The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[slg]

We've booked at the Castle Guesthouse. We're a family of 5 and its hard to find places in England that take 5 at a reasonable price (just one room). Castle Guest House is 90 pounds per night for all of us and that includes breakfast

Hubert House looks really nice too and has had excellent reviews. Its a little more expensive so we went the cheaper route so we would have more money for excursions.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Just to let everyone know: Berlin train with DCL is not a high speed train.

 

[cindy18]

Just to let everyone know: Berlin train with DCL is not a high speed train.

You do keep making my decision easier.....

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

You do keep making my decision easier.....

Just had that clarified.....

 

[jilljill]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/kent/8486110.stm


If anyone had reservations at this hotel, time to find a new one. I don't know what happens to those people who have prepaid, as the hotel has gone out of business.

I was going to prepay this week, so I'm glad I waited. They do have my credit card and I have a confirmed reservation which I feel awful about, but there's nothing I can do.

Yikes!

I'm sure that the credit card company and/or Best Western would quickly refund that money.

I had plane reservations on an airline that went out of business a couple of years ago. I immediately called my cc company when I found out about it going belly up and they refunded my money right away and then it was up to them to get their money back. I was very happy it was so easy to do.
Now being this hotel is out of the country and depending on how it was booked it may not be quite as easy or fast to get your money refunded.

 

[scrapycruiser]

Andy thanks for the Private car/van info.

My husband & I & Grandson (15) are gold CC members
My son & DIL & Grandson (6) are first time DCL cruisers.

Can I book a Priv Van in Apr that will include all 6 of us, even tho their booking window isn't until 4 May ?

I was hoping so, considering we're booking the "van", not 6 different reservations ???

 

[mardonna]

I received same info in regards to private vehicles and such......I can't figure out why they are only giving the suite people this information....I was also told that they are currently working so that all kids clubs and nurserys will be available by the time the first excursion would leave....this wasn't the case when I inquired originally.....seems they are chnaging things all the time.....doesn't the booking window open up for the first cruise very soon.....

We are a party of 3 wanting to go to berlin......2 adults and 1 8 year old.....would you be interested in sharing to berlin....would that cut costs?

 

[Rogillio]

Sailing June 12....will it be warm enought to wear shorts and tee-shirts on the ship and swim in the pools or will it be too chilly? I'm guessing the North Sea is colder than the Baltic Sea....how much does that affect the air temps?

~Mike

 

[jilljill]

We sailed the middle of July 2008 and hardly saw anyone in the pools on our ship. Didn't take shorts to wear since we knew the weather would be cool. We had mid to upper 60's for our sailing.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

As far as the weather, I am planning on both cold and hot weather. I want to be prepared.

 

[cindy18]

The average temps for June and July are upper 60s for everywhere we're going, except if you travel to Berlin. I think it's going to be nice but not hot.

 

[scrapycruiser]

We were on the Baltic cruise ( RCI '08, August ) and never used the pool. I had 1 pr shorts but never wore them, temp '60's.

So this cruise ( Jul 18 ) don't plan on swimming, may bring 1 pr shorts and some capris .

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andy thanks for the Private car/van info.

My husband & I & Grandson (15) are gold CC members
My son & DIL & Grandson (6) are first time DCL cruisers.

Can I book a Priv Van in Apr that will include all 6 of us, even tho their booking window isn't until 4 May ?

I was hoping so, considering we're booking the "van", not 6 different reservations ???

Make contact with them now, by email on the address shown on the DCL website, for Private Berlin tours.

I understand they are working through the process the same as booking window, -This occurred in 2008 when I booked these, IE Suite and platinum now. and then at the 105 days, 90 days, 75 days,-this is as I understand it, but I would tell you to make contact as soon as you can.

Note if you book you pay *now* not later, payment is in full. Non refundable unless ship doesnt dock.

I received same info in regards to private vehicles and such......I can't figure out why they are only giving the suite people this information....I was also told that they are currently working so that all kids clubs and nurserys will be available by the time the first excursion would leave....this wasn't the case when I inquired originally.....seems they are chnaging things all the time.....doesn't the booking window open up for the first cruise very soon.....

We are a party of 3 wanting to go to berlin......2 adults and 1 8 year old.....would you be interested in sharing to Berlin....would that cut costs?

Normally on these private *signature* tours they book by the same booking Windows, ie Suite is first. Now this is what they did in 2008, I booked a couple.

Payment is in full as you book.

Kids clubs yes they are organising them to open just before meeting times.

For the Berlin train the meeting time is 7.15am prompt, to get off at 7.30am.

You have 11 hours in Berlin.

Its a chartered DCL train and therefore doesnt, work to the normal schedule.

Approx times in Berlin therefore will be pre 11am, maybe 10.30am and leave 6pm ish.

Mardonna we are not on the same cruise???

 

[Rogillio]

We were on the Baltic cruise ( RCI '08, August ) and never used the pool. I had 1 pr shorts but never wore them, temp '60's.

So this cruise ( Jul 18 ) don't plan on swimming, may bring 1 pr shorts and some capris .

OK, I'm guessing you are the one on the right in your avatar picture?

~Mike

 

[scrapycruiser]

Andy, Thanks so much , again , for all your knowledge and help !

I have been on the phone with DCL and I was pleasantly surprised to talk with very helpful, knowldgeable, friendly people !!!! I have filled out the special form and sent it in. Not sure when we'll hear back.

I was told that when we, as gold members, book , we'll be booking the van, not individuals . We'll pay in full at that time, non-refundable, and it's up to us which 6 people we put in the van. Doesn't matter that my son & DIL & Grandson aren't CC members.

Now PLEASE let there be a van available come April 4 !!!

 

[scrapycruiser]

OK, I'm guessing you are the one on the right in your avatar picture?

~Mike

Mike you are FUNNY

 

[NancyIL]

Andy, Thanks so much , again , for all your knowledge and help !

I'm guessing that most men named "Andrew" in England do not go by the nickname of "Andy" - but I could be wrong.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andy, Thanks so much , again , for all your knowledge and help !

I have been on the phone with DCL and I was pleasantly surprised to talk with very helpful, knowledgeable, friendly people !!!! I have filled out the special form and sent it in. Not sure when we'll hear back.

I was told that when we, as gold members, book , we'll be booking the van, not individuals . We'll pay in full at that time, non-refundable, and it's up to us which 6 people we put in the van. Doesn't matter that my son & DIL & Grandson aren't CC members.

Now PLEASE let there be a van available come April 4 !!!

Yes, that ties up with my knowledge and my booking in 2008 for two signature trips then i was in *early* but as I had a Cat 4, couldn't have it confirmed or paid for until 90 days.

You pay full fare, per group not pp, but if you have a joined group you can split credit cards, but full payment must be made. However has the earliest booking window can book at that time, doesnt matter if some are not CC members.

 

[scrapycruiser]

I'm guessing that most men named "Andrew" in England do not go by the nickname of "Andy" - but I could be wrong.

So sorry !! !!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I'm guessing that most men named "Andrew" in England do not go by the nickname of "Andy" - but I could be wrong.

So sorry !! !!

Well its one of thoose things, often I do not pick up on it, as I am often called Derek.

Andrew is my first name, and I do like it that way.

Andy isnt popular with adult males I think in part due to a young kids programme Andy Pandy. It is sometimes considered a *young* name.

I once wOrked in an office with three Andrew's they liked Andy, so they were both Andys, and my staff knew I wouldnt respond unless they called Andrew.

But it isnt a worry, as I have been called far far worse !!!!!