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

[Marla Hellwig]

Finally can book excursions 04/19 - hoping things are still left

have a great weekend

 

[Caropooh]

Where is everybody

Barb
Andrew
Karen
Caro

This is looking like a roll call now

Getting excited about this weekend and not even planning on booking any excursions with DCL

Who's booking this weekend?

I'm here for a minute! Taking a First Aid/CPR class today for work, so gotta run! Might not be back until I get back home this afternoon!

 

[Hanover]

I'm here. Just had a really bad week--my neighbor's youngest (16) year old child across the street was driving 3 friends this week when she lost control of the car and crashed into a tree. One friend was killed and my neighbor's daughter is hanging on by a thread. It's been extremely emotionally exhausting. Another neighbor's daughter was in the car and has a broken back and possible spinal cord injuries. You read about these things happening and when it hits this close to home it's just horrendous. I saw her driving for the first time on her own just last week. So, so sad.

 

[smilis]

Where is everybody

Barb
Andrew
Karen
Caro

This is looking like a roll call now

Getting excited about this weekend and not even planning on booking any excursions with DCL

Who's booking this weekend?

Laurie,
I'm booking this weekend and on the correct night/day thanks to you and the others who caught my calendar error Sounds like you must have private excursions lined up in each port or else are doing the HOHO's. If you don't mind my asking, what are some of the excursions that you have lined up in the different ports?
Right now the only port we're doing private is STP. Doing HOHO in a couple, but have at least 3 DCL excursions planned. I will be glad when Monday comes so I can concentrate on my work instead of my trip

Sandy

 

[MrsScooby]

Finally can book excursions 04/19 - hoping things are still left

have a great weekend

I'm here for a minute! Taking a First Aid/CPR class today for work, so gotta run! Might not be back until I get back home this afternoon!

Laurie,
I'm booking this weekend and on the correct night/day thanks to you and the others who caught my calendar error Sounds like you must have private excursions lined up in each port or else are doing the HOHO's. If you don't mind my asking, what are some of the excursions that you have lined up in the different ports?
Right now the only port we're doing private is STP. Doing HOHO in a couple, but have at least 3 DCL excursions planned. I will be glad when Monday comes so I can concentrate on my work instead of my trip

Sandy

Hey everybody
Taking a break from work see who's here
Sandy I was also not 100% sure of when the 90 day booking started, but was sure I would find out from this thread when we came close. So glad you asked the questions
Glad to know we'll have a CPR/First aid trained person with us Caro

That Baltic thread on the main boards has tons of great info, plus info I got from Barb (Jilljill) and scrapycruiser who have done Baltic cruises and Andrew and Celestine from the UK, plus what I found on cruisecritic and tripadvisor. Not even sure where I've gotten all of the info from originally.
There was one very nice lady who posted on this thread last year to let us know about the Parkwood hotel in London-for the life of me I can't remember her name

I think I'm hitting many of the same hightlights that others here are aiming for.

Vasa museum and Royal armory in Stockholm, Rosenborg Castle and a segway tour in Copenhagen, walking tour in Tallinn, Viking Museum, Kon Tiki Museum and Norwegian Resistance museum in Oslo.
Probably get the Oslo card and try to fit in as much as possible there.
Berlin- I've found a private company that will pick us up at the port. Still have to decide on the itinerary there. And Anastasia private tour for St Petersburg.

Rick Steve's Scandinavia book is good for suggestions-don't agree with all his "must sees" though-but that is up to personal preference.

The HoHos look good too-maybe better for certain ports than others.

I'm still researching everything. Love getting info -especially from people who have been there, but also from others who have found little known websites that might have a different take on things-or might have a question that I haven't thought to ask.

 

[MrsScooby]

I'm here. Just had a really bad week--my neighbor's youngest (16) year old child across the street was driving 3 friends this week when she lost control of the car and crashed into a tree. One friend was killed and my neighbor's daughter is hanging on by a thread. It's been extremely emotionally exhausting. Another neighbor's daughter was in the car and has a broken back and possible spinal cord injuries. You read about these things happening and when it hits this close to home it's just horrendous. I saw her driving for the first time on her own just last week. So, so sad.

How awful
Sending prayers to the family and community

Just started teaching my DS how to drive recently

 

[caven553]

It's nice to get a first hand report , but I can feel a case of green envy coming on if we hear what a great time you're having at the end of each day. Please be kind in sparing us how great it is at WDW I don't have my next visit set up yet.

Sandy

We just booked ours for next February yesterday

We were going to wait until the 7 month window (DVC members) and try to get someplace we haven't been before but realized that the 7 month window for when we are going is while we are on the cruise so we went ahead and just booked at Saratoga Springs.

 

[smilis]

We just booked ours for next February yesterday

We were going to wait until the 7 month window (DVC members) and try to get someplace we haven't been before but realized that the 7 month window for when we are going is while we are on the cruise so we went ahead and just booked at Saratoga Springs.

That's great! I'm glad you were able to get into SS. We are DVC members too since 1995 and have really enjoyed using our points. We used a bundle on this cruise, so what we have left we are gifting a 3 or 4 night cruise to our kids/grandkids for next year. So we probably won't plan a visit to WDW ourselves until late 2011. DH wants to go on the Dream but for now, that's all it is...a dream

Sandy

 

[Madisonznana]

Where is everybody

Barb
Andrew
Karen
Caro

This is looking like a roll call now

Getting excited about this weekend and not even planning on booking any excursions with DCL

Who's booking this weekend?

I'm here! Went to the scrap store again yesterday and finished 14 FE gifts. We are keeping the number down right? Cuz, that would mean I am done!
I am so not liking this volcano. Bob was watching the news this morning and they were talking about the last time this happened in the 1800's. It ended up ruining the crops in Europe. I really hope it ends soon.
I get to book this weekend. But I get to book at 9pm being on the west coast! I am probably only booking, or trying to book the Molli steam train in Warnemunde. And a dinner in Palo!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

No pressure

I appreciate all feedback, sometimes things like tips and whatnot can be subjective.


Besides we all make mistakes-I would hate to think of someone keeping track of mine

Oh yes can be subjective, and also for example DCL itself gives out wrong information all of the time, says one thing to one person and another to someone else. But on tipping Celestine was 100% correct, couldn't add a thing.

Just read that a new exhibit is opening at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. It will showcase the late Grace Kelly and all her beautiful gowns that she wore. Here is a link to the site: http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/gracekelly/

When we were on the Magic in the Med 2007, I thought it was fascinating to hear about her life as our guide took us around Monaco and showed us the road where she died.

This might be an exhibit I'd be interested in seeing.

Sandy

Sandy V&A and all of the museums around South Kensington are all fantastic the problem is fitting it all in, lucky for us we can do it anytime. Looks good, Enjoy.

Back from Chef Mickey's waiting for fireworks at 10PM view from my Balcony!

Nice, Contemporary, Chef Mickeys, tower room and MK View is my favorites all in a row, did that in 2001, 2003,2006,2009!

I just got off the phone with a very helpful and informed DCL rep. He did say that he saw NO brunch reservations available for Palo, but that every night (except StP) had openings for dinner still.

Also, and perhaps some of you already knew this...there are not going to be any fireworks from the deck on the Baltic cruises. Does anybody have an idea of what the "theme" night theme will be? It is supposed to be the Tallinn evening, but I was wondering if it will be Pirate's night or something else?

Andrew, how did you find out what the (your) dining rotation would be? I thought I saw that on a post of long ago.

PLA is my request and its what I am on.

There is a good *reason* why Brunch will not be served on St Petes morning. Been posting for a month or so now, that they had chosen not to open Palo then.

Highlight if you want to read.

We will be in port earlier than advertised but they are allowing time for the boarder checks.

I just got off the phone with a very helpful and informed DCL rep. He did say that he saw NO brunch reservations available for Palo, but that every night (except StP) had openings for dinner still.

Also, and perhaps some of you already knew this...there are not going to be any fireworks from the deck on the Baltic cruises. Does anybody have an idea of what the "theme" night theme will be? It is supposed to be the Tallin evening, but I was wondering if it will be Pirate's night or something else?

Andrew, how did you find out what the (your) dining rotation would be? I thought I saw that on a post of long ago.

Sandy

Did that quote twice????????

Good Morning All
Off to the Magic Kingdom for breakfast at the Crystal Palace at 8AM
Park opens at 9AM

Enjoy.

Where is everybody

Barb
Andrew
Karen
Caro

This is looking like a roll call now

Getting excited about this weekend and not even planning on booking any excursions with DCL

Who's booking this weekend?

Buried under a lot of Ash......

But we have clear blue skies (no vapor trails )and *no* noise in London, its so nice.

Finally can book excursions 04/19 - hoping things are still left

have a great weekend

Good luck.

I'm here! Went to the scrap store again yesterday and finished 14 FE gifts. We are keeping the number down right? Cuz, that would mean I am done!
I am so not liking this volcano. Bob was watching the news this morning and they were talking about the last time this happened in the 1800's. It ended up ruining the crops in Europe. I really hope it ends soon.
I get to book this weekend. But I get to book at 9pm being on the west coast! I am probably only booking, or trying to book the Molli steam train in Warnemunde. And a dinner in Palo!

Good luck on booking.

I did post a guide at the 105 days mark, if you haven't done it for a while, have a look as you need to be fast.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I'm here. Just had a really bad week--my neighbor's youngest (16) year old child across the street was driving 3 friends this week when she lost control of the car and crashed into a tree. One friend was killed and my neighbor's daughter is hanging on by a thread. It's been extremely emotionally exhausting. Another neighbor's daughter was in the car and has a broken back and possible spinal cord injuries. You read about these things happening and when it hits this close to home it's just horrendous. I saw her driving for the first time on her own just last week. So, so sad.

I am very sorry, wish the ones under treatment all the best.

 

[Madisonznana]

Good luck on booking.

I did post a guide at the 105 days mark, if you haven't done it for a while, have a look as you need to be fast.

Do you know about where the guide is Andrew? It's been a few years since I booked.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Do you know about where the guide is Andrew? It's been a few years since I booked.

BOOKING

A lot of you have been on DCL cruises before and booked before, but the booking system has been updated in the last year, and its one of thoose things that at 00:00, you want to do it on automatic pilot, (like a Fire alarm), as mistakes often occur.

I have read all to often people posting they thought they had booked things go to bed and find they have gone in the morning.

First rule.

All shore trips. Save your favorites into saved activities before your booking window, it will speed up the process, and on DCL, seconds mean the difference in getting something or loosing out.

Next rule: 00:00

You can log into the DCL site and your profile anytime, say 10 mins before etc, not to long as it can log you out without activity.

I went in via the Castaway club part, my cruises, it has your old cruises there and your booked ones and you can click on your reservation number there. Do that its fast, saves you putting in the number, but not before 00:00 Internet time. (UK is now 05:00 as we are on BST).

Your in!

Select if you want Palo, or Shore trips or spa.

On the buttons.

Palo

Three Options

Brunch, tea, Dinner.

Select which one.

Select the name of the booking, IE Lead person.

A drop down opens up, select 'all' or the names for this meal booking.

You now 'continue' and the next page.

Time slots appear for your meal, as follows:-

Select which one, and continue.

Now you have options here, it will be 'unconfirmed' (see shore trips latter in this post, ) but you can 'confirm' now, and ensure you have it, or select another meal type, your choice.

On my example on the right hand side it shows the confirmed schedule,

Shore trips.

You will get every single shore trip come up, but you can cut these down.

I would toggle on 'saved activities', that will be your favorite only.

But you can do this by Port or by activity type.

On this you can see the first shore trip for Copenhagen showing, if you wanted this you would click on it.

Then at the bottom, select the people in your group going, either all or by name.

Select continue.

Times/days come up if an option.

Select and continue.

And then in all cases

You must save and confirm or they will remain unconfirmed IE not booked.

Here you have an example of confirmed (booked) items and also Unconfirmed (not booked items).

After this My cruise plans should show everything booked.

Last tips,

Never use the 'back' button.

Do not allow someone else to have their laptop on and in your reservation.

Do not 'block cookies' to DCL on your Internet browser.

As requested.....

 

[KathyInCitrus]

Just checking in from the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden at Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival.

Shopping Tip: Viking hats are $10 at Norway in the World Showcase.

 

[MrsScooby]

I'm here! Went to the scrap store again yesterday and finished 14 FE gifts. We are keeping the number down right? Cuz, that would mean I am done!
I am so not liking this volcano. Bob was watching the news this morning and they were talking about the last time this happened in the 1800's. It ended up ruining the crops in Europe. I really hope it ends soon.
I get to book this weekend. But I get to book at 9pm being on the west coast! I am probably only booking, or trying to book the Molli steam train in Warnemunde. And a dinner in Palo!

Hey Karen!
The FE exchange can go up in number very quickly. That's what happened on our PC Repo cruise. Don't remember what the cut off date is for sign up, but many people start their planning closer to cruise time than we do.
If the number gets really high we can break it up into groups to make it easier.
Lucky you with the 9 pm booking

Buried under a lot of Ash......

But we have clear blue skies (no vapor trails )and *no* noise in London, its so nice.

A little like the days after 9/11/01. We live near Dulles airport and it was so strange not to see any planes in the sky...

Just checking in from the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden at Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival.

Shopping Tip: Viking hats are $10 at Norway in the World Showcase.

Any pictures
Hope you have a great time

Should have asked Barb to pick us up some viking hats while she was there
I'm sure we'll get some while on the Magic.
Imagine how we'll look going home in those

 

[Madisonznana]

Hey Karen!
The FE exchange can go up in number very quickly. That's what happened on our PC Repo cruise. Don't remember what the cut off date is for sign up, but many people start their planning closer to cruise time than we do.
If the number gets really high we can break it up into groups to make it easier.
:

Can we make the cut off date when we get two more sign ups?

 

[jilljill]

I'm here, DH was off for a few days and we've been running around and getting things done around the house. Sometimes life gets in the way of DIS.

 

[jilljill]

I'm here. Just had a really bad week--my neighbor's youngest (16) year old child across the street was driving 3 friends this week when she lost control of the car and crashed into a tree. One friend was killed and my neighbor's daughter is hanging on by a thread. It's been extremely emotionally exhausting. Another neighbor's daughter was in the car and has a broken back and possible spinal cord injuries. You read about these things happening and when it hits this close to home it's just horrendous. I saw her driving for the first time on her own just last week. So, so sad.

This is so sad. Prayers to all families involved.
DD has her first driving lesson in driver's ed yesterday and we took her out after school today. Driving for the young ones is getting more and more dangerous and I'm glad that DD realized this when she drove yesterday.

 

[MrsScooby]

Can we make the cut off date when we get two more sign ups?

Cut off is listed as June 30th on the first page-but not sure what the final number is as some of those on the list have had to cancel.

I'm here, DH was off for a few days and we've been running around and getting things done around the house. Sometimes life gets in the way of DIS.

We've missed you

DD has her first driving lesson in driver's ed yesterday and we took her out after school today. Driving for the young ones is getting more and more dangerous and I'm glad that DD realized this when she drove yesterday.

Still not ready to let my DS16 on the road yet and so far he is content driving in parking lots. Really glad he is taking it seriously as well.
We have him signed up with the county for behind the wheel classes in August. I'm hoping I don't pass on any bad habits in the mean time.

 

[jilljill]

We only had DD in a very large parking lot with a dirt lane. In her driver's ed class she's been on the road yesterday and today. She told us today that her last driving class will be next Friday and then if she passes she will get her 'blue card' that is required for her to get her permit. But the small problem is that she is only 15 and her teacher told the class she has to wait until her b'day next month to get her permit, but I thought htey could get their permit before 16 with the 'blue card'. I have to look into it to see when she can get her permit. Delaware has some crazy tiered permits so it's a lot to weed thru to get the rules straight.