Baltic cruise 5/24/2011

[numlox]

we are three couples booked on emerald princess on Aloha deck with balcony. any tips welcome for first time cruisers.

[MJC]

You're lucky to have a balcony on this cruise, these cities grew up along the water and you'll have some lovely views.

 

Oslo - get up early to watch the sail-in to port, the scenery along the way is very beautiful

Helsinki - visit The Rock Church

St. Petersburg - you'll see a lot more if you can arrange a private guide with a car, which was an option for us on Princess but that was back in 1997. Ours arranged a private viewing for us of the gold room at the Hermitage and magically got us in quickly through a side entrance in spite of massive lines out front. Other highlights were the gardens at Peterhof and the Amber Room at Catherinburg.

 

Even though we did "city" tours be aware that the old sections of most of these towns have cobble streets and such, so wear comfy shoes for uneven terrain.

 

I hope you love this cruise as much as we did!

[numlox]

You're lucky to have a balcony on this cruise, these cities grew up along the water and you'll have some lovely views.

 

Oslo - get up early to watch the sail-in to port, the scenery along the way is very beautiful

Helsinki - visit The Rock Church

St. Petersburg - you'll see a lot more if you can arrange a private guide with a car, which was an option for us on Princess but that was back in 1997. Ours arranged a private viewing for us of the gold room at the Hermitage and magically got us in quickly through a side entrance in spite of massive lines out front. Other highlights were the gardens at Peterhof and the Amber Room at Catherinburg.

 

Even though we did "city" tours be aware that the old sections of most of these towns have cobble streets and such, so wear comfy shoes for uneven terrain.

 

I hope you love this cruise as much as we did!

Thks Magaret. So we made a good choice in taking the balcony. we intend to stay two days prior to ourjoining the Emerald Princess on 24th May 2011.Any recommendation on which centerally located hotel to stay & how to get around in Copenhagen?

[MJC]

We were only one day in Copenhagen so I can't help with a hotel. Try posting on the Princess board or the ports of call board, someone there might be able to help you.