The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[Arizona Rita]

I liked and found of interest the updates, also.
Thank you Andrew for taking the time for doing so, and to all the others also.
I also do appreciate the moderators for doing what they must do.

 

[goingsouth]

in the Andrew Derek fan club...appreciate your effort and knowledge..

 

[MrsScooby]

Isn't there a whole other thread for these updates?
Why do we need 2 threads?

 

[Caropooh]

My feelings are now that airports are looking like they are starting to open back up again we don't need to bog down this thread with volcano information. Personally I just went right past any of the posts about conditions and what not. I was able to get any information I needed from other sources. The first Baltic cruise doesn't leave for almost 2 months. If in a month or so there are still problems, then maybe is the time to post some information.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

I haven't even thought about eating in ports as of yet, but with our seafood/shellfish allegries makes me a little leary

 

[MrsScooby]

I haven't even thought about eating in ports as of yet, but with our seafood/shellfish allegries makes me a little leary

Ouch I don't blame you. Even if you opted for safe food you would be at risk with the abundance of seafood at these ports, no?

Had a friend who was allergic to nuts and she had some real horror stories about the close calls she and her family had.

I'm just throwing out the food topic to get back into planning mode

I'll probably rely on the tour guides we hire if I don't hear different from anyone here.

Probably get the best ideas after the Baltic sailings start.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Ouch I don't blame you. Even if you opted for safe food you would be at risk with the abundance of seafood at these ports, no?

It does, we usually do pretty good by asking but a little leary this time since there might be a language barriers to deal with. but have no problems onboard

Might figure out seafood/shellfish spellings in different languages and make up little cards to carry in port, haven't gotten that far as of yet

 

[jilljill]

Not for this trip unfortunately. That looks like a fun place to try though so I'll just have to catch it on my next Baltic cruise

A bunch of us are in London prior to the cruise and having dinner at Porters Pub (thanks to a couple of recommendations from this Board).

I was just putting together our expected sites for each of these ports (we're gonna DIY) and was wondering if anyone else had come across anything that looked good for lunch

Tallinn has some interesting restaurants (from Rick Steves book)...my family is kind of split down the middle with DH and DS16 trying almost anything and my DD13 and I being a bit more timid.

Plus I don't want to take the time to go back to the ship for lunch and do want to try some of the local food.

In Tallinn's old square there are many cafes/pubs to choose from and they all have their menus posted. Most of them have inside/outside dining. I'm sure you all can find something to eat at 1 place. If all else fails McDonald's is at the bottom of the hill on the edge of old town, but in 2008 they only took local currency.

 

[Cptjackandcrew]

My DD and I had many allergies, mostly environmental, but MANY. We went through a simple procedure called NAET, and neither of us require shots or nasal sprays. I was so allergic to MSG in Chinese food that it nearly killed me. I can now safely enjoy Chinese and Thai. We were also treated for mint, B-complex, weeds, mold, etc...

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We are leaving (we hope) in 54 days for our Baltic Cruise. I like to read the updates from Andrew or anyone else from the UK. I think @ this point in time volcano updates are a pertinent subject to the thread of Cruise tips and planning.

Thanks Andrew! I know I'm always looking for yours and others updates about the volcano.

I liked and found of interest the updates, also.
Thank you Andrew for taking the time for doing so, and to all the others also.
I also do appreciate the moderators for doing what they must do.

in the Andrew Derek fan club...appreciate your effort and knowledge..

Thank you guys.
I gave a very reserved response yesterday.

There two threads on the subject of the volcano, one concerning the EBTA, and this one has had posts concerning the effects for travellers, who have plans for the Baltic cruises.
Many people, who have booked Baltic cruises, have expressed big concern about the current situation the effects on flights, being re routed, the effects on getting to the port.
I have been asked for a lot of information, Email PM, etc and have tried my best to fulfil those requests, we in the world have never ever seen a lock down on flights like this before.
People have already amended flights or booked travel insurance, when they had been advised before it wasn’t necessary. Now if purchased at this time it might not cover Volcano’s as it’s a known event.
The other thread has not had the same warning that it should be transferred to the community forum, but I assume on this president, that discussions concerning hurricanes etc will also be moved to the community forum.
My sister is stuck in Gibraltar, she was in Spain and that is a concerning position, she hasn’t had any money since last week. She has two sons one with health problems and they ran out of medication last week, they have tried local hospitals but they will not prescribe without UK saying it’s ok, it takes time.
Recently on other threads, when the Magic was stranded, ‘security’ at Castaway cay, was considered to be ‘off topic’, however CM friends said actually it was spot on. (I was asked not to post more detail).
I would say there needs to be consistency, for example on 2012 threads, and there have been many, with different views, they go un moderated unless I post, then there will be a post saying its pure speculation.
People I have never met, or known have PM’d or emailed me on this when they have noticed it.

I have attempted to resolve this by PM, but that was totally unsuccessful.

Anyway with this heavy ‘moderation’, I really cannot post. I regularly try to do so, but its impossible under these circumstances which are clear to many.

 

[Rogillio]

Thank you guys.
I gave a very reserved response yesterday.

There two threads on the subject of the volcano, one concerning the EBTA, and this one has had posts concerning the effects for travellers, who have plans for the Baltic cruises.
Many people, who have booked Baltic cruises, have expressed big concern about the current situation the effects on flights, being re routed, the effects on getting to the port.
I have been asked for a lot of information, Email PM, etc and have tried my best to fulfil those requests, we in the world have never ever seen a lock down on flights like this before.
People have already amended flights or booked travel insurance, when they had been advised before it wasn’t necessary. Now if purchased at this time it might not cover Volcano’s as it’s a known event.
The other thread has not had the same warning that it should be transferred to the community forum, but I assume on this president, that discussions concerning hurricanes etc will also be moved to the community forum.
My sister is stuck in Gibraltar, she was in Spain and that is a concerning position, she hasn’t had any money since last week. She has two sons one with health problems and they ran out of medication last week, they have tried local hospitals but they will not prescribe without UK saying it’s ok, it takes time.
Recently on other threads, when the Magic was stranded, ‘security’ at Castaway cay, was considered to be ‘off topic’, however CM friends said actually it was spot on. (I was asked not to post more detail).
I would say there needs to be consistency, for example on 2012 threads, and there have been many, with different views, they go un moderated unless I post, then there will be a post saying its pure speculation.
People I have never met, or known have PM’d or emailed me on this when they have noticed it.

I have attempted to resolve this by PM, but that was totally unsuccessful.

Anyway with this heavy ‘moderation’, I really cannot post. I regularly try to do so, but its impossible under these circumstances which are clear to many.

I saw the request by the moderator to post volcano stuff on the main board....but I can't find it there. There was a B?TA thread with some info but I don't see it now....that is for the trans-Atlantic cruise right?

This thread has kind of been the mother of all Baltic cruise meets threads I think maybe the volcano effects the Baltic sailings more so than the other cruises....maybe I'm wrong but you could fly to North Africa and take a ferry to Bacelona......but for the Baltic cruises, you really need to get to northern Europe.

Well regardless of what thread it gets posted under, I appreciate any and all information effecting trans-Atlantic flights.

~Mike

 

[jjsmith]

Same here. I consider this planning for our July cruise. If the cloud goes up around then, I want to know what to do. (I'm watching the 4/24 Med thread but the logistics there are different.) Where to try to fly and how to get to Dover.

I've never met or talked to him, but I've read with great interest Andrew's posts on what is going on in the UK. I'd gladly move elsewhere on the site, but there isn't a better place to be right now.

 

[Rogillio]

Any word on what Dinsey new release films we might get an early showing for? I looked at imdb.com and see that Toy Story 3 is coming out in June and The Sorcerer's Apprentice coming out in July.

OK, that was an attemt to think about something besides volcanic ash! LOL

~Mike

 

[jjsmith]

Any word on what Dinsey new release films we might get an early showing for? I looked at imdb.com and see that Toy Story 3 is coming out in June and The Sorcerer's Apprentice coming out in July.

OK, that was an attemt to think about something besides volcanic ash! LOL

~Mike

Good thought. It's a downer reading the 4/24 Med thread. I feel awful for those people.

Our kids would love to see both of those films on the boat. We were on the Wonder a couple days after Bedtime Stories was released. The kids (read: me) thought it was cool to watch a brand new movie, on a boat, and for "free."

The Sorcerer's Apprentice is set for a 7/16 release date.

 

[MickeyWatch]

Any word on what Dinsey new release films we might get an early showing for? I looked at imdb.com and see that Toy Story 3 is coming out in June and The Sorcerer's Apprentice coming out in July.

OK, that was an attemt to think about something besides volcanic ash! LOL

~Mike

I don't mind all the posts about Volcanic Ash. It could affect our flights/sailings if it continues. Especially those of us on the June 12 sailing.

Now, to go back to your question, I have one of my own: Do you think they will show Alice in Wonderland on board? Its not a new release but it would be fun to see it in 3D on the ship.

 

[Rogillio]

I don't mind all the posts about Volcanic Ash. It could affect our flights/sailings if it continues. Especially those of us on the June 12 sailing.

Now, to go back to your question, I have one of my own: Do you think they will show Alice in Wonderland on board? Its not a new release but it would be fun to see it in 3D on the ship.

I hope so. They don't need special projectors for 3D films do they?

And yeah, we too are on the June 12th sailing.....just hope this all 'blows over' by then.

 

[sbell111]

Thank you guys.
I gave a very reserved response yesterday.

There two threads on the subject of the volcano, one concerning the EBTA, and this one has had posts concerning the effects for travellers, who have plans for the Baltic cruises.
Many people, who have booked Baltic cruises, have expressed big concern about the current situation the effects on flights, being re routed, the effects on getting to the port.
I have been asked for a lot of information, Email PM, etc and have tried my best to fulfil those requests, we in the world have never ever seen a lock down on flights like this before.

This one might be what you are looking for.

Or this one.

People have already amended flights or booked travel insurance, when they had been advised before it wasn’t necessary. Now if purchased at this time it might not cover Volcano’s as it’s a known event.

Rogillio was kind enough to start a thread on this very issue here.

The other thread has not had the same warning that it should be transferred to the community forum, but I assume on this president, that discussions concerning hurricanes etc will also be moved to the community forum. … Anyway with this heavy ‘moderation’, I really cannot post. I regularly try to do so, but its impossible under these circumstances which are clear to many.

In general, I think that it’s better for mods to have some leaway in making decisions about what issues take threads off-topic. I would hate for moderators to be so hampered that these boards turn decidedly unusable.

 

[sbell111]

I hope so. They don't need special projectors for 3D films do they?

And yeah, we too are on the June 12th sailing.....just hope this all 'blows over' by then.

I seem to remember someone posting that they have shown 3d films on board.

 

[wickesy]

The title of this thread is "The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning". It's remit as posted in the first post is:

to create a combined Baltic Thread so we could all exchange ideas and tips about our planning

I would class possible problems in travelling to the start point of the cruise and how to get around them as planning.

On a lighter note I have just read on the Live from the Magic thread that Alice is indeed being shown on the Magic in 3D this week. I'm hoping that even though we will be in St Petersburg on June 18th we might still get to see Toy Story 3 on it's US release date.

 

[MJGirl]

speaking of movies .. I know Prince of Persia comes out the end of May. Hoping we get to see it on board in June (if I can wait that long!!!) Karate Kid comes out June 11!! Marmaduke on June 4.