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

[sweetsue]

Hey everyone! I haven't been on these boards since we cruised DCL 10/16/04 Western Caribbean.

I have 3 sons 16, 14, and 12. My daughter who is 11, and being the only girl, would like to meet and email a friend before the cruise.

She's outgoing, loves soccer, piano, basketball and all animals.

We can't wait to meet all of you!

Lori

Lori,

welcome aboard!

Ron (the person that started this thread) is hosting a toga party/wine tasting/Roy suite tour/gathering for all (kids welcome). It'll be at 1pm on the first sea day, so let me know everyone's first name if you will be coming. It's a great chance to see that coveted Category 1 suite!

On your other post - quite a few of us are staying in Barcelona either before or after the cruise. Barcelona has a very high occupancy rate and very SMALL rooms. Trying to find a "quad" is next to impossible. As I was researching for a friend on this cruise, I found many of the hotels already booked solid. Barcelona's occupancy runs 80 - 90%.

I posted awhile back on this thread about some of the options around Las Ramblas - one of them had quad rooms. You might try researching on one of the Barcelona websites to find a hotel that fits your needs (quad room) and approximate budget. Then shop around at the different sites to find the best deal. Just recognize that if you want to stay in the city center (like at Las Ramlas) it will be more expensive and smaller. You can try staying near a Metro station instead - you can get some great deals this way.

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

Is anyone else spending extra time in Barcelona? We have two days before and two days after the cruise. Does anyone have any activities planned? Also, where are you staying? We have 11 people going. 6 adults/5 children.
We're having a tough time finding hotels that will hold 4 in a room for a reasonable price.

Also, is the Mediterranean, is that a place you can snorkel at all?

And to answer your other questions:

1. We are doing the hop on/hop off tourist bus. It's run by Barcelona, not a touring company. It goes to all of the major Barcelona sites on 3 routes - and it's reasonable. Highlights for me are La Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and the Gothic Quarter (Barre Gotic). You might want to include the Olympic Stadium if your groups is into sports. Las Ramblas is where our hotel is - and the Boqueria Market will be our shopping place (we're staying in an apartment).
2. We're staying at the Citadines Aparthotel. Last time I looked it's 100% booked although it does hold 4.
3. Feel free to join us for the Magic Fountains at Mont Juic on Friday evening (see other posts). I am also looking into Sardana dancing at the Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter. I'm getting conflicting info on whether it's at noon on Saturday or on Sunday. I've heard both - and I probably won't know for sure until we arrive. This is outside where you watch the dancers and listen to the music. It's a unique experience - and completely Catalan.

The Mediterranean has snorkeling and diving adventures. Celeste (icunurse_celeste) can give you some great options throughout the cruise. She'll be diving at many of the ports.

Hope that helps!

Sue

 

[Kissimmee]

Hey everyone! I haven't been on these boards since we cruised DCL 10/16/04 Western Caribbean.

I have 3 sons 16, 14, and 12. My daughter who is 11, and being the only girl, would like to meet and email a friend before the cruise.

She's outgoing, loves soccer, piano, basketball and all animals.

We can't wait to meet all of you!

Lori

I think my Hannah is a good match

Age 11 plays on a league soccer team, plays piano and violin, is a competitive ice skater and we live on a hobby farm with goats, dogs, bunnies, a cat and one hen.

I'll pm you her email address.

 

[disneyfamilyforever]

My family booked this cruise last April. I actually posted on page 10 of this thread but have not watching the thread. It is going to take me days to catch up and read it all. Here is our information. I sent it on to the person doing the lanyards but here it is in case I need to get it to someone else.
DH Mike Gilbert
DW Cathy Gilbert
DD Allison 16
DD Megan 16
DD Kelly 11
We requested late dinner seating. We are from Sugar Land Texas. We are staying in a cat 4 deluxe room. Disney will not give me the room number yet but said we are confirmed for the cat 4.
This is our third Disney cruise and we are very excited!
Can't wait to meet everyone!
Cathy

 

[sweetsue]

My family booked this cruise last April. I actually posted on page 10 of this thread but have not watching the thread. It is going to take me days to catch up and read it all. Here is our information. I sent it on to the person doing the lanyards but here it is in case I need to get it to someone else.
DH Mike Gilbert
DW Cathy Gilbert
DD Allison 16
DD Megan 16
DD Kelly 11
We requested late dinner seating. We are from Sugar Land Texas. We are staying in a cat 4 deluxe room. Disney will not give me the room number yet but said we are confirmed for the cat 4.
This is our third Disney cruise and we are very excited!
Can't wait to meet everyone!
Cathy

Join in the fun! See the first post on page 55 of this thread for some general info (thanks Ken!).

Sue

 

[sweetsue]

Ate my post!

Round #2:
Magic fountains of Mont Juic:
They run from 8pm to 11:30pm every 30 minutes. I was planning on meeting you there on Friday night! The fountains are at the base of Mont Juic near Placa Espanya. You walk from Placa Espanya towards the Museu National d'Art Catalunya. The Magic Fountains are at the base of the museum steps. There are fountains lining the walk from Placa Espanya that are also lit at night. BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Now the only question would be when and where?? And what to wear so I can find your repo group!

Sue

Geesh - quoting my own quote is pretty bad.... But here is a good orientation photo. It's taken from the top of the Museu National d'Art Catalunya. The round fountain at the bottom of the steps is the Magic Fountain. If you keep looking in the distance you will see two tall columns. Those mark the entrance at Placa Espanya. We could plan on meeting at the side of the fountain near the steps. Now what show would be best?

Sue

 

[disneyfamilyforever]

I remember back in 2005 reading threads on the great sendoff that Disney did for the first cruise out of California. Can someone give me an idea of what they did? I remember reading about people waving from the deck with those Mickey hands. I am going to DisneyWorld in April and want to know if I need some Disney things for the send off.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Our TA sent us all the booking information. It said that our gratuities were included. I know on our last DC it was not. Does anyone else know about this? Is it something new?

Do we know how many formal and theme nights there are? What are they?

TIA

Lori

 

[Scooby3x1y]

I remember back in 2005 reading threads on the great sendoff that Disney did for the first cruise out of California. Can someone give me an idea of what they did? I remember reading about people waving from the deck with those Mickey hands. I am going to DisneyWorld in April and want to know if I need some Disney things for the send off.

Do we need to bring our own things or does DCL supply that stuff?

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Our TA sent us all the booking information. It said that our gratuities were included. I know on our last DC it was not. Does anyone else know about this? Is it something new?

Do we know how many formal and theme nights there are? What are they?

TIA

Lori

Okay, sorry, I guess it is because it was an interline booking.

 

[kpros]

Hi Everyone

Here is the latest lanyard and name badge list. Please take a look and let me know if I've spelled a name incorrectly.

Lanyard Team
Coalchick - Karen, Doug, Jordan
first timers - Alex, Carolyn
Hygiene99 – Peter, Jenn
icunurse_celeste – Celeste, Jennie
jeanneg – Jeanne, John
kpros/spros – Ken, Shari
littleowensmommy - Kathy, Ted, Owen, Amy
meb51 – Marie, Steve, Beverly, Dora, Katie, Will
NejTheLion – Jen, Debbi, Barry
Winotracy/AskAGeek – Tracy, Bill
wrabitdad – Bob, Dale

Confirmed Cruisers
baileysgm - Carolyn, Keith, Elisabeth, Bailey
charwac1 – Charlene, Andy
CONNIEOSCI - Connie, Frank
CubCatsK&D – Kim, Deb
dd3rover - Dan, Sheryl, Nancy, Kaitlin, Brian, Michael
DebWills – Deb, Linda
DisneySpirit – Tom, Lynn, Shane, Laurie
figment52 – Sandy, Sharon
garylpn – Gary, Karen
Jeisur – Laurie, David, Breighton, JoAnne, Howard
konslerg - Gloria, Gary
LegalBriefs - Ron, Monica
lkr - Larry, Mary
Ltl Mermaid - Melanie, Allison
milestogo – Kelly, Jonathan, Zoe
misseulalie - Jennifer, Rachid, Sophia, Lena, Hajja, Fatma
padalyn - Cayla, Barbara, Stacey, Bev
plantman - Peter, Joe, Delores
poconoboatniks – Ellen, Bob, Kate, Brett, Bob, Helen, Linda, Colleen(eeyoretat)
renegade7 – Johanna, Gary
ronunc – Ron, Becky
Schiffy - Mark, Carol
sunshine state kim – Kim, Todd, Savannah, Carter
sweetsue – Sue, Barbara, Christina
TikiGirl - Leslie, Ed
Yensidfan - Faith, Pete, Courtney, Peter
Kissimmee - Richard, Heloisa, Hannah, Kevin, Aliisa
disneyfamilyforever – Mike, Cathy, Allison, Megan, Kelly
(no dis name) - Shirley, Sandy, Tracy, Sally
(no dis name) - Michael, Keith, George, Kathy
Scooby3x1y - Lori, Bruce, Pat, Marie, Daryl, Ann, Daryl, Dalton, Mason, Courtney, Garrett

Going but no names yet
Jeni1781 - ?
Maryon K. Bramley - ?

MIA
Smetheringham - ?

I will be starting the name badges soon, so please make sure your listing is correct.

Ken

 

[kpros]

On another note - I'm very happy to say that I've reached the half way point of my fundraising for the annual Arthritis Ride. As of today, I have raised $5,034 on my way to $10,000.

Thanks to all my disboard friends for helping to make this event a big success!

Ken

 

[figment52]

I remember back in 2005 reading threads on the great sendoff that Disney did for the first cruise out of California. Can someone give me an idea of what they did? I remember reading about people waving from the deck with those Mickey hands. I am going to DisneyWorld in April and want to know if I need some Disney things for the send off.

We were on that cruise and here is a link to the Mexical sail away party. http://www.allearsnet.com/cruise/g_magicWC.htm

The hats, scarf and hands were supplied to us by Disney - they were in our cabin when we arrived.

 

[sunshine state kim]

Sorry to wimp out on this, but there is no way I am going to get my hubby, much less my 13 yr old DD or 10 yr old DS to wear a toga! Is this the "suggested" attire for the event or required?

 

[poconoboatniks]

Hi Everyone,

We were on the first cruise out of LA with Legal Briefs. The West Coast send off was nothing I have ever experienced. There were fire boats spraying water, jet skiis with with rainbow colored kites, fireworks and lots of helicopters. When were given Capt. hats with Mickey ears, red DCL scarves and Mickey hands on sticks. These items were in our staterooms when we boarded. I curious to see how the sail away will be handled in Barcelona. I don't think we will be pushing off until 9:30PM or later. We'll have to wait until the 26th to see what they have planned.


My daughter's name is Kate. She will be 13 yrs old two days after getting off the Magic. She has played traveled soccer and intermural basketball in the past, but has decided that she loves cheerleading. She plays flute in the 7th grade band and has played piano for the past 6 1/2 years. I think the girls will definitely have something to talk about. My son's name is Brett and is going to be 9 1/2 yrs old at the time of the cruise. He has played soccer, baseball and some basketball. He also plays piano. Brett loves Legos and playing electronic video games. Please feel free to pm us with your email address if any of the kids would be interested in emailing either of our kids.

We started shopping this past weekend. This trip requires a different packing strategy. I think we're going to leave most of the tropical stuff home and concentrate on the touristy stuff. We checked the weather channel for avg. hi and low temps in May and June. The avg temps look like it will be comfortable, but not too hot or humid. I always pack too much!

Formal night is going to be our first sea day. There are 2 semi formal nights, but I don't have the schedule in front of me right now. Scooby, which gratituities are included in your booking price? I'm going to check my confirmation letter in the morning. Looks like the kids are going to have a 2 hr. delay tomorrow. The temp has dropped and the wind has picked up. Wind chills are somehwere around -11 F.

Poconoboatniks

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Scooby, which gratituities are included in your booking price?

All of the gratuities are included. We will not have to tip the waiter(s) and cabin staff. The TA said it is because we booked it with an interline rate. He said that they probably started that because pilots are cheap...lol. My BIL said that it is probably because they have so many ex-wives....ROFL....I then had to respond that's probably because their Type A personality makes them so hard to get along with...heheheh

I do need to know if the togas are optional too. Also do we need to send money for the lanyards et al?

 

[figment52]

Scooby, which gratituities are included in your booking price?

All of the gratuities are included. We will not have to tip the waiter(s) and cabin staff. The TA said it is because we booked it with an interline rate. He said that they probably started that because pilots are cheap...lol. My BIL said that it is probably because they have so many ex-wives....ROFL....I then had to respond that's probably because their Type A personality makes them so hard to get along with...heheheh

I do need to know if the togas are optional too. Also do we need to send money for the lanyards et al?

The togas are optional. Their is a "lanyard team" that covered the expenses asociated with the lanyards and name tags.

Page 55 the post my "kpros" has the group list and activities if you haven't been there yet pop back and take a look.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

The togas are optional. Their is a "lanyard team" that covered the expenses asociated with the lanyards and name tags.

Page 55 the post my "kpros" has the group list and activities if you haven't been there yet pop back and take a look.

Thanks Figment, what has been the perks of the Castaway Club? This will be our 2nd cruise, so our first return as a member.

 

[disneyfamilyforever]

The West Coast cruise in 2005 was our second Disney Cruise. When we got to our room on day one there was a maroon blanket. It had a emblem on it screenprinted about it being the West Coast cruise. But we only got one item per cabin, not per returning person. Too bad because we all fight over the blanket.
Cathy

 

[disneyfamilyforever]

I can't wait to see our send off after seeing the pictures from before. Hopefully Disney finds a great way to send us off. Fireworks would be cool!