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

[smilis]

HAPPy BIRTHDAY KARA

Yummy Yummy! Looks good enough to eat Laurie. But then that's my love affair with chocolate showing thru

Happy Birthday Kara

Sandy

 

[smilis]

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 and family. Your 5 yo will have a blast. We took our grandson on DCL when he was about 5 and you couldn't get him out of the kids club. His little sister at the time was only 6 mos. old so she has no remembrance of the cruise.

Sandy

 

[smilis]

Boy I am putting in WAY too much time on my St.P excursions. I am working with two different operators and today just found out that one of them was only including Peterhop Park not the Grand Palace too, while the other included both the Grand Palace and Parks plus Catherine's Palace all in one day ( my choice)

Barb, did you perhaps do the evening canal cruise when you were there before? I have that scheduled at the end of day two private tour but thru DCL. We are wondering if it is a repeat of a lot of the same "architecture" buildings that we'll see on city tour. I wil be anxious to see what feedback comes from the earlier cruisers. Guess we'll have to wait a few more weeks to know whether to keep the canal cruise or let it go.

Still need to order my HOHO for Oslo.

Sandy

 

[scrapycruiser]

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.

Yeah, what's that all about ?? We'll just see if Grama is available to babysit ??

 

[scrapycruiser]

Yummy Yummy! Looks good enough to eat Laurie. But then that's my love affair with chocolate showing thru

Happy Birthday Kara

Sandy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KARA !!

I'm trying to diet...your chocolate cake is killing me !! YUM !!!

 

[jilljill]

Yeah, what's that all about ?? We'll just see if Grama is available to babysit ??

Looks like Grama has lots to hold over Kevin's head.


Oh Kevin.....better start buttering up Grama NOW.

 

[jilljill]

Boy I am putting in WAY too much time on my St.P excursions. I am working with two different operators and today just found out that one of them was only including Peterhop Park not the Grand Palace too, while the other included both the Grand Palace and Parks plus Catherine's Palace all in one day ( my choice)

Barb, did you perhaps do the evening canal cruise when you were there before? I have that scheduled at the end of day two private tour but thru DCL. We are wondering if it is a repeat of a lot of the same "architecture" buildings that we'll see on city tour. I wil be anxious to see what feedback comes from the earlier cruisers. Guess we'll have to wait a few more weeks to know whether to keep the canal cruise or let it go.

Still need to order my HOHO for Oslo.

Sandy

Sorry I'm no help to you, we didn't do a canal cruise last time. We decided to add one this time.

We didn't tour the Palace at Peterhoff either, just did the grounds after touring Catherine's Palace. This time we aren't doing either, we are going to Constantine Palace. We are going to see things that are way out of the box for first time, or even second time, cruisers.

 

[Caropooh]

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 aboard Kevin and family! By now I'm sure you realize that you might of wanted to mention who your parents are!

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.

Thanks for posting this info again, Barb!

 

[abacab]

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.

Yes, thanks for the info!

 

[smilis]

Sorry I'm no help to you, we didn't do a canal cruise last time. We decided to add one this time.

We didn't tour the Palace at Peterhoff either, just did the grounds after touring Catherine's Palace. This time we aren't doing either, we are going to Constantine Palace. We are going to see things that are way out of the box for first time, or even second time, cruisers.

Barb,
Did you feel that you missed out by not seeing the Grand Palace or were you satisfied with just the grounds, after seeing Catherine's Palace? I understand they are practically identical.

When you were there before, did you buy Russian chocolate as gifts? Aside from nesting dolls, did you find any other "must buys" or booty from St.P?

Sandy

 

[Celestine]

OK, so DH & I are off to check route, hotel stops, parking etc. next week-end as I have to go to London to have laser eye surgery - yes, we'll do the route bit whilst I can still see!

So next Sunday you should all have e-mails dropping in with details on times, locations etc. We have already identified a couple of problem hotels because of road closures and/or red routes, so a few people may find themselves having to walk around the corner, or cross over the road. Worst case is 0.2 miles max (walkable if luggage has wheels) - think of it as having the furthest accommodation from reception at Disney with no car...or bell hop & it will be less.

I will remind you all next week, but it is important you check your instructions & let me know ASAP if anything is wrong, particularly passenger numbers or if you were expecting a return trip & you haven't been given instructions for that.

For those returning to airports, please let me know which terminal you are travelling from

Celestine

 

[RJAYL]

OK, so DH & I are off to check route, hotel stops, parking etc. next week-end as I have to go to London to have laser eye surgery - yes, we'll do the route bit whilst I can still see!

So next Sunday you should all have e-mails dropping in with details on times, locations etc. We have already identified a couple of problem hotels because of road closures and/or red routes, so a few people may find themselves having to walk around the corner, or cross over the road. Worst case is 0.2 miles max (walkable if luggage has wheels) - think of it as having the furthest accommodation from reception at Disney with no car...or bell hop & it will be less.

I will remind you all next week, but it is important you check your instructions & let me know ASAP if anything is wrong, particularly passenger numbers or if you were expecting a return trip & you haven't been given instructions for that.

For those returning to airports, please let me know which terminal you are travelling from

Celestine

Happy Saturday!
Off to Hockey with my son!

 

[Cousin Orville]

Welcome aboard Kevin and family! By now I'm sure you realize that you might of wanted to mention who your parents are!

Golly, didn't know my folks were so famous! I'll try not to make that mistake again...

 

[Cousin Orville]

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.

I'm very glad to hear Gavin will have a couple of little buddies to play with. I've been wondering (and a little worried) whether he would be the only kid in the kid's club under 6.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Welcome Kevin and family

Kara thanks you for all of the birthday wishes

have a good one

 

[Sailingpartyof10]

No, he definitely won't be the only one! It is nice when the kids' clubs are a little less crowded, though. On our PC trip in 2008, which was during the school year, my 3YO DD had a long visit with Cinderella all by herself for probably 15 minutes! I don't expect it to be like that this time, since school will be out and there are also not as many sea days (so fewer character meet and greet chances for most people than on the Canal trip). But it will still probably feel relatively uncrowded, I would imagine, compared to a spring break cruise, for example.

 

[Madisonznana]

I'm very glad to hear Gavin will have a couple of little buddies to play with. I've been wondering (and a little worried) whether he would be the only kid in the kid's club under 6.

We took our granddaughter on a western Caribbean cruise when she was 5. She wasn't too sure of the club at first, but once she got there she loved it. She was exhausted every day and we tried when we could to throw in a nap which she so didn't want any part of. This trip is going to be so much more extensive even at 8 I am hoping she will get a rest in every now and then. Us too!!

 

[Madisonznana]

OK, so DH & I are off to check route, hotel stops, parking etc. next week-end as I have to go to London to have laser eye surgery - yes, we'll do the route bit whilst I can still see!

So next Sunday you should all have e-mails dropping in with details on times, locations etc. We have already identified a couple of problem hotels because of road closures and/or red routes, so a few people may find themselves having to walk around the corner, or cross over the road. Worst case is 0.2 miles max (walkable if luggage has wheels) - think of it as having the furthest accommodation from reception at Disney with no car...or bell hop & it will be less.

I will remind you all next week, but it is important you check your instructions & let me know ASAP if anything is wrong, particularly passenger numbers or if you were expecting a return trip & you haven't been given instructions for that.

For those returning to airports, please let me know which terminal you are travelling from

Celestine

Celestine, are you getting Lasik due to nearsightedness? I had it done almost 10 years ago now and still have 20/20 vision. It was the best thing I ever did. Never had a problem, could see when I walked out of the procedure room!! I need reading glasses now but being able to see to do everything else is wonderful!!

 

[KathyInCitrus]

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 ​

 

[hawaiian mickey]

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

Aloha Cousin Orville. I see you are going to Destination 55. I'll be going to it too. I live only 20 minutes away. I'll see you there and on the cruise.

aloha,
hawaiian mickey