Bringing Home the Magic - Part 2 - 8/18/07 - 9/01/07- list of cruisers on page 1

[DenverVal]

My older DD and I did this a few years ago and we had a blast. The younger DD and DH were a little envious I think, and it's the only must-do on their list. She is the same age now as her sister was then, I know she'll be fine.

Keene sandals will be brought along for this one. They hike, they wade, they wash up fine.

 

[ejw]

I'm a magnet junkie, and I'm taking the framed one to work with me. I have my trip magnets attached to my cubbie cover. It's good to remind myself whay I work.

ejw, what time are you scheduled to parasail? Your family is doing the same excursions we are on CC. We're scheduled at 9, so we'll leave the ship together. Maybe this time DH will remember to reapply the sunscreen to DD....

Hi DenverVal, we are parasailing at 2:00 since the kayaking is from 9 to 12:15.
DD wants to kayak but is not thrilled about the nature walk. she might bail on this excursion and play on the beach with her new friends.

ellen

 

[ejw]

anybody doing this one in gibraltar?
In Gibraltar, we took the taxi tour for 30 euros per person. You just have to check the many taxis around the pier and negotiate a price. It was a 2 hour tour and we visited the Pillars of Hercules (overlook to African coast - about 10 minutes), St. Michael's Cave (about 30 minutes), a place where there were a lot of Barbary apes (about 15 minutes), the Great Siege Tunnels (about 30 minutes). After that we were dropped off in the town's main shopping area. There was a shuttle to the ship (I believe for 1 euro) but since it wasn't too hot we just walked (took about 20 minutes). The cost of the tour included the admission tickets to St. Michael's Cave and the Great Siege Tunnels.

Two things to be aware of: 1.) The lines for the cable car up to the Gibraltar sights are long and 2.) It's a long, hilly walk from one sight to another on the mountain. Plus the roads are very narrow so I would definitely recommend a taxi tour.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=33641&stc=1&d=11666367 89

i read this also in cruise critic and gave it some thought but don't think we will go for this. i think the cable cars is part of the experience of doing the Rock and hopefully if we get an early start there will not be any lines. also we are the only cruise ship in port that day. this should help cut down on number of tourists. also, don't want to be tied down to time limit in any of the stops. want to do each one at our own pace. am thinking about hitting the lower section of st. michael's cave...down to the underground lake. this would take more than the alloted time. and if there is a bit of walking between each level, then we will deal with it. walking is good exercise. so might just catch a taxi from the port and back.

 

[DenverVal]

ejw, my DD12 and I really enjoyed it. You take the tram, then walk. We walked to a couple of scenic overlooks and then down through the mangroves to the beach where they store the kayaks. We paddled for what seemed like a long way, but that's probably because it was against the wind. Once at the destination beach, the tide was out, so the water was only knee-deep, but there were lots of sea critters around, big orange starfish, live conchs, brittle stars, and the first live sand dollars I've ever seen. The guide is very fun to listen to and he talks about the ecosystem and how everything is related. The kayak trip back had the wind pushing us and went very fast, and the walk back seemed quicker, probably because we didn't stop anywhere.

We're splitting up on this one, older DD wants to parasail me, and younger DD will kayak with DH.

 

[smores]

if you are looking for a very comfortable shoe that can be worn daily as well as in water--on a kayak, beach etc. check these out--we bought them for the whole family when we went to costa rica--they are the best for rocky roads, water, long walks etc
http://www.keenfootwear.com/

 

[Izza]

Hi. My name is Tana and I just booked this trip for myself (31), my 2 boys (5 and 7) and my brother (29). My kids and I sailed last year on the June 3 Western, and I didn't think we'd be able to cruise again for a long time. We had a really rough year starting right after the cruise last summer, and I finally decided that we needed this. And then the price dropped and I booked us immediately. I'm especially thrilled that my brother is going with us because he lives in another state and we never get to see him.

I practically lived on the DIS board last year, so I'm happy to be moving back in. Can't wait to get to know people (if I'm not too late to join in).

Tana

 

[ejw]

Hi. My name is Tana and I just booked this trip for myself (31), my 2 boys (5 and 7) and my brother (29). My kids and I sailed last year on the June 3 Western, and I didn't think we'd be able to cruise again for a long time. We had a really rough year starting right after the cruise last summer, and I finally decided that we needed this. And then the price dropped and I booked us immediately. I'm especially thrilled that my brother is going with us because he lives in another state and we never get to see him.

I practically lived on the DIS board last year, so I'm happy to be moving back in. Can't wait to get to know people (if I'm not too late to join in).

Tana

Hi Tana, it's never too late. Welcome to the cruise.

ellen

 

[Izza]

Thanks Ellen. I'm so excited. I can't wait to start planning every tiny detail. My brother is really nervous because he's never travelled so far or cruised before. I keep telling him that between this site and my lists, we'll be fine.

I'm pretty sure my co-workers are ready to strap me down and gag me already. So, it's probably better to do my babbling here.

Tana

 

[ejw]

Thanks Ellen. I'm so excited. I can't wait to start planning every tiny detail. My brother is really nervous because he's never travelled so far or cruised before. I keep telling him that between this site and my lists, we'll be fine.

I'm pretty sure my co-workers are ready to strap me down and gag me already. So, it's probably better to do my babbling here.

Tana

i'm guessing you are a castaway club member since you've cruised with disney before. booking excursions became available for club members on sunday. maybe you can start your planning in this area. just about all the excursions are still open but palo brunch is all gone and a lot of the dinner times are too.

have your booked airfare?

 

[Izza]

I just finished buying airfare yesterday. That was fun. 1 round trip ticket from LA to Dallas. 4 one-way tickets from Dallas to Barcelona. 4 one-way tickets from Orlando to Dallas. I swear the airfare cost more than the cruise.

I haven't been able to get the system to let me book dinner at Palo. I figured I would just put us on a wait list for brunch. I never went to Palo last time because it was just me and the kids and I had no one to eat with. So, hopefully I'll make it this time.

I booked myself and the kids on an excursion in Barcelona and Cadiz, but I can't book my brother until the 75 day point, so I hope there's still space at that time. I think we may just do our own thing in Gibraltar. It looks easy enough. Not sure what to do about Tenerife. My brother wants to take his time and photograph everything. The kids and I will probably do something simple. They don't really care about the ports. Last trip they refused to get off the ship in Cozumel and we ended up spening the day at the Mickey pool.

Are there going to be extra menus, shows and things on this cruise as compared to the 7 day?

 

[ejw]

I just finished buying airfare yesterday. That was fun. 1 round trip ticket from LA to Dallas. 4 one-way tickets from Dallas to Barcelona. 4 one-way tickets from Orlando to Dallas. I swear the airfare cost more than the cruise.

I haven't been able to get the system to let me book dinner at Palo. I figured I would just put us on a wait list for brunch. I never went to Palo last time because it was just me and the kids and I had no one to eat with. So, hopefully I'll make it this time.

I booked myself and the kids on an excursion in Barcelona and Cadiz, but I can't book my brother until the 75 day point, so I hope there's still space at that time. I think we may just do our own thing in Gibraltar. It looks easy enough. Not sure what to do about Tenerife. My brother wants to take his time and photograph everything. The kids and I will probably do something simple. They don't really care about the ports. Last trip they refused to get off the ship in Cozumel and we ended up spening the day at the Mickey pool.

Are there going to be extra menus, shows and things on this cruise as compared to the 7 day?

airfare to barcelona is not cheap and i've noticed it's gone up lately.

if you read the last few pages here, you can see what excursions others have booked. european ports are steeped in history and it is hard to get the kids excited about this.

there are a bunch of new menus, shows and things on this cruise. the eastbound repo is happening now. if you go to the trip reports, you can read the thread. they are having really bad weather which i hope does not happen to us.

 

[Izza]

Ellen,

Thanks for the tip to check the eastbound trip reports. I hadn't thought of that. And I'll definitely be reading back in this thread.

 

[ejw]

I'm hoping that when the eastbound repo'ers get home they will be posting lots of trip reports and I would love to see the navigators.

 

[Hazy]

Hi Tana-

Welcome to the cruise! You are really going to have a great time. Glad your Brother is able to cruise with you as well. Tell him not to be nervous, there is going to be so much for him to see and do.

Robb

 

[Pluto 2]

I'm hoping that when the eastbound repo'ers get home they will be posting lots of trip reports and I would love to see the navigators.

i will love to see the navigators also

 

[GaCruisers]

This is what we are doing:

Barcelona- Discover Barcelona & the Spanish Village
Gibraltar- Gibralter walking tour.
Cadiz- Seville on our own.
Tenerife- Mount Teide National Park.
Castaway- No Plans, just relaxing without the kids

We were also able to get a Palo brunch, tea and dinner.

 

[momma4v3]

airfare to barcelona is not cheap and i've noticed it's gone up lately.

if you read the last few pages here, you can see what excursions others have booked. european ports are steeped in history and it is hard to get the kids excited about this.

there are a bunch of new menus, shows and things on this cruise. the eastbound repo is happening now. if you go to the trip reports, you can read the thread. they are having really bad weather which i hope does not happen to us.

Tana,
When we were in a cat 3 on a previous cruise Disney allowed us to add my in laws who were in a cat 4 to book the excursions with us. I would call them and see if they could help you. It may help if your reservations are already linked.

 

[DisCrazzy]

Glad to have you aboard Tana!

 

[faireygod mother]

I'm pretty sure my co-workers are ready to strap me down and gag me already. So, it's probably better to do my babbling here.

Tana

First off, WELCOME. Secondly, it is nice to have someone who like to "babble" about DCL, Cruising and planning.

 

[DenverVal]

if you are looking for a very comfortable shoe that can be worn daily as well as in water--on a kayak, beach etc. check these out--we bought them for the whole family when we went to costa rica--they are the best for rocky roads, water, long walks etc
http://www.keenfootwear.com/

I agree. Love them, when they're dirty and stinky, throw them in the washing machine and they're like new.


Welcome Tana!