June 5,2010 Relocation Cruise

[K8T]

Hoping to get some help from my UK peeps. Any suggestions for where to stay in London for 3 nights post-cruise? Its myself and 2 teens. Looking for something centrally located and reasonable. Under $250/night. Right now I am booked at the Rhodes near Paddington Station for June 13 and 14, they were sold out for the June 12th. We are flying back to the US on June 15th at 10am.
Also, would love any input of how the locals go about getting discount tickets for the theatre. Would love to see Les Miserables on the evening of the 12th. I go to NYC to see Broadway shows and know how to get cheap tickets there. Can discount tickets be charged, or is it cash only for tickets. And are there TKTS offices or a certain area, like Times Square in NYC?

Hotels in London are a plenty, it is the area you need to think about. I like the idea of the Park Plaza. June 12th may be busy, because of the Birthday Parade. Paddington is an Okish area, a little bit further north of there would be better and Westiminster would be preferential too, if you could get a room. I usually go through Late Rooms.com. My sister also has a contact of a hotel group that is excellent, but I can't remember the name of it. I will ask her as soon as she is back from WDW tomorrow.

For cheaper tickets, go to the Clock Tower Ticket booth in Leicester Suare, they deal with half price tickets. You can also try direct at the theatre for any returns on the night. Les Mis. is usually very very booked up and of course because of so many people being in London on the 12th, you may be unlucky, but it is worth a try.

I believe it is also the England Vs USA World Cup Game that day as well!.

England at the moment has gone football crazy. If England win (should we even ask that?), then London will be buzzing!

Kate

 

[desparatelydisney]

Have anyone planned on doing private transfers from the port back to London? Is anyone planning something like that and looking for others to join in to split the cost? If so, I am interested. I've joined in with others in Port Canaveral for transfers back to the airport or WDW for alot less than DCL transfers. Searching now for private transfers as that would seem to be the most practical for me. If I find a service that will take more than the 3 of us and our luggage, is anyone else interested? I found a hotel by Paddington Station - Rhodes hotel for a good price (105 euro per night including continental breakfast).

Oh I wish I had known, we just confirmed with our hotel this morning to transfer us from Dover to London. It's £215 and it only holds 2 passengers. They had an option for 3 passengers for £320 but not for any more. I had written several agencies and found them to be only slightly cheaper. Since I felt best about having the hotel handle it, I made the decision to go with them.

 

[YenSid1222]

Ahhh...the thread is quiet...all of our British friends must be sleeping...

 

[K8T]

Ahhh...the thread is quiet...all of our British friends must be sleeping...

But we're awake now, where are you?

Kate

 

[KT27]

But we're awake now, where are you?

Kate

At work & barely awake - here in Germany!

 

[karentan]

now we're all up and its you thats sleeping!!

for the novotel guys and girls, the coach has been booked, waiting for them to send me the confirmation then i'll send it all out.

gotta go to work now

 

[Scott H]

We got about 95% packed yesterday just last min stuff to pack in carry on, we are under 20 kilos in our bags,

Looking over maps etc

 

[karentan]

whoa, thats enthusiastic! i probably wont end up packing til about 1-2 days before we leave!

 

[karentan]

but i've been more productive today, the novotel bus is booked (just waiting for final confirmation to come through) and to bode and desparatelydisney, the reservations are now linked.
if anyone else wants to join us in second dining, let us know!

 

[desparatelydisney]

but i've been more productive today, the novotel bus is booked (just waiting for final confirmation to come through) and to bode and desparatelydisney, the reservations are now linked.
if anyone else wants to join us in second dining, let us know!

Thanks, Karen

Got my FE made yesterday; now have to work on FE gifts.

 

[karentan]

i've got a FE, but i'm toying with the idea of making a new one. not sure if i've got the time though?
i'd love to see a photo of yours if you dont mind sharing?

 

[jgura]

i havent heard any talk of palo's brunch but i'm intrigued!

i'm really looking forward to this now, in exactly 3 weeks, about 15 of us (give or take) will be in a bar in the novotel, toasting the upcoming cruise

We have a brunch at Palo June 10 at 10:30 am. Anyone is welcome to join us in the delicious feast, that would be fun. You might have to add this once on board, we booked it a couple months ago.

Are any of the adults celebrating a birthday or anniversary on the cruise? My husband is celebrating a birthday, I was thinking of organizing a drink tasting or poolside happy hour for any celebrations.

We have had a few celebrations on the cruise with the disney cake and song, but I think it is time to bump it up a notch.

Jill

 

[karentan]

we're not celebrating anything in particular, but would love to join in the celebrations for anyone else!

 

[Scott H]

We are considering the whole trip our 30th anniversary trip albeit a month early

 

[jgura]

Hoping to get some help from my UK peeps. Any suggestions for where to stay in London for 3 nights post-cruise? Its myself and 2 teens. Looking for something centrally located and reasonable. Under $250/night. Right now I am booked at the Rhodes near Paddington Station for June 13 and 14, they were sold out for the June 12th. We are flying back to the US on June 15th at 10am.
Also, would love any input of how the locals go about getting discount tickets for the theatre. Would love to see Les Miserables on the evening of the 12th. I go to NYC to see Broadway shows and know how to get cheap tickets there. Can discount tickets be charged, or is it cash only for tickets. And are there TKTS offices or a certain area, like Times Square in NYC?

We are staying at the Hilton Paddington, you might want to check on them. We booked it for ease to the airport. Are you from Houston? We connect there on the way back from LHR on continental.

It looks like more Texans have joined in. I made my FE gifts TX themed, did anyone else got his route?

Jill

 

[sinnika]

We are staying at the Hilton Paddington, you might want to check on them. We booked it for ease to the airport. Are you from Houston? We connect there on the way back from LHR on continental.

It looks like more Texans have joined in. I made my FE gifts TX themed, did anyone else got his route?

Jill

I was able to get the Rhodes for the 12th of June, so it worked out OK. At least I don't have to switch hotels but I will have to switch rooms since our room is just one king bed for that first night, but we'll tolerate for one night. That's why I booked the Rhodes - it is a block or two from Paddington station.
Yes, I'm near Houston in a very small town. Of course, Houston keeps getting bigger and bigger so they may swallow us up one day!
Where in Texas are you? We are flying British Airways back to Houston. They were gracious enough to cancel my leg from Barcelona to London and change my return date to June 15th without any charge because of this strike. DH will be flying back from Barcelona on June 6th.

Should be interesting conversations with lots of Britts and lots of Texans! Maybe we need a proper English/Texas translation dictionary!

 

[K8T]

We got about 95% packed yesterday just last min stuff to pack in carry on, we are under 20 kilos in our bags,

Looking over maps etc

Wow, we don't pack until the night before, although I start putting stuff aside before that - when are you flying out?

We have a brunch at Palo June 10 at 10:30 am. Anyone is welcome to join us in the delicious feast, that would be fun. You might have to add this once on board, we booked it a couple months ago.

Are any of the adults celebrating a birthday or anniversary on the cruise? My husband is celebrating a birthday, I was thinking of organizing a drink tasting or poolside happy hour for any celebrations.

We have had a few celebrations on the cruise with the disney cake and song, but I think it is time to bump it up a notch.

Jill

It is my birthday the following Thurs. (17th), we usually try and cruise for the same day, but dd is at school now, so this was the nearest we could get!! I have put it on my reservation, but I think they give you a cake on the first night. I need to contact them and ask for it to be on the Thursday or something, so it is nearer the actual date.

I was able to get the Rhodes for the 12th of June, so it worked out OK. At least I don't have to switch hotels but I will have to switch rooms since our room is just one king bed for that first night, but we'll tolerate for one night. That's why I booked the Rhodes - it is a block or two from Paddington station.
Yes, I'm near Houston in a very small town. Of course, Houston keeps getting bigger and bigger so they may swallow us up one day!
Where in Texas are you? We are flying British Airways back to Houston. They were gracious enough to cancel my leg from Barcelona to London and change my return date to June 15th without any charge because of this strike. DH will be flying back from Barcelona on June 6th.

Should be interesting conversations with lots of Britts and lots of Texans! Maybe we need a proper English/Texas translation dictionary!

So glad you got the extra night, the Hotel will be great to get to Heathrow, the Heathrow Express is absolutely brilliant, easy to do with bags too. Well worth every penny. I love it. Last time we went down to London, we stayed in a Heathrow Hotel (they are a lot cheaper and you don't have to pay for driving or parking in London) and used the Express to come in, only takes 15 mins at the most.

I am up for meeting for brunch, if anyone else is - or tea!!! I have never been on a cruise ship yet that does a 'good' cup of tea! All I know of Texas is that is is very large, there is lots of oil and everyone wears big hats!! I have done a bit of a 'British' theme to ours. I live very near Liverpool and was hoping to get some 'Beatle' stuff, but just haven't had the time.

Honestly, work and family life does get in the way sometimes!!

Kate

 

[karentan]

i havent gone for a theme for my FE gift, not sure what i'd get from essex that'd be suitable
but i've gone for a more practical fun and useful gift

i'm still toying with the idea of making a new FE. but it all really depends on if mum's sewing machine still works.....

 

[karentan]

novotel bus is now all booked, confirmed, and paid for!
i've sent everyone involved a PM

 

[milliesmum]

whoa, thats enthusiastic! i probably wont end up packing til about 1-2 days before we leave!

Even 1-2 days would be good for me. The last holiday we went on I was still packing at 3am and we had to leave at 5am - needless to say I didnt bother going to bed that night!
I must get organised this time..............................

We are considering the whole trip our 30th anniversary trip albeit a month early

We are also taking this as our Anniversary celebration (25 years) as it is 2 weeks before we cruise