Just got back late last night (had some travel delays in Barcelona and we missed our transatlantic connection and our luggage is still not here but Brussels airlines gave us food vouchers, then United Airlines gave us more food vouchers so we got to eat alot in Brussels, and my DS stocked up on 5 cans of Pringles, 4 packages of M& M's and 7 sodas and waters for our transatlantic flight with the remaining vouchers!
And the transatlantic flight was further delayed so United gave us free travel vouchers to use within the next 90 days - not sure if its domestic or international but that was a nice suprise.
It was so great to meet all of you and it made our cruising experience so enjoyable to run into "friends" everywhere - on excursions, in the hot tub, at Rockin' Bar D. So much fun!
FAVORITE EXCURSION (
DCL, PRIVATE or ON OWN)? This is hard to choose, but I would have to say Cinque Terre and Portoverne again. We took the train straight to Monterroso and was on the beach before 10:30am and beat the crowds. Then we ferried back all the way to La Spezia, getting off in Portoverne for 1 1/2 hours. Very few tourists here and lots of good food shopping (pestos and pastas)! A close second would be our taxi tour in Malta - we arranged it at the pier and went to Mdina, Mosta, Rabatt, the Quai handicrafts village, and the Marsallok fishing village and had a marvelous lunch there. Then later that afternoon we did a seaplane tour over Malta and Gozo. Just incredible!
Booked that right at the pier - DH saw the sign and the seaplane as we were exiting the ship that morning.
DS 14's favorite excursion: His 15 min of fame as a passenger in a red convertible ferrari in Eze. He video'ed the spedometer at 160 km per hour on one downhill stretch!
WHAT YOU WISHED YOU PACKED? More motrin. My knees really felt all that hill and step climbing. I ran out and switched to Tylenol the last 2 days.
WHAT DID YOU BRING BUT DIDN'T USE? Reading books. No time.
FAVORITE DINNER ENTREE/DESSERT? The yachtsmen's steak, esp the one served the last night. I actually enjoyed it more than the tenderloin at Palo's.
Favorite dessert - the chocolate souffle at Palo's.
FAVORITE SHOW? All of the nighttime entertainment in Rockin Bar D. This is the first time going so often and dancing so much! Got to work off all those desserts.
BEST EXAMPLE OF "DISNEY MAGIC" COURTESY/SPECIAL TREATMENT ON SHIP?
A bottle of wine to celebrate our 20th anniversary courtesy of our officer friend Lloyd. Such a pleasure to see him always.
ONE SUGGESTION OR AREA OF IMPROVEMENT? A few here. They put a great book in the stateroom called Mediteranean destination guide. This would be helpful to have mailed ahead of time when you get your travel documents as there were lots of valuable tips in there.
Better explanation and "how to" for the VAT tax. It took visiting Shutters twice and a phone call to guest services to get receipts from there combined and get the VAT tax receipt. Also on our DCL excursion at the Perfumer's apprentice, we made a large purchase of perfumes and cosmetics and forgot to ask for a VAT tax receipt. No VAT receipt, no stamp at customs and no VAT reimbursement. Not DCL's fault but a reminder would have been helpful.
We really enjoyed Europe and are hoping that they return in 2013 for some new ports of call. We booked 2 dummy cruises for just that reason!
)
I'm glad you found the Steve Irwin and were able to take the tour! 
and then smiles. 
Maybe a reunion in two years? We booked a place holder in hopes that the Magic will be back in 2013. Would LOVE to sail from Venice! 
