The Mediterranean in May? About This Page:

[mommadjones]

Hi,
I am new to the cruise section to the boards. I have been on the Florida boards for a while know. I never thought my DH would ever go on a cruise let alone a Disney Cruise. So as quickly as I can I will explain and ask for advice. I was planning a trip for Sept/Oct 2010. My DH wasn't so thrilled with the idea as we just returned from our second trip this year! Well just returning is how I end up here. On our way to the airport on DME they show a video with all sorts of info including info on a Mediterranean cruise. He came home and within 24 hours had me checking prices. He is totally on board(no pun intended) but I would like info first. Has anyone done the 10 day Mediterranean cruise? We will have our 2 children with us ages 12 and just under 2 at the time of travel. Will my little guy be able to do any of the excursions? Any advice for a Cruise newbie would be great and so appreciated. Thanks

[Dave Marx]

We didn't do the Disney Med cruise - we had to research in advance for the book, so we took a 10-day Med cruise with Royal Caribbean. The principles are still the same, though.

Because Europe is such a rich destination, and since you'll be in each port for such a short while, shore excursions are almost essential, nearly every day. That will have a steep impact on your budget, as well as your stamina with your kids.

When Jennifer and I went (with Alexander, who was around the same age as your younger son at the time), we chose to split-up each day. Jennifer took (mostly) half-day excursions with Alexander, while I took full-day excursions alone (we needed to cover as much territory as possible due to research requirements). We did spend some time together as a family ashore, though, but work came first, of course.

Most sightseeing tours will accept a young child, often at no charge as long as you lap-carry on the bus. However, as you already know, a child that age has to run, and may not have patience for long bus trips (it's about an hour into Rome from the port, and similar from the port to Florence and some of the more interesting destinations in the South of France). Further, strollers don't work well at many desinations due to cobblestone streets. So, no matter what, you'll have some challenges. For us, half-day excursions seemed a reasonable compromise, as it's generally easier to take care of a toddler back on the ship.

However, being on Royal Caribbean, we lacked one important option that Disney does provide - child care on port days (and DCL's the only line I know of that has proper child care for the under-3 crowd - Flounder's Reef). You have the option of leaving either or both of your sons on board, and in very good hands, while you go ashore (if you're comfy doing that). You might want to take advantage of that at least once or twice during your cruise.

Look carefully at the itineraries. Some cities (like Rome) essentially demand a full-day excursion. Other ports are a bit more forgiving, offering decent half-day excursion options. At some, you may even get away with exploring the port area on your own. You can judge what shore excursions are likely to be available by checking other cruise line's web sites.

Regardless of the challenges, I think a European cruise is a great thing, so don't let me scare you off!

[mommadjones]

Thank you Dave. I am a bit nervous about the price but am very excited about the prospect of going. I need to research the price of the excursions to see if this is feasible.

[chezp]

We did the inaugural Med cruise with Disney, which sailed in May. It was just the two of us - we don't have kids, so I can't help you on that front, but May was a perfect time to sail the Med. The weather was beautiful, but not too hot.

[Dave Marx]

Amanda, you can roughly budget "typical" excursions at about $60-$80 for a half-day excursion, and about $160-$200 for a full-day (full days usually include a table service lunch). That should be enough to get you started, though there are, of course, exceptions on the low and high end of the price range.

[MickeyWatch]

We did the Disney Med cruise, but in July with DH and DD7 the time. I agree with Dave that you may want to use the Disney child care for some of the more tour and time intensive ports such as Rome and Florence. Many of the excursions offered in other ports do not require a lot of walking (unless you choose to do so) and as long as your child is OK with long bus rides he should be OK. Many of the stops are villages where you can walk, shop, and eat on your own schedule. The bus ride to Florence was quite long and the tour we took involved a lot of walking and museum time. Definately not the best choice for your young child. Take a look at the excursions descriptions on line and in Passporter and see what will work for you.
If I recall, one of the choices at most of the stops was something like "explore ______ port on your own" That was usually the most inexpensive tour offered and essentially got you transportation to the downtown/scenic area and then you were on your own until the bus ride back.
On the tours we took my daughter was usually the youngest child on the bus. The rest of the kids were preteens or older. I assume that the families with little kids either used child care or went on short, easy excursions and then went back to the ship.

Whatever you choose to do you will never forget the Disney Med Cruise. It was one of the highlights of my life and definately our best vacation ever (so far).

[DrDolphin]

We did the 10 night Med cruise with my then 8-year old niece.

[mommadjones]

Thank you all. My DH said he doesn't want to use the child care I say if thats the case he can take care of an almost 2 year old boy with the most energy I have ever seen! He is OK on trips. We did two and a half hours on the plane without a nap and although he was busy he didn't scream. I have a soft but very comfortable back pack that I would bring for longer walks and places I don't want things to get broken. This trip would be so incredible and I REALLY want to do it. I just did some research and found out that the kids are free so to me its a no brainer and maybe after a full day lugging DS all over he will decide that child care isn't so bad Now if I can get my DCL book. Like a dope I ordered it with 2 copies of the 2010 WDW passporter so its not scheduled to arrive until Nov 15th.

[mommadjones]

Just got my DCL edition of the PassPorter I am so excited and we haven't even committed to this trip yet. Hopefully I will get some reading done this weekend as I want to try and book asap. They have a children 12 and under sail free on the April and May Med. cruises so I want to take advantage of that while supplies last. Wish me luck....here I go!

[efcsmom]

We are booked to sail 05-05 with 3 kidlets and 2 grandparents. We'll range in age from 8-65! I'm not sure who will tire out first.

I'm struggling with whether or not to book shore excursions, or to set out on our own.

DS-8 will be bored 90% of the time, but I don't want him to miss out on the opps to see things like the Colleseum and climb the Tower of Pisa. On the other hand DD's 11 and 12 will be good-to-go and he might do better staying on board. Oh the troubles we encounter