The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[ktkspider]

they are up.. they are up.. now to go look!

 

[DW2DH&DS]

Prices? I need prices!!!!

 

[missy4414]

This is my first Disney cruise...so I'm not really sure how this all works.

- Once they provide prices, then we sign up for the excursions we want, right?

- Also, we don't pay for them until we arrive on the ship, right?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

This is my first Disney cruise...so I'm not really sure how this all works.

- Once they provide prices, then we sign up for the excursions we want, right?

- Also, we don't pay for them until we arrive on the ship, right?

Thus is for information you book at your 'window' of 75 days, or 90 days or 105 days or 120 days depends on the number of cruises you have done.

 

[NancyIL]

The excursions look very interesting. The Royal Ball at Catherine's Palace (St. Petersburg) sounds wonderful - and very $$$!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Reading through them and have at least two in each port I want to do and without prices or more details I am not at this early stage going to chop it down more. Its more a case what we wouldn't do.

Pity there are some clashes I can see a difference of opinion in our family.

 

[MJGirl]

The trip to see the Disney Dream looks interesting but sounds $$$$!

 

[tfc3rid]

Reading through them and have at least two in each port I want to do and without prices or more details I am not at this early stage going to chop it down more. Its more a case what we wouldn't do.

Pity there are some clashes I can see a difference of opinion in our family.

I agree on that... I can see disagreements in my group as well...

I really want to go to Berlin but the cost may be prohibitive for me...

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

The trip to see the Disney Dream looks interesting but sounds $$$$!

Yes, it will be, it has flights involved... nice for a few on the first cruise to the Baltic, for novelty, but then I am sure the cost/return, ability to post about Dream will be prohibitive.

I agree on that... I can see disagreements in my group as well...

I really want to go to Berlin but the cost may be prohibitive for me...

Berlin will be expensive, either by train or coach...

 

[Sailingpartyof10]

I mentioned this on my meet thread, but does anyone else think the age restrictions are too conservative? My active 7YO son could easily handle things like bike riding and horseback riding (and has, on independent excursions two years ago!). Since DCL is a family line with lots of young kids, I'd like to see more active excursions for active kids! I haven't had a chance to look at all of them but didn't see any physical activities for the younger kids yet.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I mentioned this on my meet thread, but does anyone else think the age restrictions are too conservative? My active 7YO son could easily handle things like bike riding and horseback riding (and has, on independent excursions two years ago!). Since DCL is a family line with lots of young kids, I'd like to see more active excursions for active kids! I haven't had a chance to look at all of them but didn't see any physical activities for the younger kids yet.

Agre, gave longer answer on cruise meets thread, DCL are always on the 'careful' side, sometimes I agree sometimes not.

 

[Sailingpartyof10]

I am sure some restrictions are warranted, but I wish there were more active choices for younger kids, even if they had to tame down the excursions a bit (have lead ropes for horses, require an adult to paddle a canoe with a child, etc). I am all for active teens and adults having the choice to go on fast-paced, rigorous excursions, and in cases where kids would slow them down, they could add separate groups for younger kids. It just seems like something a line that specializes in young kids should do, kwim?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I am sure some restrictions are warranted, but I wish there were more active choices for younger kids, even if they had to tame down the excursions a bit (have lead ropes for horses, require an adult to paddle a canoe with a child, etc). I am all for active teens and adults having the choice to go on fast-paced, rigorous excursions, and in cases where kids would slow them down, they could add separate groups for younger kids. It just seems like something a line that specializes in young kids should do, kwim?

Good points for a family cruise, there should be a spread of options.

 

[brandysmommy]

I mentioned this on my meet thread, but does anyone else think the age restrictions are too conservative? My active 7YO son could easily handle things like bike riding and horseback riding (and has, on independent excursions two years ago!). Since DCL is a family line with lots of young kids, I'd like to see more active excursions for active kids! I haven't had a chance to look at all of them but didn't see any physical activities for the younger kids yet.

That's how I feel too - I'm on the conservative side but these seem extreme. My kids (8 and 10) are both active - competitive sports, riding, family bike rides of 20 miles, etc.. Both could easily do the horse and bike things - they did both on a trip we took out west last summer.

In their defense I know it is hard because not all kids are that active or have endurance.

If you are looking for horses, I came across a horse back riding tour in London can't locate the website, but if you google horse back riding london you'll be sure to come across it. I know both of my girls met the requirements for the London one.

There are also fat tire bike tours in London that accomodate younger children.

Also if you want to do the ice bars, I contacted the one in Sweeden and they admit any age so long as you reserve a time and pay for them. We are likely going that route.

 

[TDC Nala]

Since we get into St. Petersburg after noon, wonder if I would be correct in thinking I would be unable to do an 8 hour tour the first day and a 9 hour tour the second day?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Since we get into St. Petersburg after noon, wonder if I would be correct in thinking I would be unable to do an 8 hour tour the first day and a 9 hour tour the second day?

Yes I would expect the long day ones to be the second day in port.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

That's how I feel too - I'm on the conservative side but these seem extreme. My kids (8 and 10) are both active - competitive sports, riding, family bike rides of 20 miles, etc.. Both could easily do the horse and bike things - they did both on a trip we took out west last summer.

In their defense I know it is hard because not all kids are that active or have endurance.

If you are looking for horses, I came across a horse back riding tour in London can't locate the website, but if you google horse back riding london you'll be sure to come across it. I know both of my girls met the requirements for the London one.

There are also fat tire bike tours in London that accomodate younger children.

Also if you want to do the ice bars, I contacted the one in Sweeden and they admit any age so long as you reserve a time and pay for them. We are likely going that route.

http://www.wvstables.com/

https://www.hydeparkstables.com/?gclid=CMW6webtn58CFYIA4wodeheGHQ

http://www.dulwichridingschool.co.uk/

 

[slg]

Without prices its very hard to budget or even choose. I did look at Princess' excursions from 2009 and many were very similar. If the prices are in the same range, then we will be okay. I had budgeted approx. $175 a person per port day.

I hope they put the prices up very soon.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Without prices its very hard to budget or even choose. I did look at Princess' excursions from 2009 and many were very similar. If the prices are in the same range, then we will be okay. I had budgeted approx. $175 a person per port day.

I hope they put the prices up very soon.

Yes, posted a comparasion earlier in this thread. Looking at Princess, and RCCL.

The lowest range for half day trips is $90>$100 pp.
Day trips would be $150>$175pp.
Berlin and St Petes all day might be more, but possible there is a combinded price for two in St Pete's?

The signature ones, Dream and Berlin will be far far higher...9and must be paid for pre cruise on booking, or at your booking window.

 

[jilljill]

Since we get into St. Petersburg after noon, wonder if I would be correct in thinking I would be unable to do an 8 hour tour the first day and a 9 hour tour the second day?

Yes I would expect the long day ones to be the second day in port.

This is not necessarily true since places in StP stay open longer and is seems most of the tours involve a lot of driving around the city and not much in terms of touring inside places and have photo stops. Since sunset in StP won't be until around 11pm it will be very easy to tour around the city the first day and get in the photo op stops.
Also, the StP tours are very limited since you only go to 1 or 2 venues for each excursion. When we did our private tour in 2008 we hit 5 venues our first day there and that involved inside tours and city driving touring. Plus we were still back to the ship an hour early and added a shopping stop, a great benefit to doing a private tour there - besides not having to wait for 45 other people to all be on time.