TDOTCRUISR

Have a great trip, Dr. Pam. Hope you have great weather! I guess we'll be winging it when we get on board. It sounds like the specialty restaurants are quiet so it probably won't be too hard to book something on the spur of the moment...it would just be easier to do it ahead of time, given such a port intensive itinerary. The less to think about later...the better!

Enjoy!!

Thank you both for responding. It has helped tremendously. I have read on these boards that there are ATM's, but wanted to have rubles on hand (don't want to encounter any card problems while abroad>I had my ATM card "stuck" in the machine once and it freaked me out) and since I am on a ship-run tour, I certainly don't want to inconvenience the rest of the tour group (that is, if they would even allow a pitstop at the ATM).

I appreciate the additional information about the Peterhof and Hermitage stores. I am not an avid shopper, but might want to pick up a momento for myself and some small souvenirs>afterall, it's St. Petersburg! Also wasn't sure if many/some of the small "token" souvenirs would be available in other ports (although someone did state that the stacking matryoshka dolls were widely sold in Tallin). I need to pick up a snow globe for my usual cruise sidekick who is unable to make this trip (she collects them).

Yes, I am one of those who feels uncomfortable unless I have the local currency on hand. One less stresser on a very port intensive cruise.

There has been lots of info on the boards about private St. P tours, but not much about ship-run ones (no reviews on the RCL sites). I was hoping that there would be more reviews about the excursions, about the ship (Serenade of the Seas) as the season progressed, but NO - it's so quiet. Usually, passengers have posted the menus, daily newsletters, etc...It's kind of strange...?? Makes me feel a little "unprepared".

Unfortunately, I just haven't had much time to research (private tours) so I booked with the ship for this time around. The full day at the Hermitage and Peterhof (10 hrs) will probably be exhausting, so I chose the Nevsky Prospect walking tour for day 2 to slow thing down and to have some time enjoying the ship.

At least the other ports are all doable without booking through the ship.

Again - Thanks!

Hi,

I will be on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas in 2 weeks. I am wondering if any past cruisers have done the Nevsky Prospect Walking Tour/excursion offered by RCL. It mentions that there may be time for some shopping. I am trying to confirm how much time/type of shopping available so I can determine how much Russian Rubles I should exchange (prefer not to use a credit card and probably won't be able to access an ATM since I will be with the tour).

Also not sure how this "free time shopping" would work if the entire tour group is supposed to remain "together" (due to visa situation)??

This will likely be the only shopping time I have during the 2 days in St. Petersburg. Day 1 will be a full day tour of the Hermitage and Peterhof, so this shopping break may be my only opportunity to pick up some souvenirs.

Any information would be greatly appreciated...Thanks!

Hello,

Does anyone have an idea of the cost of a taxi from Stockholm Central Station (my hotel is next to the Station) to Frihamnen cruise port? We will likely need a van/larger vehicle as there will be 4 adults with probably 4 full-size pieces of luggage.

Thanks.

Hello...

I am on the Serenade of the Seas (July 12/2015) sailing of the Baltics. Would any recent cruisers have the dining room dinner menus? Want to consider specialty restaurants for the nights that don't seem particularly appealing.

Thanks!

In some very old posts, I read that the Russian nesting dolls are also sold in Tallin. Can anyone confirm if this is still the case?

Thank you!

Hello Desdichado:

The Arlanda Express website is quoting special prices: 2 for 300; 3 for 400 and 4 for SEK 500 (single journey, Thurs to Sunday). The website states that tickets can be purchased in the ticket vending machines (no need to pre-book online). It seems so reasonable: I wanted to confirm if the deal would likely still be available in July/2015 (Do they run these discount promos every summer??).

Four of us are traveling together so I would assume that we would not be able to fit 4 large pieces of luggage in a regular taxi...probably resulting in a more costly ride in a larger taxi, but probably not as expensive as 4 non-discounted Arlanda Express fares.

Don't really want to pre-book online in case plans change, but also don't want to miss the deal....

Thanks for all your help....very appreciated!

Hello Kryssa:

We are contemplating booking Serenade of the Seas for July 12-19, 2015 (sails in and out of Stockholm only). Can you please advise as to the port location? We are trying to determine a hotel for the 1 night pre-cruise stay>proximity to airport/ cruise port and city central are all considerations.

Also wondering if you know how close the cruise port is to the airport. The flight I am considering for the trip home, departs at 11AM>not sure if it is enough time to get to the airport; through security, etc... The next flight time is double the price!

Thanks for your help.

Hi XYZ Cruiser,

I just returned from the NCL Getaway on July26 & I took the Big Buss HOHO with Miami Airport drop off (NCL cost $54.99pp). I too tried calling NCL customer service to confirm details but they weren't very informed & told me to ask on the ship. This didn't really help since I wanted the info in advance to determine my flight departure time as I wanted to squeeze in the HOHO tour. The shore excursion description on the NCL site mentions 13 stops which is actually only 1 loop & I wanted to be able to do both loops (20 total), but needed confirmation that I was indeed allowed to do both loops. I posted on CC but didn't get a response before leaving so I wanted to give you the info you need.

Turns out> Yes, you can do both loops (time permitting). Each loop did take 90 minutes (be careful b/c there can be alot of traffic on the beach loop depending on the time of day and whether it is a weekend, etc.). We did both loops in 3 hrs without getting off. Central Stn is Bayside & you do have to switch buses for the 2 loops. If getting off, expect/allow a 30 minute wait for the next bus to arrive at your stop.

City Loop stops: Central Stn/Vizcaya & Science Museum/Coconut Grove/Biltmore Hotel/Venetian Pool/Coral Gables Downtown/Cuban Eateries/Little Havana

Beach Loop stops: Central Stn/Miami Beach Marina/South Pointe Park/ Ocean Drive/Loews Hotel/Bass Museum/Riu Hotel/Fontainebleau/Lincoln Road/Old Miami Beach City Hall/Angler's Resort/Shops at 5th & Alton/ Jungle Island.

We booked the post cruise excursion last minute on the ship after I got the specifics>cost diff appears to be only $1 according to the Big Bus Map/Brochure. They stored our luggage on the van that picked up the luggage (leave 15 minutes or so to get your luggage and then head to the airport shuttle right around the corner). The shuttles leave for MIA airport every hr (11:45am is the 1st shuttle departure with an est Airport arrival time of 12:15pm). The last shuttle leaving for MIA airport is 4:45pm (airport arrival of 5:15pm).

Remember to check the weather forecast before booking the HOHO (We forgot to check when we booked & it was raining> still okay to see from the lower level>able to do the 2nd loop on the upper level. They provide rain ponchos, but ran out. Also remember to ask at the ship desk for a BIG BUS HOHO map, because they also ran out of them on the bus)...Hope this helps with your planning.

It's funny how you can become so addicted to cruising> I always tell people when they cruise for the first time - you either love it or you hate it...guess you can tell which category I belong in??.....HAHA!!

On the msg boards before going & immediately after...(I'm not on the boards during my cruise>no time for that!)...need to be weaned off...until the thought of another cruise pops up...then it's back to the boards again.

It's amazing the info you get though so I am thankful!! Last minute finding> bring a blank gift card to slot into the room keyslot in order to charge my camera batteries -otherwise I would have had to 'babysit' the batteries by being in the room mid-afternoon.

I did a last minute booking for the Getaway (2 weeks before the July 19th/14 sailing) & I had no problems booking for the Illusionarium online even with such a short window before the sailing date. The only date that was full was the 1st night & I would suspect it is because of the 20% discount offered for the 1st night.

I pre-booked, because there were many other "happenings" that were in the same timeslots so I wanted to be sure to get a specific day.

The other thing to consider is port vs sea days & whether you have tours booked, etc...

I had a GTY inside cabin & was surprisingly upgraded to a outside cabin. You'll love the Getaway - Happy cruising!

You're not the only one feeling sad...miss it already. The Getaway is a beautiful ship - so tastefully done (guess it helps that it is brand new too).

There was tons to do - especially considering there were 3 sea days, it is important to offer the variety. (I was a sun worshipper in my younger days, but not so much anymore).

Guess I'm experiencing cruise withdrawal (yes, it's only been a couple of days)....so I am reliving the moments by reading your post....Thanks for writing!

Hi Annmeat,

We were on the same sailing as you....beautiful ship, had a great time!!

My daughter and I "think" the CEO was on board the Getaway during our week. Did you happen to see him too? Spotted "Mr. Sheehan(??)" in front of Le Bistro and then again in the theater for the final farewell show. Just curious if it was him indeed...

I did post in both....Thanks!

No responses though...

Would there be any problems if I booked one of the free shows, can't make it & then want to re-book another date for the same show? Will they allow this since one reservation was booked and no-show....Never know how one feels day to day...

We are going on the NCL Getaway in two weeks and are wondering if anyone has the menus and dailies from a recent cruise?

- Thanks!

Hi fellow cruisers...

I just booked a last minute cruise on the NCL Getaway (July 19) and still have to book my flight>I'm considering a late flight out of Miami in order to squeeze in a post-cruise tour of Miami.

Can anyone who has taken the NCL shore excursion - Miami's Hop on Hop off (with airport transfer to MIA) advise as to whether it allows for both loops or only 1 loop. The NCL site doesn't provide much details, so I checked some other cruiseline sites & they also offer an excursion with the hop-on/off "Big Bus" w/airport. Their sites state that you choose 1 loop, but if you have time, you have the option to take the 2nd loop too. I am thinking that NCL's arrangements should be the same, but wanted to confirm with someone who has actually taken this excursion pkg. If only one loop is allowed>which one is offered?

My other question: What is the schedule for the airport shuttle portion of the excursion? The other cruiselines' sites, state that the shuttles run every hour till 4:45PM. However, I vaguely remember someone on cruise critic posting that the shuttle run is only at noon and 2pm (can't seem to find that posting now to confirm which cruiseline they were on). I am considering an 8:50PM flight.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi fellow cruisers...

I just booked a last minute cruise on the NCL Getaway (July 19) and still have to book my flight>I'm considering a late flight out of Miami in order to squeeze in a post-cruise tour of Miami.

Can anyone who has taken the NCL shore excursion - Miami's Hop on Hop off (with airport transfer to MIA) advise as to whether it allows for both loops or only 1 loop. The NCL site doesn't provide much details, so I checked some other cruiseline sites & they also offer an excursion with the hop-on/off "Big Bus" w/airport. Their sites state that you choose 1 loop, but if you have time, you have the option to take the 2nd loop too. I am thinking that NCL's arrangements should be the same, but wanted to confirm with someone who has actually taken this excursion pkg. If only one loop is allowed>which one is offered?

My other question: What is the schedule for the airport shuttle portion of the excursion? The other cruiselines' sites, state that the shuttles run every hour till 4:45PM. However, I vaguely remember someone on cruise critic posting that the shuttle run is only at noon and 2pm (can't seem to find that posting now to confirm which cruiseline they were on). I am considering an 8:50PM flight.

Thanks in advance for your help!