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

[Celestine]

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



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.

THank you for a comprehensive review of what I'm missing out on (LOL)! I'm hoping that we'll be all set before we roll up to the port and my only stress will be collecting bus fares and paying the drivers! We have decided to skip Palo this time, so that is one less stress, and the only other thing will be spa ressies if I'm unsuccessful next Monday morning

Celestine

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thank you for a comprehensive review of what I'm missing out on (LOL)! I'm hoping that we'll be all set before we roll up to the port and my only stress will be collecting bus fares and paying the drivers! We have decided to skip Palo this time, so that is one less stress, and the only other thing will be spa ressies if I'm unsuccessful next Monday morning

Celestine

Sorry about that, I apologise, Basically it was to show Robert there isn't really any need for a rush, Concierge will hold stuff to at least 1.30pm, if not 6pm. The Welcome meeting is ongoing, 11.45am> to at least 1.30pm, and most of it is agreed in advance, in fact I think I am 99% there.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Palo

Brunch all gone bar Day 12, last sea day, 10.30am and 11.30am available.
Tea, all allocated.
Dinner, all slots free, bar sea days, Friday 23rd all gone to 8.30pm and 28th again all gone to 8.30pm.

Shore trips

All appear to be available.

 

[RJAYL]

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

Celestine

Some Ice Cold Scrumpy would be a nice aperife on the way to port!

Sorry about that, I apologise, Basically it was to show Robert there isn't really any need for a rush, Concierge will hold stuff to at least 1.30pm, if not 6pm. The Welcome meeting is ongoing, 11.45am> to at least 1.30pm, and most of it is agreed in advance, in fact I think I am 99% there.

Sure I bet you will be waiting to be one of the first ones aboard!

 

[Caropooh]

Those that are doing London Eye, river cruise and Porters for dinner on Friday night, have you called yet to get a flight number? Also, how about dinner reservations? I got my email confirmations last night.

 

[smilis]

Andrew or Celestine,

We are arriving at LHR the morning of the 16th at 7:40 AM. Great time right in the midst of rush hour huh? We are staying at the Park Plaza Westminster bridge. What would be your recommendation for getting to the hotel? Train, tube, taxi, public hotel shuttle or private shuttle? The public shuttle is a "hotel by bus" Heathrow transfer.

Does anybody know what time the DCL bus transfer will be picking up at Park Plaza on the 18th?

Thanks for your help

Sandy

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Some Ice Cold Scrumpy would be a nice aperife on the way to port!



Sure I bet you will be waiting to be one of the first ones aboard!

Well considering I am about 60 mins from the Port by car, its going ot be very very difficult to not be early.

But I do not have anything to do, bar get the planner and go to Topsiders.

Andrew or Celestine,

We are arriving at LHR the morning of the 16th at 7:40 AM. Great time right in the midst of rush hour huh? We are staying at the Park Plaza Westminster bridge. What would be your recommendation for getting to the hotel? Train, tube, taxi, public hotel shuttle or private shuttle? The public shuttle is a "hotel by bus" Heathrow transfer.

Does anybody know what time the DCL bus transfer will be picking up at Park Plaza on the 18th?

Thanks for your help

Sandy

Sandy,

The issue is cruise luggage,

Now the quickest and cheapest way is by Tube, but does your hotel offer a shuttle transfer from LHR, if it does I would do that.

If not, a private taxi is good, type in London airport transfers and review the many listed, look for CABWISE, as a safe taxi in London, or go to the TFL.GOV.UK, website, and look for taxis there.

Tube isn't too bad.

Piccadilly line from any Heathrow terminal, stay on the train to Green park, then change to Jubilee line and go (Stratford service way) to Westminster or Waterloo, either is ok.

To reduce escalators and interchange you can swap to District line at Barons court, this is the last station where the Piccadilly line is above ground, here the Piccadilly line has the middle two tracks, and the District line its outside it, running parallel, so you can walk off Piccadilly and onto district within three feet, same platform different side.

Then District to Westminster, and walk to hotel, you can see it across the Thames. This route stops long escalators.

Rush hour(s) are from 6.30am to 9am. If you arrive on time at 7.40am, you will need to do immigration and baggage reclaim, so lets say thats 30 minutes. (8.10am if quick), its at least 50 minutes up from Heathrow to London, and you are at the terminus, the start of the line at T5 or T4, (Not T1/2/3). So there is always a empty train there even if you miss the first one. Unless you are very quick you will miss the tail end of rush hour, as we all need to be at work by 9am.

Bus you cannot book an exact time as you do not know if there will be a delay or the time for immigration and baggage reclaim and it goes to Victoria only so then tube or Taxi.

 

[smilis]

Those that are doing London Eye, river cruise and Porters for dinner on Friday night, have you called yet to get a flight number? Also, how about dinner reservations? I got my email confirmations last night.

Flight number? Is that what they call a ride on the London Eye? I haven't thoroughly looked at the website that offered the cruise, flight and dinner packages. Was that the only restaurant offered?

What were your confirmations for.....dinner or the flight?

Sandy

 

[smilis]

Well considering I am about 60 mins from the Port by car, its going ot be very very difficult to not be early.

But I do not have anything to do, bar get the planner and go to Topsiders.



Sandy,

The issue is cruise luggage,

Now the quickest and cheapest way is by Tube, but does your hotel offer a shuttle transfer from LHR, if it does I would do that.

If not, a private taxi is good, type in London airport transfers and review the many listed, look for CABWISE, as a safe taxi in London, or go to the TFL.GOV.UK, website, and look for taxis there.

Tube isn't too bad.

Piccadilly line from any Heathrow terminal, stay on the train to Green park, then change to Jubilee line and go (Stratford service way) to Westminster or Waterloo, either is ok.

To reduce escalators and interchange you can swap to District line at Barons court, this is the last station where the Piccadilly line is above ground, here the Piccadilly line has the middle two tracks, and the District line its outside it, running parallel, so you can walk off Piccadilly and onto district within three feet, same platform different side.

Then District to Westminster, and walk to hotel, you can see it across the Thames. This route stops long escalators.

Rush hour(s) are from 6.30am to 9am. If you arrive on time at 7.40am, you will need to do immigration and baggage reclaim, so lets say thats 30 minutes. (8.10am if quick), its at least 50 minutes up from Heathrow to London, and you are at the terminus, the start of the line at T5 or T4, (Not T1/2/3). So there is always a empty train there even if you miss the first one. Unless you are very quick you will miss the tail end of rush hour, as we all need to be at work by 9am.

Bus you cannot book an exact time as you do not know if there will be a delay or the time for immigration and baggage reclaim and it goes to Victoria only so then tube or Taxi.

Andrew,
Thanks so much for all the info. We hope to only have 1 large and 2 roll-aboard suitcases, but too much for doing the tube or train after a long night of flying. I will check with the hotel to see if they offer a hotel shuttle and if not I will book the shared hotel shuttle ride.

Sandy

 

[Caropooh]

Flight number? Is that what they call a ride on the London Eye? I haven't thoroughly looked at the website that offered the cruise, flight and dinner packages. Was that the only restaurant offered?

What were your confirmations for.....dinner or the flight?

Sandy

We (and I know at least MrsScooby) are using this site http://shop.porters.uk.com/ for the London Eye package on Friday night. There are other dinner packages available on the London Eye site. http://www.londoneye.com/TicketsAndPrices/Packages/Dining/Default.aspx

Our confirmations were for getting our time for the London Eye and River cruise. This is what it said in my email:
When you have downloaded and printed your voucher please telephone The London Eye on +44 (0)870 400 3040 to arrange your flight and cruise times, please quote 'VIP-Internet' and the Voucher Number shown on your voucher. You will receive a flight confirmation number which must be written on the voucher. We recommend that you call as soon as possible to ensure that you fly at your preferred time. You will not be able to get on the London Eye and River Cruise without this Flight Number!

You will then need to take your voucher with you to the London Eye, please ensure that you arrive 30 minutes before your flight time in order to exchange your voucher for tickets.


Then I also have to confirm with Porters for our reservation time for dinner. I'm guessing on this one we let them know what time we'd like to do dinner.

 

[smilis]

Is anybody doing Stockholm on their own? Looking at the options available with the Stockholm sightseeing hop on hop off bus and hop on hop off boat, it looks like one could see quite a bit in the time we will be in port. We are frantically trying to get our excursions finalized this week so I'm ready when the booking window opens up next Sunday.

So far we only have Copenhagen decided on . Warnemunde is causing a bit of confusion, DH wants to see Berlin but doesn't want to spend all that time on a bus (or train?).

I connected with Anastasia today via skype so they are working on a quote and possibly connecting us with others of you who might be interested in like itinerary.

Gotta get back to perusing all the tour options. It's like caffiene...addictive and will keep you awake at night if you do it to close to bedtime.

Sandy

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Is anybody doing Stockholm on their own? Looking at the options available with the Stockholm sightseeing hop on hop off bus and hop on hop off boat, it looks like one could see quite a bit in the time we will be in port. We are frantically trying to get our excursions finalized this week so I'm ready when the booking window opens up next Sunday.

So far we only have Copenhagen decided on . Warnemunde is causing a bit of confusion, DH wants to see Berlin but doesn't want to spend all that time on a bus (or train?).

I connected with Anastasia today via skype so they are working on a quote and possibly connecting us with others of you who might be interested in like itinerary.

Gotta get back to perusing all the tour options. It's like caffiene...addictive and will keep you awake at night if you do it to close to bedtime.

Sandy

Berlin the train meeting time is 7.15am, the train leaves 7.50am, you get about 6.5 hours in Berlin, the train takes 2.75 hours each way. Back at 7.30pm>7.50pm.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew,
Thanks so much for all the info. We hope to only have 1 large and 2 roll-aboard suitcases, but too much for doing the tube or train after a long night of flying. I will check with the hotel to see if they offer a hotel shuttle and if not I will book the shared hotel shuttle ride.

Sandy

 

[MrsScooby]

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.

We are arriving Friday morning and plan on doing the cruise/eye/Porters on Friday, early to bed and then a full day of touring on Saturday.
Is the line for the Tower of London for buying tickets or for getting in with pre-bought tickets? I really want to avoid any really long wait times as we only have the one full day.
I'm afraid I'll buy in advance from their official website and still wait in line while I watch everyone else walk ahead with their "skip the line tickets" or pay extra for the "skip the line tickets" and walk in with the people that paid less with the pre-sale regular tickets
I want to see as much as possible with TOL being at the top of our list.

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

That looks great Caro
I have to see if we will use it for the other sites though.
Can't get a straight answer out of the DH

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

How much tip is expected?

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

My family has no interest in the planning either. Also a bit jealous of the suites too

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

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

Thanks! We most likely won't have time to go back to our hotel to change so casual is probably best for us on Saturday night. Plus the menu looked interesting
My DH goes "what about mad cow", I told him order the warthog if he was worried
They really have warthog on their menu!

THank you for a comprehensive review of what I'm missing out on (LOL)! I'm hoping that we'll be all set before we roll up to the port and my only stress will be collecting bus fares and paying the drivers! We have decided to skip Palo this time, so that is one less stress, and the only other thing will be spa ressies if I'm unsuccessful next Monday morning

Celestine

I'm gonna try for Palo, but not going to stress if we don't get it.

Sorry about that, I apologise, Basically it was to show Robert there isn't really any need for a rush, Concierge will hold stuff to at least 1.30pm, if not 6pm. The Welcome meeting is ongoing, 11.45am> to at least 1.30pm, and most of it is agreed in advance, in fact I think I am 99% there.

Andrew- pretty sure she is teasing you

 

[MrsScooby]

Palo

Brunch all gone bar Day 12, last sea day, 10.30am and 11.30am available.
Tea, all allocated.
Dinner, all slots free, bar sea days, Friday 23rd all gone to 8.30pm and 28th again all gone to 8.30pm.

Shore trips

All appear to be available.

Will not stress will not stress will not stress
Gonna plan on trying for Brunch at the port and putting my name on the waitlist

Those that are doing London Eye, river cruise and Porters for dinner on Friday night, have you called yet to get a flight number? Also, how about dinner reservations? I got my email confirmations last night.

I had my DH call for us for the cruise/flight part. I'm still nervous making important phone calls with the cochlear implant. We have 3:45 for the cruise and 5:00 for the flight on Friday the 16th.
My DH then saw they had an email address for the restaurant and decided I could do that part...
Still waiting to hear back about the Porters reservation, but hoping for 6:30 or so

Andrew or Celestine,

We are arriving at LHR the morning of the 16th at 7:40 AM. Great time right in the midst of rush hour huh? We are staying at the Park Plaza Westminster bridge. What would be your recommendation for getting to the hotel? Train, tube, taxi, public hotel shuttle or private shuttle? The public shuttle is a "hotel by bus" Heathrow transfer.

Does anybody know what time the DCL bus transfer will be picking up at Park Plaza on the 18th?

Thanks for your help

Sandy

Also coming into LHR on the 16th, but later around 10 am.
Have a car reserved to pick us up.

Flight number? Is that what they call a ride on the London Eye? I haven't thoroughly looked at the website that offered the cruise, flight and dinner packages. Was that the only restaurant offered?

What were your confirmations for.....dinner or the flight?

Sandy

Yup, "flight"= London Eye ride
The website I used only had Porters, but I think there is another restaurant that has a similar offer with the London Eye.

Is anybody doing Stockholm on their own? Looking at the options available with the Stockholm sightseeing hop on hop off bus and hop on hop off boat, it looks like one could see quite a bit in the time we will be in port. We are frantically trying to get our excursions finalized this week so I'm ready when the booking window opens up next Sunday.

So far we only have Copenhagen decided on . Warnemunde is causing a bit of confusion, DH wants to see Berlin but doesn't want to spend all that time on a bus (or train?).

I connected with Anastasia today via skype so they are working on a quote and possibly connecting us with others of you who might be interested in like itinerary.

Gotta get back to perusing all the tour options. It's like caffiene...addictive and will keep you awake at night if you do it to close to bedtime.

Sandy

Still waiting to hear back from a tour company in Stockholm-Galavant Productions I think it was called. But the HOHO bus looks good too. Definitely want to squeeze in the Vasa and the Royal armory too if we can.

We stressed over the Berlin trip for many months and finally decided to go with a private tour company (Berlin Walks)-good reviews on cruisecritic/tripadvisor and they pick us up at the port. Not sure if we'll ever get back to Germany again-so felt the drive was worth it for us.

Totally addicted here as well. So nice to know I'm not alone

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We are arriving Friday morning and plan on doing the cruise/eye/Porters on Friday, early to bed and then a full day of touring on Saturday.
Is the line for the Tower of London for buying tickets or for getting in with pre-bought tickets? I really want to avoid any really long wait times as we only have the one full day.
I'm afraid I'll buy in advance from their official website and still wait in line while I watch everyone else walk ahead with their "skip the line tickets" or pay extra for the "skip the line tickets" and walk in with the people that paid less with the pre-sale regular tickets
I want to see as much as possible with TOL being at the top of our list.


That looks great Caro
I have to see if we will use it for the other sites though.
Can't get a straight answer out of the DH


How much tip is expected?


My family has no interest in the planning either. Also a bit jealous of the suites too




Thanks! We most likely won't have time to go back to our hotel to change so casual is probably best for us on Saturday night. Plus the menu looked interesting
My DH goes "what about mad cow", I told him order the warthog if he was worried
They really have warthog on their menu!




I'm gonna try for Palo, but not going to stress if we don't get it.



Andrew- pretty sure she is teasing you

TOL; I think there will be queues on both, however its a little like fastpass at WDW, the *skip the queue* will have priority and move fast. I haven't been to TOL recently, but at Madame Tussuad's recently it was exactly like this, with the skip the queue having say up to 15 mins wait, standby was two hours. (Feb)

And re concierge, and Celestine, yes, I know, she posts a bit like me, (Its a Brit thing, )however, I do know the feeling, for example, on planes I have travelled all classes, and having been in the *bed* seats and getting on/off first, its difficult when you are back in Economy and see, Upper go in first and know they have the beds. Guess, you get what you pay for, but personally I feel the DCL booking system is wrong, I think you should be able to book shore trips and meals, as you book the cruise, or when you PIF, yes concierge will always have some perks, if you didn't then people wouldn't pay for it, but there should be Palo slots for everyone who wants one.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Will not stress will not stress will not stress
Gonna plan on trying for Brunch at the port and putting my name on the waitlist



I had my DH call for us for the cruise/flight part. I'm still nervous making important phone calls with the cochlear implant. We have 3:45 for the cruise and 5:00 for the flight on Friday the 16th.
My DH then saw they had an email address for the restaurant and decided I could do that part...
Still waiting to hear back about the Porters reservation, but hoping for 6:30 or so


Also coming into LHR on the 16th, but later around 10 am.
Have a car reserved to pick us up.


Yup, "flight"= London Eye ride
The website I used only had Porters, but I think there is another restaurant that has a similar offer with the London Eye.



Still waiting to hear back from a tour company in Stockholm-Galavant Productions I think it was called. But the HOHO bus looks good too. Definitely want to squeeze in the Vasa and the Royal armory too if we can.

We stressed over the Berlin trip for many months and finally decided to go with a private tour company (Berlin Walks)-good reviews on cruisecritic/tripadvisor and they pick us up at the port. Not sure if we'll ever get back to Germany again-so felt the drive was worth it for us.

Totally addicted here as well. So nice to know I'm not alone

Good luck on Palo, try online but I bet they will go fast at 90 days, try ot get to port early and go straight to Rockin Bar D. Nag, nag, nag, it works, if on a waitlist, keep asking, and go up to Palo and speak to the manager.

I have been to Porters (Pies) a few times liked it, nice location, do walk around Covent Garden first if you can,

 

[Madisonznana]

I was sitting here getting jealous of everyone touring London. ( Money is tight that is why we aren't .) But then it hit me.............I am still going on a Disney cruise and it and the airfare are pif. So I am still a happy camper (or cruiser). I am still going to have a vacation of a lifetime. I am traveling with family and lots of new friends. Life is good!

 

[MrsScooby]

TOL; I think there will be queues on both, however its a little like fastpass at WDW, the *skip the queue* will have priority and move fast. I haven't been to TOL recently, but at Madame Tussuad's recently it was exactly like this, with the skip the queue having say up to 15 mins wait, standby was two hours. (Feb)

And re concierge, and Celestine, yes, I know, she posts a bit like me, (Its a Brit thing, )however, I do know the feeling, for example, on planes I have travelled all classes, and having been in the *bed* seats and getting on/off first, its difficult when you are back in Economy and see, Upper go in first and know they have the beds. Guess, you get what you pay for, but personally I feel the DCL booking system is wrong, I think you should be able to book shore trips and meals, as you book the cruise, or when you PIF, yes concierge will always have some perks, if you didn't then people wouldn't pay for it, but there should be Palo slots for everyone who wants one.

Good luck on Palo, try online but I bet they will go fast at 90 days, try ot get to port early and go straight to Rockin Bar D. Nag, nag, nag, it works, if on a waitlist, keep asking, and go up to Palo and speak to the manager.

I have been to Porters (Pies) a few times liked it, nice location, do walk around Covent Garden first if you can,

Have never had a problem getting what I wanted at Palo before...in fact, there always seemed to be empty tables at the dinners we went to (we like to eat early).
I can put on my sad face and politely nag the Palo people, no problem

Plan to walk around a bit in London, probably after dinner if we get an early time slot (and the weather cooperates)
In fact I think they said on the website that Porters was a short walk from the London Eye

 

[MrsScooby]

I was sitting here getting jealous of everyone touring London. ( Money is tight that is why we aren't .) But then it hit me.............I am still going on a Disney cruise and it and the airfare are pif. So I am still a happy camper (or cruiser). I am still going to have a vacation of a lifetime. I am traveling with family and lots of new friends. Life is good!

You'll still get to see a bit of Dover and therefore 7 different countries

What is your favorite port (the one you are looking forward to the most)?

For me St Petersburg, followed close by Tallin.
It will be interesting to see if those are my favorites post cruise