We’re at a restored picture-perfect farmhouse up in the hills of Lucca on the vineyard and olive groves that are owned by Piero Tartagini and Francesca Pardini, taking a cooking lesson from Zeela Rubenstein and her husband Mauro Gehigani ....

 The 120 cooks, 48 stewards and 10 storekeepers on board the Disney Magic (www.disneycruise.com) aim to make sure you’re not. How much weight you’ll gain is another story....

 Everyone is watching. We’re in the ancient Coliseum in Rome but these gladiators won’t fight to the death, thank goodness. They’re not slaves or prisoners of war. 

 It’s only a half mile but a steep 40 per cent grade makes it seem much longer.  After all the eating aboard the Disney Magic (www.disneycruise.com) as we cruise the Med, we’re glad for the exercise as we head to one of the most famous volcano craters in the world. Mt. Vesuvius.... 

 DAY SEVEN – Disney for adults.  It’s all how you shake the cocktail.  Who says Disney Cruises are just for kids? ... 

 DAY SIX It’s all about the swish of your hips.  We’re at Douar Laroussi about an hour from where the Disney Magic (www.disneycruise.com)is anchored this morning in Tunis, Tunisia in North Africa....

 DAY FIVE – We’re in Malta, so where are the Knights?   The city of Valetta, Malta’s capitol, was built by the Knights of St. John who came here in 1530 to protect the pilgrims. 

 DAY FOUR – Little kids are everywhere--splashing in Mickey’s Ears in the Mickey Mouse head-shaped pool, getting chicken fingers and Pizza poolside, lining up to meet princesses.... 

 DAY THREE -- Our first day at sea and there is so much to do!  We can go to a lecture about Malta where we will be tomorrow, play Bingo or go to a cooking demonstration, learn napkin folding or Origami. ... 

 (DAY TWO) -- Teen attack!  It is 10:30 p.m. Saturday night and The Stack at the top of the ship is packed with 100 teens and their three energetic counselors the kids are from all over the world though the majority are Americans. ...