08/08/07 Well, Olbia Monkey's Uncle! We're cruisin' on the 10nt Med Cruise!

[scrapycruiser]

WELCOME JOYCE and RICH !!!

Just a few weeks and this grand vacation will begin !!!! GINA

 

[d3boyz]

Just wondering.... after reading these blogs, I get the impression that they are exhausted by the rigorous schedule. Also, it seems that there's not much time to enjoy the ship. I've always said the ports are priority on this cruise.But am I trying to do too much? So much so that everything's going to be a big blur once I get home. Will we be too tired to enjoy the evening activities. Will my Grandson have time to enjoy all the neat "Med-themed" activities in the club ?

But even if I wanted to lighten our schedule ,I wouldn't know how.

OK, sorry to be a part pooper. I REALLY am very excited about this cruise ?

I planned many port activities as well ... then my husband read the list and gave me 'the look.' That look says that I ALWAYS plan too many things for us to do and all 4 of my boys end up cranky as a result. They are not as energetic as I am about seeing everything, keeping a schedule, and remembering what was done! (I think it's the y-chromosome logic in there again ... and their (acknowledged) inability to multi-task) Let me clarify that one, relatively easy walking port activity per stop will suffice. Finding that 'one' special thing is a challenge unto itself. In my research, I created the Disney Cruise Book that contains pictures, descriptions, more pictures, excursion possibilities, more pix ... you get the idea. I can show them more with some pictures than anything else. Also, I knew they'd ask me for a recommendation, so I was ready with my Top List choices for each port. Together, painstakingly, we've culled the list to the activities we're going to attempt.

I have not booked anything. I'm going to find guides at each port. If my luck holds, I will get a good guide for these stops as well. My husband and I remark often that we were so fortunate to get off the ship (in Nassau) where we happend into a guide who was the best we'd ever had. We still have his card and give his info to anyone headed that way. In Civitavecchio, I plan to meet a friend of mine. His wife was a tour guide (retired) and said she'd take us around. I will try to rent a vehicle for THEM to drive for us. We'll see how that goes! If it fails, I will get us to the train station. That is an awesome means of transportation and runs in a very efficient and timely manner.

I'm not sure about the heat issues that will be in the other ports, but in Rome, it will feel between 100-110 F in the city. I keep this in mind and knowing how my boys don't like the heat and humidity, I need to keep the walking and such to a minimum for them.

Deb

 

[d3boyz]

Please count me (and my partner in crime, astroth) in for the gift exchange. It sounds like a fun thing to do. Thanks for organizing, Donna!

We have a Palo reservation for embarkation day - 6:30? Did anyone else read about booking a group party room that is only available when you get on the ship? I am such a novice - I just read about it on another trip report.

I would love to do the tea. My boys love tea parties, if you can believe it.

As to the question of Tuxes.....I am in favor of them and the on-ship rental seems like it would make it so easy, but I guess my DH is thinking he just wants to wear his suit. Not ultimately up to me, of course. My oldest son is quite a clotheshorse - I bet he would get a kick out of wearing a tux. My youngest son......we're lucky if he agreeably puts on normal clothes and keeps them on.

Can you feel August getting closer?

How old are your boys? Mine are now 14, 12, and 10. I have never taken them to a tea party, but I bet they'd enjoy it as well! My oldest has been learning etiquitte at school and does quite well. The middle one will begin etiquitte training this year.

My husband tried to make a Palo reservation for my birthday, but it was booked (rats). I tried to rent the tuxes for the 4 guys once and to keep them for both cruises, but the rental agency wouldn't allow that (dang!). So we're going to skip out on the formal and semi formal events for this cruise to cut down on luggage. We're on back-to-back cruises, so we will do the formal and semi formal events on the transAtlantic cruise instead.

Deb

 

[d3boyz]

You are so right. For the years we've been married, all vacation planning falls in my lap. However, I wouldn't have it any other way.

It is the same for me. When we go anywhere, if I don't have the plan (he often calls me Julie ...) then nothing gets done. He's content if he has a comfy bed, cable tv (with remote, naturally), and AC. He needs nothing more!

Deb

 

[d3boyz]

We are looking to do a private PISA trip. We are a family of four with two kids 12 and 10. Any suggestions out there? A.M. or P.M. How do we reserve tickets. Experts in Disney Caribbean but clueless in the Med.

I want to go to Pisa with my boys (10, 12, 14) as well. I don't know what we will find when we get into port, but I'm placing my bet there. I'm not booking in advance. It's been my experience that many tour guides, even GREAT ones, can be found at the port. My boys most definitely want to go Pisa and get a cheesy picture of them holding up the tower! I don't think we can spend all DAY there, so I'm hoping to couple that stop with a jaunt to Florence. I must be careful ... the boys are adamant about NOT spending their entire vacation looking at churches. Of course, anyone who has visited Europe knows that churches, ruins, etc are the MAIN attraction there!

Deb

 

[scrapycruiser]

Deb...thanks for the support ! I finally decided the only way to enjoy the cruise and the ports was to let something go. So we have decided not to go to Florence. For us, it's not worth 5 hours of bus riding ( or priv car ,at one point we had res w/ Papillion Tours ) to have 4 1/2 hours of sight seeing. I know alot of you would disagree. Believe me, it was a tough decision.

Instead, we'll take our time getting up, have breakfast and then catch the train to Pisa. We should be back by mid afternoon and we'll go swimming on the ship.

This will give us 2 days at sea, 1/2 day tour Palermo, full day in Pompeii & Sorrento, priv tour in Rome, 1/2 day in Pisa , priv tour in St Remy-Les Baux-Salon , full day in St Paul-Cannes-Grasse. We will miss Florence,this time, but we'll enjoy the other places we go to.


Deb...don't give up on Palo's for your birthday. Just go to Palo's once you board and you'll prob get res. We were only able to get brunch, so I'll be trying for dinner when we get on the ship. GINA

 

[Vailcruiser]

Hey everyone, Happy Father's Day! Welcome to all the newcomers!

Looks like quite a few of us may try to accomplish Pisa on our own, if our meet and greet goes well, perhaps a few families would be interested in wandering to Pisa together by train?! The more the merrier! We have only booked two ports due to the thought of overbooking as well as our DD (7) does not like driving more than 30 minutes. Train and flying is ok for her, but driving and bus is miserable No way could we book Florence!

Well today we have two full suitcases packed and new sneakers for DH

 

[Vailcruiser]

Hello Chuck,

We are also DVC members (Hilton Head, Boardwalk). There used to be a small party for DVC members on DCL where they gave out lots of Disney stuff like hats, pins, towels. I think the med cruise is no exception and I am looking foward to the party.

Robert

[/QUOTECluelessSanFran (Robert)

Glad to have you on board and thanks for the information, this is our first time on any Disney Cruise. Looking forward to meeting other DVC members (Saratoga Spring), plus all the wonderful folks that have been writting on this forum. I see this as the possibility of being one big party for the 10 days aboard the Magic.

Nordkin - Once again thanks for the information on the tippaks, always nice to have some foreign currency when traveling.

Chuck

Hi again, looks like, from the cruise taking place right now, the DVC Welcome is first day at sea 1:00pm. Yes, on previous cruises we've gotten baseball caps, luggage tags, mugs, lanyards, etc. I'm sure they will really be talking up Animal Kingdom Villas.

 

[CruisnParkers]

Wow, I'm glad I'm not the only one this excited. And to think there is a forum out there for people like us
Our family of four will be staying on deck 6. Early seating.
DW Jen , DH Mike, DS (7) and DS (4)
Also, extended family is coming with us.

If anyone that has any kids 7 and 4 who are interested in starting a correspondence with my sons before the trip, let me know! It might be fun to have a friend already before the trip starts.

Thanks!
Jen P

 

[scrapycruiser]

WELCOME CRUISIN PARKERS !!

Vailcruiser....It would be fun to get a group together to take the train to Pisa ! We'll have to see when everyone wants to go. We are DVC members, too ( Boardwalk, Beach Club Villas, Vero Beach ) and we will be going to the DVC meet. But isn't that also the same time as our DIS meet ? Maybe we could meet earlier in the day ?

 

[nordkin]

Welcome to all the newcomers! I see there may be a conflict with our DIS meet for all you DVC owners. I am not adverse to changing it, if there is consensus amongst us.

I too was concerned about over doing things on this trip, so besides Rome and Naples we do not have full day tours. The heat is going to be a big factor and I am taking our "Cool Downz", things that go in water then around your neck to keep you cool. We have used these for years and they work wonderfully. It has beenmy experience in previous trips to Europe that they do not use ice very often and air conditioning is limited.

 

[jillnan]

WELCOME CRUISIN PARKERS !!

Vailcruiser....It would be fun to get a group together to take the train to Pisa ! We'll have to see when everyone wants to go. We are DVC members, too ( Boardwalk, Beach Club Villas, Vero Beach ) and we will be going to the DVC meet. But isn't that also the same time as our DIS meet ? Maybe we could meet earlier in the day ?

Hi - We are DVC members too and planned to attend the DVC meet. So, DIS is meeting at 1:30.....DVC at 1pm....What to do?
Also, train to Pisa sounds interesting....We don't have anything planned for that day.
Jill

 

[kugalbelle]

Hi again, looks like, from the cruise taking place right now, the DVC Welcome is first day at sea 1:00pm. Yes, on previous cruises we've gotten baseball caps, luggage tags, mugs, lanyards, etc. I'm sure they will really be talking up Animal Kingdom Villas.

Hi
We're also DVC members (BoardWalk, Beach Club, Wilderness, Animal Kingdom). Looking forward to meeting other DVC members.

 

[AnnB]

I will be on the 8/8/07 Cruise with my sister and two more cruisers.

So far, we are planning on going it on our own on all ports.

My only exception is I'm going to the Cinque Terre excursion from La Spezia.

Ann

 

[CluelessSanFran]

WELCOME CRUISIN PARKERS !!

Vailcruiser....It would be fun to get a group together to take the train to Pisa ! We'll have to see when everyone wants to go. We are DVC members, too ( Boardwalk, Beach Club Villas, Vero Beach ) and we will be going to the DVC meet. But isn't that also the same time as our DIS meet ? Maybe we could meet earlier in the day ?

It looks like a great idea to catch a train to Pisa. I don't feel like overbooking many long tours for the kids since the heat will be a factor as well. I suggest as an insurance measure, book the Disney's Pisa tour. I think we have several days prior to the trip to cancel without charge. Looks like we all will spend mucho Euros on this trip. Ciao!

 

[nordkin]

I think I have the list updated with everything but the children on the cruise. Please look it over and let me know if there are any corrections. I placed the link in my signature a while ago to make it easier for everyone.

Donna

 

[scrapycruiser]

Nordkin...We cancelled Florence on Your Own and booked St Paul,Cannes,Grasse in Villefrance. Thanks for all you do for our Dis group !!GINA

 

[2Tinks]

Hi - We are DVC members too and planned to attend the DVC meet. So, DIS is meeting at 1:30.....DVC at 1pm....What to do?
Also, train to Pisa sounds interesting....We don't have anything planned for that day.
Jill

So if the DVC meeting is at 1:00 and DIS meeting at 1:30, is everyone planning having the kids there? Or would that be a great opportunity to have the kids in the different kids clubs where their having fun meeting kids there own ages.

Chuck

 

[UMTerp]

Welcome to all the newcomers! I see there may be a conflict with our DIS meet for all you DVC owners. I am not adverse to changing it, if there is consensus amongst us.

I don't have a problem with a different time. What's good for everyone?

I am taking our "Cool Downz", things that go in water then around your neck to keep you cool.

I'm thinking of trying these this time too. Do they really work? Where did you get yours? I was thinking of making some but haven't had time to go to Michaels to look for the crystal stuff that goes inside.

Hope everyone had a good father's day!

UMTerp

 

[nordkin]

I don't have a problem with a different time. What's good for everyone?



I'm thinking of trying these this time too. Do they really work? Where did you get yours? I was thinking of making some but haven't had time to go to Michaels to look for the crystal stuff that goes inside.

Hope everyone had a good father's day!

UMTerp

I bought our Cool Downz from QVC in a pack of 6 for about $20. I have never regretted buying them.