August 31st 2013 - 7 night Mediterranean cruise aboard the Disney Magic

[roblab]

Originally Posted by ThePicketts

I have been to Rome a bunch of times and have conducted private tours for a school group and adults. Would anyone be interested in me doing a FREE tour of Roma? It would be a highlight tour and I promise to have you on board before the boat leaves and tired enough that you will sleep soundly in the night, curse me in the morning, but be glad that you saved almost $300 a person.

That sounds like a blast. We're thinking of prioritizing the ancient Rome bits over the Vatican bits - as those are the parts of Rome that we'd find most interesting, and that will save the Vatican for the next time... That should (I hope) leave loads of time for some exploring, and getting a bit more in depth, without the pressure of needing to see "everything" all at once... better to really explore a few things than glaze over a lot IMHO

[cntclark]

Originally Posted by roblab

Exactly.

Air Canada, like many airlines belong to an alliance (Air Canada is in Star Alliance, partnered with United, US Air, Lufthansa, SAS among others). In a nutshell it allows them to sell tickets on the others flights expanding their route network.

So if you were flying from Toronto to Barcelona, you could buy an Air Canada ticket that connected in Newark, and the flight to Barcelona would actually be on a United aircraft, but your flight numbers would be Air Canada numbers... that way Air Canada can say they have 4 flights a day into Barcelona, when in reality only one is on an actual Air Canada plane.

So i am remarkably shocked that i went in yesterday to try and coordinate flights now that they have been released for the return, and the aircanada one we wanted is sold out!!! Seriously!! Im in shock! Ok, so next question... usair? Love em hate em? embrace them, avoid them? Its the only airline for a reasonable price and one stop that will get us all together on the flight into bcn.

[debsters41]

Hello new cruisers applecore72 and pirategirl65!

I am so glad to see our little group growing!

[Florida Mel]

Originally Posted by Pirategirl65

Hi Everyone, First post
just found this site,
Me and my two kids are booked for The Disney Magic for the Aug 31 2013

This is our first cruise and our first trip out of the country were so excited!!
Were Hoping and up for all meet and greets before or during The Cruise.

Going on this Adventure is three of us
Myself - Dottie 47, my son - Ryan 25 And my daughter - Miranda 19


we'll be arriving in Barcelona Spain, the 28th to check out things before the cruise, thinking about doing the aquarium and the zoo there. also Gothic Quarters..

Anything else you could suggest?

Also any advice on cruising / the flight etc.
would be greatly appreciated.

And what are Fish Extenders and Tastings lol??

Hello and welcome onboard I've added you all to the role call

You are going to have a ball Parc Guell is a must see when visiting Barcelona, the architecture it like nothing else: Parc Guell

The cocktail tasting sessions is sounding like a popular choice so far, I'll post details closer to the cruise (probably May time)

We have a Facebook page too if you fancying joining that too: Facebook Group

[Florida Mel]

Originally Posted by debsters41

I am so glad to see our little group growing!

[roblab]

Originally Posted by cntclark

So i am remarkably shocked that i went in yesterday to try and coordinate flights now that they have been released for the return, and the aircanada one we wanted is sold out!!! Seriously!! Im in shock! Ok, so next question... usair? Love em hate em? embrace them, avoid them? Its the only airline for a reasonable price and one stop that will get us all together on the flight into bcn.

US Air is a pretty standard US mainline legacy airline. Nothing special good or bad.

They should get you to where you need to go.

[cntclark]

Originally Posted by roblab

US Air is a pretty standard US mainline legacy airline. Nothing special good or bad.

They should get you to where you need to go.

Thanks! We went ahead and booked... big dent on my cc but glad to have it off my mind Anyone else book hotels in Barcelona? What's reputable yet affordable??

[debsters41]

Originally Posted by cntclark

Thanks! We went ahead and booked... big dent on my cc but glad to have it off my mind Anyone else book hotels in Barcelona? What's reputable yet affordable??

I booked Hotel Continental balcony room. It gets mixed reviews, but it is very centrally located and has a 24 hours snack and drinks bar. It is not like an American hotel, by any stretch, but we think it will be fun, adventurous and oh so European

[Florida Mel]

Bad news, It looks like we will be jumping ship! We have been torn between the cruise and a trip to Florida and it appears the later has won the fight. I'll keep an eye on the Dis page and keep updating. Happy cruising everyone, have a sunken treasure for me

[ThePicketts]

Originally Posted by Florida Mel

Bad news, It looks like we will be jumping ship! We have been torn between the cruise and a trip to Florida and it appears the later has won the fight. I'll keep an eye on the Dis page and keep updating. Happy cruising everyone, have a sunken treasure for me

Don't make be "booooooo" a second time!

[amystevekai&bump]

Originally Posted by Florida Mel

Bad news, It looks like we will be jumping ship! We have been torn between the cruise and a trip to Florida and it appears the later has won the fight. I'll keep an eye on the Dis page and keep updating. Happy cruising everyone, have a sunken treasure for me

oh no - the chief organiser has gone!! I'm sure you will have a wonderful time in Florida - I know alot of people are struggling with the same battle, so can totally understand!! Have a great time

[Florida Mel]

Originally Posted by ThePicketts

Don't make be "booooooo" a second time!

Sorry

Originally Posted by amystevekai≎46583878

oh no - the chief organiser has gone!! I'm sure you will have a wonderful time in Florida - I know alot of people are struggling with the same battle, so can totally understand!! Have a great time

Thank you Amy yep Florida won Have a fun time

[MissMorningStar]

Hi guys

We will be joining you on this cruise I did originally say hello in February (on the old thread) but not really began planning for this cruise until now, so it's great to see the group has really grown!

For the roll call there will be me (Amanda), my partner (Paul) and our daughter Cameron-Jayne (14)

This will be our second cruise as we were lucky enough to cruise with Mickey on the Wonder on the Mexican Riviera Valentines cruise in Feb this year.

Nice to 'meet' you all...off to catch up with reading what I've missed on the thread

[MissMorningStar]

P.s. We've booked our flights to Barcelona (BCN) and will be arriving on Wed 28th Aug. Just need to check out pre cruise accommodation next as we want to explore a little before the cruise.

One thing I've found out, which may help others, is Barcelona has one airport Barcelona (BCN), some airlines fly into Girona or Reus (and may put Barcelona also in with this name ie 'Reus Barcelona'), however Girona is approx 106km northeast of Barcelona and Reus is approx 103km south west of Barcelona which will make transfers into Barcelona a good 1hr-1.30hrs. I nearly booked the cheaper option of Girona airport until I realised the transfer cost and time for my family wasn't worth the saving for us.

We are definitely up for participating in the FE! Love it! Also, I would be happy to organise this if required :-)

We possibly could make the pre cruise meet too (especially if it were at Hard Rock Cafe ) depending on the time etc

[debsters41]

Hello Miss MorningStar and welcome back!

Thanks for volunteering to help organize FE! I also want to help with something, but fear that my Google Doc skills are severely lacking.

You are the second or third cruiser, I think, who has mentioned liking the idea of a pre cruise meet up at Hard Rock? I am ok with that. I would like to hear what other people think, as well. Maybe that is something I could help with?

Barcelona has so many wonderful things to see, but the funny thing is that I am making a point of finding where there is a Disney Store, because there are none here in Greece so I am making visiting one a priority My family will just have to bear with me.