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

[OurDogCisco]

Calling all FE participants. My room number is 8080 not 8074. Thanks, Tina

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Me too! I am mostly not reading anything - the only thing I really want to know are logistics - money, weather, oh - and what time are people planning on getting to the port in Dover?

I am reading them-can't help myself!
Good question about time at the port. The cruise before ours doesn't get
in until 10:00am. Is that still right? Does that mean we can't board until 1or 2?
I wouldn't want to get to the port early just to wait around for 4 hours. This makes it hard to plan!

joanne

We are still planning on showing up at 11 am. I figured if we cannot board the ship that we'll take a cab to the local city center and walk around. Of course, this is depend on whether they take your luggage but I'm going to assume it is like a caribbean cruise where you drop your luggage off with the porter and then, go check-in.

I agree, I didn't even think of this...

Pardon me for jumping in here, the late arrival might disrupt things a bit, I can say from observations yesterday the disembarkation was very fast, they had three gangways up, one normal large modern passenger one from deck 2, another smaller one from deck two, I saw people use both and a steep stairs like one to deck 4. Only staff used.

The area outside the terminal is small, look at my photo on the Dover live thread, so could be congestion there and traffic management, far smaller than PC, less coach space less car space, but car park is still very close on the pier.

Dover town is a small walk if you do not have luggage to lug, I wouldn't recommend it with luggage, but if you checked in and then left, -take ID as there is a security gate, you can walk it and we did walk it in 15 mins to the town centre, its up to main road, (over rail bridge) right, then straight, over next roundabout, to a subway, under road and your in the town.

Shops, a Market, and nice views, inc Marks and Spencer where you can stock up,(Food wine, clothes) McD's, W H Smith for books and papers.

North Sea is always active I would say it will be far more active than the Caribbean, now it can and does change but currently they have a Northerly wind down as we have high pressure circulating over us and the East side pulls the winds down making it cool and choppy.

UK weather is very chagable, we cant predict it more than five days in advance, check BBC Weather or Met office, or ask me pre cruise, prepare for anything, rain sun whatever.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Pardon me for jumping in here, the late arrival might disrupt things a bit, I can say from observations yesterday the disembarkation was very fast, they had three gangways up, one normal large modern passenger one from deck 2, another smaller one from deck two, I saw people use both and a steep stairs like one to deck 4. Only staff used.

The area outside the terminal is small, look at my photo on the Dover live thread, so could be congestion there and traffic management, far smaller than PC, less coach space less car space, but car park is still very close on the pier.

Dover town is a small walk if you do not have luggage to lug, I wouldn't recommend it with luggage, but if you checked in and then left, -take ID as there is a security gate, you can walk it and we did walk it in 15 mins to the town centre, its up to main road, (over rail bridge) right, then straight, over next roundabout, to a subway, under road and your in the town.

Shops, a Market, and nice views, inc Marks and Spencer where you can stock up,(Food wine, clothes) McD's, W H Smith for books and papers.

North Sea is always active I would say it will be far more active than the Caribbean, now it can and does change but currently they have a Northerly wind down as we have high pressure circulating over us and the East side pulls the winds down making it cool and choppy.

UK weather is very chagable, we cant predict it more than five days in advance, check BBC Weather or Met office, or ask me pre cruise, prepare for anything, rain sun whatever.

Thanks, Andrew... You can definitely jump in any time. Good to know that you can walk to town in Dover. I'll look for the Dover Thread. Tina

 

[Stimpy]

Pardon me for jumping in here, the late arrival might disrupt things a bit, I can say from observations yesterday the disembarkation was very fast, they had three gangways up, one normal large modern passenger one from deck 2, another smaller one from deck two, I saw people use both and a steep stairs like one to deck 4. Only staff used.

The area outside the terminal is small, look at my photo on the Dover live thread, so could be congestion there and traffic management, far smaller than PC, less coach space less car space, but car park is still very close on the pier.

Dover town is a small walk if you do not have luggage to lug, I wouldn't recommend it with luggage, but if you checked in and then left, -take ID as there is a security gate, you can walk it and we did walk it in 15 mins to the town centre, its up to main road, (over rail bridge) right, then straight, over next roundabout, to a subway, under road and your in the town.

Shops, a Market, and nice views, inc Marks and Spencer where you can stock up,(Food wine, clothes) McD's, W H Smith for books and papers.

North Sea is always active I would say it will be far more active than the Caribbean, now it can and does change but currently they have a Northerly wind down as we have high pressure circulating over us and the East side pulls the winds down making it cool and choppy.

UK weather is very chagable, we cant predict it more than five days in advance, check BBC Weather or Met office, or ask me pre cruise, prepare for anything, rain sun whatever.

Thank you so much for the updates!

 

[nzdisneymom]

I'm not sure I'll be able to read any of the first cruisers reports, so for those of you who are, please share what you learn or read about (like rough seas - that's good to know - we had nothing like it in the Med). That way those of us who aren't able to read as much or often as we'd like can still keep up a bit. (Danged website blocker at work!)

Who will be our cruise director?

Anyone found sunrise / sunset times for each port?

And so I don't have to dig back through the thread, what are the themed nights for dinners - anyone know yet? I'm interested particularly in formal, semi-formal, and the three nights that are specificially themed to the restaurants (gotta know which three nights to expect to get some creme brulee cheesecake - LOL).

Thanks so much for all of you chiming in on the thread and keeping us as up to date as possible!!!!!!!!

I did a "practice pack" for myself yesterday and only needed a couple of things as it turned out - and Beall's was having a great sale! Gotta check the boys' stuff this week - first thing I need to do is check the fit of their shoes - they only each have one pair so I need to get them a second.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thanks, Andrew... You can definitely jump in any time. Good to know that you can walk to town in Dover. I'll look for the Dover Thread. Tina

Thank you so much for the updates!

I'm not sure I'll be able to read any of the first cruisers reports, so for those of you who are, please share what you learn or read about (like rough seas - that's good to know - we had nothing like it in the Med). That way those of us who aren't able to read as much or often as we'd like can still keep up a bit. (Danged website blocker at work!)

Who will be our cruise director?

Anyone found sunrise / sunset times for each port?

And so I don't have to dig back through the thread, what are the themed nights for dinners - anyone know yet? I'm interested particularly in formal, semi-formal, and the three nights that are specificially themed to the restaurants (gotta know which three nights to expect to get some creme brulee cheesecake - LOL).

Thanks so much for all of you chiming in on the thread and keeping us as up to date as possible!!!!!!!!

I did a "practice pack" for myself yesterday and only needed a couple of things as it turned out - and Beall's was having a great sale! Gotta check the boys' stuff this week - first thing I need to do is check the fit of their shoes - they only each have one pair so I need to get them a second.

Did you guys get this,-I know yours is a bit different.

Current CD is Brent

UK Sunsets are currently around 9.45pm

As you go North its later.

Sunrise 5am

 

[fabumouse]

Did you guys get this,-I know yours is a bit different.

I hadn't seen this - so helpful! It would make sense that the Formal night would be one at sea - probably the first night, given this itinerary...

 

[LisaTex]

Thanks for all the great info Andrew! I follow you on all the threads if you are still around here - a couple other questions - do you by chance have the name of the terminals/piers where the ship docks? was going to try to map them out - i know it was on this thread at some point but the "search" didnt help and i gave up after 20 pages

Also - we are planning to celebrate July 4 half US/half English. going to Ben Franklin's house - is there an english form of hotdog we can find for lunch?

then - everyone seem to go to Porter's for an "English" dinner - have read mixed reviews ie -tourist trap etc. i don't go too much by reviews but what do you think and any other suggestions?

thanks again!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thanks for all the great info Andrew! I follow you on all the threads if you are still around here - a couple other questions - do you by chance have the name of the terminals/piers where the ship docks? was going to try to map them out - i know it was on this thread at some point but the "search" didn't help and i gave up after 20 pages

Also - we are planning to celebrate July 4 half US/half English. going to Ben Franklin's house - is there an English form of hotdog we can find for lunch?

then - everyone seem to go to Porter's for an "English" dinner - have read mixed reviews ie -tourist trap etc. i don't go too much by reviews but what do you think and any other suggestions?

thanks again!

I think each of the cruise docking piers is on the respective pages of the DCL website for each port, go to the port and then there is a link around the photo area for a town map, its on there and in he write up info.

I haven't been to Porters for a few years, but in the past went there regularly and liked it a lot, famous for Porters Pies, its in a good location at Convent Garden on the way towards Leicester Square. Its Englished based, but not a distinctive English dinner. I wouldn't call it a tourist trap unless its changed a lot.

For a bit of fun thoose staying up the Holborn area, go to 'My Old Dutch', its a Pancake place, more UK/Dutch style, ie not USA style small thick ones, but large thin ones with anything in them, including desserts such as Ice Cream or chocolate, I tend to share a main course (entree) and a dessert one with the Mrs, its a bit of fun, and close to Holborn Tube,

Pizza Express, various locations are good and not just pizza, -dont think pizza hut its better,

Hotdog nothing comes to mind, but Pubs would do it.

 

[fabumouse]

My daughter and I are working on the prize for the best decorated Dis Door. We'll use the list from the first page, plus the FE list, for staterooms to review. Don't miss out on the chance to see our state famous "jackalope"!

 

[aurorafan65]

had a duh! moment this morning as I was getting dressed for church. I have a white shirt with Maelificent, Ursula & the Evil Queen on the back that even says Disney Villians across the bottom - wonder which night I can wear that on the cruise

Sharing this with all the talk of daylight hours - my youngest's goal is to be swimming at midnight in St. Pete's since it'll still be light out - ahhh to be 12 again.

Lastly all you Dover early arrivers can join me at the laundry there - a good friend of mine travels to London alot told me there's a laundromat there & I thought it might be easier to do some laundry there as opposed to on the ship. There was a cool laundry on one of those Samantha Brown shows from Helsinki (or somewhere) that had a pub attached. Wonder if I can find one of those

 

[aurorafan65]

Also - we are planning to celebrate July 4 half US/half English. going to Ben Franklin's house - is there an english form of hotdog we can find for lunch?

!

We were thinking the same thing with BF's house - would be kind of patriotic wouldn't it! TIm keeps saying he wants to sneak fireworks in our suitcase so we can celebrate when we're there I tell him we'll have fireworks soon enough on the ship

 

[APinCA]

Calling all FE participants. My room number is 8080 not 8074. Thanks, Tina

Also, in case anyone else is wondering... Hannah is my sister-in-law, not daughter


Kathy

 

[Crissup]

Its Englished based, but not a distinctive English dinner.

For those staying near Paddington, I ate at a nice, but tiny, place last week called the Frontline Club. Very nice. I understand reservations are a must.

not USA style small thick ones, but large thin ones with anything in them, including desserts such as Ice Cream or chocolate

I'm thinking like a crepe?

 

[CarolAnnC]

Cindy - Brent is currently the Cruise Director on board, so I would assume he will be staying for the Baltic trips.

I am addicted to seeking out info on the current cruise, lol. Will check any blog I can find..

 

[brandysmommy]

Does anyone have a list of the blogs that people are doing for the current Baltic cruise?
I have http://vwsmaltz.com/blog/ and http://balticmickeycruise.blogspot.com/

Anyone have others?

Thanks!

 

[LisaTex]

those are the only 2 i have seen.


was just reading other threads discussing capacity - so i looked at DCL and there are cabins in every cat except for 7. even 4s were available. kinda surprised.

have a great week

 

[kawigrl]

those are the only 2 i have seen.


was just reading other threads discussing capacity - so i looked at DCL and there are cabins in every cat except for 7. even 4s were available. kinda surprised.

have a great week

7 cat 7s are still available 3 on deck 6 and 4 on deck 5

 

[denise]

just boxed up my FE's for shipment.....the box weighs 10 pounds!!!
glad it will not be in my suitcase....have no idea how much this will cost to ship...

 

[Scoobydoo76]

Thanks for all the great info Andrew! I follow you on all the threads if you are still around here - a couple other questions - do you by chance have the name of the terminals/piers where the ship docks? was going to try to map them out - i know it was on this thread at some point but the "search" didnt help and i gave up after 20 pages

Also - we are planning to celebrate July 4 half US/half English. going to Ben Franklin's house - is there an english form of hotdog we can find for lunch?

then - everyone seem to go to Porter's for an "English" dinner - have read mixed reviews ie -tourist trap etc. i don't go too much by reviews but what do you think and any other suggestions?

thanks again!

I am not sure if this is specific enough, but this is what Disney sent to me. I hope it helps.

Kim B.


Dear Kim,

Thank you for your patience while we researched your request.

Here are the locations where we will be docking for the following ports
of call:

Oslo, Norway: Akershus Kaia
Copenhagen, Denmark: Langelinie
Helsinki, Finland: Munkki Saari Quay, West Harbour
Stockholm, Sweden: Frihamnen

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further
assistance in planning your visit, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to sailing with you!

Have a Magical Day!

Wilma
Reservations Department
Disney Cruise Line