The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[4boons]

We use our LL Bean duffel bags for everything. They roll up/fold up for easy storage, fit a ton of stuff and are really durable. Each member of our family has one in size large (I think the x-large are too big for regular baggage on the planes), with a monogram and a strong color, so they are easy to identify at baggage claim. And they are well-priced!

We do the same thing.
Each of us has a monogrammed LL Bean extra large rolling duffel (red, blue, yellow). Along with the rolling duffel each of us has a Bean large "aloha" duffel that we can roll up and pack in our rolling duffel to use on the return.

Bill

 

[MJGirl]

Just got a call from DCL ... Due to tidal conditions, the June 12th cruise will be leaving Stockholm at 1:00 pm, so the Best of Drottningholm excursion has been cancelled. Bummer ... Now I have to book something else

 

[sbell111]

Just got a call from DCL ... Due to tidal conditions, the June 12th cruise will be leaving Stockholm at 1:00 pm, so the Best of Drottningholm excursion has been cancelled. Bummer ... Now I have to book something else

Do you know what time we are scheduled to arrive in Stockholm (off-boat time)?

 

[cindy18]

That sounds like a pretty short visit to Stockholm...

 

[gydell]

We get into Stockholm at 7:30am.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Just got a call from DCL ... Due to tidal conditions, the June 12th cruise will be leaving Stockholm at 1:00 pm, so the Best of Drottningholm excursion has been cancelled. Bummer ... Now I have to book something else

What a bummer... I bet you guys aren't happy. What I'm curious about is when do shops/museums open? I know things in Europe are not like here. For example, when we went to Italy every shop closed down for lunch in the afternoon for serveral hours which really put a dent in touring sometimes. Does anyone know how the Baltic cities operate? I also noticed that in Denmark at the Tivoli Gardens doesn't open to the public until 11 am so, I'm struggling in taking the way OVERPRICED tour with Disney to get in earlier or to wait until 11 am. I think by time you get to the park at 11 am and eat lunch you won't have much touring time left.

 

[RJAYL]

What a bummer... I bet you guys aren't happy. What I'm curious about is when do shops/museums open? I know things in Europe are not like here. For example, when we went to Italy every shop closed down for lunch in the afternoon for serveral hours which really put a dent in touring sometimes. Does anyone know how the Baltic cities operate? I also noticed that in Denmark at the Tivoli Gardens doesn't open to the public until 11 am so, I'm struggling in taking the way OVERPRICED tour with Disney to get in earlier or to wait until 11 am. I think by time you get to the park at 11 am and eat lunch you won't have much touring time left.

Hey it's only money!

 

[jilljill]

What a bummer... I bet you guys aren't happy. What I'm curious about is when do shops/museums open? I know things in Europe are not like here. For example, when we went to Italy every shop closed down for lunch in the afternoon for serveral hours which really put a dent in touring sometimes. Does anyone know how the Baltic cities operate? I also noticed that in Denmark at the Tivoli Gardens doesn't open to the public until 11 am so, I'm struggling in taking the way OVERPRICED tour with Disney to get in earlier or to wait until 11 am. I think by time you get to the park at 11 am and eat lunch you won't have much touring time left.

Just eat before you go into Tivoli. There are many cafes/bakeries along the way and a couple of places in the main square across from Tivoli. No need to waste time eating once inside.

 

[jilljill]

Hey it's only money!

If that's your feeling then please pay for our group to go.

 

[Rogillio]

Just got a call from DCL ... Due to tidal conditions, the June 12th cruise will be leaving Stockholm at 1:00 pm, so the Best of Drottningholm excursion has been cancelled. Bummer ... Now I have to book something else

Holey moley! When the heck were they gonna tell us this?! That cuts on dock time from 9 hrs to 5:30 hrs....that's a 40% cut. Ouch! I just bought the HOHO bus tickets for $146. Not sure I'd of done that with only 5 1/2 hrs on shore. We will spend a few of those hrs at the Vasa museum....doesn't leave much time for much else.

~Mike

 

[OurDogCisco]

Just eat before you go into Tivoli. There are many cafes/bakeries along the way and a couple of places in the main square across from Tivoli. No need to waste time eating once inside.

I wish... I have kids and they eat on clock time. 7 am for breakfast, noon for lunch & 6 pm for dinner. If it was just dh and I we would wing it but I have to consider my kids' needs. The downside of traveling with kids.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Holey moley! When the heck were they gonna tell us this?! That cuts on dock time from 9 hrs to 5:30 hrs....that's a 40% cut. Ouch! I just bought the HOHO bus tickets for $146. Not sure I'd of done that with only 5 1/2 hrs on shore. We will spend a few of those hrs at the Vasa museum....doesn't leave much time for much else.

~Mike

Definitely, gives you something to think about. I think, I'm going to hold back in purchasing any HOHO tickets until we actually arrive at the dock. My cruise has not been effected by these tidal changes but I guess you never know.

 

[jilljill]

I wish... I have kids and they eat on clock time. 7 am for breakfast, noon for lunch & 6 pm for dinner. If it was just dh and I we would wing it but I have to consider my kids' needs. The downside of traveling with kids.

Ouch, that does cut into your time then. Can't help you any more since we didn't go to Tivoli last time we were there. Looking forward to it this time.

 

[aurorafan65]

Wow, that seems like a really high conversion rate for a charge - usually the credit card companies charge 3-5%. I'd call them to see why the charge is so high.
Yes, for every charge in a foreign country you make you credit card company may charge a currency conversion fee. I use a credit union credit card when traveling overseas since they do not charge the fee. I've heard that some Capital One credit cards do not charge a conversion fee either.

I am going to call them & find out what the deal is - I'm also going to check with our credit union & see if they have a fee - we only have 2 cc's my disney visa & dh has an AMEX which I'm not sure would be accepted everywhere - so I'll check with the credit union but I'm a little paranoid to use that one since its a cc/debit. I may have to look into getting another card just to use in Europe!

 

[abacab]

We're booked on the July 18 cruise, which ends on July 30. I'm trying to figure out what time we disembark in Dover at the end of the cruise.

The itinerary on DCL's website says 8am, but my printed confirmation says 9:30am. I've called DCL a couple of times but they have given me conflicting information. Does anyone know the answer?

Thanks much!

 

[jilljill]

We're booked on the July 18 cruise, which ends on July 30. I'm trying to figure out what time we disembark in Dover at the end of the cruise.

The itinerary on DCL's website says 8am, but my printed confirmation says 9:30am. I've called DCL a couple of times but they have given me conflicting information. Does anyone know the answer?

Thanks much!

I would say it's going to be closer to the 8:00 time, but that can vary depending when the ship is released for disembarkation.
We are on the same cruise.

 

[RJAYL]

I would say it's going to be closer to the 8:00 time, but that can vary depending when the ship is released for disembarkation.
We are on the same cruise.

Hopefully I will still be sleeping at 8AM!

 

[sbell111]

Hopefully I will still be sleeping at 8AM!

I hope to be climbing into the car that will take us to Ashford.

 

[RJAYL]

I hope to be climbing into the car that will take us to Ashford.

Not I, as we are B2B to Barcelona!

 

[cindy18]

Not I, as we are B2B to Barcelona!

Now THAT makes me envious! Way to go!!!!