June 5,2010 Relocation Cruise

[KT27]

We managed to get a military rate on a Cat. 5, but when we booked, I kept telling the travel agent to book ASAP. Figured it might be some sort of mistake and they'd come to their senses. DCL kept military rates on balconies for a few weeks though. My husband is "between jobs", pretty much driving a desk for pay, so he's been burning a ton of leave lately. Good luck!

Ohh I wish it was like that for us! Where are you stationed?

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Ohh I wish it was like that for us! Where are you stationed?

Fort Hood, deep in the heart of TX! This will be our third cruise on DCL, but the first time we've even been able to catch a military rate.

 

[KT27]

Fort Hood, deep in the heart of TX! This will be our third cruise on DCL, but the first time we've even been able to catch a military rate.

That was our last duty station and where we will go back to after Germany. We own a house in Copperas Cove

 

[KT27]

I have a few questions:

How is everybody getting back from the port at Dover to London? Are you staying over? If so where? The prices of the hotels Disney picked are almost as much as the cruise!

Has anybody looked up how the weather will be for that time of year? How are you packing? We are flying on a discount airline from Germany and are limited in luggage.

 

[bode]

We booked the transfers and hotel through Disney. Costs were more but they do everything for you which is what I needed.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

I have a few questions:

How is everybody getting back from the port at Dover to London? Are you staying over? If so where? The prices of the hotels Disney picked are almost as much as the cruise!

Has anybody looked up how the weather will be for that time of year? How are you packing? We are flying on a discount airline from Germany and are limited in luggage.

Barcelona's supposed to be in the mid 70's, I'd guess the rest of the Iberian peninsula and the UK a little cooler. On a seven night cruise you have a formal night and a semi-formal night. Many women will wear ball gowns for the former and cocktail dresses for the latter. My husband wears his mess blues, but if it's a space issue you can rent a tux through Disney ahead of time. Not sure if you plan to visit any churches on shore excursions, but knees and shoulders have to be covered on men and women if you plan to enter any of the cathederals. We find that we need two outfits per day,one for sweaty touring and then something fresh to wear to dinner. There are coin op laundries on board. I always overpack, though.

Still haven't decided on a post cruise stay. If we do, it will be a couple of nights through Disney, I agree with Bode, it's easier to just let them handle it. I have a feeling that staying in downtown London is like staying in Manhattan. If it's affordable, you probably don't want to stay there. Dover is a ways from the London airports, a couple of hours I think.

So I take it this means you've booked? Yay!

 

[KT27]

Still haven't officially booked. We have a reservation on hold till the 21st and hopefully will have an answer in the next day or so. We are also dealing with my stepdaughter's Mom. They live in Alaska and my stepdaughter is coming for the summer so working those logistics on top of last minute cruise planning makes for lots of fun.

This will be our 4th cruise (DD's 2nd). We have done two four night cruises on the Wonder including a NYE Cruise and two seven night Western Caribbean on the Magic.

My stepdaughter suffers from serious food allergies (wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, soy & certain forms of corn) and we have been nervous to do more then a few day trips while living here in Europe. We have taken her to Austria, Disneyland Paris, all over Germany. We really wanted to do the Canary Islands this summer but we worry about food options. Disney does a wonderful job in catering to her needs. Partner that with the amazing repositioning cruise & military rates and we are all for it!

The plan so far is to fly into Barcelona on June 3rd and stay here: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bcnbr-renaissance-barcelona-airport-hotel/ The hotel is located 4 min from the airport and runs about 90 euro a night. Most of the hotels Disney offers requires 2 rooms since we are 3 people. The morning of the cruise we will catch a taxi to the port which from what I understand is about 15km away.

I have decided to use the Dover to Heathrow transfer by Disney (can't match the price anywhere) but since we are not flying out until early Sunday we will catch a taxi to one of the airport hotels. Looking at The Holiday Inn. We plan to do London on another trip at a later date so I don't feel as though we are missing anything by doing this.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Sounds like a great plan to me. How was New Year's Eve? It is my plan to rebook onboard for 5 Night New Year's Eve 2011 on the Dream. We did Christmas 2008 on the Wonder, which was special but difficult because I spent most of my free time being Santa, shopping, wrapping presents, etc., so fun, but not terribly relaxing. This time we'll avoid Christmas alltogether. Maybe fly in on December 26 for a few days at WDW beforehand. Oooh, maybe I should price a back to back. As my husband says, I need to plan the cruise I'm about to go on, not the one two years from now.

We are staying downtown in Barcelona. We booked on our own. Not cheap, but walking distance from pretty much everything we want to do, so we'll save on taxis. My kidds are little, so we can't be in two rooms yet.

Fingers crossed that your leave goes through!

 

[K8T]

Hi

Have just joined this thread having booked today. My otherhalf and myself work in the travel industry and got a great deal on this. We are cruising with our five year old daughter who is very excited!

We live in the UK and have cruise the Med a lot, as it is so near, so been to all the stops, I don't care if I get off the ship, I just need a little bit of Disney after all this horrid weather!!!!

Looking forward to speaking to you all. If I can help with any info. about the UK, or Europe, let me know.

Kate

 

[bode]

80 DAYS!!!!!!!! till the Magic!

 

[KT27]

Sounds like a great plan to me. How was New Year's Eve?

We loved NYE. We did a week at The Wilderness Lodge Villas over Christmas then did the 4 night cruise. There was so much to do. The NYE party was awesome. Definitely a great way to spend NYE.

 

[KT27]

Question on insurance does everyone use Disney's? Or have you used another company? I usually use USAA but am unsure with this cruise.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

I take back what I said about letting Disney work the post cruise details for Dover. The only way they were able to put all four of us in the same room was to book us at the Renaissance for $600+ per night. I told my TA that the Park Plaza Westminster (also a DCL hotel) was able to accomodate all four of us at less than half the price when I attempted to book online. I was told that DCL pre-booked all of their rooms in advance and the Renaissance was my only option. We need to be in a DCL hotel to book Dover shore excursions. So... I booked the Park Plaza Westminster on my own and the Shore Excursion Desk was more than happy to set up my shore excursion, even though the DCL phone operator that I had originally spoke to had told me that this would be impossible. So K8T, I have a question. We will be on our own arranging a taxi from downtown to Heathrow the morning of our flight back to the US. Do you think that I should arrange a car service ahead of time or just flag a cab on our departure morning. Any idea how much this might cost?

KT27 We have used USAA in the past because they have a specific "leave revocation clause", but I'm paid in full, and sort of forgot about the insurance, so I may be out of luck this time. Am thinking I have to buy travel insurance before paid in full....

 

[K8T]

Hi

We cruise lots and will always do our 'own thing' by way of hotels and often excursions too, so good on you for booking the Westminster on your own. I have never known any cruise line to not let you book shore excursions, even though you don't stay in their hotels.

I would suggest that you get a black cab across London from your hotel, the doorman will flag one for you, to Paddington Station and then get the Heathrow Express direct to Heathrow Airport and your Terminal. A cab across town will be no more than £20 for all you and take 10 minutes or so, depending on time/traffic.

The Heathrow Express is so easy, clean and fast, you will be there in 15 minutes, a cab would be very expensive and take well over an hour in traffic.

http://www.heathrowexpress.com/Home

Don't be worried about using the Underground In London, although it is fairly complicated when you look at it, it is easy to use. Get an Oyster Card, which will save you money and you can use this on buses too. However, it is impossible to use with many bags, as has lots of steps and very busy.

This is a useful site, to find out approximate costs if you do take cabs.

hthttp://www.worldtaximeter.com/london/paddington+station/Waterloo+Stationtp://


Kate

 

[KT27]

And we are officially booked and were able to snag a military discount on a CAT 6!!!! Woo hooo!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

So happy for you! That is excellent news!

K8T-

We'll be travelling with big bags and small children for a 9:30 AM flight, so I think I'd feel safer getting a ride all the way to the airport even if it costs more. I'm thinking this is something I can have the hotel concierge arrange once we arrive. Would you agree? Or do you think I need to arrange something in advance?

Adrianna

 

[K8T]

Hi

I see your problem!! You will need to be there a couple of hours beforehand, so looks like a very early start for you.

I would get the hotel to book you a private hire car, that will take you all, don't get a black cab, you should be able to agree the price beforehand. A people carrier would be ideal, you will be leaving around sixish, so the traffic won't be a problem then. If the hotel book it for you, you have some comeback on them if there are any problems and they probably have companies they use anyway.

Have you thought about staying at a Heathrow Hotel the night before? It is much easier and they have courtesy buses from hotels to the terminals.

I appreciate you will still have to get from central London, but it really isn't difficult from Paddington and if you aren't rushing for a flight early in the morning, it isn't stressful.

Kate

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Kate,

One more quick question. We could leave a few hours later if we fly out of London City Airport to Amsterdam and then Amsterdam back to the US. Is London City airport any more accessible from downtown and would there be any drawbacks from using this airport. We've never heard of it. Thanks for all of your help.

Adrianna

 

[jgura]

We just booked the Barcelona to Dover cruise. Family of 4 from Texas.

 

[K8T]

Hi



London City Airport is a very small ariport, mainly used for business, It is situated in Canary Wharf, which is much nearer than Heathrow.

The Docklands Light Railway goes direct to it and you could get a cab to Bank Station and pick it up there, a cab would be a few pounds from Westminster to Bank, not sure how much straight to City Airport, but easier and cheaper than Heathrow!

However, personally, if my flight was direct from Heathrow, I would go with that, nothing worse than changing after a few hours, but I suppose in the States you are used to hopping on and off planes?!!!

At least with City Airport, you may not have to be up at the crack of dawn, their check in time is likely to be shorter too.

Difficult choice, but having thought about it for a bit, think I may prefer City, smaller, easier to navigate, may have delays, depending of carrier, but easier to get to. Have you got enough time before your other flight leaves?

Jgura, welcome, I have only just joined this thread too!


Kate