June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[PrincessJasmine08]

Just wanted to post these for those going to MNSSHP.

I only took 2 pictures of the parade and none of the fireworks, I was too busy watching them!

The pirate float:

Dancing "dead" people:

 

[silver7]

Whoa those are GREAT!

I am so excited! Thanks!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Whoa those are GREAT!

I am so excited! Thanks!

You're welcome. I am excited for you. This was my favorite event at Disney EVER!

 

[Skallywag]

Am intersted to hear what plans everyone has for shore excursions on the cruise and also we are getting too far down the list
Brenda

 

[taysmom]

Hi all...long time no post....So, I have made our reservations for the flight..luckily able to use miles to get to london, so i just have to get the flight to barcelona and hotel. I haven't decided whether we will stay in london before or after, but did give us some room to look. I have a friend who may be in london after so just waiting on their plans. Is anyone still having problems with hotels in barcelona? If yes, any suggestions or websites for decent hotels? Also, does anyone know where we have to go to get on the boat...the name of the port? Anyone get any info on possible excursions...i just can't stand the wait!!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Hi all...long time no post....So, I have made our reservations for the flight..luckily able to use miles to get to london, so i just have to get the flight to barcelona and hotel. I haven't decided whether we will stay in london before or after, but did give us some room to look. I have a friend who may be in london after so just waiting on their plans. Is anyone still having problems with hotels in barcelona? If yes, any suggestions or websites for decent hotels? Also, does anyone know where we have to go to get on the boat...the name of the port? Anyone get any info on possible excursions...i just can't stand the wait!!

You all who got to use miles are so lucky, those were some expensive flights!! I believe the port is just called the Port of Barcelona but I have heard some call it Port Veli (or something like that).

Brenda-we haven't planned excursions yet, waiting to see what Disney will offer. I need to do a lot of research as to what there is to see in each city so I know what our priorities are. Having never been out of the coutry before I am sure there will be so much to do and see!

 

[taysmom]

I want to wait for disney to come out also, so anyone who can get the info at 105 days please share as I can't get it until 75 days before. We just can't wait to go...also saw that one of the medheads are staying in the room across from my daughter and I on deck six. Very nice to see people that we're chatting with..hope that someone can organize a meet n' greet in barcelona...

 

[Skallywag]

[Brenda-we haven't planned excursions yet, waiting to see what Disney will offer. I need to do a lot of research as to what there is to see in each city so I know what our priorities are. Having never been out of the coutry before I am sure there will be so much to do and see![/QUOTE]

It is so different to your lovely country and remember cobbled streets can be very hard on the feet I know from experience so whatever you take just make sure that you are comfortable. Also the churches are very strict on dress code no need to cover your head now but you must have shoulders covered and skirts must be below the knee. Just pack a scarf for a cover up and that is considered o.k.

Have quite a good map of Rome from the tourist office so will bring with me some information as this time we have not got too far to travel and anyone is then welcome to have a look for planning. Will trade it all in for a look round the Walt Disney suite if anyone is lucky enough to be booked into it.

Anyone planning on a trip to Venice we stayed at a beautiful hotel there last year courtesy of our two daughters. It is part of the Sheraton Vistana group and called Hotel de Bain and is on venice lido. Would recommend this as it has its own launch which takes you to venice every 30 minutes and stops at three of the top hotels there. Very handy for using their toilets as this is another problem in european cities - just a warning be prepared.

Brenda

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

It is so different to your lovely country and remember cobbled streets can be very hard on the feet I know from experience so whatever you take just make sure that you are comfortable. Also the churches are very strict on dress code no need to cover your head now but you must have shoulders covered and skirts must be below the knee. Just pack a scarf for a cover up and that is considered o.k.

Have quite a good map of Rome from the tourist office so will bring with me some information as this time we have not got too far to travel and anyone is then welcome to have a look for planning. Will trade it all in for a look round the Walt Disney suite if anyone is lucky enough to be booked into it.

Anyone planning on a trip to Venice we stayed at a beautiful hotel there last year courtesy of our two daughters. It is part of the Sheraton Vistana group and called Hotel de Bain and is on venice lido. Would recommend this as it has its own launch which takes you to venice every 30 minutes and stops at three of the top hotels there. Very handy for using their toilets as this is another problem in european cities - just a warning be prepared.

Brenda

So what exactly do you mean about the toilets? Never been out of the country, not sure what you're alluding to...

Venice is not one of our possible excursions, is it? Were you just talking about someone maybe waiting to stay in Venice outside of the cruise time?

We will make sure to pack plenty of comfy clothes. It seems like it might be a bit of a challenge since I hear it is very warm there in the summer but at the same time we need to stay covered to be within the cultural norms. I'll have to put some thought into packing.

I am still awaiting an email from Blai Limousines, I emailed them Tuesday and do not yet have a response. I am starting to think about perhaps looking into another limo company as they don't seem to be responding. I will wait a few more days.

 

[Skallywag]

Hi everyone,

Just mentioned Venice as someone I cannot remember who was talking about visiting there before or after the cruise and it is my favourite european city.
Toilets can be very difficult to find in europe so if you have access to a hotel that is good. Paris is the worst place ever for finding toilets and they charge!
Covering up is not a great problem as it just means a light scarf or similar. Obviously you do not want to take too many bulky clothes as it can be very hot in June but thankfully not usually humid. If you are wearing a blouse,shirt or similar with short sleeves that is no problem as it covers your shoulders.

Just mentioning a few things that could be useful perhaps.

Blai Limousines are a bit laid back as you will find with many of the european countries. They still have afternoon siesta in many places and everything stops and shops close and re-open in the evening.
Bren

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I have been spending this morning researching some of the ports and what there is to do there.

In palermo I want to see the vucciria and the royal palace. In Napes I want to see the spaccanapoli and teh capodimonte museum as well as pompeii. The beaches in Olbia look fantastic as well!

Can anyone clarify for me the difference between Civitavecchia and Rome? It is my understanding that the day we go to Rome we dock in Civ. but then have to take a bus to Rome? Is this right? I am a little confused on this situation.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. It has been rainy and cold here the past three days, I am getting so tired of it. We are leaving right now to go to Shakertown. It is a village in Kentucky, about 2 hours from us where there is a perfectly preserved Shaker village. We are going to go tour the area and stay overnight. Hopefully the weather will improve.

 

[Skallywag]

Hi good to hear you are making plans, the beaches in Sardinia are supposed to be beautiful especially near Olbia. Civitaveccia is the port and Rome is inland. You can get a train straight there or presumably Disney will have buses for their tours. Thinking of Ostio Antica rather than Rome myself and Cinque Terre Villages and perhaps Portofino rather than Pisa or Florence as we have done these before. Piccini's villa at Torre de Lago is a beautiful place as well just depends on your taste. Have not decided on Naples as yet climbed up to the top of the volcano many years ago on a very hot day but it also is worth the trip and think there is a cable car ride to the top also.
The Amalfi ride is one really not to be missed if you like scenery and there is also a small cave along the route which you can reach by boat. May just do this again or a trip to Capri perhaps. Time to plan and think on this one also.

Weather here still very mild for the time of year so must not grumble.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend.
Brenda

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Bump, page 3! How's everyone doing this week?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

 

[Skallywag]

How is everyone doing- very quiet on the boards this week.

We had a great evening yesterday a ghost walk around Dover Castle at night.
It was wonderful. Started at 6.30 and finished at 10.p.m. It was a cold but very clear night and from the castle walls you could see the lights of France so clearly. We are members of English Heritage who manage the castle and this was a members evening. Have of course been to the castle but only during the day and it takes on a whole new identity at night. If anyone watches the british most haunted programme they did one from the castle a few years ago. The oldest part dates back to Henry the second and was built in 1181 nearly as old as I feel some days. It is such a beautiful and well preserved castle and would recommend a visit if you are in Kent anytime. The war tunnels were also open and are very creepy at night especially as we were only a small group.

Well back to reality now hope everyone has a good weekend.
Bren

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

How is everyone doing- very quiet on the boards this week.

We had a great evening yesterday a ghost walk around Dover Castle at night.
It was wonderful. Started at 6.30 and finished at 10.p.m. It was a cold but very clear night and from the castle walls you could see the lights of France so clearly. We are members of English Heritage who manage the castle and this was a members evening. Have of course been to the castle but only during the day and it takes on a whole new identity at night. If anyone watches the british most haunted programme they did one from the castle a few years ago. The oldest part dates back to Henry the second and was built in 1181 nearly as old as I feel some days. It is such a beautiful and well preserved castle and would recommend a visit if you are in Kent anytime. The war tunnels were also open and are very creepy at night especially as we were only a small group.

Well back to reality now hope everyone has a good weekend.
Bren

WOW!! That sounds absolutely incredible. I suppose we have cool stuff here in America too, but when you start talking about castles I get jealous, that sounds like such a neat experience. Has anyone been paying attention to any of the secret celebrity stuff here on the DIS? I post over on the community board a lot and there is all sorts of speculation about a secret project that us DISers are eligible for.

Hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend.

 

[Skallywag]

Yes I suppose we are lucky to have so much history but unfortunately it tends to get taken for granted a lot of the time. Here in Kent we do have quite a few castles and also stately homes managed by the National Trust and private ones like Leeds Castle. It is dreadful to admit but here we also have the childhood home of Ann Boleyn at Hever Castle and it is one place I have never visited yet.

You are so lucky in your country and we have visited the Grand Canyon stayed just one night in Death Valley and would love to go back there. Blue Ridge and my favourite the Smoky mountains and the incredible bears we saw roaming there. We still have so much to see both here and over in your country.

Brenda

 

[taysmom]

Brenda-
Question..I am travelling with a 9 year old on this trip and I have given us 5 days afterwards to explore. We are flying out of london to come home to the US. Do you think that 5 days is too much time in london and that maybe I should try to squeeze in Paris also? I am concerned about the cost of our stay in london as the exchange rate to US currency is so poor right now. It's a little better against the euro. I am pretty sure that this will be my daughters last time in europe for at least 10 years as I have lots of other trips in the works. (lots of places in the world to check out.)_My daughter has never been to europe, but I have been to france. Whats your suggestions. Also..thanks for all the cruise critics links. They have been very helpful. I am having problems finding information on la spezia and the sardinia port, but I will keep looking!
Thanks for any info...
Stephanie

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Stephanie,

Think you would find lots to interest you and youngsters in London.
The Tower of London is quite unique and worth a visit and just over the London Bridge on the other side of the Thames and walking distance from the tower is the London Dungeons (www.the dungeons.com). Most children love the science museum strangly enough as it has interactive things they can take part in. Would recommend a trip on the London Eye. Have only done it at night and it was spectacular. Waiting for the change to do it daytime as well. Most places on the Thames can be visited by boat (www.citycruises.com) and they go right down to Greenwich where you can visit the Maritime museum and cutty sark. Buckingham palace will be closed in June but the Royal Mews are open (as far as I can find out) with the state carriages including the Gold State coach.
Dont forget if you have time to spend search out Peter Pan statue - it really did come from here.

We stayed a couple of nights in Paris with our young grandchildren the other year prior to our flight to St. Maarten but to be honest apart from the Eifel Tower there was not a lot for them. We did a river trip and there are many art galleries. Also Disneyland but to be honest have been told it is not worth the visit after going to the "real thing" in your country. Never been myself prefer to come to your country to do that so it is only hearsay.

Late June you should get some good weather - where are you flying out from and planning on staying? If it is Heathrow then I would recommend Windsor and the castle. Just trying to think of things that are unique to our country.
If I can help any more please ask and I will see what I can find out for you.

Hear that the excursions for the med will be announced in december - will be interesting to see what there is and what prices they are.

Brenda

 

[Skallywag]

Just realised that I made a mistake on the web site for the london Dungeons it is www.thedungeons.com.

Sorry about that.
Brenda

 

[taysmom]

thanks for all the info. I am flying in/out of heathrow. Just trying to get as much accomplished as possible as I don't know when I will get back towards england/france. I have no interest in DLP. I really like DLR. This is the one we go to as we live in california.
I have been looking at all the other cruise tours in med. and their excursions to see what the prices are etc. All looks reasonable, I'm sure disney will be more expensive ...just because. I have also noticed that many people who travel in the med get the private car tour. Especially in rome.

OPEN QUESTION...has anyone used the private car tours before. I think someone mentioned it before. Also, is anyone looking at using one for any stop on this cruise?

And please please...as soon as someone gets the links or paperwork on any excursions that disney offers, post asap! I just got a letter stating that excursions would be available 4 months before!

As usual thanks for everyones thoughts. This will be a fabulous cruise!

Stephanie