The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[Deb T.]

Andrew and Celestine,

Thanks for all of your expertise! Your posts have been extremely helpful! I really appreciate all the time you've spent helping all of us!

DH and I are not at all familiar with any kind of subway, train, or tube system. Can you please give me a step-by-step version of what exactly we need to do for three parts of our trip? We need the where, what, and how!

#1 - It seems the most economical way to get from Heathrow to the Marriott County Hall is by tube? Where do we go to catch the tube, how do we get the tickets, and how do we know which train to get on and off?

#2 - From what I've read here, the train is the cheapest way to get from London to the port. Where and how do we get from the Marriott County Hall to catch the train to Dover?

#3 - We won't have a second to spare to get back to Heathrow from Dover. (I deserved to be flamed for the return flight time I booked... but it was hundreds of dollars cheaper than the later flights and I believe in pixie dust.) Will there be hire cars available at the port that could take us straight away to the airport or do we need to arrange one ahead of time?

Thanks, again, for all of your help on this thread!!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew and celestine,

thanks for all of your expertise! Your posts have been extremely helpful! I really appreciate all the time you've spent helping all of us!

dh and i are not at all familiar with any kind of subway, train, or tube system. Can you please give me a step-by-step version of what exactly we need to do for three parts of our trip? We need the where, what, and how!

#1 - it seems the most economical way to get from heathrow to the marriott county hall is by tube? Where do we go to catch the tube, how do we get the tickets, and how do we know which train to get on and off?

economical is the tube, Piccadilly line (dark blue) from any heathrow terminal, to green park, swap to jubilee line (silver) and get off at Waterloo, or Piccadilly to barons court, walk over same platform, district (green) to Westminster, and walk across bridge.

Tickets on sale in the ticket hall, if staying in London get a oyster card, and load it to an amount, (if seven days get a travelcard on oyster. Think of it as a key to the world card, you touch in and out, at stations and it debits the pre loaded account. Can be used on bus, rail, tube and some boats in London. Each train has a destination board on the front of it, and also above station platform, from heathrow any train as its the terminus.
Jubilee interchange train would be for stratford.
District. Any, should be upminster/barking.



#2 - from what i've read here, the train is the cheapest way to get from London to the port. Where and how do we get from the marriott county hall to catch the train to Dover?

Either London Victoria or London bridge or High speed train from St Pancras.(Kings cross)

Trains to Dover priory.

VICTORIA, either taxi, short distance, or Walk over bridge of Thames to Westminster and District to Victoria.
Or Jubilee to Westminster from Waterloo and as above.

Trains to Dover tend to run either every 30 mins at peak times, or 60 mins at weekends, Care the train splits in two along the route so of the eight carriages 4 will go to Dover, and 4 to Ramsgate.

London bridge, is Jubaliee from Waterloo

St Pancrus, Waterloo>Jubilee; then change Green park to Piccadilly, to Kings cross and walk through.


#3 - we won't have a second to spare to get back to heathrow from Dover. (i deserved to be flamed for the return flight time i booked... But it was hundreds of dollars cheaper than the later flights and i believe in pixie dust.) will there be hire cars available at the port that could take us straight away to the airport or do we need to arrange one ahead of time?

I would book one in advance, Dover is a busy port and on some cruises, ie 7/30 Princess or another ship are in as well.

Local firms might not agree to go to Heathrow 'on demand'. So book a transfer or one way car rental.

Thanks, again, for all of your help on this thread!!!

*

 

[NancyIL]

Andrew and Celestine,

Thanks for all of your expertise! Your posts have been extremely helpful! I really appreciate all the time you've spent helping all of us!

DH and I are not at all familiar with any kind of subway, train, or tube system. Can you please give me a step-by-step version of what exactly we need to do for three parts of our trip? We need the where, what, and how!

#1 - It seems the most economical way to get from Heathrow to the Marriott County Hall is by tube? Where do we go to catch the tube, how do we get the tickets, and how do we know which train to get on and off?

#2 - From what I've read here, the train is the cheapest way to get from London to the port. Where and how do we get from the Marriott County Hall to catch the train to Dover?

#3 - We won't have a second to spare to get back to Heathrow from Dover. (I deserved to be flamed for the return flight time I booked... but it was hundreds of dollars cheaper than the later flights and I believe in pixie dust.) Will there be hire cars available at the port that could take us straight away to the airport or do we need to arrange one ahead of time?

Thanks, again, for all of your help on this thread!!!

I would suggest reading Rick Steves' London for helpful tips on getting around London. His Scandinavia book will be very helpful for all of the Baltic cruise ports except Warnemunde and St. Petersburg.

1. We have taken the tube from Heathrow to the Mariott County Hall and the Renaissance Chancery Court. If you have a lot of luggage, I wouldn't recommend it. You will need to change to a different line midway - depending on whether you get off at Westminster or Waterloo, and then you will have a bit of a walk from either tube station to your hotel. There are ticket machines at Heathrow. http://images.google.com/imgres?img...rev=/images?q=London+tube+map&hl=en&sa=X&um=1

When we flew to Heathrow in September and stayed at the Marriott - we took the Heathrow Connect train to Paddington Station, and then took a taxi to our hotel. Heathrow Connect is half as fast as Heathrow Express, but it was also half the price. https://www.heathrowconnect.com

2. The train is probably the fastest way to Dover, but the bus from Victoria Coach Station probably costs less. Go to www.nationalexpress.co.uk to check schedules.

3. I would arrange for a car service ahead of time. From a cruise port to an airport is quite expensive, but you should be used to paying a lot - since you booked this cruise! We used Eddie Manning to go from London to Heathrow, and he also picks up at the cruise ports: http://www.limo.co.uk/dover.htm

 

[OurDogCisco]

Hi Deb T. We are using http://www.woodfordchauffeurcars.co.uk/ I know they do one way service. I already booked my car service and yes it is expensive but I'm traveling with a 9 year old and there is no way she could handle the shuffle. I'd only do it if I had been to England before.

 

[gydell]

Here's the car service we are using - http://www.silverlinetravel.co.uk/prices.htm

They are picking up 2 at the airport and then 3 of us in London and taking us to Dover. They are also returning us to the airport after the cruise. It is costly but I am taking the easy way out by letting someone else figure out the schedule and take care of our luggage.

 

[NancyIL]

Here's the car service we are using - http://www.silverlinetravel.co.uk/prices.htm

They are picking up 2 at the airport and then 3 of us in London and taking us to Dover. They are also returning us to the airport after the cruise. It is costly but I am taking the easy way out by letting someone else figure out the schedule and take care of our luggage.

Your company charges 95 pounds for the Dover to Heathrow transfer, whereas the one I mentioned charges 195 pounds for 1-6 people in a van! That's quite a difference.

 

[jilljill]

#2 - From what I've read here, the train is the cheapest way to get from London to the port. Where and how do we get from the Marriott County Hall

Summer 2008 we found National Express Coach to be the cheapest and easist way to go to Dover port from London Victoria Station. We paid about $60 for the 3 people to go one-way. If I had booked it 12 weeks out it would have been cheaper.
If using the coach make a reservation since the buses tend to fill up on port days. We were on a Sunday bus that departed at 9:45 am and got us to Dover at noon.

 

[gydell]

Your company charges 95 pounds for the Dover to Heathrow transfer, whereas the one I mentioned charges 195 pounds for 1-6 people in a van! That's quite a difference.

Call them or email them and see what the quote is. I checked several sites and for the 3 leg trip for 5, I think I got a good deal. I have a van from the port to the airport for us and the charge is 125 pounds. If I find somthing better then I'll be changing but right now this seems to be it for us!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I did post a timetable for National Express coaches, a few pages back, I think I will point out again its a minimum of two and a half hours on a coach, that by train is less than half of that, and car just over an hour.

NE has many stops en route, and of course uses the roads and is therefore subject to traffic jams and roadworks.

Its the cheapest option but if transfer is time critical the worst option.

You also then end/start at Victoria and have to connect there to other transport, if you are not staying in Victoria.

 

[Stimpy]

Just curious....we booked air/transfers through DCL (1st time doing that, usually I like to do everything myself).

If most flights back to the US are early morning/afternoon, how will DCL handle the flights home if we come in late? We're coming and going out of JFK so I would imagine there would be more options?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Just curious....we booked air/transfers through DCL (1st time doing that, usually I like to do everything myself).

If most flights back to the US are early morning/afternoon, how will DCL handle the flights home if we come in late? We're coming and going out of JFK so I would imagine there would be more options?

New york only being 5 hours often has more late afternoon and evening flights, however I would ask DCL.

Our Orlando Las Vegas, and LA flights leave am, or at lunch time to get out their mid afternoon local, to fly back in the evening, and over night due to time zones, and arrive as our airports open at 6am.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Overnight and today DCL have made a number of changes to their website on the shore trip / port adventures pages of each port of call in the Baltic.

I posted a few times that I think they will release these this week, looks like its any time now.

Let the posting and discussion commence, and pick yourselves back off the floor when you see the prices.

Will be nice to discuss these on this thread and our respective cruise meets as they release.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Overnight and today DCL have made a number of changes to their website on the shore trip / port adventures pages of each port of call in the Baltic.

I posted a few times that I think they will release these this week, looks like its any time now.

Let the posting and discussion commence, and pick yourselves back off the floor when you see the prices.

Will be nice to discuss these on this thread and our respective cruise meets as they release.

Can't wait to see them!!

 

[4boons]

Something must be up because the DCL website has been having all types of problems.

 

[gydell]

Something must be up because the DCL website has been having all types of problems.

I noticed that!

 

[Arizona Rita]

Hi Andrew
I read somewhere where did sort of a comparison between the Disneyland Hotel and the New York and I had the impression that you liked the New York more.
Could you please tell me more about your preferences, why you like one over the other and the advantages?
DH just called DLP and again, "no we dont know when that will be available"
does Disney not want us to go there?
Thanks
Rita

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hi Andrew
I read somewhere where did sort of a comparison between the Disneyland Hotel and the New York and I had the impression that you liked the New York more.
Could you please tell me more about your preferences, why you like one over the other and the advantages?
DH just called DLP and again, "no we don't know when that will be available"
does Disney not want us to go there?
Thanks
Rita

Yes, I prefer the Hotel New York and stayed there however, have been in the Disneyland to have meals there and so had a walk around.

The Disneyland hotel is above -just above the entrance/ ticket booths of Disneyland park. The other park Walt Disney studios (think Hollywood Studios) is about a 10 min park away. The Disneyland Hotel, isn't as good as is name sake in California, is a bit like the Grand Floridian, but without the 'grand' bit. Spread over a long area, the 1/2 floors are above the park entrance. The wings have ground floors, either side, so it covers a large area.

Being where it is, is slightly difficult to get to with luggage, its 5 mins walk to the station and car/ bus park, but thats through extensive gardens.

DH is the only 5 star, and therefore expensive, and imho not value for money, It does have a nice character meal, breakfast, and dinner, but you can also book that from any hotel.

Some rooms have nice views of the park, but most do not.

Now the Hotel New york, is about a 10 min walk from both parks and again 5 mins form the station, opposite direction to DLH, the walk is through Disney village the shops, so feels a lot shorter as you have something to look at.

HNY has a large swimming pool, inside and in summer extends outside, large gym, arcade, two nice restaurants the parkside and Manhattan, some packages include breakfast at parkside and its good.

Rooms are nice, now note French rooms are smaller, so comparable to USA the rooms are a little smaller but bigger than average European ones.

All work off a central hub, on many floors but have efficient elevators and you cannot get lost like DLH.

There is car parking, and a bus to the station if you are lazy!!!

HNY, is the highest ranking 4 star, and value for money. There are many more places, they are further to walk and mostly 3 and 2 stars, my DD with the guides will be in one in two weeks.

There is a great them all the way through, from a yellow New york taxi cab, to the bars, the characters are always in the lobby, and it has a small shop and concierge to help with dinner ADR's.

Cafe Mickey the best character meal breakfast or dinner is next to HNY at one end of Disney village, there often is a tied balloon for going up for a view, over lake disney, and in winter they have ice skating outside, Rockefeller style.

 

[MJGirl]

I can vouch for New York. Stayed there in 2007 after my Med Cruise and loved it! I booked as an add on through DCL. Had to find my own way there, but was easier to deal with then booking online. Met 2 other parties from our cruise on our floor, so looks like DCL booked a group of rooms. Don't know if these will be offered for the Baltic cruise or not.

I ate at the Cafe Mickey and the meal was great. Also ate at Annettes and found that good as well. Prices were expensive though, once you factor in the exchange.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Reviewing the pages for the ports of Call in the Baltic, it appears they have swapped back again.

Now we saw this on the advance changes for the 7 night Med cruises, we had a Website update, then it was pulled.

I still feel as posted before it should be up by Thursday, not sure about Tallinn though, that might be 24 days later as first two cruise do not go there. Yesterday it wasn't changed.

 

[NancyIL]

I posted this on another thread today, and I know I have posted this before - but it doesn't hurt to repeat info:

For our 2005 Baltic cruise with similar ports (no Germany, but both Helsinki and Talinn) - Rick Steves' Scandinavia guide book was all we needed for 5 of our 6 ports. We booked no excursions through the cruise line, but bought the "city" passes for most of the ports, and that covered admissions to most things we wanted to see in Oslo (the best value), Copenhagen, and Stockholm. The city pass for Helsinki wasn't much of a money saver, and it was very easy to walk around the old town of Talinn on our own using the Rick Steves book.

Visit Oslo Pass: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/advantages.52087.en.html
Copenhagen Card: http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/
Stockholm Card: http://www.europeancitycards.com/citycard.asp?cur=235&id=236
Helsinki Card: http://www.helsinkicard.fi/
Talinn Card: http://www.tourism.tallinn.ee/fpage/tallinncard

In St. Petersburg, I strongly recommend doing a private tour. We went with DenRus and had an excellent 2-day tour: www.denrus.ru