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Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #250509 07/10/18 06:35 PM
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RachelG Offline
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Just booked our return flight--BA LGW to Tampa then AA to CLT and on to TUL with AA anytime miles. The taxes are high on flights involving BA, but still way cheaper than buying a ticket. The business class flights for June 4 just loaded today, Leslie, so I would wait a few days before looking again.

Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #250512 07/10/18 09:45 PM
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We’re just doing the first segment, to Dublin.

With a week in the Lake District I’m looking at flying home from Manchester around 5/30. The BA options involve 3 stops, like MAN-LHR -JFK-DFW-ABQ. but AA flies WITH 2 stops, MAN-PHL-DFW-ABQ, so that’s what we will probably do with the Anytime miles. Taxes are still high, around $275 pp, even though there are no BA flights and no Heathrow. Not sure why.


Leslie

Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: RachelG] #250515 07/10/18 10:31 PM
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Marc Offline
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Originally Posted by RachelG
Just booked our return flight--BA LGW to Tampa then AA to CLT and on to TUL with AA anytime miles. The taxes are high on flights involving BA, but still way cheaper than buying a ticket. The business class flights for June 4 just loaded today, Leslie, so I would wait a few days before looking again.


I think those high taxes are because we are booking one way return flights from EU; if you book round trip ticket there are not the high fees. As UK will be out of EU by time of your return, would hope that you can get those taxes back. We are flying home from continent so no such hope for us.

Marc



Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #250579 07/24/18 05:59 PM
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Ms Understood Offline OP
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Got our return flight. VA from LHR to LAX for 75k miles plus £407 per ticket. Not too bad. Have my first flight on VA next month to London so we will see. Can’t be worse than BA biz class cabin. I might, of course, regret not booking Ethiopian Airways 🤔
——————
Helen

Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #250586 07/26/18 01:39 PM
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petlover Offline
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We booked AA using 110,000 anytime miles plus $300.11 per person non-stop LHR to LAX.....seems high to me compared to beloved Ethiopian Air. grin


Marcie

Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: petlover] #250765 08/28/18 12:58 AM
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Finally made our return flights; we are flying 5 July Virgin Atlantic LHR - LAX and then DL LAX - AUS; was able to get it for 75K per person upper class. Although not available on frequent flyer tickets, I was entertained by Virgin's Limobike transfers to Heathrow.

Quote
Limobike, a speedy motorcycle transfer that helps you avoid the London traffic. Full protective and wet weather clothing is provided. The protective helmet lets you speak to the driver and make phone calls. Your Limobike will take you straight to the Upper Class Wing, where our team will take care of the rest.





Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #250769 08/29/18 09:00 PM
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Marc, I hope you don't mean July 5th ???

I'm so happy we'll get to see many on the B2B and the Dublin to London leg but we'll miss those that are doing the AMS to DUB leg only. After touring Ireland for a week, we will be overnighting in Dublin May 22nd (the night before we board) but I'm afraid they won't let us on the ship early enough to see those disembarking ??


Marcie

Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: petlover] #250772 08/29/18 10:41 PM
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Originally Posted by petlover
Marc, I hope you don't mean July 5th ???




Yes, we are spending a month driving around England and Scotland.

Marc



Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #250776 08/30/18 04:46 PM
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I have been considering various options for our return. After we disembark in Dublin on Thursday and spend a day there, I think we will go to Edinburgh for a few days and return home on Memorial Day. The fees are so high using FF miles on either Virgin Atlantic, BA, Delta, etc. It's over $1000 total in fees (~$500 pp), plus the value of all the FF miles. So, I think we will just save the miles and spend about $1400-$1500 total to buy seats in Norwegian Airlines' premium cabin. If you book on the Norwegian version of the website instead of the U.S. version, the cost is lower. We'll book a flight from London to LAX. Which means we need to get ourselves from Edinburgh to London, and from LAX home. Those flights are cheap, though.

We're saving our miles for ... drum roll...
Regent Seven Seas Explorer, Jan 7-21, 2021 - Sydney to Auckland
Happy dance!!!! cheer

Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #250777 08/30/18 08:35 PM
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Ms Understood Offline OP
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Kim, we took the train from London to Edinburgh a few years ago and found that to be much more pleasant than the RyanAir- type airport circus. Last year we took a train from London to Liverpool and discovered that Richard Branson now owns trains. The train we took was very nice, white tablecloths and private waiting rooms at both stations.
———————
Helen

Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #250778 08/30/18 10:05 PM
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Kim, we’ll join your happy dance! 😄 We are booked on Sydney to Auckland too.

Agree with Helen, the train is the way to go in England.


Sheila and Ken
Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #250785 08/31/18 02:41 PM
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Helen, Sheila-
I had thought about the train and looked into what it would be like. There are bloggers who have written reviews on the trip with YouTube videos, so I knew about the Virgin Trains. But, I was thinking it would be better just to fly in order to not have to transfer to the Tube to get from the train station in London to the airport. But, I will definitely reconsider now!

Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #250786 08/31/18 02:54 PM
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Does Norwegian fly out of LGW? When we were looking at flying RT London to Glasgow it was a fraction of the cost to fly in and out of LGW instead of LHR. Of course, the first bag was over $60 so you add that in too. If you were able to fly out of Manchester I would recommend just driving between Edinburgh and Manchester; very easy drive.

Marc



Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #250788 08/31/18 04:01 PM
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Marc - Thanks for the tip about driving, Although, I'd have a lot of anxiety about driving on the other side of the road! I think I did check Manchester, but didn't find a flight. Norwegian flies out of LGW. In the premium cabin, you get 2 free checked bags, I think. But, we never check bags anyway, unless we have to for weight restrictions, which I think we did have to when we went from JFK to Oslo last year for WALRUS, but no charge in premium cabin.

Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: seadog] #250821 09/04/18 08:26 PM
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Helen, please remove us from the roll call; we decided not to take this trip.

Marc



Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #250825 09/05/18 12:32 AM
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Done, Marc. We will miss you and Arlene.
——————-
Helen

Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251057 10/28/18 02:42 PM
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Soooo...Ethiopian airlines will not be flying non-stops from LAX to Dublin after December. Luckily I caught wind of this. Yesterday I contacted United Air (we had used UA f.f. miles) and they knew nothing about this. I persuaded them to look at the Ethiopian website as if they were trying to book our flight and see for themselves "This flight does not exist". They did and immediately put us on a United flight (still Biz Class). Unfortunately not a non-stop but a reasonable connection in ORD.

F.F. seats were not showing available but they opened 2 seats for us. Be persistent !


Marcie

Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251059 10/28/18 04:10 PM
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Lucky! Everything works out for the best. That did seem like a really peculiar route. Sorry you will miss the adventure of Ethiopian airways.
————————
Helen

Re: CELTIC Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251060 10/28/18 09:08 PM
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Good outcome. That is terrific Marcie!

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251121 11/24/18 11:42 PM
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OK! I finally booked our post-cruise plans and return flight. We disembark in Dublin on a Thursday. So, we are having a private transfer pick us up at the ship. Then drive us up to Newcastle, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. We will spend two nights at the Slieve Donard Hotel. Right out the "back door" of the hotel is Royal County Down golf course. We have a 12:54 tee-time on Friday. Saturday we have a private transfer back to Dublin and stay at the Fitzwilliam Hotel for two nights. It'll be awesome!
[Linked Image]

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: seadog] #251124 11/25/18 05:34 PM
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Wow Kim that sounds like a GREAT plan. Sounds absolutely PERFECT.

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251260 12/31/18 01:33 AM
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So Delta changed our flight so we would not arrive until 3 pm Monday, day of departure., rather than 8 am . This is not in my comfort zone so I called and they gave me a flight via DTW which would arrive AMS at 6 am. Ok. But then The connection time changed and my flight from DTW would be gone before we arrived. So called Delta again. Now we are arriving on Saturday afternoon . Much better and really what I would have booked initially but-for the exhorbitant price versus my original flight (70k miles vs. 280k miles!). So I’m a happy camper! I will join the chorus of folks who say that the best thing that can happen is when the airline totally screws up your plans!
I am going to book Banks Mansion for Sat and Sun. See you there, Leslie. Kim, where are you staying?
——————
Helen

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251261 12/31/18 04:20 PM
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Good for you Helen !


Marcie

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251266 01/01/19 01:43 PM
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Ngaire Online
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Great story Helen. Nice when things work out this way.

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251267 01/01/19 04:28 PM
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Happy New Year! We returned home last night from visiting our friends and skiing our old mountain. It was a great week!

Delta changed our LAX-AMS flight, too. Same as what happened to Helen and Jerry. So, we arrive at 3pm on Thursday, May 9th. I was ok with it. Seemed like instead of getting in at 8AM and having to stay awake all day, we can just do a little in the late afternoon / early evening; have a big dinner; and try to get to sleep at a normal bedtime. Of course, we are several days before boarding the ship. So, no sweat.

I haven't booked a hotel yet. I'll investigate the Banks Mansion. But, now that I'm "unretired" and back collecting Marriott points, I might opt for "free"at the Marriott. And one of the couples in Maine we visited with had a good AirBnB experience in Amsterdam we might consider. But, when possible, I'd rather either spend or earn points.

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251270 01/02/19 03:50 AM
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Points are so valuable wise to consider where you get the best return.

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251273 01/03/19 01:40 PM
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We stayed at the Banks Mansion for two nights before RHINE......loved it. Great staff, location and although our Deluxe Canal view room was small it was fine, and had a good size bathroom. The staff was so nice, friendly and helpful We had a flight change that had us arriving at 7:00am rather than 1:30, I emailed them from the airport and had a response within a half hour, they changed our pick up with no problem, and put our room on a priority and had us in the room by 11:30. Would stay there again with no hesitation.....great location.


JoAnn
Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251274 01/03/19 03:18 PM
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Ms Understood Offline OP
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Thanks for the info, JoAnn! We are booked.
——————-
Helen

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251318 01/14/19 09:18 PM
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Puffin pin!!!

[Linked Image]


Karen

Live long and prosper
Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251319 01/14/19 10:09 PM
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If there is an extra I would love to have it. Puffins are at the top of my favorite birds list. Thank you. This pin is great.


Betty
Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251321 01/15/19 01:39 AM
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Ms Understood Offline OP
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Love this pin! Can’t wait for the trip.
——————-
Helen

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251367 01/23/19 07:40 PM
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We just returned from our SS Galapagos cruise and must have missed seeing this Puffin pin. I LOVE it...it's so perfect and can't wait for this cruise. !!


Marcie

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251381 01/29/19 03:52 AM
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FYI for anyone who is going to be in Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum now only does timed- entry tickets and only online and in advance. No tickets at the door.
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Helen

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251446 02/22/19 03:36 PM
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Context Travel is offering a 15% discount on their walking tours through today. We've taken tours with them in several cities.

https://www.contexttravel.com

This will be our first time in Amsterdam. I booked 2 tours in Amsterdam -

Introduction to Amsterdam: Old Town & Red Light District Tour - Saturday, May 11 at 9:30 AM
Van Gogh Museum Tour: Crash Course - Sunday, May 12 at 9:00 AM

Max 6 people per tour.


Leslie

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251447 02/22/19 06:00 PM
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Thanks for the link, Leslie. We are going to miss you at the Van Gogh as we have tickets for Monday morning, thinking we will do that and then head to the ship. Not sure what else we will do but we have been a number of times to Amsterdam so looking for something we haven’t already seen/done. (Other than the Van gogh which I could go to a hundred more times!) I’ll let you know if we get a dinner planned in case you would like to join us. Me and Jerry, Ed and Michele and Kim and Alice have discussed but haven’t actually booked anything)
We will for sure see you at the Banks Mansion though . Look for me in the bar 🤪
———————-
Helen

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251450 02/23/19 05:49 AM
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Ms Understood Offline OP
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Excursions are open for Dublin to London.
——————-
Helen

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251453 02/24/19 06:45 PM
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Booked all our excursions...Yippee. It won't be long now.


Marcie

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251454 02/24/19 11:12 PM
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Booked our excursions as well. Very disappointed though, because originally in the description of the trip last year, there was a train ride in Scotland on the day from Oban to Maillig. And also on the overnight in London, there was an evening excursion to the Royal Geographical Society. I was looking forward to both. Neither are there now. They were both included in last year’s trip.

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251460 02/25/19 12:58 PM
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Yes, I got mine done - lots of castles on this sailing for sure. Those missing excursions sounded good but who knows - maybe there were issues so they dropped them!

Re: PUFFIN Roll Call May 13, 2019 [Re: Ms Understood] #251463 02/25/19 07:44 PM
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I am pretty sure they were dropped to save money as my friend who was on this sailing last year loved both, but particularly loved the Royal Geographical society evening. The Oban to Maillig excursion is the same except it is all by coach now instead of partially by train.

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