Magic of the Baltic cruise add-ons Meets thread

[paddles]

I just spoke to an ABD rep again about this itinerary, and I am a little concerned that some of the DCL Signature experiences aren't included (like doing a behind the scenes of Tivoli Gardens or having the Hans Christian Anderson boat ride, etc.). Sorry, not to beat a dead horse here, but I was hoping that Disney would have more detail by now and when I spoke to someone, there isn't anything more than what's on the website. I guess I'll just need to do a leap of faith and hope for the best. I'm sure we'll have a good time, but I'll want to feel like it was worth the extra $$.

Sorry to vent. I'm having a bad day and was really hoping to hear something more from the ABD rep.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I'm right there with you Paddles! I really went back for a long time on whether to keep my add on for this cruise. I also agree that the "signature" (& adventure) type of events seem to be missing from this itinerary--especially disappointing when some of the Port Adventures *have* them. I was ultimately swayed to give it a chance by the additions they did make to the itinerary that fleshed it out the "city tour" type of activities, making it seem a bit more ABD-like. I think it also helped that we are doing B2B cruises, and I'm stressing trying to figure out all my PAs for the previous cruise. The benefit of not needing to plan (and stress) has made it feel much more "worth" it.

I've had a hard time coming to grips with what I think is the lack of "value" in the ABD cruise add-on products compared to the regular ABDs. In other words, I suspect these are a very high profit margin item for them. I did a huge post a while back that I decided not to put up before the Port Adventures were posted, using the old Port Adventures (which actually didn't change much from 2010), adding up the cost and comparing to the cost per day on ABD. It wasn't pretty I ended up deciding that I had to look at the add-on as a different product. I'm paying not just for the activities, but for the concierge-like experience. Do I think you can build a better itinerary for less money by doing a bunch of signature Port Adventures? Unequivocally yes. But I think there is something to be said for not having to worry about anything, having someone make sure you are going to see all the important stuff, not having to worry about sold out Port Adventures, and having a much smaller group with faster on and offs. I suspect ABD is going to feel somewhat like what concierge does on the Fantasy--turning a big ship experience into a small ship experience. How valuable that ends up being will determine whether I feel that this is worth it in the end. I'm taking the leap of faith and hoping that I don't regret missing things like the backstage access at Tivoli, the RIB boats at Vasa, horseback riding in the forest near Oslo, and the Ball at St. Katherine's palace.

 

[Linda67]

I would imagine that this is a difficult question to answer but would anyone like to hazard a guess at what time the ABD meet would happen on the 1st sea day on the seven night itinerary?
On the website it gives the impression that it would be in the morning
I'm trying to schedule spa appointments, brunch and such and wouldn't want to miss this as it seems to be the first official ABD event of the cruise
TIA

 

[paddles]

I'm back to the dining question....

What time is first and second dining on European cruises? I believe it's a little later than other cruises. thanks!

 

[Tozzie]

I'm back to the dining question....

What time is first and second dining on European cruises? I believe it's a little later than other cruises. thanks!

I have done 2 Med cruises in 2011 and 2013 and I had late seating on both and it was 815 for second seating and I think it was 6 or 545 for early seating.

 

[paddles]

Thanks! I just checked the website and it says 6pm for main. I had been confused since some of the DCL threads discussed it being even later for Europe.

We're going to stick to main dining even though there will be about 3 days when we miss the normal dinner rotation. Perhaps we'll go to Palo one night, and just relax with a buffet the other 2 nights. It would be fun to bond with the other ABD folks, but I just don't think my kids will be ok with eating so late.

 

[Linda67]

Hi everyone
I was just thinking about local currency
Is anyone else going to change up some local cash for each of our ports?
It looks like pretty much everything is covered by ABD unless you want to buy souvenirs and such and I was thinking I'd just use my credit card if I did see something I wanted to buy
Love to hear what the rest of you are going

 

[carpenta]

Thanks! I just checked the website and it says 6pm for main. I had been confused since some of the DCL threads discussed it being even later for Europe.

We're going to stick to main dining even though there will be about 3 days when we miss the normal dinner rotation. Perhaps we'll go to Palo one night, and just relax with a buffet the other 2 nights. It would be fun to bond with the other ABD folks, but I just don't think my kids will be ok with eating so late.

I also have done two Med. DCL cruises and the staff does a wonderful job fitting you in for dinner if your time is missed due to long excursion times. The head waiter knows or recognizes that a Med. time table is different than the Caribbean type cruises. We never had a problem. It is a real plus to bring back local wines to have with dinner when in Europe also.

 

[paddles]

We never had a problem. It is a real plus to bring back local wines to have with dinner when in Europe also

That sounds great. Does DCL have a corking fee? I'd much prefer to bring in my own wine/champagne and pay a corking fee (probably a better deal for good wine).

 

[carpenta]

That sounds great. Does DCL have a corking fee? I'd much prefer to bring in my own wine/champagne and pay a corking fee (probably a better deal for good wine).

Yes there was a corkage fee but it was inconsistent when they charged it. I remember it was $20.00 or so BUT it is a great deal to go in port and taste the local fare. We enjoyed local cheeses and appetizers in our cabin balcony with our wine while staring out on the sun setting on the Med. Wine is less expensive in Europe than the U.S. we have found. Can't get much better in my opinion. You'll LOVE it too.

 

[Calfan]

Hi everyone
I was just thinking about local currency
Is anyone else going to change up some local cash for each of our ports?
It looks like pretty much everything is covered by ABD unless you want to buy souvenirs and such and I was thinking I'd just use my credit card if I did see something I wanted to buy
Love to hear what the rest of you are going

I did not order any local currency for this cruise other than Euros for Berlin (and because exchange rates are pretty favorable right now, I decided to get some just to have on hand for future trips). I plan to rely on credit cards as much as possible (got to maximize those points and miles!). In a pinch where credit cards won't work, my plan is to try use U.S. dollars or Euros or visit the ATM. I actually also got some Danish currency, but that is more for the couple of days prior to the Iceland/Norway cruise that we will be in Copenhagen.

 

[Tozzie]

That sounds great. Does DCL have a corking fee? I'd much prefer to bring in my own wine/champagne and pay a corking fee (probably a better deal for good wine).

There is a corkage fee and what sucks is they add gratuity to it but even with that you can bring the same wine they have on board and it still comes out cheaper

Also there is no buffet for dinner, cabanas has food from the menu in the restaurants that night. While they do a good job when there are late excursions, they will not push late seating back to accomodate those on long excursions.

 

[Tozzie]

Yes there was a corkage fee but it was inconsistent when they charged it. I remember it was $20.00 or so BUT it is a great deal to go in port and taste the local fare. We enjoyed local cheeses and appetizers in our cabin balcony with our wine while staring out on the sun setting on the Med. Wine is less expensive in Europe than the U.S. we have found. Can't get much better in my opinion. You'll LOVE it too.

My personal opinion is that it is the assistant server who opens the bottle so in some instance I think (this is my opinion) they feel they will get better tips at the end if they don't charge the corkage fee

 

[Linda67]

I did not order any local currency for this cruise other than Euros for Berlin (and because exchange rates are pretty favorable right now, I decided to get some just to have on hand for future trips). I plan to rely on credit cards as much as possible (got to maximize those points and miles!). In a pinch where credit cards won't work, my plan is to try use U.S. dollars or Euros or visit the ATM. I actually also got some Danish currency, but that is more for the couple of days prior to the Iceland/Norway cruise that we will be in Copenhagen.

Thanks for your reply. I also would much prefer to use my credit card as the exchange rate is actually more favorable that way. I've order a small amount of Danish currency for Copenhagen but really didn't want to be carrying multiple different currencies with me. Thanks for your advice

 

[FloridaMom3461]

Question: how do we know the exact times for each day's itinerary? For example, when and where we meet etc.

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

Question: how do we know the exact times for each day's itinerary? For example, when and where we meet etc.

I've never done a cruise add on but on my BSM when I checked in I was told a time period and place to meet my Adventure Guides in the afternoon, they told me what time and where to meet for our welcome dinner and then at the conclusion of dinner they told us what time our next day would begin and where to meet for breakfast, etc. I am guessing when we check in for the cruise we will be told when and where the welcome reception is and from there the Adventure Guides will answer questions and advise of our next meet...

 

[sayhello]

Question: how do we know the exact times for each day's itinerary? For example, when and where we meet etc.

As Mickey&JoshNut said, you'll get your times for the first day when you check in. They won't give you exact times for the rest of the trip until the night before. That gives them the flexibility to change things based on circumstances. You don't want people going by a schedule that may have to change. It's better to tell everyone the times the night before. There are always things like weather that might affect the order things happen in, times things happen, etc. The Adventure Guides will make sure you know when & where you need to be well before you need to be there.

If you're looking to schedule things on the ship, go for sea days, but you still may need to be flexible.

Sayhello

 

[FloridaMom3461]

Thanks all for your info on the itineraries. It does make it difficult to schedule ship activities but I understand the reasoning.

 

[BellesMommy]

Hi everyone! My mom, DD and I will be doing the June 13 7-day Baltic cruise ABD add on. It will be our second ABD cruise adventure, and I don't know if I can cruise without them anymore! I cannot wait!

 

[FloridaMom3461]

Hi BellesMommy,
We are also doing the June 13 7-day Baltic ABD add on. Its me, DD (10 YO) and DH. Our first time with ABD so glad to hear you liked your last! How old is your DD?