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

[MrsScooby]

My first thoughts are the http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/admissionsprices/toweroflondonadmission.aspx as its the official website and I like to always go to that. Queues will be long in July, London is very popular, and everyone goes to the TOL.

I remember you saying you had a long wait one time. Just buying the tickets in advance means a shorter wait time?

Also, on tripadvisor they recommend going early in the day...but we will want to leave at some point to see some other sites and then return for the Key Ceremony later that night (have tickets for that already). Will we be able to return on the same ticket? Some places stamp your hand to allow you return later that same day-does TOL do that?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I remember you saying you had a long wait one time. Just buying the tickets in advance means a shorter wait time?

Also, on tripadvisor they recommend going early in the day...but we will want to leave at some point to see some other sites and then return for the Key Ceremony later that night (have tickets for that already). Will we be able to return on the same ticket? Some places stamp your hand to allow you return later that same day-does TOL do that?

London, now at this time of year is very very busy, we have a low exchange rate, easy access from Europe, so its a good deal and people are coming across, now I haven't been to the TOL for a long time but, for any London venue, London eye as well as TOL, I would say book in advance, the TOL website just read it, couldn't see about re admission but you can contact them on email, hand stamp is my guess for re admission to the grounds, not exhibits, but I do not know.

The official website does say book in advance to stop the queue, so its worth it, JULY will be peak time as whilst London schools are not out then, its the weekend and other schools, private schools, North England schools, Scottish schools will be out.

Yes, with anything in London get up early go early, London eye is best first thing, you will battle rush hour on Monday.Friday, 6am>9am, but its like a WDW Park you get so much more done.

 

[Caropooh]

I found this site that seems to be good. Any thoughts on it? It seems like buying the London Pass might work out well. It gives you admission to some of the sites we want to see. (including TOL with Fast Trak entrance)
http://www.visitbritainshop.com/usa/home.html

 

[Celestine]

Howdy, neighbor.

Tom & I are staying there as well. Any idea of our Ballyhoo bus pickup spot?

Outside your hotel!!!

Celestine

 

[Celestine]

Not sure if Andrew has already jumped in (I'm playing ketchup as DH broke my mac). Black cabs in London generally take credit cards, private hire cars/minicabs frequently don't & those that do charge a handling fee, so cash is probably best

Celestine

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

 

[Celestine]

Not angry, but has no idea why getting to port early is important - as you can see, he doesn't plan the holiday or get up ridiculaously early to book excursions. If it's not that, then it's green eyed monster as we're not in a suite....do you get a special reception or something?

Celestine

Hopefully the Hotel, but I am not sure Paul seems to be angry with me!

Good Morning All!

 

[Celestine]

Simpsons on the Strand and the Connaught are both good too. The Ritz is the other obvious choice

Celestine

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

 

[Celestine]

If you opt for a restuarant considered to be "city" they often aren't open on the week-end. Otherwise I would try to book, or be prepared for along wait.

Celestine

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?)

 

[Celestine]

GBK is a burger chain & frequently has voucher codes - check www.moneysavingexpert.com & select restaurant vouchers to see what is available. Never eaten in one, so have no idea about the quality

Celestine

ok, I went and googled to see what I would find close to the Tower of London for dinner...and found lots of websites.

Not really looking for any place fancy, but want something more than fast food.

Is this place ok?? (Andrew or Celestine?)

http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/99597/Gourmet_Burger_Kitchen_Tower_Place

 

[Caropooh]

Where you are staying (Zone). Comfort Inn Victoria

Zone 1 only

How long you are here. We arrive Thursday around noon

Three days

What travel /places you intend to go to. Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Tower of London, National Maritime Museum, typical tourist stuff!

Zone 1 and 2 only.

Arriving/departing by train from Heathrow/ or Transfer.taking National Express

Not Oyster.

In view of the above a lower amount, say £20 (tops £30 if used a lot ).per adult.

Do you pay the £3 deposit in addition?

Ok, based on the info of places we want to see, what is the difference between the London Transport Card and the Oyster Card and which would be better for us?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Ok, based on the info of places we want to see, what is the difference between the London Transport Card and the Oyster Card and which would be better for us?

I think they are the same thing.

I have been looking at your websites and offers, now I travel to London for work and purchase an Oyster card, I load a season ticket onto that.

The Tube and bus etc are run by Transport for London, previous names have been London Transport etc,

From what I have seen they are all the same thing an Oyster card, but slightly different prices, IE we have £3 deposit some of yours are different.

So cant see any difference, but I use Oyster.

 

[hawaiian mickey]

aloha,
Just found out that PJ is not the manger on the Magic for the transatlantic cruise. He is on the Wonder.
I'll sure miss him. He is such a wonderful person. He always makes our dining very fun.

aloha,
hawaiian mickey

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

aloha,
Just found out that PJ is not the manger on the Magic for the transatlantic cruise. He is on the Wonder.
I'll sure miss him. He is such a wonderful person. He always makes our dining very fun.

aloha,
hawaiian mickey

I do hope PJ is back for our cruise, I know him well, and others, naming no names are not as good.

Maybe he will join us later.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

On the bye bye magic thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2440291&page=3

I have posted screen shots of the Magic departure and at two palms, following requests from some Dissers by PM.

I will not repost as they will take up additional bandwidth.

 

[RJAYL]

Not angry, but has no idea why getting to port early is important - as you can see, he doesn't plan the holiday or get up ridiculaously early to book excursions. If it's not that, then it's green eyed monster as we're not in a suite....do you get a special reception or something?

Celestine

Not so much a reception as a place to make sure everything is as it should be!

Tell Paul I will make it up to him up at the Quiet Cove Pool Bar between 1 & 2! :

 

[MrsG]

Outside your hotel!!!

Celestine

Wonderful! Thanks!

OK, I give up. I can't remember where DCL posted the times for each excursion. I checked the DCL site under each excursion and just have the cost and duration. Did we get them from you, Andrew?

 

[RJAYL]

Wonderful! Thanks!

OK, I give up. I can't remember where DCL posted the times for each excursion. I checked the DCL site under each excursion and just have the cost and duration. Did we get them from you, Andrew?

When you check to book them they will give you the exact time's or choices of times if more than 1 time slot is available for the excursion!

 

[Doingitagain]

Wonderful! Thanks!

OK, I give up. I can't remember where DCL posted the times for each excursion. I checked the DCL site under each excursion and just have the cost and duration. Did we get them from you, Andrew?

I had these copied from someone else's post a while ago. I don't know if they are still current.

Oslo
·*** Hadeland Glass Works & Viking Ship 8:45
·*** Nobel peace Center for Families 9:45
·*** Norwegian Adventure 10:00
·*** Oslo Highlights 9:30
·*** Oslo Walking Tour with City Hall 9:45
·*** Pirate Cruise 9:30 & 12:30
·*** RIB Boat to Oscarsborg Fortress 9:00 &12:30
·*** Scenic Oslo 9:15 & 11:45
·*** Sea Explorers 9:15 & 12:15
·*** Viking Heritage 8:30

Copenhagen
·*** Castles of North Zealand 9:15
·*** Charming Copenhagen - Walk/Cruise 8:45
·*** City & Harbor Tour 9:45
·*** City Highlights & Open Air Museum 9:15
·*** Copenhagen & Dragoer Fishing Village 1:00
·*** Copenhagen Sights & Ice Bar 12:45
·*** Copenhagen Walking Tour 8:45
·*** Horseback Ride 10:00
·*** Panoramic City & Carlsberg Brewery 12:30
·*** Royal Copenhagen 9:00
·*** Tivoli Gardens - All Inclusive 8:30
·*** Viking For a Day 9:30
·*** Wild Kingdom of Copenhagen 9:00
·*** Wonderful Copenhagen 9:30
·*** Canoe Trip 9:45
·*** RIB Boat Adventure 10:00
·*** Tivoli Gardens & Harbor Tour 8:30

Warnemunde
·*** Berlin Signature train and Private V. 7.15am 12.75
·*** Berlin Discovery 7:15 AM 12.75
·*** Berlin on your Own 7:15 12.75
·*** Berlin Past and Present 7:15 12.75
·*** Berlin's Turbulent History 7:15 12.75
·*** Building the Dream 7:45 11.5
·*** Cultural Splendor of Berlin 7:15 12.75
·*** Molli Steam Train 8:45 AM &1:45 PM
·*** Rostock by Historical Train 8:45 AM& 1:45 PM
·*** Rostock Regional Highlights 8:45 4
·*** Sights and Sounds of Berlin 7:15
·*** Warnemunde & the Little Train 9:15 AM& 2:15pm

St Petersburg Day 1
·*** Backstage Experience at the Russian Ballet 5:30
·*** Catherine's Palace in Pushkin 12:45
·*** Evening Canal Boat Tour 7:00
·*** Exclusive Ballet Master Class (On-board) 1:30/2:45/4:00
·*** Hermitage Museum and Gold Room 1:00
·*** Hermitage Museum 12:45
·*** Night of Russian Ballet (Palace Theatre) 6:30
·*** Peterhof Parks and Fountains 12:15
·*** Royal Ball at Catherine's Palace 6:15
·*** Russian Folkloric Show 6:45
·*** St. Petersburg Introduction 1:00
·*** St. Petersburg Shopping Experience 1:15
·*** Walking Tour of St. Petersburg 12:30

St Petersburg Day 2
·*** Backstage Experience at the Ballet 5:30 PM
·*** Catherine's Palace & Hermitage 7:30
·*** Catherine's Palace 7:30
·*** City Highlights and Hermitage 8:00
·*** Evening Canal Boat Tour 7:00 PM
·*** Hermitage & Peterhof 7:45
·*** Hermitage 8:15
·*** Majestic Spilled Blood Cathedral & Boat Ride 8:45
·*** Night of Russian Ballet (Palace Theater) 6:30 PM
·*** Peterhof Parks & Fountains 8:45
·*** Peterhofs, Fountains, Train Ride 8:45
·*** Russian Folkloric Show 6:45 PM
·*** Shopping Experience 8:45 AM
·*** St. Petersburg Intro 7:45
·*** Walking Tour 8:00
·*** Hermitage/Gold Room 8:15
·*** Pushkin and Peterhof: Suburbs 7:15 AM

Tallinn
·*** Best of Tallinn with Concert and Lunch 9:45am
·*** Tallinn by Tram 10:00am

Stockholm
·*** Best of Drottningholm 9:15
·*** City Hall, Royal Palace, Old Town 8:15
·*** Cycling Around Royal Djurgarden 8:45 & 12:15
·*** Historic Stockholm & Sigtuna 8:45
·*** Ice bar & Old Town 12:45
·*** Nobel Tour 9:45
·*** Panoramic Stockholm 9:15 & 1:45
·*** Ribboat Adventure, Grinda Island & Vasa 10:15
·*** Royal Palace & Waterways 8:45
·*** Skansen & Vasa 8:15 &11:45
·*** Stockholm & Vasa 9:00 & 12:30
·*** Stockholm, Vasa and the Royal Armory 12:00 PM
·*** Viking Walk 8:45 & 12:45
·*** Skansen & Swedish Fairytales 8:00 AM

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Wonderful! Thanks!

OK, I give up. I can't remember where DCL posted the times for each excursion. I checked the DCL site under each excursion and just have the cost and duration. Did we get them from you, Andrew?

See Answered, and from a review of some the times seem correct.

Not so much a reception as a place to make sure everything is as it should be!

Tell Paul I will make it up to him up at the Quiet Cove Pool Bar between 1 & 2! :

Concierge have a port *special area* from say 10.30am to Embarkation, now, if we say thats 11.45am, all that happens during that time is completion of your paperwork, cruise contract, KTTW cards, embarkation security photo etc. You can get a coffee/tea thats it.

Any suite customer arriving before embarkation starts will go in after the family of the day, so you can arrive at 11.30am and get on first.

Then the concierge welcome meeting is run from embarkation lets call it 11.45am, to when staterooms open up, thats 1.30pm. This normally is in Sessions, behind Rocking Bar D, (where Palo ressies are taken for non suite cruisers).During this welcome meeting at 'any' time you can finalise an change your reservations they will go through your itemised planner, from your online reservations and also communications with shore side concierge.

For me, I think I am all set, I do not need anything more at this time unless a surprise comes about. Last time, I did need it as we swapped from an Eastern with Tortola to a Western double dip, so had to change shore trips, Palo days etc.

They keep back Palo slots for concierge, during this time and in fact to 6pm.

Light snacks and drinks are avaialble, but nothing like Topsiders, my kids left quite quickly.

They can store your carry on, there (and deliver) and kids can register, if required for kids clubs there.

 

[Celestine]

Not so much a reception as a place to make sure everything is as it should be!

Tell Paul I will make it up to him up at the Quiet Cove Pool Bar between 1 & 2! :

I'm sure he'll hold you to it - especially as we are on the same bus to port!

Celestine