cpl100

On 6/13/2020 at 10:19 AM, PTC DAWG said:

Booked on EQ this September, ready to go, barring wearing a mask...not doing it. 

And what is your plan if you get there and it is required?

Can anyone recommend a plan?

Interested in answer also.

14 hours ago, WatchHill said:

https://www.barclays.co.uk/branch-finder/

 

I have a BAC card, always travel with two different bank cards just in case one gets rejected. It's my small home town bank that has an ATM card designed for those who travel abroad - no fees if using SUM network, otherwise they waive up to 6 foreign transactions per month. I used a Barclay's cash machine in Southampton and the big bank card was rejected, so inserted little bank and it worked. 

I'm guessing that you are flying from BOS to LHR, if so stay away from the currency converter Kiosk at Logan - Terminal E - awful rates. Even after you clear passport control and pick up your luggage to walk into the terminal, there are those damn currency converter systems - haven't seen a bank one at LHR  in a few years. Since we always head into London via LHR Express, I wait until I get to Padding station for cash....or stop along the way to the hotel a few blocks from the station.

Darcy

By BAC do you mean Bank of America?  Thanks for posting your experience.  

My US bank is Bank of America.  Their affiliated bank in UK is Barclays.  I want to use their ATMs to avoid fees.  My son thought there was an ATM at the airport but I couldn't see it on the map which was the reason for my initial post.  So, I guess I will have to look for a Barclays in the Kensington area where we are staying at the Marriott.

Thanks for all the posts!  And if anyone knows of a Barclays ATM in that area, please do post here.

Have a great day!

I looked at the terminal map but all I see is Travelex.  Believe I will be arriving at Terminal 5 (on BA from USA).

There must be someone else who needed this!!

Thanks!

 

I will be needing to get GBS and I believe I will be in Terminal 5 (from US).  Is there a Barclays ATM in the terminal?  I looked at the terminal map but all I see is Travelex which I believe would not give a very good exchange.

Thanks!

Thank you for the responses.

Thank you, all.  I requested quotes from Blackberry and from Justairports.  Only Blackberry responded to me so I booked with them.  

Appreciate the help!

Would like to see one or two shows or plays while in London in mid October.  Not sure quite where to start the process other than a Google search.  Thought people here may have some insider tips or tricks.  Thanks in advance for Al suggestions.

Will be two ladies with enough luggage for 8 days in London and a15 day cruise.  Public transportation is not an option, though a taxi or uber is possible.  Will be arriving 9 am on a Friday morning in October.

Thanks for all suggestions.

On 7/28/2019 at 11:51 AM, SpaceCowboy9 said:

Doctor says stay out of the sun, so what do I do, go to the beach.  I hate putting on sunscreen - solution:

 

Rash Guards - love 'em

 

I only have to put a little sunscreen on my hands, feet, neck, and face.  If I'm just sitting in the water, I wear the hat (pictured).  If I'm swimming/snorkeling, I have a beanie cap -- all UPF 50 or above.

Have never heard of rash guards!

On 8/3/2019 at 2:53 PM, ducklite said:

I have a UK Sim through Vodafone.  I just put it in and top it up as needed. The O2 plans are just as good.  

 

That said, I'm to the point where I'm just using my Verizon plan.  If you don't make a call or answer an incoming call, and keep your data off so you only use WiFi, you won't be charged.  You also don't get charged for incoming texts.  I've done this the past few trips to the UK and it has worked brilliantly and for what has worked out to less money.

 

 

I have used my Verizon plan during some vacations.  However, for a 22 day vacation it is not the best option.  And I don't know of a way to use wifi to navigate a foreign city.  Do you?

On 8/5/2019 at 4:42 PM, picsa said:

A PAYG sim from Three is the cheapest for calls, texts and data in the UK (3p calls, 2p texts, 1p  per MB of data so OK providing you are not using an awful lot of data) and is probably the easiest of the cheap sims to buy. St. Martin and Puerto Rico are also on their free roaming plan so you could get a free bonus by using it there for no extra cost

I am assuming we will be using a lot of date navigating around London and Southampton and again in St. Maartin.  Puerto Rico and St. Thomas are in the US so Verizon should include for free.  Can't see why I would use it in Haiti unless there is an emergency in which case cost would not be a factor in my safety.  How is the coverage with this plan you mention?  Also, is 3p pence as in a penny?  Thanks.

I had it in my cart yesterday but didn't complete the transaction.  Now it says it is not available.  Does this sell out on the Indy?

Hello all,  Cruising in October and will have 8 days (total) prior to the cruise in London and in Southampton.  The cruise then goes on to St. Maartin, Labadee, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas.  Would like to get a sim card for our phones rather than use Verizon's $10/day plan.  Appreciate all knowledge and experience on this subject.  Thanks.

On 7/18/2019 at 9:25 AM, geoherb said:

 

I hope you're planning on going to Kensington Palace. We enjoyed our tour of it before our British Isles cruise two years ago. You'll also be close to the Victoria and Albert Museum. It's another great place to visit. Harrods is just up the road from there.

We plan on visiting all those places!  Thanks!

On 7/8/2019 at 3:15 PM, NRichard10 said:

Does anyone have information on KIM SHA BEACH that you can share? I have not heard of this beach before, but I did see a tour for it on RCCL website.

 

Is it a family friendly beach?

 

Do you know the price by Taxi? We will be 4 adults, 1 child, and 1 toddler.

 

Are there chairs, umbrellas, food, restroom?

 

We are looking for a beach that we can visit just for a couple of hours and then maybe just some shopping near the port. The two youngest kids in our party will probably not be able to handle much more then 3-4 hours of beach and shopping.

 

We normally use Bernard's Tours, but I don't see and excursion to this beach.We wanted to do the sightseeing and Maho Beach with them, but because we are travelling with an 18 month old, we are afraid the noise at Maho may be too much for the baby even with earplugs? We also like Orient, but not sure we want the other child to be overwhelmed or embarrassed by the nudity.

 

If anyone can HELP, it would be greatly appreciated. I love St. Maarten and I would hate to have to just stay within just the Port area for this stop. 

 

Thanks for your help.

I would not take small children to Maho for fear of damaging their hearing.

I see in my RC excursions that this port only allows biodegradeable sunscreen which is non-harming to local aqua life.  What does everyone use there?  How do they police it?  Thanks!

20 hours ago, ducklite said:

All are in great and safe areas.  The Cavendish will be truly in the middle of everything.  

Thank you.  We booked into the Marriott Kensington.  

Also, found these hotels and wondering if anyone has experience with them (or the areas):

Park Grand London Kensington

The Cavendish (heart of Mayfair and Piccadilly is what they give as location)

Marriott Hotel Kensington (Kensington)

Thanks!

Thanks for all the information.  We found the Doubletree by Hilton West End (which I think is Bloomsbury) for a decent price.  Is that recommended?  (Not sure what is West End, actually)  Thanks.

37 minutes ago, Cotswold Eagle said:

 

 

That hotel is slightly further from the main Canary Wharf estate than the Doubletree mentioned above - you’d walk past it, in fact. I haven’t been down that way for years so don’t know what’s in the immediate vicinity. 

 

Unless you have got a GREAT deal, I really would suggest saving yourself up to an hour travelling in and out each day, and look for a hotel in the centre of London.  

30 minutes ago, orchestrapal said:

 

Agree!

Why would two women stay that far from anywhere they would want to be in the center???. Or anyone else for that matter. During 44 long visits to London we went to Canary Wharf one time and can not understand the attraction unless one loves the underground.

Thank you for that geography.  It is very helpful.  Yes, the deal is a great deal but perhaps still not the best option.  Will continue searching for that perfect combination of location and price!

On 6/28/2019 at 5:12 PM, Morgans said:

 

 

Not at all - quite busy (but not rammed with people) and some excellent shops and restaurants. There are some lovely walks by the river. Yes you are certainly out of town but there is easy access into town where you will be able to fight through the crowds when sight seeing! Handy for river boats, buses and DLR .

Which hotel have you seen?  

 

 

 

Thank you.  The hotel is Lincoln Plaza London (part of the Hilton Curio Collection).  Appreciate any advice.

I found a very good deal (with a coupon code I have) for a hotel in Cannary Wharf.  What are opinions about that area as far as safety and convenience.  Says 5 minute walk to one line and 10 minute walk to another line of public transit.  Thanks.