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

[MrsScooby]

Ok Jamie

We have to use this TA since we are using our timeshare points for the cruise so no options to have it released and transfer to another TA. I'd rather use my regular TA, but we only have to put out a little bit of cash with this transaction. I'm just glad that I know what I'm doing and how DCL operates or we wouldn't have had a cruise booked.
But in the end it has worked out and the cruise is paid in full. I know this because I was able to book DH & DD on the jet ski excursion at CC.

Ahhh, makes sense
Not the kind of problem that a seasoned traveler like yourself often has
More like the stuff that happens to me

We did that Eco tour back in 2006
It is fun...although my DH and DD enjoyed it more than my DS and I did
I had a hard time adjusting the speed of the jet ski-either too fast or too slow And I was worried about DD falling off the back when we hit the waves. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't worry about her flying off...oh and my shark phobia

The Segway tour in nassau was more my speed

Don't they have a segway tour in Tallin
If we have any money left over after St. Petersburg-that's where it will go

 

[MrsScooby]

I finally have my first appointment scheduled for Johns Hopkins for a cochlear implant

They sent me a package of info and apparently I have to choose my implant from 3 different companies that make it based only on the advertising brochures they sent me

Soooo
I'm researching

One of the companies ia called Advanced Bionics- so my days of watching the tv show The Bionic Woman are making me laugh everytime I see this

DH is so funny...With the package I got and the appointment this is suddenly a reality to him. He asks me this morning if I really want to do this. While I'm still wrestling with the fear a bit...talking to folks who have these implants has really helped me decide to get it done.

 

[Doingitagain]

We also had winter weather in October in Minnesota! Escaped for a short trip to southern France to visit DD who is studying abroad for four months.

DVC finally opened up 2010 point charts and we put in our request for the Royal Garden Hotel. We have three adults in one of our two rooms and they charged an extra 21 points for two nights...worked it out, but wished they would have quoted that to me when I first called. I think they assumed that our third person was a child.

 

[jilljill]

We did that Eco tour back in 2006
It is fun...although my DH and DD enjoyed it more than my DS and I did
I had a hard time adjusting the speed of the jet ski-either too fast or too slow And I was worried about DD falling off the back when we hit the waves. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't worry about her flying off...oh and my shark phobia

The Segway tour in nassau was more my speed

Don't they have a segway tour in Tallin
If we have any money left over after St. Petersburg-that's where it will go

DH had a jetski for years so he's looking forward to going, but is worried they won't go fast enough for him. He used to take DD a lot when she was little.

Too funny you mentioned Segways in Tallin. The day we were there the Segway place was having their press day as they were just about to open. From the brochure we were able to get from them it seemed they were going to start out selling them more than doing tours, but I'm sure by now they are doing tours.
I'll see if we can find the brochure, if we didn't give it to my brother, and see if they have a website. Keep in mind the town is mostly cobblestone streets, alleys, and hills so it will be a bit of a challenge on the Segway at first.
My brother has 2 or 3 Segways and the last one he just got has the bigger tires that are made for going off road and uneven surfaces and he said it takes a little bit to get used to it after using the regular ones on smooth surfaces. But if you've been on the one in Nassau, they probably use that kind so you would probably already know how to ride it.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hi, did a calculation am 98% Paid on this cruise, and intend to be PIF in early November, may also pay off TIPs then.

Good weekend all.

 

[bellelinus]

We managed to get a room at the Wyndham Garden in Times Square South (36 th street). Not easy to find a room kind of last minute that met with DH's approval. The trip advisor reviews were ok so hoping it turns out to be a good place to stay.

Quieter places are easier for me to hear, plus DH likes to avoid crowds when we can-so either the John's on 64th street or Lombardi's is fine. We will be driving home that night though (Friday) -as the place my sis picked for Thanksgiving dinner is pretty expensive

The kids are excited about visiting the empire state building so we will probably go there after lunch. You and your DDs are welcome to join us if you want

If Darren likes quiet, the John's on 64th would be best -- it's in an entirely residential area and not touristy at all . . . Lombardi's is just too well known and often has lines. I will call closer to time to be sure they are open the day after Thanksgiving, but they probably will be, and we can finalize plans. I'll PM you my cell phone number as well.

I'll ask the girls about the Empire State building -- as native New Yorkers, of course they have never been

 

[bellelinus]

I finally have my first appointment scheduled for Johns Hopkins for a cochlear implant

They sent me a package of info and apparently I have to choose my implant from 3 different companies that make it based only on the advertising brochures they sent me

Soooo
I'm researching

One of the companies ia called Advanced Bionics- so my days of watching the tv show The Bionic Woman are making me laugh everytime I see this

DH is so funny...With the package I got and the appointment this is suddenly a reality to him. He asks me this morning if I really want to do this. While I'm still wrestling with the fear a bit...talking to folks who have these implants has really helped me decide to get it done.

Congrats, Laurie!!!!!!!!!

 

[bellelinus]

Hi, did a calculation am 98% Paid on this cruise, and intend to be PIF in early November, may also pay off TIPs then.

Good weekend all.

Good for you, Andrew!

 

[jilljill]

Hi, did a calculation am 98% Paid on this cruise, and intend to be PIF in early November, may also pay off TIPs then.

Good weekend all.

I've just started to think about calling me TA and having her pay off each cabin a little bit each month thru March. I'll probably give her an amount that I want to go towards them and a date to do it each month so I don't have to keep calling her. I'll just have her add on the tips closer to sailing.

 

[Caropooh]

Barb, what's the name of the hotel you're staying at in London?

 

[bellelinus]

Barb, what's the name of the hotel you're staying at in London?

I'm pretty sure she is staying at the Park Plaza Victoria -- I looked at it, but they don't have any regular rooms that sleep 4 . . .

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I'm pretty sure she is staying at the Park Plaza Victoria -- I looked at it, but they don't have any regular rooms that sleep 4 . . .

Good location.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I've just started to think about calling me TA and having her pay off each cabin a little bit each month thru March. I'll probably give her an amount that I want to go towards them and a date to do it each month so I don't have to keep calling her. I'll just have her add on the tips closer to sailing.

Its coming up on us, I have a very early PIF date on this one, first week in February, so wanted to clear it well before that, the £/$ took a tumble this week, so only did a smaller than planned payment, looking to clear by early November now.

My actual Palo and shore trip booking window is in March.

I want to think in European currencies on this cruise so will pay tips off in advance, maybe a seven night wine package. to minimise use of $'s. Then I will swap my focus to other things I am doing in Europe in 2010, before this cruise.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Does anyone know anything about the ''Molli train'' from Rostock in Germany.

Looking at the port, Berlin is at least three hours away, so a standard 12 hour trip there from port will include over 6 hours travel, and breaks en route.

So I was looking at alternatives and the Steam railway Molli train through the lime groves looks a good alternative. Goes through a lot of old German towns, regular service. When I say through I mean it, down the roads.

http://www.molli-bahn.de/Home.5.0.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1-9h4ajnTw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-c35HN_Gu0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSzEtYEVCLE&feature=related

Do you think they will get accross in time?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1XEZdPHwGI&feature=related

http://www.germany-tourism.co.uk/EG...steam_railways_steam_railways_mecklenburg.htm

 

[Caropooh]

OK London friends....
what's a good area to stay in when we're in London? Since it's back to square one for us on hotel rooms, we have no idea even where to stay.

 

[jilljill]

Barb, what's the name of the hotel you're staying at in London?

I'm pretty sure she is staying at the Park Plaza Victoria -- I looked at it, but they don't have any regular rooms that sleep 4 . . .

Good location.

Yes we are at the Park Plaza London Victoria. We stayed there last year and loved the location and the hotel is nice too.
I see they have Executive Studio rooms that sleep 4 people. I booked us a king Executive room. I went thru the goldpointsplus.com website rather than the hotels website directly, but they may be the same rate.


Hotels rooms that sleep 4 people in London are hard to come by that don't cost an arm and a leg.

 

[jilljill]

OK London friends....
what's a good area to stay in when we're in London? Since it's back to square one for us on hotel rooms, we have no idea even where to stay.

Within close proximety of a tube station. I like to stay in the Marble Arch, Oxford Street area. I usually get a copy of the tube map and go from there when looking for a place to stay. When I found this hotel near Victoria Station I figured it would be good for getting around and it was. There's a lot of places to stay in that area. Actually this is where cruisecritic comes in handy on their British Isles cruise boards with lots of names of places to stay. I also did a search for 'hotels near London Victoria Station' and found some that way. The Comfort Inn London Victoria has family rooms that sleep 4 people available.

 

[jilljill]

Does anyone know anything about the ''Molli train'' from Rostock in Germany.

Looking at the port, Berlin is at least three hours away, so a standard 12 hour trip there from port will include over 6 hours travel, and breaks en route.

So I was looking at alternatives and the Steam railway Molli train through the lime groves looks a good alternative. Goes through a lot of old German towns, regular service. When I say through I mean it, down the roads.

http://www.molli-bahn.de/Home.5.0.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1-9h4ajnTw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-c35HN_Gu0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSzEtYEVCLE&feature=related

Do you think they will get accross in time?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1XEZdPHwGI&feature=related

http://www.germany-tourism.co.uk/EG...steam_railways_steam_railways_mecklenburg.htm

There's tons of info on cruisecritic about the Molli Train and the towns near Warnemunde. The station is a 5 minute walk from the ship.

 

[Caropooh]

Yes we are at the Park Plaza London Victoria. We stayed there last year and loved the location and the hotel is nice too.
I see they have Executive Studio rooms that sleep 4 people. I booked us a king Executive room. I went thru the goldpointsplus.com website rather than the hotels website directly, but they may be the same rate.


Hotels rooms that sleep 4 people in London are hard to come by that don't cost an arm and a leg.

Just priced it out for 3 nights and got a quote of 652.05 GBP = 1064.31. Is that what we'll be looking at to get a decent room for 4 people? This is all so new to me!

 

[jilljill]

Just priced it out for 3 nights and got a quote of 652.05 GBP = 1064.31. Is that what we'll be looking at to get a decent room for 4 people? This is all so new to me!

You can find some cheaper, check the Comfort Inn London Victoria that's in my other post.
It's that 4th person in your party that's making rooms hard to find in the city. I don't think Andrew will want to stay home while you and the girls go on this cruise.