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

[rotary2808]

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?

I believe the pools are heated, plus there's always the hot tubs. If you want to still swim or kids want to just bring something to wrap up in for when you get out. I don't know of any specifics, but I think there will be plenty of activities to keep us entertained. DCL usually does a good job with activities.

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?

I'm pretty sure I remember hearing there were some dinner slots still left, but there aren't any brunch slots left. Definitely don't let that deter you from going and definitely try once you get onboard. There should be some slots held back. There's still plenty of excursion options still available. I think there's only a few excursions currently sold out.

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'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to pack for this cruise, but I don't think there's anyway I'm going to make it on one suitcase per person. I think between my DH and I we'll need 3, two suitcases and one garment bag. I might be able to get it all in two, but I'll be surprised.

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

You should definitely join us!!!! This cruise is going to be incredible. I've been dreaming of this cruise for almost two years and can't believe it's this close. We're going to see some incredible places and I can hardly wait.

 

[WVMD]

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

You totally had me confused there! We'd love to have you join us. A Tortola cruise reunion!

Don't worry - I'm sure that there will be plenty more recitals.... trust me on that!

I think Emily covered most everything... I think you and your girls would have a great time!

Virgil

 

[MickeyWatch]

Yes, Join us. I have also been planning this cruise for about 18 months or so, but its never too late to come on board.

The pools are heated so I'm sure my daughter (and yours too) will be in them on the days at sea. The weather should be in the 60's so it will be very pleasant on the decks and in the ports. We did the Disney Med cruise in 2007 and that was truly the trip of a lifetime, but I am hoping that this one equals or surpasses that one.

 

[seaulater]

Just received a call from dcl to confirm our transfer from the port to lhr after the cruise. No news gathered from the call, the cm said there were delays ect recently due to the volcano.

I got a call from DVC over the weekend about my transfers also. They wanted to know how I was getting to the ship on June 12th. I told them "well....I am already on the ship because I am doing a back to back and booked cash for the first one"....."oh.....they said!". I did tell them I wanted transfers back to London after the cruise, but DCL won't book the return with the Leeds Castle excursion until I am on the ship. I asked if they could book it, they said no, so guess I will book when I am on the ship.

What are they going to do if they fill the buses and then people are stranded in Dover? That ought to be interesting. You would think they would have wanted people to pre-book so they could kinda get an idea on numbers.

If only I worked at DCL........then everything would be perfect!

 

[4boons]

I hope y'all will join us.
We will do everything we can to help you catch up.

Bill

 

[wickesy]

What are they going to do if they fill the buses and then people are stranded in Dover?

I'll have my car parked at the port and I'm willing to hire it out to Disney for a (not quite so) small fee.

 

[sbell111]

Alternatively, National Car Rental is really close to the port. A few of us are renting cars to go from London to Dover prior to the cruise. My family will be taking a pit stop at Leeds Castle.

 

[3princessMommy]

Wow guys! Thanks!

We have a hold on two cabins until tomorrow. If I can get the airfare for a reasonable price tomorrow, we'll join you!

I'll check in tomorrow...keep your fingers crossed for us!!!!

Virgil, I won't have time to make my FE gifts this time though, so hopefully I can find something suitable on short notice. (You all are doing a FE exchange, right????)

 

[4boons]

(You all are doing a FE exchange, right????)

Yes, we are doing FEs but more important than FEs is we hope you can make it.

 

[Arizona Rita]

and a Secret Mickey as well.
Hope you can join us! Good luck with the air.

 

[Disney Lover Linda]

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...

Your family should come join us - that current price for a Cat 12 is really a great deal. There still are Palo dinner times left but the brunch ones were gone when tried at 120 days out. I think we'll all be getting those the day we board. Most of the Disney excursions are still available but a few are full. Good luck with your planning!

 

[Disney Lover Linda]

I just saw on the Baltic tips thread that the following excursions were full on the June 12 sailing:

Copenhagen - Charming Copenhagen - Walk and cruise
Helsinki - Porvoo & countryside
Oslo - Hadeland Glassworks and Viking ships
St Petersburg - Catherine's Palace & Hermitage Museum
Stockholm - Ice Bar & Old Town
Stockholm - Panoramic Stockholm

Hope this helps!

 

[WVMD]

Wow guys! Thanks!

We have a hold on two cabins until tomorrow. If I can get the airfare for a reasonable price tomorrow, we'll join you!

I'll check in tomorrow...keep your fingers crossed for us!!!!

Virgil, I won't have time to make my FE gifts this time though, so hopefully I can find something suitable on short notice. (You all are doing a FE exchange, right????)

Wow - Uganda is a long way away from London... LOL... I was wondering how you could get there - looks like via Brussels is the best way.... I hope you find good prices!

Virgil

 

[Scott H]

I got a call from DVC over the weekend about my transfers also. They wanted to know how I was getting to the ship on June 12th. I told them "well....I am already on the ship because I am doing a back to back and booked cash for the first one"....."oh.....they said!". I did tell them I wanted transfers back to London after the cruise, but DCL won't book the return with the Leeds Castle excursion until I am on the ship. I asked if they could book it, they said no, so guess I will book when I am on the ship.

What are they going to do if they fill the buses and then people are stranded in Dover? That ought to be interesting. You would think they would have wanted people to pre-book so they could kinda get an idea on numbers.

If only I worked at DCL........then everything would be perfect!

It was nice of them to call, but they noted we were arriving 5/25 staying at the Royal GARDEN and were asking about how we are getting to Dover. Heck we will be long gone before we even get our documents. d

They also noted we initially declined transfers and then we booked the return to Heathrow.

Me thinks we need to confirm whilst on board.

 

[3princessMommy]

WE'RE COMING!!!! WE'RE COMING!!!!

I'm so excited!!!!

Please sign us up for FE exchange and Secret Mickey!!!

We are:

Joann (3PrincessMommy)
Aaron (BigAWL)
Caitlin "Caitie" - 8
Alexandra "Alex" - 6
Virginia Grace "Grace" - 3

We'll arrive in London early on the 11th, so if there's something going on that evening, we'd be interested as well!

There is Pixie Dust after all!!!

 

[WVMD]

WE'RE COMING!!!! WE'RE COMING!!!!

I'm so excited!!!!

Please sign us up for FE exchange and Secret Mickey!!!

We are:

Joann (3PrincessMommy)
Aaron (BigAWL)
Caitlin "Caitie" - 8
Alexandra "Alex" - 6
Virginia Grace "Grace" - 3

We'll arrive in London early on the 11th, so if there's something going on that evening, we'd be interested as well!

There is Pixie Dust after all!!!

Joann that is great! Glad to have you joining us! Where are you staying in London? We're just using the Gatwick Hilton and just using the trains and such to get around. We arrive early on the 10th.

Virgil

 

[MJGirl]

WE'RE COMING!!!! WE'RE COMING!!!!

I'm so excited!!!!

Please sign us up for FE exchange and Secret Mickey!!!

We are:

Joann (3PrincessMommy)
Aaron (BigAWL)
Caitlin "Caitie" - 8
Alexandra "Alex" - 6
Virginia Grace "Grace" - 3

We'll arrive in London early on the 11th, so if there's something going on that evening, we'd be interested as well!

There is Pixie Dust after all!!!

Welcome aboard Joann ... Please see the first post for a link to the Secret Mickey post. PM me your information and I will add you to the list. I will be sending out information next week letting you know who your Secret Mickey recipient will be.

 

[rotary2808]

WE'RE COMING!!!! WE'RE COMING!!!!

I'm so excited!!!!

Please sign us up for FE exchange and Secret Mickey!!!

We are:

Joann (3PrincessMommy)
Aaron (BigAWL)
Caitlin "Caitie" - 8
Alexandra "Alex" - 6
Virginia Grace "Grace" - 3

We'll arrive in London early on the 11th, so if there's something going on that evening, we'd be interested as well!

There is Pixie Dust after all!!!

Welcome Joann!!!! I don't think you and your family will regret this cruise at all.

 

[MickeyWatch]

WE'RE COMING!!!! WE'RE COMING!!!!

I'm so excited!!!!

Please sign us up for FE exchange and Secret Mickey!!!

We are:

Joann (3PrincessMommy)
Aaron (BigAWL)
Caitlin "Caitie" - 8
Alexandra "Alex" - 6
Virginia Grace "Grace" - 3

We'll arrive in London early on the 11th, so if there's something going on that evening, we'd be interested as well!

There is Pixie Dust after all!!!

Welcome aboard Joann. Looking forward to meeting you and your family on the ship. My daughter is 9 so maybe the kids will meet in the pool or the Oceanears Club/Lab.

 

[bigAWL]

Thanks for the warm welcome, everybody. This is about as last minute as we do anything, so we're going to be scrambling for a bit. Looks like I've got more than 2400 posts to zoom through (and that's just thread part 2).

We'll be interested in hearing what kinds of plans people have for doing any of the ports on their own (without DCL excursions).

Virgil, we were thinking of going straight to Dover upon arrival and staying there the night before the cruise. Anyone else doing this? With the flight schedules following the cruise, we'll have one night to stay in London. That one we're planning to do near Heathrow (flight leaves at like 6am).

Anyway, we're really looking forward to this cruise and have a lot of research to do. I'm sure we'll be asking lots of questions. Can't wait to meet you all.

-Aaron