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There is no DM.  But thanks anyway. Is that really a cruise critic rule ?

I would love the information on your guide for Kagoshima.  Thanks.  

So sorry to hear this info.  I used Tom’s Guides for a Mediterranean cruise and a Canada trip.  His info was invaluable.   I do have most of the New England/ Canadian guides saved as PDF downloads incIuding the Charlottetown driving one.  I can try to upload if anyone wants them.  Perhaps other people may have some saved as well and we can collect as many as we can. I also have Dominica.  

I am booked on this cruise and have been checking all the shore excursions in Alexandria since they became available.  I think the 12 hours in port is the reason.  We are disappointed too, but looking at all the other positives on this itinerary. 

Wow.  We have Club Orange too and got group A. It says Priority Boarding on the pass. Our time is 11, but we were planning/wanting to board around 12.  

Anyone know if it is $30 or $35 a bag this summer in Europe?  Thanks.  

We have priority boarding and have been assigned Group A for our upcoming cruise leaving Amsterdam on May 20th.   If we end up being out and about that morning, and want to board later, is there a priority boarding check in line, or will we end up in a long line ?  
 

We usually love to board right away, but Amsterdam is a lovely city to spend a beautiful morning in.  Thanks. 

Thanks.  I figured and knew that, just wasn’t sure why the additional entrees kept showing up on the Club Orange menu in the app.  Either way, I will absolutely enjoy my dinners.  Always plenty to choose from. 😊

So being obsessive, I have been looking at menus for the Rotterdam on the app based on our upcoming May 20th cruise.  We have Club Orange so have been looking, and it seems in addition to the Club Orange item that steak, tuna and Mac and cheese are offered almost daily, but not in the MDR.  Anybody else notice this, and does it mean additional nightly options in Club Orange, at least on the Rotterdam?  

On 4/10/2023 at 11:54 AM, CruiserBruce said:

We are not allowed to discuss travel agents or agencies on Cruise Critic. Already asked once on this thread, and that post was taken off.

Thank you.   Sorry. 

Which cruise consolidators site do you prefer?   Always looking for a good deal.  

I am taking this cruise too.  We are planning to walk to the Apple orchards for cider in Ulvik. It’s about 45 minutes each way.  If the weather is good, we may rent a kayak for an hour.  There is a place in town.  
In Bergen we plan to take the funicular up to Mr. Floren and then walk around Bryggen and go to Grieg’s house.

In Alesund, we will walk around town, go up to Mt. Askla and walk some at the top.  We may try to go to the Sunemore Museum.  The HOHO abuse would be good too. 
in Gerainger, we plan to do a RIB boat ride, and then take the waterfall walk up to the Fjord center.  
Also plan to have a drink or coffee in each stop.  Very excited for the trip. 

Thank you so much.  We were disappointed at the change at first, but now we think we will walk the cider trail.   What do you think you will do?

I love the lighter and more contemporary look of the Pinnacle class ships.  There are things I love about HAL, specifically the Music Walk, but would also love some legit art classes, not adult coloring or origami.   Even a Painting with a Twist class could be fun.  I like cool cocktails and a good variety of food, as well as some varied entertainment.   We like trivia, and went on our last cruise, but it was truly way too easy for anyone who regularly does trivia.  Also, a good variety of fitness is appreciated.   Whoever said that the pickleball affiliation is on point is exactly right.    We sail HAL, but also Celebrity and Princess.   I’m right in the demographic, I’m 64, but we have sailed HAL with our kids in the past too.  Would love more lectures and naturalists and port guides too.   So some of the “old shoe” but with a new contemporary look and twist would be welcome to me.  

We really liked the Hotel Absalon but it might not be for everyone. The area was fine for us, but it is an eclectic area for sure. Cool bar, and nice air conditioning and a good breakfast. Very "cool" colorful decor. Location was a block from the train station and Tivoli.

Thank you @danishviking for the good advice about Hotel Rye on Ryesgrade. I recommend it for any budget travelers who don't mind being a little off the beaten path. It was clean and included a simple, organic breakfast each morning. It was a good 20-30 minute pleasant walk into town, and about 10 minutes to Oesterport station. Restaurants nearby, a Netto around the corner, again, considerably cheaper for our dates. A note to people traveling though, no AC and a shared bathroom. But a decent bed and breakfast for sure. Most hotels were running over $300 a night for my dates and this was $140 a night, including breakfast and VAT.

Had a tour with TJ and we could not have been happier. Very professional!

@Danishviking Thank you for your help for our first hotel. We also have a hotel for one night after our cruise. This one was chosen to be walking distance to Central Train Station so we can catch the train to the airport the following morning. I understand both are budget hotels/hostels. One is Annex Copenhagen Hotel and the other is the Saga Hotel. Price difference is negligible and reviews seem in favor of Annex, except for maybe it's exact location. What is your opinion on that? And would the best way to get to either of those hotels from Oceankaj? Taxi? I am not opposed to a bus and train ride. Thanks again. ��

I have found that the last several years I have booked great deals within the final booking window. That's how I am on a Baltic cruise this summer instead of the trip to California I was planning. Twice now, I have gotten unbelievable deals to Europe. I am willing to be somewhat flexible on cruise line, especially on a port intensive cruise. My last Europe deal was for a Mediterranean 12 night cruise on Princess with an oceanview room for under $1000. My Baltic cruise on HAL is a similar deal. When I looked a year out, they were over twice the price.

Sorry that I missed your post.

 

 

Hotel Rye seems to be the best hotel of these two, the reviews on TripAdvisor are excellent and the location on Østerbro is also way better compared to the location of the other hotel.

Østerbro is one of the oldest boroughs of Copenhagen so its very cozy.

There are many restaurants and cafe's around Østerbrogade.

 

Wake Up at Carsten Niebuhrs gade is located in an development area that is probably very nice when done but right now its a huge construction site.

 

On one side of the hotel they are demolishing the old post terminal to make room for some office bloks for Danske Bank, a new hotel and some apartment towers (with one being the highest in Copenhagen at 115 meters)

 

On the other side a new Cabinn hotel with 2 "towers" is being build and behind that a IKEA is on the way.

 

So lots of construction, but if you are a train nerd like me its located with a nice view over the central station.

Danishviking: Thank you so much. I was leaning toward Hotel Rye and the neighborhood being nice. Just wasn't sure if I would be unhappy being a little further but I think it will be nice walks or perhaps we might rent bikes one day. Hotel Rye has excellent reviews for a budget hotel and is very affordable for Copenhagen. Again thank you so much for your help.

Last question. Given we are in that location and plan to take a taxi from the airport to the hotel and probably a taxi to the port, do you feel a metro pass would be useful? I looked at the Copenhagen card, but not sure I wouldn't do better ala carte.

Oh I thought about the canal tours, I will be back with my comment on the hotels when I get home from the soccer game.

Thank you so much. I posted the names of both in post 175. I realize they are budget hotels. I just am wondering about which is the better area to stay in. 😊

I think both of them are great.

Thanks Danishviking. So you have no thoughts to which hotel area is better? I'm leaning toward Hotel Rye even though it may be a longer walk to some places. It seems more personal and in an area with cafes to find food. 😊 Do you agree with that over the area by Central Station?

Can anyone tell me where I might be able to find current MDR menus for the Zuiderdam during the ten day Jewel of the Baltic cruise? I would like to decide which night to book the Pinnacle Grill, and would like to see the MDR menus first. I would love the current Lido, room service menus and dailies for Europe this summer as well if anyone has them. Thank you.

@danishviking Thank you again in advance for giving me thoughts about the location two hotel options I asked about in post 175. Also wanted to ask your opinion on which canal boat ride to take.

Thanks again

Danish Viking: we arrive in Copenhagen on May 31st and will be there 3 nights before our cruise. Looking at budget hotels I have two reservations. Wake UP Copenhagen Carsten Gade and Hotel Rye on Ryesgrade just north of the last lake. Provided the weather is good,my husband and I will walk for miles, and have no issue using public transportation. Can you give me your insight as to which you think is the better location? We are thinking of just taking a taxi from the airport as we will be tired, but we are willing to do public transportation to the pier for embarkation. We will be leaving from Oceankaj. I appreciate your help.