Disney Magic 12 day Mediterranean Cruise 8/1/2016

[trekkie518]

Hi everybody, this is my first PTR.

A little background for the year we've had and the cast of characters.

Cast
Going on the cruise,

Me Angie, I love all things Disney, and sci fi. I have been going to Disney every year since I was 5, and more than once a year since I got married to my very indulging husband.

DH Ed, Works way to much, needs vacations, so I love planning them and having him get away. Best husband ever. Supports my Disney habit, and has developed his own love for Disney and getting away.

DH and I Pirate Night Disney Fantasy 12/2016

We had an amazing cruise planned for our 20th anniversary back in December, met some great tablemates, and still keep in contact with them. We sailed the Western Caribbean on the Fantasy, and it was truly amazing.

For our birthdays in May we planned a family trip with the grandkids to Disney World. It ended up being 7 people total, and we had a blast. A little bit hectic at times, but always fun.

A little bit before we left, a friend sent us an email with good deals on cruises. We really were not planning to go on another one, but, the price was too good to pass up, so we ended up booking the 8/1/2016 Mediterranean Cruise on 4/20/2016. I had less then a month before we headed to Florida with the Grandkids, and my parents, and sister, and sent my daughter and SIL to Gatlinburg for their anniversary, and and less then 4 months out to another cruise. I had to plan....

Plus, I didn't want anybody to panic, before our trip about another trip so close to the other one, I didn't want them worrying while we were on vacation, so I had to keep it quiet from my daughter most of the rest of the family for a month. While trying to plan out excursions, flights, hotels, and basically not being able to concentrate on anything else.

Next up .... planning flights and hotel ...

 

[trekkie518]

Planning Flights and 2 hotels.....

Ok, so I needed to convince DH this was a good idea, and doable. First thing was airfare to Barcelona. So off I went searching for the best airfare.... We live about 1 1/2 from Detroit, Mi. Flying out of the local airport adds about $400 per person onto the flight, so, I decided to look at Detroit. Well, there were no direct flights from Detroit to Barcelona, They all went from Detroit, to Toronto to Barcelona..... soooo...... I said, well, Windsor is right across the bridge, lets fly out of Canada, that saved us another $100. off the local airport. We still had to fly to Toronto to Barcelona.... Hmmmm.... Why not drive to Toronto.... then we could have a direct flight to Barcelona, and probably save more money. So by the time I finished, we are driving 4 1/2 hours to Toronto, to get a direct flight to Barcelona, but are saving almost $800 per person from the local airport. I told DH that the flight almost paid for itself!!!! He wasn't quite as sure, but he did let me book it. We have a 2 hour layover in Montreal on the way back, but oh well.... who cares, it's on the way back.....

So the flight was booked..... the cruise was booked, it was now 4/20 by 11 am..... I set the flight to arrive on 7/31 to help us conquer jetlag before boarding the ship and so we could see Barcelona. So I looked around for hotels, and found a really good deal on a Holiday Inn Express. I was so excited that I found a Hotel I knew, that offered free breakfast, and was a good price, I forgot one tiny little detail. I know absolutely nothing about the size of Barcelona. How far things are from each other. So I booked it. It took me a week before I figured out that the hotel I booked was 40 minutes outside of town, in the opposite direction of the port. Taxi fees would be more then just paying for the room (like I said, I got a really good deal) and reserving a different room that is actually on the route to the port. So back to searching I went. I found a nice hotel, decent price halfway between the airport and the port. Looks like a nice neighborhood. Close to some attractions. I checked the map this time.....

So, flight booked, checked
Hotel booked double checked

Next we have to do Online Checkin, Shore Excursions, and looking at all the different ports

 

[trekkie518]

Online check-in, Booking Shore Excursions, Investigating ports Of Call.

So, since we were so late in booking, it was already time to do online check-in. I got it all set up, with an 11 am port arrival time. I'm sure the Port won't be as great as Port Canaveral, but I still like to get there early and get onboard ASAP...

8 ports of call, + Barcelona, 3 days at sea, that's a lot of planning. The first thing I did was read through every single shore excursion Disney offered. Then I picked out the ones I would like to do.... Then I sent the list to my husband so we could go through them when he got home from work. Of course the price of doing 8 excursions is extreme, and since this was last minute, we are on a budget, so, we had to pick and choose which ports to do excursions in, and which to do on our own. First off, I have always wanted to see Rome, so I knew I wanted to do an excursion there, Pompeii has also always been a huge bucket list of mine, so again, I wanted to make sure that was something amazing. We also decided on Pisa, and Monte Carlo.... so the excursions are as follows...

Barcelona, Spain
Sail away party at 4:15 pm
At Sea
Palermo (Sicily), Italy
Naples (Pompeii), Italy
Mt. Vesuvius By 4x4, Hike, Wine Tasting & Pompeii 8 - 8.5 hours

Walk the vineyards and take in some local flavor at a nearby winery.

On this adventure you will...
​

• • Board your coach for the approximately 45-minute drive from Naples to the National Park of Mt. Vesuvius.
  • Arrive at coach drop-off point and board a special, ecological 4x4 coach, capable of driving off the beaten path of Vesuvius National Park.
  • Upon arrival at 3,000 feet, hike your way along an ascending gravel path to the volcano's enormous crater. Note: The hike is a steep uphill hike (gradient is approximately 40%); you should be in good physical condition and wear comfortable walking shoes.
  • Reboard the coach and drive to a nearby winery that produces the famous Lacryma Christi wine from Mt. Vesuvius. Visit its vineyards and see how the famous wine is made and bottled. Sample 5 kinds of wines, accompanied by some pasta, bruschetta, cheese and salami.
  • Take a short drive to Pompeii.
  • Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour including the city's baths, villas, theaters and wrestling grounds. Note: The visit at Pompeii includes extensive walking across 1.5 miles of flat, uneven and rough uphill terrain. In addition, you must descend 20-25 steps.
  • After your tour, unwind with an approximately 30-minute motorcoach ride back to the ship.

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Imperial and Renaissance Rome with St. Peter’s Basilica - Adult Only Departure 10.5 - 11 hours

Touch all of Rome’s most popular highlights in a tour that includes a visit inside St. Peter’s Basilica.

On this adventure you will…
​

• • Meet your English-speaking escort and board an air-conditioned motorcoach for the 90-minute ride from Civitavecchia to Rome.
  • Once in Rome, meet the local guide who will travel with you to the Colosseum. This imposing amphitheater was once capable of seating 50,000 spectators during gladiator fights. During a 30-minute outside visit, your guide will relate the history and events that took place inside one of the most important monuments of ancient Rome.
  • Note: this adventure includes 3 miles of walking at a steady pace, part of which will be on cobblestones and uphill—including stairs. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
  • Reboard your coach and take a short trip to the famous Trevi Fountain. Take free time to explore, take photos and toss a coin into the fountain to guarantee your return to Rome, per local tradition.
  • Walk towards the impressive Pantheon, one of Ancient Rome’s best preserved buildings. Enjoy a guided tour inside with a bit of free time for photos and exploration.
  • Your walking tour continues to Navona Square, the beautiful baroque gathering place famous for its Fountain of the 4 Rivers created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1601. At Navona Square enjoy 90 minutes of free time to shop, explore and have lunch on your own.
  • Drive to St. Peter's Square for an inside visit of St. Peter's Basilica, the most famous church in the world. After your guided visit, use some free time to explore. Note: Guests—including children—wishing to visit churches must ensure that shoulders and knees remain covered. Guests can wear shorts that reach below the knees and tank tops, as long as they bring a sweater or scarf to wrap around their shoulders.
  • Return to your coach and take the 90-minute drive back to Civitavecchia.

Olbia (Sardinia), Italy
At Sea
Livorno (Florence, Pisa), Italy
Easy Pisa 4.5 - 5 hours

See the city with less walking, and enjoy approximately 60 minutes of free time to dine, sightsee, or shop.

On this adventure you will...
​

• • Travel through the Tuscan countryside on an a 45-minute trip to Pisa. On your way, catch a glimpse of the historic marble quarries where Michelangelo sourced his materials.
  • Arrive in Pisa and meet your trolley train, which will take you to Miracle Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • See the buildings along the River Arno, and pass through the lovely Piazza dei Cavalieri, where the University and Conte Ugolino Tower stand. Your guide will point out the main sites of interest along the way.
  • Arrive at Miracle Square and enjoy 60 minutes of leisure time to explore.
  • Experience the beauty of the 13th-century Cathedral and its Romanesque design. Or visit the Baptistery, an ornate 12th-century circular building made of marble and adorned with gothic flourishes. Or marvel at the Leaning Tower, which was built as the bell tower for the cathedral over a 200-year period beginning in 1173. Its foundation lies in unstable soil, which caused the tower to lean shortly after construction started. Or simply relax in a local cafe or shop for souvenirs.
  • Ride the trolley back to the motorcoach. Reboard for the 45-minute drive back to the port.

Villefranche (Monte Carlo, Cannes, Nice), France
Cannes (Monte Carlo, Nice), France
Monaco, Monte Carlo and Eze – Adult Departure Only 8.5 - 9 hours

Experience the history, glamour and charm of 3 amazing cities along the French Riviera.

On this adventure you will…
​

• • Take a 75-minute drive to Le Rocher de Monaco or Monaco Rock, home of the principality’s royal Grimaldi family.
  • Ride an escalator to an elevator that goes up the cliffside, where you’ll embark on an informative guided walking tour of the exteriors of such famous sites as the Oceanographic Museum, the Monaco Cathedral and the Prince's Palace, which has served as the home to the royal family since the 13th century.
  • Enjoy 60 minutes of free time to explore on your own immediately afterwards.
  • Reboard your motorcoach for a 15-minute drive that passes along a section of the Formula 1 Grand Prix Race Circuit. Originating in 1929, the Grand Prix is world famous for its challenging circuit that runs through the twisting streets of Monaco.
  • Follow your guide for a 15-minute walk to Casino Square, which is surrounded by immaculate gardens, before enjoying 45 minutes of free time.
  • Drive 30 minutes to the medieval village of Eze for a 3-course lunch served in a local restaurant at the foot of the village.
  • Enjoy a 60-minute guided walking tour and some free time to explore this medieval village on your own.
  • Take the 75-minute drive back to Cannes.

Pirate Deck Party
At Sea
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Barcelona, Spain

The rest of the days we are going to go on our own and see what we find. This is me bouncing off the walls. I did all of this while still keeping it a secret from people. This was extremely hard, as every second I had was on the internet browsing trip reports, touring sites, and trying to find what we must not miss. Now I decided that our cell phones, just would not do justice as cameras. Our 5 year old SLR camera was to big and bulk, and I didn't feel like carrying it around, so I decided we needed a new camera, now, I just needed to convince DH. I also realized our cell phones wouldn't work in Europe. Now, this normally wouldn't be a bad thing, I don't want my cell to work really, but, DH will need to do some work, and will need to be in contact with the office, there will be limits set, so I called and had them unlock my phone for international use, so we could get a sim card in Europe, and use it over there. We were down to 2 weeks before our Disney vacation with the grandkids, DH was working 80 hour weeks, I was watching the grandkids, and trying to get things packed, plus trying to plan Europe on the sly, plus now trying to research cameras on the sly. I figured, since we were taking the kids to Disney, why not get the camera before we go so we could test it out before Europe!!! So, I found a Canon Powershot SX 720 HS. Sent the stats to DH, and we went out and bought it that weekend. Can not say enough about this camera, it is amazing...... Love it.

 

[trekkie518]

Ok this is a fast forward to today, I got some nail wraps for the cruise, I got extra to try them out before we go, I've never been big on doing my nails, This is what they turned out like. I like them

 

[tink1970]

Sounds like so much fun...sometimes the last minute cruises are the best. The waiting isn't as painful

Hope you have fun, only 5 weeks or so now.

 

[trekkie518]

Hi Tink! Yeah, The waiting is still painful... 34 days till we fly out, It's not as painful though, as when we booked 2 years out, that is true LOL We got our docs yesterday, and our room assignment last week. we are in 6500. It's getting closer...

 

[trekkie518]

Here is the link to the start of my trip report for the trip we took in May with my grandkids to Disney World. I figured I should put it in the right forum.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ou...2-grandkids-my-parents-and-my-sister.3522901/

 

[trekkie518]

We start driving to Toronto at 4:30 am on Saturday... That is like 2 days away the way I count..... I am bouncing off of walls. I can't wait...

 

[egesicki]

I think you are leaving today, Have a great trip!

 

[m3owbox]

How were your excursions in Pompeii and Rome? We have both of those booked for next month!

 

[trekkie518]

Thanks egesicki... We had an amazing trip.....

M3owbox. The excursions were amazing.... Pompeii was breathtaking. So much bigger then I ever imagined, and the lunch at the vinyard was amazing...... so good... and the wine... The 4x4 up Vesuvius was the way to go. My husband and I have had 5 knee surgeries between the 2 of us, so we knew we were pushing it by doing this one, but we wanted to see the crater. Mild hike is an understatement.... Average people it's still 15 to 20 minutes up from where the 4x4 drops you off, and the trail is volcanic ash, we took 45 minutes to get up to the crater, but we made it... and the view was spectacular. We missed the guides presentation, but we didn't even car at that point, we were just happy we made it to the top, and it was so amazing. It was definately a once in a lifetime experience. I would do Pompeii again... and spend alot more time there. And the vineyard. I'm glad we did Vesuvius, it was amazing, but I don't think I need to do it again

Rome was amazing. Next time we go, we want to make sure that we go into the Sistine Chapel, and the Colosseum, The tour we took went to Vatican City and into St Peter's Basilica, which is amazing, and I can't believe how huge it is, but really wish we would have gone inside the Sistine Chapel. Our table mates did and said it was amazing. They didn't see as much of Rome, or get as much free time. We had an amazing tour, we saw the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, had an amazing lunch, I've got a ton of pictures, Our guide was very knowledgeable, It was just so amazing to be there.... We threw our coin in Trevi Fountain so hopefully that means we will go back to Rome to explore it more.

If you have any questions, I'll try to answer them... It was sooo amazing...

I'm still trying to process everything....

We got to see the Prem'ear' at sea of Pete's Dragon. We saw Finding Dory, Out of the 12 days, we had 3 sea days. The entertainment was amazing. I've got to start working on my trip report.

Luckily I have 1800 pictures to help remind me of what we did

 

[m3owbox]

Oh that sounds amazing. I'm super excited for both now! Thank you so much for the reviews! I cant wait to get home and show my husband what you have to say about them!

 

[m3owbox]

Also cannot wait for your trip report!

 

[trekkie518]

Link to trip report

http://disboards.com/threads/our-magical-12-night-mediterranean-cruise-2016.3538242/

Just started