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Has anyone done the Hermitage at night? I noticed my cruiseline offers this excursion and wondering if it is worth it. Is there enough time, and more importantly, not crowded?

I also read some reviews where folks on tours got into the Hermitage before opening? What private tour groups offer this?

The Scandic Palace looks great, but their web-site says "air cooling" and a few reviews complained about how warm the rooms are. Did you happen to use the air when you were there to your satisfaction?

My daughter has some health concerns, and I really want to book a hotel pre-cruise that has reliable air-conditioning for our stay next summer. Are there any hotels in the downtown area that I can trust to have air besides the Marriott?

Appreciate the review and all the detailed info. It really helps my planning for next year, thanks!

Thanks for your review and great eye candy...I am feasting on your pics! We are doing two days pre-cruise in Iceland, and are also considering the super jeep tour for our family of five (not sure the South Coast or the Golden Circle). Your photos are making me lean to the South! One thing I'm concerned about is that we have a family member prone to car sickness and I'm wondering if there is a lot of jostling and rough riding and windy roads?

Teannetx,

Maybe you have found someone by now, but I also wanted to mention that Jeremy was booked for our date as well. He referred us to Lee Evans who has been very responsive to our needs. I'm not sure if we will book him as I'm still not certain we will go to Berlin. He is not only highly regarded by Jeremy and numerous TA reviews, but Rick Steves reccomends him in his book (I think he may have written some of the Germany entry?)

Ncl site is showing a change of itinerary in their 9 day Gateway Baltic Sea. It still says nine days but when I click on the detailed itinerary it shows 11 days?! Over night in Stockholm?!

Enjoying your review, and especially the "behind the scenes" perspective. So cool your son is in the show! Just curious as to how long the entertainer's contract is? The same as other crew?

I had heard that about SPB. We are spending a couple of days pre-cruise in Copenhagen and will do some research, thanks!

Thanks for posting Carolyn! I will be heading over to that thread. My older two daughters danced for years growing up and both would like to see the Ballet in SPB. My eldest daughter lives in Moscow now, and a trip to the Bolsoi was a highlight of my visit to see her.

Thanks for the review. We will be on the Baltic Sea cruise next year, and your review was very helpful.

We will be there this time next year...albeit on a much larger ship:). Thanks so much for taking the time to do this review, really appreciate the info

We were recently in a two bedroom forward facing Haven which was wonderful. While all 2 bedrooms have floor to ceiling windows in the bath tub and shower, the forward facing rooms give you that 180 degree views across the bow of the ship. Spectacular.

We are considering a foward facing suite. How was the motion? Which ship were on? Thanks!

Thank you! Appreciate you taking the time to post such a helpful response.

Just wanted to thank all prior posters for the excellent advice in this thread. I read through all 30 pages and it was so worth it! We will be there for just two days, and I have some great ideas now on how to maximize our time. Still debating whether to base in Reykjavik and not get a car, or to stay outside the city and get a car. More research needed, but this has been one of the most helpful threads on cc. Thanks again!

Thanks so much for your review! We are staying in the haven and I'm wondering where is the smoking section? All of deck 17?

Thanks for your helpful answer!

So the Getaway has some sailings that port at Nynashamn and others that say Stockholm. So even though it specifies Stockholm it might not actually be Stockholm or not go through the archipelago? Is there anyway to find out where the Getaway will actually dock?

These are fantastic suggestions and ideas! Thank you all for such great info, really helped me visualize things we could do to make everyone happy in our party. I guess I was thinking primarily of the churches/musuems, but it sounds like there are so many different experinces out there as well, getting so excited!

Yes, shopping is a given:)

Wondering if anyone who has btdt has an opinion as to whether such a cruise would be fun for a young teen (13 years old) We are considering a Baltic Capital cruise on NCL's Getaway. It's hard for me to get a good read on whether most ports would have something that would interest her, and while the ship will be great for her age group, we need to travel in mid-June...too early for swimming and water activites on board?

Would love to hear from folks that have brought their kids and whether it was a good experince. Thanks so much,

Trying to decide between two cruises...one makes a port of call in Poland, the other Finland. Looking for opinions as to which would be better? Our family is more interested in scenic sightseeing than historical touring for this stop. I know next to nothing about Gdanck except Lech Walesa!

Thanks for the replies! I think i will keep this on the private tour I have arranged before we get on the cruise. I also want to visit the quarry, and think on the cruise they dont allow the time to do that. Maybe there will be another option we can take advantage of on the cruise vs. The olive farm combination tour.

Was wondering if anyone knows whether the Provence/ Burgundy cruises tour here (specifically Uniworld) when in Arles. I would like to see this and have the opportunity to do this on a private tour, but dont want to if I can do this on the river boat tour itself. Thanks!

There is an ebook called "Best Vacation Ever" by Cash Peters about your itinerary that you might find interesting.

 

 

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Thanks! I actually downloaded this after the mention on another thread, looks good!

The reason my decision was limited to Uniworld and Viking is because I can only travel the end of March/early April. I would have loved to consider Avalon, AMA and Tauck....hopefully next time i wil have more flexibility!