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dolfans0704

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Posts posted by dolfans0704

    Things you wish someone told you before your first Baltic cruise

    in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

    Posted

    YES !!! the planning IS as much fun as the vacation its self !! infact a few years ago we had to hold back a bit on the planning as the vacation itself was becoming a bit of an anti climax !!!!! so we now know how much to prepare before hand and make ourselves go off piste sometimes !!

     

    LOL! I can so relate! You should see my travel binder. I have to pay extra to check it on the plane!

     

     

    Dolfans from Miami

     

    "When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do!"

    Walt Disney

    Wonderful Copenhagen

    in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

    Posted

    For some odd reason the old Copenhagen thread is closed (I´m only a little bit angry) but there are some outdated info so maybe its okay to start on a fresh.

     

    So if anyone has some unfinished questions just ask here.

     

     

     

    Here are some links to find some info by yourself.

     

     

    Travel planner to trains, S-trains, Metro, harbour busses and busses.

     

    http://www.rejseplanen.dk/

     

    Copenhagen Airport

     

    http://cph.dk/CPH/UK/MAIN/

     

    Port information for both Copenhagen and Malmö

     

    http://www.cmport.com/

     

    Tourist website

     

    http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/?__utma=199091752.1666140335.1357547684.1357547684.1358767944.2&__utmb=199091752.3.10.1358767944&__utmc=199091752&__utmx=-&__utmz=199091752.1357547684.1.1.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=copenhagen%20card&__utmv=-&__utmk=24131578

     

     

    A few taxi companies

     

    http://www.amagerobrotaxi.dk/

     

    http://www.cphtaxa.dk/

     

    http://www.dantaxi.dk/Koebenhavn

     

    And a website to calculate taxi prices.

     

    http://www.taxapriser.dk/

     

    Hello Danish Viking

    Just as an FYI, you reached a total of 4413 posts on the old thread which to me, speaks volumes! You have provided such a wonderful service over the years and have assisted so many travelers find their way around your amazing City. I would like to thank you for taking time to provide us with such valuable information and I can't wait for my upcoming visit in May!

     

     

    Dolfans from Miami

     

    "When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do!"

    Walt Disney

    Comparing SPB & Alla Tours in St. Petersburg

    in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

    Posted

    Looks like you guys all scored great tours at super prices. Congratulations! :)

    We booked with Alla for our 2 days in Saint Petersburg & our day in Berlin. The tours were fabulous! You are all in for a real treat! And Alla herself is simply the sweetest lady.

    Saint Petersburg is an amazing city!

    Enjoy! :)

    jill

     

    Great to hear it! These boards are so useful in providing information to all us cruisers. Best of luck in getting your tour together!

     

     

    Dolfans from Miami

     

    "When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do!"

    Walt Disney

    Do you need advice about Stockholm?

    in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

    Posted

    I was just making a comparison of the cost of touring the three things I'd like to see: Vasa, Gamla Stan and City Hall. The ship has a 4.5 hour tour of these 3 places for $99 and I assume no waiting in lines or worrying about reservations. Using the HOHO bus and paying for admissions (assuming you can get a time at city hall) is about $65. Buying the Stockholm card and using public transportation is about $75. I assume there are no lines using that card at the Vasa but you still need a city hall tour time.

     

    So while the HOHO bus looks like the cheapest way to go, I worry about them being too crowded with 5 ships in port and the lines for purchasing tickets to the Vasa etc. The Stockholm card looks like the most flexible way to go despite the lack of assurance of getting in city hall. I really do hate ships tours, but it may be the most relaxing.

     

    Comments?

     

    Come to think of it, you may be better off doing a private tour through Alla! Not sure who your are using in SPB (or even if that is one of your ports of call) but we received the info below announcing that they are now doing inside visits to both City Hall and Vasa you may want to check it out and it is less people on her tours. Below is the post that our board received.

    Alla Ushakova - 02 January 2013 11:27 pm

    Dear Friends,

    Happy New Year to you and your families!

    I am writing to inform you about availability of early tour booking discounted prices for our tours in St Petersburg!

    Cost of St Petersburg group tours is:

    St Petersburg Grand tour $325 is changed to $300 pp

    St Petersburg Comfort tour $300 is changed to $275USD pp

    St Petersburg 3-day Grand tour $420USD pp changed to $385USD pp

     

    Our pricing policy for the early booking of the package tours has been changed as well:

    1. Now we offer booking packages with as many cities as you wish starting form just 2 cities! It gives you extra package discount when booking 2, 3, 4 or 5 cities!

    2. Our 5h Stockholm Grand tour includes both Vasa museum and City hall inside visits

     

    Cost of our most popular 4-city and 5-city packages is:

    4 city package with St Petersburg 2-day tour, Helsinki, Tallinn and Berlin 480USD pp

    4-city package with St Petersburg 2-day tour, Helsinki, Tallinn and Stockholm 450USD pp

    5 city package with St Petersburg 2-day tour, Helsinki, Tallinn, Stockholm and Berlin is $575USD pp

     

    We kindly ask for your friendly support on cruisecritic roll calls by posting the current pricing information for your fellow cruise mates that enables them to join the groups at the guaranteed prices listed above. Thank you so much!

    Sincerely yours,

    Alla

    Do you need advice about Stockholm?

    in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

    Posted

    I did the same comparison prior to purchasing the Stockholm Card but I figured for the extra $10.00 for the card as opposed to $65.00 for HOHO and ticket admissions, it was worth it to us. Especially since we enjoy utilizing the public transportation in ports and that the bus drivers do not take cash when you board. From what I understand, you must have a ticket in hand to travel on the bus. In your case with 5 other boats in port and if you are really set on visiting all 3 sites, it may be worth considering the ship tour. Sometimes the ship tours are more convenient and less stressful especially when you have time restraints. That is probably the direction I would go in if I was in your shoes. I am looking forward to reading other opinions on this as well. Best of luck in your planning!

    Do you need advice about Stockholm?

    in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

    Posted

    It is a "catch 22"! When are you visiting Stockholm? The opening hours change to 8:30 am starting June 1st as north-bound points out in his post so depending on when you are there will determine your plans. With 5 ships in port I would think that your first stop should be Vasa since others who do not post in these boards may take there time in getting over there. Are you planning on doing the City Hall tour as well?

    Do you need advice about Stockholm?

    in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

    Posted

    Thank you so much for all the valuable information you have provided. IMHO, it makes more sense to me to do the City Hall tour first since this is a "timed" event and we could arrive somewhere around 9:30 am to purchase tickets for the 10:00 am tour then go to Vasa from there. This will also give us more flexibility touring Vasa in case we want to spend more time there. I just worry with all the posts saying to do Vasa first thing due to the long lines that form. As of now it appears that there is only one ship in port besides ours so maybe it will not be so flooded with cruise ship passengers needing to rush to the Vasa first thing in the morning. Also, seeing City Hall first will give us the flexibility to pop in to see some if the exhibits on display at the Nordic Museum after Vasa prior to going over to Gamla Stan. What are your thoughts? Thanks again, north-bound!

    Do you need advice about Stockholm?

    in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

    Posted

    I would appreciate your advise on one more thing, north-bound. Do you think it is worth going by City Hall to get the tickets for the noon tour prior to going to the Vasa? Or possibly doing the City Hall tour at 10:00 am? I noticed on their website that you provided (thank you for that) the tours are only for 10 people at a time. I would hate to arrive too late and not be able to visit inside. What do think would work best? I am not too sure on what the crowds will be like toward the end if May. Thank you for your input.

    Do you need advice about Stockholm?

    in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

    Posted

    Thank you, north-bound, for the great information. We are planning to visit Vasa first and from there head over to City Hall to catch there noon tour if it is scheduled. We will then head over to the Royal Palace/Gamla Stan area and do Rick Steves walking tour which ends at Slussen Locks. We will be using public transportation during our visit so we will catch the bus from Slussen to the stop close to where are ship is docked. Can't recall the stop name but I know it is right by the dock and there is now a walkway where you can access it from the port parking lot. It is in my notes. We purchased and have received by mail our Stockholm Cards. Please feel free to add any additional comments. Thanks again.

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