For the HAL folks who've been to Berlin

[Live4cruises]

My question is for anyone who has taken a HAL excursion from Warnemunde to Berlin that included rail transportation.

 

We're doing Dover - Copenhagen this summer. This will be our first opportunity to see Berlin, so we are definitely going to get there, but haven't figured out the logistics yet.

 

We enjoy planning ahead and doing city sightseeing on our own, so would like to do that. However, because of the distance from the port, we want to be part of a group (whether through HAL or a private company) for the transfer. We are considering the HAL "transportation only" excursion on the train. How is the train? I ask because of a recent rail transfer from Seward to Anchorage (Celebrity cruise) that was terribly cramped, and NOT a standard rail car. We aren't large people, and we are accustomed to flying coach, so we certainly are not expecting a luxury ride, but do expect to be able to have a little personal space.

 

Eager to hear what others have experienced - thank you!

[Bill S]

When we took the train from Warnemunde to Berlin in 2005, it had conventional rail cars with compartments seating 6 people, each set of 3 facing each other. It was not cramped, as I recall, and the snack they served was nothing to write home about. Hope this helps you. I don't know if they use the same arrangement these days.

[RuthC]

My memory may be faulty on this, but I seem to recall that there's no air conditioning on the train. You might want to check this further.

[baggal]

In 2009, HAL used a commuter-type train THAT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AIR CONDITIONING. So, first I would confirm with the HAL Shore Excursion desk in Seattle (they have this information) what type of train they are using this year. At the time, in the summer of 2009, we decided that having a/c was an issue for us, so we took a private tour with people on our roll call. People on the train said the train became warm.

[Live4cruises]

Wow - thanks! I'd been thinking about cramped quarters, but an unairconditioned rail car in July could be an issue. We may be MUCH closer to a decision.

[mikey55]

We took the train to Germany in July and it was very pleasant. We also did the tour from HAL and were VERY pleased with it. We would recommend it to anyone.

[Traveling Bob]

We took the train to Germany in July and it was very pleasant. We also did the tour from HAL and were VERY pleased with it. We would recommend it to anyone.

We went in August. I don't even remember if the train was air conditioned or not, but it certainly wasn't hot.

 

And Berlin shouldn't be missed. After leaving the train, we went to the Brandenberg Gate where there were literally dozens of Taxis. I went down the line asking who spoke English and how much thet would charge for private sightseeing. The price varied, but we got a former East German who drove us to all of the sights for 100 Euro (total for 3 people) far less that the HAL escorted tour. It was about 3 hours and then we asked him for a good restaurant. He took us to the Karpinski Hotel which was terrific (if expensive) and we just made it back to the train. It was a good thing that we did eat, because we didn't get back to the ship to after 11:00 (which was well past the scheduled sailing time) so it was a good thing that we were on a HAL sponsored train. I would highly recommend this combo of HAL train and independent sight seeing.

[SwissMyst]

Once you get to Berlin, try to take the River Spree boat tour - easiest way to see a lot of this city from a very intimate viewpoint. During the summer, this might take some preplanning as it is very popular.

 

Berlin in my mind is one of the world's great cities and will take some careful planning to get the most out of it because it has so much to offer on so many different levels. There are also some great walking tours of the city if you are so inclined - the best is an all day one, but they might have a few that are only a few hours long and concentrate of just one or two of the many stories this city has to offer. This is the all day one I took and it comes highly recommended: http://www.brewersberlintours.com/ They have shorter ones besides the infamous all day one.

 

Don't miss this if you can - I would not worry (myself) about the train - German railways are among the best in the world. Plus if they have no A/C, they still would have windows you can open and get some nice fresh air.

[kalliekae]

We also experienced a non air conditioned train which was a HAL excursion. It was warm and we went in July. Had it been air conditioned, it would have been fine. The train to Berlin is nothing like the one you had in Alaska. We have also BTDT train and won't do it again.

[rochelle_s]

We also experienced a non air conditioned train which was a HAL excursion. It was warm and we went in July. Had it been air conditioned, it would have been fine. The train to Berlin is nothing like the one you had in Alaska. We have also BTDT train and won't do it again.

 

 

I'm sorry but could you explain 'BTDT train'. I have no clue what this is, but am very curious as we are planning on going to Berlin on our own via the train at the beginning of June.

 

Thanks

 

Rochelle

[Willsot]

We did the HAL Berlin by Riverboat and Train excursion in July and enjoyed it very much.

I thought the train ride was quite scenic and interesting and we had an excellent guide in Berlin. Our excursion included a nice lunch on the riverboat and we hit most of the Berlin highlights. It was a full day.

[Willsot]

I'm sorry but could you explain 'BTDT train'. I have no clue what this is, but am very curious as we are planning on going to Berlin on our own via the train at the beginning of June.

 

Thanks

 

Rochelle

 

Usual definition is Been There, Done That.

[rochelle_s]

Usual definition is Been There, Done That.

 

 

Thank you so much.

 

NBTGGIAG-- Never Been There, Gonna Give It A Go :)

 

 

Rochelle