asked him if we could decorate our doors and then leave. We were surprising my parents and sister in decorating their door along with ours. He said sure and we did.
After we returned to Topsiders one of my DD's and I walked the deck just to see what was going on. We watched alot of people coming on board just as excited as we were. We decided to go up to Deck 10 and as we approached the stairs, in walked the rest of our family. We were so excited to see them as they left the day before us. We brought them to Topsiders so that they could eat lunch. It was just about 130 so the girls and I took our carryons and the rest of the family's carryons down to our rooms. We had 6122, my sister had 6124 and my parents had 6126. We loved our rooms. It was right near the aft elevators on the port side. It was so convienent. After we took everything to our rooms, we went to get the rest of the family and took them to the rooms. They were surprised at that door decorations. They just loved them. We all went to our rooms and collapsed.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Danny was great, wasn't he? I enjoyed getting to see you and your family either in the hall or waving from the verandah - I especially remember that first morning we pulled into port in Palermo - I was so excited to be arriving but my guys were all zzz'ing, so it was fun to see some other "early birds" watching us arrive.

I've been sorting through pictures (over 1,400 of them) but haven't had a chance to work on my trip report yet.

 

[ariel39]

Once we had a chance to look at our navigators, my sister and I decided to go on the tour of the ship. This was a little disappointing because we thought it would be about the inner workings of the ship and it was just a brief tour of where everything was. Andy was our guide and seemed a little nervous, but I guess that can happen. The kids had already hit the pool and met us on deck when they saw us pass by.

After the tour is was the DISmeets at the Promenade Lounge. It was great to see everyone. Although I had just found the board a few weeks before my trip, it was great to meet everyone that I have been reading about. We exchanged gifts, chatted for a little while and then it was off to the muster drill.

Since our rooms were seperated by a door in the hallway, my sister and parents had their drill in Animators. We had ours out on deck 4. After we all lined up, they stated to raise our hands if they call our cabin number. He actually said raise your hands, make some noise, throw something at me. Wrong thing to say to my DD 17. As he was calling out cabin numbers, my DD noticed a small boat pass us by, so she waved. He stopped calling cabin numbers and said is that your cabin and she said no, Im waving to that boat. I yelled at her and told her that they were checking for cabins that didn't show up yet and she said that if they called our number he instructed us to throw something at him. Yep thats my daughter!!

Dinner was next and our rotatation was APLAPLAPLA early seating so off to Animators we went. Our server was Dennis, our assistant was Sathish. Both were very good, but I think I like Sathish the best.

I wasn't impressed with dinner. I had chicken and it was extremely dry, but I thought, so what there is so much food on this ship I can always eat something else.

We didn't go to the show and went back to the rooms to unpack and rest for the night.

We did go up to the sailaway party. It was kinda late, so it wasn't very popular. I was a little disappointed in the party, but I had fun away. I was dancing up a storm and embarrasing my children, but I guess that is what a mom is suppose to do.

After we sailed away, we walked along the deck to watch us leave port and think about our upcoming days. Off to bed and to start our second day on the MAGIC

 

[IASW Rider]

Looking forward to reading more of your trip report! We were on the Magic July 18 - 28, as well! Wish that we were still there!

 

[ariel39]

The second day was our sea day. I had an appointment in the spa for the "de-ionzing" or something like that. It was ok, not the greatest, I felt it was more of a sales pitch. I honestly thought I had a massage scheduled, but I guess I didn't. Anyhow after that I met up with the family for breakfast at Parrot Cay for our character breakfast. It was good and the kids loved the characters, just like we were at Disneyland. After breakfast was BINGO time. I walked into Rockin Bar D and met Melanie. No one else was there, so I said, I guess I won, no one is here. She laughed and said you wish!! My family and I sat down and awaited the other guests. When Melanie started she said that when you have a row completed you yell, and I stood up and said real loud, "BINGO!!!!!!". She loved it and gave me a keychain. My kids still tell everyone I got it for being a big mouth. Any how, I didn't win BINGO, but I met Melanie and she thanked me for being so much fun. She stated that sometimes she gets some really boring people, but she knew it would be fun with me. I really appreciated that.

After BINGO we went back to the room to rest a little while and the kids went swimming. I loved standing on my verandah just looking at the sea. It was great. Cindy and I frequently saw each other just looking outside. It was so peaceful.

I forgot about the lunch, sorry guys, wished I would have attended, I was just tooo tired and very excited about getting into Palermo the next day.

This was our formal night for dinner and we didn't attend. I don't know about other people, but I dress up everyday for work and when I go on vacation, dressy clothes is not my thing. My sister on the othe hand does like to dress up and was kinda disappointed that we didn't attend the dinner. We all went to Topsiders and had dinner. It was very good and I didn't have to dress up.

We went back to the room to rest for the next day in Palermo!

 

[ariel39]

This is the reason for our cruise. We are Sicilian and have a cousin in Casteldaccia. I haven't seen her in over 30 years and she is 82 years old. She took care of my great grandmother after my great grandfather passed in Brooklyn, NY. She would stay in the US for about 18months at a time since that is all her VISA was good for, go back to Palermo and then come back. I was about 9 years old when my great grandmother passed away and Maria went back to Palermo.

We had breakfast and went off the ship in hopes we could find her house. We found 2 cabs outside the port and I gave them her address, they looked a little puzzled but said they would take us there. They drove us about 5 mins away and said "here we are" I just knew it wasn't right, so I said are you sure and Tony our driver said yes. My dad remembered she lived in Casteldaccia so Tony asked for my cousins phone number. I couldn't call on my phone, but he said he would call on his. He did and she was so excited you could hear her on the phone. Mi Familia!! Once he realized where she lived, he told me it was about 30 mins away. He said that both cabs would take us there, stay there with us while we visit, give us a tour of Palermo and some shopping and back to the port. We were fine with that and were so happy that he would stay with us. When we got there she came running out and she recognized me immediately. I was so excited. We all went in side and she called her neighbor who spoke English and Italian. She only spoke Italian and of course we only spoke English, so we needed a good translator.

We had a great time visiting with her and looked thru old photos. She had one of my oldest when she was 2 and my middle when she was 6 months old. My kids were so tickled to see that she had their pictures. We talked about old times and took lots and lots of pictures. As soon as I can figure out how to post the pictures I will.

After we were done, Tony and Francesco took us back to Palermo where we went shopping in the street markets and a little sightseeing. We have some beautiful pictures overlooking the Med Sea.

We got back to the boat and crashed. It was such an exciting day. We got ready for dinner at Lumiere's and had a wonderful dinner. After dinner was some more time for BINGO and yes I didn't win again.

Time for bed to rest up for our 4th day, Naples!

 

[OurDogCisco]

This is the reason for our cruise. We are Sicilian and have a cousin in Casteldaccia. I haven't seen her in over 30 years and she is 82 years old. She took care of my great grandmother after my great grandfather passed in Brooklyn, NY. She would stay in the US for about 18months at a time since that is all her VISA was good for, go back to Palermo and then come back. I was about 9 years old when my great grandmother passed away and Maria went back to Palermo.

We had breakfast and went off the ship in hopes we could find her house. We found 2 cabs outside the port and I gave them her address, they looked a little puzzled but said they would take us there. They drove us about 5 mins away and said "here we are" I just knew it wasn't right, so I said are you sure and Tony our driver said yes. My dad remembered she lived in Casteldaccia so Tony asked for my cousins phone number. I couldn't call on my phone, but he said he would call on his. He did and she was so excited you could hear her on the phone. Mi Familia!! Once he realized where she lived, he told me it was about 30 mins away. He said that both cabs would take us there, stay there with us while we visit, give us a tour of Palermo and some shopping and back to the port. We were fine with that and were so happy that he would stay with us. When we got there she came running out and she recognized me immediately. I was so excited. We all went in side and she called her neighbor who spoke English and Italian. She only spoke Italian and of course we only spoke English, so we needed a good translator.

We had a great time visiting with her and looked thru old photos. She had one of my oldest when she was 2 and my middle when she was 6 months old. My kids were so tickled to see that she had their pictures. We talked about old times and took lots and lots of pictures. As soon as I can figure out how to post the pictures I will.

After we were done, Tony and Francesco took us back to Palermo where we went shopping in the street markets and a little sightseeing. We have some beautiful pictures overlooking the Med Sea.

We got back to the boat and crashed. It was such an exciting day. We got ready for dinner at Lumiere's and had a wonderful dinner. After dinner was some more time for BINGO and yes I didn't win again.

Time for bed to rest up for our 4th day, Naples!

Omgosh.... that is SOOOO exciting... I loved reading that.. I can't wait to hear the rest. We were on the 7.07.07 cruise...

 

[Babs417]

Love Live reports. Great job

 

[Jillpie]

Kathie, I love your report! Especially going to your relatives home, how exciting was that, did she have any idea you were coming? ok, I have to ask you a really nosy question...how much was that taxi if you had him the entire day? in us dollars please. Can't wait for more!

 

[ariel39]

Here are some pictures

Nishelle (my daughter), my dad, Maria, Emily (my niece) Me and my sister

Kristina (my niece) Nishelle (my daughter) Emily (my niece) Maria Breanna and Jennifer (my daughters)

 

[ariel39]

Kathie, I love your report! Especially going to your relatives home, how exciting was that, did she have any idea you were coming? ok, I have to ask you a really nosy question...how much was that taxi if you had him the entire day? in us dollars please. Can't wait for more!

Hi Jillpie, Thank you!!! Yes she knew. Last year when we decided to go, I did some searching to find her. We had her address but haven't heard from her in several years. My grandmother, her first cousin, past away in 1994 and she is the one that kept intouch with her the most. She wrote to my grandfather, but I don't think he was good at writing back. When my grandfather passed away in 2000, my aunt wrote her to let her know. We really haven't heard from her since then.

I looked through my grandmothers address book and found her address. I asked my uncle if he had anything and he emailed me the same address and a phone number. I couldn't reach her so I contacted the American Consulate in Italy by email and he called her and emailed me back saying that Yes she is who she is and that she remembers all of us.

I called my cell phone company and they helped me in dialing her number in my phone. We couldn't understand each other.

I then have a friend who speaks Italian and Spanish. She had a party for her daughter and her aunt was there. She called her for me and spoke with her and told her that we would be coming out this year. She was sooooo excited.

We have sent letters back and forth, just a few short ones that we could understand (used babelfish to translate).

The day before we left for the trip, I did a 3 way phone call between my friends mom, me and Maria. We told her when we would be there and she is the one that told us to get the taxi to take us.

When Tony our driver called, you could hear her screaming on the phone. Tony said WOW she is really excited to see you all.

As for the price, there were 10 of us and it cost us 500 Euros which is about $656. We gave them each 50 Euros as a tip.

 

[ariel39]

Here are some pictures

Nishelle (my daughter), my dad, Maria, Emily (my niece) Me and my sister

Kristina (my niece) Nishelle (my daughter) Emily (my niece) Maria Breanna and Jennifer (my daughters)

A side note:

If you look at the B&W picture on the wallin the background, that was taken in the 40's in Coney Island Brooklyn. The picture is so old, she didn't remember everyone in it. It was great to see she had brought some Brooklyn home with her.

 

[ariel39]

here is a picture that Maria had in her photos.

My Grandmother, 2 people I don't recognize, Maria and I don't know who the bride is. I was so excited that she had a picture of my grandmother, I had to take a picture of it. It was sometime in the 70's.

 

[Jillpie]

That is one of the most fascinating stories I've ever read! Your efforts really paid off, good for you for pursuing seeing your long lost relatives, I love it!! And ouch, that taxi price, but you know what, the visit was priceless, wasn't it. Just great. More trippie please.

 

[ariel39]

We thought the price wasn't too bad since if we went on a tour with the 10 of us it would have been around $1000.

As soon as I have more time to sit and type, I will do some more.

Thank you for your interest. I loved our trip and miss it already!!

 

[scottishwee35]

We thought the price wasn't too bad since if we went on a tour with the 10 of us it would have been around $1000.

As soon as I have more time to sit and type, I will do some more.

Thank you for your interest. I loved our trip and miss it already!!

Oh what a lovely story and good to see family photo together.

Yes, Me too I loved our trip and miss it already .

Lucky, we had a fantastic times on the Cruise and see different port too.

Scottishwee35