hal2008

3 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

honest answer: nope. We have worked from home since the pandemic started. I go out shopping about twice a week, always wearing a mask.

We got vaxxed as soon as our age was eligible. It took some time to convince my parents to get vaccinated, because they thought themselves immune forever after having original covid in May 2020. I got through to them because by that time it was clear that the immunity didn't last forever. 

DS went to school online for a year and in person last year, masks were required through mid-November of 2021, but he wore his until the school ended in May. We got lots of exposure notifications that bus riders were positive but DS didn't ride a bus.

DS has participated in outdoor sports, but not ones with super close contact.

We only got take out or ate outside on the patio.

Never in a crowd. We ventured out on a cruise last November, many wore masks unless actively eating or outside, and planes were fully masked. We didn't get covid that time and we felt safe - so, I booked the May cruise. Turns out, it was completely different from Nov cruise, and we got covid. Now my DH doesn't really want to go on Nov 2022 cruise because he thinks we'll get it again and it wasn't light enough for the two of us to just brush it off like some posters did.

 

My BFF went to a conference in Vegas last summer - thousands of people in a theater/arena setting, no masks, lots of audience hyping activities, singing and dancing. Many participants got covid and some died. BFF and her entire family had covid shortly before the conference so she was relatively safe (they vaccinated after getting covid).

 

2021 covid deaths of two of my (unrelated to each other) cousins who lived their lives like covid was just a cold only reinforced my efforts to protect myself and my family.

Thank you for your very useful input.

On 7/10/2022 at 10:06 PM, LizEsq said:

I’m sailing on the Harmony on 7/24. Any recommendations regarding safer options to grab some food (I.e. avoiding self-serve buffets where passengers are all touching the serving utensils and possibly the food itself)? Is the MDR the best option in your opinion?

COVID spreads more through proximity to breath (tiny droplets) of infectious person rather than surfaces.

As far as you sanitize your own hands before you eat, siting away from others preferably in open area is more helpful than packed enclosed MDR.

Small rooms events are riskier than open deck events obviously.

Elevators are one of the high risk area.

This post is in direct response to your question. Not interested in butting head with "covid is gone", "there is no higher risk on ships", "it is just a flu" crowd. They are entitled to have their own risk/reward analysis and reasoning.

Cruise critic unfortunately is not a great place to ask this question (it should be)

Folks who have determined cruises as higher than normal risky place in terms of probability have stayed away and do not visit htis boards.

Those who are "its just a flu", "masks dont work", "life has to go on" mindset, dominates these boards and jump in with comments to validate their own reasoning. So you are unlikely to get fair unbiased comments/advise/datapoints here.

You are unlikely to get any real stats from anyone as it is not in interest of anyone remotely associated with cruising industry to put out stats.

The other social media (one we are not suppose  to mention here) attracts more comments than roll call groups here.  And invariably you see people reporting testing positive few days AFTER the cruise.

Nothing specific against cruising. It is just that probability of catching it is higher in any indoor area where people congregate in higher density.

For some people cruising is about watching ocean and visiting various ports.

For others it is about having good time with fine dinning, theater shoes, comedy shows, indoor dance/exercise classes, drinking in bars, congregating in hot baths.

Risk is of course higher for the latter group than the former.

Everyone is entitled to make their own risk/reward analysis.

Also note that Slussen area is undergoing massive construction project and the location of Slussen-Djurgården  ferry has been moved bit north. (It will not be as shown on most guide book maps but not that difficult to find)

On 6/29/2022 at 8:26 PM, Millineumwomans said:

Most people on the dawn stay at Scandinavian grande central 

Will second that.

It is so convenient to Arlanda express coming from airport if you exit using the rearmost platform elevator (just roll bags to building next door, dont even have to cross the street)

Make sure to book a "Superior" room rather than the standard room. Price difference is not much but the size difference is.

If one likes to take public transport then the Bus 1 to Frihamnen port is just across the hotel. But would strongly recommend taking Uber if dragging luggage as distance from Bus stop to pier luggage drop is 800 meters and no fun over rough asphalt especially when it is windy or rainy or just hot. 

Thought others may benefit from what was found on disembarkation:

Cruise ship terminal has gift shop that sells all kinds of tickets and passes (single journey, 24 hour, 72 hour - even he Stockholm pass) and of course take US VISA/MC.

Norway in Nutshell is a very long day.

Breaking journey at Flam ad advised upthread is a good idea.

If you have never been to Oslo and you have reason to go to Oslo then the the standard Nin  itinerary does make sense (preferably with overnight in Flam)

Advantages of doing Bergen to Bergen is that you can do it without luggage and can start a bit later in the morning. It might be bit cheaper and total hours will be few less (doable without night stay in Flam)

BTW, lots of folks do this itinerary (OSL-BGO or reverse) with luggage without night halt. In fact, that is more common than night halt as accommodations sell out fast and is pricey.

For mid summer travel, first 4 hours out of 5 hour journey from Oslo to Myrdal is basically lakes and fir trees.  Beautiful but would have been great if it was for just an hour or two rather than four. The last hour before arriving at Myrdal, you see lots of glaciers but view is constantly interrupted by tunnels or snow sheds.

The over-hyped mountain train from Myrdal to Flam is great or ho-hum depends on how many other mountain trains you have already taken elsewhere. Novelty factor here is that train stops for 5-10 minutes at the waterfall (with lady dancing to recorded music in distance).

Fjord boat tour on the other hand is exceptionally good. This the essential part of "Norway in nutshell".

Of course weather can become a factor if too windy or rainy. But usually this the component that is the cream of the pie.

Bus to Voss from Gudevegen has become a boring option now that the government has closed the steep hairpin bends roads permanently and you are routed through boring tunnel.

Train from Voss to Begen actually has some good water views if you sit on the right side of the train.

One bad aspect of NiN is that every transfer has too much wait time built into the schedule.

If you have time and money, it is worth doing it.

On 7/1/2022 at 3:05 PM, Stuart Suss said:

Hal 2008 has recommended the easiest and the quickest, but also the most expensive way to travel between Arlanda and Frihamnen.  The journey can be made exclusively on public transportation for the cost of a 24 hour transit pass and you will have public transit access for the remainder of the 24 hours. Details available upon request.

 

If you are using public transportation to the pier, I do not see the distance between the bus stop and the cruise ship as being "significant."  As I read the map, the distance between the bus stop for the #76 bus, Frihamnens färjeterminal, and the cruise ship is 700 meters, less than a half mile. That should be a 10 minute walk.

 

And if the weather is nice, and if you want to take the #80 boat, they run every 30 minutes to Frihamnen.  Just make sure the destination is Ropsten.  The express #80X is a 45 minute ride. The #76 bus ride to Frihamnens färjeterminal is about 15 minutes.

 

 

You are right on the money about Arlanda+Uber being the expensive route (only cheaper than I guess using Stockholm's taxis).

Arlanda express is about 20 USD per person (when 2 persons traveling together). Airport Bus is cheaper (around 12 usd per person but longer).  Arlanda is extremely convenient with elevator right outside the custom area taking you directly to the platform. If you use commuter train at Arlanda, you have to pay the "Arlanda Gateway Fee" which negates most of the savings - let alone the added hassles.   There is possibility of getting Flixbus for around 6-7 USD provided there is one running when you land. (sometimes wait is several hours - schedule is available online). The cheapest option ("cost of 24 hour travel card") involves finding the busstop for bus 583. Take luggage on it to Mastra station. Drag luggage to CORRECT platform. Take commuter train 42 (or 41) to the central station.

(all the time making sure that you are not victim of pickpocket or purse snatch - something while not as bad as Barcelona, is indeed has become an issue in recent years in Scandinavia , enough for Rick Steve to raise a caution in his guide books)

Also, was thinking more about typical age of the US based cruise travelers for baltic cruise and their general comfort level about local bus after long (rescheduled) stressful TA flight. Compared to the cost of Cruise fare and airfare, 20 USD (or 12 USD) IMHO is not that costly. But to each their own.

Would certainly recommend Bus 76 (or actually more frequent Bus 1) if this was a port call (no luggage).

For start/end of the trip, chugging luggage from Bus 76 on asphalt was no fun (may be Scandinavian summer sun and balmy 86F (30C) temperature was a factor).

Commuter ferry is a nice alternative if you can get to one of its boarding spot rather easily (One can get to Nybroplan using Tram 7 from Central station for example) as it landing spot is almost next to luggage drop at pier. It was indeed a nice ride.

On 6/30/2022 at 12:56 PM, DragonOfTheSeas said:

Thank you so much for posting this.  I understand Sweden is a mostly cashless country--but, I still wondered about the market.  

 

I was not happy to see it is a 30 minute walk to the market.  I read that there was a shuttle for a fee during a previous Voyager of the Seas cruise that had a port call on Visby.  I am fine paying for the fee.  I hope there will be one for our cruise, too.  

Recommend taking RCL shuttles.

12 USD.

It seems given the chaos at the larger airports using something like Bergen or Warsaw for the TA part might be preferable even if increases travel time (and extra connection).  Most European airports have issues with staff shortages at check-in and security.  Transfers at smaller airports is not chaotic.

On 7/7/2022 at 11:53 AM, pghflyer said:

I was told by crew and other guests that the industrial facility was not allowing outside parties into the area.  This is really the middle of nowhere, so even if you knew where the outside of the restricted area was, not sure I would trust the other party to find it.  If it were me, I would definitely just have them pick you up at the shuttle drop point in town.

Would strongly second that.

KS site is horrible looking with no infrastructure.

Even shuttle buses dont have proper roads within the port premises.

Meeting guide at shuttle drop off (near Polu gate and Riga Castle?) might be more advisable.

1. Radisson Blue

2. Thon

3. Scandic

We know about the strike situation for nearly 4 weeks now. 

Refundable Backup plan (air canada or other star alliance partner) was easy at that time

(Good travel insurance will pay for the difference in cost of alternative transport if flight is cancelled by the carrier especially when you have missed connection for cruise option)

1. Arlanda express is extremely convenient with elevator located just outside baggage claim and that elevator takes you directly to the platform.  Train starts and ends at the airport. It zooms to central station in 20 minutes where it terminates.  No scope of any confusion.  399 SEK for 2 persons traveling together.  Vending machine next to elevator has English language option and takes US credit card. 

2. Scandic grand Central (suggested upthread) is next door when you take the rear most elevator from the platform.  Another Scandic and Radisson are convenient to main  Central station.  Plenty of hotel choices to various budget levels.

3. If going to cruise ship at frihamnen with luggage, might be preferable avoid taking public transport.  Distance from bus stop is significant.  Ferry stop is convenient at port but takes a lot of time and is not that frequent.  Just do Uber.  From hotel doorstep to luggage drop at the port for about 180 SEK (18 USD) in about 20 minutes.

4. US credit cards were accepted by HSL app in Helsinki but SL app in Stockholm had issues with it. 

This might be a better thread for this question.

Any recommendations for walking tour of Riga old town and art Nuevo district? 

Any suggestions on walking tour of Riga? 

Where do you buy 24 hour SL ticket after cruise at frihamnen terminal?

Dragging bags to bus is out of question.  So it is either Uber or ferry (which is so conveniently located)

Can you buy 24 hour ticket on the ferry or is there a way to buy it at terminal itself?

While US credit cards worked on public transit apps elsewhere smoothly, SL app cud not handle it 

Contactless credit card works fine for single journey but don't think you can buy 24 hour ticket using them.

Anyone has any info on this?

Thanks 

It's quite easy to just route via star alliance partners as there are so many.  It is just that it adds to travel time. On the other hand, with long layover, one can add a quick visit to another city.

Air Canada, can help you arrive at similar time but may have to start early at US end.   Toronto airport being zoo (which is true as much is that is true about so many other major European hubs) does not affect those inbound from USA and just transiting for outbound to Europe (with star alliance partners, you stay within secure airside of Terminal E. Maple Leaf lounge is almost empty until afternoon and by evening there is a line to get in)

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY.

It is fine when everything goes fine but when THEY MAKE MISTAKE, there is no real customer service to reach to get any help.

They put wrong date and time on the report tendering the whole charade useless.

Recommend NOT USING ON POINT and try something else.

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY.

If everything goes fine, it will be ok.

But otherwise there is no customer service of ANY kind

Last thing you want is added stress because of their mistake

(They put wrong date/time on the report!!!!)

We ended up having to do test again.

SUGGEST USE ALTERNATIVE.

DO NOT RECOMMEND ONPOINT ON_POINT COVID TEST service for cruises.

6 hours ago, SusanZebal said:

Well said ! ! !

Humbly disagree that  the rant by JKHawail was "well said".

There is a reason why mere utterance of word "first world problem" is banned in so many groups.

This entire cruise critic web site and all its boards and posts in a way are "first world problems" if you really want to apply that logic.

Most people come to CC to gather info to plan and work out potential kinks and give/get suggestions.  One certainly doesn't have to read (let alone post) if one doesn't think the post/thread is important.

Few posters here are justifiably concerned about this particular port for this particular ship. It is not a question of whining. There are genuine questions.

1. Even if someone offers shuttle (city/tourist board or even RCL), are they going to be enough to handle pax load of a cruise ship (especially while returning)?

2. How bad is traffic situation in the afternoon that can affect the return trip?

3. If private vehicles are not allowed to enter the restricted port area, how much of walk is remaining?

These are fair logistics questions for which CC has been traditionally quite useful.

The fact that this ship's porting is an oddball compared to 95% of other cruise ships visiting Riga means that kinks may not have been thought through. let alone worked out by local authority and RCL.

Thanks Stuart, for staying on top of this and keeping us all informed.

1 hour ago, adam7392 said:

I'm going to bring some euros to cover Riga, Estonia and Helsinki but I'm expecting almost everywhere will accept swipe cards.  For Sweden and Denmark I'll rely on my CC and pin as I don't want to purchase another 2 currencies. 

 

For most small purchases you'll be able to simply swipe and not need a pin.  However each country will have a limit at which point a pin will be needed but I don't know each countries limit on this cruise  (In UK it was recently raised to a fairly hefty £100 before a pin is required).  However, if the swipe card is being used in an irregular patttern to normal (and making lots of small purchases across several countries in a small time frame is probably going to be unusual compared to your norm) then the machine is going to sometimes ask for a pin as a security measure.

 

For the Visby festival, again I'm expecting most stall holders will have swipe card machines.

 

Upshot is you should get a pin just to be sure (and check it works before departure) but forgo a wallet full of currencies.

You will be fine as you are from UK and you already have a PIN based CC.

But Dargon is from Virginia and will not have PIN based CC unless it is from one of the govt associated credit union such as AndrewsFCu, PenFed, etc.

Things are far better about US credit cards that lack PIN now than it used to be 10-12 years ago.

You may still run into problems at automated ticket machine at train station (it used to be that you have to go to the manned office) or at gas station (may have to go inside to pay with US credit card) and some toll booths if you dont have the electronic gadget.

For most cruise pax, US credit card will work at most places they are usually interested in, unless it is off beat local excursion or cash tips  (service charge is usually included most places) You may need small local coins more than anything (public toilets)

In Scandinavia many tourist oriented businesses will take Euro (at unfavorable exchange rate)

Since most of the central tourist area is so walkable in summer, planning to do one or two single journeys on bus/tram rather than 24 hour pass (if it make sense).

Question:

Single journey tickets are valid for 75 minutes.

If your journey involves transfer and second leg is rather long journey (within city limits like route 80 to frihamnen), is it ok if your time expires midway through your journey as far as you boarded the second leg before time had expired?

Thanks

Hopefully a helpful informed local would opine with the latest situation but the following three points need to be taken into considerations

1. CPH along with many other European airports are big mess this summer with media reporting lines of 3-4 hours snaking outside building at some European airports

2. As US droppin entry test requirement (one of the last countries to do so), demand for testing is going to drop exponentially (seems like cruise pax might be the only one left) and many centers open today, may not be open in few weeks when you need it

3. SAS (main airline at CPH) is going on strike which may or may not make matter worse. But a point to consider

What is validity of single ticket on local transit within city (2 zones) (how many minutes)

Does you ticket have to be valid (time wise) for entire journey within zon1/2 or as far as you got on before it expired, it is ok.

This becomes an issue when your transfer is onto a harbor boatbus or city bus which has longer leg