May 12, 2007 -- Taking the Magic to the Mediterranean -- 14 day Repo Cruise!

[hopemax]

When looking at a place like Cadiz, where we're there all day, would it be too challenging to "play it by ear" and go by cab and such?

We're playing it by ear in all ports, although we are taking a Disney tour in Tenerife after a quick visit to the flea market. Since it is a Sunday, I was concerned about things being closed, and a visit to a volcano sounded like fun.

Reposting from my earlier post in the thread

In Cadiz there are two tourist buses:

First, there is the Red bus (Cadiz Tour) , which is run by an international company with services all over Europe and Australia. It has headphones with spiels in English, and other languages. It's 12 euros for adults for 24 hours.

http://www.city-sightseeing.com/ select Cadiz from the dropdown menu

2nd is the Green bus (Tour por Cadiz), which is run locally (they also have a tour in Seville). It is only 9 or 10 euros for adults (I've seen both prices, I don't know which is current). I don't know how much English there is though. I did see on a Frommer's page that there is limited English commentary on the walking tour section. A few days after I posted this I found reference to headphones available on the green bus too

Both red and green buses have a walking tour at Plaza San Juan de Dios, but I guess the pavement is also marked so you could do it on your own, just no commentary.

In addition to the taxi cabs in Gibraltar, there is also a public bus system. Reposting from earlier

There are 3 routes, and you can get a day pass for 1.5 pounds for an adult/ 1 pound for children. Doesn't go into the Reserve, but it does go down to the south side (Europa Point, Trafalgar Cemetary).

These were the routes in 2005. I haven't found that it is discontinued, so it looks like a good way to get around.

http://www.gibraltar.gov.uk/hol/HowT...oute Map.pdf

And since we're talking prices. This is what I've found, but I don't knowhow current it is:

http://www.discovergibraltar.com/mainlogo/mainfrm.htm

There is a link to prices on the left side, under Upper Rock tips.

http://www.busturistico.com/cadiz_aboutus.php

There is also a tourist bus in Barcelona http://www.tmb.net/en_US/turistes/busturistic/busturistic.jsp

 

[cupcake]

First, to all the new people!!!

We have booked excursions for everywhere just in case and are generally trying to figure out our actual plan. A bit of a twist for us is that I have extra bones in my feet, which limit my ability to walk (2 hours is about it). Thus, walking tours and exploring on our own on foot are out. I use an ECV at WDW. I could bring a folding w/c, but wonder if it will help or just be something else to travel with. The cruise in general is great for me as it's bursts of short walks which aren't a problem.

I have researched Barcelona and Dublin (where we're going afterwards) and identified lots of bus tours (there are tons for Dublin and a few for Barcelona). It seems like the less-walking DCL ones are more aimed at leaving Barcelona, and the actual Barcelona ones are pretty walking intensive. If anyone's interested in my research, I am happy to share! Also, if anyone has any ideas for us, do tell.

Cupcake

 

[AuntyBrat]

Questions For EVERYONE: We looked through excursions before but sort of put it off until last night. First of all, are we way behind by not having booked things already? Secondly, in looking over the excursions, we got very overwhelmed.

For the people who are familiar with some of the ports, we'd like some advice. From our experience on previous cruises, we've learned that, for example, we didn't need to book any excursions on St. Maarten--for the same price, we could rent a car and get to everyplace we wanted on our own time frame, etc. Another example is, on St. Thomas, you don't really need to "book the excursion" to the Skyride Tram, which is across the street, or the shopping, it's so easy to get there for a few dollars in a cab or even walk.

When looking at a place like Cadiz, where we're there all day, would it be too challenging to "play it by ear" and go by cab and such? Or would people strongly recommend booking something, and being on the excursions time frame and knowledge?

Anyway, feeling a bit behind thinking we could go through the list island by island and knock out what we DON'T want to do, and it became a lot to figure out. Anybody's input would be helpful. Thanks all!
Chris and Robert

Ok, because our Spanish is pretty limited and we did not want to try and book stuff on our own, we pretty much did full day tours through DCL. However, I did find these websites to the ports we are going to that had some great recommendations on stuff to see and the best souveniers to buy.
http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=81

http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=144

http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=68

http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=184

I also have read that you really need to watch out for pick pockets and thieves stealing your purse. In fact, here is website I found for how to dress in spain so that you don't scream TOURIST to the thieves and what to take and what to leave on the ship because the thieves just love them (like Ipods) and don't ask a stranger to take your picture, ask a member of your group because you may have to pay to get your camera back or have it disappear all together. http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/shopping/barcelona-clothes.html

Let's face it, none of us want to add 'victim' to our list of nicknames!!

 

[disneycruising]

Okay, I have a lot of catching up to do! I've made it to page 21...whew...still a ways to go, but thought I'd stop a minute and introduce myself and family. My dh and I just booked this cruise and I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! How have you guys managed for the past year??

We have a dd5 and are DVC members. We had vacation to take in May and were going back and forth about where to go. (already have our DVC trip planned for next October). We were considering a 4 day cruise with a WDW trip when my dh saw there was still room aboard this cruise, so we said, what the heck? Our dd will start kindergarten next year, so this was the time to do it.

We've never been on a cruise, nor been out of the country...so we have A LOT to learn and not much time to do it. I plan on reading the whole of this thread to learn as much as I can.

I'm already excited to see plenty of 4-6 yr old girls on the cruises. My dd is an only child and my dh was a bit worried about her not having anyone to play with. Bet she makes lots of friends with two weeks to get to know them! She's a bit shy at first, but once she warms up, no problems! See you all soon!

Oooo...need to update my picture! DD was 2ish then.

Welcome Aboard.

My dh and I just book while on the Wonder over Valentines. We couldn't pass up the deal!! We are so excited to be on this cruise.

Do you have Passports yet?

If you are interested, I have started a children's group. Where all of the children from our cruise, can get to know each other. If you would like to add you daughter, just pm me.

 

[milestogo]

very helpful guys!

Erik, will let you know what the plan is when we figure it out.

 

[hopemax]

One the Gibraltar link Aunty Brat posted it mentions the Gibraltar crystal. Here's a link to their website. Beautiful stuff.

http://www.gibraltar-crystal.com/

 

[AuntyBrat]

One the Gibraltar link Aunty Brat posted it mentions the Gibraltar crystal. Here's a link to their website. Beautiful stuff.

http://www.gibraltar-crystal.com/

Oh my...I need to take more money!!!!

 

[hopemax]

I'm hoping for a factory seconds area.

 

[disneylisa89]

Jason and I are flying down on Friday, May 4th and staying at Pop Century until Sunday, May 6th when we move across the way and check into Animal Kingdom Lodge (on DVC points). My parents are joining us at the AK Lodge on Monday and we're all staying there until they go home on the 11th and then on the 12th we check out and head to the cruise. After the cruise we're flying back to Orlando and staying at Saratoga Springs (again on DVC points) Saturday and Sunday night and flying back home late in the evening on Memorial Day.


Erik

We will be checking into AKL on points May 7. We were trying to arrange Paris for a few days following the cruise but that fell through.

 

[kpros]

We will be checking into AKL on points May 7. We were trying to arrange Paris for a few days following the cruise but that fell through.

Hi disneylisa89

Are you interested in joining our cruise group? If so, you may want to check out the 1st post on page 143 of this thread for some general info.

Ken

 

[juliekatie]

Hi,

I couldn't resist posting for the Cobra person who posted earlier. Good news/bad news. Good - you don't have to hide out for that first week. Good - The way cobra works is that you have three months (I believe) to decide if you want cobra after you leave/terminated. So, you are basically covered anyway. To make it easier - (true story) I quit my job and then was hit by a car in Chicago. I think I was hit about 80 days after I quit. I incurred about $10,000 in medical bills but then called for cobra (before day 90)and said I wanted to use it. I had to pay the cost for the back 80 days, but I was covered an my $10, 000 was covered. So you are covered even if you don't claim it. Unless the law has changed (this was 1998) you should be fine, so don't worry. Bad news -you technically did not save $900, but don't tell your husband.

See you all on May 12 - Me, my husband, and Nicholas (age 4).

Can't wait to get to meet new people.

 

[gydell]

The crystal looks great. I also like the water show in Barcelona and hopefully I can get to see it. It seems like I will need more cash than expected!

 

[seaulater]

LOL... ....how fun to have a fan club!

I confess...guilty on all counts....former dancer, former gymnast (figure skated for a while, too), I TRY to dress well.....and well....I think addicted to High School Musical might better sum it up! I swear it's like a drug....if i'm ever flipping through channels and it's on I am COMPELLED to stop and watch and then for days afterwards I can't listen to anything else on my iPod---I drive my poor gymnasts crazy singing the songs all practice long (one of my girls recently told me, "you're a grown man...you're not SUPPOSED to like that movie so much! .....to which I responded, "no no no...stick to the stuff you know...if you wanna be cool follow one simple rule...don't mess with flow oh no...stick to the status quo" )....yeah, so I'm probably going to have to go into a "High School Musical" rehab sometime soon!

So who, pray tell, Rio's favorite High School Musical character?
(and also....if he thinks it's cool that I like HSM....have you gotten to the page yet where we learn that one of fellow cruisers' daughter was actually one of the backup dancers in the cafeteria scene? Now THERE'S someone to be a fan of!! )

And in the picture I'm the one on the viewer's left with the longer hair (it's even longer now...that picture is from our last cruise in Feb. of '06).



Erik

HSM II starts filming Monday in Salt Lake! Jamie is going to try and get some background acting work so she can make some more $$$

They also announced they will be filming a Haunted High School Musical, but I think they are still working on the financial amounts with the main actors. Not sure when they will start filming that. Hopefully, they will do it in Salt Lake so Jamie can do some additional work.

 

[seaulater]

Welcome to all our new cruisers.

I'm still in Baltimore at meetings Just catching up while I had a break. Finish in the morning and then headed out tomorrow early afternoon for a much needed therapy session which will last 24 hours at WDW.

Then head home Sunday night.

The sun is finally shining here! Yipee. There is hope after all that I can get rid of those winter blues!

 

[kpros]

Hi,

I couldn't resist posting for the Cobra person who posted earlier. Good news/bad news. Good - you don't have to hide out for that first week. Good - The way cobra works is that you have three months (I believe) to decide if you want cobra after you leave/terminated. So, you are basically covered anyway. To make it easier - (true story) I quit my job and then was hit by a car in Chicago. I think I was hit about 80 days after I quit. I incurred about $10,000 in medical bills but then called for cobra (before day 90)and said I wanted to use it. I had to pay the cost for the back 80 days, but I was covered an my $10, 000 was covered. So you are covered even if you don't claim it. Unless the law has changed (this was 1998) you should be fine, so don't worry. Bad news -you technically did not save $900, but don't tell your husband.

See you all on May 12 - Me, my husband, and Nicholas (age 4).

Can't wait to get to meet new people.

Hi juliekatie

Are you interested in joining our cruise group? If so, you may want to check out the 1st post on page 143 of this thread for some general info.

Ken

 

[misseulalie]

Hi,

I couldn't resist posting for the Cobra person who posted earlier. Good news/bad news. Good - you don't have to hide out for that first week. Good - The way cobra works is that you have three months (I believe) to decide if you want cobra after you leave/terminated. So, you are basically covered anyway. To make it easier - (true story) I quit my job and then was hit by a car in Chicago. I think I was hit about 80 days after I quit. I incurred about $10,000 in medical bills but then called for cobra (before day 90)and said I wanted to use it. I had to pay the cost for the back 80 days, but I was covered an my $10, 000 was covered. So you are covered even if you don't claim it. Unless the law has changed (this was 1998) you should be fine, so don't worry. Bad news -you technically did not save $900, but don't tell your husband.
QUOTE]


Why? We have to pay $900 for each month. So we paid for March and April= $1,800. According to the rep, if we don't pay another $900 by May 10th, we are not covered for the month of May.
If we wern't going on this trip, we would have to pay the $900 for May.

 

[taxtracker]

taxtracker - WELCOME we are also traveling with a 5 year old boy who will be so excited to hear that there is another one. Where are you from?

hi, we live in Texas, Dallas/Fort Worth. my grandson is spending the weekend with us and after seeing your boy's picture, he insists on your son bringing his dolphin on the cruise!

 

[gydell]

taxtracker - what is you DGS name? My DGS name is Brent. I am going to post a pix on the kid's site soon as I figure out how.

 

[jw2736]

I just have to say that I'm adding a grass skirt to my suitcase. Ill see you guys at the party!!!

 

[gydell]

To the grass skirts - I think that the women should get to vote on the best hula dancer. You do have to hula don't you?