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

[Fivepin]

Denise-have a safe trip. We'll see you there.

Joanne-I'll help you pack if you help me pack. Mine isn't that bad. I can't complain-I don't have to pack for 3 boys. I did have to pack for them for 75 days in Taiwan and China though. My large suitcase has a rip starting at the seam at the bottom corner. Don't know if I should just try to doctor it up or what. My mom took the rest of our suitcases. I just had to get that one over to Taiwan and then we were going to buy new ones there. I could use a final final FE list. i lost track of the last couple of add ons. Thanks again for doing this with your crazy schedule. I'll get you a DOD

Joanne, Cindy, and anyone else, I plan on having a DOD everyday so please join in. Maybe we'll have to setup a happy hour meet n greet We don't have the kids and want to do things we have not done before. In 10 cruises I haven't sat down at Cove Cafe and have a coffee drink there, go in the hot tub, relax in the chairs on deck 4, read a book, some sort of stem to stern taste testing.

All the major things are done. Just seem overwhelmed with all the little things waiting for me. My goal is to be done by Wednesday so that I can relax Thursday. We leave Friday. My DH goes to ST. Augustine on Monday and doesn't return until Wednesday night. So he decided to take Thursday off-good idea since he hasn't done anything yet. He still has no clue about what he wants to do at any of the ports. He just said he's along for the ride. Ok no complaining then.

I must get going. Today is the 1 yr anniversary of my dad's passing. We are all going the VA cemetery. I got him an extra special arrangement for today. Time sure does fly!!

I can't believe it's less than a week before we go. It seems so real. We have been planning this trip for so long.

 

[marlaymike]

OMG a week from now, we will be traveling to London!

 

[nzdisneymom]

Have a safe trip, Denise.

Here's a nice ship, don't you think??

http://www.oslohavn.no/webkamera

joanne

Beautiful! I think I'm going to spend way too much time today reading the reports from those who just got back and not enough time doing what I need to be doing to get ready! The kids are still asleep and it's nearly 10 a.m. DH is working to make up time ahead for being off on Thursday and Friday. I've got the laundry going and when it comes out and I get it ironed (yeah, I iron before I pack), it will then go into stacks for packing unless I run out of steam.

I need to put together an envelope of stuff for the ship and one for London to keep them separated and make sure I have all the paperwork I need. We have Tower of London tix and the email confirmation for the London Eye. This time next week, we'll likely be in the queue for the Eye!

 

[babybear42]

Just done some holiday ironing. I like things to be a little bit less creased when I unpack, if at all possible. Shaun is sorting out the door magnets and I'm in charge of everything else. The meds are sorted, the FE gifts are all bagged and ready to be put into individual bags when we get to Dover, makes it easier to pack everything if I don't make them up beforehand. The tickets are all printed and waiting to be put in the hand luggage along with passports and copies. Just need to pack al the clothes and then we're sorted.

 

[denise]

At sac airport. Crew late so plane delayed. Will be ok , we have a long lay over in Dallas. Let the trip begin!

 

[Stimpy]

Have a safe trip!

This Skansen thing has me confused We are on the skansen/vasa excursion and it runs from 10:45-3:30. The DCL site has that we could be leaving Stockholm at 1pm OR 4:30pm . Still no word from them about changing our excursion yet. Wish I could know in advance if they are changing it. My DD is really looking forward to the Skansen and children's zoo part while DS (&DH) really can't wait to see the Vasa. DS has even been doing his own research in books and the internet about it. (The kid LOVES history!) If they are cutting something out, I'd like to know which child I have to prepare

And everyone will be happy to know that I broke down and purchased 4 seabands...just in case. Which, of course, insures we will have calm seas the entire trip

 

[Stimpy]

BTW Days 5 & 6 are up

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1128

 

[DW2DH&DS]

And everyone will be happy to know that I broke down and purchased 4 seabands...just in case. Which, of course, insures we will have calm seas the entire trip

Ditto...we bought 3 for all 3 of us...extra insurance for smooth seas!!!!

We leave on Tuesday. busy day today...Jack has a basketball game in 45 minutes, a cub scout outing from 130 to 430, and his baseball team party from 430 to whenever. I am wrapping up scout stuff (I am the committee chair) in preparation for my month long absence from running the pack (we operate year round) tomorrow is haircuts for my men and I will be packed 99% by tomorrow night. Monday is last minute errands and everything else into the suitcases that didn't make it in. Jack is sleeping at is friends Monday night so Tuesday i can go get my haircut, mani/pedi, iPods loaded and adjusted, bank run for the house sitter etc. Our flight leaves 9pm Tuesday night!!!

 

[Stimpy]

Ditto...we bought 3 for all 3 of us...extra insurance for smooth seas!!!!

We leave on Tuesday. busy day today...Jack has a basketball game in 45 minutes, a cub scout outing from 130 to 430, and his baseball team party from 430 to whenever. I am wrapping up scout stuff (I am the committee chair) in preparation for my month long absence from running the pack (we operate year round) tomorrow is haircuts for my men and I will be packed 99% by tomorrow night. Monday is last minute errands and everything else into the suitcases that didn't make it in. Jack is sleeping at is friends Monday night so Tuesday i can go get my haircut, mani/pedi, iPods loaded and adjusted, bank run for the house sitter etc. Our flight leaves 9pm Tuesday night!!!

I'm the committee chair for our Pack too! We don't do much in the summer, just a few outings to baseball games, fishing trip etc. Fortunately no pack nights or den meetings though until September. Trying to tie up loose ends for the end of the year stuff and get a head start on the new year already. My DS bridged in April to Boy Scouts (as did my DH who was the den leader for 5 yrs) but silly me, I let them talk me into one more year with the Cubs. How does that happen???

I'm also trying to wrap up all the PTA & girl scout stuff too for the year which has been keeping me way too busy! I haven't had the time to really do anything for this trip and it's right around the corner already I'm really liking the only need tickets & credit card theory about now

 

[babybear42]

Have a safe trip!

This Skansen thing has me confused We are on the skansen/vasa excursion and it runs from 10:45-3:30. The DCL site has that we could be leaving Stockholm at 1pm OR 4:30pm . Still no word from them about changing our excursion yet. Wish I could know in advance if they are changing it. My DD is really looking forward to the Skansen and children's zoo part while DS (&DH) really can't wait to see the Vasa. DS has even been doing his own research in books and the internet about it. (The kid LOVES history!) If they are cutting something out, I'd like to know which child I have to prepare

And everyone will be happy to know that I broke down and purchased 4 seabands...just in case. Which, of course, insures we will have calm seas the entire trip

I hope it's 4.30pm as I've booked to go to the Ice bar at 1.30pm and the ticket price is non-refundable. I did this on the strength of what it said on my tickets.

 

[babybear42]

Have just written to DCL about the leaving time from Stockholm. I'll let you all know what they say when I get a reply.

 

[Fivepin]

Ditto...we bought 3 for all 3 of us...extra insurance for smooth seas!!!!

We leave on Tuesday. busy day today...Jack has a basketball game in 45 minutes, a cub scout outing from 130 to 430, and his baseball team party from 430 to whenever. I am wrapping up scout stuff (I am the committee chair) in preparation for my month long absence from running the pack (we operate year round) tomorrow is haircuts for my men and I will be packed 99% by tomorrow night. Monday is last minute errands and everything else into the suitcases that didn't make it in. Jack is sleeping at is friends Monday night so Tuesday i can go get my haircut, mani/pedi, iPods loaded and adjusted, bank run for the house sitter etc. Our flight leaves 9pm Tuesday night!!!

I'm the committee chair for our Pack too! We don't do much in the summer, just a few outings to baseball games, fishing trip etc. Fortunately no pack nights or den meetings though until September. Trying to tie up loose ends for the end of the year stuff and get a head start on the new year already. My DS bridged in April to Boy Scouts (as did my DH who was the den leader for 5 yrs) but silly me, I let them talk me into one more year with the Cubs. How does that happen???

I'm also trying to wrap up all the PTA & girl scout stuff too for the year which has been keeping me way too busy! I haven't had the time to really do anything for this trip and it's right around the corner already I'm really liking the only need tickets & credit card theory about now

OK I'm not the only crazy one!! I'm the Treasurer for our Pack and just made the last of the deposits today. Gotta replenish the scout shop acct before I go. Tomorrow is Scout Day at the baseball game tomorrow. I'm going and my boys aren't even here. Only 4 of the dens are keeping active over the summer. We just have the once a month pack meeting/summer activity. Next month is fishing and August is bowling. My DH isn't too happy about collecting money while I'm gone. My youngest starts Tiger Cubs in August, then I'll have all 3 in I'm glad I have nothing going on for PTA over the summer. I'm the committee chair for recycling. We collect aluminum/other metals once a week thru car line. So, I'm out there on Thursday mornings getting all grungy b/c people still don't rinse out their cans. All 3 are in soccer and bowling. During the school year I'm just the taxi for them! I really needed the break over the summer.
Anyway-gotta get back to my prep work.

 

[nzdisneymom]

All this talk about wrapping up Scouts and PTA and such reminded me that I need to take Zachary's yearbook ad sales paperwork by school before we leave. Adding it to the list.

I got my clothes and Zachary's clothes set out today and ready to pack. Nathan's are still finishing in the laundry and I won't deal with those til tomorrow. I probably won't put things into the suitcase til Tuesday to give me a chance to rethink it all and take some out Gary will get his out either tomorrow or Monday. I'll do the non-clothing things tomorrow and Monday as well. Packing sure takes longer than you think it will - at least for a long trip like this one. When we do a weekend at WDW, we have it down to a science - x pairs of shorts, t-shirts, underwear, grab the medicine bag and first aid kit, our tix, and off we go.

I got our packets together for Atlanta (for what I need for getting us on the plane and then off in London, and our London packet, and our DCL packet. And I actually had everything I needed already printed! Couldn't believe it. Read back through the DCL packet they sent us, double-checked that the baggage tags were still there, and noted the flight info so I can double check it on Wednesday and Thursday before flying on Friday.

Does anyone know what time the sailaway party will be on Tuesday?

 

[buzzdad100]

Have just written to DCL about the leaving time from Stockholm. I'll let you all know what they say when I get a reply.

We checked and were told 430! I will post if I hear any different

 

[Stimpy]

Thanks Buzzdad! Hope they stick to that.

I'm getting stressed all over again I'm starting to second guess almost all our excursions after reading some of the return cruisers reports. We were going to do the Evening Canal tour in STP, but that got some bad reviews. Now I see 2 people complained the Santa house was a waste of time. UGH!

 

[OurDogCisco]

Thanks Buzzdad! Hope they stick to that.

I'm getting stressed all over again I'm starting to second guess almost all our excursions after reading some of the return cruisers reports. We were going to do the Evening Canal tour in STP, but that got some bad reviews. Now I see 2 people complained the Santa house was a waste of time. UGH!

Could you provide the link for the Santa house review? That was one tour I booked that I was pretty leary of. Has anyone heard about the Tivoli all exclusive tour reviews? I'm too stressing over the reviews as well...

 

[nzdisneymom]

We've gotten a few new DISers joining the thread and may pick up a few more - as you see folks posting on the reports coming in and they mention they're sailing with us, be sure to invite them on over here.

And if you're just joining us (or in case you've forgotten), our official Meet and Greet is on Wednesday, July 7th, from 2 - 3 pm on the aft deck of Deck 7. Come one, come all! One of my favorite things about sailing with DISers is that you see someone you know nearly everywhere you go. It's so great to sail with a lot of friendly folks!

 

[Stimpy]

Could you provide the link for the Santa house review? That was one tour I booked that I was pretty leary of. Has anyone heard about the Tivoli all exclusive tour reviews? I'm too stressing over the reviews as well...

This was in the Baltic thread:

"I was on the same tour with Gydell. The "santa" summer house was a small shack like structure on the grounds of a hotel. We were met by Santa's elves. Who actually were pretty cute. We were led up to a beautiful pond where we "had to fill the water bucket for Santa's sauna" which meant that you took a small cup, went to the pond and brought back water, one cup at a time. All I could imagine was what the little kids would look like after all this water!

I will give you the highlights of issues.... the santa could not have been more than 30 years old and his beard was falling off. If you wanted a picture with santa, you had to ask to sit on the lap, he never talked to the children and just waved in the pictures. The description did state you would have a .8 of a mile walk over cobblestones and possibly uphill. Well this uphill was pretty extreme and the cobblestones were large rocks and tree roots.

We were 2 adults on the tour, so reserved judgement until we heard some of the same issues from families with kids.

Now, on the bright side, the Helsinki Highlights part of the tour was great. The guide was very informative and did a great job.

If I can get my pictures uploaded soon I will post them here.

Deb"

We also originally had the Tivoli all inclusive but when I started figuring out prices, it seemed like we were paying about $100 each to do it with Disney wather than on our own. So as a compromise I switched to the Tivoli & Harbour Tour.

I did switch our evening canal to the folklore show in STP too. Now I'm trying to go through and see what our options are for Helsinki in case we decide to switch that now

 

[el_bandito]

This was in the Baltic thread:

"I was on the same tour with Gydell. The "santa" summer house was a small shack like structure on the grounds of a hotel. We were met by Santa's elves. Who actually were pretty cute. We were led up to a beautiful pond where we "had to fill the water bucket for Santa's sauna" which meant that you took a small cup, went to the pond and brought back water, one cup at a time. All I could imagine was what the little kids would look like after all this water!

I will give you the highlights of issues.... the santa could not have been more than 30 years old and his beard was falling off. If you wanted a picture with santa, you had to ask to sit on the lap, he never talked to the children and just waved in the pictures. The description did state you would have a .8 of a mile walk over cobblestones and possibly uphill. Well this uphill was pretty extreme and the cobblestones were large rocks and tree roots.

We were 2 adults on the tour, so reserved judgement until we heard some of the same issues from families with kids.

Now, on the bright side, the Helsinki Highlights part of the tour was great. The guide was very informative and did a great job.

If I can get my pictures uploaded soon I will post them here.

Deb"

We also originally had the Tivoli all inclusive but when I started figuring out prices, it seemed like we were paying about $100 each to do it with Disney wather than on our own. So as a compromise I switched to the Tivoli & Harbour Tour.

I did switch our evening canal to the folklore show in STP too. Now I'm trying to go through and see what our options are for Helsinki in case we decide to switch that now

==========

Yes... that's the up and down of Disney. Never known a company where i'm expected to pay through the nose so much. Never been so happy to do so because I know it will be worth it.

My biggest concern with this cruise is Disney hasn't done this before. It's clear from some of the early posters that they've had to adapt their excursions. but the upside is Disney adapts, and quickly...

We've done on and off Disney excursions on our previous 5 cruises. Disney is always reliable. Solid. But sometimes off Disney is better if you have different tastes. But given we booked late, we are all disney this time. certainly pay more, but i think it's a reliability issue.

I'm also pleased to see (I just re-reviewed our excursions) that they mostly discourage the little kids on the ones we have picked (e.g., we aren't planning to attend what i think will be an amazing ball for princesses in St Petersburg as i don't think my teenage daughter would be into that).

the one thing I know with great confidence. The service on the ship will be 6 stars! I'll have to tell you about our 7 day western trip and how I almost walked out of the Caribean hotel afterwords because i was so used to the level of service on the Magic.

Can't wait to see her again. She is a beautiful lady....

 

[el_bandito]

All the ports seem to have a July average of low 70's for the highs and in the 50's for lows, so we're taking mostly long-sleeve shirts and pants. I figure we can push the sleeves up if we get hot or throw on a jacket or sweatshirt if we get cold. We're taking shorts and short sleeves for London. So, basically, we're taking a little bit of everything.

----

If you've ever been to Maine on the coast in the summer... think Maine. That's our expectation for weather. on the water it will be brisk. Have a wind breaker and sweater/sweatshirt. On land to the south (i.e., Germany, Copenhagen...) during the day could be quite warm but probably 'perfect'. perpare for rain here and there but generally not huge downpours. It's perfect weather for those of us who aren't sun worshippers. Those used to the Carribean cruises may be less excited.