The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[Deb T.]

I know that Shutters can download photos to a disk, but can they download video to a disk, too? We weren't planning to lug our laptop on this trip, but now I'm rethinking this due to the recent discussion.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Looks like the Magic has a lot of company with our cruise ships or passenger ships near by, overtaking one now on this live map.

Not sure how much they would see ship time would be about 10.10pm, after switching an hour after Russia.

 

[sarbah77]

Major stores take Credit cards and Euros as well as roubles. Tourist areas and near port will take USA Dollars, new fit notes, not ripped.

We have some USA currency that are in fine shape (not overly creased, not terribly worn) but some of them have little marks on them, as shops here often check to make sure they're legit. Do you think that these are a bad idea? (It's not too late to go back to the bank and beg for better bills, but)

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We have some USA currency that are in fine shape (not overly creased, not terribly worn) but some of them have little marks on them, as shops here often check to make sure they're legit. Do you think that these are a bad idea? (It's not too late to go back to the bank and beg for better bills, but)

I would swap them to be on the safe side, time and time again I read clean bills.

 

[sarbah77]

I would swap them to be on the safe side, time and time again I read clean bills.

No problem!

 

[chats9195]

Cannot say enough good things about the Royal Ball in St Petersburg! They did add food to the excursion. Appetizers and finger foods were served before the ball. Nearly all guests wore formal attire. Lots of tuxes and long dresses. It doesn't really matter what shoes you wear because you have to don the "shoe covers" before entering the place.

 

[wintergreen]

Berlin walks suggested the time to me. I guess they knew how they would arrange the day. Which cruise are you on? Oh- kids under 16 are free..FYI


joanne

Thanks. We are on the July 6 cruise. Planning to do a HOHO bus in Berlin, so I don't think I will buy tickets ahead of time, just not sure what time we will be in that area. Looks like a great museum, though. It was being renovated the last time I was in Berlin.

 

[wintergreen]

On Disney Parks blog:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/06/disney-magic-completes-first-stop-in-russia/

 

[Cousin Orville]

Cannot say enough good things about the Royal Ball in St Petersburg! They did add food to the excursion. Appetizers and finger foods were served before the ball. Nearly all guests wore formal attire. Lots of tuxes and long dresses. It doesn't really matter what shoes you wear because you have to don the "shoe covers" before entering the place.

Thanks for posting! We're planning on doing this as well. Definitely sounds like a once in lifetime opportunity.

 

[cindy18]

MJ Girl just posted briefly that she overdid it but loved St. Petersburg and also loved Helsinki. She also said that there were no debarkation issues if you didn't do a Disney tour, so that's great news for those of us doing St. Pete with a private tour!!

 

[lzj21428]

MJ Girl just posted briefly that she overdid it but loved St. Petersburg and also loved Helsinki. She also said that there were no debarkation issues if you didn't do a Disney tour, so that's great news for those of us doing St. Pete with a private tour!!

Cindy, that's good to hear. I was a bit concerned about that after reading how other cruiselines deal with St. Petersburg. Relief!!

Oh, and speaking of clean money, does the denomination matter? Do they perfer smaller bills or are 100's and 50's ok? Hope so, cause that's what I have for paying in St Petersburg for our tour.

 

[jilljill]

Cindy, that's good to hear. I was a bit concerned about that after reading how other cruiselines deal with St. Petersburg. Relief!!

Oh, and speaking of clean money, does the denomination matter? Do they perfer smaller bills or are 100's and 50's ok? Hope so, cause that's what I have for paying in St Petersburg for our tour.

We gave hundred's and fifty's to our tour operator the last time we were in StP. When I got them at the bank I told them that I had to have new, crisp bills and they said it wasn't a problem. The teller also told me she had had several people in the past requesting the same for Russian travel. I also made sure that I had crisp smaller bills for tips for the guide.

As far as currency for the shops, we used rubles in the one shop we bought things in since we had stopped at an atm to get some out. We then used our leftover rubles for the driver's tip.

 

[Flossbolna]

About Berlin....DD (20) is the one who wanted to go there! She wants to see what is left of the Berlin wall. This is the port she was most interested in...go figure!We are doing the Berlin on our own tour, should be interesting.

Hi, I live in Berlin and have been lurking on this thread for a bit since I think it is exciting that DCL is coming to my city!

I am afraid, there really isn't very much left to see of the Wall here in Berlin. I personally don't think the Eastside Gallery is worth the trip to go there (unless you are on a guided tour and the coach takes you there), it is rather far from the city center. But the course of the Berlin Wall can still be seen on the streets in Berlin, it is marked on the ground. And that's something I find really impressive. You are standing in the middle of a street with houses on both sides and you realize that from 1961 to 1989 the people on both sides were not really able to visit each other... I find the official Berlin website on the Wall pretty good, it gives a lot of information on where the Wall was etc.: http://www.berlin.de/mauer/index.en.html

I think it might be a good idea, to walk along the Berlin Wall trail from the Brandenburger Tor to Checkpoint Charlie.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

STOCKHOLM

Looks very hard to get in and out of.

A closer view shows lots of turns.

Worth watching as we leave.

Magic now on its way to Dover,

And the sunshine!!!!!

 

[scrapycruiser]

Hi, I live in Berlin and have been lurking on this thread for a bit since I think it is exciting that DCL is coming to my city!

I am afraid, there really isn't very much left to see of the Wall here in Berlin. I personally don't think the Eastside Gallery is worth the trip to go there (unless you are on a guided tour and the coach takes you there), it is rather far from the city center. But the course of the Berlin Wall can still be seen on the streets in Berlin, it is marked on the ground. And that's something I find really impressive. You are standing in the middle of a street with houses on both sides and you realize that from 1961 to 1989 the people on both sides were not really able to visit each other... I find the official Berlin website on the Wall pretty good, it gives a lot of information on where the Wall was etc.: http://www.berlin.de/mauer/index.en.html

I think it might be a good idea, to walk along the Berlin Wall trail from the Brandenburger Tor to Checkpoint Charlie.

THANKS for posting ! I'm really interested in what you have to say.

Please post more Berlin info,like what to see.

We booked a tour, but are thinking of touring on our own, once we're in the city. Would you advise that since we only have a few hours ? Are most things walkable ? We're ok with the subway if need be.
What will the weather be like late July ? Will it be too hot to walk around ?

Thanks again !

 

[cindy18]

Andrew, the Stockholm map does look complicated. Can't believe that all that's left of the first Baltic is a few days at sea. Wow, that feels like it went fast. We better finish packing!

 

[tfc3rid]

Andrew, the Stockholm map does look complicated. Can't believe that all that's left of the first Baltic is a few days at sea. Wow, that feels like it went fast. We better finish packing!

The area around Stockholm is an archipelago that is very beautiful... There are a number of sightseeing cruises that simply go to some of the islands within the archipelago... Too bad we come in overnight but at least there will be ample daylight to watch us leave through there...

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew, the Stockholm map does look complicated. Can't believe that all that's left of the first Baltic is a few days at sea. Wow, that feels like it went fast. We better finish packing!

I think it is very complicated and maybe harder than Panama transit.

Yes first one nearly over, all ports done, just two sea days.

UK in Sunshine this week, so nice homecoming and leaving for next Baltic.

The area around Stockholm is an archipelago that is very beautiful... There are a number of sightseeing cruises that simply go to some of the islands within the archipelago... Too bad we come in overnight but at least there will be ample daylight to watch us leave through there...

I think I will be on my verandah for leaving, with a drink on that one, they come in to early to view am.

 

[MrsScooby]

Hi, I live in Berlin and have been lurking on this thread for a bit since I think it is exciting that DCL is coming to my city!

I am afraid, there really isn't very much left to see of the Wall here in Berlin. I personally don't think the Eastside Gallery is worth the trip to go there (unless you are on a guided tour and the coach takes you there), it is rather far from the city center. But the course of the Berlin Wall can still be seen on the streets in Berlin, it is marked on the ground. And that's something I find really impressive. You are standing in the middle of a street with houses on both sides and you realize that from 1961 to 1989 the people on both sides were not really able to visit each other... I find the official Berlin website on the Wall pretty good, it gives a lot of information on where the Wall was etc.: http://www.berlin.de/mauer/index.en.html

I think it might be a good idea, to walk along the Berlin Wall trail from the Brandenburger Tor to Checkpoint Charlie.

THANKS for posting ! I'm really interested in what you have to say.

Please post more Berlin info,like what to see.

We booked a tour, but are thinking of touring on our own, once we're in the city. Would you advise that since we only have a few hours ? Are most things walkable ? We're ok with the subway if need be.
What will the weather be like late July ? Will it be too hot to walk around ?

Thanks again !

Me too
Touring with Berlin Walks-doing their Discover Berlin tour. So far we are expecting to just hit the highlights-not enough time to go into the museums.
Anything you can tell us Flossbolna would be greatly appreciated

 

[tfc3rid]

I can't believe we leave very soon for Baltic #3... Or the Magic's Farewell Voyage to Helsinki.