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

[MinnieGarden]

Which Eiffel Tower restuarant did you eat in? I had heard there were 3 of them. One a cafeteria, one a sit down restaurant (just ok) and one a gourmet, high priced restaurant. I was tentatively planning to have dinner at the Eiffel Tower on our first day there as my DH really wants to make it to the top level which he missed on his first trip. He doesn't want to spend the money on the gourmet restaurant (2nd floor one I think), so we were thinking the less expensive restaurant on the first floor for dinner and then take our time getting to the top afterwards

I have read mixed reviews about this restaurant (totally blanking on the names right now uggg). Some people love it and some don't. Most agree it is overpriced because of where it is. I'm thinking that if I go into it with realistic expectations we'll be fine. We've been up the Empire State Building a number of times and I am expecting the experience (crowds and such) would be similar
We're only in Paris for 3 days and then we are heading to the Normandy area. Actually planning to take the train to Caan and then rent a car to visit Mont St Michel and Bayeux.

I don't think we'll be using a car service (at least for this trip) but if you can pm me the name you have I can save it for emergencies or future trips

We ate in 58 Tour Eiffel. The meal was actually pretty good, although we had a pre-set menu for our group. My main issue was the elevators. We noticed a lot of "beware of pickpocket" signs all over Paris, and they were all over the Eiffel Tower too. They crammed sooooo many people into the elevators to go up and down that there was absolutely no personal space and you were literally crammed in like sardines. It would be against fire codes in the US. And the elevator follows the curve of the tower.

You have a great Parisian itinerary planned! :

 

[nzdisneymom]

We were on the second Baltic that went to Helsinki. July 6th. We chose the Helsinki one because my 3rd cousin lives there so we were able to meet him, his wife and son for the day. It was one of my favorite days on the trip. They met us at the port, we took the shuttle into town and walked around a bit, getting acquainted (we had been infrequent email correspondents for a while), and then they took us to their favorite restaurant for lunch. I absolutely love when we have some time to assimilate into where we are - which is sometimes hard to do on a cruise schedule. And as I think I've mentioned, we mostly do excursions through the cruiseline because of the whole "they won't leave you behind" thing - although the more experience we get, the more willing we are to risk it on our own. I guess it really just depends on where we are and how far away from port we'll be. Plus it's sometimes just easier to do it through the cruiseline than try to arrange it on your own. I do enjoy having a walk-about in a port city that's right there. It's one of the things I thoroughly enjoyed about Alaska - both Skagway and Ketchikan were so easy to just walk-about.

 

[RMOTHERHUBBARD]

We will be on board, myself, DD (16 years old at time of cruise). Not sure on my DD (26) or grandson (8). She is not sure if she can take that much time off. My husband is terrified of water and will not go on a cruise. We have 4 addtional families (relatives) that maybe also coming. My relatives wanted to do a Baltec cruise. I am hoping that they will change their minds and do the med disney. I am so excited and can not wait. We are planning on flying into London and sight see for a day or 2. Take the train to Paris and sight see a day or 2. And then fly to Barcelona and spend 1-2 days sight seeing before the cruise. I promised my daughter Disney Europe cruise 3 years ago. We have been saving up for this trip of a lifetime I am glad Disney is back in Europe.
I love seeing everyone that will be on the cruise. It is going to be incredible.

 

[MrsScooby]

We ate in 58 Tour Eiffel. The meal was actually pretty good, although we had a pre-set menu for our group. My main issue was the elevators. We noticed a lot of "beware of pickpocket" signs all over Paris, and they were all over the Eiffel Tower too. They crammed sooooo many people into the elevators to go up and down that there was absolutely no personal space and you were literally crammed in like sardines. It would be against fire codes in the US. And the elevator follows the curve of the tower.

You have a great Parisian itinerary planned! :

Thanks
Not crazy about that elevator description at all
We have neck wallets that go under our shirts that we bought for our Baltic cruise so I'm guessing we'll be using those again

We were on the second Baltic that went to Helsinki. July 6th. We chose the Helsinki one because my 3rd cousin lives there so we were able to meet him, his wife and son for the day. It was one of my favorite days on the trip. They met us at the port, we took the shuttle into town and walked around a bit, getting acquainted (we had been infrequent email correspondents for a while), and then they took us to their favorite restaurant for lunch. I absolutely love when we have some time to assimilate into where we are - which is sometimes hard to do on a cruise schedule. And as I think I've mentioned, we mostly do excursions through the cruiseline because of the whole "they won't leave you behind" thing - although the more experience we get, the more willing we are to risk it on our own. I guess it really just depends on where we are and how far away from port we'll be. Plus it's sometimes just easier to do it through the cruiseline than try to arrange it on your own. I do enjoy having a walk-about in a port city that's right there. It's one of the things I thoroughly enjoyed about Alaska - both Skagway and Ketchikan were so easy to just walk-about.

WOW, did you write a trip report for your Baltic cruise? I think I remember reading it
We were all anxious to hear how the earlier Baltic cruises were doing and I remember wishing I knew how to find family in Europe after reading someone's (yours?) trip report.

If the cruise excursions work for you then that's fine
I'm a product of the people that I've cruised with in the past as far as the DIY port planning. In the beginning I tagged along with some other families and then in the Baltic, when almost all my friends dropped out in the months before the cruise, I just found making my own plans to work better for us
I think certain ports, Venice and Dubrovnik can be done just walking around as they are close to where we dock. In fact I found a website for Dubrovnik where it looks like we might be there during their Medieval Fair The more I read about Dubrovnik the more bummed I am that we are only there for 6 hours

We will be on board, myself, DD (16 years old at time of cruise). Not sure on my DD (26) or grandson (8). She is not sure if she can take that much time off. My husband is terrified of water and will not go on a cruise. We have 4 addtional families (relatives) that maybe also coming. My relatives wanted to do a Baltec cruise. I am hoping that they will change their minds and do the med disney. I am so excited and can not wait. We are planning on flying into London and sight see for a day or 2. Take the train to Paris and sight see a day or 2. And then fly to Barcelona and spend 1-2 days sight seeing before the cruise. I promised my daughter Disney Europe cruise 3 years ago. We have been saving up for this trip of a lifetime I am glad Disney is back in Europe.
I love seeing everyone that will be on the cruise. It is going to be incredible.

Welcome abaoard
My DH and I have been trying to get friends and family to cruise with us but no luck so far
My Mom is also terrified of the water and won't go near it either
We loved London when we went before our Baltic cruise in 2010
And going to see Paris this summer for the first time too
Really had no intention of cruising again after this summer, but then DCL announced Venice...

 

[MrsScooby]

http://www.dubrovnik-secrets.com/ds/events_medievalfair.html

Cool website for Dubrovnik

 

[Angie_Ohio]

Just checking in. I hope some of us check back with the cruise line on pricing every now and then.
When I booked our 2011 Med I discovered on this board that the price had gone down after we had booked the 10 night cruise. So... I changed to the 11 night, got an extra sea day and got money credited back to me.
Just sayin'
I have a RCCI booked for March but I'm thinking about the Med.! Funny isn't it.

 

[carpenta]

Just checking in. I hope some of us check back with the cruise line on pricing every now and then.
When I booked our 2011 Med I discovered on this board that the price had gone down after we had booked the 10 night cruise. So... I changed to the 11 night, got an extra sea day and got money credited back to me.
Just sayin'
I have a RCCI booked for March but I'm thinking about the Med.! Funny isn't it.

Yes on our 2010 Med. cruise Disney ran a "kids sail free" deal after we booked and sure enough, Disney went back and changed our reservation to reflect the deal and lower the price. Still had the same room and just a cheaper price. Good deal.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I'm check the prices all the time, not only because I hope they go down but also because I am curious to see how the cruise is selling.

 

[JLSE50]

. We have to give DCL a big Hurrah because each cruise we have been on that had lowered prices due to any reason, our account was credited without us having to do a thing.

 

[nzdisneymom]

I'm a daily checker of our cruise - mostly because I am hoping that our cabin will open up on the June 15th one (we are in 6114 for that one, but 6116 for this one - it's our favorite cabin). So I check every day in case it opens up so I can call DVC to grab it for us. Otherwise we'll be moving cabins - yeah, it's only one over, but we really really want our beloved 6116! So as long as I'm over there, I check the price for this one. It's been steady for a 5C since the second day.

In other news, Air is available to book through DCL now. Because we're doing B2B and our DVC one is first, our TA is having to work with DCL to get them to put the air onto this reservation. They usually require it to be on the first one, but we don't want to do that because DVC would require that we pay the air now - certainly not going to do that - we'll watch airfare once it becomes available - and by booking through TA, we don't have to pay until final payment is due. At that point we'll know if we are sticking with DCL's air / price or if we can do better on our own (and will it be worth the hassle for us). Our TA is supposed to call them today so we should hopefully find out the air price tonight... I've been curious at what they'll set it at. If I had to guess, I'd say $1,400 - $1,600 per person - someone else may know already?

 

[Cliffside]

http://www.dubrovnik-secrets.com/ds/events_medievalfair.html

Cool website for Dubrovnik

Thanks for posting...

Susan

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

The Medieval Festival looks fun but I almost don't want it to be occurring while we are there. I imagine it will cause the city to be even more crowded than normal, especially as we are arriving in the afternoon.

 

[Cliffside]

I'm a daily checker of our cruise - mostly because I am hoping that our cabin will open up on the June 15th one (we are in 6114 for that one, but 6116 for this one - it's our favorite cabin). So I check every day in case it opens up so I can call DVC to grab it for us. Otherwise we'll be moving cabins - yeah, it's only one over, but we really really want our beloved 6116! So as long as I'm over there, I check the price for this one. It's been steady for a 5C since the second day.

In other news, Air is available to book through DCL now. Because we're doing B2B and our DVC one is first, our TA is having to work with DCL to get them to put the air onto this reservation. They usually require it to be on the first one, but we don't want to do that because DVC would require that we pay the air now - certainly not going to do that - we'll watch airfare once it becomes available - and by booking through TA, we don't have to pay until final payment is due. At that point we'll know if we are sticking with DCL's air / price or if we can do better on our own (and will it be worth the hassle for us). Our TA is supposed to call them today so we should hopefully find out the air price tonight... I've been curious at what they'll set it at. If I had to guess, I'd say $1,400 - $1,600 per person - someone else may know already?

Good luck getting your cabin....we are right across the hall in 6616....Lori says she really liked that cabin so we went for it.

I too have been watching prices just out of curiosity...and to see availability

When we sailed the med in 2102... We were originally booked in a cat 9(no letters at that time) for close to 8k...then they announced inside gty at $999 a person...we couldn't turn that down...we were so lucky we got upgraded to a cat 9 a few doors down wher we would have been....deal of the century ...I don't think I would ever get that lucky again.

 

[kmitchel]

Has someone started a FB page for this group yet? If no one has, I can start a closed group (I don't like people being able to see that I'll be in Europe for 3 weeks).

 

[nzdisneymom]

Good luck getting your cabin....we are right across the hall in 6616....Lori says she really liked that cabin so we went for it.

Our first DCL was in 2005 and we were in 8058. We had booked a Christmas cruise but then moved it to the week before so we were able to sail in 8058 for the same as we had been originally booked on Deck 6. We didn't like being on Deck 8 because of the noise from Deck 9.

So our next cruise, we were in 6116 - it was the Med, 10 nights in 2007 and we absolutely LOVED it. The location is perfect - three floors up or down from everything, close to the aft stairs so that's close to the dining options and the drink station. Close to the movies. No cabins right underneath so if the kids walked loud, no worries. We liked port side because at that time, smoking was permitted on deck 4 starboard and we didn't want the smoke coming up to our cabin. It was near enough to the elevator / stairs but not right there in the traffic. The boys like that they can just go down one floor for easy passage to wherever they are going rather than navigating the cleaning carts, vacuum, etc.

We liked the cabin so much that we've booked the same one on both the Wonder and the Magic for every other DCL sailing we've had. So five times in that location. It's like coming home!

Count us in the being disappointed at the short amount of time we'll have in Dubrovnik - but belive me, we'll make the most of every minute we're there!

 

[nzdisneymom]

Has someone started a FB page for this group yet? If no one has, I can start a closed group (I don't like people being able to see that I'll be in Europe for 3 weeks).

I don't think anyone has, but I will say that I won't participate until way closer to time to sail. I have found that a FB group is a nice supplement and lets you "see" each other prior to sailing so you can recognize each other, but I prefer keeping my cruise planning here

 

[kmitchel]

OK, I created a closed group on FB for those who like to participate in both.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/107870879338262/

See you next year!

 

[nzdisneymom]

OK, I created a closed group on FB for those who like to participate in both.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/107870879338262/

See you next year!

For some reason I didn't have you on the first page - what's your travel party and I'll add you at the same time I add this.

 

[jel0511]

OK, I created a closed group on FB for those who like to participate in both.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/107870879338262/

See you next year!

Just a note to all. Karen has promoted myself to admin so I'm also allowed to approve requests to the FB group. I request that anyone who wishes to join to please PM myself and Karen (kmitchel) here on the DIS with your full name so we can match you up. I'd really like to keep the FB group to DIS'ers only since there is more personal information available there.

Thanks!!!

Also, Cindy if you could add this to the first page I'd appreciate it!

 

[MrsScooby]

Thanks for posting...

Susan

I've been collecting websites and really liked that one

The Medieval Festival looks fun but I almost don't want it to be occurring while we are there. I imagine it will cause the city to be even more crowded than normal, especially as we are arriving in the afternoon.

Yup, I have mixed feelings about it also.
Hoping DCL gets into port early and stays late

OK, I created a closed group on FB for those who like to participate in both.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/107870879338262/

See you next year!

Just a note to all. Karen has promoted myself to admin so I'm also allowed to approve requests to the FB group. I request that anyone who wishes to join to please PM myself and Karen (kmitchel) here on the DIS with your full name so we can match you up. I'd really like to keep the FB group to DIS'ers only since there is more personal information available there.

Thanks!!!

Also, Cindy if you could add this to the first page I'd appreciate it!

I was added to the group and then had to leave it because I don't know how to keep others on FB from seeing what I don't want them to see

Basically we really don't want certain family members to know we are going yet

My DMiL sees everything I post on my friend's FB pages which is not fun

Hoping when my DS comes home he can help me with my privacy settings and I can request to join the group again