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

[Keggy]

Hi all! I have a huge dilemma! LOL When I originally heard the DCL was sailing to Europe again- this time w Russia as the star!! I was soo psyched! Then the pricing came out! So DH and I booked a cat 10 gty for the WB TA. I am excited; but I want to see Russia! So, will I seem totally stupid if I email DU to change my ressie? I just feel that I have to see these places. Please help me!!!
Thanks, Angel

I understand - if you can afford it - go for it! DH and I are just trying to make it a priority and get it paid off. We do have a cruise booked next May so worst case scenario - if we need to cancel that one to make this one, that is what we will have to do!

 

[cruellababy]

Thanks Keggy! We also have a cruise on the Magic next Sept w extended family; so we have to keep that one, LOL. But, I keep telling myself that because our 10th anniv. is 5/2010 this really has to be a wonderful trip-not that the WB TA wouldn't be- great group of people over there! And half the price; oh, what to do!?! But, the thought of seeing Russia and having a picture taken infront of the real little Mermaid statue is mind-boggling! And one of my fave places in Epcot is the Norway sectioon- jeez I just keep talking myself into it! It's just that 11,000 for 2 people w air etc in a cat 11 is making me think I'm nuts! Thanks for the advice though! I'll let you guys know what I decide after I hear back from DU-and that $300 OBC from them helps too- that's basically the tips.
Angel

 

[sharper_fin]

I'm with Kelly on this one Angel - If you can afford it, go for it! You only live once... Of course, it's not worth getting into serious debt for though!

Town Car is type of car such as a 4 door sedan that companies send much like a limousine.

Ah, OK Carol. That's (believe it or not) still a taxi - any car with a driver could be a taxi! Specify that you'd probably need them to send a "people mover" though; it's a bigger vehicle, halfway between a car and a minibus. Look up Renault Espace for an example of the type.

A "hire car" is one that you would drive yourself. Not something that I'd want to do in central London! (Especially if I were driving on an unfamiliar side of the road)

The George Bernard Shaw quote about England and America being "separated by a common language" comes to mind here!

 

[justhat]

Sharper fin, how easy is the train? I'm thinking about it as an option, but wondering if trying to get 2 kids and all our bags on would be more of a hassle than it's worth.

 

[cruellababy]

Just waiting to hear back from DU; I really hope she doesn't think I'm a nut. LOL It'll just mean working some overtime; we always pay cash for our vacations-that's what makes it nice; no cc bills to return home too! That was how my DH grew up- so it works for us. I am so excited!
What made evryone choose Hellsinki over Tallinn? Just wondering; I can't even say why I thought Hellsinki would be the way to go
Have a great day all!

 

[CarolAnnC]

I'm a bit worried about that, too, especially since it is a bit of a ride. Are there different kinds of hire cars? For instance, regular car size, or larger?

Sharper Fin says the hire cars are like our rental cars, so no to that. Have a hard enough time driving on our side of the road over here, LOL! Check the website he posted above, they do show some different size vehicles available for taxis.

The prices on London hotels is fabulous right now, sure hope it holds!

I am curious to see what DCL comes up with for group pricing on their recommended hotels. But, the hotel Fin listed looks very nice as well.

I'm with Kelly on this one Angel - If you can afford it, go for it! You only live once... Of course, it's not worth getting into serious debt for though!




Ah, OK Carol. That's (believe it or not) still a taxi - any car with a driver could be a taxi! Specify that you'd probably need them to send a "people mover" though; it's a bigger vehicle, halfway between a car and a minibus. Look up Renault Espace for an example of the type.

A "hire car" is one that you would drive yourself. Not something that I'd want to do in central London! (Especially if I were driving on an unfamiliar side of the road)

The George Bernard Shaw quote about England and America being "separated by a common language" comes to mind here!

LOL! My BIL is from the U.K. and now lives just up the road from us here in IL. We have heard from him some of the funnier versions of multiple meaning English/American words, lol.

 

[DW2DH&DS]

...But, the thought of seeing Russia and having a picture taken infront of the real little Mermaid statue is mind-boggling! Angel

I heard a rumor about the little mermaid statue not being in Copenhagen in2010. Naturally, i did a google search. There is a chance she will be moved to Shainghai for the WorldExpo. I am really sad about it because i wanted my picture with her as well.

http://en.expo2010china.com/expo/expo_english/participation/ln/userobject1ai53027.html

 

[Stimpy]

Just waiting to hear back from DU; I really hope she doesn't think I'm a nut. LOL It'll just mean working some overtime; we always pay cash for our vacations-that's what makes it nice; no cc bills to return home too! That was how my DH grew up- so it works for us. I am so excited!
What made evryone choose Hellsinki over Tallinn? Just wondering; I can't even say why I thought Hellsinki would be the way to go
Have a great day all!

Good Luck!

We didn't pick Hellsinki over Tallinn on purpose. Dh just thought this cruise would be easier to take off from work than the July 18. Our kids are still in school in June so those cruises were out of the question. We would have been happy with either stop. I think we're most excited about Norway and Russia

That's stinks about the Little Mermaid statue! I was really hoping to show my DD who adores Ariel.

 

[DW2DH&DS]

What made evryone choose Hellsinki over Tallinn? Just wondering; I can't even say why I thought Hellsinki would be the way to go
Have a great day all!

I chose Helsinki to keep with the Scandanavian theme. I would like to cruise the Baltic in the future with an itinerary that includes the southern countries (the Baltic States, Poland, Germany and the Kiel Canal).

 

[denise]

What made evryone choose Hellsinki over Tallinn? Just wondering; I can't even say why I thought Hellsinki would be the way to go

Well my DH wanted to go to each captial of each Scandinavian country. I picked this one because the date was so close to our MED cruise (070707)
Silly reasons I know...

 

[Deb T.]

Good Luck!

We didn't pick Hellsinki over Tallinn on purpose. Dh just thought this cruise would be easier to take off from work than the July 18. Our kids are still in school in June so those cruises were out of the question. We would have been happy with either stop. I think we're most excited about Norway and Russia

That's stinks about the Little Mermaid statue! I was really hoping to show my DD who adores Ariel.

Pretty much the same reasons here! I'm a teacher and we're still in school until mid-June. The July 6 sailing was spread over two work weeks, whereas the others spanned into three different work weeks.

In a perfect world, we would have gone on the first sailing. The first sailing will get all the really cool "welcome to this port for the first time" festivities that can include such things as fireworks, fire tankers spraying water fanned out high in the air, and welcome gifts & presentations.

And.... I am also sad about possibly missing the Little Mermaid statue! Maybe she won't be moved until after our sailing?? I believe in Pixie Dust!!!!!

 

[CarolAnnC]

The main decision in this sail date for us, was work related. It would be very hard to get at least two weeks off work mid to end of July for me as it is a popular request at work. I am in a position of just a year, and there is no pre approval for vacations. I will not know until January of February of 2010 if my vacation time will be approved. The best bet for me was to choose over the July 4 holiday when I get a "free" holiday off work. Less vacation time I need to request.

The other reason was the fact that Helsinki Finland was just much more appealing for us. Scandinavian countries are appealing to us, and the two days in St Petersburg will satisfy our other interests.

I plan on relying on research from other cruise line reports on the most desirable excursions and reviews. Excursions will have to be booked well in advance of the cruise, so it will be uncharted waters so to speak anyway, lol.

Also sad here to hear about the Little Mermaid statue traveling...

 

[jship210]

LOGO!!!!

Our DIS friend and very talented BROOKLYN designed this for this group.

What do you think??

 

[sharper_fin]

some of the funnier versions of multiple meaning English/American words, lol.

Yep, when I first heard the American phrase "fanny pack" I nearly fainted! Don't ask me to explain, I'm FAR too polite!!!!

 

[goingsouth]

Our choice of this cruise was also based on the date, rather than the itinerary. Frankly, we would have preferred Estonia, but these dates work out better for us. We also get to celebrate 2 birthdays on this cruise!!


joanne

 

[DisTeach]

LOGO!!!!

Our DIS friend and very talented BROOKLYN designed this just for us.

What do you think??


Cool!

 

[cruellababy]

Well all, we made the switch! We have a cat 11 #7619. Second seating. And a pre-nite stay at Park Plaza. I am soo super thrilled!
Now, I have to go say Goodbye to me WB TA friends! And to give Brooklyn a for that awesome logo!
Angel and DH Donald

 

[DisTeach]

Yep, when I first heard the American phrase "fanny pack" I nearly fainted! Don't ask me to explain, I'm FAR too polite!!!!

lol my uncle told me about that one!

 

[sharper_fin]

LOGO!!!!
What do you think??

Ooh, nice! I especially like the bottom left "scroll" bit. I think that might make it onto a shirt closer to the time....

Just one thing though... "Balitics"? I thought it was "the Baltic".

Oh, and to clarify "Sharper Fin says the hire cars are like our rental cars"...

You can rent whatever kind of vehicle you want, as long as you're comfortable driving it. I was just meaning that you wouldn't get a driver with a 'hire car' or any other hired vehicle.

Shaun

 

[jship210]

Ooh, nice! I especially like the bottom left "scroll" bit. I think that might make it onto a shirt closer to the time....

Just one thing though... "Balitics"? I thought it was "the Baltic".

Shaun

I believe the Baltics refer to the stops/ports . Anybody??