July 6, 2010 - 7/6/2010 ~ Pounds to Rubles ~ Mickey invades the Baltic Sea

[Deb T.]

Hello

For those of you are thinking of visiting the Natural History Museum whilst your in London, the BBC has been showing a series of programmes about it. I don't know if you'll be able to do this in the US, but they are available on line through BBC iplayer, it's free for us here in the UK, don't know how it would work over there, but it might be of interest to you, should you be able to view it. Here's the link.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rq35p/Museum_of_Life_Digging_up_the_Past/

Hope you enjoy it if it works.

Nice thought, babybear42. Alas, the link is for UK residents only...

Thanks, anyway!

 

[babybear42]

Nice thought, babybear42. Alas, the link is for UK residents only...

Thanks, anyway!

Hi

Have you tried going directly to the BBC website and trying it that way?

 

[Deb T.]

Hi

Have you tried going directly to the BBC website and trying it that way?

Here's what the link shows when I click on your link from the U.S.:

Currently BBC iPlayer TV programmes are available to play in the UK only, but all BBC iPlayer Radio programmes are available to you. Why?


Here's the error note after clicking on "Why?":


Can I use BBC iPlayer outside the UK?

Rights agreements mean that BBC iPlayer television programmes are only available to users to download or stream (Click to Play) in the UK. However, we are aware of demand for an international version.

Most radio programmes are available outside the UK in addition to podcasts, although sporting and other programmes may be subject to rights agreements.

In addition, highlights from many of BBC News' programmes are available for viewers outside the UK, as is BBC Sport video content.

Do make sure you check for the latest updates on BBC iPlayer or contact your own country's broadcasters to find out if they offer a similar service to BBC iPlayer.

 

[Monstro]

From My Reservation Page

Only 100 days until your cruise sets sail!

 

[denise]

From My Reservation Page

Only 100 days until your cruise sets sail!

too cool for sure...can you believe it!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Deb T.]

From My Reservation Page

Only 100 days until your cruise sets sail!

WE CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!

DH and I just returned home from eating dinner out - and we spent most of the time there just talking about how much we're looking forward to this cruise!

 

[Stimpy]

Bumpity Bump!

 

[goingsouth]

This month has been crazy busy for me, so I've become a lurker!

Did you see the kids sail free promotions on the two cruises before ours? Do you think it could be extended to include us? What date are we within cancellation??

Welcome to any new cruisers! If anyone would like to sign up for the
Fish Extender gift exchange, please send me a PM

I have been in contact with a private licensed guide in Stockholm to take our family of 4 on a walking tour of the city (5 hours). Would anyone else be interested in joining? She can accomodate up to 10.

joanne

 

[babybear42]

Shaun and me are wondering if anyone knows if all St Pete's excursions are available on both days and if it's possible to combine any so we can make the most of our time there.

 

[nzdisneymom]

I had thought I would use some time this week to work on our cruise plans but I think the week is going to get by without doing anything Which is fine because it's absolutely gorgeous weather here at Hilton Head this week. But once we get back, April 7th is our booking day.

I sure wish they'd cut back on the fare a little bit anyway - or have some sort of promotion / onboard surprise credit to help with excursions.

We did get the Leeds Castle / Canterbury booked for July 19th.

 

[din]

Shaun and me are wondering if anyone knows if all St Pete's excursions are available on both days and if it's possible to combine any so we can make the most of our time there.

The few excursions that we looked at is not offered on both days. In addition, trying to do two excursions is also challenging because of the departure and return time.

As a result we are still looking at private excursions to see if we can maximize our stay.

 

[din]

Did you see the kids sail free promotions on the two cruises before ours? Do you think it could be extended to include us? What date are we within cancellation??

/QUOTE]


I belive we are already in the penalty phase..

 

[CarolAnnC]

Shaun and me are wondering if anyone knows if all St Pete's excursions are available on both days and if it's possible to combine any so we can make the most of our time there.

We booked the Shopping Experience and the Evening Boat Tour on the same day/night. There are some others that you can double up on too such as the St Catherine's Ball event and the Folk Dancing as well as Ballet performances.

 

[Stimpy]

I was hoping they would offer something too. I'm really mad at myself for booking airfare with DCL now since it's a heck of a lot cheaper now on our own. (We paid about $1500 each and I'm finding rates of $900....$600 each for transfers is not a deal LOL) But I think it's too late to take it off Does anyone know if DCL will adjust the airfare if it's cheaper for them than we paid originally? I know...wishful thinking

 

[din]

We booked with Red October for a day and a half tour. It's just the 5 of us, and we customized a couple of places we wanted to see. We also needed to get back early the first day so that we could make the St. Catherine's ball.

They'll ask whether you want early entry to the hermitage? Do you want to see the gold room (fee applies)? Do you want to squirrel away food from the ship or stop for fast food? There are a few more that we weren't interested in.

We also checked with the two companies you mentioned and the options were similar.

From RO's proposal:

"ONLY your Group will tour in the same vehicle with Private RO Guide and RO Driver"

Hi: If you don't mind me asking but how did you get 1.5 day. The response I got from Red October is that they only do one day tour.

 

[NAG]

sorry for the delay, I have to check here more often!

Per their shore excursion program, day one is from 11:30am to 4:30pm. That gives us time to do the St. Catherines Ball if we decide we can choke down that price (still a raging debate in the house)!

Second day starts at 9:00am and ends at 8:00pm. (of course all times subject to changes in the ship's arrival/departure).

They just gave us a price for the whole trip. Maybe we are getting charged for two full days, but the price was acceptable and comparable to the other quotes we received, so we took it. So far they seem very flexible.

PS...DU rebooked our med trip a few years ago (down to cat 12) in the penalty phase and they cut us a check for $5,000+. We've already asked them to keep and eye out for any late deals. For as much time as we spend in the room, I'll take the cash (more martini's )!

 

[nzdisneymom]

We have our air through DCL, too, and it's just over $1300 each. Honestly, even though we could get airfare for less, we've been checking the comparable flight rates and not seen it for much less in the last several months. We like that we know we'll have a non-stop flight from Atlanta (red-eye). When we factor in the transfers and peace of mind, it's worth it for us.

As for whether DCL would reduce the air cost, our TA said they've never seen that happen.

 

[Monstro]

Shaun and me are wondering if anyone knows if all St Pete's excursions are available on both days and if it's possible to combine any so we can make the most of our time there.

We hve four excursions booked in St. Petersburg. First two Monday - Second two Tuesday.

• Introduction to Saint Petersburg -which makes a 20 minute stop at the Cathedral of the Spilled Blood
• The Royal Ball in Catherine's Palace
• Peterhof and Hermitage
• Evening Canal Boat Tour

Here's what we currently have booked in St Pete's. It is two excursions each day and was what worked for what we want to do.

Yep - some of the excursions are sold out.... It's a pain to see because you have to go in as if you are booking that excursion to check if it is still available. I'd be glad to check any you would like. Just let me know which ones want to know about.

Jeff

 

[Monstro]

Yep - some of the excursions are sold out.... It's a pain to see because you have to go in as if you are booking that excursion to check if it is still available. I'd be glad to check any you would like. Just let me know which ones want to know about.

Jeff

I forgot - I had a list of the excursions on our website. I went through real quick and updated what was sold out for SP according to the Disney Website.

http://pounds2rubles.wikidot.com/port-information

Scroll down to Saint Petersburg.

 

[nzdisneymom]

I am hoping that DCL has a set of spaces open for st Petersburg for those of us who can book excursions next week. I need to get my excursions saved to my wish list so that will make booking easier. Also for those of you who didn't get what you wanted you might check again when they open things up again and see if you can get something then. Just don't get what I want. Lol. We did find with the med cruise that dcl added excursion times for the more popular ones that were bot available to begin with. And as people start tweaking their plans and canceling what they booked then things open up too. Just check every day or so til you get what you want. And call to waitlist. I think you can do that. If not, someone let us know.