The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Quick note about the schools - they are out for half term 31 May - 4 June and do indeed finish on the 23rd July for the summer This may affect some people's choice of joining a DLP visit with a DCL vacation as it's a cheep time for the Brits to go and it's busy with school parties.

Another quick point i'd like to mention, that with out a car, Dover is a really boring place to stay for more than a night. Ashford is a better "base" to see East Kent (i.e Canterbury, Maidstone, Tonbridge Wells) by train, and a network South East card can be purchased for £20 giving each adult traveller 1/3 off fares for a year. You can of course use this for a discount on the train to Dover. Only restriction is that it can only be used after 10am.

I'm trying to think if there is anything else I can add to this thread as Andrew DEREK UK does a brill job I'm usually found on the DLP side of the DISboards giving advice on staying in Ashford and am currently looking into booking for the 2011 Med cruise so find this thread particularly useful

Thanks Lisa,

As we post, my DD is in DLP, with the girl-guides, for the whole weekend, I have been there a few times, stayed in the Hotel New York, each time was a half term, October and May for 5 nights each, so done it, seen it, wrote the book...Had the Happy meal in Disney Village..

I am sorry I do not post on the DLP boards after an 'incident', on a trip report in 2008.

Just thought if anyone is going to Kent; Dover priory; Ashford etc, there is also the High speed, SouthEastern service, from St Pancras in North, London, its 30 mins quicker, but more expensive, uses Eurostar tracks to either Ebbsfleet or Asford, has direct service to Dover priory.

Normal SouthEastern services from Victoria, are 8 cars long and split at Faversham, so be in the correct half of the train, or you will visit Ramsgate.

 

[Lisa_C]

No worries about not visiting that side any more

Ahsford does indeed have very good links by train. It is worth pointing out about the trains splitting too. The Dover Priory from Charing Cross train also splits in Ashford (you need the first four coaches, the remainder goes to Canterbury West via Wye)

The normal train to Ashford takes on average 1hr 15 mins, with Dover being a further 1/2 hour after that. It really isn't worth using the high speed bullet train as this is very expensive (but fun!). Ashford can also be reached from Gatwick airport (although there is two changes they are very easy) with out using the Express train into London (avoiding London altogether infact) and takes about 1 1/2 - 2hrs depending on linking trains. I actually prefer using Gatwick because of this

Victoria trains to Dover take a longer route, but Victoria station is nearer if coming from Heathrow as it's linked by the underground

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

No worries about not visiting that side any more

Ahsford does indeed have very good links by train. It is worth pointing out about the trains splitting too. The Dover Priory from Charing Cross train also splits in Ashford (you need the first four coaches, the remainder goes to Canterbury West via Wye)

The normal train to Ashford takes on average 1hr 15 mins, with Dover being a further 1/2 hour after that. It really isn't worth using the high speed bullet train as this is very expensive (but fun!). Ashford can also be reached from Gatwick airport (although there is two changes they are very easy) with out using the Express train into London (avoiding London altogether infact) and takes about 1 1/2 - 2hrs depending on linking trains. I actually prefer using Gatwick because of this

Victoria trains to Dover take a longer route, but Victoria station is nearer if coming from Heathrow as it's linked by the underground

Lots of good detail there, you should read DCL's port guide for Dover and how to get there, rather funny the bit about, getting off at London Bridge, getting a Taxi to Waterloo East, and getting the Dover train from there!!!

(Please no one do this, 1/ Dover line from Charring cross calls at London Bridge, and 2/ Just in case it decided it wouldn't you can get another train between them not a taxi!)-No Research.

 

[sbell111]

Unless Disney chooses to clarify this, you are correct.
You could also arrange your own transport to Berlin via the train or some other method.

You could also have the private tour company pick you up at the port and transport you to Berlin.

My post 835, shows a number of tours that DCL say is train only...

Your post doesn't appear to have anything to do with mine.

 

[mkmommy]

Thanks Lisa,


Just thought if anyone is going to Kent; Dover priory; Ashford etc, there is also the High speed, SouthEastern service, from St Pancras in North, London, its 30 mins quicker, but more expensive, uses Eurostar tracks to either Ebbsfleet or Asford, has direct service to Dover priory.

Normal SouthEastern services from Victoria, are 8 cars long and split at Faversham, so be in the correct half of the train, or you will visit Ramsgate.

Can you recommend any hotels near St Pancras, and if you are to stay here how easy would it be to get there on the tube from Heathrow?

 

[jilljill]

Andrew

We are a party of 7

4 adults and 3 kids (ages 9, 5, 5, and 2 1/2)

In your opinion if we do everything together with the exception of wandermaude and SPB....would it be cost effective to hire a guide and driver and have us see the highlights in each city as opposed to Doing it on your own or with Disney.....if you have already researched this.....it would prevent me from doing this number crunching......could you pass along the same of private guides in these cities?

You can also look over on cruisecritic.com for this info. There are separate forums for the various areas these cruises travel to. You will find a ton of info on private guides vs. DIY tours vs. ship tours. You will also get the opinions of past cruisers. YOu will also be able to get opinions of people with kids closer to the age you are sailing with.

 

[mardonna]

We will be traveling with 4 kids under 9 and 3 adults......the Disney Shorex they are offering always seem to leave something out.....what are the must sees? They have a great excursions to Peinsula....with all that stuff.....and then I could also fir one in of the city highlights but then would miss Nobel.....so perpelxed...thought about doing on our own with buses or hoho but feel like we should really be "guided " per se with kids and such......

HELP!!!!

You will be hearing from me on other ports as they days progress....

 

[Lisa_C]

Lots of good detail there, you should read DCL's port guide for Dover and how to get there, rather funny the bit about, getting off at London Bridge, getting a Taxi to Waterloo East, and getting the Dover train from there!!!

(Please no one do this, 1/ Dover line from Charring cross calls at London Bridge, and 2/ Just in case it decided it wouldn't you can get another train between them not a taxi!)-No Research.

Oh man that's pretty funny! Waterloo East is on the Dover line And you are right, sometimes they don't even stop at London bridge, no wonder people are getting confused

 

[jilljill]

mardonna, we prebooked the London Eye 2 years ago and it was worth it for us. We also added the dinner package to the Eye ticket and it saved us a lot of money by doing that.

 

[cindy18]

mardonna, we prebooked the London Eye 2 years ago and it was worth it for us. We also added the dinner package to the Eye ticket and it saved us a lot of money by doing that.

We prebooked too, and did the aquarium while we were there. It seemed like a good idea, and judging from the lines, I think it was. This was several years ago though (2006, I think), so I don't know if things have eased up at all.

 

[MJGirl]

I'm trying to think if there is anything else I can add to this thread as Andrew DEREK UK does a brill job I'm usually found on the DLP side of the DISboards giving advice on staying in Ashford and am currently looking into booking for the 2011 Med cruise so find this thread particularly useful

Hi Lisa ... I see you are from Kent. Do you know if there are any bus tours from Dover to Canterbury? I am arriving in Dover on June 10th. I plan to spend the first day at Dover castle and around the town. I hope to go to Canterbury on the Friday. I won't have a car, so am hoping for a day trip. Thanks in advance.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Can you recommend any hotels near St Pancras, and if you are to stay here how easy would it be to get there on the tube from Heathrow?

Whilst the station is nice and the location is safe during the daytime, I would not stay in this area overnight. It has been tidied up over the years, but still apart from the station there is nothing in this location.

Tube is easy, the PICCADILLY line ( dark blue) all the way.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Oh man that's pretty funny! Waterloo East is on the Dover line And you are right, sometimes they don't even stop at London bridge, no wonder people are getting confused

I know, I think the person doing research went for a meal that day, and didn't actually go there.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We will be traveling with 4 kids under 9 and 3 adults......the Disney Shorex they are offering always seem to leave something out.....what are the must sees? They have a great excursions to Peninsula....with all that stuff.....and then I could also fir one in of the city highlights but then would miss Nobel.....so perpelxed...thought about doing on our own with buses or hoho but feel like we should really be "guided " per se with kids and such......

HELP!!!!

You will be hearing from me on other ports as they days progress....

Basically everything is 'there' and accessible, you can do it easy on your own. An example, book a DCL Oslo highlights tour am, have lunch, then go by the boat, same dock to the Viking museum, or opposite the ship will be the Akershus Slott (castle).

The Oslo Pass is cheap and the best alternative.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hi Lisa ... I see you are from Kent. Do you know if there are any bus tours from Dover to Canterbury? I am arriving in Dover on June 10th. I plan to spend the first day at Dover castle and around the town. I hope to go to Canterbury on the Friday. I won't have a car, so am hoping for a day trip. Thanks in advance.

Lisa might be able to answer better, but there is a driect train service from Dover Priory station to Canterbury East station, not too far, and would be easy, then you can do it yuorself or get a tour in the town.

(Train service: SouthEastern Services). http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/index.php/journey_map

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

My list keeps changing but these are my lastest plans:-

Each port have a first choice and a back up, if anything changes or runs out.

Shore Excursions

Copenhagen

1. Charming Copenhagen - Walk and Cruise
2. City and Harbor Tour

Oslo
DIY or
1. Hadeland Glass Works and Viking Ships
1. Oslo Highlights

Stockholm

1. Historical Stockholm and Sigtuna
2. City Hall, Royal Palace and Old Town

St Petersburg

• Private tours two days.

Tallinn

1. Tallinn by Tram
2. Best of Tallinn with Concert and Lunch

Warnemunde

1. Berlin Private tour.
2. Berlin Discovery

 

[MrsScooby]

mardonna, we prebooked the London Eye 2 years ago and it was worth it for us. We also added the dinner package to the Eye ticket and it saved us a lot of money by doing that.

What restaurant did you choose again? We will most likely be doing this as well

 

[cindy18]

My list keeps changing but these are my lastest plans:-

Each port have a first choice and a back up, if anything changes or runs out.

Shore Excursions

Copenhagen

1. Charming Copenhagen - Walk and Cruise
2. City and Harbor Tour

Oslo
DIY or
1. Hadeland Glass Works and Viking Ships
1. Oslo Highlights

Stockholm

1. Historical Stockholm and Sigtuna
2. City Hall, Royal Palace and Old Town

St Petersburg

• Private tours two days.

Tallinn

1. Tallinn by Tram
2. Best of Tallinn with Concert and Lunch

Warnemunde

1. Berlin Private tour.
2. Berlin Discovery

Andrew, can I ask (as I think our kids are around the same age) why you're not thinking to do more of the cities on your own?

Also, we have friends with family in Copenhagen, and yesterday I asked them for suggestions on what they would do if they had one day. After saying "why bother" (as in, it's impossible to see Copenhagen in a day), which wasn't too helpful, they suggested that given our DDs' ages (14 and 12) we go straight to Tivoli, which we hadn't planned to do necessarily. Then we watched a Samantha Brown episode on Copenhagen (aired awhile ago but we just got around to watching it), and she did Tivoli last, and the girls got very excited. But I feel like if we spend too long at Tivoli, we will miss seeing the city itself.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew, can I ask (as I think our kids are around the same age) why you're not thinking to do more of the cities on your own?

Also, we have friends with family in Copenhagen, and yesterday I asked them for suggestions on what they would do if they had one day. After saying "why bother" (as in, it's impossible to see Copenhagen in a day), which wasn't too helpful, they suggested that given our DDs' ages (14 and 12) we go straight to Tivoli, which we hadn't planned to do necessarily. Then we watched a Samantha Brown episode on Copenhagen (aired awhile ago but we just got around to watching it), and she did Tivoli last, and the girls got very excited. But I feel like if we spend too long at Tivoli, we will miss seeing the city itself.

Various reasons, actually the first is to keep my options 'open', you can book any of the 'normal' shore trips (not signature) and cancel anytime up to 72 hours before hand. So If I book, I have an option to cancel, but if I do not book they might sell out.

Next, we have various local currencies, on this trip, so prepaying in one and spending on a credit card, will reduce the leftover currency, and you loose on that.

Next, If I am organised, my family will follow me, if we haven't booked I am sure 1 of 4 will have a debate, on the morning saying, cant we do this? or cant we stay onboard. This happened when my Eastern cruise swapped to a Western in August 2009.

We had plans booked, but as we changed, and had been to Cozumel before, we thought we would do it on our own. We ended up off ship for about 60 minutes shopping and stayed on ship.

But, and a big but, these DCL trips are expensive and you can do it yourself far cheaper, everywhere bar St Petes, and Berlin.

So when I post I post to the many readers, but what I do, is tailored to my family, Oslo is likely to be DIY, I have changed my plans so many times already on that one, all the others seem quite set.

Wont do Trivoli as we want to see the sgihts and we are theme park maxed out, DD is in DLP as we speak..

 

[cindy18]

Various reasons, actually the first is to keep my options 'open', you can book any of the 'normal' shore trips (not signature) and cancel anytime up to 72 hours before hand. So If I book, I have an option to cancel, but if I do not book they might sell out.

Next, we have various local currencies, on this trip, so prepaying in one and spending on a credit card, will reduce the leftover currency, and you loose on that.

Next, If I am organised, my family will follow me, if we haven't booked I am sure 1 of 4 will have a debate, on the morning saying, cant we do this? or cant we stay onboard. This happened when my Eastern cruise swapped to a Western in August 2009.

We had plans booked, but as we changed, and had been to Cozumel before, we thought we would do it on our own. We ended up off ship for about 60 minutes shopping and stayed on ship.

But, and a big but, these DCL trips are expensive and you can do it yourself far cheaper, everywhere bar St Petes, and Berlin.

So when I post I post to the many readers, but what I do, is tailored to my family, Oslo is likely to be DIY, I have changed my plans so many times already on that one, all the others seem quite set.

Wont do Trivoli as we want to see the sgihts and we are theme park maxed out, DD is in DLP as we speak..

I hear you on the family debate if the plans aren't set, but I'm prepared to manage that, especially if DH and I work together to set the itinerary. And I think it's the cost of the DCL trips combined with the ease of doing it on your own that is making me think seriously that we can explore 4 of the 6 ports without Disney. Also makes me feel more relaxed about the $$ being spent in Berlin and St. Pete.