The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[carolmb]

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.

We are close to the Canada Water Tube. Hilton offers a shuttle from hotel to tube station. I think we may just take a taxi to London Bridge Station though but will probably make that decision once we are there as we will be using Canada Water tube going into London. We could even may a test run to train station without luggage to check out the ease or difficulty. Thanks for the help.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We are close to the Canada Water Tube. Hilton offers a shuttle from hotel to tube station. I think we may just take a taxi to London Bridge Station though but will probably make that decision once we are there as we will be using Canada Water tube going into London. We could even may a test run to train station without luggage to check out the ease or difficulty. Thanks for the help.

Yes, either, just looked where you are, -there is actually a Hilton at London Bridge station, but, their shuttle is an option just a few mins in that, walking will be about 15 mins, with cases, Taxi fairly cheap all the way, it inst far..

 

[MrsScooby]

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.

Thanks

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.

Saw that. I was thinking that would be the one port I would have to wing it. How do they police this
Do they search everyone as they go off and on the ships?

 

[lllpath]

The other bank that we have an account with charges a fee to ship to their branch regardless so I use BofA. AAA only sells 'trip packs' of foreign currency which I used to do when I didn't travel much internationally. They only sell the more common currencies and I usually travel to Denmark. Also...remember that if you go to AAA and purchase foreign currency with your credit card, the credit card company treats this as a cash advance. I alway just take cash into the AAA if I use them.

I shared the concern about rubles and since I live near DC contacted the Embassy. Apparently it is fine from BofA but if you are uncomfortable with it, certainly wait until you get to StP. I do not intend to recommend/advocate anything...just providing information from my personal experience.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Reading books on StP, a few warnings:-

If someone drops a wallet, don't pick it up.-They will be thankful at first, then dispute and accuse over money.

If a Policeman wants to see your documents, and then says something is wrong do not pay an on the spot fine.

ATM, if someone says you dropped a note, do not pick it up, -get your card.

Tapwater in StP, is through old pipes, do not drink, albeit considered safe.

 

[scrapycruiser]

The other bank that we have an account with charges a fee to ship to their branch regardless so I use BofA. AAA only sells 'trip packs' of foreign currency which I used to do when I didn't travel much internationally. They only sell the more common currencies and I usually travel to Denmark. Also...remember that if you go to AAA and purchase foreign currency with your credit card, the credit card company treats this as a cash advance. I alway just take cash into the AAA if I use them.

I shared the concern about rubles and since I live near DC contacted the Embassy. Apparently it is fine from BofA but if you are uncomfortable with it, certainly wait until you get to StP. I do not intend to recommend/advocate anything...just providing information from my personal experience.

I was in St P 2 yrs ago on a private tour ( Denrus ) never needed any rubles.Stores took Visa/MA , and street vendors took USD for souvenirs and juice/sodas.

 

[MrsScooby]

The other bank that we have an account with charges a fee to ship to their branch regardless so I use BofA. AAA only sells 'trip packs' of foreign currency which I used to do when I didn't travel much internationally. They only sell the more common currencies and I usually travel to Denmark. Also...remember that if you go to AAA and purchase foreign currency with your credit card, the credit card company treats this as a cash advance. I alway just take cash into the AAA if I use them.

I shared the concern about rubles and since I live near DC contacted the Embassy. Apparently it is fine from BofA but if you are uncomfortable with it, certainly wait until you get to StP. I do not intend to recommend/advocate anything...just providing information from my personal experience.

I'm also near DC
Thanks for the info

Reading books on StP, a few warnings:-

If someone drops a wallet, don't pick it up.-They will be thankful at first, then dispute and accuse over money.

If a Policeman wants to see your documents, and then says something is wrong do not pay an on the spot fine.

ATM, if someone says you dropped a note, do not pick it up, -get your card.

Tapwater in StP, is through old pipes, do not drink, albeit considered safe.

Hate when they take advantage of people's good nature. I don't want to be one of those people that doesn't help someone when they drop something
I'll be on the look-out, thanks

I was in St P 2 yrs ago on a private tour ( Denrus ) never needed any rubles.Stores took Visa/MA , and street vendors took USD for souvenirs and juice/sodas.

Good to know
Probably get some anyway just for the fun of it

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I was in St P 2 yrs ago on a private tour ( Denrus ) never needed any rubles.Stores took Visa/MA , and street vendors took USD for souvenirs and juice/sodas.

I have read on a book today, printed in 2010, that credit cards are not accepted everywhere, major shops, hotels, and tourist areas should, but not everywhere.

 

[scrapycruiser]

I have read on a book today, printed in 2010, that credit cards are not accepted everywhere, major shops, hotels, and tourist areas should, but not everywhere.

That is true, but I think if you're on a private tour ( or ships' tour ) they probably know which shops take cc ??

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I'm also near DC
Thanks for the info


Hate when they take advantage of people's good nature. I don't want to be one of those people that doesn't help someone when they drop something
I'll be on the look-out, thanks



Good to know
Probably get some anyway just for the fun of it

That is true, but I think if you're on a private tour ( or ships' tour ) they probably know which shops take cc ??

Agreed.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

As for bank fees, I have an account with my local bank that refunds foreign transaction fees that are charged to me. I am required to keep a minimum balance in the account to get this special checking account. I used my debit card on the NCL Dawn last month and the transaction fee with 5.50. My bank refunded this amount to my account automatically. Someone might want to check into this at their local bank.

 

[jilljill]

As fas as currency in StP vs. credit cards, check with your tour operator if they will 'loan' you rubles on the odd chance you need them and do not have them. Anastasia did this for our group on '08.
There were restroom charges and food at Peterhof, only took notes no credit cards. Our guide also paid for our photo passes when we arrived at the venues. All that needed to be repaid to Anastasia. We liked the flexibility that gave us of not having to find an ATM right away.

 

[cindy18]

As fas as currency in StP vs. credit cards, check with your tour operator if they will 'loan' you rubles on the odd chance you need them and do not have them. Anastasia did this for our group on '08.
There were restroom charges and food at Peterhof, only took notes no credit cards. Our guide also paid for our photo passes when we arrived at the venues. All that needed to be repaid to Anastasia. We liked the flexibility that gave us of not having to find an ATM right away.

Thanks for that suggestion. I would not have thought to worry about rubles at all. I just assumed that every place would take credit cards, and I always forget about having to pay to use the restroom. We'll definitely ask about that ahead of time.

 

[mardonna]

We are using SPB Tour in St. Petersburg and are planning on using them to Berlin as well.....since it will just be 2 adults and a 9 year old going to Berlin we are hoping to possible share a tour with someone from the ship.....if you are interested email me at mmaragon@prodigy.net.......we have not set a schedule yet but are leaning towards an overview tour with a possible stop at Pergommean.....not sure yet.....and are stll leaning towards the possbaility of doing a Disney Excursion.......let me know.

 

[Celestine]

OK, so we are doing a DCL St P excursion, does anyone have any idea whether the excursion fee includes the photo pass? It does not say one way or the other on the site

Celestine

 

[Rogillio]

Did some planning this weekend.

Booked hotel in London:

http://www.melbournehousehotel.co.uk/

Got a family room with 2 single beds and one double.


We also booked a 2-day tour of SPR ($421 pp x 4 = $1,684)

http://www.shoretrips.com/common/search3.asp?rcode=BAL&lcode=LED

Undecided on the "Gold room" that's an additional $213 total. Any insight here??

We decided to take the tube from Heathrow to our hotel. Saturday morning we have a rental car booke with National (pick up car about a mile from hotel)....will drive to Canterbury, drop in a see the catherdral, say a quick Our Father and head south to Dover. Tour the Dover Castle before we board the ship.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Did some planning this weekend.

Booked hotel in London:

http://www.melbournehousehotel.co.uk/

Got a family room with 2 single beds and one double.


We also booked a 2-day tour of SPR ($421 pp x 4 = $1,684)

http://www.shoretrips.com/common/search3.asp?rcode=BAL&lcode=LED

Undecided on the "Gold room" that's an additional $213 total. Any insight here??

We decided to take the tube from Heathrow to our hotel. Saturday morning we have a rental car booked with National (pick up car about a mile from hotel)....will drive to Canterbury, drop in a see the cathedral, say a quick Our Father and head south to Dover. Tour the Dover Castle before we board the ship.

Hotel; nice location, reasonable price,
Heathrow, take tube, -Piccadilly line, to Green park, then change victoria line, care escalators, go to Plimlico, and get off there, less than 5 min walk, closer than Victoria.

Or

Piccadilly to Barons court, swap over to other side of the same platform, onto District line, no escalators, then to Victoria, and then stairs not escalators, and walk.

Canterbury, Aim for A2, out of town, then M2, then back on A2 to Canterbury, sounds like a plan.

 

[Rogillio]

Hotel; nice location, reasonable price,
Heathrow, take tube, -Piccadilly line, to Green park, then change victoria line, care escalators, go to Plimlico, and get off there, less than 5 min walk, closer than Victoria.

Or

Piccadilly to Barons court, swap over to other side of the same platform, onto District line, no escalators, then to Victoria, and then stairs not escalators, and walk.

Canterbury, Aim for A2, out of town, then M2, then back on A2 to Canterbury, sounds like a plan.

Excellant! Thanks Derek. I'll print this off and put it in our planning notebook.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Excellant! Thanks Derek. I'll print this off and put it in our planning notebook.

 

[sshaw10060]

I thought I would run our pre-cruise itinerary past the group to see if there are any suggestions.

We are arriving on Thursday 7/1 at 8pm. Renting a car and driving to stay with some friends in Potters Bar. 7/2 and 7/3 were going to hang out with friends and maybe spend a day in London. First thing in the morning 7/4 we are heading towards Winchester and want to visit Stonehenge and Windsor Palace. We are planning to spend the night in Windsor (any suggestions?) 7/5 we are headed to Portsmouth first thing in the morning to visit some other friends for a few hours, then we are heading to Dover. In dover I would like to visit the castle and tunnels time permitting. We will spend the night in Dover before boarding the ship on 7/6.

Thanks for any advice you can give.