Calling all Baltic Cruisers...

[slg]

I was thinking that since there are only 4 Baltic cruises, it might be nice to have a thread that is dedicated to all of us who are going on one. This is a place we can share information and ask questions that aren't specific to our own particular cruise date. There is so many questions, and so much information out there about transfers, hotels, pre/post stays, excursions, flights etc. that it seems a pity only to share it with the folks on our own cruise. I know we can read all the 4 threads, but it seems such a waste of time when we can just have one where we can pool our information resources.

What do you guys think? Anyone interested?

Just to start, my family of 5 will be on the July 6 cruise. We are planning to be in Dover 3 or 4 days to relax and get over the jet-lag. We're going to book a private taxi from the airport to Dover, and have booked a family room at the Best Western Churchill Hotel for 118 pounds per night including breakfast! After the cruise we would like to spend a week in London. I'm not sure how we are going to get there yet...bus? train? taxi? but we've booked a family room at a B&B in Bayswater for 70 pounds a night including breakfast! (The Kensington Court Hotel in Bayswater). Its a budget place, but has had good reviews and is in a good location.

Don't know what we're planning to do in ports yet, but looked at some excursions from Norwegian Cruise Lines and have been really excited about some of the options. Pricey...so that's why we're trying to keep the rest of the trip cheap!

What about the rest of you?

 

[lbgraves]

That is a great idea. In the past these threads have been on the meets board so I am moving it there now. The last time there was a general thread like this it was for the 2007 Med cruises and it was very successful there.

 

[slg]

How do I find it on the general meets board? I looked but couldn't find it. I am worried that others may not see it.

 

[lbgraves]

Perhaps you can post the link on the meets threads for those cruises telling them about the thread and inviting everyone to share. You can find the links to those cruises at the top of the forum under the Magic 2010 cruise listing.

 

[Madisonznana]

Hi!
We are going on the July 18th Baltic Cruise. I will be travelling with my husband Bob, our granddaughter Madison who will be 8 at the time, My bil and sil and their two daughters who will be 8 and 10. Besides booking the cruise I have no other plans in the works at this time. I am on another thread along with others on our July 18th cruise but look forward to any sharing from all going to the Baltic!

 

[slg]

Nice to meet you. Invite the rest of your group to join this thread as well

 

[Bride-to-be]

Hi there, there are 8 of us on the June sailing - I think it may be the first one.

We did the Med cruise when it first started two summers ago and had a blast!

We are planning on going over a week or two in advance and hanging in London and spending some time at Paris Disney - I haven't seen their new MGM park yet...

Does anyone know anything about needing visas for russia?

 

[Madisonznana]

Hi there, there are 8 of us on the June sailing - I think it may be the first one.

We did the Med cruise when it first started two summers ago and had a blast!

We are planning on going over a week or two in advance and hanging in London and spending some time at Paris Disney - I haven't seen their new MGM park yet...

Does anyone know anything about needing visas for russia?

I was told that if you do Disney excursions you will not need a visa. But if you plan on setting off on your own you will.

 

[CustardTart]

Hi! My DH and I are on the first Baltic Cruise departing June 12th 2010 from Dover. We are loving the fact that we live about an hour away from the port so this time are saving ££££ on the transatlantic airfares to get our DCL fix...

Hi there, there are 8 of us on the June sailing - I think it may be the first one.

We did the Med cruise when it first started two summers ago and had a blast!

We are planning on going over a week or two in advance and hanging in London and spending some time at Paris Disney - I haven't seen their new MGM park yet...

Does anyone know anything about needing visas for russia?

Hello! You may want to come and check out our specific cruise meet thread...

 

[slg]

I do know! Visas are necessary for Russia but if you take an excursion, then the cost of the visa is included.

 

[sbell111]

My wife and I will be on the June 12th cruise. The plan is to take a few days before the cruise and a few days after to visit the area. We've been before but didn't feel like we had even scratched the surface. Unfortunately, I won't be able to take more time. We'd love to be able to spend a week there.

It actually stresses me out that people have already made hotel reservations. I'm not nearly that prepared.

 

[slg]

The reason that we booked our accommodations so early was I was looking around to see what things might cost so I could budget our trip, and found that there are very few places that actually can accommodate a family of 5. Those go quickly, so having found what I liked I just booked it. Now I know what things will cost I can breathe easier!

 

[jilljill]

The reason that we booked our accommodations so early was I was looking around to see what things might cost so I could budget our trip, and found that there are very few places that actually can accommodate a family of 5. Those go quickly, so having found what I liked I just booked it. Now I know what things will cost I can breathe easier!

How did you find a hotel that would let you book further than 1 year ahead?

 

[slg]

I don't know! I just was able to. Put in my dates and voila.

I actually phoned a couple of places in Dover and have emailed too asking specfic questions. In Dover we are staying at the Best Western Churchill Hotel. They've had mixed reviews but are close to port, have family rooms for 5 and include breakfast for 118 pounds a night. If you prepay they knock off 10% but I didn't want to, just in case I had to cancel. They emailed me back promptly and seemed super nice when we called them.

There were also other hotels that allowed us to book, but we like the ones we picked.

Just research around and try I guess.

 

[Madisonznana]

My wife and I will be on the June 12th cruise. The plan is to take a few days before the cruise and a few days after to visit the area. We've been before but didn't feel like we had even scratched the surface. Unfortunately, I won't be able to take more time. We'd love to be able to spend a week there.

It actually stresses me out that people have already made hotel reservations. I'm not nearly that prepared.

You are going to be the go to guy for those of us going later. Be prepared for questions the day you get home!!!!

 

[Madisonznana]

How did you find a hotel that would let you book further than 1 year ahead?

Don't I know you?? Do you feel like we are cheating?

 

[Madisonznana]

Hi! My DH and I are on the first Baltic Cruise departing June 12th 2010 from Dover. We are loving the fact that we live about an hour away from the port so this time are saving ££££ on the transatlantic airfares to get our DCL fix...



Hello! You may want to come and check out our specific cruise meet thread...

Oh you too!! Start working on taking notes immediately, we will need all the info we can get before July 18th!! (For those that don't know me yet, I just love the guy!!)

 

[gydell]

Love this thread! I'm on the 1st cruise on the 12th of June. I have already booked the Park Plaza for 3 nights before the cruise at half the rate that DCL is charging. I emailed them directly and they gave me the rates and a ressie. I may cancel and go to another hotel closer to the date but at least I have a room that I figure must be a decent place since DCL is using them. We will spent the 2 nights before the cruise in Dover but I can't decide between a B&B or a motel. Not knowing the area and where is a good part of London to stay is the hardest part for me. It has been years since we were there and our hotel was a distance from public transportation. I don't want to make that mistake again since we will have an 8yo with us!

 

[sbell111]

I was thinking that we might stay in London and just take a car service to Dover the morning of departure. We stayed in a nice B&B near Victoria Station on our honeymoon. I'm not sure if Cathy would want to stay their again, or go with a hotel. Hotel would probably be better because we could access concierge services.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[jilljill]

Don't I know you?? Do you feel like we are cheating?

A little bit.