Just back from EB Med cruise-happy to answer questions

[jlawall]

Thx for sharing all this info..........you're the best!!

 

[BearFan]

Hi,
I took my laptop with me on the repo cruise and had no problems having it in my carry on (flights with Virgin Atlantic & BA) I had to remove it from it's bag for security. I have to say though I found the wireless connection on the ship to be very slow and as they charge by the minute it can get quite expensive. Not sure if you know but wireless access is available in staterooms now. I used the desktop pc's on one occasion and they did seem a little bit faster.
Hope this helps.

Mick.

Thanks Mate!

BearFan

 

[Disney Fans]

It looked as if the cruise wasn't that great from what another DIS's posted?
Where the seas pretty tough on everyone? Would you do this kind of cruise again?

Could you give any high lights of what was best and different about the trip and also what was the worst about it also?

Thanks!!!

 

[sandyneck]

I have read other reviews of this ship, and like some of the other happy cruisers, I feel like there were 2 distinctly different ship experiences. Not sure how to explain it, except maybe the personalities of the posters. We had a wonderful time. I had posted somewhere else that we have been in exceptionally rough seas on a Panama Canal cruise where we skirted 2 hurricanes on the east coast and two on the west. I also live on Cape Cod and have boated all my life on rough seas, so I am probably not the best person to give their impression of what rough seas are . It was what I had expected for crossing the Atlantic and there were days that were rough, but I would say only 2 or 3 were bad. I would do this length cruise again, but probably not to Europe, just because there are two many places to see to do the same thing twice
As far as best and worst, I think the most exciting thing was we were doing lots of "firsts" Menus, shows, first crossing of the Med, 1st to stop at the ports on the Magic, first in Barcelona with an Amazing firework show, things like that made it special. The shows were great. It was fun to see the characters always walking around and very easy to get pictures with them all. I think it added a lot to the experience that the ship was not full. We never had to wait in line for anything, except the midnight dessert buffet. The service we had was excellent from everyone on board the ship. I don't believe I would label anything "the worst" Maybe it is just me, but I feel so blessed to be able to do the things I do in my lifetime, I try and spend it being thankful and making others happy. I understand people say they spent a lot of money and they deserve to be treated in some manner, and I agree to a point, it is their choice if they are upset if things don't go as they expected.
I guess I am just very happy that I can go on pretty much any type of trip and be flexible enough that I can have a good time no matter what. Hey, we sailed on the Pride of Hawaii and had a good time, if you had read any of the reviews you would have run the other way screaming! It wasn't perfect, but what is? I thought this trip was great and I would not hesitate to recommend it. Hope this answers some of your questions.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hi I hope you don't mind my butting in on your thread.

We were also on the repo and LOVED it. I haven't really read the bad reviews so I do not know what the complaints were about. There were a couple of days of rough seas, but less than I had thought we might have in the open ocean. And it was overcast and too cold to swim most days, but again that was to be expected with the itenerary. If we had the cash and vacation days available we would do the exact same trip in reverse in August. The crew was fantastic, the activites fun, good ports, etc.

Earlier someone asked about finishing dinner in time for parties. We did have late seating. Ususally making the evening parties was okay. But some nights were slower and we ended up either skipping dessert or getting it to go so as not to miss the start of one activity/party or another (and we were always on time or even early for dinner and made up our minds quickly about what to order). None the less, having cruised with both dining itmes over the years, we do prefer late (and we have kids!).

 

[sandyneck]

Hey NHDisneyLover,
I think you sat behind us on the plane home! I am glad you also had a great time. I have read some of the reviews and they made the cruise seem less than magical! We had a wonderful time!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hey NHDisneyLover,
I think you sat behind us on the plane home! I am glad you also had a great time. I have read some of the reviews and they made the cruise seem less than magical! We had a wonderful time!

REALLY??? Were you guys the family right in front of us? How cool. I wish we had known.

 

[sandyneck]

Yes, we were the ones in the row right in front of you. We were talking with you as we were waiting to get off the plane. I kind of thought it was you, especially when you started talking about the whole shuttle nightmare to Manchester, because I had read about your dilemma on the boards. Hope it all worked out for you!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Well, it was nice to meet you The shuttel worked out great--no glitches at all (amazing). Your kids were great in flight by the way

 

[robsmom]

We did the city tour with the wine cellars in Barcelona and really enjoyed it. It was about 5 hours in length. We left the ship about 9 a.m. and got back at 2 p.m.

That is the only tour we did that would apply to the other Med. cruises as the rest of the ports aren't being visited again until August.

would you mind sharing your other excursions for those of us heading westbound as those of you on the eastbound are our only source of reviews!

thanks for your help.

 

[sandyneck]

We did most of the ports on our own. I do have a few suggestions though. In Gibraltar, if you want to do a rock tour and see the monkeys, there are plenty of vans waiting as you get off the ship to drive you up for much cheaper than the Disney excursion. There will be vans right outside the terminal, but walk a little ways past the gates, and the price drops $5.00 per person. We took the tour for four of us for 80 euros. Also, with Disney you take the tram up, which sounds fun, but it is a mixed bag. There was about an hour wait to get on the tram and when you get to the top there is A LOT of walking if you want to see everything. With the van tours, they drive you to each spot and stop and wait for you. They will take you to St. Michaels cave, a lookout spot where you see Africa, the top where there are lots of monkeys and the battle seige tunnels, which we missed because we spent too much time monkeying around This was by far our favorite port and I highly recommend doing the tour. Afterward, they dropped us off in town and there is a nice street which is pedestrian only with tons of shops and pubs. We loved it. You are able to walk from the town back to the ship, although it is a bit of a way,it is very doable.
In Cadiz we did the Jerez tour to go see the horses. I read some reviews that did not like it, but my family enjoyed it. If you have any appreciation of how difficult it is to train animals, you will be amazed at the steps the horses do. I am not sure what the rest of the tour will entail on the WB, we had a tapas lunch at a lovely winery after the show. We also thought that was great, although some others did not. I guess it just depends on what you like. After dinner on the ship, and the kids in Oceaneer Lab, my husband and I walked around the ocean side of the city where the old city wall is. It is absolutely gorgeous. There were beautiful gardens everywhere and the sun was setting, very romantic.
We were disappointed in Tenerife, but I think it was because we did not plan anything. All the excursions were so expensive I did not book any,and when I realized that none of the cab drivers spoke english, we were hesitant to let them take us on a tour they try to describe by pointing to a map. There is a city you can walk to from the ship,but it is really a city, and not a beautiful one like Cadiz or Barcelona. We ended back up on the ship about 1pm, which was fine because it was the only day on board I got a tan!
Hope this helps. Feel free to ask any more specific questions.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Sandyneck, please forgive me for jumping into your thread again . I just wanted to offer another perspective on Gibraltar (not to indicate that your isn't great, it is--just to add more info). We are big walkers and did Gibraltar on foot walking all the way from the ship to the tram up the rock and taking the tram up then walking around all over up top and down to St. Michael's cave and then took the tram from the midway point on down and walked back tp the sip.

It was a lot of walking, but certainly doable if everyoen is in reasonable shape (we did it with 8 and 10 year olds and also my in-laws who are 64 and 69).

We left the ship around 9:00 and meandered toward trhe rock stopping in shops, watching the changing of the gaurd at the governor's home, climbing on cannons, seeing the statue of the sentry in the inner city wall and wandering Trafalgar Cemetary. We were so glad we walked and did not miss all of these things which we really enjoyed.

It was probably a bit after 10:00 when we got to the tram and we only waited about 5 minutes for our ride. I guess we got there at the right time! I never even heard about the hour long lines.

We did LOTS of walking up top. You could get to the main sights with only about half as much walking as we did, but we had to explore every trail and stairway, etc. I mean we kept ending up palce no one else was! But it was fun.

Luckily the way home was all down hill. We were only really dragging on the last little strip back to the ship. All told we were back on board about 3:00.

 

[LITTLEKID58]

Tfs

 

[Michelle2]

thanks for the great report. SHort and to the point. I am glad you had a good time. I have become weary reading some of the reports that are just long and go into every small detail, better left for personal diaries.

I was also glad to hear you had a great time for your anniversary. what a special way to spend it.

One question - did you see any of the shows. How was Twice Charmed?

You are probably referring to mine. LOL
But I actually use my trip report also as my personal diary, since I never keep a personal diary on the trip, and forget the day to day things when I get home. When I read reports, I actually like reading all the details, so I guess to each their own.

Sandyneck, we were also on the Jerez Royal Equestrian Horse show as well. I probably saw you, but can't remember. Did we meet while on the cruise?

Hi Hadley!!!