Need Input for Weather and Tour Options for N. Europe Cruise on Silhouette!!!

[wangy26]

We will take a 12 night Northern Europe cruise on Silhouettefrom Aug 23-Sep 4. It is roundtrip fromAmsterdam. Ports of calls are Berlin, Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm,and Copenhagen.

Currently I am holding two types of cabin reservation anddebating which one to keep.

 

 

Option 1 – Regular balcony cabin on deck 7 (category 2B)

Option 2 – Obstructed view balcony cabin on deck 6 (category2C). There is life boat from below that partially obstructs the view from thebalcony.

 

 

Option 2 is $300 cheaper per cabin plus additional $300 onboard credit from MC. Here are myquestions:

 

 

• 1.For late Aug to early Sept, what are the weatherconditions for this itinerary? BasicallyI want to figure out how much time we will spend on the balcony. If it is nice warm weather then we may spendmore time on the balcony. If it isgenerally cold and windy we may not spend that much time on the balcony.
  
• 2.What are the scenery views we will see on this itinerary? This will also factor in how much time wewill spend on the balcony.
  
• 3. If wetake option 2 the only use of that $300 OB credit for us would be to take theCelebrity’s shore excursion in St. Petersburg. There is a St. Petersburg 2-day exclusive tour – small group for $399/ppfrom X. This is about $114/pp moreexpensive than the 2-day tour from the private tour operators (SPB Deluxe, ALLAGrand, TJ Travel All Highlights, etc.). I just wonder if any of you have the experience regarding the 2-day comprehensivetour for St. Petersburg that offered by Celebrity and by all other privatetours. Are they similar or one is betterthan the others? I also wonder whichtour company actually provides the tour for X.
  

 

 

I am having a real hard time to decide which cabin option totake. I know there are a lot of very experiencedand knowledgeable people on this board. Hopefully your input will help me tofigure this out. Thank you in advancefor your help!

[vickykay]

The year we did the Baltic cruise ( wonderful) it was cool and rain,y all summer in Northern Europe. We only had an ocean view for that cruise and would not have used the balcony at all. Others have had better weather in the summer. We put the cost difference ( and at that time it was substantial) towards excursions. Leaving Stiocholm youwill,want to be on an outside deck as the view of all the islands is incredible. Enjoy your cruise

[Alan2504]

Aug-Sep more likely things will have cooled off a bit and you might get a bit of mixed weather as the previous poster has confirmed.

We aren't great fans of organized tours as you to tend to get held up by the slowest member of the group, our experience on a private tour in St Petersberg was excellent (Alla) it meant you went at a pace that suited you and were able add things in like the ballet on the first evening ,the local markets and things that were impractical in a large group.

In general it's a great itinerary with some fantastic sail-aways but perhaps save a few $s and enjoy them on deck weather permitting :)

Edited March 14, 2017 by Alan2504
oops

[Ayton lady]

I agree with the other replies that the weather is variable. Layers were the order of the day although we did have a couple of warm sunny days.The main use of the balcony is the sail into Stockholm which for us was early morning and beautiful passing numerous small islands. We also did a private tour with Alla with just 3 of us. We could adjust what we wanted to see and slightly alter the time spent in places as the 2 days progressed.Didn't want shopping time at all and just local small lunches. It is a port intensive cruise and quite tiring but fantastic experience and great ship.

[Issyalex]

We cruised the baltics several years ago in August. Our weather was mainly warm even St P. However the weather cannot be guaranteed in Northern Europe. We had an inside cabin so cannot comment on how much use you will get out of your balcony but if I was you I'd book the cheaper cabin as you can see straight out to the water but not if you look down.

 

We booked a two day value tour with DenRus. It definitely was value for money, much better than Celebritys tours.

 

All the ports are lovely you will enjoy them all.

 

Have a great cruise.

[Essiesmom]

We had a balcony on Millie in 2000, same time of year. We found we didn't use it much except for the sail in to Stockholm, as has been noted before. Your 2C balcony would have an obstructed view looking down, but not straight out. I would go with option 2. EM

[Dick in Falls Church]

The restricted view is only restricted if you are planning to spend a lot of time looking straight down. Weather is totally unkown--when we were there it was in the 80's, but next year was in the 60s.

 

 

For St Petersburg, I recommend using one of the local agencies for your excursion. We did it a number of years ago, and found it much better than what the ship offered. Do some research--we used Red October, but there are probably 3 or 4 others similar. You'll get better service, quicker potty stops, less time getting on and off the bus.

[wangy26]

Thank you all for your very helpful inputs. Based on what I read on this board the private tours for St. Petersburg are probably better than the ship tour and less expensive. Due to the weather condition on this route we may not spend too much time on the balcony. So I should probably take the cheaper balcony. If the price difference is all on the cabin price then there is no question I would take the cheaper one. The dilemma here is that half the price difference is in the form of OB credit ($300/cabin). We don't have much need for other on board activity (drink, massage, shopping, specialty restaurant). We already got two perks (free internet and free tip). So the only use for that OB credit is for shore excursion. From what I have researched most of the other port of calls I can easily do it on our own. So St. Petersburg is the only place we need guided tour. Therefore, this is the only place I could use that OB credit, but private tours seem better and cheaper. Still couldn't decide??

[wangy26]

If the price difference is only the $300 cabin price difference between 2B and 2C, which cabin would you take?

[NantahalaCruiser]

Thank you all for your very helpful inputs. Based on what I read on this board the private tours for St. Petersburg are probably better than the ship tour and less expensive. Due to the weather condition on this route we may not spend too much time on the balcony. So I should probably take the cheaper balcony. If the price difference is all on the cabin price then there is no question I would take the cheaper one. The dilemma here is that half the price difference is in the form of OB credit ($300/cabin). We don't have much need for other on board activity (drink, massage, shopping, specialty restaurant). We already got two perks (free internet and free tip). So the only use for that OB credit is for shore excursion. From what I have researched most of the other port of calls I can easily do it on our own. So St. Petersburg is the only place we need guided tour. Therefore, this is the only place I could use that OB credit, but private tours seem better and cheaper. Still couldn't decide??

 

Are you doing Berlin on your own? I have heard (our Baltic cruise did not stop near there) that it is a fairly long trip from the port city. Even if you are doing it on your own, you would probably want to use a ship's shore excursion to get you from the port to Berlin and back - I would hope that they would have a DIY excursion with just the bus service. I would recommend you use some of the OBC for that and get the cheaper, much better, less crowded non-ship excursion in StP. My wife and I did not want to pay the larger cost for a personal tour for 2 or 4 people, so used the SPB tour agency with a small group tour of 16 in a van rather than the ship's tour on a 50 passenger bus. But SPB is just one of a half dozen quality tour agencies that you will see recommended by fellow CC members.

 

If you have no other use for any remaining non-refundable OBC, then I would suggest you convert it to cash in the casino. Unfortunately, you can no longer just buy chips and then cash them back in without gambling. You use your OBC to purchase chips which must then be played at the tables. The best place to play, with the lowest house advantage of about 1.4%, is at the craps table; but you could also use the roulette table with a house advantage of 5.55%. The chips you purchase with NR OBC are restricted and cannot be cashed in; you have to play them until you lose them! So the betting strategy for cash-conversion is to make minimum bets with the restricted chips, pocket your winnings (since the chips you win are not restricted and can be cashed in later) and continue to bet the restricted chips until you have lost them all. On average, you will convert $200 in restricted chips purchased with NR OBC to about $197 in regular chips at the craps table or about $188 at the roulette table. Of course your actual conversion could be somewhat more or less than the average, depending on Lady Luck!

 

St. Petersburg was the highlight of our Baltic cruise; I would recommend that you use a private group of 16 tour for StP rather than a ship's excursion even if you had to let all of your OBC go to waste - you're probably only going to be there once and it's worth every dollar! You should also be aware that SPB, Alla and probably a few of the other tour agencies will give a group of 16 organized through your CC roll call about a $20 pp discount off of what you would pay if you were just 2 out of a random group of 16.

 

Even though you are planning on doing most of your other touring on your own, if you do decide to book a non-ship's tour for StP, then I would also suggest you look into bundling your StP tour with private walking tour in Tallinn, Estonia. When we booked both with SPB it was only another $25 pp to add a 3 or 4 hour walking tour with a local guide. Her personal stories of her family's experiences while under the thumb of the USSR were heart rendering but outstanding.

[easyboy]

Are you doing Berlin on your own? I have heard (our Baltic cruise did not stop near there) that it is a fairly long trip from the port city. Even if you are doing it on your own, you would probably want to use a ship's shore excursion to get you from the port to Berlin and back - I would hope that they would have a DIY excursion with just the bus service..

You are right. it's 3 hrs one way to Berlin.

[MushyT17]

Thanks everybody,

I am enjoying reading people's suggestions. We are going May 7 so as a Canadian....I pack Layers!:D

I was thinking Estonia on our own, but it is good to hear from local guides, all the interesting and wonderful places to go.

Mushy

[wangy26]

NantahalaCruiser

 

Thank you so much for your detailed info. I really appreciate it. I know Berlin is a long way from the cruise port. I checked the X's shore excursion for that port. The only ones available are the $299 train ride to Berlin and then bus tour of Berlin (12 hours). I see that all other private tour companies who offer St Petersburg tour also offer 12 hour Berlin tour (bus ride and tour) for only $105 if combined with StP tour. So can not justify to pay X $299 for that tour. Glad to hear that if we book the StP tour through CC roll call there is additional $20 discount. I will look into that.

 

Unfortunately we don't play casino. We may have to spend the OBC on Massage and specialty restaurants if we decide to take the cheaper cabin.

[NantahalaCruiser]

NantahalaCruiser

 

Thank you so much for your detailed info. I really appreciate it. I know Berlin is a long way from the cruise port. I checked the X's shore excursion for that port. The only ones available are the $299 train ride to Berlin and then bus tour of Berlin (12 hours). I see that all other private tour companies who offer St Petersburg tour also offer 12 hour Berlin tour (bus ride and tour) for only $105 if combined with StP tour. So can not justify to pay X $299 for that tour. Glad to hear that if we book the StP tour through CC roll call there is additional $20 discount. I will look into that.

 

Unfortunately we don't play casino. We may have to spend the OBC on Massage and specialty restaurants if we decide to take the cheaper cabin.

 

You are so welcome; I have learned much from others' posts and enjoy paying it forward to others.

 

We ended up using up our OBC with massages on our last cruise since we had booked all of our excursions independently.

 

Have a great time.

[crusingnut]

We used SPB tours for 2 days the tour was the highlight of our cruise. We adjusted our tour to our desired sights. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable. They were very accommodating in helping arrange the tour. We wanted to ride the subway and we were amazed the beauty of the stops. You will enjoy St. Petersburg. We did Tallin on our own and loved the port. Have a wonderful cruise!

[MushyT17]

Hi NantahalaCruiser,

I am thinking SPB for Berlin. The price and tour looks great. Similar to the ship. It is unfortunately a day of traveling to get to Berlin, but so worth it to see Check Point Charlie, and the wall.

I am also try to peak some interest in SPB's St. Petersburg historical tour. There are more historical stops, less palaces and subway ride! We need at least 4 other couples to make the price better. Mark and I are fun people, and my husband is a history grad and would love this tour. So check out their tour options too. Good review on trip advisor and looks like others on this forum have had success with them too.

Cheers,

Mushy

[wangy26]

NantahalaCruiser

 

Can you tell me how to get $20/pp discount if I get our St Petersburg tour through CC roll call?

 

Thanks again!

 

Are you doing Berlin on your own? I have heard (our Baltic cruise did not stop near there) that it is a fairly long trip from the port city. Even if you are doing it on your own, you would probably want to use a ship's shore excursion to get you from the port to Berlin and back - I would hope that they would have a DIY excursion with just the bus service. I would recommend you use some of the OBC for that and get the cheaper, much better, less crowded non-ship excursion in StP. My wife and I did not want to pay the larger cost for a personal tour for 2 or 4 people, so used the SPB tour agency with a small group tour of 16 in a van rather than the ship's tour on a 50 passenger bus. But SPB is just one of a half dozen quality tour agencies that you will see recommended by fellow CC members.

 

If you have no other use for any remaining non-refundable OBC, then I would suggest you convert it to cash in the casino. Unfortunately, you can no longer just buy chips and then cash them back in without gambling. You use your OBC to purchase chips which must then be played at the tables. The best place to play, with the lowest house advantage of about 1.4%, is at the craps table; but you could also use the roulette table with a house advantage of 5.55%. The chips you purchase with NR OBC are restricted and cannot be cashed in; you have to play them until you lose them! So the betting strategy for cash-conversion is to make minimum bets with the restricted chips, pocket your winnings (since the chips you win are not restricted and can be cashed in later) and continue to bet the restricted chips until you have lost them all. On average, you will convert $200 in restricted chips purchased with NR OBC to about $197 in regular chips at the craps table or about $188 at the roulette table. Of course your actual conversion could be somewhat more or less than the average, depending on Lady Luck!

 

St. Petersburg was the highlight of our Baltic cruise; I would recommend that you use a private group of 16 tour for StP rather than a ship's excursion even if you had to let all of your OBC go to waste - you're probably only going to be there once and it's worth every dollar! You should also be aware that SPB, Alla and probably a few of the other tour agencies will give a group of 16 organized through your CC roll call about a $20 pp discount off of what you would pay if you were just 2 out of a random group of 16.

 

Even though you are planning on doing most of your other touring on your own, if you do decide to book a non-ship's tour for StP, then I would also suggest you look into bundling your StP tour with private walking tour in Tallinn, Estonia. When we booked both with SPB it was only another $25 pp to add a 3 or 4 hour walking tour with a local guide. Her personal stories of her family's experiences while under the thumb of the USSR were heart rendering but outstanding.

[countess5]

We will be on the Silhouette right before you cruising the British Isles for 12 nights. We actually sailed your itinerary last year in May, what a fantastic sail!

 

In St Petersburg we used TJ Travel and they were outstanding! Our guide Alla was a 30 year lady who was born there and crew up during the communist time. She was a wealth of knowledge. In the winter she lives in Florence Italy. We paid $378 for two people for two days of touring with just 8 of us. Transportation was a Mercedes van and they used headsets during the tour. TJ Travel actually set up a dinner for one of my friends and his wife with a local family. The family cooked a local meal and the Vodka flowed. First time the Russian couple ever met an American. They had a driver and translator. They said it was fantastic! X brought on local dancers and singers while we were in port.

 

You will enjoy the total cruise. We went in Mid May so I can't comment on your weather but in May it ranged from low 50's to actually upper 70's in Copenhagen.

 

We will take care of the Silhouette for you! Enjoy Amsterdam also if you have not been. Take a tour with That Dam Guide. Fantastic!

[eileen5412]

We are sailing the British Isles cruise out of Amsterdam August 11. Does anyone know of a private shore excursion that will pick you up at the dock in Newhaven/Leith (Edinburgh) to St. Andrews for the day? All I can find are tours where I will need to pay upfront and then look for people to fill the van. The only one I found where I wouldn't have to fill the tour leaves out of South Queensferry.

[Chestnut lodge]

We did the Baltic cruise in the same time frame as yours. We had great weather for the most part , a few sprinkles in StP, but otherwise 70s throughout. We used TJ Travel in St.P, they were wonderful. We had an obstructed balcony on the Constellation, and spent a lot of time on it. Loved sailing in and out of Stockholm and Helsinki harbors, and watching all the boat traffic on the Baltic. Of our twenty plus cruises the Baltic was our most memorable!

[BCJO]

NantahalaCruiser

 

Can you tell me how to get $20/pp discount if I get our St Petersburg tour through CC roll call?

 

Thanks again!

 

 

 

You may have booked already but we have a group with SPB (2 day deluxe tour) for the Silhouette Aug 23, discounted tour with nickname Brian. C u onboard!

 

 

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