On Eurodam today....a few bits of info.

[kelfad]

Hello, all. This will be a quick post to let a few of you know how things are in the Baltics this week. We are on the eurodam, in Tallin today. We arrived in Copenhagen for the start and the weather has been great. Short pants and a lite jacket all week...... nice.

 

I will post a full review of the trip when arriving home, the inter net on the ship is spotty at best and very expensive.

 

So far so good with the trip. Berlin: private tour with Spb, fine and no trouble seeing the sites and getting back to the ship on time.

but FWI- get to the ship in the am in Copenhagen. Dont go at noon or 1pm like you are told. too many people and very crazy. 10 am or 10:30am you will be able to walk right on. The staff told us this. We went at noon and was told to come back later, we did and the lines were even longer..... so pissed off.

And DON'T walk to the little mermaid from the ship..... too long and not pretty at all. take a cab and enjoy "her" and taxi it back.

 

Just a few notes and will get back asap.

[kelfad]

another tid-bit...

 

Russia is great. As for getting off the ship, eurodam put NO restrictions on getting off. Everyone was allowed off at anytime. The problem was with the russian officials at the port...... slow and late. Two ships in port and they feel like its no big deal to speed up the process. One of the H.A. officers got in the face of one of the russian officials right in the port to get things moving. It really helped. We were very first off the boat, and we had a private tour, and it tookat least half hour to get through the line. First or last did not matter..... the russians control the entire process and it is not good.

 

 

Traffic in st pete is very bad, but we had a great driver. He drove on the sidewalk to get us past the blocked intersections. Scary but no problems.....

 

Will report later.

[mtnmusic]

another tid-bit...

 

Russia is great. As for getting off the ship, eurodam put NO restrictions on getting off. Everyone was allowed off at anytime. The problem was with the russian officials at the port...... slow and late. Two ships in port and they feel like its no big deal to speed up the process. One of the H.A. officers got in the face of one of the russian officials right in the port to get things moving. It really helped. We were very first off the boat, and we had a private tour, and it tookat least half hour to get through the line. First or last did not matter..... the russians control the entire process and it is not good.

 

 

Traffic in st pete is very bad, but we had a great driver. He drove on the sidewalk to get us past the blocked intersections. Scary but no problems.....

 

Will report later.

 

Thanks ever so much for posting as you are. Most people post about their cruises before the fact but not during or after. I really appreciate your willingness to give us a "heads up"!

[oliverdr]

How much is the internet going to cost?

[spcl4cs_gal]

How much is the internet going to cost?

 

On HAL's ships I believe this is the standard rate for Internet:

 

$3.95 to sign up, then

$0.75/min or

$55 for 100 minutes, or

$100 for 250 minutes.

 

The connection can be dreadfully slow at times but on my last cruise I took my Netbook along and managed to connect in my cabin via wireless with very little problem. :)

[oliverdr]

thanks- more than RCI! Ouch but with the frequent ports and internet cafes then that should be enough

[kelfad]

thanks- more than RCI! Ouch but with the frequent ports and internet cafes then that should be enough

 

WOW....just home for an hour and checked emails, mail and phone messages.... you guys are last. sorry.

 

The above pricing is correct, but it is soooooo slooooow. I bought the 250 minute package and left 58 minutes unused. just not worth sitting looking at the computer do nothing. Got some emails from the kids and posted a few to you but over all, just not worth it. IMHO.

 

As for the internet cafes in the ports, I had very poor luck with my netbook. Hard to find and if I got a signal, it was slow and would cut me off after a few minutes. Again, I am in these very neat ports to see the city and not the computer. I just had to use the phone and spend the bucks to call home for the essentials.

 

 

I will follow up with a full post when the jet lag is over.

 

sorry for the grammar and misspells.

good night.....zzzzzzzzzz

[baggal]

Just back from the 6/22 Eurodam Gems of the Baltic with some reactions:

1. In St. Petersburg, there was no segregation of HAL excursions vs. private tours. The passenger line-up to disembark began well before 6:45 a.m., when I joined the line. No one screened who was on line. Once off the ship, there were at least 8 open immigration lines - with HAL employees directing passengers. What was maddening: we were instructed that we needed photocopies of our passports and tour contracts for Russian immigration - but the immigration officer didn't even look at the papers, much less hold on to them! Once off the ship, we didn't spend more than 10 minutes waiting for Russian immigration the first day and no time waiting on the second. THIS IS RUSSIA - AND EVEN THOUGH ITS BEEN SOME TIME SINCE THE FALL - ITS STILL RUSSIA - YOU SHOULD EXPECT SOME WAITING. RUSSIANS ARE USED TO WAITING FOR HOURS!!!!

2. Embarkation Day: We flew in to Copenhagen the morning of embarkation, arriving at the airport at 7:30 a.m. We had arranged for HAL to transfer us to the pier. Because we were so early, HAL treated us and about 25 other early arriving passengers to a free 3 hour tour of Copenhagen! Afterward, they brought us to the pier at about 11:30 a.m. and it took about 20 minutes to go through the embarkation process.

3. The weather was magnificient and the seas very calm - in contrast to the previous cruise, when it rained every day.

4. The crew was universally wonderful - pleasant and helpful.

All in all, a wonderful experience and a terrific cruise!

[kelfad]

I think I will post by topic and you can decide what is applicable.

 

Back ground: My wife and I are 40's, in-laws are spry late 70's. My mother in law has trouble with her feet but can walk just very slowly.....

 

The ship: Eurodam

 

veranda room worth the money. nice to wake up and see islands going by. BUT it is the baltics and never gets very dark. A mask is a must. and ambien

 

the crew was the best of any ship I have been on. the ship had no "creeks" and sounds like others have said. but then again we had fantastic weather every day.

 

the food was OK. all very tasty but not like other cruises. it might be due to the economy and keeping prices low. Canellito was great..... ate there twice. the Pinnacle grill was not worth the extra 20.00 per person.

the Lido had a great variety and very good food. not having a tray was a problem at first but soon it becomes normal, and you eat less. Still plenty of "Fattys" on the boat, eating them self sick. The drink card is a joke. You buy a twenty drink card for 19.00, thats half of a normal soda fee. But what you get is a 6 oz glass full of ice and they pour a can over that. YOU CAN'T have the full can......This became a problem for us. So I bought a full can and poured it over the ice in the same glass. I got two and 1/4 glasses from one can. So the drink card is a rip off. We tried to fix it by ordering a glass of coke with no ice and also a full glass of ice with no soda. At least we got 85% of a can. OH, and we would have them open a new can at our table, other wise you get the soda from a can that has been opened for someone else and has been sitting for some time loosing its fizz.

 

Over all, the boat was very clean and staff was the best ever.

 

The Hotel: Used price line to get the Marriott for 90.00 the first night and 110.00 the second night. Great hotel, great views, great staff. Location is OK for walking to what ever you need. No problem for us.

 

The flight: Delta SLC to Paris to Copenhagen. Avoid CDG all cost. The worst airport. I could spend hours on this air port alone. We used taxi to and from the airport in Copenhagen about 45.00 each way. So worth it after a long flight.

 

The ports:

 

Copenhagen: Great city but the most expensive of all. Most places take dollars, credit cards ( not discover, no one would take discover in any of the ports) euro.

 

Take a taxi to the little mermaid, don't walk from the ship. It is a long ugly walk along some chain link fence. And as for walking and taking a taxi back..... think again. Most of the taxis at the little mermaid are already hired by someone taking photos. A free taxi seldom comes by.

 

Tivoli is nice but the lights don't come on until dark..... about 11:00pm or so. It never gets dark just a bit dusky.

 

Pro: fun city, ride the bikes around the city, little mermaid ( don't walk), nice people

 

Con: very expensive. all Danes say " its about 10 minute walk." don't believe them.

 

 

Warnemunde:

We arranged for a private tour with Spb for a day to Berlin. Four of us was 900.00 for the day. We saw tons of sites and got a bit overwhelmed by the amount of info presented. Very worth the money. We could stop on a whim and buy chocolate if we wanted, and we did.....Not possible on a group tour.

 

Estonia:

Great city. easy walk to and from ship. easy to do on your own.

Pro: everything

 

Con: nothing opens until 10:00am so no need to hurry off the boat.

 

 

Russia:

As was said before, no problems getting off ship. HAL was very helpful. The Russian officials are a bit of a PITA.

We had our photocopies taken from us, so some want them and some don't.

We used ALLA tours. Private for two days. Guide and driver. 425.00per person total. We saw everything and we avoided lines and traffic. This is a very professional outfit. Back on the ship we talked with fellow passengers. We saw and did more in one day than they did in two...... We really got a taste of St Pete.

 

Pro: Alla tours, the sites WOW

 

Con: not being able to spend a week there.

 

Helsinki:

Arrived on a Sunday and everything was closed until noon. But we walked around and had a great time. Bright sun and everyone was out walking and biking... great way to see the people.

Later went to the market in town and saw the major sites. All very walkable. FWIW my mother in law took a taxi back to the ship, we had done a ton of walking.

 

Pro: Better than expected. neat city. great people.

 

Con: arriving on a Sunday.

 

 

Stockholm: My absolute favorite city. I could live here. Except for the traffic. Took the ships shuttle to center of town. Slow and waste of money. Walked to the ferry for a trip to the Vasa. But the ferry did not leave for an hour so we took a taxi. We should have taken a taxi from the start. Would have saved time and money.

Vasa very neat place. Use a tripod for photos.

Then we took the ferry to Gamla Stam. This was very easy and just what the guide books say. Saw changing of the guard, a bit over rated, and ate in town. Wondered all over Stockholm. Fantastic city.

 

Pro: Vasa, the city in general

 

Con: shuttle to town. you could walk faster.

 

 

Keil:

This is not a tourist town. Fun to walk on last day and just relax. nothing to see really. but not a waste either. Ate a Doner. ( two dots over the o) It is like a German Gyro. Fantastic. you will have to ask a local for a location, or just stumble on one like I did. Easy day, came back to the ship to start packing. Most of the ship went to Hamburg. Most said they wished they stayed in town. Especially if they had gone to Berlin. Same Same.......

 

Pro: ok city

 

Con: just an ok city.

 

 

So there you have it..... my trip in a nut shell. We had perfect weather for 14 days, we over packed. But glad we had options for cold and wet had it happened.

 

Hope this helps.

[msmoger]

The flight: Delta SLC to Paris to Copenhagen. Avoid CDG all cost. The worst airport. I could spend hours on this air port alone. We used taxi to and from the airport in Copenhagen about 45.00 each way. So worth it after a long flight.

 

Could you elaborate a little more on the problems with the Copenhagen Airport? Most of the posts I have read have indicated that it was an easy airport to deal with. I'm not opposed to taking a taxi, but I got the impression the train from the airport to the central station (which is close to out hotel) was very easy to find and navigate. I'd be curious as to the problems you encountered.

 

Anyway, sounds like you had a great vacation. Welcome Home!! :D

 

Thanks,

[lalique]

Kelfad - Thanks for a great report., We are using Alla for 3 days in St. Pete and are wondering if you did any evening excursions with them. We are trying to plan for a ballet (unfortunately the Mariinskly will be closed at that time) and also a folkloric show. If you did either of these, give us some info. Also, what were the temperatures when you were there - seems like most other cruises had lots of rain. We go the end of this month.

[kelfad]

Could you elaborate a little more on the problems with the Copenhagen Airport? Most of the posts I have read have indicated that it was an easy airport to deal with. I'm not opposed to taking a taxi, but I got the impression the train from the airport to the central station (which is close to out hotel) was very easy to find and navigate. I'd be curious as to the problems you encountered.

 

Anyway, sounds like you had a great vacation. Welcome Home!! :D

 

Thanks,

 

 

CDG is the airport code for Charles de Gaulle in Paris.

 

CPH is the code for Copenhagen.

 

CPH is good but very crowded. You have to walk in and through the shopping. no way to avoid it. But still a good airport. As for the luggage and train?? I could not say. We took a taxi, and had tons of luggage, my in laws were spent after the flight and the walk in the Paris airport; so a cab was the best for us.

 

CDG- Paris, was a joke. poor signage, old structure and the security takes up most of the space for sitting. So once you make it to your gate and through security ( for the second time in the same airport) you have no where to sit. people on top of people and HOT. The airport personal are not helpful or friendly. I finally had to get directions and help from an Air France employee. She had a pleasant smile and I took a chance asking for her assistance. She was at least nice.

This is not an airport I would like making a quick plane change. You need a few hours at best between flights.

Talking to a Brit who was sitting by us, told us that he travels for business and CDG is the worst airport in the world.

[kelfad]

Kelfad - Thanks for a great report., We are using Alla for 3 days in St. Pete and are wondering if you did any evening excursions with them. We are trying to plan for a ballet (unfortunately the Mariinskly will be closed at that time) and also a folkloric show. If you did either of these, give us some info. Also, what were the temperatures when you were there - seems like most other cruises had lots of rain. We go the end of this month.

 

Sorry, we did not do any evening shows. WE had some very long days and were running and gunning for both days. It felt good to come back to the ship and relax. Our first day started at 7:00 am and they dropped us off at 7:15 at night. That was enough for one day.

 

As for the weather: We had 14 days of absolute perfect weather. Blue skies every day. We took wind breaker type jackets and I wore shorts every day. For Russia, I took long pants and just kept them in the van, for a just in case moment. Remember Peterhof is a long way off and getting back to the ship could take hours. We really lucked out on the weather. Our guide in Russia told us this was the best weather she could remember for years. She said St Pete has 30-40 days of sun a YEAR....... and we got two of them.

At Peterhof, I saw the most skin of any of the ports. Russian women of all ages wearing as little as possible. Loose low cut and bra-less. I guess they were making up for all the gloomy days they have the rest of the year....:D

 

All of our ports had above average temps. Estonia was 80+, Russia was 80+, in fact all of them were hot and we had to wear sun screen. Remember, I live in Salt Lake City and am used to 90+ weather for June.. These ports were really warm.

 

Take the hydrofoil from Peterhof back to the city. Its fun and gets you out of traffic.

 

Good luck on your weather.

 

Ask any question, I will be happy to reply.

[msmoger]

CDG is the airport code for Charles de Gaulle in Paris.

 

CPH is the code for Copenhagen.

 

CPH is good but very crowded. You have to walk in and through the shopping. no way to avoid it. But still a good airport. As for the luggage and train?? I could not say. We took a taxi, and had tons of luggage, my in laws were spent after the flight and the walk in the Paris airport; so a cab was the best for us.

 

CDG- Paris, was a joke. poor signage, old structure and the security takes up most of the space for sitting. So once you make it to your gate and through security ( for the second time in the same airport) you have no where to sit. people on top of people and HOT. The airport personal are not helpful or friendly. I finally had to get directions and help from an Air France employee. She had a pleasant smile and I took a chance asking for her assistance. She was at least nice.

This is not an airport I would like making a quick plane change. You need a few hours at best between flights.

Talking to a Brit who was sitting by us, told us that he travels for business and CDG is the worst airport in the world.

 

OOPS!!! Actually I knew that.....considering we're taking Air France home (partner deal with Continental) and have to switch planes at CDG!! :eek::eek:

 

Now you have me worried. We have connecting flights and there's only about an hour and a half between them. Hopefully the two gates will be reasonably close together and we won't have to go through any major security checkpoints. Oh well, Air France approved the booking and maybe we'll get to spend an extra night in Paris. ;)

 

Thanks again for the info.

[ljgljg]

Kelfad, thank you very much for all the in-depth info.

 

I'm a 1st time poster on CC and appreciate all the great info from people like you.

 

A couple of questions for you if you have a moment...

 

- on the ship, are there any lounge chairs on deck that over-look the sea (as opposed to just over-looking the pool area)?

 

- any comments on the casino (# of tables, was it crowded)?

 

- can you give any more details as to why you didn't like Pinnacle Grill?

 

- was there ever any problem getting seated at the main dining room?

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

[spcl4cs_gal]

"The Russian officials are a bit of a PITA."

 

A PITA!! LMAO and here I thought I was the only person in the world who uses the same saying. Of course I teach elementary school and it's a lot safer calling someone a PITA then to say the actual words. :D

[kelfad]

Kelfad, thank you very much for all the in-depth info.

 

I'm a 1st time poster on CC and appreciate all the great info from people like you.

 

A couple of questions for you if you have a moment...

 

- on the ship, are there any lounge chairs on deck that over-look the sea (as opposed to just over-looking the pool area)?

 

- any comments on the casino (# of tables, was it crowded)?

 

- can you give any more details as to why you didn't like Pinnacle Grill?

 

- was there ever any problem getting seated at the main dining room?

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

 

Chairs: Yes, lots of them. This ship was laid out better than most I have been on. Great place for the sail away each night.

 

Casino: Just the right amount.... enough people to "feel" the action and vibe of the place but not too many to swap H1N1 virus with everyone.:p

 

Pinnacle Grill: Ate there on the last night and the staff seemed tired. We asked about the quality of the meat and was assured that the beef was PRIME. When we actually sat at the table and placed our order, the server told us it was "U.S. sterling silver":confused::confused: What the hell is that? Well its is not prime. I only eat prime and I know prime meat. It was good but not worth the extra 20.00 per person. But the Canallito ( free) was some of the best Italian I have ever had. My father in law agreed. I could have eaten there each night.

 

Seating: NO. always an open table. The late Germany day and the first day in Russia gets a bit sticky, but they adjust the hours due to people getting on the ship late.

** We did slip the matradee ten bucks on the first night and it was smooth sailing from then on.:D wink wink

[ESummerson]

Speaking of food on board, my HAL literature says that there might be local food served on occasion. I'm curious if you found this to be true. Did they ever serve herring or any other Baltic seafood? Thx.

[L. A. McDaniel]

Kelfed, your information is invaluable.....thanks so much. We are taking the Rotterdam for the Viking/Czar cruise 8/23 and will be visiting many of the same ports.

 

We too are staying at the Marriott. Can you give me any information on how to get from the port to the hotel. This will be our final destination as our cruise starts in Rotterdam.

 

Any further help and information anyone could add would be appreciated.

 

Thanks, Lindy

[kelfad]

Speaking of food on board, my HAL literature says that there might be local food served on occasion. I'm curious if you found this to be true. Did they ever serve herring or any other Baltic seafood? Thx.

On our Germany day, we had a big "German" send off as the ship sailed off. Brats of every kind, different kinds of kraut, different toppings, breads and pretzels of all shape and size. Staff all dressed up in German garb and a band playing polka. This was all done pool side.

 

As for other foods, I don't remember, I was "in my room"...... some of the time;)

[kelfad]

Kelfad, your information is invaluable.....thanks so much. We are taking the Rotterdam for the Viking/Czar cruise 8/23 and will be visiting many of the same ports.

 

We too are staying at the Marriott. Can you give me any information on how to get from the port to the hotel. This will be our final destination as our cruise starts in Rotterdam.

 

Any further help and information anyone could add would be appreciated.

 

Thanks, Lindy

 

Several options, train, bus or take a taxi. We did the taxi and it was 25.00 dollars and that was for 4 people. They charge per head and per mile.... Copenhagen is an expensive town. The Marriott is just far enough away from the central station that I would not want to walk it with luggage. Easy walk if you are just sight seeing.

 

Oh, the cabs take plastic ( not discover) and do NOT want tips. We had one of our drivers refuse the tip. He said it is "a hard concept for americans to understand".

[ESummerson]

On our Germany day, we had a big "German" send off as the ship sailed off. Brats of every kind, different kinds of kraut, different toppings, breads and pretzels of all shape and size. Staff all dressed up in German garb and a band playing polka. This was all done pool side.

 

As for other foods, I don't remember, I was "in my room"...... some of the time;)

Thanks, that sounds like fun. It sounds like you had a great vacation. Thanks so much for all the info. It's really helpful!

[ljgljg]

Another question came to mind, more out of curiosity than anything, as we've sailed on most of the major cruise lines including HA (but haven't sailed on HA in Europe) ....what in general were the demographics of the passengers? Mostly American? Age breakdown? Any other observations?

[kelfad]

This is what I saw. A lot of Brits., many from Spain, Italy and a few from France and Greece. But the vast majority were from the U.S.

[ljgljg]

This is what I saw. A lot of Brits., many from Spain, Italy and a few from France and Greece. But the vast majority were from the U.S.

 

And what about the age breakdown? As a general rule HA cruises tend to have an older crowd, but our TA said that on the European cruises it tends to be a much broader mix? I realize this will vary cruise to cruise. Thanks again, Kelfad, you've been most helpful.