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

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Hello again! We're first time cruisers, so have to wait until May 8 to book some of these lovely excursions. I'm having problems logging onto my DisneyCruise account ... does anyone happen to know off-hand when booking will begin on the 8th for newbies?

Midnight 00.00 that's Eastern USA time. Log into the DCL site just before midnight but only go into your reservation from 00.00 or it will not be there.

For the UK that is 5 am.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Only 79 days left to our cruise ... 74 days until we travel! Tick tock tick tock ... vacation can't come quickly enough!

Yes great.

 

[Karen727]

Thanks. Yes first PAT was 11.

What is PAT?

 

[ReadingFC]

Port Arrival Time

 

[Karen727]

Port Arrival Time

Ok thanks!

 

[Karen727]

I'm researching the Tivoli Gardens. Definitely want to go there for the day. I'm comparing the "Tivoli All Inclusive Experience" offered by Disney at $229 Adults/$249 Kids USD VS. the "All Inclusive" package offered on the Tivoli Gardens website for approx $73 Adults/$50 Kids USD. The latter obviously doesn't include any transport to/from the ship, but if figure we can easily take a taxi or public transport. I also see Disney's package includes a guided historical tour and early entrance. How much earlier is it.... sounds like Disneyland "Magic Mornings".

Are there any other major differences I'm missing?

I think it's an hour earlier. I also think you have to pay for every ride, if I remember correctly. It's a cute park, but expensive. The Disney excursion includes the rides.

 

[awaghorn]

You can buy entry only tickets for Tivoli (99 dkk, about £10 so $15), an "all rides" ticket on top or two "all inclusive" packages, one with effectively counter service and one with what looks like sit down. The all inclusive packages are 329 dkk and 479 dkk so I suspect that is what jojop was referring to.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Just to add just outside Tivoli is a hard rock cafe a great place to eat.

 

[jojop]

You can buy entry only tickets for Tivoli (99 dkk, about £10 so $15), an "all rides" ticket on top or two "all inclusive" packages, one with effectively counter service and one with what looks like sit down. The all inclusive packages are 329 dkk and 479 dkk so I suspect that is what jojop was referring to.

That's correct awaghorn, Tivoli offers an All Inclusive package that includes admission, rides, and a meal. Although it excludes round trip transport, it is still significantly lower cost than the Disney All Inclusive Tivoli excursion.

For Day 1 Copenhagen, I think we will plan on a city walking and canal tour in the morning then head over to Tivoli for the remainder of the day and into the evening.

 

[Deb T.]

Hi All,

Hello from Northern California! I just found this thread. Tons of great ideas in here!

We booked our cruise nearly a year ago, but we keep changing the room category so I don't think we have a room assigned yet. We are a family of 4, Sherri - Mom, Brian - Dad, 15 year old daughter who turns 16 on the cruise and our 11 year old son. We are doing the Adventures by Disney stay in London before the cruise and staying an extra day in London after to see a show. This is our 8th Disney cruise and can't wait to sail the North Sea and Baltic with all of you!

Brian

bjt! I've added your family to Page 1!

 

[disneylove619]

Ok this is probably a stupid question, but this is our first European cruise. Do you exchange money for the different currencies before you leave home? Will the ship have any sort of exchange?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Ok this is probably a stupid question, but this is our first European cruise. Do you exchange money for the different currencies before you leave home? Will the ship have any sort of exchange?

I will and have exchanged money for the cruise, the ship has an limited exchange but at corporate rates do not a good rate.

London has many facilities to exchange currency just avoid the tourist ones and airports, Thomas a cook, Port Office have good rates. There will be a currency exchange in Dover cruise terminal 2.

Most places will accept cards Russia it's more limited. Euros can be used in any of the ports of call but you would find it easier to have:- Danish kroner Denmark, Swedish kroner Sweden, Helsinki and Tallinn Euros and Russia Rubles, note its limited what you can take out so spend excess Rubles at the terminal duty free shop.

 

[disneylove619]

Working on an itinerary with Anastasia travel in Russia. Our must sees are Peterhoff, Catherine's Palace and Amber Room, Savior of Split Blood, The Hermitage and would like a canal tour.

Question is are Peter and Paul fortress, and St. Isaac's worth adding on? Is there something better. Am I missing a must see? Any input from those who have experienced would be much appreciated.

 

[awaghorn]

I will and have exchanged money for the cruise, the ship has an limited exchange but at corporate rates do not a good rate.

London has many facilities to exchange currency just avoid the tourist ones and airports, Thomas a cook, Port Office have good rates. There will be a currency exchange in Dover cruise terminal 2.

Most places will accept cards Russia it's more limited. Euros can be used in any of the ports of call but you would find it easier to have:- Danish kroner Denmark, Swedish kroner Sweden, Helsinki and Tallinn Euros and Russia Rubles, note its limited what you can take out so spend excess Rubles at the terminal duty free shop.

www.travelmoneymax.com is good for seeing where is offering best rates for currency exchange for those in London or staying over on the way from overseas. If you select collection and collect from London there are a few places that tend to come up best including one with offices near Victoria and one with offices on the Strand.

If UK based there are a few credit cards (and fewer debit ones) that offer fee free overseas use without forex loading. Russia is I think the only location where I don't have a fee free cash option from a debit card so will change some before hand. Just need to decide how much given we are going on DCL tours so will just be souvenir shopping. Anyone have any insight on what pricing is like for souvenirs etc from previous experience?

 

[disneylove619]

Would anyone be interested in joining DH and I in the Russia Gourmet Experience in St Petersburg with Anastasia Travel? If so, please PM me. The more we have the less expensive it is.

 

[DisneyConvert]

That's correct awaghorn, Tivoli offers an All Inclusive package that includes admission, rides, and a meal. Although it excludes round trip transport, it is still significantly lower cost than the Disney All Inclusive Tivoli excursion.

For Day 1 Copenhagen, I think we will plan on a city walking and canal tour in the morning then head over to Tivoli for the remainder of the day and into the evening.

The A/B/C/E S-Train (trams) go from the Nordhavn St. stop near the Cruise Terminals to Kopenhavn H, close to Tivoli. 24 Kroner for Adult trips I believe.

 

[Florian]

The A/B/C/E S-Train (trams) go from the Nordhavn St. stop near the Cruise Terminals to Kopenhavn H, close to Tivoli. 24 Kroner for Adult trips I believe.

The number 26 bus also goes from Indiakaj (bus stop at the land end of the pier) and goes through the middle of town to Tivoli. About the same price if I recall.

 

[Florian]

Working on an itinerary with Anastasia travel in Russia. Our must sees are Peterhoff, Catherine's Palace and Amber Room, Savior of Split Blood, The Hermitage and would like a canal tour.

Question is are Peter and Paul fortress, and St. Isaac's worth adding on? Is there something better. Am I missing a must see? Any input from those who have experienced would be much appreciated.

The fortress is very interesting and worth a visit. St Isaac I was not all that fussed on. Only one chapel remains as a working religious building. The remainder is a rather sparse museum. The view from the cupola is quite nice though.

The rest of your list I would consider essentials. Bear in mind the Hermitage is HUGE and the Peterhof has a reasonable journey to get to it, though the express hydrofoil is a nice way to get there if you can arrange it.

 

[Florian]

www.travelmoneymax.com is good for seeing where is offering best rates for currency exchange for those in London or staying over on the way from overseas. If you select collection and collect from London there are a few places that tend to come up best including one with offices near Victoria and one with offices on the Strand.

If UK based there are a few credit cards (and fewer debit ones) that offer fee free overseas use without forex loading. Russia is I think the only location where I don't have a fee free cash option from a debit card so will change some before hand. Just need to decide how much given we are going on DCL tours so will just be souvenir shopping. Anyone have any insight on what pricing is like for souvenirs etc from previous experience?

You can get details on where the best places and rates are for exchange here

http://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/?_ga=1.255826312.1418994001.1417087825

Details for UK travellers on the best cards to use abroad are here

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

 

[Florian]

Ok this is probably a stupid question, but this is our first European cruise. Do you exchange money for the different currencies before you leave home? Will the ship have any sort of exchange?

The ship exchange is a terrible rate. I am UK based as as my cards are pretty much fee free for international transactions I will just be getting out money for the ATM or paying by card. This usually gives the best rate.

The ship handles everything in dollars so if you are not from the U.S. make sure your card won't sting you for fees.

In the UK Russian Roubles are on the tougher end to get at exchanges and most recommend using an ATM. The most useful currencies to have for the trip if you plan only to get some are dollars and Euros.

There are a number of low charge exchanges in the UK (I posted a link previously) which are especially lower if you preorder and collect although some deliver (even to hotels in some cases).