A Magical Frozen Norwegian Adventure updated 07/28/2015 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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A Magical Frozen Norwegian Adventure updated 07/28/2015
Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. So, first, let me introduce the adventurous (or not) travelers.
Me, Pris, 67 I love to see new places and am in love with Mickey and Disney. Cruising has also become a favorite way to travel, as the idea of seeing the world and taking my hotel room with me is very appealing. I have taken 3 Disney cruises, several with other cruise lines and a very exciting European River Cruise. (see that report here http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...er-cruise.html)
DH, Wade, 62 Let’s just say that DH is not as much into traveling as I am, and only does Disney to make me happy He has been on all of the same cruises as me, except for my very first one, which was Disney. I traveled that one with DD.
As a little back-story, our first cruises were Disney, but as empty nesters, we decided to try another cruise line, particularly because of the cost. Most of our other cruises have been with Royal Caribbean. It is an excellent line----but, it is not Disney. In early January of this year, we went on a Western Caribbean cruise out of New Orleans. I had hoped it would be very relaxing and fun. We had been to 2 of the 3 ports before, so weren’t planning a whole lot in those ports. To make a long story short, it was not a good cruise for us. No reflection on RC, although this was a slightly smaller ship than our previous trips, and we didn’t find as much to explore in all that down time. Add in some personal problems that caused major distress, and…. On one of the days we were out, I spied the Disney Magic tendered right next to us. Needless to say, I melted and wanted to be there instead of where I was.
When we returned home, I expressed the desire to cancel our RC Med cruise booked for June. We discussed it and decided that we would probably not enjoy it and also would be exhausted, due to the long and strenuous excursions that would be involved in order to see all we could. Before I actually went online and cancelled, DH sat down and started looking at my iPad. I had no idea what he was looking at, when he started asking questions about staterooms. (Keep in mind, DH is totally clueless when it comes to planning vacations. I do it all and he just follows along.) I answered what I could. Then he started talking about Norway. I looked at him and said, “what site are you on?” He promptly replied Disney. My jaw dropped, as I started to get excited.
So we explored the cruise and prices. The cost was about the same as the longer RC Med cruise, but the excursions would no doubt be a lot cheaper. Also, they wouldn’t be as exhausting, as I expect we will spend more time sightseeing on busses or boats and less time climbing over ruins or walking busy city streets. That’s not even mentioning, fewer ports and a 5 day shorter cruise. Those of you who read my European River Cruise trip report know that that trip turned out to be longer than we enjoyed. I even went back and read Cheryl's Norwegian cruise trip report. http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...completed.html
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Last edited by duck addict; 07-28-2015 at 07:59 PM..
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Great start! I love how this came about and your reasons for choosing the shorter cruise are very logical. Maybe Disney logic, but I agree that from your report the river cruise went on too long for your comfort and you'll probably be happier with the shorter cruise and tacking on a couple of days beforehand. Looking forward to more planning details.
I'm so glad my Norwegian cruise trip report was able to help. As you probably saw from that, the excursions we did weren't particularly taxing or long, so I'm sure you'll be fine on that count on this itinerary.
Great start! I love how this came about and your reasons for choosing the shorter cruise are very logical. Maybe Disney logic, but I agree that from your report the river cruise went on too long for your comfort and you'll probably be happier with the shorter cruise and tacking on a couple of days beforehand. Looking forward to more planning details.
Disney logic at its finest!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
I'm so glad my Norwegian cruise trip report was able to help. As you probably saw from that, the excursions we did weren't particularly taxing or long, so I'm sure you'll be fine on that count on this itinerary.
It really helped me to get a feel for what we might see and a glimpse of weather possibilities. It's so nice to be able to look back at places others have been (and you help with a lot of those!) to see a bit of what to expect.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
Oh, I'm so excited to read about this! How great that Wade started looking into it!
He did totally surprise me with that. He now says that he just might have to buy some Mickey ears as it seems we are back in Disney mode. (He's even going to WDW with me again in March. ) Maybe I'm converting him.
After discussing the pros and cons, money, etc., DH and I decided to go to Norway!! So I went on line and cancelled the RC cruise, and then hit the Disney website and booked our Norwegian trip. We debated cabins, but decided to go with a category 9A (large oceanview), stateroom 7502. We usually like to get verandahs, but opted not to this time because of the extra cost. Remember, we are only 5 months out from the trip, and we all know how Disney cruise prices just continue to rise as the trip gets closer. I put down the deposit and waited for the substantial refund from RC to hit our charge card. Once that did about 5 days later, I paid off the cruise. Meanwhile, I called DCL to waitlist for Main Dining, as all that was available when I booked was 2nd seating. Eating dinner at 8:30 just doesn’t work for us! Believe it or not, we were given Main Dining not a week after I called!!
Cruise Details:
June 6 Sail from Copenhagen, Denmark
June 7 At Sea
June 8 Stavanger, Norway
June 9 Alesund, Norway
June 10 Geiranger, Norway
June 11 Bergen, Norway
June 12 At Sea
June 13 Disembark in Copenhagen, Denmark
You will love the itinerary - I can only speak for Stavanger and Bergen, but they're both beautiful cities and I can understand you not going for a veranda on this cruise. I dread to think how much more that would've cost!
Sometimes the Disney fever has to incubate for a while before it takes full effect. I think this could be it for Wade! I love this itinerary. So glad your Main Dining came through. I can't do the later seatings, either.
The itinerary sounds fantastic! Glad you got the main dining. My family are night owls, so we do fine with late seating, but I know it's not for everyone.
You will love the itinerary - I can only speak for Stavanger and Bergen, but they're both beautiful cities and I can understand you not going for a veranda on this cruise. I dread to think how much more that would've cost!
I am getting more and more excited as I research these ports. I think the verandah would probably be a bit chilly as well as another $1000 or more.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Sometimes the Disney fever has to incubate for a while before it takes full effect. I think this could be it for Wade! I love this itinerary. So glad your Main Dining came through. I can't do the later seatings, either.
True about Wade. He's been telling more and more people about how great Disney does it. I kind of expected the dining to come through, but was surprised it was so fast.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
The itinerary sounds fantastic! Glad you got the main dining. My family are night owls, so we do fine with late seating, but I know it's not for everyone.
Definitely not for us, but I'm glad there are people who do want it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcneal
I booked late seating on our last cruise in an effort to keep DH up a little later! It worked most nights.
We are neither one night owls and feel just bloated when we eat too close to bedtime.
DH and I knew we wanted to fly in to Copenhagen a couple of days early. We followed that same plan last summer when sailing out of Amsterdam and it was quite helpful in adjusting to the time change. It also will give us time to explore Copenhagen a bit. I called DCL again to talk to them about pre cruise packages. Let me just say, I was disappointed in this aspect. They had 2 hotels they were using and would happily book a room for us; however, this booking would include absolutely nothing but the room. I had thought it would at least include ground transfers, a Copenhagen tour or something.
After talking to them, I said, thanks, but I wanted to think about it. I then went on line and started exploring hotels on my on. I checked Trip Advisor and my faithful hotels.com and ended up booking one of the same hotels that Disney was using, but for $300 less than Disney was asking. To be fair, that does include a $100 certificate that we had from hotels.com due to a very unpleasant experience last summer on one of their bookings. We are staying at the Radisson Blu Royal in the City Center of Copenhagen. It is right across from Tivoli Gardens if I have read things properly.
Very disappointing that DCL's hotel package didn't offer any perks. So, the only advantage to booking through DCL is that you get to pay more money? Good thing you did a bit of research! Looks like a beautiful hotel, with a great location.
I've looked at staying at that very hotel before, when I've considered a weekend in Copenhagen, so I'll be interested to see what you think of it. One day we will get there...
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He has been on all of the same cruises as me, except for my very first one, which was Disney. I traveled that one with DD.
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Meanwhile, I called DCL to waitlist for Main Dining, as all that was available when I booked was 2nd seating. Eating dinner at 8:30 just doesn’t work for us! Believe it or not, we were given Main Dining not a week after I called!!
Mary - not enough trips!
I kind of expected the dining to come through, but was surprised it was so fast.
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