June 29, 2011-10 "MAGICAL" nights in the Mediterranean

[DCLShel]

I am so excited. I just borrowed Rick Steves' "Spain and Portugal" DVD from our library and can't wait to watch the segment on Barcelona and Catalunya (sp?). It only took about a week to come in. I am going to track down the DVDs for whichever other locations are available.

There are also several episodes of Rick Steves on hulu, too. I've watched the one on Barcelona & Catalunya. Its pretty good! Can't wait to watch more~

 

[keenercam]

There are also several episodes of Rick Steves on hulu, too. I've watched the one on Barcelona & Catalunya. Its pretty good! Can't wait to watch more~

I hadn't even thought to check there. Thank you!

 

[DorothyDamato]

Net Flix has some Rick Steve's DVD's too - but it looks like some of them are not out yet. Hope they come out in the next couple of months! Right now they have Rick Steves Italian Cities. I put in my saved queue: Travel Skills and specials (see if we missed anything!), and Spain, Portugul and France (has a section in there on Monaco). They also had some documentaries I am going to check out: Power of the Past: Florence (Bill Moyers).

Hulu - good idea! Gonna have to listen to my daughter whine when I ask her to sit down and show it to me tonight!

 

[princesschantelle]

we are going to be on this cruise. myself (22) my mother (44) my sister (18) and my daughter (4). im all new to this. is there anyone else from england on this cruise??

 

[DCLShel]

we are going to be on this cruise. myself (22) my mother (44) my sister (18) and my daughter (4). im all new to this. is there anyone else from england on this cruise??

Congratulations on your first post! And, welcome aboard! So far, we're a pretty small group but we're very friendly.

I don't think we have anyone else from England on the thread but I do know some others from the UK will be on the cruise. I have a friend on the boards from Kent, Eng and her sister (who isn't on the boards) will be cruising with us.

Shelly

 

[princesschantelle]

We can't wait to travel. We did the Baltic cruise last july and did a 3night cruise. My little girl can't wait she's counting down the days as well as the rest of us.

 

[DorothyDamato]

How fun to have a 4 year old on the Cruise! Especially a DISNEY cruise! They have so much for the kids to do - they have so much fun!

Check the prior posts - there is sooooo much info we have all shared that will help. We are doing a 'fish extender' too - let me know if you are interested! WE ARE ALL COUNTING DOWN!!!!

 

[princesschantelle]

Hi dorothy we would love to join you in the fish extenders. Not to sure what they are tho so some information would be great. The only problem is that we will not know our stateroom number till we are onboard x

 

[DorothyDamato]

Morning Princess C!

Check out www.WorldofMouse.com - that will get you excited for the trip. I think Cam gave us this info ....it has the notices you get on the ship for each port, activities going on for adults, teens, kids. It will give you a flavor of what to look forward to.....

I had my first lesson on Fish Extenders when I joined this site! When you go on a cruise, your statecabin has a little Clip or fish on the outside of the door, where the staff put your notices for whatever you have signed up for on the ship (spa days, Paolo etc). It sounds like over the years, people have used a pouch of sorts and hung it from the fish (My daughter has a little bead purse I think I am going to use). People get together as a group and put little token gifts in the pouch. I think Shelly and Cam were telling me they put things like maybe a state magnet where you hail from....things of that nature. I was telling Cam that Thomas Edison lived in NJ where I live, and I was thinking I could find some little gifts for at least the kids at the museum. There is also a "Raptor Trust" Museum near us that we love to go to - so I am going to see if I can find anything there as well.

So - for right now - until you have more info....I can add your name to the group. Just let me know ages and gender of people in your party so I can give it to Cam for the list we are putting together. Believe it or not - I am trying to look at gifts for the kids that might be more masculine or feminine....but that could change!!. I have a list of the DC chat names on Page 3 of this chat thread just so I have a running total. We are closing it May 1st so we have a tally of all the people - mcassi is actually making something - can't wait to see it!!

If you look at some of the other threads, I am also trying to see if anyone wants to link together for dinners and have a bigger group. Cam has put together a list of cruisers from this site with names and ages of adults and kids. We are also adding main or late dining to the info. I was chatting with DCLShel and she said they had heard that you get more attention when you are in a larger group....and it is fun to spend an hour dining with someone you have been chatting with for a few months before the cruise (I think). As far as getting more attention from the servers - Disney Service is always outstanding....I can't imagine getting MORE attention!!

 

[princesschantelle]

I put who is in our party on before.

 

[DCLShel]

Hi dorothy we would love to join you in the fish extenders. Not to sure what they are tho so some information would be great. The only problem is that we will not know our stateroom number till we are onboard x

Some items I received from my recent cruise for Fish Extender gifts are: highlighters, homemade magnets, sticky notes, post cards, homemade Christmas ornaments, local food items (chocolates from UK), glow sticks, mini scrapbook, dry-erase board just to name a few. Just have fun with it!

I believe there is a thread which has pictures of different FE gifts. If I find it, I'll post the link.

Also, if anyone is interested in ordering a custom-made FE, I have ordered three from the same person on EBay and love them!!

 

[princesschantelle]

Does anyBody Know what the wave phones are and if they are on the magic??

 

[DCLShel]

Does anyBody Know what the wave phones are and if they are on the magic??

Wave phones are awesome! I used them on the Dream in January. Basically, they're just like cell phones you use on the ship. You can even send text messages! I believe they are on all three ships now.

One of my favorite things about the phones is you always know what time it is. If you've cruised before, you know finding a clock onboard is almost impossible. Since I don't wear a watch, I never knew what time it was. By having the phones, you can always contact other people in your party and you'll always be on time!

 

[DCLShel]

http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/Spain/barcelona.htm

I found this link on another thread. I thought it might be helpful for those of us traveling with kids.

 

[kmc33]

http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/Spain/barcelona.htm

I found this link on another thread. I thought it might be helpful for those of us traveling with kids.

Thank you! It looks very helpful!

I am starting to get really excited. Flights are reserved, cruise is paid in full, and soon we can start making reservations for onboard activities and port adventures!!

 

[DCLShel]

I booked our Rome excursion with Rome in Limo. We're doing a kid-friendly tour of Rome including the Catacombs (no Vatican). Also booked Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius & Herculaneum with AP Tours for the Naples stop. I did sign up for the Blue Grotto excursion through Disney. I think we'll probably do the rest on our own.

Question about La Spezia - if doing it on your own, what is the earliest time to book tickets for the Leaning Tower of Pisa? I asked this on the Med planning thread but haven't gotten a response yet.

Wow! This seems so real now! Can't wait to experience all these wonderful ports~

 

[keenercam]

Planning continues here as well

We are using Rome in Limo for Naples and Rome, as well, with Dorothy and her family.

Last night, I booked our Palo brunch (they only had reservations left for parties of 1-2 which was bizarre) and Palo dinner (did this for Corsica night at 8 pm).

I had booked the Blue Grotto and Fishing Village excursion in Malta, but I just changed it to the Sailing on a Turkish Schooner. I booked Selinunte and Marinella for Palermo, and "Florence and Pisa" for La Spezia.

Finally, I was able to find a time for the Couples Spa Villa experience on our last at sea day, which should be the perfect way to relax after the hustle and bustle of this very busy itinerary.

 

[kmc33]

Planning continues here as well

We are using Rome in Limo for Naples and Rome, as well, with Dorothy and her family.

Last night, I booked our Palo brunch (they only had reservations left for parties of 1-2 which was bizarre) and Palo dinner (did this for Corsica night at 8 pm).

I had booked the Blue Grotto and Fishing Village excursion in Malta, but I just changed it to the Sailing on a Turkish Schooner. I booked Selinunte and Marinella for Palermo, and "Florence and Pisa" for La Spezia.

Finally, I was able to find a time for the Couples Spa Villa experience on our last at sea day, which should be the perfect way to relax after the hustle and bustle of this very busy itinerary.

Wow!!! How exciting that you are already booking your activities. I forgot that there were different dates depending on your level. We are silver and cannot book until March 31 I am hoping to book Palo for dinner which I figure should be easier than getting brunch... at least I hope! And the Couples Spa Villa sounds nice... I have to look to see what that is!

 

[kmc33]

Cam - Did you get the pm I sent with our info? If not I can resend directly to your email.
Thanks!

 

[DCLShel]

I had booked the Blue Grotto and Fishing Village excursion in Malta, but I just changed it to the Sailing on a Turkish Schooner. I booked Selinunte and Marinella for Palermo, and "Florence and Pisa" for La Spezia.

Thanks for the heads-up! I had read about the Schooner excursion on one of the Med trip reports and thought it sounded very cool. However, when I was doing my initial trip planning, I thought it said it wasn't offered on our cruise. I didn't even look for it on the excursions list this morning! I just went back and modified our excursion in Malta and we're now booked on the Schooner.

I would LOVE for my DH to experience Palo but DD is not keen on the kids club so there's never a chance for us to go. Oh well - guess he can't miss what he hasn't experienced!