Giantfan13

There is vegetarian and then there is Vegan.

We are also vegetarians but we eat fish. If you do fish, then you will have a ball eating. They always have a fish dinner, along with a vegetarian meal. If you don't looked the fish of the day, you can have salmon every night.

We never walk away hungry :D:D:D:D

Cheers

Len

If this is your first time in Europe, I would also say London. So much to see and do a week isn't enough time. We did a pre and post cruise stay in London, with a side trips to Paris and a day visiting sites outside of London.

We would love to go back someday.

Cheers

Len

Great comments. We want to do Baltic

Mid Sept. Copenhagen to Amsterdam with 3 days in St Peterdburg. Probably will be cool. What cruise line did you go on

Did you bring fleece.

 

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When we cruised, about 3 years ago now, we used NCL from Dover. I do not believe they are doing that anymore, opting for Copenhagen departures.

We cruised mid to late August and had magnificent weather. Mornings and evenings were a bit chilly, but during most days it was mid 70's and short sleeves.

We did bring layers, as that is the key. You shouldn't need major jackets, but a good sweatshirt and windbreaker will get you thru most of the weather conditions.

Mid September will be chilly as you are just about into Autumn. Maybe even the last cruise of the season.

Cheers

Len

Copenhagen is truly a remarkable city. It is very easy to do on your own and see all the major sites. We also did a walking tour and at a very leisurely pace, we saw everything in about 5-6 hours, with stopping for the Canal Boat tour which is about an hour. If you write to the Copenhagen Tourist office, they will send you wonderful things. Mention you are on a cruise and would love to do a walking tour of the city. Also Rick Steve's has some great walking tours.

Here are a few pixs of Copenhagen. Most are in a 2 mile radius of each other.

If you ship docks at Langeline you are within minutes of Copenhagen's most visited attraction, the Little Mermaid statue

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe212.jpg

Walking along from there, you will come to the Nyhavn section. This is a most colorful area where you can (and should) do the canal boat tour.

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe248_zps07b56845.jpg

From the boat you will go thru the canals of Copenhagen and get a terrific different perspective of the city

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe284_zpscc7bc696.jpg

If you so desire you can visit the Royal Palace and if you time it right you can watch the changing of the guard ceremony

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe233.jpg

You can now walk to the main square in the city, where Tivoli Gardens is. This is also where the Town hall is

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe330.jpg

Many people also like to visit Rosenborg Castle, where you can tour and view the crown jewels.

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe340.jpg

You will have a marvelous time in this wonderful city

Cheers

Len

Heya,

 

So I wanna send my parents (60 and 57) on a cruise and I (will be 30 on August 3). I'm trying to find out that they will like - my mom's already done Alaska... and I know they are not into the beach scene. So a North Europe cruise is what I'm thinking... but I got some questions - but first - I plan on sending them during the first week of August (maybe a few days in July will work too)

 

1- Most common cruise lines (except for one Princess date) are Costa (horrid reviews), MSC (mixed reviews) and Hurtigruten - can anyone tell me about the Hurtigruten line because a) there are no staff evaluation on this line and b) people ratings are VERY limited.

 

2- What can I expect in a North European Cruise (primarily Norway). Assuming no Northern Lights because it's "summer" there right? Assuming it's still cold... beautiful scenary - is there something else you guys can tell me?

 

Appreciate any feedback/help and thanks!

 

Thanks!

I understand you mentioned Northern Europe, but you might also want to consider a Baltic cruise instead. Yes, the Northern Europe cruise is all about spectacular scenery, but a Baltic cruise will take your parents to places that they only dreamed about going to. Places like Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki and best of all St Petersburg Russia.

I am in that age group of your parents, (a bit older though) and we had to pinch ourselves to truly believe we were going to Russia and when we were there, it was truly remarkable. We grew up in the times when Russia was our bitter enemy, so getting to visit that country, was truly an amazing time. Plus, you have many, many more options for cruise lines, since most of the major cruise lines do the Baltics.

Either way, I'm sure your parents will be overjoyed at your thoughtfulness.

Cheers

Len

We are sailing the Carnival Splendor into the Bahamas mid February. We do not do beaches or much sun for that matter as I have had a bout with melanoma, so what are our options for some fun?.

We are both seniors and can get around, and my DW loves to shop, but we do not want to spend the two days there just shopping.

We will be in Nassau and Freeport, and any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Len

Not to get into an argument with other posters, but over the years, it has always been the prevailing opinion that money spent on a balcony stateroom for a Baltic Cruise can be put to better use somewhere else.

Most Baltic cruises are very port intensive, you do not have many sea days and you are usually in port from early in the day till late in the afternoon. Again, most people are usually tired when coming back and want to rest up for the next day, and have little time to enjoy the balcony. PLUS, there is very little to see from your balcony. Even sailing the Archipelago in Stockholm is best done up on the highest deck where you can get a more panorama view.

It is always, different strokes for different folks, but for that $800, you could book a very nice private tour in St Petersburg and have money left over for several other things.

Again, this is just my humble opinion, but facts are facts.

Cheers

Len

My wife and I are back-to-back cruising next spring, Celebrity Constellation, Transatlantic, Baltic Sea, and the Gulf of Finland. We would like recommendation for private guided tours for the following ports:

Lisbon, Portugal

Paris (Le Havre), France

London (Dover), England

Bruges (Zeebrugge), Belgium

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany

Tallinn, Estonia

St Petersburg, Russia

Helsinki, Finland

Stockholm, Sweden

Copenhagen, Denmark

We have cruised 15 times (mostly in the Caribbean and Mediterranean) and have only used a private tour company once (in Alexandria/Cairo, Egypt) and it was great.

 

Please provide your recommendations, comments, and contact information.

 

Thanks, SeaSalts

We also used SPB Tours for our time in St Petersburg. They are wonderful and will make your time in their city so memorable.

We opted to do all the other ports on our Baltic cruise on our own. Depending on how you want to see them, they are very, very easy to do on your own. If you prefer a tour, I know SPB has a 5 city tour option which will save you some nice change.

We did a pre and post cruise stay in London. No tour really necessary, but if you want to get around, use either of the two major HoHo bus tours. We used the Original Tour Company line and was very satisfied with them. If you do sue them, be sure to buy the reduced lunch tickets at the Sherlock Holmes Pub. They also include a river trip on the Thames.

We also did a day in Paris, but we did that on pour own also. Paris is very easy to get around and most of the main sites are concentrated in one area.

Cheers

Len

If you are on any sort of group tour, there will be ample bathroom stops, and those are done at , WHAT, the souvenir stores. (OMG). It's fine though, the ships offer a very wide variety of Russian things and their prices are comparable with anywhere else. (except for the vendors at the pushcarts). At these stops, they usually also offer cold or hot drinks and vodka tasting.

If you want to use the shop at the ship's pier, do it on the 2nd day. They will bring you back in plenty of time, before the ship leaves, so that will give you ample time to shop and grab those last minute things.

As for pics, bring extra memory cards, as you will be taking pics all the time. Every stop is a Kodak moment.

Cheers

Len

What are the best St. Petersburg tour companies for a private or Group tour? Is Red October still popular? Any others better?

Just read down the page, St. Petersburg-Private tour companies.

That is just one of countless threads on this subject.

Cheers

Len

We're sailing on the 20th July! I've contacted SPB Tours several times and they've been really good to reply. Just booked our 2 day tour.

Great choice. SPB Tours does a fantastic job and Viktoria is just a joy to work with. I must have emailed her every other day, and she always replied back the very next day, always reassuring us and answering all our questions, no matter how silly or trivial they might have been. You will meet her before your tour is over. Say Hi from Len for me. :D:D:D

Cheers

Len

When we were doing our research for our tour in St Petersburg, we emailed several of the major players. Most sent back a personal email, Denrus sent us back a sort of form letter. That immediately turned me off from them.

After doing further research we found also found out that they made tours of up to 30 people, opposed to the other groups who limited their groups to about 16.

Now, I don't know if this has changed, as I see sddsddean only had 12 on their tour. Years ago, Denrus and Red Oktober where the major players in St Petersburg, but in the last 5 years, several other groups have formed who just seemed to care more about if you have a great time. Denrus seemed aloof. I hope they have changed their tune.

Cheers

Len

VR

You would make a great travel agent for Tallinn:D:D:D:D

Cheers

Len

Hi everyone!

 

Anyone know of a good private tour company in St Petersburg, Russia?! Will be there for two days in July while on Legend of the Seas. Is there anything else I should know about touring in Russia?!

 

Thanks I'm advance :-)

You might receive 100 answers on this question and every one will swear their tour company was the best and their guide was that also. They ALL do a great job doing what they do.

We also used SPB Tours for our time in St Petersburg and have recommended them ever since. They do more than a wonderful job, they excel at what they do. And I'm sure the people who used Best Guides will say the same thing, and the people who used TJ will say that also, as well as the ones who used ALLA Tours.

You cannot go wrong with any of the major tour companies, and that is the key. There might be 20 or so companies out there, but my advice is to stay with the 4-5 well known ones that have all the experience in this sort of thing. Several others are sort of start up companies and may not have all the quirks out of the system yet.

If you have already chosen SPB TOURS. I can guarantee you will have a wonderful time. They just do a fantastic job showing you their city, and if you decide to book them for some of the other ports you will be visiting, you usually can get a better deal the more ports you book.

Don't know if you've been to your roll call for your ship, but if others are looking to share a tour, now would be the best time to either join a tour or organize your own.

Cheers

Len

I don't know if it is still offered, but I remember a year or so ago, several people saying that they were able to have dinner at Catherine's Palace, being served by people in costume of the day. That really sounds interesting. I do not know which tour group offered that, and again, I haven't seen it mentioned this year yet.

Cheers

Len

I do not know about you, but in my lifetime, I just haven't visited that many Palaces, and when the chance comes to visit another one, I'll probably take it. Maybe if my residence was Buckingham Palace, it might get a bit bored, but since I live in a average colonial, something about visiting palaces is sort of thrilling.

Both my DW and myself are also not big Museum people, but spending 3 hours in the Hermitage is like dropping in for a quick peek and nothing more, just a drop in a bucket of what it has to offer. Churches, yes, we may get a bit tired of visiting many, but in St Petersburg, most see 3 in two days and even we loved them, as each is completely different.

As I said, we are both seniors. We grew up in the 'duck and cover' generation, when Russia was the sworn enemy and we were each going to blow each other up 10x over. Just the thought of vacationing in that country sent a thrill down our spines and we were so excited about that. We kept pinching ourselves, 'are we REALLY here?'

To be honest our favorite port was Stockholm, but we just loved every minute of our time in St Petersburg and maybe next time, we make it 3 days.

Cheers

Len

As I just said in a prior post, why do people love to find these start up companies, who throw some advertising on the internet, get some friends to put up great reviews on Trip Advisor, and think that they must book with them.

What is the fascination with these companies, when you know booking with SPB Tours, ALLA Tours, TJ Tours, Best Guides, you will get excellent service, excellent tours and you will be assured of doing and seeing exactly what you want. I just do not understand why some feel the need to go elsewhere for some unknown reasons.

We also used SPB Tours. As I have said for several years, we booked with them because of exceptional customer service, just glowing reviews from everyone, and the owner, Viktoria just making us feel so at ease, we felt it was a no brainer. I'm sure all those who used other groups on my list felt the same way.

Why chance the trip of a lifetime to people who are new in that department and do not have the same experience as the major players there.

Cheers

Len

My fault Nancy, when you said the Legend, I assumed it was the Carnival Legend which IS cruising the Baltics this year, but not next.[/b]

Sorry to scare you.:):):):)

Cheers

Len

Welcome back! I was originally booked on your cruise, but had to postpone it until next June on Legend. I'm glad you enjoyed your 3 days in St. Petersburg with Alla.

Nancy

The Legend isn't going to cruise the Baltics next year. better check with

your TA. :D:D:D:D

Cheers

Len

I do and I will make it my business to try that next time I am dining. It does sound interesting. (especially since I was just making a like out of it:):):))

Cheers

Len

Carnival Legend is in the Baltic now with its first cruise out of Dover, England started on June 21. We will be doing B2B in August.

Thanks for the heads up. I know Carnival cancelled out of next year though.

Cheers

Len

It seems as if the only cruise line to be doing this is Princess and we have heard varying ports of this. Some cruises, they do try and influence how cruisers are leaving the shop, and on others, nothing to even mention. We have not heard anything like what you said from any of the other cruise lines.

I do not think Carnival does a Baltic run.

Cheers

Len

We are new to Cruise Critic so I don't know if I am doing this right. We are on the Celebrity Eclipse August 17th cruise and have signed up for Meenu's group Grand tour of St. Petersburg. I was asked to post our booking of the Alla tour on Roll Call. Hope this takes care of this request. John & Nancy

Welcome to our part of the Cruise Critic site. The roll call is a separate section. You have been given the link, so that is where you want to go to speak to people who are on your particular cruise. That is where you can either start a tour or try and join an already formed tour. You can see what others on your cruise are doing.

This particular forum is for the ports you will be visiting. If you find you need any info on any or all the ports, this is where you would ask those questions or seek any advice.

Do some reading on this forum. there are many threads about each of the ports you will visit. Go to the library and take out whatever books you can find on the Baltics. It is a very exciting, but port intensive cruise. There aren't enough hours in the day to see all there is to see, so you have to prioritize.

Most people do many of the ports themselves as they are very easy. there are also tours from several of the tour companies that you may book St Petersburg with. That's up to you.

Again, go to the roll call. Introduce yourself and see what others are doing.

Cheers

Len

I found no bargains in any of the ports -- this part of the world is very expensive. The best deal I found was the t-shirt sale on the Emerald Princess 2 for $20.

I guess it is all relevant.

We bought several inexpensive nesting dolls sets in Tallinn, great for gifts and we felt well worth what we paid for them. Also in Tallinn, those sweaters are well worth their high prices if that is what you like.

You also can get a good buy on Russian Vodka, depending on how much you can take back to the states.

Copenhagen, no real deals

Helsinki, we bought several wooden trivets that they are known for. Not a great price but compared to what you would pay at home, it was a good deal.

Stockholm, no really great buys.

Warnemunde/Rostock-We got the best deal here. We took the ferry to Rostock. I ordered a beer on the ferry and they brought it in his big glass mug. I like the mug so much I asked if I could buy one and they charged me 2 euros for it (about $3.00). While walking in town we felt that that would also be a great gift, so we found a restaurant and asked if we could buy a couple of glass mugs. Some wouldn't sell us any but we found one who would, for 4 euros each, another great buy (at least for us).

What a great gift, a glass stein from Germany with the beer insignia on is.

There are things out there, you just have to search them out.

Cheers

Len

If you are doing the longer tour and are going to Thunder Hole, check when the tides are coming in. If you miss the window of when the tide is coming in, Thunder Hole is really just a nice spot to look at and not much more. The real action is when the tide is rushing in. We did this and timed it perfectly. Once the tide gets too high the rushing water which creates the 'Thunder' is gone and anytime the tide is going out, you also lose the effect.

Thunder hole as the tide is starting to come in

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3490_zpsfa15b422.jpg

and as it really storms into the 'Hole'

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3492_zps48a09c59.jpg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3499_zps3d8fa083.jpg

Thunder Hole is just a magnificent setting. Looking in the other direction

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3504_zpsa965157b.jpg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3506_zps126c8a58.jpg

Acadia National Park is just magnificent. see as much of it as you can.

Hope you enjoy

Cheers

Len