Manx Bird
Posts: 39
(30/4/04 12:51)
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Hello
We've not been on 'holiday' since last years cruise on Ocean Village that was brilliant!
We've chosen this cruise for its destination - St Petersburg etc. and the price.
Can anyone tell us what it will be like. we don't expect it to be like the ship we were on last year! But hope it may be a bit more 'intimate' with 'character'?
How 'formal' is formal? Will I really have to get 'im indoors....burly fisherman, to wear a dinner suit?
I believe I can 'hire' one. (getting him to wear it could be difficult!)
Please advise.
Any info would help, about any aspects. Eg. clothes to take...er buy. (Oh ...really,... I'll need a whole new wardrobe! Ill let him know!)
We are used to hot destinations!
Thanks
Manxbird
Manx Bird
Posts: 41
(1/5/04 9:14)
Reply | Edit | Del Re: BALTIC CRUISE - SUNDREAM
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Me again!
Ive just read TRAVEL MANDY's report on Page 13 (at the moment) An absolutely brilliant report relating to this cruise....so if like me your after info....look there!
Still would like to know what to wear though! Tee Hee!
manx bird
Blue Eyes 2002
Moderator
Posts: 801
(6/5/04 18:59)
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ezSupporter
Re: BALTIC CRUISE - SUNDREAM
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travelmandy
Costa Dorada / TOs Moderator
Posts: 47
(29/3/03 14:11)
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ezSupporter
Re: A Baltic cruise on the Sundream.
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Ports...Oslo approx 10-15 minute walk in to the city centre if you walk along the harbour you will come to the tourist information centre here you can pick up bus timtables and events for the day you are there. Right outside is also where you can pick up the ferry to other islands close by inculding the Viking ship Museum.
Trips from Oslo...City tour and viking Museum approx 3 hours £25 included Viking Museum, Vigeland Sculpture park.
Stockholm-Again a short work will take you into the old town area where you will find nice cafe's small streets with quaint liitle shops (expensive) and the Palac, The palace doesnt cost that much to go a round but it does get busy.
Trips From Stockholm....Panoramic Stockholm and Vasa Museum approx 3 hours £26 basicaly wasrships and palaces.
Helsinki-About a 20 minute walk takes you into the main market area of Helsinki it was full of local colour and some very wierd things on sale just past the market is where you can pick up the T3 tram this will take you all around the city for approx £3 you can get off where ever you want but remeber you pay again when you get back on, It will take you to the theme park, the Olympic stadium,The Temppeliaukio Rock Church or just shopping.
Trips from Helsinki.........Helsinki from the sea approx 2.5 hours £31 Begin this tour with a short transfere from the Sundream to your sightseeing boat. Cruise through the Suemenlinna (sounds like a school pudding)fortification islands, Crusie past urban waterfronts, old villas, Giant icebreakers and the zoo then free time in the market.
St Petersburg-Here I would say do the trips as its not a very safe city and things are too spread about to even think about doing them on your own.Aslo you have to get a visa if you want to go ashore independantly and this takes time and money.
I dont have the sheet with thet information on for prices but if you look at the Royal Carribean site it will give you a good idea of what there is to see.
We did the (Saturday)Hermitage/Winter Palace---very crowded and we felt as if we where being herded around like cattle but still worth seeing as even a short time there was worth every penny (approx £42).
We had planed to go to the main shopping area on the Sunday but heard a few people off the ship got Mugged So changed it to Catherines Palace and we where very glad we did , You get a long tourney out throught the Russian countryside past alot of the old communist Russian that still remains the palace was magnificent.Alot of work is still going on to restore it to its former glory (WWII damage) even the Amber roon is being restored and that alone was worth all the walking.
We opted to stay on board of the night and enjoy the Russian meal on deck.Others either went to the Ballet or a folk evening again around £30-40.
Tallin-20 minutes walk to the old town but a bus was provided for around £4 each way and this as to be only of the most welcoming city's a long the way(not that the rest wasnt ).
We opted for a tour hear as by now and after St Petes lets just say "tired" is and understatement.The trip we decided to do was a no walking easy tour of the city and outskirts which was a lovely relaxing way of seeing some parts we might have missed otherwise 3 hours £22 It took us through parts of teh Olympic village, Song Festival Ground then dropped us of for a look around the old town, Its a city I would love to go back to.
Copenhagen-We decided againg to do a tour but regreted it as everything was so close to where the ship docked, even the Little Mermaid was only a 10 minute walk but be perpared to fight for the photos all nationalitys with thier clickies going made it very hard to get a good photo without someone elses face on it. Its a realy lovely city full of history and felt very safe and clean.
The trip we did was called Leisurley Copenhagen and cost £23 for 2.5 hours and wasnt worth it but it did let you see alot of the city without hardly leaving the coach which made us feel cheated that we hadnt experienced the city.
I would suggest walking and exploreing the city its full of Naval history and the Monarchy are so well love even thier Palaces are not put behind steel gates and accessable to eveyone a truely loveley city I would love to return one day.
If you decided you want to do a tour the one called Country and Castles came well recomended off other passengers cost was £32 for 5 hours.
Amsterdam-I didnt like this city I found it dirty and sleezy IMO.
We decided not to do a tour and wish we had.
We opted for a walk in the city which took 20 minutes and had to walk through central station which I felt very uncomfortable I was followed a few times around the city only when I stopped and stared at the guy who was following me and aproached a Police officer did he stop. We where warned of Amsterdam like many other city's having a problem with pick pockets but they made it so obvious they where going to do thinking people on Cruise ships where easy targets.
We decided to make the most of it now we where there and went on a canal cruise costed about £6 each for 1 hour cruise which was the best part of the day.
Trips from Amsterdam-Delft and the Hague cost £24 for 4.5 hours and many people said it was well worth the money.
Would I do the holiday aagin? YES...Did I enjoy the holiday?
Best holiday we have had in years.
Would I go on the Sundream again? YES
Dont spend your money on a luxury cabin as on the Sundream luxury will mean just slightly better than ok its the ports that make this cruise not the ship.
Hope this is all the info you wanted if not just ask.
Mandy
Is it possible to do a Baltic / Fjords cruise end of Oct/beginning of Nov 05?
Looking for an alternative to the yearly sun beach holiday and next year we cannot go until after 23rd October.
If so please can anyone recommend any cruise companies to get info from or any web sites?
Thanks a lot
Jaime C
I think end October/November may be a bit late for a Baltic/Fjords cruise, not to mention a bit cold! The latest I have found so far are in September 2005.
You could try http://www.bookmeacruise.com , http://www.seaview.co.uk , http://www.cruisedeals.co.uk or any of the cruise lines' own sites.
Let us know if you find something suitable.
luci
Pam
I know a few people who have been with N.C.V and they've all thoroughly enjoyed it, however, N.C.V isn't your average cruise line. The ships are full working ships so in 12 days there is approx 36 stops along theway, some only for 1 or 2 hours.
I've heard people say they'v cruised the Baltic and that the weather was lovely, but they always sounded surprised
Please can anyone tell me whether or not it is likely to be rough and how rough
Thanks in advance
chrisie
I cruised The Baltic in September a few years ago and had nice weather.
Many Thanks Vivienne and welcome to the list.
On out Panama last year we were all warned about staying outside the Sun would be very strong so plenty of block and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. RAINED most of the day.
You cannot win with the weather so be prepared.
Had a few hours of being seasick on a med cruise a couple of years ago - just booked a last minute cruise round the British Isles and Norway in June, so keeping my fingers crossed it won't be rough. Starting to worry a bit now, even though I had no problems last time, as there is certainly a possibility it could be choppy. I have been browsing message boards and will go prepared just in case. I will try one of the acupressure bands for my wrist, some ginger tablets and possibly some of the patches for behind your ear, but they apparently can have side affects so may try some other type of tablet.
Anyone any suggestions about what they have found helped them?
Many thanks for that. Doesn't sound too bad then.
Just returned from a Baltic cruise on Fred Olsen Braemar. Was not sunbathing weather, but dry and calm sea all the way. Kept meeting various people from the Celebration who were cruising the same ports of call in a different order. The seemed to have had rain more often. I think it's just pretty variable and lots of layers is the answer.
Many thanks for that Maureen. Since himself found out that although tobacco is CHEAP in Tallinn, he's restricted to the non EU duty free allowance he's cooled off a bit about Baltic cruises. Keep saying how lovely it is in Barcelona
I am new to this site but need some information.
Myself ,friend and 12 year old granson are crising for first time 20 aug with thomsons on the celebration to jewels of the baltic.
Does anyone have any tips for the excusions and any other tips.
thanks.
Terry
I have merged your post with a similar topic so you may find some information in earlier posts. There is a sticky topic at the top of the forums entitles DIY Excursions - Baltic Area which may also be useful.
You can also read reviews of the Thomson Celebration by clicking on Cruise Reviews at the top of the page. There is a topic on the ship HERE
HTH
luci
I have booked to go on the Thomson Spirit baltic cruise can anyone answer a couple of questions that I have:
What are the average costs for excursions and is there a reduction for children?
What is the weather like aboard ship and shore during August, need to know what clothes to take.
I have never cruised before so have no idea of what to expect.
thanks
just come back from the Celebration which did the baltic this year. The trips vary in price eg the Walking tiur of Tallin (half day) is £17 for an adult and £8.50 for a child which is quite cheap but to be honest it is esy to do tallin on your own - we bought a book for 5 euros and walked around ourselves. At the other end of the scale is a full day (15 hours) trip to Moscow from St Petersburg which comes in at a cool £260 for adults and children - does include an hours flight though!
The average cost for a half day is £30 for an adult (roughly 1/2 to 3/4 price for children. Full day trips are between £60 and 70 but often include lunch. The best thing is to be selective - you need to do them in Russia unless you have your own visas but in most other places its fairly easy to wander around on your own. The ship often provides a shuttle bus to the town centre (apart from Copenhagen, for some reason!) at a cost of £3 return journey and the Destination Services team do really useful port talks on the best things to see. For example, in Aarhus, we walked to the open air museum of the Old Town (20 minute, cost free) and paid approx £8 for over 18s (so our 15 and 17 year old were free) We spent nearly 3 hours there as it was fascinating then wandered back to the town centre and had lunch by the canal. I'm not saying we saw as much as the official tour but it was much more relaxed and we saved £17 each.
By the way children on the Celebration trips were 16 and under, but when we were on the Spirit it was 12 and under - so check this before you book!
best wishes
Shirley
thanks for the info on excursions, really helpful.
My eldest just about makes the age 12 child for the spirit.
I have never cruised before but it sounded really good, so thought we would give it a try.
Thanks
Justine
We did the Canary/Madiera/Agadir cruise on Destiny last year and thought it was great.
Any other tips about what to expect on the Baltic trip would be welcome.
Mike and Sue
I have merged your post with an existing similar topic so you may find some useful information in earlier posts.
luci
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