The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[Andrew DEREK UK]

You're so helpful. ty ty ty

I'm going to pull together our plans and send you specific questions. Thanks for helping these yankees...

My biggest problem is British Air. Sigh... During the strike the BWI to London flight never flew. I offered to change my flight from Newark to London (as BA clearly got those up and running) but they wanted to charge me a change fee. GRRRRRR.... I was offering to travel 2 1/2 hours to a different airport and be able to still fly so they didn't have to reimburse me. Soooo uncooperative. I was shocked.

As it is my early July flight looks like it will fly (we may get trapped in London however.. which is actually cool cause i can work remotely and wife would love the extra time). But I've booked back up refundable flights just in case. Does the BA union not understand there is a recession on?

Do a PM email and I will be happy to assist, I love my capital city and want everyone to enjoy it to the full with the same passion I have for it, I am lucky my job takes me all over Central and Greater London, so I do know a lot of London Transport, Tube etc, in fact i counted there are only 5 tube stations I have never been to.

Happy to assist.

Wont *judge* the rights/wrongs of the BA strike but, 1/ BA staff are paid more than Virgin and other airlines and 2/ The business is loosing money and if it doesnt change there will be no BA, in two years.

I do not think there will be any more BA strikes till at least August, maybe September.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

i'm going to have to turn this on. sounds very exciting!

I actually do not like Football, but we have it on.

We always do this over-confidence, takes a toll.

 

[el_bandito]

i'm going to have to turn this on. sounds very exciting!

the ball is definitely possessed...

;o)

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

the ball is definitely possessed...

;o)

 

[el_bandito]

at the end... bad form..

 

[el_bandito]

at the end... Bad form..

lol....

 

[el_bandito]

about 'our relationship'... is while I want us to win. If you win.. then GO GO UK!!! ALL THE WAY...

;o)

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

In the end one mistake by our goalie cost us the Win, but a draw is fair, and leaves us two more games to get it right.

All *evens* with our USA friends.

All honours shared.

 

[el_bandito]

about 'our relationship'... is while I want us to win. If you win.. then GO GO UK!!! ALL THE WAY...

;o)

The final game is yet to happen!!! We will still win

 

[CarolAnnC]

Can we return to the topic, Baltic Cruise Tips?

 

[el_bandito]

In the end one mistake by our goalie cost us the Win, but a draw is fair, and leaves us two more games to get it right.

All *evens* with our USA friends.

All honours shared.

So. Still to be determined. But i want to relay for the DIS'ers our thanks. I've read your many, many posts and they are so helpful. Thank you for helping so many crazy americans (and others) realize a great experience in your wonderful city.

I truly cannot wait for our trip. at this point my high point is watching Henry the VIII in the globe before our cruise. WOW. the globe... I cannot wait!!!

 

[el_bandito]

Can we return to the topic, Baltic Cruise Tips?

sorry. but the world cup is a big deal. And Andrew is VERY helpful.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

sorry. but the world cup is a big deal. And Andrew is VERY helpful.

Can we return to the topic, Baltic Cruise Tips?

I prepaid mine before the pound went down, but thats basic tips and plan to double up the stateroom hosts as she has a larger area to clean and make up, Concierge will be dependent on what they do for us on board.

 

[MrsScooby]

Big Ben itself is actually the bell that makes the noise, so yes you would need to be inside to see it Sorry if I appear to be stating the obvious but is a common misconception that Big Ben is the whole structure when in fact that is actually called St STephens clack tower

Celestine

I didn't know this - I assumed the tower was big ben - you learn something new every day

Me too
Thanks Celestine

Is anyone doing a tour in Tallin ?
We were there 2 yrs ago and loved the old medieval town, and want to see some of that this time,too. But were thinking of a 1/2 day tour to see something different.

Any thoughts on Tallinn ?

We're also looking to get some kind of tour here. I was thinking of just doing the DIY walking tour that has been posted previously (it might be on the first page for our cruise thread), but DH is thinking that our kids will get more out of the port if we have a live guide. Looks like we will get a better deal if we book on our own with a local company rather than DCL.
For us it is the first time there-so a different emphasis obviously than for you repeat visitors

There is a company that does segway tours there if you want to try that or I read there are several bike tours as well with different themes.

We might go with a bus/walking tour that is in the Rick Steve's Scandinavian book (page 522) 300 KR

 

[TDC Nala]

Anyone running just now up against the chip and PIN credit cards? Was planning to just use CC and a preloaded travel debit to get cash in the ports. Now I understand that may not work in Scandinavia and most likely not in Britain because they require a card with an embedded chip. Too late to get a lot of the native currency for the ports, but they'll exchange on the ship. Do I need to look for pounds here in an amount that will cover me if I happen to get stuck in London? I understand they are reluctant to take US credit cards and I may not be able to use the ATMs at all.

Also considering that I may prefer not to do Stockholm on my own due to the money issue.

 

[TaiTai1]

Hey TDC Nala..... I finally found you on the Disboard!!! Let me know how the credit card situation in England works out. I know they are way ahead on those chips.

 

[cindy18]

Me too
Thanks Celestine



We're also looking to get some kind of tour here. I was thinking of just doing the DIY walking tour that has been posted previously (it might be on the first page for our cruise thread), but DH is thinking that our kids will get more out of the port if we have a live guide. Looks like we will get a better deal if we book on our own with a local company rather than DCL.
For us it is the first time there-so a different emphasis obviously than for you repeat visitors

There is a company that does segway tours there if you want to try that or I read there are several bike tours as well with different themes.

We might go with a bus/walking tour that is in the Rick Steve's Scandinavian book (page 522) 300 KR

We're going to do Tallin on our own. From the research we've done, it actually seems to be the easiest and most relaxing of all the ports. We're going to basically do Rick Steves' walk, and we think we'll get a decent feel for the old city and be on our own pace. After the frenetic pace we're going to keep in St. Petersburg, it seemed like a good idea to do Tallin at a slow stroll.

 

[smilis]

Me too
Thanks Celestine



We're also looking to get some kind of tour here. I was thinking of just doing the DIY walking tour that has been posted previously (it might be on the first page for our cruise thread), but DH is thinking that our kids will get more out of the port if we have a live guide. Looks like we will get a better deal if we book on our own with a local company rather than DCL.
For us it is the first time there-so a different emphasis obviously than for you repeat visitors

There is a company that does segway tours there if you want to try that or I read there are several bike tours as well with different themes.We might go with a bus/walking tour that is in the Rick Steve's Scandinavian book (page 522) 300 KR

Laurie,
What is the name of the Segway company in Tallin? I looked and couldn't find one. We are planning on DIY walking tour, so I'm not sure we'd even have time. Plus my DH really wants to try out the restaurant that specializes in all things GARLIC!. It comes highly recommended.

 

[TDC Nala]

Diane!

I'm just sorry I waited this long to hear about it, and all the research I did...I did hear it before but thought they were talking about CREDIT cards but I don't think the travel Visa debit card has a chip in it either. It does have a PIN though.

 

[ch10dad]

For those who are considering DIY to Dover. I have to say, taking a London bus/tube for under $2 to Victoria and then the train to Dover and cab for 5 minutes from Dover to Port is SOOOO easy. I had never been to London--knew nothing about the tubes, buses, train, except looking a bit on the internet.
Last year, we stayed all the way up in Notting Hill (at the Kensington hilton--which is great and right on a london bus line (#100, or 110, or 10) that goes into all the spots you want ot see in London--it pretty much follows the big red tour bus-and it's even double decker, as well--it costs under $2 or under $1 if you get an Oyster card).
Assuming you aer mobile and can manage your own luggage, anyone can do this--I did it with my 83 yr old mother and her 84 yr old friend. If you are in groups of 2 (so 2, 4, 6, etc.) you can get special (almost) 2 for 1 tickets from Victoria to Dover--no need for advance purchase, just walk up and buy them.
At Dover, it's a very small station and the taxis are lined up waiting to take you to port---many people in the know will be doing the same thing. I think the train cost us $24 each with the 2-1 special and the cab was well under $20 for 4 of us with luggage.
Elaine

Can you tell me more about the 2 for 1 packages?

We were planning on doing this very thing, but didn't see the 2 for 1 offer.

thanks

Ray