We just completed a cruise of the Mediterranean on the Disney Dream ship with Rose, Joe, Rosalie, John and Ben. The traveling to Europe was a disaster for all of us due to canceled flight and long delays. We will never forget the troubles we encountered getting to Europe or back but it all worked out in the end.

Rose, John, and Ben started the vacation with 3 days in Paris and 1 day in Barcelona. Since Rosalie had been in Paris many times for work, she was able to guide them with a great time visiting Paris. They then spent a day in Barcelona.

Rose and I met them on the cruise ship after that and spent 7 days on the ship. The ship skipped the first port in the French Rivera due to a medical emergency on the ship so our first stop was in Italy. The cruise is a great way to get a quick view of the area but since the cruise ports are so far from the cities we visited it was no more than that. Also, the crowds made it impossible to visit most of the buildings due to long lines so we experienced the cities from the outside only – a real disappointment.

All of us visited Florence but it was so hot and humid that Rose and I decided to use the on-off bus rather than all the walking the the Cooks experienced. We did meet for lunch but then back on the bus. After that, Rose and I decided to stay on the ship for the next 2 ports – Sorrento/Amalfi and Rome while the Cooks took excursions. Rose and I had been to all these places on Tauck tours so it wasn’t an issue.

We all enjoyed the time on the ship with great food and the “disney” experience on board. Overall, a mixed vacation for us having experienced this same cruise in 2007 without all the crowds or heat and without the air travel troubles. Rose and I consider this our last trip to Europe but we encourage Rosalie, John, and Ben to experience Italy with Tauck tours to see more with a high-end experienced travel company.