jinteso

Also, has anyone ever done any driving in Germany? Is it very challenging due to the language barrier?

I know I will miss the welcome aboard show, but do you think I will have any problem booking restaurants or entertainment that I cannot pre-book online prior to our departure?

I have done plenty of driving in Germany and it is not hard at all. Just research the international signs. There are some that you will not be familiar with. Also, if you drive on the Autobahn, stay in the middle or right lane. I was driving at about 135 mph in the middle lane and had cars passing me on the left like I was standing still.

Even with your online booking (restaurants and shows), you could potentially have a problem since your 90 days starts a day after the previous departures day 90. I read in another thread about that being a problem but I can not remember if it was for the Baltic or the Mediterranean where they do the same thing.

I know that this is off topic from your review, and if you prefer Travel R, I will start a new thread. The way that I interpret the article, even in 2018 this new system will only be implemented on busy port days. Looking at the port schedule which I provide below, we will be the only ship in port. I will be in St. Petersburg on 11 and 12 June. So would this still apply?

http://ports.cruisett.com/schedule/Russia/664-St_Petersburg/June_2018/

AUTHORIZED TOUR GROUPS IN SAINT PETERSBURG

 

Thanks to our friends at GuideToPetersburg.com, they provided the list of the five authorized tour groups for the ports in Saint Petersburg:

 

Arctur Travel http://www.arctur.spb.ru/content.html

Baltic Travel Company http://www.baltictravel.com/page/3

DenEesti http://www.deneesti.ee/ru/

Mir http://mirtc.ru/ (only in Russian)

European Cruise Service Russia http://www.europeancruise.no/contact.html

Thank you! That was a fast reply. Looks like I have more research to do!

I am in the same boat. I was going to ask who the 5 are if anyone knows. But after reading many reviews (of which this is far and away the best and most detailed), I am still STRONGLY considering DenRus. So far, with my limited research and knowledge, my DW and I agree that 4 things are mandatory with any company: the Gold room, the Amber room, the Faberge museum and a ballet during the evening. Seemed like only 1 major company will accommodate that without paying an arm and a leg for a private tour.

Thanks for the replies. I chose Warnemunde as my embarkation point because I hope to spend a few days in Berlin pre-cruise. I figured this was the better choice, because of the distance of the port from Berlin. Other than the cost of transfers to the port, is there any other factor that should sway me to change my embarkation point?

Personally, if I wanted to see Berlin and not take the tour (train, taxi, bus), I would fly into Berlin, spend a few days, then contract with someone like Norwegian Air (no relation to NCL) or KLM or another airline one way to CPH and go out of there. Just my 2 cents after doing about 8 months of research before booking.

Most carriers (depending on where you live) will allow an open jaw ticket. Meaning you can fly from [Home Airport] to Berlin and fly from Copenhagen back to [Home Airport]. I am flying into CPH and out of AMS and found it hundreds of dollars cheaper than a round trip. YMMV.

Our family is planning a Baltic cruise from Warnemunde next summer on the Breakaway. I have been reading reviews of the Baltic cruise on the Getaway this summer and have not seen a review from someone who embarked in Warnemunde. Has anyone done the cruise departing from this port? Were you happy with your decision? Are there any disadvantages to embarking here rather than in Copenhagen? Thanks in advance for any replies.

I had those same questions and could not find a better answer than what the previous poster said. Additionally, I have to fly from the US to get there, not sure where you are coming from. It is easier for me to fly to CPH than to BER or HAM and then travel quite a ways. I also love Copenhagen. I have been there several times before and can't wait to see it again and show it to my wife.

I've been on here for several years, and I am but a mere apprentice to some of the master reviewers I have seen on here. One member creates video montage to begin their reviews; another provides such detailed information that my writing looks like a short summary; and some members provide hundreds of pictures of the ship while I only display but a small handful.

If I may interject.... I have read MANY, MANY reviews about numerous ships and itineraries and yours ranks up in the TOP 2! The only one who rivals you is TheDougOut (who I assume that you refer to).

 

I shall take that as the compliment it is meant to be, and most grateful that you can appreciate my art for what it is. As you know, sometimes being AR can be a curse, but more often, it has allowed me to get ahead in most aspects of my life.

Being AR has allowed me to get ahead in life too and is allowing me to retire at a relatively young age (56) in December. You are quite accomplished as shown by your digressions, keep up your passions!

 

 

I agree. But also allow others to stick close to us, while we lead the way. One day, hopefully our cruising itineraries will coincide - I want to party with you! [seriously]

 

Why would you want to allow them to even come? I would LOVE to plagiarize some of your itinerary for the DYIs but won't. Thank you again, kind sir!

/

Thank you SO much for this SUPER extensive review. It took me a while to start reading it because of the title and us travelling with no children. But this review is worth it's weight in GOLD! I do have a few questions though. How did you sign up for the Tallinn tour? If you said it, I missed it. Second, considering tipping in Europe... what type of tip did you give the guide? Thank you for the info on the Diabetes. My DW is diabetic and can control her diet but the information, especially about the drinks was helpful! How long was the tour in Tallinn? I have high blood pressure (hypertension). How bad was the salt in the meals? Should I call in advance for low sodium? Final question.... I got "roped" into setting up the M&G and a few other things. I have not cruised in 20 years. Is it standard that NCL will provide name tags and markers or should I bring some? Thank you!!!

OMG I am dead :'):'):')

Has anyone had any success in winning bids on the Baltic cruises from Balcony to SPA Balcony cabins?

MarinCami: read the entire thread. There are plenty of them! Even to Haven Spa and other Haven rooms.

The T&C for the package is what is more restrictive.

 

Under 21 can consume but not get a package unless it is approved AFAIK.

You are probably correct. Once again the NCL website is ambiguous at best and contradictory at worst.

I thought the T&C for drink packages states 21 and over... isn't that the issue?

This is the quote from the FAQ page that I referred to. Does it say something different in the T&C?

"However, passengers 18 years of age or older are permitted to consume beer and wine when sailing on round-trip European and Australian voyages without having to complete the Young Adult Alcoholic Beverage Waiver form."

Technically, a person under 21 can't have an alcohol beverage package. They can have the items covered in the package with the parental consent. It's the "package" part that is the problem. I agree that it is hit or miss with the OP but financially, the OP is correct with only having to pay the 18% if approval is given.

Technically they can have a Caps and Cork package without parental consent. The OP is leaving from Venice so the drinking age is 18, not 21.

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/liquor-beverages

What would happen if you are in the Haven and wanted an order of Nachos for room service on the Breakaway? Would you be charged the a la carte price or the $15?

Thank you Ron and Tom for the helpful information. I appreciate it!

Joe

Hi,

Well done to you for booking that and I envy you. In my humble opinion, anything less than 5 years to go till "R" day, is within the "countdown" phase so I think we well qualify. If you haven't been to Sydney before then you are in for a great time, as its a beautiful city and the Blue Mountains are well worth a visit.

I have a question. Planning on going to Australia for the first time in December, 2018. Was looking at spending Christmas in Melbourne and New Years Eve in Sydney. Your thoughts since I have never been? Is Sydney too crazy to go there for NYE? Looking to spend 4 to 5 weeks there so any tips would be great! TIA

I booked the June 7th cruise just to avoid it. Not sure how things would go with the extra crowds and with how things are in the world right now.

188 days till my last day of work. I am 55 and my wife will retire 3 years later. After that, we can cruise whenever we wants (time wise, not $ wise).

 

Will be going for a 2 weeks "pre-retirement" holiday in Dec. Upon return, will retire in exactly one month.

Congratulations! I have 141 days left but who's counting. :) I retire 1 week after my 56th birthday. The next day we go in vacation to spend Christmas in Mexico. My wife retires on January 4, 2018. Two days later, we go on a 10 day Caribbean cruise. Can't wait!

I am looking for the same answer for next year (December, 2018). I plan to spend Christmas/New Years in Australia and want to do an NCL cruise before it. I would have it booked and paid for if it was available today.

Congrats! I will be posting something in June. Not sure what yet considering all of the great reviews out there.

Doug. Great posts, blog, whatever you decide to call them. I also had to go back and find the one for the Dawn since we are sailing that in January. All I can say is Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!! You (and Sue) have been keeping me laughing. Oh, and don't tell the boss but not working too much!

PS - What do you win if you drink ALL of the beers?

I have been to Copenhagen, Helsinki, Hamburg and several other European cities for meetings in both February and September. I never found the weather bad in September. Meetings in February were cold but it was tolerable for meetings since we were inside most of the day.

If you fly Delta since it is ATL is a hub for them, you could fly to CPH via Boston or CDG (Paris) or Amsterdam. I am looking at either BOS or AMS since I HATE the airport at CDG. I am actually spending 2 days in Copenhagen (pre/post cruise), then spending about a week to 10 days in the Netherlands post cruise before flying home.

Flying from ATL it is slightly cheaper to go to CPH. I randomly picked 4 - 19 Jun. I am booked on the Breakaway for the 7 Jun sailing. My logic was that the days would be slightly longer but the weather would also be warmer. There are plenty of good reviews out there from a few weeks ago about how crowded it was, excursions, weather, etc. It would be good to read a few of them. I will also be flying through ATL. I am hoping to be able to book my tickets on Saturday.

Which is cheaper to fly into depends on where you are flying from. I don't see that in your post. Personally, we are doing the Baltic Cruise because I want to see the Breakaway and the itinerary sounded a bit more interesting.

I agree. You made my day! Thanks again.

Thank you for that bottom link! That was exactly the type of information that I was looking for. All I could get from the details page was a 2 sentence summary. I realize that they may not offer the exact same choices next year but I assume that they will be similar.