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

[jilljill]

Just Booked the 18th Jul Baltic, price was to good to pass up. Was anyone on the EB Transatlantic cruise or the 1st Med Cruise this Year? Did not think I would be back on Disney so soon, but always wanted to see the Baltic area.

Am concerned about the Volcano but figured the odd were good and plan to get the UK three days before the cruise and hopefully be able to adjust travel if the volcano cause delays. Expect this is a major reason the cruise may not be filling up with late bookings. Hope they get more takers, never want a company to lose due to no fault of their own.

If any ship questions should be able to give a hand since spent 25 days just ending on May 5th.

Welcome. So far you are the only one that did those 2 cruises earlier this year.

There's tons of info posted in the first post of this thread. There's also a Baltics planning thread on the main boards.

 

[Madisonznana]

Just Booked the 18th Jul Baltic, price was to good to pass up. Was anyone on the EB Transatlantic cruise or the 1st Med Cruise this Year? Did not think I would be back on Disney so soon, but always wanted to see the Baltic area.

Am concerned about the Volcano but figured the odd were good and plan to get the UK three days before the cruise and hopefully be able to adjust travel if the volcano cause delays. Expect this is a major reason the cruise may not be filling up with late bookings. Hope they get more takers, never want a company to lose due to no fault of their own.

If any ship questions should be able to give a hand since spent 25 days just ending on May 5th.

Welcome!!! Tell us your name and who you are traveling with and I will add you to the first page!

 

[RJAYL]

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hello Robert,

Well as its been very quite, lets spice it up a bit and I will make my first post here in about a month.

Firstly miss everyone hope you are all OK.

Secondly Welcome to all the new cruisers.

Third, a reminder re the KIDS thread they are trying to make penpals up and organise things so please get kids to post.

Next,

Those of you who have visited my Facebook pages will have seen these and discussed these, but I am aware there are many many lurkers to this thread and I would like to share this with all.

Apologies if people have seen on my pages before.

This includes disembarkation Breakfast and Character breakfast, the Tzar's dinner assume is Saturday St Petes, which is a shame as many will be off ship.

Worth looking at these a reviewing, ie up early to see Oslo-Fjord, maybe better to watch us leaving Oslo.

Note St Petes arrival time, disembarkation time as advertised, do not adjust tour times.

Have Circa 30 Photo Magnetic door signs now, I bet we will rotate them every day.

For thoose who have been requesting London information both on this thread and the others, happy to continue answering, but note I am off shortly to Greece on holiday so best get in now.

When we are back we plan to go to Dover on the 12th to see the MAGIC arrive in the UK, and watch her all day. Photos will go to my FB.

 

[RJAYL]

Hello Robert,

Well as its been very quite, lets spice it up a bit and I will make my first post here in about a month.

Firstly miss everyone hope you are all OK.

Secondly Welcome to all the new cruisers.

Third, a reminder re the KIDS thread they are trying to make penpals up and organise things so please get kids to post.

Next,

Those of you who have visited my Facebook pages will have seen these and discussed these, but I am aware there are many many lurkers to this thread and I would like to share this with all.

Apologies if people have seen on my pages before.

[go to my FB.

Hey Andrew

Nice to see you post again!

 

[jilljill]

'Afternoon all

 

[dertoyou]

Welcome!!! Tell us your name and who you are traveling with and I will add you to the first page!

As a early greeting poster indicated, were are Donald & Katrina.

 

[Caropooh]

'Afternoon all

still morning here!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

hey andrew

nice to see you post again!

Thank you Robert.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

As a early greeting poster indicated, were are Donald & Katrina.

​

 

[scrapycruiser]

Good to have you back posting, Andrew !

Thanks for all your help with London resturants in Holborne area.

Looking forward to seeing your pictures of the Magic in Dover ! Does anyone know if some of the earlier Baltic cruisers will be posting ? Hope so !

From looking at the Med show schedule, looks like Twice Charmed will be the show for our formal night. Do you think ??? Tha's my least fav show. We have res at Palo that night at 7 pm, so we'll miss the show. Just didn't want to miss Dreams ! Do you think we're safe ?

 

[Madisonznana]

Welcome back Andrew!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Good to have you back posting, Andrew !

Thanks for all your help with London restaurants in Holborn area.

Looking forward to seeing your pictures of the Magic in Dover ! Does anyone know if some of the earlier Baltic cruisers will be posting ? Hope so !

From looking at the Med show schedule, looks like Twice Charmed will be the show for our formal night. Do you think ??? Tha's my least fav show. We have res at Palo that night at 7 pm, so we'll miss the show. Just didn't want to miss Dreams ! Do you think we're safe ?

Welcome back Andrew!!

Hi

Have been very pleased to help.

Yes the Chancery court is in a nice location just a minute or so from Holborn station (Pronounced without the L so Hoborn), if you walk out of the lobby, and turn left you will have the best places to eat.

There are a number of 'sandwich' places directly left out of the Hotel entrance, for commuters, these are all nice.

I have recommended for some fun 'My Old Dutch', is just a 5 min walk.

(Left out of Hotel> to Tube station> continue over the traffic lights same direction> and its on your right, opposite Modelzone.)

My Old Dutch have large size thin Pancakes, not USA small and thicker, these are I would say, as round as a medium pizza, and you can have anything in it, from normal stuff for an Entree, to even Chocolate and fruit. I like the Chill Con carne one, and after have Ice Cream and fruit salad. Its very cheap, and a nice lunch.

All Bar one, is a nice breakfast and snack place, there is McD's opposite the hotel, I use that often.

If going to Covent Garden you could take the tube or bus or Taxi, but I personally would walk it, from the hotel go to the Tube station there is a map there, but at the lights cross the road, the direction from the hotel. Then either Right> and take a road left, or straight and then take a road left, you cant miss it, and you go past theaters, pubs, and maybe the Opera House before the Market. Porters is just past the market. Covent garden stn has lifts not escalators and can get busy, its also just a 5 min walk from Leicester Square. There is a Nice Marks and Spencer foodhall there for drinks and sandwiches and snacks.

I will be going early on Saturday 12th June to Dover to take photos of the Magic, there are quite a few of us from the Essex,Kent area doing this so you will see photos. A number of cruisers on the first Baltic have requested to see these, as they will be heading for the terminal.

The last cruises I have had, Twice Charmed was the formal night, and they tend to stick to the same schedule but nothing ever is set in stone, we need to see Navigators for the first Baltic cruise. Cant say you are safe just mho.

I am looking to see what occurs in St Petes with that early arrival do they really need all of that time for immigration? we shall see on the first cruises.

There will be Blogs, Wicksey from South London has said he is posting and I hope more will, I know people with Blackberrys who say they will post when in port.

I can get upto 25>35 emails at a time, and quite a few have promised to return the favour and let me know the * new* stuff.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

This google map covers Holborn area.

Hotel Chancery court is top Right.

Holborn tube station has a little underground sign on it, at the cross roads, there are traffic lights there.

To the left of that is My Old Dutch.

Places to eat are on High Holborn road from hotel to Holborn tube (Central/Piccadilly), and then down on 'Kingsway.

Covent Garden is bottom left on this map.

The Map has North at the top, the river Thames would be below the bottom of this.

 

[smilis]

Hello Robert,

Well as its been very quite, lets spice it up a bit and I will make my first post here in about a month.

Firstly miss everyone hope you are all OK.

Secondly Welcome to all the new cruisers.

Third, a reminder re the KIDS thread they are trying to make penpals up and organise things so please get kids to post.

Next,

Those of you who have visited my Facebook pages will have seen these and discussed these, but I am aware there are many many lurkers to this thread and I would like to share this with all.

Apologies if people have seen on my pages before.


Worth looking at these a reviewing, ie up early to see Oslo-Fjord, maybe better to watch us leaving Oslo.

Note St Petes arrival time, disembarkation time as advertised, do not adjust tour times.

Have Circa 30 Photo Magnetic door signs now, I bet we will rotate them every day.
For thoose who have been requesting London information both on this thread and the others, happy to continue answering, but note I am off shortly to Greece on holiday so best get in now.

When we are back we plan to go to Dover on the 12th to see the MAGIC arrive in the UK, and watch her all day. Photos will go to my FB.

Andrew,
Thank you for all this information It is a wealth of information. I see you're planning on magnetic door signs as well. We had such fun with that on our Med 2007 cruise. I'm planning on doing more for this one as well. I'd like to visit your FB page so I'll probably try and friend you if I find your page.
Do you have any suggestions for yummy places to eat around the new Park Plaza Westminster? I might also need your help in choosing a meeting place with the relatives that want to visit us while in London.
Thanks again for the dining and ship schedules. Great info!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew,
Thank you for all this information It is a wealth of information. I see you're planning on magnetic door signs as well. We had such fun with that on our Med 2007 cruise. I'm planning on doing more for this one as well. I'd like to visit your FB page so I'll probably try and friend you if I find your page.
Do you have any suggestions for yummy places to eat around the new Park Plaza Westminster? I might also need your help in choosing a meeting place with the relatives that want to visit us while in London.
Thanks again for the dining and ship schedules. Great info!

Sandy,

Firstly PM me and I will give you my email address so you can locate my personal FB site. I have all my cruise magnets there, some are from Jordak who is very talented, some customised from those.

Now Park Plaza,

In my work I travel all over London every single day and know the areas quite well, I have been to that hotel, good news its very very nice, and some have great views of Westminster and Houses of Parliament, in fact the BBC used the top floor in the recent election.

Now its a great location for the sights, the London Eye is near, and cant be missed, however, and imho,,, there isn't good places to eat immediately around there, I have walked around the vicinity, and might have missed things but also googled it, there are lots of snack places in Waterloo, but thats a snack, ie Marks and Spencer is inside.

I would walk/taxi/bus/tube:-

Covent Garden
Piccadilly, (Hard Rock)
Chinatown (North of Leicester Sq).
Tottenham Court Road area.
Hotels such as Dorchester and Cumberland hotels.
Pubs.
There are also some 'posh' Restaurants by TV Chefs in the PALL MALL area, above the MALL, top left.

Your hotel is A on the map, but google also show it as B and C, in the roundabout.

Take care on meeting places as for example many tube stations have a number of exits, sometimes each end of a platform that exit in completely different places,

Piccadilly Circus at the EROS, statue is a good one.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

A suggestion.

Olympic development.

http://www.london2012.com/map.php

If you have some spare time in London can I suggest you take a trip up to Stratford to see the Olympic development. Its already well ahead of schedule and you can see a lot. You will be seeing a lot of this on your TV's in 2012, so nice to see it in real life.

Now firstly the above link covers live webcams so take into account time difference, we are 5 or 8 hours ahead of USA, so its lighter earlier and darker earlier so to see it at its best view early in your day.

Next this is Stratford, not to be confused in any way with Stratford-On-Avon. Shakespeare's home.

To see this development you have these options:-

Network rail from Liverpool Street, (National Express-East Anglia Trains),
Take a Shenfield or Gidea Park train to Stratford and it will be on your left, -facing train direction, (or return and its on your right).

Docklands Light Railway, to Stratford, view at Pudding Mill Lane, can get off and look.

You can get to/from Stratford by Central line Tube, but you cant see the development as whilst the Central line pops up for an easy interchange at Stratford, with Network rail and DLR, it is underground at the Olympic Site.

London Overground weaves through the site but the trains are very crowded.



Oyster cards (Zone 2) will cover you on everything I have quoted here, but care do not get on the wrong train at Liverpool St.

Can I encourage you all to consider this its most worthwhile and a cheap trip, kids will love it- if you can go on the DLR, and get 'front seats' kids will love that as its driver-less, they feel like they are driving, best way is to get on at Stratford on the DLR, go up near the front of the train where it will come in terminate and turnaround, and get on quick for the front right hand seats. You will love it.

 

[RJAYL]

Hey Andrew

You do realize that you dont have to make up all the posts you missed making while AOL!

 

[scrapycruiser]

Andrew...,really looking forward to seeing Oliver ( sorry we missed Mr Bean ) AND eatting at your favorite.....Old Dutch Pancake !!

 

[Celestine]

Andrew,

Welcome back, I was only saying to Celestine today that I thought this thread needed a boost....as ever all your info is on mass. Now I hate to correct the Oracle of DCL, but I believe you made a mistake on the Park Plaza Westminster Pin, it is B on that google map, as it is in the middle of the junction, the A pin is the County plaza.

We have done extensive recces today for the Balyhoo bus (still places left onboard coach 2 if anyone is interested) and we will be sending out details to all bus travellers on Sunday. Just need to buy the rocket fuel for Robert now

Posting for Celestine this evening as she is nursing sore eyes from her lasek today in Harley St, which we think has gone very well. She can already read road signs from about three times the normal distance without glasses. Still won't be able to drive as well as me though
she has has gone to bed looking very strange in her tinted goggles they give you!

Sandy,

Firstly PM me and I will give you my email address so you can locate my personal FB site. I have all my cruise magnets there, some are from Jordak who is very talented, some customised from those.

Now Park Plaza,

In my work I travel all over London every single day and know the areas quite well, I have been to that hotel, good news its very very nice, and some have great views of Westminster and Houses of Parliament, in fact the BBC used the top floor in the recent election.

Now its a great location for the sights, the London Eye is near, and cant be missed, however, and imho,,, there isn't good places to eat immediately around there, I have walked around the vicinity, and might have missed things but also googled it, there are lots of snack places in Waterloo, but thats a snack, ie Marks and Spencer is inside.

I would walk/taxi/bus/tube:-

Covent Garden
Piccadilly, (Hard Rock)
Chinatown (North of Leicester Sq).
Tottenham Court Road area.
Hotels such as Dorchester and Cumberland hotels.
Pubs.
There are also some 'posh' Restaurants by TV Chefs in the PALL MALL area, above the MALL, top left.

Your hotel is A on the map, but google also show it as B and C, in the roundabout.

Take care on meeting places as for example many tube stations have a number of exits, sometimes each end of a platform that exit in completely different places,

Piccadilly Circus at the EROS, statue is a good one.