You Are Not The First To Pass This Way: 2nd Magic Baltic Cruise, 6/24/2010

[cindy18]

Well, I'm done. All that is left for me to do is pack our bags.

Flights are booked, transportation is booked, and hotel is booked!!

Got all the excursions I wanted and a Palo brunch.

This just makes it all the more real. I can't wait!!

You are good! I guess we're sort of done too, in the sense that we booked all that we're planning to book, and we have our travel plans set and our private tours in St. Pete and Berlin booked. But we are still far from figuring out how to manage the days in the other cities. I keep telling myself there is time to sit down with Rick Steves' book and the John Lawrence CD and make plans, and I guess there is, but I wish I had a better handle on all that.

 

[TDC Nala]

Anybody here on the SPB two-day St. Petersburg tour? I think a couple of you are... SPB says they are looking for six more people to sign on. Since I'm already doing an evening tour with them I am thinking about it but I want to know which itinerary it is. If it's the Baltic Pearl tour with the lunches and photography passes included I'd definitely be interested.

 

[mehaul]

You are good! I guess we're sort of done too, in the sense that we booked all that we're planning to book, and we have our travel plans set and our private tours in St. Pete and Berlin booked. But we are still far from figuring out how to manage the days in the other cities. I keep telling myself there is time to sit down with Rick Steves' book and the John Lawrence CD and make plans, and I guess there is, but I wish I had a better handle on all that.

They're will be plenty of time to read your guide books on the flight over.
I'm going to get the international data plan for my iphone so I can you use the google maps and internet (not to mention the compass) while we are out and about. For you Iphone users there are several free apps available for our trip. Copenhagen, Oslo, Time Out London, Tube info, WorldWiki, and Currency (currency converter)

 

[lzj21428]

They're will be plenty of time to read your guide books on the flight over.
I'm going to get the international data plan for my iphone so I can you use the google maps and internet (not to mention the compass) while we are out and about. For you Iphone users there are several free apps available for our trip. Copenhagen, Oslo, Time Out London, Tube info, WorldWiki, and Currency (currency converter)

Love the maps and compass apps for iphone. Used them constantly this past week when DD and I were in NYC. Soooo helpful in getting around.

Need to ck out an app for currency exhange. Any particular one you would recommend?

 

[TDC Nala]

I have an Ipod touch (not the phone) but they use the same apps. I bought one for a buck called Measures - Unit and Currency Converter. It converts not only currency but all units of measurement. I know there are some free ones but I love this one. Not having an Iphone, I need to be around a wireless connection to update the currency rates of exchange though.

 

[ktkspider]

OK just got a call from my Aunt and she informed me that the sign up is tonight not Sunday night for their excursions.. Yes... that is why I said I would do it for them.. no telling what they would end up with if I left it up to them...

I didn't want to get anyone confused by my wrong date for the new Disney Cruisers to sign up.. Do you know what that means?.....

0nly 75 days left!!!

 

[buck4568]

Anybody here on the SPB two-day St. Petersburg tour? I think a couple of you are... SPB says they are looking for six more people to sign on. Since I'm already doing an evening tour with them I am thinking about it but I want to know which itinerary it is. If it's the Baltic Pearl tour with the lunches and photography passes included I'd definitely be interested.

We are using SPB in St. Petersburg with another family of four. I do not belive our tour price includes photo pass or lunch but I would be willing to add that if the price was right. Also, the Gold Room at Hermitage is extra.

If you are in contact with Vika, ask her about the Buckley group if you want to join us.

 

[TDC Nala]

Dan,
Vika has sent me the intinerary info. Looks good, lots of stuff to see instead of just the few things I'd view on the Disney tours. No canal boat ride but I can take care of that with the evening tour. The food and passes don't cost much. I was not considering the Gold Room. Are you all sold on it? Might be OK if it means more time in the Hermitage but I don't want that to be the only thing I see in there.

 

[buck4568]

Dan,
Vika has sent me the intinerary info. Looks good, lots of stuff to see instead of just the few things I'd view on the Disney tours. No canal boat ride but I can take care of that with the evening tour. The food and passes don't cost much. I was not considering the Gold Room. Are you all sold on it? Might be OK if it means more time in the Hermitage but I don't want that to be the only thing I see in there.

ch10dad is joining us and here is the itinerary I got so far and I think it can be changed a bit if necessary:

JUNE, 30th (Wed) 12.30PM-7.00PM
12.30-01.00pm Meet at the ship
01.00-02.00pm Drive to Tsars’ Village (town of Pushkin)
02.00-04.00pm A visit to the Catherine's palace with the Amber
room and a walk in the park
04.00-04.30pm Lunch/snack at a local blinis place (optional)
04.30.05.30pm Drive back to St.Petersburg
05.30-06.00pm A visit to St.Isaac's cathedral
06.00-07.00pm Free time for shopping at Gostinij Dvor, walk
along the main street Nevsky, walking, visiting a local grocery, etc.
07.00pm Return to the ship or optional evening activities, for
example ballet, folklore show or a canal boat ride

DAY 2 JULY, 1st (Thu) 08.30AM-7.00PM
08.30am Meet at the ship. Subway ride, a visit to the local
farmers' market (upon request)
08.30-10.00am City sightseeing tour covering the major
sights and photo stops
10.00-10.45am Peter and Paul's Fortress and cathedral
11.15-11.45am Church on the Spilled Blood
12.00-12.45pm Lunch: traditional Russia piroggi, borsh or
blinis (optional)
01.00-02.45pm The tour of the Hermitage Museum
03.00-03.30pm Hydrofoil ride to Peterhof
03.30-05.30pm Walk in the Peterhof park & gardens
05.30-06.10pm Hydrofoil ride to St.Petersburg
07.00pm Return to the ship

Tour price includes the following services:
1. all port fees for two days
2. english-speaking guide for two days
3. A/C vehicle for two days with this timing (every extra hour costs $30)
4. admission tickets to all the museums shown on the itinerary
5. subway ride
6. hydrofoil ride (round trip)
Tour price does not include the following services:
1. cost of lunches/dinners
2. pass for the camera and for video-filming in the museums (can be $3-$12)
3. cost of the tickets to the ballet, opera or folkshow

*If you want to pay with a credit card please let us know beforehand. We will charge the sum of payment for the tour from your credit card in
Rubles. The currency exchange rate will be established according to the current rates of the Russian State Central Bank. The credit card charges
3% for their services, so this fee will be added to your final tour price.If you pay in cash the price will remain the same.

Note: Tour sequence may vary depending on overcrowding at
venues, museums’ closing days and traffic conditions.
TOURS
your tour operator
see St.Petersburg with a local friend!
Important information:
Viktoria Rother’s cell phone: +7 (905) 262 63 46. The guide will be meeting you at the ship with a sign “SPB-Tours” at the appointed time.

 

[TDC Nala]

Thanks for the itinerary, yes it is the same one that Vika & Anthony sent me and it was mentioned it can be "tweaked." I like it. It gets some stuff in I can't see on the Disney tours and I don't mind being on the go the whole time, in fact that is what I wanted. Gonna check on some things, but I will let them know soon if I decide to sign up. Do you know if we need rubles for food or the photography passes?

If I were to "tweak" it I'd ask for at least an outside view of the Yusopov Palace and a story about Rasputin, but I have no idea where it is or even if it is near the other stuff.

 

[buck4568]

Thanks for the itinerary, yes it is the same one that Vika & Anthony sent me and it was mentioned it can be "tweaked." I like it. It gets some stuff in I can't see on the Disney tours and I don't mind being on the go the whole time, in fact that is what I wanted. Gonna check on some things, but I will let them know soon if I decide to sign up. Do you know if we need rubles for food or the photography passes?

If I were to "tweak" it I'd ask for at least an outside view of the Yusopov Palace and a story about Rasputin, but I have no idea where it is or even if it is near the other stuff.

Not sure about the rubles but we are taking a lot of cash and will convert as needed. Just contact Vika if you want to join us and look forward to at least meeting you during the cruise if you are not with us in Russia!

 

[lzj21428]

How are you all packing light for this trip? I have a tendency to overpack, but want to try to keep the amount of luggage to a minimum. But I also don't want to be wearing the same outfit everyday.

Help me to pack light folks!!

 

[cindy18]

That is NOT going to be easy, to tell you the truth. One approach is not to take too much and to plan to do laundry a few times. That's not for me, because I just don't want to have to deal with that when I'm on vacation. Given that it won't be that hot, I'm not too worried about sweating up clothes, so I'm hoping to be able to wear jeans and capris and stuff like that more than once, and just bring something like 10 t-shirts and a few long sleeve shirts and some comfy sweaters or sweatshirts with something good for rain. Most dinners can be pretty casual, so a few nice tops to go with capri pants, maybe, and then of course the clothes for formal and semi-formal night. And the shoes.....

There was a luggage discussion on the Baltic Cruise thread where people were sharing their ideas. We have LL Bean large duffel bags, one per family member, and those tend to work really well in terms of fitting in everything you need for a long trip. Current plan is for each of us to take 1. They fold up really well for storage on the ship, and that way it's not so worrisome to pack too much!

 

[buck4568]

That is NOT going to be easy, to tell you the truth. One approach is not to take too much and to plan to do laundry a few times. That's not for me, because I just don't want to have to deal with that when I'm on vacation. Given that it won't be that hot, I'm not too worried about sweating up clothes, so I'm hoping to be able to wear jeans and capris and stuff like that more than once, and just bring something like 10 t-shirts and a few long sleeve shirts and some comfy sweaters or sweatshirts with something good for rain. Most dinners can be pretty casual, so a few nice tops to go with capri pants, maybe, and then of course the clothes for formal and semi-formal night. And the shoes.....

There was a luggage discussion on the Baltic Cruise thread where people were sharing their ideas. We have LL Bean large duffel bags, one per family member, and those tend to work really well in terms of fitting in everything you need for a long trip. Current plan is for each of us to take 1. They fold up really well for storage on the ship, and that way it's not so worrisome to pack too much!

We use the LL Bean duffel bags also. Actually bought them for the Med Cruise in 2007. They can hold alot! Too much really! We always say we are packing light but end up with way to much stuff.

In the past we have had the laudry done on the ship by DCL. Once in a while we use the laundry machines on board but that is a drag when you are trying to plan your day and have to keep running up to the machines. So, the ship laundry does a nice job. Not cheap but much easier! Always have our formal wear pressed the night we get on board and all is ready to go for the entire cruise.

 

[cindy18]

I've never let DCL do my laundry. Given our on-board credits and the fact that we're doing so many ports on our own, that might not be a bad idea. Agree with the sending all the formal stuff to be pressed once we unpack. That worked very well and if we go that route, we won't need a garment bag at all.

 

[buck4568]

I've never let DCL do my laundry. Given our on-board credits and the fact that we're doing so many ports on our own, that might not be a bad idea. Agree with the sending all the formal stuff to be pressed once we unpack. That worked very well and if we go that route, we won't need a garment bag at all.

Exactly! And we had the honor of being one of those that had lost luggage in 2007. My DD bag was MIA for the entire trip! It was not until we got back to Barcelona that we got her bag back. And of course we did not do the mixing of everyones items in each bag so she got to shop at each port for clothes! Got all that money back thanks to the trip insurance though!

 

[cindy18]

Exactly! And we had the honor of being one of those that had lost luggage in 2007. My DD bag was MIA for the entire trip! It was not until we got back to Barcelona that we got her bag back. And of course we did not do the mixing of everyones items in each bag so she got to shop at each port for clothes! Got all that money back thanks to the trip insurance though!

You've just described one of my worst nightmares with regard to this trip and the fact that we're flying in the morning that the ship leaves. We're definitely going to have to mix and match stuff in the duffels to protect against American Airlines losing one (or more) of our bags. On the other hand, my DDs might not mind having to shop for a new wardrobe in each port.

 

[TDC Nala]

3 to 4 pairs of pants to be re-worn (one dressy pair). One pair of shorts. One swimsuit (may not use it but will bring one anyway). Enough tee shirts and underwear to last the whole time. Layering jackets & tops (some of these will be worn on the plane). Something to sleep in. Formal/semiformal clothing. 4 pairs of shoes only (to include pool-type shoes, dressy shoes, casual shoes and walking shoes). Viking hat (pirate night is too out of place on a Baltic cruise). I don't plan to do laundry. If I spill stuff all over two pairs of pants I may have to.

If my suitcase doesn't arrive I will have one change of tee shirt and underwear in my backpack and will have to go to dinner in the pants I flew in.

Also packing a collapsible duffel bag and a daypack in my suitcase. Carry-on luggage will be just a shoulder bag plus the backpack with the laptop (yes I'm bringing a laptop)

Dan, your daughter is in my old med cruise blog about her suitcase. I thought I remembered you as the guy whose daughter didn't get her suitcase.

 

[ktkspider]

3 to 4 pairs of pants to be re-worn (one dressy pair). One pair of shorts. One swimsuit (may not use it but will bring one anyway). Enough tee shirts and underwear to last the whole time. Layering jackets & tops (some of these will be worn on the plane). Something to sleep in. Formal/semiformal clothing. 4 pairs of shoes only (to include pool-type shoes, dressy shoes, casual shoes and walking shoes). Viking hat (pirate night is too out of place on a Baltic cruise). I don't plan to do laundry. If I spill stuff all over two pairs of pants I may have to.

If my suitcase doesn't arrive I will have one change of tee shirt and underwear in my backpack and will have to go to dinner in the pants I flew in.

Also packing a collapsible duffel bag and a daypack in my suitcase. Carry-on luggage will be just a shoulder bag plus the backpack with the laptop (yes I'm bringing a laptop)

Dan, your daughter is in my old med cruise blog about her suitcase. I thought I remembered you as the guy whose daughter didn't get her suitcase.

Your plan is about what we are planning..Lots of layering. Just need enough so we are not wearing the same thing every day! I was starting to put away some "cold weather gear" and trying to figure what I could bring that would be very versatile. I am judging by our temps now as they are about the averages in many of the places we are going.

Nothing is coming with us unless it can be used/worn more than 2-3 times (we will be gone for 3 weeks.. so laundry is a must at least once) I have a detailed checklist that I am making myself stick to to prevent ... all of the extra things going in the suitcase " ... just in case.." Can you tell I am known to be an over packer and I am trying to keep things light this time.. we shall see....

We have started our piles already!

 

[lzj21428]

Here's another question for everyone.

We have chosen to use Disney transportation from LHR to Dover. We arrive LHR on the 24th from Washington, DC @ 6:40 AM. What is the procedure when using Disney trans.? We have always used private car services when cruising, so I feel a bit unsettled about how it all works.

And how about in reverse? Dover to LHR. Flight leaves LHR at 5:05 PM

Make me feel comfortable with my choice.

TIA

Nina