Getaway Baltic Capitals cruise - 16 to 25 May

[pattymo]

I was on NCL last nite..and saw that they do now have just the transportation as an excursion option....

 

 

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[Igmus mom]

Phiphi 1234

 

Thanks for the transportation info. Was there much of a wait to get into the Vasa and was it easy to find your way around the the city?

[phiphi1234]

Phiphi 1234

 

Thanks for the transportation info. Was there much of a wait to get into the Vasa and was it easy to find your way around the the city?

 

I'm going in a few weeks. I'm not as awseome as Huntingdon1701, so I won't be posting full details of my trip, but i'll be happy to give more info about Stockholm "on your own" when I come back.

The information I have shared is from a different threads... which, of course, i cannot find anymore!

That thread also mentioned that the train station was about 10-15 min walk from the dock, but there was a shuttle that you could take.

 

Edit:

link to another thread:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2481604&highlight=Nynashamn

Edited June 2, 2017 by phiphi1234
added info

[Travel R]

Enjoying your review.

 

Thanks for info on the restaurant in Stockholm - I may look for it during our "leisure time"

 

You had mentioned the ABBA tribute - is it something you need to pre-register for? You stated that you did not attend, but did you hear anyone comment on whether it was worth attending?

 

Thanks again,

 

Travel R

[karenj4546]

Thanks :)

 

Unfortunately I didn't notice that - there is no reference in the freestyle daily of that day or the one before. Since then, a few people have chipped in about the trains, and phiphi1234's instructions make sense.

 

I suspect for the distance involved, NCL will put on a 'Stockholm on your own' tour rather than a shuttle, and they rarely seem good value to me - but that's pure speculation. I hope you find something that works for you.

 

I picked up a shore excursion order form which included Nynashamn. They do have a "Stockholm on your Own". Departure time is 8:30am, it's 8 hours, $49 for adults and $29 for children.

[Meg67]

I was on NCL last nite..and saw that they do now have just the transportation as an excursion option....

 

 

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Thank you so much, I have just booked it:cool:

[ialex]

Thank you! We would do the 5:30 show so could last until 7pm to hit the buffet after. They could nibble on the desserts until then. I didn't realize they had a vegetarian option...wonder what it is?

 

 

The vegetarian option was eggplant. My husband did not want to eat the tenderloins, so they let him double the amount of shrimp.

[rocklinmom]

Thank you ialex! That is good to know because my teens wouldn't eat that either. Will be discussing this with them and if they can fill up preshow and hit the buffet at 7. Did you like the show? Another thread mentioned thinking it was creepy.

[CRUISEDOWNUNDER]

Thanks for your detailed updates re' your cruise. Very informative indeed !

Have you tried the Shanghai Noodle place (complimentary) on the ship ? What do you think ? What is the best time to go ?

[ialex]

Thank you ialex! That is good to know because my teens wouldn't eat that either. Will be discussing this with them and if they can fill up preshow and hit the buffet at 7. Did you like the show? Another thread mentioned thinking it was creepy.

 

Yes, we enjoyed the food and show. The food was much better than on the Epic's Cirque show. This Cirque show has a steampunk theme. Before the show begins, there are various people in the show modeling very creative costumes. Someone posted pictures of some of the costumes on their review. I didn't care for the knife throwing segment.

[Huntingdon1701]

Enjoying your review.

 

Thanks for info on the restaurant in Stockholm - I may look for it during our "leisure time"

 

You had mentioned the ABBA tribute - is it something you need to pre-register for? You stated that you did not attend, but did you hear anyone comment on whether it was worth attending?

 

Thanks again,

 

Travel R

 

No need to register, this was just something they put on in the atrium. We happened to be near and overheard some of it. It was a decent imitation of Abba by the onboard band.

[Huntingdon1701]

Thanks for your detailed updates re' your cruise. Very informative indeed !

Have you tried the Shanghai Noodle place (complimentary) on the ship ? What do you think ? What is the best time to go ?

 

We went on the last day. It was good, but has a much more limited menu than the other restaurants - but the portions are sizeable. It did seem to be one of the busiest, if not the busiest, choices on the ship so be prepared to take a pager and have a bit of a wait. The later in the evening you leave it, the quicker you can get in (or go when it opens at 5.30).

[Huntingdon1701]

Apologies for the slight pause in this. I took the Jade's short channel hop to Hamburg at the weekend. Did reinforce to me how much better designed the Jade's buffet is. None of the crowding you experience on the Getaway, and that's not just because of the difference in passengers.

 

I realise I forgot to mention that we ate in Shanghai's on the last day. This is a very popular free option and seemed to always be very busy. It has a limited menu, but does each dish quite well. It also tends to be a faster dining experience, partly because you are perched on stools - which are quite comfy but you generally don't want to stay on them too long. They give you a pager if you need to wait, although don't wander too far as the walls of the ship interfere with the signal. You're right by part of the casino, so it might get noisy at times although those tables didn't seem to be used that often.

 

Disembarkation, final [NCL] tour of Copenhagen, and negotiating the airport still to come. Plus random observations I've forgotten to include elsewhere, and copies of the freestyle dailies.

[Travel R]

No need to register, this was just something they put on in the atrium. We happened to be near and overheard some of it. It was a decent imitation of Abba by the onboard band.

 

Thanks for the info! We are planning to head over to the Abba museum when in Stockholm.

 

Keep up the great review and thank you for taking out time to write it up!

[Pope Francis]

By popular demand (well, two people...)

 

This is the first time I've done one of these, so go easy. I'm happy to answer any specific questions you might have.

 

About me:

Solo traveller. This was my 4th cruise, and 3rd on NLC, but the first time on the Getaway. I was in one of the studio cabins, but didn't really participate in the solo activities. I had the spa pass and the drinks package. I've eaten in all the speciality restaurants on other ships so made use of the free offers this time, with the exception of going to Ocean Blue as it wasn't on the other ships.

 

Copenhagen:

 

I arrived on 12th to see some of the city, as it was the first time I've been to any of the ports on this cruise. Very easy to get out of the airport and catch a free shuttle bus to the crown plaza where I was staying. This is out of the city in Orestad, but is two minutes from a metro station and a train station. It was about 10-15 minutes to the city centre using either. The hotel was very comfy and had a good set of restaurants, free wifi etc and is also just opposite the largest Danish shopping centre, if you're interested in that. There is also a very large park with jogging routes marked. Most interesting was the atrium, which was full of trees. [ATTACH]407361[/ATTACH] (spot the coffee shop).

 

Day 2, I caught the metro in to take a food tour by Copenhagen Food Tours. This started by Norreport and I recommend it if you're in the area. There is a market there with amazing stalls, including the best Danish pastries in Copenhagen. We tried open sandwiches, beer, sweets, local honey, and chocolates. I also met first Getaway passenger on the tour (we basically overran the town). [ATTACH]407362[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407363[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407364[/ATTACH]

 

After that, I spent about 5 hours in Tivoli gardens going on all the rides. Some excellent rollercoasters, and good views of the city centre too! [ATTACH]407365[/ATTACH]

 

Day 3 was the Grand Day Trip Around Copenhagen by Hamlet Tours (both tours are on Viator or can be booked directly). This took us in a small van to the Viking Ship Museum, Kronberg Castle (location of Hamlet), Roskilde Cathedral, and Frederiksborg castle. I recommend this if you want to see a lot of Denmark in a short time, without being rushed. There were several other Getaway passengers on this tour as well [ATTACH]407366[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407367[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407368[/ATTACH]

 

Day 4 I went in to Norreport station and took the bus to the cruise port - with immense thanks to Danish Viking in the ports of call forum who mapped it out for me. It was very easy to use although a bit cramped with suitcases. Funnily enough, when of the friends I made on the ship was also on the bus and we had to struggle over each others luggage (we only worked this encounter out later after several days of tours together). I arrived at 11am, and it took about an hour to get on board even though I was group 7. If you don't like queuing then you should aim for 10.30, or just arrive around 12.30 when the queue seemed to have mostly gone.

 

First goal on board the ship was to get some lunch, so I headed to Savor - which became my favourite restaurant on the ship - and had a relaxing lunch by the window. It was pretty empty, so I recommend it over the buffet.

 

I spent the rest of the day exploring the ship, picking up my spa pass, and eyeing up the rope course and water slides to see if I dared go on them. I ended up reading on the waterfront, which is an amazingly quiet place, and then having dinner at Savor. [ATTACH]407369[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407370[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407371[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407372[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407373[/ATTACH]

 

We are staying at the Crowne Plaza as well. Does it have airport Shuttles? How far is it from the Airport and Downtown?

[Huntingdon1701]

We are staying at the Crowne Plaza as well. Does it have airport Shuttles? How far is it from the Airport and Downtown?

 

Yes it does. It says 2 euros but they never charged me for it. Follow the signs for shuttle transfers out of terminal 1 and head to the outside of terminal 2 - it's well signposted up to the point where you reach the multistorey car park. This is because the bus spots are immediately on your left as you face the car park - they have upright signs which tells you which hotel shuttle stops at which stop. I think Crowne Plaza was the middle island.

 

It's about 20 minutes from the airport in a very nice air-conditioned bus, which makes one stop before getting to the Crowne Plaza.

 

The hotel is perfectly situated for both the overground trains and the metro. The overground goes to the main station in 10 minutes, while the metro goes to Norreport in the same time. Between them, that's pretty much the city centre covered. There's a great food market by Norreport station, and the cruise bus leaves from just outside there if you want to catch that. The main station is right next to Tivoli gardens, which are worth a visit.

 

It's easy to buy tickets, but I recommend the City Pass if you're going to make more than a few trips. You can get a text to your phone and then that is all the ticket you need. There's also a version that gives you discounts on attractions as well.

 

Quickest way to the stations is out the back door of the hotel, through the atrium with the trees and out by the coffee shop. About 5 minute walk to both (entrances are next to each other). Couldn't be simpler.

[Pope Francis]

Yes it does. It says 2 euros but they never charged me for it. Follow the signs for shuttle transfers out of terminal 1 and head to the outside of terminal 2 - it's well signposted up to the point where you reach the multistorey car park. This is because the bus spots are immediately on your left as you face the car park - they have upright signs which tells you which hotel shuttle stops at which stop. I think Crowne Plaza was the middle island.

 

It's about 20 minutes from the airport in a very nice air-conditioned bus, which makes one stop before getting to the Crowne Plaza.

 

The hotel is perfectly situated for both the overground trains and the metro. The overground goes to the main station in 10 minutes, while the metro goes to Norreport in the same time. Between them, that's pretty much the city centre covered. There's a great food market by Norreport station, and the cruise bus leaves from just outside there if you want to catch that. The main station is right next to Tivoli gardens, which are worth a visit.

 

It's easy to buy tickets, but I recommend the City Pass if you're going to make more than a few trips. You can get a text to your phone and then that is all the ticket you need. There's also a version that gives you discounts on attractions as well.

 

Quickest way to the stations is out the back door of the hotel, through the atrium with the trees and out by the coffee shop. About 5 minute walk to both (entrances are next to each other). Couldn't be simpler.

 

Thank you so much for this!!!

[TSUmom]

This cruise is on my bucket list - thank you for sharing all of this wonderful information.

 

I am definitely going to use Alla Tours as the prices for their tours seem to be cost saving as opposed to booking thru the ship.

 

It appears that you pay for all the tours when in St Petersburg is that correct? Also, in Ruebles correct?

 

Once again thank you for sharing!!

[Huntingdon1701]

 

I am definitely going to use Alla Tours as the prices for their tours seem to be cost saving as opposed to booking thru the ship.

 

It appears that you pay for all the tours when in St Petersburg is that correct? Also, in Ruebles correct?

 

Once again thank you for sharing!!

 

I think Alla was half what I would have spent with the ship, if not an even greater saving, and I certainly saw more with them than the ship offered on their tours.

 

Yes, you pay at the end of the first day of St Petersburg for all tours.

 

The situation on roubles seems to be a little in flux, but I paid by credit card and they did the charge in roubles - after announcing the exhange rate of the day first to make sure everyone was happy with that. On the day you could only pay in cash in roubles, but I have seen in the Baltic forum someone since saying it has gone back to payment in any currency, so worth checking with them closer to your visit - Polina was incredibly responsive to queries on the website. I always got a very clear and helpful response within 24 hours.

[Seminole1975]

(Yes, you pay at the end of the first day of St Petersburg for all tours) quoted

 

I am booked on a tour with SPB tours (also highly recommended). They give you the option of paying ahead of time with a credit card. The charges are then in US $$. I think I am going to do that so I do not have to worry about it when I get there.

[goldie099]

I am booked on a private tour with DenRus for my upcoming Baltic cruise, and I paid online when I reserved the tour. Being from Canada, I'd be charged an exchange rate anyways, regardless if I paid now in USD, or at the tour in roubels. I figured it would just be easier to have it paid in advance. I have trip cancelation/interruption insurance if, for any reason, the ship does not dock in St. Petersburg or any other reason the tour gets cancelled...

[Huntingdon1701]

The dreaded final day....

 

Forecast: 65F/20C?

 

For this one, I booked a ships tour as my flight home wasn't until 4.30 - the city and harbour tour, because I wanted to do the boat ride. I booked this on the ship a few days beforehand without a problem.

 

They deliver your luggage tags a day or two beforehand. We met in the theatre around 8 and then got the call to go off the ship. This was probably the most disorganised part of the trip. They used two terminals again, and everyone on the tour obviously went to the same terminal. Here it went pear shaped because none of the staff new that tour groups just needed to pick up their luggage and go out to the coach, without any of the screening that the other passengers had to use. This led to something of a major congestion until finally a staff member who knew the drill came along and started directing tour people straight out, but by then the groups were hopelessly muddled so it took some time.

 

So tip - if you're on a tour just grab the luggage and go straight out, whatever NCL staff say.

 

They then tried to make us queue at the terminal exit before going on to the coach, but basically the driver waved us over so we all ignored the NCL staff. Saw six NCL staff and they all gave contradictory information.

 

Anyway, after that everything was straightforward.

 

First stop was a photo-stop for the famous little Mermaid and a chance to stretch our legs.

 

Then it was back on board and a chance to visit the Amalienborg Palace (complex). This is an impressive set of 5 buildings used by the Royal Family, and the Guide had interesting stories to tell about each. We had about 20 minutes here, and there's a free toilet in the carpark, which was convenient - also a chance to buy last minute postcards.

 

After this it was a quick coach tour through the town, which would have been impressive if the key buildings hadn't mostly been behind scaffolding as they build their subway extension. But you get the impression of a pleasant city.

 

Then we switched over to the boat ride, and this was awesome. I recommend that you make time to do this during your time in Copenhagen - they take private and walk-up bookings as well, so it doesn't have to be through the ship. We had a boat guide who was very lively and entertaining, particularly when trying to get the crew of the Royal Yacht to wave at us (they didn't). Anyway, it's a great way to see the city and you see bits that you are unlikely to get to by walking.

 

Highlights were the naval ship that accidentally fired a missile that destroyed four beach huts, and the submarine that broke down when sent to the Gulf War, as well as the waste incinerator that is planned to double as a ski slope.

 

After that, it was back on the coach and drive to the airport, with brief photo-stop by the Opera House. We arrived at the airport at 1pm.

 

Security was fairly quick. There are plenty of shops and places to sit departure side, but for peace and quiet I recommend their lounge which is very peaceful and has much comfier chairs with more space. It was £30 to get in and then all the food, soft and alcoholic drinks were included.

[Huntingdon1701]

There endeth the cruise, bar the freestyle dailies which I WILL post.

 

Other observations, in no particular order:

• The studios are very nice, but the lounge is much smaller than on the Epic. Fewer snacks and stuff too.
  
• In addition to the Latitudes rewards, I was given a plate of chocolate petit fours one night. Everyone in the studios seemed to get them, and a few other solo travellers. No idea why, but it was pleasant.
  
• Those solo travellers who participated in the solo gatherings enjoyed them, although it was apparently a little difficult to break into the group that had come over on the transatlantic and had 14 days extra to get to know each other.
  
• I-Concierge worked only sporadically and didn't do anything useful even when it was working, so I wouldn't bother.
  
• The shows were not as packed as I expected, although I went to them all towards the second half of the cruise, so you could have got away with not booking.
  
• Favourite lounge was the Sugarcane, and the waterfront section outside - rarely used, so very peaceful.
  
• The on-board photographers are not very good.
  
• If you are walking the plank on the rope course, the camera is not the equipment in front of you as you face away from the ship, but on your left side. Lots of people had photos of the side of their head. There is another camera on the zipwire as you come off the course.
  
• The water in the water slides is cold, and it is generally quite chilly and windy on the upper decks, no matter what it is like at ground level.
  
• Do try a bushwhacker.
  
• O'Sheehans is a good place for snacks and coffee at any time of the day, but gets quite busy immediately after tours get back to the ship.
  
• The main dining rooms have good food, but slow service, unless you tell them to speed it up.
  
• It really doesn't take long to get off the ship to a tour, but make sure you're waiting in the atrium or the card room if you need to get off quickly after the ship has docked.
  
• The spa gets busy around 3-6, but is very quiet in the evenings or first thing. There are buttons on the floor around the sides of the Thalassotherapy pool if you want the massaging jets. The egg timer in the sauna closest to the pool does not work (hopefully will be replaced soon). There is no point at all to the salt room.
  
• I really didn't have a problem with smoke in the atrium, but the air circulation is not the best.
  
• Layers of clothing are the best way to go.
  

[Huntingdon1701]

Here are days 2-5 of the freestyle dailies. For some reason, day 1 is too large to upload on here, so I'll try again tomorrow when I scan the remaining days.

 

I kept most of the inserts, but not all of them, so hope it gives you an idea of what is on offer.

Day 2.pdf

Day 3.pdf

Day 4.pdf

Day 5.pdf

[ARG2244]

Thank you very much for posting these dailies and the tips/reviews!