July 20th, 2011 – 10 Night Mediterranean "Mickey's European Explorers"

[jdybnsn]

Thanks for the heads up about the excursions, I will have a look later. We want to do the Schooner trip in Malta, although if the Dolphins are in the sea I could be tempted, but I have a feeling it is a park sort of thing.

:

We went to Malta in October half term - you are right the dolphins are in a park ( though we did not go).
We had also thought about the schooner trip , but it did run aground in September (just before we went there) http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100914/local/schooner-runs-aground but hopefully they will have it sorted by next Summer !

There are a few of things that we did not do in the week that we went that we wished we had ;
Firstly, the Blue Lagoon (which is not the same as the Blue Grotto on the island BTW).
Second, a trip on the little sea plane that runs from the Grand Habour ;
http://www.harbourairmalta.com/harbourair/home.aspx
...and third the Hypogeum; http://www.visitmalta.com/hal-saflieni-hypogeum-map

....Malta is a facinating place - like nowhere else we've been in the Med !!!

 

[Meg'n'walt]

Finaly booked our flights to Barcelona: we'll arrive one day before the cruise, and leave on sunday, the day after we've sailed.
And also from us: Happy 2011 !!!

Happy New Year to everybody !! Who do you guys fly with ? Did you get a good price ? We still need to book ours..

 

[K8T]

Booked our flights last night, with Monarch, going out the day before, coming back lunchtime on the day we return. Same flights as last time.

I am looking for a hotel now. Last two times we stayed at the Novotel, very adequate, but we fancied something more central and don't mind about the pool, as it is only one night this time. We have had a look at the Hotel Regina, not far from Catalunya, around 130 euros for the night. Anyone any other suggestions, don't really want an apartment.

I also had a look at excursions and it would seem that the only excursion we would like to do - the Schooner trip in Malta - is not on for our sailing dates!!!

Now wondering whether we could do this on our own someway, by chartering a boat. Just found out some friends we met on the last cruise are coming along, so it could be possible.

Looks unlikely we will be going to Tunis. I know it is a long way off, but the cruiseships will be very careful. We had a similar thing happen in Egypt, not long before we cruised by there and six months later they didn't dock.

Plenty of other places nearby!

Kate

 

[jdybnsn]

Plenty of other places nearby!

Kate

Yes, ....I would love it if we went to Sardinia instead !

 

[Willem]

Would have loved to go to Tunisia though... Never been in an African country. Guess we'll have to wait a little bit longer and see what happens. But I can imagine Disney will play it safe and not stop there.

 

[DLRPfan.be]

Happy New Year to everybody !! Who do you guys fly with ? Did you get a good price ? We still need to book ours..

Well, we booked via Connections. Since we wanted to book direct flights from Brussels to Barcelona, the choice wasn't easy. We payed about € 750,- for the 3 of us for the 2 flights. I''l give you a call very soon: think we all need a "pre-cruise meet" after the busy days ;-))

 

[DLRPfan.be]

Would have loved to go to Tunisia though... Never been in an African country. Guess we'll have to wait a little bit longer and see what happens. But I can imagine Disney will play it safe and not stop there.

Same thing overhere: we've never been to an African country before, so let's hope all the problems will be solved by the summer. I really should think so: Tourism is one of the most important things for the Tunesian economy !

 

[mommy_grrl]

I could do with a week in Tenerife!!!!

Are you going out the day before? The last couple of times we did this, stayed overnight and then on returning, came back the lunchtime we docked.

Prices currently around £430 for three of us. Silly thing is we have thousands of airmiles, but can't use them as no flights apply!!!

Kate

We're actually flying in on the 17th, since it will be our first trip to Barcelona. (Which means, yes, I'll be doing laundry even before we board )

Planning on Monarch as well as we only have US domestic air miles at the mo...:0(

 

[mca]

Booked our flights last night, with Monarch, going out the day before, coming back lunchtime on the day we return. Same flights as last time.

I am looking for a hotel now. Last two times we stayed at the Novotel, very adequate, but we fancied something more central and don't mind about the pool, as it is only one night this time. We have had a look at the Hotel Regina, not far from Catalunya, around 130 euros for the night. Anyone any other suggestions, don't really want an apartment.

I also had a look at excursions and it would seem that the only excursion we would like to do - the Schooner trip in Malta - is not on for our sailing dates!!!

Now wondering whether we could do this on our own someway, by chartering a boat. Just found out some friends we met on the last cruise are coming along, so it could be possible.

Looks unlikely we will be going to Tunis. I know it is a long way off, but the cruiseships will be very careful. We had a similar thing happen in Egypt, not long before we cruised by there and six months later they didn't dock.

Plenty of other places nearby!

Kate

We are staying at the Hotel Catalonia Duques de Bergara which I believe is one street over from Hotel Regina.

It is a Rick Steves recommended 4 star hotel with pool in a rear courtyard steps from the square. We were able to reserve a family room for four people.

We chose it for it's convenience to the metro, tour bus, restaurants and easy access to Las Ramblas area.

 

[jgura]

Booked our flights last night, with Monarch, going out the day before, coming back lunchtime on the day we return. Same flights as last time.

Now wondering whether we could do this on our own someway, by chartering a boat. Just found out some friends we met on the last cruise are coming along, so it could be possible.

Plenty of other places nearby!

Kate

Hi Kate! I knew I would find you busy on here! Just booked your flights....looks official. We were hoping to get you to the US. I tried to get Rob to book this one while we were on board in Dec. but it didn't work
I just found out I get to go on the Dream Jan 30! I'll send you a personal email. Looks like you have a great trip planned.
Oh, by the way, our FE exchange had 63 people in it over X-Mas. DO NOT let this happen, too much stuff to pack!

 

[Willem]

Does anyone has any idea how full our cruise is? Was having a look at disneycruiseline.com. When you want to make a booking there and choose a stateroom, for almost every category 8 rooms show up. Is this coincidence or does the site works this way?

 

[K8T]

Hi Kate! I knew I would find you busy on here! Just booked your flights....looks official. We were hoping to get you to the US. I tried to get Rob to book this one while we were on board in Dec. but it didn't work
I just found out I get to go on the Dream Jan 30! I'll send you a personal email. Looks like you have a great trip planned.
Oh, by the way, our FE exchange had 63 people in it over X-Mas. DO NOT let this happen, too much stuff to pack!

Hope you had a lovely Christmas cruise - 63 people, no way!!! If that happens here (no chance), it will be split!!!!

Let me know about the Dream. We were thinking about it for next year, but don't want just four days.

We are thinking about WDW end of August, Mike needs a shopping trip!!!!! I think we must be the only people that go to WDW to do the clothes shop!!!

I will email you.

Kate

 

[wide awake]

Checking in. I will be doing our taxes next weekend...am hoping we get enough back to pay for the cabins and airfare...
Has anyone heard if Tunisia is still on ?

 

[mommy_grrl]

has anyone stayed at hispanos 7 suiza?

I ~thought~ I had booked it back in Nov, but apparently it didn't go through so I have a chance to rethink it.

I know nothing about Barcelona, so don't know what area is best. All I know is we want an aparthotel (again, our kids crash early) and with 10 days in one room ahead of us, we're happy to stick them in a separate room for bedtime.

So its the Hispanos 7 Suiza...or something through Habitat Apartments. But Eixample vs Born vs Beach???? Its all greek (or Spanish!!!) to me.

Still haven't booked airfare, although looking at BA or Iberia now - both are cheaper than Monarch. If I've got to drive to Bristol, an hour more won't make much difference.


I would be really surprised if we go to Tunisia. The entire political atmosphere is a bit scary (and aren't you glad we're not cruising to Egypt!!) The hubs was excited about it, but I suppose I'm indifferent. I've been to South Africa and Namibia so I don't have that "first step on African soil" pull. Sardinia or Sicily would be great, as would another sea day!

 

[Meg'n'walt]

looks like it s official : No more Tunis for this summer..Hey, I don't mind,I was looking for some great bellydancestuff there, but it seems there wasn't anything to find so...

I was just saying to my DH some days ago how said it was I didn't got to see the mummies in Palermo.. Now I get a second chance !

 

[mommy_grrl]

Yay! We've finally booked airfare and our pre-cruise hotel. My work is done!

I can take a break from the cruise planning rotfl: yeah right) to plan something for Easter break!

I'm thrilled about Palermo. I did see a complaint that this was turning into an Italian cruise, but really? I guess they forgot about Malta and France in there....
The Police Chief of Tunis opened fire into a crowd today. Why would you want to go there in this climate?

 

[jdybnsn]

Eeek have you seen this thread ;
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2645089

OMG hope we are not going to get any more 'Disney differences'...to the current port schedule after the Tunis change

 

[liemge]

Boy sounds like we might have a totally different cruise(if posts on Tunisia thread are correct).
Has anyone stayed at Renaissance at BCN? Am curious how far it is to Las Ramblas and other Barcelona sights. Can anyone help?

 

[wide awake]

I just called DCL, our cruise is still going to Malta and Corsica...they said. I hope. I love Italy but I do want to see some other countries. We'll be jumping ship if it becomes an all-Italy cruise...cheaper just to visit Italy.

 

[Willem]

I really hope this isn't true... I'm already a bit dissapointed because Tunis is out (however I fully understand because of the safety issues. But i would be very dissapointing if Malta and Corsica dissapear too... Let's wait for official news from Disney.