Live from the Second Baltic

[DL1957]

Great slide show Cindy we went to a lot of the same beautiful places. I may have to get DH who is a graphic artist to do a slide show. I am in the middle of a scrap book with photos. Been back since 6/24 and only up to Germany..UGH I really want to get it completed and the bonus room cleaned up! Safe sailing to the folks on the ship now and for those on the 7/18 cruise! sue

 

[cindy18]

Laurie, on packing: it's clear now that the weather is unpredictable. What we did, and what really did work, was to bring a blend of shorts, capris and pants/jeans (mostly capris), t-shirts, a few long sleeve shirts and sweaters/sweatshirts that went with everything. That way, we really were covered no matter what the weather. We brought rain slickers with us, but DCL hands out ponchos so you don't have to, and in any event we didn't need them. For evening, we didn't think about the weather and just packed the regular mix of stuff. Hope that helps.

 

[colmom]

OK, so here is a link to a slideshow. DH distilled 1500 photos down to 70. For full effect, turn up the volume on your computer speakers. I think he really captured it.

http://web.me.com/mshaiken/Home_Videos/Baltic_Cruise.html

I enjoyed following your trip report and this slide show is a perfect summary of it all. Thank you so much for sharing. We went on our first cruise in May- the DCL Med Cruise- and are now hooked! Would love to do the Baltic whenever it is offered again.

How old are your girls? Do you think they were a good age to do the Baltic cruise? We have 2 girls- 11 and 9+1/2; they loved the Med cruise (especially Italy)!

Thanks again for sharing- it has inspired me to get organized and get my pictures printed!

 

[cindy18]

Our DDs are 14 and 12, and I think they were a perfect age for this trip. They kept up in port very well and really appreciated their independence on the ship. We're hoping the Magic keeps going to interesting places, as we want to be on her again in 2012 after experiencing Alaska on the Wonder next summer!

 

[scrapycruiser]

I do recall a small shop at St. Petersburg terminal and all I can tell you is that we returmed after 7:00pm both days and it was open on at least one of those days. I can visualize the woman standing at the stores door as we returned to the terminal!

Thanks ! Didn't know if we'd get a chance to shop while we were touring.

 

[Kewz1]

Wow! That's really all I can think of to say after reading your report.

Well, that and thank you for taking us on the adventure with you! Loved the pictures too.

I was pretty set on (hopefully) taking a Med cruise in 2012 to celebrate DD's graduation but I'm just not so sure anymore.

Again, than you!!

Kristen

 

[Kouris_Family]

Does anyone know where the drop off point is for the Berlin on your own?

 

[cindy18]

A word on jet lag: for some reason, it seems harder to recover from now that we're home from this trip than we've experienced in other returns from Europe. Not sure if that's from the heat wave or the constant time changes on the ship or the pace we kept while we were on the ship (although the last 2 days at sea should have helped there) or the fact that I'm still sometimes a bit woozy from the motion feeling, but there it is. DD 14 has recovered completely, and DD 12 is getting there (although she took an unprecedented 4 hour nap on Friday afternoon). I am starting to feel shaky every day in the late afternoon/early evening and find myself dozing off hours before bedtime. I seem to be managing to sleep later each morning, so I know things are getting better, but it's been a tough road on that score.

Anyone hearing anything from the 3rd Baltic? 4th Baltics, one week to go!!!!

 

[ImprovGal]

I'm having a tougher time recovering from the jet lag as well. I thought I was fine the day after I returned but lately I keep crashing fairly early in the evening. I think it probably has something to do with not drinking enough water during the day and the high temperatures here at home.

 

[Kouris_Family]

A word on jet lag: for some reason, it seems harder to recover from now that we're home from this trip than we've experienced in other returns from Europe. Not sure if that's from the heat wave or the constant time changes on the ship or the pace we kept while we were on the ship (although the last 2 days at sea should have helped there) or the fact that I'm still sometimes a bit woozy from the motion feeling, but there it is. DD 14 has recovered completely, and DD 12 is getting there (although she took an unprecedented 4 hour nap on Friday afternoon). I am starting to feel shaky every day in the late afternoon/early evening and find myself dozing off hours before bedtime. I seem to be managing to sleep later each morning, so I know things are getting better, but it's been a tough road on that score.

Anyone hearing anything from the 3rd Baltic? 4th Baltics, one week to go!!!!

sounds like Post-Cruise depression book another!!!

 

[MrsScooby]

Laurie, on packing: it's clear now that the weather is unpredictable. What we did, and what really did work, was to bring a blend of shorts, capris and pants/jeans (mostly capris), t-shirts, a few long sleeve shirts and sweaters/sweatshirts that went with everything. That way, we really were covered no matter what the weather. We brought rain slickers with us, but DCL hands out ponchos so you don't have to, and in any event we didn't need them. For evening, we didn't think about the weather and just packed the regular mix of stuff. Hope that helps.

Yes it helps alot Cindy

Pretty much what we are doing now-sorting through our clothes and making sure we are covered for either extreme

I've been checking out the pictures to get an idea on what everyone is wearing. I guess the tricky part is the morning being cool, then the afternoon warm and then the evening cool
We'll probably carry a backpack into port to hold the sweaters/jackets when it warms up and souvenirs
I originally wasn't gonna bring shorts but have since decided to bring a few just in case. 90s in Berlin- so definitely wearing shorts then

 

[MrsScooby]

A word on jet lag: for some reason, it seems harder to recover from now that we're home from this trip than we've experienced in other returns from Europe. Not sure if that's from the heat wave or the constant time changes on the ship or the pace we kept while we were on the ship (although the last 2 days at sea should have helped there) or the fact that I'm still sometimes a bit woozy from the motion feeling, but there it is. DD 14 has recovered completely, and DD 12 is getting there (although she took an unprecedented 4 hour nap on Friday afternoon). I am starting to feel shaky every day in the late afternoon/early evening and find myself dozing off hours before bedtime. I seem to be managing to sleep later each morning, so I know things are getting better, but it's been a tough road on that score.

Ouch
We had planned to spend a couple days with family in NY when we returned and then drive from NY to VA.
Something tells me we may have to adjust that plan

Hope you feel better soon Cindy

 

[cindy18]

sounds like Post-Cruise depression book another!!!

I most certainly do have post cruise depression, there's no question about that! But we have 2 cruises already booked for next year, so booking another doesn't seem to be the solution. Sigh. I figure that it will pass along with the jet lag, sooner or later.

 

[cindy18]

Ouch
We had planned to spend a couple days with family in NY when we returned and then drive from NY to VA.
Something tells me we may have to adjust that plan

Hope you feel better soon Cindy

You should definitely spend time in NY after the cruise. You just may need to plan to be up early and not out late!! NY wakes up early, trust me. And doing something distracting after the cruise ends helps you not focus on the fact that the cruise has ended. Our short side trip to Canterbury helped a lot the day we got off the ship.

I hear you on the weather. Cannot believe how warm it was in Berlin yesterday, and they may be in for another hot day when they arrive in St. Petersburg tomorrow. Seems like Europe is having a heat wave like we are here on the east coast. Luckily, shorts don't take up a lot of room, so you can always add a few more to the bag. And of course there is no shortage of opportunity to buy t-shirts at the ports (and on the ship) if you need more of those!

 

[hawaiian mickey]

Can't help you with that one. Didn't even notice one!

OK, so here is a link to a slideshow. DH distilled 1500 photos down to 70. For full effect, turn up the volume on your computer speakers. I think he really captured it.

http://web.me.com/mshaiken/Home_Videos/Baltic_Cruise.html

aloha,
Thank you for showings us your wonderful pictures are look forward to our trip July 18.

much mahalos,
hawaiian mickey