The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[Arizona Rita]

Hey Andrew
Good to see you again!
I posted a quetion over on the UK boards under "Need planning help">
Could you take a look and give your opinion?
Thanks!
Rita

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hey Andrew
Good to see you again!
I posted a question over on the UK boards under "Need planning help">
Could you take a look and give your opinion?
Thanks!
Rita

RITA,

Will look, you can also PM me anytime.

PS

I have visited the ''Renaissance London Chancery Court Hotel'' twice in the last week, if anyone staying there wants any info please ask. I know many of you are staying there.

PS Very very nice, like the purple shutters/blinds and the footman on the door!!!

 

[Rogillio]

The disruption was bad my sister and family were caught up in it for an extra six days without money so get covered!





Nice to see that the Volcano is ''on topic'' again.

Welcome back brother.

Was that the sister who flashes passengers on the London Eye from her rooftop flat?

~Mike

 

[Rogillio]

I have been trying to nail down our Germany plans. We plan to get a rental car and tour on our own per Frommer's travel books.

From my research, I have found that Avis, Hertz and Enterprise all rent cars out of Rostock. Prices for the day range from about $50 to $150 depending on the size/quality of the car.

I email the tourist people at the Warenmunde port about how to get to/from the Avis place and they emailed me back:

The train station in Warnemunde is only some minutes away from cruise terminal. Train runs every 15 minutes to Rostock central station and it is a 20-25 min. ride. From there you have to go by tram (streetcar) to town hall and then you have to walk approx 10 min. to the AVIS office. Taxis are available at the terminal. Fare is approx. 30-35 Euro, I would say but do not know exactly. It is of course also possible to go by train to Rostock main station and by taxi to AVIS. This would be around 10 Euro. But AVIS should be able to provide the car directly at the terminal such as all the other companies do. Ask them !

By the way, most Americans rent a car with “Enterprise” because they have most experiences with guests from U.S. Enterprise has a direct link via phone from the terminal building to their office too. If there is a cruise call a staff member provides the cars at the terminal and before you leave again you put the car key and - documents into a box. Same procedure is with “Hertz”. For me it seems this is the easiest way and you do not waste so much time​

So then I looked at Enterprise in Rostock and got a better deal on a car. I've emailed the Enterprise people to see if there is a fee for them to pick up up at the port and take us to the rental agency. Avis also provides this service but it's like $40....and I'm not sure if that is pick-up and drop-off.

Even if we stay with Avis, a train ride to Rostock and then a tram + walk to Avis actually sounds like a fun adventure.

~Mike

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Welcome back brother.

Was that the sister who flashes passengers on the London Eye from her rooftop flat?

~Mike

I hope not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can look in on some bedrooms and see stuff at times, yes.

She was stuck in Spain then Gibraltar was flown back last Thursday. One of her sons is on medication for a condition and so prescription medicine was a big concern. If you run out it has consequneces but you only take what you expect to use, maybe a suggestion all travelling to Europe and have medication take extra supplies.

I will ask her on my Birthday call.

 

[mmouse37]

If you run out it has consequneces but you only take what you expect to use, maybe a suggestion all travelling to Europe and have medication take extra supplies.

This is good advice....last week my DD's friends were not able to fly back home to the UK for over a week. One of them is diabetic and luckily he had enough supplies/medication with him for the extra week.

MJ

 

[Ivory]

Has anyone ever used VisitBritaindirect? I placed an order for 2 different excursions and was sent and e-voucher for 1 but not the other. I have for 2 weeks been e-mailing to request it to be sent, as my credit card has been charged. There is no phone number to call and I'm lost as what to do next.

Any ideas????

 

[Fivepin]

Andrew-

I know you had posted this, but forgive me I'm going to ask. I lost my notes I had taken the one day regarding hiring car services to take us to Dover. You said to look for their licensing. What exactly was it supposed to say. I found one that says they are licensed through the London Public Carriage Office. Is this what I'm looking for? Thanks again. The company is Riverside Cars & Couriers.

 

[scrapycruiser]

The men in our family would like to know about tuxes.
Thinking about renting them and the wearing them on formal
night as well as Palo. Do many men wear tuxes to Palo ?

Do you think the Baltic will be more formal than the Med ?

Should they rent a black or white jacket ?

Thanks !

 

[Doingitagain]

The men in our family would like to know about tuxes.
Thinking about renting them and the wearing them on formal
night as well as Palo. Do many men wear tuxes to Palo ?

Do you think the Baltic will be more formal than the Med ?

Should they rent a black or white jacket ?

Thanks !

It is less and less every time we cruise, but we enjoy the formal photos. DH and DS rent black jackets.

 

[MrsG]

The men in our family would like to know about tuxes.
Thinking about renting them and the wearing them on formal
night as well as Palo. Do many men wear tuxes to Palo ?

Do you think the Baltic will be more formal than the Med ?

Should they rent a black or white jacket ?

Thanks !

DH will be renting a tux. Most men just wear a jacket to Palo but a few wear tuxes if it is formal night. I have a feeling that the Baltic will be more formal than the Med, but JMHO. You can't go wrong with Black. White will be tough to get more than one use out of.

 

[MrsG]

Welcome Back Andrew. You were missed.

 

[slg]

Travelcard question. If my kids don't have a photocard, can they just buy a one day travelcard without ID? I've seen conflicting information about this in my travel books, and I find the website isn't super clear on it either.

If I've understood things correctly, kids 11-15 need photo id to buy oystercards or 7 day travelcards. If you just buy a one day travelcard for kids you can avoid the photo id issue.

Kids under 11 don't need any id if they are travelling with someone who has a travelcard.

So, what dH and I are planning for our 12 day post cruise London trip is to do HOHO the first day, buy 2 7 day adult travelcard from Paddington Train station to take advantage of the 2 for 1s and then buy one day travelcards for the rest of the days (if we need them).

For our 11 and 14 year old, we'll buy one day travelcards as we need them, and our 8 year old should be free.

I know that oyster cards might end up cheaper, but travelcards aren't that expensive and it just avoids the guess work, plus gets us the 2 for 1's.

Anyone with more experience have any thoughts?

 

[Sailingpartyof10]

I might not be understanding the question, but don't your kids have passports they could use as photo ID?

 

[slg]

To be eligible to buy children's 7 day travelcards, children must purchase a child photocard. These must be purchased 3 weeks in advance. Passports don't count.

 

[carolmb]

To be eligible to buy children's 7 day travelcards, children must purchase a child photocard. These must be purchased 3 weeks in advance. Passports don't count.

The Oyster photocards were really easy to do. The application is online with instructions on the photo. I went online, started filling out the application and when you get to the photo part you can see instructions about the photo. Once you upload the photo you can size right online. It cost 3 pounds. I sumitted the application on Saturday and by Monday I got an email saying my photo approved. The travelcards were not good for us because we are going to be in London for 3.5 days before and 3.5 days after the cruise.
Carol

 

[DL1957]

The men in our family would like to know about tuxes.
Thinking about renting them and the wearing them on formal
night as well as Palo. Do many men wear tuxes to Palo ?

Do you think the Baltic will be more formal than the Med ?

Should they rent a black or white jacket ?

Thanks !

We were on the Med in 2007 and on the June 12th Baltic. DH and DBrother in law are bringing their tuxes!.

 

[aurorafan65]

slg - I was reading Rick Steve's book last night & he suggested a Zip card for kids 11-15, I haven't had a chance to research it yet but the web addy is
www.tfl.gov.uk

 

[carolmb]

slg - I was reading Rick Steve's book last night & he suggested a Zip card for kids 11-15, I haven't had a chance to research it yet but the web addy is
www.tfl.gov.uk

I think the Zip card is the same as the Oyster photocard. I copied this from www.ricksteves.com/books/update/bk-rs-lon.htm and it sounds just like the photocard:
A paying adult can still take up to four kids, aged 10 and under, for free any time of day. Families with older kids can consider the Oyster "Zip" card, which allows kids ages 11–15 to travel all day for £1 on the Tube and for free on buses. The "Zip" card must be ordered online three weeks in advance and requires a £5 deposit and digital photo (pick card up on arrival, details at www.tfl.gov.uk/zip).

I got the 5-10 photocard for DD who will be 9. She is tall for her age and I did not want there to be any confusion. My DS is 11, almost 12, and I got him the 11-15 photocard. Very easy to do online.

Carol

 

[wintergreen]

The men in our family would like to know about tuxes.
Thinking about renting them and the wearing them on formal
night as well as Palo. Do many men wear tuxes to Palo ?

Do you think the Baltic will be more formal than the Med ?

Should they rent a black or white jacket ?

Thanks !

My DH is going to rent a tux. Will wear on formal night and to the Royal Ball at Catherine's Palace.