May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread

[tripodjw]

Good idea!! Will bring some dollars as well then....

I just can't wait now!! It's keeping me awake at night...i am even planning what to wear in my dreams!!

Will we be able to book early for Palo as well do you know as we are first timers or do we have to wait till we get on board?? Thankd for all your advise by the way!

You'll be able to book beforehand. I think its 75 days for first timers.
This Sunday is the 90 days mark for Silver Castaway club members.

As you booked through Virgin do you have a DCL booking reference as well as your virgin one? This is what will let you get online to book palo/excursions etc.

We booked through a US travel agent but they still gave us our DCL reference (as well as their reference)

 

[Jeff Spencer]

I'd like to do one of the hop on hop off tours in Barcelona too. Jeff - did the buses come pretty regularly at the different stops? I'm just worried about standing around for a long time waiting on a bus. Do you recall approximately how much it cost? And did you make a reservation or just find the bus when you got there? Thanks!!

For us, in June 2007, they came every 10-15 minutes. There were plenty of buses. Their advertised frequency is 5-25 minutes, depending on the season. I would expect mid-May to be about the same as mid-June (when we were there last). As for the cost, it's 22 Euro for adults, 13 Euro for kids 4-12, kids 3 and under are free. When we did it in 2007, it was 19 Euro so it's gone up a little bit.

Also, you can buy the tickets on-line ahead of time and save 10% at the Barcelona Tourism site.

 

[rashdecision]

For us, in June 2007, they came every 10-15 minutes. There were plenty of buses. Their advertised frequency is 5-25 minutes, depending on the season. I would expect mid-May to be about the same as mid-June (when we were there last). As for the cost, it's 22 Euro for adults, 13 Euro for kids 4-12, kids 3 and under are free. When we did it in 2007, it was 19 Euro so it's gone up a little bit.

Also, you can buy the tickets on-line ahead of time and save 10% at the Barcelona Tourism site.

I think the tour bus is the way to go. Thanks for the link. We arrive early in the morning in barcelona on Thursday and will likely veg at the hotel but Friday and saturday prior to boarding would be perfect. The price is less than 100 euros for the family (4). Im spending so much in excursions that this seems perfect. Do you remember if the bus goes past the aquarium? The kids were interested in this but I didn't see it on the map.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Yes, it's on the Red Route, Port Vell stop.

 

[sayhello]

Yes, it's on the Red Route, Port Vell stop.

Is that anywhere near where the Magic will be docked?

Sayhello

 

[dawne577]

Checked my reservation today and it said that no modifications could be made at this time online - somewhere in the past I read that means they were assigning a cabin! I'm also thinking it might be opening the reservation to the shore excursions, etc. Either way it just means we're getting closer...

 

[dawne577]

Also wanted to let everyone know who hasn't received the info packet that the ship will be at dock C.
I purchased the Disney transfer for debarkation today and at this time you would still have to pick up your luggage in the terminal after exiting the ship. It won't be checked through to the airport. She did say that this could change.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Yes, that area is where the cruise ships dock. The Magic will be berthed at Adossat Terminal (Moll D'Adossat), Terminal C. It's less than a half mile as the crow flies. The Aquarium is on the right side of the map, the Adossat terminal on the left.

 

[sayhello]

Yes, that area is where the cruise ships dock. The Magic will be berthed at Adossat Terminal (Moll D'Adossat), Terminal C. It's less than a half mile as the crow flies. The Aquarium is on the right side of the map, the Adossat terminal on the left.

I was thinking of hitting the Aquarium on Saturday, since we'll be sitting at port until pretty late that evening. Do you think it's doable? Is there a way to get there? Walkable? Taxi? Guess I should find out what hours they are open that day.

Thanks!
Sayhello

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Not really walkable, at least not that I noticed. Going back out from the pier involves crossing over an arched bridge and I don't recall seeing sidewalks. A taxi would be your best bet.

Here's their website. Barcelona Aquarium

There hours that Saturday would be 9:30 am - 9:30 pm.

 

[peterpanstout]

I loved the hop on/off bus when we were in Barcleona for the Tran-Atlantic. I remember going by the aquarium and regretting not going. It looks wonderful. They open at 9:30 every day. What time is boarding?

I am also looking forward to churros and hot chocolate at Cafe de l'Opera on Las Rablas and exploring the Boqueria....yuuuummmy....

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Yes! The St. Josep La Boqueria was fun to visit. It was like a cross between a Super Walmart and a Farmer's Market. Fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, candy, flowers, "beverages", it seemed like they had it all. Here are a few photos we took.

 

[jenandmartin]

I would love to dive in malta but I was not sure if it was feasible and what the conditions were like. I have been on scuba board but not a lot of info on malta. I wasn't sure about the temperature as well. The wife has me on an excursion to the blue grotto with the kids and her parents so Im not sure I can cut loose without marrital strife since its our first port but get me some info on the dive and shop, times/cost/etc and I will try to work my magic with the wife. I have never dove in the med and think it would be cool.

My husband and I are new divers (certified just last year). I was thinking of diving in Corsica since there appears to be less to do there than in the other ports. I could be very wrong as I haven't done all my port research yet...I've only found one dive place in Ajaccio, does anybody have any experience with this?

On another note, we received our info packet yesterday!

 

[jenandmartin]

As this will be our first time cruising with Disney, we have to wait until 3/1 to make any of our reservations. Is there a better time to plan to dine at Palo? We're not familiar with the whole rotational dining experience and don't want to miss any of the cool restaurants or the pirate party. Any advice would be great.

Also, we've signed up for the FE exchange and were wondering how it's actually executed...i.e.: gifts daily, once during the cruise, etc...?

 

[Jeff Spencer]

The restaurant rotation is something you won't know until you board; however, you won't miss any of the three restaurants (Lumiere's, Animators Palette, Parrot Cay) since we'll visit each at least 3 times during the 11 night cruise. You'll see on your Stateroom card a three letter listing such as "ALP", which means your rotation will be "Animators Pallette, Lumiere's, Parrot Cay". You'll follow that rotation throughout the cruise.

I don't believe DCL has officially released the nights that will be designated Formal, Semi-Formal, Pirate Night; however, in their previous 11 night Med cruises they had the following:

Formal on first at sea evening (Day 2)
Semi-formal on 2nd at sea evening (Day 7)
Pirate Night at Marseille, which was replaced by Ajaccio, Corsica (Day 9)
Semi-formal on 10th day at Villefranche (Day 10)

I don't think the day matters much for Palo dinner but we do generally try to do the Palo brunch on one of the two sea days as we're typically off the boat touring on the other days.

 

[Jeff Spencer]

Any other wine drinkers in the group? Susan and I typically sign up for at least one (if not all) of the wine tastings and it would be fun if there were other DISers there too.

 

[sayhello]

Checked my reservation today and it said that no modifications could be made at this time online - somewhere in the past I read that means they were assigning a cabin! I'm also thinking it might be opening the reservation to the shore excursions, etc. Either way it just means we're getting closer...

My reservation has said that (no modifications can be made online) since my Paid in Full date. No cabin assigned, and that was almost a month ago...

But it *is* getting closer, and only 3 more days until they won't cancel my ABD add-on!

Sayhello

 

[MPS516]

Any other wine drinkers in the group? Susan and I typically sign up for at least one (if not all) of the wine tastings and it would be fun if there were other DISers there too.

Yes, Donna and I will most likely sign up for at least the French and Italian wine tasting, we may skip Spanish if they break out the 3.

 

[Welsh Girl]

My husband Mark is a wine drinker and am sure he would love to attend a wine tasting session..

Any other wine drinkers in the group? Susan and I typically sign up for at least one (if not all) of the wine tastings and it would be fun if there were other DISers there too.

 

[rashdecision]

Any other wine drinkers in the group? Susan and I typically sign up for at least one (if not all) of the wine tastings and it would be fun if there were other DISers there too.

my wife and I are wine fanatics. I didn't know that Disney offered different wine tasting for each region. We will definately be at them. Our previous cruise in the western carib offerred a wine tasting, beer tasting, vodka tasting, and tequila tasting at different times during the tour. They were a blast and very well explained by the staff. If a group gets organized for this count me in!