Our Magical Med Cruise (Aug 7) - The Tale of Row 13 -- FINALLY Finished!

[jd99]

The best way to fight the melancholy is by booking the Med again ! Around the Aug 20th, 2011. I guess you deserve one more day in Florence.

we are seriously considering doing just that - but a bit earlier in the month (due to school schedules here). Now I KNOW what I want to do in Florence and can't wait to get back there.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Hey Jeff,
I just spoke to my old boss. She was on your cruise but her kids are much older. She said it was a blast but now she is broke (college tuition was due at the time of the cruise ). Can't wait to get home and see the rest of your pictures.

 

[akluss]

Hi, we got back from our Med cruise last Wednesday. It has taken me a week to get things organized back home and now I am catching up on trip reports.

I think this was the most amazing trip ever, and I am loving re-living it through your report and pictures. You writing is very entertaining and it's great that you handle any issues that arise so well and see the good in things. I am sorry that Florence did not go well for you. We did not go to Florence, but we took private tours in Naples, Rome and Villefranche and it was a great way to go. We had 5 people in our party so we even saved money over the Ship's excursions. Just something you may want to think about for next year if you go back (lucky you!!) Looking forward to the rest, Karyn

 

[iloverags2]

Beautiful Corsica pictures!!! It does sounds quite exhausting, but oh-so-thrilling! Sorry about the lack of Rainforest room...that does seem odd.

Looking forward to more!

 

[jd99]

Really, it’s day 10? How did that happen? This cruise was moving along at such a nice pace early on – all the way up to day seven. Then all of a sudden it was day 10 in the blink of an eye. We woke up this morning starting to feel the end-of-vacation blues. It always happens to our family – and generally earlier than it should. We try every vacation to not let it get to us and it’s silly, really, because we go away enough on great trips like this one that there is always another trip around the corner. But…that’s just us.

We couldn’t decide what to do this day for an excursion and nearly booked a private tour so that we could leisurely explore the French Riviera and Monte Carlo. But in the end, we booked a DCL excursion that took us from VilleFranche through Monte Carlo to Eze through Nice and back to the port. Just a 3.5 hour excursion which we thought was perfect. Part of me just wanted to go to the beach in Nice and chill but having never been to this part of the world, I really wanted to at least do a drive through of Monaco.

Coming in to VilleFranche

The view from a much calmer Tender Ride

This was actually the best “bus tour” that we had. The guide was fantastic – both informative and funny and she was just a delight to spend a half day with. The views were amazing.

Monte Carlo looked pretty cool but our tour didn’t stop there. We would have had to do the full day for that and we didn’t want to invest that much time.

We then drove on to Eze which was just an amazing fortified city on a cliff and a more modern part down the hill. We stopped here for a traditional pastry and wine (at 10:30 a.m. no less- gotta love France). We had a really nice time here and it was completely unexpected.

Continued in next post...

 

[jd99]

More from Eze (ran into the pesky too many images in one post rule again)

From there we drove the upper Corniche, ultimately ending up in Nice where we just did a drive through but it was beautiful. Throughout the day, we had a number of photo stops – just enough to get a break from the bus and take some great photos but not too many.

Arriving back in VilleFranche, we decided it was time for lunch. Had a great lunch right in the town and then walked around a bit to explore and shop. Yet another surreal looking beautiful little port town.

Emily and I decided we were ready for a swim and headed back to the ship a bit early while Mina and Elizabeth continued shopping.

The ship was relatively empty and even though I usually avoid the Goofy pool like the plague (because face it, the plague could be in that soup of a pool) we went in because it was nearly empty and sparkling clean – they must have cleaned it that day. We had a blast and when Mina and Elizabeth returned, they joined us in the hot tub (which was also looking pretty sparkly). It was a really nice relaxing way to end our afternoon before getting ready for dinner. Tonight’s show as Walt Disney: the Dream Goes on” and no one was interested but we did get ready and all go to see Heath Hyche’s family show in Rockin Bar D and it was very fun. Tonight was Parrot Cay and another good dinner. I didn’t take any notes today so I don’t really remember what we did next. I know there were fireworks (replacing the Pirate Night show that didn’t take place) and that I went to see Heath Hyche again in his adult show and that Elizabeth spent the night running about the ship. But we also started to think about things like packing.

The good news is that the Curse of Row 13 seems to have loosened its grip for now!

Still to come: our last day at sea, disembarkation and a day in Barcelona.

 

[jd99]

Hey Jeff,
I just spoke to my old boss. She was on your cruise but her kids are much older. She said it was a blast but now she is broke (college tuition was due at the time of the cruise ). Can't wait to get home and see the rest of your pictures.

Hi Allison!

Hi, we got back from our Med cruise last Wednesday. It has taken me a week to get things organized back home and now I am catching up on trip reports.

I think this was the most amazing trip ever, and I am loving re-living it through your report and pictures. You writing is very entertaining and it's great that you handle any issues that arise so well and see the good in things. I am sorry that Florence did not go well for you. We did not go to Florence, but we took private tours in Naples, Rome and Villefranche and it was a great way to go. We had 5 people in our party so we even saved money over the Ship's excursions. Just something you may want to think about for next year if you go back (lucky you!!) Looking forward to the rest, Karyn

Wow you are back already! That shows how long it's taking me to get this report done. Geez!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Jeff,
I love reading your report! The trip sounds so amazing and I love to see the pictures of the girls.
Maybe 2012 if the Magic goes back to Europe we'll go too. I wanted to do it before and now after reading your report I want to go even more. Keep the report coming. Can't wait to hear the ending.

 

[iloverags2]

Wow! Wow! Wow! Beautiful!!! Really, the trip of a lifetime, I'm sure!

And I must say the plague in the Goofy Pool is the best line ever!

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

Thank you for your trip report, I have enjoyed reading it and I am getting some great ideas for next year!

I have one question...I am thinking about doing a "beach" afternoon at one of the ports, which one would be the best for that and are there public beaches near the port or how would that work? Thanks!

 

[jd99]

Thank you for your trip report, I have enjoyed reading it and I am getting some great ideas for next year!

I have one question...I am thinking about doing a "beach" afternoon at one of the ports, which one would be the best for that and are there public beaches near the port or how would that work? Thanks!

Our day on the Turkish Schooner was the best ever. we didn't have a "beach" - though there was one a short walk away but it was very crowded. But jumping in the Med from the ship and swimming around and snorkeling was great fun. Corsica also had a couple of nice beaches easy walk from the ship and it seems there must have been beaches near Villefranche too but we didn't go to any. The beach at Nice looked beautiful and I understand it's a very easy and quick train ride away.

 

[Anal Annie]

WHEW! Finally finished reading the whole thing! Well done!! Really enjoyed all your pics too!! The water in Malta looked amazing - I think that is the port I am most bummed about missing since DCL changed the itineraries next summer. I DOOO hope you decide to join up on my August 13 cruise next summer... I hope the fact that it departs on the 13th doesn't stop you with bad memories of this summer!!

Hope to chat with you again on my meet thread!!!

 

[newmommie77]

We just booked the very same cruise for next June. Wonderful reading your trip report. Dh and I just went on our own tour to Italy and Florence was my FAVORITE city. We were thinking of getting a private car there and then exploring on our own. Your report definately made it easier to decide on that. Thanks again!!!!

 

[jd99]

It's time I finished this report, I think! I'll do my best to get it all done soon. Our last sea day. My greatest memory of this day was that I was sad. Yes, vacation was nearing an end and it seems the better the vacation the harder it is to let it go.

I didn't take any notes from today so my memory may be a little fuzzy. The girls went to the Alice tea today

and Mina and I both went to the wine tasting and the martini tasting. Wine tasting was quite nice but we weren't fans of the martinis being served today. Plus the group we were with was, shall I say, a bit unusual. It gave us lots of laughs, though.

Today was Friendship Rocks and Em looked like she had a good time on stage this time. Personally I still miss the graduation caps.

We had to pack, we had to say goodbye to our servers. Melroy was heading home the next day so he was jumping out of his skin, he was so excited. It was very cool to see. And Petra was preparing for her parents to come in a couple of weeks before she transitioned to the Dream.

Baked Alaska

Dinner was great as always and we had fun. We skipped the show and even Til we Meet Again for the first time in a long time. Kids did a little bit of their clubs today too. We did get to go to Pub night after finishing packing and that's always very funny.

Wish I could remember more of this day -or at least blame it on the tastings - but can't even do that!

Cookies and milk for one last night before everyone drifted off to sleep for the last night on the Magic.

Next: Disembarkation and a day in Barcelona

 

[jd99]

Could this be a sadder day? We got up in the morning and realized we still had a lot of stuff to pack into the few little bags we had left. Uh-oh. But thanks to Mina's awesome packing skills, she made it work!

So we generally go to Topsiders for breakfast because then we can transition easier to off the ship rather than the dining room and servers again. But today, we went to the dining room and entertained Petra completely by the number of bags we had with us (on top of our really big bags that were taken by the room hosts). So after a long breakfast, we finally admitted we had to leave the ship and headed for the 3rd deck exit doors. They didn't even have the "See You Real Soon" banners up.

Got into the area where all the luggage was placed and it was much less organized than in Fla. and in fact it took a while to track down all our pieces but we did and found a porter who helped us out to the street. I found it odd (and a little scary) that they didn't even check passports when leaving the ship.

So here is where the Curse of Row 13 begins again....

The porter dropped us at the corner closest to the terminal and said that our family should wait there while one of us went into the taxi line, which was massive - and the taxi would come and pick us up on the corner. Because we had so much luggage, he said just ask for a minivan and we'd be taken care of. Made sense to me, so I got into line.

Then I saw most porters were in line with their customers.

Then I realized that no taxis were pulling to the side of the building to pick up people and bags.

Then I realized that literally everyone was in line with their entire family and all their bags.

Then I realized what a mistake it was not to arrange private transporation.

Then I waited in line for 95 minutes. Got to the front and the officer directing people to taxis went off duty and another guy came on. The first guy was efficient. The second guy was paying no attention.

So it's my turn now and I say I need a minivan (in Spanish) and he shrugs his shoulders at me. So I repeat it. And he says "nothing I can do." HUH? So then he tells me to stand on the side of the line and wait for a minivan and there was one other family waiting there for it. By now I realized I needed to get my family over there with our bags so I called my wife over to take my place in line while I went to get the bags. Got everything (and everyone) over and we were still waiting for a minivan when a complete moron tried to pick a fight with us, telling me to go to back of the line. I just told him (calmly) that I had just waited 90 minutes in line and we were now waiting for a taxi. Long story short, he tried to pick a fight with me (and then Mina). The very definition of an ugly American and I hope he's reading this report right now because if you are THAT miserable after getting off an incredible cruise, you need more help than I can provide in a trip report. Wish I would have taken a picture of him to post here.

My one piece of advice - if you are even THINKING of getting private transportation from the port. Do it. I know a lot of people say they had no trouble in getting a taxi quickly, I guess it depends on when you get out there, how the crowd moves off the ship, how the officer running the line is doing, etc. Not worth the risk for me and I will always have private transport from that particular port from now on. So now sweaty, a bit ticked off and ready to be home, we finally got a minivan and headed to our hotel (Hotel Arts).

I'll finish the report with our day in Barcelona in the next (and final) installment.

 

[jd99]

Wow I've dragged this out enough, haven't I? Our last day of vacation was our one big day in Barcelona.

After the debacle of the taxi line, we arrived unscathed at the Hotel Arts and dropped off our luggage to head into the city for fun.

But first I wanted to get us checked in for our flights and get boarding passes. I went online and got a message to "call the airline." uh-oh. The last curse of row 13!!!!!! Yep, because our flight was so screwed up coming out, apparently USAirways somehow thought we missed the flight and never made it and thus, canceled our seats on our flight home. Are you kidding me? Mina got on the phone and told the rep in no uncertain terms that they were going to get us on the flight AND get us seats together because none of this was our fault. After some hmmming and hawwwing, he did just that and had bulkhead seats for the flight home.

Ok, by now it was nearing lunchtime by the time we finally got out the door, we decided to head over to the waterfront area for a bite. We had GREAT chicken paella (isn't that really just arroz con pollo?) and calamari.

And now it was time for the hop on, hop off bus. This was a great way to see the city and we did hop off a few times. Took some pictures along the way

and I really wanted to see La Familia de Sagrada so after changing lines twice due to our own confusion we headed over there. What a surreal piece of architecture - both in size and design. It's truly one of the most amazing things I've ever seen in terms of scope.

We decided not to go in as everyone was a little "toured out" by now so we walked back into the heart of the city and then cabbed back to the hotel after a stop at Starbucks! (our first since leaving the U.S.)

Back to the hotel and they didn't really have the connecting rooms we were promised so we talked them into letting us just stay in one room. It was plenty big for the four of us - 2 double beds and lots of space so we saved some cash by doing that.

We hit the pool (the water was freeeeeeezing)

Then walked down to the beach. It was very pretty from up above but kind of filthy when you got down there.

Dinner at the hotel and our last night away from home.

Great views from our room.

The next morning, it was an easy trip to the airport, easy check in and a relatively easy flight - although not much sleep from any of us this time. Our connection in Philly was easy this time and then it was off to home.

This was truly one of the best trips ever. We had an amazing time, saw so much that it was almost overwhelming and brought memories to last a lifetime. We're all ready to go back and may just do that next summer for a 7-night in the Med to go along with a trip to Greece. Now that we have been to these great Italian ports we KNOW what we want to do and see and can do it so much more on our own than we thought we could.

And the best part - When I went to get the car, I discovered that I hadn't parked in Row 13 after all. It was 14.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

AWESOME Jeff,


Thanks for taking the time to post the report with all the great photos.

Nice ending

 

[2littlegirls]

Great TR, thanks for finishing!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Jeff - So glad you finally finished this report! I'm going to break out the laptop tonight and read it with Mackenzie. She has been anxiously following your trip report as well.

Glad you had a great time. And I'm hoping for the Med in 2012. So don't get too toured out. We'd love to meet up with you guys again.

 

[akluss]

Thanks for taking the time to write this great report. I enjoyed reliving all the cruise memories. I also thought it was an amazing trip and I am looking into the possibility of taking another European cruise next summer, although (unfortunately) not on DCL. I guess European travel is addictive. Karyn