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

[gydell]

So is anyone else having this dilemma? I want to start planning and researching but it is so far away that it seems premature. Then there is the fact that alot can change in a year and the possibility of not being able to go on the cruise at all is very real. Am I the only one? We have never had to cancel a cruise before and I don't want to start now.

I'm asking this because I discovered the website that Gydell had on the first page of this thread and it is fantastic: chock full of great information and I am ready to plan.....

I've started planning and am not going to cancel this cruise!

 

[rotary2808]

So is anyone else having this dilemma? I want to start planning and researching but it is so far away that it seems premature. Then there is the fact that alot can change in a year and the possibility of not being able to go on the cruise at all is very real. Am I the only one? We have never had to cancel a cruise before and I don't want to start now.

I'm asking this because I discovered the website that Gydell had on the first page of this thread and it is fantastic: chock full of great information and I am ready to plan.....

I too have already started planning and we're not canceling either.

I am spending NYE at Disney with the kids and a few friends, I hope. I have been dealing with a bit of depression and some days I wonder if the side effects of the medication is worth it.

My DS is not doing all that well in school. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in November, and is on medication and has really gotten better in my opinion. I am hoping that school will turn around. Maybe we are on the right track.

My DD is doing quite a bit better, and now has a best friend at school and is doing okay at school.

We are expecting a trial in November and I am dreading it so much. It will be so painful, that is what I dread. And the reporters and so forth. Maybe it won't be too bad.

Thanks for asking.

Tammy, I'm sorry to hear about everything. I'm keeping you and your kids in my prayers.

 

[Lynn G]

So is anyone else having this dilemma? I want to start planning and researching but it is so far away that it seems premature. Then there is the fact that alot can change in a year and the possibility of not being able to go on the cruise at all is very real. Am I the only one? We have never had to cancel a cruise before and I don't want to start now.

I'm asking this because I discovered the website that Gydell had on the first page of this thread and it is fantastic: chock full of great information and I am ready to plan.....

We have not done too much planning for this cruise, we have a trip to Peru in Sept., after the Peru trip, we will put more energy into this one! We cannot cancel, we booked with DVC points, and it is too expensive to cancel!

Tammy - sorry to hear you are still having trouble, it will work out! Think positive!!!

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Sorry to hear that you're having problems. I hope everything improves soon!

Thanks! I feel like Debbie Downer sometimes!! LOL. I am trying to be positive and I know that we are all getting rained on from time to time.

Thanks for all the good wishes from everyone!

 

[Addy'smom]

After numerous e-mails and conversations with Park Plaza County Hall, I finally received a confirmation e-mail for our stay. Thanks to Stephen at PPCH who made it happen when no other employee there said that it could!!!

I was NOT going to tell my daughter about the cruise until her 7th birthday (next April); but, when we were in the library today I found lots of kid books about all of the wonderful places that we will be seeing and thought I really want my daughter to know A LOT about these places that we will be visiting. So, I told her. She is THRILLED. We are off to buy a fancy notebook so that she can keep notes about all of the places that we will be visiting.

Hope everyone has a fabulous and restful weekend.

Lisa

 

[gydell]

After numerous e-mails and conversations with Park Plaza County Hall, I finally received a confirmation e-mail for our stay. Thanks to Stephen at PPCH who made it happen when no other employee there said that it could!!!

I was NOT going to tell my daughter about the cruise until her 7th birthday (next April); but, when we were in the library today I found lots of kid books about all of the wonderful places that we will be seeing and thought I really want my daughter to know A LOT about these places that we will be visiting. So, I told her. She is THRILLED. We are off to buy a fancy notebook so that she can keep notes about all of the places that we will be visiting.

Hope everyone has a fabulous and restful weekend.

Lisa in Texas

Great news! I picked up a book on Peter the Great for my DGS that we will have the characters sign. We have done pillowcases and picture mats so the last 2 cruises we have bought books pertaining to the cruise and have them signed. One of the magazines he gets has a different place in it every month so we have studied Norway and London so far. He knows more than I do about them!

 

[gydell]

Lisa in Texas - When are you arriving in London?

 

[mishoe01]

I am spending NYE at Disney with the kids and a few friends, I hope. I have been dealing with a bit of depression and some days I wonder if the side effects of the medication is worth it.

My DS is not doing all that well in school. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in November, and is on medication and has really gotten better in my opinion. I am hoping that school will turn around. Maybe we are on the right track.

My DD is doing quite a bit better, and now has a best friend at school and is doing okay at school.

We are expecting a trial in November and I am dreading it so much. It will be so painful, that is what I dread. And the reporters and so forth. Maybe it won't be too bad.

Thanks for asking.

Tammy - so glad to see you checking in - I have thought of you often & wondered how you were doing. to all 3 of you & I will continue to send prayers your way.

 

[MJGirl]

Hi everyone ... It's been a while since I've posted ...

Eva ... Sorry you won't be joining us.
Tammy ... Hang in there... It will be nice to have closure once the trial is over. I'm glad to hear that things are improving with the kids.
Milton, Happy belated birthday.

Regarding the planning, I haven't really started much, but I did make my first purchase today. I picked up a book from lonely planet called Small Talk Northern Europe. It includes essential phrases in Danish, Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian. (It also includes Estonian for our other Northern European cruisers). Here is a link to the book from Amazon.

I also found a book that is due for release May 1st. It is called Travellers Baltic Cruising. I'm thinking about pre-orderiing it, as it is usually cheaper online. Here is the link from Amazon.

So nothing much is new here. It rained all day, which is a good thing. All the snow is finally gone! We'll probably have one or two more storms before winter is officially gone, but for now it is warming up

 

[Addy'smom]

Lisa in Texas - When are you arriving in London?

Gydell,

We arrive on June 9. What about you?

Lisa

 

[Addy'smom]

Great news! I picked up a book on Peter the Great for my DGS that we will have the characters sign. We have done pillowcases and picture mats so the last 2 cruises we have bought books pertaining to the cruise and have them signed. One of the magazines he gets has a different place in it every month so we have studied Norway and London so far. He knows more than I do about them!

What a great idea!!! My daughter has so many autograph books it is ridiculous!! Thanks for the idea.

Lisa

 

[gydell]

Gydell,

We arrive on June 9. What about you?

Lisa

We're arriving on June 6th. We're going to see London at an 8yo pace with 1 day for Harry Potter and 1 day for Stonehedge and King Authur. We are heading to Dover the afternoon of the 10th.

 

[CBJHockeyNut]

Do you know where you are going to stay in Dover? I having been trying to do a little research and so far haven't made a decision.

 

[gydell]

Do you know where you are going to stay in Dover? I having been trying to do a little research and so far haven't made a decision.

No decision here yet. Looking at a couple of B&B's or the Premier Inn. What are you finding?

 

[Scott H]

Just printed out Pass Port renewals, there is a discount if ya get the Passport card as well as the book. Decided to get both, seems kinda handy, If we are in FL and get a bug to buzz over to the islands.

So renewal with the cards was $95 each... saved $20 each

 

[gydell]

Just printed out Pass Port renewals, there is a discount if ya get the Passport card as well as the book. Decided to get both, seems kinda handy, If we are in FL and get a bug to buzz over to the islands.

So renewal with the cards was $95 each... saved $20 each

I didn't think that you could use the cards to get back into the states.

 

[Scott H]

The cards are just for Mexico, Canada,and The Islands... for us just handy to have, passport book is for other foreign travel.

 

[gydell]

The cards are just for Mexico, Canada,and The Islands... for us just handy to have, passport book is for other foreign travel.

 

[xangav]

Thanks! I feel like Debbie Downer sometimes!! LOL. I am trying to be positive and I know that we are all getting rained on from time to time.

Thanks for all the good wishes from everyone!

Tammy, I don't know you but I read your story earlier in the thread and I am amazed at your strength.

Regarding the planning, I haven't really started much, but I did make my first purchase today. I picked up a book from lonely planet called Small Talk Northern Europe. It includes essential phrases in Danish, Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian. (It also includes Estonian for our other Northern European cruisers). Here is a link to the book from Amazon.

I also found a book that is due for release May 1st. It is called Travellers Baltic Cruising. I'm thinking about pre-orderiing it, as it is usually cheaper online. Here is the link from Amazon.

Thanks for the tips on the books. We have already checked out several from the library as well and DH is already diving into them. We aren't renewing passports yet though as they aren't due until next Feb. I think that's when it will seem real!

 

[CBJHockeyNut]

No decision here yet. Looking at a couple of B&B's or the Premier Inn. What are you finding?

I have also looked at a few B&B's, but I am also considering staying at one of the chain hotels. I think there is a Best Western and a Ramada. It is hard beause for every good review I read on a place it is followed by a bad review.