Live from the Second Baltic

[cindy18]

Sorry, I got cut off at the end of my last post and I can't find an easy way on the blackberry to get back to it (and I just tried the internet cafe since we just got back onboard but the connection is extremely bad right now), so I'm just adding a new post on the blackberry. What I wanted to say was that although the city was very crowded, things are set up in such a way that it was perfectly fine. I suspect if we had spent more time in the city center, that might not have been the case though. Our spectacular weather may be coloring my view of all these cities, but Stockholm really is splendid.

So now, as Andrew pointed out, we're at sea for 2 days. For the first time, the end of the cruise feels close, and all 4 of us are very sad about it, me especially. We plan to enjoy the next few days to the utmost. Tonight, as Grizzbuzz said, is a Taste of Scandinavia, and a new show in the Walt Disney Theatre about Walt himself and his vision, complete with video footage. I'm actually interested to see that one. There is an evening stretch class at 5 pm in the Vista Spa which I'm thinking might not be a bad idea. It's all good!

 

[MagicMe]

Even though I am not on a Baltic cruise I have thoroughly enjoyed yourtrip report. As sorry as you are to seeing it end, I'm a bit excited to see each cruise end as it brings me closer to my cruise!

 

[wickesy]

I should pause here to mention the first less than ideal thing that has happened this whole cruise. The line for the shuttle back to the ship is incredibly long and they appear to have seriously underestimated the number of people who planned to take one of the late shuttle buses back to the ship. The all aboard time is 3:45, and it simply isn't going to happen. We got here at 2:45 and since then 3 shuttle buses have come and I'm guessing we need a few more buses before we can get on. It's surprising but I suspect it won't happen again. There is a Disney representative here, and she's made clear that there will be enough buses and everything will be fine, so no one is worried, but it's an odd thing.

I think part of that might be because when we were in Stockholm we only had about 4 hours ashore so maybe more people did DCL excursions or just didn't bother getting off the ship. That might have confused DCL's figures.

 

[MrsScooby]

Loved all the details everyone posted here (especially Cindy)

Especially things like getting around and using credit cards and such

Hope we have the weather that this cruise did

 

[Mickeyhugger]

GREAT TRIP REPORT since OUR DAUGHTER NEVER PHONED HOME FROM THE CRUISE WE KNOW HAVE SOME IDEA WHAT SHE HAS SEEN

 

[slg]

Can someone tell me what time you arrive in Dover? Trying to figure out what time to be at the dock for an early check in.

 

[cindy18]

Our cruise is the only one coming in late to Dover. Long before the cruise started we got letters alerting us to this late arrival time and asking us to make travel plans accordingly. I have heard nothing so far to suggest any changes to that (and believe me, no one wants to think about our return to Dover right now, even though that's where we're headed).

Beautiful cruise out of Sweeden yesterday. We were up on deck 9 watching the small islands go by (some of them quite close). The weather literally could not have been better. We didn't get through all of that until around 8 or so, so it was great watching. Lots of people on the islands coming out to take photos of the ships, lots of sail and motorboats going by. Super send off from our last port.

The show last night was Disney - The Dream Goes On, a new show put together for the Baltic and Med cruises about the history of Walt Disney Studios. It was charming, and there was some footage on the screens that I think is rarely released, which was neat. The Flavors of Scandinavia menu was nice too. DH actually tried the elk, which he said was like venison, neither of which I've had. The DDs raced for their clubs at about 10, and I have to say that we were fast asleep by 11. I think it was the Stockholm sun, plus the sun by the Quiet Cove pool and the cumulative ports that did me in.

I woke up at 7 am to another brilliantly sunny day, although not as warm as its been. I made myself get on the treadmill in the fitness center (my first visit!!!!!) and then settled in outside Cove Cafe with my book and one of Anne Marie's wonderful large Cafe Lattes (I've had one every single morning of the cruise). DH found me at around 9, and we went for an outside breakfast at Topsiders. The DDs, naturally, are still fast asleep. There is A LOT going on around the ship today. There's a big July 4th celebration on Deck 9 (they kept John Charles onboard for it) at 11:30. There's a presentation for adults at 1 pm on the whole Baltic region. There are several alcohol related tastings going on all afternoon. There is a dessert making session later this morning. You get the idea. Feels wonderful to have all that relaxing time ahead of us on such a beautiful day. I do have a small feeling of sadness inside, because the end is getting closer. But I'm going to try to push it away and enjoy the day.

And for all the Americans out there, HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!!

 

[MrsScooby]

Happy 4th of July

Sounds wonderful Cindy

 

[grlzmom]

Great, which concierge does what side of deck 8?

Update to this, Connie will be going on vaca at end of our cruise (and when she returns will be in finance department) and so it will be Linda and Rodrigo. They are not sure who will have which side of the ship yet

You are going to have a wonderful cruise!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Can someone tell me what time you arrive in Dover? Trying to figure out what time to be at the dock for an early check in.

Generally i would go the same as port Canaveral, I was there watching the first one people were off early same as PC, and people were arriving from 9.30am, I think terminal opened 10am > maybe check in 10.30am.

The terminal is very very small and few facilities, not a lot to do, so unless you need palo or other reservations, swap rotation or dinner sitting I would go later.

Car park was open at 10am.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Update to this, Connie will be going on vaca at end of our cruise (and when she returns will be in finance department) and so it will be Linda and Rodrigo. They are not sure who will have which side of the ship yet

You are going to have a wonderful cruise!

Thank you, havent met either have had Richard (Holland), and the lady from Germany, Nicol?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Our cruise is the only one coming in late to Dover. Long before the cruise started we got letters alerting us to this late arrival time and asking us to make travel plans accordingly. I have heard nothing so far to suggest any changes to that (and believe me, no one wants to think about our return to Dover right now, even though that's where we're headed).

Beautiful cruise out of Sweeden yesterday. We were up on deck 9 watching the small islands go by (some of them quite close). The weather literally could not have been better. We didn't get through all of that until around 8 or so, so it was great watching. Lots of people on the islands coming out to take photos of the ships, lots of sail and motorboats going by. Super send off from our last port.

The show last night was Disney - The Dream Goes On, a new show put together for the Baltic and Med cruises about the history of Walt Disney Studios. It was charming, and there was some footage on the screens that I think is rarely released, which was neat. The Flavors of Scandinavia menu was nice too. DH actually tried the elk, which he said was like venison, neither of which I've had. The DDs raced for their clubs at about 10, and I have to say that we were fast asleep by 11. I think it was the Stockholm sun, plus the sun by the Quiet Cove pool and the cumulative ports that did me in.

I woke up at 7 am to another brilliantly sunny day, although not as warm as its been. I made myself get on the treadmill in the fitness center (my first visit!!!!!) and then settled in outside Cove Cafe with my book and one of Anne Marie's wonderful large Cafe Lattes (I've had one every single morning of the cruise). DH found me at around 9, and we went for an outside breakfast at Topsiders. The DDs, naturally, are still fast asleep. There is A LOT going on around the ship today. There's a big July 4th celebration on Deck 9 (they kept John Charles onboard for it) at 11:30. There's a presentation for adults at 1 pm on the whole Baltic region. There are several alcohol related tastings going on all afternoon. There is a dessert making session later this morning. You get the idea. Feels wonderful to have all that relaxing time ahead of us on such a beautiful day. I do have a small feeling of sadness inside, because the end is getting closer. But I'm going to try to push it away and enjoy the day.

And for all the Americans out there, HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!!

Again thank you for so much detailed and informative posts re your cruise, and its great to do this virtually with you, you paint great pictures, and it helps me plan for mine in just two weeks now, Enjoy 4th July.

 

[BTKTropea]

Generally i would go the same as port Canaveral, I was there watching the first one people were off early same as PC, and people were arriving from 9.30am, I think terminal opened 10am > maybe check in 10.30am.

The terminal is very very small and few facilities, not a lot to do, so unless you need palo or other reservations, swap rotation or dinner sitting I would go later.

Car park was open at 10am.

I have a friend on this Baltic sailing and he called me from the port when they were checking in and let me talk to a manager. The port will not be opening until 12pm and boarding begins at 1pm. The manager said there wouldn't be anywhere to sit until the port opened and the group disembarks...not sure what to think about that. Anyway just wanted to state what the manager said at the check in counter regarding this sailing.

I'm sure everyone is just as excited as we are! See you all soon!

Tara

 

[MrsG]

I posted this on the general Baltic thread, so excuse the repeat. Just thought that you folks might know.

We are on the 18th cruise and one of our disfriends just got a letter stating that we are leaving Stockholm at 3pm instead of 4:30 (I think the cruises before us left sometime before 4:30). We are on the DCL excursion - Historic Stockholm and Sigunta with Lunch. Does anyone know if they removed lunch from the tour, or if any time adjustment was made?

Thanks.

 

[Doingitagain]

Thank you, havent met either have had Richard (Holland), and the lady from Germany, Nicol?

We have a small gift for Richard, wondering if he will even be on the July 18 sailing even if not concierge?

 

[sarahgirl]

I posted this on the general Baltic thread, so excuse the repeat. Just thought that you folks might know.

We are on the 18th cruise and one of our disfriends just got a letter stating that we are leaving Stockholm at 3pm instead of 4:30 (I think the cruises before us left sometime before 4:30). We are on the DCL excursion - Historic Stockholm and Sigunta with Lunch. Does anyone know if they removed lunch from the tour, or if any time adjustment was made?

Thanks.

My parents are on this cruise and did this excursion. While I haven't heard from them about it, this excursion is scheduled to end at 2:45, so I think you should be good on the lunch.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I have a friend on this Baltic sailing and he called me from the port when they were checking in and let me talk to a manager. The port will not be opening until 12pm and boarding begins at 1pm. The manager said there wouldn't be anywhere to sit until the port opened and the group disembarks...not sure what to think about that. Anyway just wanted to state what the manager said at the check in counter regarding this sailing.

I'm sure everyone is just as excited as we are! See you all soon!

Tara

Tara, whilst not disputing what you have posted, Disney overall often says one thing and does something completely different, on Port Canaveral times, they say one time and do things earlier. Its the same as WDW in Florida, when you have official opening time but actually they open the ticket booths 90 mins early, have the show 30 mins earlier and rope drop 10 mins earlier.

I think some if it is crowd control but I would agree, the terminal is small, there is limited seating, and it will get crowded, so unless anyone needs, Palo, rotation or dinner times changed think about a later arrival.

We have a small gift for Richard, wondering if he will even be on the July 18 sailing even if not concierge?

Not too sure, he looked after us in 2009, and was very good. Wasnt listed on other peoples posts. When asked last year he said he 'maybe' on it but had a break before.

 

[Stimpy]

That does sound about right though....the cruise before us (the current one) is not scheduled to come in until 10 AM this time. (the only Baltic scheduled to come in late) I would imagine it would take a while to clear the ship before they can board our cruise on Tuesday.

Really doesn't matter to us too much since we are at the mercy of the DCL transport that day

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

That does sound about right though....the cruise before us (the current one) is not scheduled to come in until 10 AM this time. (the only Baltic scheduled to come in late) I would imagine it would take a while to clear the ship before they can board our cruise on Tuesday.

Really doesn't matter to us too much since we are at the mercy of the DCL transport that day

I am sure you will have an embarkation delay on yours, maybe they will open up Deck 9 and Parrot Cay but staterooms could be 2pm or later.

On June 6th, people were clearly arriving at 9.30am, and we saw them get through security and into the terminal at 10am.

 

[Stimpy]

I am sure you will have an embarkation delay on yours, maybe they will open up Deck 9 and Parrot Cay but staterooms could be 2pm or later.

On June 6th, people were clearly arriving at 9.30am, and we saw them get through security and into the terminal at 10am.

That's reasonable! I'd hate to think about people arriving early and just standing around outside the terminal!