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

[ejw]

Hi guys,

you didn't scare me off with your very advanced planning. I've got two other vacations happening before this cruise so i've been concentrating on them.

all i've done so far is book a couple of hotels in barcelona for the saturday night we come back....aug 28th. i booked hotel montecarlo (rated #1 by tripadvisor) and le meridien. both on las ramblas. will probably go with montecarlo.

have not thought about planning this one yet but i do appreciate reading what all of you are planning so far. we usually book our own excursions but am curious to see what disney has to offer.

remember on oct 29th there is that disney dream webcast from NYC and they will probably announce the itineraries for 2011 and booking dates.

ellen

 

[cohartman]

Thanks for that info Mindy (and Rabid Disnoid...).

Do we want to venture forth with discussing Naples or La Spezia? My over all impression was that while Rome was pretty well unanimouse rolleyes1 pun intended), other ports are going to be a little more specific as to what each of us want to do and see.

For example: Sean and I have zero desire, after spending a very intense day in Rome, then getting up and spending about 2 hours one way on a bus to Florence. Pisa doesn't interest us much. We've done some online looking and think we may take a 7-minute train ride from La Spezia to the 1st town of Cinque Terre and just start walking. And walking. From town to town until we get hungry. Then find some hole in the wall and eat and drink wine until we walk some more. This is going to be the day DD gets to stay on the ship.

I think in Naples we'd be interested in some sort of tour of Pompeii/Vesuvius/Herculaneum. Hopefully with the cameo place that was inserted last time left out.

How about you all?

Kim

We did this cruise in 2007 and cant wait for this next one! Had the same issue with Rome and Florence back to back.

In order of the cruise - Naples, did Pompeii, Naples and Capri tour. EXCELLENT DAY. Yes, have fabulous cameo ring from the shop at the end of the Pompeii tour.

Rome - took the train from the port on our own. Ran around Rome - actually got a horse drawn carriage for Trevi Fountain then Spanish Steps. Took a cab and met an art historian for a private tour of the Vatican. Avoided all the lines. found him on line.

La Spezia - went to Santa Margarita and Portofino. absolutely spectacular! loved it. likely doing the Cinque Terra next cruise. I think Florence is worthy of it's own vacation.

 

[jel0511]

Just booked my airfare. JFK - CDG - BCN - JFK Paid about 1050 a ticket. I'm happy with that!!!!! It's starting to feel real now!

 

[mindelmouse]

Just booked my airfare. JFK - CDG - BCN - JFK Paid about 1050 a ticket. I'm happy with that!!!!! It's starting to feel real now!

Lori,

Why didn't you take the direct flight out of Newark? Isn't that closer for you? We paid the same price per person after fees...the initial price was under $1000 and we're going direct.


MIndy

 

[jel0511]

Lori,

Why didn't you take the direct flight out of Newark? Isn't that closer for you? We paid the same price per person after fees...the initial price was under $1000 and we're going direct.


MIndy

We're going to spend a few days pre cruise in Paris and Continental doesn't have any code share partners for the CGD BCN flight, we had to fly Air France and the only non-stop from BCN home that wasn't cost prohibitive was the Delta flight back into JFK.

 

[MinnieDiva]

So jealous about the airfares....still waiting for prices to drop....

 

[mindelmouse]

So jealous about the airfares....still waiting for prices to drop....

Kim,

Do you really think the prices are going to drop? I would think as the flights fill up they'd become more expensive. I know the one I am on is a smaller plane and the only direct flight, so I didn't want to take the chance.

 

[jel0511]

Kim,

Do you really think the prices are going to drop? I would think as the flights fill up they'd become more expensive. I know the one I am on is a smaller plane and the only direct flight, so I didn't want to take the chance.

My thoughts also. I know on our Paris flight, we're on a HUGE jet (777) and there were only about 40 or so seats left in coach. Our flight home to JFK from Barcelona looked pretty wide open (another large jet 767). I also wanted to pick prime seat locations and with needing 4 seats together, didn't want to chance us being split up all over.....

 

[MinnieDiva]

I have a few more airport options to connect thru (Atlanta, Philly, Newark, Jfk, Houston, and I think even Cincinnati. I could also go thru Canada if necessary). No matter what I do, I absolutely have to layover somewhere. And looking at the trend thru Kayak, I could even book a last minute trip next month for under $1000. I also am willing to alter my dates a bit...I'm leaving the day before you all are, so that can change a bit if necessary.

 

[jel0511]

For all of you who are still looking for airfare, I have some not so good news. Since I booked mine on Sunday, I've checked everyday to see if pricing has changed. Our particular flights have gone up 555 total for the 4 of us. I'm happy I booked and saved some cash. Considering Sunday there is a quasi airfare increase as ALL air carriers are only going to allow 1 bag per person free and charge 50 EUR for the 2nd bag ( which amounts to about 70 USD today), I'm happy with what I have.

 

[pixie08]

Hi everyone!

My Dh (mousepotato) and I were previously on one of the 11 night may med cruises but because of school (Dh is finishing his MBA- this is a celebration for that and our third anniversary) we can not make the May cruise.

So the good news is we are on this cruise! In terms of planning we know we are going to be flying out of JFK on Sat Aug 14. I am looking at staying at the Hilton Diagnol del Mar, so that I can use the dcl transfer and hotel check in. We just switched cruises so luckily I did not book flight yet


I am thinking of doing a few ports on our own and a few through Disney but I am waiting to see what Disney is going to offer because it looks like they are taking it up a notch from 07'.

This will be our second DCL cruise and DH's first time to Europe so I am very excited. I am also glad to see such a busy board and type A planners as I am one as well

 

[MinnieDiva]

Hee, hee! Type A planners might be putting it lightly! Glad to hear that yo u will be able to do the cruise! May's weather would be lovely, though....School schedules are so aggravating!
Kim

 

[jel0511]

Hi everyone!

My Dh (mousepotato) and I were previously on one of the 11 night may med cruises but because of school (Dh is finishing his MBA- this is a celebration for that and our third anniversary) we can not make the May cruise.

So the good news is we are on this cruise! In terms of planning we know we are going to be flying out of JFK on Sat Aug 14. I am looking at staying at the Hilton Diagnol del Mar, so that I can use the dcl transfer and hotel check in. We just switched cruises so luckily I did not book flight yet


I am thinking of doing a few ports on our own and a few through Disney but I am waiting to see what Disney is going to offer because it looks like they are taking it up a notch from 07'.

This will be our second DCL cruise and DH's first time to Europe so I am very excited. I am also glad to see such a busy board and type A planners as I am one as well

We're flying out of JFK on August 14th, but we're flying to Paris to spend time there pre-cruise. Then on the 17th we're off to BCN. Who knows, we might bump into each other at JFK on the 14th.

 

[pixie08]

Thnaks MinniDiva!

jel- we might bump into each other! Can I ask how are you getting from Paris to Barcelona? I had thought of doing this as well but not sure on the logisitcs. Although I am very happy to see Barcelona Paris is a dream for us.

 

[jel0511]

Thnaks MinniDiva!

jel- we might bump into each other! Can I ask how are you getting from Paris to Barcelona? I had thought of doing this as well but not sure on the logisitcs. Although I am very happy to see Barcelona Paris is a dream for us.

We're flying Air France. We booked our airline tickets through them. JFK-CDG-BCN-JFK, all nonstops (BCN-JFK is on Delta through sky team alliance). RT it ended up being about 1050 a ticket. Luckily I booked before Nov 1st, as all international carriers changed their luggage allowances. We're allowed 2 bags (23kg or 50lbs) per person, so 8 bags total included, now it's only 1 bag (50lbs) per person and 50 EUR for another bag. The flights we have booked have gone up about 200 pp since I booked on Oct 25th, not including the additional baggage charge.

 

[pixie08]

We're flying Air France. We booked our airline tickets through them. JFK-CDG-BCN-JFK, all nonstops (BCN-JFK is on Delta through sky team alliance). RT it ended up being about 1050 a ticket. Luckily I booked before Nov 1st, as all international carriers changed their luggage allowances. We're allowed 2 bags (23kg or 50lbs) per person, so 8 bags total included, now it's only 1 bag (50lbs) per person and 50 EUR for another bag. The flights we have booked have gone up about 200 pp since I booked on Oct 25th, not including the additional baggage charge.

I wish we could have gotten in on the baggage allowance but luckily we did not book our flight because we were scheduled to go in MAy....oh well I have to try to pack light ( or factor $$$ for the extra bag).

Paris is going to be awesome.

 

[pixie08]

I am getting antsy for them to release excursions. Does anyone have any idea of when that might happen?

 

[jel0511]

I am getting antsy for them to release excursions. Does anyone have any idea of when that might happen?

The latest rumor going around is sometime in Dec/Jan. Those of us Type A planners have already arranged for private excursions. Kim arranged a tour of Rome for 13 of us and I've arranged a tour to Florence/Pisa for 10 of us. I'm not sure about space on the Rome tour, but I have room available on the Florence/Pisa tour I've arranged. You can email me directly at jelbnl@gmail.com if you're interested. PM MinnieDiva if you want info about the Rome tour she's put together.

 

[pixie08]

Thanks Jel! Dh and I were planning on just doing Rome on our own without any tour (I have been there before and a little familiar with the city,and the boat is docked long enough). For La Spezia I was thinking of skipping Florence...just not sure if I want to factor in 4-5 hours of commute time. I was hoping to see the Disney excursions because it looks like they are taking a more ABD approach and dh and I would love to do a "cooking school in Tuscany" type of thing. I just a frustrated because I neeed to plan lol! I do not want to book any private tours until I see what Disney has to offer and at what price.

My thoughts:

Barcelona- will be there a few days before

Tunis- I am super excited for this but have no idea what to expect. I bought a decent book about med cruise ports so I am ok with that and I have been putting together Port guides form sites like cruise critic. To save some money I would do this on my own but it is so foreign to me I am a bit nervous. So I am waiting on Disney for this.

Malta- Again another port I am
up in the air about this. I would love to see the blue grotto, and maybe the flea market and some mdina glass. Not sure.

Naples- Most likely going to do a disney tour. Optimally like to see Pompeii and amalfi.

LaSpezia- since Dh and I would like to go back in the near future I would like to do more of a unique experience but just not sure what will be avialble

Rome- On our own. Take the train to Termini. See the Vatican, Colosseum. Trevi and a good meal...oh gelato!

Corsica- is another place we are contemplating on our on unless DCL puts out a once in a lfietime excursion (at an everyday price of course)

VilleFranche- would love to do the convertible tour here. My main priority is actually Nice but would love to see what some of the tours offer.

Anyway id anyone in the second seating? I haven't had a chance to read through all the pages yet- sorry!

 

[MinnieDiva]

We opted for 2nd seating. I figured there were snacks available if hungry earlier, but I didn't want to feel rushed if it was a long day in port.

I, too, am looking forward to what excursions Disney will be putting out. I like what we've set up for Rome, and DH and I are eagerly pouring thru Rick Steves info about Cinque Terre (La Spezia) and will be doing that on our own. Other than that, I'm waiting to see what comes up.

4 days and we go to WDW!! DD still in the dark about the trip! I tinkered with her lanyard and pins last night, taking off the keepers and making a display board for her. I'd gotten some off ebay and will give them to her after we get there. The only concern is the stinking tropical storm.

kim