One of Those Trips of a Lifetime

Disney Magic Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

gremorr

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 115

Overall rating:

5 out of 5

7 Night Western Mediterranean (Barcelona Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 29, 2015

Ship: Disney Magic

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 6305

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

Pompeii, Rome, Florence, the French Riviera...all places Americans hear about from the time they begin hearing about places. These geographic locations are among the icons of our planet. They are not just simply tourist locations, but rather historical markers, cultural meccas and places of dreams and imagination. Now, what would you say if someone told you they could arrange for you to see all these wondrous spots within a single week, and all you had to do was unpack once? Well, that is exactly what DCL can arrange for you with their 7 Night Western Mediterranean cruise.

Following up our first ever cruise last year aboard the Disney Wonder in Alaska, my wife and I departed the ever so cool city of Barcelona aboard the Wonder's sister ship, Magic. Saturday, late afternoon, and the Magic eased its way out into the Mediterranean Sea, the bluest water I've seen in my life. Sailing due east across the sea we soon lost sight of the land behind us as the sun set. Disney did not disappoint. The food, the service, the entertainment...all was first rate.

The shore excursions, while amazing, were strenuous, especially during the summer when the heat and humidity were high. I imagine there are weather related reasons Disney repositions its ships to the Caribbean in the fall and winter rather than continue to tour other parts of the world when the temperatures are milder, but it would be nice to be able to take this cruise when it isn't so hot in Italy.

I am a big Disney Cruise Line fan and advocate. If you are contemplating a Med cruise, you should seriously consider the Disney experience.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

If it is just the two of you I cannot understand why you would need anything beyond the standard inside stateroom. It is large enough for two. In fact, it was larger than the hotel room we stayed in the night before the cruise. Sure, you do not have a window, but you're not in the room to look outside. That's what decks 4, 9 and 10 are for!

Ship tip

The laundry rooms are convenient and inexpensive. Easy to use, and it helps stretch out your wardrobe over the seven days.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Barcelona, Spain

5 out of 5

It's all about the tapas, gracias. There is nothing like sitting down at Cerveceria Catalana in the Eixample District with a pitcher of house made sangria, a plate of jamon Iberico and another of Padron peppers.

Thumbs Up 3

Naples, Italy

5 out of 5

Don't miss Sorrento, the Amalfi coast and Pompeii. Just hope for cooler temperatures.

Thumbs Up 2

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

5 out of 5

You cannot see Rome in a half a day (which is about the time you have after traveling from the port). Don't try or you will just get frustrated and tired.

Thumbs Up 0

Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy

5 out of 5

Why sightsee when you can spend your day shopping for leather and gold.

Thumbs Up 0

Villefranche-Sur-Mer, France

5 out of 5

Satisfy your inner Cary Grant by having lunch at the Hotel Carleton in Cannes.

Thumbs Up 2