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

[Andrew DEREK UK]

So much to see in Berlin. I know the Berlin Walks tour company we are going with has several different kinds of tours depending upon interests and if you are first timers or not. I know Check Point Charlie is one place we want to stop at, also the remains of the wall and I have heard good things about museum island also. You will be able to go back pretty easily right? so less pressure to get "everything" in.

I have to get back to the bank to get some more euros and pounds while the level is not sensible


I have heard quite a bit about DIY as far as these ports and my family really needs to save $ as much as we can. Plus I am a compulsive planner I love the research


Oh I am hoping for an extra brunch as well

Several options for transport from Heathrow to hotels. Depends on what you want and how much luggage you have to lug. A private ride is most expensive but easier. Andrew had posted the mechanics of navigating the airport to train to hotel a while back-this is less expensive, but involves lugging your bags around.

Are you on the bus for the port?



Hope she feels better soon




Ditto
I waitressed during my college years and I have never worked so hard as I did then. Not an easy job. I am pretty sure they give them some time off, it just might not be in the evenings.




Ahh, the advantage of having the last Baltic cruise
They will hopefully have worked it all out by the time they get to us

 

[jilljill]

'Morning everyone, another beautiful, sunny day in DE.



Woke up to sad news this morning, my great aunt peacefully passed away last night at her home. She led a very full life and was 93 or 94.

 

[RJAYL]

'Morning everyone, another beautiful, sunny day in DE.



Woke up to sad news this morning, my great aunt peacefully passed away last night at her home. She led a very full life and was 93 or 94.

Good Age, Good way to pass, Except my Condolences!

 

[MrsScooby]

We are taking Disney transfers from the hotel to the port and back. We thought about taking the Tube, but I think my DH and MIL would rather do a shuttle of some sort to make it easier for the boys and my MIL. We will each have a bag plus a formal bag.

We were originally told several times that we would have a shuttle from Heathrow to the hotel through our DCL transfers. However, when they found out we booked the hotel through Expedia (saving over $100 a night compared to DCL charges for the same room) they told us we couldn't take it.

Have you checked with Celestine to see if there is still room on the coaches she has arranged for us to get to the port from the city? The price is very reasonable for us.

Yup, that's what I was gonna say. Plus the coaches will be a fun way to meet everyone

Speaking of Celestine and the bus; I take it the only way for us to pay is to have actual bills to hand over? It's not a problem, I just want to make sure I save out enough for both ways.

Good question
I'm setting aside the money I get from the bank knowing I will need plenty of pounds and euros.

Woke up to sad news this morning, my great aunt peacefully passed away last night at her home. She led a very full life and was 93 or 94.

That is alot of years and we all hope to go that way when our time comes. Sorry for you and your family's loss

 

[jilljill]

Thanks Robert and Laurie

 

[el_bandito]

Please help....

While it's our 6th time on Disney, it's our first time to Europe. ANd it's Mickey's first time to Northern Europe.

We are on the July 6 cruise. Just paid last night (dang... got calls from three credit card companies ... booked cruise, flights (call me stupid but BA is best from Baltimore and i pray the strike is over by July)...). If we were doing the caribean i'd know the routine. but it's all new and we just booked so short time.

AND we can book excursions monday at 12.01 a.m.... Man this is crazy.

Anyway... any help would be great. Focusing first on excursions. with all the days at sea i'm less worried about Palo reservations. First focus is excursions

we are thinking the following:

OSLO -- Glass works and Viking ships... REALLY want that one

Copenhagen -- Royal Copenhagen

Berlin -- Cultural splendor of Berlin -- it's very limited so some of you platinums may know if it's even still available? If not that we are thinking reserving the car and designing our own trip -- any experience/thoughts on that?

Russia
day 1 -- Spilled blood and boatride then either ballet or folklore
day 2 -- city highlights and hermitage then the ballet or folklore not done prior night

Helsinki -- Porvo and Helsinki highlights?

Stockholm -- Best of Drotting hall


We are....

DH/DW -- 45
DD --15
DS --13

Cat 4,.... waiting for 1-3 (not likely but what the heck... though after looking at the excursion costs, paying for 4 and flights.. DAMN... going to be paying for this for years).

Love dis boards. they really helped on all prior cruises. so any help appreciated!!

 

[Caropooh]

OK London people (or anyone else that might know!)
Is this a good way to buy tickets for some things in London or should I do it individually?
http://www.visitbritaindirect.com/en-US/detail.aspx?ProductCode=ELK1
I finally took the time to look around the visitbritain.com site and found the package deal, among other things. Is this the way I should go?

Booked the National Express coach from Heathrow to Victoria Station this morning. Our hotel is a couple blocks from the station. Now I just have to hope that 1 hour 45 minutes will be enough time to get through customs, get our bags and get from Terminal 5 to the coach.

This is all getting so real now! So much still to do! Will someone get my DH to help out with some decisions, please?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Please help....

While it's our 6th time on Disney, it's our first time to Europe. ANd it's Mickey's first time to Northern Europe.

We are on the July 6 cruise. Just paid last night (dang... got calls from three credit card companies ... booked cruise, flights (call me stupid but BA is best from Baltimore and i pray the strike is over by July)...). If we were doing the caribean i'd know the routine. but it's all new and we just booked so short time.

AND we can book excursions monday at 12.01 a.m.... Man this is crazy.

Anyway... any help would be great. Focusing first on excursions. with all the days at sea i'm less worried about Palo reservations. First focus is excursions

we are thinking the following:

OSLO -- Glass works and Viking ships... REALLY want that one

Copenhagen -- Royal Copenhagen

Berlin -- Cultural splendor of Berlin -- it's very limited so some of you platinums may know if it's even still available? If not that we are thinking reserving the car and designing our own trip -- any experience/thoughts on that?

Russia
day 1 -- Spilled blood and boatride then either ballet or folklore
day 2 -- city highlights and hermitage then the ballet or folklore not done prior night

Helsinki -- Porvo and Helsinki highlights?

Stockholm -- Best of Drotting hall


We are....

DH/DW -- 45
DD --15
DS --13

Cat 4,.... waiting for 1-3 (not likely but what the heck... though after looking at the excursion costs, paying for 4 and flights.. DAMN... going to be paying for this for years).

Love dis boards. they really helped on all prior cruises. so any help appreciated!!

Hello,

We cannot access any other cruise detaisl so cant tell how the cruise shore trips are booking but these, Glass works and Viking ships, and St Petersburg (all) have sold fast on other cruises, and in cases sold out.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

OK London people (or anyone else that might know!)
Is this a good way to buy tickets for some things in London or should I do it individually?
http://www.visitbritaindirect.com/en-US/detail.aspx?ProductCode=ELK1
I finally took the time to look around the visitbritain.com site and found the package deal, among other things. Is this the way I should go?

Booked the National Express coach from Heathrow to Victoria Station this morning. Our hotel is a couple blocks from the station. Now I just have to hope that 1 hour 45 minutes will be enough time to get through customs, get our bags and get from Terminal 5 to the coach.

This is all getting so real now! So much still to do! Will someone get my DH to help out with some decisions, please?

Havent used but seems an ok deal, and ok website.

 

[Caropooh]

'Morning everyone, another beautiful, sunny day in DE.



Woke up to sad news this morning, my great aunt peacefully passed away last night at her home. She led a very full life and was 93 or 94.

Our condolences to you and your family. It sounds like she lived a long, full life. I'm glad she went peacefully.

 

[MrsScooby]

Please help....

While it's our 6th time on Disney, it's our first time to Europe. ANd it's Mickey's first time to Northern Europe.

We are on the July 6 cruise. Just paid last night (dang... got calls from three credit card companies ... booked cruise, flights (call me stupid but BA is best from Baltimore and i pray the strike is over by July)...). If we were doing the caribean i'd know the routine. but it's all new and we just booked so short time.

AND we can book excursions monday at 12.01 a.m.... Man this is crazy.

Anyway... any help would be great. Focusing first on excursions. with all the days at sea i'm less worried about Palo reservations. First focus is excursions

we are thinking the following:

OSLO -- Glass works and Viking ships... REALLY want that one

Copenhagen -- Royal Copenhagen

Berlin -- Cultural splendor of Berlin -- it's very limited so some of you platinums may know if it's even still available? If not that we are thinking reserving the car and designing our own trip -- any experience/thoughts on that?

Russia
day 1 -- Spilled blood and boatride then either ballet or folklore
day 2 -- city highlights and hermitage then the ballet or folklore not done prior night

Helsinki -- Porvo and Helsinki highlights?

Stockholm -- Best of Drotting hall


We are....

DH/DW -- 45
DD --15
DS --13

Cat 4,.... waiting for 1-3 (not likely but what the heck... though after looking at the excursion costs, paying for 4 and flights.. DAMN... going to be paying for this for years).

Love dis boards. they really helped on all prior cruises. so any help appreciated!!

Can hear the panic in your post
A few pages back several people here had some great advice for booking...saving your favorites and watching the Disney website countdown to make sure you don't go to mycruise too soon, etc.
I'm not planning on booking anything through DCL so can't help you too much

Keep in mind if for some reason you can not get the excursion you really want there is always the option of doing it yourself. If you don't like the hassle of planning, I'm sure there are folks on your cruise that won't mind you tagging along on their pre-planned tour. I've heard that almost all these ports are pretty easy to do- it-yourself. Just an option that helps the booking experience less stressful If you know you have other options you won't be pulling your hair out if your computer freezes up at just the wrong moment.

So much to see and do in Berlin. My soon to be 13 year old just told me that her class is starting WWII and Germany so I have assigned her with researching that destination for us.

Also keep in mind that St Petersburg can be cheaper to do with a private tour company if you find some other cruisers looking to share. Anastasia, Red October, Denrus, S and B are just a few private tour companies I have heard about. With a group of around 12 people you see more places for less than DCL is charging.

Also my first time to Europe as well so I can understand the pressure and excitement

 

[MrsScooby]

OK London people (or anyone else that might know!)
Is this a good way to buy tickets for some things in London or should I do it individually?
http://www.visitbritaindirect.com/en-US/detail.aspx?ProductCode=ELK1
I finally took the time to look around the visitbritain.com site and found the package deal, among other things. Is this the way I should go?

Booked the National Express coach from Heathrow to Victoria Station this morning. Our hotel is a couple blocks from the station. Now I just have to hope that 1 hour 45 minutes will be enough time to get through customs, get our bags and get from Terminal 5 to the coach.

This is all getting so real now! So much still to do! Will someone get my DH to help out with some decisions, please?

Looks good if you have at least 2 full days in London
We've only got a day and a half or I would be getting this too.

I'm going with a private van for Heathrow to our hotel. My DH has a bad hip that acts up after long periods of sitting/standing/walking so after a long plane ride I'm thinking the easier the better for us.

My DH is also not into the planning at all. He just said the other day that outside of London and St Petersburg he is not really interested in the other ports and doesn't care where we go
The up side is I get to pretty much plan what I want
The down side is that I have to listen to his critique when something doesn't work out as planned

The Tower of London is where we are going to be most of Saturday evening and planning on the London Eye for Friday. Nothing definite yet for the rest of the visit

 

[jilljill]

Please help....

While it's our 6th time on Disney, it's our first time to Europe. ANd it's Mickey's first time to Northern Europe.

We are on the July 6 cruise. Just paid last night (dang... got calls from three credit card companies ... booked cruise, flights (call me stupid but BA is best from Baltimore and i pray the strike is over by July)...). If we were doing the caribean i'd know the routine. but it's all new and we just booked so short time.

AND we can book excursions monday at 12.01 a.m.... Man this is crazy.

Anyway... any help would be great. Focusing first on excursions. with all the days at sea i'm less worried about Palo reservations. First focus is excursions

we are thinking the following:

OSLO -- Glass works and Viking ships... REALLY want that one

Copenhagen -- Royal Copenhagen

Berlin -- Cultural splendor of Berlin -- it's very limited so some of you platinums may know if it's even still available? If not that we are thinking reserving the car and designing our own trip -- any experience/thoughts on that?

Russia
day 1 -- Spilled blood and boatride then either ballet or folklore
day 2 -- city highlights and hermitage then the ballet or folklore not done prior night

Helsinki -- Porvo and Helsinki highlights?

Stockholm -- Best of Drotting hall


We are....

DH/DW -- 45
DD --15
DS --13

Cat 4,.... waiting for 1-3 (not likely but what the heck... though after looking at the excursion costs, paying for 4 and flights.. DAMN... going to be paying for this for years).

Love dis boards. they really helped on all prior cruises. so any help appreciated!!

This is the thread you are looking for since you are on the 7/6 cruise: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1975441

 

[jilljill]

OK London people (or anyone else that might know!)
Is this a good way to buy tickets for some things in London or should I do it individually?
http://www.visitbritaindirect.com/en-US/detail.aspx?ProductCode=ELK1
I finally took the time to look around the visitbritain.com site and found the package deal, among other things. Is this the way I should go?

Booked the National Express coach from Heathrow to Victoria Station this morning. Our hotel is a couple blocks from the station. Now I just have to hope that 1 hour 45 minutes will be enough time to get through customs, get our bags and get from Terminal 5 to the coach.

This is all getting so real now! So much still to do! Will someone get my DH to help out with some decisions, please?

The only thing I've ever booked early was the London Eye with dinner included and it was a good deal. All the other places we've gone to we just waited until we got to London. It really depends on what you want to see there if you think it's a good idea or not.

Does it say on the NE website if you are able to take a later coach if you miss the one you are booked on? We've ever taked NE into London, but we did use it one time to go up to Stratford and just bought our tickets at the airport before we boarded.
Depending where your hotel is you may be closer to the coach station than you think since it's not located at the same location as the train station - they are a block or 2 apart from each.

Immigration lines can be long. After collecting your bags you will proceed thru Customs, we've never had a problem there and never had to stand in line, just proceed thru the Green Lane which is nothing to declare. We've never flown into T-5 so I don't know how long it will take you to get from there to coach station at H'row.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

The only thing I've ever booked early was the London Eye with dinner included and it was a good deal. All the other places we've gone to we just waited until we got to London. It really depends on what you want to see there if you think it's a good idea or not.

Does it say on the NE website if you are able to take a later coach if you miss the one you are booked on? We've ever taken NE into London, but we did use it one time to go up to Stratford and just bought our tickets at the airport before we boarded.
Depending where your hotel is you may be closer to the coach station than you think since it's not located at the same location as the train station - they are a block or 2 apart from each.

Immigration lines can be long. After collecting your bags you will proceed thru Customs, we've never had a problem there and never had to stand in line, just proceed thru the Green Lane which is nothing to declare. We've never flown into T-5 so I don't know how long it will take you to get from there to coach station at H'row.

Firstly by the number of people I am seeing in London every day, -and its only March, pre book what you can, its very very busy, the £ is low and with such and interesting place to visit and shop, and easy access by Eurostar London is very busy. Some places have 2>3 hour waits.

London eye pre book its very popular.

T5 is a very modern terminal, now whilst the main building is all under one rook, it has a satellite reached underground. I found it very fast to embark and disembark, but 1/ British and 2/ was flying business.

But the queues seemed OK.

There is a split level road outside embark and disembark, when you go out, its like an underground parking lot as the embarkation road is above, There are a number of bus stops there, local buses, hotel and car park buses, and NE, you have to choose the correct one, or you will see the bus but it will have gone.

Victoria coach station is to the bottom of Victoria mainline station the river thames end/South.

PS if you say you are going to Stratford, they will take you to the Olympic site at East London, if you want to go to Shakespeare's home its Stratford-upon-avon.

Non stop Heathrow to Victoria (off peak) about an hour.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

great aunt peacefully passed away last night at her home. She led a very full life and was 93 or 94

I am sorry to hear this

Still haven't planned anything for excursions, need to do that but we can't book for awhile as of yet, so still have some time

Ohio State University has built a new student union and it opens next month, my dear aunt is having a suite named in her name and we have that dedication next month, we at first was figuring a rather dressy affair for the Sat night dinner, when the invite arrived, dress is Buckeye business casual - so had to go back out shopping for that

Another invite arrived on Friday the actual dedication will be earlier in the day and then a brunch with president of OSU, Archie Griffin, etc, so back out we went for shopping for that

I am shopped out

 

[Caropooh]

Havent used but seems an ok deal, and ok website.

Looks good if you have at least 2 full days in London
We've only got a day and a half or I would be getting this too.

I'm going with a private van for Heathrow to our hotel. My DH has a bad hip that acts up after long periods of sitting/standing/walking so after a long plane ride I'm thinking the easier the better for us.

My DH is also not into the planning at all. He just said the other day that outside of London and St Petersburg he is not really interested in the other ports and doesn't care where we go
The up side is I get to pretty much plan what I want
The down side is that I have to listen to his critique when something doesn't work out as planned

The Tower of London is where we are going to be most of Saturday evening and planning on the London Eye for Friday. Nothing definite yet for the rest of the visit

The only thing I've ever booked early was the London Eye with dinner included and it was a good deal. All the other places we've gone to we just waited until we got to London. It really depends on what you want to see there if you think it's a good idea or not.

Does it say on the NE website if you are able to take a later coach if you miss the one you are booked on? We've ever taked NE into London, but we did use it one time to go up to Stratford and just bought our tickets at the airport before we boarded.
Depending where your hotel is you may be closer to the coach station than you think since it's not located at the same location as the train station - they are a block or 2 apart from each.

Immigration lines can be long. After collecting your bags you will proceed thru Customs, we've never had a problem there and never had to stand in line, just proceed thru the Green Lane which is nothing to declare. We've never flown into T-5 so I don't know how long it will take you to get from there to coach station at H'row.

Firstly by the number of people I am seeing in London every day, -and its only March, pre book what you can, its very very busy, the £ is low and with such and interesting place to visit and shop, and easy access by Eurostar London is very busy. Some places have 2>3 hour waits.

London eye pre book its very popular.

T5 is a very modern terminal, now whilst the main building is all under one rook, it has a satellite reached underground. I found it very fast to embark and disembark, but 1/ British and 2/ was flying business.

But the queues seemed OK.

There is a split level road outside embark and disembark, when you go out, its like an underground parking lot as the embarkation road is above, There are a number of bus stops there, local buses, hotel and car park buses, and NE, you have to choose the correct one, or you will see the bus but it will have gone.

Victoria coach station is to the bottom of Victoria mainline station the river thames end/South.

PS if you say you are going to Stratford, they will take you to the Olympic site at East London, if you want to go to Shakespeare's home its Stratford-upon-avon.

Non stop Heathrow to Victoria (off peak) about an hour.

Thanks for the input!
We arrive in London Thursday at 11:45AM, so will have 2 full days plus Thursday after we get to the hotel. So time-wise, we are good with the package deal.
The NE site does say that they aren't responsible if we miss our coach, but if we are departing from Heathrow into London they will try and get us on the next one available. They do say to allow 1 1/2 hours after your plane lands and we have 1 hour 45 minutes.
I thought the site looked pretty good. It seemed like a pretty centralized place to book all sorts of things and it didn't look like there were extra costs involved.
Is the London Travel Card the same thing as the Oyster Card? If not, what's the difference?

 

[MrsScooby]

Booked the London Eye, cruise and dinner for the 16th.
Now just have to get the London Tower for the 17th and we are set for pre-booking.



http://shop.porters.uk.com/fly-the-eye-cruise-the-thames-dine-at-porters-plus-a-copy-of-porters-cookbook-cover-price-l14-99.htm

 

[MrsScooby]

I am sorry to hear this

Still haven't planned anything for excursions, need to do that but we can't book for awhile as of yet, so still have some time

Ohio State University has built a new student union and it opens next month, my dear aunt is having a suite named in her name and we have that dedication next month, we at first was figuring a rather dressy affair for the Sat night dinner, when the invite arrived, dress is Buckeye business casual - so had to go back out shopping for that

Another invite arrived on Friday the actual dedication will be earlier in the day and then a brunch with president of OSU, Archie Griffin, etc, so back out we went for shopping for that

I am shopped out

Congrats to your your aunt and family

 

[jilljill]

Booked the London Eye, cruise and dinner for the 16th.
Now just have to get the London Tower for the 17th and we are set for pre-booking.



http://shop.porters.uk.com/fly-the-eye-cruise-the-thames-dine-at-porters-plus-a-copy-of-porters-cookbook-cover-price-l14-99.htm

You will love the food at this pub. We ate there last time on the LE/dinner combo and were really impressed. Their trifle was out of this world. I can't remember what we had to pay extra for, but it wasn't much for 8 of us.
The menu they offer has many choices and everyone had something different and no one complained of bad food. My English friends were very impressed with the food there as well. One of them ordered the steak and kidney pie - I had to try it and let's just say I won't be ordering it in the near or distant future - but she liked it very much and said it was the best she'd had in a long time.