Europe cruise and DCL Transfers

[desparatelydisney]

We used DCL transfers in 2010 in Barcelona. Found out what the DCL hotel was and booked it on our own MUCH cheaper. DCL could not add the transfers in advance because we did not book the hotel with them, but they told us we could easily do it once we checked in to the hotel.

Went downstairs the night before the cruise to the ballroom in the hotel where DCL was located, told them we needed to add the transfer, checked-in to the cruise, and got our key cards printed. We loaded the motor coach the next morning and went straight on-board ship. Easy peasy lemon squeezy

 

[CM Dad]

We used DCL transfers in 2010 in Barcelona. Found out what the DCL hotel was and booked it on our own MUCH cheaper. DCL could not add the transfers in advance because we did not book the hotel with them, but they told us we could easily do it once we checked in to the hotel.

Went downstairs the night before the cruise to the ballroom in the hotel where DCL was located, told them we needed to add the transfer, checked-in to the cruise, and got our key cards printed. We loaded the motor coach the next morning and went straight on-board ship. Easy peasy lemon squeezy

We are doing the 11 night cruise from Copenhagen to Dover this summer. I booked a hotel on my own that I believe Disney is using and asked my travel agent to check into transfers from the hotel to the port. She told me that since Disney didn't book the hotel they won't take me from the hotel to the port. I could take DCL transfer between airport and port both ways for $115/person. nice to know that I might be able to add the transfer once I'm at the hotel.

 

[ImprovGal]

For Barcelona sailings, I've just taken my own cab from my hotel to the port. I'm surprised to learn that DCL isn't letting people book transfers from hotel to port in advance if they haven't booked the hotel with DCL. When DCL had the Baltic cruises in 2010, I arrived the night before the cruise and stayed at a hotel in Piccadilly, but prebooked the hotel-port transfer from one of the DCL hotels. The morning of the cruise, I just took a cab from my hotel to the cruise hotel.

 

[Ofinn]

Can you take a train from Paddington station to Dover. I think I might stay at the Hilton at Paddington Station.

 

[bumbershoot]

For anyone open to any hotel in London, we really liked the " DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London - Westminster". Nope, it's not an authentic tiny London hotel. But it still felt unique to not-being-in-America (I actually took video of how the extra latches on the door work because I've never seen such a thing). And it was walking distance from Westminster, the Tube station there, and a lovely park called Victoria Tower Gardens. Oh and Parliament. And a bunch of other things.

I so so so so recommend more than one or two days in London if your work schedule and wallet can allow it at all. I loved London (and the other bits of England I saw) to a shocking (to me) degree. Figuring out the Underground was hard, especially since my son was being Mr Doubty McDoubterson, and I learned to not second guess what the signs in the trains say (if a station is closed just follow what they say...don't get cute unless you want to go down so many enormous escalators that you feel lke you're about to hit the earth's core...then go back up enormous elevators that get you so off kilter in your inner ear that you aren't sure if you're in reality or an Escher painting).

Wait, back up. That was actually quite fun in retrospect. So do that. But don't feel silly when you think...I could have just gone up to the street, crossed said street, then gone back down to the station I needed LOL. (I think this was the Bank/Monument "stop" (what I thought was one stop/one area/one station LOL))

check out Rick Steves London guide book

YES. And get the one that has the street map and Underground map that are actually matched up. Because the Underground map itself doesn't follow the street map at all, so you can find yourself doing silly things.

I personally think any books will be out of date, how many of them quote where major construction work us underway? Where to avoid it, we have massive construction projects running, the Crossrail project us the biggest construction project in Europe. You do not want to be staying next to that.

How many of them report the major electrical fire in London at Holborn today that's ongoing and have shows canceled and roads closed?

How many of these books report major issues at London Bridge station and not using the main line station there.

No one is using a guide book to find out about the fire today. That's what the news is for, that's what looking at signs in the Underground is for, that's what google is for. That's what looking at the websites for the train systems is for!

 

[bumbershoot]

Can you take a train from Paddington station to Dover. I think I might stay at the Hilton at Paddington Station.

I will likely steer you to an imperfect place, but as an idea of what I would do. I would go to nationalrail.co.uk and look up "paddington" to "dover". I'm given Dover-Priory as an option. So I choose that, and I get options. I then google (I'm doing these things as I'm typing which is why my tenses are all funky) "paddington to Dover Port" and get some options. Tripadvisor has an interesting discussion. http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/dover_london_transfers.htm might be worth reading. Even RCCL gives their 2 cents: "...On arrival in Paddington, transfer to London Waterloo East by taxi; once there take a direct service train to Dover Priory Station. On arrival at Dover Priory you will need to take a taxi to Dover Cruise Terminal"...and then it gets into RCCL specific stuff that won't help you.

Go from there, seeing what info matches, what makes sense, etc. Be sure to read the info on the national rail site, as it tells you that the first stop (at least for the one I looked at) is actually going on the Underground to St Pancras and THEN you catch a train.

Hope that helps a little. It's the process I did last year when a trip to Ireland and England fell into our laps, and we didn't make any grievous errors while in-country, and only a few small ones that in retrospect were just funny.

 

[Ofinn]

I will likely steer you to an imperfect place, but as an idea of what I would do. I would go to nationalrail.co.uk and look up "paddington" to "dover". I'm given Dover-Priory as an option. So I choose that, and I get options. I then google (I'm doing these things as I'm typing which is why my tenses are all funky) "paddington to Dover Port" and get some options. Tripadvisor has an interesting discussion. http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/dover_london_transfers.htm might be worth reading. Even RCCL gives their 2 cents: "...On arrival in Paddington, transfer to London Waterloo East by taxi; once there take a direct service train to Dover Priory Station. On arrival at Dover Priory you will need to take a taxi to Dover Cruise Terminal"...and then it gets into RCCL specific stuff that won't help you.

Go from there, seeing what info matches, what makes sense, etc. Be sure to read the info on the national rail site, as it tells you that the first stop (at least for the one I looked at) is actually going on the Underground to St Pancras and THEN you catch a train.

Hope that helps a little. It's the process I did last year when a trip to Ireland and England fell into our laps, and we didn't make any grievous errors while in-country, and only a few small ones that in retrospect were just funny.

Thank you. I wonder if this is cheaper and easier than going back to the airport for a DCL transfer? This reminds of planning my first trip to WDW, and it all seemed so confusing..."I have to take this bus to this park to take this bus to this resort...ah screw it I'll pay the 20 bucks for a cab". At this point I'm more concerned with convenience then cost. The trip is so expensive as is... an extra 100 bucks or so is not going to ease the pain when I tally up the final bill. This is going to cost more than I spent on all four cruises last year, and my husbands not even going.

 

[bumbershoot]

You have time. Time time time. Over a year.

And yes, the tripadvisor thing I found said to just take a private car. DCL transfer might work, too.

But you have time to research and read and read last year's guidebook and this year's and you'll be OK.

The one thing that really got me with London was how close things were. I might not want to walk "across" it if I was working there, but as a tourist with time and an interest in seeing things, we walked and walked and walked. If you're Harry Potter fans, there are sites to see (we insisted on walking across the Millenium Bridge (also has a Love Actually tie in) and various other things.

You have time. Don't worry, just do the reading and research and it will start to fall into place.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Can you take a train from Paddington station to Dover. I think I might stay at the Hilton at Paddington Station.

Not direct you need to get the:-
Hammersmith and City line and or Circle from the east side of Paddington station, near platforms 16/27/18 and go to Kings Cross and change there for the Dover service.
IE do not get the District/circle at the front of the station it only goes to Edgeare road and you must change there.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I will likely steer you to an imperfect place, but as an idea of what I would do. I would go to nationalrail.co.uk and look up "paddington" to "dover". I'm given Dover-Priory as an option. So I choose that, and I get options. I then google (I'm doing these things as I'm typing which is why my tenses are all funky) "paddington to Dover Port" and get some options. Tripadvisor has an interesting discussion. http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/dover_london_transfers.htm might be worth reading. Even RCCL gives their 2 cents: "...On arrival in Paddington, transfer to London Waterloo East by taxi; once there take a direct service train to Dover Priory Station. On arrival at Dover Priory you will need to take a taxi to Dover Cruise Terminal"...and then it gets into RCCL specific stuff that won't help you.

Go from there, seeing what info matches, what makes sense, etc. Be sure to read the info on the national rail site, as it tells you that the first stop (at least for the one I looked at) is actually going on the Underground to St Pancras and THEN you catch a train.

Hope that helps a little. It's the process I did last year when a trip to Ireland and England fell into our laps, and we didn't make any grievous errors while in-country, and only a few small ones that in retrospect were just funny.

With respect the information isn't incorrect but it is old, you can do it but it's far easier to go

Paddington > Kings cross by Hammersmith and City or Circle and get a train from St Pancrus from there.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Just adding our experience as we are also on the 11 night Norway/Iceland/Scotland cruise this summer and *still* planning some things and we booked opening day last year Like most people, I spent hours researching things and also listened to my friend who lives in London and fellow cruisers who live in England and know the area. I also grew up in Europe (military brat) so taking the trains, public transportation etc. is really comfortable to me and I trust it

We embark in Copenhagen and debark in Dover. In CPH we could take the metro to the hotel as we are staying near the train station but after an international journey to get there I will likely just pay for the taxi to the hotel as it's easier and quicker (yep willing to pay for the convenience). Getting to the port in CPH, same thing - we are just taking a taxi. We are not staying at one to the DCL hotels however it's owned by the same company but ours is more centrally located and therefore more convenient so that's what we preferred.

After we disembark in Dover we are taking the DCL bus to one of their designated hotels in London. They have three and I believe they were mentioned but we chose the Hotel Grosvenor Marriott and it was $60 p/p. From there we will just get in a taxi to our hotel which isn't too far away. This was the *easiest* option for us and not too much more than the train from Dover which would have been my 2nd option. The trains from Dover have higher pricing before 10am so be careful when you are researching as those are peak travel times and you can't make reservations ahead of time. I believe they left on the hour (or once an hour) for a direct journey to London and it just seemed more complicated for us to try and line that up and worry about making the train or having to wait for the next one. In addition you'd have to take a taxi from the port to the station and we didn't want to wait in line for that. Again, just our preference so convenience won for Dover to London.

In London several of us are staying at a Premier Inn so I definitely recommend you check them out. We are near St. Pancras and our hotel was around $650 for 3 nights and you can't beat that in a great area in London. It's a new hotel and rated in the top 20 in all of London! Again, we have several cruisers who live in the area and recommended them and I'm happy with our choice.

We are also taking the Eurostar to Paris for a full day and wanted to be near St. Pancras since the Eurostar leaves/returns there. My friend lives in London so she'll just meet us for the journey.

We are in London 4 nights after our cruise and when we check out of the hotel and head to Heathrow we are using a private service (still need to book that) and the company I book marked is www.totallydriven.co.uk and they will pick us up at the hotel at a designated time and take us to Heathrow for a set amount. I believe it was around $66 for 3 of us with 4 suitcases and each a carry on. We could have taken other options but Heathrow isn't exactly close and again for the price and *convenience* factor $66 feels like a bargain, lol.

I highly recommend a notepad with pages for each place and just jot down suggestions, websites, etc. that you come across as you'll start to hear and read so much information you're likely to forget some of it

Have fun - planning is overwhelming at times but fun!
Heather

 

[Ofinn]

After we disembark in Dover we are taking the DCL bus to one of their designated hotels in London. They have three and I believe they were mentioned but we chose the Hotel Grosvenor Marriott and it was $60 p/p. From there we will just get in a taxi to our hotel which isn't too far away. This was the *easiest* option for us and not too much more than the train from Dover which would have been my 2nd option

I am wait listed for that hotel. They said they didn't have rooms for three. They're going to get back to me. I found that odd don't all hotel rooms sleep three?

You have time. Time time time. Over a year.

Yes we do have time. I think this will be my son's school project for the year. This is his dream trip. The other kids just along for the ride and the free ice cream.

 

[turtle27]

Just a note from someone who learned this the hard way (this may be better now and I may have been at stations less used than you) BUT not all tube/train stops have elevators/escalators that work, or are even present. Many of the main/bigger ones do, so just be warned, you may be lugging luggage up and down stairs. Otherwise, the tube is great for getting around and too and from the airports.

In Barcelona, we just took a taxi from our hotel, we did not use DCL transfers, as we did not want the $$$$ hotel or the $$$ transfer. That was us, I used Rick Stevens and Frommers to plan my trips. Never had an issue with a hotel or transfers, what you read is what you get, in my experience. So far, those two have not let me down.

I, too am starting to plan for Copenhagen, trying to get a feel for everything, so I have not made up my mind whether I want to let DCL take care of it, or do it myself. Although, to stay at a more boutique hotel, I will probably do it on my own.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Just a note from someone who learned this the hard way (this may be better now and I may have been at stations less used than you) BUT not all tube/train stops have elevators/escalators that work, or are even present. Many of the main/bigger ones do, so just be warned, you may be lugging luggage up and down stairs. Otherwise, the tube is great for getting around and too and from the airports.

In Barcelona, we just took a taxi from our hotel, we did not use DCL transfers, as we did not want the $$$$ hotel or the $$$ transfer. That was us, I used Rick Stevens and Frommers to plan my trips. Never had an issue with a hotel or transfers, what you read is what you get, in my experience. So far, those two have not let me down.

I, too am starting to plan for Copenhagen, trying to get a feel for everything, so I have not made up my mind whether I want to let DCL take care of it, or do it myself. Although, to stay at a more boutique hotel, I will probably do it on my own.

All "deep" Tube lines have escalators or Lifts, only what we call "cut and cover tunnel" lines may have short steps only but with luggage might be an issue, many now offer "step free access" this is quoted on tube maps.

 

[turtle27]

I am wait listed for that hotel. They said they didn't have rooms for three. They're going to get back to me. I found that odd don't all hotel rooms sleep three?

No, in Europe, the hotels and the beds are actually done by the person. So if the hotel says sleeps 2, it will almost always just sleep two, this means a double bed OR 2 single beds (smaller than twins normally). I remember my first trip, I was never so happy to have finally gotten to my hotel with a queen bed, my feet were not off the edge! For a 3 person room, some hotels will offer cots, but generally, if you are trying to sleep 3, either have to book a room for 4 or 2 rooms that sleep 2. Also, I would not recommend trying to get around this, as you may either be turned away or end up having a person sleep on the floor. Sometimes, you can avoid this by staying at a larger chain hotel. We had one in Munich, we were at the Holiday Inn that was built for when the Olympics were there. It was a really nice hotel, it actually had 2 double beds, so we were able to sleep 4 in it, but that is generally the exception, not the rule. And we triple checked and made sure our reservation listed 4 adults when we did this. We had other friends who tried to get more ppl in the room than they should have, it was not a fun experience for them.

 

[bumbershoot]

With respect the information isn't incorrect but it is old, you can do it but it's far easier to go

Paddington > Kings cross by Hammersmith and City or Circle and get a train from St Pancrus from there.

Giving my process, not info. I feel that I was clear (especially since I gave three separate sites I had just found, all with different info) but if I wasn't...I was giving Ofinn my process I go through when just starting the search for information. I wasn't telling Ofinn how to get from point A to point B. Since I did this last year, the process is still fresh.

I am wait listed for that hotel. They said they didn't have rooms for three. They're going to get back to me. I found that odd don't all hotel rooms sleep three?


Yes we do have time. I think this will be my son's school project for the year. This is his dream trip. The other kids just along for the ride and the free ice cream.

This was Ireland not England, but one room for 3 we booked had literally three single (or do they call them double? beds that hold one person) beds all in a row. HUGE room, I mean enormous, but 3 skinny little beds all lined up.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Giving my process, not info. I feel that I was clear (especially since I gave three separate sites I had just found, all with different info) but if I wasn't...I was giving Ofinn my process I go through when just starting the search for information. I wasn't telling Ofinn how to get from point A to point B. Since I did this last year, the process is still fresh.




This was Ireland not England, but one room for 3 we booked had literally three single (or do they call them double? beds that hold one person) beds all in a row. HUGE room, I mean enormous, but 3 skinny little beds all lined up.

Ok, understand, Sites differ, but I live and work in and around London, my job takes me to every town in London anywhere within the M25. I did the Paddington to Kings Cross tube this week, ( Thursday) and the Bakerloo line (Wednesday).

I have supplied the maps to help, but whilst I am local it seems guides are trusted that do not reflect the current high speed train services that have run for a few years now from St Pancras.

 

[Ofinn]

Giving my process, not info. I feel that I was clear (especially since I gave three separate sites I had just found, all with different info) but if I wasn't...I was giving Ofinn my process I go through when just starting the search for information. I wasn't telling Ofinn how to get from point A to point B. Since I did this last year, the process is still fresh.




This was Ireland not England, but one room for 3 we booked had literally three single (or do they call them double? beds that hold one person) beds all in a row. HUGE room, I mean enormous, but 3 skinny little beds all lined up.

Some of the chain hotels have the double and queen beds, but talk about expensive. We used to stay Club level at WDW, but it's been a few years since I paid a ridiculous price for a hotel room. I don't think I've ever paid over 200.00 a night for a Hilton, Hyatt, Marriot etc. There are always deals to be had in the US. Not so sure about London even on the discount travel sites prices are pretty high for a basic hotel.

This is completely off topic, but if I'm not mistaken you leave in Washington. Is it better to drive from Seattle to Vancouver or take the Amtrak, and exactly how far is the Amtrak station from SeaTac. I was a little surprised the travel time on the Amtrak is 4 hours when it's only 150 miles. Driving seems faster or is the wait at the border long?

 

[Ofinn]

Not direct you need to get the:-
Hammersmith and City line and or Circle from the east side of Paddington station, near platforms 16/27/18 and go to Kings Cross and change there for the Dover service.
IE do not get the District/circle at the front of the station it only goes to Edgeare road and you must change there.

View attachment 85911 View attachment 85912

I'm 99% positive I will use Disney transfers or private taxi. Since it's just me, two kids and a bunch of luggage I want things to be as simple as possible. If my personal porter(husband) was going I would probably be a little more adventurous. The info is helpful I have a better understanding of how the system works now.

 

[jrabbit]

...

This is completely off topic, but if I'm not mistaken you leave in Washington. Is it better to drive from Seattle to Vancouver or take the Amtrak, and exactly how far is the Amtrak station from SeaTac. I was a little surprised the travel time on the Amtrak is 4 hours when it's only 150 miles. Driving seems faster or is the wait at the border long?

I've not taken the civilized transportation from Seattle to Vancouver (train). But when I have driven, usually there's less than a 30 minute wait to get into Canada and 2.5 - 4 hour wait to return to the USA.