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    9-night versus 11-night Longyearbyen Roundtrip

    in Atlas Ocean Voyages

    Posted

    The major factor for us deciding on the 11 night was to cross the N 80 ^ Moffen.  We cruised the Norwegian Fjords last summer on a different cruise line. After our Antarctic cruise with Atlas last month, we realized that we need to go back and really experience the Artic circle. Finalized our booking for the July 20, 2025 cruise this week. 

    Review of Antarctic 11 night

    in Atlas Ocean Voyages

    Posted

    Thank you so much!  Your report was informative and much appreciated.

     

    We opted to do AOV's pre-cruise tour before our cruise that departs January 4th.  We booked this cruise through our own travel agent and have had great communication with AOV directly regarding some pre-cruise questions. 

     

    We were told that there will be an AOV agent waiting for us outside customs to pick up on the first day for the pre-tour. It feels like everything will fall into place. We indicated that one of us has a food allergy and requires a gluten free diet.  We are very hopeful that will all fall into place as well, but will be packing GF snack items just incase.

     

    Thanks again!

    Feedback PLEASE

    in 55+ Cruisers

    Posted

    Thanks much for the feedback. Still researching but strongly leaning toward HAL Zuiderdam. Probably going to do ocean view and bypass a balcony room as it indeed may be a bit cool in May. We absolutely use private tours. Took me a few cruises to figure it out but better tours and much less cost. Again, thanks for the info, anything that can be shared that would help our decision would be great. Thanks all! Jim
    We cruised the Baltic Sea early May this year. We usually pack "Rick Steves" style but due to potential for chilly weather we packed and checked a small suitcase with light weight down coats just incase.

    We had lively weather.

     

    A light weight jacket or sweater was all we ever needed. Our first day in St. Petersburg was 80 degrees. Next day temp dropped back down to jacket weather. Never wore the down...but we are going to Norwegian Fjords next year same time...will take them again.

     

    We had a balcony. I used it a little, but spouse didnt.

     

    We are going back to Russia in 2021 on a Viking River cruise and will opt for an ccean view.

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Forums mobile app

    Thinking of not getting off in St Petersberg!!!!!

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    We are on next week's cruise and booked specifically for St. Petersburg. (I'm no letting current politics sway my zeal for my once in a life time chance to go to St. Petersburg)

    We've been on our roll call amd counting down for nearly 52 weeks. Thanks to our roll call buddies we booked most of our excursions from Alla tours.

    The non cruiseline tours enable you to be in a smaller group versus the cruise ship's big bus.

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Forums mobile app

    MSC Seaside Yacht Club Review and Pics!

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    To be honest yes, but the budget for this cruise called for either a standard balcony or Yacht Club inside. Both around the same price. I don't regret our decision one bit, and I would do it again. I think being in the YC more than made up for not having a balcony. It was a completely different and upgraded experience compared to the rest of the ship.

    Thanks! Greatly appreciate your insights!

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Forums mobile app

    Baltic Cruise on NCL Getaway - September 2017

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    We used Alla Tours in St. Petersburg and also Warnemunde and Helsinki. There is a discount if you book more than one city. Also, ask for a Cruise Critic discount. Everyone on our roll call got one. We were very happy with their service and communication ahead of time was easy.

     

    Our Warnemunde tour took us to Rostock on the train. While we did enjoy the tour, we found Warnemunde to be such a charming little town that if we returned, we would just spend the day on our own.

    Which St. Petersburg and Helsinki tour did you choose?

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Forums mobile app

    From the Haven to the Yacht Club in 3 months - a crazy detailed review!

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    Dr Cocktail,

    1. I'm jealous of your creative name "Dr. Cocktail". Well played. Dr. C. Well played.

     

    2. Thanks so much for your comparison of Yacht Club vs. Haven. Greatly appreciated.

     

    3. Thanks for the subtle decor humor. (I nearly spit out a very good red on my phone)

     

    4.Thanks for the Oceania comparison. Actually helpful for my future planning.

     

    5. Despite the fact that your summary was short and concise...your summary made me envious we weren't on the ship with you all.

     

     

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Forums mobile app

    Baltic Cruise on NCL Getaway - September 2017

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    I took this cruise on May 16th and here is what I found out:

     

    1. How far is the port from the airport; best mode of transportation from airport to port? Copenhagen airport is pretty far from the city and port. We took a cab to our hotel and then a cab to the dock which was expensive. I am not sure about public transportation. I did see people with Norwegian transfers from the airport on our way home. You could look into that. Going back to the airport after the cruise we took the NCL provided bus transfers which was reasonable. We were told that cabs were scarce by NCL but that was not true.

     

    2. On disembarkation day, the ship arrives in Copenhagen at 7am, wondering if a 10am flight is possible to make? You might just make it if you do self disembarking, keep your luggage and go but why would you stress yourself worrying if you are going to make your flight? its not worth it. It takes at least 30 minutes to get to the airport from the ship not waiting for the bus to be loaded. Take a later flight.

     

    2. Any hotel recommendations close to the port? Nyhaven is closest to the dock. The dock is past the Opera House and the Little Mermaid statue if that helps. Btw if you are spending time in Copenhagen check out the free walking tour. It was wonderful.

     

    3. Excursions booked through the ship are really expensive. Are the tour companies at each port that offer excursions? Yes there are. We used Alla and they were great for Russia and Stockholm and ok for Rossock and Schwerin and Helsinki. We chose not to take the 3 hour ride to Berlin and enjoyed a more leisurely day in Germany. I heard positive things about SPB as well. You have to take a tour to get the visa in St. Petersburg unless you applied directly to Russia for a visa. If you don't take a tour or have a visa before boarding, you cannot get off the ship. The Russians are very strict and their is line to get through their customs into Russia. They will examine your passport and tour reservation closely.

    4. When we arrive in Berlin, I understand that there is a train station very close to port. Anyone ever take the train not booked with a tour/excursion, straight into Berlin and do your own tour or hop on/off bus? No and I would be very reluctant to do that. Three hours each way is a long time and you don't want to miss the ship if you have a travel hiccup. The train station is right at the port. Frankly, I don't know what is so great about Berlin that it is worth 6 hours of traveling. We loved St. Petersburg and Tallin.

    5. I'll probably book a tour for St. Petersburg, any tour recommendations or book through cruise? Dont go through NCL. Alla and SPB are highly regarded. They are much cheaper and do a great job in St. Petersburg. Two days in St. Petersburg isn't enough. Decide if you want to see the Faberge Museum. There are also evening options too however we considered seeing Swan lake but when we realized we would not be back to the ship until midnight we reluctantly decided against it because we didnt want to exhausted on day 2.

     

    I hope this is helpful..Other tips. I would recommend walking Helsinki yourself. There is a nice market area by the harbor and if you hit the Rock Church you will see the major sites. We also walked Tallin ourselves using the walking tour from the Stevens Guide book and had a great time. On the right side of the ship when you leave St. Petersburg you will pass the Russian naval base of Kronstadt that has an interesting history if you look it up. You will also sail pass the locks that can shut off the Baltic Sea from flooding St Petersburg. We really enjoyed the Cirque show. Not as good as Cirque De Soleil but very entertaining. Unfortunately the dinner is served before the show is only fair. We loved the cruise I hope you do as well.

     

    Eric

     

     

    Thanks Eric!

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