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

[Fivepin]

Thanks for posting some of your plans! I hope nothing is sold out.
We signed up for the Dover dinner/meet on the 5th of July. Is anyone planning on visiting Dover Castle that day? We're trying to plan what time to leave London.


Joanne
<----me trying to stay awake!

Hi Joanne-

I haven't been on in a while-hope all is going well. We are heading to Dover from London that day. The car is picking us up at 8:30 or so. We plan to drop off our luggage at the hotel, and get exploring. We are going to the castle during the earlier part of the day and then lunch. We haven't really mapped it out yet. As you know, we're there for dinner as well. I think we'll just be getting around via taxi, haven't looked into transportation while there. We do want to pick up some water and wine to take aboard the next day.
Talk to you all later-hope everyone got what they wanted for excursions.

 

[Fivepin]

I went to bed at 1:00am after making reservations. Of course I woke up early (thank you, dog) and have already made some changes.
I decided against Tivoli thru DCL. It doesn't really give you much of an edge as far as rides are concerned. It provides a tour of the park and a lunch, neither of which seem like a great use of our brief time.

So, we are taking the charming copenhagen tour instead and plan to go directly from the end of that tour to tivoli.

Also booked the Ice Bar in Stockhom online today (yep, we're cool). They have a noon time slot and allow kids. The reviews (from families) were mostly positive.

None of the DCL options for Berlin or St Petersburg were as appealing as what we've already booked directly ( Denrus and Original Berlin Walks)

I would love a nap right now...


Joanne

We're doing the ice bar in Stockholm on our own. I can't book the date yet on their website, still too far out. So, I have a time booked in Copenhagen as a backup. Maybe we'll see you there. It sounded really cool to us.

 

[denise]

Hey Judy,
We want to go to that Ice Bar too. Didn't know you have to book a reservation. if you go on your own.
Can you send me the link so I make sure it's the right/same one. I think it's near the HRC? right?
We were going to do the HOHO bus to get over there. Are you doing that too?

 

[goingsouth]

Hi Judy and Denise,

We were able to book online today for the Absolut Ice Bar in Stockholm.
Here is the link:
http://www.nordicseahotel.se/en/The-hotel/Food-and-drink/Absolut-Icebar-Stockholm/

They do have a noon time slot on July 15th. I would be nervous about booking after 3pm.

I was able to print out my confirmation, which is necessary to enter.
I have read that they do not accept "walk-ins", reservations are required.


Joanne

 

[goingsouth]

Hi Joanne-

I haven't been on in a while-hope all is going well. We are heading to Dover from London that day. The car is picking us up at 8:30 or so. We plan to drop off our luggage at the hotel, and get exploring. We are going to the castle during the earlier part of the day and then lunch. We haven't really mapped it out yet. As you know, we're there for dinner as well. I think we'll just be getting around via taxi, haven't looked into transportation while there. We do want to pick up some water and wine to take aboard the next day.
Talk to you all later-hope everyone got what they wanted for excursions.

All is well with us, thanks for asking . We were planning on taking the train from London to Dover. I think we'll go early as well to spend time at the castle. Maybe we'll see you there!



Joanne

 

[Fivepin]

Hi Judy and Denise,

We were able to book online today for the Absolut Ice Bar in Stockholm.
Here is the link:
http://www.nordicseahotel.se/en/The-hotel/Food-and-drink/Absolut-Icebar-Stockholm/

They do have a noon time slot on July 15th. I would be nervous about booking after 3pm.

I was able to print out my confirmation, which is necessary to enter.
I have read that they do not accept "walk-ins", reservations are required.


Joanne

Thanks for sharing that because I had checked around a month ago and couldn't book that far ahead. Gonna go book it now.
I had read the same thing about walk ins. I'll be back.

 

[Fivepin]

Hey Judy,
We want to go to that Ice Bar too. Didn't know you have to book a reservation. if you go on your own.
Can you send me the link so I make sure it's the right/same one. I think it's near the HRC? right?
We were going to do the HOHO bus to get over there. Are you doing that too?

Joanne beat me to it. She posted the link. Haven't figured out the transportation, either the HOHO or the card so we can get into some museums. We are planning on hitting the HRC as you know. Gonna go book the ice bar now.

 

[Fivepin]

Just booked the ice bar for noon. I agree the 3 was a bit late for my liking. One thing off the list.

 

[Fivepin]

All is well with us, thanks for asking . We were planning on taking the train from London to Dover. I think we'll go early as well to spend time at the castle. Maybe we'll see you there!



Joanne

We were going back and forth on the train over there. I figured even though we don't have the kids with us, that the 3 of us were going to be so exhausted especially with the day trip to Paris the day before, that we didn't want to lug the luggage around. So, we opted for the car on the way over and we're going to do the train on the way back. I calculated the price for 3 for the train and factoring in taxis and it's about break even.
Maybe we'll see you at those white cliffs. How are you getting around over there? I guess we'll see you at the ice bar as well. Thanks for the heads up on that. I believe I got the last noon slot and then it jumps to 3:45. I would have been stuck with the Copenhagen one. Stockholm was our first choice.

 

[denise]

Hi Judy and Denise,

We were able to book online today for the Absolut Ice Bar in Stockholm.
Here is the link:
http://www.nordicseahotel.se/en/The-hotel/Food-and-drink/Absolut-Icebar-Stockholm/

They do have a noon time slot on July 15th. I would be nervous about booking after 3pm.

I was able to print out my confirmation, which is necessary to enter.
I have read that they do not accept "walk-ins", reservations are required.


Joanne

Thanks Joanne.....
I booked us at noon...just 2 of us....my DH will hang at the Hard Rock and wait...he had no interest in it. His loss!
Thanks for letting me know there were no walk ins. That would have been the pits to show up and they say...no....

 

[Monstro]

A bit peeved that the St. Petersburg tours are set such that too many day and evening tours "overlap" (even thought they don't, really). We want to do the Ball on the first evening, but there is no half-day afternoon trip that will work with that. Also wanted to do night of Russian ballet the second day after Peterhof and Hermitage. No go on that one either. Now I'm wondering if we can get a private tour company to do a very short walking tour for us on the day we arrive, although maybe that really won't work if the pier is far from the city. Anyone else in the same boat?

Hey Alice,

This is interesting. When we booked, the Ball at Catherine's Palace did not start until 6:15 and went till 11:00. Now it goes from 5:00 to 9:45. We have (and were allowed to book) the St.Petersburg introduction and the Ball at Catherine's Palce. The introduction tour gets back ends at 4:45.

Jeff

 

[Fivepin]

Thanks Joanne.....
I booked us at noon...just 2 of us....my DH will hang at the Hard Rock and wait...he had no interest in it. His loss!
Thanks for letting me know there were no walk ins. That would have been the pits to show up and they say...no....

Hey Denise-

glad you got the noon time slot as well. We'll be right behind you to go to HRC. Can't believe your DH doesn't want to go. BTW-thanks for helping us out with DLP items. As time gets closer we'll iron on details. We're signed up right now for Berlin sights and sounds. I'm wondering if the HRC will be close to where we have our free time of shopping-another research item

 

[sharper_fin]

Has anyone ever had High Tea at Palo? We were wondering exactly how this differs from brunch?

Shaun

 

[2littlestitches]

Has anyone ever had High Tea at Palo? We were wondering exactly how this differs from brunch?

Shaun

Yes, we have, and honestly it was just okay. The brunch is SO much better....lots of foods, well worth the money. The tea is really just tea, some finger sandwiches, scones, etc. It wasn't bad, but I think one time was enough for me. The atmosphere is pretty at the top of the ship, but the foods didn't compare to brunch or dinner, because it's more of an afternoon snack than a meal.

 

[goingsouth]

Has anyone ever had High Tea at Palo? We were wondering exactly how this differs from brunch?

Shaun

Hi Shaun,

Here's a post which explains it very well.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2305517

I hope you have luck confirming a spot!


Joanne

 

[goingsouth]

Thanks Joanne.....
I booked us at noon...just 2 of us....my DH will hang at the Hard Rock and wait...he had no interest in it. His loss!
Thanks for letting me know there were no walk ins. That would have been the pits to show up and they say...no....

Yeah! Mini meet at the ice bar.. I'm glad you are Judy were able to book.
I want pictures in the stylish silver parka.

Joanne

 

[wintergreen]

Hey Alice,

This is interesting. When we booked, the Ball at Catherine's Palace did not start until 6:15 and went till 11:00. Now it goes from 5:00 to 9:45. We have (and were allowed to book) the St.Petersburg introduction and the Ball at Catherine's Palce. The introduction tour gets back ends at 4:45.

Jeff

Ok, that's just weird. Maybe I'll call DCL to see what's up.

 

[sharper_fin]

Thanks - might decide against the tea then (as we can get that kind of thing very easily here at home) and try for a brunch.

 

[APinCA]

Yeah! Mini meet at the ice bar.. I'm glad you are Judy were able to book.
I want pictures in the stylish silver parka.

Joanne

I was going to plan an Ice Bar trip in London so we wouldn't have to try to make it in the other places when we'll have less time. But now that it's a party...

 

[APinCA]

Ok, that's just weird. Maybe I'll call DCL to see what's up.

I called this morning and was told that since the time (of the Ball) was changed and the travel time was variable, we couldn't book both excursions. However she did say to keep checking back on the website to see if there are any further changes, and to check with the excursion desk when we board since the earlier cruises (guinea pigs) may have worked this all out for us. I hope so! I've been online checking to see how much shopping is available on the excursions so we can pick up a few souvenirs just in case I can't go on the shopping trip.