Northern Sights and Mickey's MAGICal Delights-1st Baltic Cruise-June 12,2010-Pt 2

[Kailey's Mom]

Thanks for all your hard work Debbie!

 

[4boons]

Tammy Alhpabet,

Just got home from a concert put on by one of your neighbors there in Murfreesboro, Richie McDonald (formerly with Lone Star).

Richie grew up in Lubbock and comes home for special events. Tonight was a fund raiser for a scholarship fund our local school district has to help outstanding fine arts students go to college.

Two years ago Katie (DD 15), along with the Lubbock Youth Symphony, backed Richie during the fourth of July outdoor concert where he debuted a new song "Footprints On the Moon" in front of 70,000. Last night Richie played during a concert that Katies high school combined full orchestra and choir performed in.

If you get a chance to see Richie don't miss it. He's been great to the fine arts students in this area.

Bill

 

[kittb]

Well when I asked concierge awhile back they did say there is supposed to be a Pirates Night, don't know about fireworks though.

I know the current TA had pins available on it so I would assume there would be pins for our cruise as well. I've never known Disney to miss an opportunity to sell pins. I imagine if they had known how popular Vinylmation was going to be they would have had vinyls available as well.

Thanks for that

Now another .... do we actually need cash on board at all? I know laundry and tips etc can be added to the room account. What else would there be, as we'd have to change money to dollars as well as all the euro/ krona etc we need to organise.

Thanks
Kit

 

[Scott H]

Thanks for that

Now another .... do we actually need cash on board at all? I know laundry and tips etc can be added to the room account. What else would there be, as we'd have to change money to dollars as well as all the euro/ krona etc we need to organise.

Thanks
Kit

The only thing we have ever needed cash for whilst on the ship are the laundry machines.

 

[wickesy]

Thanks for that

Now another .... do we actually need cash on board at all? I know laundry and tips etc can be added to the room account. What else would there be, as we'd have to change money to dollars as well as all the euro/ krona etc we need to organise.

Thanks
Kit

I've never been on a Disney cruise before but as far as we understand it the ship is 'cashless' and everything is added to the room account.

 

[WVMD]

The only thing we have ever needed cash for whilst on the ship are the laundry machines.

Not anymore - the laundry machines and detergent dispensers use the KTTW cards... (Key to the world cards - your room key). You can really get by with no cash on board. We use dollars for room service when we get it - but that can also be put on your room.

Virgil

 

[carolmb]

I posted this on the Baltic thread but I thought I would post it here also and see what my shipmates were planning:

I am still trying to figure out what to do in Copenhagen. I am curious to as to what others who are DIY are doing in Copenhagen. I do not know if we should purchase the HOHO bus tickets to get an overview of the city then go to Trivoli (sp?) and then walk around if we still have time. I have also read that the canal tour should not missed. I am planning to get the Olso card for Olso and will probably do public transport in Helsinki. Stockholm became easier since our port time was reduced. Planning to take a taxi to the Vasa then ferry to the Gamla Stan area, walk up toward the Royal Palce and taxi back to the ship all before 12:30pm. Thanks for any advice.
Carol

 

[wickesy]

I'm pretty much the same as you Carol - in Oslo I definitely want to see the Viking Ships and a few other places so we will probably get the Oslo card. In Copenhagen I'm planning on going to Tivoli first to see the copy of The Little Mermaid and have a wander around then go for a canal tour. In Stockholm we will go to Vasa and then fill out any spare time before the ship leaves.

 

[Scott H]

Not anymore - the laundry machines and detergent dispensers use the KTTW cards... (Key to the world cards - your room key). You can really get by with no cash on board. We use dollars for room service when we get it - but that can also be put on your room.

Virgil

Lol, Lynn filled me in on this when we were out for the pup walk,

I am not allowed to do laundry as I don't do it correctly lol tee hee

 

[4boons]

The volcano eruption cancelled my business trip to Paris, so this is the first time I've been home longer than a week since Jan 1. Bill & I took advantage of the business travel lull to do what we like best - plan our family travels!

Since there is "what is everyone doing?" discussion underway, here is our plan:

LONDON
We arrive Monday morning, June 7, so we have five days in London. Our plans include 11:30 changing of the guard if we can get to town in time, Hard Rock Cafe for lunch, on/off bus tour, St Paul's on Day 1. On Day 2, Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms, #10 Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, brass rubbing at St Martin's in the Field, shopping at Covent Garden, tour of Kensington Palace and tea at Orangery, then "Love Never Dies" Phantom sequel at Adelphi Theatre. On Day 3, Tower of London, Thames cruise to Greenwich, prime meridian at Greenwich, Britain at War museum, Tower Bridge Exerience if we can get there before closing. On Day 4, sunrise tour of Stonehenge and Bath (tickets still available, see www.viator.com). On Day 5, Westminster Abbey, see Big Ben & Parliament, Royal College of Music,
shopping at Harrod's, Imperial War Museum and London Eye.

OSLO
Using an Oslo Pass to ferry to Kon-Tiki & Fram museums, then bus to Viking Ship museum, then bus to Hard Rock Cafe for lunch, followed by shopping and last stop at Akershus Fortress, which is near the pier.

COPENHAGEN
Kastellet fortress, 10 AM Segway tour (http://www.segwaytourscph.dk/), lunch at Hard Rock Cafe, Rosenborg Slot (castle).

BERLIN
DCL's "Berlin's Turbulent History" shore excursion. With DD Katie a year away from taking European History, we couldn't skip Berlin.

ST PETERSBURG
DCL's dinner & back-stage ballet excursion (they call it an "experience") on first night. During the day, private tour arranged through Anastasia Tours: Hermitage, Catherine's Palace at Pushkin, Alexander Palace, Peterhoff, hydrofoil to downtown, St Isaac's Cathedral, Savior on the Spilt Blood & shopping on Nevsky Prospect.

HELSINKI
Ferry to Suomenlinna, 11 AM English tour of fortress, Helsinki Cathedral, shopping at Market Square or Stockmann's department store, bus to open-air museum for 3 PM English tour.

STOCKHOLM
8:30 AM "Viking Tour" through Gallivant Productions, ferry to Vasamuseet for 11:30 AM English tour, which runs 25 minutes. Probably won't make the Hard Rock Cafe there given the ship's early departure.

We collect Hard Rock Cafe pins, so we try to visit one in every city, thus the recurring theme of lunches at Hard Rock Cafe, though sometimes we just go in and buy a pin and leave.

Laura

 

[MJGirl]

Hi everyone! Less than 50 days to go!

Just wanted to send out a quick reminder about the secret mickey. I will be closing this on May 1. If you wish to participate click here for more information. I will be sending out Mickey information between May 1 and 7.

Also ... to those in Dover on June 11, don't forget dinner at Cullin's Yard at 7 pm. If you know you can make it, can you pm me so I can give them a rough idea on numbers, but feel free to show up at the last minute if your plans allow! I will make a reservation under the Name DISBoards (or Mary Jane if you want to get more personal!)

 

[Carterfam]

Hi! I haven't looked at the details of any of the excursions as we're travelling with two little ones, 3.5 and 6 months so plan just to play it by ear/ diy. I think it will be hard work but then life with children is isn't it at least on the cruise there will be people waiting on us hand and food. We have however been to Leeds Castle several times. Its a very relaxed place to visit with nice facilities (toilets with baby change etc), the castle itself, an aviary, birds of prey displays etc. It also has a great play area with a big sandpit for your little ones and lakes with ducks to feed. It would make a nice visit I would think. Hope that helps a bit.

Kit

I loved travelling with the boys when they were 3 and 6 months old, other then all the extra things we had to remember it was relaxing trips, because we could just pick them up and carry them whereever we need be and you were never pressured to be somewhere at a certain time, they slept about anywhere it was nice.

Now they are two high energy little boys, that like to be on the go, and entertained all the time, so it is has me a little worried, but there are a lot of adult hands to help out, so it eases my mind a little bit. Leeds Castle sounds perfect for our family, thank you for giving me your review, and it is perfect because we can only book it during the cruise so it will be one of the first things we do.

THANK YOU!

 

[Jendisney9]

Bill and Laura,

I just emailed the Segway company and asked to add the three of us to the tour in Copenhagen. The boys really thought that looked like fun. Hope you don't mind. Haven't figured out the Stockholm day yet.

Jennifer

 

[cquick]

It seems that we will be having a "Villains Ball" on our cruise. Here's all I know: It's an "after Party" in the Lobby Atrium following the new production: Villains Tonight! Guests of all ages are welcome to bring a costume to dress as their favorite Disney Villain.

My only problem is packing. I am not sure I have room in my luggage for another costume!

QUESTION: What Disney Villain would you dress as?

Connie

 

[4boons]

Bill and Laura,

I just emailed the Segway company and asked to add the three of us to the tour in Copenhagen. The boys really thought that looked like fun. Hope you don't mind. Haven't figured out the Stockholm day yet.

Jennifer

Jennifer,
That sounds great.
The more the merrier.
Bill

 

[sunshine state kim]

For those of you taking the Viking tour with Gallivant Productions in Stockholm, are you meeting the tour at the Nobel Museum? How are you planning to get there? Right now Stockholm is the only place we've booked a Disney excursion just because of the time factor. I wanted to see Vasa and Skansen so took that one.

We're going to DIY for Copenhagen. Looks like you can walk a great deal of it. We were going to walk to Nyhavn for a canal tour first, then either go to Rosenborg palace or walk along Stroget to Tivolli. Coming back we'll see if there is any ship transportation, walk, taxi, or take Local bus 26 from Tivolli to the cruise terminal.

For Oslo, I read that cruise passengers get a 20% discount on the Oslo pass at the Tourist Information Center. We'll see if that works.

Carol, I bought the kids photopass for London too. We'll pick it up at Victoria Station.

Helsinki is still the place I don't quite know what to do. Maybe aimless wandering? The pub tram sounds fun!

I hope I signed up for the Secret Mickey...

 

[MJGirl]

I hope I signed up for the Secret Mickey...

I have you signed up Kim!

 

[4boons]

For those of you taking the Viking tour with Gallivant Productions in Stockholm, are you meeting the tour at the Nobel Museum? How are you planning to get there? Right now Stockholm is the only place we've booked a Disney excursion just because of the time factor. I wanted to see Vasa and Skansen so took that one.

Closer to the time you can get on the web site for the public transportation in Stockholm. They have a tool that allows you to plug in your start point and end point, along with date and time you want to travel and it will tell you what bus and what connections to make.

We have also looked at taxi service. I have been told that taxi service in Stockholm is expensive. An estimate we received is that the short ride from the pier to the Nobel Museum will run approximately 300 SEk or around $45


For Oslo, I read that cruise passengers get a 20% discount on the Oslo pass at the Tourist Information Center. We'll see if that works.

Oh please do not tell Laura about the 20% discount or she will be kicking herself the whole time we are in Oslo. We bought our Oslo Passes yesterday thinking it would speed up our start in Oslo.

Bill

 

[bigAWL]

Hi everyone!
I'm hoping that you can help us make a decision...Our summer vacation was just cancelled by DH's office. So we are scrambling for something to do earlier in June. We saw the special rates on this Baltic cruise and thought we'd check it out. It would mean taking the kids out of the last week of school and missing their ballet recitals (more of a hardship for me than them I think though ).

We have cruised with Disney before, but have never considered a Cat. 12. We can't really afford anything higher than that on this itinerary, so I'm wondering if anyone has any insights on Cat. 12 cabins? I'm hoping we won't spend much time in the cabin, since we will have to split the family into two of them.

Are there any thoughts on activities during sea days? I'm guessing it won't be warm enough to get in the pools, so will DCL have special activities going on for those days?

Since we are booking so late (we normally book very early and count-down to Palo reservations, etc.), are there any reservation slots left for brunch or dinner? Also are excursions sold out now?

We have three little girls (ages 8, 6, & 3) what are some ways that you all have found to get them interested in the amazing places that this cruise will visit? I've been to Copenhagen, Oslo, & Helsinki before for work, but have always dreamed of going to St. Petersburg (I speak a little Russian, so think that would just be awesome!).

How are you all planning to pack with the colder weather and limited to one suitcase per person? We are coming from Uganda, where we work at the U.S. Embassy, so we aren't really used to the cooler weather or packing to manage it. I'm guessing there will be a lot of competition for the laundry room???

I guess you can probably tell that I'm really hoping to be talked into this cruise...

 

[3princessMommy]

OOPS! Sorry, I accidently posted as DH (BigAWL) above. That's what I get for snagging his computer when he wasn't looking...