The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[RJAYL]

My source at DCL tells me they are considering Viking night and/or parties for the Baltics cruise. So, how do we dress like a viking....and not look like a pirate?

~Mike

Horns we have to be real Horny!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

My source at DCL tells me they are considering Viking night and/or parties for the Baltics cruise. So, how do we dress like a viking....and not look like a pirate?

~Mike

Horns we have to be real Horny!

Mike, Yes your source as been very accurate before, I posted I had herd that as well a while back. It does seem logical, and without fireworks, they need to spice it up, however Pirates is a great cross sell for DCL, and i do not think they will buy too much stuff in for just four cruises, and four deck parties.

The advance menus I have had show Pirates night on Tallinn night.

My guess its either/or, on that night...

 

[carolmb]

My source at DCL tells me they are considering Viking night and/or parties for the Baltics cruise. So, how do we dress like a viking....and not look like a pirate?

~Mike

A hat with horns, a fur pelt and a Capital One card I watch too much TV.

 

[gydell]

A hat with horns, a fur pelt and a Capital One card I watch too much TV.

Love it!

 

[kittb]

We are traveling from Paris (Paris Nord) to Canterbury via Ebbsfleet on the Eurostar. The tickets (ordered right now) were about 45 GBP per person.

You can take the Eurostar to either Ashford or Ebbsfleet and then a Southeastern train to Dover. (We found cheaper and better times to Ebbsfleet) There is suppose to be a deal with free transport on the Southeastern system to continue your trip from the Eurostar. (don't have that quite figured out yet)

Sites with times and in
http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/index.php/cms/pages/home
http://www.eurostar.com/dynamic/_Sv...pressBookingTerm&_LANG=UK&_AGENCY=ESTAR&VT=EB

hope that helps.

If you get the chance to get the direct train though its pretty cool - the train literally stops a few minutes walk from the park gates - I love it!

Kit

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

If you get the chance to get the direct train though its pretty cool - the train literally stops a few minutes walk from the park gates - I love it!

Kit

Agree, and at the London end on embarkation we had Mickey and a main Street band playing.

The Station at Marne-La-Vallee-Chessy, is as you say directly under the Disneyland resort. Between Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios, and the Disney Village and Hotel New york the other way.

On packages I have had they took your luggage to the Disney hotel, and we went straight into the parks. Its all very compact.

The isse is the DLP direct train is early morning, and might be too much of a risk for people disembarking on the day and travelling to France that day.

 

[4boons]

I have completed my booking with Anastasia. The one part of my trip that is done.

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

 

[denise]

So does the train from DLPR (Eurostar) go thru the tunnel by Calais? Which is the narrowest point.
If it does, then it is true it doesn't stop in Dover?
I am just trying to make sense of all this. If I am wrong, please correct me.

 

[aurorafan65]

for any of you Londoners - can you tell me if the Blackfriars metro station is open. I've gotten conflicting on if its still closed or re-opened

thanks!

 

[mca]

Agree, and at the London end on embarkation we had Mickey and a main Street band playing.

The Station at Marne-La-Vallee-Chessy, is as you say directly under the Disneyland resort. Between Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios, and the Disney Village and Hotel New york the other way.

On packages I have had they took your luggage to the Disney hotel, and we went straight into the parks. Its all very compact.

The isse is the DLP direct train is early morning, and might be too much of a risk for people disembarking on the day and travelling to France that day.

We are going to DLP after or cruise and planning on catching the Eurotrain in Ashford. How much of a issue do you beleive it will be?

If one was to miss this connection what recourse do you have for a later time?

What cost ?

Or do you know of a better solution to get to DLP on debarkation day?

First time to Europe so please excuse my ignorance of the transportation system in your country.

 

[Madisonznana]

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?

 

[Madisonznana]

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.

 

[4boons]

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

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

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

 

[kittb]

We are going to DLP after or cruise and planning on catching the Eurotrain in Ashford. How much of a issue do you beleive it will be?

If one was to miss this connection what recourse do you have for a later time?

What cost ?

Or do you know of a better solution to get to DLP on debarkation day?

First time to Europe so please excuse my ignorance of the transportation system in your country.

Well this has caused a difference of opinion with dh this morning! I just took a look and the direct Eurostar train leaves at 0953 - I would be a bit twitchy about getting off the boat and there but dh says no problem!! If you were to get a taxi it would only take 20 minutes to get to Ashford station. Check in etc is so straightforward at the station and they don't require you to be there hours in advance, I think they suggest 30 minutes before departure. Tickets are normally cheaper if you have booked a seat on a specific train but for a premium you can buy a travel anytime ticket I believe. You'd need to check if this could then be used on a different route as I think there is only one direct train a day now. So for instance you could catch a train to Lille then transfer to one to Marne La Vallee.

hth
Kit

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

So does the train from DLPR (Eurostar) go thru the tunnel by Calais? Which is the narrowest point.
If it does, then it is true it doesn't stop in Dover?
I am just trying to make sense of all this. If I am wrong, please correct me.

The tunnel runs from near Folkstone, -to the South of Dover, to a place near Calais. On the UK Side the closest station that has Eurostar trains stopping at it, is Ashford International, however the number calling there has recently been cut and more now stop further up at Ebbsfleet. Eurostar doesnt stop at Dover. The local station there is Dover priory, which is a short taxi ride from the port, trains from there run to Ashford, and three London Terminus's, London Bridge, Victoria, and also on high speed train to St Pancras, (and Ebbsfleet)

for any of you Londoners - can you tell me if the Blackfriars metro station is open. I've gotten conflicting on if its still closed or re-opened

thanks!

Blackfriars underground station is closed till 2011, the mainline station is open but has considerable development.

We are going to DLP after or cruise and planning on catching the Eurotrain in Ashford. How much of a issue do you believe it will be?

If one was to miss this connection what recourse do you have for a later time?

What cost ?

Or do you know of a better solution to get to DLP on debarkation day?

First time to Europe so please excuse my ignorance of the transportation system in your country.

Cost is difficult as there are many routes, and also depends on, the time you travel, the train you get, day,week, weekend, etc, to/from etc. But circa £50 is a good starting point. Currently there is one direct DLP train a day it is early and personally I feel its just to early to get on disembarkation day. There are alternatives, Indirect trains, Eurostar to Lille (Europe) station, then TGV to Disney. Or Eurostar to Paris and then their Metro to Disney.

I suggest you look at the Eurostar website, it will give you the options, fares,times etc, note you can normally book three months in advance but tour operators 'charter' a lot of the DLP train every day. So you must book it on the day of release. I understand a second train is to be added but do not know when.

To Ashford, you can either do:-

TAXI All the way.
TAXI To Dover priory, then train to Ashford,

Both a quick, but they may be a wait at Dover for a train, again depends weekday/weekend, peak/off peak etc.

Well this has caused a difference of opinion with dh this morning! I just took a look and the direct Eurostar train leaves at 0953 - I would be a bit twitchy about getting off the boat and there but dh says no problem!! If you were to get a taxi it would only take 20 minutes to get to Ashford station. Check in etc is so straightforward at the station and they don't require you to be there hours in advance, I think they suggest 30 minutes before departure. Tickets are normally cheaper if you have booked a seat on a specific train but for a premium you can buy a travel anytime ticket I believe. You'd need to check if this could then be used on a different route as I think there is only one direct train a day now. So for instance you could catch a train to Lille then transfer to one to Marne La Vallee.

hth
Kit

Agree, but its very tight, doable, but no margin for error.

 

[goingsouth]

We are taking the train from York to Dover. Not easy. It seems that taking a train from York to Kings Cross and then walking to St. Pancras for the high speed train to Dover is easier than trying to get a taxi to Charing Cross or Victoria. Has anyone done that before? Our alternative is to drive, but I'd like to remain married.

joanne

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We are taking the train from York to Dover. Not easy. It seems that taking a train from York to Kings Cross and then walking to St. Pancras for the high speed train to Dover is easier than trying to get a taxi to Charing Cross or Victoria. Has anyone done that before? Our alternative is to drive, but I'd like to remain married.

joanne

You are correct.

Kings cross and St Pancras are generally the same station they are separated by a road, you can walk above ground or very easily between them through the Tube station.

Do not go on the underground to Chairing cross or Victoria.

There is a regular service from STP, On SouthEastern trains, they are new 'javelin' trains high speed to be used in our Olympics. They are slightly more expensive, but run every 30 mins normally to Dover Priory.

Tell your husband he is lucky to have you and then the marriage isn't a worry.

 

[goingsouth]

Thank you, Andrew Derek. So glad you're on these boards!

joanne

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thank you, Andrew Derek. So glad you're on these boards!

joanne

Two things to look at at St Pancras,

The statue, 'the lovers',
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceej-muso/3289951653/ http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/stand...vers-statue-installed-at-eurostar-terminal.do http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceej-muso/3289924083/in/set-72157614029046997/
and

The longest Bar in the UK, The Champagne bar....
http://www.stpancras.com/stpancras/champagnebar/
There are a selection of shops as well, such as a small Hamleys.

 

[aurorafan65]

thanks for the station info Andrew Derek