Welcome aboard, Stephanie!
I'm so excited to hear that you'll be setting sail on the Disney Magic to the Mediterranean on August 16th. You and your whole family are likely already doing a countdown for the many exciting adventures that await. My family and I enjoyed that itinerary so much -- Europe is rich in culture and there's just so much to experience out there.
When the ship is docked at one of the exciting ports of call, you are welcome to explore on your own. The Port Adventures desk - as well as the shopping specialist onboard will have maps available for your use (port shopping guides). If you have specific souvenirs that you're looking for, or if you are just interested in wandering around the port area, someone at the Port Adventures desk will be more than happy to point you in the right direction and even give you simple directions of what could be near by. Some ports may require a tender boat (riding a smaller boat to reach the nearby port), so allow an extra 15-20 minutes for that each way. I also suggest checking out the Personal Navigator for schedules of presentations offered at the theater. There are shopping tips that the crew shares, and everyone is helpful to guide you. They'll show the presentations again in one of the stateroom TV's local channels.
Nothing beats Disney Cruise
Port Adventure excursions though - if you can, try to check out a city tour just so that you can see much more and hear about the beautiful port city that you're visiting. The guides are very knowledgeable and are usually local. There are some short excursions that also offer you the rest of the day to explore and go shopping.
Happy planning, Stephanie! Let us know if you need additional help with your upcoming cruise.
Bon voyage!
~ Dolly