Just back from first Baltic cruise.......any questions?

[llqool]

Do you know when the first shuttles left in Stockholm? The Vasa opens at 8:30, I'd love to get there close to that time and beat the crowds. (well, except for the crowd that will be coming with me on the shuttle!)

What tasting/mixology classes were there? They seem to offer less of these each time, and with less variety, too. And yet the classes we've been to have been pretty full, so it seems like the demand is there!

 

[Angeshall]

The arrival into Stockholm is simply breathtaking, but we didn't arrive until just before 9am. The weather was sunny and we sat outside Cabanas eating breakfast, looking at all the summer houses (one of the highlights of the trip for me).We were off and on the shuttle into Stockholm by about 9.30am and got to the Vasa about 10.15am.

I've just checked my navigators and there was Stem to Stern wine tasting, Vodka tasting, Whiskey tasting, mixology, Martini tasting, Tequila and Margarita tasting, Beer tasting, Cognac tasting and Chocolate and Wine pairing. We didn't attend any of the sessions so can't comment.

 

[awaghorn]

Do you know when the first shuttles left in Stockholm? The Vasa opens at 8:30, I'd love to get there close to that time and beat the crowds. (well, except for the crowd that will be coming with me on the shuttle!)

What tasting/mixology classes were there? They seem to offer less of these each time, and with less variety, too. And yet the classes we've been to have been pretty full, so it seems like the demand is there!

If you are on one of the cruises docking at Stadsgården I believe the quickest option is to take the Hop on Hop off boat from just near where we dock across to Vasa. I also believe they do a single ticket (even though normally are HOHO).

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

If you are on one of the cruises docking at Stadsgården I believe the quickest option is to take the Hop on Hop off boat from just near where we dock across to Vasa. I also believe they do a single ticket (even though normally are HOHO).

There maybe also boats across the bay from there to a pier next to the Abba Museum area near Vasa. Quicker if in a hurry.

 

[llqool]

A friend who also just got off the cruise said that she was able to take the HOHO boat for one stop (50 kroner) to get from the shuttle bus area to the Vasa.

Thanks for the detailed tasting info, Angeshall. Looks like they are offering a lot more than on our last cruise!

 

[CPME]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise, sounds wonderful. Ours is next month, very excited!

We've not got any excursions booked but hoped to just mooch around the cities a bit by ourselves. Any chances the shuttles or HOHO buses will fit a wheelchair on? A non collapsable one?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise, sounds wonderful. Ours is next month, very excited!

We've not got any excursions booked but hoped to just mooch around the cities a bit by ourselves. Any chances the shuttles or HOHO buses will fit a wheelchair on? A non collapsable one?

Just a gentle reminder, you cannot get off at St Petersburg to mooch around unless (1)-your on a DCL tour, or (2) you have booked with an authorised local agent for a private tour, we have booked the later.

All other ports are easy.

 

[Angeshall]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise, sounds wonderful. Ours is next month, very excited!

We've not got any excursions booked but hoped to just mooch around the cities a bit by ourselves. Any chances the shuttles or HOHO buses will fit a wheelchair on? A non collapsable one?

We took a stroller with us every time we went ashore, but we folded the stroller up and it went in the storage hold underneath the shuttle bus. I would contact DCL in advance for their advice/assistance.

There were lots of people on board in wheelchairs, so I'm sure they will and help where they can.

Lots of cobbled streets in the old town in Tallinn, which may make for a bumpy ride!

 

[CPME]

Thank you for your replies! Really helpful

 

[Pixie Naseweis]

Thanks for the opportunity to ask questions. Can you tell me who your captain was and do you know if he will stay for the rest of the season in Europe?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I can add I have read Brent the CD is taking a break and Natalie is taking over as the CD.

 

[Pixie Naseweis]

Oh, I know Natalie from our last southern caribbean cruise. Or was it the med cruise two years ago? Or both? I think she was not as bad as some have said here .

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Oh, I know Natalie from our last southern caribbean cruise. Or was it the med cruise two years ago? Or both? I think she was not as bad as some have said here .

She is good, better than Brent imho.

 

[Angeshall]

Thanks for the opportunity to ask questions. Can you tell me who your captain was and do you know if he will stay for the rest of the season in Europe?

Captain John (Barwis) was on the magic last week. I'm not sure if he is staying for the rest of the European cruises. His wife/partner was on board with him.

As Fantasy has mentioned, the CD was Brent, but Natalie took over on the last night and introduced 'Until we meet again'. Brent's wife/partner was on also on board with their two boys.

Out of interest Karl Holz was also on board!

 

[Pixie Naseweis]

Thank you Angeshall!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Captain John (Barwis) was on the magic last week. I'm not sure if he is staying for the rest of the European cruises. His wife/partner was on board with him.

As Fantasy has mentioned, the CD was Brent, but Natalie took over on the last night and introduced 'Until we meet again'. Brent's wife/partner was on also on board with their two boys.

Out of interest Karl Holz was also on board!

Hey you got him this time, Karl was in the next stateroom to me last year.

 

[ICEMANPAD]

Thank you for the information! How was the evening entertainment? What shows were added? Did the characters dress up in costumes from the various ports? Thank you!

 

[Saamh]

Thanks for the opportunity to ask questions. Can you tell me who your captain was and do you know if he will stay for the rest of the season in Europe?

I was on the EBTA and Brent said he was only on for a couple more weeks and then Natalie would take over (she was asst cruise director on the EBTA).

A fellow cruiser who did the EBTA and the cruise after was on the same flight out of Copenhagen as Capt John and said Commodore Tom has now taken over.

 

[tazgirl1981]

I have a couple of questions if anyone who was there could be helpful to answer as we are doing the 12 night Baltic cruise on July 10th-22nd. Hubby wanted me to ask since he is the computer Nerd...Is there any places in or near the ports of call that have free Wifi for sure? And my next question is that Hubby was planning on bringing and using the Disney Visa for most of the ports and places but he wanted to know if anyone else recommended to bring cash/ currency for that port and if so how much roughly? Thank you so kindly for all the answers and wonderful help so far! We truly appreciate the help!

 

[Angeshall]

Thank you for the information! How was the evening entertainment? What shows were added? Did the characters dress up in costumes from the various ports? Thank you!

This was our 4th Disney cruise and I enjoyed the evening entertainment the best on this cruise. I have seen most of the shows before, but some of the recent updates/revamps were really good.

Shows last week:

• All aboard - Let the magic begin
• Twice Charmed
• Walt Disney - The dream goes on
• Showing of Tomorrowland in WD theatre
• Villains
• Ice Fire Strings - Greta Salome
• Dreams

Some of the characters did dress up, I can only remember Russian Mickey and Goofy with some sort of Viking helmet on!