August 18, 2010...Can't wait for the MAGICal Mediterranean!!!

[AmyM]

OK...I've been waiting patiently for someone else to start the thread for this cruise, but I guess I'm it!!!!

Let me introduce the cast as of 2010 on the Magic...DH and I, DD17 and DS15. Booked onboard 10-14-08 while on the Wonder. Are planning our last BIG family vacation before DD17 graduates and heads to college. (That is if we have any money left for her college after the cruise ) Can't wait to visit the Med!!! Please tell me we're not alone???

Oh by the way...celebrating 2 birthdays and our 20th Anniversary!!!!! Didn't even realize the Anniversary on booking...guess we were too excited about doing the cruise

Here's the list compiled by Mindy...

AmyM DH, DD17, DS15 Byron, MN
ClaraSunnyside DH, DS10, DS8, DSis,DBIL DN23 Sunnyside, NY
MinnieDiva DH, DD7 Oak Harbor, WA
EJW DH, DD13 Rockaway Park, NY
Bensprincess DH OH
NS DH, DS19, DS12 Donegal, Ireland
Mindelmouse DH, DS9, DD9 Hillsborough, NJ
MaryKate's Mom DH, DD 12, DD10 Clarks Summit, PA
Graysm DS 16 Waterford, CT
OCLover DH, DS 7, DD 5 South Orange Cty, CA

 

[clarasunnyside]

OK...I've been waiting patiently for someone else to start the thread for this cruise, but I guess I'm it!!!!

Let me introduce the cast as of 2010 on the Magic...DH and I, DD17 and DS15. Booked onboard 10-14-08 while on the Wonder. Are planning our last BIG family vacation before DD17 graduates and heads to college. (That is if we have any money left for her college after the cruise ) Can't wait to visit the Med!!! Please tell me we're not alone???

Oh by the way...celebrating 2 birthdays and our 20th Anniversary!!!!! Didn't even realize the Anniversary on booking...guess we were too excited about doing the cruise

Hi Amy

We are in as well. . It we be me my DH, My DS 10 (at the time of the cruise) DS8, MY DS, DBIL, DN 23. I just realized we will be celebrating my sisters anniversary and my husband's birthday. Which makes it even better

 

[AmyM]

Welcome aboard Clara!!! Only 22 more months

 

[MinnieDiva]

Hi!
I was thinking that we were the only ones as well! Which seemed strange as this is the only 10-day that fit in the school schedule (in WA, anyway). Me, my DH, and DD (will be 7 in 2010) will be onboard! I cannot wait and am not very patiently counting down! So far I've gotten 2 different guide books to research ports of call!!
Kim

 

[AmyM]

Welcome to the Disboards Kim! I see it's your first post I've been around here a long time but don't post a lot. This will be our 5th Disney crusie. We have done the 3-night, two 4-nights, the 7-night Western and now the 10-Day I am sooooo excited about cruising the Mediterranean! I know what you mean about the ports of call.....there is so much that I would like to do there. Only 22 months to plan!!!

 

[MinnieDiva]

Thanks for the welcome! I've been stealth up to this point. We've been to WDW 3 times in 3 years, but I've finally convinced DH that he "wants" to cruise. We'd been discussing a Med cruise (either RC or Celebrity), but I pretty well bulldozed this and just booked it! (insert happy dance here)
And after I booked it, I realized that my b-day falls during the cruise. I thinks this means time at the spa, doesn't it?
:kim

 

[AmyM]

And after I booked it, I realized that my b-day falls during the cruise. I thinks this means time at the spa, doesn't it?
:kim

Absolutely!!! I've done a couple different things in the spa and it is absolute HEAVEN Just make sure to write down no sales pitch if you don't want the hard sell. I love the spa so much, but it just kinda ruins the relaxation to have the sales pitch at the end

I've never been to the Med. However, I did do a mother daughter trip to Norway 10 years ago. But this will be the first trip over to Europe for the rest of the family. Need to start researching the ports

 

[MinnieDiva]

I love the spa so much, but it just kinda ruins the relaxation to have the sales pitch at the end

Do they try to get you to buy all the product at the end?

 

[AmyM]

Do they try to get you to buy all the product at the end?

Yes...but if you write on the form you fill out before your treatment, they will not do it Lesson learned....it's not terrible, but I like to just continue to relax at the end of my treatment and not be bombarded with a sales pitch. The Rainforest room is awesome!!!!

 

[clarasunnyside]

Hi!
I was thinking that we were the only ones as well! Which seemed strange as this is the only 10-day that fit in the school schedule (in WA, anyway). Me, my DH, and DD (will be 7 in 2010) will be onboard! I cannot wait and am not very patiently counting down! So far I've gotten 2 different guide books to research ports of call!!
Kim

Hi Kim

Have the books you found given you good info. I want to try and get some as well.

 

[clarasunnyside]

Welcome aboard Clara!!! Only 22 more months

Hi Amy


thanks. and thanks for starting the thread I kept checking in hopes someone would start one.

 

[AmyM]

Would love to know what you guys find out about the ports. Our kids will be older and our DD is VERY interested in the history we can see. Hubby and I are big food and wine fans. We also enjoy sports, water, beaches...etc. Will see what we can squeeze in on the trip

 

[MinnieDiva]

I searched our local library and got Rick Steve's Rome and the Unofficial Guide's Central Italy. I've gotten partway thru Rome, and am getting an idea of what we want to do based on the assumption that the shore excursions will be similar to last year's set. I haven't found much info on many of the other ports (haven't gotten to Barnes and Nobel yet), but I googled them and got some "official" tourism websites to peruse. Wikipedia had some great history of the areas (I didn't realize Napolean was born in Ajaccio, etc). Also, I went to allears.net and read all the accounts posted from last years trips. There were some accounts posted on these boards as well, but allears was better laid out (to me).
k

 

[clarasunnyside]

I searched our local library and got Rick Steve's Rome and the Unofficial Guide's Central Italy. I've gotten partway thru Rome, and am getting an idea of what we want to do based on the assumption that the shore excursions will be similar to last year's set. I haven't found much info on many of the other ports (haven't gotten to Barnes and Nobel yet), but I googled them and got some "official" tourism websites to peruse. Wikipedia had some great history of the areas (I didn't realize Napolean was born in Ajaccio, etc). Also, I went to allears.net and read all the accounts posted from last years trips. There were some accounts posted on these boards as well, but allears was better laid out (to me).
k

Thanks I will check the allears. If I find anything interesting in my ventures I will let you know.

 

[cohartman]

Hi everyone! Well we went went on the 11 night in 2007 in the Med. When this was announced, I couldn't resist. My husband and daughter (13 then) are happy to indulge me! They changed enough of the ports and kept the best ones that I would want to do again. Only issue is that we leave Villefranche early in the evening. Last time there was an evening excursion to the Casino in Monte Carlo, adults only!

We had the best trip last time! In Villefranche, we woke up to the sounds of crazy hooting monkeys. I thought that some crazy rich person had pet monkeys (sounded like gibbons) in one of the estate castles overlooking the port. Not so exotic, the Monte Carlo Zoo is nearby. We took a cab to Nice and browsed the antiques market, had lunch, then went to the beach for a while. Headed back to the ship and dropped off our purchases, then rented a small boat at the dock and cruised around the Magic and took a swim. That night went to the casino!! What a great day.

 

[ejw]

we are booked on this cruise:

myself, dh kenny and dd melanie (will be 13 on cruise).

our last disney cruise was the westbound TA in 2007.

this cruise is so far away i can't even think about starting the planning process.

just how hot will the weather be when we are there?

ellen

 

[AmyM]

Welcome aboard!!! I'm excited that there are already several people on our cruise. When I get some extra time I'll start making a list of everyone going. If someone wants to beat me to it feel free

Cohartman....you'll have to let us know what we need to since you are the experienced ones on board It seems like sooooo far away, but I know the time will fly...or at least I hope so

 

[AmyM]

Oh how cool...I just added a picture signature from our 10-12-08 Wonder cruise and it worked

 

[MinnieDiva]

Awesome picture, Amy! Did your kids enjoy the opportunity to dress up? And is it standard to have photographers (photopass?) onboard?
Kim

 

[AmyM]

Hi Kim,

Yes...LOTS of photos taken onboard. They had formal pictures, more casual posed pictures, pictures with characters, random pictures during dinner and onboard. I always spend a lot on pictures, but never regret it. We are all in the same place (captive audience...literally ) One the cruises we have been on so far we stand in line....anywhere from 10-30 minutes usually on the shorter side) and then they automatically develop the pictures and you review them at Shutter's (the onboard photo shop). However, I hear they are adopting digital review stations that you can view at anytime (not just when Shutter's is open).

My husband and daughter enjoy dressing up...my son tolerates it. With compliance comes reward The Wonder was much more casual than our last cruise on the Magic. We will definitely have tuxes for the guys and dressier formals for my daughter and I in the Med. Here's a couple more pictures we took a couple weeks ago. One from pirate night and one of my kids. BTW...I loved our pictures taken on the white background and the lines were always really short there.