7/13/13 ~~ Eastern Mediterranean Mouseketeers!

[NejTheLion]

Jen - Thanks so much for posting this!! We are going to Paris in December for our anniversary and were booked on points (for 2 rooms) into the Hilton Arc de Triomphe. Needless to say we are not anymore and while they claim to have emailed DH he never got an email! We booked this months ago and haven't really looked at it since although it was time to call and start dealing with the concierge on some stuff. We got moved to another Hilton...unfortunately its in the Business District and not as charming or convienent but they are honoring our points even though they don't have any points rooms available.

Well, that's the least they can do! I'm glad you were able to get it worked out

 

[tajz90]

Anyone taking the chance with a 11:55 Departure time from Barcelona on the 25th?

 

[Missesjoyce]

I think 11.55 should be okay !! Last time we left the ship in bcn at 7 o clock, booked a bus trip with disney ( round tour barcelona) and after 3 hours they left us on the airport at 12 noon....

So, if you go off the ship at 7.45 for example, you grab a taxi (plenty in front of the ship) and you will be at the airport at least at 9 o clock !! 3 hours before your flight !!!

 

[bonnielynn]

I live on the East Coast and have been looking for air.. anyone have any luck getting reasonable rates and if so can you let me know which airlines etc?

 

[tajz90]

Well we booked air with departure at 11:55 It's done - no turning back! I can't wait!

 

[NejTheLion]

Any ideas when the Mediterranean excusion information will be available? The first one is June 1, so they'll have to have something out more than 4 months before that.

 

[ky71]

My Dreams Unlimited TA advised us that we could expect info around the beginning of January. We have never cruised so we are the last to be able to book port excursions

 

[NejTheLion]

My Dreams Unlimited TA advised us that we could expect info around the beginning of January. We have never cruised so we are the last to be able to book port excursions

Don't fret! There are usually plenty of options. And there are many cruisers who don't think about booking excursions exactly at 90 days out.

And if there are ones you can't get, keep checking back frequently and definitely check once you get onboard. Since excursions don't require payment in advance, quite often people book and then cancel later.

Chin up!

 

[tink&cinderella]

Flying from Toronto to Newark to Hamburg Germany on United and then return from Barcelona to Toronto.... 1230.00 on Air Canada. Returning home the day after we arrive in Barcelona.


It was an OK price in comparison to what I was able to find elsewhere - Finn Air had good deals but with lay overs of 13 hours in Helsinki... not willing to do that..

Anyways, we are excited and will be travelling through Germany, France and then to Barcelona. Can't wait!!!

 

[dormouse7899]

We are booked on the July 13Th cruise. I am starting to think about excursions. How much time do you really have on shore? If Disney says you have 7:45am to 5pm, I imagine you lose time disembarking (waiting in line) to get off and need to be back with with enough time to spare so you don't get left behind. Can someone tell me what to expect? Much thanks!

 

[dormouse7899]

We are booked on the July 13Th cruise. I am starting to think about excursions. How much time do you really have on shore? If Disney says you have 7:45am to 5pm, I imagine you lose time disembarking (waiting in line) to get off and need to be back with with enough time to spare so you don't get left behind. Can someone tell me what to expect? Much thanks!

I should have said July 13th cruise of the Mediterranean.

 

[NejTheLion]

We are booked on the July 13Th cruise. I am starting to think about excursions. How much time do you really have on shore? If Disney says you have 7:45am to 5pm, I imagine you lose time disembarking (waiting in line) to get off and need to be back with with enough time to spare so you don't get left behind. Can someone tell me what to expect? Much thanks!

Excursions in Europe are generally going to be significantly longer than what you might experience in, say, the Caribbean. There will be some where those with early dining don't quite make it back for their set dinner time (but don't worry - DCL will make it work - they know which of their excursions end up being late, and the dinning team is prepared).

That being said, many of the excursions include some definite travel time. For any ports that are far away from your actual definition (e.g., traveling from the port of Civitavecchia to Rome), I would always do an excursion through DCL. With that much distance, there's just too much that could happen, and if there's a delay, I want to know that the ship will wait for me

If you're thinking about doing things on your own, keep that in mind. Also know that the DCL excursions that need to leave the ship first thing (i.e., the longest ones) get priority. Once those guests disembark, then they usually announce for the rest of the guests.

For a hassle-free vacation, we always arrange excursions through DCL.

 

[Newfoundland Sailor]

Any ideas when the Mediterranean excusion information will be available? The first one is June 1, so they'll have to have something out more than 4 months before that.

I checked the Disney site today....the excursions are up

Let the planning begin

 

[Newfoundland Sailor]

I probably should re-phrase my last post...some of the excursions are up :-( None of the new ports seem to be listed.

Oh well....I am having fun going through Malta's excursions anyway.

 

[Newfoundland Sailor]

A little preview of Turkey excursions was posted by Disney today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msKqQYqMMas&feature=youtu.be

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Speaking of Turkey, I'm curious- have any of you gotten or plan to get your Hepatitis A shot that is recommended for this region? I've seen it recommended on a number of sites but two of my doctors acted like it wasn't really necessary. Anyone have thoughts on this? If a vaccine was recommended for a port would disney be informing us or is this something you need to research and decide on your own?

 

[slg]

Not going to bother.

 

[Newfoundland Sailor]

Speaking of Turkey, I'm curious- have any of you gotten or plan to get your Hepatitis A shot that is recommended for this region?

I have been to Turkey several times and I have never gotten the Hep A shot for any of the trips....I can't say that I even thought about it for this trip.

However, now that you brought it up - I might run the idea past my kids' pediatrician and see what she thinks.

Hep A is never a bad vaccine to have anyway no matter where you are or going...you always hear news stories even at home of some restaurant having an employee with Hep A and suggesting patrons getting checked.

 

[Missesjoyce]

Hep A is really necessary for turkey...if you stay there longer then the 1 day the disney cruise does. Plus if you are going to the inlands, and stay in a turkish hotel. I don't think anyone of us does, so I let it be. For that one day at the coast, and visiting touristic hotspots, i don't feel the need.
But if you want 100 % security...you cna take the shot off course.

 

[gatacmke]

Gatacmke-Laura(thats me), DS 14-Kordell, DS 12-Jayden. From NJ. 2nd dining, cat 9