Ian21

We did a tour with Dancing Bear this summer for 3 people. We paid a 30% deposit and the balance on the 2nd day.  It was a great tour and Julia was excellent in tailoring a tour to suit our needs. 

They were shown in the casino bar on Eclipse last month.

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We also used them a couple of weeks ago for a private tour for the 3 of us (including our 12 year old son). Our guide was Tatiana. She was very knowledgeable and was great at getting us in places without queuing. Julia was very helpful arranging an itinerary to suit our needs. We had a ride on the metro and a visit to the Grand Maket (massive model village of various parts of Russia). We also did the usual places. Loved the Church of the Spilled Blood. Because it was very busy we couldn’t get tickets for Catherine’s Palace so went to Pavlosky Palace instead which was interesting but not crowded.

Would totally recommend DB.

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They are Martinis but I can’t remember which ones.

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That one works OK for me in the U.K. If all else fails just google the recipe.

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Here's a link to the recipe:

http://www.geniuskitchen.com/r...ed-almond-504641#activity-feed

Even though the recipe calls for Baileys and Baileys has been removed from the Classic package, I had many of these since the change and it tasted no different. It's just as yummy as ever!

That link doesn’t seem to work from the U.K. Try this one instead. https://www.islands.com/frozen-toasted-almond-drink-recipe

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Ok. Here’s another one then.

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We have just finished a cruise on Eclipse with the Classic Package. Basically you can get pretty well any cocktail on the Classic package - they just use the appropriate bottle of alcohol. Exceptions being Martini bar and the odd drink such as a Baileys. But in these cases you just pay the small additional price. I would say stick with the Classic. There will be plenty of cocktails available to keep you happy. Mudslide and Pina Colada were our favourites.

 

 

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Mudslides

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We have just finished a cruise on Eclipse with the Classic Package. Basically you can get pretty well any cocktail on the Classic package - they just use the appropriate bottle of alcohol. Exceptions being Martini bar and the odd drink such as a Baileys. But in these cases you just pay the small additional price. I would say stick with the Classic. There will be plenty of cocktails available to keep you happy. Mudslide and Pina Colada were our favourites.

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As somebody particularly interested in this special and unique dining experience, I look forward to your thoughts... looking forward to your description and how you enjoyed it. And, if you are open to taking a few photos, I'd be ecstatic. :)

A couple of additional comments:

We had a private tour in St Petersburg and the company couldn’t get tickets for Catherine’s palace - apparently large tours get priority if numbers are high.

We got invited to the helipad for the sail in to Stockholm - we are first time cruisers in a veranda cabin so it looks like a random choice.

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I did the behind the scenes on the Eclipse yesterday. They said they carry both types of fuel. In environmental protection areas they burn the low sulphur diesel. When they are allowed they burn the much cheaper heavy fuel.

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We were on the same cruise as you and apparently there were some problems on Deck 8 with location variations. We had breakfast with a fellow cc poster and she said her cabin on 8 was so bad it made her husband ill. They were moved to an inside cabin for that night and were later moved to a comparable cabin where they had no problems....take notice that the ship had quite a few empty cabins on the aforementioned cruise so a cabin change was not a big issue but if the ship is full there's not much they can do. We were on the aft bump on deck 10 and had no problems with vibration. I only had b-fast once in Ocean View and didn't notice anything there either. Seas were very calm considering the reputations of the North Sea area. There was one day that was a teeny bit rough but not enough to really notice unless you're really sensitive.

I am on Eclipse now. Our cabin is on Deck 8 midships. No noticeable vibrations. At sea today and there is very little vibration anywhere I have been this morning.

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The Eclipse in Rostock today.

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We have booked a private 2-day tour with Dancing Bear for late August for the three of us inc 12 year old son. We chose them because they were the most helpful in advising best options for my wife who suffers with arthritis and providing interest to a 12 year old. They have been very quick to respond to queries. So we are confident in having chosen them.

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If I’m looking at excursions etc. I find it better to click through for cruise planner and you can log in with reservation number and name and date etc. This seems to work fine every time. (UK based)

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We have booked a private 2 day tour when in St Petersburg in August. The itinerary includes a visit to a Farmer’s Market. Is this worth spending time doing - is it more than just seeing some fruit and veg? I notice almost all companies include this in their itinerary so I assume people think it is worthwhile. Thoughts?

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I’ve also noticed that internet package is cheaper today than when I booked it last year. So cancelled and rebooked and saved £10. Also some of the longer dining packages are showing 20% off - a 6 night package is cheaper than a 5 night one on my 12 day cruise at the moment.

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It is a scale model of parts of Russia. http://www.saint-petersburg.com/museums/grand-maket-russia/

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Thanks. I’ll think I’ll buy at current price.

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Since we will have our 12 year old son with us next August, internet access is going to be needed. I have been keeping an eye on the unlimited internet price. For our 12 night cruise it has been £207.13 for the last few months but is now £181.79. Wondering whether to buy now. Any views on what the price might do in the future? Presumably if it drops further I can’t cancel and rebuy at the lower price.

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But also second person went from 50% off to 0% off. Repriced our booking for next summer and it is £1400 dearer and that is with us having prepaid gratuities.

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We will be cruising next summer with our 12 year old son and are wondering whether to get a drinks package for him. He is a fussy drinker - he doesn't like fizzy drinks so the Soda Package isn't worth having. He tends to stick to apple juice, milk, flavoured milk, milkshakes or "slushies". Is it worth paying for the premium non-alcoholic package on the basis whatever he finds he likes should be covered or are we better not having a package and just paying as he goes?