Who has sailed Northern Baltic?

[LeslieG]

For those who have sailed the Northern Baltic ports of Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Tallinn, what did you think? I'm looking at that cruise for 2016, but I wasn't sure what the ports were like. What did you like or dislike about the ports?

 

[krisinparis]

Haven't done it yet, but we're doing it this summer. There are several repeat cruisers on our cruise who did the 2010 Baltic cruise. They all rave about it!

 

[LeslieG]

We're doing Norway this year, and the Med sailings are too late in August for us to do with the kids school schedule. So I'm thinking either the Baltic cruise or the Med on another line.

 

[aggiedog]

Ask me in June when we get back. But I am super excited about the ports, especially Talinn and SPB. Talinn has one of the best preserved, functional medieval walled cities in Europe. SPB is packed with history and "must see" cultural icons, and Russia is hard to vacation to without a visa, with the exception of cruise ships which have an easier work around for that. We are taking an extra week and spending time in Iceland and Copenhagen pre-cruise. I know that's not exactly what you asked, but we figured since we were in that part of the world, extra time to see it was a good idea.

 

[NancyIL]

I've been on 2 Baltic cruises, but they were 12 and 11 nights long, and not on DCL. There are only 7- night Baltic cruises in 2016. If that's all the time you can spare, then do it. However, St. Petersburg alone deserves 2 or 3 port days, and other cruise lines offer that.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Done one in 2010 fantastic back for another in 120 days great sightseeing historic and nature. A must do.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I've been on 2 Baltic cruises, but they were 12 and 11 nights long, and not on DCL. There are only 7- night Baltic cruises in 2016. If that's all the time you can spare, then do it. However, St. Petersburg alone deserves 2 or 3 port days, and other cruise lines offer that.

Absolutely agree. There's just too much to see for a one-day port stop. We went with Celebrity and the $$$$ we saved over DCL paid for some really nice shore excursions.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Not seeing the Baltic on the list of ports for 2016. Just Norway, Iceland and the British Isles.

ETA: Just saw updated itinerary, looks like there is one Northern Baltic cruise for 2016. Sorry.

 

[turtle27]

Absolutely agree. There's just too much to see for a one-day port stop. We went with Celebrity and the $$$$ we saved over DCL paid for some really nice shore excursions.

Can you give me some input on Celebrity. I sail Disney for service and smoking policy, well, and who am I kidding, I am still a kid at heart, but with limited itineraries and the price increases year after year, my eyes are straying. Single, no kids, travels with other family (also no kids).

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

The only reference to Baltic is some cruises start and end in Copenhagen but it is not Baltic cruises they were never going to be on offer in 2016.

Correction there is just the one.

 

[LeslieG]

There is one 7nt Baltic sailing July 6, 2016.

 

[DISGRL13]

Yes, there is one Baltic Cruise --July 6 - 13 2016...7 nights....Copenhagen, Denmark begin then sail to Estonia; St. Petersburg; Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden and then back to Copenhagen.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

There is one 7nt Baltic sailing July 6, 2016.

Yes, there is one Baltic Cruise --July 6 - 13 2016...7 nights....Copenhagen, Denmark begin then sail to Estonia; St. Petersburg; Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden and then back to Copenhagen.

Sorry missed that one,

 

[jdb in AZ]

Can you give me some input on Celebrity. I sail Disney for service and smoking policy, well, and who am I kidding, I am still a kid at heart, but with limited itineraries and the price increases year after year, my eyes are straying. Single, no kids, travels with other family (also no kids).

Celebrity is the up-scale big sister of Royal Caribbean. Of the seven cruise lines we've been on, we like Celebrity's food the best. They have a fabulous brunch each cruise that includes everyone, without an upcharge. We did the Baltic on the Eclipse and the rooms were nice. Service was comparable to DCL. When we overnighted in St. Petersburg we did two day-long shore excursions, which barely scratched the surface, and the night we were in port we attended a performance of Swan Lake at the local ballet school. It was a private performance just for the ship's passengers, and the ballerinas were better than any professional troupes we've seen stateside. When we got back to the ship that night, the ship's buffet was open so we didn't feel too bad about missing our regular dinner.

We've cruised with DCL six times and will always love the mouse, but they aren't the only cruise line with a great product.

 

[KashasMom]

I've been on 2 Baltic cruises, but they were 12 and 11 nights long, and not on DCL. There are only 7- night Baltic cruises in 2016. If that's all the time you can spare, then do it. However, St. Petersburg alone deserves 2 or 3 port days, and other cruise lines offer that.

Totally agree!! SO disappointed that there isn't an 11-12 day Baltic. Nothing else is appealing or fits into our schedule. Think we'll be looking at another cruise line for summer 2016.

 

[turtle27]

Celebrity is the up-scale big sister of Royal Caribbean. Of the seven cruise lines we've been on, we like Celebrity's food the best. They have a fabulous brunch each cruise that includes everyone, without an upcharge. We did the Baltic on the Eclipse and the rooms were nice. Service was comparable to DCL. When we overnighted in St. Petersburg we did two day-long shore excursions, which barely scratched the surface, and the night we were in port we attended a performance of Swan Lake at the local ballet school. It was a private performance just for the ship's passengers, and the ballerinas were better than any professional troupes we've seen stateside. When we got back to the ship that night, the ship's buffet was open so we didn't feel too bad about missing our regular dinner.

Thanks so much for the input. Trying to find a line that is not crazy expensive, but has the same no indoor smoking policy, and luckily for me, not so much for the smokers, more lines are going towards this. Celebrity has popped up more than once as another good line, that has many more interesting itineraries to do. So, if Disney prices me out of this years, I may be jumping over there! I was hoping Disney was going to overnight in St. Petersburg again this year, but at least we may be able to combine 2 cruises into a b2b.
That is awesome about the ballet! What an experience. When I was living in London for the summer, those are the things I remember on my travels, more than some of the touristy stuff, oh and the museums, which I don't do if I am only there for a day, well except for the Louvre, I did that. The Hungarian Orchestra, Vienna Boys Choir, Vienna Film festival (we totally lucked out on our dates of being there). We also like all the activities on Disney for adults, but I know from a med cruise, that you are just worn out on sea days and want to chill! I can only sail the Caribbean so many times before I want new ports, still beautiful, but I like to explore!

 

[angelinaxox]

I have done the Baltic cruise, but with Princess. I agree with the poster who said that St. Perersburg is definitely a port that is worth a couple of days. We docked overnight and it might just be the most fascinating port I have ever visited (also a little scary at the same time, not sure how to explain that). And I have cruised a lot and have done a lot of land travel. I loved my Baltic cruise. Definitely one I plan to do again in the future.

 

[jtba]

I have done the Baltic cruise, but with Princess. I agree with the poster who said that St. Perersburg is definitely a port that is worth a couple of days. We docked overnight and it might just be the most fascinating port I have ever visited (also a little scary at the same time, not sure how to explain that). And I have cruised a lot and have done a lot of land travel. I loved my Baltic cruise. Definitely one I plan to do again in the future.

why was it scary? because of u.s.-russia relations? or the port area is not safe? or...? would love to know more, please.

looking into summer 2016 and am debating norwegian fjords vs. baltic. was originally leaning towards the former but this thread is pulling me towards the baltic...

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I did the inaugural Baltic in 2010 on Disney Magic. BEST CRUISE EVER!@!!! St. Petersburg was facinating, get with others and book private excursions in the ports and you will see alot in two days.

 

[2littlestitches]

I sailed the Baltic with DCL, and it was really an awesome adventure. Oslo, Copenhagen, and Berlin were some of my favorite stops. Being in Russia was surreal.

I know I would've never gone to some of those locations were it not for this Disney cruise. It was unforgettable! We did a three night pre-stay in London, which was also really awesome!