The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[ktkspider]

For those going to Helsinki... excursions are up.. Doesn't help me but thought some would like to know.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

For those going to Helsinki... excursions are up.. Doesn't help me but thought some would like to know.

Interesting..

Wasnt up an hour ago, and by itself...... looks like its an error, or they are going up one by one.

I also not going, but worth a look, for prices, I have Tallin.

Part up/ part not, see titles and bits of it, cant click, so maybe an error.....

 

[Madisonznana]

Where did you see that info? I noticed that Rick Steves' latest edition of the Scandinavia book came out in 2008, but I don't see a 2010 edition mentioned on his web site.

**Never mind - I see where it says the new edition will be available Jan. 22, 2010: http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/update2.htm Now I see it on Amazon (didn't see it the first time I checked!): http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-S...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262724609&sr=8-1

Thanks for the info, I just pre-ordered it on Amazon!

 

[NancyIL]

Thanks for the info, I just pre-ordered it on Amazon!

The credit goes to DW2DH&DS for the head's-up. I also ordered it from Amazon, even though I have the 2003 and 2005 editions.

 

[MJGirl]

Helsinki is selectable on the Port Adventures page... but no details show up, just titles!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Helsinki is selectable on the Port Adventures page... but no details show up, just titles!

YES,

Agree,

Either:-

Its an error,

Or they have started to update and release one by one

Maybe technical problems as we saw at the weekend.

We know they have been working on this since Sunday and seen many changes...

 

[Madisonznana]

Great post.
I'll also add that Germany uses Euros.

StP it is imperative to get and use crisp US$ bills. I even kept them in an envelope so they stayed flat and they had no fold.

Why do you need crisp bills ins StP?

 

[NancyIL]

Why do you need crisp bills ins StP?

They are very particular about accepting US paper currency, and it needs to be in very good condition.

 

[NancyIL]

Cruise Critic has a message board for Northern Europe and Baltic ports that is very helpful: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=192

 

[cindy18]

Not sure if you can fly BA- British Airways but it has a sale on now!!

I have found that airlines tend ot be expensive first week or so, for the people,'' I want to buy'' asap, then they fall, for the time up to about 4>3 months pre flight, then start to rise again as plane fills, and you get closer with less options.

But you do not often get sales, so if you can look at BA now, as they will go.

Andrew, I didn't see signs of the sale on the BA website. Flights between NY and London were, with taxes and fees, well over $1000, same as American, and same as they have been for months now. I check almost every day, because I am convinced that there WILL be a sale sometime, to get more people to fly. Is it possibly just a sale with a UK departure point?

 

[slg]

No seat sales from Canada on BA either.

From Vancouver to London, the cheapest I can find for our family of 5 is about $8200 Canadian on Air Canada. BA is about $8900. Air Transat is $6500 but I'm not sure if I want to fly with them.

I really want a seat sale! But I'm worried about waiting too long and losing all the good flights on the dates I want.

Sigh.

 

[NancyIL]

No seat sales from Canada on BA either.

From Vancouver to London, the cheapest I can find for our family of 5 is about $8200 Canadian on Air Canada. BA is about $8900. Air Transat is $6500 but I'm not sure if I want to fly with them.

I really want a seat sale! But I'm worried about waiting too long and losing all the good flights on the dates I want.

Sigh.

I know prices are high, but it's great that Air Canada and British Airways have non-stop flights between Vancouver and London Heathrow.

I am REALLY thankful for frequent-flyer miles!

 

[MJGirl]

No seat sales from Canada on BA either.

From Vancouver to London, the cheapest I can find for our family of 5 is about $8200 Canadian on Air Canada. BA is about $8900. Air Transat is $6500 but I'm not sure if I want to fly with them.

I really want a seat sale! But I'm worried about waiting too long and losing all the good flights on the dates I want.

Sigh.

I totally lucked out on my Air Canada flight. I have been checking regularly and it was anywhere from $2800 to $3300 for the two of us from Toronto. Back in October, I checked on a Monday night around 11:30 and it was 1750 for the two of us. I scooped it right away. Two days later it was back up to $2900. You know that AC has now limited luggage to one suitcase. I checked with them, and I am still allowed two. I can't believe that I did things right this time.

 

[slg]

Wow ! I didn't know prices could change so drastically for such a short period of time.

I guess I should check every day just in case.

Did you purchase insurance? From who?

Also, did you find the seat sale on the Air canada site?

 

[MJGirl]

Wow ! I didn't know prices could change so drastically for such a short period of time.

I guess I should check every day just in case.

Did you purchase insurance? From who?

Also, did you find the seat sale on the Air canada site?

I didn't purchase insurance, so I've told work that they can't cancel my holidays or they owe me the money for tickets

I found this sale on the AC site directly. I think I totally lucked out. A friend of mine works for AC and she thinks it may have been a typo on the sales rate that was fixed very quickly... Who knows.. all I know is I'm not complaining! My deal was less than half the regular price. The total included about $400 worth of taxes!

 

[slg]

Lucky lucky you.

I will check seat sales every day or two. I'm also checking how many seats are left and will book when they start decreasing!

If you hear of any sales, please post.

 

[NancyIL]

I didn't purchase insurance, so I've told work that they can't cancel my holidays or they owe me the money for tickets

You have NO trip insurance for your Baltic cruise? There is no way I would go on a trip that expensive (and out of the country) without it. I now get mine from the Trip Insurance Store: www.tripinsurancestore.com.

 

[MJGirl]

You have NO trip insurance for your Baltic cruise? There is no way I would go on a trip that expensive (and out of the country) without it. I now get mine from the Trip Insurance Store: www.tripinsurancestore.com.

I haven't gotten any yet ... I don't need medical, and I can get cancellation up to the day I pay in full. I will most likely get some before pay in full date!


slg ... I went through PC Financial on my 07 cruise!

 

[OurDogCisco]

Well... the only time you want to purchase trip insurance at the time of your original deposit is when you know someone in your family or you that has a pre-existing condition. I use to buy mine when I paid in full too. But now my Dad has a host of problems so, I bought when I put down my deposit so, that the pre-existing conditions will be covered.

 

[slg]

Insurance just gives me a headache! I worry about getting the right kind, at the right time for the right price.

I guess I'm hooped over my cruise as I haven't purchased any insurance yet and usually do it when I pay the final deposit.

No one has ever explained about the pre-existing condition clause.

Sigh.