Much Anticipated Med Cruise 6/29/2011

[Surfergirl]

Soooo excited. We booked our flights today. We are flying Air France from Montreal on the new Airbus A380 and changing planes in Paris.
Next is hotels.

 

[thinkoflaura]

Soooo excited. We booked our flights today. We are flying Air France from Montreal on the new Airbus A380 and changing planes in Paris.
Next is hotels.

congrats!!!! with the holidays - and new years just around the corner, it seems like this trip is coming so quickly!!!! can't wait!

 

[Surfergirl]

Got our hotels booked for pre and post cruise.

 

[TPBChick]

Got our hotels booked for pre and post cruise.

WTG! What hotels did you choose? We are staying at the Hotel Barcelona Universal before the cruise and the Renaissance Barcelona Airport after. I am starting to second guess staying at the Renaissance because it is so far from the city center.

 

[DCLShel]

WTG! What hotels did you choose? We are staying at the Hotel Barcelona Universal before the cruise and the Renaissance Barcelona Airport after. I am starting to second guess staying at the Renaissance because it is so far from the city center.

I looked at the Renaissance, too, but decided against it for that very reason - too far from the city center. We're staying 3 nights before the cruise and I didn't want to pay 15-18 euros each way every time we wanted to explore the city.

I'm still looking at hotels but Hotel Barcelona Universal is on my short list! I'll let you know if we decide to stay there~

 

[thinkoflaura]

I looked at the Renaissance, too, but decided against it for that very reason - too far from the city center. We're staying 3 nights before the cruise and I didn't want to pay 15-18 euros each way every time we wanted to explore the city.

shel - we're staying at the renaissance the night before the cruise! we'll be flying there after a few days in London and we don't get in to Barc until 7pm on the 28th. maybe we'll meet at breakfast before the shuttle to the ship!

post-cruise we're staying in Sitges (about 30 mins outside of Barcelona). I figured after all the sight seeing at the ports, we'd be ready to just chill out at the beach for a few days before returning home.

 

[TPBChick]

I'm still looking at hotels but Hotel Barcelona Universal is on my short list! I'll let you know if we decide to stay there~

Definitely let me know, it would be fun to meet up with you.

 

[Surfergirl]

We will be staying at the Renaissance Airport hotel the night before the cruise since we don't arrive until 3:30pm . We will be taking the shuttle to the ship the next day. After the cruise we are going to stay at Hotel Jazz near Placa Catalunya so we can explore Barcelona for the day . Fly home on the 10th.

 

[ssisk@remax.net]

I am on the brink of booking a June med cruise (probably the 6/8 if I can get my son approved to miss school that week). He will be 11. I would love to see your research and what you plan to do. We too are looking at the private tours (not cruise). I read that the price gets truly reasonable when you can have up to 8 people on those tours. Would love to join up with another family and will post my desires once I truly sign on the dotted line! I hope it's okay to submit my email @ ssisk@remax.net if you can email me your plans for the ports I would be elated!!!!

 

[TPBChick]

We will be staying at the Renaissance Airport hotel the night before the cruise since we don't arrive until 3:30pm . We will be taking the shuttle to the ship the next day. After the cruise we are going to stay at Hotel Jazz near Placa Catalunya so we can explore Barcelona for the day . Fly home on the 10th.

The Hotel Jazz looks really nice. That is actually the hotel that I was considering changing to after the cruise (currently booked at the Renaissance Airport).

 

[DCLShel]

I am on the brink of booking a June med cruise (probably the 6/8 if I can get my son approved to miss school that week). He will be 11. I would love to see your research and what you plan to do. We too are looking at the private tours (not cruise). I read that the price gets truly reasonable when you can have up to 8 people on those tours. Would love to join up with another family and will post my desires once I truly sign on the dotted line! I hope it's okay to submit my email @ ssisk@remax.net if you can email me your plans for the ports I would be elated!!!!

I will forward you some info emailed to me. This info was sent to me by a DISer who did the Med cruise in June of this year.

 

[TPBChick]

Happy New Year Everyone!
Have you been planning your shore excursions?

 

[thinkoflaura]

Happy New Year Everyone!
Have you been planning your shore excursions?

happy new year to you!

so far, nothing's set in stone yet regarding excursions, but here's what we're leaning toward:

Malta - blue grotto boat trip / fishing village
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...ta/blue-grotto-boat-trip-and-fishing-village/

Tunis - on our own (husband speaks Arabic - he will probably negotiate a taxi to take us around)

Naples - Capri on our own

Rome - on our own (probably to take the train, see Colloseum, Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps)

La Spezia - Cinque Terre Boat Tour OR Portofino & Santa Margherita
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...a-spezia-italy/cinque-terre-scenic-boat-tour/
or
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...-spezia-italy/portofino-and-santa-margherita/

Corsica -???

Villefranche - ??? maybe one of the "train" tours in Nice or Monte Carlo (dd6 will love that)

What about you??? would love to hear what people are thinking.

 

[TPBChick]

Good to hear from you thinkoflaura. It sounds like you have some good plans. Nothing is set in stone for us yet either but here is what we are thinking of.

Malta - on our own, take a bus to Mdina

Tunis - Sidi Bou Said and Carthage

Naples - Leisurely Sorrento

Rome - Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica, and Colosseum

La Spezia - Florence on Your Own

Corsica - on our own, maybe see Napoleon's birthplace

Villefranche - on our own, I saw some info and photos of Villefranche and it looks like an interesting town to explore. We may take a train to Monaco.

 

[DCLShel]

Happy New Year!

Well, I haven't really done much with the shore excursions yet. My focus has been on the MV for the Dream on the 26th. Can't wait to see her in person!!

Here's what I'm thinking:

Malta - Blue Grotto tour/fishing village
Tunisia - Sidi Bou Said/Carthage or another excursion with Carthage
Naples - Private tour going to Herculaneum and Pompeii
Rome - Private tour of all the "must see" spots
La Spezia- maybe Pisa on our own
Corsica - probably just explore on our own
Villefranche- maybe do a Monaco excursion

If anyone's interested, I would be willing to consider "splitting" private tour costs in Naples and/or Rome. There's only three of us.

I also booked our Barcelona hotel. We're staying at a Holiday Inn. I didn't realize how many points I had! We're staying three nights for $200 total. That was hard to pass up!

 

[TPBChick]

Happy New Year!

Well, I haven't really done much with the shore excursions yet. My focus has been on the MV for the Dream on the 26th. Can't wait to see her in person!!

That is exciting about the MV! I was just looking at the photos of the Dream arriving in Florida. You should have a great time.

 

[thinkoflaura]

what's the MV????

 

[DCLShel]

what's the MV????

Its the Maiden Voyage. Its the first "official" cruise (ie- paying customers). There are several "preview" cruises before we go on the 26th.

 

[DorothyDamato]

We are planning:

Malta - Using suggestions - going on private tour which will do Swim with dolphins & Blue Grotto as well as drive along coast and other stuff. Forget name of tour group (something like Maltatravelnet).

Tunisia - Not going to do - not into bartering.

Rome - Private tour "Limo in Rome" (Trevi Steps, Colesium, Forum, Vatican)
Naples - Private Tour "Limo in Rome" - Sorrento, Pompeii, Drive Almafi Coast
Florence - Private Tour "Limo in Rome" - Statue of David - walk around.

Corsica - probably just explore on our own - Do Napoleon's place, and grab some wine & cheese in Market and sit on the beach and eat.

Villefranche- Maybe booking a "Revelation Tour" to see Manaco - not sure. Spending 4 hours looking at Rich people's boats - so what? Not like I am ever going to have one!

The "Limo in Rome" tour for my 3 Italy trips is a sedan which we could upgrade to a Van if anyone wants to join us. There are 3 of us. It was 450 Euros for the 3 of us.....I could go on the site and see what it would cost to bump up. I also got a tour guide for the vatican that I am paying for separately.

 

[johnwdw]

Hello all,

My wife and I as well as our 2 sons (14 & 16) have cruised 3 times prior with Disney. All have been on the Magic. This is our first time going to Europe and I am working on the logistics now. We are also thinking about heading to Paris prior to getting on the cruise. We are DVC members and are using points to go.

Can't wait to go...