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

[Crisi83]

We were on this same cruise. We spent 4 days prior to 5/30 in Copenhagen. Here’s what we did

4. Used Rick Steves’ walking tour of Old Town Tallin. Very easy to follow, and he provides descriptions of each place. Cheapest excursion ever – 3 Euros each (not including cost of guidebook).

How hard was the walk? Did you get a bus to Old Town or walk it? We have a very long day in St Petersburg the day before, so we are debating what to do in Tallin - DCL tour or on our own... Don't want to do too much walking -_-

 

[llqool]

What time did you arrive at the port for check-in and when did you board? Disney is telling us 1pm is the earliest, despite Platinum and Concierge. Another family member who is neither Platinum not Concierge was able to select an arrival time of 11am.

My friend who is Gold CC just got off the first Baltic cruise and told me it was chaotic at check-in -- they didn't have a separate line for CC of any level except they did have one for Platinum/Concierge. She said another family they met who was Gold got in the "regular" check in line (because they didn't know what to do) and was given a boarding number of 14. My friend decided to stand in the other line (since there was no CC line) and got boarding #4.

In the end, it didn't matter all that much because it was cold and rainy that day. (hope it isn't when we arrive this Saturday - kids love to get in the pool first thing, even in the colder climes)

She also said it was a let down to get on the ship at the back instead of the atrium.

 

[Angeshall]

We were on this cruise. Unfortunately, as we were watching the dock as we were leaving, we saw them off-loading what was obviously a deceased person. So horrible.

The length of time they were doing CPR, we knew the situation was bad but we hoped for positive outcome. All I can think about is the poor family members that we were both sailing with last week that lost a loved one. So sad......RIP

 

[closetmickey]

Can't wait to see the navigators! Thanks in advance!

 

[ctnurse]

We were on this cruise. Unfortunately, as we were watching the dock as we were leaving, we saw them off-loading what was obviously a deceased person. So horrible.

How sad.

My friend who is Gold CC just got off the first Baltic cruise and told me it was chaotic at check-in -- they didn't have a separate line for CC of any level except they did have one for Platinum/Concierge. She said another family they met who was Gold got in the "regular" check in line (because they didn't know what to do) and was given a boarding number of 14. My friend decided to stand in the other line (since there was no CC line) and got boarding #4.

In the end, it didn't matter all that much because it was cold and rainy that day. (hope it isn't when we arrive this Saturday - kids love to get in the pool first thing, even in the colder climes)

She also said it was a let down to get on the ship at the back instead of the atrium.

Why do you not enter through the atrium? Where do you enter in the back of the ship?

Can't wait to see the navigators! Thanks in advance!

Me neither.

 

[thndrmatt]

Why do you not enter through the atrium? Where do you enter in the back of the ship?

Every port including CPH used Deck 1 gangways. Most of them had both ends open to speed the reboarding process in the ports. But there was no elevated boarding anywhere, and thus no family announcements which was a first for us.

 

[Chirple]

How hard was the walk? Did you get a bus to Old Town or walk it? We have a very long day in St Petersburg the day before, so we are debating what to do in Tallin - DCL tour or on our own... Don't want to do too much walking -_-

The walk itself was fine. The biggest issue we had was walking against the very strong wind at the pier. Tallin was our first port day so it prepared us for our 12 hour St. Petersburg day.

The nice thing about doing a self-guided tour is that you can go at your own pace and take breaks when needed. I used Rick Steves' Northern European Cruise Ports guidebook, removed the Tallin section, stapled it, and used it as we walked through Old Town. We left off the last two locations because the descriptions did not interest us.

My friend who is Gold CC just got off the first Baltic cruise and told me it was chaotic at check-in -- they didn't have a separate line for CC of any level except they did have one for Platinum/Concierge. She said another family they met who was Gold got in the "regular" check in line (because they didn't know what to do) and was given a boarding number of 14. My friend decided to stand in the other line (since there was no CC line) and got boarding #4.

In the end, it didn't matter all that much because it was cold and rainy that day. (hope it isn't when we arrive this Saturday - kids love to get in the pool first thing, even in the colder climes)

She also said it was a let down to get on the ship at the back instead of the atrium.

We are Gold CC, and I didn't find it chaotic at check in at all. When I did online check in, I was able to choose 11 am as our PAT. We arrived shortly after 11, and the terminal was already filled with people (seating was scarce). We used the regular check in line and were issued boarding #3.

As thndrmatt said, at the Copenhagen port you enter at ground level rather than the atrium. Made boarding the ship move more quickly, in my opinion.

 

[Chirple]

What time did you arrive at the port for check-in and when did you board? Disney is telling us 1pm is the earliest, despite Platinum and Concierge. Another family member who is neither Platinum not Concierge was able to select an arrival time of 11am.

Sorry, I meant to add this to my previous post where you can see we arrived shortly after 11 am, and we are Gold. Boarding for Platinum and Concierge started between 11:45 am and 12 noon. Since we were in group #3, we were on the ship and in Carioca's relatively early. When we left Carioca's, there was quite a line to enter.

 

[aggiedog]

We had a 12:00 PAT. It took us an hour to check in, once we got to the counter. We have two staterooms, my family and my parents. The check in lady seemed to be completely mystified by both the linked reservations and the fact that several of the first, middle, and last names were similar (as my kids have my parent's names for middle names.) It took for.ev.er to check in. We got a boarding group of #10, and didn't get done with her and on the ship until #20 was called.

There are gangways on deck one, fore and aft. Most of the time, both were open for ports.

 

[DMMarla07860]

who was club host and DJ on the ship?

 

[Chirple]

who was club host and DJ on the ship?

Jo was the Club Host, and Matt was the DJ.

 

[kandt]

Thursday we went to Tivoli Gardens. We purchased the unlimited ride ticket (in addition to the entry fee). It was a cloudy, cool day with short periods of rain so the park was relatively empty. It was money well spent because we were there all day. They do not have the same safety measures as Disney parks. For example, the roller coaster bars lift before the ride comes to a complete stop so we saw kids jump out while the train was still moving. They do have height restrictions on some rides and will measure children.

I had a few questions about Tivoli. Were you able to bring a small bag or backpack onto the rides? Do you know if you can bring a bottle of water into the park with you? Thanks in advance!

 

[Chirple]

I had a few questions about Tivoli. Were you able to bring a small bag or backpack onto the rides? Do you know if you can bring a bottle of water into the park with you? Thanks in advance!

I have a crossbody camera bag for my dSLR (and extra lens) and was able to bring it on all of the rides. If my husband wasn't riding with me, he would hold the bag just so I had one less thing to carry. I didn't bring water with me, but I don't think it would be an issue if you did. There is no bag check.

 

[aggiedog]

There are a few rides that you have to stow your gear before you ride, but it is on the platform where you get on the ride. Water bottles are not a problem. There is no security check at all when you go in the park.

 

[rochmom4]

Were they still giving out castaway club tote bags during your baltic cruise?

 

[Chirple]

We got a sling bag with an umbrella. Last November on the Dream we got the exact same CC gift, but my friend who is Silver got only the bag and not the umbrella.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Like these?

 

[Chirple]

Umbrella, yes. Bag is different. It's a crossbody sling-type bag. I think we have 3 of them now.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Umbrella, yes. Bag is different. It's a crossbody sling-type bag. I think we have 3 of them now.

Thank you,

 

[Crisi83]

The walk itself was fine. The biggest issue we had was walking against the very strong wind at the pier. Tallin was our first port day so it prepared us for our 12 hour St. Petersburg day.

The nice thing about doing a self-guided tour is that you can go at your own pace and take breaks when needed. I used Rick Steves' Northern European Cruise Ports guidebook, removed the Tallin section, stapled it, and used it as we walked through Old Town. We left off the last two locations because the descriptions did not interest us..

We've used this walking guides in the past and done the same thing - take apart the book At least his descriptions of how hard walks are have gotten better. We did a "short walk up to a castle" when I was 14 that was 45 minutes straight up a steep hill....