June 5, 2016 - Magic Goes to England, Ireland, Scotland and France

[MPS516]

OK, you offered! Here is my first round of questions for anyone who is willing to help me .

1. Does everyone fly into London? If so, do most folks travel by train or car service? Do you come to Dover the night before or morning of?
We did Baltic earlier this summer, flew into London and took e-mini vans to port the morning of. We left the hotel at 9am and in the port terminal shortly after 11. There were transit issues in London with a strike the day before so it is possible it could take a little less time normally.

2. What would you do with one full day in London? We have never been to Europe and have two girls ages 9, 7.
On one of our days in London we did a Black Cab Tour and hit all the highlights.

3. Is anyone concerned with the long ride to Paris? Do you guys still think that it is worth it with the three hours each way?
On our Baltic Cruise we had this issue with Berlin. DCL had a full train leased and we got in and back without any concern. While we did a Disney excursion in Berlin, in Paris we expect DCL will offer transfer as an excursion (as they did with Berlin) and we will arrange private tour while in Paris.

4. What is evening entertainment like for 12 nights? Dining? We have been on 8 DCL cruises....longest being 7 nights.
On all 10, 12 and 14 night cruises we have been on, DCL has brought in extra entertainment at different ports, as was the case in the Baltic.

5. Will it be warm enough to swim?
In the pools, always (if you are young enough), beaches only for the very hearty.

6. What do you think embarkation time will be?
I think we were on the ship before noon, we boarded immediately after concierge so others would be later.

7. What do you think the odds of embarkation cabin upgrades will be? There seem to be a lot of cabins now available again....where in the beginning there were not.
Of our DIS group in the Baltic I did not hear of any.

8. Do you guys usually do the DCL port adventures or do you recommend private port excursions with the European itineraries?
We generally do private unless we are in areas we are concerned for safety or returning to the ship on time.

9. Anyone considering Normandy over Paris for the French Port?
We would love to do Normandy however having never been to Paris, we will be going for the day.

Ok, that is all that I can think of for the moment.....my head is spinning! We were going to choose an ABD with just the two adults, but I didn't want to leave my kids and I loved this opportunity!

OK, second round

1. What time do you think we should plan on getting do the Port in Dover?
Our plan will be pretty much the same as this year, leave London about 9am and get to port about 11. We are now Platinum so don't need boarding number, we will board right away.

2. What is the earliest time you would plan a flight departure in London after the cruise?
This was a real troubling issue for us. We originally booked 12:20 because the price was tens of thousands of points less that the later flights. Everything we kept reading made us more and more nervous. Fortunately we happened to catch a fire sale and ended up getting 2:30 for the same points, turned out it was a one evening only event we happened upon. We might have been able to make the 12:20 flight but only because Delta was walking through the very, very long baggage check line calling out for people an the time approaching flights. We ended up in the line for near an hour, after enjoyed a quick lunch before getting to the gate to await boarding.

3. Do a lot of European DCL Port Excursions sell out or are there a lot to go around?
There were a couple of sold out excursions in the Baltic, one was Stockholm can't remember the other. Most looked available every time I looked on line.

You may have to click in the blue box to expand answers

 

[disdreams77]

How much money (US) would you guys estimate for a family of four to need in most ports for excursions? Not having the list for DCL is driving me batty......

 

[Alohagirl73]

Not to sure as still trying to figure it out. I too wish DCL would post their excursions. Don't think it will be until January.

 

[BadPinkTink]

How much money (US) would you guys estimate for a family of four to need in most ports for excursions? Not having the list for DCL is driving me batty......

Not to sure as still trying to figure it out. I too wish DCL would post their excursions. Don't think it will be until January.

ok this might help you out. This is my APPROX estimate for Dublin, all prices are in Euros € so you just need to convert to USA Dollars
All prices are based on 1 adult

The ship will dock at Alexandria Dock, which is about 2k from the main central part of the city.
Disney MAY provide a shuttle bus from the ship to Trinity College, which is where coach tours usually pick up / drop off
If you have to make your own way there
Taxi approx €10
Bus no 53 €2.50

Hop On Hop Off Bus €20

Morning snack €10

Kilmainham Gaol entrance €6
Souvenir shopping €20

Guinness Store House €20
Souvenir shopping €20

Afternoon meal €30 (approx, depends on restaurant)

Book of Kells €10
Souvenir shopping €15

Disney Shop
Souvenir shopping €50

Random other Souvenir shopping €15

 

[Alohagirl73]

Thank you BadPink Tink. I know when we get closer I will ask for recommendations of places in Dublin to get a quick bite to eat with little children!

 

[gydell]

Are there any ports in particular that you think younger children (7,9) are going to be more excited about seeing? My thoughts.....Paris will be exciting (except for the bus ride). I just saw that Newcastle has one of the castles from Harry Potter (pretty cool in my book and my 9 year olds). Originally we were not going to take our kids on our first trip across the pond, but when the DCL trip came up....well? We decided to go for it as a family. While I am not one to cater to my children exclusively I may like to try to find a few things that I know they would enjoy. Anyone have any thoughts?

When my grandson was that age he loves the castles and fort. He never got bored. If we were near a place that had excursions to see animals we also did that. I picked the most important thing I wanted to see, then the 2nd, and the 3rd, and so on. Like the fort jail in Dublin where a 7 yr old was held and towers and steeples to climb. I always had about 6 things to see but after doing the top 3 I would see how tired or bored he was. Sometimes we kept going other times we went back to ship. If you do outside places then they can run and play as you sightsee. He has been doing 2 week overseas trips with me since he was 4. Hope this helps a little.

 

[Leslie Hand]

We'll our flights are book arriving into Gatwick on Friday. Going to spend two nights in london first. Asking for help on a location. Decided on premier hotel either the London country hall or the london tower bridge location. Any suggestions on what is better for sightseeing Thanks for any help travelling with older children and one 12 year old.

 

[disdreams77]

So, I booked the Premier Inn St Pancras. We really want to take the train to Dover and what my limited skills could research it looked like St. Pancras train station has the only non-stop train ride to Dover (with no connection). This Premier hotel looks to be a five minute walk to the station. I decided that I would rather take the tube to the London sights and know that when I am hauling my luggage to the cruise ship I will be nearby for the train. The rate was good, it was in Rick Steve's book, and the online reviews showed it to be a fairly new hotel with good breakfast. Kids ate free, as well if you are on a budget (which we are for our London stay). Just thought I would share! Also, no deposit necessary to hold the rate!

 

[Leslie Hand]

So, I booked the Premier Inn St Pancras. We really want to take the train to Dover and what my limited skills could research it looked like St. Pancras train station has the only non-stop train ride to Dover (with no connection). This Premier hotel looks to be a five minute walk to the station. I decided that I would rather take the tube to the London sights and know that when I am hauling my luggage to the cruise ship I will be nearby for the train. The rate was good, it was in Rick Steve's book, and the online reviews showed it to be a fairly new hotel with good breakfast. Kids ate free, as well if you are on a budget (which we are for our London stay). Just thought I would share! Also, no deposit necessary to hold the rate![/QUOT

 

[Leslie Hand]

Thanks for the tip. Sounds good but I think I want to stay in walking distance from some sights. Was also surprised about the pay now for the room. And of course the price. Being a DVC member has really spoiled us. It's hard to find something close and reasonable

 

[nzdisneymom]

Count us in! Myself, DH, two DD (ages 9 and 7 at sailing). We have never traveled to Europe and are so overwhelmed with all of the preparations!

Welcome to the group - I'm adding you all to the post on the first page in the Who's sailing list! Glad to have you onboard!

OK, you offered! Here is my first round of questions for anyone who is willing to help me .
1. Does everyone fly into London? If so, do most folks travel by train or car service? Do you come to Dover the night before or morning of?
2. What would you do with one full day in London? We have never been to Europe and have two girls ages 9, 7.
3. Is anyone concerned with the long ride to Paris? Do you guys still think that it is worth it with the three hours each way?
4. What is evening entertainment like for 12 nights? Dining? We have been on 8 DCL cruises....longest being 7 nights.
5. Will it be warm enough to swim?
6. What do you think embarkation time will be?
7. What do you think the odds of embarkation cabin upgrades will be? There seem to be a lot of cabins now available again....where in the beginning there were not.
8. Do you guys usually do the DCL port adventures or do you recommend private port excursions with the European itineraries?
9. Anyone considering Normandy over Paris for the French Port?

I haven't read all the replies from others, so forgive any repeats.
1. Traveling by car service because there will be four of us plus luggage plus I know how my family is after an overnight flight. It's better to not have to try to navigate something we aren't familiar with. If it was just me, I would be up for the train adventure, or just me and one other (either DH or either one of the boys). But not the four of us together We are arriving on the morning of June 3rd. We always arrive at the port at least one full day early - and in the case of cruises leaving from places we haven't explored, we try to have at least a full day to explore (not counting the day we arrive) because otherwise we miss that place. We've sailed from Dover but totally missed getting to see anything there because the last time we spent our pre-cruise days in London.
2. We liked the hop-on hop-off double decker bus as a way to sightsee. With kids that age, you might like the London Eye. If you have Paddington Bear fans, you might look for Paddington station. After the long travel over, I wouldn't try to see / do too much because the kids will be wiped out exhausted (probably) - so pick one or two things that you all agree on to do.
3. DCL plans the port times to accommodate the lengthy bus rides into the cities further away, but it is a long time on a bus, especially that far into the cruise when you're likely to be nearing excursion-overload.
4. You will be spoiled by the longer cruise - a 7-night in the future will feel like a 4-night. We like to check out the local entertainment that comes onto the ship occasionally. And it's nice to have a night or two that you aren't trying to see a show, etc. - because if you have a super-early port the next morning, you don't feel like you're missing out. Watch the times for the kids' club - you will likely want to set some rules before you go on the trip to let the kids know when you have an early morning the next day, they might have to miss out on something in the club so they can get up the next day. One thing we did to help with that was to bring breakfast back to the room so the kids could sleep an extra 30 minutes because they can eat fast in the room rather than the time it takes to go up to the buffet.
5., 6. - no idea.
7. We know several people who were originally booked who have had to cancel. I expect more will open up at the Paid In Full date approaches - however, some of those will be snatched up by people looking for a whiz-bang holiday gift.
8. We do a mixture. If we are going to a city far from port, we will often do it through DCL so we don't have the worry about being left behind. Or we book a highly recommended excursion provider and pad our time to return to allow for unexpected delays. While it cuts down on the time we have in port, when we're doing a private excursion just us, we can see / do more in less time. Or we join up with another family for a private excursion. Sometimes the DCL is exactly what we want to see and do.
9. We are absolutely doing Normandy instead of Paris. With two big history buffs in the family, we can't miss it - plus while we'd like to go to Paris, we would prefer to go sometime when we have time to actually "do Paris."

OK, second round

1. What time do you think we should plan on getting do the Port in Dover?
2. What is the earliest time you would plan a flight departure in London after the cruise?
3. Do a lot of European DCL Port Excursions sell out or are there a lot to go around?

1. Early is better - that way you don't have to worry about travel time to the Port. I'm not sure about what time the port actually opens for new guests.
2. No earlier than whatever time DCL says, and then that would depend on whether you were going from Heathrow or Gatwick.
3. Since you're in the Gold group, you should have a decent selection of excursions.

 

[Alohagirl73]

Just 35 weeks until we set sail around the British Isles!

 

[nzdisneymom]

We haven't officially started a FE group here but if someone wanted to volunteer????

 

[DL1957]

Regarding the shore excursions we have been fortunate to have been on many of DCL "firsts" for ports and as the years have gone on the posting seems later. 2015 cruise from Denmark to Londo the excursion showed up about two weeks before the concier and platimum could book. If they follow that trend it will be late December early Jan since we can book February 6th.

 

[Alohagirl73]

I know a couple ports will have stops by the EBTA. Not sure when those concierge and platinum can book. I would love to see what Disney.

 

[sandiedvc]

Platinum cruisers on the EBTA can book excursions for Dublin and Liverpool on Jan 16, 2016. Hopefully the excursions will be posted prior to that

DH and I booked the EBTA and the British Isles cruise the day they came out. I have been hesitant to post as we have had to cancel a lot of vacations at the last minute in the past year!

We plan to return from the EBTA on the train to St Pancras London and take the Eurostar to Paris for a few days between the cruises. We have the "bones" of the trip complete, but still need to work on the details.

We will be staying at the Premier St Pancras for a couple of days, but taking the train from the to the Premier Dover Central for the night before the cruise.

Looking forward to meeting you all!

 

[abbycinnamon]

Hi everyone!! Super excited to set sail on this cruise next year with my family. It will be my parents, my sister, and I. This will be our 9th Disney Cruise, which is incredible! Thanks to everyone who's posted info about the ports, transportation, and lodgings! It's greatly appreciated!! Can't wait until next summer when we finally set sail

 

[Leslie Hand]

We booked our return flight out of Gatwick for noon on the day we return to port. Disney recommended not making a departure flight till 330 pm. I think we will have enough time. It says we could go ashore by 730 I arranged pick up for 8. Anyone else have a flight at this time.? Thanks

 

[nzdisneymom]

Hi everyone!! Super excited to set sail on this cruise next year with my family. It will be my parents, my sister, and I. This will be our 9th Disney Cruise, which is incredible! Thanks to everyone who's posted info about the ports, transportation, and lodgings! It's greatly appreciated!! Can't wait until next summer when we finally set sail

Welcome abbycinnamon! I'm adding your family to the Who's Sailing list on the first page. This will be our 9th DCL cruise as well.

 

[nzdisneymom]

{moderator removed content} I expect traffic here will pick up when they finally post the shore excursions - can't wait to see what they'll offer!