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

[jocjarmom]

I stayed in a cat 12 room in June with the kids (DH didn't sail that time) and I really loved the quiet and the darkness! And I liked the bed being against the back wall furthest from the door. That was a great room! We have stayed in a cat 6 before (pixie upgrade from a cat 9) and this time I was secretly hoping to do a port upgrade to maybe even a suite, but this is really the next best thing! Plus there are no suites available. So now when we arrive in Barcelona by train that morning, I may arrange a morning tour since we arrive at 8:30am. Will also take care of the issue of waiting till boarding time. We'll plan to get to the port around 12 in time for some lunch so we can head back out to sightsee some more!

DH was so thrilled when I called to tell him about the upgrade! He really wanted that veranda for his anticipated "seasickness" LOL.

I just call it "Steerage" because we're on Deck 2, but from what I hear, it's very close to everything.

Adam and I had a veranda when we went on the Gem, but it was so chilly, we barely ever sat out there.

 

[sinnika]

I just call it "Steerage" because we're on Deck 2, but from what I hear, it's very close to everything.

Adam and I had a veranda when we went on the Gem, but it was so chilly, we barely ever sat out there.

Deck 2 is a great deck 'cause you can walk to everything - only 1 or 2 flights up to all the restaurants, clubs, shopping and Walt theatre.
I'll be on Deck 2 frequently checking on DS. He LIVED in Ocean Quest on our last cruise. He was often there waiting for the CM to open it up, and sometimes the last one leaving when they closed! I did lots of random checks on him and he only hung out with mom on excursions and dinners! He even went to the Golden Mickeys with his Ocean Quest friends!

 

[ingreece]

Call me Dis obsessed, but I have been checking the discounts regularly to see if there was any military discounts for this cruise. They've been available for the other May cruises. So just for grins, I went to the DCL site and put in the "MTO" (military offer) code and was able to get a cat 4 for an amazing price!!! Yes, we will lose the kids free offer but the difference is $1348 to go from a 12 to a 4!!! Our new price for this cruise is $3589 for the 4 of us in a cat 4!!! We were going to try for an upgrade at port but this is so much better!!! Just FYI, I also asked about suite availability and all suites are currently booked.
Just trying to get the word out to fellow military so they can take advantage of this! My TA did not even know but they will be getting the word out too now!!!!
And the family is going to be thrilled too!!!!!

My husband is with DOD. He is an Agent with NCIS. Do you think it will work for Caleb and I since he's not going with us? What a deal!! I'm so happy for you. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ingreece]

BTW- Where did you buy your cruise? You got an amazing rate even for Cat. 12 . J.

 

[NHdisneylover]

We have taken the airport bus twice to Pl. Catalunya. We stayed at the Hotel Contential and it is close to the bus stop. If you have several people a cab would cost not much more but cabs for more than three people are hard to come by. There are a few mini vans but even those didn't seat many people. The last time we just walked down La Rambla to the port shuttle and took that to the ship.

When were you last in Barcelona? In 2007 we had no trouble finding taxis to seat our party of 6--even just hailing htem from random spots in town when we got tired of walking. Maybe things have improved since you were last there.


Thanks InGreece for the Naples Info. We are also planning on getting to the archeology museum. We hope to take the train to Pompeii as soon as they will let us off the ship. Then return to the ship to clean up and have some lunch and then back out to the museum. Now the trick is to see if those well laid plans work out

Sinnika--congrats on the awesome rate Marika's good friend at school has a retired millitary mom. She is excited to tell her about the deal Monday and hope her friend will cruise with us. Not likely to happen, but you never know. It DOES fall during a school vacation after all.

 

[sinnika]

My husband is with DOD. He is an Agent with NCIS. Do you think it will work for Caleb and I since he's not going with us? What a deal!! I'm so happy for you. Thanks for sharing.

Unfortunately, your husband would have to travel with you as he is the one who is eligible.

 

[sinnika]

BTW- Where did you buy your cruise? You got an amazing rate even for Cat. 12 . J.

The cruise was purchased thru my TA (I can email you the name as I can't post it here). But I actually saw the rate on my own on the DCL website and called them to change it to the cat 12 with kids sail free. These 2 combo deals were only open for a very short time in November - someone had posted it on the DCL forum. That's where I hear about all the deals - from other Dis'ers! Although this time I think I was the first to see the military rates for this cruise. Our TA did not know. Our cruise has changed 4 times now - first it was a cat 6 12 night Baltic for $14,000, then a cat 6 Med with kids sail free, then a cat 12 with kids sail free and now a cat 4 gty MTO.

 

[Kiss-im-mee2]

Eileen- Would you mind if I joined you in Cinque Terre? Caleb will stay on the ship.

Jennifer you are more than welcome to come along with us. We will probably be hiking the last trail from Vernazza to Montarosa which is the only one we haven't done. We are not good enough hikers to do all 4 trails at one time.

We were in Barcelona in Sept of 09. Since we took the airport bus we did not notice the taxis at the airport but at the port at disembarcation there was quite a wait for vans. Maybe for a Disney cruise they will have more vans at the port.

We are headed off on a cruise on the Celebrity Solstice tomorrow. We have just a short 3 hour drive to Fort Lauderdale. I probably will not be on the boards much although we have some free minutes so I will check in a little.

 

[sinnika]

Have a great cruise Eileen!

 

[jocjarmom]

Enjoy your cruise, Eileen!

 

[ingreece]

Thanks Eileen! I look forward to the hike and hope we have good weather.
Have a wonderful cruise on the Solstice! Jennifer

 

[ingreece]

More about NAPLES, ITALY
I just found a good map of the downtown area of Naples. The ship will dock in such a great spot! Very nearby is Castel Nuovo- for 5 Euros you can see this beautiful castle. If it takes more than five minutes from the ship I'd be surprised.
Then right across from that is the Royal Palace. It was used as one of four residences by the Burboun King of Naples during their rule of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies (1730-1860). This Palace is BEAUTIFUL. I've been to an Opera (Madam Butteryfly by Puccini) in the Royal Theater connected to the palace and it was a dream. One could have a very nice Naples day by seeing the castle, the palace, the theater, the church across from the palace and having some pizza. You'd be close to the ship, you wouldn't spend a lot and you'd definately be pleased with the things you'd see.
This is a low stress, low cost alternative to trecking down to Pompeii.
Jennifer

 

[marlower]

More about NAPLES, ITALY
I just found a good map of the downtown area of Naples. The ship will dock in such a great spot! Very nearby is Castel Nuovo- for 5 Euros you can see this beautiful castle. If it takes more than five minutes from the ship I'd be surprised.
Then right across from that is the Royal Palace. It was used as one of four residences by the Burboun King of Naples during their rule of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies (1730-1860). This Palace is BEAUTIFUL. I've been to an Opera (Madam Butteryfly by Puccini) in the Royal Theater connected to the palace and it was a dream. One could have a very nice Naples day by seeing the castle, the palace, the theater, the church across from the palace and having some pizza. You'd be close to the ship, you wouldn't spend a lot and you'd definately be pleased with the things you'd see.
This is a low stress, low cost alternative to trecking down to Pompeii.
Jennifer

Great tips Jennifer! I love it! Do you have a link to the map or was it a hard copy map of downtown Naples that you found?

 

[ingreece]

Heidi, It is a good paper map that I picked up at an ice cream shop in Naples when I was there in June. Sorry there is no link. Jennifer

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Call me Dis obsessed, but I have been checking the discounts regularly to see if there was any military discounts for this cruise. They've been available for the other May cruises. So just for grins, I went to the DCL site and put in the "MTO" (military offer) code and was able to get a cat 4 for an amazing price!!! Yes, we will lose the kids free offer but the difference is $1348 to go from a 12 to a 4!!! Our new price for this cruise is $3589 for the 4 of us in a cat 4!!! We were going to try for an upgrade at port but this is so much better!!! Just FYI, I also asked about suite availability and all suites are currently booked.
Just trying to get the word out to fellow military so they can take advantage of this! My TA did not even know but they will be getting the word out too now!!!!
And the family is going to be thrilled too!!!!!

Outstanding!!! You will love the cat. 4. And you could even be upgraded. LOL.

 

[momtomari]

what excursions are people doing for this cruise? im still deciding on this cruise and the price of excursions is whats killing me even though it will only be me and my dd6?

Amanda

 

[Pluto 2]

what excursions are people doing for this cruise? im still deciding on this cruise and the price of excursions is whats killing me even though it will only be me and my dd6?

Amanda

civitavecchia- the best of rome
laspezia-pisa climb the tower
naples - nothing yet
ajaccio-the imperial town
villefranche-monaco,monte carlo and eze
tunis- tunis on your own
vallettia- highlights of malta

 

[marlower]

what excursions are people doing for this cruise? im still deciding on this cruise and the price of excursions is whats killing me even though it will only be me and my dd6?

Amanda

Hi Amanda,

This is what we are doing:

Malta: Three historic cities and a boat ride
Tunis: DCL on Our Own
Naples: Private tour
Rome: Private tour
Florence: DCL on our own
Corisica: Rest Day, just walk around
Villefranche: Private tour

Hope that helps. Maybe you could share a private excursions with others and save money that way!?!

 

[wrennies]

TracyJane
I could not PM you so here is the Cinque Terre info:
It seems to be easy to take a train from the port to the Cinque Terre. The other info is in these websites. I hope this helps you!

Ferry info:
http://www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it/

Cinque Terre card prices:
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/upload/AllCinqueTerreCardINGLESE.pdf

Cinque Terre card info:
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/5terrecardsnuovo_2.asp?id_lingue=2

One of many good websites:
http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/sez_56_2.asp?id_lingue=2

 

[Dgentrysim]

Husband and I just signed up for the Disney Med. Cruise (May 26) to celebrate our 30th Anniversary. We are so excited! We have never been to the Mediterranean before so it will be an all new adventure. Great to see this site and it's all dedicated to just that cruise! Amazing! I was wondering for those of you who have done this cruise, if you have done the excursion "Rome on your Own", what were you able to see in the 7 hrs you had? We're trying to figure out what we are planning is too ambitious for that amount of time. Looking forward to reading everyone's comments on this thread about the whole cruise in general! Only 85 more days!!!

DisneyDeb