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

[nzdisneymom]

Did anyone else get a phone call from DCL yesterday? We got one asking us how we were getting to the port and where we were staying as we hadn't requested any ground transfers. Seems a bit strange seeing as we live in the UK and the volcano wont affect our travel plans. Still it was noce of them to worry about us. Just wondered if they'd treated everybody to a phone call.

no call for us but we have dcl air and transfers. And a travel agent.

 

[Scoobydoo76]

This is one of those - we're just doing it because Mom wants too & she gets to pick something & we're all going to go along & pretend to enjoy yourself things



Good for you! This is one of the Perks (and it may be the only perk) we get for doing the planning. If there is something thet you really want to do, we get to do it. The rest of the family just needs to sit back and smile. Next time they might help with the planning. Who am I kidding, my family wouldn't!

 

[fabumouse]

Good for you! This is one of the Perks (and it may be the only perk) we get for doing the planning. If there is something thet you really want to do, we get to do it.

Sadly, I still hear a lot of whining about excursions. At least for this one, DH looked at the options and gave his 1/4 family vote.

 

[babybear42]

no call for us but we have dcl air and transfers. And a travel agent.

Last time we booked a cruise with Disney it was the Med one and they didn't phone us then to check out whether we needed ground transportation or what hotel we were staying in. I'm wondering if the volcano thing has got them worried. Like I said, it's not going to affect us, no flying for us this year.

 

[babybear42]

There is only one Harrods and it's huge, you could spend a day in there. The food halls are on the ground floor, where you can buy cakes, and all sorts of things to eat, as is the Harrods shop where you can buy Harrods themed items like teddy bears, bags, pens, golf towels, magnets, tea towels and whisky. It's easy to find, you get on the Piccadily tube line, and get off at Knightsbridge and then follow the directions for Harrods, you come out of the station right next to it.

Forgot to say that the cafe I mentioned is on the opposite side of the street from Harrods as you come out of the tube station.

 

[aurorafan65]

Forgot to say that the cafe I mentioned is on the opposite side of the street from Harrods as you come out of the tube station.

thanks! I'm sure we'll find it

 

[aurorafan65]

Sadly, I still hear a lot of whining about excursions. At least for this one, DH looked at the options and gave his 1/4 family vote.

Funny but when we did the Caribbean they all gave input & we actually broke up into different excursions - I took ds on one & dh took other ds on another. This time I've tried to get them to look & no one will, so I'm sure after the 3rd city walking tour I'll hear about it

 

[aurorafan65]

Good for you! This is one of the Perks (and it may be the only perk) we get for doing the planning. If there is something thet you really want to do, we get to do it. The rest of the family just needs to sit back and smile. Next time they might help with the planning. Who am I kidding, my family wouldn't!

we should all be entitled to at least 1 perk in life

 

[aurorafan65]

has anyone thought about mailing stuff back to themselves on the trip? Last time we were in Europe (15+ years ago) we actually mailed some souveniers back to the states while we were in Denmark. It made traveling easier for us of course then we were taking the train all over. Does anyone have any ideas on this or what country it might be cheapest? I keep thinking about those baggage rules & heaven forbit they don't let us take a viking hat on the plane!

 

[wintergreen]

has anyone thought about mailing stuff back to themselves on the trip? Last time we were in Europe (15+ years ago) we actually mailed some souveniers back to the states while we were in Denmark. It made traveling easier for us of course then we were taking the train all over. Does anyone have any ideas on this or what country it might be cheapest? I keep thinking about those baggage rules & heaven forbit they don't let us take a viking hat on the plane!

Good idea! I'm not sure that we will mail anything home, but I did go out and buy a very light nylon duffle-style carry on bag that will pack flat in my suitcase specifically for bringing back souvenirs. I am being very strict and limiting each of us to one large suitcase, and one backpack, so hopefully the luggage issues won't be too bad. Good thing you can do laundry on the ship!

 

[denise]

found this posted on the cruise boards....
for 4 days only free maps from Lonely Planet for the iphone and touch.

I am downloading them...they have Berlin, Paris, Copenhagen, London, Stockholm, and more!!!

It says it will work on the touch even without wifi!!!

I like FREE!!!

 

[denise]

has anyone thought about mailing stuff back to themselves on the trip? Last time we were in Europe (15+ years ago) we actually mailed some souveniers back to the states while we were in Denmark. It made traveling easier for us of course then we were taking the train all over. Does anyone have any ideas on this or what country it might be cheapest? I keep thinking about those baggage rules & heaven forbit they don't let us take a viking hat on the plane!

Several years ago we mailed back stuff from England. We had cold weather clothes for Europe but were stopping at WDW on the way home and didn't need coats there. We mailed them home and it really made room in the suitcases to buy more stuff!!!!
Worth a try to save that hat from being confiscated!!!

 

[DW2DH&DS]

Did anyone else get a phone call from DCL yesterday? We got one asking us how we were getting to the port and where we were staying as we hadn't requested any ground transfers. Seems a bit strange seeing as we live in the UK and the volcano wont affect our travel plans. Still it was noce of them to worry about us. Just wondered if they'd treated everybody to a phone call.

We haven't gotten a call. We booked our own air, hotel, and transportation. hmmm!!!

found this posted on the cruise boards....
for 4 days only free maps from Lonely Planet for the iphone and touch.

I am downloading them...they have Berlin, Paris, Copenhagen, London, Stockholm, and more!!!

It says it will work on the touch even without wifi!!!

I like FREE!!!

free is good and I have a TOUCH. I downloaded free London Tube maps as well. One of the two you type in station to station and it tells you where to transfer and what lines...I was playing with it during my massive insomnia spell last night!!!

raining here in not so sunny southern california...bit chilly too!

 

[CarolAnnC]

what company did you end up going with?
We are going to pass on the dvc point insurance too. My medical insurance company said we are covered but we have to pay and they reimburse us. I don't think there is emergency evacuations though. The main thing I think is trip delay and baggage. Don't think our AA miles are covered either. Still have to call but want to wait until the lines are not so busy.

We used Travel Guard, the flyer was enclosed in the booking paperwork. The price was right = we have used AAA medical travel insurance in the past. This was for air and medical, their Gold plan.

We have medical insurance ourselves, but the travel covers the medical evacuation which can be at the very least $30,000 USD. This is not covered by most medical insurances. Just don't want to take a chance. Friends of ours had their parents use it on a cruise last year in the carribbean. It was very important as the mom was having a stroke. I don't want anything to jeopardize how quickly we may receive evacuation if needed.

I am sure there are many other good companies out there, but I called them as I considered coverage for out points, till I found out the price!

 

[denise]

We used Travel Guard, the flyer was enclosed in the booking paperwork. The price was right = we have used AAA medical travel insurance in the past. This was for air and medical, their Gold plan.

We have medical insurance ourselves, but the travel covers the medical evacuation which can be at the very least $30,000 USD. This is not covered by most medical insurances. Just don't want to take a chance. Friends of ours had their parents use it on a cruise last year in the carribbean. It was very important as the mom was having a stroke. I don't want anything to jeopardize how quickly we may receive evacuation if needed.

I am sure there are many other good companies out there, but I called them as I considered coverage for out points, till I found out the price!

thanks Carol,
I called American Airlines today and they said if something like this happens again (the ash and canceled flights) then they work with the passenger to change flights. She also said that if the passenger just wants to cancel then the miles go back into their account. That is good.
I still have to look at all the insurances. I agree the evacuation part of the insurance is good to have.....

 

[nzdisneymom]

Thanks for the tip about the Lonely Planet apps. We had been wondering about whether to take the Touch with us or not - so this decided for me! I'm downloading them now. I liked how it said "Volcano Relief."

 

[denise]

Thanks for the tip about the Lonely Planet apps. We had been wondering about whether to take the Touch with us or not - so this decided for me! I'm downloading them now. I liked how it said "Volcano Relief."

I have a touch also and downloaded the ones I think I might need someday too. Of course there were those that I will NEVER need.....
If they work like other apps when they go back to charging we should still have them for free! I have some I have never used but got free...maybe someday I will need them.

 

[Scoobydoo76]

has anyone thought about mailing stuff back to themselves on the trip? Last time we were in Europe (15+ years ago) we actually mailed some souveniers back to the states while we were in Denmark. It made traveling easier for us of course then we were taking the train all over. Does anyone have any ideas on this or what country it might be cheapest? I keep thinking about those baggage rules & heaven forbit they don't let us take a viking hat on the plane!

Viking hat on the plane I laugh now, but I'll be one the the nuts bringing one home! We did send some things home last year from Germany, but it was mainly sent from the shops we made the purchase in. It wasn't too cheap and it took forever to clear customes. Maybe FedEx, UPS or DHL would be cheaper.

Thanks, now you gave me more to research. LOL

 

[MickeyWatch]

anyone have any suggestions for where to go to 'do tea' in London?

I asked my TA to make us reservations for tea at the Ritz in London. We couldn't afford to stay there but at least we'll get to see the hotel.

 

[kawigrl]

just booked my excursions Berlin on your own and St. Petersburg river cruise.
Now I can go to sleep.