The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[MJGirl]

Wow, thanks! What an interesting web site. DS will be interested, lol. We may do DCL's so maybe we could give him a taste...depending on if it's policed or not.

On our Med cruise, my daughter was 16. At one of the beverage stops on a Disney tour, she asked for apple cider. Unbeknowst to both of us, they served her hard cider. The look on her face was priceless!

 

[denise]

On our Med cruise, my daughter was 16. At one of the beverage stops on a Disney tour, she asked for apple cider. Unbeknowst to both of us, they served her hard cider. The look on her face was priceless!

Hey MJ, I remember you telling me about that!!! How's she doing?

 

[Doingitagain]

W ehave been to Oslo, and it's so easy ! Just a short walk from the ship are the ferries that take you over to the Kon Tiki, Fram, Viking, and Folk Museums.The ferry is included in the Oslo Card as well as all the museums.Upon returning to the ship you could have lunch, then walk into town and see City Hall and shop. Don't forget the woolen shop ( sorry can't remember the name ) where you can buy sweaters, throws, etc. I bought a beautiful sm. throw. Unfortunately, I shrunk it in the wash, so need to go back and buy another ! Besides my Russian egg necklace, the throw was my favorite souvenir !!

If we aren't sure what we plan to do, can we get the Oslo card when we get off the ship in Oslo or will that be a hassle?

 

[mom_rules]

on our crusie meet thread someone posted that they had contacted DCL about Catherine's Palace & the Hermitage & both places have agreed to be open on both days for DCL - it's probably only for DCL so if you are planning a private excursion this might not work for you (I haven't read back far enough to see what your situation is)

It's the DCL excursion I was hoping to take. Would you have a link to the cruise meet post?

 

[MJGirl]

Hey MJ, I remember you telling me about that!!! How's she doing?

She is good ... She is legal now in Canada (19), but doesn't really like beer. We are visiting the Carlsberg Brewery in Denmark. If they don't serve her, she won't mind.

MJ

 

[aurorafan65]

It's the DCL excursion I was hoping to take. Would you have a link to the cruise meet post?

here's the link to the post:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35758988&postcount=2376

 

[slg]

If those places are only going to be open for DCL passengers, we will have the whole place to ourselves! From what I've read, they are usually very very busy!

That is a bonus going on the DCL excursions!

 

[mom_rules]

here's the link to the post:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35758988&postcount=2376

Fabulous! Thanks

 

[TDC Nala]

Any info on where we're docking in Stockholm? Did I miss seeing it here? I booked Stockholm and Sigtuna but am thinking of doing the HOHO boat instead to go to see the Vasa and whatever else it goes to - I'd be touring by myself. Not sure I like any of the DCL tours with Vasa except the one that costs $500 (yikes). By calculations the HOHO boat ticket is about $14 and there'd be admissions to the museums I'd assume.

Takes extra time and transportation if the ship docks at Frihamnen, so if that's the case I will continue reviewing the ship's excursions. I booked the one I did because it is the longest excursion and includes lunch, but there's no way to see Vasa on it.

 

[marylizcat]

Here is a link to where every ship is docking http://194.52.202.66:81/scripts/cgi....html?hamn=Stohab&trafik=2&status=2&Show=Show If it is Frihamnen like ours, you need the no 76 bus to get to the Vasa Museum or Gamla Stan and back. You can apparently catch a boat from the Vasa to Gamla Stan. I have been doing my research!

 

[mom_rules]

Is this us:
DISNEY MAGIC
Type Arrival Last port of call
Kryssningsfartyg 10-07-03, kl 08.00 Helsinki
Shipping line Departing Next port of call
LINDHOLM CRUISE SERVICE AB 10-07-03, kl 17.00 För order
Berth
F638 FRIHAMNEN

 

[sshaw10060]

The discussion on Cruise Critic is that Stockholm is a very easy city to do on your own. There will be HoHo buses at the dock if you want to go that route. The #76 bus also takes you to Vasa and the downtown area. We purchased the Stockholm card to cover the bus, ferry, and museum admission. I wouldn't bother giving Disney my money for this port if all you want to do is see the sights right in town.

 

[TDC Nala]

ah, but is it an easy city to do by yourself? Especially having to ride bus plus boat? I am not seeing anyone talking about going off alone. That's what I'd be doing.

I have also read on Cruise Critic that the #76 bus either doesn't run on Saturdays or may have limited service on Saturdays and I'm there on a Saturday. That post was about a year old. So I'd guess purchasing the Ho Ho is the way to go, but for the bus, not the boat. The only thing I located was selling tickets for the boat which isn't accessible from our dock. For one person it is not such a ripoff on shore excursions with the ship, I just don't like the mix of destinations. There isn't one that gets me Vasa plus lunch in port plus a chance to stay in the city longer.

 

[auntsue1]

on our crusie meet thread someone posted that they had contacted DCL about Catherine's Palace & the Hermitage & both places have agreed to be open on both days for DCL - it's probably only for DCL so if you are planning a private excursion this might not work for you (I haven't read back far enough to see what your situation is)

This would be a DREAM come true is this was true! Wow that truly would be a once in a lifetime experience!

Does anyone know for sure?

 

[Cptjackandcrew]

I found this on the Hermitage website:


Opening Hours

The Main Museum Complex, Menshikov Palace, General Staff building and the Museum of the Imperial Porcelain Factory
Tuesdays - Saturdays
10.30 - 18.00
Sundays
10.30 - 17.00
Closed Mondays
Ticket windows shut one hour before the museum closes

Winter Palace of Peter the Great
Tuesdays - Saturdays
10.30 - 17.00
Sundays
10.30 - 16.00
Closed Mondays
Ticket windows shut one hour before the museum closes

The Staraya Derevnya Restoration and Storage Centre
Wednesdays - Sundays
11.00, 13.00, 13.30, 15.30
Visits are by guided tour only. Places may be reserved in advance. To order, phone 344-92-26
Museum ticket window -
tel. 344-92-71

 

[jarudinski]

I haven't seen this posted yet, and if I missed it sorry for the repost. We did the Med cruise in 2007 and the biggest issue had (as well as many others on the ship) was lost luggage. We flew in the night before and luckily 4 of us got our luggage the next day before sailing, however my husband did not get his luggage until 2 days before we were going to leave. We spent a fortune on a new wardrobe. This year to avoid the issue I am mixing the clothes in the suitcases. I am expecting to take 4 bags, 1 for each of us and I am going to make sure everyone has clothes in each suitcase. That way if luggage gets lost again, we each have some clothes. I may end up doing more laundry this way, but it is better than buying new clothes. Also I was going to print luggage tags with our cruise itinarary printed on the back, just to help the airlines track us down if needed. DCL was great in helping us get the luggage, they were in constant contact with the airlines and did everything they could to help get our clothes back to us ... but there was only so much the could do.

Anyway, just thought I would throw this out there for what it is worth =).

Can't wait for the next Cruise .. June 24th on the Magic =) Northern European Capitals

 

[DL1957]

I haven't seen this posted yet, and if I missed it sorry for the repost. We did the Med cruise in 2007 and the biggest issue had (as well as many others on the ship) was lost luggage. We flew in the night before and luckily 4 of us got our luggage the next day before sailing, however my husband did not get his luggage until 2 days before we were going to leave. We spent a fortune on a new wardrobe. This year to avoid the issue I am mixing the clothes in the suitcases. I am expecting to take 4 bags, 1 for each of us and I am going to make sure everyone has clothes in each suitcase. That way if luggage gets lost again, we each have some clothes. I may end up doing more laundry this way, but it is better than buying new clothes. Also I was going to print luggage tags with our cruise itinarary printed on the back, just to help the airlines track us down if needed. DCL was great in helping us get the luggage, they were in constant contact with the airlines and did everything they could to help get our clothes back to us ... but there was only so much the could do.

Anyway, just thought I would throw this out there for what it is worth =).

Can't wait for the next Cruise .. June 24th on the Magic =) Northern European Capitals

Thanks for the tip this has always been my worse nightmare. I have had late luggage in the States but never on oversees travel. Good tip about mixing the items between the bags,

 

[TDC Nala]

That's a cool idea but I don't have anyone to mix luggage with! I will just have to trust in United Airlines.

 

[gydell]

That's a cool idea but I don't have anyone to mix luggage with! I will just have to trust in United Airlines.

If you are taking 2 bags then hopefully 1 will make it a least.

 

[aurorafan65]

This would be a DREAM come true is this was true! Wow that truly would be a once in a lifetime experience!

Does anyone know for sure?

- I posted the link above, but here's the post from our cruise meet thread. Again it's ONLY for DCL excursions - if you have a private tour booked this does not apply!


Here is the answer I received from Disney.



Thank you for your interest in a Disney Cruise Line vacation!

I am happy to assist you.

Good News! Although Catherine's Palace is normally closed on Tuesdays,
Disney Cruise Line has made special arrangements to provide a port
adventure to include this location.

As a reminder, based on availability, the following Port Adventures
(featuring Catherine's Palace and Hermitage) will only be held on July
13, 2010:
-Catherine's Palace & Hermitage
-Hermitage & Peterhof
-City Highlights & Hermitage
-Catherine's Palace & Hermitage Museum

The following Port Adventures will be held on both July 12 and 13, 2010.
-Hermitage Museum
-Hermitage Museum & Gold Room
-Catherine's Palace in Pushkin

The following Port Adventure will only be held on July 12, 2010:
-Royal Ball at Catherine's Palace - Exclusive Disney Character
Experience

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further
assistance in planning your visit, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to sailing with you!

Have a Magical Day!