The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[ImprovGal]

If any of you heard a thud, that was the sound of me fainting from sticker shock. I'm glad I'm just a single because I added up possibly $1400 in shore excursions for just me. I'm making an alternate choice for each port, though, because some of the ones I'm really interested in say they have limited availability.

Disney has still left an element of suspense for us, though. I don't see any price yet on that "see the Disney Dream being built" tour.

 

[RJAYL]

If any of you heard a thud, that was the sound of me fainting from sticker shock. I'm glad I'm just a single because I added up possibly $1400 in shore excursions for just me. I'm making an alternate choice for each port, though, because some of the ones I'm really interested in say they have limited availability.

Disney has still left an element of suspense for us, though. I don't see any price yet on that "see the Disney Dream being built" tour.

I think you have to fax in the request first or call guest services to get those prices!

 

[DW2DH&DS]

I asked a friend of mine who is Danish regarding Copenhagen...If you had to choose 1 excursion...here is what she had to say...

"Hi Beth! Sounds exciting! 100% I would do the city highlights tour. The boat sounds fun, but the view from the water is not that impressive (it's very flat) and if the weather's bad you'll hate it. The tour sounds like a good sampling of Copenhagen. Can't wait to hear about it!"

Thought I would share!!!

 

[MJGirl]

A non-excursion question ... If my plane lands at 8:40 am .. what time would be the earliest I should reserve the train for? I would need to get through customs, get my luggage, make it to the national express, take the bus to Victoria station, then get the train. Oh and may need to grab a bite to eat in there? There are trains at 9:52, 10:52, 11:52 or 12:52 (looking at April schedule). What do you locals suggest? Thanks in advance.

 

[jilljill]

Andrew if you want to do the ballet on Sat. night just check with Anastasia (if that's who you are booking with) and she can arrange that for you as well. No need to come back to the ship and then go with DCL when she can arrange that for you as well.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

If any of you heard a thud, that was the sound of me fainting from sticker shock. I'm glad I'm just a single because I added up possibly $1400 in shore excursions for just me. I'm making an alternate choice for each port, though, because some of the ones I'm really interested in say they have limited availability.

Disney has still left an element of suspense for us, though. I don't see any price yet on that "see the Disney Dream being built" tour.

As Robert answered you have to 'request' that information direct and pay in advance. With flights inc it will be expensive.

I think you have to fax in the request first or call guest services to get those prices!

Yes, but slow in getting back.

I asked a friend of mine who is Danish regarding Copenhagen...If you had to choose 1 excursion...here is what she had to say...

"Hi Beth! Sounds exciting! 100% I would do the city highlights tour. The boat sounds fun, but the view from the water is not that impressive (it's very flat) and if the weather's bad you'll hate it. The tour sounds like a good sampling of Copenhagen. Can't wait to hear about it!"

Thought I would share!!!

Thanks for feedback.

A non-excursion question ... If my plane lands at 8:40 am .. what time would be the earliest I should reserve the train for? I would need to get through customs, get my luggage, make it to the national express, take the bus to Victoria station, then get the train. Oh and may need to grab a bite to eat in there? There are trains at 9:52, 10:52, 11:52 or 12:52 (looking at April schedule). What do you locals suggest? Thanks in advance.

If you are talking about Victoria to Dover, there isnt a 'need' to book in advance bar the fare is cheaper, I think also on that service you should be able to go on any off peak service. I would allow one hour at Gatwick for walking to the main terminal, immigration and bagge reclaim, then its a small walk to the station. 30>45 Mins to London. Now you might have a flight delay as well so a lot of varinbles. Looking at that not before 11:52.
Not Dover Priory trains are often 8 cars long and at Faversham split with half going to Dover and half to Ramsgate, so be in the correct part,

Andrew if you want to do the ballet on Sat. night just check with Anastasia (if that's who you are booking with) and she can arrange that for you as well. No need to come back to the ship and then go with DCL when she can arrange that for you as well.

Nice idea....

 

[wickesy]

I am running with an option of (2) at each port,


1/
Price : $75.00
Norwegian Adventure
Port: Oslo, Norway
Duration: 3-3.5 hours

I was looking at this one this morning and if you get a 24 hour Oslo Pass you can DIY it for half the price Disney are charging.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I was looking at this one this morning and if you get a 24 hour Oslo Pass you can DIY it for half the price Disney are charging.

True but its the convenience of knowing you have a seat, and you don't have to wait for 20 /30 mins for the next bus to come along when the first one was full.

Like anything you pay for the 'package' no worries part of it. With limited time thats it.

My view is to get an early one then have lunch on ship, and go back off myself maybe to the Castle in the afternoon.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Worth everyone reviewing all the ports again, as more trips have been 'added' I took a print off all of the trips by DCL, when they came out and there are some omitted on my prints, that are now, added.

 

[MJGirl]

If you are talking about Victoria to Dover, there isnt a 'need' to book in advance bar the fare is cheaper, I think also on that service you should be able to go on any off peak service. I would allow one hour at Gatwick for walking to the main terminal, immigration and bagge reclaim, then its a small walk to the station. 30>45 Mins to London. Now you might have a flight delay as well so a lot of varinbles. Looking at that not before 11:52.
Not Dover Priory trains are often 8 cars long and at Faversham split with half going to Dover and half to Ramsgate, so be in the correct part,



Nice idea....

Thanks Andrew .. I will be flying into Dover, will this make it longer? I chose these trains, because it said there were 0 changes on these trains. Does this mean you don't change trains or there are no stops??? Also there is a 30 pound difference between standard and first class (for 2 of us). Is this worth it??

 

[NancyIL]

Seem high to me - $1150 for 2A &1c to go to Catherine's Palace for the evening!

After dropping $10K-$20K on the cruise...what's another $1150?

I was looking at this one this morning and if you get a 24 hour Oslo Pass you can DIY it for half the price Disney are charging.

With the exception of tours to Berlin and St. Petersburg, you can do the other ports on your own. You don't need DCL's overpriced excursions!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thanks Andrew .. I will be flying into Dover, will this make it longer? I chose these trains, because it said there were 0 changes on these trains. Does this mean you don't change trains or there are no stops??? Also there is a 30 pound difference between standard and first class (for 2 of us). Is this worth it??

Assume thats a typo and you are flying into Gatwick not Dover.

Gatwick 'as the crow flies'; is far closer to Dover than Heathrow, and yes they are both accessible via London Victoria main line train terminus.

You have the option of GATWICK EXPRESS or SOUTHERN services from Gatwick to Victoria, GE is non stop, Southern most likely one stop at Croydon, -Both use exactly the same fast tracks so, one cant get ahead of the other!!!!

Victoria to Dover, is semi fast, it does make some stops but cuts a lot out, ie first stop is often Bromley South, and its jumped circa 10 stations getting there. As said it splits at Faversham, with front part off to Dover, and the rest to Ramsgate.

Directly a car taxi service would be quicker as it wouldnt go into London rather go on our Motorways M23/M25/M20, to it.

 

[sbell111]

With the exception of tours to Berlin and St. Petersburg, you can do the other ports on your own. You don't need DCL's overpriced excursions!

Agreed. We will very likely do the hop on/off busses in the ports that have them and do a private tour in St Pete.

 

[aaronandterri]

were thinking of doing the med cruise this year but will need 2 rooms .

 

[scrapycruiser]

We were on a Baltic cruise in 2008.Trust me Oslo,Copenhagen,Tallin and Stockholm are very easy to do on your own. Just buy the city card for Oslo and Stockholm. Suggest the HOHO bus in Copenhagen. In Tallin take a taxi to the top of Old Town ( to save time ) then from there DIY. In Oslo the ferry to the Viking museum is next to where we dock. The TI is right there too. You do get a discount buying your pass there but we ordered them online Glad we did cause there was a long line at the TI.

Andy, I didn't understand your price on the Priv car to Berlin. Seems "cheap" compared to say Berlin Past & Present. But if that's right I think well go w priv car.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We were on a Baltic cruise in 2008.Trust me Oslo,Copenhagen,Tallin and Stockholm are very easy to do on your own. Just buy the city card for Oslo and Stockholm. Suggest the HOHO bus in Copenhagen. In Tallin take a taxi to the top of Old Town ( to save time ) then from there DIY. In Oslo the ferry to the Viking museum is next to where we dock. The TI is right there too. You do get a discount buying your pass there but we ordered them online Glad we did cause there was a long line at the TI.

Andy, I didn't understand your price on the Priv car to Berlin. Seems "cheap" compared to say Berlin Past & Present. But if that's right I think well go w priv car.

I do not know the exact price for the PV in Berlin; speculation is $1,500>$2,000 overall, ie for a family of 4, $200pp train, then the Vehicle, small $800 larger van $900, plus guide, so adds up.

I have ordered it awaiting DCL shore trips/concierge to come back.

RE DYI

Did you pay by credit card or take local currency????

 

[MJGirl]

Assume thats a typo and you are flying into Gatwick not Dover.

Gatwick 'as the crow flies'; is far closer to Dover than Heathrow, and yes they are both accessible via London Victoria main line train terminus.

You have the option of GATWICK EXPRESS or SOUTHERN services from Gatwick to Victoria, GE is non stop, Southern most likely one stop at Croydon, -Both use exactly the same fast tracks so, one cant get ahead of the other!!!!

Victoria to Dover, is semi fast, it does make some stops but cuts a lot out, ie first stop is often Bromley South, and its jumped circa 10 stations getting there. As said it splits at Faversham, with front part off to Dover, and the rest to Ramsgate.

Directly a car taxi service would be quicker as it wouldnt go into London rather go on our Motorways M23/M25/M20, to it.

Sorry .. meant to say I'm flying into Heathrow, not Gatwick, or Dover either!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Sorry .. meant to say I'm flying into Heathrow, not Gatwick, or Dover either!

Heathrow is West London (Gatwick is South), Dover is in Kent to the South East.

Bit more complicated from Heathrow and far more options and therefore decisions.

TUBE; Piccadilly Line, the dark blue one, from any terminal, to Green park swap via escalators to Victoria line, one stop to Victoria. If you have lots of luggage and want to avoid, the escalator at the interchange, then Piccadilly to Barons court, get off and on the same platform walk to the other side, hope on a District line train, (Upminster/Barking), to Victoria, there its stairs up to mainline.

HEATHROW EXPRESS, To Paddington. Bakerloo line to Oxford Circus then Victoria line as above.

COACH National Express to Victoria coach station.

Taxi, private or Black cab.

Then VICTORIA to DOVER as posted before.

 

[TDC Nala]

Gonna check and see about the times for St. Petersburg. I would imagine the 3-4 hour tours are the first day. That means back on the ship by 4:30 or so. Then what? Can't get off the ship again unless I have a visa. So I'm kind of hoping for back to back short tours. If it doesn't get dark until late I'd guess that's a possibility.

 

[denise]

I've looked thru all the St. Petersburg tours and think that only one of Disney's actually goes into the Spilled Blood Cathedral. Is this correct? The Cathedral and boat ride?

Going into this church is what I REALLY have to do.

Also read if you go see the Amber Room there are NO photos allowed...true or not true?