June 5, 2016 - Magic Goes to England, Ireland, Scotland and France

[MandJHuff]

Just as an FYI to everyone, in case you have not seen the news or follow it. The GBP (British Pound) exchange rate is actually going down some, and depending on certain political issues in the UK, could slide even farther. Might be something those who are planning on getting some GBPs before going might want to keep an eye on.

 

[wrabitdad]

Hi,

We're still sailing on this cruise, please add us to the list. This will be our 49th Disney Cruise. We'll be doing ABD in London before the cruise.

Thanks, Bob & Dale

 

[cali cruiser]

Hi everyone....I have not been following for a few months and waited until the last minute so it feels like we missed out on all the good advice here on the disboards. Usually I am part of a Facebook group, etc. before our cruises. We are gold and tried to book everything Sat. night (9:00 p.m. in CA). Sadly, we also did not get a Palo Brunch. I thought it was strange; however, so I called the next day and it was confirmed that there was nothing available. Also, I have noticed there are several sold out tours already. This is our 9th cruise and I have never seen so many sold out tours. The last couple days have been stressful trying to get a private tour of Normandy as there are no more DCL Tours. It is all my fault for waiting...oh well. Lesson learned Hope everyone is having fun planning! Here is what we have booked so far:
Newcastle: Newcastle City Tours
Invergarden: Hubby and 18 year old son=golf (but not at the course they wanted as it was already booked); myself and 14 yr old daughter=Dunrobin Castle & Falconry (she wanted horseback riding but there was only 1 spot left)
Kirkwall: Orkney's Neolithic Heartland (Explore Orkney was already booked)
Greenock: Edinburgh Castle & Holyrood
Liverpool: North Wales & Conway Castle
Dublin: Dublin City Highlights
LeHavre: Trying to still book private tour...crossing my fingers
Guernsey: Rib boat tour (son was upset because the tour he wanted was booked-something about jumping off cliffs?)

Does anyone know if it is too late to join FE group? Also, does anyone know dining rotation yet, special nights (I saw that fireworks are listed twice) or who our cruise director will be?
Happy vacation planning to everyone

 

[Alohagirl73]

Hi Cali Cruiser! (From another Californian!)

Sorry so much was booked. It makes me nervous as we are silver and don't book for another 2 weeks! Our top 2 choices for tours in Kirkwall have already sold out. Yikes!

FE closes April 30. Contact nzdisneymom for information!

 

[nzdisneymom]

I have heard that Clayton will be our cruise director.

 

[MandJHuff]

LeHavre: Trying to still book private tour...crossing my fingers

Hi Cali Cruiser.

We booked a private one in Normandy with Overlord Tours. You might want to check with them, as I know they had several vans. The only issue is it is for 8 people, and the cost is the same rather it is 8 or 2 people. I was able to find others on this board to help split the cost...just a thought if you have not checked them yet.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

The lambananas are fun to spot although after reading g your message I went to town and couldn't see one by boodles. I did see one by where we went to eat.
Strawberry fields and penny lane are Beatles related. I haven't done Beatles tours since I was little but if you are interested I try and pick up leaflets when I'm next in town. There is also the statue of Eleanor rigby by Matthew street.
You could easily do a walk around town fitting in most of the stuff you mentioned. if you want I will be happy to plan out the best route for you to walk around it all. We've wasted many an hour in port getting lost!




The cathedrals are about a 20 minute walk (depending upon your pace) there are two, the Anglican and Catholic. If you don't mind the walk you could spot q few sites on the way and pick up a spot of lunch if wanting to eat off-the-ship. If you are looking for lunch options I'll happily suggest a few that aren't chains. We like to try new places and eat out a bit too much! You could even stop for afternoon tea.

What day are you in Liverpool? I hoping to see the ship when she's in but knowing my luck I'll be in work.

Thanks - we are in Liverpool on Sunday and I was thinking we could catch the 7;00 Mass after our tour.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

We were not able to book Palo Brunch either. I guess we will try to once on ship. I'm hoping they are waiting to see the demand for the brunches and open up another morning or add extra times. I was very disappointed too. We were able to book all of our excursions and a dinner at Palo's.

Sorry that there are no additional Palo brunch times. Try when you first board and then you could try back. I expect there are lots of repeat cruisers and possible VIPS, and only 3 sea days, everyone wants Brunch.

 

[nzdisneymom]

We were doing our online check-in and when it asked for our plans after disembarking, I was putting our hotel information but had the hardest time finding the country... I was looking for
England but it was United Kingdom. Just thought I'd share that in case anyone else was stumped like I was.

 

[scgustafson]

We were doing our online check-in and when it asked for our plans after disembarking, I was putting our hotel information but had the hardest time finding the country... I was looking for
England but it was United Kingdom. Just thought I'd share that in case anyone else was stumped like I was.

I am having deja vu.

 

[nzdisneymom]

I am having deja vu.

You're right, Scott - gotta cover all my bases

 

[cali cruiser]

Thanks everyone for all your tips Heard great things about Overlord Tours for Normandy but ended up booking with NST(Normandy Sightseeing Tours).

 

[SIN Cruiser]

Hi everyone! We (I + DW + DD10 +DD8) are going on this cruise. It will be our fourth European cruise and we are looking forward to it!

 

[SIN Cruiser]

@hygienist999 -- Looks like we have been on the same European cruises as you in the past! I wonder whether we have met? The ships are so big, maybe not!

We have been (same as you) on:

Disney Magic - 11 Night Med Cruise - June 2011
Disney Magic - 7 Night Norway - June 6, 2015
Disney Magic - 7 Night Northern European Cruise - June 13, 2015

We have also been on:

Disney Fantasy - 7 Night Eastern Caribbean - December 2012
Disney Wonder - 7 Night Alaska - June 2014

 

[MandJHuff]

So just saw Palo's has introduced some new menu items, including a wine pairing dinner for an extra $59 per person. Makes me want to eat there twice.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Hi everyone! We (me + DW + DD10 +DD8) are going on this cruise. It will be our fourth European cruise and we are looking forward to it!

Welcome! I'll add you to the Who's Sailing on the first page (post #2) where you'll also find other information.

We've done three cruises in the Med plus the Baltic, so we're looking forward to a new itinerary.

 

[hygienist999]

@hygienist999 -- Looks like we have been on the same European cruises as you in the past! I wonder whether we have met? The ships are so big, maybe not!

We have been (same as you) on:

Disney Magic - 11 Night Med Cruise - June 2011
Disney Magic - 7 Night Norway - June 6, 2015
Disney Magic - 7 Night Northern European Cruise - June 13, 2015

We have also been on:

Disney Fantasy - 7 Night Eastern Caribbean - December 2012
Disney Wonder - 7 Night Alaska - June 2014

WOW, that is amazing. I'm sure we've seen one another around the ship as I seem to see the same people all the time on the ship when we cruise. I'm posting a trip report of our Norway and Northern European Cruise now. I just uploaded the last bit of the Norway cruise and will work on the Northern European one next. There's photo's so take a look and see if you see yourself. I also did a trip report on our Alaska cruise, you may see yourself on that one as well.

 

[MJ]

We had to cancel the cruise due to some family issues. I hope that all of the lucky ones that are still going will have a wonderful time!

 

[Alohagirl73]

We are now in the double digits! Just 99 days until we are sailing around the British Isles.

 

[BadPinkTink]

just popping in to let you all know I'm still here if you need help planning your Dublin Port Day and I have also created a thread with information here http://www.disboards.com/threads/disney-magic-dublin-ireland-port-information.3456357/