The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[ch10dad]

We could use another four people to help get the cost down in St. Petersburg so I am open to anyone else that wants to join us?

If we get 10-12 people it gets us under $300 per person for the day and a half.

I asked about the Gold Room at Hermitage which I am told is a must see and that would be an additional $25 per person for anyone that wants to see that.

Off to see Mickey for the weekend! Staying at BW!

I like BW - It's one of my favorites.

Have fun, we're going to stay at AK next week

Ray

 

[MJGirl]

OK, I know we've not sailed the Baltic Sea yet but has anyone given any thought to "next year"?

When we sail the Mediterranean Cruise in 2007 we thought that was our "vacation of a lifetime!" but no sooner than we got that one paid off we were playing Monopoly one night and I happened to mention that DCL just announced they were gonna sail in the Baltic Sea and my son got all excited when he said said "Hey, there is a Baltic Avenue and Mediterranean Ave on the board!" They are the 2 property monopoly....for slum lords. But I digress.... So we took this as an omen.

Anyway, we decided to "go for broke" one more time and take another "trip of a lifetime".

So for some reason last night I was looking at DCL prices for 2011 cruises. After paying airfare across the pond, hotel before/after, rental cars, excursions, not to mention 11 days on the ship.....the 7 day Carribean looked really cheap.....even the new suites!

I'm sure if I mention a 2011 cruise to my wife right now I'd get hit in the head with a frying pan...

Anyone thought about "next year" yet?

~Mike

I'm crazy enought to have booked 3 cruises in 11. I booked the B2B repo and Alaska, with the latter on DVC points. I've also booked the Inaugural Dream. I'm crazy, but there is only 2 of us, so that makes it alot cheaper.

Plus it will be kind of neat to see the Wonder on Canadian soil for the first time.

Now if only they would do an Atlantic cruise from Halifax to Canaveral (with an overnight in NYC for broadway shows), I'ld be estatic! Please DCL ... if you're reading this ... 2013 please!!!!

 

[DL1957]

OK, I know we've not sailed the Baltic Sea yet but has anyone given any thought to "next year"?

When we sail the Mediterranean Cruise in 2007 we thought that was our "vacation of a lifetime!" but no sooner than we got that one paid off we were playing Monopoly one night and I happened to mention that DCL just announced they were gonna sail in the Baltic Sea and my son got all excited when he said said "Hey, there is a Baltic Avenue and Mediterranean Ave on the board!" They are the 2 property monopoly....for slum lords. But I digress.... So we took this as an omen.

Anyway, we decided to "go for broke" one more time and take another "trip of a lifetime".

So for some reason last night I was looking at DCL prices for 2011 cruises. After paying airfare across the pond, hotel before/after, rental cars, excursions, not to mention 11 days on the ship.....the 7 day Carribean looked really cheap.....even the new suites!

I'm sure if I mention a 2011 cruise to my wife right now I'd get hit in the head with a frying pan...

Anyone thought about "next year" yet?

~Mike

We have also booked the B2B LA to Vancover then Alaska cruise. We are also toying with the idea of doing a 3 day on the Dream in early December which is when we usually take our trip to Disney World. Want to experience the Dream but have a feeling we will like the size of the Magic/Wonder better. Now we have to see what 2012 will bring to DCL .

 

[Rogillio]

I'm crazy enought to have booked 3 cruises in 11. I booked the B2B repo and Alaska, with the latter on DVC points. I've also booked the Inaugural Dream. I'm crazy, but there is only 2 of us, so that makes it alot cheaper.

Plus it will be kind of neat to see the Wonder on Canadian soil for the first time.

Now if only they would do an Atlantic cruise from Halifax to Canaveral (with an overnight in NYC for broadway shows), I'ld be estatic! Please DCL ... if you're reading this ... 2013 please!!!!

Well let's hope she doesn't run aground!

~Mike

 

[gydell]

Well let's hope she doesn't run aground!

~Mike

 

[TDC Nala]

We could use another four people to help get the cost down in St. Petersburg so I am open to anyone else that wants to join us?

If we get 10-12 people it gets us under $300 per person for the day and a half.

I asked about the Gold Room at Hermitage which I am told is a must see and that would be an additional $25 per person for anyone that wants to see that.

Off to see Mickey for the weekend! Staying at BW!

I'm not four people, just one. I can't speak for my roommate. But if you want to PM me info on which tour you are looking at I'll check it out, and forward it to her for her perusal. If the itinerary fills both days up I might bite (I don't want much down time on the ship). I'm already working with Viktoria about an evening tour.

 

[has]

Anyone using Disney Cruise Line transfers after the cruise from Dover to either Gatwick or Heathrow airport? If so, what are they charging?

Those who are flying home on June 24th after the cruise, who are you using for transportation back to Gatwick or Heathrow airport? How much are they charging?

Heidi

 

[carolmb]

OK, I know we've not sailed the Baltic Sea yet but has anyone given any thought to "next year"?

When we sail the Mediterranean Cruise in 2007 we thought that was our "vacation of a lifetime!" but no sooner than we got that one paid off we were playing Monopoly one night and I happened to mention that DCL just announced they were gonna sail in the Baltic Sea and my son got all excited when he said said "Hey, there is a Baltic Avenue and Mediterranean Ave on the board!" They are the 2 property monopoly....for slum lords. But I digress.... So we took this as an omen.

Anyway, we decided to "go for broke" one more time and take another "trip of a lifetime".

So for some reason last night I was looking at DCL prices for 2011 cruises. After paying airfare across the pond, hotel before/after, rental cars, excursions, not to mention 11 days on the ship.....the 7 day Carribean looked really cheap.....even the new suites!

I'm sure if I mention a 2011 cruise to my wife right now I'd get hit in the head with a frying pan...

Anyone thought about "next year" yet?

~Mike

We are booked next June on the Wonder in Alaska.
Carol

 

[MJGirl]

Well let's hope she doesn't run aground!

~Mike

Took me awhile, but I finally got it

Anyone using Disney Cruise Line transfers after the cruise from Dover to either Gatwick or Heathrow airport? If so, what are they charging?

Those who are flying home on June 24th after the cruise, who are you using for transportation back to Gatwick or Heathrow airport? How much are they charging?

Heidi

Hi Heidi ... Kirstyn and I paid 170 for the two of us for the transfers to Heathrow. Our flight leaves at 3:00 pm, so will probably have lots of time to spare at the airport.

 

[CarolAnnC]

OK, I know we've not sailed the Baltic Sea yet but has anyone given any thought to "next year"?

When we sail the Mediterranean Cruise in 2007 we thought that was our "vacation of a lifetime!" but no sooner than we got that one paid off we were playing Monopoly one night and I happened to mention that DCL just announced they were gonna sail in the Baltic Sea and my son got all excited when he said said "Hey, there is a Baltic Avenue and Mediterranean Ave on the board!" They are the 2 property monopoly....for slum lords. But I digress.... So we took this as an omen.

Anyway, we decided to "go for broke" one more time and take another "trip of a lifetime".

So for some reason last night I was looking at DCL prices for 2011 cruises. After paying airfare across the pond, hotel before/after, rental cars, excursions, not to mention 11 days on the ship.....the 7 day Carribean looked really cheap.....even the new suites!

I'm sure if I mention a 2011 cruise to my wife right now I'd get hit in the head with a frying pan...

Anyone thought about "next year" yet?

~Mike

We are also booked for DCL's Alaskan itinerary next year. Who knows after that..maybe Hawaii? lolol

 

[cindy18]

We're also headed to Alaska in August of 2011, and we're currently on a President's Day weekend 4-night on the Dream in February. Even toyed with spring break in the Mexican Riviera, although that may be pushing it!!

 

[MrsG]

Hello,

We're on the July 18 Baltic with a stop in Tallin. We're planning our excursions and was wondering if anyone knows where the ship will dock at each port. If our excursions are done early, we'd like to walk around and do some sightseeing on our own until it's time to depart. Not sure if that's doable at any of the ports. Anyone know?

Thanks

 

[Rogillio]

Seems like everyone who is on a Baltic cruise is a repeat DCL cruiser. Are there any first time DCL cruiser doing the Baltic? Also, who among has also sailed on the DCL Med cruise? We sailed on the maiden DCL med cruise (and we're on the maiden Baltic too).

~Mike

 

[MJGirl]

Seems like everyone who is on a Baltic cruise is a repeat DCL cruiser. Are there any first time DCL cruiser doing the Baltic? Also, who among has also sailed on the DCL Med cruise? We sailed on the maiden DCL med cruise (and we're on the maiden Baltic too).

~Mike

We were on the lucky 7/7/7 Med cruise. That was our first, and the Baltic is our third! Also did the 2008 Eastbound Panama cruise. It is going to be so wierd doing a 4 day cruise in January!

 

[wickesy]

Seems like everyone who is on a Baltic cruise is a repeat DCL cruiser. Are there any first time DCL cruiser doing the Baltic?
~Mike

Dad and I are first-timers. Looking forward to finding out about life onboard the Magic for ourselves on June 12th.

 

[TDC Nala]

Hello,

We're on the July 18 Baltic with a stop in Tallin. We're planning our excursions and was wondering if anyone knows where the ship will dock at each port. If our excursions are done early, we'd like to walk around and do some sightseeing on our own until it's time to depart. Not sure if that's doable at any of the ports. Anyone know?

Thanks

I'm on the June 24, but planning to do exactly what you suggest in Oslo and Copenhagen. The ships dock within easy walking distance or a short ride on public transportation of some sights, apparently. Not doing that in Tallinn because I was intrigued by the Medieval Spirits tour, but have read it is easily done on one's own. In Stockholm we are docked where we need to take public transportation of some type to get into the city and back to the ship. My current plan is to take a public bus and do all touring on my own. In St. Petersburg, touring on your own will be difficult unless you speak Russian and impossible if you don't have a Russian visa. If you take a tour, either from the ship or with a private company registered with the Russian government, you do not need to separately apply for a Russian visa. The major sights appear to be 30 minutes to an hour's driving time from the ship, so it's not walkable. In Germany, if you want to stay around the port in Warnemunde I think you can do that, but I don't know what you can walk to from the ship. There's a number of folks who will not be taking the all-day tours to Berlin and may be planning to stay in Warnemunde and tour on their own.

Somewhere on this thread there is a list posted of the actual places the Magic will dock in Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm.

 

[scrapycruiser]

Seems like everyone who is on a Baltic cruise is a repeat DCL cruiser. Are there any first time DCL cruiser doing the Baltic? Also, who among has also sailed on the DCL Med cruise? We sailed on the maiden DCL med cruise (and we're on the maiden Baltic too).

~Mike

This will be our 8th Disney cruise. We were on the '07 Med cruise.

 

[MrsG]

I'm on the June 24, but planning to do exactly what you suggest in Oslo and Copenhagen. The ships dock within easy walking distance or a short ride on public transportation of some sights, apparently. Not doing that in Tallinn because I was intrigued by the Medieval Spirits tour, but have read it is easily done on one's own. In Stockholm we are docked where we need to take public transportation of some type to get into the city and back to the ship. My current plan is to take a public bus and do all touring on my own. In St. Petersburg, touring on your own will be difficult unless you speak Russian and impossible if you don't have a Russian visa. If you take a tour, either from the ship or with a private company registered with the Russian government, you do not need to separately apply for a Russian visa. The major sights appear to be 30 minutes to an hour's driving time from the ship, so it's not walkable. In Germany, if you want to stay around the port in Warnemunde I think you can do that, but I don't know what you can walk to from the ship. There's a number of folks who will not be taking the all-day tours to Berlin and may be planning to stay in Warnemunde and tour on their own.

Somewhere on this thread there is a list posted of the actual places the Magic will dock in Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm.

Thanks so much. Oslo and Copenhagen seem like a short walk from the pier to some of the sites. I think the ship docks about 1 mile from Old Town in Tallin but about 2.5 miles from the city center in Stockholm.

Does anyone know how easy it is to catch a bus in Tallin or Stockholm?

This is our 5th Disney cruise, with our 6th booked for Alaska in 2011. We also did the Med on Disney. We had such a wonderful experience, we're back to do the Baltic!!!

 

[Ivory]

Can someone tell me about the weather? From my searches it looks like high 60's low 70's, does that seem right. Some earlier posts say not even to bother bringing shorts and that no one swims in the pools.

I am so confused as what to pack, any input would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking of bringing 1 bathing suit each, and couple pair of shorts, but if there is no way I would use them then whats the point, if I need warmer clothes that takes up alot more suitcase space. Please help! BTW I am on the July 18 Baltic.

 

[MrsG]

Can someone tell me about the weather? From my searches it looks like high 60's low 70's, does that seem right. Some earlier posts say not even to bother bringing shorts and that no one swims in the pools.

I am so confused as what to pack, any input would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking of bringing 1 bathing suit each, and couple pair of shorts, but if there is no way I would use them then whats the point, if I need warmer clothes that takes up alot more suitcase space. Please help! BTW I am on the July 18 Baltic.

Hi Ivory,

We're on the July 18th Baltic too. Have you checked out our thread for that date? Hope to see you there.

I am thinking the same thing. I have 2 pairs of pants that zip off to shorts. I think I might take them. Unless there is a big heat wave, I think it will be mostly long pants, short sleeves and a light jacket (maybe even a rain jacket).