The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[Crissup]

For thoose coming to London this week its RAIN.

I'm already here holed up in the London Hilton Paddington. Grabbed my luggage from terminal one, headed for the Heathrow Express and checked into my hotel all without ever stepping foot outside. Finally headed out around 1pm to see what the weather was like. Took the tube over to Piccadilly Circus, had a drink in St. James Pub, then headed over to the Holborn station to check out the food offerings around the Renaissance Chancery Hotel. Had a meatball sub (more like a wrap) next door to the hotel, then headed back to Paddington.

Carol's been fairly sure there would be some decent food options around there, but is much more relieved now that I told her there are a *lot* of food options around there. And it's extremely close to the tube station (maybe 100-200 yards away).

 

[cindy18]

I just realized that people for the first Baltic are already arriving in London, and the Magic is making her way there, even as I sit in front of my computer posting instead of working. For so long, the Baltics have felt so far away, and now the first one is just days away. Really amazing!!!!

 

[Cali Tracy]

I assume DCL provides basic toiletries in the staterooms. Are these products sufficient or do most cruisers pack their own?

 

[cindy18]

I assume DCL provides basic toiletries in the staterooms. Are these products sufficient or do most cruisers pack their own?

I actually really like the products in the bathrooms. They use H2O products, and they smell like the sea, but in a great way. We don't bother taking our own shampoo or conditioner or lotion, but we do bring all the other toiletries. Also the showers in the spa are AMAZING, and they have great toiletries there too.

 

[Cali Tracy]

I actually really like the products in the bathrooms. They use H2O products, and they smell like the sea, but in a great way. We don't bother taking our own shampoo or conditioner or lotion, but we do bring all the other toiletries. Also the showers in the spa are AMAZING, and they have great toiletries there too.

Thanks for the quick reply! I appreciate the info! I am getting concerned about weight/space in the suitcases trying to pack everything we'll need for 2 weeks

 

[aurorafan65]

What company are you using that requires prepayment? I haven't heard of any company that requires that over there.

For our tour if you are paying with a CC they need the # ahead of time, I don't think they actually charge till you do the tour, if you are paying cash you pay them when you take the tour.

 

[NancyIL]

I'm already here holed up in the London Hilton Paddington. Grabbed my luggage from terminal one, headed for the Heathrow Express and checked into my hotel all without ever stepping foot outside. Finally headed out around 1pm to see what the weather was like. Took the tube over to Piccadilly Circus, had a drink in St. James Pub, then headed over to the Holborn station to check out the food offerings around the Renaissance Chancery Hotel. Had a meatball sub (more like a wrap) next door to the hotel, then headed back to Paddington.

Carol's been fairly sure there would be some decent food options around there, but is much more relieved now that I told her there are a *lot* of food options around there. And it's extremely close to the tube station (maybe 100-200 yards away).

I don't know if you'd call it "decent" - but there is a McDonald's not far from the Renaissance Chancery Court. I know this because we ate there when we stayed at that hotel a few years ago.

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

For thoose coming to London this week its RAIN.

Day Weather Max. Day Temperature (°C°F) Min. Night Temperature
(°C°F) Wind Direction and Speed/(mphkm/h) Humidity/Pressure




Wed

Day weather Heavy Rain Shower
19°C 66°F 13°C 55°F South Easterly8mph 13km/h 74% 1003mb Poor

Thu
Day weather Light Rain
17°C 63°F 12°C 54°F North North Easterly16mph 26km/h 89% 1002mb Poor

Fri

Day weather Heavy Rain
17°C 63°F 12°C 54°F North North Westerly10mph 16km/h 84% 1003mb Poor

No chance of Sunshine this week in London

Thanks .... I arrive on Wednesday and get on the Magic on Saturday. I guess we better have our ponchos with us. We have tickets to the beating retreat at Horse Guard on Thursday night. I guess we will get a little wet.

Debbie

 

[Arizona Rita]

I'm probably the only one who is excited about rain, but with 364 days of sun can you blame me?
and Chris says that now that Ive said that I will be bringing the sun with me.
This is going to be a long night as we leave in the morning.
Andrew, are you coming to the port on Saturday to see the Magic and should we look for you?

 

[Crissup]

I'm probably the only one who is excited about rain, but with 364 days of sun can you blame me?

Well, yes. At least with the sun, you don't feel miserable waiting for it to dry. It's raining out today. Fortunately, our office is only a block from Paddington, so I won't have to be outside long.

Had some time to kill this morning, so I wandered around Paddington Station a bit. There are a ton of little shops and kiosks selling food, gifts, clothing, etc. Spotted a small Sainsbury's, a pharmacy, etc. So, if you're coming in through Paddington, you shouldn't have any trouble finding anything.

I don't know if you'd call it "decent" - but there is a McDonald's not far from the Renaissance Chancery Court.

Spotted it. It's right across the street from the Holborn tube station.

 

[Rogillio]

For thoose coming to London this week its RAIN.

Day Weather Max. Day Temperature (°C°F) Min. Night Temperature
(°C°F) Wind Direction and Speed/(mphkm/h) Humidity/Pressure


Mon Night

weather Heavy Rain
12°C 54°F

Tue

Day weather Heavy Rain Shower
17°C 63°F 12°C 54°F Southerly10mph 16km/h 70% 1001mb Poor

Wed

Day weather Heavy Rain Shower
19°C 66°F 13°C 55°F South Easterly8mph 13km/h 74% 1003mb Poor

Thu
Day weather Light Rain
17°C 63°F 12°C 54°F North North Easterly16mph 26km/h 89% 1002mb Poor

Fri

Day weather Heavy Rain
17°C 63°F 12°C 54°F North North Westerly10mph 16km/h 84% 1003mb Poor

No chance of Sunshine this week in London

Geesh, not very hospitable. Andrew, please do something about this before we get there. Can't you talk to the Queen or something?

OK, serious question now. If it's raining hard on Friday, would it be better to tour the Tower of London on Thrusday? How much of the tour is outside?

We leave for the airport in 24 hrs/52 minutes...hard to believe we've been counting down for 20 months!

~Mike

 

[jacobh]

Hi all! I have been reading the Med Thread from 2007. Nice one. Nice thread. and waiting for future Med Thred. And i love vacations cruise!

Thanks guys

 

[tfc3rid]

Is there a Taxi Stand arouns PAddington Station? Will be coming in on Heathrow Express and need a cab to Kensington.

 

[wintergreen]

Is there a Taxi Stand arouns PAddington Station? Will be coming in on Heathrow Express and need a cab to Kensington.

Yes, as you come off of the train, exit the station to the right to get to the taxi stand. There are signs pointing you in that direction.

 

[wintergreen]

I'm already here holed up in the London Hilton Paddington. Grabbed my luggage from terminal one, headed for the Heathrow Express and checked into my hotel all without ever stepping foot outside. Finally headed out around 1pm to see what the weather was like. Took the tube over to Piccadilly Circus, had a drink in St. James Pub, then headed over to the Holborn station to check out the food offerings around the Renaissance Chancery Hotel. Had a meatball sub (more like a wrap) next door to the hotel, then headed back to Paddington.

Carol's been fairly sure there would be some decent food options around there, but is much more relieved now that I told her there are a *lot* of food options around there. And it's extremely close to the tube station (maybe 100-200 yards away).

We will be staying at the Hilton Paddington post-cruise for one night. Love the easy access to Heathrow!

 

[Celestine]

I assume DCL provides basic toiletries in the staterooms. Are these products sufficient or do most cruisers pack their own?

Your other option is to buy stuff here before you get on board & leave anything behind you haven't finished off. Plenty of places on the highstreet to purchase as well as all the supermarkets. Many brands will be familiar, but often it is fun trying out ones you don't get "at home"

Celestine

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Geesh, not very hospitable. Andrew, please do something about this before we get there. Can't you talk to the Queen or something?

OK, serious question now. If it's raining hard on Friday, would it be better to tour the Tower of London on Thrusday? How much of the tour is outside?

We leave for the airport in 24 hrs/52 minutes...hard to believe we've been counting down for 20 months!

~Mike

Disney *Magic* weather current forecast.....

• Today Rain
• Wed Heavy Rain
• Thurs Rain
• Fri Rain
• Saturday when the Magic is in port....... *Sunny*.

You currently have Sunny intervals for Saturday but 17c.

Full details from the BBC.

wed

Heavy Rain Showers

19°C 66°F 13°C 55°F South South Easterly8mph 13km/h 69% 1003mb Poor


Thu

Day weather Heavy Rain

18°C 64°F 13°C 55°F North North Easterly12mph 19km/h 94% 1003mb Poor


Fri

Day weather Heavy Rain

18°C 64°F 11°C 52°F North North Westerly6mph 10km/h 94% 1008mb Poor

Sat

Day weather Sunny Intervals

17°C 63°F 9°C 48°F North Easterly9mph 14km/h 62% 1019mb Good

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Is there a Taxi Stand arouns PAddington Station? Will be coming in on Heathrow Express and need a cab to Kensington.

Yes, as you come off of the train, exit the station to the right to get to the taxi stand. There are signs pointing you in that direction.

Agree very easy to Find. Just straight out the main entrance, its the same direction as trains come in. Plenty-full.

Also CIRCLE/DISTRICT, tube goes to Kensignton (High St or South) and as sub surface to too bad depends on hotel location and luggage.

 

[tfc3rid]

Agree very easy to Find. Just straight out the main entrance, its the same direction as trains come in. Plenty-full.

Also CIRCLE/DISTRICT, tube goes to Kensignton (High St or South) and as sub surface to too bad depends on hotel location and luggage.

I'd sondier the Tube from PAddington but will be with 3 others and will likely have 2 large pieces of luggage each.

 

[Cptjackandcrew]

We have been trying to purchase our tickets on the National Rail website to travel from London to Dover on July 17th. The website doesn't accept our zip code/postal code and the phone number only says "busy, please call back later". Do you know if there is an alternate way to pre-purchase tickets? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.