Baltic sailings

[suec12]

We do not have a cruise planned at this time but just curious as to what is happening with scheduled Baltic itineraries. Have ports been changed? to which other ports? Or are those with bookings just waiting to hear? Thanks

[tfred]

ST Petersburg is obviously out.  They have extended Stockholm a day and added Riga.  Riga is a great town.

 

We are on the July 20 sailing - still trying to figure what to do. St P is a BIG reason why you do the baltic.  Now that it is out (and will remain so for a few years IMHO) I have sailed the Baltic for work on a cruisehship (as an outside supplier) and loved it.  I think the danger level is low but just trying to determine my need for that cruise or switch to the Med

[suec12]

I wish they would do some sailings Norway, Sweden, Finland - maybe out of Amsterdam? or an English port? I've been hoping for an itinerary like this that did NOT include St. Petersburg - maybe that can happen now.

[Kathy53]

Celebrity advised us a few weeks ago about the Itinerary changes for our May 14th Baltic cruise on the Silhouette.  We now have an overnight in Copenhagen which is our first port and Skagen, Denmark was added as the 6th port.  While we were looking forward to St. Petersburg, cancelling was not an option for us as we're on a B2B, doing the Norwegian Fjords on May 7th.  We're then going on to Amsterdam to join a Viking Rhine river cruise.  Airfares, hotels and cruises paid for so we felt we couldn't cancel the whole thing for one port and one that will unlikely be on any Baltic cruise anytime soon. 

[Saab4444]

6 hours ago, suec12 said:

I wish they would do some sailings Norway, Sweden, Finland - maybe out of Amsterdam? or an English port? I've been hoping for an itinerary like this that did NOT include St. Petersburg - maybe that can happen now.

Why don‘t you just simply look at Celebrity website and search for cruises? This is exactly what happens. 

[emmas gran]

1 hour ago, Saab4444 said:

Why don‘t you just simply look at Celebrity website and search for cruises? This is exactly what happens. 

People don't seem to bother it's easier to ask on here which is why the same things keep appearing.

[Bruin Steve]

We're not doing the Baltic this year...BUT we do have B2B cruises on Solstice coming up in April 2023--a 12 night Japan followed by a 13-night Transpacific.

 

This is after 2 years of "lifting-and-shifting" (originally was 14 nights Japan and 15 nights Transpacific).

 

Well, the new13 night Transpacific leaves Tokyo and is SUPPOSED TO do a day at sea, then make a stop in Hakodate, Japan followed by two more sea days, then stop at Petropavlovsk...then 7 days at sea in a row before ending in Vancouver... (The original 15 night itinerary also had a stop up front in Sapporo, Japan...but that's gone with the 13 night route)...

 

So, anyway, yesterday I was at the Los Angeles Travel Show in Downtown LA...and I was speaking with a Celebrity rep at the Celebrity booth...I asked about the itinerary...like "any updates?"...He had nine but said about Petropavlovsk "That's not going to happen".  I asked if there was any replacement port...and he said "nothing yet".

 

Of course, if they just delete Petropavlovsk with no replacement, we will have a 13 night cruise with only one port...and TEN sea days in a row!!!  Even if they replaced it by reinserting Sapporo, they'd have to do it on the front end and we'd still have 10 sea days in a row.  About the only possible port that I can see that wouldn't either take us way off course (ie Seward, Juneau, Skagway) or come at the very end of the cruise (Victoria) would be, possibly, Kodiak, Alaska--the Southwesternmost cruise port in Alaska.  For now, we'll have to just wait and see... 

 

I cannot see porting in Russia even a year away...Only real possibility it's back on would be if Putin is deposed...which I just don't see happening.

 

Edited March 14, 2022 by Bruin Steve

[upwarduk]

1 hour ago, Saab4444 said:

Why don‘t you just simply look at Celebrity website and search for cruises? This is exactly what happens. 

I think the answer to that question is because Celebrity don’t update their web site quickly enough.

It was a week or so before passengers who had booked cruises that visited St Petersburg were informed of changes.

 

Suec12

I would be very hesitant to book a cruise to Helsinki at the moment, as it is on the Gulf of Finland, as St Petersburg is. Too close for comfort.😱 

[Saab4444]

16 minutes ago, upwarduk said:

I think the answer to that question is because Celebrity don’t update their web site quickly enough.

It was a week or so before passengers who had booked cruises that visited St Petersburg were informed of changes.

 

Suec12

I would be very hesitant to book a cruise to Helsinki at the moment, as it is on the Gulf of Finland, as St Petersburg is. Too close for comfort.😱 

They were the first Cruise Line who updated their website with the new itineraries. I was impressed by this quick handling. E.g. on MSC and P&O it is still St.Petersburg and others like NCL have just  deleted the stop without any update…

[TeeRick]

5 hours ago, Bruin Steve said:

We're not doing the Baltic this year...BUT we do have B2B cruises on Solstice coming up in April 2023--a 12 night Japan followed by a 13-night Transpacific.

 

This is after 2 years of "lifting-and-shifting" (originally was 14 nights Japan and 15 nights Transpacific).

 

Well, the new13 night Transpacific leaves Tokyo and is SUPPOSED TO do a day at sea, then make a stop in Hakodate, Japan followed by two more sea days, then stop at Petropavlovsk...then 7 days at sea in a row before ending in Vancouver... (The original 15 night itinerary also had a stop up front in Sapporo, Japan...but that's gone with the 13 night route)...

 

So, anyway, yesterday I was at the Los Angeles Travel Show in Downtown LA...and I was speaking with a Celebrity rep at the Celebrity booth...I asked about the itinerary...like "any updates?"...He had nine but said about Petropavlovsk "That's not going to happen".  I asked if there was any replacement port...and he said "nothing yet".

 

Of course, if they just delete Petropavlovsk with no replacement, we will have a 13 night cruise with only one port...and TEN sea days in a row!!!  Even if they replaced it by reinserting Sapporo, they'd have to do it on the front end and we'd still have 10 sea days in a row.  About the only possible port that I can see that wouldn't either take us way off course (ie Seward, Juneau, Skagway) or come at the very end of the cruise (Victoria) would be, possibly, Kodiak, Alaska--the Southwesternmost cruise port in Alaska.  For now, we'll have to just wait and see... 

 

I cannot see porting in Russia even a year away...Only real possibility it's back on would be if Putin is deposed...which I just don't see happening.

 

April 2023.  A lot can happen by then.  They will adjust the itinerary most likely.  Hopefully before your final payment dates.

[jwlane]

6 hours ago, upwarduk said:

as it is on the Gulf of Finland

What about Tallinn?

[cachouonacruise]

I just learned today that NCL has cancelled all Baltic sailings on the Getaway this summer.

 

My timing was unbeatable! I was booked on Celebrity Millenium in March 2020, for a China-South Korea-Japan cruise and now, on the Getaway, including a stop in Russia this summer..... I really have a nose for the best places/times to cruise! 
 

Hopefully, my next choice will be calmer! 

[keesar]

15 hours ago, emmas gran said:

People don't seem to bother it's easier to ask on here which is why the same things keep appearing.

 

Want me to start a new thread on "Formal night clothing". or "Can I wear a bathing suit in the MDR"? 🙂

[OceanOCD]

9 hours ago, jwlane said:

What about Tallinn?

My husband and i are booked on Princess sailing on 4/23 to the Baltics.  We were informed of the itinerary changes.  I'm still concerned about Helsinki and Tallin.  Have not been able to get a straight answer from Princess.  I asked if they had plans to cancel this sailing  since so many people are cancelling.  I was ready to hange to another itinerary in April but no one seems to know.  It is a wait and see situation. 

[jwlane]

45 minutes ago, cachouonacruise said:

 NCL has cancelled all Baltic sailings on the Getaway this summer

Where are you seeing this?

[OceanOCD]

32 minutes ago, jwlane said:

Where are you seeing this?

We are on Princess sailing to the Baltics out of Copenhagen on 4/23.  

Edited March 14, 2022 by OceanOCD

[kwokpot]

16 hours ago, Bruin Steve said:

We're not doing the Baltic this year...BUT we do have B2B cruises on Solstice coming up in April 2023--a 12 night Japan followed by a 13-night Transpacific.

 

This is after 2 years of "lifting-and-shifting" (originally was 14 nights Japan and 15 nights Transpacific).

 

Well, the new13 night Transpacific leaves Tokyo and is SUPPOSED TO do a day at sea, then make a stop in Hakodate, Japan followed by two more sea days, then stop at Petropavlovsk...then 7 days at sea in a row before ending in Vancouver... (The original 15 night itinerary also had a stop up front in Sapporo, Japan...but that's gone with the 13 night route)...

 

So, anyway, yesterday I was at the Los Angeles Travel Show in Downtown LA...and I was speaking with a Celebrity rep at the Celebrity booth...I asked about the itinerary...like "any updates?"...He had nine but said about Petropavlovsk "That's not going to happen".  I asked if there was any replacement port...and he said "nothing yet".

 

Of course, if they just delete Petropavlovsk with no replacement, we will have a 13 night cruise with only one port...and TEN sea days in a row!!!  Even if they replaced it by reinserting Sapporo, they'd have to do it on the front end and we'd still have 10 sea days in a row.  About the only possible port that I can see that wouldn't either take us way off course (ie Seward, Juneau, Skagway) or come at the very end of the cruise (Victoria) would be, possibly, Kodiak, Alaska--the Southwesternmost cruise port in Alaska.  For now, we'll have to just wait and see... 

 

I cannot see porting in Russia even a year away...Only real possibility it's back on would be if Putin is deposed...which I just don't see happening.

 

The replacement port for Petropavlovsk will be Dutch Harbor, Alaska. This was the stop we had on The Millie TP from Vancouver to China (Although we downlined in Kobe, Japan) in Sept. 2015.

[cachouonacruise]

1 hour ago, jwlane said:

Where are you seeing this?

Below is a copy and paste of the letter issued by NCL.

Date: 03/14/2022
Dear Valued Guests and Travel Partners, On behalf of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), we thank you for your loyalty and for making us your vacation of choice. Travel partners should share the below information with guests who may be affected. The health, safety and security of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our top priority. As previously communicated on February 24, 2022, due to the escalated situation between Russia and Ukraine we made the decision to alter itineraries and remove calls to St. Petersburg, Russia from our sailings for the remainder of the year. After further review, today we have made the difficult decision to cancel Norwegian Getaway's cruises with embarkation dates from June 14, 2022, through and including October 9, 2022. We share your disappointment and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, but also hope you can understand the necessity of this action. Thank you for your patience over the last two years and thank you for your eagerness to set sail with us. Because this unexpected incident has impacted your long-awaited vacation, we want to do our very best for you. As such, you will receive a full refund that will automatically be returned to the original form of payment provided at the time of your current reservation. No further action is required on your part; your refund will be automatically processed within thirty business days and will be returned within seven to ten business days from the processed date. The visibility of the funds is dependent on your financial institution's internal policies. If your most current reservation was paid via a Future Cruise Credit (FCC), 100% of the FCC used will be re-applied to your Latitudes account. No further action is required; the FCC will be automatically added within seven business days. Given this unforeseen circumstance, in addition to the 100% refund or full return of your FCC, the following offers may also be available when you choose to rebook: - 10% OFF discount on your next cruise with us, combinable with all available promotions at the time of booking. The 10% OFF discount will be added to your Latitudes account and will be available as of March 21, 2022. This discount can be used to make a booking from March 21, 2022, through March 21, 2023 and can be applied towards any sailings through December 31, 2023. - 70% OFF 2nd GUEST! For a limited time only, take advantage of our current promotion if you book a new cruise by March 31, 2022 for any published voyage through 2024 and receive 70% OFF the 2nd GUEST! - TAKE ALL! Again, for a very limited time, if you book a new cruise by March 31, 2022 for any published voyage through 2024, you may TAKE ALL! This limited time offer is a tremendous value allowing you to add all five of our Free at Sea amenities (TAKE ALL!) when you reserve select stateroom categories for any published voyage. Amenities include a free unlimited beverage package, free specialty dining, a free Wi-Fi package, free shore excursion credits and reduced rates for family and friends - a value of up to $4,000 per person! - A $150 Free Credit + Lower Deposit! If you purchase a $150 CruiseFirst certificate, which is a certificate towards your next cruise, we will match it with an additional $150 credit. For CruiseFirst terms and conditions, please visit www.ncl.com/terms/cruisefirst. The combined value of these offers is well over $4,000 per person. Should you wish to rebook a similar itinerary, please visit https://www.ncl.com/norwegian-baltic-sailings-2022-2023-2024.
If you have any questions, please contact us at (866) 234-7350, visit us at www.ncl.com or contact your travel advisor. For guests outside of the US/CA requiring a local number please visit www.ncl.com for contact details when handling your reservation. Sincerely, Katty Byrd Senior Vice President, Guest Services

[jwlane]

5 minutes ago, cachouonacruise said:

 letter issued by NCL.

Fascinating!  Wonder where they will redeploy?

[Denny01]

Personally, I like the changes made to the Baltic itineraries. Overnight in Stockholm, adding Riga and/or Visby Sweden and a few others.  Hoping (and probable) Celebrity drops St Petersburg in 2023 and I’d consider that itinerary If the war doesn’t expand. 

 

I’ll not go further on my opinion of St Petersburg - did it and it was interesting but not enough to go back to - I think the added ports will be something I’d be more interested in. 

 

Den

[MamaFej]

We have a Viking Norway and Baltic cruise in July. Not only is SPB canceled, but we lost Helsinki and Talinn as well. That is very unfortunate, but understandable. In place of the canceled ports, we have an overnight in Oslo, as well as extra, less touristy ports in Denmark and Sweden. I am actually looking forward to those smaller ports for a more culturally authentic experience than we might have in some big city ports. Someone on the Viking board used to be a tour guide in Scandinavia, and said that these new ports are really lovely places. 

[MamaFej]

33 minutes ago, MamaFej said:

We have a Viking Norway and Baltic cruise in July. Not only is SPB canceled, but we lost Helsinki and Talinn as well. That is very unfortunate, but understandable. In place of the canceled ports, we have an overnight in Oslo, as well as extra, less touristy ports in Denmark and Sweden. I am actually looking forward to those smaller ports for a more culturally authentic experience than we might have in some big city ports. Someone on the Viking board used to be a tour guide in Scandinavia, and said that these new ports are really lovely places. 

I forgot to mention that Viking are also giving us $250 OBC each, as well as 10% of our cruise fare as an FCC. 

[cruisestitch]

8 hours ago, kwokpot said:

The replacement port for Petropavlovsk will be Dutch Harbor, Alaska. This was the stop we had on The Millie TP from Vancouver to China (Although we downlined in Kobe, Japan) in Sept. 2015.

Will be or might be?  I haven’t received any notification of an altered itinerary.

[OceanOCD]

Received the notification from Princess that the cruise will be doing a Wester Europe itinerary.   Can't wait to find out which ports will be visiting.   

[kwokpot]

4 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

Will be or might be?  I haven’t received any notification of an altered itinerary.

You are correct. I should have written that is my assumption.