The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[scrapycruiser]

Is it possible to hire a private car, through DCL like they offer for Berlin, to take you to the areas around Warnemude.

My son & family have a 5 yo and a 7 mos and are thinking it would be too far to go into Berlin. And with the young children they felt it's best to have a private car.

 

[rotary2808]

Does anyone know if DCL will be offering currency exchange services at guest services on board as they did for the Med cruise. I know this one would be more difficult because of all the different currencies for this cruise. Just trying to figure out if I do this at my bank before we leave.
Thanks

The teller at my bank (who I completely trust, btw) told my DH to just use the ATM in whatever country we're in. We did this last year when we were in Italy with ABD and it worked out great b/c we just got Euros as we needed them and didn't have to try to guess ahead of time how much we would need. And I don't remember the exchange rate or the ATM fees being that bad.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Which cruise are you on? We are June 24th? cat 2 cabin.....

I heard Disney has a warning message of the folllowing on website:it says, they should be approved tour groups and allowed to meet us in the dock because otherwise if they are not "official", we have to meet them outside the port which is 2 to 3 miles from the ship....I didn't see this anywhere but my friend told me.

Are you booking private train for sure?

When does booking window open for first cruise suite holders.....mine is Feb 22nd...



Marlo

I have booked the train and private car, and on 7/18 (last cruise) my booking date is March 20th.

I asked this on our meets thread, but I'll ask here as well. Does anyone know the legal drinking age in each country?

UK 18.

Is it possible to hire a private car, through DCL like they offer for Berlin, to take you to the areas around Warnemude.

My son & family have a 5 yo and a 7 mos and are thinking it would be too far to go into Berlin. And with the young children they felt it's best to have a private car.

Contact them, i think they would be able to do it, but havent seen a price.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

The teller at my bank (who I completely trust, btw) told my DH to just use the ATM in whatever country we're in. We did this last year when we were in Italy with ABD and it worked out great b/c we just got Euros as we needed them and didn't have to try to guess ahead of time how much we would need. And I don't remember the exchange rate or the ATM fees being that bad.

Debit cards to cash at ATM's and credit cards for purchases are often at a good rate. The ATM will offer you or switch to English if you use your card.

Do tell your Bank before you travel of your plans.

 

[jilljill]

Why are you planning on getting minors intoxicated so you can take advantage of them?

You are too funny, I'll leave that up to you.
Just thought I would inquire for all to know since drinking ages vary outside the US.

Well Robert, looks like we can both drink beer and wine with the oldest kids in Germany. They are out of luck in the other countries.



Thanks wickesy for the link to the ages.

 

[TDC Nala]

I used a preloaded travel Visa card purchased through AAA at ATMs in Australia and New Zealand last year. Will likely do the same for this trip.

 

[cindy18]

Debit cards to cash at ATM's and credit cards for purchases are often at a good rate. The ATM will offer you or switch to English if you use your card.

Do tell your Bank before you travel of your plans.

So, suppose we get off the boat in Oslo and want to take a taxi somewhere. Are ATMs right there at the port so that we can get cash right away? That's the issue for me with arriving without any local currency at all.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

So, suppose we get off the boat in Oslo and want to take a taxi somewhere. Are ATMs right there at the port so that we can get cash right away? That's the issue for me with arriving without any local currency at all.

I do not know Oslo personally, but ATM's are very common everywhere in all of Europe, and I am sure if you say to the driver go via an ATM he will take you to the easiest one. (Quick internet search says, ATMS are located all over Oslo).

Often DCL in their Port information say where they are located.

 

[cindy18]

I picked Oslo because it was first, but the same question would hold for any of the ports where we'll be docking. I guess we could tell the cab driver we're getting $ from an ATM to pay him. It just feels a little funny. Question is whether there's an ATM in the port terminal.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I picked Oslo because it was first, but the same question would hold for any of the ports where we'll be docking. I guess we could tell the cab driver we're getting $ from an ATM to pay him. It just feels a little funny. Question is whether there's an ATM in the port terminal.

I would expect most cruise terminals to have them, -note it will not be $ but local currency. But taxi drivers will know where they are and DCL port guides always show them.

 

[jilljill]

In some of the countries I've heard that taxis will take credit cards for pay't. I believe someone posted this info many pages back.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

In some of the countries I've heard that taxis will take credit cards for pay't. I believe someone posted this info many pages back.

Agreed but the question was getting local currency from ATMS, and the proximity to the port.

 

[cindy18]

I would expect most cruise terminals to have them, -note it will not be $ but local currency. But taxi drivers will know where they are and DCL port guides always show them.

Duh, yes I know not US $ but local currency. Force of habit.

 

[scrapycruiser]

I have booked the train and private car, and on 7/18 (last cruise) my booking date is March 20th.


UK 18.


Contact them, i think they would be able to do it, but havent seen a price.

On the price sheet for the Private cars/ vans, where it says "Warnemude ( Car all the way ). Priv Car HD 4.00 1-3 pax $950...
is this going to Berlin OR going around the area close to Warnemude ????

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Duh, yes I know not US $ but local currency. Force of habit.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

On the price sheet for the Private cars/ vans, where it says "Warnemude ( Car all the way ). Priv Car HD 4.00 1-3 pax $950...
is this going to Berlin OR going around the area close to Warnemude ????

That is intended for Berlin, but my bet is you can ask for it locally and they would oblige

 

[scrapycruiser]

Thank you, Andrew

 

[jilljill]

Agreed but the question was getting local currency from ATMS, and the proximity to the port.

I mentioned about taxis taking credit cards since the poster seemed to be inquiring about finding an ATM right away to have local currency to pay for a taxi. I was giving this as an alternative to finding an ATM at the port.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thank you, Andrew

What I have:-

Warnemude (Train to Berlin + Car in Berlin only)
Berlin Private Vehicles with Premium Train service FD (7 hrs in Berlin) - Driver Only* 12.5-13 1 pax $1,449
Sedan 1-3 Pax Signature Adventure *
Rate includes the additional services onboard the train* 2 pax $1,599
Reserved train compartment and upgraded train service (food and beverage) 3 pax $1,749
Berlin Private Vehicles with Premium Train service FD (7 hrs in Berlin) - Driver Only* 12.5-13 1 pax $1,749
Mini Van 1-6 Pax Signature Adventure * 2 pax $1,899
Rate includes the additional services onboard the train* 3 pax $2,049
Reserved train compartment and upgraded train service (food and beverage) 4 pax $2,199
5 pax $2,349
6 pax $2,499
Berlin Private Vehicles with Premium Train service FD (7 hrs in Berlin) - Driver Only* 12.5-13 1 pax $2,849
Mini Bus 1-16 pax Signature Adventure * 2 pax $2,999
Rate includes the additional services onboard the train* 3 pax $3,149
Reserved train compartment and upgraded train service (food and beverage) 4 pax $3,299
5 pax $3,449
6 pax $3,599
7 pax $3,749
8 pax $3,899
9 pax $4,049
10 pax $4,199
11 pax $4,349
12 pax $4,499
13 pax $4,649
14 pax $4,799
15 pax $4,949
16 pax $5,099
Warnemude ( Car all the way)
Private Car HD Driver/Guide* 4 1 - 3 pax $950
Private Car FD Driver/Guide** 8 1 - 3 pax $1,399
Private Van HD Driver/Guide 4 1 - 6 pax $1,099
Private Van FD Driver/Guide 8 1 - 6 pax $1,499
Private Mini Bus HD Driver & Guide 4 1 - 16 pax $1,699
Private Mini Bus FD Driver & Guide 8 1 - 16 pax $2,099
Wheelchair Van - Driver only - HD (not guaranteed English Speaking Driver) 4 Max 2 Guests w/ wheelchairs + 2 additional Guests $799
Wheelchair Van - Driver only - FD (not guaranteed English Speaking Driver) 8 Max 2 Guests w/ wheelchairs + 2 additional Guests $1,599
Wheelchair Van - Driver and Guide - HD 4 Max 2 Guests w/ wheelchairs + 2 additional Guests $1,050
Wheelchair Van - Driver and Guide - FD 8 Max 2 Guests w/ wheelchairs + 2 additional Guests $1,850

 

[jilljill]

Is it possible to hire a private car, through DCL like they offer for Berlin, to take you to the areas around Warnemude.

My son & family have a 5 yo and a 7 mos and are thinking it would be too far to go into Berlin. And with the young children they felt it's best to have a private car.

Are they looking at staying directly in Warnemunde or thinking of going to Rostock and other nearby towns? The train station is right there and is easy to take to Rostock. There's also a rental car agency nearby if they are adventureous enough to go that route.