The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[wintergreen]

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.

I tried and tried with our U.S. visa card, and neither the National Rail site nor another suggested site--www.thetrainline.com--would accept it. I even sent an e-mail to National Rail, but got no real response. Someone suggested using AmEx. I used my husband's business AmEx card (yes, we are reimbursing the company!) on the www.thetrainline.com site, and was successful using it.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

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

Understand, its an alternative as its only 3 stops and easy.

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.

I tried and tried with our U.S. visa card, and neither the National Rail site nor another suggested site--www.thetrainline.com--would accept it. I even sent an e-mail to National Rail, but got no real response. Someone suggested using AmEx. I used my husband's business AmEx card (yes, we are reimbursing the company!) on the www.thetrainline.com site, and was successful using it.

See you have an answer to this, understand the issue the Amex is a good idea, now you cant use UK ones unless you have it when you collect the tickets, so an additional issue.

Trainline is always bad on the phone.

It might cost a little more but there isnt any need to pre purchase tickets on London to Dover plenty of seats, but it may add a little.

 

[Cptjackandcrew]

Understand, its an alternative as its only 3 stops and easy.





See you have an answer to this, understand the issue the Amex is a good idea, now you cant use UK ones unless you have it when you collect the tickets, so an additional issue.

Trainline is always bad on the phone.

It might cost a little more but there isnt any need to pre purchase tickets on London to Dover plenty of seats, but it may add a little.

I tried and tried with our U.S. visa card, and neither the National Rail site nor another suggested site--www.thetrainline.com--would accept it. I even sent an e-mail to National Rail, but got no real response. Someone suggested using AmEx. I used my husband's business AmEx card (yes, we are reimbursing the company!) on the www.thetrainline.com site, and was successful using it.
__________________
Thank you both for your advice.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I tried and tried with our U.S. visa card, and neither the National Rail site nor another suggested site--www.thetrainline.com--would accept it. I even sent an e-mail to National Rail, but got no real response. Someone suggested using AmEx. I used my husband's business AmEx card (yes, we are reimbursing the company!) on the www.thetrainline.com site, and was successful using it.
__________________
Thank you both for your advice.

How long in London? maybe purchase at the station at ticket office or at self service on arrival by credit card, might still have discount up to 24 hours in advance.

 

[Celestine]

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.

THe other alternative is www.southernrailway.com/ which allow you to book online & collect tickets from the machine. This is the rail company you will be travelling with rather than a ticket agent as such. Their FAQ says overseas customers shoud have no problems with this

Celestine

 

[din]

How long in London? maybe purchase at the station at ticket office or at self service on arrival by credit card, might still have discount up to 24 hours in advance.

I recall seeing a few mentions on websites that US credit may be problem in Europe self service machine. US card typically do not have the chip and will not work. Something to be aware and consider as you may have to use a ticket window. BTW this also applies to some countries in Asia.

 

[denise]

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.

don't know if anyone else replied but I had the same trouble yesterday. Today I logged in on my lap top instead and it worked. Make sure you are on the USA web site not the UK site.
try
www.raileurope.com
Make sure you have clicked on the US flag.
Everything came up in US dollars and there was even a US telephone number to call. No charge to use your credit card either.
BTW the price went up from yesterday! Good luck...I got my tickets for Disneyland Paris to Ashford with no problems...

 

[Rogillio]

Sitting in the airport....the start of a very long day! 20 months ago we booked this cruise and it seemed like such a long way off but, in hindsite, 20 months flies by at the speed of life!

The airpoirt has free wi-fi and I'm on my daughter's mini-laptop.

London, here we come! Andrew, please give the queen a heads-up that we are inbound.

~Mike

 

[wintergreen]

Sitting in the airport....the start of a very long day! 20 months ago we booked this cruise and it seemed like such a long way off but, in hindsite, 20 months flies by at the speed of life!

The airpoirt has free wi-fi and I'm on my daughter's mini-laptop.

London, here we come! Andrew, please give the queen a heads-up that we are inbound.

~Mike

Have a great cruise! Can't wait for ours on July 6. Please report!!!!

 

[cindy18]

Sitting in the airport....the start of a very long day! 20 months ago we booked this cruise and it seemed like such a long way off but, in hindsite, 20 months flies by at the speed of life!

The airpoirt has free wi-fi and I'm on my daughter's mini-laptop.

London, here we come! Andrew, please give the queen a heads-up that we are inbound.

~Mike

So excited for you! Travel safely. We'll be watching the DIS for all news!

 

[tfc3rid]

Cannot wait to read about the Baltic cruises!! Keep good notes... I'll be there on the July 6 cruise!

 

[denise]

WOW....is the first thing I could say when I read your post...

WOW that you are leaving for your trip...

WOW that 20 months went by so fast....

WOW that my trip is approaching fast (July 6).but leaving on 26 June..

WOW that there is so much left to do for our trip...

I think I speak for everyone here.....

Have a wonderful trip and don't forget to report back.

HAVE FUN!!!!!

 

[Madisonznana]

Sitting in the airport....the start of a very long day! 20 months ago we booked this cruise and it seemed like such a long way off but, in hindsite, 20 months flies by at the speed of life!

The airpoirt has free wi-fi and I'm on my daughter's mini-laptop.

London, here we come! Andrew, please give the queen a heads-up that we are inbound.

~Mike

Can't wait for updates! Have a great trip Mike!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I recall seeing a few mentions on websites that US credit may be problem in Europe self service machine. US card typically do not have the chip and will not work. Something to be aware and consider as you may have to use a ticket window. BTW this also applies to some countries in Asia.

Good point didnt think of that we have chip and pin but on some outlets there maybe a back up option for signature if no chip, -we do have many tourists in London and they do pay by C/C.


PS London weather

• THURSDAY No rain now.
• FRIDAY Heavy rain.
• Saturday Sunny.

 

[WVMD]

In Charlotte on our way. I'll try and keep the blog updated Blog

Virgil
Pirate:

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Sitting in the airport....the start of a very long day! 20 months ago we booked this cruise and it seemed like such a long way off but, in hindsite, 20 months flies by at the speed of life!

The airpoirt has free wi-fi and I'm on my daughter's mini-laptop.

London, here we come! Andrew, please give the queen a heads-up that we are inbound.

~Mike

The Queen has put the flags up for my American friends.


You will see all the cars flying the English flags, just for you........

 

[jilljill]

In Charlotte on our way. I'll try and keep the blog updated Blog

Virgil
Pirate:

Have a great cruise, I want to hear about your flights when you get back.

 

[aurorafan65]

all you guys have fun

- us July 6ers are all hanging on everything you'll say about the trip

 

[din]

The Queen has put the flags up for my American friends.


You will see all the cars flying the English flags, just for you........

BTW thanks for the weather updates!

 

[MJGirl]

Hi all ... Arrived safe and sound in England! Silverline cars was great. B&B is nice .. Going out for a walk soon to try to stay awake!