The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[nfowife]

http://translate.google.com/transla...-schwimmen_aid_520160.html&sl=de&tl=en&swap=1

It mentions that no one is using the pools due to the cold

 

[wintergreen]

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

Unfortunately, we won't have time before we leave for London on July 2. My DH and I visited the museum years ago, too, just after it opened. I've been waiting for a repeat visit until the kids were ready. I think they are, now, especially as they have both now studied WWII and the holocaust in school. Have a good visit!

 

[TDC Nala]

I didn't expect to be able to use a pool on this cruise...hey maybe I can remove the swimsuit from the suitcase and have room for other things (like a sweatshirt)

"Mickey Mouse occurs daily..." "Disney music as a permanent sound carpet.."

 

[tfc3rid]

I didn't expect to be able to use a pool on this cruise...hey maybe I can remove the swimsuit from the suitcase and have room for other things (like a sweatshirt)

"Mickey Mouse occurs daily..." "Disney music as a permanent sound carpet.."

I do... The pool temps are usually about 80 degrees and they are heated so I plan on using the pools... Just don't expect to try getting a good tan on Deck 9.

 

[cindy18]

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.

My DH is picking up our loaner international Verizon cell phone today from our local Verizon store. Couldn't have been easier to get and we're just forwarding my number to it. Very happy to have it, and hopefully it will work everywhere.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

London weather for thoose coming this weekend.

Light showers and cool Saturday and Sunday and


Wait for it, (With Wimbledon starting).

Monday onwards Sunny and getting warmer!!!!!!!!!

 

[scrapycruiser]

Guess we're definetly sticking with Turbulent Berlin; just noticed the Past and Present Tour for 7/18 cruise is not available.

Are the ship's pools really heated ??

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Guess we're definetly sticking with Turbulent Berlin; just noticed the Past and Present Tour for 7/18 cruise is not available.

Are the ship's pools really heated ??

They can be, I have been in it with hot water, but reports from first Baltic its too cool to use. I am not too sure how the do it, heat, or pour heated water in, but they can do it.

 

[jeff318]

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.

We are using the DCL excursions. Keep an eye on the blog for photos and reviews.

 

[scrapycruiser]

We are using the DCL excursions. Keep an eye on the blog for photos and reviews.

Are you going to the "Ball" at Catherines Palace ?

Which tour are you doing in Berlin/Wandemunde ?

Will be watching for your blog ! THANKS !!

 

[Madisonznana]

My DH is picking up our loaner international Verizon cell phone today from our local Verizon store. Couldn't have been easier to get and we're just forwarding my number to it. Very happy to have it, and hopefully it will work everywhere.

I went yesterday and upgraded my dh's phone to one of the phones they use for international calling. It comes Monday, they didn't have any in the store.

 

[MrsG]

If you have AT&T here are there roaming rates first listed is the country code then the AT&T Standard International Roaming Rates then the discounted AT&T World Traveler Rates for the following countries:

Denmark 45 $1.29 $0.99

England (U.K.) 44 $1.29 $0.99

Estonia 372 $1.99 $1.99

France 33 $1.29 $0.99

Germany 49 $1.29 $0.99

Gibraltar 350 $1.29 $1.29

Great Britain 44 $1.29 $0.99

Greece 30 $1.29 $1.29

Isle Of Man 44 $1.29 $0.99

Italy 39 $1.29 $0.99

Netherlands 31 $1.29 $0.99

Norway 47 $1.29 $0.99

Portugal 351 $1.99 $1.69

Russia 7 $4.99 $3.99

Scotland (U.K.) 44 $1.29 $0.99

Spain 34 $1.29 $0.99

Sweden 46 $1.29 $0.99

As you can see Russia is EXPENSIVE almost ship to shore rates try to make your phone calls before & after Russia!

Thanks Robert!


Do you think they'll be allowing anyone with an evening excursion to eat at 5PM?? Or just first dining? That could be bedlam.

 

[woody73]

Are the ship's pools really heated ??

They can be, I have been in it with hot water, but reports from first Baltic its too cool to use.

It's too bad DCL did not put retractable roofs over the pools, like other cruise lines that go to Alaska and the Baltics.

Woody

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

It's too bad DCL did not put retractable roofs over the pools, like other cruise lines that go to Alaska and the Baltics.

Woody

I assume with only four cruises, and only four sea days on each, they decided, it wasnt worth it this time on the Magic.

 

[Madisonznana]

Thanks Robert!


Do you think they'll be allowing anyone with an evening excursion to eat at 5PM?? Or just first dining? That could be bedlam.

Verizon also said it is $2.49 per minute for calls made from the Magic.

 

[jeff318]

Are you going to the "Ball" at Catherines Palace ?

Which tour are you doing in Berlin/Wandemunde ?

Will be watching for your blog ! THANKS !!

In St. Petersburg we are doing the Hermitage Museum w/ Gold Room on Day 1 and St. Petersburg Introduction tour and Backstage Experience at the Russian Ballet on Day 2.

For Berlin, we are doing Berlin Discovery.

 

[scrapycruiser]

In St. Petersburg we are doing the Hermitage Museum w/ Gold Room on Day 1 and St. Petersburg Introduction tour and Backstage Experience at the Russian Ballet on Day 2.

For Berlin, we are doing Berlin Discovery.

THANKS !

HAVE AN AWESOME CRUISE !!!!

 

[RJAYL]

Thanks Robert!


Do you think they'll be allowing anyone with an evening excursion to eat at 5PM?? Or just first dining? That could be bedlam.

If you wish just put in a request with your Head Waiter the day before on the Med cruise's in 2007 they were letting you eat pretty much as you wished due to the long excurisons!

Also if you are an At&T user check with them to make sure your phone will work in Europe & on your pricing plan!

It's too bad DCL did not put retractable roofs over the pools, like other cruise lines that go to Alaska and the Baltics.

Woody

Verizon also said it is $2.49 per minute for calls made from the Magic.

AT&T has the same price on all cruise lines

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

If you wish just put in a request with your Head Waiter the day before on the Med cruise's in 2007 they were letting you eat pretty much as you wished due to the long excurisons!

Also if you are an At&T user check with them to make sure your phone will work in Europe & on your pricing plan!





AT&T has the same price on all cruise lines

This is my debate and will discuss with concierge.

Berlin, St Petes x 2.

Options

1/ Arrange to go to main dinner late.
2/ Eat in Suite.
3/ Swap to Late.

Favour 1 and 2. Do not want to miss a show.

But say if they put on a Fim Warnemunde night, say Toy Story 3, we can catch up another day and eat dinner on late sitting.

 

[aurorafan65]

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.

I find it fascinating the different info Verizon employees are giving out on this topic!!! Dh had been at the Verizon store a couple weeks ago & asked them about going to Europe & what he could do about his phone - the employee had no idea & told him he could use it there but there were huge fees involved. So he was totally surprised when I told him what I had seen on here about the loaner phones. So he talked to someone & they told him you could rent the phone for 21 days - we're going to be gone 23 total. I'm going to have him go to the big store we have & hopefully get it all worked out this weekend