Our Magical Mediterranean Adventure 8-18th June 2011 *Completed*

[janey2000]

I have finally plucked up the courage to try to sort through my navigators and the thousands of photos to try and do my first trip report. They were so helpful to me when planning for this trip so hopefully someone will enjoy reading it. Who am I kidding, it's actually because I am so unbelievably miserable it has ended that it's all I have left to look forward to!

So this is our first cruise, first Disney holiday and am sure it wont be the last. I'm actually surprise how easily I have been so sucked up by a corporate giant!

We booked the trip in January this year after I pursuaded my husband he would enjoy it. He actually admitted today when we were chatting to some friends that he loved every minute

So once I have worked out how to upload a photo, my report will begin.....

 

[helenreed]

Ha ha Janey, I know what you mean! We accidentally got sucked in on honeymoon 16 years ago, we are now DVC members at 3 resorts and have been every year for 16 years, now with 3 kids! We are off on the 20th July on the med cruise. On points! I am completely obsessed, we have made so many fantastic memories which will last a lifetime, have you booked Florida yet?!

 

[DVC2042]

Hi! Good luck with the postings! We'll be watching with a lot of interest. We were on the 11-day just in front of you and also had a superb time (also on DVC points as noted by another poster)

We have gotten a bit more than halfway through at this post: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=2738882

Looking forward to your pics!!
Steve & Renée

 

[janey2000]

Ha ha Janey, I know what you mean! We accidentally got sucked in on honeymoon 16 years ago, we are now DVC members at 3 resorts and have been every year for 16 years, now with 3 kids! We are off on the 20th July on the med cruise. On points! I am completely obsessed, we have made so many fantastic memories which will last a lifetime, have you booked Florida yet?!

I can see how easily it is done! I went to the DVC presentation but obviously for us being in the UK it wouldn't be of much benefit (really I just wanted to win the $300 onboard credit)

I can get started as soon as someone tells me how I can upload a photo! It is wanting a webiste address but the photos are on my computer. Did a practise facebook one but it didn't load

 

[WanderGirl]

Load the photo up to imageshack or photobucket beforehand, then take the link from there and use that one

I'm about halfway through my report of the cruise - link is in my sig if you're interested in comparing - but good luck! I know sorting through my photos just made me want to take off for the Med once more..!

PS: I also went to the DVC presentation.. definitely mostly for the $300 credit

 

[helenreed]

I can see how easily it is done! I went to the DVC presentation but obviously for us being in the UK it wouldn't be of much benefit (really I just wanted to win the $300 onboard credit)

Janey we live in the UK and buying into DVC was the best thing we ever did! You can use your points all over the world!

 

[janey2000]

I can see how easily it is done! I went to the DVC presentation but obviously for us being in the UK it wouldn't be of much benefit (really I just wanted to win the $300 onboard credit)

Janey we live in the UK and buying into DVC was the best thing we ever did! You can use your points all over the world!

Not sure how I missed that?! I could see how it could be of benefit if you go regularly. They mentionned something about the points for the places other than the US being less, is that correct?

Thanks wandergirl. I'm owkring so cant use those sites but will have a try shortly and hopefully get started!

 

[janey2000]

We flew out of Luton with EasyJet mainly due to the low cost of the flights. It was only a 2 hour journey and Georgia loved the bad patch of turbulence (Mummy was sweating!) . We arrived in Barcelona at about 1700 local time and decided that we would hop on the Aerobus instead of taking a taxi. It was easy to find and cost 10.40 Euros. We got off at the second stop and stepped into the map to find our hotel… and then the rain started! Our hotel was a short walk and an absolute bargain! I still don’t know how I managed to find such a good deal. We paid £42 for a triple room with kitchenette and breakfast! The kitchenette meant I could cook a quick and cheap pasta meal as Georgia was ready for dinner when we arrived.

Coffee stop number one of our European adventure - the USA!

Doggie enjoying the flight

I had planned to head over to Casa Batllo but due to the torrential rain we didn’t get far. We purchased some wine at a bargain price from the local supermarket and had customary sangria at a local bar. Despite my degree in Spanish the waiter had thought I had asked for an apple for Georgia (instead of an apple juice) and had almost sent one of his lads to the local supermarket before the confession was discovered! The rain was so bad we all got drenched.

Drenched Georgia

 

[janey2000]

I got a fairly early night as the 10pm UK time was only 9pm Barcelona time which resulted in a 5.30 wake up as I was so excited! Due to the clock change it was a shame I didn’t lay in longer as Georgia wakes up at 6am at home! We were down to breakfast at 7.30 and ready for our walk to Casa Batllo.

My Dad decided when Georgia was born that he wanted to take her to every park in our local borough and estimated that it would take roughly till she was 5. Well he has completed about 55 of the 70 something already so we thought we would branch out and complete European parks as well. We tried to stop at a park at every port we visited and took the photo of proof along with park sign especially for Granddad!

We got back to the hotel for 0945 and ordered a taxi. The taxi driver was fantastic and one of his leather seats converted into a child seat for Georgia, which she loved!

Our first glimpse of the magic!

We arrived at the port terminal shortly after 10 and queued until we got through to check in at 10.30. The terminal has the basic facilities but it was a long wait till boarding which I was surprised started at 12 (we were group 4). Luckily Mickey and Minnie came out to entertain us! Georgia, after promises that she wouldn’t be frightened because she loves Mickey, was terrified! So for the first few days, Daddy appears in all the character photos! I also found Amy and Jason who were to be our tablemates and Georgia and Maisie were introduced. They became good friends and Georgia misses her so much now we are home.

First meeting with Mickey, shame I feel asleep!

Flamenco Minnie

Happy faces down the gangway!

Our welcome on board

We were directed through to Parrot Cay and had the best lunch of the trip. Georgia had spaghetti and meatballs whilst I tried a bit of everything, including the strawberry soup which was divine!

I stopped in at guest services to book tea with Alice and then the club to get Georgia registered and her GPS tracker attached to her arm!

Georgia steers the ship!

We dropped everything off at our room and quickly headed to the walking ship tour to familiarise ourselves with our new surroundings. Georgia almost immediately fell asleep on Jack’s shoulder which I was pleased about as she wouldn’t have made it till late in the evening and I thought all the excitement would be too much for her to be napping!

Inside cabin - Room 5013

No photo taken of the bathroom - my downstairs toilet is bigger!

After the tour we got a coffee (full fat milk and sugar as I am on holiday!) and then Georgia woke up and decided she wanted to swim despite not having her swimmers on!

The dis meet was at 3 and we managed to get there for about 15 minutes to meet a few people. Before heading to the lifeboat drill. We didn’t have to take the jackets with us so prepped Georgia in the room for what she would have to do should the occasion arise (I shouldn’t have watched Titanic so soon to cruising!)

We went and got a good spot after the drill for the sailaway party. They were giving out streamers which Georgia enjoyed playing with. The horn sounded ‘when you wish upon a star’ as we sailed away.

Our first dinner was ‘Let the magic begin’ at Lumiers. We met our head server Marcos from Chile and assistant server Natalie from Trinidad and Tobago. I only noticed when I sat at the table we were moving as we had a lovely porthole window next to us. This was the first and only time I felt a bit sick which cleared up as soon as I had eaten.

I had decided that I would be adventurous during the cruise and try things I wouldn’t normally. I don’t eat much fish and so wanted to try something other than the usual dinner of meat I have to eat at home (Jack is pretty fussy!). My first course was Moroccan chicken parcels, then halibut placed on some smashed peas with a creamy sauce, it was fantastic! Georgia is still at that age where I can pick all her choices without too much protest, so she had fruit to start every evening and then the chefs entrée of the day which included salmon, chicken, meatloaf and pasta. Pudding for her was the same every evening, a Mickey bar (although she said she would only have a Minnie bar as she was a girl so Marcos gave Mickey a bow made from chocolate sauce!)

Georgia and Maisie got to know each other

Spanish Mickey

Our first towel animal

 

[janey2000]

Our first breakfast was in Topsiders and I loved the view of the sea, it was so beautiful. I seemed to stick with the same breakfast every day. Fruit and French toast with maple syrup. I wouldn’t eat French toast at home but this was out of this world! It was really thick and made with powdered sugar and cinnamon. I wish I hadn’t tried to diet before the cruise as my stomach wasn’t ready to be eating so much! Jack also stuck with the same every day but his was a full English breakfast and second course (he believed he could have a pudding at breakfast because he was on holiday and because he knew he’s never have got away with this at home!) which was pancakes and danish pastries layered with whipped cream and strawberry syrup!

We went straight to the Playhouse Disney dances which Georgia enjoyed and we took video of her doing ‘I don’t want to be a chicken, I don’t want to be a turkey, I just wanna be a duck… like Donald duck!’ It was very cute!

The princess gathering was at 11.30 and we were advised to get there early and so queued from 11. Georgia met all the princesses but as she was still wary of the characters the pictures were not great so we did this again on the last sea day and got some better snaps.

We ran into Princess Minnie and Georgia got over her fear!

We checked out Topsiders for lunch but it was an Asian buffet and so Georgia and Jack wouldn’t have enjoyed much from there. So we got junk food from around the pool. I would never be keen on chicken strips at home but they were delicious, like KFC and proper chicken pieces instead of the mashed up stuff. Georgia liked the pizza and we had a toastie from Goofys gallery. All washed down with ice cream and coke (diet of course!) from the soda stations.

Georgia and Daddy had a swim in Mickey’s pool whilst Mummy relaxed (if there is such a thing) for about an hour before we decided she needed to nap. We did a lovely walk around deck 10, the weather was beautiful.

A busy Mickey pool

Goofy Pool with complete with cinema screen!

Quiet Cove pool (I didn't get to go in here once!)

The sea

Georgia went to the club and lasted about 15 minutes before I got the text that she wanted to be collected! She didn’t cry but I think because there wasn’t a structured activity going on that she didn’t know what to do with herself.

Then we had tea with Alice booked for 4pm. It was actually apple juice with chocolate chip cookies but she learnt how to sip her tea like a lady and place her napkin in her lap.

Tonight was formal night with the prince and princess dinner which we had in Animators palate. We all dressed up and went for the captains welcome cocktail in the lobby where Georgia and Daddy danced to the band playing.

My beauty

I can’t remember what I ate but know that Georgia had the salmon, the reason why you’ll find out shortly!

Table napkins

My dessert

Formal Donald

We went to see the Twice Charmed show which was based on Cinderella, one of Georgia’s favourites! We weren’t sure how she’d be as she hadn’t sat in for a show or been to the cinema yet as her concentration doesn’t usually last too long. But she loved it, it really was a great show and the prince came and sung right by where were sitting. This was until about 5 minutes before the end. Georgia had gone really hot in her dress and mentioned that her head hurt. She then coughed and threw up all her dinner into my hands! Now this is only the second time she has been sick during her 3 years so I was terrified! I managed to walk out carrying her in front of me straight into the toilet to get cleaned up. Once we had finished clearing up the show had just finished and we had missed Cinderella changing from her rags into her beautiful dress!

We went back to the room where a very hot little girl fell straight to sleep with no complaints (unlike almost every other night). I was so worried as didn’t know if she was sea sick (we had been sailing for over 24 hours by now though) had food poisoning or a bug. I went down to guest services and they gave me some thermometer stripes for her forehead and despite her feeling so hot, her temperature seemed normal which made me feel a bit better. She slept until about 0130 when she awoke and couldn’t get back to sleep. She was wreathing but not much was coming up. I went to get coffee for us at about 3am as she couldn’t get back to sleep and returned to find that she had thrown up again on the bed. We called G.S who sent up a room attendant to change the sheets. So we turned on the tv and watched the end of sleeping beauty, her favourite and the start of Mary Poppins which she really enjoyed before she fell asleep again about 0430. She wouldn’t leave our side so I had to squeeze into her bed to be able to get a bit of sleep.

Tonights towel animal

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

Great report so far! I'm taking our kids, too, so it's nice to see a report done from a young child's perspective.

I hope your daughter woke up feeling better! My kids getting sick on this trip is one of my big worries.

I look forward to reading the rest. We are actually surprising our kids at the port in Barcelona but I just showed them some of your pictures to start setting the bait and they were very excited

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

Loving your report! Please do continue! The pictures are super!

 

[janey2000]

Georgia woke us about 0745 and I rushed up to deck 10 to capture the magic coming into port.

I was anxious about how the day was going to turn out as she wouldn’t eat any breakfast but was drinking bucket loads of water which pleased me greatly. We went out by the soda station to fill up with water for the day and she started to dance around the splash pool singing so I knew she must have been feeling better, although she milked the fact she was poorly for the remainder of the day.

We had planned to get the bus first thing into Mdina so head off in search of the secret elevator that I had read bypasses the huge hill. We eventually found it and it lead to the bus terminal. There were so many buses and I couldn’t find the ’80’ that we needed. I eventually had to ask and was told I could have taken the 81 that had just left! We waited a further 10 minutes but with no sign of a bus and it was getting on past 11am. So we decided we would give it a miss. I was disappointed to have not got to see Mdina but felt safer being close to the ship encase of a repeat sickness episode.

Georgia managed to eat a few bites of a muffin and banana I had taken from breakfast as we walked into Valletta. She sat happily in her pushchair watching her DVD player whilst we saw a few sights. We skipped St John’s co-cathedral as the line was long and I wasn’t sure she’d keep quiet for long so we opted for the church of St Paul’s shipwreck. I prepped Georgia before we went in and was amazed how well behaved and quiet she was. She was asking me what the mats on the floor were for so I explained people pray on them, she then said she wanted to pray. So we knelt on mats together and said a prayer of thanks that she had recovered so quickly from her sickness and our usual expressions of gratitude for having an abundance of food to eat. She was so good during our 30 minutes there that I promised her the sailor Donald she had seen in the gift shop!

When she eventually dropped off for a nap we stopped for our first of many coffees (we also wanted to experience a coffee in each port), This one was good, but was just a standard Lavazza cappuccino we would have got at home. We then walked to the Upper Barracca Gardens and I’m so glad we did, the view was stunning. There were a couple up there getting married, it was so beautiful. Georgia started to wake as we walked down the hill towards the boat and then what did we come across, a park! She was still too groggy from being ill to fully enjoy it but we took a few pictures, it was a lovely place in the middle of the gardens.

Park number 2 Dad

I brought a cowgirl hat for 10 euro and we managed to find a toy bus for 4 Euro that made me chuckle because it had an ‘80’ sticker in the window. Georgia was so disappointed not to have gone on the bus trip we promised her that we brought her the bus, a real treat as she doesn’t have any ‘boy type’ toys!

By the time we got back on the boat about 1600 I was starving and ate a bit too much so close to dinner. Georgia only fancied chips so I accommodated her request, despite the fact it killed me that the only healthy meal she had eaten so far, she had brought back up! We then went together to Do Si Do with Snow white at the club. We got to do the dance and then Snow White came in and did it with us. Georgia probably would have been ok left by herself but I kind of wanted to do this together.

Dinner tonight was Parrot Cay during which Minnie danced in her flamenco dress! Tonight’s show was a magic show but it included hypnotism so I would not attend. Instead we went shopping and brought sailor Donald!

 

[pxlbarrel]

While in stealth mode during formal night, I spied your husband and daughter dancing in the atrium (I was standing on deck 4 looking down). I shot a very short video of their little dance because I didn't see you there at the moment and thought it was too cute for you to miss (or to memorialize!)

Not entirely sure how to get it to you though. hahaha It's only about 40 seconds long.

 

[janey2000]

While in stealth mode during formal night, I spied your husband and daughter dancing in the atrium (I was standing on deck 4 looking down). I shot a very short video of their little dance because I didn't see you there at the moment and thought it was too cute for you to miss (or to memorialize!)

Not entirely sure how to get it to you though. hahaha It's only about 40 seconds long.

Wow thank you! I was actually right ther beside them holding a wine glass and 2 cocktails in my hands (I was on holiday... and they were free cocktails) but i'd love the video, I did take a short one myself also but this may be better from above. Will it work on an email attachment maybe? I can private message you my email address.

Thanks again, that was a lovely thought x

 

[designertravels]

We flew out of Luton with EasyJet mainly due to the low cost of the flights. It was only a 2 hour journey and Georgia loved the bad patch of turbulence (Mummy was sweating!) . We arrived in Barcelona at about 1700 local time and decided that we would hop on the Aerobus instead of taking a taxi. It was easy to find and cost 10.40 Euros. We got off at the second stop and stepped into the map to find our hotel… and then the rain started! Our hotel was a short walk and an absolute bargain! I still don’t know how I managed to find such a good deal. We paid £42 for a triple room with kitchenette and breakfast! The kitchenette meant I could cook a quick and cheap pasta meal as Georgia was ready for dinner when we arrived.

Drenched Georgia

Hi, Please share the name of the hotel. I still need to book one for our post stay in July. Was the Aerobus ok to take with all your luggage? I enjoyed reading your blog too. Thanks, Jill

 

[pxlbarrel]

Wow thank you! I was actually right ther beside them holding a wine glass and 2 cocktails in my hands (I was on holiday... and they were free cocktails) but i'd love the video, I did take a short one myself also but this may be better from above. Will it work on an email attachment maybe? I can private message you my email address.

Thanks again, that was a lovely thought x

I suspect it might be too large to email. But I might have another idea ... let me look into it and I shall get back to you. What kind of movie files can you watch? Currently, it's saved as a .mov file.

 

[amyren]

You're off to a great start with your report Jane! I love that you have included info on the meals. I actually made one of Natalie's recipes tonight for dinner! I meant to include more food in my blog an totally forgot after like 2 days. At least I have my towel animals. I can't wait to see and read more. Take care

 

[janey2000]

Hi, Please share the name of the hotel. I still need to book one for our post stay in July. Was the Aerobus ok to take with all your luggage? I enjoyed reading your blog too. Thanks, Jill

The hotel was called Atenea Calabria Apartments. I booked it through Travel Republic's website. Still not sure how I got that good a deal as checked again shortly after and it was over 100 Euros?

The Aerobus was great. There were only 2 other people on it! It has plenty of luggage rack space. My only suggestion would be that we were one of the last to collect our luggage in the airport and as we walked outside the bus had just gone. This one looked full so if you aren't in a hurry it might be better to hold back. They leave every 5 minutes or so.

 

[janey2000]

Today was the only day I had booked a Disney excursion due to the great reviews I had read about the day on the farm. We got up about 0730 and I had ordered room service breakfast (much to jack’s disappointment) so we weren’t too full up for the huge lunch I knew we would be served today. The breakfast wasn’t anything exciting and again, Georgia barely ate anything.

Palermo

We met with our tour group in the Rockin’ Bar D and went off to the coach. The journey was about a hour and a half but was interesting going through Palermo and finding out some of the history and sights. We arrived at Ville Dafne and had a demonstration of cheese pressing and bread making where the kids could get involved.

We found a little cat

Making cheese

Making bread

The finished product

It was then free time to swim but the water was ice cold, so I refused to get in! Georgia and Jack had about 20 mins in the shallow pool before we were called for lunch.

Freezing water.....

Freezing Georgia!

Lunch consisted of olives, chesses, bread and some other local delicacies. The next course they brought out pizza. It didn’t have cheese on but tasted wonderful, the tomatoes were really flavoursome. Georgia ate a ton of cheese (I’d be really worried if she refused cheese!), some pizza and then some of the pasta they brought out as the 3rd course! Finally lamb and potatoes came out as our main course but I was too full up to eat anymore. Georgia was served a huge piece of breaded veal which she also was too full to eat. For dessert they brought out huge canoli’s and a fruit bowl of peaches and apples. Jack got a coffee which turned out to be a double expresso!

The canoli

We then left and stopped at the cow shed to watch milking but the farmer said it was not time for them to be milked yet. I later complained as the excursion promised a 3 hr guided tour where we would see sheep, pigs and cow milking. This was an enjoyable day at a villa but not a farm day and pricey for what it actually was.

By the time we got back on the boat it was gone 4 and as our tablemates were skipping dinner this evening we decided to swim straight away (in the lovely heated pool!) and then have a casual dinner at topsiders. Topsiders is still a sit down dinner but they show you the courses on offer so you can choose. I had duck with cherry sauce which was divine!

A mashed up Mickey bar!

My dessert

It was Villains night but we chose not to watch the show as thought it may frighten Georgia. This was the only day she refused to nap also so she needed an early night. She was asleep by 8.30 and so we flicked onto the show on the stateroom TV and then decided to watch ‘Little Fockers’ which started at 9.