The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[Fivepin]

I'm working on getting one more quote for a car service. Has anyone heard of Riverside Cars London? Their quote came back the lowest, but I can't find any reviews on them.
Thanks

Just received our Eurostar tixs for Paris in the mail over the weekend.
It's slowly starting to fall into place.

Any thoughts on the London Pass? Is it worth it?

 

[denise]

does anyone know what night is Lobster night?

 

[LisaTex]

Isn't it usually Captains's Gala (semi-formal) night?

 

[slg]

Fivepin:

Are you still planning on using Silverline from Gatwick to Dover.

 

[Fivepin]

Fivepin:

Are you still planning on using Silverline from Gatwick to Dover.

DH just wanted me to get another quote. I still have them lined up. I'm going from Renaissance Chancery Court to Dover. The second quote came back cheaper, plus they will do the airport pickup.

 

[ArthurAmish]

We're also staying at the Renaissance Chancery Court. I would like more information on transportation between Heathrow and the Hotel, and the hotel to Dover.

Thanks.

 

[ldo]

For those who are considering DIY to Dover. I have to say, taking a London bus/tube for under $2 to Victoria and then the train to Dover and cab for 5 minutes from Dover to Port is SOOOO easy. I had never been to London--knew nothing about the tubes, buses, train, except looking a bit on the internet.
Last year, we stayed all the way up in Notting Hill (at the Kensington hilton--which is great and right on a london bus line (#100, or 110, or 10) that goes into all the spots you want ot see in London--it pretty much follows the big red tour bus-and it's even double decker, as well--it costs under $2 or under $1 if you get an Oyster card).
Assuming you aer mobile and can manage your own luggage, anyone can do this--I did it with my 83 yr old mother and her 84 yr old friend. If you are in groups of 2 (so 2, 4, 6, etc.) you can get special (almost) 2 for 1 tickets from Victoria to Dover--no need for advance purchase, just walk up and buy them.
At Dover, it's a very small station and the taxis are lined up waiting to take you to port---many people in the know will be doing the same thing. I think the train cost us $24 each with the 2-1 special and the cab was well under $20 for 4 of us with luggage.
Elaine

 

[carolmb]

For those who are considering DIY to Dover. I have to say, taking a London bus/tube for under $2 to Victoria and then the train to Dover and cab for 5 minutes from Dover to Port is SOOOO easy. I had never been to London--knew nothing about the tubes, buses, train, except looking a bit on the internet.
Last year, we stayed all the way up in Notting Hill (at the Kensington hilton--which is great and right on a london bus line (#100, or 110, or 10) that goes into all the spots you want ot see in London--it pretty much follows the big red tour bus-and it's even double decker, as well--it costs under $2 or under $1 if you get an Oyster card).
Assuming you aer mobile and can manage your own luggage, anyone can do this--I did it with my 83 yr old mother and her 84 yr old friend. If you are in groups of 2 (so 2, 4, 6, etc.) you can get special (almost) 2 for 1 tickets from Victoria to Dover--no need for advance purchase, just walk up and buy them.
At Dover, it's a very small station and the taxis are lined up waiting to take you to port---many people in the know will be doing the same thing. I think the train cost us $24 each with the 2-1 special and the cab was well under $20 for 4 of us with luggage.
Elaine

Thanks for the information because this is how I will be traveling with a DH and 2 children in tow.
Carol

 

[jilljill]

I 2nd the above for ease of getting to the port on your own. The only difference is we used National Express Coach from Victoria coast station and made reservations for one of the first buses out. They start taking reservations 12 weeks out. It was less than $60 for 3 of us - had I booked earlier than I did it would have been even cheaper.

 

[Rogillio]

A little news that might be of interest to Baltic cruisers.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100309/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_sweden_shipwrecks


We plan to DIY to the Vasa musuem in Stockholm. Maybe by then they will at least have some good pictures or video of this ship.

~Mike

 

[mkmommy]

I 2nd the above for ease of getting to the port on your own. The only difference is we used National Express Coach from Victoria coast station and made reservations for one of the first buses out. They start taking reservations 12 weeks out. It was less than $60 for 3 of us - had I booked earlier than I did it would have been even cheaper.

Actually I can make reservations already for July 29/2010.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We're also staying at the Renaissance Chancery Court. I would like more information on transportation between Heathrow and the Hotel, and the hotel to Dover.

Thanks.

Options from the man in London!!!!!!

Heathrow>Hotel.

OPTION 1

Piccadilly line (Tube train) from any Heathrow terminal, to Holborn direct.

Advantages: cheap, trains have luggage space: direct:Very close to hotel
Disadvantage: Peak times can be crowded, (but you get on at the terminus), Escaltors both ends, Holborn has two sets to street level, as Central line is above Piccadilly there, but doable with luggage.

OPTION 2

Heathrow Express or Heathrow connect. Express to Paddinton, CONECT calls at more stations. Express, Paddington, then Taxi, or tube Bakerloo/Central change Oxford circus for Holborn, note for Heathrow connect you can change at Ealing broadway for Central line.

In direct, requires taxi, but less escalators.


Taxi all the way. Expensive, no luggage up escalators.

National Express. Cheaper (just to tube), to Victoria only then Taxi, or Tube Victoria/ Central.


HOTEL TO DOVER.

Mainline stations are:-

St Pancras High speed train.
Charring cross /London Bridge.
Victoria.

Best service is every 30 mins from St Pancras. Very fast. That's on Piccadilly line form your hotel or short taxi ride.

Victoria. Central line to Oxford Street then Victoria line

London Bridge. Taxi, or Central line to Bank and Northern line to LB.

Colours of lines correspond to the tube map colours.

I personally do not favour National express it has many stops and takes two and a half hours without traffic ajmes from London to Dover.

Train station in Dover is Dover priory.

Care ,many normal Dover priory trains (Not high speed) have 8 cars and split at Faversham so be in the correct 4 cars, front i think but check.

 

[wintergreen]

I was originally thinking of taking train from Victoria, but St. Pancras looks better. Are there any decent hotels near there?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I was originally thinking of taking train from Victoria, but St. Pancras looks better. Are there any decent hotels near there?

There is a new one at the Station thats brand new and looks good, but......
i do not recommend that area at night, so apart from the station do not book a hotel in that region. It had a reputation in the past it is getting better, but do not stay in the Kings cross area,

Holborn/Chancery lane is fine and only a short tube or Taxi away.

The trains from StP, are far far better, they are high speed trains very fast, few stops, they are the new Javelin trains for 2012 Olympics in service now. They are slightly more expensive, which is good/bad, ie less people on them for one journey it isnt an issue.

Its very smooth ride most of the way, it uses Eurostar high speed tracks to Ashford.

 

[wintergreen]

There is a new one at the Station thats brand new and looks good, but......
i do not recommend that area at night, so apart from the station do not book a hotel in that region. It had a reputation in the past it is getting better, but do not stay in the Kings cross area,

Holborn/Chancery lane is fine and only a short tube or Taxi away.

The trains from StP, are far far better, they are high speed trains very fast, few stops, they are the new Javelin trains for 2012 Olympics in service now. They are slightly more expensive, which is good/bad, ie less people on them for one journey it isnt an issue.

Its very smooth ride most of the way, it uses Eurostar high speed tracks to Ashford.

Thanks much. Very helpful. I have a hotel booked near Victoria at the moment, but may cancel and try to find something in the Holborn area. I've stayed at the Chancery Court for business before, and loved it, but Marriott is not allowing me to book four in a room. Will search for something else.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thanks much. Very helpful. I have a hotel booked near Victoria at the moment, but may cancel and try to find something in the Holborn area. I've stayed at the Chancery Court for business before, and loved it, but Marriott is not allowing me to book four in a room. Will search for something else.

Chancery court is nice, also there is a new HILTON at London Bridge station, easy access to tower of London, and Dover trains. Tube to Waterloo, Bank, Bond Street, Westminster. Globe and Tate nearby. Trains also go to Gatwick.

 

[has]

New to the board so I'm not sure if this has already been posted.

Anybody know which ports the magic will dock in for Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Helsinki for the 06/12/2010 cruise?

We would like to DIY these ports but need to figure the distance and time travel.
Thanks so much.

Heidi

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

New to the board so I'm not sure if this has already been posted.

Anybody know which ports the magic will dock in for Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Helsinki for the 06/12/2010 cruise?

We would like to DIY these ports but need to figure the distance and time travel.
Thanks so much.

Heidi

They dock at every one no tendering.

Oslo Can walk, in town centre.
Copenhagen, Can Walk.
Warnmunde, Rostock local Berlin of course a long way.
St Petersburg, need a shore trip or private trip to get off.
Stockholm. Short taxi ride.

 

[2bundles]

We have just booked a rental car for Heathrow to Dover. We arrive the day before, so we will stay near Dover, have a bit of a drive/look around, then return the car and jump on the ship. 70 pounds including 2 child seats!. Much cheaper than any other transfer I could find from Heathrow.

 

[MrsScooby]

A little news that might be of interest to Baltic cruisers.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100309/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_sweden_shipwrecks


We plan to DIY to the Vasa musuem in Stockholm. Maybe by then they will at least have some good pictures or video of this ship.

~Mike

Very cool

We're also planning on a DIY to the Vasa museum as well as signing up with a local tour company for a tour of Stockholm.