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

[Ridicolon]

We have cruised many times out of Florida and the kids loved camp! They want to know if on the Med. Cruise, the camp staff speaks english? Anyone know?

 

[Ridicolon]

Hi everyone - especially the newcomers !

Just thought I'd share this tip for Valletta for not having to wallk up the steep steps into the town - fortunately I did a google and found someone had shared it last year, so I've just cut and pasted it here ;

To do this, go to the RIGHT after leaving the ship and the port shops (when you get off the ship, you're routed through a bunch of shops, then will end up on a street that runs parallel to the ship. Go right on that street.) Cross the street to the sidewalk. You'll see a bunch of horses with carriages. At that point, there are a number of arched doorways along the sidewalk. Keep looking in those doorways until you see a ramp that is the entrance to a parking garage. Walk in there, then follow the tunnel uphill (it's a long, steep tunnel, and cut through the rock. It's a hike, but it's out of the sun, and I promise it's shorter than walking outside!) At the top of the ramp, there is an elevator. Take it all the way up--about six floors--and presto, you're in Valletta! MUCH easier than hiking on the roadway to get up to the city.

Just to note it also brings you out very close to the bus terminal.

Please also be aware that the HOHO bus circuits are approx 3 hours long and in the Summer you will often find very few people hopping on and off allow plenty of time as you could end up waiting at stops for empty seats -bring a hat at the very least, if you intend to do the HOHO as you could get 'stranded' in the blistering heat on the top deck !

Off to Lisbon today for a short city break - all because we stopped there last year on our Disney Repro cruise.....just had to take my DH there as he missed out on coming with us last year. Great city to visit !

Just a little FYI for anyone with an IPAD or IPOD, there is an app for walking tours in Malta. Just do a search for Malta and it should come up.

 

[Ridicolon]

Has anyone been to the Herculeum or Pompeii? Which would be better or more interesting to take kids ages 10-13? Any other suggestions in Naples?

 

[Ridicolon]

Hello, I am looking at doing the hoho bus in palmero, maybe going to the cattacombs. Has anyone else any experience of this?

June 20th is ok with me. The only thing I am concerned about is our measly luggage allowance! My FE is being lovingly made at the moment. It all seems a lot sooner now 12 weeks today and we will be all aboard.

I would love to know more about the cattecoms. I wonder if it appropriate for kiddos?

 

[Ridicolon]

I really like the Hop on, Hop off (HOHO) bus tours. Other than Rome, does anyone know what ports have them?

 

[Ridicolon]

I am trying to post a picture. I now have 10 posts, but still can't post a picture. Anyone have suggestions or help? Thanks

I am so excited - I just had to share. I am traveling with 3 daughters, 3 nieces, grandma, and sis in law. I just finished making them all charm bracelets for the Med. Cruise. I will be giving them a different charm each night after visiting the ports. I can't figure out how to put in a pic, but here is a website that I have pictures loaded. Enjoy!!

http://dclbracelet.shutterfly.com/

 

[designertravels]

We have cruised many times out of Florida and the kids loved camp! They want to know if on the Med. Cruise, the camp staff speaks english? Anyone know?

Yes, they will speak English. It will be the same staff as if in Florida.

Diving - hubby is going through Disney since he is going solo. On our X-Mas cruise the we booked through DCL and the dive boat had engine problems. There were no problems getting back to the ship. We turned in a comment card at the excursion desk and they gave us some credit for another excursion.

I'm horrible at getting the picture size reduced when trying to post on here. You're charms are adorable!

Jill

 

[jdybnsn]

June 13th is great for me too. Is that a date then?

Kate




Kate

13th at the Trafford Centre is good for me too !

 

[jdybnsn]

I really like the Hop on, Hop off (HOHO) bus tours. Other than Rome, does anyone know what ports have them?

There are two HOHO tour routes (North &South) on Malta - but be careful..... they are very long routes and both go right out of Valletta and take you miles away to all the main tourist attractions. Its a really a good way to see more of the whole island, but in the height of Summer they can be very busy, and I have heard of people getting 'stranded' on the top deck in the fierce sun (so be prepared).... and also of people left waiting at bus stops, as so few people got on or off at each site. You would need a minimum of 2 hours... and double that if you intend to get off anywhere , just to be safe.

 

[jdybnsn]

I would love to know more about the cattecoms. I wonder if it appropriate for kiddos?

There are catacombs on Malta also - if you get chance to go to the inland old town of Mdina, within short walking distance you have the catacombs of St Paul at Rabat.
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/malta/rabat-st-pauls-catacombs.htm

They are not that big though - wouldn't take much more than 30 minutes to see them - wear appropriate footwear because there are often small puddles of water down there.

My kids quite enjoyed them (13 & 9 at the time).

 

[designertravels]

For those of you who have been to Blue Grotto. I can see my 8 yr. olds are going to need some down time one day on this trip. They love the kids club! I want to take a boat ride to Blue Grotto. Do you think this would be a good day to leave them onboard?

Thanks, Jill

 

[thestewarts]

I really like the Hop on, Hop off (HOHO) bus tours. Other than Rome, does anyone know what ports have them?

te

We've found several on one website :http://www.city-sightseeing.com
rome, pisa, palermo, naples, barcelona.hope this helps.

 

[I'mallears!]

I really like the Hop on, Hop off (HOHO) bus tours. Other than Rome, does anyone know what ports have them?

Hi there, palermo scicily has them too!

I hope the kids club speak english, i hadnt even thought it but i think 90 percent of guests will be english speaking. Madmum 63 went last year so she can confirm

 

[I'mallears!]

13th at the Trafford Centre is good for me too !

Where and what time shall we meet

 

[K8T]

We have cruised many times out of Florida and the kids loved camp! They want to know if on the Med. Cruise, the camp staff speaks english? Anyone know?

Firstly, names are added to the FE. I am not sure how others will feel adding cabins of people who don't actively use the Disboards and take part in the cruisemeet thread, but will leave it to individuals to decide who they give to or not!

As regards the nationality of the ship - it is, for us in the UK at least - a little bit of the States! Everyone speaks English, the food is the same - although they have a speciality twist to what country you are in. The staff in the clubs are the same.

Has anyone been to the Herculeum or Pompeii? Which would be better or more interesting to take kids ages 10-13? Any other suggestions in Naples?

We have done both, Heculaneum is smaller and easier to understand, but Pompeii is the one that everyone knows! However, Pompeii is usually so busy, that it is hard to imagine what it was like. Personally, we prefer Herculaneum because there is never anyone there, the houses are more intact and you don't end up feeling it is all a bit too much!

I really like the Hop on, Hop off (HOHO) bus tours. Other than Rome, does anyone know what ports have them?

We use HOHO buses a lot, but some do take you on a roundabout route, so check first. There are two in Barcelona that are good, but the queues are long, find out how long the loop is, because you can get off at where you like and then go back the same way if necessary and avoid seeing stuff you don't want to.

For those of you who have been to Blue Grotto. I can see my 8 yr. olds are going to need some down time one day on this trip. They love the kids club! I want to take a boat ride to Blue Grotto. Do you think this would be a good day to leave them onboard?

Thanks, Jill

The Blue Grotto is lovely, so calm, peaceful and beautiful. We did this on our own, got a cab and it waited for us in a little car park at the top of the hill. The boat trip took about 30 mins, cost a few euros, Charlotte absolutely loved it. I will try and post a photo. The water is so clear, you can see the fish and as you would expect, the most amazing blue! It would be a shame for the girls to miss it. Funnily enough, she liked Mdina the best, a really old walled town, with dungeons to visit - we didn't go down, but she loved the photos outside! Lots of references to Knights and Crusaders, we enjoyed it too.

Where and what time shall we meet

How about just before lunch 11.30/12ish? Not sure where, there is a nice 'grown up' eating area - the Halls? - which we never go to with dd, but it is quite large.

Do you know where the statue of the Jazz players is, at the entrance to the food hall (Old Orleans quarter?). or maybe out side Selfridges by the foodhall? Perhaps wear a red carnation and carry a copy of the Financial Times!!!

Other half had great pleasure in announcing today that it is only 10 weeks until we travel - honestly I think he is more excited than me!

We have finally decided to do Cinque Terre, catching the train from La Spezia and then getting a ticket to do the towns, not sure we will walk any trails though!

Still not decided on Palermo - seems I am not the only one!

An updated FE is posted.

Kate

 

[K8T]

Updated list. We are now at 17 cabins. How do people feel about splitting them now, so we have 8 and 9 each, or are you happy with 17 at the moment and split when we get more?

Let me know if there are any changes.


Cabin: tbc
Starmaker
Starmaker
DH
DD (11)

Cabin: tbc
Cegs27
Cathleen
Jon
Lilly (5)

Cabin: tbc
PrincessBelle39
PrincessBelle
DH
DD (9)
DD (6)


Cabin tbc
designer Travels
Jill
Rob
Brook (8)
Jenna (8)

Cabin 2512
K8T
Kate
Mike
Charlotte (6)

Cabin: tbc
madmum63
Andrea
Steven
Elliott (14 birthday on cruise)
Lydia (11)

Cabin; 2579
DLRPfan.be
Dirk
Tine
Manon DD (16)

Cabin 2612
ridicolon
Dione
Rick
Sophia (12)
Isabella (10)
Alexandra (10)

Cabin 2614
No Dis name
George
Jennifer
Cheyenne (13)
Heather age (12)
Julia age (10)

Cabin 2616
No Dis name
George
Arlaen

Cabin: 5012
ernierich
Ernie
Carolyn
DS Charlie (1)
DD Zoe (9)

Cabin: 6040
Mommy grrl
Jenn
Pete
Maddie (5)
Sam (7)

Cabin: 6144
Helenreed
Helen
DH
DS (13)
DD (11)
DD (8)


Cabin: 7122
Meg'n'walt
Meg
Jos
Walt (8)

Cabin: 7620 and 7621
Jdybnsn
Judy
Brian (who is a Welsh speaking Welshman)
Joe (14)
Vyrnwy (DD 10)

Cabin: 7634
I'mall ears
Susan
Dh
Ds (10)


Cabin: 8030
Thetripletgang
Gayle
Mike
Michael (10)
Caitlyn (10)
Sarah (10)

17 Cabins
34 adults
30 children (including teens!)

1 - 16yr old
2 - 14yr old
2 - 13yr old
2 - 12yr old
3 - 11yr old
8 - 10yr old
2 - 9yr old
4 - 8yr old
1 - 7yr old
2 - 6yr old
2 - 5yr old
1 - 1yr old

 

[ernierich]

Hi K8T

The numbers taking part in the FE seem to be getting quite large - I think spilitting the group would be a good idea!

Thanks again for taking on the post of FE organiser!

Ernie.

 

[K8T]

I am trying to post a picture. I now have 10 posts, but still can't post a picture. Anyone have suggestions or help? Thanks

I am so excited - I just had to share. I am traveling with 3 daughters, 3 nieces, grandma, and sis in law. I just finished making them all charm bracelets for the Med. Cruise. I will be giving them a different charm each night after visiting the ports. I can't figure out how to put in a pic, but here is a website that I have pictures loaded. Enjoy!!

http://dclbracelet.shutterfly.com/

These are amazing!!!! Where did you find the charms, or did you put the photos in yourself? What a lovely present for them.

Like your holiday snaps too, everyone looks like they are having fun Sorry, but I couldn't resist a look, I am nosey!!

Kate

 

[IlliniAmy]

Hi all! Was there ever anything decided about meeting up onboard? I'd love to make new friends (I saw the bit about the meetup in the UK, but that's a bit of a trek from Chicago )

And if I've missed something, I wholeheartedly apologize. Wedding planning has usurped all of my free time (and even some of my non-free time!) and I haven't been able to catch up here as much as I'd like. I hope to get some time maybe this weekend!

 

[mommy_grrl]

Firstly, names are added to the FE. I am not sure how others will feel adding cabins of people who don't actively use the Disboards and take part in the cruisemeet thread, but will leave it to individuals to decide who they give to or not!

We have done both, Heculaneum is smaller and easier to understand, but Pompeii is the one that everyone knows! However, Pompeii is usually so busy, that it is hard to imagine what it was like. Personally, we prefer Herculaneum because there is never anyone there, the houses are more intact and you don't end up feeling it is all a bit too much!

How about just before lunch 11.30/12ish? Not sure where, there is a nice 'grown up' eating area - the Halls? - which we never go to with dd, but it is quite large.

We have finally decided to do Cinque Terre, catching the train from La Spezia and then getting a ticket to do the towns, not sure we will walk any trails though!

Still not decided on Palermo - seems I am not the only one!

An updated FE is posted.

Kate

I have no problem with FE people who aren't active board users so long as they actively participate in the FE (and don't just receive goodies)!

We're doing Herculaneum, in part, because Rome is the next day. It's going to be hot and crowded at Pompeii (I was last there in the off season, a few ears back, and it was just manageable). Herculaneum sounds just as amazing without completely overstimulating us.

We're doing Cinque Terre but whether we walk will depend on how knackered the kids (and I) am. We're going to do Palermo on our own, but something akin to the Palermo and Palazzo Federico itinerary that DCL does.

For us, it is Villefranche that we can't decide on! I'd be happy to relax on the boat at that point, but we might take a ride to Monaco, wander around and see the changing of the guard.

Updated list. We are now at 17 cabins. How do people feel about splitting them now, so we have 8 and 9 each, or are you happy with 17 at the moment and split when we get more?

Let me know if there are any changes.



17 Cabins
34 adults
30 children (including teens!)

1 - 15yr old
2 - 14yr old
2 - 13yr old
2 - 12yr old
3 - 11yr old
8 - 10yr old
2 - 9yr old
4 - 8yr old
1 - 7yr old
2 - 6yr old
2 - 5yr old
1 - 1yr old

Yikes! If people want to split, that's fine by me. I'm thinking that 17 means a lot of suitcase space, both coming and going!!!

I am trying to post a picture. I now have 10 posts, but still can't post a picture. Anyone have suggestions or help? Thanks

I am so excited - I just had to share. I am traveling with 3 daughters, 3 nieces, grandma, and sis in law. I just finished making them all charm bracelets for the Med. Cruise. I will be giving them a different charm each night after visiting the ports. I can't figure out how to put in a pic, but here is a website that I have pictures loaded. Enjoy!!

http://dclbracelet.shutterfly.com/

Oooh, the bracelet is lovely!!


I was hoping to make the daft drive to Manchester for the lunch, but it looks like we'll get the keys to our new rental on the 10th, and the movers will do the heavy work on the 15th-16th (ah, the joys of living on a one lane road - big truck can't make it down the lane!).

I'm really going to have earned this trip by the time we take it!!!