June 27, 2013 - Magic in the Med (Venice)

[jel0511]

I would suspect it will be a while before they announce the pre-cruise hotels. However, I will say that last time we did the med with Disney, we booked our hotels and transfers on our own -- much cheaper and very easy! We stayed at Le Meridien right on las ramblas for 1/3 of what Disney wanted, splurged and used the hotel's car service to the port and still were way ahead of the game. Barcelona is an easy city to navigate on your own, and there are lots of options to get to the port.

We also stayed at Le Meridien and booked a jr suite for the 4 of us for less than DCL wanted to two rooms. At the time the kids both had to be 12 and under to get all of us in the jr suite, and it also included breakfast the morning of the cruise!!! It was such a nice place, that I'd like to stay there again, but it is pricy! WE are Starwood members, so have SPG points, but might use our Marriott points at one of the AC hotels. SPG doesn't allow you to book 2 rooms on points, where Marriott does.

 

[nzdisneymom]

I'm making a list of possible hotels for pre-cruise. Our TA and the DVC lady both told me that pre-cruise hotels would be probably a month away from being available and I haven't taken the time to call to ask DCL directly. Someone on TripAdvisor suggested using booking dot com to filter the hotels in BCN for those that accommodate four (either in a single room or in some sort of configuration that would work).

Goofy559 - did you make your car transfer request before you got to Le Meridien? And how many were in your traveling party? I know we don't want to take a cab because we'd need two between us and our luggage.

Gosh, I know we have 516 more days til we travel, but I want to at least have a bit of an idea of what we might be able to do so when the booking window for June 2013 for hotels opens, we'll be ready!

 

[jel0511]

I'm making a list of possible hotels for pre-cruise. Our TA and the DVC lady both told me that pre-cruise hotels would be probably a month away from being available and I haven't taken the time to call to ask DCL directly. Someone on TripAdvisor suggested using booking dot com to filter the hotels in BCN for those that accommodate four (either in a single room or in some sort of configuration that would work).

Goofy559 - did you make your car transfer request before you got to Le Meridien? And how many were in your traveling party? I know we don't want to take a cab because we'd need two between us and our luggage.

Gosh, I know we have 516 more days til we travel, but I want to at least have a bit of an idea of what we might be able to do so when the booking window for June 2013 for hotels opens, we'll be ready!

We used a cab at Le Meridien. I tried to pre-book the transfers, but the people talked me out of it. They said it was cheaper for a cab and I kept telling them that we were 4 with LOTS of luggage, and they kept saying they'd call for a van cab. They did and it was SO easy with a cab. We were 4 people with 6 pieces of luggage and all got in one cab. It was MUCH cheaper than the hotels transfer service, so they didn't steer me wrong there.

Most of the hotels in Barcelona are only 2 - 3 people per room depending on hotel. My previous research got me a few that did allow 4 per room. The Novatel does, that's the only one on the top of my head that I remember.

 

[Goofy559]

We didn't book it until we got there. We only did it because of how much we saved on the room -- we were only 2 people, so a cab was definitely an option -- we did that on the way back from the port to the hotel. We also used the hotel's car service from the airport, just for convenience sake...

 

[Cliffside]

Susan - yes! That was what was so great about it. We had a mid-day arrival like we'll have in Venice, and they had excursions for the afternoon and evening, and then all-day the next day. We booked three in St. Petersburg. The first was a shopping excursion (because we wanted to be sure we had time to shop for souvenirs - we've been on some excursions where there was no time and then nothing at the immediate port area), then an evening boat tour, and then the next day an all day city tour. Other offerings included the ballet and such. I'm betting there will be evening Gondola rides, etc. in Venice. The nice thing about the time of year we are going is that it will be light later in the evenings. That was one thing we had forgotten about when we did the Baltic - I was excited to see St. Petersburg in the evening - until I realized that the "evening" was more like the middle of the afternoon

Cindy

That sounds wonderful that you were able to do so many things...yes I can't wait for the Gondola ride....

I know what you mean about lack of shopping time...when we were in the med in 2010 we did Florence and Pisa through Disney and we had to leave lunch early just so we were able to buy a couple of things we wanted in Florence

 

[carpenta]

Cindy

That sounds wonderful that you were able to do so many things...yes I can't wait for the Gondola ride....

I know what you mean about lack of shopping time...when we were in the med in 2010 we did Florence and Pisa through Disney and we had to leave lunch early just so we were able to buy a couple of things we wanted in Florence

We had a gondola ride a couple years ago and it cost us 120.00 Euros. Pretty pricey but the gondolier did sing us some songs and had a great voice. He was the third generation to operate his gondola and has plans to pass it on to his oldest son (who was twelve at the time) in the future. But it is one of those things you just have to do when in Venice.

 

[rotary2808]

We're in!! It will be me (Emily) and my mom and dad. Can't wait for this cruise. We did Italy w/ABD a few years ago and Rome and Venice have been at the top of my list of places to return to. I also can't wait to be able to finally see Sagrada Familia. We did the WBTA in '07 and our excursion had an uh oh and we missed out b/c of it. I thought I'd never have another shot, but I can't wait to finally see it!

 

[MrsScooby]

I just told my DH about this and he's like WE definitely have to meet up, it will be hilarious!!!! Don't worry, our last name makes my name sound like a cartoon character, so just call me Lois, that's what most people call me anyway......

I would suspect it will be a while before they announce the pre-cruise hotels. However, I will say that last time we did the med with Disney, we booked our hotels and transfers on our own -- much cheaper and very easy! We stayed at Le Meridien right on las ramblas for 1/3 of what Disney wanted, splurged and used the hotel's car service to the port and still were way ahead of the game. Barcelona is an easy city to navigate on your own, and there are lots of options to get to the port.

How far in advance did you book your hotel?

Cindy

That sounds wonderful that you were able to do so many things...yes I can't wait for the Gondola ride....

I know what you mean about lack of shopping time...when we were in the med in 2010 we did Florence and Pisa through Disney and we had to leave lunch early just so we were able to buy a couple of things we wanted in Florence

What was the shopping like in Florence?

We had a gondola ride a couple years ago and it cost us 120.00 Euros. Pretty pricey but the gondolier did sing us some songs and had a great voice. He was the third generation to operate his gondola and has plans to pass it on to his oldest son (who was twelve at the time) in the future. But it is one of those things you just have to do when in Venice.

Definitely budgeting for that

 

[jel0511]

How far in advance did you book your hotel?


What was the shopping like in Florence?



Definitely budgeting for that

We were on the same cruise as Susan and are BFF's now. This will be our 5 th cruise together and we just met on that med cruise!! The shopping in Florence was nice. We were on a different tour from Susan, so I'm sure we saw different things. Lots of leather goods for sale.........

 

[Disney Fool]

I'm in, too! My name is Vera. I'll be sailing with my BFF and travel buddy, Socheata. Been to Europe several times, but never on a Disney Cruise. This will be my fourth Disney Cruise and I'm looking forward to a 12-day, and looking forward to meeting you all. I was scheduled on the famous Baltic cruise, but I had to cancel due to unforseen circumstances. So yeah, this is special.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Welcome rotary2808 (Emily) and Disney_fool (Vera). Glad to have you with us.

Emily - we saw the Sagrada Familia from the top of a tour bus in 2007 when we were trying to see all we could of Barcelona in a 3-hour time period AND we had just arrived that day at noon after an all night flight and were so exhausted. My DS said that's one of the things he wants to see in Barcelona while we're there - up close and personal and not with his eyes closed!

Vera - we were fortunate to do the Baltic and loved it - being able to see so much of the world with the convenience of cruise-ship travel is great - it gives us an idea of where we'd like to go back. I've already said that I don't mind that several of the ports are the same on this trip as they were on our 2007 Med nor do I mind that we'll hit three of the same ports the week before this cruise because there is so much to see and do and explore. I know you can't properly do it in the short windows we have, but I'm grateful for every moment we can catch!

While we were at Costco last night, I found Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports of Call book. I think the only port that wasn't included was Malta! Check it out if you're interested in that sort of thing. You can find it at the major online bookstores, too.

 

[JLSE50]

We booked this cruise this AM.

It will be me, DH, DD (18) and DS (15). This cruise will be to celebrate my DD's H.S. graduation. She will be so happy that after all these years she can finally go to Palo.

Not only can she eat at Palo's on the ship, she can see the real ones!


We are booked also.
Tom has long wanted to go to Venice. We think DCL is THE way to explore foreign ports and enjoy the vacation.

Jan
JLSE50

 

[shoes99]

Shoes99, Michele & (DH) Milton. We booked a SPH room on deck 5.
We have done the Baltics and British Isles both on Princess and had a blast.
We only had to put down a 10% deposit since we used an online booking to transfer to this cruise.
When we did the British Isles we did pre-cruise Disneyland Paris and post London.
For the Baltics we did no pre-post cruise touring. Not sure what we will do in 2013.

 

[Disney Fool]

While we were at Costco last night, I found Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports of Call book. I think the only port that wasn't included was Malta! Check it out if you're interested in that sort of thing. You can find it at the major online bookstores, too.


Thanks for the tip! I look forward to reading it. I know that you can just wander all over Venice and have a great time. Love to take the vaporetto to Murano to see the glass-blowers.

 

[miffymouse]

We'll also be onboard.

Myself Fiona, DD (7), DD(3), DS(3) and my parents. We'l be celebrating my 30th and dad's 60th as well as my parents' 30something wedding anniversary while on board. We are all so excited. I'm also a nursing student and looking forward to a well earned rest before Honours year starts

 

[miffymouse]

We'll also be onboard.

Myself Fiona, DD (7), DD(3), DS(3) and my parents. We'l be celebrating my 30th and dad's 60th as well as my parents' 30something wedding anniversary while on board. We are all so excited. I'm also a nursing student and looking forward to a well earned rest before Honours year starts

 

[miffymouse]

We'll also be onboard.

Myself Fiona, DD (7), DD(3), DS(3) and my parents. We'l be celebrating my 30th and dad's 60th as well as my parents' 30something wedding anniversary while on board. We are all so excited. I'm also a nursing student and looking forward to a well earned rest before Honours year starts

 

[rotary2808]

Welcome rotary2808 (Emily) and Disney_fool (Vera). Glad to have you with us.

Emily - we saw the Sagrada Familia from the top of a tour bus in 2007 when we were trying to see all we could of Barcelona in a 3-hour time period AND we had just arrived that day at noon after an all night flight and were so exhausted. My DS said that's one of the things he wants to see in Barcelona while we're there - up close and personal and not with his eyes closed!

Vera - we were fortunate to do the Baltic and loved it - being able to see so much of the world with the convenience of cruise-ship travel is great - it gives us an idea of where we'd like to go back. I've already said that I don't mind that several of the ports are the same on this trip as they were on our 2007 Med nor do I mind that we'll hit three of the same ports the week before this cruise because there is so much to see and do and explore. I know you can't properly do it in the short windows we have, but I'm grateful for every moment we can catch!

While we were at Costco last night, I found Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports of Call book. I think the only port that wasn't included was Malta! Check it out if you're interested in that sort of thing. You can find it at the major online bookstores, too.

It's definitely one of the things I'm looking forward to the most. We only saw it from a distance as well. That's the only thing I have to see the afternoon we get there, anything else will just be icing on the cake.

 

[MrsScooby]

We were on the same cruise as Susan and are BFF's now. This will be our 5 th cruise together and we just met on that med cruise!! The shopping in Florence was nice. We were on a different tour from Susan, so I'm sure we saw different things. Lots of leather goods for sale.........

DH and I have been reading all the trips reports we could find. Also speculating on what we would shop for while there

I'm in, too! My name is Vera. I'll be sailing with my BFF and travel buddy, Socheata. Been to Europe several times, but never on a Disney Cruise. This will be my fourth Disney Cruise and I'm looking forward to a 12-day, and looking forward to meeting you all. I was scheduled on the famous Baltic cruise, but I had to cancel due to unforseen circumstances. So yeah, this is special.

Hey Vera
I love that Thumper quote you have in your sig

Welcome rotary2808 (Emily) and Disney_fool (Vera). Glad to have you with us.

Emily - we saw the Sagrada Familia from the top of a tour bus in 2007 when we were trying to see all we could of Barcelona in a 3-hour time period AND we had just arrived that day at noon after an all night flight and were so exhausted. My DS said that's one of the things he wants to see in Barcelona while we're there - up close and personal and not with his eyes closed!

Vera - we were fortunate to do the Baltic and loved it - being able to see so much of the world with the convenience of cruise-ship travel is great - it gives us an idea of where we'd like to go back. I've already said that I don't mind that several of the ports are the same on this trip as they were on our 2007 Med nor do I mind that we'll hit three of the same ports the week before this cruise because there is so much to see and do and explore. I know you can't properly do it in the short windows we have, but I'm grateful for every moment we can catch!

While we were at Costco last night, I found Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports of Call book. I think the only port that wasn't included was Malta! Check it out if you're interested in that sort of thing. You can find it at the major online bookstores, too.

Also loved the Baltic and all the planning that went with it
Definitely getting a Rick Steves book to help with the planning

We'll also be onboard.

Myself Fiona, DD (7), DD(3), DS(3) and my parents. We'l be celebrating my 30th and dad's 60th as well as my parents' 30something wedding anniversary while on board. We are all so excited. I'm also a nursing student and looking forward to a well earned rest before Honours year starts

Hey Fiona
Welcome to the DIS

 

[MrsScooby]

Anyone buy their trip insurance yet???

We have to get ours early because of all the "pre-existing conditions" that DH and I have. We've dodged alot of bullets

Also trying to decide on whether to do one night before and one after after the cruise in Barcelona...or do 2 nights before and leave for the airport when we debark

Anyone have any thoughts or advice?