Aurora to the Baltic - tips please!

[CT New Cruiser]

Hello all,

 

I have never cruised before and on the recommendation of my parents who are regular P&O cruisers, we (me+husband+2 year old son) are going to the Baltic on Aurora this June (with the parents too). Discovered this board a couple of weeks ago when researching an independent tour for St Petersburg (have booked with Denrus after reading the Baltic boards and if the tour is half as good as the communication from them has been, should be good) and am now addicted to reading these boards and excitement is at fever pitch with 8 weeks and 6 days to go!

 

I would love any tips at all about Aurora, the Baltic and cruising with a young child but would particularly like to know...

 

What is the entertainment like on Aurora/P&O? Husband has nightmares of being made to sing "Roll out the Barrel" (!!) - I have seen another post that says this can happen!

 

Can we take dancing lessons on board (as would love to do that)? Do they do Salsa or only ballroom?

 

I think I am all sorted for the wardrobe for the formal/informal etc but what about theme nights for Baltic cruises on P&O? I am guessing Tropical or Country and Western won't be appropriate as on Caribbean cruises so what happens for the Baltic?

 

Tours: We are doing Stockholm OYO, the steam train in Kristiansand and the private tour in SP - we were planning to do the others on our own (mainly based on 2 year old+coach = mayhem, also excursion prices). Does anyone know how easy it is to get to town centres in ports like Copenhagen, Oslo, Talinn and Helsinski, especially if cabs don't have child seats?

 

...think that's it....REALLY looking forward to the whole cruise experience!

[daiB]

Hello all,

 

I have never cruised before and on the recommendation of my parents who are regular P&O cruisers, we (me+husband+2 year old son) are going to the Baltic on Aurora this June (with the parents too). Discovered this board a couple of weeks ago when researching an independent tour for St Petersburg (have booked with Denrus after reading the Baltic boards and if the tour is half as good as the communication from them has been, should be good) and am now addicted to reading these boards and excitement is at fever pitch with 8 weeks and 6 days to go!

 

I would love any tips at all about Aurora, the Baltic and cruising with a young child but would particularly like to know...

 

What is the entertainment like on Aurora/P&O? Husband has nightmares of being made to sing "Roll out the Barrel" (!!) - I have seen another post that says this can happen!

 

Can we take dancing lessons on board (as would love to do that)? Do they do Salsa or only ballroom?

 

I think I am all sorted for the wardrobe for the formal/informal etc but what about theme nights for Baltic cruises on P&O? I am guessing Tropical or Country and Western won't be appropriate as on Caribbean cruises so what happens for the Baltic?

 

Tours: We are doing Stockholm OYO, the steam train in Kristiansand and the private tour in SP - we were planning to do the others on our own (mainly based on 2 year old+coach = mayhem, also excursion prices). Does anyone know how easy it is to get to town centres in ports like Copenhagen, Oslo, Talinn and Helsinski, especially if cabs don't have child seats?

 

...think that's it....REALLY looking forward to the whole cruise experience!

 

 

Hi CT,

 

You will love Aurora:).

 

She was our first ship and each time we go on board it feels like coming home. Let us clear the 'Urban Myth' or should it be 'Cruise message board myth' In our 8 cruises I have never heard 'Roll out the Barrel' being sung so I think hubby is safe. The only time it may raise its head is on the British Pub night, and you do not have to go there as there will be something else on, in at least 4 other venues, all over the ship.

 

The youth team provide an excellent service and your little boy will have a whale of a time.

 

We have not done the Baltic so cannot help you there.

 

The excitement must be building now with only 9 weeks to go. Your first cruise is always special and it will spoil you for other holidays.:D

 

Have a wonderful cruise and do not forget to post a report so we can enjoy it as well.

 

 

:)Happy Cruising:)

 

 

:cool:

Dai

[CT New Cruiser]

Thanks Dai - yes I'm sure Roll out the Barrel is a myth! I am thoroughly looking forward to cruising but hubby (a keen independent traveller) is more wary of what holidaying with so many others is going to be like - particularly the entertainment. But then of course we always have the option of not going to it! And from what you've said there are lots of options of things to do each night so great...

 

Is there anything anyone would particularly recommend entertainment-wise on Aurora? Or does it vary so much cruise to cruise it's hard to say?

[daiB]

I would not want to go into too much detail as part of the fun is discovering what there is to do. Each night you will receive a copy of Aurora Today and everything is in there.

 

However I would say in regards to the dancing that it is more likely to happen on a cruise with lots of sea days and I think yours will be port heavy. If it is happening it will be in Carmen's.

 

One tip that I want you to keep to yourself, is that Cafe Bordeaux is excellent for a late lunch, about 13.30, light and beautiful. It is open 24hrs but by then the rush is over. Also and again do not spread this around but in the Orangery between 1100 and 1200 they serve brunch, ideal for those long lie in days. I am sure some doting Grandparents would do the honors on a few days;)

 

Now remember mums the word;)

 

 

:)Happy cruising:)

 

 

:cool:

Dai

[CT New Cruiser]

Great stuff Dai - I love a good brunch! Your secret's safe with me;)

[Glenndale]

Hi,

Just thought I'd add my four pennorth worth, I've not heard Roll out the Barrel, but at the end of the last show before disembarking, we were expected to sing Land of Hope and Glory and were even given Union Jacks to wave :o

Patriotic as I am I felt like cringing with embarrassment.

Aurora is our favourite P&O ship and we spent many a lunchtime in Cafe Bordeaux. We also ate there in the evening - I have a feeling there was an extra charge but it was well worth it.

[CT New Cruiser]

! - Not telling hubby about Land of Hope and Glory! I'll never hear the end of it!

 

Lovely to hear all this stuff about Aurora, particularly on the eating options.

 

What makes her your favourite ship?

[Morgans]

Aurora is a gorgeous ship - you have chosen well. I would echo the sentiments about Cafe Bordeaux for meals/snacks any time. It's free during the day but you have to pay a supplement in the evening. Also once or twice during the cruise you will have a curry/Indian night so if you like curries etc book early for this as it can get full up very quickly. Venue is usually the Orangery as I recall. The wine packages are good value so read up about those in your cabin guide book and see which you might prefer. Tea/coffee/hot choc/biscuits are provided for all cabins and are very handy and welcome too!

Themed nights can be Black/white (easy for the gents in their dinner suits) so take something appropriate and 60's/70's - you don't need to participate if you don't want to. It's all good fun. Have never gone to the Pub Night so can't say about that.Lots of quizzes and films if you like those. The entertainment is very good - big shows and comedians such as Tom O'Connor.

We have done the Baltics twice - for Copenhagen & Helsinki you will need the provided shuttle into town as it's too far to walk. They are both lovely and easy to negotiate with a pushchair. The harbour market in Helsinki is very entertaining and interesting and the canal tours in Copenhagen are easy to do and will include passing the Little Mermaid and various other interesting spots. Olso is walkable from the ship - there is a nice trip you can do yourself across the harbour from infront of the City Hall. The ferry boat will take you across to the open air Folk Museum (Scandinavian houses from various centuries which you can go in - sample cooking and cakes etc from years gone by) and the Viking Ship Museum - again easy to do on your own without paying a fortune for ship's tours. Then get the ferry back.(only a few minutes) City Hall is interesting and worth popping into - some beautiful murals of Scandinavian Life.

You will have a fantastic holiday. You are right to look forward to it!

 

Marge M

[muddyw]

Aurora is an ideal ship for cruising in areas where good weather is not guaranteed, such as the Baltic, in that the main pool has a retractable roof. This is open in fine weather but closed when it rains, so you can use the area whatever the weather.

[jo-b]

CT

 

As everyone has said you will have a wonderful time.

 

There is always loads to do/ or not do your choice, so I'm sure hubby will not feel his style being cramped. He can assert his independent style in the ports by sussing out trips to do independently!

 

There are some Baltic photos on our photosite and some of Aurora on an Istanbul cruise.

 

She is a wonderful ship,enjoy,your only worry is the addictive nature of cruising!

[CT New Cruiser]

Cheers so much all for the great tips (particularly the Morgans), I now feel thoroughly reassured about cruising and getting around the Baltic ports so thank you very much!:D

 

As suggested, only problem now is addiction/obsession about it. While writing list of things to do at work this morning pen seemed to get life of its own and started writing 'formal/informal' and a list of dresses! Oh dear, if its half as good as I expect and you all say, I dread to think what I will be like after actually going on it.

 

Will let you know how it goes...

 

CT

[mhugcat]

Hi yes I agree with the others

 

I have been on aurora a couple of times and she is a fab ship. My daughter was 10 when we first went and she still talks about it today, she is nearly 18. We went with my parents and thouroughly enjoyed it. The kids club are great they look after the kids so well. shows were really good best I have ever seen. Besides the west end of course.

We are going to book her again in March 2008.

 

We also went on a 13 night baltic cruise on the Aurora. The best cruise we ever had. We paid for a full trip in St Petersburg about £75 p p in 2003, had a 3 course meal in a russian restaurant saw lots of sights bought a cossak hat etc etc it was truly fab.

 

I am sure you will love your cruise. We all cried when we went home and after the baltic cruise I cried for days. Silly I know but it was the best.

[The Monocled Mutineer]

The following notes are for a first timer on P&O from a Southampton departure point of view:

 

Your 1st Cruise will be one of the BEST cruises you will ever go on.Believe you me: nothing beats the 1st of everything you do during your 6n onboard. This is not to say with the 90%+ certainty that you will become addicted to cruising, that you will not have wonderful, future cruises too. But, there is something very magical about your 1st cruise:

 

I capture a bit of that magic when I see the cruise through a newcomers eyes.

 

Don't feel that you need to book a tour at every port of call. The ship is a destination in itself. There is a very special atmosphere on sea days which (in my view) is rivalled by a day on board when at port, or better still at anchor. The ship takes on a quieter ambiance with half or more of the passengers ashore. There are no queues and the service up on deck is snappier. With a very few glorious exceptions, you will find little better ashore.I tend to go only on tours where a "must-see" is a long distance from the ship and the public transport cannot be relied on. I also find an afternoon tour preferable to a morning one as breakfast on board in popular destinations can be somewhat "traumatic", especially in the self-service restaurants.

 

Advice? Suggest you arrive early’ish at the terminal say around midday. When you arrive at Mayflower you say good bye to your cases as they are placed in a "hole-in-the-wall" by a porter. You will next see them outside your cabin when you board or say about 30 mins after.You proceed into check-in where tickets & passports are checked: you are given your cruise cards there and then: this is both your charge card (you can use it straight away without the need to register your credit card/bank charge card - unless you intend to charge casino chips/tokens to it) and ID to get back on the ship when at port. (I understand that the procedure to register your charge/credit card now takes place at check-in – others will no doubt confirm)

 

You then proceed into the embarkation lounge following a security check (x-ray machine for your hand luggage, etc - rather like an airport) then unlike an airport you then pose for your photograph.

 

Make sure you look your best and smile - tomorrow your photo along with 1800 other passengers will be on display in the Photo gallery for naughty chaps like me to have a laugh (when you look like I do, stones and glass houses spring to mind)

 

Embarkation for the majority of passengers start from c.14:30 (although this now starts earlier). You will have already boarded after noon (suite priority) and will be plied with gratis drinks.

 

When you are called there is then a long walk while you carry your hand luggage along covered walkways that seem to go on for ever.Eventually you suddenly reach a large deck hatch opening and as you step on board it is if you have entered another world.

 

You will be greeted by an officer or one of the Entertainment team (ENTSs - not be confused with Treebeard from the Lord of the Rings) and, if you require, a white-gloved steward will relieve you of your hand luggage and take you to your cabin via lift or stairs.

 

WARNING: You will have studied the deck plans for months and you will think you know your way around.

 

WRONG: The deck plans are in 2 dimensions - the ship is in 3 dimensions.

 

HOWEVER: within about 24 hours you will know your way around!If you are lucky the steward will take you directly to the cabin. Sometimes the stewards do get lost!

 

At last your cabin, (with hopefully your luggage outside). Get to know your home for the next xx nights. There will be continuous safety video playing on the TV and your cabin key-card will be in the door with a spare one on the writing desk with all the bumph and info folders. Have a look at today’s issue of the ships newspaper ORIANA TODAY - it will have a nice picture of your well-fed Captain (they usually look as if they have had a few “Captain’s Dinners”) saying "welcome aboard". This will confirm what times all sorts of things are happening today and tonight. The only compulsory thing you must attend is the ships safety briefing held in your muster lounge at c.16:15 (it takes about 30 mins and you will find your muster station location on the back of your cabin door)

 

Your cabin steward will shortly introduce himself and ask what time you would like to be awakened and whether you prefer Tea / Coffee in the morning.

 

There will be a card in your cabin confirming your Dinner reservation which will show Restaurant name, sitting and table no. You might like to go down to the restaurant to see what table size and where it is. At about 15:00 the restaurant manager will be on duty and will try to accommodate any changes you might wish to make.

 

The tablets my Val takes (she is sensitive to motion) are Stugeron. Take 2 c.15:00 (2 hours before sailing) and then 1 every 8 hours until unconsciousness or sleep occurs! You will awake the next day but will probably have missed lunch by the time you wake up.

 

Now if you are sensible and have brought quite a few garments and suits it will speed unpacking if you packed them at home on hangers. But hey! ... hang the packing let's go and explore the ship.

 

As I said earlier, afternoon tea is served from c.15:00 in one of the restaurants or self service style in the CONSERVATORY

 

If it's a lovely April day the prospect of sitting out at the TERRACE BAR afterwards sipping a cocktail of the day or a bottle of champagne is a tempting prospect.

 

In no time at all bells and announcements will go off requiring you to go to your muster station.

 

You will need to go back to your cabin and retrieve your life jacket and take it with you.

 

Once the VERY IMPORTANT safety drill is over (about 16:45) you can then go out on deck and start to enjoy the proceedings regarding departure out on the Promenade Deck. (Of course you might have a port-side balcony cabin in which case you can swank on your own private space).

 

There is champagne at £2.75 (I think) a glass - good value and a jolly band on the quayside playing Maritime & Military Greatest Hits.

 

In no time the last lines have been slipped, the last gangway removed and suddenly the bow & stern thruster push this Beautiful ship away to warmer climes. THE CRUISE HAS BEGUN.

 

The peregrination and twisting down the Southampton Water, Calshot Spit, the dog-turns to starboard then to port, traversing Cowes Roads and then on to the Pilot drop-off takes about over 90 mins.

 

It is lovely just to sit on the Promenade Deck and watch the last of England slip by. (or in the Crow's Nest Bar if inclement).

 

And just think your cruise has only just be.You will have a wonderful time.

 

You will want to book again as soon as that sad day back in Southampton arrives.

 

 

Some Suggestions:

============

 

1. Unless you really have to, avoid the reception desk on embarkation day and disembarkation day.

 

2. Avoid queues to leave the ship by avoiding the gangway for the first couple of hours in port/at anchor (unless you're on a tour).

 

3. The Fish Main course as a starter if none of the "regular" starters tickles your taste buds.

 

4. Order wine for dinner at one of the bars during the afternoon (or via the Wine Line). Your choice should then be ready and waiting at your table when you arrive. For wine/food matches, dinner menus are available to scrutinise at some bars.

 

5. Without going daft, maximise on the Cocktail of the Day ... good value.

 

6. Champagne at £2.75 (?) a glass at departure is good value.

 

7. Do not rely on the library to be able to supply your travel book needs for destinations on your cruise. They are for reference only and cannot be removed from the library. Bring your own Baedekar, Insight, Rough Guide, etc.

 

8. Do not rely on the library to supply the latest blockbuster from J.K.Rowling, John Grisham, Stephen King, etc. They will have a copy or 2, but 500 other passengers are also relying on reading a copy during the cruise. Bring your own.

 

9. If you go to a film in the evening after dinner - beware - unlike a shoreside cinema, this auditorium gently sways - the combination of warm sun all day, a beer or 2 at lunch (wasn't that curry lovely?) 2 or 3 cocktails of the day, 6 course dinner, a bottle of Rioja, and an Irish Coffee, and the darkness of the cinema will induce narcosis. But don't be embarrassed - you are not alone. The cinema in the evening sometimes reminds me of Paul McCartney's "Frog Chorus" - the sound of syncopated sequence snoring!

 

10. (As per 9 above) try not to do this in the show lounge / theatre - especially if the cheeky comedian is performing. It must be either funny or disheartening to the hard-working, slick company singers and dancers when confronted with "An Ocean of Faces with Mouths Wide Open and Eyes Wide Shut"

 

Tom & Nicole in the cinema aren't really there!

 

11. If you are lunching up on deck, it is a good idea to secure your wine / beverages before you go to make your selections of food.

 

12. Save most of the unpacking (unless you choose to travel very lightly) till when you retire tonight. Excepting 2n-4n party cruises, the 1st night after dinner is usually a fairly quiet affair with many people retiring early as "it's been a long day". If the weather is glorious in Southampton, get yourself into some deck wear and relax in a lounger up on top with a Pimms, a G&T, a cocktail, a glass champagne or whatever tickles your taste buds (for example get a tray of afternoon tea comestibles from the deck restaurant) for a couple of hours before attending the compulsory SAFETY DRILL c.16:15(?).

 

13. When you leave the cabin to explore the ship take your Dining room table card (which is in your cabin on arrival) and visit the restaurant at c.15:00 (a manager/maitre d will be in attendance). If you are not happy about the location of your table, its size or/and the sitting, there maybe the opportunity to change it. Likewise in the hopefully unlikely event of having the "table companions from hell" (most folks who cruise however are a nice bunch) get this sorted after your 1st dinner. (Only twice out of c.20 cruises have we done this: the 1st for environmental reasons - we were right by the waiters fast lane and revolving doors to the galley; the 2nd time after the main course and before dessert - yes they (the “companions”) were very bad!!!).

 

14. Forget about snappy cabin-service (room-service) on embarkation day. If you desire a bottle of champagne or/and nibbles for the departure up on your balcony order them as soon as you board and say you want them in your cabin ready for after the safety drill.

 

15. As I am a very early bird and my wife enjoys the luxury for her of a lie-in, I keep in contact with her during the morning a couple of times by using one of the bar or corridor telephones. This saves a lot of traipsing down the length of the ship and we don't have to waste time looking for each other and arranging where to meet for late breakfast or early lunch.

 

16. Do not feel that you need to book an excursion for every port or for all the day that you are in port. I personally feel that excursions are not the best value for money. The exception would be where there is a "must-see" that is a long way from the port or/and where public transport cannot be relied upon. If you are late getting back to the berth or tender point the ship will NOT wait for you unless you are on an official tour that has been delayed.

 

17. Do feel encouraged to linger on board when in port or at anchor. The ship takes on a different and not unwelcome ambiance with half or more of the passengers ashore. Remember all the facilities that you have already paid for are at hand, the service will be snappier and, other than in the most exceptional of destinations or establishments you will find little better ashore. To my mind spending a day onboard in a unremarkable port is the equal of a warm, languid sea-day. RELAX and forget about traffic, pollution, pick-pockets, paying out for this, that and the other, etc, etc.

 

18. Other than when the ship is very quiet it is nearly always quicker to use the stairways. That way you keep yourself trim (remember there's a lot of food morning, noon and night that's just there for the taking) and it helps free the lifts up for those less ambulant of folks.

 

19. On the last day (usually at sea) pack all but one of your cases as early as possible. That way you are free for most of the rest of the day – a day to savour the last of what will be one of the most memorable holidays you will ever take … and believe me … you WILL go on more P&O cruises but the 1st will ALWAYS be special!

 

20. You will standout as a Newcomer if:

 

a). You call the ship a boat.

 

b). You ask what "floor" is the cinema on.

 

c). You refer to your cabin as your room.

 

d). You call the bow the pointy end and the stern the blunt end.

 

e). You refer to the right hand or left hand side of the ship. Depending on whether you are facing the pointy or blunt end, both sides of the ship can be left and right. That is why there are the terms Starboard & Port.

 

f). At the safety drill on embarkation day you come in to the muster station wearing your life jacket.

 

g). When you see the Captain doing a tour of the ship and glad-handing passengers you call out "'Ere! Who's driving the Boat, Cap'n?"

 

HAVE A WONDERFUL CRUISE!

 

Derek “The Monocled Mutineer” Kane

 

|||||

o Q

<

\__/

 

|>o<|

[CT New Cruiser]

Wow! Wonderful tips and advice folks! :) :) :) Going to print it all out to remind me on board (while I sip my in-cabin box-wine and eat my Priory Crumbles;) - well maybe not together).

 

I have now got my clock sorted out and am in a frenzied state of anticipation. I like my holidays but can't remember ever looking forward to one like this.

 

CT