You Are Not The First To Pass This Way: 2nd Magic Baltic Cruise, 6/24/2010

[TDC Nala]

Yeah but you gotta look at the fine print, which I haven't done. It may say something about a natural disaster contingent with your departure. If this volcano erupts in April and the ash cloud hangs over Britain until June, that may not be an occurrence contingent enough with the trip to activate the trip insurance.

(not saying that will happen; more likely situation is that it might erupt again,or another volcano in the chain - yes there's a chain of them - will erupt later, and the wind doesn't cooperate again, not saying that will happen either. I don't even know exactly what the policy says about natural disasters because I haven't read it)

 

[lzj21428]

I'm going to read it again. I also sent a "what if" email to my TA at DU. I hope she can explain it better to me than what I'm reading.

I feel for the people on the 4/24 cruise.

 

[lzj21428]

Heard back from my TA @ DU and she says that she is not permitted to discuss insurance coverage and DCL is not permitted to either. Weird since they are the ones selling it to the client. Anyway, she suggested I call the insurance company directly.

I'm sure it's to late to cancel this insurance and look for another policy.

 

[TDC Nala]

There was a post on another board that said if one bought a new policy now it would not cover THIS volcanic eruption as it has already occurred. Since the insurance is provided by a third party I am sure DCL can tell you which company provides it and you can check with them.

Can you read the policy itself? You must be able to get access to the text somewhere.

 

[lzj21428]

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/m...stomizeCruise/Insurance/VacationInsurance.pdf

Here is a link from Disney's site with the insurance info.

 

[TDC Nala]

Here's the clause that's relevant:

Natural disasters or bad weather resulting in the complete cessation of service by the airline, the tour operator or the cruise line for at least 24 consecutive hours.

Barring any extra comment they may have made on natural disasters (haven't seen any in this policy) looks like if that volcanic eruption had happened in June and closed the airports it would have been covered for anyone who already had trip insurance.

However, at least in my case, I am flying in less than 24 hours before the cruise. So if they shut down the airport or cancel my flight right before I get on it, no coverage. Not sure if it is retroactive (meaning they cancel my flight due to natural disaster right before I get on it, and the airport remains closed for 24 hours after that, am I covered?)

It does not look like THIS eruption will close the airports from now until June, but it looks like that would have been covered also if the airports remained consistently closed.

What I'd like to know is if it would apply to me as I booked the air transport separately from the cruise. Problem with having gone to law school is it makes me think of things like that. (I think the answer is: It would not cover the price of my airfare, but would cover the cruise due to my inability to get to the ship)

 

[lzj21428]

http://www.accessamerica.com/AA/News.aspx?newsID=2123

They specifically address the volcano issue here.

 

[ktkspider]

Just wanted to check in to see if there are any others interested in participating... I am thinking that we should close it on May 7th I would think that anyone wanting to participate should know by then.

right now we have 13 cabins with 15 kids (ages 5-14) participating.

If you are interested just either send me a personal message or post here with your cabin number and party members/kids ages.

I will compile a list and get it out. What is the best way to get the info to everyone? do I PM everyone or post here or send through a personal e-mail? Suggestions?

We are getting so excited and trying so hard to not worry about the volcano.. no sense to since there is nothing we can do if it decided to get active again...

 

[cindy18]

Great participation on the fish extenders. Whichever way you want to communicate the information is ok with me.

On the volcano, it's hard not to get caught up in it and imagine the what ifs. We're coming up on the 2-month mark, but it's clear that this volcano could erupt on and off for awhile. It may be that the airlines have come up with a more effective work around by then (necessity is the mother of invention), so I'm just trying to stay calm and excited!

 

[ktkspider]

My one gripe with DCL on this cruise is that their paperwork did not make it clear that you must have dollars or travelers checks in order to get Euros - the paperwork they sent made it sound like you could charge it against your on-board account - but this is NOT the case. I am not the only one who had this same conclusion as I have talked to others as well as Guest services and they said they had had quite a few complaints about it. So buy traverls checks before you come! We are also doing the WBTA and that is what I will do for it so I am not lugging around so much cash. The exchange rate was 1.407


Kriasnn

FYI>>> got this from the LIVE FROM THE MAGIC THREAD.....for anyone planning on getting currency from the ship... not a bad exchange rate... considering no other fees.

 

[mehaul]

FYI>>> got this from the LIVE FROM THE MAGIC THREAD.....for anyone planning on getting currency from the ship... not a bad exchange rate... considering no other fees.

Not too bad, today's rate is 1.35, the range for Euro the past month has been 1.32-1.37
There are a few currency apps for the iphone. "icurrency plus" will track curency rates. two others are "shop/Memo" and "Currency"

 

[ktkspider]

Lonely Planet iphone apps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have already posted this on the WBTA thread, but thought I would post here as well - not sure if this has been posted anywhere - or if it valid in the US as well as the UK, however, Lonely Planet are giving away 15 city guides (they say due to the volcanic disruption and people being delayed). They are free for download until tomorrow and include Barcelona. They see on the app store that they are just for 4 days, but other websites are saying that once you have it they are yours for keeps.

I have downloaded all 15.

They also work on the itouch.

Lorraine

I know there was some discussions about apps for the iphone and itouch...got this from the main board. There are 4 that are stops on our cruise... Copenhagan, Berlin, Stockholm and London. I have downloaded them but haven't had a chance to check them out. I figure that since they are free for only a couple of days.I will check them out later but download them now

 

[mehaul]

I know there was some discussions about apps for the iphone and itouch...got this from the main board. There are 4 that are stops on our cruise... Copenhagan, Berlin, Stockholm and London. I have downloaded them but haven't had a chance to check them out. I figure that since they are free for only a couple of days.I will check them out later but download them now

Thanks for the info, downloaded them all.

 

[ktkspider]

Bumping us up .. just incase we have some newbies on the cruise with all the specials they are now offering..

If you are new and even if you aren't, Let me know if you want to sign up for the fish extender exchange...

We are leaving in only 52 days for this amazing trip!

How is the planning going? I have ordered Copenhagen cards, Stockholm card, Oyster cards, Visit London Cards and tickets for Madame Trousau (SP?)
Trying to decide weather or not to get the Oslo card ahead of time or not... not sure if there is an advantage. I have read that there is discount for cruise passengers if you buy there. ... and even if you purchase them now you still have to go by to pick them up... It would be nice to have it paid for up front..


I still need to get my Eye tickets (doing the dinner combo) and finalize plans for Germany.. we are doing the Molli train on our own because the excursions through Disney are scheduled too close to do both.

Trying to decide weather or not to do Tallinn on our own or stick with our excursion through Disney.

 

[cindy18]

Bumping us up .. just incase we have some newbies on the cruise with all the specials they are now offering..

If you are new and even if you aren't, Let me know if you want to sign up for the fish extender exchange...

We are leaving in only 52 days for this amazing trip!

How is the planning going? I have ordered Copenhagen cards, Stockholm card, Oyster cards, Visit London Cards and tickets for Madame Trousau (SP?)
Trying to decide weather or not to get the Oslo card ahead of time or not... not sure if there is an advantage. I have read that there is discount for cruise passengers if you buy there. ... and even if you purchase them now you still have to go by to pick them up... It would be nice to have it paid for up front..


I still need to get my Eye tickets (doing the dinner combo) and finalize plans for Germany.. we are doing the Molli train on our own because the excursions through Disney are scheduled too close to do both.

Trying to decide weather or not to do Tallinn on our own or stick with our excursion through Disney.

Still feeling behind on planning. We're covered for St. Pete and Berlin, and I think I know what we're going to do in Oslo and Stockholm, just not 100% sure how we're going to do it! Tallin seems to me to be a city that's pretty easy to do on your own, especially with the walking tours available. If you're on the fence and looking to save some $$, I'd consider that. Copenhagen is the big unknown for us at this time. Still can't figure out what to do and when to do it. We've booked a tour for the morning that would give us an overview and let us have the afternoon to see what we want, but if we feel like we can do it on our own, we'll cancel it.

 

[ktkspider]

Just received our oyster cards for London. and our Stockholm cards.

fine tuning the planning.. now doing the Molli Steam train with Disney then heading to Rostock on our own. As for Tallinn.. going with the Disney Old Town walking tour which will still leave plenty of on our own time. St Petersburg with a private tour and the rest of the ports on our own.

all of you planners can appreciate and the rest of you will laugh...
I have planned our 3 week trip into an excel spreadsheet.. I decided it was time to printed it all out ... all 44 pages!!!

It does have all confirmation numbers and contact info included so it is pretty inclusive but I never imagined it to be 44 pages!!!

I think we should be set!

 

[TDC Nala]

The eruption disruption made me think that it would not be a good idea for me to purchase museum admissions and transportation ahead of time. I think I'll only need things like that for Oslo and Stockholm anyway.

Nor will I be bringing currency with me. I'll use ATMs.

 

[ktkspider]

The eruption disruption made me think that it would not be a good idea for me to purchase museum admissions and transportation ahead of time. I think I'll only need things like that for Oslo and Stockholm anyway.

Nor will I be bringing currency with me. I'll use ATMs.

I am not going to let the volcano interupt our planning. If it isn't the volcano it could be something else. Gotta press forward and pray there is nothing to disrupt our trip.. Can't worry about the things that we have no control of!

as for the Stockholm cards and Oyster cards it will be so nice to hit the streets running without having to worry about the transportation end of it.

and we have 7 in our group.. will be so much easier to have some things taken care of before we get there!

I do agree with the currency thing. We will just hit a ATM when we get there. That is easy.

We leave in 50 days!!

 

[mehaul]

I am not going to let the volcano interupt our planning. If it isn't the volcano it could be something else. Gotta press forward and pray there is nothing to disrupt our trip.. Can't worry about the things that we have no control of!

as for the Stockholm cards and Oyster cards it will be so nice to hit the streets running without having to worry about the transportation end of it.

and we have 7 in our group.. will be so much easier to have some things taken care of before we get there!

I do agree with the currency thing. We will just hit a ATM when we get there. That is easy.

PS Pretty impressive with the 44 pages

We leave in 50 days!!

We're doing a mix. I'm getting the stockholm cards ahead of time, but will wait for the Oyster cards until we get to Heathrow. We did book Vinopolis and Madame Tussauds ahead of time as well.
I do have some UK currency lying around. It is nice to have a little currency to cover the kid's unsually dietary requests after getting through customs without having to track down an ATM.

 

[cindy18]

I cannot simply cannot get my brain around the fact that we're under 2 months and counting. For some reason the only thing I've brainstormed about this week in terms of planning is what kind of gifts to do for the FE participants. How goofy is that??

Anyway, do we have a master list of participants so we can start thinking about grown-ups vs. kids, etc?? Thanks!