7/18/10 Mickey's Baltic Ballyhoo Part 6

[jilljill]

Laura (sister-in-law) just graduated this weekend from UNL (University of Nebraska, Lincoln) in music performance! Now we can work on finalizing all of the last details for the trip!

Congrats to your SIL.
Now on to planning...

 

[RJAYL]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

 

[jilljill]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Is that the meds kicking in?!?

 

[RJAYL]

Is that the meds kicking in?!?

Who needs meds when I can fall asleep reading this thread!

 

[jilljill]

Who needs meds when I can fall asleep reading this thread!

Ahhh....now I see why you are sleeping.

 

[MrsScooby]

Sorry, I just found this thread today. I didn't realize that when a thread closed I had to re-sign up. I was wondering why I hadn't heard from anyone in awhile. We are in room #2602. Is everyone still planning one family FE per room?

Glad you found us
I'm thinking of maybe 2 small gifts per cabin-but that might change when we start packing and weighing our bags
Or if the number goes up

'Morning


I think they are all planning, or trying to not choke on their dinner. Sorry Andrew, I had to mention that and I'm glad that you are fine after your ordeal the other night.

It is okay Barb. Friends are allowed to razz friends, especially when they did something stupid.

Glad you are ok Andrew

Laura (sister-in-law) just graduated this weekend from UNL (University of Nebraska, Lincoln) in music performance! Now we can work on finalizing all of the last details for the trip!

Congrats to your SiL
Lots of planning going on

 

[MrsScooby]

Finally got our London Pass booklets and cards in the mail
Trying to forget that I paid more than I had to

Looking through the discount booklet and found a restaurant that I might want to try for Saturday night.

Anyone been to Punch Tavern?

http://www.punchtavern.com/

The menu looked good

 

[markmyboy]

SO...I've finally gotten to the point where I am looking at how to get from the Heathrow to our hotel. I think our best bet with the kids and the luggage is going to be a taxi. Just wondering what is customary as far as tipping the taxi driver?

As far as London planning, the only other thing I've looked into was seeing Wicked, and all I had to do was take a look and I bought tickets! We got a great deal in comparison to trying to see it on Broadway. I'm pretty sure we'll want to ride the London Eye, but haven't figured out what the rest of us will all want to do together. With only 65 days to go, I better get started!

~Bridget

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Haven't made final decision on FE - have some ideas but need to get off the fence and decide

Been looking at what we want to do in London but not in any particular order or on what day - figure with us coming in a few days early we have some flexibilty on our days - plus we can get over the 'jet lag'

Trying to figure out if I want to pick up some adult beverage (s) and carry on or just pay on the ship

decisions decisions decisions

 

[MrsScooby]

SO...I've finally gotten to the point where I am looking at how to get from the Heathrow to our hotel. I think our best bet with the kids and the luggage is going to be a taxi. Just wondering what is customary as far as tipping the taxi driver?

As far as London planning, the only other thing I've looked into was seeing Wicked, and all I had to do was take a look and I bought tickets! We got a great deal in comparison to trying to see it on Broadway. I'm pretty sure we'll want to ride the London Eye, but haven't figured out what the rest of us will all want to do together. With only 65 days to go, I better get started!

~Bridget

Hey Bridget

Tipping the taxi driver is usually 10% from what I heard.

Also a bunch of us are on the London Eye at 3:45 pm on the Friday before the cruise (July 16th). There is a package where you book the London Eye, a river cruise and dinner at Porters Restaurant - which several of us are doing and everyone is welcome
It's the LE at 3:45, then the cruise and then walk to Porters (dinner around 6-6:30 or so). Just google and you should find the package deals if you want to join us.

Haven't made final decision on FE - have some ideas but need to get off the fence and decide

Been looking at what we want to do in London but not in any particular order or on what day - figure with us coming in a few days early we have some flexibilty on our days - plus we can get over the 'jet lag'

Trying to figure out if I want to pick up some adult beverage (s) and carry on or just pay on the ship

decisions decisions decisions

We only have barely 2 days to see London-I imagine we will crash when we get on the ship on Sunday

I like to try different drinks and don't drink alot anyway-so I just buy on the ship rather than bring on

Lots of decisions-so I try to make a few each week or so. Hopefully I am set by July

 

[Flora Fan]

I got it!!! I got it!!! Our #1 excursion: Berlin Discovery. Feel like I have won the lottery.

 

[KathyInCitrus]

I got it!!! I got it!!! Our #1 excursion: Berlin Discovery. Feel like I have won the lottery.

CONGRATS!!! ​

​

 

[smilis]

Just catching up with you all from the past few days. You have been rather quiet. Everybody must be busy with their plans. . We're (read I'm) still trying to decide which company to go with in St. P for excursion DH is not a lot of help.

I seem to recall somebody (Andrew perhaps) mentioning what dining rotation he was on. I spoke with DCL this evening and they said it was all a matter of preference. Even though we've been on other DCL cruises, I'm not sure we have a favorite rotation. What's everybody else doing or do you have a favorite rotation preference?

I certainly will be anxious to hear what the other Baltic cruisers say about the weather. It could change the whole idea of what I'm thinking I'll be taking if it turns out to be a lot cooler than I'm hoping for.

Sandy

 

[Cptjackandcrew]

Just catching up with you all from the past few days. You have been rather quiet. Everybody must be busy with their plans. . We're (read I'm) still trying to decide which company to go with in St. P for excursion DH is not a lot of help.

I seem to recall somebody (Andrew perhaps) mentioning what dining rotation he was on. I spoke with DCL this evening and they said it was all a matter of preference. Even though we've been on other DCL cruises, I'm not sure we have a favorite rotation. What's everybody else doing or do you have a favorite rotation preference?

I certainly will be anxious to hear what the other Baltic cruisers say about the weather. It could change the whole idea of what I'm thinking I'll be taking if it turns out to be a lot cooler than I'm hoping for.

Sandy

We have always done first dining, but signed up for second this time around. My rationale was that the days are full and if I wasn't up for a sit down dinner then we could go to the show when we board and then get room service later on.

 

[MrsScooby]

I got it!!! I got it!!! Our #1 excursion: Berlin Discovery. Feel like I have won the lottery.

That's wonderful
We'll be in Berlin too but not with DCL-maybe we'll see you there

Just catching up with you all from the past few days. You have been rather quiet. Everybody must be busy with their plans. . We're (read I'm) still trying to decide which company to go with in St. P for excursion DH is not a lot of help.

I seem to recall somebody (Andrew perhaps) mentioning what dining rotation he was on. I spoke with DCL this evening and they said it was all a matter of preference. Even though we've been on other DCL cruises, I'm not sure we have a favorite rotation. What's everybody else doing or do you have a favorite rotation preference?

I certainly will be anxious to hear what the other Baltic cruisers say about the weather. It could change the whole idea of what I'm thinking I'll be taking if it turns out to be a lot cooler than I'm hoping for.

Sandy

Ummm, never really mattered to me what rotation we had I guess it is a little better to be in the more formal restaurant (Lumierre's) on formal night-especially if you are dressing up, but since that falls on our night in Palo, it doesn't make a difference to us
Some people prefer Parrot Cay for pirate night, but not even sure if we are having a pirate night on this cruise either

Plus the weather can be very unpredictable-so packing is tricky making sure you are covered for both hot days and cool days

I posted this blog on the main boards for someone else, but I just noticed today it gives a great idea of how to dress for the Baltic as well. In the pics-the girl is often wearing a jacket, but sometimes you can see where she has taken off the jacket and sweater and is just wearing a t-shirt. It looks like they had some nice weather for the most part in July 2008, but also some rain as well. Just like this past spring in VA, we had some days that were down right hot and some days where I was putting on the heat in the house and wearing a jacket outside

http://cpbaltic08.blog.co.uk/

 

[Cptjackandcrew]

We have always done first dining, but signed up for second this time around. My rationale was that the days are full and if I wasn't up for a sit down dinner then we could go to the show when we board and then get room service later on.

My mistake, I thought you were talking about dining not rotation of restaurants. Sorry.

 

[MrsScooby]

We have always done first dining, but signed up for second this time around. My rationale was that the days are full and if I wasn't up for a sit down dinner then we could go to the show when we board and then get room service later on.

My mistake, I thought you were talking about dining not rotation of restaurants. Sorry.

Actually an interesting debate...I'm sure there will be times we wished we had late dining, but for the most part we like dinner early. Part of the reason we decided not to cruise with my DMiL as she insisted on a late dining time (among other things as well)

Planning on a dinner in St Petersburg for the first night
And Germany will be whatever we can grab as we get back from Berlin.

 

[jilljill]

I got it!!! I got it!!! Our #1 excursion: Berlin Discovery. Feel like I have won the lottery.

Congrats on getting the excursion you wanted.

Just catching up with you all from the past few days. You have been rather quiet. Everybody must be busy with their plans. . We're (read I'm) still trying to decide which company to go with in St. P for excursion DH is not a lot of help.

I seem to recall somebody (Andrew perhaps) mentioning what dining rotation he was on. I spoke with DCL this evening and they said it was all a matter of preference. Even though we've been on other DCL cruises, I'm not sure we have a favorite rotation. What's everybody else doing or do you have a favorite rotation preference?

I certainly will be anxious to hear what the other Baltic cruisers say about the weather. It could change the whole idea of what I'm thinking I'll be taking if it turns out to be a lot cooler than I'm hoping for.

Sandy

It's never mattered to me which rotation we get. I've never figured out why people stress over being in a particular restaurant on a particular night.

Layering the is the way to go in the Baltics. 2 years ago we had nice weather, it was in the mid 60's and sunny most of the time so a jacket was needed in the morning into early afternoon.
Don't forget to pack an umbrella and/or a weather proof jacket, especially for StP. July can be very wet for StP.

That's wonderful
We'll be in Berlin too but not with DCL-maybe we'll see you there


Ummm, never really mattered to me what rotation we had I guess it is a little better to be in the more formal restaurant (Lumierre's) on formal night-especially if you are dressing up, but since that falls on our night in Palo, it doesn't make a difference to us
Some people prefer Parrot Cay for pirate night, but not even sure if we are having a pirate night on this cruise either

Plus the weather can be very unpredictable-so packing is tricky making sure you are covered for both hot days and cool days

I posted this blog on the main boards for someone else, but I just noticed today it gives a great idea of how to dress for the Baltic as well. In the pics-the girl is often wearing a jacket, but sometimes you can see where she has taken off the jacket and sweater and is just wearing a t-shirt. It looks like they had some nice weather for the most part in July 2008, but also some rain as well. Just like this past spring in VA, we had some days that were down right hot and some days where I was putting on the heat in the house and wearing a jacket outside

http://cpbaltic08.blog.co.uk/

We also cruised in July 2008 and layered with a jacket and t-shirt. StP was wet on day and dry and sunny the other. The day we were docked in Warnemunde, it rained in the morning in port and then the sun came out around 11am, but we heard it rained all day in Berlin.
For the most part we wore jackets in the morning and shed them from getting warm walking around and the sun being out.

DH also likes the zip-off pants so he doesn't have to pack shorts in addition to pants.

 

[jilljill]

'Morning all

 

[RJAYL]

'Morning all

Yeah what Barb said!!

Trying to get my plans for London finalized, Big Bis vs Hop on Hop off,

I found an interesting full day bus tour with early entry to the tower of london & crown jewels, changing of the guards, st pauls & all the sites then a river cruise & finishes with the London Eye! but its pricey! oh & they pick you up at your Hotel at 7:30 in the morning!

Premium tours https://www.premiumtours.co.uk/tours/tour/total-london-full-day-tour.id40.html

Watch the video it makes it seem so easy!