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

[din]

2 more days until I book our flights on points! We are doing 2 with points and 2 on cash. I'm wondering if I should wait on cash or book right away? My fear is that there is only one flight that departs on 3:20 pm on the last day we dock. I definitely want to get that flight but the prices are wild somewhere in the $1500 to $1700 range but I do want to be on the same flight with my family together. UGH...

Same problem here too. There is one flight back (direct) for us at 2:30 from LHR but the prices..... yuck! Otherwise one extra night...

 

[denise]

Looked at American Airlines today and can't book the 18th yet...looks like we have 2 options to leave Heathrow. There is a flight to Dallas at 1025 am or 230 pm...that is it! Then we fly into SAC and those flights are 425pm for the 1025 flight, then either 825 or 945pm if you leave Heathrow at 230pm..

Don't really think I want to be up to leave at 1025am but then again don't want to get home at 10 pm or 1130pm

We already booked the flight in-bound on points and will book the return on points too!

At Dover we are staying the 4th and 5th at Dover's Restover B & B before the cruise

Think we can book a return home on August 25 or 26...so just waiting....

 

[OurDogCisco]

Looked at American Airlines today and can't book the 18th yet...looks like we have 2 options to leave Heathrow. There is a flight to Dallas at 1025 am or 230 pm...that is it! Then we fly into SAC and those flights are 425pm for the 1025 flight, then either 825 or 945pm if you leave Heathrow at 230pm..

Don't really think I want to be up to leave at 1025am but then again don't want to get home at 10 pm or 1130pm

We already booked the flight in-bound on points and will book the return on points too!

At Dover we are staying the 4th and 5th at Dover's Restover B & B before the cruise

Think we can book a return home on August 25 or 26...so just waiting....

WooHoo, I GOT IT!!!!

If you heard any screaming around 1:45 AM West coast time, it was FROM Me..... I can't believe my luck and I LOVE United Airlines....

I did change my airport to SFO though. I decided a direct flight would be good. So, we are flying direct from SFO to LHR. No layover, no chance of loss luggage. I'm soooooo happy.

I was ready at midnight tonight to book my flight on points. I log in and when July 18th became available I tried to book the flight but I kept getting an error message. It wasn't working. So, I called. I got somebody who told me that the flights don't open until tomorrow night at midnight but I knew he was dead wrong. So, I hung up. I waited. I started second guessing myself. So, then, I tried SMF to LHR and I got the same error message. So, then, I turned the TV on and then, I decided I'll call one more time. I am SO Happy I did. I called and the rep said that those flights were AVAILABLE. But I still couldn't book online. So, she convinced me to pay the $25 fee to book on the phone (I know, I'm getting taken). But I agree.... and THANK GOODNESS I did. Not only was she able to book the flights but she was also able to book the cash flights and get our seat assignments. She even said that I could pay cash for the children's tickets. They were $200 cheaper than adult tickets. I'm sooooo happy. I know... I said that I wouldn't fly out of SFO but I couldn't pass this bargain up. To fly out of SMF would have cost more and I would have had layovers. Now, with my luck the flight prices will go down. But I'm happy we are GOING... It seems more final now that we have our flights in hand. Now, I hope the 2:10 pm departure time is late enough for the cruise. Now, on to find the transportation to and from the port.

If you read this saga bless you!!

 

[denise]

That is WONDERFUL!!!!! I think I did hear you.... since we are just up the road from you.....

I paid the fee to book with miles early too!!!. I had enough for us 3 for the outbound.....now have to wait a few days to do the inbound.
We are still flying out of SAC though. Especially after the MED flight problems. I never looked to see if there was a direct flight from SFO to Paris...doesn't matter now.

Seems like it is a real trip now, right!!!!!.....good for you

 

[goingsouth]

congrats! We still can't book our return flight until Sunday. I'm only worried because we need 3 seats. They limit the amount of award tickets on each flight.

Joanne

 

[gandyfamily]

We booked our airline tix this morning -- leaving for London on July 2 and coming home debarkation day. Direct flights both ways -- hooray! I booked 2 of us using miles and paid for the other two.

Our flight home is at 1:30 from LHR. I know Disney said the earliest flight departure on debarkation day is 1pm -- so we'll be cutting it close but will hopefully not run into any issues!

I am very excited!! It all seems real now!

 

[gandyfamily]

I am fretting a little about Baltic excursions. After reading a lot of posts about cruise excursions, it sounds like a lot of excursions book up very fast, often during the concierge/Castaway Club booking windows. As a first time cruiser, I am especially concerned since we won't be able to book excursions early.

That being said, since it's Europe, I am assuming that there will be plenty of excursion slots open for all cruisers, especially for places like St. Petersburg?

I was wondering if any of you did the Mediterranean Cruise back in 2007 and have any excursion stories to share?

Many thanks from a chronic worrier!!

 

[OurDogCisco]

I am fretting a little about Baltic excursions. After reading a lot of posts about cruise excursions, it sounds like a lot of excursions book up very fast, often during the concierge/Castaway Club booking windows. As a first time cruiser, I am especially concerned since we won't be able to book excursions early.

That being said, since it's Europe, I am assuming that there will be plenty of excursion slots open for all cruisers, especially for places like St. Petersburg?

I was wondering if any of you did the Mediterranean Cruise back in 2007 and have any excursion stories to share?

Many thanks from a chronic worrier!!

I was on a Mediterranean Cruise but I was at the Concierge level so I got everything I wanted and then, some. So, I doubt I'll be much of a help.

I do remember people not getting what they wanted but I'm not sure what they ended up doing. There are many private tour companies out there that you should probably research including St. Peterburg. Have you checked out cruise critic. I find their info very valuable.

We did a mixture of private tours, on our own & DCL tours. I know, some of the popular Disney tours booked quickly that even some Castaway Cay members did not get like the Climbing the lean tower of Pisa but it had very few slots. Another tour that was very popular was the Private tour of the Sistene chapel. I know that was definitely shut out to first time cruisers. It all really depends on who is booking and how many spots they have left.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Okay... I got my 1st car quote. 410 pounds which is about $675 US dollars. YIKES. This is for 3 legs though Airport to Hotel, Hotel to Port, then, Port to Airport. Anybody else have any other quotes for car transfers.

 

[Fivepin]

Okay... I got my 1st car quote. 410 pounds which is about $675 US dollars. YIKES. This is for 3 legs though Airport to Hotel, Hotel to Port, then, Port to Airport. Anybody else have any other quotes for car transfers.

Yes-I can relate. I got 3 quotes back. They ranged from 150-165 pounds each way (to and from Dover) around 40-60 pounds from Heathrow to Chancery. Hence, we are planning on doing the rail now. The only downside is handling the luggage. Southeastern rail was 76.20 pounds for all 3 of us and would take 1 hr 40 mins, multiple time schedules available. I know it's a short trip from the station to hotel in Dover. If you get a better price out there please let me know.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Yes-I can relate. I got 3 quotes back. They ranged from 150-165 pounds each way (to and from Dover) around 40-60 pounds from Heathrow to Chancery. Hence, we are planning on doing the rail now. The only downside is handling the luggage. Southeastern rail was 76.20 pounds for all 3 of us and would take 1 hr 40 mins, multiple time schedules available. I know it's a short trip from the station to hotel in Dover. If you get a better price out there please let me know.

I'd love to do the train but I'd really have to scale back on luggage. I want to take one roll on as my carryon and then, have a regular suitcase checked. I can't imagine trying to juggle my luggage and then, trying to keep an eye on my kids. I don't know if this would work for us. I'm thinking about biting the bullet and taking the cheapest offer I get. Also, I would be nervous about taking the train on my departure day when our flight homes leaves the same day. I like the security of knowing that a private driver will get us there. I wonder how much traffic there is in London on Sundays? I didn't think the price was more wild than the price to do something similar in Florida.

 

[Fivepin]

I'd love to do the train but I'd really have to scale back on luggage. I want to take one roll on as my carryon and then, have a regular suitcase checked. I can't imagine trying to juggle my luggage and then, trying to keep an eye on my kids. I don't know if this would work for us. I'm thinking about biting the bullet and taking the cheapest offer I get. Also, I would be nervous about taking the train on my departure day when our flight homes leaves the same day. I like the security of knowing that a private driver will get us there. I wonder how much traffic there is in London on Sundays? I didn't think the price was more wild than the price to do something similar in Florida.

I agree with you about taking the train on departure day. We are doing a post night stay. I'll go thru my inbox and forward you the place I got quotes from. I don't know how traffic is on Sundays in London. I have just heard weekends in general are busy. I have been in Miami rush hour traffic and it's horrible. My job was 8 miles from the house and on a bad day would take over an hour to get there if I didn't make the window. People complain about the traffic here in St. Pete. They obviously never been to Miami. I think it's great here.

Maybe the exchange rate will be better next year. I'm thinking about biting the bullet and booking our air as soon as I can. I think I can on Monday. I have to double check. People are telling me to wait and prices will go down. There is only one flight directly to Miami (several from Miami to Tampa), so I don't think I'm going to take the chance. I have to make sure I'm back on the 19th, because the morning of the 21st I'm going with my mom and 3 boys to Taiwan to see my grandmother for a month before school starts.

 

[Fivepin]

I am fretting a little about Baltic excursions. After reading a lot of posts about cruise excursions, it sounds like a lot of excursions book up very fast, often during the concierge/Castaway Club booking windows. As a first time cruiser, I am especially concerned since we won't be able to book excursions early.

That being said, since it's Europe, I am assuming that there will be plenty of excursion slots open for all cruisers, especially for places like St. Petersburg?

I was wondering if any of you did the Mediterranean Cruise back in 2007 and have any excursion stories to share?

Many thanks from a chronic worrier!!

I did the Med in 2007. I was a Castaway member. I had gotten everything we wanted to do. I did all my excursions then with DCL. I had some great experiences and some not so great. I believe it depends on the tour guide you get. On that cruise, that is was made our excursions great for us.

I'm thinking about doing an independent one in St. Petersburg, don't know about the others, but I still have to do more research. We are lucky on this cruise because we are going without our kids. Nice celebration for my DH and I. They have been on plenty of Disney cruises. We are doing our family one in November.

BTW I am also a worrier. My DH thinks I'm nuts. Oh well, at least we have our hotels booked so far.

 

[tinkerbell_29]

I am fretting a little about Baltic excursions. After reading a lot of posts about cruise excursions, it sounds like a lot of excursions book up very fast, often during the concierge/Castaway Club booking windows. As a first time cruiser, I am especially concerned since we won't be able to book excursions early.

That being said, since it's Europe, I am assuming that there will be plenty of excursion slots open for all cruisers, especially for places like St. Petersburg?

I was wondering if any of you did the Mediterranean Cruise back in 2007 and have any excursion stories to share?

Many thanks from a chronic worrier!!

We did the Med cruise as first time cruisers and for excursions we eventually got everything we wanted. For some of them we had to wait until we got closer to the cruise but it did eventually come open. What gave me nightmares though was that right at booking time their computer system crashed and we were unable to book anything until 3pm the next day. I hope they have those issues fixed though so as long as you are on right as booking opens for you there may not be any problems.

Lissa

 

[goingsouth]

We were first time Disney cruisers in 2007 also. I can honestly say we were able to book exactly what we wanted. We did a mix of Disney excursions and on our own.

For the Baltic cruise, I may end up not booking many shore excursions thru Disney. We'll more than likely go with Anastasia in Russia. Many of the ports are close enough to walk or take the bus. It will really depend on pricing!


joanne

 

[denise]

We got our excursions for the MED too except the Ferrari test drive...sold out...which of course was fine with me....

Found an online bookstore that has tons of new and used books. Found it through American Airlines and so I got miles for my purchase. I ordered a few travel books for the trip! Each was used and only $1.99!!! Instead of $25 and up at the bookstore. Also got my DD textbooks for college. Saved a ton. Got her science book for $113 instead of $180, and it is brand new! It was so much cheaper then eBay......And we get miles....
It is called Alibris but get to it through American Airlines web site to get your 3 miles for every dollar....maybe other airlines have it too?

 

[Pappy]

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-car-hire

if you are thinking about car hire in the uk, this site is used by lots of us in the uk to give advice and sites for the dbest deals.


Liz and I are still coming so see you soon, ( well next year anyway)

 

[nzdisneymom]

We did all our Med excursions through DCL as Castaway Club members. The thing that helped us with booking was to have saved the ones we wanted in our Wish List - that made selecting them easier. And being up at 2:50 a.m. for that 3 a.m. booking window to open! One thing we noticed was that DCL does save back slots for the 75-day window, and they added on extra times for a few excursions. Like the afternoon Pisa tour we were able to do which turned out to be one of our best excursions. We had booked the morning because that was what was available, but then I checked later on and found they had added an afternoon one.

Also people were able to get some excursions booked once on board as people changed their plans. I think what happens is that a lot of people go ahead and book through DCL to be sure to get something, and then if they end up working out something on their own as time draws nearer, then they cancel the DCL ones to do their own.



I haven't been on in quite a few days and I see that we may have some new cruisers to the group -- if I haven't added you to the list of cruisers in the first post of this thread, please PM me (or post here) so I can add you. School starts Monday so I am trying to catch up on a lot of things today and this is on my list

 

[sshaw10060]

We're planning to mostly tour on our own. We have friends in Copenhagen and Oslo we are counting on to take us to see the sites. In Germany we are thinking we will not make the trip to Berlin, but rather hang out locally.

For St Petersburg, we will definitely book a private tour. If anyone might be interested in putting together a small group for a private tour let me know. It seems if we can get 8-10 people we can have a small enough group to get a lot done, but save some money.

 

[Fivepin]

We did all our Med excursions through DCL as Castaway Club members. The thing that helped us with booking was to have saved the ones we wanted in our Wish List - that made selecting them easier. And being up at 2:50 a.m. for that 3 a.m. booking window to open! One thing we noticed was that DCL does save back slots for the 75-day window, and they added on extra times for a few excursions. Like the afternoon Pisa tour we were able to do which turned out to be one of our best excursions. We had booked the morning because that was what was available, but then I checked later on and found they had added an afternoon one.

Also people were able to get some excursions booked once on board as people changed their plans. I think what happens is that a lot of people go ahead and book through DCL to be sure to get something, and then if they end up working out something on their own as time draws nearer, then they cancel the DCL ones to do their own.



I haven't been on in quite a few days and I see that we may have some new cruisers to the group -- if I haven't added you to the list of cruisers in the first post of this thread, please PM me (or post here) so I can add you. School starts Monday so I am trying to catch up on a lot of things today and this is on my list

I pm'd you

We're planning to mostly tour on our own. We have friends in Copenhagen and Oslo we are counting on to take us to see the sites. In Germany we are thinking we will not make the trip to Berlin, but rather hang out locally.

For St Petersburg, we will definitely book a private tour. If anyone might be interested in putting together a small group for a private tour let me know. It seems if we can get 8-10 people we can have a small enough group to get a lot done, but save some money.

We are wanting to St. Petersburg on our own. The are 3 of us(all adults). I don't think we're going to make it into Berlin either. My DH wants to, but I don't want to feel rushed. I have only pulled up one company right now for St. Petersburg for now, and in process of trying to read some reviews on them.