June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[jmcdonnell04]

Hope everyone is staying cool this summer and enjoying their time with their families. Trying to squeeze in a side vacation to Paris seemed like a good idea while we are in Europe for the first time to visit the city and Disneyland Paris. Now I can't book a DP hotel until 6 months before arrival was what DVC told me today and not at 11 months as in the membership guide. Having to book airfare before then and deciding on either flying one-way with additional hotel night or taking the overnight train from Paris to Barcelona is stressing me out. We were going to Paris after the cruise but now thinking about going before for jet-lag purposes. Too many choices and not enough information available is cramping my obsessive compulsive planning disorder. I even proposed cancelling the cruise and taking a Tauck tour of Italy instead but that only lasted a week. The cruise is expensive but not having to move rooms and all the meals makes it a value vacation . Thanks for letting me vent!

 

[taysmom]

As people book their airfare, can you post what airline/dates/stopovers...it would be very helpful for those of us who are not airline saavy. Thank you thank you thank thank you.
Stephanie

 

[PURTYPAT1]

We were on the Turkey Day 04--Good times, great group.

We tentatively booked our airfare today, turns out to be a tad more than Disney's, but we control what times we fly, etc.

Wow, this trip just might work out!

Count us in. We are officially booked. Any other 12 or 13 year girls going June 16th?

We have 3 Disney World trips before, the Medheads trip. Yikes.

Siver7 how did you book your air so early? I thought you have to wait 330 days before you can book?

This Nov. will mark my 3rd Disney Cruise, but my first Turkey Day. I am so excited. I am off to the library LOL

 

[silver7]

Hey all

I had air through WDTC from pretty much the beginning, but am dropping that so I can pick the times I am leaving and what not.

Last Tuesday was the date would could book on Continental.

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Carol,

Sorry not to have come back to you before. Out of the three hotels you have mentioned would go for the Metropole as the other areas are not particularly good.

Depends on what you want to see. The Tower is worth a visit and the other side of the Thames there is the London Dungeons - bit creepy I believe but children enjoy it. I see that Hilton have a hotel at Tower Bridge but do not know if that has suitable accommodation - having problems with my mouse tonight it will not do what I want so could not look. Hyde Park and Trafalgar square are very central. You can walk from Tower Bridge up the Thames to Westminster past St. Pauls and if you are energetic can walk to Buckingham Palace. Buses and tubes are also very plentiful but sometimes you just need to walk otherwise you miss a lot. It is also worth taking a walk down Whitehall (near Westminster Abbey) and through horseguards parade.

Unfortunately Buckingham Palace is not open until late July or August but believe the Royal Mews may be where the horses and carriages are kept. Will have a look on their site and find out.

Hope this is a bit of help but if you think of anything specific let me know and I will do a bit of investigating. Have books and friends who know London very well and can help me out. Always get lost on the underground myself.

 

[carolmb]

Thanks Brenda,
I did end up booking at the Metropole. It also has an indoor pool. My DH will be bumed that Buckingham Place will not be open yet. I wanted to take the kids to see Leeds Castle and Greenwich but DH vetoed that plan. He said that there is plenty to see and do in London without getting on a bus and touring the countryside. I have been looking at the airfare. We are now thinking about using miles. Wish me luck. Those seats are hard to come by.
DS 8th birthday is on Sunday and we are going to see the musical production of the Lion King. Have a great weekend everyone.
Carol

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Carol,

Glad you got booked in think you made the right choice. Buck House does not open until late July but the Royal Mews are open all year and may interest you all. they contain all of the state coaches including the Gold Coach and is open every date except Friday or state visits. Buckingham Palace is beautiful inside and we are thinking of going up again this year as we visited the first year it was open to the public. Have a look at this site and it will tell you more of what is open this year and it does not change much.
For the Royal Palaces - www.royalcollection.org.uk or another good site is www.towerbridge.org. Think your son will probably enjoy the tower of London and the crown jewels are worth seeing.

We live not far from Leeds Cstle and it is beautiful but when you have limited time you are better to stay in one place we always find. Greenwich is quite easy to get to with the Cutty Sark and Naval Museum and you can do that by boat from Tower Bridge area. Boats also run up river to Wesminster which is a better way than normal transport. The London Eye is a great trip and you can see right over Buckingham Palace I am told. We have only done it at night which was quite spectacular - still have to go back and do it in daylight.

Dont know how long you are going to be in London but think you will find plenty to do.

If I can help with any more information please let me know and I will be pleased to help.

 

[carolmb]

Thanks again, Brenda. Those are some excellent ideas. I think I may be able to talk DH into Greenwich if it is part of the river cruise.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Hi All,

I was looking at one way airfare from JFK on June 14th & came up with the following:


Average Fare Per Person - 389.00 USD
10 hr
50 min
-----------------------------
AER LINGUS
104 JFK
New York 06/14/2007 06:00 PM DUB
Dublin 06/15/2007 05:30 AM 330 Economy
N/A

AER LINGUS
562 DUB
Dublin 06/15/2007 07:30 AM BCN
Barcelona 06/15/2007 10:50 AM 321 Economy
N/A
Alert: Overnight flight.

-------------------------------------
Has anyone heard of this Aer lingus? I this $389.00 for a one way fare is great.

Any feedback?

Patricia




Top of Page

 

[Skallywag]

Hi everyone,

Aer Lingus is a well established airline and I know many people that have used it to fly between uk and Ireland. It is an Irish airline and has a good reputation.

Carol, glad I could be of some assistance, believe the docklands light railway also travels down as far as Greenwich will double check that.

If you are travelling with young children Virgin offer some of the best services for them I think, know from travelling out to your country with our little grand-children. As long as you steer well clear of Air France you will be fine I think with transatlantic, they really are the worst airline we have ever used and would never use them again. We flew to St. Maarten a few years ago and they would not even give my little grandson a glass of orange - it was tea or coffee of nothing. Have heard they have not not improved yet.

Believe you can use Delta miles on Virgin but they may have changed that again they seem to change partners quite a lot these airlines and it may be continental again.

We are all planned out I think apart from transport in Barcelona which I am looking at but seems a bit early for them yet.

Have a good weekend everyone - from a hot, dusty part of kent which has not had the storms the rest have had and my garden desparately needs rain.

 

[DVC4US]

Good Morning/Afternoon Everyone!

I've been really busy lately trying to get ready for our 3 week vacation which we leave for on Sunday. I haven't been able to finish our travel plans for the Med cruise because we are extending a few days after the cruise so I have to wait a couple more days. I do have reward tickets for the outbound flight on hold with Continental but I am not sure if that is who we are going to fly. Delta is just about the same price and I like their flights better, so I need to call and talk to them.

I think we are going to fly to London on the 9th of June, then fly to Barcelona on the 13th, fly to Paris on the 27th, and then fly home from Paris on the 1st or 2nd. Of course this could all change again before I book the tickets. So who knows.

Hope everyone has a great Friday!

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Hi All,

I have been reading & rereading all of these threads. I think I might have the nerve, instead of flying back to NYC, after the cruise, to take a detour & spend one over night in London. I have always wanted to go to London. My fathers family are from Scottland.

What I will actually do, is to fly out of NYC to London, & then get my luggage & fly to BCN. After the cruise go to London & leave either on the 28th late flight or the 29th back to NYC.

Brenda, I have two questions,if you don't mind, do you know of any in expensive hotels that are within London airport, that I would be able to take a shuttle from the airport? Also, do you know of any tours guides, with a car, or bus, that could take us around London for the day? Any information would be great.

You see, I am a great planner within USA, but I am a bit scared once I leave the states.

By the way, did you get rain yet? How is your garden? It is quite hot here in NYC. We are lucky we have power. Lot's are without powder.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Patricia

 

[jmcdonnell04]

Tonight at Midnight, I will be hopefully completing our Delta ticketing. We are trying to use our Skymiles so we had to transfer and purchase a few more miles so we get 4 out of 5 tickets for $ 460.00. I put the outgoing legs on hold and then we can get our return flights tonight. Still amazing how the ideal flights are not available for Skymile redemption at one year out.

We now have decided to go to Paris before the cruise so we will be arriving in Paris on Wednesday, June 13th and then flying from Paris to Barcelona at 10 AM Saturday morning. Now we just have to hope to get a room at DLP thru DVC.

I will let everyone know the cost of the ticket we do need to buy and the return itinerary.

Does anyone know if a 12:25 pm flight from Barcelona once we get off the Magic on Wednesday morning is cutting it too close?

 

[Skallywag]

Does anyone know if a 12:25 pm flight from Barcelona once we get off the Magic on Wednesday morning is cutting it too close?[/QUOTE]


We are booked on the 13.05 from Barcelona to Gatwick - it is only about 30 minutes from the dock to the airport. Booking in for transatlantic is still 2 hours I think now so you will have plenty of time.

Patricia, Assume you will be flying into Gatwick? the airport hotels with shuttle are much cheaper there than Heathrow. We use them all the time rather than drive to the airport on the day of the flight. As you will not need a hotel with car parking also there are some good bargains. Will have a look at the sites we use and see what is coming up.

Would you be getting the train from Gatwick to London for sightseeing I assume so and it is so easy leaving direct from South terminal and you get into Victoria in 30 minutes.

There are hotels like the Hilton or Sofitel which link directly to the airport walkway so no need for shuttle but of course they tend to be more expensive

Will have a search round and come back to you also about sightseeing tours.
They do the open top bus tours, never done one myself but have seen them and will let you know.

No rain as yet, just promises for our little part of England everything is so dry and leaves are already falling from the trees like autumn. July produced the hottest weather since records began in this country and that goes back a long long time.
Have been on to the spanish tourist board and ordered some literature and map for Barcelona so can then hopefully answer any questions.

Still have the Italian pack to look through - perhaps I should bring it all with me on the boat
Brenda

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Patricia,

Hope this works - testing.

Arora International Price includes return transfers 4 £62.70
£80.75
£106.40
BOOK

Arora International****

This is a high quality hotel, which is situated in the heart of Crawley town centre with excellent links to Gatwick Airport.
Room Only with 8 days Parking with 15 days Parking
Double £62.70
£80.75
£106.40

Twin £62.70
£80.75
£106.40


Parking packages include 8 or 15 days parking on-site at the hotel.
Return transfers operate from 04:45 to 21:40 on a scheduled service by courtesy bus. Transfers should be pre booked with the hotel.



Copthorne Gatwick Exclusive dinner offer 4 £91.20
£110.20
£128.25
BOOK

Copthorne Gatwick****

The hotel is ideally located just a short hop to Gatwick Airport, with a charming setting providing friendly and efficent service.
Room Only with 8 days Parking with 15 days Parking
Double £91.20
£110.20
£128.25

Twin £91.20
£110.20
£128.25


Parking packages include 8 or 15 days parking on-site at the hotel.
Transfers to and from the airport are charged at £2.50 per adult each way and £8.20 for a family of four (children must be under 12).
EXCLUSIVE BREAKFAST OFFER: full breakfast price is £15.75 however all Holiday Extras guests can purchase a voucher from reception for a special price of £10.00 per person. EXCLUSIVE DINNER OFFER: 50% discount for children under 12 dinning with adults in the Brasserie Restaurant EXCLUSIVE DINNER OFFER:Adults can take a 3 course meal in the brasserie restaurant at the exclusive price of 22.50 per person (normally 25.00 person).



Effingham Park Gatwick Exclusive golf offer 4 £78.85
£97.85
£116.85
BOOK

Effingham Park Gatwick****

The Copthorne Effingham Park is a modern hotel built around an historic country house in 40 acres of parkland.
Room Only with 8 days Parking with 15 days Parking
Double £78.85
£97.85
£116.85

Twin £78.85
£97.85
£116.85


Parking packages include 8 or 15 days parking on-site at the hotel. Each extra day of parking taken outside of your package is charged at just £5.00.
Transfers run from 05:10 to 22:25 every 45 minutes. Transfers to and from the airport are charged at £2.50 per adult each way and £8.20 for a family of four (children must be under 12).
EXLCUSIVE BREAKFAST OFFER: full breakfsat price is £15.75 however all Hoilday Extras guests can purchase a voucher from reception for a special price of just £10.00 per person. EXCLUSIVE OFFER: 9 hole golf course - £7.50 to Holiday Extras customers (normal price £9).



Sofitel London Gatwick Direct link to North Terminal 4 £96.90
-
-
BOOK

Sofitel London Gatwick****

Sofitel London Gatwick is an elegant hotel, directly linked to Gatwick's North Terminal
Room Only with 8 days Parking with 15 days Parking
Double £96.90
N/A
N/A

Twin £96.90
N/A
N/A


Parking packages include 8 or 15 days parking at Gatwick Airport Flightpath Car Park.
This hotel is connected to the North Terminal by a covered walkway.



Sofitel - Personal Parking NEW!! - meet and greet package 4 -
£139.65
£164.35
BOOK

Sofitel - Personal Parking****

Stay at a 4 star hotel on the Airport and have your car delivered to the airport terminal on your return.
Room Only with 8 days Parking with 15 days Parking
Double N/A
£139.65
£164.35

Twin N/A
£139.65
£164.35


This package includes 8 or 15 days parking. On return from your holiday your car will be delivered to the airport terminal.
This hotel is connected to the North Terminal by a covered walkway.



The Clarion Hotel Room Only 4 £90.25
-
-
BOOK

The Clarion Hotel****

The Clarion is exceptionally well-placed for the airport, making it the perfect stopover before or after your flight.
Room Only with 8 days Parking with 15 days Parking
Double £90.25
N/A
N/A

Twin £90.25
N/A
N/A


Transfers operate every 40 minutes from 03.00 to 23.00 by coach service from the hotel and both Terminals. Transfers cost £3.00 each way.
Exclusive Breakfast offer: English Breakfast is charged at the special price of £6.95 per person (normal price £11.95) voucher collected at reception. children under 12 eat FREE when eating with 2 adults.



Best Western Gatwick Moat Hse Recently refurbished 3 £56.05
-
-
BOOK

Best Western Gatwick Moat Hse***

Located just one mile from Gatwick Airport, Gatwick Moat House has just completed a full refurbishment programme transforming all of its 125 en-suite bedrooms. The hotel now has a fantastic selection of family rooms, sleeping up to seven people. All bedrooms are non-smoking, fully air conditioned, and have Sky TV and wireless internet access.
Room Only with 8 days Parking with 15 days Parking
Double £56.05
N/A
N/A

Twin £56.05
N/A
N/A


Parking packages include 8 or 15 days parking at Gatwick Airport Summer Special Car Park. Transfers between the car park and the airport operate 24 hours, at no extra charge.
EXCLUSIVE: Courtesy transfers are included from the hotel to the airport. Transfers operate half hourly from 06:15 to 23:45.. Any room only customer transferring from the airport to the hotel, will pay £2.50 direct to the transfer company.



Thistle Discounted transfers 4 £80.75
£104.50
£128.25
BOOK

Thistle****

This hotel offers guests every modern comfort whilst still retaining all the style and charm of its heritage.
Room Only with 8 days Parking with 15 days Parking
Double £80.75
£104.50
£128.25


Parking is included for either 8 or 15 days and will be parked on site at the hotel or your car is taken to a secure compound and brought back to the hotel for your return. Extra days charged at £6.00 per day
EXCLUSIVE: Transfers are offered at only £1.50 each way, or £1.00 for children under the age of 14. This is a special discounted rate for Holiday Extras customers, available from the hotel reception.



Worth Price includes return transfers 3 £54.63
£81.23
£92.63
BOOK

Worth***

This hotel is set in parkland in the heart of Sussex countryside, yet within easy reach of Gatwick Airport.
Room Only with 8 days Parking with 15 days Parking
[Double] £54.63
£81.23
£92.63

[Twin] £54.63
£81.23
£92.63


Parking packages include 8 or 15 days parking on-site at the hotel.
Transfers operate between 04:00 to 23:45 taking 10-15 minutes on a first come first serve basis. There is no charge to Holiday Extras customers (normal charge is £6.00 per person).
EXCLUSIVE BREAKFAST OFFER: Continental breakfast £6.50 per person, English breakfast £9 per person.



The Clarion Hotel On Site Parking 4 -
£123.50
£147.25
BOOK

The Clarion Hotel****

The Clarion is exceptionally well-placed for the airport, making it the perfect stopover before or after your flight.
Room Only with 8 days Parking with 15 days Parking
Double N/A
£123.50
£147.25


Parking packages include 15 days parking on-site at the hotel.
Transfers operate every 40 minutes from 03.00 to 23.00 by coach service from the hotel and both Terminals. Transfers cost £3.00 each way.
Exclusive Breakfast offer: English Breakfast is charged at the special price of £6.95 per person (normal price £11.95) voucher collected at reception. children under 12 eat FREE when eating with 2 adults.



Ramada Plaza Gatwick Exclusive dinner offer 4 £71.25
-
-
BOOK

Ramada Plaza Gatwick****

This stylish, modern hotel is just four miles from Gatwick airport.
Room Only with 8 days Parking with 15 days Parking
Double £71.25
N/A
N/A

Twin £71.25
N/A
N/A


Parking packages include 8 or 15 days parking at Gatwick Airport Summer Special Car Park. Transfers between the car park and the airport operate 24 hours, at no extra charge.
Transfers operate every 40 minutes, from 03:00 to 23:00 at charge of £3.00 per person each way. Parking customers get free transfers between the car park and the aiport.
EXCLUSIVE DINNER OFFER: 25% reduction from restaurant dinner menus for Holiday Extras customers.



George Price includes return transfers 3 £65.55
£84.55
-
BOOK

George***

This country style hotel dates back to 1615 and is steeped in character. It is conveniently located in the centre of Crawley, only four miles from Gatwick Airport, but also with easy access to good shopping and nightlife.
Room Only with 8 days Parking with 15 days Parking
Double £65.55
£84.55
N/A

Twin £65.55
£84.55
N/A


Parking is on-site for up to 8 days.
Transfers run from 0700 to 2300 by courtesy car.
Exclusive - £3 discount on breakfast for Holiday Extras customers



Gatwick Ibis Price includes return transfers 2 £54.10
-
-
BOOK

Gatwick Ibis**

Ibis Hotel Gatwick, part of Accor Hotels worldwide, offers a perfect value for money stopover
Room Only with 8 days Parking with 15 days Parking
Double £54.10
N/A
N/A


EXCLUSIVE: Return transfers are included in our price and operate on a 24 hours basis by hotel minibus.



Gatwick White House Transfers included 07:00-23:00 1 £46.55
-
-
BOOK

Gatwick White House

This is a small, guest house style hotel with a friendly atmosphere, located just minutes from Gatwick Airport.
Room Only with 8 days Parking with 15 days Parking
Double £46.55
N/A
N/A

Twin £46.55
N/A
N/A


Parking packages include 8 days parking on-site at the hotel.
Exclusive : Return transfers are included in our price and operate from 07:00 to 23:00 by hotel car.


There are other sites but prices are usually around the same. Will have a look and see what other web sites are doing.

Will try and find more information about the bus tours of london also.
Brenda

 

[Skallywag]

Sorry about the lenthy last posting.

You can view and search for airport hotels at www.holidayextras.co.uk where you can select the airport and dates and view avaiability.

www.talkingcities.co.uk/london have lots of ideas and maps for sightseeing.

Any problems please come back to me and I will do another bit of searching.

Brenda

 

[jmcdonnell04]

Thanks Brenda for the reply -- I was on the phone with Delta last night from 11:55 pm to 2 am booking our flights so we are going to be in Paris from Wednesday thru Saturday before the cruise. We have a 10 am flight from Paris to Barcelona arriving at 11:45 am so DisneyCruise can pick us up at the airport. On the return flight, we have a 12:30 pm flight from Barcelona to Paris (CDG) and then a 3:55 pm flight to Boston and then Boston to Columbus, OH. I asked Delta what the cost was for this itinerary and it was $ 2261.00 per ticket which made me feel better that I got (4) Skymile tickets at 2 in the morning. We are waitlisted for the more direct non-stop flights from Cincinnati (CVG - closest city) which are $ 1249.00 on the internet.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Hi Brenda,

Boy we are really putting you to work. If you come to NYC, I great planner. I would be more than happy to help you and your family.

I just got off the phone with AA who I have to fly with. I will be flying out of LHR. AA only flies out of LHR.

My question, is will I still be able to use the above rooms with transfers from LHR airport?

I just ordered "Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide to London" I am going to try to see as much as we can in the little time we have.

Does anyone know, what time we will depart from the ship? I am booking a 1:25 flight from BCN to LHR. Do you think I should book it for 2:25?
I will be booking my flights tomorrow.

I am so excited. It is finally coming together.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Sorry about the lenthy last posting.

You can view and search for airport hotels at www.holidayextras.co.uk where you can select the airport and dates and view avaiability.

www.talkingcities.co.uk/london have lots of ideas and maps for sightseeing.

Any problems please come back to me and I will do another bit of searching.

Brenda

Brenda, "Great sites" Thank you so.......much.

Patricia

 

[jmcdonnell04]

After getting thru the day yesterday with 4 hours of sleep, the thrill and excitement of our cruise is at an all time high just like it was when we called at 9 am on the first day to book the cruise. I called DVC Member Services for booking Disneyland Paris but they are only taking reservations up to November 9th. There will be no rhyme or reason when DLP will provide open rooms to DVC -- could be 3 months or 6 months so I will have to keep checking. I hope everyone planning is working out. We will love to visit Ireland and England hopefully in 2-3 years. Let's keep our forum on the first page!