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

[OurDogCisco]

We are also using Marriott points- they sent the certificate electronically to the County Hall a couple of days ago. Poor account was practically wiped clean! It will be lovely not to have a bill tho.

We did make some dining reservations, for a couple of reasons. I reckon London will be packed. The tennis tournament, gay pride weekend, big (rap) concert in Hyde Park-along with the regular tourist crowds. It was pretty easy to make reservations online and there's no penalty for cancellation.

We also booked the Midieval banquet Sunday night - it includes the meal and looks like great cheesy fun! We plan to bring an American flag (it's the 4th!) and use it as a center piece. Hope we don't get kicked out! I also love the idea (can't remember who said it) of heading to Ben Franklin's house that day.

I really plan on packing this weekend, at least for the kids. I have no idea how to pack for this trip. swimming? sweatshirts? rain gear? dressy clothes? There are so many variations and no enough luggage space.

joanne

I'm going to keep looking for restaurants. I did print out a few cafe/bakery type menus. I know we want to have Fish and Chips at Sea Shell of Lisson Grove http://www.seashellrestaurant.co.uk/aboutus.aspx This take out place was recommended by Samantha Brown. They also have sit down.

Great idea about heading to Ben's House. I'll have to add that to our list for Sunday...

 

[OurDogCisco]

We'll be there too. We don't have reservations for our first night-Saturday. We are going to wing it. We're think of going to the crepe place by the hotel Andrew had recommended. I think it's call Old Dutch. I have that menu printed up somewhere in my pile. Sunday we'll be in Paris for a day trip. We have reservations for Porters Pub in Covent Gardens for the 18th when we return. We leave on the 19th.

Thanks... I'll check out both places.

 

[DW2DH&DS]

Demise, Jimmy, and Elani,

Our condolences to you for your loss...hugs and love sent your way...feel the vibes!!!!

Hi all... I hate to do this but I have to bow out of the FE exchange. I just don't have the time I thought I would. Too many things to do before the trip and I won't have time to make my gifts. So, if it is alright that Team McNeese take our family's place. Sorry... I wish I would participate. Tina

No worries...you are still getting goodies from us...not much but a little something for all and a little something for your kiddos!!!

So, anyone else using Marriott Reward points for their stay in London? I logged in today to print out my confirmation and it says that I need to order and e-certificate. So, I call the awards center and they said that it was sent over electronically. Okay... then, why does it say I need order one. I don't know why it says that. Should I believe her?

we are using 160,000 for the Marriott county hall...wipes us out but they were having use 4 nights get a 5 night free points promo...jumped all over that because we get two extra days in London...we were only planning to stay 3 precruise. As for e- certs...I will ask my hubby...he always takes care of all the points business!!!!

The movies onboard will be:
Up in 3D
Surrogate
Toy Story 1, 2, and 3 - all in 3D
Old Dogs
Princess and the Frog
When in Rome
Alice in Wonderland - in 3D
Last Song
Oceans
Prince of Persia

Sorceror's Apprentice will be premiering - she said on the 16th which is Friday and a Sea Day (so maybe a midnight premier??).

Yay for TS3, ALice in Wonderland,Oceans, Prince of Persia, and Sorcerers apprentice...i want to see all 5!!!!! seeing as we are skipping Berlin...movie an dlaundry day!!!!!

Now, after all that...

PANIC MODE!!!!​

Yes I have started packing, started to book some excursions after the fact of we thought we would wing it in the ports, but you peeps are freakin' me out with all your uber-planning!!! I am trying to simultaneously plan our post cruise adventure after the TA next spring...already booked hotel in Paris but need to book flights home...have to do this while we are in London because we are using points. can't book a flight if i don't know what we are doing yet. oy vey!!!Love to you all anyway!!! see you soon!!!

 

[babybear42]

I'm going to keep looking for restaurants. I did print out a few cafe/bakery type menus. I know we want to have Fish and Chips at Sea Shell of Lisson Grove http://www.seashellrestaurant.co.uk/aboutus.aspx This take out place was recommended by Samantha Brown. They also have sit down.

Great idea about heading to Ben's House. I'll have to add that to our list for Sunday...

The best place to have fish and chips is by the sea, they somehow taste better, but any place is better than no place at all. Traditionally they are served in paper, (used to be newspaper), now they tend to be put in plastic containers so that the mushy peas don't spill all over the place, so that you can walk around and take in the sights whilst enjoying lunch. Yes you must have mushy peas with your fish and chips, it's another tradition. They might look strange, but believe me, they do make all the difference.

 

[denise]

One week from right now we will be boarding a plane!!!!

getting some things done...but in slow motion still...

wrote the obituary for my Mom yesterday with my sister
picked out the music for her service on Tuesday
paid some more of my Mom's bills
took my Mom's car in for service so we can sell it
calling my Mom's friends and letting them know the sad news
Oh, I did order Euros yesterday! and paid some of my bills that will be due next month
getting my hair cut today so it will be nice for Tuesday services...
My DH is getting his classic car ready to be towed to a friends house to stay at while we are gone.
I have to still get my clothes out...for the trip
thank goodness I kept my trip binder up since the beginning.

My mind is filled with cobwebs and needs to be cleaned out...I just can't think. I hope after Tuesday it will be better.

I still have to mail my FE...just never got to the post office yet...hopefully today? I think they close at 1 pm

ok,,, gotta get moving. I thought not having a job would give me more time....not true....

 

[aurorafan65]

several of the things I've read have said to bring passport copies - does anyone know if it's color copies or are b&w OK???

Can you tell I'm trying to get my paperwork done

 

[nzdisneymom]

We will have color copies of our passports but that's just because our copier does color. I think black and white are fine.

I finished the FEs today - Rich, I don't have a cabin number for you - do you have one yet? I have them boxed up and ready to go... finished filling the box with some small items so I won't have any wasted space when it goes in the suitcase.

I keep checking the weather for London and the ports. It's so blasted hot here that I have to thing about what low 70s feel like and mid 50s. I bought the boys each one more pair of pants today so they'll each have three for the trip. That way they'll be able to choose pants or shorts and not have to do shorts and be chilly just because they didn't have enough pants.

Don't forget to bring a light jacket.

Got the mail stop and the paper stop orders in. I need to call the bank and credit card companies this week.

We saw Toy Story 3 today - it was really really really good. Can't wait to see it again. If you go, be sure to stay through the credits.

See you all soon!

 

[marlaymike]

Just 14 days for us, and we will be in London!! Wohooooooooo...

 

[DW2DH&DS]

Had my first nightmare!!!! I always get nightmares before big trips!!!! I arrived at port with no cruise docs or passports and couldn't reach my hubby because my phone wouldn't dial. I was in hysterics because I couldn't board and the ship was getting ready to sail away. He showed up with 10 minutes to spare and I woke up screaming at him!!! We leave in 10 days...this is going to be a long 10 days.

 

[goingsouth]

There shouldn't be any more nightmares because...Who has time to sleep?! There's too much to do. Good thing we're getting that wine package. Once you DO make the boat, you'll need a drink to celebrate.

Tomorrow we are in single digits. Yowza.

joanne

 

[Deb T.]

several of the things I've read have said to bring passport copies - does anyone know if it's color copies or are b&w OK???

Can you tell I'm trying to get my paperwork done

Someone posted that we have to turn over color passport copies to tour guides in Russia so I made several color sets just to be on the safe side.

 

[wintergreen]

On the Disney Parks blog:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/06/disney-magic-completes-first-stop-in-russia/

 

[aurorafan65]

Someone posted that we have to turn over color passport copies to tour guides in Russia so I made several color sets just to be on the safe side.

I did 2 copies of each color & b&w just in case!


I am in total panic mode because dh just said it's less than 2 weeks till we leave - then I made the mistake & counted the days it's down to 10!!!!

 

[aurorafan65]

Had my first nightmare!!!! I always get nightmares before big trips!!!! I arrived at port with no cruise docs or passports and couldn't reach my hubby because my phone wouldn't dial. I was in hysterics because I couldn't board and the ship was getting ready to sail away. He showed up with 10 minutes to spare and I woke up screaming at him!!! We leave in 10 days...this is going to be a long 10 days.

reminds me of the Princess Bride & her nightmares before the wedding. Mine don't usually have the ship - just falling or being trapped & can't get out

 

[fabumouse]

Hi everyone! I just came across this site and wanted to introduce myself and family. I'm Tara and my husband Bob and daughter Kayla (4 yrs) are all signed up for this cruise!
Tara

Excellent and Welcome! My youngest daughter is also 4 (well, turns four right after the end of the cruise) and she is already so excited!! If you get a chance - show Kayla the Disney Cruise video. My little one talks each day about packing and going on the Mickey ship!

I have never been on another cruise line, and Disney has definitely failed me a couple of times on the two cruises I've done with them (have to be honest there) but, all of the good stuff so far outweighs the negative that's it difficult for me to imagine going on another cruise line, especially while we have young children.

You will want to take your stateroom attendant home with you!!

On a more somber note -

Denise - I haven't checked in here for a few days, and I am so very sorry for the loss of your mom. I do think it's wonderful that she was able to say her good byes.

 

[fabumouse]

On the Disney Parks blog:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/06/disney-magic-completes-first-stop-in-russia/

Loved this! Someone had noted that the ball wasn't technically formal, but even my husband (after seeing the price tag) said - uh, guess I'll be bringing my tux then.

 

[caniac27]

Has anyone looked to see what happened with the fuel surcharge on the 17th? It says on the website to look in your reservation under "invoice Information under Reservation Details." to see the latest information - trouble is - I can't seem to find anything about my "invoice" on my reservation...anyone else had any luck? or know anything about the surcharge?

 

[Scoobydoo76]

Has anyone looked to see what happened with the fuel surcharge on the 17th? It says on the website to look in your reservation under "invoice Information under Reservation Details." to see the latest information - trouble is - I can't seem to find anything about my "invoice" on my reservation...anyone else had any luck? or know anything about the surcharge?

On the DCL web page for fuel surcharge it reads...
If the closing price on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) of West Texas Intermediate fuel is below $70 a barrel two weeks prior to the beginning of the calendar quarter (dates specified below), the company will refund fuel surcharges paid in the form of an onboard credit.

Unfortunately I am pretty sure the price on 06/17/10 was $76.79.

Looks like no refund for us.

I really hope that I am wrong.

 

[Deb T.]

On the DCL web page for fuel surcharge it reads...
If the closing price on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) of West Texas Intermediate fuel is below $70 a barrel two weeks prior to the beginning of the calendar quarter (dates specified below), the company will refund fuel surcharges paid in the form of an onboard credit.

Unfortunately I am pretty sure the price on 06/17/10 was $76.79.

Looks like no refund for us.

I really hope that I am wrong.

Bummer.

 

[slg]

I just want to forget about the fuel surcharge it makes me so mad.

Anyway, do we need one photocopy per excursion or just one copy per person per day? I am going on three excurions in St. P.

Where did the person read that we needed the copies to be in colour? I don't recall that from the DCL information. I haven't made my copies yet, waiting to hear the official word.

Just getting nervous about everything right now!