UPDATED!! Trip Report! ABD/DCL Mediterranean Magic May 15-26, 2010 - IMAGE INTENSIVE!

[sayhello]

The next installment (Part 8) is up!!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2544126

Enjoy!

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[amystevekai&bump]

what a wonderful trip report!!!

Can I just ask, we are looking to book a 7 night med cruise for next year and can't decide whether to get a verandah or not. As we will have our two small boys with us, we have decided not to leave the boat for every port. We will have long days ashore in Rome, Villefranche & Naples, but will be on ship for Palma and La Spieza.

Do you think a verandah would be worth it for us? - what are the views like from the balcony? - especially at those ports?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Many thanks

 

[Disney_Stock]

Is the cruise okay for 17 year olds or better for the youngsters?

 

[sayhello]

what a wonderful trip report!!!

Can I just ask, we are looking to book a 7 night med cruise for next year and can't decide whether to get a verandah or not. As we will have our two small boys with us, we have decided not to leave the boat for every port. We will have long days ashore in Rome, Villefranche & Naples, but will be on ship for Palma and La Spieza.

Do you think a verandah would be worth it for us? - what are the views like from the balcony? - especially at those ports?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Many thanks

It's hard for me to really answer, because I booked a Category 12, and was miraculously upgraded to a verandah. So for me, it was totally, 100% worth it. But I would never have paid the price they were charging for 2010 for a category 6 for the 10/11 night cruises. I think the prices are relatively more reasonable for 2011. That said, taking the price out of it, I really LOVED sitting at the little desk area, eating a room service breakfast and getting ready for the day as we sailed into each of the ports. The views in most of the ports were wonderful (although I can't comment on Palma). I had a port-side cabin. The only port that had a boring view was Naples, as we were right up against the port building and just saw a wall. Starboard side probably had a better view.

I also loved being able to sleep with the verandah door open. But would I have paid $5000-$6000 more for it? No way!

If the price for the 7-day is reasonable, and you can afford it, I do think it's worth it.

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[sayhello]

Is the cruise okay for 17 year olds or better for the youngsters?

We had several late teen/early 20's kids on the trip, and they seemed to love it. It's a port-intensive trip, and the ports were definitely great for the older kids. I don't know anything about what they did while they were on the ship, but they definitely seemed to enjoy the ports.

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[KenShyGuy]

Just getting the hang of the forum. Your trip report has been incredible. Really enjoyed all of yours pics!

My partner and I just booked our first cruise and we are taking the 2011 May Med cruise on the Magic. We plan on adding the ABD part. We went with ABD to China in 2008 and it was the best vacation we have ever had!

Can I ask you a technical question? I was just reviewing the ABD info for this trip and it says the add on includes your onboard tips. Does that mean we just have to tip our ABD guides or do we still tip the onboard crew as well?

 

[sayhello]

Just getting the hang of the forum. Your trip report has been incredible. Really enjoyed all of yours pics!

My partner and I just booked our first cruise and we are taking the 2011 May Med cruise on the Magic. We plan on adding the ABD part. We went with ABD to China in 2008 and it was the best vacation we have ever had!

Can I ask you a technical question? I was just reviewing the ABD info for this trip and it says the add on includes your onboard tips. Does that mean we just have to tip our ABD guides or do we still tip the onboard crew as well?

Thank you for your kind words! I'm so glad you're enjoying the Trip Report. Just a little bit more to go!

Congrats on booking this Adventure. I'm sure you're going to love it!

To answer your question, all your onboard tips *are* included, so all you need to tip is the Adventure Guides (unless you feel moved to tip anyone on the ship extra for extra special service!) You'll get little vouchers on the last sea day to put in the tip envelopes that you present to the onboard crew the last night.

Your tips onshore are also taken care of, just as they were on your China ABD.

The China trip looks really amazing. It's on my very short list of ABD's I want to do.

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[KenShyGuy]

The China trip looks really amazing. It's on my very short list of ABD's I want to do.

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I think anyone would enjoy the China trip. So much history and such incredible sites!

Thanks for the info. Trying not to go all OCD on getting info for the trip but it's kind of hard because we are so excited.

 

[sayhello]

Updated once again!!! Part 9, Last Sea Day & Disembarkation.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2569002

Please to enjoy!

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[maddisney]

Thank you very much for your fantastic trip report; which also allows me to relive many memories of cruising.

 

[sayhello]

Thank you very much for your fantastic trip report; which also allows me to relive many memories of cruising.

Thanks, maddisney! I'm really glad you're enjoying it. It helps me relive my cruise memories, too! That's one reason I love doing them.

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[Señor DonDuck]

Lovin' your updates!

So glad to hear that you were finally able to get your pictures off the card.

 

[sayhello]

Lovin' your updates!

So glad to hear that you were finally able to get your pictures off the card.

Thanks, Señor DonDuck!! I love it when people love my reports!

It was SUCH a relief that I was able to retrieve the pictures. I do love my pics, and losing them would be sad!

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[sayhello]

OMG, I finally posted the last part of this trip Report! (My visit to Israel following the cruise.) Better late than never?

Part 10:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2774411

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[Señor DonDuck]

I'll always take late rather than never Great end to your report!