Turbine001

Hi Kevin,

Yes, we’re getting very excited. This time next week we’ll be immersing ourselves in the experience. It’ll be interesting to share our cruise experience and I’d like to hear how you got on with your language skills. A couple of weeks ago we had organised a family meal of a very German dish called Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancake) - similar to a hashbrown. Looking forward to having Broetchen for breakfast every morning.

Gerard

Hi Kevin,

I found the thread you were referring to.

(Start with the website) then add, /forum/board/423-abfahrten-3-quartal-2018-mein-schiff-3/

I read some of your comments and found you did a great job of writing your comments in German - (written like a professional). The language learning course would have been tough, I think you’ve nailed it.

In a previous “Princess” cruise around New Zealand we didn’t book any shore excursions, we explored the local places on foot. (We are Geocachers - Use GPS to find hidden caches) All of our shore excursions on this cruise have been booked through TUI. We found them to be the best option for us. We probably wouldn’t be disciplined enough to go out on our own with bus/train and run the risk of returning late and being left behind.

Now only three weeks to go

Gerard

Hi Tuffydog,

I loaded the “Mein Schiff” countdown timer on my phone - I’m 27 tage und 15 stunden away from cruising:)

I’ve decided that my usual SLR type camera is too bulky to carry on my trip so I’ll be relying on my phone camera only. Not sure if this is becoming the norm but todays phones seem to challenge the need for the old SLR. Just been looking at the Webcam in Bremerhaven - it overlooks the Auswanderhaus and pans around to a passenger ferry pier for “Fair Lady”, leaves most days at 9.30am for Helgoland. When Mein Schiff 3 is in port you can see it in the distance. https://www.wetter.com/hd-live-webcams/deutschland/bremerhaven-neuer-hafen-atlantic-hotel-sail-city/5164f17244254/

Turbine001

Hi Tuffydog,

I have just watched a Youtube clip, it's called, "Mein Schiff 3 - Live-Rundgang und Schiffstour". It's a 1hr video tour of the ship with a chap narrating in German. This will test your German :)

Turbine001

Hi Floridiana,

This will be our second cruise with TUI, and it will be the fourth for the relatives joining us in Bremerhaven. I see the Shore excursions have gone up in price considerably since my first cruise with Mein Schiff 1. – I remember we had some really fun excursions last time – spent 4 hours on a Segway tour on Rugen Island, I loved it. I guess you’ll be taking turns translating for the one that doesn’t speak German – but it’s all part of the experience/memories - they will still love it - Have a great time on your Mediterranean cruise out of Mallorca. Turbine001.

Hi Tuffydog,

thanks for your reply, Both our (my Wife and I) families originally came from Germany so after the cruise we’ll be looking forward to the Auswandererhaus in Bremerhaven and looking for both our families immigration records and names in ship manifests. I’ve actually been looking at Bremerhaven in Google 3D street view to get acquainted with the area. We both speak German however I can only read basic German and have to concentrate to get my sentence structure right – I was born in Australia so I do struggle with German grammar. But most Germans speak English so I sometimes revert to English to get me by. I find it amazing that you’re from the same City (Melbourne) going to Bremerhaven on the same ship (a month apart) -- I can’t find anybody else in a Roll Call for my cruise. (We live in the NE of Melbourne). My Wife has relatives on a small (German) Island called Helgoland. – it’s a very small island in the North Sea with lots of history. – we’ll be heading there after the cruise. I’ll have to keep a lookout for the roll call on the other site.(when it’s back online) Turbine001.

Hi Tuffydog,

I'm also going on a cruise "Westeuropa mit Bilbao" on Mein Schiff 3, leaving Bremerhaven on 9/08/18. I see you're also from Melbourne, I didn't expect to find a "roll Call" here in Cruise Critic for TUI cruises. I'm going with my Wife and we're meeting up with relatives in Germany and creating some great memories. We previously did the "Ostsee Baltikum cruise" on Mein Schiff 1 in 2010 and it was excellent.. Currently counting down the days - can't wait. (My first post in Cruise Critic)