The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[Andrew DEREK UK]

thanks for the station info Andrew Derek

Should have said if you want an alternative tube station it will be Cannon Street. District/Circle. Blackfriars will not reopen to 2011.

 

[ishmael]

Keep in mind that I'm a paranoid optimist as you read the following.

To get from Dover to DLP, we decided to purchase both 10:28 AM Ashford to DLP train tickets and also the 1:15 PM Ebbsfleet to Lille Europe/4:06 PM Lille Europe to DLP tickets. I hope we can use the first, but I know that if anything glitches in immigration or getting to Ashford on such a tight schedule, we just fall back and use the second. For me, it was a peace of mind thing having the later time, and a hope of 5 extra hours in Paris for the earlier time.

Still debating whether the train out of Dover Priory or a taxi would make for the safest bet of getting to Ashford. My impression is that we have to take a taxi from at least the dock to Dover Priory. It's a busy time of the day, so I have no idea which of the two is likely to be faster.

Chris

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Keep in mind that I'm a paranoid optimist as you read the following.

To get from Dover to DLP, we decided to purchase both 10:28 AM Ashford to DLP train tickets and also the 1:15 PM Ebbsfleet to Lille Europe/4:06 PM Lille Europe to DLP tickets. I hope we can use the first, but I know that if anything glitches in immigration or getting to Ashford on such a tight schedule, we just fall back and use the second. For me, it was a peace of mind thing having the later time, and a hope of 5 extra hours in Paris for the earlier time.

Still debating whether the train out of Dover Priory or a taxi would make for the safest bet of getting to Ashford. My impression is that we have to take a taxi from at least the dock to Dover Priory. It's a busy time of the day, so I have no idea which of the two is likely to be faster.

Chris

Like the insurance policy, I know why you have done it you get the best of both options albeit rather expensive.

I would get a TIMETABLE online for SOUTHEASTERN TRAINS, just before you leave for the vacation, list the times, the trains leave Dover priory.

Then, when you are disembarking you know the options.

If a train is leaving within a reasonable timescale, get the taxi to Dover priory, if the times are not good get a taxi to Ashford.

Summer timetables for trains will come out in May.

We do not know exactly what will happen in disembarkation at Dover, I expect it to be fast as Dover handles cruiselines all the time, but DCL have posted 1/2 cruises coming in at 9.30am.

Eurostar normally have a minimum of 30 mins check in for a train.

 

[ktkspider]

This is correct, Ebbsfleet is quite a small station really most of it in one location and easy to get around, the Eurostar and trains to Ashford and Dover use the same part and its an escaltor up from one and down form other, for Canterbury services its more of a walk.

How much of a walk is there? for the Caterbury connections? We will have a bit of luggage and as for the schedule right now (I know subject to change) We will have about 45 mn. to catch the connecting train. Also do you know if we need a separate ticket or do we just show our Eurostar ticket?

thanks again for all of your time and efforts to help!

 

[jilljill]

Karen,
we too are booked with Anastasia.
Laura has not come across any independent reviews for them.
Do you know where we might be able to find some reviews of their services?
Bill and Laura

Barb?? You've already used them can you take this question?

Also Bill and Laura, have you checked on Cruise Critic?

I found this on Cruise Critic for one...
We used Anastasia for two days and on the third, a shorter day, took a Crystal tour to Catherine's Palace. Anastasia was wonderful. They will communicate with you in English before you go; you can easily customize and plan which attractions you want to see from the material that they email to you, and they did not even ask for a dime until we completed our touring with them. The guides are personable and educated, and speak very good English and the driver's take you in very nice vehicles. There was absolutely no problem exiting the ship and meeting the guides and no problem clearing Russian immigration with only the tickets emailed from Anastasia. (No visas required). They got us into the Winter Palace and Peterhof without waiting in lines and the price was very reasonable. Overall, you cannot go wrong with Anastasia. We also saved money by joining up with another couple from cruisecritic and sharing the cost.

Just got off cruise critic and yes they had a thread going with great reviews.
Thanks for your response.
Bill

I'm here now.
We used Anastasia for our StP tour in 2008 and absolutely loved her service and flexibility. The guide was top notch and driver was very safe. We were able to add a couple of short stops since we didn't encounter any traffic, as we were there on a weekend. We are using her services again this summer.

 

[Twinparents]

We made the final payment for the July 6th cruise this week so we figured we better get busy finalizing arrangements. There are 7 of us going - My DH and myself, Twins Kenzie and Kole - 13, (my son is excited to hear that there will be other gamers on board) Kaylee - 8 and grandma and grandpa. I have been reading everything on this thread and have gotten a lot of great tips. I do have a couple of questions that I am hoping Andrew or someone else could answer:

1. We are staying at the Crown Plaza-Kennisington in London 3 days before the cruise. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a London tour guide?

2. Do you know if we can walk to the Dover castle from the ship? I thought I read somewhere that we could drop off our luggage and walk over to the castle.

 

[denise]

We made the final payment for the July 6th cruise this week so we figured we better get busy finalizing arrangements. There are 7 of us going - My DH and myself, Twins Kenzie and Kole - 13, (my son is excited to hear that there will be other gamers on board) Kaylee - 8 and grandma and grandpa. I have been reading everything on this thread and have gotten a lot of great tips. I do have a couple of questions that I am hoping Andrew or someone else could answer:

1. We are staying at the Crown Plaza-Kennisington in London 3 days before the cruise. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a London tour guide?

2. Do you know if we can walk to the Dover castle from the ship? I thought I read somewhere that we could drop off our luggage and walk over to the castle.

Don't have your answers...but don't forget our cruise thread is at:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1975441

Can't wait to see you all again!!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

How much of a walk is there? for the Caterbury connections? We will have a bit of luggage and as for the schedule right now (I know subject to change) We will have about 45 mn. to catch the connecting train. Also do you know if we need a separate ticket or do we just show our Eurostar ticket?

thanks again for all of your time and efforts to help!

Ebbsfleet has one main station for Interchange Eurostar and South Eastern to Ashford, That has escalators up/down and easy. The Caterbury service is on a bit of a curve, you exit the main station go down a set of fixed stairs then across and up into the other part of the station, you can see it from the exit of the main station without luggage its 3 mins, with luggage a bit longer but doable.

We made the final payment for the July 6th cruise this week so we figured we better get busy finalizing arrangements. There are 7 of us going - My DH and myself, Twins Kenzie and Kole - 13, (my son is excited to hear that there will be other gamers on board) Kaylee - 8 and grandma and grandpa. I have been reading everything on this thread and have gotten a lot of great tips. I do have a couple of questions that I am hoping Andrew or someone else could answer:

1. We are staying at the Crown Plaza-Kennisington in London 3 days before the cruise. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a London tour guide?

2. Do you know if we can walk to the Dover castle from the ship? I thought I read somewhere that we could drop off our luggage and walk over to the castle.

Tour guide, my advise DIY, get a tube map get a bus map, free online or at stations get an Oyster card, from TFL.GOV.UK website, decide where you are going and do it yourself, You cannot get lost in London, just walk and you will hit a bus or tube station, get on to deck of a bus and tour, and the best bits of London are thoose you do not plan on seeing but walk around and find that small pub that old church, etc.

Dover castle, you can see it from the port and ship, its up a hill to the North, the Magic will be to the South, can you walk it, well yes, but would you walk it NO, its a bit too far, get a bus /Taxi etc.

 

[Twinparents]

Thanks for the info Andrew. I think we will try London on our own and definitely take a cab to the Dover castle!

 

[missy4414]

I know that we don't have to buy travel insurance from Disney--we can buy it from other companies. But here's my question. If I don't buy Disney's insurance by the paid-in-full date, can I add it a month or so later if I decide I prefer Disney's travel insurance?

 

[randc]

We are doing Berlin On Your Own and am hoping that someone can tell us about the Hop On Hop Off bus tours. I've found that there are two different tours/companies and was wondering if one is better than another. Also, does anyone have any dos or don'ts for doing Berlin On Your Own?

 

[Rogillio]

We are doing Berlin On Your Own and am hoping that someone can tell us about the Hop On Hop Off bus tours. I've found that there are two different tours/companies and was wondering if one is better than another. Also, does anyone have any dos or don'ts for doing Berlin On Your Own?

Yeah, one "don't": don't miss the boat!

The costs for the Belin trips are too much IMO when you consider that 6 of the 12 hrs of the trip will be spent sitting on a bus and/or train looking out the window. We considered DIY but we just can't get past spending 6 hrs on a train! From what we've read, Berlin is a big, modern city. I thought about going just for 'bragging rights' to say I'v been there.....but it's just too costly and too much time on a bus/train. We just don't like the bang for the buck.

Having said that, we still don't have a plan for this port. We will probably take a shorter train ride somewhere....maybe find a road less traveled to some hidden gem.

~Mike

 

[jilljill]

We are doing Berlin On Your Own and am hoping that someone can tell us about the Hop On Hop Off bus tours. I've found that there are two different tours/companies and was wondering if one is better than another. Also, does anyone have any dos or don'ts for doing Berlin On Your Own?

This is when looking for reviews on cruisecritic.com comes in handy.

 

[Madisonznana]

I know that we don't have to buy travel insurance from Disney--we can buy it from other companies. But here's my question. If I don't buy Disney's insurance by the paid-in-full date, can I add it a month or so later if I decide I prefer Disney's travel insurance?

I don't know for sure about Disney, but we were told when going on another cruise line we could buy the insurance up to the day before. I would call them and ask though.

 

[slg]

Okay, a couple of questions.

1. Do you folks think the dcl excursions will fill up right away? Should I be looking at having a second choice? Can you go on a waitlist if your 1st choice is full?

2. Is anybody here going to be booking the Leeds debarkation excursion? I really want to do this, but if its cancelled for lack of interest, I won't have a ride back to London organized. Or if it sells out right away. Anyone hazard a guess as to why you can only book this onboard? I think that'll make people like me worry that it might not happen and therefore make alternate arrangements.

I would love you experienced folks input.

Thanks.

 

[aurorafan65]

Okay, a couple of questions.

1. Do you folks think the dcl excursions will fill up right away? Should I be looking at having a second choice? Can you go on a waitlist if your 1st choice is full?

2. Is anybody here going to be booking the Leeds debarkation excursion? I really want to do this, but if its cancelled for lack of interest, I won't have a ride back to London organized. Or if it sells out right away. Anyone hazard a guess as to why you can only book this onboard? I think that'll make people like me worry that it might not happen and therefore make alternate arrangements.

I would love you experienced folks input.

Thanks.

On a 7 day caribbean we took last year one of the popular excursions was full when it was 'my turn' to try & book on-line. I would go on every week or so & check to see if there were openings & 1 week there were availabilities so I was able to book. I don't know if this will happen with Europe but I would have something in mind as a 2nd pick.

 

[Disney Lover Linda]

When we went on DCL Med cruise 2007 and some excursions did fill up immediately - usually the best ones - so I would have second choices ready. I had the same experience where I kept checking back every few days and I did get the one excursion I really wanted that had been full. I also could not get the Palo brunch for my size group and had to wait until we got on the boat but we did get one there. March 14 is my booking day for excursions so I'm crossing my fingers this time. Good luck for yours.

 

[cindy18]

Two questions in the same vein:

1. Will Palo brunch fill before Palo dinner?
2. Any sense about how popular spa treatments are and whether those will fill, especially on the days at sea?

 

[kittb]

2. Do you know if we can walk to the Dover castle from the ship? I thought I read somewhere that we could drop off our luggage and walk over to the castle.

I wouldn't walk! It would be more of a hike up a very steep hill lol. Not sure if you can get the scale of it from this picture .....

It's taken from on the white cliffs, you can just see the castle on the hill on the right and then down on the left is the cruise terminal.

Kit

 

[Traveling Tinkerbell]

I am on the first Baltic cruise and a gold member. I was able to book excursions this last Saturday. If an excursion had a morning and an afternoon time, I was never able to get the morning slots. I called DCL when they opened and finally they told me the platinum people had gotten all the morning excursions. I am looking to see if Disney will be adding more morning excursions or we will just DIY on most of the ports.