7/18/2010 Mickey's Baltic Ballyhoo!! Part 3

[jilljill]

Not a problem! It's a sisterhood thing! I'll have to check out the other thread!

I see he's now signed off. I guess he didn't like the answers he was getting and got out of Dodge.

 

[jlawall]

Ok, I have no idea what THAT was about..........anyway, thx for all the info about the St. Pete days.........it is amazing to know all about that!! Thx so much for all the background info, Barb!!

 

[jilljill]

Ok, I have no idea what THAT was about..........anyway, thx for all the info about the St. Pete days.........it is amazing to know all about that!! Thx so much for all the background info, Barb!!

Just talking about others complaining on the main board about things they have no control over.

You are so very welcome for the info. Since the city is to intensive there's really no way to give a short answer to a question.

 

[jlawall]

 

[Caropooh]

Hi girls! Went out to get some dinner, but am back now!

 

[jilljill]

I'm actually still up, just not sure for how long.

 

[jilljill]

Well that didn't last long for me. I'm fading fast.


'Nite west coast

'Morning 'across the pond' and early east coast risers

 

[Caropooh]

I'm fading too!
Night Barb!
Good morning Izzi and Andrew!

 

[alanapapa]

I'm fading too!
Night Barb!
Good morning Izzi and Andrew!

Goodnight my Caro

 

[Caropooh]

Goodnight my Caro

Good night my Andrew! I feel like I'm on The Waltons!
I'm done watching 90210, so I'm going to bed!

 

[MrsScooby]

Since DD was 14 Anastasia was able to get the discounts for her, but I still sent her a copy of her report card to show she was a student. In fact, all the parent's just sent in report cards to get the student pricing and this included the college student.
She had mentioned that we should get the students an international student card which is what she really needed, but in the end she was able to just use the report cards for all.

We left the port around 8:15-8:30, later than we were supposed to and we were back on the ship around 5:00-5:30. Our day was originally scheduled for 8:00-6:30, but we didn't encounter any traffic. We also added a couple of extra stops and stayed a couple of places a bit longer than was scheduled. We also ate lunch quicker than the time she built in for us.
Our 2nd day we were picked up about 9:15, it was supposed to be 9:30 but since we all got off early and our guide and driver were already waiting for us. Anastasia met us in our van and we all paid her and left. We had to stop at a hotel for one family to exchange some dollars to rubles and then we stopped at the post office so we could get stamps and use the atm and then we arrived at the Hermitage and walked right in - no standing in line since she had booked us early entry. We checked our coats, used the restroom (which was an experience) and toured a couple of rooms before going to the Gold Treasures gallery for our timed entry of 11:00. We got there a few minutes early and the Hermitage guide took us in and we had the gallery all to ourselves for about 20 minutes. We were in there about 30 minutes. After leaving there we had lunch at Stoli Pie and then did the rest of our day, and added another shopping/bathroom stop. We were back to the ship about 4:00, about a half hour early. This was even after our driver getting stopped by the traffic police for supposedly running a red light. That took about 15 of him talking to the cop and convincing him to not give him a ticket since he didn't want to hold us up and risk not getting us back to the ship in time. The cop told him to just pay him about 500 rubles (roughly $20) and he could get us back to the port.

We had 6 adults and 6 kids, ages 14-20, and it was the perfect size group. There was no waiting on anyone and we all got along really well. Just formed the group on our meets thread over on cruisecritic. We even did a private boat tour with one of the families in Amsterdam.

Sorry my reply was so long.

Awesome I'm so looking forward to this
Sounds like they have their share of problems with the police as well

I was telling DH about your tour and he is so funny. He goes, "well I'm going to talk to the Russians at work and see where they say we should go". We'll stick with the same tour company as you, but he is dying to talk to them about their homeland

I'll have to tell the kids we may have to bring their report cards if we don't get that student card. I don't think they'll want a poor report card being carried around for others to see

I'm sorry I kept you typing so long
I loving all the info

 

[jlawall]

Happy Weekend!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jilljill]

Awesome I'm so looking forward to this
Sounds like they have their share of problems with the police as well

I was telling DH about your tour and he is so funny. He goes, "well I'm going to talk to the Russians at work and see where they say we should go". We'll stick with the same tour company as you, but he is dying to talk to them about their homeland

I'll have to tell the kids we may have to bring their report cards if we don't get that student card. I don't think they'll want a poor report card being carried around for others to see

I'm sorry I kept you typing so long
I loving all the info

Your DH is funny. Wonder what part the country they are from?

As far as picking where I wanted to visit, I just looked over Anastasia's website, Carnival's listed tour, and checked a couple of books out from the library. When DD heard we could go to where Rasputin was poisoned that was top on her list since she studied that is school.

We didn't need to take the report cards, we just emailed a copy to her ahead of time since she arranged for all the tickets in advance.
Can't remember how old your kids are, but if under 12 nothing is needed since you will have to send their passport info to her to arrange the needed visa.

We found that many places in Europe give kids 15 and under the kids rate.

 

[MrsScooby]

Your DH is funny. Wonder what part the country they are from?

As far as picking where I wanted to visit, I just looked over Anastasia's website, Carnival's listed tour, and checked a couple of books out from the library. When DD heard we could go to where Rasputin was poisoned that was top on her list since she studied that is school.

We didn't need to take the report cards, we just emailed a copy to her ahead of time since she arranged for all the tickets in advance.
Can't remember how old your kids are, but if under 12 nothing is needed since you will have to send their passport info to her to arrange the needed visa.

We found that many places in Europe give kids 15 and under the kids rate.

I'll have to ask Darren where in Russia his co-workers are from. They immigrated from Russia during the 70s and 80s and Darren was fascinated with the stories they had to tell.

My DS Andrew will be 16 next year and my DD Kelly will be 13. I was hoping I could use the report card "threat" to get them to work harder

There was another DISer that posted a while ago about her trip to the Baltics via Princess cruise line. I have to find the link to her trip report as she was describing how her 10 year old enjoyed the ports. There was a thread on the main board where folks were complaining about the Baltics as a destination and she was saying how some prior prep work ensures that the Baltic ports are a lot of fun for all (especially kids). She also said that the story of Rasputin was especially "attractive" to kids because of the drama.

 

[MrsScooby]

I found a website for an international student card on google. Not sure if it is legit or not
http://www.istc.org/sisp/index.htm?fx=static&page=istc_info/isic_how_to_apply.html

 

[jilljill]

I found a website for an international student card on google. Not sure if it is legit or not
http://www.istc.org/sisp/index.htm?fx=static&page=istc_info/isic_how_to_apply.html

That is the site to order the card. It's really not necessary unless you will be traveling a lot and on your own. Anastasia actually told us to not worry about ordering it and she would make sure the students got the discount, which she did.

But they do offer a teacher's discount card, so some of the teacher's on here might want to look and see if it's worth it for them to order it.

 

[MrsScooby]

That is the site to order the card. It's really not necessary unless you will be traveling a lot and on your own. Anastasia actually told us to not worry about ordering it and she would make sure the students got the discount, which she did.

But they do offer a teacher's discount card, so some of the teacher's on here might want to look and see if it's worth it for them to order it.

I was checking the site and the cards are $22 and only good for 1 year.
It may be helpful for other ports to have it, not sure though, so I'll wait until Sept 2009 to decide so that the card will be valid for our trip

Paranoid about where I give my money and info these days

 

[alanapapa]

Good Morning/Afternoon Ballyhooers Everywhere

Caro & I are very interested in the St Petersburg Tour info.

 

[Caropooh]

Good morning, I'm grumpy, tired and have a headache

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Good Morning/Afternoon Ballyhooers Everywhere

Caro & I are very interested in the St Petersburg Tour info.

Good morning, I'm grumpy, tired and have a headache

Hello all, been busy so havent spent too much time here, hope everyones fine, ( or going to get better!)