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

[Madisonznana]

DH finally got home - 6 hours to travel 3 miles! At least he got home, some people ended up sleeping in the bed department of a department store because they were stuck!

Celestine

I saw this on the news here this morning. That was awfully nice of the department store to do that.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We have taken several Princess cruises, we really love them. Everything about them is easy!

Last day or two spent a lot of time looking at all cruiselines and narrowed down to Princess. I have sailed with them before, and enjoyed it, a very good line, the only issue for us, when we were younger, was, the ship overall had a lot older age group, I felt DCL, has been more family oriented, but with 2011, ruled out for DCL, researching all of the options, I prefer Princess, Alaska trips, many options, in fact far too many options, better places to go, add ons trains, private cabins, different home ports, ie Sailing 10 nights from San Fransisco looks nice.
But there are Med and Caribbean ones so, as said doing research, and in that looked at Baltic shore trips.

DH finally got home - 6 hours to travel 3 miles! At least he got home, some people ended up sleeping in the bed department of a department store because they were stuck!

Today was still chaos but the trains were running so we managed to get into town to see the panto which was actually good fun & not quite as cringing as previous years. Hermione went to build-a-bear to get an Alvin as we're off to see the squeekual tomorrow before hopefully heading to Hastings.

Andrew - based on your research I think the only DCL excursions will be Russia, but we could be pleasantly surprised. We've already decided to skip Berlin as we could spend a week-end there for what DCL would want for the 4 of us and we wouldn't be constrained by time either. Not very often I get to say that about a port of call!

Celestine

Yes, weather was nasty,getting better though.

Baltic, actually St Petes, is one I will not do DCL, thats the private tour, 9Bet Moscow with DCL will cost an arm and a leg), Berlin 12.5 hours, 3 hours train each way, approx $400pp.

The other ports everything is close by, but I have seen prices $89>$100pp.

Most are doable on your own and the city close by, so good options.

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Last day or two spent a lot of time looking at all cruiselines and narrowed down to Princess. I have sailed with them before, and enjoyed it, a very good line, the only issue for us, when we were younger, was, the ship overall had a lot older age group, I felt DCL, has been more family oriented, but with 2011, ruled out for DCL, researching all of the options, I prefer Princess, Alaska trips, many options, in fact far too many options, better places to go, add ons trains, private cabins, different home ports, ie Sailing 10 nights from San Fransisco looks nice.
But there are Med and Caribbean ones so, as said doing research, and in that looked at Baltic shore trips.



Yes, weather was nasty,getting better though.
Glad to hear the weather is improving. Being in South Carolina not far from Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort we have had sunny weather. If I had been at home I would have had lots of snow which I am not missing one little bit.

Baltic, actually St Petes, is one I will not do DCL, thats the private tour, 9Bet Moscow with DCL will cost an arm and a leg), Berlin 12.5 hours, 3 hours train each way, approx $400pp.

The other ports everything is close by, but I have seen prices $89>$100pp.

Most are doable on your own and the city close by, so good options.

Hope everyone has safe holiday travels!

 

[jilljill]

Anyone want to come wrap presents and clean for me? I can ask anyways.

Got lots to do the next 2 days, including grocery shopping for Christmas Eve dinner which I don't know what that will be. My brother and nephew will be coming over so the kids can exchange gifts.

 

[Madisonznana]

Anyone want to come wrap presents and clean for me? I can ask anyways.

Got lots to do the next 2 days, including grocery shopping for Christmas Eve dinner which I don't know what that will be. My brother and nephew will be coming over so the kids can exchange gifts.

I would wrap, don't wanna clean though!
I went grocery shopping for Christmas Eve dinner all by myself today! I called the doctor to see if I could drive and he said yes so off I went!

 

[Doingitagain]

We got our plane tickets to London yesterday, so today I called Disney about reserving a hotel for two days prior to the cruise.

They told me only the Park Plaza is available, and a family of four will have to reserve 2 rooms. With transfers, they quoted me a price of over $2000.

I just can't believe that is the best we can do. For the night after the cruise at the Renaissance, we can all fit in one room for $960 (with transfers).

How hard will it be to do this on my own? If I've paid for airport transfers already, will they still take us to Dover if we get our own rooms? The person who answered my call was a little difficult, so I'd thought I'd come to a friendlier source!

Beth

We booked the Renaissance Chancery on our own at 40% of what DCL was charging, and they will still let us pay and use their transportation to the port if we want. I cannot figure out why they are charging so much. All they are really guaranteeing is an exchange rate. I know that I had to prepay to get my room rate, but I will be paying DCL in a few months anyway.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Anyone want to come wrap presents and clean for me? I can ask anyways.

Got lots to do the next 2 days, including grocery shopping for Christmas Eve dinner which I don't know what that will be. My brother and nephew will be coming over so the kids can exchange gifts.

Sounds a bit like my luggage packing service, I get my luggage cases out, and look at them, but they do not fill themselves up, some kind od design flaw there,

We booked the Renaissance Chancery on our own at 40% of what DCL was charging, and they will still let us pay and use their transportation to the port if we want. I cannot figure out why they are charging so much. All they are really guaranteeing is an exchange rate. I know that I had to prepay to get my room rate, but I will be paying DCL in a few months anyway.

AIR and HOTEL booked by Disney is always more expensive, its done for convenience, ie you do not need to think about it, and DCL uses a corporate exchange rate in its calculations, (with a good margin for error),which can change, and you personally find it cheaper,

 

[RJAYL]

Good Morning All
Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Good Morning All
Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky

Morning /Afternoon/ Merry Christmas.

 

[jilljill]

Good Morning All
Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky

You must have all the kids at home totally driving you crazy.

 

[jilljill]

We booked the Renaissance Chancery on our own at 40% of what DCL was charging, and they will still let us pay and use their transportation to the port if we want. I cannot figure out why they are charging so much. All they are really guaranteeing is an exchange rate. I know that I had to prepay to get my room rate, but I will be paying DCL in a few months anyway.

Don't forget that Celestine has arranged transport for us that will be about a third of what DCL will be charging.

It's not just DCL that charges more for hotel/transport add-on's, they all do it because they know it's easier for people to book it that way. The same way that excursions are much more expensive than booking on your own. You pay for convenience and not having to think too much.

 

[jilljill]

I would wrap, don't wanna clean though!
I went grocery shopping for Christmas Eve dinner all by myself today! I called the doctor to see if I could drive and he said yes so off I went!

Wrapping will help. What time should I pick you up at the airport? You can arrive at Philly or BWI.


Congrats on driving and shopping by yourself.

 

[Madisonznana]

Wrapping will help. What time should I pick you up at the airport? You can arrive at Philly or BWI.


Congrats on driving and shopping by yourself.

If I wasn't having 17 people over tomorrow I would prefer BWI! Lost luggage going through Philly one time
..................

We went to Target last night and I drove one of those motorized chairs. Bob was laughing every time I ran into something!

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Don't forget that Celestine has arranged transport for us that will be about a third of what DCL will be charging.

It's not just DCL that charges more for hotel/transport add-on's, they all do it because they know it's easier for people to book it that way. The same way that excursions are much more expensive than booking on your own. You pay for convenience and not having to think too much.

I know you are 100% right about the charge by going with DCL, but riight now my mind is so befuddeled I am not sure which way to turn. Have no flight or hotel!If Garry were still alive it would have been a done deal by now, but I just can't seem to settle into anything and Ryan is trying to guide me but wants me to make the decisions. I think I need input desperately!

 

[RJAYL]

You must have all the kids at home totally driving you crazy.

Nope thats tomorrow, its everything else & I am still!

Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky Cranky

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Not allot going on here....

Well its Christmas Eve already....


Get that last minute shopping in....





(Guys; it really is time to start your shopping)

 

[alanapapa]

Not allot going on here....

Well its Christmas Eve already....


Get that last minute shopping in....





(Guys; it really is time to start your shopping)

Why, we have a few more hours, what's the rush???

 

[RJAYL]

Not allot going on here....

Well its Christmas Eve already....


Get that last minute shopping in....





(Guys; it really is time to start your shopping)

Not me my holiday is over! I am off to the gym this morning!

Good Morning All!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Why, we have a few more hours, what's the rush???

Well we have a few hours left now, suppose I should get out!!

Not me my holiday is over! I am off to the gym this morning!

Good Morning All!

Well enjoy the work out then.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Happy Holidays to one and all

If traveling, safe travels