Magic in Northern Europe May 30 2015

[EuropeOrBust]

Hi Everyone, My daughter and I will be on the Magic cruise on May 30th. We are going to Disneyland Paris for a few days and then heading to Copenhagen for 2 days before cruise. Has anyone booked the hotel through Disney? They offered 3 but seem very high in price. Just wondering what other hotels are close to port.

In general Europe can be pricey but Denmark especially because it's currency is not the Euro but the Krone. Be prepared to spend at least $200 USD per night for a 3 star hotel. You're average meal for a family of 4 will also be starting minimum at $100 USD. My husband and I ran out for burgers and soda during our last quick trip there. Didn't even get fries and the bill was $80 USD.

 

[sweetlovin']

Thanks for the reply, I thought as much. We are actually booked with ABD for the pre-cruise Copenhagen stay and on the wait list for the cruise portion. I honestly don't think we'll get on that part, but I can always hope.

As far as the port adventures, what's the likelihood that we'll get the excursions we'd like, given we'll be the last to be able to sign up? My daughter is dying to be able to take the ballet class at St.Petersburg and the night at the ballet.

On another note, how does dining actually work on the cruise? Dining is included with the exception of Palo, correct? With rotating Main dining room assignments? I'm assuming we can try to get Palo reservations at that first time cruiser date line as well?

You will get your dining rotation the day you check in. It will be divided up by the 3 restaurants by the nights on board. So you will most likely have 3 meals at one restaurant and 2 meals at the others. The menus will change, so it will not be the same menu twice. The first one listed on your Key To the World is where you go the first night, then just follow the rotation they have listed (unless you have booked Palo, then just skip that night) You will more than likely be able to book dinner at Palo. Brunch might be a little more tricky because it is only offered at sea days. Since there is only one at sea day, your best bet, if you want brunch, is go to guest services immediately after boarding and try to get a brunch reservation. They try to hold some reservations for people booking onboard.

 

[valbob89]

We were away for a month and when we got home, dealing with the holidays and a major health issue for Bob. Ready now to get busy planning this cruise.

For those considering the Postcard/Recipe Exchange, here is some info: Participants leave recipes, written on a postcard from their home town, at the cabin of participants. It is inexpensive, isn't a luggage space and weight hog, takes limited effort, requires little technology expertise, and it's a great way to exchange a souvenir creating memories of our group's cruise. The idea is to add a regional recipe to the postcards, but this is supposed to be fun, not stressful, so there really aren't any rules. In past postcard/recipe exchanges I have received a variety of card combinations; all have been appreciated. Some things I have received have been:
A postcard only, some with, some without, messages
A postcard with a regional or family favorite recipe on the back
A postcard and a regional favorite treat: tea bag, penny candy, mini bottle of hot sauce
A postcard with a recipe clipped to it
A recipe card noting who sent it and from where but no postcard
Any combination would be great.

If you would like to participate, let me know and I'll organize a list. include your cabin number, name, DISboard name if you have one and home town Example: D203 7636, Valerie, Valbob89 San Francisco, California.

 

[CaymanPrincess]

Hi there, I just got back onto the DIS board after a few months.

 

[Disneypeach]

just got my flight home set up...Icelandair had a great rate!

I've never been on a cruise like this one to so many countries! I've read somewhere that we don't need visas since this is a cruise...anyone know if that's true? If we do shore excursions in Russia or the other countries thru DCL are we under some kind of "general" visa? Anyone have experience with this situation?

kinda worried about making sure I've got all the docs I'll need...

 

[mouthdoc]

You don't need a visa in Russia if you are on a tour (Disney or other private tour). You must stay with the tour throughout your visit ashore. You can get a visa if you want to go on your own. Seems kind of expensive, and a pain (must send your passport to the Russian embassy for a few weeks) for a single day, but it is an option. Visas are not required in any of the other countries we will be visiting. Just need valid passport. Enjoy! BTW, just booked a hotel in Copenhagen for the night prior to the cruise. Staying near Nyhavn, at Hotel Neptun. Had pretty good reviews on Tripadvisor.

 

[aggiedog]

The only visa info I've seen was in regards to St. Petersburg, which stated that if you are on an excursion arranged by the cruise, you do not need a visa.

Guests taking part in a Disney Cruise Line Port Adventure are not required to obtain a Russian Visa for the scheduled excursion. Please note, guests wishing to go ashore on their own are required to obtain and carry a valid Russian Visa. Valid Visas must be obtained prior to sailing.

You can also reference this:
moscow.usembassy.gov/russian-visas.html (this site won't let me post the full link, just cut and paste)

which pretty much says the same thing, along with really sounding discouraging regarding getting a visa.

As for excursions in general, since we are first time cruisers and must wait 75 days prior to sailing to sign up for excursions, what is the likelihood that there will be excursions available? I'd like to think they've got enough to go around for people but am not the trusting type by nature.

OK, just saw mouthdoc's post, not sure how I missed that! But at least we're consistent.

 

[Disneypeach]

thanks Doc and Aggie!
my stress level has gone down a bit
I'm very excited about going to these countries and am also hoping there will be lots of "seats" for the excursions.

 

[aggiedog]

There's a good discussion on how to sign up for the excursion at the 75 day mark on the main board, FWIW.

 

[graemerichmond]

My wife and I have just booked this cruise and can't wait. It's our first 7 night cruise and first on the magic. Looking forward to it.

 

[lesabrowning]

Hi Everyone,
We are on this cruise as well as the the one immediately before it. This will be our first ever B2B cruise, but we have sailed with Disney many times. (In fact we will be on a Disney cruise in something like 8 days) I have been meaning to log on and participate for literally months, but I travel for work as well as family travel and somehow it just keeps getting away from me. So now I am hoping to play catch up!
On this trip it will be myself, My daughter Macy who is 13 and my daughter Morgan who is 2.5. We are in cabin 8578 and would like to participate in any of the FE programs that are open at this point.
Can't wait to get to know everyone!
Lesa & girls

 

[Disneypeach]

hi Lesa! I'm doing the same thing...B2B with the EBTA...should be fun!

 

[lesabrowning]

I am no expert here, but have cruised a lot. I don't think all the excursions will be gone at the 75 day mark. I also have to agree about not getting a VISA. I travel a ridiculous amount and tend to like to be on the over prepared side of most things. But Russia is not a place I would send my passport off to right now....... Nope, just wouldn't do it. LOL I think I would stick with a Disney tour.

 

[EuropeOrBust]

Highly recommend checking out the the US travel sites for what to do with getting your own VISA for Russia. FWIW I will either do an excursion through Disney or a private tour group so I won't have to bother with it. The tour is probably less then if I tried to get my own VISA independently.

 

[onecoolmama]

I am no expert here, but have cruised a lot. I don't think all the excursions will be gone at the 75 day mark. I also have to agree about not getting a VISA. I travel a ridiculous amount and tend to like to be on the over prepared side of most things. But Russia is not a place I would send my passport off to right now....... Nope, just wouldn't do it. LOL I think I would stick with a Disney tour.

USA isn't a place to send a Passport off to. I tried to renew my daughters, sent the passport in and they lost it.

 

[valbob89]

I am trying to get this activity organized but need to confirm who is planning on participating. Also, start collecting/updating missing/incorrect information. I also need to know who on this list is also doing the EBTA and wish to be on both lists.
Name - Cabin # - Disboard Name (if one)- home town- B2B (Y or N)
2122 - Michelle, Wayne, Charlotte, James - michellekcm - Melbourne Victoria, Australia - ?
5127 - Elaine - Spiny Norman - Eagle Harbor,MI - yes
6069 - Sue - Suecot - Edgewood, Maryland - yes
6601 - Georgios Chatzikostas - Orbitron (georgios) - Erligheim, Germany - ?
? - Mary Catherine Dunnett - ? Moneton NB Canada - ?
? - Christina Gibson Gleason - ? - Reichenbach-Steegen / ?
? - Caryn Campbell - ? - Dallas, Texas - ?
? - Chrystina Powers - ? - San Antonio, Texas - ?
GTY - Ramie - ? - ? - ?
? - Victoria Morgan Sharpe - ? - ? - ?
? - Mary Catherine Dunnett - ? - Moneton NB Canada - ?
? - Christina Gibson Gleason - ? - Reichenbach-Steegen - ?
? - Caryn Campbell - ? - dallas, Texas - ?
? - Chrystina Powers - ? - San Antonio, Texas - ?

 

[Suecot2000]

I'm already enjoying the different countries represented. Hoping the fun will continue.

 

[graemerichmond]

I am trying to get this activity organized but need to confirm who is planning on participating. Also, start collecting/updating missing/incorrect information. I also need to know who on this list is also doing the EBTA and wish to be on both lists.
Name - Cabin # - Disboard Name (if one)- home town- B2B (Y or N)
2122 - Michelle, Wayne, Charlotte, James - michellekcm - Melbourne Victoria, Australia - ?
5127 - Elaine - Spiny Norman - Eagle Harbor,MI - yes
6069 - Sue - Suecot - Edgewood, Maryland - yes
6601 - Georgios Chatzikostas - Orbitron (georgios) - Erligheim, Germany - ?
? - Mary Catherine Dunnett - ? Moneton NB Canada - ?
? - Christina Gibson Gleason - ? - Reichenbach-Steegen / ?
? - Caryn Campbell - ? - Dallas, Texas - ?
? - Chrystina Powers - ? - San Antonio, Texas - ?
GTY - Ramie - ? - ? - ?
? - Victoria Morgan Sharpe - ? - ? - ?
? - Mary Catherine Dunnett - ? - Moneton NB Canada - ?
? - Christina Gibson Gleason - ? - Reichenbach-Steegen - ?
? - Caryn Campbell - ? - dallas, Texas - ?
? - Chrystina Powers - ? - San Antonio, Texas - ?

Hi

We would like to join this list. We are GTY Cabin graemerichmond, Graeme and Jenn, Glasgow Scotland. No to the EBTA B2B

Let me know if you need any other info.

Jenn

 

[valbob89]

Updated list. I have compiled this info from the disboard postings and disboard messages. Let me know of additions or corrections.
Cabin Number Name Disboard Name Home Town
1. 2122 Michelle, Wayne, Charlotte, Michellekcm Melbourne Victoria, Australia
2. 5127 Elaine Spiny Norman ?
3. 6601 Georgios Chatzikostas Orbitron (georgios) Erligheim, Germany
4. GTY Ramie ? ?
5. GTY Graeme and Jenn Graemerichmond Glasgow, Scotland
6. ? Mary Catherine Dunnett ? Moneton, NB, Canada
7. ? Christina Gibson Gleason ? Reichenbach-Steegen
8. ? Caryn Campbell ? Dallas, Texas
9. ? Chrystina Powers ? San Antonio, Texas
10. ? Victoria Morgan Sharpe ? ?

 

[aggiedog]

Sign us up for the post card/recipe exchange.

What exact info do you need?

We're in 6062. George, Lori, Rose, Noah from La Grange, Texas

Baltic cruise only.

Is there a fish extender sort of exchange going on? I'd be interested in finding out details about that as well. I think my kids would have fun with it.