Giantfan13

#1.

Unless you are from Florida and that is home, why bother going down there to end a NE cruise. Plus, any itinerary that includes Bar Harbor is good in my book.

Cheers

Len

People, we ARE tourists, so who really cares. What, a shop owner won't serve you because you look like a tourist?. A waiter won't wait on you because you look like a tourist. The entire idea is to be and feel comfortable.

Yes, a good walking shoe is essential, but don't go out and spend $200 for shoes when you may have a closet full of good sneakers at home. Just chose one that will be comfortable to walk in for hours at a time, day after day.

Cheers

Len

Yes, forget the parka. several layers does the trick. Depending on where you are from, either a warm weather climate or cold weather, might shed some more light on what you might need. Our first time, we brought mittens and hats, and only wore them when close to the glaciers. Second time we left them home, as it really wasn't that cold. (we felt that way, anyway) But, if you are from a warm weather climate, you would probably want them with you.

Cheers

Len

We also used SPB Tours, but only for St Petersburg. Our tour package came to $600 which we paid with crisp US Dollars (we had 6 $100 bills). As per what we read on CC, a 10% tip is usually the standard and we divided it $40 for the guide and $20 for the driver. We have found some people give more and divide it anyway they like, that's up to you.

Cheers

Len

We sailed the Pearl a couple of years ago. As was said, very laid back and if you do not want to schlepp those evening clothes, don't. Very few people will be wearing them. In fact, I wore my nicest flannel shirts most nights for dinner. It's what I'm comfortable in and most others wore what they felt comfortable in.

As for hot tubs, They have the same as most ships, 4 on the pool deck. after that, I'm not sure as we never used them. It's not our thing to share a hot tub with 16 other people.

Cheers

Len

We too have been to Alaska twice and the only time it rained on each trip was the sea day.

For sure, that is not to say it won't rain everyday on your trip, but those are the chances one takes. For us, to go out and spend top dollar on something you MAY need, and may NEVER use again, it utterly foolish, just to say we have it. You can go into any Army/Navy store and pick up a cheap rainproof poncho or some other thing to keep you dry.

As all have said, it is about layers. Get warm, so you stop and take a layer or two off. is that such a big deal?. Worry more about the shoes you will wear than the jacket. A good pair of waterproof walking shoes will do better than the jacket.

There are always some that need to wear top names, while others will go with whatever Walmart has these days (and they do have some very good stuff).

Cheers

Len

Prices for a Baltic Cruise right now are about as low as you will ever see them. Because of the political unrest in that region. Prices for 2015 are basically what they should be and if the unrest continues, they will fall also. If the unrest is settled, expect the price you paid now to become a bargain as the cruise lines will look to make up that lost revenue next year.

Cheers

Len

As some of the others have said, there are certain things, while not deal breakers, just could make either itinerary that much better.

make sure you have at least 2 days in St Petersburg. 3 days would be that much better, but the minimum is 2 days.

Docking in Stockholm is another thing to make an itinerary that much better. While docking in Nynashamn is inconvenient, you will also miss sailing the Archipelago and that is something you do not want to miss.

And an inside cabin is perfect for a cruise like this. You will sleep much better in the dark, and the money you will save will help pay for that tour in St Petersburg. We did an inside on our 13 day cruise and spent so little time in the cabin, we just loved it. The cruise is so port intensive that when you do go back to the cabin at night, you want to just get to bed to get that good rest for the action the following day. Plus there is really nothing to see from any balcony, just cool to cold air.

Cheers

Len

Well, we just loved the Rock Church. There is nothing like it. I would not call it beautiful, but it is very special. I think the Scandinavians have some kind of special attitude to their nature the way they combine it with architecture. The church is really made inside a big rock and has a copper wire sealing which makes music sound beautiful. We just sat there and listened. Stayed there for more than half an hour.

Also we went up the Olympic Stadium tower. It is the tallest point you can get to in Helsinki and you can see all the city from there.

We enjoyed the Sibelius monument, but mostly because the walk in the park was very pleasant. The monument itself is fascinating, but I believe you have to be Scandinavian to completely understand and appreciate it.

And we liked the central square - I do not remember the name of the big cathedral there, but it has a very tall and wide stairway in front of it and we liked how a lot of people just sat on these stairs and talked to each other. It looked like it was usual to do it and we tried as well (though just sitting on the stairs is not what we usually would do :)). A funny little detail, but that is when we really felt ourselves at ease in Helsinki.

I think you mean the Lutheran Cathedral in Senate Square

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1062.jpg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1063.jpg

Cheers

Len

Why don't you consider renting a car, in Skagway, and driving out of town. Your MIL can go at her own pace, watch from the car, or get out at certain spots and just admire the land and the scenery. My thoughts on ships tours are that they are way to crowded and your are a slave to the slowest person on the tour, which may be your MIL. LOL

Cheers

Len

If this is your first time going to Alaska, I fully agree with Karen, you must get out and see it. You can see a lot of wonderful things from the ship and the towns are very quaint, but if you are choosing to go to Alaska, find one interesting thing that you will bring home wonderful memories of.

We've been twice. first time we did this and that, wondering if we would get back. We did and second time, we did take the time to explore some of the things the towns have to offer. But we also planned one big day, renting a car in Skagway and driving into the Yukon to Emerald Lake. Renting a car is cheap compared to what some of the excursions cost, and if you are a couple, a family this would be the perfect thing. From this one trip we brought home unbelievable memories of seeing a bear walk out in the road a few yards from us, seeing eagles, and just the thought of getting into the Yukon and seeing the magnificent scenery, well, I get excited talking about it. You have to get out and see and experience this marvelous state.

Cheers

Len

Sorry, my friend, but if you have never had smoked salmon (lox) on a bagel then you don't know what you are missing. Yummy

Cheers

Len

Several of Chase's cards have no Foreign transactions fees, like the Sapphire card.

Cheers

Len

Back to the OP's original question

#1 has to be itinerary. As was said you must have at least 2 days in St Petersburg to do it any justice.

#2-price. If money isn't a big concern, then just skip this and move on to #3

#3 Where the ship leaves from is also a big thing. It is easier to get to say London than to Copenhagen or Stockholm, but less Baltic cruises are leaving from British ports these days.

#4 Where the ship docks at Stockholm. Personally, I would avoid any ship not docking directly in Stockholm.

From being on these boards for several years, I think I can say all the cruise lines do a good to very good job of sailing the Baltics. So, which brings us right back to #1, pick an itinerary that you will greatly look forward to.

Cheers

Len

I may be wrong, but if memory holds, the Churches you visit in St Petersburg, Spilled Blood, Peter and Paul and any others, you are on a tour, and we had people in shorts etc. No one was ever stopped. Maybe in the Vatican, but I have never heard of any person on a tour in St Petersburg, denied admission to any venue because of what they were wearing.

Cheers

Len

We also used SPB Tours (http://www.spb-tours.com/st-petersburg/en/node) for our time in St Petersburg and they are simply the best. dealing with Viktoria, the owner, was such a pleasure and she will cater any tour to meet your needs or desires. Check your roll call if you want to find a group to join. If you can't, contact her and she will try and find a group for you to join. The largest groups are only 16 people, so everything runs so smoothly.

Cheers

Len

thank you for the great review. We just booked this ship for late August and really knew nothing about her. Now I do, thanks again.

A couple of questions if you don't mind?

We are seniors but do not really enjoy sitting in the sun (I've had melanoma). Are there areas that do have some shade, or say, are there deck chairs,

on decks like a Promenade Deck that are covered by upper decks?

Are there any adult areas, that are sort of like 'quiet zones'?

Do you have copies of any of the menus? We are vegetarians but we do eat certain types of fish. Is there always a fish entrée available at most dinners.? We despise buffets, so we will always eat in the MDR. Is there the same selections as other cruise lines, in that there are several options if we don't eat meat?

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Cheers

Len

Yes, as Bruce stated, you get them on your ship, usually the day before St Petersburg. A while back, some posters said they were only given to people who had booked excursions thru the ship, and others had to go and get them from guest services, but now, they are usually distributed to everyone.

You fill it out, and carry it with you off the ship and give it to Russian immigration along with your passport and tour ticket.

Cheers

Len

Several of the tour companies do not want you to shop at the vendor's carts as they want you to spend your money at the local places they bring you too. If you are looking for inexpensive gifts and you can get to any of the vendor's carts, they are much cheaper than any other place. I can't vouch for their authenticity, but same can be said for any other place. We bought a Russian music box at a street vendor for $25.00 (we hondled them from $35.). That EXACT same music box was selling on our ship for $99.00, and at the store where they took us to for $60. So YOU do the math.

Again, I wouldn't make any major purchase from them, but you CAN get a bargain and they do take US dollars.

Cheers

Len

We've been twice, once on a Northern trip and the other, round trip from Seattle. On the latter, we did a week touring Washington State also.

http://s834.photobucket.com/user/Giantfan13/slideshow/

http://s834.photobucket.com/user/Giantfan13/slideshow/new%20alaska

Cheers

Len

You want maps, local info, ANYTHING about all the ports you are going, just Google each port, find the link to their tourism site and email them EXACTLY what you want and need. They will be more than happy to mail you whatever you ask for.

We wanted a walking tour map of Copenhagen, we did what I said and received several wonderful maps, with some great walking tours and many other great ideas of things to do. We did the same for Stockholm and Helsinki. We had printed out one for Tallinn, and a fellow CCer gave us one for Rostock, where we had planned to go from Warnemunde.

I am one who likes to have a plan A in place before we go and a Plan B in place when we get there if Plan A isn't very good. Having these in advance helped tremendously.

Cheers

Len

Thanks for all your advise, I will just layer and be prepared for all weather types and just keep our fingers crossed for good weather.

A lot may also depend on where you are from. People from say Florida may feel a chill a lot more than people from Vermont. You will not need any 'warm' clothing, but a decent sweatshirt and, as been said many times, a waterproof something. We opted for a couple of those inexpensive rain things that they sell in dollar stores. Use them, throw them away and so easy to carry.

There was a huge thread about what type of clothing is appropriate for Europe, on here. It would be a good idea to glance thru that. One thing is for sure, bring a good pair of walking shoes. I really would forgo any type of sandals as you will be walking on cobblestone streets in a couple of ports.

If you need shorts, bring them, but a few good pair of jeans will be the best bet for any type of weather.

Cheers

Len

It is a good idea to have some local currency when you are touring in that country. If you cannot get it before you leave, then try an ATM when you arrive. Sweden and Denmark use their own different currencies and would benefit you to try and have some of the local currency. You never know who will, and will not, take Euro's or a CC, especially smaller establishments and vendors.

Cheers

Len

Hi,

Since we are from the USA and have never traveled to the Baltic countries, could we expect our US credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, AmEx) to work in shops and restaurants?

 

I thought that Europe uses the new chip and pin credit cards.

 

Can anyone answer this question regarding credit cards? Otherwise, we will probably plan to bring additional cash, Euros, etc.

 

The countries we plan to visit are:

UK, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Finland, and Estonia.

 

Thanks,

Steve

Yes, as was just said, MasterCard and Visa will work in most places that have a person to take the charge. AMEX may be another story as they are hit and miss with businesses. We charged as much as we could, small amounts and large amounts.

We opted for the CapitalOne card because they don't charge any foreign transaction fees. Most MC and Visa charge about 3% of you purchase and it can add up. There are several other cards out there that also have 0 foreign transaction fees, so check with your bank. You should also have a debit card to use at an ATM if necessary.

Have a great trip

Cheers

Len

If you are looking for a 'private' tour meaning just the 2 of you, then that price is about right. Most of us have joined groups to lower that price considerably. Almost all the tour companies limit their groups to a max of 16 people and the going rate for a small group tour is usually about $250-$300 PP for the two days. Most of that depends on the tour you are doing as each company offers several options. But most are all in that price range.

We happen to use SPB Tours and couldn't have been more happy with them. http://www.spb-tours.com/st-petersburg/en/node. They will work with you to try and get you in a group if you can't find one on your own.

Cheers

Len