The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[cindy18]

DH spoke with Disney Rep yesterday and learned that the ship will have two places on board to exchange money. Didn't get any fees that might be involved...but nice to know that the service will be available.

Just thought I'd pass that along.

That's good to know in a pinch or if, like us, we're not planning to need a whole lot of local currency.

 

[woody73]

While shots are not required it is not a bad idea to get the hepatitis shots. Both my kids were given the hep b shots with their regular vaccinations and the hep a was added on later when we went to Brazil. They do have a combo hep a/hep b for adults who have had neither. Hepatitis can happen anywhere

We got a WHO & CDC "International Certificate of Vaccination" to keep track of our vaccinations. We carry it with our passports.

Woody

 

[carolmb]

Many thanks for contacting us again. I presume you need a minivan for the transfers.

1. From Heathrow to SE16 will cost you £57, and £60 if the flight is from T5
2. From the hotel to Dover will cost £120.

3. From Dover to the hotel will also be £120.

4. Return to Heathrow will cost £51 or £54 to T5.

The company is called Simply Airports. We used them 3 years ago for transfers and were very happy with them. I just wanted to see if these prices were fair.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Many thanks for contacting us again. I presume you need a minivan for the transfers.

1. From Heathrow to SE16 will cost you £57, and £60 if the flight is from T5
2. From the hotel to Dover will cost £120.

3. From Dover to the hotel will also be £120.

4. Return to Heathrow will cost £51 or £54 to T5.

The company is called Simply Airports. We used them 3 years ago for transfers and were very happy with them. I just wanted to see if these prices were fair.

They look very reasonable..........

At SE16 you are very close to London Bridge station that has a direct service to Dover Priory,

 

[carolmb]

They look very reasonable..........

At SE16 you are very close to London Bridge station that has a direct service to Dover Priory,

I keep wondering about the trains but when I think about the luggage and the 2 kids and the husband and the stress of it all a car service seems like the easy way out.

I contacted about 4 different companies and so far Simply Airports has the best fares.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

For anyone who knows, Can I take my electric mobility scooter, (weighs 35 pounds) on the train from Dover to London?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I keep wondering about the trains but when I think about the luggage and the 2 kids and the husband and the stress of it all a car service seems like the easy way out.

I contacted about 4 different companies and so far Simply Airports has the best fares.

This is always a balancing act, car direct is easier, trains cheaper, it has to be your call on it. The trains take luggage though not cruise size, downside 30mins/60 mins departures, but quicker once you are going.

For anyone who knows, Can I take my electric mobility scooter, (weighs 35 pounds) on the train from Dover to London?

A lot of our stations have 'mobility' access, the London Bridge platforms for SouthEastern services, has the options of ramps or stairs/escalators, so you can get to access thoose platforms from street level. Oyster ticket barriers also have a larger one for mobility access.

Some trains have mobility access some do not, not an expert on that, and there is a gap/step between the train and platform.

I would contact SouthEastern direct, they have a website, SouthEasterntrains.co.uk.

 

[Lisa_C]

For anyone who knows, Can I take my electric mobility scooter, (weighs 35 pounds) on the train from Dover to London?

South Eastern trains to Dover do have a disabled carriage, they are located next to the toilet though so it's rather chemical smelling. There is room for a wheelchair/scooter. Beware though that some young mums use this area to put their pushchairs in, and also opposite is where bikes are stored. They are usually located at the front of the train and at the rear, and there are usually two of these carriages on the Dover train - and they are the electric mechanisms that slide open. The platform guards will tell you exactly where to position yourself on the platform to gain access. (Friend's hubby works all over Kent as a guard)

Dover is an old station, but you shouldn't have any problems

 

[MrsScooby]

We got a WHO & CDC "International Certificate of Vaccination" to keep track of our vaccinations. We carry it with our passports.

Woody

Good idea

 

[lllpath]

I always have a small amount of foreign currency for each country I'm visiting. It has come in handy more than once (I do travel a lot...). If you are a Bank of America customer, you can get all the currencies relevant to this cruise without a fee. There are several folks in our small group so I ordered enough for everyone which put us over the $1000 necessary to avoid shipping charges (which weren't much anyway). You can order easily on-line and my currency was delivered to my local bank in 3 working days. You can have them deliver it to your home however someone must be home to sign for it.

 

[MrsScooby]

I always have a small amount of foreign currency for each country I'm visiting. It has come in handy more than once (I do travel a lot...). If you are a Bank of America customer, you can get all the currencies relevant to this cruise without a fee. There are several folks in our small group so I ordered enough for everyone which put us over the $1000 necessary to avoid shipping charges (which weren't much anyway). You can order easily on-line and my currency was delivered to my local bank in 3 working days. You can have them deliver it to your home however someone must be home to sign for it.

Ok this may be a stupid question
We have the Bank of America credit card...but we don't have a bank account (savings/checking) with them (none in our area). Would we still be able to use this service and have them send it to our local bank?

 

[poohmomof5]

Ok this may be a stupid question
We have the Bank of America credit card...but we don't have a bank account (savings/checking) with them (none in our area). Would we still be able to use this service and have them send it to our local bank?

I don't think it is a dumb question! I think most banks offer this service. Some banks are really careful and won't sell to anyone who doesn't have an account to make sure to avoid assisting anyone with money laundering etc.

When my son went to Germany last summer, we ordered with our bank (Wells Fargo) and there was no shipping cost and they delivered it right to our door in 2 days! It was a VERY exciting package to get. This time it will be more exciting because I am going too!

 

[MrsScooby]

I don't think it is a dumb question! I think most banks offer this service. Some banks are really careful and won't sell to anyone who doesn't have an account to make sure to avoid assisting anyone with money laundering etc.

When my son went to Germany last summer, we ordered with our bank (Wells Fargo) and there was no shipping cost and they delivered it right to our door in 2 days! It was a VERY exciting package to get. This time it will be more exciting because I am going too!

Funny my son went to Italy last summer with a friend

My friend did not want to carry around alot of money (said she was just going to use atms there) so she just asked what his budget was and asked me not to send him with any money. He had an awesome time and I was glad he went but I was also disappointed not to be able to go with them.
But now this is my first trip to Europe and I am so excited too

I'll check the rates between my credit card and my local bank and keep an eye on exchange rates too before I get some money for each port.
I like having some currency before we arrive.

 

[carolmb]

They look very reasonable..........

At SE16 you are very close to London Bridge station that has a direct service to Dover Priory,

Hi Andrew,
Looking at the prices for the train from London Bridge Station for my family of 4 on Sat May 1st (the fares for June are not out yet) is ~82 pounds for off peak and ~87 pounds for anytime tickets. 1st class tickets are ~ 130 pounds. So it will be about 40 pounds or 80 USD cheaper to take the train. Looks like we might put our adventure hats on and take the train with taking taxis to and from the train station. Thanks for suggestion.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hi Andrew,
Looking at the prices for the train from London Bridge Station for my family of 4 on Sat May 1st (the fares for June are not out yet) is ~82 pounds for off peak and ~87 pounds for anytime tickets. 1st class tickets are ~ 130 pounds. So it will be about 40 pounds or 80 USD cheaper to take the train. Looks like we might put our adventure hats on and take the train with taking taxis to and from the train station. Thanks for suggestion.

Dont bother with first class, generally same seats, just guaranteed to be there and few book them. Its an easy route, London Bridge, >Dover Priory train, note may be 8 car's and split at Faversham so be in the correct half.

London Bridge is a large station, as you enter it will be to your left. My guess is platforms 1>6, SouthEastern services. Not Southern services.

Nice trip through Kent will see more than in a car. I think they go at least hourly, maybe 30 mins at peak.

 

[goingsouth]

Dont bother with first class, generally same seats, just guaranteed to be there and few book them. Its an easy route, London Bridge, >Dover Priory train, note may be 8 car's and split at Faversham so be in the correct half.

London Bridge is a large station, as you enter it will be to your left. My guess is platforms 1>6, SouthEastern services. Not Southern services.

Nice trip through Kent will see more than in a car. I think they go at least hourly, maybe 30 mins at peak.

Andrew Derek, your really are a wealth of information.

joanne

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew Derek, your really are a wealth of information.

joanne

Should add:-

SE16 to London Bridge.

If you are near CANADA WATER Tube, (top of the Surrey Quays shopping mall).

Jubilee Line Tube, -station has lifts and escalators.

Two stops, in West direction. Stanmore/Wembley Park.

If you are near SURREY QUAYS station, bottom of that shopping Mall.

East London line (re opens Spring).

Either to Canada Water and swap as above.
Or to New Cross Gate, and change to Southern Services into LB.

 

[lllpath]

Not sure about the answer to this question but I think most banks will order foreign currency for you. I just use BofA because we have an account there and the other bank we uses charges a shipping fee. I was also surprised to learn that at least with BofA, we could order rubles. I had read that you couldn't get them outside of Russia but I ordered and received them through BofA.

Be careful with credit cards as many charge an additional fee on top of the exchange rate. I have a Capital One CC just for use outside of the US as they do not charge that fee (which can amount to quite a lot).

 

[jilljill]

Funny my son went to Italy last summer with a friend

My friend did not want to carry around alot of money (said she was just going to use atms there) so she just asked what his budget was and asked me not to send him with any money. He had an awesome time and I was glad he went but I was also disappointed not to be able to go with them.
But now this is my first trip to Europe and I am so excited too

I'll check the rates between my credit card and my local bank and keep an eye on exchange rates too before I get some money for each port.
I like having some currency before we arrive.

Not sure about the answer to this question but I think most banks will order foreign currency for you. I just use BofA because we have an account there and the other bank we uses charges a shipping fee. I was also surprised to learn that at least with BofA, we could order rubles. I had read that you couldn't get them outside of Russia but I ordered and received them through BofA.

Be careful with credit cards as many charge an additional fee on top of the exchange rate. I have a Capital One CC just for use outside of the US as they do not charge that fee (which can amount to quite a lot).

It depends on what area you live in as to being able to order foreign currency from a local bank. There's really only 1 bank in our area that sells/buys foreign currency and you have to have an account there. I keep a savings account there with the minimum amount in it to avoid service charges. We travel a lot so it comes in handy for us. Also, our bank does not charge a shipping fee since the currency is sent from their main branch to the local branch. I've only heard of BofA charging the shipping fee for currency.
I have heard that BofA is the only bank that sells rubles. We just used the ATM to get out some last time we were in StP.

Another option for AAA members is to see what types of currency they sell. I've heard you can get some thru them, but have never inquired of their service.

 

[Flora Fan]

Not sure about the answer to this question but I think most banks will order foreign currency for you. I just use BofA because we have an account there and the other bank we uses charges a shipping fee. I was also surprised to learn that at least with BofA, we could order rubles. I had read that you couldn't get them outside of Russia but I ordered and received them through BofA.

Be careful with credit cards as many charge an additional fee on top of the exchange rate. I have a Capital One CC just for use outside of the US as they do not charge that fee (which can amount to quite a lot).

Please be careful about the rubles. The DCL website says that it is illegal in Russia to either carry rubles into or out of the country. You may want to contact the Russian consulate in Washington DC to verify.