We started our Baltic trip with four days in London and two days in Dover. We used National Express for travel from Heathrow to London, London to Dover and Dover to Canterbury - in each instance the service was efficient and inexpensive and I booked all tickets on line. While we saw much in London, the highlights were the London Eye and seeing the Phantom of the Opera. Our B&B was very basic but well located near the Victoria Station.

In contrast, our B&B in Dover - the East Lee Guest House - was excellent, wonderful hosts, good breakfast, beautiful room and bathroom ensuite and located half a block from the bus station. We spent our day in Dover at the Dover Castle and touring the war rooms in the cliffs - this will take a good three hours but is well worth the time. We had excellent fish and chips in Dover (I believe it was on Castle Street, just a couple of blocks from East Lee). Our second day in Dover, we travelled to Canterbury Cathedral - what a beautiful church and town. If you go, make use of the tour offered (fee).

Embarkation on May 17 was a bit long because we arrived shortly after 10 AM and check in did not begin until about 11 AM. After check in you had to wait in a holding area until the ship was ready for passengers - cabins were available at 1 PM. Our cabin was an outside which was quite roomy, lots of storage space and a wonderful bath room with actual doors for the shower rather than a curtain. The cabin stewards did an excellent job and the room was cleaned promptly and well. One thing I would suggest is bringing your own shampoo/conditioner (theirs is poor quality) and a full size bar of soap. Read more