May 5, 2010 Magic of Barcelona

[sabrecmc]

Speaking of purses, I bought a new leather purse at WDW that has Disney characters on a white background. I am taking only one day purse and am unsure whether it would be good for this cruise or if I should use it only at WDW and DL. I worry that it would be ok on the ship but inappropriate on shore excursions. Any thoughts

I'm taking a pacsafe purse on the excursions. It goes over one shoulder and across my body and has all these anti-theft features to keep pickpockets out. Is this purse one of those Dooney bags? I love those! I'm not sure they are really the best choice for being out and about at tourist spots that pickpockets frequent, however. The only crime I ever experienced in Europe was with pickpocketing, but those people are GOOD at it. A zipper does not phase them in the slightest.

 

[strawberryblonde]

I think I know the purse you are talking about, the cute! Dooney one. I've seen it online and drooled just a bit . I'm bringing a plain, brown, over the shoulder/body one. I need something to carry my water, snack and lipgloss in! Most likely I'll only carry a few coins in it, just enough for a gelato or two. I'll make hubby carry the bigger cash.

Just over a month away, my daughter is about to burst!!

 

[everafter1]

Ooh, that Dooney purse is really cute! I've seen it at Downtown Disney and I've heard they carry it onboard too. I love purses (probably a little too much), but I don't usually carry one while onboard the ship. Sometimes I'll bring a tote to the pool to carry sunscreen, etc, but onboard I usually just put my key to the world card and ID in a lanyard and wear it. So, depending on what you carry around, you may not need a purse for just walking around the ship.

For excursions, I have been debating that one... I have a cute wristlet from Vera Bradley that is big enough to hold my ID, money and a small camera, but small enough that it doesn't look like a purse. Plus, since it's a wristlet, I've got my hand around it at all times. Not sure yet, though.

My parents have been talking about getting a money belt, but I'm not sure I'd need that. The pac safe purse sounds like a great idea too.

 

[dwcsk8]

I agree about the pickpocket situation. I guess that I am so enamoured of my Dooney purse that I am making excuses to take it. The point about an inconspicuous bag is a good one. This purse is VERY noticable. Sigh. But it's so cute!
I usually take a water bottle, tissues, hand sanitizer, sunglasses,etc., so I need a medium (at least) purse. What I am reading about Pompeii is that the building within the site that has a snack bar, WC's, etc. will still be under construction when we visit. It has been suggested to bring your own water, snacks, and sandwiches (if applicable), and use the WC at the front entrance.
As much as I love backpacks, I do realize that it screams "tourist! welcome pickpockets". I tend to pack my purse as if I am setting out on a trek to darkest Africa. It is very hard to keep it small. You know, the dreaded 'what if'.
Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[cj'smom]

LOL, I think the cute Disney bag will scream "tourist! welcome pickpockets" much louder than a plain backpack!

I'm cautious enough about the pickpocket situation that I decided to get a Pacsafe bag too - ha, ha, in fact, I've ordered a couple. Like you, I like to carry a fair amount of stuff with me and will be lugging additional items for my daughter. I'll probably have both a backpack and an over the shoulder purse. The backpack will be my carryon for the plane so I've got both hands free to pull luggage and help my daughter.

Also, wanted to let everyone know that I found some great deals on Pacsafe bags.
Overstock.com has them for 60 - 70% off. Some really cute styles too!
http://www.overstock.com/search?keywords=Pacsafe&SearchType=Header

Magellans has two of the larger backpacks for $70 that are normally $120.
Pacsafe has certain styles for 30 - 50% off. Best prices were definitely on Overstock.

 

[laydee314]

LOL, I think the cute Disney bag will scream "tourist! welcome pickpockets" much louder than a plain backpack!

I'm cautious enough about the pickpocket situation that I decided to get a Pacsafe bag too - ha, ha, in fact, I've ordered a couple. Like you, I like to carry a fair amount of stuff with me and will be lugging additional items for my daughter. I'll probably have both a backpack and an over the shoulder purse. The backpack will be my carryon for the plane so I've got both hands free to pull luggage and help my daughter.

Also, wanted to let everyone know that I found some great deals on Pacsafe bags.
Overstock.com has them for 60 - 70% off. Some really cute styles too!
http://www.overstock.com/search?keywords=Pacsafe&SearchType=Header

Magellans has two of the larger backpacks for $70 that are normally $120.
Pacsafe has certain styles for 30 - 50% off. Best prices were definitely on Overstock.

Thanks for the tip! I have to find a good bag for diapers and 3 kids worth of stuff.

 

[Daniel-99]

Would like to get feedback on the Florence & Pisa tour of someone who may have taken it before. On a quick scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being must do, what number you folks give it. I am trying to make up our mind between other things we are considering.. Thanks

 

[Daniel-99]

Would also be interested in other excursions that someone may think were better than the Florence & Pisa tour during that stop.

 

[dwcsk8]

Thanks CJ's Mom for the tip on PacSafe bags. I have ordered their messenger bag. Great price, too.

As for Florence and Pisa shore excursions, I have been there several times. Pisa is small and the major sites are in the same area. The Leaning Tower and the Duomo are pretty much it, including walking to and from where the bus is parked. Florence is another story. Are you planning to return to Italy sometime in the future? If it's possible, then you don't have to do a marathon do-everything- in -one trip exhaustion excursion. There are many important sites in the vicinity of Florence as well as in the city, enough for its own trip. Because of the long bus ride to get to Florence, there will be limited time, so only the biggest highlights will be seen. The Uffizi Gallery is in itself worth much more time than will be possible on this trip. Also, many of the excursions add Pisa, which cuts down on time in Florence. However, if this is your one-and-only opportunity, go for it.

 

[cj'smom]

Thanks for the tip! I have to find a good bag for diapers and 3 kids worth of stuff.

Hee, hee
I can just envision some thief stealing what looks to be a loaded bag and then finding it stuffed with....diapers!

 

[everafter1]

I will probably bring a big purse on the plane with me, but once onboard, it will stay in the room. I tend to carry a small bag when I'm at the parks or traveling. I usually keep some of the non valubles in my pockets... I figure if someone wants my hand sanitizer or tissues bad enough to pick pocket, they can have them

For Florence and Pisa, I read some of the TRs from 2007, and I seem to remember a lot of people didn't like one of the excursions. I can't remember which one it was, but I think it was the Pisa excursion. That would be a great place to find soem feedback on it though.

Just think... Only a month and 2 days until we set sail!

 

[torimarrett]

Hi I am new to the Disboards. My husband and I are going on the May 5, 2010 Cruise as well. This will be our first Disney Cruise. We are so excited!

Is anyone doing the Adventures By Disney?

 

[Kaleigh]

Would like to get feedback on the Florence & Pisa tour of someone who may have taken it before. On a quick scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being must do, what number you folks give it. I am trying to make up our mind between other things we are considering.. Thanks

If you go to allears.net , you can read reviews of the port excursions from 07. The most common comment I saw on the Florence/Pisa excursion was that they felt rushed except for an almost 2 hour lunch. Some people skipped the lunch in order to shop which they had no other time for. The stop in Pisa seemed very quick, and you don't get to go up in the tower. Lunch was the biggest complaint. People said that it was good and in a great location with a beautiful view, but that it took a very long time and people felt like they were wasting time in Florence. Again, not my review or words, just what I have read.

We are doing Florence on your Own so that we can do our own thing and spend our time how we want while still being guaranteed of getting back on the ship. It just seemed too chancy with the amount of time provided to definitely get to Florence and back.

 

[Kaleigh]

Hi I am new to the Disboards. My husband and I are going on the May 5, 2010 Cruise as well. This will be our first Disney Cruise. We are so excited!

Is anyone doing the Adventures By Disney?

Welcome!! We have a website if you would like to check that out. If you want to add your travelers information or a picture to it, just pm me. http://may5med.weebly.com/index.html

I haven't heard of anyone on this board doing Adventures by Disney. Are you?
It is just me and my husband and is our first Disney cruise as well. We are getting so excited too! We will be walking around Barcelona in a month!

 

[everafter1]

Hi I am new to the Disboards. My husband and I are going on the May 5, 2010 Cruise as well. This will be our first Disney Cruise. We are so excited!

Is anyone doing the Adventures By Disney?

Welcome aboard and welcome to the DIS! I'm not sure if anyone is doing ABD, but it looks really cool. Also be sure to check out the website Kaleigh made. It's got lots of great information on it!

 

[maynrive]

Figured I'd throw in that DW and I are on this cruise too. Just the two of us. Most of our excursions are going to be played by ear, since we tend to move faster than most tour groups... (last time we were in Rome, we walked all over Rome on our first day and we we're there for a week).

We'll be staying at the airport Renaissance the night before and then another 5 days in Barcelona post cruise.

CYA aboard!

Maynard

 

[Kaleigh]

Figured I'd throw in that DW and I are on this cruise too. Just the two of us. Most of our excursions are going to be played by ear, since we tend to move faster than most tour groups... (last time we were in Rome, we walked all over Rome on our first day and we we're there for a week).

We'll be staying at the airport Renaissance the night before and then another 5 days in Barcelona post cruise.

CYA aboard!

Maynard

Welcome! We are doing most ports on our own as well as we are pretty fast walkers and have specific things we want to see/do. Feel free to check out our website.
http://may5med.weebly.com/index.html
And if you'd like to add your info and /or picture to the cruisers page, just pm me.

 

[orojean]

Question about seating during meals. We are a family of 4. Will we have our own table each night or will we be palced with another family? Just unsure how it works! Thanks

 

[everafter1]

Question about seating during meals. We are a family of 4. Will we have our own table each night or will we be palced with another family? Just unsure how it works! Thanks

Usually, I think you're seated with other people, but I know they have some 4 top tables, so you could have your own. You can also put in a request to be seated on your own if you want. Last year our reservation was linked with my parents and sister, so they just put the 5 of us at a 6 top.

When it's just my husband and I, we've been seated with mostly other couples. Although once I was sailing with a friend and we were seated with a family of 5... So I think they try to fit you in with similar groups, but you could be seated on your own, and sometimes... it's just random

 

[sabrecmc]

We were a party of 4 seated at our own table for dinner, though we shared a table at breakfast the two mornings we ate in the dining rooms. I think they try to keep group types together, but otherwise, I think it is a crapshoot. I like having a table to ourselves, but whatever. In all honestly, I would be surprised if our cruise was full enough that we'd need to share tables. Especially if you are at the early seating like we are. Maybe I'll be proven wrong, but it just doesn't seem like it is going to be that full.

I'm about half packed now, with stuff that I know I won't need until the trip. We actually leave the 24th for Paris, so really, not much time! We're going out of town this weekend for a Disney stage show in Mobile, so that should be fun. My daughter loves those (and I kind of do too...shhhhhh!). So, really, not much time left for us to pack!