Trans-Atlantic Cruise Questions (on the Magic) - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Ok so let me preface this by saying that we probably aren't doing this, lol, but we accidentally stumbled upon a RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING price for a 14 night transatlantic Disney cruise this May on the Magic. It departs out of Galveston and lands in Barcelona, Spain.
We have so many questions, and mom told me (as if I wasn't already halfway there), "Go on the Disney boards and ask the people there - they know their stuff!"
On one hand, it's ridiculous to consider planning a cruise when I'm losing my job on 2/28, and we've had to cancel a Disney trip AND another trip... but on the other hand, the rate is so dirt cheap, we can't let it pass without at least looking into it... and besides... with me just working at the BBQ place through summer... I have the flexibility to take a 2.5 week vacation... I just have to find the money to do so...
I do have a PassPorter cruise book, but it's the fourth edition, which is pretty old, I think. So forgive me for asking questions that are readily available... we're just trying to get as much information as quickly as we can, to help us make a decision (though really, the money is going to make the final decision for us)...
* What drinks are "included"? Coffee? Iced Tea? Lemonade? Is apple juice extra? It looks like (according to my PPer edition) coffee and juices are included, but probably not lemonade?
* On RCC, you can bring one bottle of wine per person onboard the ship for your enjoyment in your cabin. What is Disney's policy? Again, in the PPer, it looks like you can BYOB, but... I'm not sure how outdated this might be?
* I read somewhere that there's a character breakfast on weeklong trips, and you get a ticket with your time / day from your server or in your stateroom. Do any of you have experience with this? Is this accurate?
* For the kids club, do you have to sign them up at the beginning of the cruise, or can you just drop the kid(s) off whenever you want?
* Is there a library where you can check out books / donate books you've read and don't want to bring home?
* Is there wifi on this ship? I can't remember if I've read that there is or is not...
* There are 10 at-sea days on this itinerary. I know this is a ridiculous question, but will we have enough to entertain us on board?
* I know the Magic is an older ship. Is there anything I need to know about it? Anything to prepare for? Any words of caution / caveats?
* Am I crazy?
I know mom has lots of questions, and I know more questions will come up. I cannot even believe I'm considering this. I'm going to have to work like a demon to afford this... plus we'd want a couple of days in Barcelona afterwards, before coming home. But I really, really want to do this. I'm going to have to find a "real" (aka desk) job in fall, I believe, so I might as well enjoy the flexibility while I can, right? And a trip that combines Europe, Disney, the beach and a cruise... how can you go wrong? Famous last words, right? LOL!
Of course, knowing my trip planning mojo, something insane will happen... but I might as well at least look into it, right?!
I haven't taken a Disney cruise (yet ), but my advise is to price out your one way airfare back from Barcelona before you decide. My mom found a ridiculously cheap trans-atlantic cruise a couple years ago, and the airfare from Spain to Seattle was almost triple the cruise cost. Sadly, I couldn't go because I was in zoo docent training at the time...that would have been my 1st Disney cruise!
Go!!
Yes you will have PLENTY to do!
Meri may never want to return from the club. You sign her up at the beginning (or before you go) but then she can be checked in/out whenever you want.
You can bring as much wine (or other liquor) as you can carry in a carry-on. Our last cruise I brought 6 bottles of wine, and some piña colada pouches!!
Coffee, tea, soft drinks, hot chocolate are always available, and lemonade is one of the options in the soda machine. Apple juice is only at breakfast.
I actually love the Magic more than the Dream in some ways. The new ships are SO big!!
We did 12 nights a few years ago, and would definitely do a TA!
Hope it works for you, Melanie!
I haven't taken a Disney cruise (yet ), but my advise is to price out your one way airfare back from Barcelona before you decide. My mom found a ridiculously cheap trans-atlantic cruise a couple years ago, and the airfare from Spain to Seattle was almost triple the cruise cost. Sadly, I couldn't go because I was in zoo docent training at the time...that would have been my 1st Disney cruise!
Ah yes, the return flight... unfortunately we will likely be flying standby back to the states... so no return airfare to purchase... but it will be a whole different kind of stressful.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Go!!
Yes you will have PLENTY to do!
Meri may never want to return from the club. You sign her up at the beginning (or before you go) but then she can be checked in/out whenever you want.
You can bring as much wine (or other liquor) as you can carry in a carry-on. Our last cruise I brought 6 bottles of wine, and some piña colada pouches!!
Coffee, tea, soft drinks, hot chocolate are always available, and lemonade is one of the options in the soda machine. Apple juice is only at breakfast.
I actually love the Magic more than the Dream in some ways. The new ships are SO big!!
We did 12 nights a few years ago, and would definitely do a TA!
Hope it works for you, Melanie!
Sounds wonderful all around - thank you for your thoughts! It will all depend on what the cost ends up being... we found this frighteningly amazing rate, but I'm having trouble believing it is accurate. Once we call the agent today, we'll know a little more.
Most of your questions have been answered, but here are a few more responses:
To my knowledge, longer cruises on the Magic and Wonder still have character breakfasts on sea days, and you will still be assigned a day and get (free) tickets in your stateroom. Your dinner servers should remind you of the day as well.
There isn't a library on the Magic, but there are sometimes a few books and magazines at the adult lounge on the pool deck, Cove Cafe, that can be borrowed and returned. The shops also have some books and magazines, but if you really want reading material, bring your own.
There should be plenty to do on sea days. Family games, ship tours, movies, and trivia contests are all "free." For a small fee, you can do bingo and wine/beer tastings. Spa treatments are a bit more. If they still have art auctions, they are free to watch.
Wi Fi is available, for a fee, but has been very slow when I've used it. The Magic and Wonder have computer areas for a small fee if you need access for just a few minutes.
Oh, yes, forgot a few questions....
Don't bother with wifi, it is PAINFULLY slow!!
The drink station by the pools is open 24/7, and all drinks there are free. You can get away with very few extras, if you don't do a lot of spa things. I'd think about a length of cruise pass to the Rain Forest, I think, and then watch for spa specials. Probably harder to book when you have all those sea days, though.
Don't forget tips, though. Server, assistant server, head server, and room steward.
I did the 15-night Panama cruise on the Magic and never ran out of things to do. Every day I'd circle all the things on the Navigator I wanted to do and there was always way too much to fit in. One thing to consider about the trans-Atlantic cruises is that it will probably be coolish and windy on deck a lot of the time. So, maybe not as many lounging by the pool days as you'd like. The weather is impossible to predict, of course, but the ship will be traveling at a faster speed than on an island cruise, which makes it almost always windy. I did a trans-atlantic cruise in August (not Disney) over 40 years ago (yikes!) and it was beautiful but very blustery on deck every day. Maybe someone who's done this cruise can give more up-to-date weather info.
The prices for a repositioning cruise tend to be very good deals, so I bet the quote you found is correct. I'd do it!
Well. We booked it! We got an even cheaper price than the one I found... and it includes gratuities! I cannot believe we booked it! And it's PIF! With trip insurance, of course!
I have a lot of research to do - including getting a new, up-to-date PPer cruise line book! And I need to really research Barcelona, too.
Thanks for everyone's input on here! It's helped a lot! I've been reading my 4th edition PP, and I'm sure while some things have changed, not a ton has. I can't believe we're doing this!!! I guess I'll do a PTR at some point...
I'm dying to know, when are you going and where did you get a great price? This is a cruise I've wanted yo do, if I were to cruise. I'm nervous though, I tend to get motion sickness on boats, though everyone says cruise boats are different.
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I'm dying to know, when are you going and where did you get a great price? This is a cruise I've wanted yo do, if I were to cruise. I'm nervous though, I tend to get motion sickness on boats, though everyone says cruise boats are different.
We used an airline employee discount site (InterLine), though Disney itself has fabulous deals as well.
It's a 14 night cruise, departing from Galveston and arriving in Barcelona. Only three port stops - Castaway Cay, Funchal (Portugal) and Gibraltar (it belongs to the UK, but is actually the southern tip of Spain). There are 10 at-sea days (which are my favorite days)!
We used an airline employee discount site (InterLine), though Disney itself has fabulous deals as well.
It's a 14 night cruise, departing from Galveston and arriving in Barcelona. Only three port stops - Castaway Cay, Funchal (Portugal) and Gibraltar (it belongs to the UK, but is actually the southern tip of Spain). There are 10 at-sea days (which are my favorite days)!
My DH is an airline pilot...maybe I should look into that discount!
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), but my advise is to price out your one way airfare back from Barcelona before you decide. My mom found a ridiculously cheap trans-atlantic cruise a couple years ago, and the airfare from Spain to Seattle was almost triple the cruise cost. Sadly, I couldn't go because I was in zoo docent training at the time...that would have been my 1st Disney cruise!
I guess I'll do a PTR at some point...
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