7/18/2010 Mickey's Baltic Ballyhoo!! Part 4

[RJAYL]

Coach from London

Ok, DH has priced a coach - if there are 40 of us it works out at £10/head & you'll be collected from your hotel on or about 9am. The drivers all speak English (not necessarily recognisable English dependent on dialect!) & as they are a Kent based firm know exactly where the cruise terminal is. These coaches are good quality & we're angling for a freebie upgrade to a VIP coach which has tabled seating areas etc. If we want to pay to guarantee the upgrade, the cost is more like £15/head. Our party can take 8 of those seats, so we are looking at another 32 of you Ballyhooer's to join us.

DH is happy to organise a coach back to Heathrow if anyone is interested, but it depends upon everyone's plans.

PM me or post here so I can start to guage potential interest & we can go from there

Celestine

Yup for that rate you can count in my family of 6

It does include our luggage, no extra baggage fee's?

Hey I would even be willing to splurge for the luxury coach!

No Heathrow as we are staying on the ship for the repo!

 

[slg]

Check out this site! More info than you can possibly imagine!http://www.londontoolkit.com/lhr/hotel_hoppa_bus.htm

 

[bellelinus]

Check out this site! More info than you can possibly imagine!http://www.londontoolkit.com/lhr/hotel_hoppa_bus.htm

I think that bus may be just for hotels right around Heathrow . . .

 

[MrsScooby]

Coach from London

Ok, DH has priced a coach - if there are 40 of us it works out at £10/head & you'll be collected from your hotel on or about 9am. The drivers all speak English (not necessarily recognisable English dependent on dialect!) & as they are a Kent based firm know exactly where the cruise terminal is. These coaches are good quality & we're angling for a freebie upgrade to a VIP coach which has tabled seating areas etc. If we want to pay to guarantee the upgrade, the cost is more like £15/head. Our party can take 8 of those seats, so we are looking at another 32 of you Ballyhooer's to join us.

DH is happy to organise a coach back to Heathrow if anyone is interested, but it depends upon everyone's plans.

PM me or post here so I can start to guage potential interest & we can go from there

Celestine

We'll take 4 of those seats from London to the port. Also for after the cruise from the port to Heathrow.
We'll go along with the upgrade if that is what others want
Thanks so much

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

You know when Ally & AJ were in the pool on the REPO!

I cant show the pool ones I have done a deal with 'HELLO' magazine.

So formal shots....

Stalker shot

 

[cruisin'Mike]

Coach from London

Ok, DH has priced a coach - if there are 40 of us it works out at £10/head & you'll be collected from your hotel on or about 9am. The drivers all speak English (not necessarily recognisable English dependent on dialect!) & as they are a Kent based firm know exactly where the cruise terminal is. These coaches are good quality & we're angling for a freebie upgrade to a VIP coach which has tabled seating areas etc. If we want to pay to guarantee the upgrade, the cost is more like £15/head. Our party can take 8 of those seats, so we are looking at another 32 of you Ballyhooer's to join us.

DH is happy to organise a coach back to Heathrow if anyone is interested, but it depends upon everyone's plans.

PM me or post here so I can start to guage potential interest & we can go from there

Celestine

My family of 5 would love to be included on the bus too. If there's one going back to Heathrow, I think we'd be interested in that too. i'm sure that I can't get any more time off to stay in London after the cruise, even though I'd love to.

We'd also like some advice on hotels. We're more than happy to stay near everyone else so it would be easier to get picked up on the bus. We sometimes have trouble in the US getting a hotel room for 5. Should we just count on having to book 2 hotel rooms?

 

[RJAYL]

I cant show the pool ones I have done a deal with 'HELLO' magazine.

So formal shots....

Stalker shot

Its like that little red headed freckled kid in return to neverland!

That was a great cruise!

 

[RJAYL]

My family of 5 would love to be included on the bus too. If there's one going back to Heathrow, I think we'd be interested in that too. i'm sure that I can't get any more time off to stay in London after the cruise, even though I'd love to.

We'd also like some advice on hotels. We're more than happy to stay near everyone else so it would be easier to get picked up on the bus. We sometimes have trouble in the US getting a hotel room for 5. Should we just count on having to book 2 hotel rooms?

We are 6 and unless we can get an apartment we will need 2 or 3 hotel rooms!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Its like that little red headed freckled kid in return to neverland!

That was a great cruise!

I am quite worroied, after that being such a good cruise for 15 days last year, and a 12 night cruise in 2010, this August's 7 night cruise will be over in a flash.

 

[bellelinus]

I am quite worroied, after that being such a good cruise for 15 days last year, and a 12 night cruise in 2010, this August's 7 night cruise will be over in a flash.

I know what you mean -- we did a 7 night over New Year's and it did go by quickly -- but we still had a terrific time, and expect the same on our 7 nighter at the end of august. And remember, you have your fabulous cat 3 to enjoy this time!

 

[bellelinus]

My family of 5 would love to be included on the bus too. If there's one going back to Heathrow, I think we'd be interested in that too. i'm sure that I can't get any more time off to stay in London after the cruise, even though I'd love to.

We'd also like some advice on hotels. We're more than happy to stay near everyone else so it would be easier to get picked up on the bus. We sometimes have trouble in the US getting a hotel room for 5. Should we just count on having to book 2 hotel rooms?

My understanding is that it is difficult to even find a hotel room for 4, so I think 5 may be impossible. You could look into apartment rentals, though, if you don't want to do two rooms.

 

[Caropooh]

Coach from London

Ok, DH has priced a coach - if there are 40 of us it works out at £10/head & you'll be collected from your hotel on or about 9am. The drivers all speak English (not necessarily recognisable English dependent on dialect!) & as they are a Kent based firm know exactly where the cruise terminal is. These coaches are good quality & we're angling for a freebie upgrade to a VIP coach which has tabled seating areas etc. If we want to pay to guarantee the upgrade, the cost is more like £15/head. Our party can take 8 of those seats, so we are looking at another 32 of you Ballyhooer's to join us.

DH is happy to organise a coach back to Heathrow if anyone is interested, but it depends upon everyone's plans.

PM me or post here so I can start to guage potential interest & we can go from there

Celestine

Count us in for 4 people both ways!

 

[cruisin'Mike]

My understanding is that it is difficult to even find a hotel room for 4, so I think 5 may be impossible. You could look into apartment rentals, though, if you don't want to do two rooms.

We are 6 and unless we can get an apartment we will need 2 or 3 hotel rooms!

That's what I thought I read. Thanks.

 

[danfromca]

Coach from London

Ok, DH has priced a coach - if there are 40 of us it works out at £10/head & you'll be collected from your hotel on or about 9am. The drivers all speak English (not necessarily recognisable English dependent on dialect!) & as they are a Kent based firm know exactly where the cruise terminal is. These coaches are good quality & we're angling for a freebie upgrade to a VIP coach which has tabled seating areas etc. If we want to pay to guarantee the upgrade, the cost is more like £15/head. Our party can take 8 of those seats, so we are looking at another 32 of you Ballyhooer's to join us.

DH is happy to organise a coach back to Heathrow if anyone is interested, but it depends upon everyone's plans.

PM me or post here so I can start to guage potential interest & we can go from there

Celestine

I'm down for 3 spots if they are still available. I'd be very interested in hearing where people on the bus are staying. Basically whoever is in the lowest price place that can put 3 people in a room is where we'll stay
Hopefully a place with a tube stop within walking distance of course.

 

[RJAYL]

I am quite worroied, after that being such a good cruise for 15 days last year, and a 12 night cruise in 2010, this August's 7 night cruise will be over in a flash.

It is Not Going To be the Same this one will be a lot of work touring!

If it is lentgh you could always sign up for the Repo & go B2B with us!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

It is Not Going To be the Same this one will be a lot of work touring!

If it is lentgh you could always sign up for the Repo & go B2B with us!

Due to commitments at work both for the Mrs and now myself this year is my last 21 night holiday, next year is limited to two weeks at a time.

Wouldnt do the Altantic repo, too risky on weather and also one way airfare is a poor price.

Would like to do another 10/11 Med though, never say never.........

This one will be port intensive so I will use the room more in 2009, not leave it for a week! Carribean is more of a rest,

 

[slg]

There are a few places that will accomodate 5...I have been researching like mad and found a budget b+b for 70 pounds a night for a family room. There are others as well,ranging from budget to luxury. I posted a link a few posts back about the London toolkit. It has lots of information about hotels, busses, transfers, the tube everything. Just click around the site.

If you are looking for a cheap, clean place that is well situated and has decent reviews, we are staying at the Kensington Court Hotel Bayswater. I have it booked for 7 nights July 18-25, so it won't conflict with you guys! There are also other places around that are slightly nicer.

You don't have to have 2 hotel rooms if you do some research and book far out. Then check reviews online, google maps to see how you like the location.

I like the one I booked because its really close to the tube. Also, check out Dot to Dot, which is a airport to hotel transfer service that is quite economical for larger groups. It operates sort of like the disney shuttles, hotel to hotel in a small bus.

You guys are a great group...I wish I was on this cruise, but I'll be getting off as you are getting on!

Lurking on your site for info...

 

[jilljill]

Coach from London

Ok, DH has priced a coach - if there are 40 of us it works out at £10/head & you'll be collected from your hotel on or about 9am. The drivers all speak English (not necessarily recognisable English dependent on dialect!) & as they are a Kent based firm know exactly where the cruise terminal is. These coaches are good quality & we're angling for a freebie upgrade to a VIP coach which has tabled seating areas etc. If we want to pay to guarantee the upgrade, the cost is more like £15/head. Our party can take 8 of those seats, so we are looking at another 32 of you Ballyhooer's to join us.

DH is happy to organise a coach back to Heathrow if anyone is interested, but it depends upon everyone's plans.

PM me or post here so I can start to guage potential interest & we can go from there

Celestine

You are such a doll. Count us in for 6 most likely 5, with a rare possibility it may be 3. I'm trying to pin my brother down on what is going on in his life and if he's still coming on the trip or not.


For our hotel we are staying across the street from Victoria Station at the Park Plaza London Victoria or something like that. I think they have family rooms, but I may be wrong.


I'm also going to say count us in for a Heathrow bus. Don't think I can convince DH to spend another night. But even if I can, I plan on staying near the airport.

 

[jilljill]

This is most likely where we will be staying: http://www.parkplaza.com/londonuk_victoria
On their website right now you can only book thru the end of May 2010.

We had a superior room with a king bed and rollaway and there was plenty of room for all of us. It was the biggest hotel room we've staying in in London and that included a suite at one of the Marriott's a few years ago.


From their website on what types of room they offer:

Hotel in London Offers Comfortable Rooms
The Park Plaza Victoria Hotel in London features 287 air-conditioned guest rooms, including Executive Rooms, Studios and Suites, plus 12 one and two-bedroom apartments.
Our hotel in London also offers an Executive Room package, which provides exclusive access to the Executive Lounge, featuring complimentary breakfast, refreshments throughout the day and evening drinks and snacks. Guests in Executive Rooms also enjoy a luxury bathrobe and slippers, complimentary bottled water, fruits and chocolates, as well as upgraded bathroom amenities.

Our London hotel rooms feature the following amenities:

21-inch televisions
Air conditioning
Analogue dial-up modem/data port
Audible alarms
Automatic door closer
Bathroom amenities
Bathroom phone
Bathtub and shower
Broadband Internet access
Cable television
Coffee and tea maker
Cribs*
Deadbolts
Door viewer
Electrical adapters for international guests*
International electrical sockets - USA, EU, UK
Emergency evacuation info in rooms
Emergency lighting
Fire detector
Hair dryer
In-room safes
Iron/ironing board
Laundry bags
Mini-bar
Movies on demand
Radio
Safe
Secondary locking device
Smoke detector
Sprinklers
Suites available
Two direct-dial phones
Wake-up calls
Windows can be opened
Work desk
*Available on request

Additional features and amenities for Executive Rooms and Suites:

Bath and shower
Bathrobe and slippers
Breakfast included in rate (served in Executive Lounge)
Chocolates
Complimentary Internet access for one hour
Exclusive access to the Executive Lounge
Fruit platter
Luxury bathroom amenities
Mineral water

The Park Plaza Victoria London offers the following accommodations:

Our Superior Rooms feature king or queen-sized beds and all of our standard amenities. Twin rooms are also available.
The stylish Executive Rooms feature king or queen-sized beds and special upgraded amenities.
Our spacious suites feature king or queen-sized beds and additional upgraded amenities.
Apartments are available in one and two bedrooms, making them perfect for larger families, longer stays or guests who just want an added touch of luxury and elegance. All apartments also provide kitchens and separate living areas.

 

[slg]

Oh my. We can't afford the Park Plaza, but it looks nice. For a 2 bedroom suite in November the cost is 430 pounds.

Sigh. Wish we could! But we need the London part as cheap as possible so we can afford all the excursions. Looking at some pricing from NCL, looks like we need at least $1000 a port.