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

[adrianna_sarah]

oh, I changed the thread title - the inspiration finally kicked in - Hope it's not confusing!

That's okay, I'm still using the original in my signature, though.

 

[mehaul]

There are 3 shows coming up in the nest 2 weeks pertaining to our cruise.
All 3 are on HDNET - Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa. He's pretty good. Not as perky as Samantha Brown (but who is), but has more energy than Rick Steves

Oct 31 HDNET 6:30 AM EST Smart Travels Europe
Stockholm, Sweden
Nov 1 HDNET 6:30 AM EST Smart Travels Europe
Oslo, Norway
Nov 5 HDNET 6:30 EST Smart Travels Europe
London (the episode contains 4 cities
Lisa
PS I posted a new section on my web page that will list upcoming travel shows
P.S.2 If you don't have HDNET this series is played intermittently on PBS, so I would "check your local listings"

 

[TDC Nala]

If you want to check out some other lines' shore excursions:

http://www.princess.com/learn/shorex/index.jsp

Enter the port of call to see what their excursions are like.

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/shorexLanding.html

Select a destination to check out specific ports.

I have been looking at Stockholm - I HAVE to try that ice bar. I hate cold but I like vodka. I also love the rooftop walk. How could I do both? Can't wait to see what Disney comes up with.

 

[lzj21428]

TDC, the idea of that ice bar is quite intriging. I would love to ck that out, but w/ 2 kids under 18, don't think I'd be able to. Maybe I can do it w/ just me and dh and the kids could sit outside and wait for us. I can't wait to see what excursions Disney comes up with.

Do you remember when they came out with the Med excursions?

 

[mehaul]

Children under 18 are allowed to enter the ice bars - they are charged a reduced admission and get a glass of juice.

 

[mehaul]

There are 3 potential ice bars our trip goes to - London, Copenhagen, Stockholm

I have links to all 3 on the Resource page of my website.

 

[lzj21428]

mehaul, thanks for that great info. Sounds like it might be doable after all, which would be so "cool"

Here's a link I found with info on Tallinn's port.

www.ts.ee

 

[mehaul]

Another option is Vinopolis. It is wine museum in London, that's heavy on the wine tasting and light on the museum. In addition to wine they have an absinthe room and a Bombay martini room.
We went there last summer after the Med cruise (and brought the 3 and 6 year olds). They were very friendly and in each tasting room they made a special effort to find juice or soda for the kids.

www.vinopolis.co.uk

 

[TDC Nala]

Another option is Vinopolis. It is wine museum in London, that's heavy on the wine tasting and light on the museum. In addition to wine they have an absinthe room and a Bombay martini room.
We went there last summer after the Med cruise (and brought the 3 and 6 year olds). They were very friendly and in each tasting room they made a special effort to find juice or soda for the kids.

www.vinopolis.co.uk

Noting on the site that this place is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. And guess when I think I'll be visiting London? Tuesday and Wednesday. Figures

 

[lzj21428]

TDC, maybe they will consider making an exception for you and open just for your drinking pleasure.


I was just fiddling around on DCL site and our cruise still has lots of availability. All categories, 4 thru 11 still show available and it looks like the prices have remained the same from when I booked. What do you think the outlook is for these cruises? Will they sail full? Will DCL drop prices to make it more attractive? If they do drop prices, what happens to people who booked already and paid a higher price? Will our prices drop also? Just looking for opinions.

 

[TDC Nala]

TDC, maybe they will consider making an exception for you and open just for your drinking pleasure.


I was just fiddling around on DCL site and our cruise still has lots of availability. All categories, 4 thru 11 still show available and it looks like the prices have remained the same from when I booked. What do you think the outlook is for these cruises? Will they sail full? Will DCL drop prices to make it more attractive? If they do drop prices, what happens to people who booked already and paid a higher price? Will our prices drop also? Just looking for opinions.

Last year we rebooked the Med cruise for about half price (had to downgrade to a Cat 11 from a 7 though). It was not a problem. I think the rules have since changed. I can't find them but it is something like you can't do that sort of rebooking once you've paid in full. (Don't know if you can't do it at all, or if there is a penalty for doing so because it's now considered a cancellation and rebooking). So all DCL would have to do is wait until the paid in full deadline passed and then put up a sale fare.

I don't actually have time to search for the new rules or I would.

 

[lzj21428]

Maybe that's what people are waiting for, a sale fare. This cruise may fill up after the payment due date. It will interesting to watch and see what happens.

 

[mehaul]

It would be nice if they drop the prices, but I can't see that happening for well over a year. I think Disney put the cruises on sale so early to prevent having to drop the prices like they did in 2007.

 

[mehaul]

There are 2 episodes coming up that focus on Russia and Scandanavia
The host is very entertaining.
He focuses on the countries alcoholic beverage of choice and usually concludes with a food recipe that incorporates that beverage.

Oct 29 Fine Living Channel 4:30 AM EST Thirsty Traveller
From Russia with Vodka
Oct 30 Fine Living Channel 4:30 AM EST Thirsty Traveller
Absolutely Aquavit

 

[mehaul]

Upcoming Travel TV Programming
Nov 14 Travel Channel 12:30 ET Passport to Europe w/Samantha Brown
Copenhagen

 

[lzj21428]

mehaul, thanks for posting that info. I'm going to put it on my calendar so I don't forget to watch or DVR it.

 

[mehaul]

No problem. Samantha Brown has done shows on Stockholm and Berlin as well. They should replay those episodes some time in the next 20 months

Nov 19th Travel Channel
12:00 EST London - Passport to Europe
12:30 EST London - Samantha Brown Passport to Great Weekends

 

[where2next]

let me try this again

 

[where2next]

Has anyone been on a Baltic cruise before or to any of the locations the cruise is visiting? We haven't but this is a cruise I have always wanted to do.

I have been looking around for information and came across this that I though has some good information.
ourpassportstamps.com

Hi!

It was just brought to my attention that our website was mentioned over here on the Disney boards!

I'm flattered!

It's our personal travel journal and blog...there's never any advertising or negativity...it's designed as a journal, photo album and blog as if I hand wrote it and shared it with you over coffee...

Enjoy wandering around....

I have cruised the Baltic for 3 cruises for a total of 30 days...

To assist you to find Scandinavia/Russia specific information...
Go into the Photo section, the Russia area also lists the Private tour option
we took with Red October.


Go into Where we've been section, a trip report with Sights to See lists for each port and our tips and suggestions for this itinerary.

We absolutely loved our time in this region of the world, John and I did
a post cruise land trip with 4 nights in Riga,Latvia and 4 nights in Vilnius, Lithuania.

If you have any questions please email us through our website.
We would be more than happy to answer them!

We don't sail on Disney Cruises because we are unable to have kids
so this isn't a message board I will be checking regulary!

Bon Voyage!

 

[pops711]

My DW and I will be there (unless we buy a house). Did the WB Panama last may and we are looking forward to this one.