Voyager to the Baltic - pt. 1

[Call me Ishmael]

Travel and Boarding

 

 

Our cruise started in Le Havre, France as the Voyager was being repositioned from the Mediterranean to the Baltic. We used RSSC air, but added extra days at the beginning to deal with jet lag as well as visit Normandy; we also an extra day at the end to see Stockholm. I made our own hotel arrangements, so we could not make use of the airport transfers which are part of the air arrangements. RSSC charges a hefty $100 pp for air deviations unless you buy their hotel package.

 

 

We boarded the ship as soon as we arrived at the quay at approximately 2:45 pm with no wait. We were escorted to the show room where we were photographed, given champagne and our i.d. key cards. The rooms were not yet ready but there was to be an announcement at approximately 3 pm.

 

 

The Ship

 

 

Since we had not been on the Voyager before, we immediately began exploring.. Our previous RSSC experience has been on the PG, which is yacht-like; quiet, soothing, and understated. In comparison, the Voyager shouted glitz, dress-up and kick back your heels. Not too ostentatious, but definitely a “let the good times roll” appearance.

 

 

The computer/internet room is very large and heavily used. Internet usage packages start at $6.00 per hour; the hourly rate can be reduced if you buy a block of hours rather than one hour at a time. The computers can also be used for word processing, game playing and other activities without charge. One trick to lower internet cost is to prepare emails in word processing for free, then copy into the email program. Be advise that the internet connection speed can range from slow to non-existent. Several times, signs were posted stating that the ship’s position precluded internet usage. Although RSSC doesn’t control satellite position or internet speeds, complaints to the computer room person about connection problems were dealt with on at least one occasion by adding time back on to internet accounts.

 

 

The casino is of substantial size and contains 3 or 4 blackjack tables, a crap table, several Caribbean-type poker tables, and slot machines. The dealers were personable and friendly. It was a popular spot on this cruise, very active into the evening hours, unlike the PG earlier this year where it seemed the casino was under quarantine.

 

 

The main dining room, Compass Rose, has entrances from both ends, is spacious and well-organized. Our party of four usually went to dinner between 7:30 and 8:00 and never had any problem getting a table. In fact, the room often seemed quite empty on arrival. It later seemed to fill up, but then empty out in time for the 9:45 pm show. Dinner service was always quite good; wine service was excellent . The only slowdown at dinner occurred whenever someone requested the cheese course. Apparently there is only one cheese cart which is clearly inadequate for a room as large as Compass Rose. Often, everyone else at the table would be completely finished with dessert and ready to leave before the cheese was wheeled over to the table. On the plus side there were very good cheeses, including reblochon, a tasty French cheese that goes for $25+ per pound locally if you can find it. Also, port is offered and was highly regarded as was an Eiswein (ice wine) available at dessert. More details on dining later.

 

 

The ship has plenty of lounge space: the Song of Flower Observation Lounge forward on the pool deck with entertainment provided by an excellent guitarist in the evening; the Horizon Lounge on the stern on Deck 5, the coffee corner with a very efficient coffee machine producing instantaneous cappuccinos, espressos, coffee and hot water for tea, and a few other nooks and crannies as well.

 

 

The main show lounge, the Constellation Theatre, is a two story affair with good seating, good lines of sight and good sound. Beverage service ceases when the show starts. For late arrivals the room is staffed with ushers with penlights to direct latecomers to seats with a minimum of disruption to the rest of the audience. Unfortunately, fellow passengers were not quite so considerate: there was a definite plague of couples conducting extended conversations in the middle of the shows. I guess the unlimited wine caused gaps in manners or the passengers were not as well bred as one might think.

 

 

The ship’s boutique was adequate, carrying a variety of products similar to what we had seen on the PG. Sundries and seasickness remedies were available; daily sale specials were hawked in the hallway. Both the boutique and the casino are closed when the ship is in port.

 

 

The only detraction was the use of auction art throughout the ship. Most of the art was hung on the walls rather than set up on easels blocking passageways as we had seen on another cruise line. Nonetheless, I find the whole auction thing a bit tacky with the daily flyers inserted into ship’s program (Passages), mass produced art (lithograph number 249 of 500) and the auctioneer’s desk set in the corner of the elevator area. Do people who go on cruises really want to buy this stuff in sufficient numbers to make it profitable for the cruise lines and Park West., the company running the auctions? Apparently so, but here’s hoping it’s a fad that will soon die out, at least on the luxury lines such as RSSC.

 

 

To be continued …..

[dwelsh]

We would like to hear from you if there are a lot of areas in the ship plagued by tobacco smoke?

 

Is ther smoking allowed in all public areas, eg the computer room and casino?

[NCCruzQueen]

Great beginning, CMI. Thanks. I appreciate your comments. Since I am unfamiliar with Eiswein, I appreciate the information on it. It sounds like something I may want to try. That's one nice part of a Radisson cruise: the different wines offered in the dining room. It always gives me something new to taste.

 

Since Radisson began the art auctions as few years ago, I too thought it was sort of tacky. I enjoy looking at the art, but to buy some is another thing.

 

Waiting for Part II........

[nyfeds]

Thanks for posting Part I of your Voyager/Baltic's cruise.

 

Our Baltic cruise will be the second time we'll be sailing on the Voyager and we really love the ship. The dining options are wonderful and the suites are excellent.

 

Did you notice any vibration towards the rear of the ship? We specifically requested mid ship to avoid experiencing the much talked about vibrations that others experienced. Where was your suite located?

 

You had mentioned the Boutique; however, no mention was made as to whether or not the Boutique offered merchandise made specifically in Russia, etc. - i.e. lacquer boxes, vodka, amber, etc. I'd appreciate hearing if such items were for sale onboard and if so, how was the pricing?

 

We will have to give both the cheese and ice wine a try. They both sound very good and interesting. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

We, too, find the art auctions tacky, annoying and unnecessary. I hope the practice is banished soon.

 

Eagerly awaiting Part II!

[Call me Ishmael]

dwelsh,

 

An excellent question. I never did see anything setting forth a policy. I am extremely affected by smoke so I notice it immediately and my wife usually looks to see if any smokers are nearby. I did not experience any smoke anywhere in the ship except the pool deck and late night in the back of the show lounge across from the casino. There is also the Connoisseur Club, specifically intended for after-dinner cigars. If there were other areas of smoking, I didn't encounter them. There were no signs that I saw and the maitre d's in the dining rooms never asked "smoking or none?" I just looked at Passages for Day 1 and saw nothing setting forth a policy. Smoking was more of a problem in restaurants ashore. Europeans are big smokers. Even though Sweden had just enacted a smoking ban for restaurants, it apparently didn't apply to the outdoor areas where most people want to sit in the summertime.

 

Nyfeds,

 

The boutique did have some items for sale. The Passages for Talinn contains a big message from the boutique: "A day of shopping in Russia. Just arrived Russian laquer boxes, souvenirs and more ..." Now mind you, we visited Talinn before Russia, and our cruise was the first to stop there this year, so I'm not exactly sure where they picked up those Russian goods or even where exactly they were made (any fleeing Russian from revolutionary days still in the Far East?). I didn't examine these products in the boutique so I can't help you with pricing. Also, the same issue of Passages also announced the availability of majorca pearls from Spain, Tahitian black pearls from FP atolls and rare fresh water pearls grown in lakes of Japan with 18k gold designs from Israel. (I kid you not.)

 

I would strongly recommend shopping ashore. We had a memorable time looking at and buying amber jewelry in Talinn. It was particularly fun to deal with the young Estonian girls politely showing the products. We also hit three different shops in StPb which stocked the traditional Russian goods and dealt with young Russian girls (slightly more worldly than the Estonians, but still fresh faced and personable). You can also find many of the items in lesser quantity in the gift shops attached to many of the major sights. Street hawkers and sidewalk also abound in Russia, but we were advised to avoid them.

 

As to vibration, see part 2 coming soon.

[nyfeds]

Great advice and suggestions pertaining to shopping, CMI. I had to laugh at the wide array of inventory! When dealing with the shops, were you able to negotiate prices, or where prices firm?

 

Also very encouraged to hear that smoking presented no problems. We are very anti-smoking and try to steer clear of it at all times, when possible. We've never run into a problem with smokers on any of our three previous RSSC cruises.

[dwelsh]

We are delighted to hear this good news. Thank you both for responding.

 

B & D.

[Kwaj girl]

DH & I will be sailing 6August and can't wait to read the rest of your report! 40 days and counting.....

[nyfeds]

DWelsh - When are you sailing to the Baltics? We sail on August 6th. The exciting countdown has begun!

 

CMI - Awaiting the next installment. Your reports read like a very good novel!

[Kwaj girl]

Have you decided on your ST Petersburg tours yet? We emailed RO in Russia (last Friday) but have not heard back from them yet. Since RSSC discontinued the Arctic Circle excursion (ex. Helsinki) we decided to go ahead with RO; from everything we've read, this will be $$ well-spent.