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

[cindy18]

We are scheduled to land at Heathrow at 6:25 am on June 24th (but into Terminal 3, and I think you are Terminal 5). We didn't look into Disney Transportation and have a car driving us to Dover, stopping along the way for a proper breakfast and a very strong cup or two of coffee.

 

[lzj21428]

We are scheduled to land at Heathrow at 6:25 am on June 24th (but into Terminal 3, and I think you are Terminal 5). We didn't look into Disney Transportation and have a car driving us to Dover, stopping along the way for a proper breakfast and a very strong cup or two of coffee.

I like your plan!

I figure by the time we get through passport control and such it will be close to 8:30. The last time I was in London, it took 45 mins for the luggage to show up!

 

[TDC Nala]

I believe everyone who posted and is still traveling is added to the first post now. (Note: I prefer, personally, not to post last names, stateroom numbers, or the names of children on the first post. Anyone who wishes to can post these themselves, although I personally wouldn't post last names publically. Use private messaging if you need to pass your last name along to someone)

 

[MadHatterMom2]

Speaking of the first post, it seems like there are relatively few passengers on this sail date vs. some of the other trip threads I have seen. I know not everyone views these boards, but is it possible ours won't be filled to capacity? Never been on a Disney cruise, but I would imagine it can get kinda nuts when sold out.

 

[ktkspider]

Speaking of the first post, it seems like there are relatively few passengers on this sail date vs. some of the other trip threads I have seen. I know not everyone views these boards, but is it possible ours won't be filled to capacity? Never been on a Disney cruise, but I would imagine it can get kinda nuts when sold out.

I am thinking ours might be a little less full than some of the others. There are still many open slots for Palo Dinner which to me is an indicator. Usually those fill up very quickly! There are also very few sold out excursions on our cruise. I guess we shall see.

 

[cindy18]

It is definitely weird that there is a lot of Palo availability. But it seems like several categories of rooms are sold out (and the others are on guarantee). I think the first one was very popular because it was first, and the July ones are popular because school is out for everyone by then. So ours may have just fallen somewhere in between.

So another weekend, another port. I did Tallin today. Very simple, especially with the walking tours available. After the 2-day mad dash through St. Petersburg, it will be nice to have a port where we can just stroll and snack and dine and maybe do a little shopping and feel transported back in time. I'm looking forward to it!

 

[TDC Nala]

according to the DCL website, there seems to be cabins available on the 6/24 cruise in every category below Category 4, so it isn't sold out - of course we don't know how many are available in each category.

Just for laughs looked at the other cruises. The 6/12 has Category 4 available and this one doesn't. I think that may be a DIS thing - I have friends on the 6/12 cruise who are part of a group of DIS posters who like to do all the firsts, they're all posting on the 6/12 thread. My work schedule fits better with this cruise.

July 6 has all categories available except 1, 2 and 3 and they haven't reduced prices on those.

On July 18 online availability is all categories below Cat. 4.

 

[cindy18]

So, by that summary (and good sleuthing!!), it seems that a lot of the Baltics have similar availability, at least in terms of room categories. Obviously no clue on quantity. We booked on the first day, asking our TA for 2 connecting verandah rooms on either the first or second Baltic. We expected her to book us on the 6/12 cruise, but she reported that there was much more availability on ours, so that's where she put us. I've just assumed ever since that the 6/12 cruise was more popular. I'm sure at the end of the day, they will all feel quite full.

 

[TDC Nala]

I got the impression that 6/12 was more popular too and not just through my friends. We're odd timing - kind of around the end of school and final exams in some places, around here they're getting out June 18 as my nephew just informed me, so they'd be more likely to be on that cruise than June 12, but many schools get out earlier than June 12. and we've got the 4th of July in there of course.

Was also not sure about what people thought regarding Helsinki or Tallinn when they booked - I do know some people who wanted to go to Helsinki but I'm looking forward to Tallinn a lot, lovely city from the looks of the photos and there are many good reviews of visits there on Cruisecritic. We do at least get to be the first Disney cruisers to visit Tallinn!

 

[cindy18]

Completely agree. I think people were more familiar with Helsinki and wanted to go there, but from having spent the weekend thinking through our day in Tallin, I am really looking forward to it and think it will be very different from the other Scandinavian ports.

 

[ktkspider]

Completely agree. I think people were more familiar with Helsinki and wanted to go there, but from having spent the weekend thinking through our day in Tallin, I am really looking forward to it and think it will be very different from the other Scandinavian ports.

We actually picked this one because of tallinn... That and we sail away on our 21st anniversary. Friends who lived in Helsinki for many years said if we could only do one or the other... Choose Tallinn. I think Tallinn is going to be one of my favorites!

 

[cindy18]

Hey Everyone! We leave one month from today!!!!!!!!!

 

[lzj21428]

We picked the 6/24 cruise because of Estonia and because we will be out of school by then. My kids finish up on the 16th of June.

And another thing for me to worry about, BA cabin crew are planning on striking today and have strikes planned for next month!!

 

[pops711]

Just found out some friends are on this cruise. I wish we could have kept this one. But hey we are going to Alaska (anyone joining us?)

 

[ktkspider]

Wow what a quiet week!

Drempt last night that I forgot all of my FE gifts at home. Everyone was delivering them and I would have to tell them I didn't have anything and forgot them at home.. then I started collecting addresses so I could mail them when we got home!!

by the way anyone else want to send me their last name to personalize their goodie? Still have time...

I went and put ones I have finished in the packing pile so hopefully they won't get forgotten..

We leave in 3 weeks for Paris! I am so ready for this trip to begin.. The planning has gone on for long enough!!
Now I am just imagining what I will do on the ship on our 4 at sea days No plans ... just want to enjoy the Magic :

 

[grizbuzz]

Wow what a quiet week!

Drempt last night that I forgot all of my FE gifts at home. Everyone was delivering them and I would have to tell them I didn't have anything and forgot them at home.. then I started collecting addresses so I could mail them when we got home!!

by the way anyone else want to send me their last name to personalize their goodie? Still have time...

I went and put ones I have finished in the packing pile so hopefully they won't get forgotten..

We leave in 3 weeks for Paris! I am so ready for this trip to begin.. The planning has gone on for long enough!!
Now I am just imagining what I will do on the ship on our 4 at sea days No plans ... just want to enjoy the Magic :

We would forgive you even if you did leave your FE gifts at home. Don't worry. Although sometimes I think it's easier to worry about little things like FE gifts than packing, itinerary planning and international travel.

Paris! How exciting! Did you say if you're going to DLP? I love Paris.

Got my Stockholm cards this week. Didn't get the Oslo vouchers, as I figure since no point, as you have to stop to pick up the cards anyway. Not sure yet if I'm going to get the Talinn cards. Did others buy the Talinn cards? Any cost justification charts for that one?

Finished up our itinerary for St Pete. I've been working with Masha at St Petersburg best guides and she's just been a pleasure to work with, adjusting our itinerary to meet the needs of a baby and four young boys. Have a feeling we will still have to make lots of last minute adjustments as young ones (and old ones) get tired.

Still need to get transportation from London city airport to Dover. Any recommendations?

Oh, and I guess I need to figure out some pirate and villain costumes. Or do I just skip it?

Hope everyone is doing well with final preparations!

-Jen

 

[cindy18]

KTKSpider, I love that you had a cruise anxiety dream!!! What a riot! Much better than having a work or a school anxiety dream!!

We're not getting a Tallin card. Having mapped out our plans for that day and realizing that we're mostly going to walk the Old Town and maybe will go into a few places, we decided it wasn't worth it. We're doing the same as you on Oslo and waiting until we get there to buy the card, since either way we have to deal with the tourist office. And although I think it will wind up being a push, we're going to skip the Stockholm card, mostly because so many of the things we're thinking about doing are free for the kids. Hoping to tackle our Copenhagen plans this weekend...

We're working with Masha too. She's been a delight. We're getting her our passport info now. She said there might be an issue with a White Nights tour because it may be that Disney wants us back on the ship by midnight. She was looking into that further to see what the deal was, but I wanted to mention it. I think the big thing about the White Nights tour is being out to see the bridges go up at 1 am, so that would be a bit of a bummer, but if Disney has us on a curfew, so be it. Anyone else planning to stay out really late on our first night in St Pete?

 

[lzj21428]

Well, I've been busy this week. I have switched a few excursions around. Cancelled our one excursion in Stockholm and booked a different one. I also cancelled our excursion in Germany. We decided to just get off the ship that day and walk and explore the town on our own.

I've been making packing lists which I am trying to whittle down. Just seems like so much stuff to have to pack. I know I'm going to end up bringing more than will probably need or use. I'm just not a good packer!

All the kids have had their eye appointments and are waiting for new contacts/glasses. Dogs have been to the vet and have their boarding ressies.

If you are not doing Berlin, what are everyone's plans for Germany? I'm hoping I made the right choice here.

Have a great weekend all!! And remember our troops, past and present!

 

[ktkspider]

I figure if the FE is my biggest stress to be having anxiety dreams about Life is GOOD!

For Paris, we are not doing DLP. decided to use the time to get adjusted to the time change and spend some time absorbing Paris.. We have been in for a day trip before (we lived in Germany for 6 years) and have also been to DLP. I must admit that France/Paris has never been one of my favorite places. We are going to give it another try with a little more time and hope that it grows on us... . My daughter really wanted to go so... we shall see.
We are taking the Euro Star train up to Canterbury a couple of days before we set sail.

As for Germany, we opted for the MolliSteam train through DCL and then explore on our own for the afternoon. We are taking the boat to Rostock and roaming around there, picking up a yummy German dinner and then coming home on the train.. at least that is the plan right now.

In Tallinn, we are taking the walking tour with DCL. with afternoon to explore and walk on our own. No card for us.

She said there might be an issue with a White Nights tour because it may be that Disney wants us back on the ship by midnight. She was looking into that further to see what the deal was, but I wanted to mention it.

that is very interesting. I sure hope you are able to do the white nights tour .. I think that would be a once in a lifetime thing.. Keep us posted. We are going to be out later but not that late.

I've been making packing lists which I am trying to whittle down. Just seems like so much stuff to have to pack. I know I'm going to end up bringing more than will probably need or use. I'm just not a good packer!

Should be interesting.. I am bringing a little of everything so if it is all cold or all warm.. you will be seeing me wear alot of the same stuff. I am hoping for a nice mix. I think it is too much to hope for beautiful for the entire trip. We have our piles and I have my list (if anyone wants a copy let me know and I can send it to you via private email) I have used it on the last several cruises and have adapted it to this one.

Still need to get transportation from London city airport to Dover. Any recommendations?

Oh, and I guess I need to figure out some pirate and villain costumes. Or do I just skip it?

We have hired a pick up with DoverTaxi to take us into London. Pretty good price for the 7 of us.

We are forgoing the pirate and villain costumes this time.... unless I can come up with something that takes up very little space. I really wish they were doing vikings instead of Pirates. We might pick up some viking helmets at one of the port stops to wear for that night.

 

[grizbuzz]

We're working with Masha too. She's been a delight. We're getting her our passport info now. She said there might be an issue with a White Nights tour because it may be that Disney wants us back on the ship by midnight. She was looking into that further to see what the deal was, but I wanted to mention it. I think the big thing about the White Nights tour is being out to see the bridges go up at 1 am, so that would be a bit of a bummer, but if Disney has us on a curfew, so be it. Anyone else planning to stay out really late on our first night in St Pete?

Honestly, I can't imagine staying out past ten with our group of little ones. But hope that those who do want to stay out can.

Well, I've been busy this week. I have switched a few excursions around. Cancelled our one excursion in Stockholm and booked a different one. I also cancelled our excursion in Germany. We decided to just get off the ship that day and walk and explore the town on our own.
If you are not doing Berlin, what are everyone's plans for Germany? I'm hoping I made the right choice here.

Have a great weekend all!! And remember our troops, past and present!

We're just going to get off the ship in Warnemude and explore on our own as well. I haven't really looked into what there is to do, but guess I should. I'm thinking that one mellow port day will be welcome.

My DH put up some US flags on our little Swiss apartment balcony. Don't suppose any of our neighbors know why. But it's our little way to mark Memorial Day.

For Paris, we are not doing DLP. decided to use the time to get adjusted to the time change and spend some time absorbing Paris.. We have been in for a day trip before (we lived in Germany for 6 years) and have also been to DLP. I must admit that France/Paris has never been one of my favorite places. We are going to give it another try with a little more time and hope that it grows on us... . My daughter really wanted to go so... we shall see. We have hired a pick up with DoverTaxi to take us into London. Pretty good price for the 7 of us.

We are forgoing the pirate and villain costumes this time.... unless I can come up with something that takes up very little space. I really wish they were doing vikings instead of Pirates. We might pick up some viking helmets at one of the port stops to wear for that night.

You lived six years in Germany? Where?

And you don't like France? I just love it and love traveling over there every couple of months to get a break from the beautiful and but oh so austere Switzerland. I don't speak French, but my DH does. We were just in Chamonix and Annecy last weekend and I went to Paris three times in the last year. Fabulous city, I think. But there's something with the French country air that makes my clothes shrink.

I DEFINITELY would consider a viking a sort of pirate.

I'll look into DoverTaxi for a transport. Thanks.

And does anyone know how long the process is to get Russian visas? Just found out that a few in my travel party haven't yet received their US passports. Hope this all happens quickly enough.