Updated Page 1...Madly Making Memories Multiply in Mediterranean Mickey Mode-Pre-trip

[lmhall2000]

Do we really need lists when we have dogs?

At 2am this morning, something made our bigger dog drink almost a gallon of water, I knew when I heard her slurping it would not bode well for me. Yep, an hour later, she's licking my hand and whining to go out....I figured this was her helpful way of helping me get on Barcelona time. So, I'm up staring at laundry and wondering if everything will get packed today.

It's inevitable, we will forget something...will it be something unnecessary like the sharpies for pillowcase/mat frame signing? Who are we kidding, everything is essential! This is Disney! We need to maximize all opportunities..oh my gosh! I just realized I have not finished the fish extenders!!! That wal-mart bag is looking awfully good right now...goodness gracious! I spent too much time on the kids autograph books (just let it be said they're the most expensive books on this planet and look like they're worth 1/100th what it actually cost me to make them..I'll take that one to my grave...big regret, but the kids seem to like them) Not to mention I can't find half the fish extender gifts I bought a month ago..put them away in a sack for safe keeping, now can't find it...fudge.

Just wanted to put in one last post and thank everyone for their help and encouragment...praying it all goes well and my parents have a safe drive down to the airport, they are leaving their house at 3am to get to Birmingham around 7am...we have to leave at 5am....I'm a little worried about our house sitters, their father/grandfather had emergency heart cath put in on Friday..I haven't heard from them and they haven't made it by to do a run through on all the animals/house stuff...praying everything is all right with their loved one!

Off to do laundry and clean the bathrooms, mop the floors, figure out a way to finish those fish extenders, no craft glue...guess it's pulling out the sewing machine day, have a scout meeting where we've got to finish off 4 badges...sooo busy today! But plan to be in bed by 7pm tonight!!! So that means I must get everything done in 9 hours (leave for scouts at 2pm)...can this be done?? Oh and run by post office to stop mail...again, why make a list, I've got it all in my head....

Ciao! Adios! Bon jour! And I tried to learn some Arabic until I read that most Tunisians also speak French, I just could not get the pronunciation right in Arabic, but I do know that "No" is le-lele....so I'll be saying that alot to the vendors...we will be broke by that port..

Will write up a trip report when we get back on the 16th..okay, it'll be the 17th when I get to it!

Mrs. T

 

[pixie08]

Yea it is actually here....have a blast!

 

[lmhall2000]

We're baaack!! 28 hours of travel going and 28 hours of travel coming...a Mediterranean cold hit two of us on the return home..coincidentally the two who braved the one rainy day to hit Pisa...I think I wrung 2 cups of water out of our socks on the train. But if we caught a cold seeing Pisa, it was worth it!

Updating on page one our adventures! Hope it helps future Med travelers and any taking their first cruise! We did not rebook on the ship... but mainly because even with 10% off and $100-200 OBC I still feel I can find a better deal...I'm way too practical and with 2 new ships coming out in the future years, I think there will be some deals on the Magic/Wonder...we'll wait for those!

Loved loved meeting up with Goofy Mum..tracked down Tarald off a tender boat (thanks to the great lanyards she gave us and I spied on her mother) and even caught a glimpse (from behind) of the sweet couple on our FE list...they were walking back to their room as we were sneaking around trying to fill the pockets...it was past 11 or I would have knocked on their door! Missed everyone else and tried my hardest to find the family that needed the ranch seasoning...the gifts were amazing and such a thrill each day!

Will keep updating this week to get info in as quickly for those sailing soon!

Mrs. T

 

[MrsMork]

We're baaack!! 28 hours of travel going and 28 hours of travel coming...a Mediterranean cold hit two of us on the return home..coincidentally the two who braved the one rainy day to hit Pisa...I think I wrung 2 cups of water out of our socks on the train. But if we caught a cold seeing Pisa, it was worth it!

Updating on page one our adventures! Hope it helps future Med travelers and any taking their first cruise! We did not rebook on the ship... but mainly because even with 10% off and $100-200 OBC I still feel I can find a better deal...I'm way too practical and with 2 new ships coming out in the future years, I think there will be some deals on the Magic/Wonder...we'll wait for those!

Loved loved meeting up with Goofy Mum..tracked down Tarald off a tender boat (thanks to the great lanyards she gave us and I spied on her mother) and even caught a glimpse (from behind) of the sweet couple on our FE list...they were walking back to their room as we were sneaking around trying to fill the pockets...it was past 11 or I would have knocked on their door! Missed everyone else and tried my hardest to find the family that needed the ranch seasoning...the gifts were amazing and such a thrill each day!

Will keep updating this week to get info in as quickly for those sailing soon!

Mrs. T

Welcome back and I am glad you had a great time!! On rebooking on board.....you can rebook then move it to another cruise later that is better priced or going where you want to go and keep all those great perks! FYI for future planning. Lots of folks book out as far as possible onboard then wait and see what comes up.

 

[pixie08]

Welcome back! I have been waiting for your TR and you did not disappoint. Thanks for posting!

 

[shushh]

Welcome back!!!! Loved reading your TR so far. Eagerly awaiting the rest

 

[lmhall2000]

Welcome back!!!! Loved reading your TR so far. Eagerly awaiting the rest

You SAVED our ride to the port..after reading that they didn't show up for you at first, I emailed them twice and told them that I was afraid our ride would not show up...our guy was there with the sign...RELIEF!! We had not booked the return b/c weren't sure we could depend on them...so we got the card of the driver and he said he'd be happy to pick us up but wanted 65 euros..when I told him we only paid 40 euros to begin with he didn't counter..ended up taking 2 taxis on the return home for 50 euros combined.

I'm reading through your pages now! Your family is adorable and precious!! Great shots! I had hoped to try the chocolate and churros based on your recommendation but I was traveling with foreign shy food try'ers....I'll be posting about our gastronomic adventures soon! HA!

Glad y'all made it on the cruise!!!
Tara

 

[lmhall2000]

I am trying to update 2 days each day, so should be finished hopefully before the next cruise out! Hope everyone on the 15th is enjoying smooth ocean waves!!

Mrs. T

 

[lmhall2000]

Tunisia has been added, hope to get Naples in today as well..perhaps one of our favorite stops...just a full day experience and as hard as I am on being conservative fiscally, this is one day you might want to invest in a private tour guide....we saw so much and really experienced the culture!

Mrs. T

 

[pixie08]

Thanks for the reviews. We were going to do a tour in Tunisia and Dh has been reaing the boards and podcast and now does not want to get off the ship Thanks to your great reviews, I know I can at least get him off to explore the port a bit.

 

[lmhall2000]

Thanks for the reviews. We were going to do a tour in Tunisia and Dh has been reaing the boards and podcast and now does not want to get off the ship Thanks to your great reviews, I know I can at least get him off to explore the port a bit.

Mary!! Please don't let our experience with Tunis set you apart from it! Believe me, I would have ventured out if my copatriots weren't a minor and a senior citizen! I heard wonderful things (granted from just 2 people) about some of the things they did, jeep tour? We were just cash strapped (trying to be clearly out of debt in less than 24 months) and with so many tours coming we couldn't take a chance on Tunis...my ideal day there would have been to call a nice resort ahead of time and see if we could pay to use their beaches then just get a taxi to it, spend 3-4 hours there and call it a day....there really weren't many places to just enjoy the surf..I know there are nice places there if you look and have the time...but not all 7 in my party are as adventurous as me! Can't wait to hear back from your trip! You'll really enjoy it!

Tara

 

[caslass]

Thanks for the reviews. We were going to do a tour in Tunisia and Dh has been reaing the boards and podcast and now does not want to get off the ship Thanks to your great reviews, I know I can at least get him off to explore the port a bit.

We went to Tunisia at Christmas. We stayed in a resort and it was lovely. Wonderful staff, excellent hotel.

However, we ventured out and only lasted 1 hour before heading home. I have been all over the world and to many, many markets. But, NOTHING prepared me for the markets of Tunisia. I agree if you have young children or elderly, staying on the boat is a good thing or BOOK a tour with the ship as they will keep most of the worst at bay!

 

[SettinSail]

"St John's Co Cathedral...really not sure what the Co is for...but the picture speaks for itself!"



Hello! I so enjoyed your trip report and all the pictures of your lovely family.
We are from the Southern US as well although living in Germany right now.

I read your report in preparation of planning for our Med cruise Aug 18.
I am still studying and reading about all the ports and ran across this on www.cruisecritic.com:
St. John's Co-Cathedral: The odd designation "co-cathedral" refers to a church that shares its Bishop's seat with another. In this case, the designation was not applicable until the early 1800's, when the Bishop of Malta, whose seat is actually at the cathedral in Mdina, was allowed to use this one as an alternate when visiting in Valletta. Located near the center of Valletta, the austere exterior of the building belies its lavish interior, one of the finest examples of Baroque design in the world. This was the church of the Knights; it houses exquisite artwork, including Caravaggio's masterpiece, "The Beheading of St. John the Baptist." It's free to enter, open Monday through Saturday (but closes on Saturdays at noon). It's important to note the importance of Roman Catholicism in Malta -- 98 percent of the country's population is Roman Catholic.

Just though you might like to know! I am the kind of person who likes to know everything, which makes for a lot of planning, reading, studying, etc.
Yes, I am a geek!

Again, thanks for sharing your trip with us and I hope we have as much fun when we go in August!

Cheers!
Shawn