The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[scrapycruiser]

Were you on the Jewel of the Seas for a Scandinavia & Russia cruise? How did you like the Jewel?

We have been on several cruise lines, including RCI, and am considering the Jewel. Thanks.

Woody

We loved the Jewel ! It's one of the Radiance Class ships, so there's glass everywhere. Perfect for the Baltic/Scandinavia scenery. We have been cruising for over 30 years and love the traditional oceanliners ! Not crazy about these megaships. The Jewel was 90,000 tons...just our size. Anyway, thought the service was exc, food avg+ , with the busy itinerary didn't go to many shows.We spent 2 full days in St P, Stockholm,Copenhagen,Oslo,Tallin,Helsinki.
We'll be in the Baltic on the Magic in July with our son & his family. Personally, I would not have chosen Disney for the Baltic. I would have gone back on the Jewel. Beautiful ship & cheaper. We had to go with an outside this time and were in a suite on the Jewel. But heck, who cares, I'll be with my Grandchildren !!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I could be wrong on this but in researching on another board, the high speed train is early in the morning and does not run on weekends (it could mean that it is an express train with limited stops). There is only one train in the morning while the rest of the train is regular train (or a train with more stops).

Like I said I could be wrong in regards to the type of trains running.

Thanks for input, we are 'in' on a weekday on a Thursday, didnt look into when the other ones dock.

 

[Madisonznana]

We loved the Jewel ! It's one of the Radiance Class ships, so there's glass everywhere. Perfect for the Baltic/Scandinavia scenery. We have been cruising for over 30 years and love the traditional oceanliners ! Not crazy about these megaships. The Jewel was 90,000 tons...just our size. Anyway, thought the service was exc, food avg+ , with the busy itinerary didn't go to many shows.We spent 2 full days in St P, Stockholm,Copenhagen,Oslo,Tallin,Helsinki.
We'll be in the Baltic on the Magic in July with our son & his family. Personally, I would not have chosen Disney for the Baltic. I would have gone back on the Jewel. Beautiful ship & cheaper. We had to go with an outside this time and were in a suite on the Jewel. But heck, who cares, I'll be with my Grandchildren !!

The extra joy of watching a grandchild enjoy the whole Disney experience is worth the extra money!!

 

[woody73]

We loved the Jewel ! It's one of the Radiance Class ships, so there's glass everywhere. Perfect for the Baltic/Scandinavia scenery. We have been cruising for over 30 years and love the traditional oceanliners ! Not crazy about these megaships. The Jewel was 90,000 tons...just our size. Anyway, thought the service was exc, food avg+ , with the busy itinerary didn't go to many shows.We spent 2 full days in St P, Stockholm,Copenhagen,Oslo,Tallin,Helsinki.

We'll be in the Baltic on the Magic in July with our son & his family. Personally, I would not have chosen Disney for the Baltic. I would have gone back on the Jewel. Beautiful ship & cheaper. We had to go with an outside this time and were in a suite on the Jewel. But heck, who cares, I'll be with my Grandchildren !!

Thank you for the response.

The Jewel of the Seas sounds perfect for us. We have been on the Voyager Class (46 nights total), and would love to try the Radiance Class.

Have a great time on the Magic with your grandchildren.

Woody

 

[MJGirl]

Only tour I'm pretty sure on is the tour in Copenhagen where you visit the Carlsberg brewery. My dad was on the project team that brought Carlsberg into Canada and spent many weeks over there on business. I myself was a Carlsberg girl at the Canadian National Exposition in 1976. My first job! It was a fun busy 3 weeks, and I got to ride the Horse drawn carraige in one of the parades!

I'm hoping they'll have an archives where I might find some info on my dad!

 

[NancyIL]

Thank you for the response.

The Jewel of the Seas sounds perfect for us. We have been on the Voyager Class (46 nights total), and would love to try the Radiance Class.

Have a great time on the Magic with your grandchildren.

Woody

I concur that Jewel of the Seas is a great ship - especially for a Baltic cruise. (I can't see why anyone with half a brain would pay Disney's prices - but that's just me!)

 

[NancyIL]

I'm wondering how you pay your private tour guide in Rubes? Do you purchase them in Russia? I don't want to use an ATM there. I'm a little leary about using a private guide in respect to the paying part. Can I pay in Euros?

We paid for our private 2-day tour in St. Petersburg (with DenRus) in US dollars.

 

[woody73]

I concur that Jewel of the Seas is a great ship - especially for a Baltic cruise. (I can't see why anyone with half a brain would pay Disney's prices - but that's just me!)

Thank you for the input on the Jewel of the Seas.

Woody

 

[jilljill]

Someone on cruise critic said you have to be careful with the nesting dolls. She bought some at a small shop and noticed after she got home hers were made in China.

Awe that is sad. We actually have a Russian Store here in Sacramento and they sell the dolls. But I wanted some from Russia. I bet you have to go into town to get the real ones.

I'm wondering how you pay your private tour guide in Rubes? Do you purchase them in Russia? I don't want to use an ATM there. I'm a little leary about using a private guide in respect to the paying part. Can I pay in Euros?

Yes, be very careful with the nesting dolls and other trinkets that are sold in the little markets in the city. If the price seems to low, then definately check for a Made in China sticker. Real Russian nesting dolls will be pricey. I found Russian nesting dolls in Tallinn as well, and the prices seemed to be a little better there than in StP.

We paid for our StP tour with crisp $100 bills. In our paperwork from Anastasia, she stressed the bills have to be crisp, new, and not bent or folded. When I went to the bank to get them I mentioned to the teller that I needed crisp bills and she said that everyone that goes to Russia has the same request.
We used an ATM in the city to get some rubles out to repay our guide what she 'fronted' for us from the day before. No problems using the ATM.
If you prefer to use Euros to pay your private guide just have the tour operator give you a price in Euros as opposed to US$. Most will also take a credit card, but may charge a 3-5% service fee.
For our guide's tips we used US$ and for the driver we used our leftover rubles.

 

[OurDogCisco]

This probably won't effect all cruises but I found out the following venues are closed on Monday or Tuesday. This is info I to got from a private tour guide:

Also Hermitage is closed on Monday, Catherine's palace is closed on Tuesday.

 

[denise]

Didn't someone post something about an ice bar in one of the countries?
Not the tour with Disney. We would want to do it on our own since DD will be 20 1/2 and Disney would say no to her. Although.....While in the Med she was served wine in Monte Carlo on a Disney tour even though she was only 17...and too much too!
Any ideas?

 

[OurDogCisco]

Didn't someone post something about an ice bar in one of the countries?
Not the tour with Disney. We would want to do it on our own since DD will be 20 1/2 and Disney would say no to her. Although.....While in the Med she was served wine in Monte Carlo on a Disney tour even though she was only 17...and too much too!
Any ideas?

Denise the ice bar is in Stockholm. Tina

 

[brandysmommy]

Denise the ice bar is in Stockholm. Tina

http://www.nordicseahotel.se/en/The-hotel/Food-and-drink/Absolut-Icebar-Stockholm/ And I've e-mailed with them. They will let any age in so long as you purchase a ticket - this is different from the Disney Ice Bar excursion.

 

[denise]

Denise the ice bar is in Stockholm. Tina

http://www.nordicseahotel.se/en/The-hotel/Food-and-drink/Absolut-Icebar-Stockholm/ And I've e-mailed with them. They will let any age in so long as you purchase a ticket - this is different from the Disney Ice Bar excursion.

Thanks to both of you, I will check this out.
DD also asked last night if we get to see the Berlin wall! She said she wants to see that and of course the Hard Rock in Berlin! Perhaps the Disney tour that just drops us off in Berlin would be good.

 

[jilljill]

Didn't someone post something about an ice bar in one of the countries?
Not the tour with Disney. We would want to do it on our own since DD will be 20 1/2 and Disney would say no to her. Although.....While in the Med she was served wine in Monte Carlo on a Disney tour even though she was only 17...and too much too!
Any ideas?

There's also an Ice Bar in London. We are thinking of going to that one to save the time in Stockholm for other venues. Although, we may forgo it altogether since we've been to one in Australia.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I'm surprised in the price differences for private guides. I have 2 quotes so far and the price difference is $400 between the 2. For 4 people, that is only $100 per person but still. Also, one tour has us returning back to the ship much later than the other as it built in more traffic time. I'm waiting for a 3rd quote before I decide. When looking at the Disney ones it seems like most of them only visit one or 2 places per trip. I bet it is because of the distance from the port. I don't know how one would include evening entertainment on the 1st night unless you did not do much for the 1st day. I wish Disney put in the times.

One tour company mention you must make reservations at least 45 days in advance so they have time to get the Visas.

Tina

 

[Samanthasmom1]

I'm surprised in the price differences for private guides. I have 2 quotes so far and the price difference is $400 between the 2. For 4 people, that is only $100 per person but still. Also, one tour has us returning back to the ship much later than the other as it built in more traffic time. I'm waiting for a 3rd quote before I decide. When looking at the Disney ones it seems like most of them only visit one or 2 places per trip. I bet it is because of the distance from the port. I don't know how one would include evening entertainment on the 1st night unless you did not do much for the 1st day. I wish Disney put in the times.

One tour company mention you must make reservations at least 45 days in advance so they have time to get the Visas.

Tina

Which companies are you looking at? Do you mind sharing lowest to highest?

Our problem is that we really want to do the Royal Ball through DCL but everything else we would like to use a private guide. I don't know how to coordinate that since the times have not been published yet so I haven't even contacted anyone regarding the private guide. Anyone else looking to do the same- one excursion through DCL and the rest using a private guide?

 

[OurDogCisco]

Which companies are you looking at? Do you mind sharing lowest to highest?

Our problem is that we really want to do the Royal Ball through DCL but everything else we would like to use a private guide. I don't know how to coordinate that since the times have not been published yet so I haven't even contacted anyone regarding the private guide. Anyone else looking to do the same- one excursion through DCL and the rest using a private guide?

I don't mind mentioning the company name but I do think the prices will be different because it is based on who is in your party and their ages. I looked at Red October and Anastasia. Anastasia was cheaper. However, their plan had you back at the ship by 5:30 pm while Red October has you back at the ship around 7 pm and 8 pm on the 2nd day. Red October talked about traffic issues more. So, I have feeling I would see less with Anastasia or have less time at the venue.

I noticed and Anastasia pointed this out was that arriving at 12:30 pm in St. Petersburg is really late. So, that does limit in what you can see and what you cannot see on the 1st day. Red October quote had more details of travel time. Catherine's Palace is 1 hour from St. Petersburg. Also, looks like Peterhof is about 1 hour away as well.

I'm wondering with Disney if it is even going to be possible to do a day and night time activity on the same day. Disney really needs to put in times for people to make better decisions.

 

[DW2DH&DS]

Which companies are you looking at? Do you mind sharing lowest to highest?

Our problem is that we really want to do the Royal Ball through DCL but everything else we would like to use a private guide. I don't know how to coordinate that since the times have not been published yet so I haven't even contacted anyone regarding the private guide. Anyone else looking to do the same- one excursion through DCL and the rest using a private guide?

Possibly yes!!!! I have asked for two quotes and have gotten one back already. Anastasia has us back to the ship in between dinner seatings. I am thinking we will do an evening excursion on Monday night with DCL...probably the canal tour. I have a little boy who is anti-princess. I was considering the ballet, but in all honesty...boring to me. Would totally do it for the experience, but would not subject my kid when I don't want to do it. Leaving him on the ship is not an option for us...not in Russia anyway. Don't flame...we left him on the ship for a couple hours after dinner while in PV on the WBPC. We missed him terribly. We enjoy alone time while he is in the kids club on sea days.

This half day loss does concern me, because we lose out on some valuable time. It is what it is, and I will be happy just to set foot off the ship in Russia. and of course happy to be doing this itinerary!!!

 

[OurDogCisco]

Which companies are you looking at? Do you mind sharing lowest to highest?

Our problem is that we really want to do the Royal Ball through DCL but everything else we would like to use a private guide. I don't know how to coordinate that since the times have not been published yet so I haven't even contacted anyone regarding the private guide. Anyone else looking to do the same- one excursion through DCL and the rest using a private guide?

The other thing I noticed it says that the Royal Ball is a 4.5 to 5 hour event. I wonder what time the tour will depart from the ship. Also, wouldn't you want to get back in time to dress up for the event. 2 hours of the tour involves travel time as it is at Catherine's Palace which is one hour away. I wonder if they will do the Royal Ball both evenings or just the 1st evening.

Also, just thought maybe this isn't an evening event. It could totally be during the day as well.

Too many unknowns to make a decision though.