2010 cruise info

[CarolAnnC]

For the Med Experts: In 2010, My kids are turning 11,9,5. Are the port excursions too hard for them? My friend just had Baltic cruise on Celebrity and she said that everyday was full of walking and most places are not stroller friendly? Have any of you brought your preschoolers to the past Med cruise? How did they do?

I was on the 7/18/07 Med Cruise and I think as long as you read the excursion descriptions carefully, you will be fine with those ages traveling. There was one excursion we went on to Cinque Terre and a couple struggled with a stroller for their toddler with numerous staircases they needed to navigate through the towns. There were not only full day trips, but also shorter and half day ones.

Will anyone be taking small kids to these places? Our kids will be 6 and 2. We missed the last Med. cruise and promised we were going the next time they go. So we're gearing up to go, but we are wondering if there will be more small kids onboard? Is there stuff for kids this small to do onshore? I obviously won't be going in the Sistine Chapel with my kiddos (bummer, too) but I'm just hoping there will be other families doing this trip with small kids and still having a good time?

There were definitely lots of children on board our Med cruise. There are excursions you will find that are child friendly. You also have the option of checking them into the children's clubs. The nice thing about this is that if your Disney excursion were to be late, the ship will always wait for those people. If you tour on your own, well that is another story. Though I understand they will not leave port if children's parents are among the missing.

 

[gismo1554]

There were definitely lots of children on board our Med cruise. There are excursions you will find that are child friendly. You also have the option of checking them into the children's clubs. The nice thing about this is that if your Disney excursion were to be late, the ship will always wait for those people. If you tour on your own, well that is another story. Though I understand they will not leave port if children's parents are among the missing.

I believe the parent thing is true as it happened on our last cruise but I think it only applies if the children are in the kids club at the time. I'm not sure what would happen with teenagers left on their own on the boat however.

 

[jdybnsn]

I believe the parent thing is true as it happened on our last cruise but I think it only applies if the children are in the kids club at the time. I'm not sure what would happen with teenagers left on their own on the boat however.

Because you use your Key card to "sign out" when you leave the ship when its in port, Disney know if you have left children /teens unaccompanied on the ship.... whether they are in kids clubs or not.

Hope this clarifies

 

[gismo1554]

Because you use your Key card to "sign out" when you leave the ship when its in port, Disney know if you have left children /teens unaccompanied on the ship.... whether they are in kids clubs or not.

Hope this clarifies

See didn't think of this! DOH! Course they do!

 

[cruellababy]

I got the cool postcard from DCL today announcing the 2010 cruises-makes it even more exciting! But; we're going to book the WB transatlantic-I'm sure we'll have a great time!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

For the Med Experts: In 2010, My kids are turning 11,9,5. Are the port excursions too hard for them? My friend just had Baltic cruise on Celebrity and she said that everyday was full of walking and most places are not stroller friendly? Have any of you brought your preschoolers to the past Med cruise? How did they do?

Will anyone be taking small kids to these places? Our kids will be 6 and 2. We missed the last Med. cruise and promised we were going the next time they go. So we're gearing up to go, but we are wondering if there will be more small kids onboard? Is there stuff for kids this small to do onshore? I obviously won't be going in the Sistine Chapel with my kiddos (bummer, too) but I'm just hoping there will be other families doing this trip with small kids and still having a good time?

I think the Blatic should be for older kids say 7+ as its educational and post intensive and the pools will be ok but 'cooler', there are some very long days and overnights on this.

The Med is ok for any kid over 4 imho, for day trips but kids 4>7 will tire out and will not br able to do back to back long trips like Rome and Florence (book 11 night not 10 night). The Med is very hot and the kids will enjoy the pools and there are beaches to go to.

 

[got2travel]

I just sent this email to Dreams Unlimited, but I was hoping several of you might have some quick answers for me.

DU Travel,

I currently have a "dummy" cruise that I booked online during my last cruise for 2009. There are a total of 3 rooms for each group of us. We are interested in potentially moving our reservation to a 2010 special cruise (Mediterranean or N. Europe). I have a few questions-

1) Do I need to transfer my reservation to a 2010 cruise with Disney first before I transfer the final reservation to Dreams Unlimited?
2) I was able to get an onboard discount for my 2009 cruise and I was told that I would be eligible for whatever the discount would be for the 2010 cruises once I moved my reservation. Am I still eligible for those discounts (10% off and shipboard credit) if I transfer my reservation to DU? Can you tell me what the 2010 itineraries shipboard credits will be?
3) I see that you also have a shipboard credit deal for the 2010 cruises. If I transfer my reservation will I be eligible to receive both shipboard credits (onboard booking and the amount you're offering?)
4) When I booked online Disney was running a deposit special of only paying 50%. If I transfer my reservation, do I still get the 50% deposit special? Can you tell me what the deposits are for the 11 and 12 night cruises for 2010?
5) Lastly, assuming all the above is satifactory, can you tell me what steps I have to take in order to transfer my reservations?

Here's the way I understand it

1 - You do not have to tranfer your 09 reservation first, although I think the travel agents get more comission if they actually book the cruise - not sure though.
2 - Yes, you will keep your DCL discounts and credits if you tranfer to a travel agent.
3 - You will get both the DCL credits and the travel agent credits.
4 - Depends on how the travel agent books the 2010 cruise. If they book online, you will get the deposit promotion. Dreams will have to tell you how they do it. I've heard the European cruises will have a $600 per person deposit.
5 - Dreams will have to answer, but I think it could take up to 5 days for the transfer to take effect, so you may be running up against a time crunch.

 

[AnnaS]

Definitely not stroller friendly. Also, if they tend to drink a lot because of the heat, restrooms are not always nearby or you will find lines, have to wait for an hour, etc. There were no restrooms on the busses either. Just some other things to keep in mind. You might want to consider half day tours.

 

[jilljill]

Definitely not stroller friendly. Also, if they tend to drink a lot because of the heat, restrooms are not always nearby or you will find lines, have to wait for an hour, etc. There were no restrooms on the busses either. Just some other things to keep in mind. You might want to consider half day tours.

Here's another thing to consider since bathrooms were brought up - in some of the Baltics ports this past summer we had to pay to use the bathroom and it was only accepted in local currency.

 

[AnnaS]

Here's another thing to consider since bathrooms were brought up - in some of the Baltics ports this past summer we had to pay to use the bathroom and it was only accepted in local currency.

We also encountered that. I honestly cannot remember where. It might have been France. Also - anyone taking these cruises - bring toilet tissue - no kidding.

We enjoyed our 11 N. Med. cruise tremendously and would love to do it again. Not sure if it's in our plans right now.

 

[eva]

We also encountered that. I honestly cannot remember where. It might have been France. Also - anyone taking these cruises - bring toilet tissue - no kidding.

We enjoyed our 11 N. Med. cruise tremendously and would love to do it again. Not sure if it's in our plans right now.

Ain't that the truth! And don't forget the hand gel. Also be sure to have some spare Euros in coins. You will often encounter pay toliets. The ones we used in Florence were .85 Euros. Or you may encounter a person that will escort you in and then require a tip. Very strange.

 

[Claire L]

Ain't that the truth! And don't forget the hand gel. Also be sure to have some spare Euros in coins. You will often encounter pay toliets. The ones we used in Florence were .85 Euros. Or you may encounter a person that will escort you in and then require a tip. Very strange.

Useful to know about the Euro's, have some knocking about somewhere from our last trip to Lanzarote in 2007

Claire

 

[lisaradz]

We rebooked onboard last Thurs for 11/09. We really want to go in 2010. The rep said that the dates should be released in the next week or so. I tried to get an exact date but she wasn't sure. Anyone know? Do you just keep checking the website?

We had such an awesome trip, I just can't wait to go again!

 

[rotary2808]

The itineraries have already been released. They go on sale at 8 am EST Tuesday.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We rebooked onboard last Thurs for 11/09. We really want to go in 2010. The rep said that the dates should be released in the next week or so. I tried to get an exact date but she wasn't sure. Anyone know? Do you just keep checking the website?

We had such an awesome trip, I just can't wait to go again!

The itineraries have already been released. They go on sale at 8 am EST Tuesday.

Yes not long to go now they are released on the 14th. The details of all the cruises are on the DCL website now.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Disney has made the the UK newspapers today with 'The Sun ' having an article in the paper and online on the 2010 cruises from Dover.

Cruises for kids ... Disney Magic ship
By STEVE READ

Published: Today

MICKEY MOUSE is coming to Britain – with DISNEY MAGIC based in Dover and the Med for a summer of cruises.
The ship, whose whistles play “When You Wish Upon A Star”, will be in Europe from April to September 2010.

There will be eight Western Mediterranean cruises out of Barcelona, each for 10 or 11 nights, and four 12-night Baltic cruises out of Dover.

The ship was in the Med last year – and was an immediate hit with Brits as well as American cruisers.

And although Mickey is the star, Doncaster-born Rachel Quinn, 40, is in charge of the fun – she is the ship’s cruise director.

As you would expect from Disney, the children’s facilities are outstanding. Even one of the funnels is a dummy, concealing a hangout for teenagers, and there is a whole deck devoted to youngsters.

There are plenty of child-free areas too, including one of the pools. But even for grown-ups, there’s something special about meeting Mickey or Captain Hook!


Disney’s visit to Europe also includes four repositioning cruises – a two-week run from Port Canaveral to Barcelona in April, the week-long moves from Dover to Barcelona and back, and the two-week run back to Florida at the end of the season.

See disney.co.uk.

 

[gismo1554]

Disney has made the the UK newspapers today with 'The Sun ' having an article in the paper and online on the 2010 cruises from Dover.

Cruises for kids ... Disney Magic ship
By STEVE READ

Published: Today

MICKEY MOUSE is coming to Britain – with DISNEY MAGIC based in Dover and the Med for a summer of cruises.
The ship, whose whistles play “When You Wish Upon A Star”, will be in Europe from April to September 2010.

There will be eight Western Mediterranean cruises out of Barcelona, each for 10 or 11 nights, and four 12-night Baltic cruises out of Dover.

The ship was in the Med last year – and was an immediate hit with Brits as well as American cruisers.

And although Mickey is the star, Doncaster-born Rachel Quinn, 40, is in charge of the fun – she is the ship’s cruise director.

As you would expect from Disney, the children’s facilities are outstanding. Even one of the funnels is a dummy, concealing a hangout for teenagers, and there is a whole deck devoted to youngsters.

There are plenty of child-free areas too, including one of the pools. But even for grown-ups, there’s something special about meeting Mickey or Captain Hook!


Disney’s visit to Europe also includes four repositioning cruises – a two-week run from Port Canaveral to Barcelona in April, the week-long moves from Dover to Barcelona and back, and the two-week run back to Florida at the end of the season.

See disney.co.uk.

Lol OK proves I didn't read the paper before I recycled it this morning as I just skimmed it! Ooops

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Lol OK proves I didn't read the paper before I recycled it this morning as I just skimmed it! Ooops

Thats what blokes do with the Sun just look at the pictures, the online version has more and a nice picture of the Magic, I will not post a link as it is the Sun and some people outside the UK, could be slightly offended.

 

[gismo1554]

Thats what blokes do with the Sun just look at the pictures, the online version has more and a nice picture of the Magic, I will not post a link as it is the Sun and some people outside the UK, could be slightly offended.

LOL Well I rescued it from the recycle bin now so all good! I agree with the outside the UK thing. The Sun is definately unique. When we went to Gibralter on the last TA one of the Americans we were with was fascinated with the Sun paper. He couldn't get how it was allowed

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

LOL Well I rescued it from the recycle bin now so all good! I agree with the outside the UK thing. The Sun is definately unique. When we went to Gibralter on the last TA one of the Americans we were with was fascinated with the Sun paper. He couldn't get how it was allowed

Its good at keeping you informed and abreast of the news.