Northern Sights and Mickey's MAGICal Delights-1st Baltic Cruise-June 12,2010-Pt 2

[Toocoolmom]

On one of our last days' at sea, DCL had a Russian bazaar with the matroyshka dolls, many of the laquered boxes and some ornaments and eggs (for a necklace). Prices for the boxes were like they were in the souvenir shop. We did a private tour in SPB. Went to approx. 3 shops. Prices are expensive, but I expected that. The canal trip hosted 3 people who sang some Russian folk songs. A woman was selling books. All of them wanted money. They took euro and dollars.

I too felt like I wanted to fit the shopping trip in. There is a VERY small and limited store in the port terminal. They had the necessities of dolls, scarves and boxes. Few tshirts and things. The shopping really seemed the same everywhere...and I felt a lot of pressure to buy something in case I didn't make it to another shop. I wish I would have known DCL was going to bring aboard the Russian stuff. Boxes run 100 to 300.

I spent 500 in one shop. I got a Santa (est. $150) and a box with Hermitage on it (2x7) about $300. A painted fruited bowl and big Russian faux fur hats ($15 a piece) if you want to gauge some of the prices. Later I bought a Santa for about $50.

Our trip only had 1600 passengers, so there were many empty dining tables at the first seating....It sounded like the same on the 2nd seating; they said groups could come in and they would try and accommodate. They wouldn't be able to do that if the boat were fuller. Rumor that the 2nd cruise was going to pick up an additional 300 people.

Losing the hour just about every other day was very tiring. It was a blast, but a hard trip.

Our meals in Russia were whatever we could grab before our evening excursion. Everyone was tight for time.

I have learned to sleep with one of those black eye masks...omg that saved me! The white nights really messed with my internal clock. When you shut the curtains, it's like it is when you're just waking up. There were about 4 nights were I never saw night, just the daylight. Even my 17 yr old used one to make it dark enough!

Thanks for all the great info. What about the nesting dolls? I was hoping to buy a lot of these for gifts. Are they expensive? Should I buy them on the boat or when I am on a tour?

 

[bigAWL]

I'm doing a mini trip report right now that I'll post on another thread (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2496040), for anyone looking for information and thoughts on the activities we did. And maybe a few tips.

 

[rotary2808]

Thanks for all the great info. What about the nesting dolls? I was hoping to buy a lot of these for gifts. Are they expensive? Should I buy them on the boat or when I am on a tour?

Buy them in Russia, they're a lot cheaper. The stores have a huge selection of all sizes of nesting dolls.

 

[wickesy]

I would agree with Emily - there is a far bigger and better selection of nesting dolls off the ship than there is on.

I am also doing a trip report if anybody is interested. The index can be found here.

 

[gydell]

Thanks to everyone for the great FE gifts and to my SM for all the wonderful gifts she gave me. We enjoyed meeting everyone and hope to cruise with everyone again - soon(but please let's go where it's warm)!

 

[rotary2808]

Thanks to everyone for the great FE gifts and to my SM for all the wonderful gifts she gave me. We enjoyed meeting everyone and hope to cruise with everyone again - soon(but please let's go where it's warm)!

Gydell, the next big cruise is AK and I don't think it's going to be much warmer, in fact it might even be colder. LOL!!!!

Glad you guys made it home. Talk soon.

 

[gydell]

Gydell, the next big cruise is AK and I don't think it's going to be much warmer, in fact it might even be colder. LOL!!!!

Glad you guys made it home. Talk soon.

I am going this week and buying MORE long undies!!!

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

I am going this week and buying MORE long undies!!!

And don't forget the hat! You can always warm up in the Sauna

We finally made it home late last night. Our flight was delayed about 3 hours out of Heathrow. Fortunately I checked the flight before we left the hotel, so we killed some time there before we headed over. We knew we would not make our connection, or the flight after that, but we were able to make the last flight out to Cleveland from Newark. So we did not get home until after 11 pm., which is about 23 hours after we had gotten up!

Had a wonderful trip. I am sorry I did not meet more folks at the Dismeet on the first sea day, but the rough seas did me in. I have never gotten sea sick like I did that day! It may have been a combination of the rough seas and being tired from travelling. But after that all was well.

I will post some more comments later about what we did, and what we may have done differently but overall it was a great trip! Thinking about what to pack for Alaska

Debbie

 

[gydell]

And don't forget the hat! You can always warm up in the Sauna
Thinking about what to pack for Alaska

Debbie

The hat will be there!!! And the Sauna will be used but I'm afraid I will have to wear something unless DCL can have a pile of snow outside the door for me to roll in!

 

[rotary2808]

I am going this week and buying MORE long undies!!!

LOL!!!

I know I'll definitely be looking into a heavier jacket.

And don't forget the hat! You can always warm up in the Sauna

We finally made it home late last night. Our flight was delayed about 3 hours out of Heathrow. Fortunately I checked the flight before we left the hotel, so we killed some time there before we headed over. We knew we would not make our connection, or the flight after that, but we were able to make the last flight out to Cleveland from Newark. So we did not get home until after 11 pm., which is about 23 hours after we had gotten up!

Had a wonderful trip. I am sorry I did not meet more folks at the Dismeet on the first sea day, but the rough seas did me in. I have never gotten sea sick like I did that day! It may have been a combination of the rough seas and being tired from travelling. But after that all was well.

I will post some more comments later about what we did, and what we may have done differently but overall it was a great trip! Thinking about what to pack for Alaska

Debbie

We had delays in Atlanta. It seemed like there was a lot of trouble in Atlanta. Didn't appear to be any bad weather, but both gates we went to had delays at them as well. Finally made it home though about an hour or so late.

I didn't get to meet very many people either. I had to skip out of the meet about half way through and meet the rest of the family at bingo.

BTW, just so everyone knows the magnet with Brandenburg Gate on it was from me. I didn't have time to put labels on them before we left. All the gifts were wonderful!!!! Thanks everyone for all the terrific goodies!!!!

 

[brandysmommy]

Did anyone do the highspeed boat adventure in Helsinki? If so, can you provide a review? Thanks!

 

[Tahitian Traveler]

We had a wonderful adventure. It was nice meeting everyone at the secret santa gift exchange. My two boys had a great time at the Royal Ball and on all of the other excursions that we went on. The cruise was great and it was definitely a plus for me that the boat was not full. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Alaska.

 

[Cousin Orville]

We had a wonderful adventure. It was nice meeting everyone at the secret santa gift exchange. My two boys had a great time at the Royal Ball and on all of the other excursions that we went on. The cruise was great and it was definitely a plus for me that the boat was not full. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Alaska.

How was the Ball? We're taking our son (5 yr) to the Ball on the last cruise. Did you do anything that afternoon in StP? If so, when did you make back to the ship to get ready for the Ball? Did you get enough to eat at the Ball or do you recommend grabbing a bite before going out?

 

[Kailey's Mom]

Got back to Dulles about 3pm yesterday (Saturday the 26th). We had a GREAT time and it was so nice meeting everyone! We kept running into the same people in our travels and it was so nice to see familiar faces
Hopefully we can keep in touch with you!

Thank you to everyone for the Magical FE gifts! The girls checked the FE everytime we came back to the room.

Now onto downloading all the SD cards and sorting through all our goodies. Oh, and laundry.......

~Julie

 

[3princessMommy]

Got back to Dulles about 3pm yesterday (Saturday the 26th). We had a GREAT time and it was so nice meeting everyone! We kept running into the same people in our travels and it was so nice to see familiar faces
Hopefully we can keep in touch with you!

Thank you to everyone for the Magical FE gifts! The girls checked the FE everytime we came back to the room.

Now onto downloading all the SD cards and sorting through all our goodies. Oh, and laundry.......

~Julie

Welcome home! Alex keeps asking if Emily will be on our Christmas cruise!!!!

 

[kittb]

Well we should have been first home by a long shot but are cursed with our holidays .... this time the car was waiting at Dover so we should just have had a quick drive home but it had a flat battery which knocked out the imoboliser so we were stuck til the recovery man managed to start it up and reset the computer. It was so much easier in the old days when you just pushed a car to get it going again! Oh well best laid plans and all. Apparently its a common problem, something to do with the ships radars setting off the alarms and by the time you get back to the car the battery is dead.

Just wanted to say a big thank you for all the fabulous fish extender gifts and the very generous and thoughtful secret mickey surprises. It added a really nice extra to our trip

We booked up another cruise but don't know if we'll have to postpone it .... east bound transatlantic .... bit nervous about how rough it will be and the flying over with the two children. We shall see. I so wish we were on the Alaskan trip though!

It was great to meet everyone at the secret mickey gathering .... sorry if I seemed a bit vague, its been a permanent state since having Millie lol.

Kit

 

[NejTheLion]

Anyone have any advice for DCL Russian Excursions. We are scheduled for: 1st day - Hermitage and then Ballet; 2nd day - Peterhof and the Evening Boat Canal Trip. Would love to schedule the Shopping Trip just for some fun stuff but, can't figure out how to work everything in.

Did they seat anyone early for night excursions? I hate to miss the Russian Dinner night.

Would love anyone's advice!!

We did Hermitage and Evening Canal Boat Trip on the first day, then Pushkin/Peterhof and the Folklore Show on the second day. Definitely wanted to maximize our time in St. Petersburg. I studied Russian in school, and this was my first trip there, so I was super excited.

Hermitage was definitely a whirlwind, but that's what you're signing up for, right? Our guide did a great job of marching us all over the museum, and I feel like we really did see all of the highlights. It was super crowded, though, so I recommend you stick very close to your guide. My mom got lost at one point, but caught up with us pretty quickly. I think there were 3 or 4 other cruise ships in port that day, plus all of the other non-cruise tour groups and individuals. Fortunately, they used headphones so we could hear our guide, but there was some interference if you fell too far behind. In all honesty, I thought seeing the Winter Palace was even more exciting than the art collection. Basically no time for souvenir shopping.

The Evening Canal Boat Trip was very nice - definitely need to see St. Petersburg from the waterways. I absolutely fell in love with the city, kind of a cross between Paris and Venice. There were a few singers and musicians who played on the boat, and the one singer was really excellent. Nice relaxing evening, and there was both the open top and covered lower level for seating.

Pushkin/Peterhof was a loooong day, but worth it. There was one shopping opportunity at Catherine's Palace in Pushkin - an open-air market and some nicer shops nearby. Just know that anywhere you're shopping on an excursion is basically all tourist-focused. The shops had nicer things, but not cheap. The palaces are simply astounding. We got to Catherine's Palace early, which was nice since it wasn't crowded. By the time we got to Peterhof later in the day, that wasn't the case. Bear in mind that the grounds are open to the public, so that part is definitely more crowded. The guides said the pickpocketers were out, but they did a good job of keeping us wherever they weren't. Just use some common sense and you should be fine. Oh, and lunch was maybe a bit longer than I expected, but very good. Starters of cold meats and veggies, then a mushroom cream/soup, then borscht (which was superb, and I don't care for beets!), then two kinds of cabbage rolls, and I can't remember dessert, but it was all great. In a restaurant modeled like a wooder summer house (dacha). Sure it was touristy, but the food was all very good, and they also had singers and musicians performing.

We got back an hour late from that excursion, but there were two big things going on those days - the economic forum one day and then the holiday for all the school graduates the next - so that likely had some impact. The main dining rooms were adjusting for everyone's schedules. Dinner started earlier, around 5:00 or even 4:45 at Topsiders. The Head Servers passed out tickets based on your schedules, and since the ship wasn't full, we were able to eat at the first seating between our excursions on the first day, so we got to try the Czar menu. Second day we only ended up with 30 minutes from the time we got back on the ship to when we had to meet our next excursion. My folks were contemplating not going (Mom was having bad allergies), but I said I wanted to go even if they didn't feel up to it. Not knowing when I would have a chance to come back to St. Petersburg, I didn't want to miss a minute of it. So, the folks decided they felt the same, even though we were all very tired.

And I am sooooo glad we did that. That folklore show was one of the highlights of our trip. We had decided not to book the ballet, figuring that Russian ballet dancers always seemed to be visiting and performing in the States. The folkloric show seemed like it was a bit more unusual. Plus I know a number of Russian folk songs from my studies. But we were pretty exhausted, my mom was suffering from allergies, we'd had folk singers at two of our other excursions...we still ended up going. Well, this "folklore" show was presented by the Russian Cultural Society inside a concert hall within one of the palaces in town, so it was definitely legit. The 2-hour show consisted of a Russian military men's choir and band in full uniform and a troup of exceptional dancers. Truly, truly excellent!! I am so glad we chose this over the ballet, which I heard from others was a bit uncomfortable given the lack or air conditioning (or maybe just minimal air conditioning) when everyone was dressed up.

So, if anyone's still trying to decide what to do in the evening, definitely book the folkloric show. It was a trip highlight for us!

 

[NejTheLion]

I'm most concerned about internet link. Not like i need it for me but i was planning to post for the cruise behind us. But maybe this is one time for Disney and done.

I've looked at this cruise since it was announced and we didn't sign up until about a month ago. hmmm... 2 months... 3???? anyway... very excited to enjoy the wonderful hospitality of the Magic in Northern Europe.

I hope the connection is better on our trip.

I think the biggest issue with the connection was the number of users. Back in the day, Internet was only available on a few computers in the Promenade Lounge (and Cove Cafe at one point). Now that wireless is everywhere, DCL isn't controlling the number of people using the connection. Middle of the day on a sea day - forget about it! We spent an hour in the Promenade Lounge trying to pay one bill and send one email. Disney did the right thing and refunded the time we'd paid for, since it should only have taken about 10 at the most, even with a slow cruise ship connection, but they need to figure something out. I don't know, charge by data usage rather than minute or something. I ended up only signing on (and only when I had to) early in the morning or late at night.

 

[NejTheLion]

Thank you to everyone for the FE gifts. Everyone here is so thoughtful and generous!

Wanted to let you all know that the Scavenger Hunt winner who was drawn was the Moore Family in 6052 (afraid I don't know what their DIS name is). Everyone who submitted an entry ended up with at least 100% with the help of the bonus questions. There were 15 entries in the end. Thank to everyone who played, and I hope you enjoyed it

If you have any questions about it, feel free to PM me, though I tried to scribble notes on everyone's forms that I handed back out. Though you might want the souvenir.

One question that stumped many of you was the former name of Diversions. A bunch of people answered Barrel of Laughs, and you were almost right, but that was on the Wonder. On the Magic, it was called Off Beat.

 

[WVMD]

I enjoyed meeting everybody and loved the FE gifts. The first aid kits were from me... hopefully nobody needed them. Sorry I missed the DisMeet, but met quite a few people on excursions. Gydell, sorry I never ran into you....

My first set of pictures are up; http://albums.phanfare.com

Virgil