The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[Sailingpartyof10]

Hi .. I was just talking to someone here at work and they asked me a question that I never thought of. Maybe some of you know the answer?

What is the Bug situation like in June/July? Should bug spray be packed?

I have been to most of the ports during the summer and don't recall needing bug spray or being bothered by bugs at all.

ETA to add that if you are going to be in the woods a lot you might need it, but otherwise I would not think so.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hi .. I was just talking to someone here at work and they asked me a question that I never thought of. Maybe some of you know the answer?

What is the Bug situation like in June/July? Should bug spray be packed?

I know in Northern Ontario, June/July is the dreaded Black Fly season!!

Ugh ... I'm already scratching!

I have been to most of the ports during the summer and don't recall needing bug spray or being bothered by bugs at all.

ETA to add that if you are going to be in the woods a lot you might need it, but otherwise I would not think so.

I understand in the summer months for St Petersburg it is best to have insect repellent due to the large number of waterways and particularly if going out at night.

 

[Sailingpartyof10]

I understand in the summer months for St Petersburg it is best to have insect repellent due to the large number of waterways and particularly if going out at night.

St. Petersburg is the one besides Warnemunde that I haven't been to, so that could definitely be true!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

St. Petersburg is the one besides Warnemunde that I haven't been to, so that could definitely be true!

Just read some reviews.

Mosquitoes are the second most intelligent life form in Saint Petersburg, you cannot evade them! Do not assume that walls will afford you any protection. Insect repellent is vital in the summertime, even while you sleep.


Bring along insect repellent if you are going to hanging out near the sea, or sleeping with the windows open.

Insect Repellent: Don't forget, St. Petersburg used to be a swamp...

In summer, definitely bring mosquito repellent! When in Russia, you might want to buy a small plug-in device (called a "fumigator") and the accompanying tablets (tabletki) that also help to keep these pests at bay.


Insect repellent is a must. The mosquitoes in Neva, which has been originally bult on swam, are bad and wicked creatures.

Take zipped bags for use in the city.

Comfortable walking shoes in spring/early summer

Mosquito repellent - in May and June the mozzies eat you alive! Pharmacists are very helpful when it comes to items such as eye drops for conjunctivitis. Many Russians prefer to visit the pharmacist rather than a doctor so pharmacists have a wealth of knowledge.

 

[Deb T.]

Just read some reviews.

Mosquitoes are the second most intelligent life form in Saint Petersburg, you cannot evade them! Do not assume that walls will afford you any protection. Insect repellent is vital in the summertime, even while you sleep.


Bring along insect repellent if you are going to hanging out near the sea, or sleeping with the windows open.

Insect Repellent: Don't forget, St. Petersburg used to be a swamp...

In summer, definitely bring mosquito repellent! When in Russia, you might want to buy a small plug-in device (called a "fumigator") and the accompanying tablets (tabletki) that also help to keep these pests at bay.


Insect repellent is a must. The mosquitoes in Neva, which has been originally bult on swam, are bad and wicked creatures.

Take zipped bags for use in the city.

Comfortable walking shoes in spring/early summer

Mosquito repellent - in May and June the mozzies eat you alive! Pharmacists are very helpful when it comes to items such as eye drops for conjunctivitis. Many Russians prefer to visit the pharmacist rather than a doctor so pharmacists have a wealth of knowledge.

Figures that this would be the one port where the ship docks overnight. Maybe DCL got a great deal on port fees there... and now we know why.

 

[mca]

Hi .. I was just talking to someone here at work and they asked me a question that I never thought of. Maybe some of you know the answer?

What is the Bug situation like in June/July? Should bug spray be packed?

I know in Northern Ontario, June/July is the dreaded Black Fly season!!

Ugh ... I'm already scratching!

Hi we are from Sudbury, nice to see others here from home!

 

[slg]

Is Tivoli gardens a must see?

I am so torn...I hate to waste an entire day in a country I haven't been to before at an amusement park, so initially we chose the City Hilights and Open Air History, but lately I've been thinking that a day of fun with the kids might be great too. (kids are 14,11,8)

I flip flop back and forth between the two, but can't make up my mind. Any advice?

 

[RJAYL]

Just wondering if anyone is doing Tavoli Gardens in Copenhagen on your own. As it seems close to the ship, and the tickets are not that expensive. I don't see the advantage of paying the Disney $199 other that you get into the gardens earlier than when it opens. Any thoughts? Also if doing this is it possible to get the Tavoli tickets via mail or have to buy at the gate? thanks for any info or thoughts.

Is Tivoli gardens a must see?

I am so torn...I hate to waste an entire day in a country I haven't been to before at an amusement park, so initially we chose the City Hilights and Open Air History, but lately I've been thinking that a day of fun with the kids might be great too. (kids are 14,11,8)

I flip flop back and forth between the two, but can't make up my mind. Any advice?

I am doing the combination Tivoli Gardens & Harbour Tour 8:30AM Start time so early entry for Tivoli with a tour to finish up at 1:15!

If I want I can then dump the kids on the ship & go out again on our own or not!

It might be expensive but it will be convenient & give us an overview!

 

[Deb T.]

Is Tivoli gardens a must see?

I am so torn...I hate to waste an entire day in a country I haven't been to before at an amusement park, so initially we chose the City Hilights and Open Air History, but lately I've been thinking that a day of fun with the kids might be great too. (kids are 14,11,8)

I flip flop back and forth between the two, but can't make up my mind. Any advice?

Are your kids totally into touring nothing but historical sites for 8+ days? At those ages, mine certainly weren't. Come to think of it, I don't think I am, either. I'd vote Tivoli Gardens, at least for half the day. (Boys, you can pay me later. )

 

[MrsScooby]

Copenhagen also has a segway tour. That was my way to satisfy the kids while getting to see the sites. Their minimum age is 12 though.

 

[Arizona Rita]

We are doing the full day Tivoli tour because
1) Kids deserve it because they will be doing alot of "historical' things and
2) Walt based the original ideas for DL on Tivoli, and I need to see it!

 

[OurDogCisco]

Just wondering if anyone is doing Tavoli Gardens in Copenhagen on your own. As it seems close to the ship, and the tickets are not that expensive. I don't see the advantage of paying the Disney $199 other that you get into the gardens earlier than when it opens. Any thoughts? Also if doing this is it possible to get the Tavoli tickets via mail or have to buy at the gate? thanks for any info or thoughts.

I haven't decided yet. I did reserve the Disney excursion but I can't decide which would be better. Tivoli Gardens does not open to the public until 11 am. With Disney you'll depart at 9 am. That's a huge difference to me since we are only in port until 5 pm. I can't seem to figure out how much time we'll need there. It is kinda of hard to figure out.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Copenhagen also has a segway tour. That was my way to satisfy the kids while getting to see the sites. Their minimum age is 12 though.

The canoe trip and horseback riding in Copenhagen also looked kid friendly as well. But there are age limits as well on those activities.

 

[scrapycruiser]

We'll do Tivoli on our own. Doesn't matter if it doesn't open until 11 am. We'll do the canal boats 1st, maybe the Rosenborg Castle. Then Tivoli. We'll have our 15 yo Grandson with us and I know he'll want to ride the coasters and a couple other rides. I can't imagine staying more than 2-3 hours. Afterwards we'll eat a late lunch at the Hard Rock just next door. You can go online a couple weeks prior to your cruise and make a reservation !

 

[slg]

Does anyone have a guess as to what kind of lunch might be given in the all-inclusive Tivoli tour? I'd like a real restauraunt meal, and I would hope for the cost that that might be what DCL is offering, however, I'm worried it might just be a coupon for a burger and fries.

$199 seems very high...even with an hour early entrance. I assume that extra hour is the guided tour and that the rides won't even be running.

Any guesses, or any inside info on the details?

Also, there is an aquarium in the Gardens that we would like to go to, I wonder if that would be included in the "All-inclusive", or if we have to pay extra for that too!

 

[OurDogCisco]

Does anyone have a guess as to what kind of lunch might be given in the all-inclusive Tivoli tour? I'd like a real restauraunt meal, and I would hope for the cost that that might be what DCL is offering, however, I'm worried it might just be a coupon for a burger and fries.

$199 seems very high...even with an hour early entrance. I assume that extra hour is the guided tour and that the rides won't even be running.

Any guesses, or any inside info on the details?

Also, there is an aquarium in the Gardens that we would like to go to, I wonder if that would be included in the "All-inclusive", or if we have to pay extra for that too!

Per Disney website it says that you'll get lunch at a restaurant onsite. I'm assuming that it will be sitdown. Since, we don't cruise until 7/6/10 cruise I was going to see what people on the 1st cruise report back about the excursion and make my decision then.

Here's the blurb from the DCL website:

Enjoy lunch (included in the price of your tour) at leisure in the designated restaurants informed by your tour guide.

I don't see anything about the aquarium.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Also the Disney excursion starts at 8:45 am with a 15 minute ride to Tivoli and then, 1 hour tour and then, 1 hour early entry. I believe that is how I read it. I still haven't decided. I'll probably wait until the 1st passengers report back. But at this price I doubt very many will be doing the tour. Also, the Gardens have lovely Dutch restaurants. I really want to eat Dutch food as we'll be eating tons of American food on the ship so, I was interested in eating at one of the restaurants in the park. My understanding that some of the restaurants are wonderful.

 

[slg]

I want to eat Danish food as well (I assume you mean Danish, as Dutch is from the Netherlands) , and I have read that Tivoli Gardens has some nice restaurants. Hopefully the restaurant will include some good meals!

I am also on the July 6 cruise, so waiting is a good idea. I will book the excursion and then wait for the feedback and cancel and do on our own if the feedback is not favorable.

The description says UP to 5 hours free time, so I assume that is after the tours. Perhaps we get a 2 hour tour that includes a couple of the classic rides and then 5 hours on our own. Otherwise the math just doesn't add up to 8 hours,even adding one hour for the trip there and back.

This particular choice has had me changing my mind for weeks!

 

[Twinparents]

We just took our youngest daughter to her yearly check up at the doctor and mentioned to the doctor that we were going to the Baltic. He looked it up and said if we were going to Russia that we all needed Typhoid shots and proceeded to give my 8, 13 and 13 year old kids the shots. I didn't believe my husband so I just went on line to www.cdc.gov/travel and here is what I found for Russia:

Vaccine recommendations are based on the best available risk information. Please note that the level of risk for vaccine-preventable diseases can change at any time.

Vaccination or Disease Recommendations or Requirements for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Routine Recommended if you are not up-to-date with routine shots such as, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, poliovirus vaccine, etc.

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG) Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in countries with an intermediate or high level of hepatitis A virus infection (see map) where exposure might occur through food or water. Cases of travel-related hepatitis A can also occur in travelers to developing countries with "standard" tourist itineraries, accommodations, and food consumption behaviors.

Hepatitis B Recommended for all unvaccinated persons traveling to or working in countries with intermediate to high levels of endemic HBV transmission (see map), especially those who might be exposed to blood or body fluids, have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment (e.g., for an accident).

Typhoid Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, especially if visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas and staying with friends or relatives where exposure might occur through food or water.

Rabies Recommended for travelers spending a lot of time outdoors, especially in rural areas, involved in activities such as bicycling, camping, or hiking. Also recommended for travelers with significant occupational risks (such as veterinarians), for long-term travelers and expatriates living in areas with a significant risk of exposure, and for travelers involved in any activities that might bring them into direct contact with bats, carnivores, and other mammals. Children are considered at higher risk because they tend to play with animals, may receive more severe bites, or may not report bites.


So the question is are you going to get a Typhoid shot? The doctor said we were up to date on all of the other shots. Let me know what you think.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I want to eat Danish food as well (I assume you mean Danish, as Dutch is from the Netherlands) , and I have read that Tivoli Gardens has some nice restaurants. Hopefully the restaurant will include some good meals!

I am also on the July 6 cruise, so waiting is a good idea. I will book the excursion and then wait for the feedback and cancel and do on our own if the feedback is not favorable.

The description says UP to 5 hours free time, so I assume that is after the tours. Perhaps we get a 2 hour tour that includes a couple of the classic rides and then 5 hours on our own. Otherwise the math just doesn't add up to 8 hours,even adding one hour for the trip there and back.

This particular choice has had me changing my mind for weeks!

Yep... I'm such a dope. I meant Danish.

And, you are right again about up to 5 hours of free time. The math isn't right on that one. My reservations says that you leave at 8:45 and return as late as 4:00 pm. So, it is really 7 hours and 15 minutes. Maybe I'll e-mail Disney to get further clarification on this particular tour.

This tour has me changing my mind alot especially since the price for one adult would cost less than the price for four us to enter the park. I just feel like there has got to be a catch to this one.