June 27, 2013 - Magic in the Med (Venice)

[emmah16]

We are now staying at the Hotel Petit Palace Boquetia. They have rooms for 4 and was recommened by my TA. Very reasonable priced too.

The Science museum is also wonderful. We stayed there almost an entire day. It is a hands on place and dgs loved it. Plan on doing it again.

Is anyone leaving from Atlanta? I have 2 of our tickets but waiting for lower prices for the other 1.

Hi

Where is the hotel situated? We want to be quite near the Las Ramblas and Marina (walking distance) and maybe near a stop for the HOHO bus (going to be a proper tourist this time )

 

[MrsScooby]

Hi

Where is the hotel situated? We want to be quite near the Las Ramblas and Marina (walking distance) and maybe near a stop for the HOHO bus (going to be a proper tourist this time )

According to the reviews on Tripadvisor (the link I posted above) it is very close to Las Ramblas and near a HOHO bus stop.

 

[gydell]

The prices for that hotel are great
This the hotel you are talking about?http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotel_Review-g187497-d1833345-Reviews-Petit_Palace_Boqueria-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

Gonna have to check with my DH when he gets home, but we might be swithcing to this one
Seriously, not stalking you LOL
But can't beat that price and location.

Stalk us anytime! At least you will speak English.

 

[gydell]

Hi

Where is the hotel situated? We want to be quite near the Las Ramblas and Marina (walking distance) and maybe near a stop for the HOHO bus (going to be a proper tourist this time )

I think it is 1 block away. We wanted to be near Las Ramblas also. It seems to be walking distance to lots of the sights.

 

[gydell]

I know a few of you were on the June 23rd Fantasy cruise with me. I am planning on having the same FE gifts so if you you would please let me know who you were then I will have something else for you. Thanks!

 

[MrsScooby]

I know a few of you were on the June 23rd Fantasy cruise with me. I am planning on having the same FE gifts so if you you would please let me know who you were then I will have something else for you. Thanks!

Gydell we were on that cruise with you. Not sure yet if we will be doing the FE exchange on this cruise or not as it depends on the size of the group. If the number stays under 25 I will join in but not if it goes above that. And as for a repeat gift ...We'll take whatever, no need to stress It's fun just finding the gift in your FE

 

[william691]

Cruising in the Mediterranean sea with Disney cruise line will be awesome. My family and I had driven for Rome,Livorno and Naples with Rudy’s car tours. Car Tour's are the best way to enjoy the beauty of these marvelous cities. We appreciate a lot this service. Disney and Rudy’s can make your vacations unforgettable in Italy.

 

[nzdisneymom]

What are you planning to bring back from the glass factory?
My DS brought back glass necklaces and bracelets from his trip to Venice back in 2009.
I was thinking I want to get some of the masks in Venice. I love how they look on the wall in Palo. I know I have to do some research on this to make sure I don't get scammed

I'm catching up on all the posts today - I feel like I've neglected our trip planning and it's time to get on it again!

One thing I wanted to mention about this is to be sure to go to the Shopping Talks they do on board - they will tell you how to avoid getting scammed by telling you what things to look for. I went to the ones in the Baltic and we could see for ourselves once we were in some of the shops about the difference between authentic and "made in China" items. They also gave us an idea of what price ranges to expect. I know the ships and tours always have some deal with the various shops, but the information is good so you can still find good deals on your own.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Hi, we just booked our FIRST EVER cruise on the Magic 6/27 yesterday !! We are DVC members but have never cruised before. I am Julie, DH Brian, 2 kids dd 9 and ds 12. Talk about jumping in feet first !!

We booked a GTY cat4B and are really nervous that we are going to get the shaft, but we didn't want to miss out because the cruise is soooo booked already !

Looking forward to reading this ridiculously long thread, learning all about cruising, I just ordered Passporter's guide to DCL, and I am really interested in signing up for the Fish Extender exchange if one exists.

Any good links that all of you veterans (and there seem to be some big cruisers on this cruise, which is very reassuring) would suggest to a complete newbie, thanks in advance. Can't wait to get into the groove and SQUEEEEEEL I am so freaking excited !!

Wow - welcome - and how exciting for your first cruise to be such a grand adventure! We are also DVC members but we're doing the cruise before this one (the one that goes to Greece) on DVC points - and paying cash for this one - we haven't used points for a cruise before, but DH really wanted to go to Greece and DS really wanted to go to Venice for his graduation trip (he'll just be a year early) so we banked and borrowed to have enough to cover it. Whew.

The main DCL board has some good threads for ship-specific activities, info, packing advice, onboard life, etc. My advice is to just read, read, read I read a lot of trip reports specific to the ship to get a feel for the "lay of the land" and such. Of course this itinerary will be different but the activities, shows, etc., will be similar to what they do in the Caribbean and other areas.

We are planning to have a FE exchange but haven't gotten an official list started - we'll probably do that after the holidays (unless someone volunteers to head it up and wants to start sooner).

 

[nzdisneymom]

I just updated the list of DISers sailing with us in the first post of this thread. Please check the list and see if you're on it in case I've missed someone, and if you want your traveling party listed differently, let me know. After final payment is due, I'll PM anyone we haven't heard from in a while to see if they are still going so we can have a more accurate list to work with for planning, tour sharing, etc.

 

[carpenta]

I'm catching up on all the posts today - I feel like I've neglected our trip planning and it's time to get on it again!

One thing I wanted to mention about this is to be sure to go to the Shopping Talks they do on board - they will tell you how to avoid getting scammed by telling you what things to look for. I went to the ones in the Baltic and we could see for ourselves once we were in some of the shops about the difference between authentic and "made in China" items. They also gave us an idea of what price ranges to expect. I know the ships and tours always have some deal with the various shops, but the information is good so you can still find good deals on your own.

Good advice Nzdisneymom. They will tell you how to rate items such as leather in Florence and gold. Also what to look for in local painted pottery and glass. Very helpful in telling the history of a lot of shops for some are passed down from generation to generation in the same family. It gives you a different perspective on history when someones' family has been the same retail establishment for hundreds of years. In the U.S. not so much any more.The leather in Florence is exquisit and you can make a deal through haggeling. Also in some areas like Pisa there are "gypsies" that swam and try to sell you crappie stuff and some even try to distract you with items AND EVEN YOUNG KIDS to pickpocket. We were in Barcelona and a couple of older women tried to scam these tourist types and even grabbed the ladies wallet and tried to run. Lucky someone stepped out of the crowd and caught her. She used the old "sell a rose to you, put it close to your face, distract you attention and help herself to your wllet in your handbag". In Barcelona 4 times so far and that was the only problem I had seen. Just something to keep in mind when you do shop.

 

[gydell]

Be careful in Rome. Lots of pickpockets there too. When we go to Europe we carry Pacsafe bags while touring. I have a cross bag and my husband has a fanny pack.

 

[WhosGoofy]

Hello Everyone!!! We just booked this cruise while aboard the Disney Wonder in Alaska last week (which was our first cruise ever). We are so excited to have another cruise to look forward to!!!

 

[Doingitagain]

Stopping in to let you know we will not be going on this cruise any more. We have moved to the July 25 sailing, it works better for family members.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Stopping in to let you know we will not be going on this cruise any more. We have moved to the July 25 sailing, it works better for family members.

Sorry to see you go, but certainly understand. We couldn't wait that late because kids have to be back for band camp, etc. in early August.

Hello Everyone!!! We just booked this cruise while aboard the Disney Wonder in Alaska last week (which was our first cruise ever). We are so excited to have another cruise to look forward to!!!

Welcome! I've added you to the list on the first post of the thread - if you want traveling party info added, please let me know and I'll update it. We sailed the Wonder in Alaska last summer and loved it.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Well, there's no looking back now (not that we were) - we purchased our air tickets this morning. The price has held pretty steady and is enough better than DCL that we decided to just go ahead and do it.

We are staying one more night in Barcelona post-cruise as our flight is at 11:40 AM and we'd rather have a little more time and not feel so rushed on the day we fly home. Nothing like a harried return travel day to suck the fun out of vacation.

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe!

 

[MrsScooby]

Hello Everyone!!! We just booked this cruise while aboard the Disney Wonder in Alaska last week (which was our first cruise ever). We are so excited to have another cruise to look forward to!!!

Welcome Aboard

I'm Laurie and traveling with my DH, DS (19) and DD (16).
So you must have liked Alaska

 

[MrsScooby]

Stopping in to let you know we will not be going on this cruise any more. We have moved to the July 25 sailing, it works better for family members.

Sorry we won't get to sail with you this time. Let us know if you come across any great tips from your new cruisemeet thread

 

[MrsScooby]

Well, there's no looking back now (not that we were) - we purchased our air tickets this morning. The price has held pretty steady and is enough better than DCL that we decided to just go ahead and do it.

We are staying one more night in Barcelona post-cruise as our flight is at 11:40 AM and we'd rather have a little more time and not feel so rushed on the day we fly home. Nothing like a harried return travel day to suck the fun out of vacation.

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe!

The buying airfare part is the most stressful to me

 

[nzdisneymom]

The buying airfare part is the most stressful to me

This is the first time we've done air on our own. We drive when we sail from Port Canaveral, and our other cruises not from Port Canaveral, we've done better with DCL airfare than booking on our own (or at least even by the time you factor in extra insurance, ground transportation, etc.). Our TA is removing the air portion from our reservation today so we'll get the new "balance due" which will be significantly less At that point I'll be able to determine exactly how much we've saved (and really, repurposed towards another part of this vacation). She did tell me we have a substantial on board credit which I need to remember in terms of figuring out the rest of our vacation budget.

Speaking of vacation budget, you'd think I know all this but I want to make sure I'm not forgetting anything:

Pre-cruise transportation - gas/food for getting to the airport.
Air travel
Ground transportation to pre-cruise hotel in Barcelona
Pre-cruise hotel costs, food, etc. in Barcelona for two days/nights
Ground transportation from hotel to port in Barcelona
Cruise fare
Excursions (include souvenirs and tips for tour guides)
Laundry
Gratuities
Ship specific souvenirs (including photos)
Ground transportation from port to post-cruise hotel
Post-cruise hotel costs, food in Barcelona for one day/night
Ground transportation from hotel to airport
Post-cruise transportation - gas/food for getting from airport home

We don't do Palo, drink of the days, specialty coffee, etc. For souvenirs, we are pin collectors and will probably get a pin set for each of the ports. We will probably get the boys a DCL cruise-specific t-shirt.

What else?