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

[APinCA]

We hve four excursions booked in St. Petersburg. Two Morning - two night

• Introduction to Saint Petersburg -which makes a 20 minute stop at the Cathedral of the Spilled Blood
• The Royal Ball in Catherine's Palace
• Peterhof and Hermitage
• Evening Canal Boat Tour

I'm talking to a private tour company about the same itinerary ... interested to see the difference in pricing.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,
How did you get two excursions in one day? I tried to do the shopping and Ball and it said one or the other - conflicting times. The times shown for the St. Pete Intro and Shopping were the same. I want to SHOP!!!

 

[APinCA]

I still can't get anything to book!!!! Any suggestions? I've logged out, rebooted, cleared cookies, etc.

Here's what I get:
Sorry there's been an error.

Sorry for any inconvenience, but we're having a problem with our reservation system that will prevent you from booking your vacation package or retrieving your reservation right now. Please call your travel agent or (800) 951-3532 weekdays 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. ET or weekends 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET and our agents will gladly assist you. (-45009)
Error
Return to My Cruise Plans

And it's way past my bedtime!

Keep trying. I was kicked out twice but got back in. Good luck!!!

 

[slg]

I was able to book 2 excursions: Berlin and then Drottningholm, but halfway through my St. P excursion an error came up and it said to try back in 20 minutes. I waited about 15 and tried again, and it said, come back in 20 minutes. Does that mean 20 minutes from the first time? Or the second time? Ugh.

This is so stressful. I want to try again, but I don't want to get locked out. Any suggestions?

 

[goingsouth]

I did get the error message a couple of times, but I saved everything I added each time, so I didn't lose anything.
Finally was able to keep adding items s-l-o-w-l-y.. Disney really needs to update their system!
In the end, booked Palo dinner for my B-day on the 15th.
Booked Helsinki Porvoo steam train
Tivoli all inclusive, Viking Heritage and, um Stockholm royal (something like that...sorry..brain wants to sleep)
Also booked a few spa appointments..

all in all, better than I expected..

Best of luck for those still trying!

nite friends,
joanne

 

[nzdisneymom]

I can't get anything to save. I just sent a msg to our TA with what we want and told her I'm going to bed - she's in a different time zone than us so maybe she'll have better luck. The thing that concerns me is that it still says April 7th for our online check in forms - they aren't "active" yet. It also says I have one saved-activity but doesn't show what it is- I wonder if that's for the Palo brunch? I hope that's not hangin' up my reservation.

 

[brandysmommy]

I got every error message you are all getting at some point in time but did keep refreshing and eventually just got in. Was able to book Palo dinner (brunch was not available), Tivoli, Berlin on your own, and lots of spa appointments on sea days - somewhat limited on time availability but was able to get them during the day. Good Luck!

 

[2littlestitches]

Hi guys....I haven't posted in awhile, but our group of 10 is still on this cruise and just finished booking excursions. The only thing I was not able to book that I wanted was the Night at the Ballet and it was because it conflicted with our Catherine's Palace and Hermitage tour during the day.

We got the error message multiple times, but just kept trying until we got what we wanted.

Our picks (now booked and confirmed) were Viking Heritage in Oslo, Tivoli Gardens & Harbour tour in Copenhagen, Walking Tour of St. Pete's then Evening boat tour for day 1, Catherine's Palace/Hermitage tour and Russian Forklore show for Day 2, Sights and Sounds of Berlin, Porvoo & Helsinki highlights, and Historical Stockholm & Sigtuna with lunch.

We also got Palo dinner ressies, but no brunches were available.

Next Disney cruise, I will have Gold status, so I hope the reservations get easier then.

Overall, I did get just about everything. Except that the ballet was a conflict with my day tour.

Good luck to everyone on getting your desired reservations!

 

[babybear42]

Hi guys....I haven't posted in awhile, but our group of 10 is still on this cruise and just finished booking excursions. The only thing I was not able to book that I wanted was the Night at the Ballet and it was because it conflicted with our Catherine's Palace and Hermitage tour during the day.

We got the error message multiple times, but just kept trying until we got what we wanted.

Our picks (now booked and confirmed) were Viking Heritage in Oslo, Tivoli Gardens & Harbour tour in Copenhagen, Walking Tour of St. Pete's then Evening boat tour for day 1, Catherine's Palace/Hermitage tour and Russian Forklore show for Day 2, Sights and Sounds of Berlin, Porvoo & Helsinki highlights, and Historical Stockholm & Sigtuna with lunch.

We also got Palo dinner ressies, but no brunches were available.

Next Disney cruise, I will have Gold status, so I hope the reservations get easier then.

Overall, I did get just about everything. Except that the ballet was a conflict with my day tour.

Good luck to everyone on getting your desired reservations!

Hi.
I got the same message twice and then on the third attempt it said that my session had timed out and to start again, but when I did that it told me that I had conflicting excursions and when I checked they were all there, so I just confirmed everything. (Had to get up at 5.00am UK time, midnight EST)
I got all our first choices without a problem and here's our list :-

Oslo - Oslo Highlights
Copenhagen - Charming Copenhagen - Walk and Cruise
Warnemunde - Berlin On Your Own
St Petersburg - Peterhof Parks and Fountains (Day One)
- Walking Tour Of St Petersburg (Day Two)
- Evening Canal Boat Tour (Day Two)
Helsinki - Helsinki From Land And Sea
Stockholm - City Hall, Royal Palace and Old Town
(Notice the boat theme running through our excursions, we love boats)

Couldn't book Palo brunch when I went on or fill out the forms that are required. Still at least the excursions are booked, that's the main thing. I might have to have an afternoon nap to catch up on my sleep or drink lots of coffee.

 

[babybear42]

I still can't get anything to book!!!! Any suggestions? I've logged out, rebooted, cleared cookies, etc.

Here's what I get:
Sorry there's been an error.

Sorry for any inconvenience, but we're having a problem with our reservation system that will prevent you from booking your vacation package or retrieving your reservation right now. Please call your travel agent or (800) 951-3532 weekdays 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. ET or weekends 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET and our agents will gladly assist you. (-45009)
Error
Return to My Cruise Plans

And it's way past my bedtime!

Keep trying, I got same message twice and then session times out, but everything was there, so just had to hit confirm.

 

[babybear42]

We have a very similar itinerary. We are arriving the 1st and spending a few days visiting friends. Then we are heading to Windsor and Stonehenge the 4th. We are planning to spend the night in Portsmoth. There is a Barbour factory outlet there. DW is a huge Barbour fan and we are not allowed to set foot on British soil without a trip to the outlet. The next day we are heading to Dover and are stayng at the Premier Inn Ferry Terminal.

We're staying at the same hotel in Dover, see you there.

 

[babybear42]

I believe it is the same!!!!!

Dover (Eastern Ferry Terminal)
Marine Court
Marine Parade
Dover
Kent
England
CT16 1LW




awesome...great minds think alike.



Yes that's the one, see you there. Looks like there could be a few of us staying there that night.

 

[babybear42]

I can't get anything to save. I just sent a msg to our TA with what we want and told her I'm going to bed - she's in a different time zone than us so maybe she'll have better luck. The thing that concerns me is that it still says April 7th for our online check in forms - they aren't "active" yet. It also says I have one saved-activity but doesn't show what it is- I wonder if that's for the Palo brunch? I hope that's not hangin' up my reservation.

All forms are now active as I've just filled all mine in (9.46am UK). Still can't book Palo brunch though but have got us in for a dinner. Will keep trying on the brunch front.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Still no luck! I can see the forms being active, but when I filled out the first one for me (where you put in passport info - they have it - and added our post cruise plans), I got an error msg saying that

Sorry, there's been an error. Please correct the information below to proceed.


There are no longer cruises available based on your party size. (E1512040)

Argh! Still not able to get the excursions either - same error msg as last night no matter how many times I try. Hopefully our TA will be able to book our excursions for us. All of them are still showing up as available - I see only two of the whole list that have the "sorry, all full" msg.

I just want it done! I will try again later today for the online forms, too - when I saw they were available this morning, I was hopeful for getting the excursions booked. I just have a busy day today and won't be able to get online til late this afternoon.

 

[babybear42]

Still no luck! I can see the forms being active, but when I filled out the first one for me (where you put in passport info - they have it - and added our post cruise plans), I got an error msg saying that



Argh! Still not able to get the excursions either - same error msg as last night no matter how many times I try. Hopefully our TA will be able to book our excursions for us. All of them are still showing up as available - I see only two of the whole list that have the "sorry, all full" msg.

I just want it done! I will try again later today for the online forms, too - when I saw they were available this morning, I was hopeful for getting the excursions booked. I just have a busy day today and won't be able to get online til late this afternoon.

I got a strange message when I went in to book Palo, but all it did was take me back to entering my reservation number again, once I'd done that everything was fine. Hope you get things sorted.

 

[aurorafan65]

I totally bagged last night - I was so tired, I'm sorry you guys had so many problems.

I'm trying to set up stuff now before going to work.

So far I have a Walking Tour in Helsinki

I have 3 choices for Oslo & 2 for Stockholm - it looks like they are available we'll see what happens

 

[wintergreen]

A bit peeved that the St. Petersburg tours are set such that too many day and evening tours "overlap" (even thought they don't, really). We want to do the Ball on the first evening, but there is no half-day afternoon trip that will work with that. Also wanted to do night of Russian ballet the second day after Peterhof and Hermitage. No go on that one either. Now I'm wondering if we can get a private tour company to do a very short walking tour for us on the day we arrive, although maybe that really won't work if the pier is far from the city. Anyone else in the same boat?

 

[tfc3rid]

Had no issues booking the excusions we wanted...

Sad to see that there are no Palo reservations for a party of 4 available at all anymore as well as no Brunch...

I guess I'll be booking onboard and hoping...

 

[sshaw10060]

A bit peeved that the St. Petersburg tours are set such that too many day and evening tours "overlap" (even thought they don't, really). We want to do the Ball on the first evening, but there is no half-day afternoon trip that will work with that. Also wanted to do night of Russian ballet the second day after Peterhof and Hermitage. No go on that one either. Now I'm wondering if we can get a private tour company to do a very short walking tour for us on the day we arrive, although maybe that really won't work if the pier is far from the city. Anyone else in the same boat?

The private companies are very flexible. I would consider a short 1/2 tour the first day so you can be back in time for the Ball then use the same company for your touring the next day. That way you can do what you want when you want and I think you'll find the costs comparable. Several of us are using Denrus and they have been excellent to work with.

I find it interesting everyone had so many problems last night. I was able to get all my reservations in less than 15 minutes without incident.

 

[2littlestitches]

A bit peeved that the St. Petersburg tours are set such that too many day and evening tours "overlap" (even thought they don't, really). We want to do the Ball on the first evening, but there is no half-day afternoon trip that will work with that. Also wanted to do night of Russian ballet the second day after Peterhof and Hermitage. No go on that one either. Now I'm wondering if we can get a private tour company to do a very short walking tour for us on the day we arrive, although maybe that really won't work if the pier is far from the city. Anyone else in the same boat?

I agree!!! We wanted to do the ballet the 2nd night but it clashes with our day tour by only 15 minutes (1:45 instead of 2:00). We settled on the Russian Forkloric show but still not sure if that was the right decision.

 

[goingsouth]

I went to bed at 1:00am after making reservations. Of course I woke up early (thank you, dog) and have already made some changes.
I decided against Tivoli thru DCL. It doesn't really give you much of an edge as far as rides are concerned. It provides a tour of the park and a lunch, neither of which seem like a great use of our brief time.

So, we are taking the charming copenhagen tour instead and plan to go directly from the end of that tour to tivoli.

Also booked the Ice Bar in Stockhom online today (yep, we're cool). They have a noon time slot and allow kids. The reviews (from families) were mostly positive.

None of the DCL options for Berlin or St Petersburg were as appealing as what we've already booked directly ( Denrus and Original Berlin Walks)

I would love a nap right now...


Joanne