Warnemunde Cruiseport, Excursions into Berlin?

[Shmmr27]

You guys are fantastic! This was all so helpful, and sorry for the late response- I wanted to do research into the suggestions and really think about it. I am a person who would respond to every comment- but not quite sure about the reply feature with the quoting so thought I would just add a comment. 

 

I am on the same cruise as N-8 mentioned above and I wonder because we had so much changes to times etc, maybe I was looking at the excursion list when it was shortened because when I checked recently there are many options for my NCL ship excursions into Berlin, maybe they were waiting a bit to release them or not sure. 

 

Also, seeing the excursions and price list was very helpful coupled with these comments I received here, for my family of 4 we would be looking at at least $1k+ and a commenter here mentioned (and then I watched a YouTube video of a person on the train ride) and it seems like the train ride into Berlin from the port is regular scenery so we decided to do something in the Mecklenburg-Schwerin region (and will just need to visit Berlin in the future or the pieces of the wall that are close to my home). If it was just me and my Husband we may have opted for the long train ride and city visit- but I feel really excited to explore new areas.

 

I am still figuring out what our plan will be, but a couple neat things about this area grabbed me and I started learning about history. Reading about the tribes in Northern Germany, Hanseatic League, German Empire /Prussia it was quite a historical adventure and am excited about coming up with a couple stops (Now I want to see some brick gothic architecture). I am deciding between Rostock, Wismar, Mollibahn at Bad Doberan, and Schwerin. Probably check train schedules next to see what is doable and come up with a couple main points of interest and loose plans, I'd like to see more than one place because we have a long time in port- but won't need to book an excursion so that part is set 🙂

[curmudgeon98]

10 hours ago, Shmmr27 said:

 

I am still figuring out what our plan will be, but a couple neat things about this area grabbed me and I started learning about history. Reading about the tribes in Northern Germany, Hanseatic League, German Empire /Prussia it was quite a historical adventure and am excited about coming up with a couple stops (Now I want to see some brick gothic architecture). I am deciding between Rostock, Wismar, Mollibahn at Bad Doberan, and Schwerin. Probably check train schedules next to see what is doable and come up with a couple main points of interest and loose plans, I'd like to see more than one place because we have a long time in port- but won't need to book an excursion so that part is set 🙂

There is a nice regional train ticket deal available from that port.  The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ticket is valid from 9am until after midnight on all the regional trains in the area.  If the group stays together, it's only 35 or 39 euro (depending on the day) for four adults.  

 

https://www.dbregio-mecklenburg-vorpommern.de/db-regio-mv/tickets-und-tarife/mecklenburg-vorpommern-ticket

 

I don't think there is an english version of that page, but you can use translate within chrome browser.  

[CEOof FUN]

This was a very helpful thread and I hope OP will come back to report. I'm facing the same decision about what to do during the Warnemunde stop on our September sailing. I'm trying to understand the trains referenced by curmudgeon98, that is a very helpful tip!

 

[curmudgeon98]

1 hour ago, CEOof FUN said:

This was a very helpful thread and I hope OP will come back to report. I'm facing the same decision about what to do during the Warnemunde stop on our September sailing. I'm trying to understand the trains referenced by curmudgeon98, that is a very helpful tip!

 

bahn.de is the general German train site.  It does have English pages (select in the upper right corner).  As an example, you can choose Warnemunde to Schwerin Hbf as a route.  Reasonable routings (one change in Rostok) are only every two hours or so.  The regional trains would be the "S" and "RE"; the "ICE" trains are the long distance trains and don't have the cheap ticket deal.  

[CEOof FUN]

Thanks so much curmudgeon98! Of all the things we might do I think the Schwerin castle is most appealing. There will be six of us. Is buying the tickets in advance necessary or advantageoous? My mom may need a bit more time to transfer, so we need to plan conservatiely to be back on the ship 2 hours before departure. If we have a ticket is it only for the times we chose or is it flexible?

[curmudgeon98]

1 hour ago, CEOof FUN said:

Thanks so much curmudgeon98! Of all the things we might do I think the Schwerin castle is most appealing. There will be six of us. Is buying the tickets in advance necessary or advantageoous? My mom may need a bit more time to transfer, so we need to plan conservatiely to be back on the ship 2 hours before departure. If we have a ticket is it only for the times we chose or is it flexible?

I've used the similar Bavaria ticket before.  You can buy from the machine in the station (find the UK flag on the screen to get english).  Good any time after 9am on weekdays (all day on weekends/holidays) on any regional train.  You would need to buy a four-passenger and a two-passenger ticket (or similar combination) since you can't put more that five on a single ticket, and write everyone's name on a ticket.  These tickets don't have any further discount for advance purchase, unlike the mainline trains.  

 

Looking at the schedule, it seems like the best routings leave around 8:30 or 10:30 am.  The earlier one wouldn't be valid on the discount regional ticket.

[CEOof FUN]

Excellent, thanks for explaining and looking at the timing for me! Really glad I found this helpful thread!

[kitkat343]

On 6/19/2024 at 11:59 PM, Shmmr27 said:

(Now I want to see some brick gothic architecture). I am deciding between Rostock, Wismar, Mollibahn at Bad Doberan, and Schwerin. Probably check train schedules next to see what is doable and come up with a couple main points of interest and loose plans, I'd like to see more than one place because we have a long time in port- but won't need to book an excursion so that part is set 🙂

Our cruise stopped in Germany on a Monday, so Schwerin was closed.  Having a 3 year old in tow on a cruise that already included St, Petersburg, traveling all the way to Berlin would have been completely insane.  We did the Molli steam train, and while it was cute I don't know that it's worth it unless you have a kid in tow.  The surrounding towns to the port were quite charming, and we had a lovely dinner in Warmenude.  You won't need an excursion if you aren't going to Berlin, and will have a lovely pleasant day.

[Chocolate Teapot]

On 6/20/2024 at 5:59 AM, Shmmr27 said:

I am deciding between Rostock, Wismar, Mollibahn at Bad Doberan, and Schwerin. Probably check train schedules next to see what is doable and come up with a couple main points of interest and loose plans, I'd like to see more than one place because we have a long time in port- but won't need to book an excursion so that part is set 🙂

I once did an NCL excursion to Wismar, which would have been nice except that it was throwing it down with rain. I seem to remember we ending up visiting a little brewery and got to try the beer.

[CEOof FUN]

We visited Schwerin castle and everything went really well thanks to this very helpfulinformation from curmedgeon98. It is a beautiful castle and we had a lovely day exploring it and the amazing gardens and enjoying the cafe.

There was difficulty getting a taxi from Schwerin back to the train station, and it was too far for my elderly mother to walk. We had easily taken one to the castle from the train station, but then couldn't find one or summon one with an app. Neither Uber nor Bolt worked. My daughter walked all the way back, got a taxi to go pick up her grandparents, and then returned to the trainstation with them.