Magic cruises Dover to Barcelona August 3-10, 2015

[socababy]

Just booked our hotel in London for prior to the cruise!! Now this trip seems real. Just about 11 months of obsessive planning to go!!

 

[Claire2015]

I have started to organise an FE group over on the Face Book page I have started with a small group of ten if anyone is NOT on FB and would like to join one or more FE groups of approx ten please message me or reply ASAP if I am going to organise these I need to do it As soon as humanly possible as I am about to start two courses, I work full time, am involved in my local WI and have two children (one with special needs) I will continue to add people until The 1st of May as soon as a group is full I will message everyone in that group with the details for that group if we have extra people on the 1st of May I will assign them to another group Hope to hear from anyone who wants to join in xx

If I do anything wrong please let me know as this is my first time doing FE at all : D

 

[Caropooh]

Question on FE gifts...
We normally give something that is the same for every cabin, not customizing for each person in each cabin. We were thinking this time of doing something representative of the Pacific Northwest, since we seem to have quite a few non-US people participating.
How are others planning on doing it?

 

[Claire2015]

From what I've read it's entirely down to you what/how you give
I'm a craft nut so will be using it as a chance to do lots of crafts ! Especially girly ones having two boys

 

[DisneyNurse19]

Hi We will also be joining you

I am Donna and my daughter is Louisa, our stateroom is 6050 and this will be my third cruise on the Magic. In 2013 i did the 12 day Venice cruise and this year the 7 day Med cruise. We will be stopping for 3 days in Barcelona after we disembark. I have only just booked the cruise while i was on the Dream 2 weeks ago and can't believe i will be sailing out of the UK, just wish i was also sailing back into it then i could take plenty of suitcases

 

[Dizney73]

We will be arriving in London mid morning (on a direct flight from Philly, PA) on July 31. Of course we don't want to waste any touring time since we have never been to England before! Of course, 2 and 1/2 days won't be a lot of time so we would like to do some private or small group tours to be sure to see as much as we can and make the most of our time. Can anyone recommend a great company?

 

[Celestine]

We will be arriving in London mid morning (on a direct flight from Philly, PA) on July 31. Of course we don't want to waste any touring time since we have never been to England before! Of course, 2 and 1/2 days won't be a lot of time so we would like to do some private or small group tours to be sure to see as much as we can and make the most of our time. Can anyone recommend a great company?

Before you even think about approaching any sort of agency etc, decide what is most important to you. As a suggestion, on the half day when you arrive, use a hop on hop off so you see all the major sites & use this to help inform your choice. In London, foot, bike or underground is the most efficient way to get around and the vast majority of sites are very close together. With some planning (I realise being originally from London that's easy for me say) I think you would be wasting money with a tour operator. Happy to help in anyway, from how to travel around to buying tickets etc.

Celestine

 

[Ladyshopper]

I'm going to keep an eye on this thread!! Haven't booked this cruise (although regret not booking it on opening day as prices have rocketed!), but am hoping and keeping everything crossed that they may release some GT rates. I've even booked the week off work just in case!

We did our 4th disney cruise this year, and it was our 1st med one. As usual, had an amazing time.

So, if anyone sees any great rates, or special offers for the UK, please put them on here, and hopefully we'll be able to join you.

 

[Claire2015]

We will be arriving in London mid morning (on a direct flight from Philly, PA) on July 31. Of course we don't want to waste any touring time since we have never been to England before! Of course, 2 and 1/2 days won't be a lot of time so we would like to do some private or small group tours to be sure to see as much as we can and make the most of our time. Can anyone recommend a great company?

Also if you read further back there is a coach being organised from London to Dover on the Monday which means you don't have to stress about getting to Dover and can stay in London the night before rather then going the day before if you want to join the FE let me know and we will add you in x

 

[Dizney73]

Also if you read further back there is a coach being organised from London to Dover on the Monday which means you don't have to stress about getting to Dover and can stay in London the night before rather then going the day before if you want to join the FE let me know and we will add you in x

Already booked into the coach from London to Dover
I have heard that London is a very easy to navigate city. The reason We are interested in small tours is because we enjoy having a guide who will tell us the history behind what I would otherwise just be starring at with my nose in a tour book. This past summer we traveled to Italy. I sure loved having a private tour of the Vatican! We want to be fully immersed and in the know!

We would also like to do a day to see Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor Castle. With two small children we are simply not interested in taking the train.

 

[Celestine]

Already booked into the coach from London to Dover
I have heard that London is a very easy to navigate city. The reason We are interested in small tours is because we enjoy having a guide who will tell us the history behind what I would otherwise just be starring at with my nose in a tour book. This past summer we traveled to Italy. I sure loved having a private tour of the Vatican! We want to be fully immersed and in the know!

We would also like to do a day to see Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor Castle. With two small children we are simply not interested in taking the train.

I love your enthusiasm, but Stonehenge, Bath & Windsor in a day is suicide, especially if you are driving/being driven. Windsor is about 40 mins from central London on the M4. If you are planning on touring the castle, you will need at 2.5 - 3 hours. Bath is about 1.5 - 2hours drive from Windsor. Again you will need time if you want to visit the Roman Baths. For both of these places parking is difficult & costly & park & ride is usually recommended. Stonehenge from Bath is about 1 - 1.5 hours. Tickets need to be pre booked and a time slot chosen. I haven't been since it was remodelled earlier this year, but a minimum recommended time there is 2 hours. It is a good 2 hours back to London from Stonehenge. All of this does not take into account traffic or the fact that it will be peak tourist season or if you wish to watch the changing of the guard at Windsor. Windsor by train is easy & you have the benefit of seeing other parts of London too. Bath too is easy by train but Stonehenge is one where you do need to drive.

Celestine

 

[twopeasonepod]

If I do anything wrong please let me know as this is my first time doing FE at all : D

Hi, please add us to the FE. We will want to be in two groups. Thank you! And thanks for organizing!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Claire2015]

My sister and niece recently visited stone henge, it was very expensive and they actualy didn't get anywhere near stone henge so if you miss it I wouldn't worry to much I was so disapointed when I found this out

 

[Celestine]

My sister and niece recently visited stone henge, it was very expensive and they actualy didn't get anywhere near stone henge so if you miss it I wouldn't worry to much I was so disapointed when I found this out

You can only get within about 20 feet on a circuit around the stones. It's been like that for many years because they were eroding or being damaged or something

Celestine

 

[twopeasonepod]

My (actually DH's account) request to join the FB group is still pending. Does anyone have recommendations on where to stay in London? I think we are planning to have 2-3 days only. Or should we be heading down to the port area?

 

[Claire2015]

if you look back in the thread there is a coach being organised for monday morning from london to dover which we will be joining that might be good for you we will be spending a few nights in london to I can't wait !

 

[Tig83]

Hi we are doing B2B cruise on magic from Dover as we live very close to port!!! Will be our 4th and 5th cruises can't wait. We r looking to stay in Barcelona after 2nd cruise and see sites. Just looking for somewhere to stay. Any suggestions?

Hope I've Done this right - don't normally post messages!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Hi we are doing B2B cruise on magic from Dover as we live very close to port!!! Will be our 4th and 5th cruises can't wait. We r looking to stay in Barcelona after 2nd cruise and see sites. Just looking for somewhere to stay. Any suggestions?

Hope I've Done this right - don't normally post messages!

I suggest

HOTEL JAZZ

Well located centrally, hotel pool on the roof its a three star but I think it's a four star breakfast included if you book early..

Good English spoken by reception and very helpful.

Two minutes walk to placa Cataluna.

Photos on my trip report thread.

 

[Ladyshopper]

We did the last med cruise and stayed in Barcelona beforehand. We actually stayed in the travelodge poblenou and it was lovely, and only £38 a night! It's 10 minute walk to a really nice beach, and the same to the hop on/hop off stop. Less than 10 minutes in a taxi to the port. There is a metro station very nearby, although we didn't use it.

It is also round the corner from a lovely ramblas, enjoyed having meals out there in the evening.

I would definitely stay there again.

 

[Tig83]

Thanks for suggestions - will have a look. Anymore also welcome. Thanks