July 22, 2015 * 12-night Northern European Cruise!

[DISNEY FANTASY]

lucky you

We're paying for ours in chunks as we save up some money. I like the way you can pay for the cruise in bits and pieces that way.

Hopefully we'll have the cruise itself paid fairly soon and can start working on the money for tips then!

Another tip, I do not know if you do it, but I use a USA currency card to pay my cruise off, I have saved $$$$$ doing it! When the rate is good I swap funds from my bank account in sterling to my credit card in dollars therefore I choose the rate, then instruct my TA to debit it,

As it's in dollars there are no bank fees currency fee or exchange date fee and no delay in processing it, i.e. if Disney didn't debit for two days and the exchange rate moved I could loose money.

I used FairFX in the UK there are other cards available, and I know I have saved a lot.

I like to pay off ASAP as there is always an exchange rate risk, It's quite good at this time so thought go for it and it's out of the way now.

 

[Andrew2005]

That sounds like a great idea. Unfortunately, we booked directly through the Disney Cruise Line website, so everything was already in £, so we couldn't do that

Ah well, you live and learn, if we ever go on another cruise, we'll keep your suggestion in mind

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

That sounds like a great idea. Unfortunately, we booked directly through the Disney Cruise Line website, so everything was already in £, so we couldn't do that

Ah well, you live and learn, if we ever go on another cruise, we'll keep your suggestion in mind

Well the good news is that you do not have any exchange rate risk, but I think you might not be able to prepay tips if booked in £, however using the 'gifts' section under 'planning' on their website you can put on a onboard credit, to your account to offset it.

 

[Andrew2005]

I suppose that's doing the same thing isn't it, just in a different way.

Thanks for the tip

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I suppose that's doing the same thing isn't it, just in a different way.

Thanks for the tip

Yes...

 

[Celestine]

Welcome to all the newcomers!

How are flight plans coming for others from the US? We're looking at flying in the 14/15th to go to Paris before the cruise - and we're not having much fun! Award flights for 5 are tricky!

Everything else seems to be coming together - slowly. I'm still debating doing the FE - we love it, but with the pre-cruise trip to Paris/DLP and trying to pack into carry-ons just in case, it'll be interesting to see what we think we can accommodate!

We're also trying to figure out the best way to get back to the UK from France. Celestine - will the bus pick up at hotels near Heathrow? If we fly, we were thinking we might just stay near the airport for the night rather than trying to lug all our luggage into the city.

Getting excited! I think my DH is worried I'm going to start packing any day now!

Back from a great 3 weeks in the USA - thank you to Andrew for keeping everyone updated on our behalf! I'm sure we could accommodate a pick up from Heathrow if that's where you wish to stay. First pick up point is Reading so we'll be heading on M4 to London anyway.

Celestine

 

[Celestine]

We are planning to rent an apartment flat in the area. Would you be able to tell me which hotels the bus which will be picking those who have signed up for the transfer to Dover?

Thank you!

We will attempt to collect from your hotel subject to traffic, parking & location. Central areas are naturally best. Until everyone has confirmed accommodation we will not be able to confirm pick up locations. Last time there was a final pick up at County Hall which was also the location for anyone that over slept (luckily that was nil) or those that stayed in unaccessible locations.

Celestine

 

[SleepyV]

Back from a great 3 weeks in the USA -
Celestine

Glad you had a great time! You missed some 'wonderful' british summertime weather! Hope you've brought some sunshine and warmth with you.

SleepyV

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Glad you had a great time! You missed some 'wonderful' british summertime weather! Hope you've brought some sunshine and warmth with you.

SleepyV

Yes been good here, not great today.

 

[juliek16]

I just created a private FB group. Please PM me with your email address and I will add you to the group.

I'd love to join the FB group too but can't PM because I've never used dis boards. Is there another way to join?

 

[juliek16]

I'd love to join the FB group but am not a dis board user so can't PM. Is there another way to join?

 

[owensjro]

I'd love to join the FB group but am not a dis board user so can't PM. Is there another way to join?

You just need to get to 10 posts before you can send a PM. Shouldn't be too hard. You can either post on this thread or find something that interests you on another forum and post a reply.

Jim

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I'd love to join the FB group too but can't PM because I've never used dis boards. Is there another way to join?

I'd love to join the FB group but am not a dis board user so can't PM. Is there another way to join?

You just need to get to 10 posts before you can send a PM. Shouldn't be too hard. You can either post on this thread or find something that interests you on another forum and post a reply.

Jim

Just post 8 more times.

 

[Celestine]

Baltic Buccaneers Coach

I have set up a dedicated email address for this:

balticbuccaneers@mail.com

I currently have the following listed for the bus. Please email me an update me with any omissions or corrections. Also if any of you have confirmed accommodation please send that through too:

mousemom11 3
CTNurse 4
Krisinparis 4
BethieTink 2
Abayaflowers 4
Lili2003 4
Cjjoncas 4
gg.leigh 3
Owensjro 3 + 2 parents
Ellagrasso 5
timefortravel 2
ep1229 4
Tigger PU88 3
bcbeagle76 2

Celestine

 

[DisneyConvert]

How are flight plans coming for others from the US? We're looking at flying in the 14/15th to go to Paris before the cruise - and we're not having much fun! Award flights for 5 are tricky!

Everything else seems to be coming together - slowly. I'm still debating doing the FE - we love it, but with the pre-cruise trip to Paris/DLP and trying to pack into carry-ons just in case, it'll be interesting to see what we think we can accommodate!

We're also trying to figure out the best way to get back to the UK from France. Celestine - will the bus pick up at hotels near Heathrow? If we fly, we were thinking we might just stay near the airport for the night rather than trying to lug all our luggage into the city. . . . :

I am quite excited to report that we have booked and paid for our flights! My wife, TiggerPU88, does, errr, magic with points and we were able to move things around, pay various fees, sign up for this, call someone, check everyday, etc. and cash in our various United/Continental miles for two of our R/Trips on the days we wanted to travel. Non-stops between EWR (45 mins from our home) and LHR. Amazing and we don't even have to visit Iceland!
Adrienne flies for business these days, so she bought her ticket outright, and then she linked all 3 sets of tickets together. She's good.

Flying from EWR to LHR the evening of July 17th-18th and will have 4 1/2 days to see some sights in London. Haven't set the hotel stay in stone (Marriott points this time!), but will wake up in Central London somewhere near one of the coach pick-ups on July 22nd.

Flying back from LHR ~6 pm of August 3rd. It will be a long day and we'll take a few hours to see Dover before heading to the airport, but we will be pleased to get home to New Jersey (hopefully) 16~20 hrs after we disembark.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I am quite excited to report that we have booked and paid for our flights! My wife, TiggerPU88, does, errr, magic with points and we were able to move things around, pay various fees, sign up for this, call someone, check everyday, etc. and cash in our various United/Continental miles for two of our R/Trips on the days we wanted to travel. Non-stops between EWR (45 mins from our home) and LHR. Amazing and we don't even have to visit Iceland!
Adrienne flies for business these days, so she bought her ticket outright, and then she linked all 3 sets of tickets together. She's good.

Flying from EWR to LHR the evening of July 17th-18th and will have 4 1/2 days to see some sights in London. Haven't set the hotel stay in stone (Marriott points this time!), but will wake up in Central London somewhere near one of the coach pick-ups on July 22nd.

Flying back from LHR ~6 pm of August 3rd. It will be a long day and we'll take a few hours to see Dover before heading to the airport, but we will be pleased to get home to New Jersey (hopefully) 16~20 hrs after we disembark.

Congrats on booking flights.


London Marriott Hotel County Hall
www.marriott.co.uk
London County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London
Looks a good location.



But if arriving from Heathrow this is good as well.


147c Cromwell Road, Kensington
London, England SW5 0TH United Kingdom

 

[pilawpina]

A bit late to the roll call party, but we will be there on the Disney Magic cruise as well! Hubby, me, and our boy (7), who will be spending his 8th birthday in Europe! We're all so excited, especially since we will be joined by two other families who are old college friends.

Here's to a great cruise!



I also need to bump my posts in order to send a PM for the FB add. So, you may see random smileys and dancing bananas from time to time.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Welcome and I was in San Francisco last year, loverly city.

 

[SleepyV]

pilawpina
I was in the same position earlier this year! Its amazing how quick you can get to 10 posts though!
SleepyV

 

[pilawpina]

Thank you for the welcome Sleepy V and Disney Fantasy! Also pleased to report that we booked our airline tickets yesterday. Thank goodness for the United miles we have banked over the years!

*bump*