The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[MJGirl]

Look at the new offer on the DCL site! Doesn't work for me ... but some of you may want to check it out!

Sail away with great rates on these select Northern European sailings:

Kids Sail Free on Select Northern European Cruises
Kids ages 17 and under traveling with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom sail free on the June 12 and June 24, 2010 12-Night Northern European Capitals Cruises. Government Taxes and Fees and Port Adventures not included.

This summer, for the first time ever, Disney Cruise Line will offer a 12-Night Northern European Capitals Cruise, where you and your family can experience some of the world's most celebrated historic city centers and scenic natural wonders. Journey to enchanting Scandinavian destinations and immerse yourself in the fascinating Viking lore of Oslo, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden. Sail to Warnemunde, Germany—gateway to Berlin—and explore the "Cultural Capital of Russia," St. Petersburg. And, depending on itinerary selected, soak up the picture-perfect sights of Helsinki, Finland or Tallinn, Estonia.

To take advantage of this offer, book online at disneycruise.com, call (800) 951-3532 or contact your Travel Agent. Be sure to indicate booking code "KFO" at time of booking. Guests under 18 years of age must have their parent or guardian call this number.

Important Details
Government Taxes and Fees and Port Adventures not included. This special offer applies to new bookings only and is non-transferable. This offer applies to stateroom categories 8 through 11 only; the number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited. Other discounts or onboard credits do not apply. Rates, dates and availability are subject to change without notice. Offer is only available to U.S. and Canada residents. For more information, please see applicable Terms and Conditions.

 

[abacab]

I hope to be climbing into the car that will take us to Ashford.

Are you taking the train to Paris that day? That's what we're planning... How are you getting to Ashford... by taxi? is that something we need to book in advance?

 

[ch10dad]

Has anyone used (or booked with) spb tours?

 

[jilljill]

Has anyone used (or booked with) spb tours?

If you look on cruisecritic.com you will see loads of reviews from people that have used SPB Tours.

 

[sbell111]

Are you taking the train to Paris that day? That's what we're planning... How are you getting to Ashford... by taxi? is that something we need to book in advance?

We are going to DLP that day. I was thinking of getting a taxi, but now I'm thinking that a car service will keep me out of the long line of people waiting for a taxi.

 

[abacab]

We are going to DLP that day. I was thinking of getting a taxi, but now I'm thinking that a car service will keep me out of the long line of people waiting for a taxi.

Hmmm... car service might be a good idea. Any advice as to which one to book, or where to find one?

Also, do you have any confirmation that we'll actually be able to get off the boat at 8am?

 

[Rogillio]

Anyone getting a rental car in Germany? Best I can tell, it's about 3 or 4 miles from the port to the Avis rental place...but Avis reservations was not able to tell me if there was a shuttle from to/from the port.

~Mike

 

[sbell111]

Hmmm... car service might be a good idea. Any advice as to which one to book, or where to find one?

I've done a little googling, but haven't settled on any particular service yet.

Also, do you have any confirmation that we'll actually be able to get off the boat at 8am?

According to an email from DCL, we should be able to. It all depends on how fast the ship clears customs.

 

[has]

Is the 8am for the June 12th sailing?
Sorry MJ about us only have a few hours in Stockholm!!!!!

Heidi

 

[jilljill]

Anyone getting a rental car in Germany? Best I can tell, it's about 3 or 4 miles from the port to the Avis rental place...but Avis reservations was not able to tell me if there was a shuttle from to/from the port.

~Mike

Check on cruisecritic.com for info on car rentals in Warnemunde. There's someone on there that posts that is from this area of Germany and has done detailed info maps of the area, including where the car rental companies are located. IIRC from researching our last Baltics cruise, there's 1 or 2 car rental companies much closer to the port than Avis.

 

[buck4568]

Has anyone used (or booked with) spb tours?

We are on the June 24th sailing and we are using SPB in St. Petersburg. They emailed the tickets that will allow us off the ship and we had to pay nothing upfront.

 

[buck4568]

Look at the new offer on the DCL site! Doesn't work for me ... but some of you may want to check it out!

Quote:
Sail away with great rates on these select Northern European sailings:

Kids Sail Free on Select Northern European Cruises
Kids ages 17 and under traveling with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom sail free on the June 12 and June 24, 2010 12-Night Northern European Capitals Cruises. Government Taxes and Fees and Port Adventures not included.

This summer, for the first time ever, Disney Cruise Line will offer a 12-Night Northern European Capitals Cruise, where you and your family can experience some of the world's most celebrated historic city centers and scenic natural wonders. Journey to enchanting Scandinavian destinations and immerse yourself in the fascinating Viking lore of Oslo, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden. Sail to Warnemunde, Germany—gateway to Berlin—and explore the "Cultural Capital of Russia," St. Petersburg. And, depending on itinerary selected, soak up the picture-perfect sights of Helsinki, Finland or Tallinn, Estonia.

To take advantage of this offer, book online at disneycruise.com, call (800) 951-3532 or contact your Travel Agent. Be sure to indicate booking code "KFO" at time of booking. Guests under 18 years of age must have their parent or guardian call this number.

Important Details
Government Taxes and Fees and Port Adventures not included. This special offer applies to new bookings only and is non-transferable. This offer applies to stateroom categories 8 through 11 only; the number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited. Other discounts or onboard credits do not apply. Rates, dates and availability are subject to change without notice. Offer is only available to U.S. and Canada residents. For more information, please see applicable Terms and Conditions.

==============================================================================================================

No coincidence that they waited until they were within the cancellation penalty period for those dates to announce that!

 

[carolmb]

Has anyone used (or booked with) spb tours?

We are on the June 12th cruise and are booked with spb tours. Viktoria has been very responsive to emails and her prices seem fair.

 

[mkmommy]

Does anyone have an estimate of what a taxi would cost from Victoria Station area to London St Pancras, thinking of taking the highspeed train to Dover instead of the train from Victoria Station?

 

[sbell111]

Does anyone have an estimate of what a taxi would cost from Victoria Station area to London St Pancras, thinking of taking the highspeed train to Dover instead of the train from Victoria Station?

$30.30 to $34.48, depending on day of week, according to worldtaximeter.com.

 

[sbell111]

I think that we are going to probably stick with the slow train from Victoria Station. We'll save about $50 with this option and the trip will only take about half an hour more after the taxi ride is factored in. Unfortunately, this option requires that I get up earlier.

 

[buck4568]

Has anyone used (or booked with) spb tours?

Vika from SPB contacted us and you are joining us in St. Petersburg! We are using Disney for Berlin. Want to go by train instead of bus.

 

[ch10dad]

Vika from SPB contacted us and you are joining us in St. Petersburg! We are using Disney for Berlin. Want to go by train instead of bus.

We're doing Berlin with them ( SPB ) also...

Ray

 

[buck4568]

We're doing Berlin with them ( SPB ) also...

Ray

We could use another four people to help get the cost down in St. Petersburg so I am open to anyone else that wants to join us?

If we get 10-12 people it gets us under $300 per person for the day and a half.

I asked about the Gold Room at Hermitage which I am told is a must see and that would be an additional $25 per person for anyone that wants to see that.

Off to see Mickey for the weekend! Staying at BW!

 

[Rogillio]

OK, I know we've not sailed the Baltic Sea yet but has anyone given any thought to "next year"?

When we sail the Mediterranean Cruise in 2007 we thought that was our "vacation of a lifetime!" but no sooner than we got that one paid off we were playing Monopoly one night and I happened to mention that DCL just announced they were gonna sail in the Baltic Sea and my son got all excited when he said said "Hey, there is a Baltic Avenue and Mediterranean Ave on the board!" They are the 2 property monopoly....for slum lords. But I digress.... So we took this as an omen.

Anyway, we decided to "go for broke" one more time and take another "trip of a lifetime".

So for some reason last night I was looking at DCL prices for 2011 cruises. After paying airfare across the pond, hotel before/after, rental cars, excursions, not to mention 11 days on the ship.....the 7 day Carribean looked really cheap.....even the new suites!

I'm sure if I mention a 2011 cruise to my wife right now I'd get hit in the head with a frying pan...

Anyone thought about "next year" yet?

~Mike