The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[Celestine]

I'd agree with Andrew. As a result of the recent incident, tonight's news us stating it is taking at least 2 hours to clear security at both Heathrow & Gatwick, with additional searches at the gate. I'm sure this will reduce as the risk is assessed etc. but it is probably best to plan on a "worst case" and anything less is a bonus

Celestine

 

[OurDogCisco]

I'd agree with Andrew. As a result of the recent incident, tonight's news us stating it is taking at least 2 hours to clear security at both Heathrow & Gatwick, with additional searches at the gate. I'm sure this will reduce as the risk is assessed etc. but it is probably best to plan on a "worst case" and anything less is a bonus

Celestine

I don't know how it is there but in the US it seems like the TSA goes into a panick about these things and then, relaxes later or finds a better method. So, I'm sure with in 7 months time they will come up with a better method to speed up the process. Still I wouldn't want to book a flight earlier than 2 pm if I could help it.

My flight leaves at 2:30 which is probably cutting it really short. I'm gonna have to make sure we buy up a lot of snacks to take on the plane as we probably won't have time to have lunch at the airport.

I wonder what DCL will do about those that purchased flights through them. There aren't very many flights that leave late back to the US. Most I found were morning flights. I wonder what kinda of layovers they are having if you bought through DCL.

 

[woody73]

As a result of the recent incident, tonight's news us stating it is taking at least 2 hours to clear security at both Heathrow & Gatwick, with additional searches at the gate.

Yesterday's newspaper reported,

"At London's Heathrow Airport, travelers headed to the U.S. were searched twice and allowed only one carry-on."

Woody

 

[scrapycruiser]

Yesterday's newspaper reported,

"At London's Heathrow Airport, travelers headed to the U.S. were searched twice and allowed only one carry-on."

Woody

With luggage restrictions just wondering if I could get by w/o a jacket at Palo& formal night or should I rent a tux?

 

[scrapycruiser]

Sorry another ques. Could u give me name of priv car service to Regency Chancery Hotel from LHR

 

[NancyIL]

Sorry another ques. Could u give me name of priv car service to Regency Chancery Hotel from LHR

Do you mean Renaissance Chancery Court? (Nice hotel!) We took the tube from Heathrow to the Renaissance - but it wasn't the best idea when the escalators weren't working at one of the tube stations!

We used Eddie Manning's car service to go from a different London hotel (Marriott County Hall) to Heathrow in 2005: http://www.limo.co.uk/

 

[scrapycruiser]

Do you mean Renaissance Chancery Court? (Nice hotel!) We took the tube from Heathrow to the Renaissance - but it wasn't the best idea when the escalators weren't working at one of the tube stations!

We used Eddie Manning's car service to go from a different London hotel (Marriott County Hall) to Heathrow in 2005: http://www.limo.co.uk/

Yes that is our hotel. Actually, we have used Eddie Manning before, I just couldn't remember his name ...thank you !!

We have stayed at the Marriott County Hall and love the location. Nice hotel, just don't let them put you all the way at the end. I think our room was the last one. It was like walking a marathon getting to our room ! For a quick breakfast there's a Starbucks & McDonalds 1/2 block away.

 

[NancyIL]

Yes that is our hotel. Actually, we have used Eddie Manning before, I just couldn't remember his name ...thank you !!

We have stayed at the Marriott County Hall and love the location. Nice hotel, just don't let them put you all the way at the end. I think our room was the last one. It was like walking a marathon getting to our room ! For a quick breakfast there's a Starbucks & McDonalds 1/2 block away.

My family of 5 stayed at the Marriott County Hall for a week in 2000, and every morning we got breakfast from the McDonald's in the front of the County Hall building. l'm sure the bellman at the hotel wasn't too impressed to see me carrying McDonald's bags back to the room every morning, but there was no way we were going to pay hotel prices for their breakfast. There's also a McDonald's close to the Renaissance Chancery Court.

 

[OurDogCisco]

With luggage restrictions just wondering if I could get by w/o a jacket at Palo& formal night or should I rent a tux?

The rule for Palo is a dress shirt or dinner jacket. Both are not required. On our cruise in Med, since a lot of people loss their luggage most dress codes were lifted even for Palo. I wonder if Disney will take special consideration for that. For formal night, I think you can wear just a dress shirt. My husband has on 2 of our cruises. He only bought a jacket to one of our cruises.

 

[OurDogCisco]

My family of 5 stayed at the Marriott County Hall for a week in 2000, and every morning we got breakfast from the McDonald's in the front of the County Hall building. l'm sure the bellman at the hotel wasn't too impressed to see me carrying McDonald's bags back to the room every morning, but there was no way we were going to pay hotel prices for their breakfast. There's also a McDonald's close to the Renaissance Chancery Court.

Not very healthy if you ask me. I believe there is a grocery store near by. My friend bought yogurt & fruit for breakfast as well.

 

[NancyIL]

Not very healthy if you ask me. I believe there is a grocery store near by. My friend bought yogurt & fruit for breakfast as well.

You are free to eat yogurt, and I will eat McDonald's breakfasts when I'm on vacation.

 

[Crissup]

With luggage restrictions just wondering if I could get by w/o a jacket at Palo& formal night or should I rent a tux?

I generally pack a dress shirt, khakhi pants and tie for Palo's. I never pack a jacket (not even sure mine would fit me at this point).

 

[OurDogCisco]

You are free to eat yogurt, and I will eat McDonald's breakfasts when I'm on vacation.

There's no way I'd eat McDonald's 5 days in a row. I'm thinking that we'll be eating enough fried food with all the fish and chips that we'll have to eat a healthier breakfast some mornings. I'll probably do McDonald's maybe once but I doubt I could stomach it for 5 days. I love fish and chips but I doubt I'll be able to eat it every day which will be a bummer. You must have an iron clad stomach ;-)

 

[NancyIL]

There's no way I'd eat McDonald's 5 days in a row. I'm thinking that we'll be eating enough fried food with all the fish and chips that we'll have to eat a healthier breakfast some mornings. I'll probably do McDonald's maybe once but I doubt I could stomach it for 5 days. I love fish and chips but I doubt I'll be able to eat it every day which will be a bummer. You must have an iron clad stomach ;-)

We ate McDonald's breakfasts 7 days in a row in London! I'll take McDonald's scrambled eggs and sausage any day over batter-fried fish and french fries.

 

[grizbuzz]

My family of 5 stayed at the Marriott County Hall for a week in 2000, and every morning we got breakfast from the McDonald's in the front of the County Hall building. l'm sure the bellman at the hotel wasn't too impressed to see me carrying McDonald's bags back to the room every morning, but there was no way we were going to pay hotel prices for their breakfast. There's also a McDonald's close to the Renaissance Chancery Court.

We had the breakfast at Marriott County Hall in 2007 and it was very very nice, but too expensive. Don't think I could do McDonalds 7 days in a row either, though maybe I could stomach an egg mcmuffin everyday. I really like it in Europe when the breakfast is included in the price of the hotel, which was the case in every hotel we just stayed at in France and Switzerland. A European breakfast of yogurt, fruit, good bread and cheese with a little eggs is a perfect breakfast for me!

 

[NancyIL]

We had the breakfast at Marriott County Hall in 2007 and it was very very nice, but too expensive. Don't think I could do McDonalds 7 days in a row either, though maybe I could stomach an egg mcmuffin everyday. I really like it in Europe when the breakfast is included in the price of the hotel, which was the case in every hotel we just stayed at in France and Switzerland. A European breakfast of yogurt, fruit, good bread and cheese with a little eggs is a perfect breakfast for me!

Our one meal at the Marriott County Hall was afternoon tea for my two daughters and me. It was not inexpensive, but we had a Marriott certificate that we applied towards the cost, and it was far less expensive than afternoon tea at Harrod's or Fortnum and Mason.

I enjoyed the breakfasts our B&B's in Germany served. Our hotel in Paris didn't include breakfast, and breakfast in the restaurant consisted of croissants, juice and coffee.

 

[OurDogCisco]

We had the breakfast at Marriott County Hall in 2007 and it was very very nice, but too expensive. Don't think I could do McDonalds 7 days in a row either, though maybe I could stomach an egg mcmuffin everyday. I really like it in Europe when the breakfast is included in the price of the hotel, which was the case in every hotel we just stayed at in France and Switzerland. A European breakfast of yogurt, fruit, good bread and cheese with a little eggs is a perfect breakfast for me!

My family seems to have a senstive stomaches. I really have to watch what they eat or they will get sick. My family doesn't love eating out and most of our vacations involve timesharing so, we have a full kitchen to prepare meals. So, I'm really looking for some healthy options in London. On the cruise we will probably be okay but I do have to watch it and make sure they eat fruit and veggies throughout the cruise and not load up on sugar laden carbs. I'll probably have to research our options...

 

[OurDogCisco]

Okay... back to serious planning here. Sorry I got this off track.

Couple questions:

We are interested in doing the Fat Tire Bike Tour. I have a 9 year old (or she'll be 9 by then). Do you think she can handle it? I was looking at the Royal Palace tour.

We definitely want to do the London Eye. I noticed they had Day or evening tickets. I was wondering when the sun set in the summer? I'm assuming it is daylight longer than where I live. Also, how long does this take to complete? I want to buy the Fast Track tickets so, I don't have to wait in line.

Is it worth it to see Madame Tussauds?

I'll have more but that's it for now.

Thanks,
Tina

 

[OurDogCisco]

As for food, should I make dining reservations in advance?

Also, how can I figure out what area my hotel is located? We are staying at Marriott Renaissance Chancery Court.

Thanks,
Tina

 

[NancyIL]

As for food, should I make dining reservations in advance?

Also, how can I figure out what area my hotel is located? We are staying at Marriott Renaissance Chancery Court.

Thanks,
Tina

The Renaissance Chancery Court is in Holborn.