"Seven Seven 07" 20070707-11 Night Mediterranean Cruise

[Deb T.]

Hi MJGirl - are you going to do it? My family kicked around several ideas for after the cruise and finally decided to just head for home immediately after the cruise. Truth be told, I was out-voted. DH is worried about being off from work for so long. DD finishes her MAEd in May and might move this summer. DS also graduates in May and will head off to grad school out-of-state and needs to get his housing figured out as well as try to work a summer job that will allow him to be gone for nearly two weeks in the middle of summer. So, looks like no DLP for me this year. One of these days I'll make it there! DH and I might try to go in a couple of years using DVC points and frequent flier miles. I've heard that length-of-stay passes are included with DVC points, so the whole trip should cost us much less than what the add-on is pricing out to be now. At least that will make DH happy.

 

[MJGirl]

Hi Deb ... I'm pretty sure I'm going to go. I think we are going to stay at the Hotel New York. I figured this will be our only shot to be that close, so I'm going for it. DD is 16 and will be heading off to college in 2009 so this may be our last chance. (She still wants to travel with me, but that may change soon enough) We are also doing Adventures by Disney London/Paris before the cruise. I've booked off work June 28 to July 23. I've been there 18 years and never taken more than 10 days in a row, so I've earned it, I can just imagine how tired I'm going to be at work on the 23rd, I'm sure I'll get alot done that day. I'm booked in at the Hilton Del Mar on the 6th. It's a Friday and the Sagrada Familia is open in the early evening, so that's what we'll be doing. We get in at 4:00 pm. After dinner and the side trip, it will be much needed laundry time This trip sounds extravagent, but other than Disney, we don't travel much. I'm on a strict budget, I've told DD to get a job, as she is responsible for her own souvenirs. This will be our once in a lifetime adventure and I can't wait ... How many more sleeps???

 

[Deb T.]

I'm booked in at the Hilton Del Mar on the 6th. It's a Friday and the Sagrada Familia is open in the early evening, so that's what we'll be doing. We get in at 4:00 pm.

MJGirl - What is the Sagrada Familia? We're arriving on the 6th as well, but staying at the Renaissance Barcelona Airport Hotel.

I think it's awesome you're combining three vacations in one! I wish we could do that, too. It certainly will be the trip of a lifetime for you and your daughter! It's nice you'l be making such wonderful memories before she heads off to college.

 

[MJGirl]

Sagrada Familia is the famous unfinished church in Barcelona designed by the famous architect Gaudi. They started building it in the 1880's and it still isn't finished. It is supposed to be beautiful! Gaudí intended the church to be the "last great sanctuary of Christendom". I caught a glimpse of it on the Amazing Race this year and it was also featured in Cheetah Girls 2 and America's Next Top Model!

 

[Deb T.]

Sagrada Familia is the famous unfinished church in Barcelona designed by the famous architect Gaudi. They started building it in the 1880's and it still isn't finished. It is supposed to be beautiful! Gaudí intended the church to be the "last great sanctuary of Christendom". I caught a glimpse of it on the Amazing Race this year and it was also featured in Cheetah Girls 2 and America's Next Top Model!

Ahhh yes - now I do remember seeing it on Amazing Race. You're right, it was quite beautiful! Thanks for the info.

 

[Shercara]

Ok - so we finally told our sons that we are going on this cruise! I've been keeping this secret since we booked in April!!! Here is what we did - on Christmas morning - the piles of presents were kind of low, but they did receive most of the things on their lists - which were actually quite short now that they are older - and the last presents they opened were:
Jake ( age 12 )
DCL beanie set ( the ship, and sailor Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald)
Disney Magic deck of playing cards
Nick ( age 17 )
DCL License Plate
DCL can koozie
Then they both opened a large package with a cardboard pop-up sign my travel agent got for me that had Disney Cruise Line on top - and I covered the Disneyland and Disneyworld signs with Cruise info: "Set sail on an 11 night Med. Cruise + 2 nights in Barcelona" Visit: Sicily, Rome, Pisa, Florence, Nice etc..."
Needless to say - they were both very happy and couldn't believe it. I still don't think it has set in. Now it is time to start planning excursions - which by the way seem VERY EXPENSIVE!!! Anyone have any ideas about doing some on your own?

We decided to book the air on our own, since DCL's prices on non-stop flights were about $300 more per person. We are flying to Barcelona on July 4th and arrive the morning of the 5th.

I just booked a 2 bedroom apartment for us in Barcelona. We had to book 3 nights, but with the onboard time on the 7th showing as 9pm - I think it will work out OK - besides - it's still less expensive than booking DCL's only hotel that is offered that has rooms for 4 people. My TA said that was $375 + tax per night. Here is the website and the apartment we are renting, in case anyone is interested - they seem very reputable and have great reviews. All my dealings with them so far have been great - good luck! http://www.bcninternet.com/apartdet.php?apartmentid=263

Happy planning everyone - and HAPPY NEW YEAR TOO!

Take care,
Sherri

 

[MJGirl]

It sound like the surprise was worth it Shercara. What a great way to present the gift. I'm impressed you managed to keep it a secret for so long.

I thought about doing tours on my own, but decided to stick with the excursions. It will just be my daughter and I, so I'm a little nervous to venture out alone. I've got most of my favourites picked out, with some backups just in case.

Only 6 months and 5 days to go!!!

 

[Monstro]

MJGirl: yes we are on the 7/7 cruise. I have been quitly reading both threads.

We will be in Barcelona for a few days before the cruise and we finally booked our flight... prices are not coming down and it seems that it is filling up.

Just getting caught up on the thread. Welcome aboard Din and Payogie. We now have 22 sailing parties.

 

[Monstro]

Ahhh yes - now I do remember seeing it on Amazing Race. You're right, it was quite beautiful! Thanks for the info.

Ahhh... The Amazing Race... We're fans as well.

 

[drjoe]

Make that 23. Our third Disney Cruise. Will be traveling with wife and kids- son (11) and daughter (15).

Best...

Joe

 

[Shercara]

Welcome Aboard Joe! This is our 3rd Disney Cruise and we are from NJ too!
I guess it really is a "Small World!" Our youngest son will be 12 and oldest will be 18 when we sail in July!

Are you using DCL for air and will you be doing any pre-cruise touring in Barcelona? Just curious what others are doing, as we decided to do this on our own, and not through DCL and are flying out of Newark on July 4th.

Take care,
Sherri

 

[MJGirl]

Ahhh... The Amazing Race... We're fans as well.

Are you aware that the next one is an All Stars ... Rob and Amber are back !!!!

 

[drjoe]

Hi Sherri-

Unfortunately, our collective schedules are not going allow us to add days on either end. We are arriving the morning of the sailing and heading back to the beautiful garden state the same day we arrive back. When I look at the cost of excursions, the sooner I get back to the office seeing patients, the better

Joe

 

[Deb T.]

Monstro & MJGirl - wouldn't it be something if we ran into Amazing Race contestants at one of the ports?!?!?!?!?

 

[MJGirl]

Yes.. It would be cool to actually be able to post a spoiler first hand! And to see Phil Keoghan in person! I much prefer Phil over Jeff!

 

[Monstro]

Make that 23. Our third Disney Cruise. Will be traveling with wife and kids- son (11) and daughter (15).

Best...

Joe

Great! Welcome aboard. I need to update my Fotki site.

 

[Twinparents]

The cat has been out of the bag for my kids (S 10,D 10,D 5) but they have one burning question on their minds. Will we get to see the "Harry Potter" Premier on the cruise. On our last cruise they Premiered "Chicken Little" and they loved it because we got to see it way before the rest of the mainland and their friends in Colorado. One of the Old Timers (aka experienced Disney Cruisers) got the movie list before the cruise. Does anyone have the heads up on this, or is it simply to early?

 

[Deb T.]

Welcome Aboard! By my count, there are now 25 DIS sailing parties on the 7-7-07 Med sailing!

Monstro
been2marceline
MJGirl
Briarmom
EEyorefan12
Shercara
ugarxdawg
Dylcal
jel051
QTpielm
teaskye
Deb T.
mickeyfanmom
Epcot_VA
OurDogCisco
Calif Disney 1
APinCA
DadofLostBoys
maxs gm
JanetMB
din
birkner
payogie
drjoe
twinparents

Wow! That's quite a group! I can hardly wait to actually meet everyone!

 

[MJGirl]

The cat has been out of the bag for my kids (S 10,D 10,D 5) but they have one burning question on their minds. Will we get to see the "Harry Potter" Premier on the cruise. On our last cruise they Premiered "Chicken Little" and they loved it because we got to see it way before the rest of the mainland and their friends in Colorado. One of the Old Timers (aka experienced Disney Cruisers) got the movie list before the cruise. Does anyone have the heads up on this, or is it simply to early?

Your kids aren't the only ones wondering about that. My DD16 and I haven't missed opening day of a Harry Potter movie yet

 

[MJGirl]

Hey Twinparents ... Just read the following at http://jam.canoe.ca/Movies/2007/01/05/3175818.html

... Which is why so many nerves stand to be frayed in a mere five months when Spider-Man 3, Shrek The Third and Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End are all released in a three-week span, marking the kind of box-office battle Hollywood studios usually strive to avoid by giving each other plenty of room to manoeuver between blockbusters.

(One surefire sequel has already blinked -- Warners moved Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix out of the way to a June berth.) ...

Looks like you may be able to see the movie before you leave and your kids won't have to wait!