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We are trying to decide between a tour company's tour of Berlin or Viking's included Berlin: Your Way tour. For any who have been on the Viking Homelands cruise and taken the included Berlin excursion, some questions: How long was the orientation tour? Was the orientation tour on the train to Berlin or on a bus once arrived? Did they take you by many sites? Where did this orientation tour let you off for you to begin your "on your own" journey? How much time did you have to navigate the city on your own before meeting for the train ride back to the ship? We realize Berlin is @ 3 hours from the ship, so that's a given 5-6 hrs in transportation no matter which tour we choose. With this information, we can look at a map and determine what we want to see on our own and what we will have time to do on our own. We are juggling the benefits of a full tour to see as much as you can in this historic city with being on a train or bus for @10-12 hours getting there, "driving by" the sites, and getting back to the ship. Thanks!

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We are also Viking Homelands and for Berlin we decided to do the Berlin on your own for free which includes the train ride and a hour or so overview tour of Berlin. I believe that overview tour includes 1 or 2 stops and then they drop you off across from the Hilton by the Gendarmenmarket. You then have 3-4 hours on your own. We decided to hire a local walking tour with Brewers Tours to meet us and take us on a private walking tour. It is about 200 euros and we can add up to 4 others to split the cost or just do it by ourselves. We haven't decided yet which way we will go with it. They tell me that they can show us the following in the 3.5 hour tour.

Our 3,5-hour tour covers all the major sights and a general overview of the city center, including Prussian and Imperial monuments such as Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island and the Reichstag; WWII and **** history, including the former ministry and chancellery district, the site of Hitler's bunker and the former SS and Gestapo HQ; Cold War sights including the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and both former East and West Berlin; as well as modern Berlin and its colorful and bright new cultural life

 

This tour company was highly recommended and we are looking forward to it, because if we did try to do it on our own we would likely get lost. Plus we like the fact that we can probably see more than a slower bus tour with a lot of others.

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  • 2 weeks later...

We are also just using Viking's Berlin on your own merely for the transportation. I am currently exploring our options for hiring a private guide to meet us at the train station and then a 5 hr walking and public transport tour of the highlights. There are 4 in our party, but another couple (that we met on the roll call thread) plan on joining us thereby reducing the cost pp.

 

I am considering

https://www.toursbylocals.com/?s=AW_18A_001a_tours%20by%20locals%20com&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoLLmss_y1wIVmIuzCh1wHQ-EEAAYASAAEgJ4GfD_BwE

 

https://tourguides.viator.com/

 

http://berlinwalks.de/public/

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  • 1 month later...

we did a Fat Tire bike tour in Berlin. It was one of the highlights of our trip. We had lunch at a Bistro in the Park and they worked with us when our train was late getting in to town. I'd highly recommend them it was informative and fun.

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We also did a guided walking historical tour of Berlin and it was excellent. Many of the important historical points you could walk by without noticing if on your own. I would expect a bike tour also to be an excellent way to go, although we did the walking tour.

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Hi! I'm about to book Classical Berlin Tour at the cost 105 US $ PP. Any comments?

 

7.00 » meeting with the company's representative

7.00-10.00 drive to Berlin in a modern, air-conditioned bus

10.00 » meeting with your guide

10.00-13.00 Western Berlin: the tour starts at the Charlottenburg Palace and continues with the drive down the beautiful Kurfurstendam. Photo opportunity at the bombed out Kaiser William Memorial Church. The tour then continues through the Central Park of Berlin, the Tiergarten passing the Victory Column. You will come to the German Parliament, the Reichstag. From here you will walk through the Brandenburg Gate into Paris Square and to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and then to the site of Hitler's Bunker where the bus will pick you up. Eastern Berlin: Potsdamer Platz, the former site of the SS and Gestapo Headquarters which is now a museum called the Topography of Terror, the Berlin wall in its original position and infamous Checkpoint Charlie.

13.00-14.00 Lunch break. We recommend Lowenbrau restaurant which offers world-famous beer. Other restaurants and cafes (including more economical ones) are also possible. For those who don't need lunch and prefer to use this time for shopping there is a multitude of small shops.

14.00-15.30 Gendarmenmarkt Square, Book Burning Square and Museum Island where five world famous museums including Pergamum Museum are located. If the time permits the tour will continue to the East Side Gallery and/or the former Jewish Quarter. Free time for the group at the biggest department store in Europe - KaDeWe.

15.30 departure from Berlin

15.30-19.00 drive back to the ship

19.00 at the ship

Several years ago, we participated in much the same tour (not sure with which company you are booking). Most of these shore excursions offered by independent companies are the same or very similar. Ours included everything on your itinerary minus the KaDeWe.

Same as your itinerary, ours was a driving tour with selected stops (no inside visits). The majority of your time will be spent driving to/from Berlin (6 hours) with about 5.5 hours actually spent in Berlin.

Berlin is a destination city with world class museums & tons to see. It is not best done on a port visit from Warnemunde or Rostock. I have spent a sizeable amount of time in Berlin over the years and have enjoyed each visit to this very vibrant city. However, when we did a Baltic cruise, my BIL had never been to Berlin and it was his only opportunity to visit the city. It was a long drive but he found the experience worth it. We booked with Alla Tours and, in addition to seeing everything on the tour itinerary, were able to visit the Pergamon museum while others had their lunch - my BIL absolutely loved the Pergamon.

FYI: traffic in Berlin can be dicey. If you are delayed by traffic problems in the city, the thing most likely to be curtailed or deleted is the shopping (KaDeWe). You can check with your tour provider for more details.

IMHO, if this is your only opportunity to visit Berlin, you will most probably find the long bus trip worthwhile.

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Thank you for the detailed response. One more question about prices - regular price is $145, but they give $30 discount if I book with St. Petersburg tour. Is it a good deal?

Only you can decide if it is a good deal. I know that the tour we took through Alla Tours was $100 (because we also booked St. Petersburg) and the tour with Alla was much cheaper than the one offered through our cruise ship.

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I found Alla tours proposal, thank you. It seems to be similar and price for tours of Berlin is the same. One difference - I didn't see the former Jewish Quarter in Alla's itinerary.

The former Jewish quarter would be found on Alla's Jewish tour of Berlin, not her Grand Tour of Berlin. You can view all the itineraries on her website: https://alla-tour.com/tours/

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  • 1 month later...
We are also Viking Homelands and for Berlin we decided to do the Berlin on your own for free which includes the train ride and a hour or so overview tour of Berlin. I believe that overview tour includes 1 or 2 stops and then they drop you off across from theHilton by the Gendarmenmarket. You then have 3-4 hours on your own. We decided to hire a local walking tour with Brewers Tours to meet us and take us on a private walking tour. It is about 200 euros and we can add up to 4 others to split the cost or just do it by ourselves. We haven't decided yet which way we will go with it. They tell me that they can show us the following in the 3.5 hour tour.

Our 3,5-hour tour covers all the major sights and a general overview of the city center, including Prussian and Imperial monuments such as Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island and the Reichstag; WWII and **** history, including the former ministry and chancellery district, the site of Hitler's bunker and the former SS and Gestapo HQ; Cold War sights including the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and both former East and West Berlin; as well as modern Berlin and its colorful and bright new cultural life

 

This tour company was highly recommended and we are looking forward to it, because if we did try to do it on our own we would likely get lost. Plus we like the fact that we can probably see more than a slower bus tour with a lot of others.

*******************

We are on the May 19 Homelands. I called Viking today about the Berlin Trip. They said there is not a bus tour after we arrive. The train guide will give out maps but only show us the designated spot to meet for the return to the train. Basically we are on our own once we are off the train. Disappointed to hear there is not a bus ride too.

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*******************

We are on the May 19 Homelands. I called Viking today about the Berlin Trip. They said there is not a bus tour after we arrive. The train guide will give out maps but only show us the designated spot to meet for the return to the train. Basically we are on our own once we are off the train. Disappointed to hear there is not a bus ride too.

 

Thank you for that info. Another person had contacted Viking a few months ago and there was a included overview tour. I will have to adjust the meeting points and times with our Berlin guide. It is disappointing that they made this change

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We are also Viking Homelands and for Berlin we decided to do the Berlin on your own for free which includes the train ride and a hour or so overview tour of Berlin. I believe that overview tour includes 1 or 2 stops and then they drop you off across from theHilton by the Gendarmenmarket. You then have 3-4 hours on your own. We decided to hire a local walking tour with Brewers Tours to meet us and take us on a private walking tour. It is about 200 euros and we can add up to 4 others to split the cost or just do it by ourselves. We haven't decided yet which way we will go with it. They tell me that they can show us the following in the 3.5 hour tour.

Our 3,5-hour tour covers all the major sights and a general overview of the city center, including Prussian and Imperial monuments such as Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island and the Reichstag; WWII and **** history, including the former ministry and chancellery district, the site of Hitler's bunker and the former SS and Gestapo HQ; Cold War sights including the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and both former East and West Berlin; as well as modern Berlin and its colorful and bright new cultural life

 

This tour company was highly recommended and we are looking forward to it, because if we did try to do it on our own we would likely get lost. Plus we like the fact that we can probably see more than a slower bus tour with a lot of others.

 

This Wahoo is taking the Homelands cruise in May. Would love your comments on Berlin. Did you do a tour with Brewers? Also, suggestions for Stockholm, please.

--Linda

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Sorry. Thought I was posting to a Hokie who was on Homelands in 2017 and did Brewers in Berlin. Interested in seeing Berlin that way, also. Did see the information about no Viking tour of Berlin.

 

I am a Hokie on Viking Homelands this May and am planning on a private Brewer's Berlin Tour after the Viking train ride to Berlin. We had hoped for the included Viking bus overview, but just read the recent post that the bus overview is no longer included. I have contacted Viking for their update, as they had sent me the original information which included the bus overview. But, in all fairness, they did say it was based on last year's tour. So - they may have revised the included tour and eliminated the bus overview. I will post an update when I hear back from them.

 

So Wahoo - which Homelands May cruise are you taking? And (a little off topic!) all the best on the NCAA tournament. UVA is my pick for the championship.

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I am a Hokie on Viking Homelands this May and am planning on a private Brewer's Berlin Tour after the Viking train ride to Berlin. We had hoped for the included Viking bus overview, but just read the recent post that the bus overview is no longer included. I have contacted Viking for their update, as they had sent me the original information which included the bus overview. But, in all fairness, they did say it was based on last year's tour. So - they may have revised the included tour and eliminated the bus overview. I will post an update when I hear back from them.

 

So Wahoo - which Homelands May cruise are you taking? And (a little off topic!) all the best on the NCAA tournament. UVA is my pick for the championship.

 

Let us know what Viking says. We are also booked with Brewers for Berlin.

 

I am Canadian and wondering what is a Wahoo? I thought it meant a dummy like a Yahoo? lol :) hubby piped in and he thinks its sports related? Cleveland Indians? LOL

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angelbear911







UPDATE RE BERLIN Shore Excursion





I had called Viking twice and had gotten the info I posted above in #14. however I still was not sure so I emailed tellus@viking ************ yesterday. I got different info from them.





See below for their reply:

.

Here is the description of the Berlin Your Way Tour



"Follow your own interests in Berlin, from its most historic sites to its lesser-known gems. Transfer to the city early in the morning by train with your escort, who will provide you a map and some tips during an orientation tour. Set off on your own in the city center, with 3½ to 4 hours to explore. Visit Checkpoint Charlie and see remnants of the Berlin Wall or explore Alexanderplatz. Admire the remarkable glass cupola of the Reichstag or visit a museum on the renowned Museum Island. There are ample options for lunch on your own, perhaps at a sidewalk café where you enjoy a fine German wine and watch modern Berliners stroll by. At an allotted time, you will meet your escort at a prearranged location and return to your ship via train in time for dinner. Note that on July 25 the Gendarmenmarkt will have limited accessibility."







Berlin is not by the port that we will be docked at as it is not seaside so you will get there by train. You will leave for the train ride at 6:30 AM and the ride is about two and a half hours and arrive at approx. 9:00 - 9:45. I'm assuming the station in which you will arrive will be the main station Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Central Station), a very beautiful building that is a train station and also major shopping center, however, it is not easily accessible by foot and is a long walk from the major landmarks. From there you will take a motor coach ride to the city center, this is what people are talking about when they mention the bus ride. This will give you an overview of the city with major points. Most likely, one of these major landmarks will be the meeting point to get back on the bus to Hauptbahnhof and back home. "









So it looks like we do get a bus ride.

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Let us know what Viking says. We are also booked with Brewers for Berlin.

 

I am Canadian and wondering what is a Wahoo? I thought it meant a dummy like a Yahoo? lol :) hubby piped in and he thinks its sports related? Cleveland Indians? LOL

 

Haha - college sports! Virginia Tech Hokies and University of Virginia Wahoos

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angelbear911







UPDATE RE BERLIN Shore Excursion





I had called Viking twice and had gotten the info I posted above in #14. however I still was not sure so I emailed tellus@viking ************ yesterday. I got different info from them.





See below for their reply:

.

Here is the description of the Berlin Your Way Tour

 

"Follow your own interests in Berlin, from its most historic sites to its lesser-known gems. Transfer to the city early in the morning by train with your escort, who will provide you a map and some tips during an orientation tour. Set off on your own in the city center, with 3½ to 4 hours to explore. Visit Checkpoint Charlie and see remnants of the Berlin Wall or explore Alexanderplatz. Admire the remarkable glass cupola of the Reichstag or visit a museum on the renowned Museum Island. There are ample options for lunch on your own, perhaps at a sidewalk café where you enjoy a fine German wine and watch modern Berliners stroll by. At an allotted time, you will meet your escort at a prearranged location and return to your ship via train in time for dinner. Note that on July 25 the Gendarmenmarkt will have limited accessibility."







Berlin is not by the port that we will be docked at as it is not seaside so you will get there by train. You will leave for the train ride at 6:30 AM and the ride is about two and a half hours and arrive at approx. 9:00 - 9:45. I'm assuming the station in which you will arrive will be the main station Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Central Station), a very beautiful building that is a train station and also major shopping center, however, it is not easily accessible by foot and is a long walk from the major landmarks. From there you will take a motor coach ride to the city center, this is what people are talking about when they mention the bus ride. This will give you an overview of the city with major points. Most likely, one of these major landmarks will be the meeting point to get back on the bus to Hauptbahnhof and back home. "









So it looks like we do get a bus ride.

 

Good to know. We are looking forward to both the Viking bus overview and the Brewer's Berlin walking tour.

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Many years ago we were at port and rented a car that was in the only gift shop at Warnemunde port. The car rental was arranged earlier by another couple. No signs for car rental,even the staff on the ship did not know about the car rental. We thought we had rented a small car and when we got there we were given a small SUV. If we had known we would of add two more people to our small group. We drove into town and parked. Parking was hard because we needed coins for the parking meter. We had to find a store to exchange bills for coins. We just paid for the on and bus in Berlin. On the way back to port we stop off at the small town near the port. Renting the car was so much cheaper than taking the train.

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angelbear911







UPDATE RE BERLIN Shore Excursion





I had called Viking twice and had gotten the info I posted above in #14. however I still was not sure so I emailed tellus@viking ************ yesterday. I got different info from them.





See below for their reply:

.

Here is the description of the Berlin Your Way Tour

 

"Follow your own interests in Berlin, from its most historic sites to its lesser-known gems. Transfer to the city early in the morning by train with your escort, who will provide you a map and some tips during an orientation tour. Set off on your own in the city center, with 3½ to 4 hours to explore. Visit Checkpoint Charlie and see remnants of the Berlin Wall or explore Alexanderplatz. Admire the remarkable glass cupola of the Reichstag or visit a museum on the renowned Museum Island. There are ample options for lunch on your own, perhaps at a sidewalk café where you enjoy a fine German wine and watch modern Berliners stroll by. At an allotted time, you will meet your escort at a prearranged location and return to your ship via train in time for dinner. Note that on July 25 the Gendarmenmarkt will have limited accessibility."







Berlin is not by the port that we will be docked at as it is not seaside so you will get there by train. You will leave for the train ride at 6:30 AM and the ride is about two and a half hours and arrive at approx. 9:00 - 9:45. I'm assuming the station in which you will arrive will be the main station Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Central Station), a very beautiful building that is a train station and also major shopping center, however, it is not easily accessible by foot and is a long walk from the major landmarks. From there you will take a motor coach ride to the city center, this is what people are talking about when they mention the bus ride. This will give you an overview of the city with major points. Most likely, one of these major landmarks will be the meeting point to get back on the bus to Hauptbahnhof and back home. "









So it looks like we do get a bus ride.

 

 

Thanks that is way better news :)

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  • 4 months later...

Would anyone who has done the Brewers tour in Berlin this year like to comment on it? Thinking about it for next April and was wondering how your experience was. Looking to take Vikings included tour for the transportation then picking up with Brewers once we arrive.

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Would anyone who has done the Brewers tour in Berlin this year like to comment on it? Thinking about it for next April and was wondering how your experience was. Looking to take Vikings included tour for the transportation then picking up with Brewers once we arrive.

We did take the Brewers tour but a week before the trip we were told they were bought out by another company, but they assured us that the tour would be the same. It was not good and was the first time I have ever been disappointed in a tour. It could have just been the guide they gave us. He was so controlling and rude. We asked to be taken back an hour ahead of schedule to meet up at the Viking point. If you go ahead with them make sure you don't get "Jonathon" as a guide!

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