Just back from Transatlantic Cruise

[Toby]

Just flew home yesterday from Barcelona to Boston, and I have to say the two-week cruise was the trip of a lifetime!! I thought I'd go out of my mind being on the sea for six days, but it was so relaxing!! There is so much to do if you care to on the ship - I loved just hanging out deck 10 in the lounge chair with my books/mags, reading, sunning myself, napping - the days flew by. There is always, however, something going on every hour on the ship. Cooking demos, movies, talks by various guests - if you're bored, it's your own fault.

Our waitstaff was fabulous, Carlos, our room attendant, was so charming and so hard working. Fellow passengers were so friendly - a lot of the ship didn't depart at Barcelona, but stayed on for the next 11-day Mediterranean leg of it. People, were lined up to book future cruises - 10% discount if you booked onboard. Everyday, there was a line to book - the woman booking the cruises never had any downtime. One lucky woman won on the last day of Bingo - $8,000, and she ran down to book another cruise with her winnings. Lucky girl!!

Saw photos of the new Disney Dream - looks gorgeous, especially the new restaurants - all different - envy anyone sailing that next year!!

Food was very good to excellent. Always a good variety, but after 14 days, you do get tired of eating the food, and just yearn for McDonalds!!

Captain said we were so fortunate to have 6 days of calm seas - he couldn't believe it. Only rough seas were at night when people were sleeping. It was perfect, as I was worried about it being too rough.

Met a lovely woman at the airport who, besides taking this cruise, is booked to take the return transatlantic cruise in Sept. AND is booked for the Inaugural Cruise on the Dream in January, 2011....very lucky girl!!

The ports of Medeira, Gibralta, Cadiz were beautiful. We did some great shore excursions. Views from the top of Gibralta were breathtaking - saw the African coast, and the coast/harbor of Spain. Wild monkeys at the top of Gibralta were harmless, and seemed to be posing for photos. Hide your food though - they love junk food, and will steal it.
The only place we didn't love was Barcelona. I thought the city was rather dirty and crowded. Found a Dunkin Donuts which was a find....although the coffee's not the same. Donuts were fabulous, though. Wished Disney Cruises would find a new vendor of donuts - they use Krispy Creme, which make your teeth ache - they are just too sweet!!

Barcelona Airport is rather confusing and chaotic...no one seemed to know where Air Lingus desk was, and which terminal they flew out of. Maybe we just hit it on a bad day!

 

[jedijill]

Thanks for the report! Sounds like you had a great time. I'm on the 5/15 11 night cruise and I cannot wait!

Jill in CO

 

[2littlegirls]

would love to see pictures! Thanks for the post and welcome home

 

[Toby]

photos will be forthcoming, I promise

 

[DMMarla07860]

Sounds like a awesome trip.

 

[Steffy]

home. I'm booked on the wbta. Can't wait to read your trip report!

So happy you had a great time.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Sounds like you had a lovely time - did you think the captain said he was surprised had six calm sea days because of the time of year or because this is what the seas are normally like?

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

What did you think of the evening entertainment? What were your favorites?

 

[Robert and Kelley]

Toby-

We were on the ship with you. I have to agree with everything you said! Definately a cruise to remember.

We were also not impressed with Barcelona's airport.

 

[grumpy57]

Sounds like you had a great time - thanks for posting! My DW, DS & DBiL are all on the Westbound in Sept. I must admit I'm a little nervous about 6 days at sea. Glad to hear you enjoy that time...

 

[Erikas4228]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time - can't wait to see pictures.

 

[scottishwee35]

Hi

thank for your feedback and I cannot wait to see your photos... also thank for bring her back safe

I know three people were on the ship too as they were on WB Panama Canal with us.

I glad it went good and I know about Barcelona's airport is not good, I don't look forward in August

I cannot wait to go on Disney ship on 30 July

Scottishwee35

 

[mrshart]

I was just on the EBTA as well, and here are some of my thoughts on the trip...

Maderia, Cadiz, and Gib were great! We loved them, and would go back. Barcelona was terrible. It was dirty, crowded, and unfriendly. My wallet was pick pocketed, but even looking past that, the city was just not fun.

The cruise itself was great. The service, staff, and attention to detail is amazing.

I thought the food was good to great. We did eat at Palo one night for dinner and that was excellent. Don't get me wrong, the food wasn't bad, but certainly not gourmet. I get that though, preparing meals for 1900 means that something is going to get lost.

The evening shows were a mixed bag. The Twice Charmed and Disney Dreams were excellent! Villains Tonight was just okay. Rickey Kelmen was ok, the magic guy was fun.

We really enjoyed some of the extras they did just for this cruise, like the tea party at sea. Someone did drop the ball on it though, as the invite was for your little princess, even though we have a boy. I think they got enough complaints about that though that it will be fixed for later cruises.

The deck parties and fireworks were great.

Our son was in Flounder's Reef, and while I wish he would have been able to play in the older kid areas, the staff did really well. And the characters go in and play with the kids in there, which meant alot.

Overall, a fun trip. Would I go again? Maybe when my son is older and can enjoy more of the ship, so that I could do more adult activities.

It was fun to meet everyone!

 

[Tinked]

I was on the WBTA also. I agree with most of the above comments with the exception of Barcelona. I found Barcelona to be great! It felt very cosmopolitan. I haven't seen so many people in one city since the last time I was in NYC. It looked like Valentine's Day with everyone buying flowers and books to give for St. George's Day. Every corner had tables draped with cloth in the Catalonia flag colors of red and yellow strips selling either long stemmed roses or books. and everyone was walking around with the flowers they received or had purchased. Very colorful. I loved that the street corners weren't corners but cut on the diagonal. It made the cross streets very open. I live across the river from Philadelphia and 100 miles from NYC, I was impressed with all their trash and recycling containers on every street. I didn't find it dirty. I thought it was a very pretty city. It was exceptionally crowded, even our guide commented on how many people were on the streets, but I never felt afraid. Sorry you were the victim of a pickpocket. I was very worried about that happening and am thankful it didn't.

The fireworks at the dock in Barcelona were spectacular as only Disney can do it. I just wish I had thought to do the 11 day cruise also. Six days at sea was fantastic!

 

[Toby]

While I loved this cruise, my disappointments were strictly with the entertainment at times, and the tv selections. Leave it to Beaver, The Munsters, Bewitched, and Gilligan's Island over and over constantly on a loop. Willy Wonka - I can quote the dialogue now, I've seen it so many times....Lost, Desperate Housewives...they too were on over and over constantly.

In fairness, I did a lot of relaxing - books, mags, crossword puzzles, etc. but when I wanted to watch something, the above shows were all that were on or BBC news...

 

[NHdisneylover]

I am glad that for the most part everyone liked the cruise. We took the EBTA in 2007 and LOVED it--I doubt any vacation will ever top it.

Can any of you post what the Castaway Club gift (and gold gifts of any of you got those) were? In 2007 they switched to different gifts for the med on the TA and I am hoping they did so again. Just trying to figure out what I will have to bring home with me after our trip (we sail May 26).

 

[MickeyWatch]

Thank you for the update on the Magic. We are looking forward to getting on board on June 12 in Dover.

We spent a few days in Barcelona both before and after the July 2007 Disney Med cruise and loved the City. We thoght it had a very European and hip feel. We explored the city by foot and taxi and would definately return. My DD who was only 7 at the time still has great memories of Barcelona.

 

[disneycruisegal]

When you cruise Disney you pretty much know that all your going to get for TV chanels are ABC (owned by Disney) or Disney movies, in my opinion we could have alot less entertaining options. I'm glad to hear that Lost was on since I'll be on the 5-11 Med cruise and the series finale will occur during our cruise. I'm sure many fellow cruisers will be very excited about that.

 

[djrok212]

When you cruise Disney you pretty much know that all your going to get for TV chanels are ABC (owned by Disney) or Disney movies, in my opinion we could have alot less entertaining options. I'm glad to hear that Lost was on since I'll be on the 5-11 Med cruise and the series finale will occur during our cruise. I'm sure many fellow cruisers will be very excited about that.

Unfortunately the lost episodes that were on, were pre-recorded, and not live. However I'm guessing they'll do something special in one of the bars for the season finale.

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Hadley, we went on a 3 day recently, and we received a cool red and black beachy bag that I use all the time. I think there was a key chain, cups, and a rice crispy treat. The second day, they left a wallet-travel planner, but not as nice as the 2007 TA's. Could be different on the TA, but thought I'd pipe in. NOTHING could beat that first TA. It was so wonderful!!! Are you going on the WB in Sept? We are still booked.

I watched your video, too! The kids have really grown!!! WOW! So nice to see Erik and Jason, too, : )