First Med Cruise of the year - I'm back!

[Tink2312]

Stavanger was a very nice place, very picturesque with some nice streets and shops and the like, but not all that much to see.

Kristiansand was the one we missed due to being ill (told you the food and cleanliness was bad ) although our relatives who took our son out with them said we didn't miss all that much.

Oslo was the best. Did the open top bus then had a look round. Very nice city although it doesn't look like your cruise goes there?

I agree to some degree about the itineraries on disney, we have already basically done the one you just did (two years ago - except it had a day in Mallorca too) hence we are looking at the 12 day one next year which starts off like the standard 7 day Med but then goes to Greece, Turkey and Malta too

It's a shame you were ill and that you feel the food/ cleanliness was to blame. I hope we don't find that and judging by other reviews maybe your experience was the exception rather than the rule. It's just me and my 60 year old mum going so we're not looking for any more than seeing another part of the world, walking around some quaint towns and hopefully seeing a bit of natural beauty. Our cruise doesn't go to Oslo which is a shame given your comments but I'm very much looking forward to Alesund and Flam.

Again with the DCL itineraries, I have found other med itineraries (particularly Greek Isles and Canaries) with other cruise lines which are better than the limited (and in my view overpriced) ones Disney offer. Don't get me wrong, I love DCL and our recent med cruise was one of the best holidays we have ever taken, but there are so many places I want to see, I view cruising as a great way to see those places and DCL just doesn't have enough ports of call to satisfy me. I'm really hoping if/when the rumoured 2 new ships come that we get a ship over here every year and they offer some different itineraries.

 

[luke]

It's a shame you were ill and that you feel the food/ cleanliness was to blame.
.

No doubt about it it was. Even talking to seasoned RCCL cruisers on board it was clear they'd made big cutback especially in terms of staffing numbers.

We rarely saw toilets being cleaned and the only restaurant that had people handing out antibacterial wipes was the Windjammer - even that was only one person alongside the automatic dispensers which far too many people walked past...

As I say, I'll sail RCCL again probably, but for now it's (getting back on topic ) it's DCL for us

 

[Disneymad]

We were in 7124, so not really neighbours at all I debated the what I would have for Alaska (when I hopefully go in 2016) but I'm still unsure on the navigators and in fact I think I'll just book at oceanview. Some days during this cruise it was a bit chilly to sit out and Alaska will be so much colder, I don't think I'd use the balcony that much. However, if we are lucky enough to do a TA, a navigators will be a must. The memory of us sailing into Villefranche the second night (which sadly happened because of a medical emergency and I pray the passenger was ok) whilst I sat on my verandah watching the twinkling lights of the coastline approaching, will stay with me forever. We were port side so we had an awesome view!

Glad you enjoyed your trip too

Oh phew on the neighbour thing, would be most awkward if you were all 'We had the WORST neighbours....oh...er...umm, hi Disneymad'

Erk though, I wondered why we arrived at Villefranche so early, sad to hear it was a medical emergency. We were on late dining so we missed the approach, Villefranche was just suddenly there when we went for a lap of the deck to walk off dinner.

Fingers crossed everything worked out ok for the people involved!

As for the RCCL stuff, personally the reasons for looking at them are multiple. The bigger ships, while potentially scary, also fascinate me - assuming Freedom isn't a disaster then I'd love to try Oasis or Allure. I don't think those ships in particular will be better than any of the Disney ones, just different...in the same way as one day I'd like to visit Vegas, just for the experience

Add to that the different itineraries, the cheaper cost (yes, you get a lot of bang for your buck with DCL and I've never regretted any of my cruises, but we are a childless couple and without question the 'all in' price of DCL includes the rather extensive Kids Clubs so in that respect, we're paying for things we don't use. The pay-as-you-use concept on other cruiselines would likely suit us better) and the fact that they also have sailings from the UK just means I am hoping to spread my wings a bit.

Disney own my soul though so I'll never stray too far

 

[luke]

Oh and for us RCCL isn't all that much cheaper seeing as they charged our 10 month old a child's price whereas on disney he is free (other than taxes and port fees etc)

 

[Tink2312]

Oh and for us RCCL isn't all that much cheaper seeing as they charged our 10 month old a child's price whereas on disney he is free (other than taxes and port fees etc)

Like for like on many cruises RCCL aren't THAT much cheaper for us (usually 3 adults) either - we're not talking thousands. However we need more ports than DCL offer.

Disneymad - we had great, very considerate neighbours Like you say, Disney own my soul too and I will be back (and I've booked a dummy date to prove it lol).

 

[Disneymadhouse]

Looking forward to your TR Catherine

We have just booked for 4nts on Magic for next August - it will be DH's and DD's first time on DCL and it will be 15 years since I was on magic, so I'm like a newbie too!

Claire

 

[luke]

I got a photo retweeted by disney cruise line when they were asking for DCL Med photos

 

[Disneymad]

I got a photo retweeted by disney cruise line when they were asking for DCL Med photos

Ooh, very cool

 

[nemmie]

I have been holding out in hopes of discounts coming out for the 4 night in August. They haven't and yesterday all but 5B 5A and 4A were left so I bite the bullet. Prob a bunch of discounts will miraculously appear now lol!

Anyway sorry to get off track. What was Walt Disney: the dream goes on show? Is that new? Did it replace Golden Mickeys?

Thanks for reporting back so soon. It made me realise how very much I wanted to go

 

[luke]

I have been holding out in hopes of discounts coming out for the 4 night in August./QUOTE]

I'm still holding out this hope, but by the time any discounts ever came the flight prices would have gone up!!!! Catch 22

 

[nemmie]

I have been holding out in hopes of discounts coming out for the 4 night in August./QUOTE]

I'm still holding out this hope, but by the time any discounts ever came the flight prices would have gone up!!!! Catch 22

So true! This has also happened but now I am force to take the best ''deal'' of our local airport 10 mins up the road as opposed to London. A sort of win.

 

[Tink2312]

I have been holding out in hopes of discounts coming out for the 4 night in August. They haven't and yesterday all but 5B 5A and 4A were left so I bite the bullet. Prob a bunch of discounts will miraculously appear now lol!

Anyway sorry to get off track. What was Walt Disney: the dream goes on show? Is that new? Did it replace Golden Mickeys?

Thanks for reporting back so soon. It made me realise how very much I wanted to go

Walt Disney: The Dream Goes On was part narrative, part musical all about Walt's life, the movies and the parks. Think One Man's Dream in HS with musical interludes with songs from the movies/ parks. I think though that it will only be on the longer sailings. It didn't "replace" Golden Mickeys, which i think is usually on the first night, but wasn't shown at all during the cruise. Instead on the first night we had All Aboard showcasing the variety acts performing during the cruise and giving us a taste of what was to come.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for discounts for you

 

[Tink2312]

Looking forward to your TR Catherine

We have just booked for 4nts on Magic for next August - it will be DH's and DD's first time on DCL and it will be 15 years since I was on magic, so I'm like a newbie too!

Claire

Wow - were you on the inaugural sailing? It'll be like meeting an old friend

 

[disneyholic family]

Looking forward to your TR Catherine

We have just booked for 4nts on Magic for next August - it will be DH's and DD's first time on DCL and it will be 15 years since I was on magic, so I'm like a newbie too!

Claire

i think we're on the same cruise...
is there only one four night in august?
we're booked on the 4 night cruise out of barcelona i think...
i made the reservations such a long time ago, i don't recall...
it will be 6 of us (DD and DSIL, DS and DDIL, DH and me)..

 

[Disneymadhouse]

Wow - were you on the inaugural sailing? It'll be like meeting an old friend

I went on Magic in May 1999 for my first honeymoon (with ex h)! TBH I remember Animators palette, but that's about it!

i think we're on the same cruise...
is there only one four night in august?
we're booked on the 4 night cruise out of barcelona i think...
i made the reservations such a long time ago, i don't recall...
it will be 6 of us (DD and DSIL, DS and DDIL, DH and me)..

Yes I think there is only one 4 nighter out of Barcelona. Its August 7th going to Palma and Ibiza. We are in stateroom 2580, see you on board

Claire

 

[disneyholic family]

I went on Magic in May 1999 for my first honeymoon (with ex h)! TBH I remember Animators palette, but that's about it!



Yes I think there is only one 4 nighter out of Barcelona. Its August 7th going to Palma and Ibiza. We are in stateroom 2580, see you on board

Claire

i'm sure there will be a cruise thread - if not now, then when we get closer...
i don't remember which cabins i booked...not even which deck....maybe deck 7?
i booked through Dreams Unlimited...i could go find the reservation, but we'll be on there somewhere...

 

[Disneymadhouse]

i'm sure there will be a cruise thread - if not now, then when we get closer...
i don't remember which cabins i booked...not even which deck....maybe deck 7?
i booked through Dreams Unlimited...i could go find the reservation, but we'll be on there somewhere...

Great, will keep an eye out for a thread!

Claire

 

[nemmie]

Walt Disney: The Dream Goes On was part narrative, part musical all about Walt's life, the movies and the parks. Think One Man's Dream in HS with musical interludes with songs from the movies/ parks. I think though that it will only be on the longer sailings. It didn't "replace" Golden Mickeys, which i think is usually on the first night, but wasn't shown at all during the cruise. Instead on the first night we had All Aboard showcasing the variety acts performing during the cruise and giving us a taste of what was to come.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for discounts for you

Thanks for all the info.

I just booked at a price I could live with in the end. Not heavily discounted but ce la vie. We are super excited to be going

 

[mandymouse]

I can't wait to read your trip report, it sounds like you had a great time

 

[Tink2312]

I've just posted the first day of my TR over on the UKTR board - hope you like it