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

[kmaclou]

Park Plaza County Hall
Renaissance Chancery Court - Marriott
Grosvenor House Hotel - Marriott

Thank you!

 

[tinkerbell_29]

Hi everyone! Welcome to everyone that is new! This new job is keeping me extremely busy but I am loving it. We almost had to cancel this cruise but after talking to DVC we have enough points to do partly points and the rest cash so this summer we will be changing all that over. That means we will have to change staterooms but hey at least we are still going. I told mom I didn't care if I had to sleep on deck in a lounge chair as long as we got to go.

Lissa

 

[Crissup]

I told mom I didn't care if I had to sleep on deck in a lounge chair as long as we got to go.

I know the feeling. This is my first cruise without a verandah. I can go without the pool on board and many other amenities, but I *love* standing out on the verandah watching the distance. Unfortunately, this time we just couldn't muster up enough points to cover two staterooms *and* a verandah. So, I pointed out to Carol that while that one point will disappoint me a bit, I'm sure we'll still love the cruise and that I'll just stare at the wall and daydream.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I know the feeling. This is my first cruise without a verandah. I can go without the pool on board and many other amenities, but I *love* standing out on the verandah watching the distance. Unfortunately, this time we just couldn't muster up enough points to cover two staterooms *and* a verandah. So, I pointed out to Carol that while that one point will disappoint me a bit, I'm sure we'll still love the cruise and that I'll just stare at the wall and daydream.

I will also miss the verandah. Keep hoping they will either lower the points for our rooms, or perhaps we may win big at lotto or the casino, LOL! Otherwise, we will be running up on deck to soak up the outside views...

 

[goingsouth]

We're another family willing (although sad) to trade a balcony for the oppurtunity to sail. We need the money to pay for those shore excursions!




joanne

 

[nzdisneymom]

Hi everyone! We're on our last day of spring break and I'm catching up on boards, email, etc. I updated our first post to add belle26 and regretfully take Scottishwee off the list (but that doesn't mean you're really gone from us!). If anyone else has joined up that is sailing with us that I don't have listed on the first post, please let me know and I'll add you.

We spent spring break at Hilton Head Island at the Disney resort there - it was really nice.

Our next focus is Nathan's 13th birthday at Disneyland; gotta get over to the DL boards to read up on it.

Then we'll be in major push / focus for this cruise!!!

We've been watching airfare and it's been coming down for our ATL - London flights, so I'm wondering what DCL will do when they get ready to book the air - if they will reduce the price or not. I guess it depends on how much of a difference it is.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Hey Cindy, Where are you checking the airfares? I can't find any site where I can see that far out. Are you just checking this summer's prices?

We are in trip planning mode for our June WDW trip at this point. Once we are done with that we will be about a year away from the Baltic trip. Then it will be full steam ahead for us too, lol.

Hope everyone has a nice Monday...

 

[OurDogCisco]

It is getting closer to booking flights probably 5 months out for me. But we are saving up for it. I always feel once the flight is booked it is one more step closer to the trip. What airlines is everyone gonna try for? I wanted to do something with points but then, I have to narrow down to one airline when I transfer the points. It can be risky. I can get 2 airline tickets and 7 nights at a hotel possibly. It would be easier if only 2 of us were traveling. But I thought this might be a great way to save a little money. Then, I'd only have to pay for 2 tickets.

Last time on the Med cruise we flew out of SFO but we live 2 hours away by car. We will never fly out SFO again. Driving home after being on the plane for 14 hours was pure torture. Our flight was delayed 2 hours so we ended up driving home in rush hour traffic. We live 20 minutes for another smaller airport so, we'll fly to a major city from here and then, direct from the major city. We flew AirFrance and LOVED the customer service we got. The food was really good on the plane. However, our connecting flight in Paris was too short and as a result our luggage did not make it to us in Barcelona. So, we were without one piece for the entire cruise. So, this time I want to make sure the layover is LONGER so that we don't have problems but nothing is ever a 100% guaranteed.

When I was looking at flight times last year for this summer Northwest was the only airlines with tons of late departure times on the last cruise day. I was looking to leave London around 2:30 pm to give us enough time to get from Dover to London. Now, I'm looking at summer and there are tons of available flights leaving late on all different airlines. So, any advice on who you would fly with would be great?

I better stop babbling...

 

[tinkerbell_29]

Right now we are letting DCL book our flights but we are probable going to book them ourselves. I've got so many frequent flier points and so does Matt that we've got to use them. Delta now offers the ability to pay part with points and part cash so we probable will do that this summer.

Lissa

 

[nzdisneymom]

Carol - I just put farewatchers at Travelocity and also Kayak.com for ATL to London without restrictions on flight dates, just to keep an eye on what the flights will be. I think it's 11 months out that you can book airfare.

 

[goingsouth]

We're more than likely going to be using points to fly, so American Airlines will be our one and only option. We are planning to fly in before the cruise and stay after, so hopefully, losing luggage won't be a problem on the ship.





Joanne

 

[OurDogCisco]

On cruise critic I've read that you need to allow 3 hours for check-in for your flight going home. I've also read to take the train from Dover to the Airport takes about 3 hours (assuming you don't miss any connections). I was thinking of taking the train but then, I thought with 2 kids in tow (ages 9 and 12 it might not be the best idea). We'll have luggage. So, is anyone doing using DCL Transportation? With all the flight times I see it is gonna be tough to get to the airport by 11 am from Dover. I'm wondering if Disney will get you there quicker. But I also read on cruise critic that the bus takes loner than the train. And, I also read there is suppose to be a super fast train in 2010 that will only 40 minutes. Does anyone know for sure? Thanks, Tina

 

[OurDogCisco]

So, I'm freaking out on how expensive London can be. So, I decided to spend some time really researching hotels, activities, transportation costs, dining, etc... So, I get a budget going. Our idea was to possibly depart on June 30th arrive in London on 7/1 then, spend 7/1 to 7/5 exploring London. I figured the 1st day will be a waste as we are flying in on a Red Eye. So, we really only have 4 days in London. I found one thing called the London Pass (it reminds me of the City Pass here in the US). You get admission to over 55 attractions. Some we had planned on seeing. http://www.londonpass.com/prices.asp

Does anyone have any other ideas to share? I know it early but I'm trying to figure out the flight part so, I can figure out when we should fly in.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Since I'm researching on how much it cost per day to stay in London per crusie, I thought I'd share what I find. I found this other pass called the National Trust Pass: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mai...s/w-visits-overseas_visitors-touring_pass.htm

Now, the 1st pass looks a little more exciting for kids than this one. I wonder if these passes are worth it? Would we get our Monies worth in 3 days. I'm thinking we might only be able to afford 3 days in London pre-cruise. I also, think we might not be able to fly home the day of the cruise. I'm not sure if we'll be able to get to the airport before our 2:30 pmish flight. So, I'm thinking we'll have to stay one night post cruise.

 

[sshaw10060]

I just made my first official cruise purchase. A Nikon D80 from EBAY. I got a great deal. I was lightly used, but had a scratch so it went for $3-400 less than they have been selling for. Now I just have to figure out how to work the dang thing.

We weren't planning a trip to WDW next year since we are going on a DCL cruise in Nov, DL in May, and our cruise in July, but I just found out that when I committed to speak at a meeting in Orlando last January I actually signed a two year contract. Now I just have to figure out how many "extra" days I can afford. Our DVC points are all spoken for, so maybe I'll try a Value Resort for a change.

I was going to use my American miles as well. How soon can I book those tickets?

 

[DadofLostBoys]

Whoo-Hoo, just checked my online reservation - been switched to main seating for dinner.

Still trying to decided what to do pre-cruise. We are leaning towards Disney Land Paris, since we did London before our Med cruise. Not sure how to arrange air and ground transportation. Fly to Paris, stay a couple days at DLP, train to Calais with ferry to Dover, then fly out of London. Or R/T London with eurostar to DLP, then train to Ashford/Kent/Dover. What to do?

Has anyone been to DLP? Recommendation on where to stay for (non-DVC members) for 5?

 

[OurDogCisco]

I just made my first official cruise purchase. A Nikon D80 from EBAY. I got a great deal. I was lightly used, but had a scratch so it went for $3-400 less than they have been selling for. Now I just have to figure out how to work the dang thing.

We weren't planning a trip to WDW next year since we are going on a DCL cruise in Nov, DL in May, and our cruise in July, but I just found out that when I committed to speak at a meeting in Orlando last January I actually signed a two year contract. Now I just have to figure out how many "extra" days I can afford. Our DVC points are all spoken for, so maybe I'll try a Value Resort for a change.

I was going to use my American miles as well. How soon can I book those tickets?

Great purchase on E-Bay... Good thing you have to time to learn the camera. I've had my 2 years and I still learn new things on it every now and then.

Life tough when you have take an extra vacation... LOL... We stayed at All-Star Movies one night in November and my kids loved it. We got over to the the timeshare (off-site) and they weren't thrilled with the decor. We are going to WDW in June and my dd7 asked me the other day that she wanted to make sure we were staying at a Disney Hotel this time. I guess... that confirms it as we have little Disney snobs...

You can book miles around 11 months out. Some people book the miles separately. So, you'd call 11 months from your departure date and then, again 11 months from your return date. Instead of waiting until the return date to book both legs.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Whoo-Hoo, just checked my online reservation - been switched to main seating for dinner.

Still trying to decided what to do pre-cruise. We are leaning towards Disney Land Paris, since we did London before our Med cruise. Not sure how to arrange air and ground transportation. Fly to Paris, stay a couple days at DLP, train to Calais with ferry to Dover, then fly out of London. Or R/T London with eurostar to DLP, then train to Ashford/Kent/Dover. What to do?

Has anyone been to DLP? Recommendation on where to stay for (non-DVC members) for 5?

Yay... we liked main seating on our Med cruise even though we skipped a couple of dinners in the dining room due to port times.

The only place I know if in Paris is the Marriot Timeshare. Maybe you could rent from someone. I've never stayed there so, I can't give any recommendations. I'd like to go there too. I wonder if Paris is cheaper than London.

 

[sshaw10060]

If you want to go to DLP and the cost was reasonable I would fly into Paris then fly out of London. If that's too expensive. You could fly into London and take the Chunnel train. You have to change trains in Paris. It is a lot of fun. Coming back the train actually stops in Dover so you just need a transfer to the port. DLP is a blast and definitely worth the time.

 

[sshaw10060]

Here is one of the first pictures from my new camera. I can't wait to take it on vacation.