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

[nzdisneymom]

So we think we're going to do Naples on our own. I've been doing some research and we think we're going to plan a day like this:

1. Underground Tour. Starts at 10 a.m. and lasts 2 hours. (They have other times as well.)
2. Pizza (allow an hour) somewhere between the underground tour and the archaeology museum
3. National Archaeological Museum (allow 2 hours which I know isn't enough but probably all the teenagers will want to spend at this point in our trip - leave by 3:30)
4. Sfogliatelle at Mary's at the Galleria - on the way back to the ship.
5. Walk back to the ship, arriving at least 30 minutes prior to sailing time.

We are scheduled to be in port from 7:45 - 5:30 so that would let us have a not crack-of-dawn start and get us back to the ship by 5 p.m. at the latest.

 

[emmah16]

We haven't done it either, so I don't know about whether they let kids come in or not. How old are your children?

At the time of sailing DS will be 5 and DD will be 1.

 

[DenverVal]

Well, Disney says in the info they sent us that the flight home from Barcelona should be no earlier than 12:30, but all the flights that get us to Denver are early morning, most are around 11:30 and the few later flights that are available are significantly more expensive. I am quite frustrated.

 

[pacurn]

Well, Disney says in the info they sent us that the flight home from Barcelona should be no earlier than 12:30, but all the flights that get us to Denver are early morning, most are around 11:30 and the few later flights that are available are significantly more expensive. I am quite frustrated.

I suspect the trick will be to carry off your luggage and to have a private car arranged and waiting for you, so you avoid the taxi line. Also avoid the last morning breakfast and opt for topsiders (which is what I wish we had done for the last trip)

 

[nzdisneymom]

Well, Disney says in the info they sent us that the flight home from Barcelona should be no earlier than 12:30, but all the flights that get us to Denver are early morning, most are around 11:30 and the few later flights that are available are significantly more expensive. I am quite frustrated.

Are you using DCL transfers or will you be arranging your own transportation from the port to the airport? I think you can manage the earlier flight - but it will be a hustle that morning - if you're doing your own transportation, if you hire someone ahead of time to meet you at the port, then that might be better than trying to get a cab. Also I would recommend taking your luggage off yourself as the PP mentioned ... that way you don't have to go through the sea of people trying to get theirs and you also don't have to wait for disembarking for the luggage to be available in the terminal.

We never go to the dining room on the last morning - we always go up to Topsiders. It's easier for us all the way around because we don't have to haul luggage with us - we just go up early as each of us gets ready and make sure we're done and back in time to clear out of the cabin so our stateroom host can get in to clean... usually no later than 8 a.m. (because we've not had a reason to leave earlier than that). When we were in Alaska last summer, we took DCL transportation to the airport. After we collected our luggage, we had a bit of a wait to get the bus because while they were loading them as fast as they could, it still took a while. At that point we realized we could've taken our own luggage and been in the queue a lot earlier.

I don't know how the new airport in BCN is, but when we left in 2007 on the same day as the cruise, it was tough - super busy, loads of people and lots of luggage, all of us dumped out at the same time. The line to check bags was like a snake, and people were shifting the weight in their luggage in the middle of the airport - or trying to shove all their overnight stuff into their bags they were going to check. That's another advantage to taking your own luggage off - you don't have to do the airport shuffle to get thngs situated.

We aren't flying out until the day after the cruise - we took an extra two nights in London after the Baltic and found our trip home was less stressful than flying home the day we get off the ship because we've had time to get things situated for the flight, we've had a bit of rest (after all, don't we all always stay up too late the last night of the cruise?), and all we're doing that day is flying. We are only doing one extra night in Barcelona because we figure we'll have seen all we wanted to see pre-cruise and we'll take the day we get off the ship to see what we might have missed and just relax (and hook back up online after being offline for most of a month).

So as for your flight issue, I would look at what the cost of taking the later flight is vs. how much it might cost to stay one extra night to see if it would be cheaper to stay an extra night or come out about even. Then decide how much stress you want about trying to get the earlier flight on the day you get off the ship.

Oh - I just found this on DCL's site:

Approximate Times for Transfers, Port Check-In and Customs
•Traveling from Barcelona International Airport to the Port of Barcelona takes approximately 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
•Traveling from the Barcelona hotels used by Disney to the Port of Barcelona takes approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
The Cruise Terminal opens at 11:00 a.m. and boarding begins around 1:00 p.m. At check-in, you will need to present all required documentation, and proof of citizenship for each member of your party. Disney Cruise Line representatives will be on hand to direct you to the appropriate check-in station.

Use My Online Check-In to complete your cruise documents and select your Port Arrival Time prior to your sail date so you can make boarding the ship a breeze. Please plan to arrive at the Cruise Terminal based on your selected Port Arrival Time.

Allow a minimum of 4 hours at the beginning and end of your cruise for travel time, customs/immigrations clearances and security checks at the port and the airport.

 

[jel0511]

Well, Disney says in the info they sent us that the flight home from Barcelona should be no earlier than 12:30, but all the flights that get us to Denver are early morning, most are around 11:30 and the few later flights that are available are significantly more expensive. I am quite frustrated.

This is exactly why we're flying home on the 10th. Our flight home to PHL leaves at 10:45, there is no way I want to have to rush to make it. I agree with the above, either book DCL transfers (they did make arrangements for those with early flights in 2010) or book a private car to pick you up at 8. BCN is a zoo any day, we flew out the day after last time, and it still was CRAZY. Most of the US airlines are in the same area, and they won't let you in line to check-in without first weighing your bags to make sure they're under 50 lbs. So all of the finagling is right at the beginning of the line, but it's still a mess.......

 

[carpenta]

Well, Disney says in the info they sent us that the flight home from Barcelona should be no earlier than 12:30, but all the flights that get us to Denver are early morning, most are around 11:30 and the few later flights that are available are significantly more expensive. I am quite frustrated.

We are going through the same problem. Disney says that the ship DOCKS at 7:00 A.M. I do not know if the ship will be cleared by customs at 7a.m. or the actual tie up is at 7:00 a.m. and the "clearing" of the ship by customs will take effect after docking? If the later than this means debark about 8:00 a.m. (hopefully) and get to the airport. The new airport is right across from the old airport but is quite busy and this is also a weekday so local traffic will be much heavier than the weekend. It does take some time (2010) to get through the passport officials but after that we had no problem getting to the flight. Right now we cannot afford an extra day away from work so if we can't make our flight we may have to cancel. We have cruise RCL in the Med. and we docked at 5:00 a.m. and were off the ship at 7:00 a.m. and made our flight easy. I can't get any help from Disney so we are worried.

 

[disprincess4ever]

hello everyone! We booked this cruise about a month ago, and are so excited! We were on the June 23rd sailing on the Fantasy, which was our fantastic first cruise! Sailing will be myself, Dd (16) Ds (10) and DH. I wasn't a member of this forum during our last cruise, so I'm very excited to be this time! I loved seeing all your fish hooks and door decorations while roaming the halls. Hopefully I can participate this time around.

Now who's excited for the Mediterranian??!!!! 9 more months

 

[seaulater]

We are going through the same problem. Disney says that the ship DOCKS at 7:00 A.M. I do not know if the ship will be cleared by customs at 7a.m. or the actual tie up is at 7:00 a.m. and the "clearing" of the ship by customs will take effect after docking? If the later than this means debark about 8:00 a.m. (hopefully) and get to the airport. The new airport is right across from the old airport but is quite busy and this is also a weekday so local traffic will be much heavier than the weekend. It does take some time (2010) to get through the passport officials but after that we had no problem getting to the flight. Right now we cannot afford an extra day away from work so if we can't make our flight we may have to cancel. We have cruise RCL in the Med. and we docked at 5:00 a.m. and were off the ship at 7:00 a.m. and made our flight easy. I can't get any help from Disney so we are worried.

Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but when we did the Med from Barcelona and came back to Barcelona in 2007, there was no customs at the port. Therefore, once the ship docked people that had early flights were hauling off their own luggage and heading to the airport. Our flight was 11 a.m. or so and we were off and to the airport by 8 if I remember right. Made our flight just fine. However, there were numerous people at the airport with luggage issues because they were overweight and the excess baggage fees were hundreds of dollars. I also remember right in the DCL mcruise terminal a table with like 3 or 4 people sitting at it shipping back to the US. I had a friend who had a UPS account and she actually shipped back to her business and it went smoothly as she had brought her own packing labels with account on it and pre-filled out.

We are currently looking at a flight that leaves at 10:45 a.m. I haven't booked yet though.

 

[MrsScooby]

hello everyone! We booked this cruise about a month ago, and are so excited! We were on the June 23rd sailing on the Fantasy, which was our fantastic first cruise! Sailing will be myself, Dd (16) Ds (10) and DH. I wasn't a member of this forum during our last cruise, so I'm very excited to be this time! I loved seeing all your fish hooks and door decorations while roaming the halls. Hopefully I can participate this time around.

Now who's excited for the Mediterranian??!!!! 9 more months

Welcome aboard
And we were also on that June 23rd Fantasy sailing as well
And we are also from Virginia
And we also have a teen DD (16 at time of the Med sailing)
And also very excited for the Med as well

 

[nzdisneymom]

hello everyone! We booked this cruise about a month ago, and are so excited! We were on the June 23rd sailing on the Fantasy, which was our fantastic first cruise! Sailing will be myself, Dd (16) Ds (10) and DH. I wasn't a member of this forum during our last cruise, so I'm very excited to be this time! I loved seeing all your fish hooks and door decorations while roaming the halls. Hopefully I can participate this time around.

Now who's excited for the Mediterranian??!!!! 9 more months

Welcome! I've added you to the DISers ON BOARD list in the first post of the thread. I love being a part of a DIS group for planning a cruise, and my family and friends are glad I have some online buddies to obsess with Did you find the DIS because of Fish Extenders?

 

[lisah0711]

We are going through the same problem. Disney says that the ship DOCKS at 7:00 A.M. I do not know if the ship will be cleared by customs at 7a.m. or the actual tie up is at 7:00 a.m. and the "clearing" of the ship by customs will take effect after docking? If the later than this means debark about 8:00 a.m. (hopefully) and get to the airport. The new airport is right across from the old airport but is quite busy and this is also a weekday so local traffic will be much heavier than the weekend. It does take some time (2010) to get through the passport officials but after that we had no problem getting to the flight. Right now we cannot afford an extra day away from work so if we can't make our flight we may have to cancel. We have cruise RCL in the Med. and we docked at 5:00 a.m. and were off the ship at 7:00 a.m. and made our flight easy. I can't get any help from Disney so we are worried.

Disney Cruise told us (via DVC 'cause we don't get to speak with them directly) that the ship would not clear customs until 9 a.m. and not to schedule any flight leaving before noon.

We are finding the same issues with flight prices being significantly more expensive. Was hoping to head home on the 9th but may have to wait until the 10th.

hello everyone! We booked this cruise about a month ago, and are so excited! We were on the June 23rd sailing on the Fantasy, which was our fantastic first cruise! Sailing will be myself, Dd (16) Ds (10) and DH. I wasn't a member of this forum during our last cruise, so I'm very excited to be this time! I loved seeing all your fish hooks and door decorations while roaming the halls. Hopefully I can participate this time around.

Now who's excited for the Mediterranian??!!!! 9 more months

 

[disprincess4ever]

Welcome! I've added you to the DISers ON BOARD list in the first post of the thread. I love being a part of a DIS group for planning a cruise, and my family and friends are glad I have some online buddies to obsess with Did you find the DIS because of Fish Extenders?

Well I had looked on this website for info and pictures of the Fantasy prior to the cruise. When I saw your shirts, I assumed you were all from this website. I also saw the door decorations and fish hooks and asked someone about them, and they told me they were from DIS, so I looked it up when i got home

 

[disprincess4ever]

Is anyone else staying at the Hilton Barcelona prior to the cruise? We wanted to do the Hilton Del Mar Disney package, but they were all booked. Sadly this means we have to find our own transportation to the hotel, and then to the dock.

 

[gydell]

hello everyone! We booked this cruise about a month ago, and are so excited! We were on the June 23rd sailing on the Fantasy, which was our fantastic first cruise! Sailing will be myself, Dd (16) Ds (10) and DH. I wasn't a member of this forum during our last cruise, so I'm very excited to be this time! I loved seeing all your fish hooks and door decorations while roaming the halls. Hopefully I can participate this time around.

Now who's excited for the Mediterranian??!!!! 9 more months

We were on the Fantasy cruise with you too. My dgs was with me. What is your son's name?

 

[shoes99]

I booked a 10A SPH cabin the day this cruise went on sale. Today the same cat 10A is $2700 more than what we booked. I'm working on my finances right now and I just increased my credit limit on the Disney Visa so that when I have to PIF in February, 2013 I have the correct credit limit. They were shrewd, since I have two cards and two accounts, they upped one card and lowered the other. Its OK we us. We use one card for DCL and the other card for all other purchases so we still have choices as to what card to use for general purchases.
This will be DCL #11 for me and DCL #10 for DH, so I get the platinum lanyard and he still gets the gold. Since I am the lead name, as long as we are paid in full, we can book our tours and Palo a bit earlier. Can't wait.

 

[nzdisneymom]

I booked a 10A SPH cabin the day this cruise went on sale. Today the same cat 10A is $2700 more than what we booked. I'm working on my finances right now and I just increased my credit limit on the Disney Visa so that when I have to PIF in February, 2013 I have the correct credit limit. They were shrewd, since I have two cards and two accounts, they upped one card and lowered the other. Its OK we us. We use one card for DCL and the other card for all other purchases so we still have choices as to what card to use for general purchases.
This will be DCL #11 for me and DCL #10 for DH, so I get the platinum lanyard and he still gets the gold. Since I am the lead name, as long as we are paid in full, we can book our tours and Palo a bit earlier. Can't wait.

I'm planning to do our PIF with our Disney Visa and max out the advantages for those Disney Rewards points - I absolutely plan to apply those onboard We're piling up cash now so we can immediately send that in after the payment is applied to our cruise. What's funny is that we are living like we're poor so we can do this trip - and just because we pay in February doesn't mean we can stop living like we're poor - because we will use Feb through Jun to save up for excursions.

 

[DenverVal]

I've never taken advantage of the six months no interest, but will probably have to make an exception this time, making sure the card is paid off before I PIF, and then using a different card for other purchases so I make it really easy on them and me.

On a different subject, I was looking into Iceland Air for flights - there are four flights a week from Denver to Reykjavic and then a connection to Barcelona two days a week that work. Unfortunately, the Iceland to Denver return flight leaves before the Barcelona to Iceland flight takes off, and there's not another one until Thursday. I heard on the news that they were increasing the number of flights from 4 to 6 flights per week. What are the odds of no flight on that Wednesday? 100%

 

[pacurn]

We also have a SPH booked on day one so hi neighbor. As for acting like we are poor, yep. The Disney card is getting paid down as fast as I can in order to put the PIF amount on in Feb. No easy feat as the airfare went on this month.

We are planning one "splurge" excursion with Romeinlimo at the Naples port. Last trip our driver said "next time we skip Pompei and I take you further down the coast." But even with DIY for most ports, and a cheap apartment pre-cruise, I know we will need lots of cash.

 

[shoes99]

We also have a SPH booked on day one so hi neighbor. As for acting like we are poor, yep. The Disney card is getting paid down as fast as I can in order to put the PIF amount on in Feb. No easy feat as the airfare went on this month.

We are planning one "splurge" excursion with Romeinlimo at the Naples port. Last trip our driver said "next time we skip Pompei and I take you further down the coast." But even with DIY for most ports, and a cheap apartment pre-cruise, I know we will need lots of cash.

We were in a SPH cabin on the Magic in early Sept going to Canada. We had the one that was the least obstructed with no connecting door. It worked out well, those cabins are 5020 and 5520. On the Med we also have the least obstructed cabin with no connecting door. We loved that cabin and are looking forward to June 2013. We have not thought about any land tours except Rome. I want to do The Classical Rome excursion with DCL which is $250+ per person. The other ports we are open to hooking up with other travelers. We seniors age 67 an 68 with no kids .
We are retired, on a fixed income, and by golly I want to get to Rome before I am too old to travel, so yes we are also doing the save everything we can to pay for this cruise route, but we are OK except for the expensive land excursions. We are doing a pre and post hotel also with DCL, have DCL air and hope they put us on a non stop from EWR to BCN.
Michele