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

[Madisonznana]

Our TA called yesterday to let us know we are leaving Stockholm at 3:00. Told her we knew for days!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Our TA called yesterday to let us know we are leaving Stockholm at 3:00. Told her we knew for days!

No TA has actually told me.

 

[Madisonznana]

No TA has actually told me.

I guess I should feel privileged then!

 

[RJAYL]

Andrew have you solved your problem with Anastasia?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I guess I should feel privileged then!

No one tells me no nothing!!! I have to find it out through different routes and often tell the TA!!

Andrew have you solved your problem with Anastasia?

Robert, thank you for asking....

OK, hot off the press, in the last 10 mins, the answer is sort of.

My payment to Russia was recalled today, -out of time.

Anastasia has been in personal contact with me today, will not go into the ins and outs.

I had three DCL tours booked, and up to a few minutes ago, that was our preferred action.

However, as I post, in the last few minutes I am staying with Anastasia, and have a personal guarantee that things will be good.

 

[abacab]

http://www.cruisett.com/ports.php

Havent looked at it recently but in most ports there are other ships in and a lot in St Petes.

Four cruise ships will be in St. Petes on July 24, and FIVE on July 25.

That's a lot of crowds.

In the month of July, that's the only day with five ships. Most days have three or fewer.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Four cruise ships will be in St. Petes on July 24, and FIVE on July 25.

That's a lot of crowds.

In the month of July, that's the only day with five ships. Most days have three or fewer.

Yes, thanks for the confirmation, I recalled something like that, it will be very busy and the trip reports so far say that. I didnt recheck tonight as, you will see from previous posts had a mare on and its just getting sorted, We had nearly moved to Plan B in St Petes, but I am on Plan A.

In fact the hole week has been a bit of a mare, we had soo much issues, so we need the holiday.

 

[RJAYL]

No one tells me no nothing!!! I have to find it out through different routes and often tell the TA!!




Robert, thank you for asking....

OK, hot off the press, in the last 10 mins, the answer is sort of.

My payment to Russia was recalled today, -out of time.

Anastasia has been in personal contact with me today, will not go into the ins and outs.

I had three DCL tours booked, and up to a few minutes ago, that was our preferred action.

However, as I post, in the last few minutes I am staying with Anastasia, and have a personal guarantee that things will be good.

Good News & a better deal if I know you!

What percentage are you supposed to tip drivers cabbies & waitstaff in the UK?

Four cruise ships will be in St. Petes on July 24, and FIVE on July 25.

That's a lot of crowds.

In the month of July, that's the only day with five ships. Most days have three or fewer.

What can you do?
Hopefully it will be easier touring with Anastasia I am glad I booked the private tour for the treasure room at the Hermitage!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Good News & a better deal if I know you!

What percentage are you supposed to tip drivers cabbies & waitstaff in the UK?



What can you do?
Hopefully it will be easier touring with Anastasia I am glad I booked the private tour for the treasure room at the Hermitage!

Now Waitstaff.

Thats a difficult one depends on the palce you go, now us Brits do not have a tipping culture, but often the bill will say service not included.

So it depends on the price establishment, etc.

You can tip from a couple of £1 at pizzia hut say, £1 each, up to 10%. -Its not as life and death as USA they get paid.

Taxi. A rule would be 10%, but say round up to the next bank note size, is good, they hate change so if £9 go to £10.

£18 >£20 , you often will say, ''keep the change''.

 

[Doingitagain]

Now Waitstaff.

Thats a difficult one depends on the palce you go, now us Brits do not have a tipping culture, but often the bill will say service not included.

So it depends on the price establishment, etc.

You can tip from a couple of £1 at pizzia hut say, £1 each, up to 10%. -Its not as life and death as USA they get paid.

Taxi. A rule would be 10%, but say round up to the next bank note size, is good, they hate change so if £9 go to £10.

£18 >£20 , you often will say, ''keep the change''.

Andrew, this is so helpful. I really appreciate the time you have taken to educate us on how to do this properly. All of your UK advice has been helpful, actually, and it is so nice of you to take the time.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Four cruise ships will be in St. Petes on July 24, and FIVE on July 25.

That's a lot of crowds.

In the month of July, that's the only day with five ships. Most days have three or fewer.

All the more reason to do private tours if possible.

We're also hitting the Hermitage before it opens with Anastasia, but do I need to specifically ask to see the Treasure Room? Sounds special....uh, what is it?

 

[MrsScooby]

Will go and take a photo this week-end & post for those of you that have not started your trip

Celestine

We have 3 cats now so definitely cat lovers here
Would love to see a photo of your new addition

For those going to London before the cruise, I have one restaurant your kids will love going to, we visit it every time we are in London with our 11 year old daughter (younger ones will like it too).

It is in the Chelsea / Fulham area, place called Buona Sera at the Jam, 289a Kings Road. It is had tables stacked like bunk beds, you have to climb a ladder to get to the top tables. Food is pretty good too so it is not just about the novelty. Call to make a reservation requesting a top table, 020 7352 8827.

Wow, that's pretty cool
Except I'm a little afraid of heights
Stayed at the bar area while my family went zip lining.
What happens if the people above you have messy kids that "drop" food on the lower tables

I've read the PM's with cabin numbers from those that have sent them to me. If you are doing the postcard exchange please PM me with your cabin number. If there are any changes to your cabin number please call our cabin to let me know and I'll send out an updated list the first evening of the cruise. I'll get out the postcard list by tomorrow morning via PM. So far there are 12 cabins that have PM'd me.

thanks

Thanks Barb for doing this
Especially with how busy you are with plans and guests right now

I contacted my TA about what will happen with our Stockholm tour but she has not received any information about the 3PM departure or any tour modifications. Does anyone know what will happen for tours that would have been later? We are scheduled for the noon tour which should last 4.5 hours.

We are pretty much set with all of our cruise necessities. The only thing left is to see if my son that just turned 13's suit still fits. He's grown 6 or 7 inches since Christmas and I have a feeling we may be buying him a new one this weekend.

We have received our cruise documents but my MIL has not received hers yet.

We fly out on Wednesday from BWI (Baltimore) on a red eye and arrive in London 9:25 on Thursday. We are staying in the Park Plaza Westminister Bridge.

We are taking DCL transfers on Sunday. Does anyone know what time the bus will get to the terminal? We did transfers in Barcelona but didn't arrive until the afternoon and boarding had begun earlier. We are platinum members so hoping to board with the 1st group, eat lunch and possibly go to Dover castle. We'll see how tired we are after 3 full days of touring London.

We are also staying at the same hotel on the 30th (flying out the 31st) and are hoping to sign up for the castle tour on debarkation day once we board. Is anyone else doing the same tour? DCL told me they need at least 20 people.

Hope your MiL receives her docs soon. What a pain. I guess there is nothing really urgent in it but it does add to the excitement just to get it.
Gotta check to see if my DS's jacket fits him too
I just received my letter from DCL about Stockholm (nothing from TA)-I imagine they will either start your excursion early or cut it short
Would be nice if they let you know soon

Don't forget to check out www.moneysavingexpert.com and go to the deals voucher tabs and worm your way to the restaurant deals for lots of 2 for 1 offers, many of which you just print at home, including Giraffe, GBK, Prezzo, Pizza hut etc.

Celestine

Thanks Celestine
Don't know where we are eating in London (except for Friday at Porters), so just may print up several to carry along just in case.

 

[mstinson14]

We made a new addition in our house also. Megan has been begging for a puppy and I had a weak moment and let her get one. I will upload a picture later. The cats do not like her.

 

[scrapycruiser]

No one tells me no nothing!!! I have to find it out through different routes and often tell the TA!!

Andrew...so glad to hear you got that resolved !! So many of us are going w Anastasia because of her reputation, don't think we'll be disappointed !
Relax now and look forward to a special cruise !


Robert, thank you for asking....

OK, hot off the press, in the last 10 mins, the answer is sort of.

My payment to Russia was recalled today, -out of time.

Anastasia has been in personal contact with me today, will not go into the ins and outs.

I had three DCL tours booked, and up to a few minutes ago, that was our preferred action.

However, as I post, in the last few minutes I am staying with Anastasia, and have a personal guarantee that things will be good.

Great !

 

[DisneyDoc1895]

Morning!
(I work nights so it is morning to me!)

So, we are travelling with the in laws. FIL calls DCL today (He calls everyone, won't use the web or email) and is told there are 2 semi formal nights and 1 formal night. This seems to go against everything we have heard and read, and it is not consistent with the navigators that were posted for a previous Baltic.

So, any confirmation or comment on this info?

Thanks!

 

[CastawayClubCruisers]

Thanks Andrew and Celestine, I think I was close to guessing the prices of food right...heres hoping we don't run out of food money before we get on the boat! I will definitely check out the coupons.

Only 1 more day to pack and be ready to board our plane...I am starting to get nervous and thinking I should start worrying less about magnets and more about essentials.

 

[hawaiian mickey]

aloha,
Boy just had an short earthquake just a few minutes ago. It was a 5.9 magnitude. Nice shake but everyone is doing well.,\.
Man can't wait to go on this cruise.


aloha,
hawaiian mickey

 

[Madisonznana]

Just had an earthquake. The epicenter was about 45 min to an hour away from us. Can't wait to get out of CA for a couple of weeks!

 

[caven553]

Morning!
(I work nights so it is morning to me!)

So, we are travelling with the in laws. FIL calls DCL today (He calls everyone, won't use the web or email) and is told there are 2 semi formal nights and 1 formal night. This seems to go against everything we have heard and read, and it is not consistent with the navigators that were posted for a previous Baltic.

So, any confirmation or comment on this info?

Thanks!

We have an actual physical copy of the navigators from the first Baltic mailed to us by some friends and there is only 1 formal and 1 semi-formal listed.

 

[BluegrassBelles]

Why do you bother with a hotel room?
I got tired just reading your plans.

I think we're all going to need a sea day to recover from having fun in London!

We have to have someplace to leave the luggage!!