May 5, 2010 Magic of Barcelona

[Goofy Mum]

Hello! Nice to see you here. Your story was a touching and moving one.

This is our first cruise. This time will be just myself and the three younger boys. I'm also taking them out of school but like you, I'll deal with it later.

I'm American but live in England. Im considering flying out on the morning of the cruise on the 5th as there are flights hourly from London Heathrow to Barcelona on British Airways. I used to live near Baltimore by the way

 

[stingmom]

getting closer! still watching for airfare rates to go down.

Does anyone want to share an excursion? We are looking to book private tours and of course the cost is less for more people.

Our fam of 4 is: myself, DH, DS (14yrs) & DD (11yrs)

You have been warned...we are silly DISney freaks!!

 

[stingmom]

. My kids are in school but I'm just taking them out and will deal with the consequences afterwards.

ditto here - field trip anyone?!!!

and welcome to the Dis boards!!!

 

[sabrecmc]

Wonder when fares will come down. So far, the fares have been pretty much the same since I started checking back in October. We're using Amex points to cover most of the cost, but still. I'm so anal about having stuff all planned out though. I'm not at all a last minute kind of girl!

I think I've figured out the excursions I'm interested in for me and my daughter (4). Mostly half-day stuff, except Rome, which really can't work as a half-day and she'll just have to suck it up. Now, I'm just trying to figure out which ports not to schedule excursions and just give ourselves a break. Maybe wander around the port a bit, but nothing planned. Any ideas which ports that would work best in? With shopping and stuff close to the port or within easy access? I'm thinking maybe Corsica and Villefranche. Not a whole lot in either of those places that I really want to take DD to, so maybe just roam around a bit on our own.

ETA: I had another port excursion question. For the Barcelona excursions...how does that work? Is that during the day on May 5th? Then we board? Or do we board then go on the excursion? We all have to be there for the safety drill at 5 or so, so maybe those excursions aren't options for us?

We are also silly Disney freaks. We go about 5 times a year to the World. This year it will be less since we are doing the cruise and Disneyland Paris beforehand. We're still going to WDW in a couple weeks for my daughter's 4th birthday and again in July and November. Don't want Disney to feel neglected. See? Freaks.

 

[lmhall2000]

Welcome Imperrault and everyone new!!

I think this will be an amazing trip!! There are 7 in our "silly" Disney family so we are not the best to buddy up for tours with, but I know my kids would love it...our son is 14 and daughters will be 11 and 12 at sailing..they will be so excited to hang out with all of your kids! We are pretty silly and goofy as well!

I think next week will be the week to look for fares...so far all airlines have been releasing sale fares through April 29 (booking and returning) and most have to be booked by Jan 11th or 12th..so expect something to come out either Sunday night or Tuesday night with extended dates...I'll post as soon as I know, I've been diligent the past two weeks checking at midnight each night, twice they have announced mid-week additional sales but they were to South America, typically they announce Tuesday night or Sunday night..that's when I've seen changes on their fare sale pages...hth!!!

Tara

 

[keaster]

Hey Sabremc: I think the Barcelona excursions are more for those doing the transatlantic and repo cruises to the Baltics and Dover, but I could be wrong.

We can start booking our excursions on Feb. 4th We will be sticking with the Disney excursions, I don't really have the energy or know how to be looking around and booking private tours. The biggest one for us will be Rome, since we want to see the Sistine Chapel, Vatican and Colisseum.

As for airfare, we booked our tickets in November. KLM had a seat sale, we are flying round trip (2 adults, one child) from Toronto for $2600 CDN., taxes and everything included. I haven't seen anything cheaper since then (yes, I'm dumb for continuing to check because I'll kick myself if I find a massive sale )

 

[downtick]

I just booked yesterday...got the KFO offer in a cat 12, but only after going back and forth with my TA and disney..they gave in and gave it to me as it is no longer available..only 3 of us, so for $2200 with all taxes, can't complain...just trying to get the $100 OBC now per person, not having much luck though! I have not booked my air yet, but there are tons of flights from miami on air europa...$640pp round trip, not too bad..

 

[dsedwards]

We are excited to be joining this cruise as well. And, yes, we are the crazy ones who were going to spend all that money to bring the kids on a Mediterranean cruise and then leave them on board the whole time. Actually, they are flying and cruising for free and we were mostly concerned about how the kids -- DD (7) and DS (4) -- would handle the full day excursions to Rome and Florence and then a more exotic port like Tunis. Still haven't figured it all out but we'll probably do a mix of some of the shorter DCL excursions and exploring on our own.

 

[lmhall2000]

Welcome Dsedwards! You will find several ports where you can get some nice getaway time with your spouse! Catch us up on any excursions you book, it will be interesting to see what everyone chooses to do at the ports! Only 17 or less weeks to go!!!

Tara

 

[sabrecmc]

Welcome new cruisers! Its so nice to see some new people on our little thread. I feel like we're going to be on a ghost ship...I'm sure lots of Europeans will be on it though. Still, my Dream cruise in 2011 has more people on that thread by far!

I think I've narrowed down our excursions to the ones that would work best for me and my daughter. Mostly, its a time thing. I'd like to stick to half-day trips, so that makes the choices pretty easy. Rome is the only full day and there just isn't any way around that. She can skip a nap if she goes to bed early.

I need to go back and look at the Personal Navigators from the 2007 cruises...I don't recall when they did the big shows, like Disney Dreams. I mean, on those 12 hour things, some people won't make it back to the ship until late. My daughter is obsessed with Peter Pan, so I've got to pretty much coordinate the trip around making sure she sees Disney Dreams, lol.

Anyway, here is what I'm thinking so far:

Adjaccio, Corsica: Tortoise Center (3.5-4 hours) $79/$59
Rome: Taste of Rome (10-10.5 hours) $125/$99
La Spezia: Lerici Castle & Dinosaurs (5-5.5 hours) $105/$89
Naples: Pompeii half day (4-4.5 hours) $75/$65
Tunis, Tunisia: Medina & Carthage (4-4.5 hours) $39/$29 (wow!)
Villefranche, France: Monaco, Marina & Little Train (4.5-5 hours) $89/$49
Valletta, Malta: Sweethaven Village (5-5.5 hours) $59/$39

All of that is actually covered by our OBC, so cost-wise, its pretty reasonable! I'm still thinking that it is just going to be too much for my daughter and I should cut maybe Corsica and Villefranche excursions and just wander around the port on our own and let her relax a bit. We'll be going over early for Disneyland Paris and side trips to Florence and Venice, so she'll probably be ready for a break.

 

[cj'smom]

Are the excursions open for booking now? I set up my online account last night (with a ton of help from tech support after their website was driving me nuts ) and it said I couldn't book excursions yet.

After reading so many negative comments about Tunis (leering men, rude, pushy merchants, etc.) I'm tempted to just stay on board that day. Rome, Vatican, Coliseum for sure - but probably will hire a private driver together with my sister and her family. Other than that haven't decided.
I'd love to go to a beach in the Med one day so if anyone has suggestions on which day and how to do that I'd appreciate it.

Where did you find the Navigators? Can you post a link? Thanks! Was 2007 the last time Disney did the Med?
I talked to Disney last night. The rep said this cruise is about 85% full and they expect it to sell out. Hopefully more folks will join in soon!

 

[sabrecmc]

Are the excursions open for booking now? I set up my online account last night (with a ton of help from tech support after their website was driving me nuts ) and it said I couldn't book excursions yet.

For me, I can book on Feb. 4th. I just like to plan! I think some people that are platinum castaway club members are now able to book (120 days before sailing).

I admit to being a bit unsure about Tunisia, though excited. I would definitely want to do a DCL excursion there, not something on my own since I'm totally unfamilar. At the same time, if leering and pushy merchants gave me the willies, I wouldn't go to Italy! No offense to Italians, I love ya, I do, but seriously. Prego, prego, prego! Of course, I was a 25 year old blonde hottie back then, so I'm thinking things might be different this time around!

ETA: Looked over some of the 2007 Navigators...what it looks like is for that cruise, the ship would come ashore at around 7:30 or 8am. Breakfast began at Goofy's at 5:45-6am. The kids club opened at 7am in the Lab for all ages. Activities by age began a bit later, around 9 or 10. Shore excursions departed at 7:30-1ish. All aboard time was 7:30-9ish, but some earlier times. Just trying to get a better idea of how all this would work.

ETA Part Deux: Here you go cj's mom: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-stateroom-navigator.htm

 

[cj'smom]

Welcome downtick, dsedwards and, of course, lmperrault (miy sister)!

Downtick, the $100 OBC was only for those who booked prior to Nov. 27 so you won't qualify for that. However, it's great that you were able to get the KFO and cat 12 combined. I didn't think they were offering that anymore. That's a HUGE savings right there. I envy your airfare - ours are running much higher.

DSedwards, glad you decided to go for it. Your kids will have an awesome time with whatever you decide to do.

Lmperrault - looking forward to planning. "CJ" is SO excited!

 

[cj'smom]

Prego, prego, prego! Of course, I was a 25 year old blonde hottie back then, so I'm thinking things might be different this time around!

LOL, what does Prego mean? I'm assuming it's not slang for pregnant or the stuff in a jar I use for dinner quite often?

 

[sabrecmc]

LOL, what does Prego mean? I'm assuming it's not slang for pregnant or the stuff in a jar I use for dinner quite often?

It is sort of an all purpose word in Italian...it can mean "you're welcome," act like a version of our "cheers!" and also be an inquiry from say a waiter as to what you'd like to order. As in, they come to your table and ask "Prego?" That kind of thing.

In my experience it also means, "Hey tourist lady, buy my cheap imported crap!" and "Hey baby, come ride on my motorscooter!"

 

[Goofy Mum]

LMAO!! It actually mean's "please"

I had the same problem in Paris near the sacre coeur. I had little hooligan's following me trying to push their crappy jewelry on me so I shouted at them "ALLEZ ALLEZ" and they left me alone.

 

[sabrecmc]

LMAO!! It actually mean's "please"

I had the same problem in Paris near the sacre coeur. I had little hooligan's following me trying to push their crappy jewelry on me so I shouted at them "ALLEZ ALLEZ" and they left me alone.

Well, if you want to be all technical about it...

In China, you tell them "BOO!" (ok, "bu", but that's less fun). It was weird to be shouting BOO at all the people trying to sell me stuff at the Summer Palace or wherever. Felt like I was a 10 year old!

 

[Goofy Mum]

Well, if you want to be all technical about it...

In China, you tell them "BOO!" (ok, "bu", but that's less fun). It was weird to be shouting BOO at all the people trying to sell me stuff at the Summer Palace or wherever. Felt like I was a 10 year old!

BOO!! that's funny! I used to teach English to Korean kids in Seoul. I didn't speak a word of Hangul but learned a few quick phrases from ther Korean teachers. All I would have to do in class is snarl "Hah ji mah!" and the kids would freeze. Thay all assumed I spoke Hangul!

I guess that's the trick to travelling internationally with out being annoyed by the local vendors. Just pick up a few phrases and try to blend in!

 

[lmhall2000]

I just booked yesterday...got the KFO offer in a cat 12, but only after going back and forth with my TA and disney..they gave in and gave it to me as it is no longer available..only 3 of us, so for $2200 with all taxes, can't complain...just trying to get the $100 OBC now per person, not having much luck though! I have not booked my air yet, but there are tons of flights from miami on air europa...$640pp round trip, not too bad..

Welcome Downtick! You got a great deal and I know a trip your family will never forget! I think that price pp roundtrip is really good! If I found our flights for that I would probably go ahead and book, but keep your eyes open, something lower may pop up the next 2 weeks...if you find anything, come and post here for the rest of us looking for deals! Have fun planning...

I am working on a list of helpful sayings with phonetically spelled helps that might come in handy...I'll share as we get closer, if any of you have phrases you find helpful like the ones above, please share!

Planning the Med!!

Tara

 

[fitnessmouse]

@Goofymum

I did get a break on the taxes since I don't live in the USA but that was just about $100 off.

How do you know you pay less taxes than those that live in the USA?
Can I ask how much taxes you're paying for this trip?