Continued saga Spirit of Adventure Postcards from the Baltic 29th August 2021

[Gill1St]

Is anyone on Cruise Critic booked for this cruise?  I would like to know whether anyone booked on this cruise has received information regarding it going ahead as advertised.

[silversurf]

We were booked on this but changed to September 2022 as we didn’t have confidence that all the proposed countries would be open to Brits.

[Gill1St]

See below for the start of my posting regarding lack of info regarding this sailing.  Today's posted information (Coronavirus update for Cruise Guests - Travel updates - Saga Cruises) from Saga regarding changes to itineraries includes another being made to the Adventure's inaugural cruise 26th July - 10th August.  Following the inaugural cruise there remain two more cruises before our booked cruise, neither of which are now advertised for sale.  Again, I am asking for other passengers' experience of trying to get information from Saga for a cruise which is now only 47 days away.  I would normally have started packing by now!

[nosapphire]

I would think that they are hanging on to the last possible moment to try and be sure that whatever changes they have to make do not have to be changed again.

I really cannot see you getting to St.Petersburg,  Saga will have alternatives left, right and centre - but the situation is so fluid that they cannot reliably tell anyone what is going to happen over a month ahead.

These are not normal times, and no cruise line is able to give out information in the manner they usually do.

Currently, cruise lines and passengers alike are taking a gamble on any cruise running as planned.

At least, in the event of a change that does not suit you, Saga have a very good reputation for prompt and easy rebooking or refunding.

[silversurf]

Moved this cruise to 2022. Not convinced it will go ahead even 14 months ahead.

[Gill1St]

11 hours ago, nosapphire said:

I would think that they are hanging on to the last possible moment to try and be sure that whatever changes they have to make do not have to be changed again.

I really cannot see you getting to St.Petersburg,  Saga will have alternatives left, right and centre - but the situation is so fluid that they cannot reliably tell anyone what is going to happen over a month ahead.

These are not normal times, and no cruise line is able to give out information in the manner they usually do.

Currently, cruise lines and passengers alike are taking a gamble on any cruise running as planned.

At least, in the event of a change that does not suit you, Saga have a very good reputation for prompt and easy rebooking or refunding.

 

[Gill1St]

Thank you for your thoughts, somewhat comforting.  I will sit tight for a couple more weeks!

[Janet-]

I've not actually seen anywhere yet that the F&CO have lifted or will lift the embargo on international cruises.

[Gill1St]

I had been keeping an eye on the FCDO site before and after your post - the Gov's stance on International cruising changed on 28th July although there is little marked change on the FCDO site.  Yesterday afternoon Saga posted that their first international cruise would take place on 29 August (ie Postcards from the Baltic) but said they needed time to evaluate the situation.  I have checked several sites today and it would appear that, at the moment, all the countries on this cruise's itinerary (except Russia!!) are not open to British visitors, even those fully vaccinated - except for 'worthy purposes' (eg visiting relatives).  Will be interesting to see developments and possible itinerary changes.  Hope this will be of interest to those on this cruise.

[Gill1St]

Latest news re this cruise - there has been an update from Saga today on Coronavirus update for Cruise Guests - Travel updates - Saga Cruises.  There to read; however bottom line is that this cruise is going ahead with final details available on 18th August.

[Gill1St]

On 8/10/2021 at 2:46 PM, Gill1St said:

Latest news re this cruise - there has been an update from Saga today on Coronavirus update for Cruise Guests - Travel updates - Saga Cruises.  There to read; however bottom line is that this cruise is going ahead with final details available on 18th August.

 

On 8/10/2021 at 2:46 PM, Gill1St said:

 

 

[Gill1St]

I posted what was to be my last comment on this cruise on Saturday 14th August but it did not appear.  I would like to repeat one thing in case the original post does not materialise.  We are not able to go on this cruise but will look forward to reading a blog if anyone is able to devote time to reporting their experience in the Baltic.

[Silverbike]

Hi everyone. I won’t promise a daily blog but I’ll give some comments.

Before embarkation

I managed to get through to Saga by phone 3 days before departure, details were confirmed on Saturday 28th. Excursion details arrived on the My Booking section of the website about a week before we left.

Day 1
Embarkation was tedious but efficient and we were escorted to our cabins.

A light lunch was still available at around 14.30 with afternoon tea at around 16.00.

The first night dinner was at a specified restaurant and time but since then the choice has been ours. We were asked if we wanted to share a table or not and decided to share. There was no sail away party.

 

Day 2

Sorry, I’m struggling to get rid of the underline!

This was a sea day . We joined a ship’s tour. The library has only “pretend” books and you can’t play cards in the card room but other activities are available. We were tested agin for entry into Denmark.

There was a lecture on the visits we are due to make in the next couple of days.

Day 3

Saga’s first international landfall for over 500 days! We are boat 2 or 3 to land here this year. Our tour left the coach and kept roughly together for the walking sections 

We were at Skagen  in the very north of Denmark. Several excursions were available . We left Skagen at 1700 and are now sailing towards Copenhagen in beautiful sunshine and flat calm seas.

Please ask any questions you want and I will try to answer.

[Kenmure]

Sounds lovely. Did you have to share a table on your first night and what time and where did you eat?

[Gill1St]

Thank you for starting your blog, it will be read with interest whenever you find time to write more. 

[Kohima]

Thanks for taking the time to tell us how Saga’s first international cruise is going.

[LondonLad60]

I'm following this thread with great interest, as my wife and I are on Spirit of Adventure next June going to the Baltic. Thank you for posting - please keep your posts coming!

 

Bob

[wowzz]

Can you tell us what arrangements,  if any, Saga have made for your Day 2 covid test on your return to the UK?

I assume Saga will be carrying out  the pre-arrival tests foc, on board.

[Lmwo]

We are on the next cruise to the Baltic on Spirit of Adventure on 20th September and I am interested to know if it's possible to sightsee on your own or if you have to go on organised trips?

[Glenndale]

At the moment you are not allowed to leave the ship's bubble so can only leave the ship on organised tours.

 

[Silverbike]

Thanks for the support. We were allocated the Grill for the first night and were asked if we wanted to share or not. We chose to share. Most of the tables for 4 are next to the panoramic windows. We haven’t tried the other options yet.

We had a very busy day today in Copenhagen. The morning trip was a coach tour of the city with stops and walks at various viewpoints, including the most photographed female in Denmark, the Little Mermaid, but also the Royal Palace. We had a very good local guide who was Australian married to a Danish woman. 
There was a very tight turnaround at lunchtime then back on the coach to drive to a local “fishing village” which is now gentrified and looking for world heritage status. Some former fisherman’s houses are now changing hands for around £1m!

Both guides gave us details of daily life in the country with high levels of taxation but cradle to grave care of a high quality. Basic income is over 40%. Tax on a new car is over 100%!

On excursions we have been told to wear masks on the coach. Denmark was recently released from a heavy lockdown and now no one is wearing masks outdoors so we followed suit.

Now sailing towards Gothenburg for another busy day tomorrow so I’ll be glad of a sea day the day after.

[Silverbike]

Sorry, I’m new to this, replied and clicked reply but it didn’t seem to post. I’ll try again. 
No disembarkation information about testing yet but I’ll let you know when I find anything out.

Will check if this posts before writing more.

 

[Silverbike]

Ok. Here we go! 
On shore you are expected to remain within your coach bubble. The only on shore shopping I have seen is at the 2 small duty free shops you pass through exiting and entering the ship at Gothenburg and Stockholm.

It is possible to fit in 2 trips a day but the lunchtime turnaround time can be quite tight.

The main activity for the sea day was laundry. You can of course send it to the ship’s laundry but in my view that’s quite expensive. There is a short washing line in the shower cubicle suitable for underwear. The laundrette  is on the same floor as our cabin, but at the far end. There are 3 each of washers and dryers plus 2 ironing boards. Detergent tablets are available and a staff member is often at hand.

we attended an evening performance in the Playhouse. This has raked seating with clear views of the stage. The 45 minute performance was based on musicals and well received. This is also the venue for daytime talks and some musical performances . The audience has to be masked with no drinks allowed.

The other big entertainment venue is in the Brittania Longe where you can order drinks and so watch unmasked. I notice that the only people dancing with masks were members of the staff. 
Tonight on the dockside we have a lineup of classic cars. So infuriating not being able to join them but that’s what we signed up to so “mustn’t grumble”.

 

[Glenndale]

Hi Silverbike, Thanks for posting 🙂

Electric cars carry no tax in Norway!

Would you please take a pic of the laundry price list and post it on here?

 

[Silverbike]

I will try and seem to have succeeded! Every day’s a learning day!
We are now sailing out of Stockholm on the way to Tallin and then Helsinki. We had a coach tour of the city yesterday and a trip to the Vasa museum this morning. Well worth it. We were let in before the public and left just as it was opening so there was another shopping opportunity in the museum gift shop. We are still sailing in the sunshine although the temperature fell to 2c overnight yet at lunchtime it was warm enough to eat on deck.

Last night we ate at the Nepali restaurant. I am not that keen on very spicy food so when I pre-booked I ordered from the menu and had a non-spicy version which was very tasty.

Instead of doing crafts together in the craft room the system now is that craft kits can be picked up on a daily basis and the instructor is available on the following day to help sort any problems. Today was arm knitting but since I never did learn to knit successfully in the traditional way I passed on that one.