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

[MrsScooby]

Just checking in!!

I am re-painting the bathroom today and in between coats I have been catching up on all the posts !!

It is snowing again today so I keep telling myself it is a good day for painting

18 months from today we will all be setting sail for the Baltics!!

Michele

good multitasking there

I think that the travel time is about 2 hours each way from the port. I was 3 hours away from Hamburg. I do think it was worth it b/c if you're old enough to have lived it, it does have amazing meaning as to how far we've come.

We would love to see Berlin too, not sure what we are going to do yet

This is JoAnn Lawall's parents, we're thinking about doing this cruise too.......

Hey there, Welcome aboard

 

[MrsG]

This is JoAnn Lawall's parents, we're thinking about doing this cruise too.......

Hi Mr & Mrs Rent,

We met on the Med Cruise (Maryann & Tom Graziano). Sure hope you join us again. It seems that we are again travelling with a wonderful fun bunch so we are sure to have a great time!

Welcome Aboard!!!!

 

[danfromca]

Thanks for the tour info. I think we're still probably going to go with Disney for the excursions. Call me paranoid.

You're paranoid.

So am I. Perhaps we should take this tour:

St. Petersburg for the Paranoid

Enjoy a stroll along the meandering paths of this city full of hidden dangers and mysteries. Gaze skeptically at the private tour groups whose smiling expressions belie the fact that they probably will never be seen again. Enjoy the thrill of the children in the group as they play "guess who is the former KGB agent" while walking past the shops full of unaffordable goods where at any moment someone might mug you for your valuable western currency.

Additional Information

• Guest must be able to climb on and off the bus, and dodge bullets.
• Wheelchairs need to be standard size and capable of high speed escapes at up to 20kph
• Strollers will be confiscated on this tour.
• A beverage (vodka) is included. Additional drinks and snacks are available if you apply with your local consulate at least six weeks in advance.
• Guest are encouraged to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and bullet proof vests.

 

[cruisin'Mike]

I think that the travel time is about 2 hours each way from the port. I was 3 hours away from Hamburg. I do think it was worth it b/c if you're old enough to have lived it, it does have amazing meaning as to how far we've come.

Thanks for the info. I really do want to see Berlin, so I have my fingers crossed that we'll be able to make it work. I read on cruisecritic that one of the major companies told their clients if they didn't get them back to the port in time, they'd fly them to the next port. Not sure I'd want to find out if they're true to their word though. And if not, wandering around Warnemunde, checking out the beach, and having some German beer wouldn't be too bad either.

This is JoAnn Lawall's parents, we're thinking about doing this cruise too.......

We tried talking my parents into coming, but they're just not up for a trip to Europe. Hope you guys decide to join us!

 

[jilljill]

I think that the travel time is about 2 hours each way from the port. I was 3 hours away from Hamburg. I do think it was worth it b/c if you're old enough to have lived it, it does have amazing meaning as to how far we've come.

Travel time on the ship's chartered train is just under 3 hours. The ships chartered trains are the old, slow ones without a/c.
I'll have to see if I took a pic of the train Carnival used, but I have a feeling that I didn't.

There are faster trains you can book yourself that are more modern. I think the faster train takes 2 hours.

 

[jilljill]

Is Anastasia a company name or just the name of a woman who works there?

As Mike has already answered, Anastasia is the owner and the company is named for her. The link to her website is on the first page. She does not need a deposit upfront and you pay her the 2nd morning of the tour, if doing a 2 day tour with her company. If you pay with a credit card she does add a 3% surcharge. She will accept just about any currency for payment. We used US$ and we just had to make sure they were crisp, new bills.

 

[jilljill]

You're paranoid.

So am I. Perhaps we should take this tour:

St. Petersburg for the Paranoid

Enjoy a stroll along the meandering paths of this city full of hidden dangers and mysteries. Gaze skeptically at the private tour groups whose smiling expressions belie the fact that they probably will never be seen again. Enjoy the thrill of the children in the group as they play "guess who is the former KGB agent" while walking past the shops full of unaffordable goods where at any moment someone might mug you for your valuable western currency.

Additional Information

• Guest must be able to climb on and off the bus, and dodge bullets.
• Wheelchairs need to be standard size and capable of high speed escapes at up to 20kph
• Strollers will be confiscated on this tour.
• A beverage (vodka) is included. Additional drinks and snacks are available if you apply with your local consulate at least six weeks in advance.
• Guest are encouraged to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and bullet proof vests.

This is too funny.
But you forgot to add when crossing the street you must cross 4 traffic lanes in 2 seconds or less or you will be run over.

Too funny about the vodka, we went to 2 different souvenier shops for shopping and a bathroom break and as soon as we entered they were standing there with a tray full of little vodka shots for all.

 

[Caropooh]

Good evening, not having a very good day

 

[jlawall]

You're paranoid.

So am I. Perhaps we should take this tour:

St. Petersburg for the Paranoid

Enjoy a stroll along the meandering paths of this city full of hidden dangers and mysteries. Gaze skeptically at the private tour groups whose smiling expressions belie the fact that they probably will never be seen again. Enjoy the thrill of the children in the group as they play "guess who is the former KGB agent" while walking past the shops full of unaffordable goods where at any moment someone might mug you for your valuable western currency.

Additional Information

• Guest must be able to climb on and off the bus, and dodge bullets.
• Wheelchairs need to be standard size and capable of high speed escapes at up to 20kph
• Strollers will be confiscated on this tour.
• A beverage (vodka) is included. Additional drinks and snacks are available if you apply with your local consulate at least six weeks in advance.
• Guest are encouraged to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and bullet proof vests.

 

[jlawall]

Thanks for the info. I really do want to see Berlin, so I have my fingers crossed that we'll be able to make it work. I read on cruisecritic that one of the major companies told their clients if they didn't get them back to the port in time, they'd fly them to the next port. Not sure I'd want to find out if they're true to their word though. And if not, wandering around Warnemunde, checking out the beach, and having some German beer wouldn't be too bad either.




We tried talking my parents into coming, but they're just not up for a trip to Europe. Hope you guys decide to join us!

Having been to Berlin, I'm thinking of staying in the coastal town of Warnemunde, I thought that would be cool....... ........the rents aren't convinced to come, they'll be with us in 2009 so I'm not sure if they want to do 2010 as well..............we'll see..................

 

[MrsScooby]

You're paranoid.

So am I. Perhaps we should take this tour:

St. Petersburg for the Paranoid

Enjoy a stroll along the meandering paths of this city full of hidden dangers and mysteries. Gaze skeptically at the private tour groups whose smiling expressions belie the fact that they probably will never be seen again. Enjoy the thrill of the children in the group as they play "guess who is the former KGB agent" while walking past the shops full of unaffordable goods where at any moment someone might mug you for your valuable western currency.

Additional Information

• Guest must be able to climb on and off the bus, and dodge bullets.
• Wheelchairs need to be standard size and capable of high speed escapes at up to 20kph
• Strollers will be confiscated on this tour.
• A beverage (vodka) is included. Additional drinks and snacks are available if you apply with your local consulate at least six weeks in advance.
• Guest are encouraged to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and bullet proof vests.

What kind of vodka
I like the vanilla.

Thanks for the info. I really do want to see Berlin, so I have my fingers crossed that we'll be able to make it work. I read on cruisecritic that one of the major companies told their clients if they didn't get them back to the port in time, they'd fly them to the next port. Not sure I'd want to find out if they're true to their word though. And if not, wandering around Warnemunde, checking out the beach, and having some German beer wouldn't be too bad either.

What company was that Mike ? Does Germany have a BBB where we can check ?

Good evening, not having a very good day

Sorry to hear that Caro

Read Dan's post
It will make you laugh

 

[jlawall]

This is too funny.
But you forgot to add when crossing the street you must cross 4 traffic lanes in 2 seconds or less or you will be run over.

Too funny about the vodka, we went to 2 different souvenier shops for shopping and a bathroom break and as soon as we entered they were standing there with a tray full of little vodka shots for all.

I don't drink vodka, but how fun is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jlawall]

Good evening, not having a very good day

I had a crappy week, so I understand..........glad we have each other on this thread!

 

[Madisonznana]

You're paranoid.

So am I. Perhaps we should take this tour:

St. Petersburg for the Paranoid

Enjoy a stroll along the meandering paths of this city full of hidden dangers and mysteries. Gaze skeptically at the private tour groups whose smiling expressions belie the fact that they probably will never be seen again. Enjoy the thrill of the children in the group as they play "guess who is the former KGB agent" while walking past the shops full of unaffordable goods where at any moment someone might mug you for your valuable western currency.

Additional Information

• Guest must be able to climb on and off the bus, and dodge bullets.
• Wheelchairs need to be standard size and capable of high speed escapes at up to 20kph
• Strollers will be confiscated on this tour.
• A beverage (vodka) is included. Additional drinks and snacks are available if you apply with your local consulate at least six weeks in advance.
• Guest are encouraged to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and bullet proof vests.

I am afraid being married to a ::cop: and be accompanied by my bil who is also a ::cop: they would rather be safe than sorry. Three little girls are going to all the boring, I mean safe places they can find!

 

[Madisonznana]

Good evening, not having a very good day

I am sorry Carolyn. Is there anything we can do to make it better?

 

[cruisin'Mike]

This is too funny.
But you forgot to add when crossing the street you must cross 4 traffic lanes in 2 seconds or less or you will be run over.

Too funny about the vodka, we went to 2 different souvenier shops for shopping and a bathroom break and as soon as we entered they were standing there with a tray full of little vodka shots for all.

handing out shots of the "national drink" must be the thing to do in tourist areas. I can't tell you how much tequila we were offered in Mexico. Even the 10 year old!!!

What company was that Mike ? Does Germany have a BBB where we can check ?

It was Denrus (who also run tours in St. Petersburg). It's mentioned in post #4 on this thread http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=796959
Obviously I have no idea if it's actually accurate or not.

 

[MrsScooby]

handing out shots of the "national drink" must be the thing to do in tourist areas. I can't tell you how much tequila we were offered in Mexico. Even the 10 year old!!!

We missed that somehow

It was Denrus (who also run tours in St. Petersburg). It's mentioned in post #4 on this thread http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=796959
Obviously I have no idea if it's actually accurate or not.

Ever heard of this place ? The website looks nice
http://www.berlinwalks.com/private_cruise.html

 

[jilljill]

Ever heard of this place ? The website looks nice
http://www.berlinwalks.com/private_cruise.html

Check on cruisecritic for reviews of this company. I remember seeing many favorable reviews for them.

 

[jilljill]

What kind of vodka
I like the vanilla.

I don't drink vodka, but how fun is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were all given the 'ladies' vodka. Apparently there are several different strengths of vodka and they hand out the weaker one. Can't remember what it was actually called tho. It wasn't that much, but you know you had just had a drink.
The shots were little, think the little cups they use in churches.
None of us were vodka drinkers either, but apparently it's rude to turn down a drink from your host. So we all drank it, including the 3 or 4 older kids. The 14 and 15 yo girls didn't have any, even tho we told them they could. I think the 16 yo boy tried it the first place and definately didn't have it the 2nd place. The older 3 tried it both places.

 

[jilljill]

Good evening, not having a very good day