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I was notified via email from Viking last week of the changes to our itinerary. It is unfortunate that so many were not notified.

Such is the nature of traveling, and cruising in particular. We will try our best to make limoncello out of lemons!

Leaving the US early tomorrow. See you all onboard!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the great recommendations! I'm starting a diet tonight (after dinner). LOL!

I know food likes and dislikes are very subjective, but I'd like to get the opinions of all you seasoned Oceania cruisers.

What are your personal favorites in Red Ginger, Jacques, Polo Grill and Toscana? The Grand Dining Room too, if you want to chime in on that.

I sail on Marina to the Baltic on June 17, 2015 (my first cruise on Oceania).

Thanks in advance.

Chico's is only closing 35 store in 2015, with another 85 stores to close in 2016 and 2017. They had a pretty significant loss (31M) in the last quarter, but revenue was up. I wouldn't start stocking up on microfiber tops just yet. Hopefully, they'll weather the storm (my entire closet is Chico's).

We were there in 2012, so things may have changed since then, or you may find yourself at a different dock location that we did, making this info not all that useful. However, here are notes I compiled and kept:

 

Helsinki: Shuttle goes to end of Esplanade near “main shops” (think Lonnrotsgatan – see #27 on tram map). [Post-trip note: not sure if shuttle runs for all cruises, all day. Think bus drivers took a long break for lunch. Long lines in late afternoon, too, so plan accordingly!]

 

Riga: Post trip note: Some O cruises had shuttle that went to park near House of Blackheads & St. Peter’s Church, by Akman’s Tilts (bridge), but ours did not. It is easy to walk, however. To get to Old Town from ship, just walk along river for about 10-15 mins. If go over overpass soon after docking, you can also get there, but it’s a little longer. We followed crew members over there, thinking they knew a shortcut. They were going to the gas station with free wifi!

 

If want to see art nouveau section of Riga, it's not hard to walk, although I did find it a bit confusing. Post-trip notes: Elizabetes 10B is across street from places on Elizabetes without a “B” – about a ten to 15 min. walk from Eksporta iela where we docked – but in opposite direction from Old Town. Get a good map and find Eksporta iela (spelling?) to find the street. Alberta is the best street for art nouveau – again, use map.

 

Tallinn: Portoftallinn.com has port map (4 terminals) including gates; Terminal D farthest from Old Town; A-C together. portoftallin does not show what terminal we will be assigned to. TI is in Terminal A & main terminal has café & shops. Go to TI (or one at Raekoja Plats) & "pick up free walking tour map. Start in reverse to avoid crowds.” Also, at end of dock is small port shop with free WiFi. Shuttle runs every half hour from end of dock to near Kanuti Aed near Mere Puiestee.” [Post-trip note: Not sure if this shuttle is available to all cruisers or if Oceania arranged it.]

 

We docked in Warnemunde rather than Rostock, so I can't help with that - or Klaipeda.

thank you roothy 123!

I will be arriving at the Ocean Quay terminal via the Oceania Marina on 26 Jun 2015, a Saturday. I am trying to avoid having to take a taxi to the Wakeup Hotel Borgergade. I understand the #26 bus does not run on Saturdays. Do I have any other options?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Al, we have two and a half days in Stockholm before our cruise in July. I'm trying to decide if we should take one of those days and go to Grinda, Sandhamm or Vaxholm. Or, would we be better just staying in STockholm the whole time?

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

Karen[/quote

 

Wow, this post is five years old! It doesn't look like anyone responded and I have the same question for my upcoming two and a half days in Stockholm this June. Thanks in advance for any responses.

Does anyone have information for these Baltic ports - Helsinki, Riga, Tallinn, Klaipeda or Rostock? Thanks!

Thanks for the good information. I'll check out the route on google maps. Can't wait to visit Dublin!

What you might consider would be to go to the Gaol first and get your tickets, which will have an entrance time on it. If there is a long wait until your tour, go on the Guinness - do the tour and get your pint, then return to the Gaol and take the tour. It is definitely doable.

Cole

Thanks for the quick responses all. I was thinking about stopping at the gaol first, getting the ticket or even completing the tour if the wait isn't so bad, then backtracking to Guinness. I'm buying my Guinness tickets online before I leave home. I understand I can skip the queue and walk right in if I do this. Can anyone confirm?

What is the best way to get from the gaol back to Guinness. It is the wrong direction for the HOHO bus. Is a cab the best way? Is it walkable?

Planning on using the HOHO Bus in Dublin and visiting these two sites? Is this doable in one day, given the fact that the ship sails at 6, or have I bitten off too much? Thanks. Does anyone know what the lines are like on a Saturday in June?

I'm sailing this itinerary on June 4 of this year. I'm hoping to post a review when I return.

I'm looking for a private tour operator for the D-Day beaches from Le Havre.

 

Overlord doesn't have availability and there aren't open slots on any of the roll call tours.

 

I'm interested in knowing alternative private tour operators to check with. As a backup, I signed up for the Princess tour, but it's not our first choice

 

There are 2 of us, but we're traveling with friends, so I'm sure between them and our roll call we could fill a van of 8-16, which is my preferred your size.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

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Which sailing are you on? I have four seats left on my June 15 Normandy tour (June 4 sailing of the Ruby Princess). It is with Jules Vernon, the premier tour guide from Overlord who has branched out and now owns his own company. If you are on this sailing, I look forward to hearing from you. flora dot m dot herbert at gmail dot com

The walk from anywhere in Edinburgh to the castle is mostly uphill! The castle was built on an extinct volcano which towers above Edinburgh city centre. I wouldn't bother booking a car but just flag down a black cab - of which there are very many in Edinburgh. It would only take a few minutes to get up to the castle but to be honest we don't mind the walk either as we walk through Princes Street Gardens and see some of the lovely buildings on The Mound.

I guess I should explain my situation a little more fully. I am traveling with five others who are elderly and cannot handle a 10-20 minute walk uphill. My goal in Edinburgh is to be dropped off by a cab/car at the Castle Esplanade where my travel partners will "hang out and people watch" while I tour the Castle for 60-90 minutes. We will then meet up at the Esplanade and walk down the Royal Mile to Holyrood (I understand this is flat or slightly downhill, please correct me if I'm wrong). We will catch a cab at Holyrood back to the ship at South Queensferry. Is this workable?

There must be more people than just me that are interested in minimalist cruising. Today's topic is "What is your fav carry-on? Mine is a new "Mother Lode Weekender Convertible" from e-bags. It uses every square inch of carry-on space. It comes without wheels and stores either under the seat or up on top. It can be a back pack or a shoulder bag or a regular carry-handle suitcase. Much eaiser to lift than the roll-aboards.

And just for your info, I plan on going to both the formal nights and the adventure tours- not scrimping on anything while packing in carry-on only. I'm sure many of you have similar stories - let's share them!

I rarely check bags. I am cruising the British Isles this summer for 12 nights, two of them formal nights. I will have a 21" expandable rollie (too old and too short for a backpack, so I do give up a little space and gain a little weight with the rollers).

I am in the pre-planning stages for the Galapagos and Peru next summer with Celebrity and that will be carry on only too.

Hi, back from my cruise now so will try to contribute to the Edinburgh questions again. T

 

he shuttle from South Queensferry is run by a private company and they drop off in Charlotte Square. It's at the west end of Princes Street and it's a very attractive Georgian square. The hoho bus stops here and you could get that to take you up to the castle or you're only a couple of minute walk to Princes Street and from there you'll see the castle in front of you

I have heard the walk from Charlotte Square to the Castle is mostly uphill. I have contacted two different car services (haven't heard back from either yet) that told 6-8 people. With a full cab/car, it's about 10GPB return and they drop you off at the Castle Esplanade.

I travel solo as well as touring solo on occasion when I am traveling with friends. It's not a problem at all and typically so much better than a ship's tour. Give it a try.

I can easily cruise with only spending money on board for gratuities. I don't drink sodas or alcohol at home, don't need the upgraded coffee and am not a shopper. I gamble in Vegas, but not on a cruise ship.

You should consider joining the Roll Call for your cruise. All your questions will be answered. I am on the June 4 British Isles on the Ruby Princess and the Roll Call has been invaluable in booking excursions.

Sounds like a great shopping find!

I would be concerned with leaving the wristlet behind at the dining table, bar or blackjack table. My crossbodies never leave my body, so no chance of getting lost. If you can manage to keep up with it, I think it's a cute alternative!

I use a teeny tiny Brighton crossbody for dinner and evening activities on the ship. It holds my cruise card, casino cash and my small camera.

For sea days in the Caribbean, I have a small Vera Bradley tote that hold my book, sunscreen, etc.

For port days in Europe, I carry the Little Hipster from Vera Bradley and for port days in the Caribbean, I carry a beach bag with towel, change of clothes, etc. There is a zippered pocket in the beach bag for a mini wallet.

Thanks caribill!

Lots of options-I'm not a buffet person. I think we'll try for the dining room.

marazad16,

Thanks for the quick reply!

We will be sailing the Ruby Princess on June 4 from Southampton. Are there dining options for embarkation lunch other than the buffet? We are not in a suite.

Thanks.