Christmas markets in Europe and Caribbean cruise (RTW)

[RooFlyer]

We were just over the border at the time taking my folks on a 5 day Christmas market tour... first time they've seen it snow and boy did it snow! Very heavy where we were.

Last year? yes @OZDUCK illustrated it graphically! I lived in northern Quebec for a year and don't need any more 'snowy experience'.

 

[ellen10]

Looking forward to following along on your wonderful trip.
The European Christmas markets have been on my list for a long time.

 

[Flashback]

Last year? yes @OZDUCK illustrated it graphically! I lived in northern Quebec for a year and don't need any more 'snowy experience'.

Yes sir!

 

[Flashback]

Looking forward to following along on your wonderful trip.
The European Christmas markets have been on my list for a long time.

I've been to maybe 50+ different ones... so if you need any advice, shout!

 

[SYD]

I've been to maybe 50+ different ones... so if you need any advice, shout!

Which ones are warm?

 

[Flashback]

Which ones are warm?

Well, if you stand by the fire....

 

[TheRealTMA]

Looking forward to following along on your wonderful trip.
The European Christmas markets have been on my list for a long time.

We’ve done two trips including Xmas markets. Fabulous. Do it now while you still can.

 

[parsonstrish]

I was reviewing all my arrangements and saw that I had booked the Fairmont in Dallas for the night of 31 December, arriving DFW 8pm. Now, that was silly - the pricing/availability/queues for taxis and rideshares on New Years Eve from the airport to downtown will be ridiculous (and I'm not faffing about with taking train to a station away etc). So I've plumped for the Grand Hyatt within DFW, very expensive, but using Qantas Hotels (as I don't collect Hyatt points) and some QFF points makes it manageable.

There's free shuttles to a couple of places within Dallas - nowhere I haven't been to before, but should fill in some time between check-out and the lounge prior to my evening flight back to Sydney.

I’ve stayed here few times, very convenient to access as part of terminal, lovely rooms, pleasant staff, good food.

 

[Major]

At least you have 3 weeks at home before your next cruise

 

[RooFlyer]

Righto. On QF1500 HBA-SYD today, a nice new A220 ; 1C, lunchtime flight.

Ooops. First there was an announcement to put devices into flight mode , followed by one saying there was no wifi, so feel free to download stuff onto your own device.

Lunch at 12:20 was announced as 'brunch' - just breakfast rebadged I guess and no wine offered off the trolly because it was 'brunch'. However a chardy was produced from the galley when I asked.

Packing yesterday I made a late switch from my newer, lighter, 4 wheeler suitcase to my older, but much more heavy-duty 2 wheeler - thinking about how I'd be dragging it across cobblestones to get to hotels in the old parts of towns in Germany and Austria, possibly with some slush about. I love the big wheels on this thing.



My philosophy is if you are going to take a suitcase, you might as well fill it, which I did with an assortment of warm clothing, shoes and then the summer stuff for later.

Left a bit late and arrived a bit late then a hop across to Rydges. Went to the kiosk to check in, put in name - not found. Agent tried reversing the names - nothing. Went to counter (yes, lets do that!) and asked for my confirmation. Fortunately, as usual I have hardcopy of all my bookings and then she found it.

Bog standard room but with an outstanding car park view (its quiet)





Oh, and I received an email from the Novotel at BKK offering 'carousel service' as a Plat. They meet you at the carousel and escort you to their shuttle. That's promising.

 

[OZDUCK]

Good move on the 4 wheel suitcase. Last Christmas in the German snowy slush my 2 wheel one was much easier to use than my wifes new 4 wheel one. Hers often became bogged in the deeper snow. I also found my 2 wheeler easier to use on cobblestones.

 

[RooFlyer]

A poor night's sleep, per usual before an international flight, saw me out of the hotel early, checked in and through security.

Up to the Qantas F lounge, which wan't very busy. Breakfast seat by the window.



I won't trouble you with 'what I had for breakfast' (it wasn't salt and pepper squid ) and then down to the boarding gate, early. I like to stand and walk around before a long haul.

QF295 SYD-BKK scheduled 10:30-16:10, actual 10:45-15:50. Operated by Finnair, A330.
Business class, 2A

Boarded the Finnair A330, for my Qantas flight to BKK and found my first mistake. I had read that the first row of business in the 'new' Finnair lounge seat (actually row against the window) didn't have a strut in the footwell, that some people found annoying. So I got my TA to book me either 2A or 2L for all 3 of my Finnair widebody flights. However, I didn't notice that the first flight was on an A330 and it did have a 1A, so my 2A had the strut.



As it turned out, it wasn't much of a drama.

As to the seat - I'm still on the fence. This was a day flight but I did try to kip a bit and it was comfortable and the Qantas 'mattress' didn't fit as badly as I thought.





Crew were Thai and pretty good, although i got my toes trodden on twice as they served me in my seat. No biggie.

Menu



As nothing inspired, I sorta went veg, except for dumplings to start. I'm not a fan of dumplings, but willing to give them a go.

A nice Riesling for once, and the starter nuts



Dumplings were good.



Vegetable rendang wasn't presented the best and was pretty bland.



Later meal I continued with the veg options , with pumpkin fritters and braised eggplant. Again, OK.



We departed a bit late with a no-show and need to off-load bags, but made it up in flight and arrived about 15 mins early. Crew were attentive, the flight was smooth and the meals were, OK I guess.

Overnight at the Novotel BKK, then on Finnair A350 tomorrow to HEL, with onwards flight to DUS, so will experience the Finnair seat and service proper. I've always been a fan of Finnair.

 

[RooFlyer]

Arrival at the end of the pier and we know how large BKK is, but motored to immigration and through pretty quickly. AT the carousel, I was met by someone from the Novotel (a Plat benefit, I think) who looked after the bags on a trolley. I 'had' to go through the red lane, as I had filled out a Permit to bring in codeine bearing medicined (Prodeine), as pioneered by @Flyfrequently . The guy there was a but puzzled by the permit I proffered, but asked to see the packet pf Prodeine, which I had ready and then waved me on my way. We then walked to a waiting shuttle which was parked immediately outside the doors. . I was the only pax, so off we went straight away. Perfect!

Huge hotel. I let them look after bag and carry-on (which I don't usually do) and eventually found the exec check-in desk. Very nice experience, little iced drink, upgraded from Superior King to Junior Suite, explained the hotel etc.

Up to my room, which was in the next post-code, but it was great.














Foyer area


Oops, gotta run, boarding for HEL

 

[Flyfrequently]

Arrival at the end of the pier and we know how large BKK is, but motored to immigration and through pretty quickly. AT the carousel, I was met by someone from the Novotel (a Plat benefit, I think) who looked after the bags on a trolley. I 'had' to go through the red lane, as I had filled out a Permit to bring in codeine bearing medicined (Prodeine), as pioneered by @Flyfrequently . The guy there was a but puzzled by the permit I proffered, but asked to see the packet pf Prodeine, which I had ready and then waved me on my way.

In Koh Samui @RooFlyer 2 staff had no clue about the permit either, pulled out their phones and took a photo - hope it hasn't found it's way onto the dark web

 

[RooFlyer]

there were “coughtails“ from 5 pm to 8 pm so naturally I had to check it out. Very good and extensive spread of things to eat and drink.



I didn’t need to use my welcome drink. The Accor Plat amenities were a nice plate of macaroons and fruit and three packets of nuts papaya etc. Multiple bottles of water around the suite.

5am start for a 7:50 departure. Because of jetlag I was awake before that, showered, down to check out, straight into a shuttle and off to the airport.

Check in easy, then directed to FastTrack security and immigration. I had an invitation to the miracle lounge ha ha! I headed straight for the Qatar lounge.


Really, really good as you expect from a Qatar lounge. No à la carte dining but a very very good spread of breakfast items and frwsh and absolutely delicious. Not many pics as it was fairly crowded, but you could spend a lot of time in this lounge.







The Qatar lounge is actually much closer to the departure gate in the Miracle lounge as well - about 5 mins to E3


Helsinki, here we come.

 

[Daver6]

I bought my grippy, waterproof shoes from K-Mart yesterday.

In Norway, we purchased something like this https://www.amazon.com.au/Crampons-...b138ecf8ff4a317d8b67df1bb0beddfd&gad_source=1 for dealing with snow/ice on roads. Best investment ever. Easy to slide on over any shoes and zero chance of your slipping over. Should be able to pick-up for $10 at most.

Righto. On QF1500 HBA-SYD today, a nice new A220 ; 1C, lunchtime flight.

Ooops. First there was an announcement to put devices into flight mode , followed by one saying there was no wifi, so feel free to download stuff onto your own device.

Lunch at 12:20 was announced as 'brunch' - just breakfast rebadged I guess and no wine offered off the trolly because it was 'brunch'. However a chardy was produced from the galley when I asked.

Packing yesterday I made a late switch from my newer, lighter, 4 wheeler suitcase to my older, but much more heavy-duty 2 wheeler - thinking about how I'd be dragging it across cobblestones to get to hotels in the old parts of towns in Germany and Austria, possibly with some slush about. I love the big wheels on this thing.

View attachment 417634

My philosophy is if you are going to take a suitcase, you might as well fill it, which I did with an assortment of warm clothing, shoes and then the summer stuff for later.

Left a bit late and arrived a bit late then a hop across to Rydges. Went to the kiosk to check in, put in name - not found. Agent tried reversing the names - nothing. Went to counter (yes, lets do that!) and asked for my confirmation. Fortunately, as usual I have hardcopy of all my bookings and then she found it.

Bog standard room but with an outstanding car park view (its quiet)

View attachment 417638

View attachment 417639

Oh, and I received an email from the Novotel at BKK offering 'carousel service' as a Plat. They meet you at the carousel and escort you to their shuttle. That's promising.

It's a great little experience having someone waiting at the carousel. Works so well

Arrival at the end of the pier and we know how large BKK is, but motored to immigration and through pretty quickly. AT the carousel, I was met by someone from the Novotel (a Plat benefit, I think) who looked after the bags on a trolley. I 'had' to go through the red lane, as I had filled out a Permit to bring in codeine bearing medicined (Prodeine), as pioneered by @Flyfrequently . The guy there was a but puzzled by the permit I proffered, but asked to see the packet pf Prodeine, which I had ready and then waved me on my way. We then walked to a waiting shuttle which was parked immediately outside the doors. . I was the only pax, so off we went straight away. Perfect!

Huge hotel. I let them look after bag and carry-on (which I don't usually do) and eventually found the exec check-in desk. Very nice experience, little iced drink, upgraded from Superior King to Junior Suite, explained the hotel etc.

Up to my room, which was in the next post-code, but it was great.


View attachment 417757

View attachment 417758

View attachment 417759

View attachment 417760

View attachment 417761

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Foyer area
View attachment 417763

Oops, gotta run, boarding for HEL

Pretty sure you were in the same room I had there based on location and view out the window. You can now safely say you've slept in the same bed as me. No amount of showering will ever make you feel clean

 

[RooFlyer]

In Koh Samui @RooFlyer 2 staff had no clue about the permit either, pulled out their phones and took a photo - hope it hasn't found it's way onto the dark web

My guy did nothing except look at permit. It was if I was never there. ….

 

[markis10]

Sad story behind that car park view at SYD, apparently it’s had too many jumpers

 

[RooFlyer]

Boarding running late because the inbound plane was late arriving and after the pre-board and I think a couple of special people, on we went.

2L this time and sure enough the foot well is nice and wide and deep





No overhead lockers on this bird and I found that most the locker above my seat was already taken by preloads and Specials, but there was room



PDB of Joseph Perrier Brut NV in the wonderful Finnair littala glassware.



We’ve got the Finnair entertainment system rather than the Qantas one and it’s very good. How’s this friend in innovation? A timeline showing you exactly when Will services will be.



If you click the items, it brings up the menu, etc.

Wifi offering a bit parsimonious - 1 hour free for business and then there’s paid access. I’m in Finnair Plus member so will get a discount on any paid plan which I’ll check out later.

 

[RooFlyer]

One thing note. The IFE is simply sensational. Not so much the visual content movies etc but just all the information that’s there and laid out.



My arrival time and gate arrival and gate departure appeared about halfway through the flight and showed me the path exactly when I deplaned to get to the departure gate. Also a short video there on how you get through the terminal - boarding pass over reader to get to security control, then passport control into the Shengen area.



I took the sequence on takeoff from BKK