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

[MrsScooby]

Hello everyone
Got leaking pipes today and deadlines for work so won't be on much.

Getting so excited about this trip though

 

[caven553]

And a special good morning for caven553​

Ah - a nice quiet good morning. Thanks

 

[caven553]

Hello everyone
Got leaking pipes today and deadlines for work so won't be on much.

Getting so excited about this trip though

Yuck. Hope you get your pipes fixed!

Only 8? more days until the late night booking

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Good Morning All & back to you Andrew!

And a special good morning for caven553​

Nice, lets say that again, Nice Sunny day here, so out and about, been to Essex's answer to Castaway Cay, Southend on Sea.

доброе утро​

​

(dobroe utro)

Good Morning to you as well.

Hello everyone
Got leaking pipes today and deadlines for work so won't be on much.

Getting so excited about this trip though

Hope its sorted soon.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

getting ready to over to Ohio State University for my aunt's dedication, brunch and dinner

woke to 30 degress but

have a great weekend

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

getting ready to over to Ohio State University for my aunt's dedication, brunch and dinner

woke to 30 degress but

have a great weekend

Enjoy, hope it all goes well....

 

[smilis]

Caro you got all the info correct. If you book a tour with a private tour operator their price includes the 'blanket visa' that is necessary to enter the country.
Every cruiseline will tell you that you need to get your own visa is you are not taking their sponsored tours.

We had no issues at all with the paperwork that Anastasia issued us last time to enter Russia. Just make sure you take 2 color photocopies of your passport to turn into the Russian authorities when you go thru immigration, you will turn in 1 each day if going off the ship both days.

Also, when you go thru immigration you will be given a red or blue card that you will keep with your passport and that has to be turned back in when passing back thru immigration to go back to the ship. They don't make things easy to enter or leave.

Just getting around to catching up on some posts here. I've been busy trying to figure out our excursions as well. The shopping excursion offered by DCL in STP does not coincide with my free time there. We are looking at doing private excursions more than likely, but would like to be "free" to shop on our own at the conclusion of a private city tour. Can the operator/tour guide just drop us off on Nevsky Prospect to shop or does this "time slot" need to be covered by a blanket visa?

Hubby is more inclined to do all DCL excursions in STP but I tell him not to worry, I won't schedule anything that doesn't give us breathing room to get back to the ship.

We will probably have space for 2 or 3 people on our STP excursions if anybody is interested. Day 1 looking at doing 4 hrs city sightseeing/tours with driver and guide. Day 2 going to Peterhof and Pushkin, lunch included, hydrofoil back to city center. Was thinking of doing the folkloric show on evening of day 1.

Sandy

 

[smilis]

We cancel the Baltic for 6 July which is a great shame... and we cannot afford it so we are happy with 8 days from Dover to Barcelona better than nothing...

I remember you as you were on Med 07 after our cruise... you were on cruise with Andrew, and Helen from UK...

anyway, I enjoyed this forum and wish I won the lottery then we come along join in...

at the moment, our in law cannot afford it so they are coming with us to europe...

never mind we will be back to Baltic when just two of us in one day

Scottishwee35

Hello Scottishwee35,
We are sorry to hear that you had to cancel the Baltic Ballyhoo. It was such fun getting to know you and your in-laws on Med 07. How are Alex and Lilian? Please say hi to them for us. Believe it or not, I am still working on my photo album from that cruise. It is fun looking at all the pictures of all of us taken on the excursions together.

Getting excited about this trip....lots of planning to do ahead of time though.

Sandy

 

[MrsScooby]

still waiting on plumber...

Anyone found a good place near the London Tower for dinner??

I'm assuming reservations are needed for a Saturday night (Andrew or Celestine?...or anyone else from that area?)

 

[MrsScooby]

ketchup

Hi, This is Sharon's Daughter Megan.

The song's title is Unwritten by Natasha Bettingfeild.


Megan

Hi Megan

Hi Everyone,

Just got back from a business trip! So nice to be home!!!!

Anyway, I was so sad to see that someone got the "Unwritten" song. I totally knew that!

Anyway, have a great day everyone.

My oldest 3 are in Boston/New York, and the 2 youngest are "up north" with my parents. So my DH and I are home alone! Wierd!

So I am going to really do some research on the excursions etc and try to have a final plan! Have a great night everyone!

Let us know what you find in your research
I found a good segway place in Copenhagen-responses to my emails were fast and minimum age is 12.
Enjoy your alone time

Aloha,
I was wondering what kind of currency everyone was carrying? Should I carry euros/gbps or $ for walk around money. This is for buying small gifts or food to go.
Also when you use a taxi in London do they take credit cards or just cash?
Just want to make sure I carry enough in the begining.

much mahalos
hawaiian mickey

We're getting enough pounds to pay our driver when we arrive at Heathrow (plus tip) and then a little bit of local currency for each port-the rest will go on our credit card or debit. I've heard to avoid the airports for currency exchange.

Where in Hawaii are you from?

Just wondering . . . .

Instead of pirate night

A Viking night?

:

I picked up some small bills for each city, plus a credit card or debit card if I need some big money. You know, buying a samovar in St Petersburg or something!

Me too..
What's a samovar?

It would probably help if I didn't stay up until after midnight every night

That's what I keep telling my DS16

aloha,
Does anyone know of a good place to have afternoon tea in London? Preferably near the Westminister Bridge Hotel. I would love to take wife to one.

mahalos,
hawaiian mickey

I'd love to have tea in London, but pretty sure we won't have time. You'll have to tell us all about it afterwards.

I played at the scrapbook store today working on my FE gifts!

We have a great scrapbook store near me, but none of my friends are into scrapbooking
Can't wait to see what you made

доброе утро​

​

(dobroe utro)

What language

Yuck. Hope you get your pipes fixed!

Only 8? more days until the late night booking

Pipes are not leaking anymore...which is good because the plumber hasn't gotten back to us.
Time to find a new plumber.
Can't wait for booking night too!

getting ready to drive over to Ohio State University for my aunt's dedication, brunch and dinner

woke to 30 degress but

have a great weekend

Have fun
Glad it's sunny at least.

Just getting around to catching up on some posts here. I've been busy trying to figure out our excursions as well. The shopping excursion offered by DCL in STP does not coincide with my free time there. We are looking at doing private excursions more than likely, but would like to be "free" to shop on our own at the conclusion of a private city tour. Can the operator/tour guide just drop us off on Nevsky Prospect to shop or does this "time slot" need to be covered by a blanket visa?
Hubby is more inclined to do all DCL excursions in STP but I tell him not to worry, I won't schedule anything that doesn't give us breathing room to get back to the ship.

We will probably have space for 2 or 3 people on our STP excursions if anybody is interested. Day 1 looking at doing 4 hrs city sightseeing/tours with driver and guide. Day 2 going to Peterhof and Pushkin, lunch included, hydrofoil back to city center. Was thinking of doing the folkloric show on evening of day 1.

Sandy

I wondered whether they could drop us off some place too
Not sure how that works.

 

[Caropooh]

Those of you who have/are getting the Oyster Card for London...
what denomination are/did you get? £10, £20, £30, £40 or £50?
Also, those of you that are doing the London Eye, dinner, river cruise combo? Where did you find that? The restaurants that I'm finding on the London Eye site aren't the one that you were talking about before?
I'm starting to stress about this planning!

 

[MrsScooby]

Those of you who have/are getting the Oyster Card for London...
what denomination are/did you get? £10, £20, £30, £40 or £50?
Also, those of you that are doing the London Eye, dinner, river cruise combo? Where did you find that? The restaurants that I'm finding on the London Eye site aren't the one that you were talking about before?
I'm starting to stress about this planning!

This the link I used:

http://shop.porters.uk.com/

Barb had been to Porter's pub and liked it.
Not sure where we are eating for Saturday night though.

 

[RJAYL]

Those of you who have/are getting the Oyster Card for London...
what denomination are/did you get? £10, £20, £30, £40 or £50?
Also, those of you that are doing the London Eye, dinner, river cruise combo? Where did you find that? The restaurants that I'm finding on the London Eye site aren't the one that you were talking about before?
I'm starting to stress about this planning!

http://www.londoneye.com/TicketsAnd...ium=hppromo&utm_campaign=londoneye&promoId=36

 

[hawaiian mickey]

aloha,
I'm from Honolulu, but live in Laguna Hills CA. About 20 minutes from Disneyland. I work for Hawaiian Airlines.
So many tea places to choose from. I will post a report after the affair. I too want know places that are must eats in London.

aloha,
hawaiian mickey

 

[scottishwee35]

Hello Scottishwee35,
We are sorry to hear that you had to cancel the Baltic Ballyhoo. It was such fun getting to know you and your in-laws on Med 07. How are Alex and Lilian? Please say hi to them for us. Believe it or not, I am still working on my photo album from that cruise. It is fun looking at all the pictures of all of us taken on the excursions together.

Getting excited about this trip....lots of planning to do ahead of time though.

Sandy

Hello Sandy

It was good to hear from you as I saw your name Smilis and I try to think do I know them oh yes... at Med 07 was awesome... Villefranche was awesome too.. we shared the private hire driver as it was brilliant...

I will tell Lilian and Alex on Sunday...

So you both are going on this Baltic, how lovely and I am sure you will have a fantastic times...

We will be on the cruise after your trip... why not you both stay another week with us

Oh well have a super times... mind you I am still waiting for big lottery for this cruise Batlic

Take care

Scottishwee35

 

[smilis]

Originally Posted by smilis
Just getting around to catching up on some posts here. I've been busy trying to figure out our excursions as well. The shopping excursion offered by DCL in STP does not coincide with my free time there. We are looking at doing private excursions more than likely, but would like to be "free" to shop on our own at the conclusion of a private city tour. Can the operator/tour guide just drop us off on Nevsky Prospect to shop or does this "time slot" need to be covered by a blanket visa? Hubby is more inclined to do all DCL excursions in STP but I tell him not to worry, I won't schedule anything that doesn't give us breathing room to get back to the ship.

We will probably have space for 2 or 3 people on our STP excursions if anybody is interested. Day 1 looking at doing 4 hrs city sightseeing/tours with driver and guide. Day 2 going to Peterhof and Pushkin, lunch included, hydrofoil back to city center. Was thinking of doing the folkloric show on evening of day 1.

Sandy

I wondered whether they could drop us off some place too
Not sure how that works.
Laurie.

I just found this info on Anastasia's website regarding "freedom or lack thereof" to be on your own in STP
"[Passengers who wish to go ashore during port calls may do so without a visa only if they are part of an organized tour, operated by a licensed Russian tour company approved by the Russian Immigration Service. According to Russian legislation, cruise passengers on organized tours must remain with their tour group and/or a representative of their tour company at all times while ashore. "
So I guess that means unless you take the DCL shopping excursion where you are given 2 1/2 hrs of free time, then it looks as if you'd have to include the guide from your private tour with you while you shop..

I have one personalized quote from a private Russian tour guide, but I think I will send Anastasia our custom request and see what price she comes up with. . Hubby and I are open to sharing our private tour with anybody who might be interested. . Basically on day 1, we are looking at doing a 4 hour city tour with visit to Peter & Paul Fortress. I am thinking at the end of city tour it might be good time to tack on some shopping time with meal. Day 2 would be visit to Pushkin/Catherine's Palace and park, Lunch with unlimited alcohol then drive to Peterhof and visit Grand Palace/Parks, then taking hydrofoil back to city center and transfer back to pier. Not sure which night we might be able to squeeze in Folkloric show.

If anybody is interested in joining us, let me know.

Sandy

 

[KathyInCitrus]

What language? Russian, of course.

Samovar? Elaborate Russian tea maker gee whiz gizmo thingy

http://imagineannie.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/samovar1.jpg

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Those of you who have/are getting the Oyster Card for London...
what denomination are/did you get? £10, £20, £30, £40 or £50?
Also, those of you that are doing the London Eye, dinner, river cruise combo? Where did you find that? The restaurants that I'm finding on the London Eye site aren't the one that you were talking about before?
I'm starting to stress about this planning!

A lot depends on so many variables:_

Where you are staying (Zone).
How long you are here.
What travel /places you intend to go to.
Arriving/departing by train from Heathrow/ or Transfer.

 

[MrsScooby]

Originally Posted by smilis
Just getting around to catching up on some posts here. I've been busy trying to figure out our excursions as well. The shopping excursion offered by DCL in STP does not coincide with my free time there. We are looking at doing private excursions more than likely, but would like to be "free" to shop on our own at the conclusion of a private city tour. Can the operator/tour guide just drop us off on Nevsky Prospect to shop or does this "time slot" need to be covered by a blanket visa? Hubby is more inclined to do all DCL excursions in STP but I tell him not to worry, I won't schedule anything that doesn't give us breathing room to get back to the ship.

We will probably have space for 2 or 3 people on our STP excursions if anybody is interested. Day 1 looking at doing 4 hrs city sightseeing/tours with driver and guide. Day 2 going to Peterhof and Pushkin, lunch included, hydrofoil back to city center. Was thinking of doing the folkloric show on evening of day 1.

Sandy

I wondered whether they could drop us off some place too
Not sure how that works.
Laurie.

I just found this info on Anastasia's website regarding "freedom or lack thereof" to be on your own in STP
"[Passengers who wish to go ashore during port calls may do so without a visa only if they are part of an organized tour, operated by a licensed Russian tour company approved by the Russian Immigration Service. According to Russian legislation, cruise passengers on organized tours must remain with their tour group and/or a representative of their tour company at all times while ashore. "
So I guess that means unless you take the DCL shopping excursion where you are given 2 1/2 hrs of free time, then it looks as if you'd have to include the guide from your private tour with you while you shop..

I have one personalized quote from a private Russian tour guide, but I think I will send Anastasia our custom request and see what price she comes up with. . Hubby and I are open to sharing our private tour with anybody who might be interested. . Basically on day 1, we are looking at doing a 4 hour city tour with visit to Peter & Paul Fortress. I am thinking at the end of city tour it might be good time to tack on some shopping time with meal. Day 2 would be visit to Pushkin/Catherine's Palace and park, Lunch with unlimited alcohol then drive to Peterhof and visit Grand Palace/Parks, then taking hydrofoil back to city center and transfer back to pier. Not sure which night we might be able to squeeze in Folkloric show.

If anybody is interested in joining us, let me know.

Sandy

So many things to squeeze in for St Petersburg.
We already have a tour group with Anastasia, but I'm sure others will come along soon
Thanks for the info

 

[MrsScooby]

What language? Russian, of course.

Samovar? Elaborate Russian tea maker gee whiz gizmo thingy

http://imagineannie.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/samovar1.jpg

cool