The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[cindy18]

Yes, I think the words are meet time 6.30am, have to be on the train at 7.15am.



Yes saw that, on her way to St P

Ah yes, I see that the words are "gathered at 6:30", as in met somewhere on the ship. If the plan is to be on the train at 7:15, then I assume those of us leaving the ship but not getting on the train should be free to move by around 7:15, no?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Ah yes, I see that the words are "gathered at 6:30", as in met somewhere on the ship. If the plan is to be on the train at 7:15, then I assume those of us leaving the ship but not getting on the train should be free to move by around 7:15, no?

Presume so,

 

[cindy18]

Presume so,

Excellent!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Excellent!

This is what my DCL Signature tour confirmation says:-

 

[MrsScooby]

For anyone else planning to do Stockholm on your own, there is a review on cruisecritic today that says you can purchase the 100 SEK all-day transport card (not the Stockholm card that includes museum admission, this is just for public transportation) at the info center at Frihamnen. From there it is easy to find the bus stop where you can catch the 76 bus or whatever bus you want going into town.

They say to get there early to avoid long lines of folks asking questions.

The reviewer used cash to purchase the card so did not have definite knowledge about using a credit card.

After a ton of searching for info..I just caved and went for the Stockholm card. Not the most frugal, but I'm hoping we will save time and cram in as much as we can this way. Plus I like having the card now and being able to get off the ship and go straight to the sites.

thanks for this tid-bit, I'm going to have dh look into this today since he was trying to figure out what to do phone-wise (heaven forbid he goes without one)

I just found this out last night too. I also found out dh is due for an upgrade and I can upgrade him to a phone that will work in Europe for $50 and then get a $50 rebate. Just deciding what to do.

I wanted the phone more for emergency purposes rather than calling home. Too easy to lose track of my brood- looking for my DD in the mall when shopping made me realize I would panic if I could not find them for a few minutes. So dependent on cell phones now, plus can't risk missing the ship looking for a distracted teen.

Sounds like a good upgrade option Karen. We just upgraded our phones or I would do the same.

 

[DisneyDoc1895]

We are at the Clifton Hotel in Folkestone as our original hotel in Dover (a Best Western) closed up a number of months back. We plan on using taxi cabs to the Port, and to dinner the night before our cruise departs.

We are at the Ramada in Dover. My FIL will gripe because of the lack of AC, but I think he will get over it.

Ken

 

[MrsScooby]

We are at the Ramada in Dover. My FIL will gripe because of the lack of AC, but I think he will get over it.

Ken

We're at the Parkwood and our hotel doesn't have AC either

They do have fans in the room so we'll survive.
My kids will get a taste of what it was like when I was a kid (love those stories)

 

[MrsScooby]

Planning to take the kids to the Holocaust museum in DC to prepare them for our trip to Berlin.

Anyone in the area doing the same?
We're planning on Saturday June 26.

 

[wintergreen]

Planning to take the kids to the Holocaust museum in DC to prepare them for our trip to Berlin.

Anyone in the area doing the same?
We're planning on Saturday June 26.

Interesting idea. I should ask my girls if they want to do this (I'm not sure they are ready). I'd meet you there, but we will be in WDW for a quickie trip that weekend.

 

[jeff318]

I will be attempting to post a blog and photos from each day of our upcoming Northern Europe cruise (6/24 departure) at http://jefftatanus.com/category/travel/europe-cruise-2010/

Keep an eye out there and feel free to ask any questions in the comments!

 

[Cousin Orville]

Was trying to decide between that tour and Berlin's Turbulent History. We are doing the turbulent history tour... Basically views the same sights but also goes to the Armed Forces Museum and Allied Museum after lunch.

Exactly what I am trying to decide... The historic video footage sounds interesting, but right now we are signed up for Turbulent History

 

[TDC Nala]

Definitely sticking with Turbulent History, would like to get out of the bus once in awhile. Can't tell if the video tour ever gets off the bus.

 

[wdwsog]

Just saw on the Cruising the Baltic with Mickey that the dinner times are being moved up to allow for night excursions in Russia...hmmm

http://balticmickeycruise.blogspot.com/

 

[cindy18]

Makes sense although I don't know that it will help those of us with late seating...

I was surprised to read in MJGirl's blog that internet access isn't good on the ship. Maybe that explains why we haven't heard more from the people on the first Baltic. Can't believe they are in St. Petersburg today!!!!

 

[sarbah77]

Found out that if you have a verizon phone-they will give you a loaner phone that works in Europe for free. You do have to pay by minute if you use it of course, but it is perfect for emergency use (which is what we are looking for).
But this only works if you have a verizon plan to start with

This is what I'm doing! I got my phone earlier this week. It's a Motorola phone that looks a lot like the LG Chocolate. I haven't activated it yet, but when I do, it will have my regular phone number. I think that's worth its weight in gold, especially since my parents are coming on the trip, too. In fact, they (also have Verizon) and my husband are going to forward their phones to mine. That way, we don't have to worry about passing out an unusual number to multiple people and elderly relatives.

The only downside to the phone is that it does NOT have a QWERTY keyboard. Given that it costs $.50 to send a text from overseas, that's probably not a bad downside.

 

[MrsScooby]

Planning to take the kids to the Holocaust museum in DC to prepare them for our trip to Berlin.

Anyone in the area doing the same?
We're planning on Saturday June 26.

Interesting idea. I should ask my girls if they want to do this (I'm not sure they are ready). I'd meet you there, but we will be in WDW for a quickie trip that weekend.

My DH and I have been to the Holocaust museum, but that was back in 1993. It is an emotional experience even if you are not Jewish. If I remember correctly they do have exhibits geared toward children as well and they ended everything on a high note with a tribute to the people that risked their lives to save others (i.e. Schindler and many others).
I could delay our visit to another day if you decide to go-let me know

I will be attempting to post a blog and photos from each day of our upcoming Northern Europe cruise (6/24 departure) at http://jefftatanus.com/category/travel/europe-cruise-2010/

Keep an eye out there and feel free to ask any questions in the comments!

That would be great Jeff
Love any details you can pass on.
Are planning on DCL excurions or doing the ports on your own?
Those of us that are DIY would really appreciate any guidance.

This is what I'm doing! I got my phone earlier this week. It's a Motorola phone that looks a lot like the LG Chocolate. I haven't activated it yet, but when I do, it will have my regular phone number. I think that's worth its weight in gold, especially since my parents are coming on the trip, too. In fact, they (also have Verizon) and my husband are going to forward their phones to mine. That way, we don't have to worry about passing out an unusual number to multiple people and elderly relatives.

The only downside to the phone is that it does NOT have a QWERTY keyboard. Given that it costs $.50 to send a text from overseas, that's probably not a bad downside.

I just have visions of us losing track of someone while we are in port-an unexpected delay could cause us to miss the ship as we are doing the ports on our own. So worth its weight in gold is right on

Getting our regular numbers would be great-although we might have to change them for the kids so their friends are not calling them long distance

How long do you get the phones for

 

[sarbah77]

I just have visions of us losing track of someone while we are in port-an unexpected delay could cause us to miss the ship as we are doing the ports on our own. So worth its weight in gold is right on

Getting our regular numbers would be great-although we might have to change them for the kids so their friends are not calling them long distance

How long do you get the phones for

30 days! I actually called EXACTLY 30 days before we return to the US, so the guy I spoke with had the phone ship out a week later. It's $9.99 + the cost of communication. You need to keep the box and everything that turns up, so you can ship it back. It also came with a total of FOUR different plugs, for those people with significant land tours, pre-cruise.

(then the gentleman I spoke with noticed that I qualified for, but wasn't receiving, a discount because of my employer, so he walked me through getting that set up, too)

Oh, and the email that Verizon sends you includes the rates per country, the country codes, and how & what to dial from country to country.

 

[tfc3rid]

Definitely sticking with Turbulent History, would like to get out of the bus once in awhile. Can't tell if the video tour ever gets off the bus.

It does get off the bus... Turbulent history to me just seemed to have more of what I wanted which was WWII history.

 

[MrsScooby]

30 days! I actually called EXACTLY 30 days before we return to the US, so the guy I spoke with had the phone ship out a week later. It's $9.99 + the cost of communication. You need to keep the box and everything that turns up, so you can ship it back. It also came with a total of FOUR different plugs, for those people with significant land tours, pre-cruise.

(then the gentleman I spoke with noticed that I qualified for, but wasn't receiving, a discount because of my employer, so he walked me through getting that set up, too)

Oh, and the email that Verizon sends you includes the rates per country, the country codes, and how & what to dial from country to country.

Ok that's great, thanks

We have a while yet to get ours. Plus I think if we pick it up at the store we won't have the shipping charge
The verizon sales guy I spoke with told me he could order it for me if I came back a week before I needed it plus we can get one for each phone we have with them so I'm getting one for each family member (with orders not to use unless absolutely needed).

Will also help to contact our tour guides too in case we need to talk to them ahead of time.

 

[mom_rules]

Anyone read German?

http://www.focus.de/reisen/kreuzfah...icky-maus-kann-auch-schwimmen_aid_520160.html