Norway Cruise (+Iceland/Copenhagen/Dover) TIPS (consolidated)

[DISNEY FANTASY]

We'll, never say never, but it's unlikely. The northern lights are most often seen autumn, winter, and early spring. Remember also that in the summer you will have only a very short amount of true darkness, especially the further north you go. We are on one of those cruises this summer and I'd love to see them again. We saw them once in Denali National Park and it was amazing.

Good luck!

Agree nearly 0 chance.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

The quote I got was close to 800.00 a night at the Grovesnor. June 15-17. I don't think we are doing that cruise now. I'm pretty much undecided at the moment. I'm not a single mom, but my dh does not want to take the time off to travel to Europe so it will be me and my young teen boys. We may do an Alaska cruise in May as a family, and then I could take the boys on a land London/Iceland trip in September, or we may do the Norway cruise. So confused. We're cruising to Hawaii in Sept so I'm having a hard time thinking past that. I guess I need to make a decision about next year soon before prices go up.



Wow! That's a crazy price! And so disappointing. Thanks for the info. It looks like I will be re-reading this thread to see what other London hotel options are!

 

[wendy151950]

There are a lot of better deals in London and you are (I think) over a year away from your cruise. You may want to look at some of the 2015 meet boards for cruises going to Europe that are docking at Dover to get some ideas on hotels that are more affordable. The Disney Grovesnor hotel is a JW Marriott so pretty high end. There is also another Grovesnor that is not a Marriott next to Victoria Station that isn't a lot cheaper. A number of people on my cruise are staying at Premier Inns that are much more affordable. You can also search the forum for London hotels to find other posts. There was one earlier this year on hotels.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[wendy151950]

Any reviw on Virgin American Airlines?

If you're going to Europe, think it will be Virgin Atlantic. We're taking them to Heathrow from Detroit in June. They were the cheapest and have an economy select (not sure that's the name) that is pretty reasonable compared to business or first class. They partner with Delta.

 

[linetbo]

If you're going to Europe, think it will be Virgin Atlantic. We're taking them to Heathrow from Detroit in June. They were the cheapest and have an economy select (not sure that's the name) that is pretty reasonable compared to business or first class. They partner with Delta.

Are you doing a trip report? I would love to read how your cruise was.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

Thanks Wendy151490! Great advice!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

If you're going to Europe, think it will be Virgin Atlantic. We're taking them to Heathrow from Detroit in June. They were the cheapest and have an economy select (not sure that's the name) that is pretty reasonable compared to business or first class. They partner with Delta.

Virgin has great service and often is cheaper.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

Can anyone recommend a Chauffer service that can take us to Dover from our hotel in London? Thanks in advance! This is a great thread!

 

[Medic193]

Can anyone recommend a Chauffer service that can take us to Dover from our hotel in London? Thanks in advance! This is a great thread!

We're using ecminibus. They had a pretty good rate from what I found. Can't actually review them until after July 15th though.
They responded quickly and were very accommodating to what we wanted to do.

 

[desparatelydisney]

Can anyone recommend a Chauffer service that can take us to Dover from our hotel in London? Thanks in advance! This is a great thread!

Email your hotel. Most are happy to set you up and you know you are getting a reputable service that way.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

We're using ecminibus. They had a pretty good rate from what I found. Can't actually review them until after July 15th though.
They responded quickly and were very accommodating to what we wanted to do.

I like what I see on their website. Please let me know how it goes! Our cruise isn't until June 2016. Thanks!

Email your hotel. Most are happy to set you up and you know you are getting a reputable service that way.

That's a great idea! I haven't made hotel arrangements yet (probably will at the one year mark) but I will definitely try that! Thanks!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Can anyone recommend a Chauffer service that can take us to Dover from our hotel in London? Thanks in advance! This is a great thread!

I would Google search it and look for ones based in Dover, anyone via a hotel will pay the hotel commisśion and be a higher cost.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

I would Google search it and look for ones based in Dover, anyone via a hotel will pay the hotel commisśion and be a higher cost.

I did not know that! Thanks!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I did not know that! Thanks!

http://www.dover-sherwantaxis.com/

http://www.centralexectravel.co.uk/

http://richardsdovertaxi.co.uk/

 

[Ofinn]

What is the best area to stay for easy transportation from airport to hotel and then hotel to dover. I could take taxi to hotel, but would want a simple train ride out to dover with luggage. Just from looking at hotel prices the last week in May this year their seems to be a lot of affordable options in the 4 star range. I see nice hotels in all areas for between 200-350 a night USD on websites such as last minute travel, and expedia. May seems to be a good time to visit as far as price goes so I don't think hotel costs will be an issue. I'm more concerned with the area and getting to the ship without a lot of problems.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

What is the best area to stay for easy transportation from airport to hotel and then hotel to dover. I could take taxi to hotel, but would want a simple train ride out to dover with luggage. Just from looking at hotel prices the last week in May this year their seems to be a lot of affordable options in the 4 star range. I see nice hotels in all areas for between 200-350 a night USD on websites such as last minute travel, and expedia. May seems to be a good time to visit as far as price goes so I don't think hotel costs will be an issue. I'm more concerned with the area and getting to the ship without a lot of problems.

OK I live in London! and work in and around London.

What is the best area to stay for easy transportation from airport to hotel and then hotel to dover.


Questions what airport are you flying into Heathrow ( West London) Or Gatwick (South of London) or there are Luton Stansted, City and Southend airports.

Best London locations for transport.

Victoria.
Waterloo
Kings Cross ( care a bit on the area)
St Pancras.
Piccadilly
Lancaster Gate/ Bayswater/ Notting Hill Gate
Holborn.

Avoid
Paddington, Bond St, Tottenham Court Road, and Farringdon re construction work ongoing for crossrail and avoid London Bridge railway station re development.



I could take taxi to hotel, but would want a simple train ride out to dover with luggage.


Taxi Disney Magic to Dover priory station, train to St Pancras or Victora. -see maps above its an easy route.


Just from looking at hotel prices the last week in May this year their seems to be a lot of affordable options in the 4 star range.

Yes but book now, the weathers getting better we are full of tourists prices will go up the closer you are to the time you want it.

I see nice hotels in all areas for between 200-350 a night USD on websites such as last minute travel, and expedia. May seems to be a good time to visit as far as price goes so I don't think hotel costs will be an issue. I'm more concerned with the area and getting to the ship without a lot of problems

See maps above.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

http://www.dovertaxis.com/

http://www.dover-sherwantaxis.com/

http://www.centralexectravel.co.uk/

http://richardsdovertaxi.co.uk/

Awesome! You rock DISNEY FANTASY! Perhaps the OP can add this info to the first post (or wherever it fits).

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Awesome! You rock DISNEY FANTASY! Perhaps the OP can add this info to the first post (or wherever it fits).

No probs, enjoy your cruise, plan your time in london, book things in advance like time slots for the Tower and Madam tussauds, most museums are free, walk around its generally safe, close and you cant get lost you will see a bus or a tube station every 5 minutes.

Windsor, Hampton court, Harry Potter are all an hour out of London, plan your days.

Our public transport is very busy weekdays

Rush hours 6am >10am and 4pm to 7pm, with crush hours 7am to 9am and 5pm to 6pm.

 

[Ofinn]

I would fly into LHR, and probably spend first night at an airport hotel. If I'm looking at it correctly it looks like St Pancras and Victoria area would have direct trains to Dover? I'm guessing it would be a 100 dollar or more taxi ride from airport area to hotel.