May 26, 2007 (5/26/07) "First Magical Med Cruise!!" (The M&M's!)

[LegalBriefs]

We are not going to Paris DL after the cruise, but, since I have been to Spain quite a few times, we are renting a car and heading down to the Costa del Sol (through Malaga/Torremolinos) hitting Gibralter, over to Tangier for a day, then North through La Mancha and Toledo to Madrid. They are great areas, if anyone else is interested we could caravan it together...!

 

[kpros]

Hi everyone

Just checking in and reminding all those "lurkers" out there and anyone not marked as "confirmed" to check in with me inorder to get on the name badge/lanyard list. Don't miss out on these great lanyards.

Ken

 

[icunurse_celeste]

Anyone interested in doing this tour?

Our most popular shore excursion from Livorno! Private transfers from your cruise ship in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver at your disposal for a maximum of eight to nine hours. Visit Leaning Tower of Pisa, enjoy a walking tour of Florence with one of our expert local guides. Your walking tour of Florence will include all the must-see sights of the city, including the original statue of David by MichelAngelo. With the afternoon free to further explore Florence. THIS IS A PRIVATE SHORE EXCURSION WITH PRICES BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAVELLING IN YOUR PARTY!


However, this tour would include pick up and drop off from our port. Please PM me if you are interested, we would need 8 people.

 

[kpros]

Anyone interested in doing this tour?

Our most popular shore excursion from Livorno! Private transfers from your cruise ship in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver at your disposal for a maximum of eight to nine hours. Visit Leaning Tower of Pisa, enjoy a walking tour of Florence with one of our expert local guides. Your walking tour of Florence will include all the must-see sights of the city, including the original statue of David by MichelAngelo. With the afternoon free to further explore Florence. THIS IS A PRIVATE SHORE EXCURSION WITH PRICES BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAVELLING IN YOUR PARTY!


However, this tour would include pick up and drop off from our port. Please PM me if you are interested, we would need 8 people.

Hi Celeste

We would be interested - 5 people maybe. Sent you an E-mail.

Ken

 

[milestogo]

Hi Celeste, we are interested too and sent you a PM, Kelly

 

[sunshine state kim]

I'm too new and am unable to PM (hope I'm even saying that right). My family of 4 might be interested in the Florence/Pisa tour too.

 

[littleowensmommy]

Hi Celeste,

We're also interested. I sent you a pm. Thanks.

Kathy

 

[Coalchick]

We are interested in this tour as well (3 of us). Perhaps some 3-9 other people that may be going with us. They are signed up for the cruise, but not truly committed to it yet. Sounds like this excursion does what we really want to do. Thanks

 

[baileysgm]

Anyone interested in doing this tour?

Our most popular shore excursion from Livorno! Private transfers from your cruise ship in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver at your disposal for a maximum of eight to nine hours. Visit Leaning Tower of Pisa, enjoy a walking tour of Florence with one of our expert local guides. Your walking tour of Florence will include all the must-see sights of the city, including the original statue of David by MichelAngelo. With the afternoon free to further explore Florence. THIS IS A PRIVATE SHORE EXCURSION WITH PRICES BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAVELLING IN YOUR PARTY!


However, this tour would include pick up and drop off from our port. Please PM me if you are interested, we would need 8 people.

We would really love this tour, but isn't our port La Spezia? Will they pick up there as well?

 

[kpros]

Good morning First Med Cruisers. With all the excitement on the boards about the 2008 schedule, let not forget about our "magical" trip.

I'm still hoping to hear from some cruisers that are MIA. These are the people I haven't heard from yet:

disneyfamilyforever
garylpn
Ltl Mermaid
renegade7
Smetheringham
sweetsue

If anyone has any information about these folks, please let me know.
Thanks
Ken

 

[milestogo]

The magic is coming back to the west coast.... same 7 night as 2005 and slightly different PC.


15-Night Panama Canal Cruise


Explore sun-kissed lands brimming with beauty and steeped in history during a 15-night eastbound or westbound cruise through one of the world's most legendary trade routes, the Panama Canal. Travel from Port Canaveral or Los Angeles aboard the Disney Magic® and enjoy stops in picture-perfect Aruba, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Disney's very own Castaway Cay. And experience a full week at sea where delightful entertainment, delectable dining and fun-filled activities surround you at every turn.

Ship: Disney Magic®

Rates: From $1699 per person*

Departure Dates:
5/10/08 (Westbound)
8/17/08 (Eastbound)

Westbound Itinerary:
Saturday (5/10) – Port Canaveral
Sunday – Castaway Cay
Monday – Sea
Tuesday – Sea
Wednesday – Aruba
Thursday – Sea
Friday – Panama Canal Crossing
Saturday – Sea
Sunday – Sea
Monday – Acapulco
Tuesday – Sea
Wednesday – Puerto Vallarta
Thursday – Cabo San Lucas
Friday – Sea
Saturday – Sea
Sunday (5/25) – Los Angeles

Eastbound Itinerary:
Sunday (8/17) – Los Angeles
Monday – Sea
Tuesday – Cabo San Lucas
Wednesday – Puerto Vallarta
Thursday – Sea
Friday – Acapulco
Saturday – Sea
Sunday – Sea
Monday – Panama Canal Crossing
Tuesday – Cartagena
Wednesday – Sea
Thursday – Aruba
Friday – Sea
Saturday – Sea
Sunday – Castaway Cay
Monday (9/01) – Port Canaveral

 

[kpros]

This is the list I currently have:
(The first name listed is the name associated with the Disboard Name)

baileysgm - Carolyn, Keith, Elisabeth, Bailey (confirmed)
charwac1 – Charlene, Andy (confirmed)
Coalchick - Karen, Doug, Jordan (confirmed)
CubCatsK&D – Kim, Deb (confirmed)
dd3rover - Sheryl, Dan, Nancy, Kaitlin, Brian, Michael (confirmed)
DebWills – Deb, Linda (confirmed)
disneyfamilyforever – Mike, Cathy, Allsion, Megan, Kelly
Disneynut1955 – David, Monica (confirmed)
DisneySpirit – Tom, Lynn, Shane, Laurie (confirmed)
figment52 – Sandy, Sharon (confirmed)
first timers - Alex, Carolyn (confirmed)
garylpn – Gary, Karen
Hygiene99 – Peter, Jenn (confirmed)
icunurse_celeste – Celeste, Jennie (confirmed)
jeanneg – Jeanne, John (confirmed)
Jeisur – Laurie, David, Breighton , JoAnne, Howard (confirmed)
konslerg - Gloria, Gary (confirmed)
kpros/spros – Ken, Shari (confirmed)
LegalBriefs - Ron, Monica (confirmed)
littleowensmommy - Kathy, Ted, Owen, Amy (confirmed)
Ltl Mermaid - ?
meb51 – Marie, Steve, Beverly, Dora, Katie, Will (confirmed)
milestogo – Kelly, Jonathan, Zoe (confirmed)
NejTheLion – Jen, Debbi, Barry (confirmed)
poconoboatniks – Ellen, Bob, Kate, Brett, Bob, Helen, Linda, Colleen (confirmed but not convinced)
renegade7 – Johanna, Gary
ronunc – Ron, Becky (confirmed)
Schiffy - Mark, Carol (confirmed)
Smetheringham - ?
sunshine state kim – Kim, Todd, Savannah, Carter (confirmed)
sweetsue – Sue, Barbara, Christina
TikiGirl - Leslie, Ed (confirmed)
UncaTigger – Mark, Gerry (confirmed)
Winotracy/AskAGeek – Tracy, Bill (confirmed)
wrabitdad – Bob, Dale (confirmed)

Any lurkers out there?
Ken

 

[sunshine state kim]

we were hoping for a return to the Caribbean next summer, but can put those thoughts away now and really concentrate on these plans. As of now we're planning on taking the train to Rome and do that on our own and probably the same in Villefranche. I like the idea about taking the $1 bus to the beach in Palermo too. Seems like there is some sense of security and safety in numbers and more people with a plan B for when plan A fails is always useful. I'm taking an Italian language class starting next month and the instructor is from Florence so I hope I'll get good tips from her too.

I read earlier about bringing bottles of wine to share. Is that still a plan? It sounds very fun.

 

[jeanneg]

I don't know how practical it would be to bring bottles of wine, especially with the current carry-on restrictions. I, for one, am trying to travel as lightly as possible so I'll have to limit my wine to whatever they sell on the ship.

 

[kpros]

Good morning First Med Cruisers! Another day closer!

Ken

 

[LegalBriefs]

So, does anyone have their excursions all picked out yet? What is the popular excursion? There are so many really great choices, and some crazy expensive ones... I am curious to hear what y'all like...

 

[Bareacuda]

I sent a friend a copy of the papers that were filed with the Port Of Los Angeles about the 2008 summer, she got my e mail but...I dont think she got it that the Magic will be coming back to California. She still has hope that its going to Alaska that summer!

Anywho.... I made ressies for the Magic on
8 Sept to 15th(W)
15 Sept to 22nd(E)
22 Sept to 29th (W)
3 weeks on Magic and 3 visits to CC !!!
Now on the down side...How much luggage can I fit in our room!!! ??? This will look like me each time we're in Port Canaveral

 

[kpros]

So, does anyone have their excursions all picked out yet? What is the popular excursion? There are so many really great choices, and some crazy expensive ones... I am curious to hear what y'all like...

We got a few highlighted, but haven't made our final decisions yet. I guess we still have a little time left. Anyone made any final decisions yet?

Ken

 

[milestogo]

We're getting very close to narrowing down our excursions. Our first pass went way past our budget soaring over $3000. Today I'm looking at Shoretrips.com as an alternative. Has anyone else tried them? My priority is eating and sampling foods from the areas we visit, does anyone know the rules about bringing food back onto the boat? and airplanes? I want to bring home pasta, olive oil, and a 5 pound loaf of bread from Poilane Bakery in Paris. Also, breads from every place we visit back onto the boat. Thoughts? Experience?

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

Hey all, sorry about the lurking. I have been busy, busy, busy!! I got engaged while at WDW in December and it seems like things haven't stopped since. My DFiancee and I will will be getting married at the DLR in socal in May of 2008 and will likely be taking a 12 night Scandinavia Cruise. I really lobbied for the Disney panama canal cruise (I haven't been, I went on the 7 night Mexican Cruise in August of 2005, so I don't want to do the same cruise again!) but he is not really interested in seeing the Panama Canal and thinks it sounds "dangerous". I think he is being a bit paranoid, but I have always wanted to go to Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, so I am still very happy with a Scandinavian Cruise. Anyhow, sorry to ramble! I have been checking in but certainly not as much as usualy. I am SOOO excited about the trip and I think it will be here before we know. My sister and I have ALL but one (Marseilles) of our excursions completely picked out and cannot wait to book them the day they come out. They are:

Barcelona: Panoramic Drive through Barcelona
Palermo:Selinute and Marinella
Naples: Timeless Pompeii and the Flavor of Sorrento
Olbia: Day at sea at Maddalena Archipelago
Civitaveccia:Highlights of Rome and Vatican Museums (does anyone know if the Pantheon and/or Trevi Fountain are within reasonable walking distance from the Colosseum and Forum? We are hoping to visit these locations during our two hours of free time, but don't know if we will have enough time to see the inside of the Colosseum, as the excursion only stops outside, and see the Pantheon and/or Trevi Fountain. Any suggestions???
La Spezia: Pisa (we wanted to do shorter excursions on at least a couple of days!)
Marseilles: We really want to do a excursion to the Chateau d'lf, but will likely go with Calanques of Cassis or Marseilles City Tour if Disney doesn't release a Chateau d'lf excursion.
Villefranche:Highlights of Monaco and Monte Carlo including the Grand Casino

I guess that's about it. We are looking to plan all EARLY excursions so we don't miss dinner too often. We have early dining, though I requested the 6pm seating as opposed to 530 or 545. I know for sure we will miss the Rome night, but we may miss when we are at Naples if the excursion doesn't leave very early in the morning. Every other night we should be OK. We really want to make dinner as often as possible to get to know our tablemates/servers and enjoy as much as we can of that delectable food!

I think most of the shore excursions shound so great and we really had a hard time deciding! I am just counting the days until we leave! Does anyone know if Disney will be releasing the themed dinner nights, formal nights, etc ahead of time?? I am hoping they do so we can know when we want to book Palo! My sister and I are SO excited, we even have one of the secert porthole rooms. We got SO lucky (and booked first thing in the morning the day the cruises opened! If anyone has any comments/suggestions for us regarding our excursions, let me know!