This blog recounts our 2006 cruise to the Baltic.
A slightly more formal account, with a selection of the best photographs is being compiled at 2006 Cruise similar to the account of our 2005 Cruise to Ireland, Greenland, Iceland and Norway.
Here my intention is to describe the journey more informally and share some of the still interesting but possibly less spectacular photos.
The nature of the blog means that it is much more open to comments and I hope visitors will share their own experiences.
I apologise to readers for the fact that so far I have only recounted just over half the journey, but I do intend to continue this as soon as I have time.
Showing posts with label Cruise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cruise. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Canal
Before hitting open water, the boat cruises down a narrow canal where ducks swim and scramble for the shore.
Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
The coach drops us off outside the Grand Hôtel.
Once gathered together we all make our way the few yards to board the canal boat for a cruise around some of the 14 islands on which the city is built.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Before we go
Following our extremely enjoyable 2005 cruise we decide to take a new P&O cruise in 2006. As most of the stops in 2005 were at tender ports, Christine, confined to her wheelchair, was only able to enjoy a small time ashore. Other passengers on that cruise recommended we go on a Baltic cruise as most of the ports there are fairly accessible.
Discussing our plans with Accessible Travel and Leisure aka Cotswold Cruise Club, we learn that accessible excursions are possible in St. Petersburg. An email to P&O later confirms this. We are already familiar with the layout of the Aurora and this time choose an outside cabin.
We'd flown down to Southampton before but the times of the flights have changed. The Saturday return flight is too early for us to catch and the Sunday return flight is not until late afternoon.
Checking the railway timetable we find there is a direct train from Southampton to Stockport about 1.15pm on the day we return. We decide that the easiest option is to catch a Friday afternoon train down to Southampton and stay overnight ready to board the next day.
We select an overnight hotel and book it. Some of the ones we consider are already full.
One cannot book rail tickets more than three months in advance. When I come to contact Virgin Rail about booking, I'm first informed that they can't confirm the return train and suggest ringing again a few days later. When I do, I'm told that the selected train only has one wheelchair space on it and it is already booked. I'm offered a journey that involves changing trains twice!
We conclude that we'll be better off flying down after all. I book the flights online with British Airways. I phone their Mobility Centre who already have our flight details. We give them information about the wheelchair and they arrange for all the help we will need
for boarding the aircraft to be on hand.
It actually costs less to fly than go by rail, even though our Disabled Rail Card gives us a third off rail fares.
I phone the overnight hotel and move our booking from the 9th to the 24th June.
A month before we are due to depart I telephone Airport Carz only to find that they no longer accommodate electric wheelchairs!
Fortunately we get to hear about Roland Travel of Dukinfield and book the transfer with them.
Discussing our plans with Accessible Travel and Leisure aka Cotswold Cruise Club, we learn that accessible excursions are possible in St. Petersburg. An email to P&O later confirms this. We are already familiar with the layout of the Aurora and this time choose an outside cabin.
We'd flown down to Southampton before but the times of the flights have changed. The Saturday return flight is too early for us to catch and the Sunday return flight is not until late afternoon.
Checking the railway timetable we find there is a direct train from Southampton to Stockport about 1.15pm on the day we return. We decide that the easiest option is to catch a Friday afternoon train down to Southampton and stay overnight ready to board the next day.
We select an overnight hotel and book it. Some of the ones we consider are already full.
One cannot book rail tickets more than three months in advance. When I come to contact Virgin Rail about booking, I'm first informed that they can't confirm the return train and suggest ringing again a few days later. When I do, I'm told that the selected train only has one wheelchair space on it and it is already booked. I'm offered a journey that involves changing trains twice!
We conclude that we'll be better off flying down after all. I book the flights online with British Airways. I phone their Mobility Centre who already have our flight details. We give them information about the wheelchair and they arrange for all the help we will need
for boarding the aircraft to be on hand.
It actually costs less to fly than go by rail, even though our Disabled Rail Card gives us a third off rail fares.
I phone the overnight hotel and move our booking from the 9th to the 24th June.
A month before we are due to depart I telephone Airport Carz only to find that they no longer accommodate electric wheelchairs!
Fortunately we get to hear about Roland Travel of Dukinfield and book the transfer with them.
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