Recent ABD add-on Med cruisers please help!

[2littlestitches]

We are booked on the Med cruise from Venice to Barcelona this coming July, and it's disappointing to me that there is a real lack of information about it all. Or at least, if the info is out there regarding ABD add ons, pre-stays at hotels, etc, it takes a whole lot of digging around or calling to figure it out. I don't always have time to hang on the phone to find out answers. Yes, I could call them, and I probably will, but how hard is it to just get some of this info on the website so we can be informed? I'm not even sure if there "is" an add on for my particular cruise. I love both ABD and DCL, but it seems like there is a disconnect.

I also have sailed the Med and Baltic before with DCL, booked a lot of "premium" excursions and had a total blast! Maybe that's the way to go instead of worrying about the ABD add-on? We took a DCL cruise to Alaska, and had booked a 3 day ABD pre-stay, but unfortunately it was cancelled a few months prior. I always look into getting the ABD add-on for the cruises, but I never seem to pull the trigger on it in the end. It's just a lot of $$$ on top of everything else you spend. Another issue we sometimes have is traveling with extended family, some of whom have kids too young for the ABD stuff.

 

[DisneyKevin]

We are booked on the Med cruise from Venice to Barcelona this coming July, and it's disappointing to me that there is a real lack of information about it all. Or at least, if the info is out there regarding ABD add ons, pre-stays at hotels, etc, it takes a whole lot of digging around or calling to figure it out. I don't always have time to hang on the phone to find out answers. Yes, I could call them, and I probably will, but how hard is it to just get some of this info on the website so we can be informed? I'm not even sure if there "is" an add on for my particular cruise. I love both ABD and DCL, but it seems like there is a disconnect.

Sounds like you need a travel agent that would do this for you at no additional cost to you AND offer an on board credit.

Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com

 

[sayhello]

We are booked on the Med cruise from Venice to Barcelona this coming July, and it's disappointing to me that there is a real lack of information about it all. Or at least, if the info is out there regarding ABD add ons, pre-stays at hotels, etc, it takes a whole lot of digging around or calling to figure it out. I don't always have time to hang on the phone to find out answers. Yes, I could call them, and I probably will, but how hard is it to just get some of this info on the website so we can be informed? I'm not even sure if there "is" an add on for my particular cruise. I love both ABD and DCL, but it seems like there is a disconnect.

I agree with you about there seeming to be a disconnect. There has been all along. I don't understand why it's still there, though, since they've been doing these add-ons since 2010.

I also have sailed the Med and Baltic before with DCL, booked a lot of "premium" excursions and had a total blast! Maybe that's the way to go instead of worrying about the ABD add-on? We took a DCL cruise to Alaska, and had booked a 3 day ABD pre-stay, but unfortunately it was cancelled a few months prior. I always look into getting the ABD add-on for the cruises, but I never seem to pull the trigger on it in the end. It's just a lot of $$$ on top of everything else you spend. Another issue we sometimes have is traveling with extended family, some of whom have kids too young for the ABD stuff.

I really enjoyed my ABD add-on, but there are obviously lots of other great ways to enjoy your Med cruise, too! Only you can decide if the ABD is actually worth it to you, especially given the complication of family members that wouldn't be able to participate.

Sayhello

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

We are booked on the Med cruise from Venice to Barcelona this coming July, and it's disappointing to me that there is a real lack of information about it all. Or at least, if the info is out there regarding ABD add ons, pre-stays at hotels, etc, it takes a whole lot of digging around or calling to figure it out. I don't always have time to hang on the phone to find out answers. Yes, I could call them, and I probably will, but how hard is it to just get some of this info on the website so we can be informed? I'm not even sure if there "is" an add on for my particular cruise. I love both ABD and DCL, but it seems like there is a disconnect.

I totally agree about the lack of info and disconnect--it's very frustrating. Even when you call they don't seem to always know.

I also have sailed the Med and Baltic before with DCL, booked a lot of "premium" excursions and had a total blast! Maybe that's the way to go instead of worrying about the ABD add-on? We took a DCL cruise to Alaska, and had booked a 3 day ABD pre-stay, but unfortunately it was cancelled a few months prior. I always look into getting the ABD add-on for the cruises, but I never seem to pull the trigger on it in the end. It's just a lot of $$$ on top of everything else you spend. Another issue we sometimes have is traveling with extended family, some of whom have kids too young for the ABD stuff.

We did regular port adventures for our Disney Med cruise in 2011 and they worked out pretty well. I'm exactly the same as you--I always look but can't seem to pull the trigger.

 

[mstee777]

We are booked on the 12 night Med (Venice to Barcelona) for next year. ABD sounded like a great idea, but the cost of booking individual excursions will be a lot cheaper than $3,699 per person. I've never done ABD, but I can't imagine that DCL excursions would be any less magical.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

We are booked on the 12 night Med (Venice to Barcelona) for next year. ABD sounded like a great idea, but the cost of booking individual excursions will be a lot cheaper than $3,699 per person. I've never done ABD, but I can't imagine that DCL excursions would be any less magical.

I hear you. That $3699 stunned me. We had some great Disney Port Adventures on our previous Med cruise. Even if they aren't quite as magical, they can't be $3699 pp less magical

 

[DisneyHelen]

We did Barcelona Pre cruise with ABD and loved it. I would highly recommend it. We then booked all our excursions with DCL and really enjoyed our trip in june 2013.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

A pre-cruise ABD option would be great--I think the cost of those is much more understandable as they include accommodation. Unfortunately, they don't seem to have them for the Venice cruises

With the Norway ABD trip just announced, I'm actually considering switching my Greece '14 cruise to that. The kids really want to go on the cruise (for the characters), but Scandinavia is #1 on my list of places to visit, and I've been crossing my fingers for this trip for years. It will all come down to cost and itinerary.