7/18/2010 Mickey's Baltic Ballyhoo!! Part 5

[MrsScooby]

ok, I went and googled to see what I would find close to the Tower of London for dinner...and found lots of websites.

Not really looking for any place fancy, but want something more than fast food.

Is this place ok?? (Andrew or Celestine?)

http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/99597/Gourmet_Burger_Kitchen_Tower_Place

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

ok, I went and googled to see what I would find close to the Tower of London for dinner...and found lots of websites.

Not really looking for any place fancy, but want something more than fast food.

Is this place OK?? (Andrew or Celestine?)

http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/99597/Gourmet_Burger_Kitchen_Tower_Place

Haven't been there, location good, the actual website is attached looks good. Prices seem 'normal' for that area, ie not Tourist prices, but normal, so ok.

http://www.gbk.co.uk/

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Just realized we went through the 100 days mark yesterday and now its 99 days to the cruise.

 

[MrsScooby]

Haven't been there, location good, the actual website is attached looks good. Prices seem 'normal' for that area, ie not Tourist prices, but normal, so ok.

http://www.gbk.co.uk/

Thanks.

Just realized we went through the 100 days mark yesterday and now its 99 days to the cruise.

Double digits, now I'm starting to get nervous too Caro

Gotta finish up on planning

 

[RJAYL]

Happy Saturday All

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thanks.



Double digits, now I'm starting to get nervous too Caro

Gotta finish up on planning

Happy Saturday All

 

[mstinson14]

Good Morning to you too!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Good Morning to you too!!

Morning /Afternoon.

Well today the Magic will head out for Europe, 14 days across the Atlantic, and so another milestone, on the way to our cruise, later this summer.

Reviewed pricing again on our cruise, no lower prices, and Cat 12s just shy of $10k, no Cat 4s at all, limited availability elsewhere, Whilst seen free kids on the first two Baltics, nothing on ours.

 

[MrsScooby]

Happy Saturday All

Good Morning to you too!!

Morning /Afternoon.

Well today the Magic will head out for Europe, 14 days across the Atlantic, and so another milestone, on the way to our cruise, later this summer.

Reviewed pricing again on our cruise, no lower prices, and Cat 12s just shy of $10k, no Cat 4s at all, limited availability elsewhere, Whilst seen free kids on the first two Baltics, nothing on ours.

Good morning/afternoon to everyone

Hope everything goes smoothly for the Transatlantic.

Can't wait for the first Baltic cruise to hear how things go

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Good morning/afternoon to everyone

Hope everything goes smoothly for the Transatlantic.

Can't wait for the first Baltic cruise to hear how things go

YES, we are very lucky being on the last Baltic cruise, and so have a couple of insights before ours on what went well what went wrong, actual port times, any problems with immigration at St Petes. etc, and hopefully any shore trips that get a poor satisfaction level with cruisers, changed or amended. I think we can revise our private trips on the information we get, as every year things change, and its best to get the up to date information.

 

[MrsScooby]

YES, we are very lucky being on the last Baltic cruise, and so have a couple of insights before ours on what went well what went wrong, actual port times, any problems with immigration at St Petes. etc, and hopefully any shore trips that get a poor satisfaction level with cruisers, changed or amended. I think we can revise our private trips on the information we get, as every year things change, and its best to get the up to date information.

I'm also hoping DCL figures things out and modifies whatever is not working well

I'm thinking much of the port sites will be mostly the same from year to year, but you are right-things can change, so an update can be helpful

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I'm also hoping DCL figures things out and modifies whatever is not working well

I'm thinking much of the port sites will be mostly the same from year to year, but you are right-things can change, so an update can be helpful

Yes, hopefully they will, I think I posted before Acapulco didn't work well on some cruises, they changed the shore trips and dropped some, then still had issues in Acapulco in 2008, so dropped the port completely.

But whilst other cruiselines go to the Baltic every year, this is DCL's first, we have the comfort that a lot of DCL shore trips are exactly the same as other cruise lines, ie RCCL and Princess, have 90% of the same trips, exact same name etc, so these are run by local tour operators on a regular basis and should have the kinks ironed out in them and work well.

But until the first one runs, we do not know how immigration on a Disney ship will work or not work. There will be some adjustments, ie Why is Palo closed on the two StP days??? No dinner, and no Brunch AM.

How will the food work on the Berlin day for people coming back at 8pm? or St Petes as many people are out either on private tors, or at the Ballet.

What shows and what times for those three nights, my guess Films will be part of it, maybe Berlin ToyStory 3 or something like that which can be caught up if missed.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Who has been to Berlin.

I am formulating a list of what I what to do, this includes:-

• Gendarmenmarkt
• Reichstag
• Brandenburger Tor/ Brandenburger Gate
• Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall
• Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche or Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
• Nikolaiviertel or St. Nicholas Quarter
• Holocaust Memorial/Denkmal fur die ermordeten Juden Europas
• Bebelplatz/ State Opera House/ St. Hedwig’s Cathedral/ Old Library
• Charlottenburg Palace/Schloß Charlottenburg/ Kulturforum
• Berliner Dom/Museum Island/Museumsinsel
• Potsdamer Platz
• Hackesche Höfe
• Kurfurstendamm/shopping.

Comments welcome.

 

[MrsScooby]

Yes, hopefully they will, I think I posted before Acapulco didn't work well on some cruises, they changed the shore trips and dropped some, then still had issues in Acapulco in 2008, so dropped the port completely.

But whilst other cruiselines go to the Baltic every year, this is DCL's first, we have the comfort that a lot of DCL shore trips are exactly the same as other cruise lines, ie RCCL and Princess, have 90% of the same trips, exact same name etc, so these are run by local tour operators on a regular basis and should have the kinks ironed out in them and work well.

But until the first one runs, we do not know how immigration on a Disney ship will work or not work. There will be some adjustments, ie Why is Palo closed on the two StP days??? No dinner, and no Brunch AM.

How will the food work on the Berlin day for people coming back at 8pm? or St Petes as many people are out either on private tors, or at the Ballet.

What shows and what times for those three nights, my guess Films will be part of it, maybe Berlin ToyStory 3 or something like that which can be caught up if missed.

Yes Acapulco in 2008 was memorable for how annoying it was
My DH and I went off the ship there, walked accross the street to see the fort, but didn't even bother to pay to go inside. Kinda sad how that port has declined so much from the "Love Boat" days.

I'm also curious to see how DCL handles Berlin and what they have for onboard entertainment

Who has been to Berlin.

I am formulating a list of what I what to do, this includes:-

• Gendarmenmarkt
• Reichstag
• Brandenburger Tor/ Brandenburger Gate
• Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall
• Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche or Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
• Nikolaiviertel or St. Nicholas Quarter
• Holocaust Memorial/Denkmal fur die ermordeten Juden Europas
• Bebelplatz/ State Opera House/ St. Hedwig’s Cathedral/ Old Library
• Charlottenburg Palace/Schloß Charlottenburg/ Kulturforum
• Berliner Dom/Museum Island/Museumsinsel
• Potsdamer Platz
• Hackesche Höfe
• Kurfurstendamm/shopping.

Comments welcome.

ambitious, but great
I have not made any serious attempts yet on planning Berlin-relying on our tour company to help with the planning. I recognize many of the places on your list though so I'm sure we will do some of those as well.

Definitely checkpoint charlie and Berlin wall, Holocaust memorial, Brandenburg gate, forget the name of the church I was reading about, but it is probably one of those on your list as well. I think reichstag will be on our list too. I will have to get my family involved more in the planning for this.

I usually make an "a" list and "b" list when I have more sites than I think I will have time for. Don't want to be criss-crossing all over the place during the tour of course, but it helps me in the planning stages

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Yes Acapulco in 2008 was memorable for how annoying it was
My DH and I went off the ship there, walked across the street to see the fort, but didn't even bother to pay to go inside. Kinda sad how that port has declined so much from the "Love Boat" days.
I'm also curious to see how DCL handles Berlin and what they have for onboard entertainment



ambitious, but great
I have not made any serious attempts yet on planning Berlin-relying on our tour company to help with the planning. I recognize many of the places on your list though so I'm sure we will do some of those as well.

Definitely checkpoint charlie and Berlin wall, Holocaust memorial, Brandenburg gate, forget the name of the church I was reading about, but it is probably one of those on your list as well. I think reichstag will be on our list too. I will have to get my family involved more in the planning for this.

I usually make an "a" list and "b" list when I have more sites than I think I will have time for. Don't want to be criss-crossing all over the place during the tour of course, but it helps me in the planning stages

Acapulco, yes has declined, I had fond memories of my first visit on Princess cruises, it was developed but also not over developed and a nice place. Then 2005 and 2008, on the repo's, it declined. We did the Dolphins in 2005, that was good, but then we walked around the city ourselves, and did some shopping but went back early. I booked the Fort and cliff divers, it was OK, but the Fort was rushed at 7am!!! It was dark.

Berlin thanks, on that yes thats the headline list we have six hours, I am looking for commando style photo touring not going inside and just light snacks as the train will supply there and back, but do want an A list and B list for back up.

 

[Caropooh]

A lot depends on so many variables:_

Where you are staying (Zone). Comfort Inn Victoria
How long you are here. We arrive Thursday around noon
What travel /places you intend to go to. Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Tower of London, National Maritime Museum, typical tourist stuff!
Arriving/departing by train from Heathrow/ or Transfer.taking National Express

Just realized we went through the 100 days mark yesterday and now its 99 days to the cruise.

how did we all miss this important day!

 

[MrsScooby]

Andrew (or Celestine)
I'm looking to purchase tickets to the Tower of London online and find there are a bunch of websites to choose from.

Is there a difference between buying the ticket from the Tower of London website vs. Viator (skip the line ticket) ? The Tower of London website seems to have better prices, but will we have a much longer wait than the Skip the Line ticket?

Also, not finding if you can come and go through out the day on one ticket?

 

[MrsScooby]

http://www.viator.com/tours/London/Skip-the-Line-Tower-of-London-Tickets/d737-3251TOW#pricingoptions


http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/admissionsprices/toweroflondonadmission.aspx

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

how did we all miss this important day!

Where you are staying (Zone). Comfort Inn Victoria

Zone 1 only

How long you are here. We arrive Thursday around noon

Three days

What travel /places you intend to go to. Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Tower of London, National Maritime Museum, typical tourist stuff!

Zone 1 and 2 only.

Arriving/departing by train from Heathrow/ or Transfer.taking National Express

Not Oyster.

In view of the above a lower amount, say £20 (tops £30 if used a lot ).per adult.

Do you pay the £3 deposit in addition?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew (or Celestine)
I'm looking to purchase tickets to the Tower of London online and find there are a bunch of websites to choose from.

Is there a difference between buying the ticket from the Tower of London website vs. Viator (skip the line ticket) ? The Tower of London website seems to have better prices, but will we have a much longer wait than the Skip the Line ticket?

Also, not finding if you can come and go through out the day on one ticket?

http://www.viator.com/tours/London/Skip-the-Line-Tower-of-London-Tickets/d737-3251TOW#pricingoptions


http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/admissionsprices/toweroflondonadmission.aspx

My first thoughts are the http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/admissionsprices/toweroflondonadmission.aspx as its the official website and I like to always go to that. Queues will be long in July, London is very popular, and everyone goes to the TOL.

Cant see about re admission if they do it would be a handstamp but i think its all timed so cant.