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

[denise]

We are leaving the day the cruise docks. Last time we stayed one night afterwards when we did the Med cruise and my kids we too wiped out to enjoy anything. They fell asleep on our double decker bus tour throughout Spain. I found a flight on United that leaves at 3:30 pm so, it works for me.

I looked at American but it looks like the last "decent" flight is 230pm....wonder if we can make that...night in London is expensive...would use Mariiott points but is 40,000. plus we would have 2 doubles only for the 3 of us. Just have to think it out...

 

[OurDogCisco]

I looked at American but it looks like the last "decent" flight is 230pm....wonder if we can make that...night in London is expensive...would use Mariiott points but is 40,000. plus we would have 2 doubles only for the 3 of us. Just have to think it out...

I think you can. I thought I read a flight after 1 pm was okay. If I can't get the 3:30 flight then, I was just going to reserve a room at the airport for the night to save on points.

Other hotels hold 4 per room. We are staying at the Reinnaissance and it holds 4 to a room.

 

[denise]

which hotel...so many are booked now....
still looking and thinking of ones not so close to the city and then we will stay longer...we can always take the tube into the city.

 

[Fivepin]

I think you can. I thought I read a flight after 1 pm was okay. If I can't get the 3:30 flight then, I was just going to reserve a room at the airport for the night to save on points.

Other hotels hold 4 per room. We are staying at the Reinnaissance and it holds 4 to a room.

I'm a bit upset at the Renaissance. The first reservation I booked allowed me to book 3 people in one room (deluxe room with 2 double beds)-and I have that confirmation. Shortly after that they changed that same room type to max occ. of 2. We decided to add on another day pre cruise and it was when they released the post cruise dates, it said there were no rooms in the hotel to accomodate 3. So, I called saying I had a reservation for 3 people in one room. The lady couldn't explain it, because there were still deluxe rooms avail with 2 double beds. She tried a larger room and they all said max occ of 2. She said my confirm said 3 people and she linked the other pre cruise nite with the one I booked online-same room 2 double beds guaranteed. The Grosvenor-exact same room type was accommodating 3.

 

[OurDogCisco]

which hotel...so many are booked now....
still looking and thinking of ones not so close to the city and then we will stay longer...we can always take the tube into the city.

Yikes... you are right the Marriott hotels are booked even for cash reservations. WOW... Well, I've decided to book with Starwood points at Sheraton at the airport and I'll just cancel later if I need to.

https://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=293

Here's another one at the airport too. Pretty reasonable but I wouldn't expect 4 star resort.

https://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=268

 

[OurDogCisco]

I'm a bit upset at the Renaissance. The first reservation I booked allowed me to book 3 people in one room (deluxe room with 2 double beds)-and I have that confirmation. Shortly after that they changed that same room type to max occ. of 2. We decided to add on another day pre cruise and it was when they released the post cruise dates, it said there were no rooms in the hotel to accomodate 3. So, I called saying I had a reservation for 3 people in one room. The lady couldn't explain it, because there were still deluxe rooms avail with 2 double beds. She tried a larger room and they all said max occ of 2. She said my confirm said 3 people and she linked the other pre cruise nite with the one I booked online-same room 2 double beds guaranteed. The Grosvenor-exact same room type was accommodating 3.

Man that bites.... I just checked mine and it still says deluxe room with 2 double bed guaranteed. It better stay that way. I wonder if too many people booked on points and they just decided to limit more than 2 in a room. I noticed on the Marriott site that most of the rooms are booked for July 18th. I was going to book a post night stay just incase I needed it. I think, I'm going to book one through Sheraton instead.

 

[denise]

I called Marriott today about the Renaissance heathrow..it said a roll-away bed could be put in the room! Well she told me only 2 in a room, fire code. bla, bla
I said then why offer a rollaway...well I tried but didn't get it, points or cash.

I did, however, reserve 2 nights at Bexlyheath. It's a Marriott. Not near airport and not in city. It is 10,000 pts a night. On sale. I know that the tube, tax, train will cost more, but at least we have something. I can always cancel it. It is on the way from Dover to London. I will keep looking though.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I called Marriott today about the Renaissance heathrow..it said a roll-away bed could be put in the room! Well she told me only 2 in a room, fire code. bla, bla
I said then why offer a rollaway...well I tried but didn't get it, points or cash.

I did, however, reserve 2 nights at Bexlyheath. It's a Marriott. Not near airport and not in city. It is 10,000 pts a night. On sale. I know that the tube, tax, train will cost more, but at least we have something. I can always cancel it. It is on the way from Dover to London. I will keep looking though.

My friend who goes to Europe frequently said that it would be impossible for us to get a room to hold 4 people. She said that they have always had to get two rooms for their party of 3. Well... now I'm thinking the reason is that she plans her trips around 6 months out and by then there is no availability of rooms that hold 3 or 4 people. I am shocked in how fast the larger rooms are booking. Makes me glad that we are all planners and looking at this a year out. Well... I hope you find something that works out....

 

[goingsouth]

We are a family of 4 and I agree. It's a challenge finding rooms to fit us. My husband thinks I'm nuts planning this so far ahead but otherwise, we'd be paying for 2 rooms and hoping they connect, etc..

In London, the Premier Inn (next to the Marriott) county hall will book 4 in a room and the rates are fantastic! The reviews are good too.


Joanne

 

[goingsouth]

I read on one of the other Baltic Cruise board that the Little Mermaid will not be in Denmark for our trip- She'll be travelling.

Little Mermaid fans...it's devastating...but the little mermaid statue won't be in Copenhagen for our cruise. Below is an exert taken from the Copenhagen Tourism Website.

"For 95 years she has sat on her stone at Langelinie in Copenhagen Harbour, where she has received visits from around the world. But now it is the ageing lady's turn to take a little trip abroad. When the World EXPO is held in Shanghai in 2010, it will be with The Little Mermaid as a main attraction. The Little Mermaid will be gone from April - November. While she is away, visitors to Copenhagen will be able to experience a Chinese reinterpretation of her at Langelinie."

 

[CarolAnnC]

I read on one of the other Baltic Cruise board that the Little Mermaid will not be in Denmark for our trip- She'll be travelling.

Little Mermaid fans...it's devastating...but the little mermaid statue won't be in Copenhagen for our cruise. Below is an exert taken from the Copenhagen Tourism Website.

"For 95 years she has sat on her stone at Langelinie in Copenhagen Harbour, where she has received visits from around the world. But now it is the ageing lady's turn to take a little trip abroad. When the World EXPO is held in Shanghai in 2010, it will be with The Little Mermaid as a main attraction. The Little Mermaid will be gone from April - November. While she is away, visitors to Copenhagen will be able to experience a Chinese reinterpretation of her at Langelinie."

Yes, I have read this, just our luck. As long as Tivoli is still there, lol...

 

[OurDogCisco]

Yes, I have read this, just our luck. As long as Tivoli is still there, lol...

I agree... I wasn't really going to visit the statue any ways as I heard it was pretty small. I'm definitely going to see Tivoli (I think, my kids will have a blast there and it will break up the trip for them without going to a museum, etc).... CAN'T WAIT... My oldest is starting middle school in a few weeks so it should be an interesting year!

 

[gandyfamily]

We are a family of 4 and I agree. It's a challenge finding rooms to fit us. My husband thinks I'm nuts planning this so far ahead but otherwise, we'd be paying for 2 rooms and hoping they connect, etc..

In London, the Premier Inn (next to the Marriott) county hall will book 4 in a room and the rates are fantastic! The reviews are good too.


Joanne

I can vouch for the Premier Inn County Hall -- we stayed there in a family room over New Years last year and loved it. It's located in County Hall next to the Marriott -- on the Thames next to the London Eye and across the river from Big Ben. It's within walking distance of lots of sights -- Westminster Abbey, the Horse Guards, Downing Street, etc. The Marriott has most of the views, but the Premier Inn is a great deal. They have excellent service and the rooms are very clean and very quiet (albeit no-frills). The family rooms sleep 4 with a queen size bed, twin bed, and trundle-mattress. My only caveat is that it isn't air conditioned so it might be warm in July.

 

[wintergreen]

Does anyone know if you can purchase a ONE-WAY transfer? We will be getting ourselves to the dock, but I think it would be easier to use the Disney transfer at the end of the cruise to get ourselves back to the airport. Thanks!

 

[scottishwee35]

I read on one of the other Baltic Cruise board that the Little Mermaid will not be in Denmark for our trip- She'll be travelling.

Little Mermaid fans...it's devastating...but the little mermaid statue won't be in Copenhagen for our cruise. Below is an exert taken from the Copenhagen Tourism Website.

"For 95 years she has sat on her stone at Langelinie in Copenhagen Harbour, where she has received visits from around the world. But now it is the ageing lady's turn to take a little trip abroad. When the World EXPO is held in Shanghai in 2010, it will be with The Little Mermaid as a main attraction. The Little Mermaid will be gone from April - November. While she is away, visitors to Copenhagen will be able to experience a Chinese reinterpretation of her at Langelinie."

that is right, I have heard about it .. oh dear...I saw it in 1975....

Yes, I have read this, just our luck. As long as Tivoli is still there, lol...

lol, Tivoli is a lovely place as far I last visited 1975 and must be change now ...

Scottishwee35

 

[tinkerbell_29]

Tivoli is a must see for us to. It would have been nice to see the statue but oh well. Right now I'm waiting to here back from my DR about all the test they ran on Tuesday and Wednesday. At this point I'm actually praying they find something so we can fix whatever is wrong with my stomach.

Lissa

 

[denise]

Tivoli is a must see for us to. It would have been nice to see the statue but oh well. Right now I'm waiting to here back from my DR about all the test they ran on Tuesday and Wednesday. At this point I'm actually praying they find something so we can fix whatever is wrong with my stomach.

Lissa

Hopefully your stomach problems are just from all this planning!

My DD has had tons of problems with pain in her side. There is not a test out there she hasn't had. They could only come up with a broken rib cartilage. They told her to stop martial arts and she just laughed....so now she just deals with and who knows if it will ever heal...

hang in there....

 

[sinnika]

I'm trying to keep up with the thread. Sounds like many of you are already getting your airfare, pre-cruise hotels, etc. Just worried about finding rooms that hold 4 in London for a pre-cruise stay, and keeping costs down. Has anyone done a breakdown of what they think they'll be spending on their excursions, pre-trip, etc? We already have a cat 6 (don't want to cut back there), and the airfare I priced out is over $5000 for the 4 of us from Houston to London. I am trying to decide if this cruise will be worth the hefty pricetag. My husband and son are already planning a trip to Sweden in the summer of 2011 for the International Boyscout Jamboree, and now I'm thinking we may go along when they go and visit family in Finland (I'm half Finnish). Then get Visas for us to go to St Petersburg by train. What to do, what to do? I really want to cruise with Disney to the Baltics, but something keeps telling me maybe we should do the land trip in 2011 and do another Disney cruise. Sometimes it helps talking out loud. Would love any comments!

 

[OurDogCisco]

I'm trying to keep up with the thread. Sounds like many of you are already getting your airfare, pre-cruise hotels, etc. Just worried about finding rooms that hold 4 in London for a pre-cruise stay, and keeping costs down. Has anyone done a breakdown of what they think they'll be spending on their excursions, pre-trip, etc? We already have a cat 6 (don't want to cut back there), and the airfare I priced out is over $5000 for the 4 of us from Houston to London. I am trying to decide if this cruise will be worth the hefty pricetag. My husband and son are already planning a trip to Sweden in the summer of 2011 for the International Boyscout Jamboree, and now I'm thinking we may go along when they go and visit family in Finland (I'm half Finnish). Then get Visas for us to go to St Petersburg by train. What to do, what to do? I really want to cruise with Disney to the Baltics, but something keeps telling me maybe we should do the land trip in 2011 and do another Disney cruise. Sometimes it helps talking out loud. Would love any comments!

I agree the cruise will be expensive. Here are some of the things we are doing to keep costs down:

1) We are buying 2 of 4 airline tickets with points and the other part with cash so, I figured it will be about $2500 for the 4 tickets.

2) We are using Marriott points for our pre-stay in London so, that part is free.

3) We plan to buy the Marriott breakfast package each morning to save on food in London Hopefully, my kids will want to eat Fish & chips the rest of the time to save money.

4) We plan to do an organized tour in St. Petersburg so, that we don't have to get a Visa (the tour company does it).

5) We'll probably try and do as many tours as we can on our own to save money. However, I'm pretty picky in that I want a narrator talking to me and telling me what I am seeing. I'm not one to wander around town and look at buildings. I want someone to tell me what I am looking at. So, this isn't an area I plan to skimp on.

6) I'll probably set a budget for purchases on the ship like the alcohol, souvenirs, pictures, etc... This way I won't over spend.

I know it will be expensive but if it is anything like the Med. cruise, I know we'll love it!

 

[Fivepin]

I'm trying to keep up with the thread. Sounds like many of you are already getting your airfare, pre-cruise hotels, etc. Just worried about finding rooms that hold 4 in London for a pre-cruise stay, and keeping costs down. Has anyone done a breakdown of what they think they'll be spending on their excursions, pre-trip, etc? We already have a cat 6 (don't want to cut back there), and the airfare I priced out is over $5000 for the 4 of us from Houston to London. I am trying to decide if this cruise will be worth the hefty pricetag. My husband and son are already planning a trip to Sweden in the summer of 2011 for the International Boyscout Jamboree, and now I'm thinking we may go along when they go and visit family in Finland (I'm half Finnish). Then get Visas for us to go to St Petersburg by train. What to do, what to do? I really want to cruise with Disney to the Baltics, but something keeps telling me maybe we should do the land trip in 2011 and do another Disney cruise. Sometimes it helps talking out loud. Would love any comments!

I agree, that it's going to be expensive, but the Med cruise was great. My kids are staying home with my mom (she offered) so that we can use this cruise to celebrate our 15th anniversary and the year we hit the big 40. My BF is going with us. We are doing the airfare on our own instead of DCL. We are using points for one and I'll be paying for the other. Right via AA Tampa to London is $1300. We were just planning on using the tube to get around in London.
We are using points for the hotel stay. We decided to use the rail instead of a transfer to Dover to save money. It was a big difference. I guess the biggest disadvantage is handling the luggage on our own.
We too are setting a budget of what we spend on board. While in Dover we plan on getting a few bottles of wine/champagne to avoid getting it on the ship.
The only excursion I know we will be doing is St. Petersburg so that we don't have to get the visa. Just want to research the company some. Supposed to be cheaper than going via DCL. I'm not sure about the other ports yet-depends on budget. May just try to walk around the towns on our own and research each port to see what we want to do, and see if it's feasible to do it on our own.

I don't know if that's much help. We just like cruising, and we figure this was going to be once in a lifetime for us, and we wanted to do it Disney style.

I agree the cruise will be expensive. Here are some of the things we are doing to keep costs down:

1) We are buying 2 of 4 airline tickets with points and the other part with cash so, I figured it will be about $2500 for the 4 tickets.

2) We are using Marriott points for our pre-stay in London so, that part is free.

3) We plan to buy the Marriott breakfast package each morning to save on food in London Hopefully, my kids will want to eat Fish & chips the rest of the time to save money.

4) We plan to do an organized tour in St. Petersburg so, that we don't have to get a Visa (the tour company does it).

5) We'll probably try and do as many tours as we can on our own to save money. However, I'm pretty picky in that I want a narrator talking to me and telling me what I am seeing. I'm not one to wander around town and look at buildings. I want someone to tell me what I am looking at. So, this isn't an area I plan to skimp on.

6) I'll probably set a budget for purchases on the ship like the alcohol, souvenirs, pictures, etc... This way I won't over spend.

I know it will be expensive but if it is anything like the Med. cruise, I know we'll love it!

Are you planning on doing St. Petersburg via Disney? If not have you looked into other companies? The only one I started to look into was DenRus Tours.