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

[kmitchel]

For those of you wondering how to keep posts on the FB private, it is a CLOSED group which means that only members of the group can see your posts.

I posted this on the FB page, but in case anyone wants to read a trip report from our last DCL med cruise, here is my blog - http://dclmed2007.blogspot.com/2007/05/25-days-and-counting.html

Some of the ports are the same, so I'm sure that some of the excursions offered will be the same.

Sorry, I'm not on this board too much - we are on the DCL trip to Hawaii and I am having a hard time dividing my attention!

 

[MrsScooby]

We are sailing on the Wonder in April and plan to book this cruise on board. Sailing will be my husband and me. This will be our third Disney cruise. Question: What does ABD mean?

Welcome Aboard

I'm SO MAD!!!! I was planning on reshopping this cruise while onboard the Fantasy maiden, but cat 11B is now in GTY. According to my TA, it still MIGHT work, but it's not guaranteed (no pun intended). Since the OBB will be a GTY, she can't ensure she'll be able to move the cabin number to the new ressie. Luckily I had one OBB and used it for the balcony. I'll keep you posted on to what happens......

Our Category 5C still has some availability, but on the Greece one, they are sold out.

I suspect more and more categories will sell out / become GTYs as people sail on the Fantasy this summer and book. I'm envious of those of you sailing on the Fantasy - I've watched her on the port canaveral webcam and she's beautiful. In fact, she's sitting there right now: LINKIE LINKIE

Also plan to rebook while on the Fantasy this summer
We are leaning toward adding our kids, but it won't be definite until airfare is purchased.
Can't wait till the MV of the Fantasy to hear how you all like it

For those of you wondering how to keep posts on the FB private, it is a CLOSED group which means that only members of the group can see your posts.

I posted this on the FB page, but in case anyone wants to read a trip report from our last DCL med cruise, here is my blog - http://dclmed2007.blogspot.com/2007/05/25-days-and-counting.html

Some of the ports are the same, so I'm sure that some of the excursions offered will be the same.

Sorry, I'm not on this board too much - we are on the DCL trip to Hawaii and I am having a hard time dividing my attention!

Thanks
I think many of us are busy with 2012 summer plans and will be working on this cruise later in the year

 

[jel0511]

I think many of us are busy with 2012 summer plans and will be working on this cruise later in the year

That would be me! I have the Maiden in 11 days!!! Still need to pack for that one! Then DL and Aulani this summer.... Then I'll focus on getting airline tickets, etc for this one. THEN most likely Spring Break at WDW, then this one..... I'll probably focus more once the summer is over and airline tickets are in hand. Since we've been on a Med before, I'm not over anxiously planning this one. I'll take it as it comes...... I thought that there was almost too much pre-planning on our last Med cruise. I'll do what I want, as in a lot of the ports, since they're repeats, we already know what we want to do. For the two new ones, I might just go with the flow. All I want to do is walk around Venice and take a gondola ride, and same for Dubrovonik, just walk around and get a feel for the place. This might be where I"ll use DCL excursions..........

 

[nzdisneymom]

I think many of us are busy with 2012 summer plans and will be working on this cruise later in the year.

Yep, that would be us, too! We are actually spring-breaking at WDW this week and it will be our last time here until at least late 2013/early 2014. And then in the summer, we're doing our Yellowstone / Mt. Rushmore tour and are so excited about checking off seven states!

 

[tinkerbell0611]

We're all booked and ready to go -- next year. It will be my DH Bruce, my granddaughter Olivia (who will bee 11 when we sail) and myself, Nancy.


Love to join the FE and also put in my request for the facebook page.

Thanks!

 

[carpenta]

We're all booked and ready to go -- next year. It will be my DH Bruce, my granddaughter Olivia (who will bee 11 when we sail) and myself, Nancy.


Love to join the FE and also put in my request for the facebook page.

Thanks!

Welcome!!! This will be our third in the Med. on the Magic. DW is Mary Beth and DD Nora will be 12yrs. old. Good match for pool time. Enjoy the warm spring. Joseph

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Hi Folks, my wife and I have been eyeing this cruise from the day it opened. We so very much want to do the Med in 2013 for our 20th anniversary.

However, it's quite a bit more cost than expected once it's all added up. So we've been waiting for the other cruise lines to announce their Med options. They've started to now and their prices are not a lot cheaper. Carnival is about 70% of the cost and RCL about 80-90%. So I'd rather do Disney.

Can anyone help me firm up my numbers?

I'm thinking there's really only about 7 days of excursions (between sea days and late arrivals). What's the average cost of a excursions from those of you that have done the Med before? Is estimating $300 (on avarage) per day for 2 adults and 1 child too little? I'm suspecting it is.

I can't get a real airfare cost yet, but I'm estimating $2500 for 3 people - I have enough points for 2 people but, of course, there's still taxes/fees.

So, I'm coming up with $7200 for 10C, $2500 air, $1000 insurance, $2100 excursions, $450 tips, $500 for hotel day before and day after, $500 for souvenirs and misc. Grand total of $14250.

Does that sound about right? I suppose I could use Dreams Unlimited to get a bit of OBC but it doesn't make much of a dent.

Thanks for any help.

 

[jel0511]

We flew from JFK in 2010 and paid approx 1k per person. I'm hoping to pay that again this time. As for excursions it depends on what you want to do. DCL's will run anywhere from 100-300pp. The private ones are a bit cheaper. I remember paying 450 EUR for my family of 4 each for two whole day excursions through private vendors and that was cheaper than DCL to give you an idea. If you have any further questions ask.

 

[carpenta]

Hi Folks, my wife and I have been eyeing this cruise from the day it opened. We so very much want to do the Med in 2013 for our 20th anniversary.

However, it's quite a bit more cost than expected once it's all added up. So we've been waiting for the other cruise lines to announce their Med options. They've started to now and their prices are not a lot cheaper. Carnival is about 70% of the cost and RCL about 80-90%. So I'd rather do Disney.

Can anyone help me firm up my numbers?

I'm thinking there's really only about 7 days of excursions (between sea days and late arrivals). What's the average cost of a excursions from those of you that have done the Med before? Is estimating $300 (on avarage) per day for 2 adults and 1 child too little? I'm suspecting it is.

I can't get a real airfare cost yet, but I'm estimating $2500 for 3 people - I have enough points for 2 people but, of course, there's still taxes/fees.

So, I'm coming up with $7200 for 10C, $2500 air, $1000 insurance, $2100 excursions, $450 tips, $500 for hotel day before and day after, $500 for souvenirs and misc. Grand total of $14250.

Does that sound about right? I suppose I could use Dreams Unlimited to get a bit of OBC but it doesn't make much of a dent.

Thanks for any help.

Happy Anniversary (early). We have done the Med twice with Disney and twice with RCCL. We prefered Disney better just for the more relaxed on board experience...and also Palo...yummm. I would say your estimate of excursion price is about correct and the price will fluxuate with the area and individual excursion of course. For planning your numbers are pretty good IMHO. We took all our excursions through Disney sponsored tour groups and would not change a thing. Top notch tour guides as well as excellant transportation and logistics. On Corsica one of the bus groups got into a fender bender and were late getting back to the ship. We waited a couple hours for that group to reboard so there is something to be said about doing a ship sponsored tour. Do make plans to arrive a day before because Barcelona is an absolutely beautiful city. Every time we flew back the same day as we returned to the dock and felt we did not miss anything in Barcelona. If I can add one thing that if you are planning two days more for your trip put the days on the front end just so you can enjoy Barcelona...Airfare will be an issue because as you know the fuel price coupled with that dopey carbon tax the EU has imposed I don't expect that ther will be cheap fares around but keep checking the web and they say you can get them...but I never have. I avoid Heathrow just for the horror stories of a number of our fellow cruisers having no luggage when they boarded, lost in England.We stayed in Disney sponsored hotels and they were really nice and that does give you the option of pre-check in at the hotel so when you go to the terminal to board you proceed to the desk and pick up your sea pass and board right away. Disney does do a great job and the Magic is a smaller ship than the bigger Freedom class ships which puts things on a more manageable scale. Plus being able to bring local wines and food back on to the ship to enjoy in your cabin also gives you the ability to enjoy the local flavor. The last cruise we took in 2010 Dissney ran a kids sail free and they allowed us to take advantage of that promotion after we originally booked and changed our reservation to reflect the savings. That did save us a few bucks. To me the Magic is worth the price difference and I hope this helped in a small way.

 

[Disnylvr77]

My DD will be 10 (almost 11) next year when we sail maybe so it sounds like lots of friends of her age range!

Stephanie

We're all booked and ready to go -- next year. It will be my DH Bruce, my granddaughter Olivia (who will bee 11 when we sail) and myself, Nancy.


Love to join the FE and also put in my request for the facebook page.

Thanks!

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Thanks for the replies. It helps.

Flying out of Canada we don't get quite a good prices as the US (normally), but at least Air Canada has a direct Toronto to Barcelono flight. Checking today, it's 1600pp to Barcelona from here. I've been through Heathrow a few times and it is pretty hairy. Carry-on only now.

For the excursions, I sure would hate to pay all that money and not do any. If we pull the trigger, I'll be trying to be inventive but still do something.

One of the things, potentially more than anything, that's making this cruise so attractive is that there seems to be so many fine Disboards folks going. My previous (and only) cruise, we had about 8 people and the FE exchange partly fell through. Seeing all this thread activity makes me excited.

 

[ame]

Sorry, I'm not on this board too much - we are on the DCL trip to Hawaii and I am having a hard time dividing my attention!

same here. I'm going to Alaska in July with DS9 and booking excursions next week. This trip seems so far away. Although DS13 doesn't stop talking about it!!

 

[jel0511]

Well guys, as I start my final prep for the Fantasy Maiden, this will be my last post until we return!!! See you guys on the flip side!

 

[nzdisneymom]

Well guys, as I start my final prep for the Fantasy Maiden, this will be my last post until we return!!! See you guys on the flip side!

Jel - have a great time!

As for me, I've been watching the Magic at Port Canaveral this morning on the webcam. She still looks so beautiful. Can't wait to sail on her again! I think I need to get a count-down ticker!
(edited to add - got the tickers added)

 

[doberlady]

My BFF boarded RRCL today at PC. She took a pic from her porthole of the magic and texted it to me.

 

[elm95376]

I am new to DisneyCruise lines and am planning on making reservations for this cruise. Is there any advantage/disadvantage of booking through AAA verses Dreams Unlimited. I see several people mention Dreams Unlimited but in the past for trips I have used AAA.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Janet

 

[carpenta]

I am new to DisneyCruise lines and am planning on making reservations for this cruise. Is there any advantage/disadvantage of booking through AAA verses Dreams Unlimited. I see several people mention Dreams Unlimited but in the past for trips I have used AAA.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Janet

WELCOME JANET!!!!! I use AAA just for the fact that I have years of experience with the same travel agent and he knows what I like and dislike. It is a personal preference and I have only heard good things about Dreams Unlimited but I like to sit down face to face with my travel agent. But in these days of the internet I guess I'm a antique...Sit down and do the math on what extras that each company offers and go from there. Hope you have a wonderful trip which ever you choose.

 

[JLSE50]

I am new to DisneyCruise lines and am planning on making reservations for this cruise. Is there any advantage/disadvantage of booking through AAA verses Dreams Unlimited. I see several people mention Dreams Unlimited but in the past for trips I have used AAA.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Janet

WELCOME ABOARD.

I have always made our reservations directly with Disney Cruise Line.

All the documents come straight to us and if I have any questions I call them directly. We have never had a problem with this method.

Jan

.

 

[elm95376]

Thanks carpenta,
I hope to meet with AAA today and see if they can match or beat Dreams Unlimited on board credits. I'm excited!!!
Janet...

 

[elm95376]

WELCOME ABOARD.

I have always made our reservations directly with Disney Cruise Line.

All the documents come straight to us and if I have any questions I call them directly. We have never had a problem with this method.

Jan

.

Thanks Jan,
When you book directly with Disney Cruise Lines do they give you on board credits like Dream Unlimited?

Janet...