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

[Chirple]

The Gold CC gift we received on this cruise was the sling-style bag and an umbrella, no dry erase board this time.

 

[Chirple]

Let me just say that I am glad we were at the Helsinki Cathedral before the Nicki Minaj cutouts arrived!

 

[Crisi83]

I don't really think a tour is necessary within Skansen. You get a map when you buy your ticket and each building has a sign in front of it with some details about it, in Swedish and English. I don't know where you're from, but it's very similar to Plimoth Plantation or Old Sturbridge Village here in MA. We took a taxi from Old Town to Junibaken, walked from there to Skansen, which was maybe 5min away, tops (to the entrance with the funicular, which the kids loved), and then walked to the bus stop to take us back to the ship. I think it was about a 20-25min walk, which was about my 5 year old's limit, so I'm not sure how a 2yo would do? It would not be difficult to grab a taxi back though. We just chose to walk because it was such a beautiful day.

Thanks for the info! What port did you guys dock at? We will have the stroller... I'm debating which way to do it, on our own or with DCL. With DCL we don't have to worry about transportation, but we have less freedom... not sure if we'd want to explore Skansen beyond what they are give us there. I know my daughter would enjoy the zoo.

 

[EuropeOrBust]

Just wanted to throw out that I was also on the baltic 5/30 and we used a WONDERFUL private tour for Helsinki and Estonia. It was Estonian Experience! It was absolutely amazing and I think those cities were my favorite due to our experience with the tour guides! It was the perfect mix of educational/ site seeing and fun stuff with kids. We had archery next to anicent ruins and marizapan painting in Estonia while in helsinki we did dog sledding. My kids just loved it.

For Russia we used Anastasia Travel and I thought it was good but just lack luster have our better experience with EE. At night we did the DCL Canal Tour through St. Petersberg and I thought that was a waste. We saw absolutely everything during the day on our private tour.

Finally to anyone who unfortunately has to visit the "ER" on the Magic I have to say the staff was amazing. Our 4 year old fell at the kids club and we needed stitches in his forehead. The staff was wonderful at the club and at the health clinic. Since it happend at night the next day we had a goodie bag on our door for him to include stuffed animals, a medal for the bravest boy, some arts and crafts toys as well as a lanyard. Everyone was just so wonderful and thoughtful. I have to say DCL really blew my expectations.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Just wanted to throw out that I was also on the baltic 5/30 and we used a WONDERFUL private tour for Helsinki and Estonia. It was Estonian Experience! It was absolutely amazing and I think those cities were my favorite due to our experience with the tour guides! It was the perfect mix of educational/ site seeing and fun stuff with kids. We had archery next to anicent ruins and marizapan painting in Estonia while in helsinki we did dog sledding. My kids just loved it.

For Russia we used Anastasia Travel and I thought it was good but just lack luster have our better experience with EE. At night we did the DCL Canal Tour through St. Petersberg and I thought that was a waste. We saw absolutely everything during the day on our private tour.

We are booked with EE in Tallinn and looking forward to it.

Interesting what you post re Anastasia that is the very first bad word I have ever read, I was reading their fabulous trip advisor reviews today all five star. Anastasia have organised my own private canal tour in St Petes I hope that's going to be better than DCL.

 

[ctnurse]

Just wanted to throw out that I was also on the baltic 5/30 and we used a WONDERFUL private tour for Helsinki and Estonia. It was Estonian Experience! It was absolutely amazing and I think those cities were my favorite due to our experience with the tour guides! It was the perfect mix of educational/ site seeing and fun stuff with kids. We had archery next to anicent ruins and marizapan painting in Estonia while in helsinki we did dog sledding. My kids just loved it.

For Russia we used Anastasia Travel and I thought it was good but just lack luster have our better experience with EE. At night we did the DCL Canal Tour through St. Petersberg and I thought that was a waste. We saw absolutely everything during the day on our private tour.

Finally to anyone who unfortunately has to visit the "ER" on the Magic I have to say the staff was amazing. Our 4 year old fell at the kids club and we needed stitches in his forehead. The staff was wonderful at the club and at the health clinic. Since it happend at night the next day we had a goodie bag on our door for him to include stuffed animals, a medal for the bravest boy, some arts and crafts toys as well as a lanyard. Everyone was just so wonderful and thoughtful. I have to say DCL really blew my expectations.

I am so glad you posted about EE. We organized tours with them in Tallinn, Stockholm, and Helsinki. We are using SPB in St. Petersberg. The reviews on TA are wonderful.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Yes EE were fast in coming back to me and well organised a good sign they are a great company. I may use them in Oslo in 2016.

 

[EllinK]

What movies were screening on board?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

What movies were screening on board?

It will be the same as the other ships all the current Disney releases at the time of your cruise.


Movies - You can call 888-325-2500, choose the reservations option, then ask what movies will be showing the week you cruise.

 

[kandt]

Did you exchange money on the ship? Any idea of the limit or if you can use a check?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Did you exchange money on the ship? Any idea of the limit or if you can use a check?

You can change currency on the ship but it is at a corporate exchange rate and That rate isn't good.

I fully recommend get your currencies in advance, either at home or if you are in London pre a Baltic cruise, then in central London at our post office or the " chain" currency exchanges, not the small tourist places ones or the airport where the rate is.

There is a limit on the ship I can't remember how much but circa $200, but not worth it IMHO.

 

[gismo1554]

Just wondering what day the Castaway reception was?

Oh and can't wait to see navigators

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Just wondering what day the Castaway reception was?

Oh and can't wait to see navigators

Normally first sea day in north sea For the 12n.

 

[Chirple]

Interesting what you post re Anastasia that is the very first bad word I have ever read, I was reading their fabulous trip advisor reviews today all five star. Anastasia have organised my own private canal tour in St Petes I hope that's going to be better than DCL.

Disney Fantasy, as you saw on my earlier post, we did a private canal tour with Anastasia. We had the entire boat to ourselves. It gave us a different perspective/view of some of the places we had visited during the day and was a relaxing way to end a very long tour. I enjoyed our tour in St. Petersburg with Anastasia Travel very much. They allowed us to tailor our one port day with items from their two-port day tours. It was an 11.5 - 12 hour day; but for two adults never having been to this city, it was perfect.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Disney Fantasy, as you saw on my earlier post, we did a private canal tour with Anastasia. We had the entire boat to ourselves. It gave us a different perspective/view of some of the places we had visited during the day and was a relaxing way to end a very long tour. I enjoyed our tour in St. Petersburg with Anastasia Travel very much. They allowed us to tailor our one port day with items from their two-port day tours. It was an 11.5 - 12 hour day; but for two adults never having been to this city, it was perfect.

Glad you enjoyed it we are there next month, I have a canal tour booked for just us do that's great feedback, thank you!

 

[sabrecmc]

We were also on the Estonian Experiences tours for Helsinki and Tallinn for the 5/30 cruise. Awesome time! Can't say enough good things about those tours. My only advice is that if you have little ones, bring snacks! We did not stop for lunch while on tour, so I was glad I brought some food with me (prepackaged off the ship only).

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

We were also on the Estonian Experiences tours for Helsinki and Tallinn for the 5/30 cruise. Awesome time! Can't say enough good things about those tours. My only advice is that if you have little ones, bring snacks! We did not stop for lunch while on tour, so I was glad I brought some food with me (prepackaged off the ship only).

Or do the Tallinn Marzipan tour.

 

[ctnurse]

We were also on the Estonian Experiences tours for Helsinki and Tallinn for the 5/30 cruise. Awesome time! Can't say enough good things about those tours. My only advice is that if you have little ones, bring snacks! We did not stop for lunch while on tour, so I was glad I brought some food with me (prepackaged off the ship only).

What tours did you do? We are using EE for Tallinn, Helsinki, and Stockholm. Thank you for the tip about the snacks for the little ones. Our 2 year old eats all day long, so I will be packing snacks.

 

[sabrecmc]

Our Tallinn tour included Old Town, archery and the marzipan painting, as well as bus ride up the coast a bit. It was really fun. For Helsinki, we had a city tour and then went to Unique Lapland Winter Wonderland, an indoor snowpark. Kids had a blast, got a husky sled ride and everything. Very fun. They had a snackbar there, and I think most everyone ended up buying something, lol. We all had hungry kiddos.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

This is my private tour in Tallinn.