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

[KathyInCitrus]

I have the cash to pay for the Ballyhoo bus set aside.

Us, too, Celestine!

 

[Cousin Orville]

Howdy from Texas!

Just wanted to introduce myself - Kevin. I'll be sailing with y'all with my wife and 2 kids (5 and a baby). I'm probably insane taking such young kids, but hopefully we all survive and have a good time. We travel together a lot, but this will be our 1st Disney Cruise and the kids first trip to Europe. Hope to see y'all there.

Kevin

 

[abacab]

My currency was actually ordered last Thursday, so I'm sure those were Friday's rates they used at our local bank. I just checked my withdrawal slip and it was dated Friday.

I'm not able to order rubles from our bank. If I need them then I'll just use an ATM again over there.

How funny; mine was ordered last Thursday also. And it was supposed to be a preferred rate from my bank. Oh well, I guess some banks are better than others.

 

[abacab]

It sounds like they don't send the Blanket visa until inside of a month.
Sandy

Are they actually sending you a document that says "blanket visa", or is it just the excursion tickets themselves?

I've been trying to figure this out for a while now, with some people saying you don't need a visa if you go with a tour company, and other people saying it is a "blanket visa" the tour company provides. I've been getting conflicting answers.

 

[Caropooh]

Are they actually sending you a document that says "blanket visa", or is it just the excursion tickets themselves?

I've been trying to figure this out for a while now, with some people saying you don't need a visa if you go with a tour company, and other people saying it is a "blanket visa" the tour company provides. I've been getting conflicting answers.

I believe that when people say 'you don't need a visa if you go with a tour company' is that YOU don't need to APPLY through the State Department (or wherever you get a visa from) to get the visa. The tour companies do that and have all the documentation that you will need to get off the ship and tour St Petersburg.
As for what the tour companies actually send you, Barb (jilljill) can answer that since she has used Anastasia on her previous Baltic cruise.

 

[Caropooh]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARA!​

 

[RJAYL]

I have been e-mailing back & forth with the concierge from the Royal Gardens Hotel & have been informed that there is at least a 2-day pass for the Big Bus at a good savings of 36 pounds (adult) for 2 days!

I e-mailed her again about a 3 day pass as this would be great!

Also need to ask about children's rates

 

[MrsScooby]

HAPPy BIRTHDAY KARA

 

[MrsScooby]

Howdy from Texas!

Just wanted to introduce myself - Kevin. I'll be sailing with y'all with my wife and 2 kids (5 and a baby). I'm probably insane taking such young kids, but hopefully we all survive and have a good time. We travel together a lot, but this will be our 1st Disney Cruise and the kids first trip to Europe. Hope to see y'all there.

Kevin

Howdy Kevin and family
You are brave bringing 2 little ones on this trip

Bet your 5 year old will have a blast in the DCL kids club though

Our first trip to Europe as well, but our 5th DCL cruise (myself, DH, DS16 and DD13)

Getting so excited about this trip

 

[jilljill]

Are they actually sending you a document that says "blanket visa", or is it just the excursion tickets themselves?

I've been trying to figure this out for a while now, with some people saying you don't need a visa if you go with a tour company, and other people saying it is a "blanket visa" the tour company provides. I've been getting conflicting answers.

I believe that when people say 'you don't need a visa if you go with a tour company' is that YOU don't need to APPLY through the State Department (or wherever you get a visa from) to get the visa. The tour companies do that and have all the documentation that you will need to get off the ship and tour St Petersburg.
As for what the tour companies actually send you, Barb (jilljill) can answer that since she has used Anastasia on her previous Baltic cruise.

You are not getting conflicting info, just reading into the answers too much.
Caro is exactly correct that you don't need to apply for a Visa on your own and pay for it, along with getting a Russian sponsor.

Once your info is rec'd by the Russian tour company about 30 days out or so you will receive a Tour Ticket for each member of your party. You will need to have this printed out to show to the immigration officer at the port and they will look at your ticket, stamp your passport and issue you a 'ticket' to be turned back in when you return from your day's tour.
The immigration officials know that these official Tour Tickets contain a 'blanket visa' to cover you for the days you are touring with the company. Even if you read the descriptions of the DCL tours they say the tour includes a 'blanket visa' which is the same kind a private tour operator provides.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[jilljill]

Howdy from Texas!

Just wanted to introduce myself - Kevin. I'll be sailing with y'all with my wife and 2 kids (5 and a baby). I'm probably insane taking such young kids, but hopefully we all survive and have a good time. We travel together a lot, but this will be our 1st Disney Cruise and the kids first trip to Europe. Hope to see y'all there.

Kevin

Welcome Kevin and family.

Since you said it first, yup you are crazy but it will be a lot of fun for everyone.

There's tons of info in the first post of this thread and there's a Baltics planning thread on the main cruise boards that's full of great info.
Any questions just ask away.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Bet your 5 year old will have a blast in the DCL kids club though

Glad to hear it. This is one of the main reasons we chose a Disney Cruise rather than just hopping over to Europe by ourselves.

 

[Cousin Orville]

There's tons of info in the first post of this thread and there's a Baltics planning thread on the main cruise boards that's full of great info.
Any questions just ask away.

Thanks. My parents have been doing Disney Cruises for a while have been guiding us along the way, but I'm sure I may have more questions. I'm excited to hear back from those in the first Baltic cruise in June to hear their experiences.

 

[MrsG]

Welcome Kevin and family!!

Quick hello to all!

 

[scrapycruiser]

Thanks. My parents have been doing Disney Cruises for a while have been guiding us along the way, but I'm sure I may have more questions. I'm excited to hear back from those in the first Baltic cruise in June to hear their experiences.

WELCOME, Kevin & Kathleen and my adorable Grandsons !!!

Dad and I are thrilled that you'll be joining us in the Baltic. The Oceanears Club will be outstanding, and we'll be a good back up for Flounders !!

Like everyone has said, read through the posts and/or search for topics you have questions about !

MOM

 

[MrsG]

WELCOME, Kevin & Kathleen and my adorable Grandsons !!!

Dad and I are thrilled that you'll be joining us in the Baltic. The Oceanears Club will be outstanding, and we'll be a good back up for Flounders !!

Like everyone has said, read through the posts and/or search for topics you have questions about !

MOM

How wonderful to have your family with you! Kevin never said WHO his parents were!

 

[jilljill]

Thanks. My parents have been doing Disney Cruises for a while have been guiding us along the way, but I'm sure I may have more questions. I'm excited to hear back from those in the first Baltic cruise in June to hear their experiences.

WELCOME, Kevin & Kathleen and my adorable Grandsons !!!

Dad and I are thrilled that you'll be joining us in the Baltic. The Oceanears Club will be outstanding, and we'll be a good back up for Flounders !!

Like everyone has said, read through the posts and/or search for topics you have questions about !

MOM

Too funny that Kevin didn't want to tell us that you were his mom, and even funnier that he didn't mention you were sailing with them.

 

[Sailingpartyof10]

Welcome, Kevin! I don't think you're crazy at all! We will have our 5YO, and my sister (who's from TX) will have her almost-5YO, too. I also think a Disney cruise has to be one of the world's easiest vacations with a baby, and if you have grandparents along to help, all the better! I'm sure you'll all have a great time.

 

[Madisonznana]

Howdy from Texas!

Just wanted to introduce myself - Kevin. I'll be sailing with y'all with my wife and 2 kids (5 and a baby). I'm probably insane taking such young kids, but hopefully we all survive and have a good time. We travel together a lot, but this will be our 1st Disney Cruise and the kids first trip to Europe. Hope to see y'all there.

Kevin

Welcome Kevin, I added you to the front page!

 

[Madisonznana]

Happy Birthday Kara!!