Northern Sights & Mickey's MAGICal Delights - 1st Baltic cruise - June 12,2010

[gydell]

Not checked any excursions at the moment, but anything that can be DIY has got to be cheaper. What does the average DCL excursion cost?

Claire

We will be doing it ourselves. We find with the DCL ones we have done that we end up waiting half of the time for people that are late. We also have had some bad times with DCL.

I've looked at some ports/excursions. I've looked at both Cruise Critic and RCCL for ideas.

St. Petersburg seemed to be one of the most expensive. I think that has to do with the visa requirements and then it just depends on how long you want to spend onshore and what you want to see.

Warnemunde, I definately want to go to Berlin. I'm wondering if they'll offer an excursion to Wittenberg. Being Lutheran that would be a must to if they did and it's only around 50 miles outside Berlin. But when you only have about 6 hrs. to see Berlin after you factor in to/from travel times, it's going to be hard to pick and choose.

Well, if I can't see Wittenberg I'll settle for the big Lutheran church in Helsinki. That's definately on my must see list.

We have debated Berlin but a 6-7 hour ride to stay for 4 hours doesn't appeal to me.

 

[sweetsue]

This is quite a chatty group!!! I definitely won't be able to keep up, but I'll try and pipe in now and then.

We took the 1st Med cruise last year. Here's what we learned being a "first".

1) The port check-in won't run as smoothly as it does in PC. The people are at the job for the very first day. Sure, they've had tons of training and there are a few people shipped in from Florida, but still, it's their FIRST day. Expect it to take longer than PC. We didn't rush to the port and still had to wait a bit. But not very long.

2) The excursions were astronomical compared to Caribbean cruises. Most excursions were over $100/person. We also found that DCL made their own set of excursions and they were uniquely Disney. I had looked at a few cruise lines' excursions before DCL announced them, but it wasn't all that helpful.

3) DCL announced the excursions just a few days before they opened up for booking by suite guests. Don't expect to see anything until 110 days before the cruise. DCL said it took them that long to research their options and qualify providers.

4) It's the first cruise. Things won't go as smoothly as they do later. It's the first time the tour providers have worked with Disney. I still remember the one tour guide that stood in shock when we told her flat out that we were all stopping for a bathroom break RIGHT THEN regardless of what her tour said. I don't think she had any clue that children have small bladders and can't wait for 45 minutes while she talked...

5) JET lag is a real killer. I saw so many people that looked dazed and confused those first two days. I was really glad we came in a few days early.

6) You can carry on whatever alcohol and water you want. We brought onboard quite a few bottles of wine that we picked up in Barcelona. We also picked up alcohol along the way and had no problem at ports either. PLEASE don't put this in your luggage (DCL doesn't check). People have had their suitcases and clothes ruined by someone else's red wine.

7) For most of the excursions, we received guest comment forms that we filled out for each excursion. They were also taping guest comments and some of the excursions. Little did I know that's how we'd end up on Disney's website! Anyways - it's quite fun. If you don't want to be a movie star, just let them know. The comments do help them get better. DCL was also very good about giving partial refunds if necessary.

Sue

 

[CustardTart]

I know, that is a great OBC! We ended up with that for the Panama Canal Repo this May and it was a big help. Originally it was $300, but when DCL put our PC transit taxes up and there was a big hooha, DU double the OBC. When DCL recinded the extra tax because of the outrage(not the reason they gave of course), DU still gave that amount. Wasn't that good of them?

That's very cool! I've got nothing but good things to say about DU - my TA makes my life so much easier and has sorted every request I've ever put her way...

I'm a bit nervous as I'll be attempting to book the last Med cruise on the 14th using DVC points - I don't know how straightforward that's likely to be AND I won't be able to phone until 4pm at the earliest!

 

[gydell]

I don't even know my onboard credit. The TA hasn't decided yet.

 

[CustardTart]

This is quite a chatty group!!! I definitely won't be able to keep up, but I'll try and pipe in now and then.

We took the 1st Med cruise last year. Here's what we learned being a "first".

1) The port check-in won't run as smoothly as it does in PC. The people are at the job for the very first day. Sure, they've had tons of training and there are a few people shipped in from Florida, but still, it's their FIRST day. Expect it to take longer than PC. We didn't rush to the port and still had to wait a bit. But not very long.

2) The excursions were astronomical compared to Caribbean cruises. Most excursions were over $100/person. We also found that DCL made their own set of excursions and they were uniquely Disney. I had looked at a few cruise lines' excursions before DCL announced them, but it wasn't all that helpful.

3) DCL announced the excursions just a few days before they opened up for booking by suite guests. Don't expect to see anything until 110 days before the cruise. DCL said it took them that long to research their options and qualify providers.

4) It's the first cruise. Things won't go as smoothly as they do later. It's the first time the tour providers have worked with Disney. I still remember the one tour guide that stood in shock when we told her flat out that we were all stopping for a bathroom break RIGHT THEN regardless of what her tour said. I don't think she had any clue that children have small bladders and can't wait for 45 minutes while she talked...

5) JET lag is a real killer. I saw so many people that looked dazed and confused those first two days. I was really glad we came in a few days early.

6) You can carry on whatever alcohol and water you want. We brought onboard quite a few bottles of wine that we picked up in Barcelona. We also picked up alcohol along the way and had no problem at ports either. PLEASE don't put this in your luggage (DCL doesn't check). People have had their suitcases and clothes ruined by someone else's red wine.

7) For most of the excursions, we received guest comment forms that we filled out for each excursion. They were also taping guest comments and some of the excursions. Little did I know that's how we'd end up on Disney's website! Anyways - it's quite fun. If you don't want to be a movie star, just let them know. The comments do help them get better. DCL was also very good about giving partial refunds if necessary.

Sue

Thanks for that, Sue! Very helpful to know what to expect...

 

[Claire L]

This is quite a chatty group!!! I definitely won't be able to keep up, but I'll try and pipe in now and then.

We took the 1st Med cruise last year. Here's what we learned being a "first".

1) The port check-in won't run as smoothly as it does in PC. The people are at the job for the very first day. Sure, they've had tons of training and there are a few people shipped in from Florida, but still, it's their FIRST day. Expect it to take longer than PC. We didn't rush to the port and still had to wait a bit. But not very long.

2) The excursions were astronomical compared to Caribbean cruises. Most excursions were over $100/person. We also found that DCL made their own set of excursions and they were uniquely Disney. I had looked at a few cruise lines' excursions before DCL announced them, but it wasn't all that helpful.

3) DCL announced the excursions just a few days before they opened up for booking by suite guests. Don't expect to see anything until 110 days before the cruise. DCL said it took them that long to research their options and qualify providers.

4) It's the first cruise. Things won't go as smoothly as they do later. It's the first time the tour providers have worked with Disney. I still remember the one tour guide that stood in shock when we told her flat out that we were all stopping for a bathroom break RIGHT THEN regardless of what her tour said. I don't think she had any clue that children have small bladders and can't wait for 45 minutes while she talked...

5) JET lag is a real killer. I saw so many people that looked dazed and confused those first two days. I was really glad we came in a few days early.

6) You can carry on whatever alcohol and water you want. We brought onboard quite a few bottles of wine that we picked up in Barcelona. We also picked up alcohol along the way and had no problem at ports either. PLEASE don't put this in your luggage (DCL doesn't check). People have had their suitcases and clothes ruined by someone else's red wine.

7) For most of the excursions, we received guest comment forms that we filled out for each excursion. They were also taping guest comments and some of the excursions. Little did I know that's how we'd end up on Disney's website! Anyways - it's quite fun. If you don't want to be a movie star, just let them know. The comments do help them get better. DCL was also very good about giving partial refunds if necessary.

Sue

Thanks for all that info, very useful

BTW your username just reminds me of 'Some Like It Hot'!

Claire

 

[rotary2808]

I really don't know what they will cost, but it does all add up. I would do the DCL ones to be safe and sure that the ship will wait for us if we were late.

I like that comfort factor.

Our excursion in Barcelona was late getting back to the ship b/c someone went missing. They found them, but the downside was we ended up missing a very important part of the tour: La Sagrada Familia. I don't think the ship had to wait for us, but we were pretty close.

 

[granmaz]

This is quite a chatty group!!! I definitely won't be able to keep up, but I'll try and pipe in now and then.

We took the 1st Med cruise last year. Here's what we learned being a "first".

1) The port check-in won't run as smoothly as it does in PC. The people are at the job for the very first day. Sure, they've had tons of training and there are a few people shipped in from Florida, but still, it's their FIRST day. Expect it to take longer than PC. We didn't rush to the port and still had to wait a bit. But not very long.

2) The excursions were astronomical compared to Caribbean cruises. Most excursions were over $100/person. We also found that DCL made their own set of excursions and they were uniquely Disney. I had looked at a few cruise lines' excursions before DCL announced them, but it wasn't all that helpful.

3) DCL announced the excursions just a few days before they opened up for booking by suite guests. Don't expect to see anything until 110 days before the cruise. DCL said it took them that long to research their options and qualify providers.

4) It's the first cruise. Things won't go as smoothly as they do later. It's the first time the tour providers have worked with Disney. I still remember the one tour guide that stood in shock when we told her flat out that we were all stopping for a bathroom break RIGHT THEN regardless of what her tour said. I don't think she had any clue that children have small bladders and can't wait for 45 minutes while she talked...

5) JET lag is a real killer. I saw so many people that looked dazed and confused those first two days. I was really glad we came in a few days early.

6) You can carry on whatever alcohol and water you want. We brought onboard quite a few bottles of wine that we picked up in Barcelona. We also picked up alcohol along the way and had no problem at ports either. PLEASE don't put this in your luggage (DCL doesn't check). People have had their suitcases and clothes ruined by someone else's red wine.

7) For most of the excursions, we received guest comment forms that we filled out for each excursion. They were also taping guest comments and some of the excursions. Little did I know that's how we'd end up on Disney's website! Anyways - it's quite fun. If you don't want to be a movie star, just let them know. The comments do help them get better. DCL was also very good about giving partial refunds if necessary.

Sue

That is very useful info Sue, thank you. I did wonder about being a 'first' cruise and things not working just as well as we might like, but being prepared for that is helpful I think.

 

[sweetsue]

I like that comfort factor.

Our excursion in Barcelona was late getting back to the ship b/c someone went missing. They found them, but the downside was we ended up missing a very important part of the tour: La Sagrada Familia. I don't think the ship had to wait for us, but we were pretty close.

I was on one of the excursions and there were a few people missing. The tour guide couldn't figure out who. I walked the length of the bus asking people if they knew who was missing. About 1/2 way to the back, it dawned on me. It was my fellow DISers and tablemates that were missing!

Later, at another port (and maybe even a different cruise), we ended up leaving port quite late. Turns out it was CREW that showed up late!

Sue

 

[rotary2808]

This is quite a chatty group!!! I definitely won't be able to keep up, but I'll try and pipe in now and then.

We took the 1st Med cruise last year. Here's what we learned being a "first".

1) The port check-in won't run as smoothly as it does in PC. The people are at the job for the very first day. Sure, they've had tons of training and there are a few people shipped in from Florida, but still, it's their FIRST day. Expect it to take longer than PC. We didn't rush to the port and still had to wait a bit. But not very long.

2) The excursions were astronomical compared to Caribbean cruises. Most excursions were over $100/person. We also found that DCL made their own set of excursions and they were uniquely Disney. I had looked at a few cruise lines' excursions before DCL announced them, but it wasn't all that helpful.

3) DCL announced the excursions just a few days before they opened up for booking by suite guests. Don't expect to see anything until 110 days before the cruise. DCL said it took them that long to research their options and qualify providers.

4) It's the first cruise. Things won't go as smoothly as they do later. It's the first time the tour providers have worked with Disney. I still remember the one tour guide that stood in shock when we told her flat out that we were all stopping for a bathroom break RIGHT THEN regardless of what her tour said. I don't think she had any clue that children have small bladders and can't wait for 45 minutes while she talked...

5) JET lag is a real killer. I saw so many people that looked dazed and confused those first two days. I was really glad we came in a few days early.

6) You can carry on whatever alcohol and water you want. We brought onboard quite a few bottles of wine that we picked up in Barcelona. We also picked up alcohol along the way and had no problem at ports either. PLEASE don't put this in your luggage (DCL doesn't check). People have had their suitcases and clothes ruined by someone else's red wine.

7) For most of the excursions, we received guest comment forms that we filled out for each excursion. They were also taping guest comments and some of the excursions. Little did I know that's how we'd end up on Disney's website! Anyways - it's quite fun. If you don't want to be a movie star, just let them know. The comments do help them get better. DCL was also very good about giving partial refunds if necessary.

Sue

Port check in still didn't run smoothly in August when we brought the Magic home.

It was not a pretty sight to see me arguing with them and dealing with jet lag at the same time. They didn't understand that I had filled out all of my paperwork online at home and all I needed was the signed contract and our passports which I had.

 

[granmaz]

We need a name for the cruise - lets have some ideas.

 

[rotary2808]

I was on one of the excursions and there were a few people missing. The tour guide couldn't figure out who. I walked the length of the bus asking people if they knew who was missing. About 1/2 way to the back, it dawned on me. It was my fellow DISers and tablemates that were missing!

Later, at another port (and maybe even a different cruise), we ended up leaving port quite late. Turns out it was CREW that showed up late!

Sue

We saw that happen on one cruise, can't remember if it was the TA or not, and one of the officers was out waiting on the pier for them. Can you say trouble.

 

[rotary2808]

We need a name for the cruise - lets have some ideas.

You've read my mind, I just hadn't suggested it yet.

 

[CustardTart]

We need a name for the cruise - lets have some ideas.

Yeah, I've been thinking about that!

Having a Ball in the Baltic...?

 

[gydell]

We had awful DCL excursions in Tennerife, Cadiz and Barcelona. We vowed to never do them again.

 

[rotary2808]

We need a name for the cruise - lets have some ideas.

Mousing Around the Baltic

 

[rotary2808]

We had awful DCL excursions in Tennerife, Cadiz and Barcelona. We vowed to never do them again.

Which ones did you do?

I wouldn't do the one we did in Cadiz again, waaay too much walking. We did the White Villages of Andalusia. Barcelona we did the full day excursion to Monserrat and in Tenerife we did one of the ones that went to Mt. Teide National Park.

Like I said, the only disappointment we had was the Barcelona one.

 

[PrettyInTink]

Hi all!
Getting closer to booking time!

Sue those are great tips! I am figuring for 300 bucks a shore excursion for both Kevin and I per port. I figure if some are a little less, some will be a little more and we will break even.
Kevin and I cycle and we would love to do some cycling around the ports. Copenhagan is one of the bike friendly cities in our cycling magazine. So fun!

Any word from IC? DVC? I'm getting anxious! We are shooting for a Cat 11 deck 7 aft room.

 

[CustardTart]

We need a name for the cruise - lets have some ideas.

Taking the Mouse (or Magic) to Moscow... Yeah I know it's a stretch but I like the alliteration...

 

[MJGirl]

Hi all ... Looks like I will only be doing the June 12th Baltic Tour with you nice folks. I thought about doing the 7 day repo as well but after going through the budget .... , I'll stick to the 12 day only.

I can't believe how chatty you all are! I go away for a day and am 8 pages behind.

I did some research of my own, and if nothing changes, it looks like we might get a Premi'Ear' while on board. Toy Story 3 (in 3D) is scheduled to be released on June 18, 2010. That should be fun for any kids on board.

I like the "Having a ball in the Baltic!" How about something to do with the Little Mermaid, since we will be in Copenhagen. Another thought of mine was "DISers in the Baltic!" or "Disney Vikings of the Baltic" since it was the vikings that looted Northern Europe, not pirates. Just a thought.

So I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you. Looks like some of you met already! Got room in your circle for another DISer nut?

Any fellow Canadian's out there?

Gotta go for now! Talk to you soon!