May 26, 2010--5/26/2010 10 Night Mediterranean

[poohkinandpiglet]

Let me know if you find out the answer to this! We are on the 24 April sailing but I am desperately trying to get the information as we have a 1050 flight to catch...

Belinda

The official word from Disney "they don't recommend booking a flight before 12:30pm". Honestly, they're covering themselves so people don't miss flights. I'm looking at booking something around 11:40 and I've heard others that have made 10:30am flights without much problem.

Are you using Disney transfers or taking a taxi?

 

[cra33f]

Welcome! I have been doing research on this using cruisecritic.com and tripadvisor.com. There are some companies that are rated well on both. I am looking at some. These can cost as much as 1K per day for four people so pretty pricey. Maybe share with another family? That is what I am hoping to do! I am going to book one for eight and try to get another family to split it with me. But I haven't booked one yet.

I have been searching too. So far I am finding something around 500 euros. I would like to share with another family too. Let me know what you find?
How does the debarkation works? who gets off the ship first? Do they do it by last names? Is it pretty chaotic everyone trying to get off? Thanks.

 

[shushh]

At the moment, we have Disney transfers but we are willing to go taxis if it is faster (seems like it could be).

Cra335f, I tried to get more info re debarkation direct from Disney asking similar questions to yours. Its frustrating because they just keep repeating "book flights after 1230" without letting me know the details!!!

Knowing that people have made 1030 flights is reassuring.

 

[sinnika]

From reading lots of Med trip reports this week, it sounds like there are long taxi lines when debarking (makes sense - lots of people prob trying to catch same day flights). I read in a trip report where the taxi line was an hour. The other option is the public bus but not sure about travel time even though the airport is fairly close. How about arranging a private service to pick you and your family up? There has to be some out there. To me, would be worth the cost to avoid all the hassle. Also, plan for long lines at the airport too. I'm looking for flights leaving the next day just to avoid all that if possible. Plus it will give us the day to tour Barcelona.

 

[cra33f]

Welcome! I have been doing research on this using cruisecritic.com and tripadvisor.com. There are some companies that are rated well on both. I am looking at some. These can cost as much as 1K per day for four people so pretty pricey. Maybe share with another family? That is what I am hoping to do! I am going to book one for eight and try to get another family to split it with me. But I haven't booked one yet.

After a lot of research, in Italy ,I think we are going to take the train from the ports of call to the cities we want to visit and then public transportation within that city to get around to the main attractions. The train is very inexpensive and you don't have to deal with traffic. They leave every half hour.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

After a lot of research, in Italy ,I think we are going to take the train from the ports of call to the cities we want to visit and then public transportation within that city to get around to the main attractions. The train is very inexpensive and you don't have to deal with traffic. They leave every half hour.

I have been looking at the hop on hop on bus too. It is really inexpensive.

 

[sinnika]

Spent a good part of today looking for hotels for both Paris (for a quick pre-cruise trip) and Barcelona for one night post cruise. Booked the Hotel Continental on Las Ramblas and booked the Hotel Residence Henri IV in the Latin Quarter in Paris. The trip is coming together now. We arrive Sunday AM in Paris and plan to do a one day trip to Disneyland Paris on Monday.

 

[Tahitian Traveler]

We are doing DLP too, but after the cruise. I have been having the hardest time finding a decent hotel in Paris without losing my shirt. I will take a look at your hotel this evening. Have a nice day everyone.

 

[sinnika]

We are doing DLP too, but after the cruise. I have been having the hardest time finding a decent hotel in Paris without losing my shirt. I will take a look at your hotel this evening. Have a nice day everyone.

I know what you mean! Paris is very expensive if you want a centrally located hotel. This one will accomodate the 4 of us and is within walking distance to Notre Dame and the Pantheon, and also fairly near the Austerlitz train station where we depart for Barcelona. It does have a mini kitchen so that will help save on food cost. I booked it thru Expedia. Had to search several times as it kept showing no availabilty since it is a small hotel.

 

[colmom]

Hi Everyone,
We are on the May 26 med cruise too. We have never cruised before, but DH and I have been to Europe several times and both lived in Europe over 20 years ago. We will be bringing our two DDs, ages 11 and 9, with us. I am focusing on finding a hotel/apartment in Barcelona that will fit the 4 of us. Any suggestions are welcome!
BTW, I have never posted on any site and am new to all of this so please be patient

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Hi Everyone,
We are on the May 26 med cruise too. We have never cruised before, but DH and I have been to Europe several times and both lived in Europe over 20 years ago. We will be bringing our two DDs, ages 11 and 9, with us. I am focusing on finding a hotel/apartment in Barcelona that will fit the 4 of us. Any suggestions are welcome!
BTW, I have never posted on any site and am new to all of this so please be patient

Welcome!! Check out the Hispana Suiza Siete? Check it out here: http://www.epoquehotels.com/h.php/barcelona-hotels/boutique-hotel/h/hispanos7suiza/l/en

 

[sinnika]

Hi Everyone,
We are on the May 26 med cruise too. We have never cruised before, but DH and I have been to Europe several times and both lived in Europe over 20 years ago. We will be bringing our two DDs, ages 11 and 9, with us. I am focusing on finding a hotel/apartment in Barcelona that will fit the 4 of us. Any suggestions are welcome!
BTW, I have never posted on any site and am new to all of this so please be patient

Welcome to our cruise meet, and Welcome to the Dis boards too! We booked the Hotel Continental which has mixed reviews, but we are only doing one night post cruise there and only using the room to sleep and for the location. I am still going to search for other rooms as we get closer to the cruise date but at least we have something reserved that can hold the 4 of us.

 

[colmom]

Thanks! At the Hotel Continental, did you book the double with twin then add an extra bed? It is not clear how you get four in a room! I am also looking into the Hispanos7Suiza Apartments.
Thanks for your help.

 

[colmom]

Thanks! At the Hotel Continental, did you book the double with twin then add an extra bed? It is not clear how you get four in a room! I am also looking into the Hispanos7Suiza Apartments.
Thanks for your help.

 

[sinnika]

Thanks! At the Hotel Continental, did you book the double with twin then add an extra bed? It is not clear how you get four in a room! I am also looking into the Hispanos7Suiza Apartments.
Thanks for your help.

I booked directly from their website: www.hotelcontinental.com. I think I just typed in a request for 2 adults and 2 children. They emailed me back my reservation info: "Balcony room overlooking Las Ramblas. Double-bedded exterior room with balcony with two extra beds (70 cm wide). Room rate was $177 euros (about $250). Not sure if that includes the extra bed cost (20 euros per child - I'll need to email them about that. Their email address is barcelona@hotelcontinental.com Hope this helps!

 

[hadleyzoo]

We just booked this cruise today. Got an email from our travel agent about the kids cruising free and couldn't pass up on the offer. My passport goes in the mail on Monday for a new, updated one. DH and the kids will get their documents done at the Post Office next week.

DD will be 17 (Junior in HS--will be heading to her Senior year), DS will be 9 (heading to 4th grade), me and DH on the cruise. This is our 2nd Disney cruise and although we have traveled the world (military), Europe is one continent I haven't been (DH was stationed in Italy as a kid).

I too am in Texas (San Antonio) and wondering what effect this will have on the kids' school since they will be taken out about 8 days early. We'll figure that out soon, but in the meantime decided to go ahead and book...if worst comes to worst, we'll just cancel. We'll be disappointed, sure; but right now we just couldn't pass up the offer.

Everyone has made some excellent suggestions and given some great ideas. Our thoughts are to fly in on Monday and spend 2 nights in Barcelona prior to cruise. Haven't decided about post-cruise yet and am waiting just a little bit to book flights and hotels (I want in writing from the schools what effect this will have on my kids before I book flights).

Keeping my fingers crossed...and hopefully can continue in this discussion and planning!

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Welcome!!!!

 

[sinnika]

We just booked this cruise today. Got an email from our travel agent about the kids cruising free and couldn't pass up on the offer. My passport goes in the mail on Monday for a new, updated one. DH and the kids will get their documents done at the Post Office next week.

DD will be 17 (Junior in HS--will be heading to her Senior year), DS will be 9 (heading to 4th grade), me and DH on the cruise. This is our 2nd Disney cruise and although we have traveled the world (military), Europe is one continent I haven't been (DH was stationed in Italy as a kid).

I too am in Texas (San Antonio) and wondering what effect this will have on the kids' school since they will be taken out about 8 days early. We'll figure that out soon, but in the meantime decided to go ahead and book...if worst comes to worst, we'll just cancel. We'll be disappointed, sure; but right now we just couldn't pass up the offer.

Everyone has made some excellent suggestions and given some great ideas. Our thoughts are to fly in on Monday and spend 2 nights in Barcelona prior to cruise. Haven't decided about post-cruise yet and am waiting just a little bit to book flights and hotels (I want in writing from the schools what effect this will have on my kids before I book flights).

Keeping my fingers crossed...and hopefully can continue in this discussion and planning!

Welcome! We're near Houston. DH retired from the military last year (6 active and 14 reserve). We did tons of Space A flights overseas and in conus (I was a reservist too) when he was active so paying for overseas airline tickets for this cruise is a bit of a shock. Hope prices come down! You may want to consider reserving a refundable room for a hotel as the ones that hold 4 to a room are scarce in Barcleona. Many that I tried to book were already unavailable. Even 3 of the 5 DCL hotels are already booked according to DCL for the date I wanted. (Although their rate was outrageous for the ones they had left - over $800!!).

I really hope we will be able to go too, but school takes priority, esp now that we have a high schooler. Good thing we have till Jan for final payment. Gives us time to sort this all out!

 

[KLS Georgia]

Just found out we are all Barcelona bound next May to join my husband's parents in celebrating their 50th Anniversary. The whole trip sounds incredible....we can't wait to show our kids (10,9,6) what lies beyond our borders. The count down begins! Anyone have any suggestions for traveling with kids? I am sure we are not going to do all the ports, but any recommended must do's. or tips?

 

[sinnika]

Just found out we are all Barcelona bound next May to join my husband's parents in celebrating their 50th Anniversary. The whole trip sounds incredible....we can't wait to show our kids (10,9,6) what lies beyond our borders. The count down begins! Anyone have any suggestions for traveling with kids? I am sure we are not going to do all the ports, but any recommended must do's. or tips?

Welcome!!! This will also be our first across the Atlantic trip with kids (12 and 14). We are getting them involved in the planning and what they would like to see and do as well. This site has a list of the 2007 Med excursions that DCL did so its a great starting place. http://www.worldofmouse.com/disney-med-2007-excursions.html I think the key to happy travel with kids is keeping them from getting bored, tired or hungry. We've done lots of travel in the US and always have snacks and water on hand, try not to fit too much in one day, and even change plans midway if we need to. We are also planning to do our own excursions so we can be flexible for that very reason. DH is brushing up on his rudimentary Italian, and we all speak some basic Spanish (for Barcelona). The planning is half of the fun!