7/18/2010 Mickey's Baltic Ballyhoo!! Part 5

[MrsScooby]

If they drink enough while in Berlin they won't care as much.
Seriously, I'd look at the track record of the tour companies to see if they've had any guests miss a ship.

There was a couple that missed the ship in Warnemunde and had to drive 5 hours to Munich, stay 2 nights in Germany before flying to the next port to meet up with the ship. They didn't go to Berlin, but rented a car on their own and on the drive back to the ship their rental car broke down and that's how they missed the ship.

I wonder if trip insurance would help with that

Unfortunately we don't drink enough or getting plastered would certainly ease the pain.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

aren't you people who are doing Berlin on your own afraid of not etting back on time and missing the ship?

This is why I am booking a priavte tour via DCL, as its their problem to get me back in time.

It is a long way and if by road, anytihng can happen...

 

[Caropooh]

I was and thought going with DCL would assure that I would not be left behind...but if you look at their descriptions (especially those that involve a train transport) there really aren't any guarantees

We'll just have to be very vigilant and make sure we get back in time. The tour company I am looking at is experienced with cruisers and I'm hoping that helps

If it's a DCL arranged excursion doesn't the ship have to wait for them if late? Remember in PV on the repo cruise, the ship waited for a group of people who were late coming back from their excursion?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

If it's a DCL arranged excursion doesn't the ship have to wait for them if late? Remember in PV on the repo cruise, the ship waited for a group of people who were late coming back from their excursion?

In Acapulco in 2008, we were in port early and had an early 1pm departure, one DCL coach went AWOL, and turned up 45 minutes late, we waited for it...

 

[MrsScooby]

If it's a DCL arranged excursion doesn't the ship have to wait for them if late? Remember in PV on the repo cruise, the ship waited for a group of people who were late coming back from their excursion?

In Acapulco in 2008, we were in port early and had an early 1pm departure, one DCL coach went AWOL, and turned up 45 minutes late, we waited for it...

Yes, that is if you are in a DCL coach/bus, but many of these tours take the train and state that if you miss the train you have to find your own way back

We can't afford the private car and even if we could wouldn't be likely to get it as we can't book any excursions until 90 days.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Yes, that is if you are in a DCL coach/bus, but many of these tours take the train and state that if you miss the train you have to find your own way back

We can't afford the private car and even if we could wouldn't be likely to get it as we can't book any excurions until 90 days.

Yes thats true, but DCL must give instructions to ensure their cruisers on private cars/ vans organsied by them are back in good time for the train, if you are 'berlin on your own', yes its an issue.

The private operators for DCL will work for all cruise lines and so will know the 'rules'.

 

[MrsG]

Yes, I agree with Andrew. We took DCL sponsored excursions at every port on the Med and had no problems with getting back in time. But we also knew that the ship wouldn't leave us behind if the tour ran a little late. That is one big weight off our mind and worth the extra money for their excursions.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Yes, I agree with Andrew. We took DCL sponsored excursions at every port on the Med and had no problems with getting back in time. But we also knew that the ship wouldn't leave us behind if the tour ran a little late. That is one big weight off our mind and worth the extra money for their excursions.

Whilst DCL, are the 'new kids on the block', many of these operators work for cruise lines in the Baltic, day in and day out, so they should know all of the deadlines.

I think the train goes about 7.50am arrives 11.15am, then you have until 4.30pm, and that train gets you back at 7pm.

The deadline is getting the train at Berlin.

Funny, looking at air fare, was thinking 'outside the box'.

Airfare UK>Berlin is £500 for 4 of us. 1.5 hour flight, make a weekend of it, with a hotel, still far cheaper and quicker than DCL from port.!!!!!

 

[MrsScooby]

Whilst DCL, are the 'new kids on the block', many of these operators work for cruise lines in the Baltic, day in and day out, so they should know all of the deadlines.

I think the train goes about 7.50am arrives 11.15am, then you have until 4.30pm, and that train gets you back at 7pm.

The deadline is getting the train at Berlin.

Funny, looking at air fare, was thinking 'outside the box'.

Airfare UK>Berlin is £500 for 4 of us. 1.5 hour flight, make a weekend of it, with a hotel, still far cheaper and quicker than DCL from port.!!!!!

Yes, the company I looked at for Berlin tours indicated that they are used to picking up people from the port and getting them back in time for their cruise.

Just checked to make sure..and there are a number of the Berlin tours that rely on the train to get there and have a disclaimer towards the bottom (under important additional information) that you are responsible for making the train on time. That's what led me to believe that only those being driven by Disney are safe from being left behind. Just wondered if they would wait the ship for anyone that is on a DCL tour that misses the train.


My DH and I have gone back and forth on this quite a bit and that disclaimer on the DCL site just took away the security that a DCL excursion (as far as Berlin) would have had for us.

We are going to leave a wide margin for error and hoping that a private tour will enable us to see more to make up for that.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Yes, the company I looked at for Berlin tours indicated that they are used to picking up people from the port and getting them back in time for their cruise.

Just checked to make sure..and there are a number of the Berlin tours that rely on the train to get there and have a disclaimer towards the bottom (under important additional information) that you are responsible for making the train on time. That's what led me to believe that only those being driven by Disney are safe from being left behind. Just wondered if they would wait the ship for anyone that is on a DCL tour that misses the train.


My DH and I have gone back and forth on this quite a bit and that disclaimer on the DCL site just took away the security that a DCL excursion (as far as Berlin) would have had for us.

We are going to leave a wide margin for error and hoping that a private tour will enable us to see more to make up for that.

I think there are quite a few alternatives here, firstly the ship has a 'date' at St Petersburg of 12.30pm Saturday that cannot be missed, it isn't easy to catch that time back up when you sail at 23mph.

Options:

The train is delayed, DCL has to wait in port.

A lot of people say a coach load is missing. DCL has to wait in port.

Say approx 12 people go AWOL, DCL has 2.75 hours to work out where they are and consider alternatives, at least they will be 'on notice' for the people going back by train so there will be a head count on the train for empty seats, and then a call to the operations centre, either ship/London DCL/ Celebration, and the local tour operator, to consider fast cars etc to get people back on time.

If they have an ETA, 15 mins late etc they will wait.

The most important thing for anyone on a private tour is have the local agency contact number and keep them updated.

They can hold the ship.

I remember La Spezia in 2007, we were sailing out of port, and we were on our verandah, a harbour pilot ship was coming up on us fast on the starboard side. We slowed down the rear door opened, the pilot boat 'bumped' into the Magic and a lady with a life-vest jumpe over, we didn't/couldn't stop.

Often I have herd Guest services call out family names as we pull out would xxxxx contact guest services, it can be security was handed 3 cards, and thought they put through all three but actually one wasn't swiped. But it could be they are on the port side, taking photos of the back of the Magic as it leaves.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Finalized and confirmed details with Anastasia in St Pete's let her know our new arrival time, made adjustments for that. Going to 'eat' on ship just before going and take a run at it until 7.30pm first day and similar on Sunday.

Going to eat on the go on Sunday to squeeze as much as possible in.

Been asked not to publish the new itinerary on the Internet as tailored for us.

 

[RJAYL]

Good Morning All
Supoosed to warm up tomorrow as we will be getting California's rain's
Have a busy day today with activities both out & in!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Good Morning All
Supoosed to warm up tomorrow as we will be getting California's rain's
Have a busy day today with activities both out & in!

Dull and dank here, just 'grey', nothing...

Roll on Spring........

 

[MrsG]

Now it makes sense why the Berlin excursions through DCL are so expensive. The train ride from Wardemunde to Berlin is about $100 USD per person one way!!!!! Yikes.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Now it makes sense why the Berlin excursions through DCL are so expensive. The train ride from Wardemunde to Berlin is about $100 USD per person one way!!!!! Yikes.

Yes it adds up, its a modern high speed train service, similar to London to Paris by Eurostar, but that is cheaper and goes under the Sea!!!

DCL will get a bulk discount, well their tour operator will.

 

[Flora Fan]

ok, question for the women here...

I do need to go shopping for some new sneakers soon. Any recommendations for a brand that will hold up well during these tours?

I do have two suggestions. Mind you, I have to be careful with my feet. Arches are a MUST in shoes for me. Anyway my two favorites are:

Rockport walking shoes or
the one's I have now are Nike. Unfortunately, there isn't a style type or number on them. But, I bought them at Lady Footlocker. Funny looking as the bottom of the shoe has 5 columns.

The Rockport and the Nike's were a bit pricey, but have lasted a long time and held up very well. Ultimately, the best advice is to put the shoe on in the store, if your first reaction is "these are fine". Take them off and move on. If your reaction is "these are great". Don't look at the price tag.

Good Luck

 

[Caropooh]

Is there another family of 4 or 5 people that would like to join the MrsScooby family and ours on an Anastasia tour in St Petersburg? Right now we have 4 adults, 2 16yo (1 male, 1 female) a 13yo female and an 11yo female. Let Laurie (MrsScooby) or I know if you're interested!

 

[Celestine]

Sorry I can't help you here, I only wear sandals. I wore Clarks on the last cruise and had no issues with them.

I also wear Clarks springers & they are great. Have a closed toe shoe as well as a sandal & they are both great for longdays with several miles of walking! I also find my feet can breath better than socks & sneakers

Celestine

 

[Celestine]

Well having spent yesterday reviewing trips etc. I think we are decided to DIY all ports except St Pete's where we are planning on the walking tour with the girls (hoping this is available on arrival day) & the second day just me & DH doing the Hermitage & Petrhof. Is anyone else planning on leaving kids on the ship? Whilst it's a long time I think that trip would be wasted on them 7 it would spoil it for us & realistically we'll never get back there. Also, depending on the masterclass on the Magic my girls fancy that, but the shore excursions are a priority over that.

Have sent off e-mails to companies in Tallinn re: bus & walking tour starting at the port & ending in Town Square & the viking walk company re: location/accessibility from cruise pier & also the food option. Will let you know if/when I get a response

Celestine

 

[jilljill]

I also wear Clarks springers & they are great. Have a closed toe shoe as well as a sandal & they are both great for longdays with several miles of walking! I also find my feet can breath better than socks & sneakers

Celestine

It's nice to know that I won't be the only one wearing sandals in each port. People kept asking me if my feet were hurting on the last Baltics since I didn't wear sneakers and I don't own any.