Pleasantcruiser Posted April 16, 2013 #1 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Greetings fellow cruisers. We have cruised twice with Oceania - Venice to Barcelona (FABULOUS) 2005 AND Dover to Rome 2007. We are looking to cruise from Stockholm to SouthHamptom September of this year but are having a hard time being really excited about it. The Italy/Spain/France ports all were exciting and different. Am I wrong to think that all the ports in Northern Europe, with the exception of Russian, seem to be the same? Who's been and what advice would you give? Thanking you in advance from a PleasantCruiser! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 16, 2013 #2 Share Posted April 16, 2013 We have done some Northern European ports & did not find them to be the same They all have great things to do & see depending on your interests I suggest you may want to do some research for each port If you want beaches then the time of year may be a disappointment for you There is a PORTS of CALL forum here where you will get some ideas of tours etc... Google is your friend ;) Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted April 16, 2013 #3 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Some might say that all Med ports are the same :D. I don't think so and I don't think that way about Northern European ports either. The Baltic cruise was one of our favorite ones - St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Copenhagen are all wonderful as were the other ports we visited. Each was different and unique. They even use different currencies - unlike the Med ports :D. Go with an open mind and you are likely to enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CintiPam Posted April 16, 2013 #4 Share Posted April 16, 2013 I strongly disagree with your assumption. We had a wonderful time on our June 2011 Marina Copenhagen to Stockholm cruise. I strongly advise that you read a bit of Rick Steves' Scandinavia guidebook or even the things to do section for each port on sister website tripadvisor. Rick's book provides a great deal of information in short order proving just how different these ports are. Also be sure to plan on a few extra days in Stockholm before your cruise; this is an absolutely a lovely city with great museums and great water opportunities. The Vasa Museum there alone is unique in the entire world. A boat day trip to Drottningholm for see the "Versailles of the North" also is a wonderful way to relax. And don't forget the Viking gold! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbb Posted April 16, 2013 #5 Share Posted April 16, 2013 I agree with all of the posters. The Baltic cruise is wonderful and the port cities are all very different. Do your research and you'll find that you can do many/most of the ports on your own (except for St P which lends itself to private tours or ships' tours because of the difficulty getting visas.) c Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wripro Posted April 16, 2013 #6 Share Posted April 16, 2013 I have done the Baltic twice and could easily return. St. Petersburg alone is worth the entire trip. My one piece of advice if you book is to get a private guide and driver for your entire stay in St Petersburg. You will see more for less money, do it more conveniently and not be packed on a bus with forty other people. Check out companies like Denrus, Red October or Alla. Plus they include your visa as long as you are touring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacheco18 Posted April 16, 2013 #7 Share Posted April 16, 2013 I have also noticed that even among the various itineraries for the Baltics there are some variations. Not every Baltic cruise visits the identical ports. If you are truly dissatisfied with the Oceania offerings and the ports visited, look at some other cruise lines. Almost all of them offer a Baltic cruise. Perhaps you will find an itinerary more to your liking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CintiPam Posted April 16, 2013 #8 Share Posted April 16, 2013 I have done the Baltic twice and could easily return. St. Petersburg alone is worth the entire trip. My one piece of advice if you book is to get a private guide and driver for your entire stay in St Petersburg. You will see more for less money, do it more conveniently and not be packed on a bus with forty other people. Check out companies like Denrus, Red October or Alla. Plus they include your visa as long as you are touring. I agree that a private guide is very worthwhile for St. Petersburg, and the prices are extremely reasonable, even with small numbers in your party. (We decided to confine ourselves to four max for our June 2011 visit and were able to cover a lot of ground.) However, wripro, you should note that technically your visa is not included by your tour company but rather that you are falling within an exemption from the visa requirements provided under Russian law for escorted shore excursions of less than 72 hours in duration. (Yes, a picky lawyer point!:))f you plan to tour on your own or stay longer, your must obtain a visa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisecountess Posted April 16, 2013 #9 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Our Baltic cruise was one of our all time favorites. Each city was unique in its own way, with Tallinn being a personal favorite (Stockholm came in second). I agree with everyone who suggested a private guide and driver in St. Petersburg. We used Insider Tour, not as well known as the others but reliable, reasonable and a pleasure to work/plan with. Our guide and driver were great, and we saw all that we wanted to in an unhurried manner ~ and NO waiting on lines. We, too, are big Rick Steves fans and used his Scandinavia book for walking tours. This area of the world (except for St. P) is very DIY friendly. If, after joining your roll call and researching ports, you are still not excited about this itinerary, then perhaps you need to do some soul searching and determine what you are looking for in your cruise. O has something for everyone. Find what suits you and enjoy. Harriet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted April 16, 2013 #10 Share Posted April 16, 2013 I was thinking of answering OP's question when there were no answers posted, and backed off. But I would have said what Paulchili did: if you think that all northern European ports are the same, the same can be said of the Med ports. It depends on your perspective. We happen to love northern Europe! And we're happy to go back to CPH, Stockholm, Berlin, etc., many times. (I should eliminate Berlin from this comment because as much as I love it, I go there for multiple day stays, never would I consider visiting from a Baltic port. There is just too much travel time, at least for us.) But the Baltic trip is very special. You shouldn't fear taking it thinking that everything will be the same. It will NOT be. Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin81 Posted April 17, 2013 #11 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Our first O cruise was the Greek isles mainly. While I loved the cruise experience on O, the ports weren't all that interesting. Some were, but some didn't have much to see. We wound up back onboard early afternoon in a few ports. Compared to the beaches in FL, or IL or MI for that matter, there was no point in going to a beach. We loved the Baltic -- so much to see in every port, except one IMHO - Ronne. Which may not be on your itinerary anyway. All the cities were so different. We spent 2 days pre-cruise in Stockholm and 3 post cruise in Copenhagen and loved both. St. Petersburg was just incredible. Riga and Tallin were unexpected delights. Visby had less "must see's", but was so beautiful. We came home tired, but with wonderful memories, and so many pictures! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palmetto Lady Posted April 17, 2013 #12 Share Posted April 17, 2013 I tried to book a private one day tour with one of the tour companies mentioned on this site for my husband and myself. We would have had to get visas. I assumed it was because there were only two of us and the company did not think it would be worthwhile for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wripro Posted April 17, 2013 #13 Share Posted April 17, 2013 CintiPam, When I said the vis is included as long as you are touring that's what I meant. Obviously I expressed myself very inelegantly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CintiPam Posted April 17, 2013 #14 Share Posted April 17, 2013 I tried to book a private one day tour with one of the tour companies mentioned on this site for my husband and myself. We would have had to get visas. I assumed it was because there were only two of us and the company did not think it would be worthwhile for them. That is very odd; certainly I recommend you contact another company! We had a wonderful four-person tour in June 2011 with SPB-Tours. I had spent almost four days in St. Petersburg on a land trip with my sister previously, so I knew exactly what my husband would enjoy seeing during our two-day visit, and they were a pleasure both setting up our itinerary and during the tour itself. Also, if you are a party of eight or less, you can skip many of the lines at places such as Catherine's Palace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CintiPam Posted April 17, 2013 #15 Share Posted April 17, 2013 CintiPam, When I said the vis is included as long as you are touring that's what I meant. Obviously I expressed myself very inelegantly. Au contraire, you are one of the most elegant writers on this website! Pam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted April 17, 2013 #16 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Au contraire, you are one of the most elegant writers on this website! Pam As well as he should be (and he is) :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BPCruiser Posted April 18, 2013 #17 Share Posted April 18, 2013 We are looking forward to our Marina Baltic's cruise in July, Stockholm to London. Have signed up with others from our Roll Call for private tours for 3 days in St Petersburg with SPB Tours as well as for Berlin. Do any of you experienced travelers from past Baltic's cruises think that organized private tours are needed for any of the other Baltic's ports or can they be done independently? We will have 3 pre days in Stockholm and 3 post days in London. Would also like some information on what weather to potentially expect in the Baltic's in July. Cool temps or warmer Summer weather? Trying to plan ahead for clothing needs. Thanks for your recommendations:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted April 18, 2013 #18 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Would also like some information on what weather to potentially expect in the Baltic's in July. Cool temps or warmer Summer weather? Trying to plan ahead for clothing needs. Thanks for your recommendations:) It could be like April in Houston or like July ;) Some summers in the U.K. have hit the 100's i check this site for the past years weather temps http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/ESSB/2012/7/18/MonthlyHistory.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lrob Posted April 18, 2013 #19 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Strongly agree with private tour for St. Petersburg. We used Red October for both days and LOVED it. In Estonia we did the old town which was great on our own and then hopped on public transportation to see where it would take us. Rode for a while, got off and explored a little in a local neighborhood. People were smiling and seemed friendly. A great fun adventure. We rented a car in Finland and drove around for the day. We visited a church, a big supermarket and some strange area of discarded tanks, rockets and catapaults that was open to the public. This was a great cruise and we did not find the ports to be at all similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted April 18, 2013 #20 Share Posted April 18, 2013 We are looking forward to our Marina Baltic's cruise in July, Stockholm to London. Have signed up with others from our Roll Call for private tours for 3 days in St Petersburg with SPB Tours as well as for Berlin. Do any of you experienced travelers from past Baltic's cruises think that organized private tours are needed for any of the other Baltic's ports or can they be done independently? We will have 3 pre days in Stockholm and 3 post days in London. Would also like some information on what weather to potentially expect in the Baltic's in July. Cool temps or warmer Summer weather? Trying to plan ahead for clothing needs. Thanks for your recommendations:) Most of the other Baltic ports can be easily done on your own (especially with good pre-cruise planning). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CintiPam Posted April 18, 2013 #21 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Most of the other Baltic ports can be easily done on your own (especially with good pre-cruise planning). Yes, it is easy to do the rest on your own. We used Rick Steves' Scandinavia and Eastern Europe (for Gdansk) as our personal guides, and absolutely had no troubles at all, using public transportation everywhere. We spent our entire lovely day in Helsinki at the Suomelinna Fortress, a lovely quick ferryboat ride from downtown Helsinki. In Tallinn, we took the shuttle provided by Oceania and then simply followed the Rick Steves' walking tour of the Old Town. In Riga, we walked less than 10 minutes to the historic area and again used our Rick Steves' guidebook. In Gdanya, we took the provided shuttle, then walked to the train station and took the frequently-running commuter train to Gdansk. Enjoy your trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miata6 Posted April 18, 2013 #22 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Greetings fellow cruisers. We have cruised twice with Oceania - Venice to Barcelona (FABULOUS) 2005 AND Dover to Rome 2007. We are looking to cruise from Stockholm to SouthHamptom September of this year but are having a hard time being really excited about it. The Italy/Spain/France ports all were exciting and different. Am I wrong to think that all the ports in Northern Europe, with the exception of Russian, seem to be the same? Who's been and what advice would you give? Thanking you in advance from a PleasantCruiser! Whatever you do, don't tell the Swedes that Stockholm is the same as Copenhagen (or vice-versa). That war has been over a long time but they still remember. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin81 Posted April 18, 2013 #23 Share Posted April 18, 2013 In July our temperatures ranged from 60 and raining in Stockholm to 100 in St. Petersburg -- with little to no a/c anywhere. Many days were lovely -- mid 70's and sunny. I packed plenty of layers, but we did need a pretty decent weight jacket in Stockholm as the dampness made it feel worse. We were totally surprised by the heat in St. Petersburg and did not have clothes for that. I wore a sleeveless dress I had packed for dinner as it was the coolest thing I brought. Looked a little dressy in the photos :). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted April 19, 2013 #24 Share Posted April 19, 2013 We did the Baltic cruise in mid-May and had spectacular weather. (That was with Renaissance, Dover-Stockholm in May '01). I don't think I'd want to do a high-summer cruise to St. Petersburg, although CPH and Stockholm have been pleasant when we've been there in July/August. Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pleasantcruiser Posted April 22, 2013 Author #25 Share Posted April 22, 2013 Thank you all for your wonderful comments. I've already done a LOT of research and defintely purchase every Rick Steves for every trip I'm on. We did a driving tour of the Rhine River Valley and Castles this past September and found him, again, quite useful! I don't think Med ports are AT ALL the same. I've been from Venice, Croatia, Greece, many other Italian ports, French and Spanish ports and loved them all and found them uniquely different. I guess my concern with this cruise is that it would be very similar to the 6 days we just spent in Germany. And particularly .....WE HATED THE FOOD. But we'll have the lovely Oceania cuisine this time! Already checked in to tours in St. Petersburg but I appreciate the other company names and will check them out also. Good to know most other ports can be self-directed. Will skip going into Berlin unfortunately. An overnight in Stockholm sounds nice. We will be coming from our home in Scotland so we'll already be on "northern Europe" time. Thanks again for all the positive comments. Love the boards! PS.....don't really get the comments on the beaches. Who goes on a Northern Europe cruise to go to a beach? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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