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

[denise]

ok I checked out the stuff for the westbound transatlantic cruise...and now I have logo envy...
On the Med cruise my door sign was the map of the trip with flags shapped like Mickeys pointing to each country...it came out cute
I like the idea of the dolls...maybe each doll could be the flag of that country...or did someone say that?
Or pirates invading the Baltic Sea....

 

[denise]

ok I googled Russian dolls
check this out
http://www.google.com/products?hl=e...a=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

http://russian-crafts.com/nesting-dolls/disney-and-cartoons.html

for those crafty people out there....

 

[denise]

look at the westbounds web site....they really got it together...fast!

http://www.transatlanticpirates.com/index.html

 

[scottishwee35]

ok I googled Russian dolls
check this out
http://www.google.com/products?hl=e...a=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

http://russian-crafts.com/nesting-dolls/disney-and-cartoons.html

for those crafty people out there....

Oh russian-crafts of Disney look beautiful, wish to order it for myself it is out of stock.

What a good idea to make logo with it

Scottishwee35

 

[slg]

Check this out guys! I'm so glad we booked a balcony for this trip!

Although the phenomenon known as the "White Nights" is not unique to St Petersburg, in no other northern city have they received such poetic and literary acclaim. What could be more romantic than a walk along the banks of the city's rivers and canals in almost broad daylight, no matter what the time of day? No other major European city can rival this experience nor the atmosphere on the streets of St. Petersburg during the summer months - lively, friendly, romantic and bustling with people throughout the night as well as the day!

From late May to early July the nights are bright in St Petersburg, with the brightest period, the White Nights, normally lasting from June 11th to July 2nd. The White Nights (Beliye Nochi) are a curious phenomenon caused by St. Petersburg's very northerly geographical location - at 59 degrees 57' North (roughly on the same latitude as Oslo, Norway, the southern tip of Greenland and Seward, Alaska). St. Petersburg is the world's most northern city with a population over 1 million, and its stands at such a high latitude that the sun does not descend below the horizon enough for the sky to grow dark. In fact night becomes curiously indistinguishable from day, so much so that the authorities never need to turn the city's streetlights on!

Can you book pre/post dates already?

 

[sharper_fin]

Is anyone doign a pre or post stay?

Not us Lissa, we'll probably just drive down (about five or six hours) the night before and stay in a motel

 

[sharper_fin]

On the Med cruise my door sign was the map of the trip

Ours was an old Marc Davis Pirates sketch (with the redhead), with the words "Pirates of the Mediterranian". It's now on our fridge at home.

 

[goingsouth]

If the 'white nights' in St Petersburg only last until Jul 2--will we miss it?

 

[scottishwee35]

If the 'white nights' in St Petersburg only last until Jul 2--will we miss it?

Look like

also I was thinking about visa for Russia. I am sure that Disney will have it for us??

Because long times ago I went to Uganda Cruise with school holiday as I cannot remember about visa as I think they covered it. As we must followed their rules like went on coach to seesighted.

I found the photos of album that was 32 years ago!! It looked such a beautiful country but army were around at cruise port.

I don't think they will do this time? because change over name to St Petersburg?

Scottishwee35

 

[sharper_fin]

I'm not sure if we will need a Visa or not. I'm guessing that the majority of us on here will be travelling on either American or British passports. The rules I've read are the same for both: that we will need a visa HOWEVER

"Those who are travelling in groups and tours should submit all documentation to the tour operator making the travel arrangements"

AND

"USA passport holders are required to fill in a special visa application form."

Guess this is something that we all need to sort out as soon as possible (though I suspect we have plenty of time!)

 

[scottishwee35]

I'm not sure if we will need a Visa or not. I'm guessing that the majority of us on here will be travelling on either American or British passports. The rules I've read are the same for both: that we will need a visa HOWEVER

"Those who are travelling in groups and tours should submit all documentation to the tour operator making the travel arrangements"

AND

"USA passport holders are required to fill in a special visa application form."

Guess this is something that we all need to sort out as soon as possible (though I suspect we have plenty of time!)

oh well for us UK better find out as of course plenty times.

 

[justhat]

Yesterday when we called to put the deposit on our new room, the guy on the phone told me that if we don't do DCL excursions then we will need visas. If the excursion is through DCL then we're fine and don't need anything other than our passports.

Oh, and I didn't ask him about any of that, he just stated it as part of his script. Told me about the cancellation policy, non-refundable deposit, passports not expiring for 6 months, the visas, and some other things. So it seemed as though this was stuff he was told to tell everyone who books a Baltic cruise so I'm guessing it's safe to believe him.

 

[Keggy]

look at the westbounds web site....they really got it together...fast!

http://www.transatlanticpirates.com/index.html

I can try to put something together on free web. Let me work on it and I will get back to you... Unless someone has done one before - then by all means go for it!!!!

 

[DH2DW&DS]

I can try to put something together on free web. Let me work on it and I will get back to you... Unless someone has done one before - then by all means go for it!!!!

Thank You! I look forward to seeing what you can put together. THANKS AGAIN.

 

[DW2DH&DS]

If the 'white nights' in St Petersburg only last until Jul 2--will we miss it?

NOPE. longest day of the year is summer solstice which is june 21 or 22. i really wanted to do the June 12th rather than July 6th because i wanted the optimum "white night" experience while including Helsinki in the itinerary. My DH wanted the July 6th itinerary because he golfs iin a 2 day tournament annually down in Palm Springs and the fact that July 11th will be our 12 year anniversary. He found a link where it stated the difference in the amount of time of daylight was only around 15 minutes. i will find the link and post it later today. wewill still experience plenty of daylight

 

[DW2DH&DS]

hi Babe,

Will you post that link you sent me regarding the White Nights? Thanks!!

 

[DW2DH&DS]

Here is a link that will estimate sunrise and sunset for the time we will be in Europe. We leave ports prety early, but that doesn't change the fact that it will be light while at sea.

http://stardate.org/nightsky/riseset/

St. Petersburg is +4 UTC
Helsinki is +3 UTC
Oslo, Copenhagen, Warnemunde, and Stockholm are +2 UTC

estiamted sunset times for July 2010

day1 Dover 9:18
day 2 at sea
day 3 Oslo 10:33
day 4 Copenhagen 9:50
day 5 Warnemunde (Berlin) 9:27
day 6 at sea
day 7 St. Petersburg 11:11
day 8 St. Petersburg 11:09
day 9 Helsinki 10:35
day 10 Stockholm 9:47
day 11 at sea
day 12 at sea
day 13 Dover 9:08

 

[goingsouth]

That's great..I'm so glad we get to see it. This is going to be an amazing trip!


Joanne

 

[denise]

Ok you Brits out there.....what is the website that someone in England would use to book the cruise. Our friends might join us and I want to send them the correct site to book on from the UK....
thanks

 

[CarolAnnC]

Ok you Brits out there.....what is the website that someone in England would use to book the cruise. Our friends might join us and I want to send them the correct site to book on from the UK....
thanks

They can use Dreams Unlimited Travel! I have used them to book DCL and had a great experience.