Who has sailed Northern Baltic?

[angelinaxox]

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...

It is hard to explain. I didn't feel unsafe, but just intimidated. Before we left the port. We had to show our passports and get stamped (not sure if they still do this.) We were told on the ship not to make eye contact and quickly take back our passport. We had to be escorted everywhere, which we were on a ship excursion. One of the souvenirs that people were trying to sell us were these gas masks looking things. I always felt on alert. But we saw so many neat things like The Hermitage and we went to Carherine Palace. We had a dinner with what seemed like an unlimited amount of vodka. (I really felt that!) So it was a whole mixture of awe and surprise; my feelings there were so different than any place I have visited. I am not sure if I am explaining it right. Just really hard to describe.

 

[jtba]

are there a lot of family-friendly excursions that might be suitable for kids at 5 & 9 yrs old?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

It is hard to explain. I didn't feel unsafe, but just intimidated. Before we left the port. We had to show our passports and get stamped (not sure if they still do this.) We were told on the ship not to make eye contact and quickly take back our passport. We had to be escorted everywhere, which we were on a ship excursion. One of the souvenirs that people were trying to sell us were these gas masks looking things. I always felt on alert. But we saw so many neat things like The Hermitage and we went to Carherine Palace. We had a dinner with what seemed like an unlimited amount of vodka. (I really felt that!) So it was a whole mixture of awe and surprise; my feelings there were so different than any place I have visited. I am not sure if I am explaining it right. Just really hard to describe.

We had a great time and not like that. Never felt unsafe never intimidating I get my passports reviewed more entering the USA I get my photo taken and finger prints taken going into the USA like a criminal. And in Russia I get a stamp in my book and through in ten seconds.

 

[2littlestitches]

It is hard to explain. I didn't feel unsafe, but just intimidated. Before we left the port. We had to show our passports and get stamped (not sure if they still do this.) We were told on the ship not to make eye contact and quickly take back our passport. We had to be escorted everywhere, which we were on a ship excursion. One of the souvenirs that people were trying to sell us were these gas masks looking things. I always felt on alert. But we saw so many neat things like The Hermitage and we went to Carherine Palace. We had a dinner with what seemed like an unlimited amount of vodka. (I really felt that!) So it was a whole mixture of awe and surprise; my feelings there were so different than any place I have visited. I am not sure if I am explaining it right. Just really hard to describe.

I will agree that the agents checking passports were very "stern" and a little intimidating. We got though it fairly quickly, and tried to ignore it.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I will agree that the agents checking passports were very "stern" and a little intimidating. We got though it fairly quickly, and tried to ignore it.

Sounds like USA border control.

 

[2littlestitches]

are there a lot of family-friendly excursions that might be suitable for kids at 5 & 9 yrs old?

If I'm remembering correctly, my kids were 7 and 9 at the time, and we had a great time. I will say that I didn't cater to them a whole lot when it came to the excursions, though. In other words, we went on tours that interested us, and not necessarily those that were directed mainly at kids. I figured we were there one time, so we might as well see as much as possible on the tours. My kids have traveled a lot, and are used to museums, etc. They did great, but of course there were some long days. The ship is so kid friendly, so that helps. And, I know there are certainly several kid-friendly tours offered, but we didn't opt for a lot of them on that cruise.

 

[nanaguide]

I did 4 weeks last August/September - 2 weeks in Norway and 2 weeks in the Baltic on "old people's ship" Holland America Prinsendam. Loved it all - amazing trip and so much cheaper than Disney - only 960 people on board. This Summer I'm doing Norway again - 9 days on Disney Magic. So excited!!! I really enjoyed the Baltic but don't need to go back - but Norway, yes, I'm so excited to go back again. I think everyone needs to do the Baltic - makes you realize what a young country we are - the hisory of all these other countries is amazing. I don't why I thought St. Petersburg would not be modern - it was! The churches. mansions, etc. were unbelievable! I can't imagine only spending 1 day there - what was Disney thinking? We were there for 2 complete days - went on a 2 day SPB private tours - both days excellent. I was totally exhausted - so glad to have a Sea Day after that port. People didn't seem happy and they rarely smiled. We tried to get people to smile at us. i worried so much about getting through Immigration - it took less than 5 minutes - in fact the person was asleep when we got there. I loved Berlin and Stockholm I would go back to Stockholm in a minute (Hop On bus- super plus the Viking ship museum fantastic, and changing of the guard special). You will fall in love with Tallin - I walked from the ship to the cultural area - did it all on my own - so easy to walk Tallin and it is a special port - enjoy!

 

[Marla Hellwig]

We were on the last 2010 Baltic and the port in St. Petersburg was brand new and not even complete - from the ship we overlooked the port building and parking lot and then next the road and a huge empty lot that was mostly dirt from what I remember. It wasn't scary but a little 'weird' to look out at night and not really seeing any lights.

 

[TinyG]

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).

This last Feb we went on a B2B on Celebrity. The first time my asthma did not have a problem. No smoking in the casino and most areas of the ship. On the back of the ship they had a great bar, the bartender told a smoker that he could not smoke there. So we now have 5 booked with them and only one Carnival (they can't get it right). We are super excited to go on the Magic this May for our first transatlantic! Good luck!

 

[Dug720]

Sounds like USA border control.

FWIW, I've run into more than one grumpy and intimidating customs agent in the UK. Y'all aren't perfect.

 

[LeslieG]

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.

Did you have kids with you on the Celebrity cruise?

 

[jdb in AZ]

Did you have kids with you on the Celebrity cruise?

No. I saw very few kids. It was a very international cruise -- the muster drill video had closed captioning in 13 languages.

 

[LeslieG]

I'm a bit disappointed Germany isn't on the itinerary. But other lines make me nervous because of the kids.

 

[LeslieG]

Regal Princess has an 11-night sailing, and NCL Star has a 9-night sailing. Looking at both of them. Star is an older ship. Not sure how that would be. Will be on Regal next month for a short cruise, so anxious to see what it's like. Or we might just stick with Disney. Plenty of time to weigh our options.

 

[alldiz]

I'm a bit disappointed Germany isn't on the itinerary. But other lines make me nervous because of the kids.

Regal Princess has an 11-night sailing, and NCL Star has a 9-night sailing. Looking at both of them. Star is an older ship. Not sure how that would be. Will be on Regal next month for a short cruise, so anxious to see what it's like. Or we might just stick with Disney. Plenty of time to weigh our options.

I hear ya I will prob do the regal 11 night Baltic. I am nervous about the kid situation. But DCL has way out prices me. Going on epic this summer for a MED cruise and a land tour of Italy thru NCL. Prob more kids on that itinerary.
Kerri

 

[LeslieG]

I hear ya I will prob do the regal 11 night Baltic. I am nervous about the kid situation. But DCL has way out prices me. Going on epic this summer for a MED cruise and a land tour of Italy thru NCL. Prob more kids on that itinerary.
Kerri

The land tour of Italy you're doing, you mean that was arranged through NCL as well?

 

[alldiz]

The land tour of Italy you're doing, you mean that was arranged through NCL as well?

Yes.
I fly into Venice .(transfer inc)
I think 2 nights Venice, then 2 nights Florence, then 3 nights Rome .
Embark ship in Rome(transfers inc)
Cruise goes to Florence, Naples, Cannes, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca. Land/cruise tour for 3 ad and 1 child 13 was about 13,000.(1 balcony and 1 inside room)
Not all meals included on land portion.
Kerri

 

[OurDogCisco]

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...

We did the Baltics in 2010 and had the most amazing time. Our kids were 12 and 9 at the time of sailing. We picked Disney because it caters to kids. There are less kids on a European cruise in general. It isn't like going on a Caribbean cruise where it is overrun with children. I liked sailing DCL because I knew my kids like the food, the shows, the activities on board. Honestly, we did an Alaskan Cruise with NCL this past June and they just sat in the room to watch TV. There wasn't much for them to do. But the pricing of the DCL cruises are just unbearable. We sailed on the Baltics in a Suite with concierge service for a little more than $12,000. Now, for 4A cabin to the British Isles it is 20,064. Crazy....

I agree two or 3 days in St. Petersburg is a must. One thing to consider is the traffic. It is not walking port. You must be escorted at all times. We did a private tour and visited the places we wanted.

I can get why that posted felt safe and unsafe at the same time. I felt the same. I really was expecting to see a depressed economy and that is far from what we saw. Everyone there drives the same cars we do. However, after talking to our tour guide we learned how difficult their lives really are. The one place I felt odd was the subway. I was very excited to see the mosaics in the subway. And very disappointed we were not allowed to take pictures. It was the one place where she told us not to make eye contact, etc...

 

[alldiz]

We did the Baltics in 2010 and had the most amazing time. Our kids were 12 and 9 at the time of sailing. We picked Disney because it caters to kids. There are less kids on a European cruise in general. It isn't like going on a Caribbean cruise where it is overrun with children. I liked sailing DCL because I knew my kids like the food, the shows, the activities on board. Honestly, we did an Alaskan Cruise with NCL this past June and they just sat in the room to watch TV. There wasn't much for them to do. But the pricing of the DCL cruises are just unbearable. We sailed on the Baltics in a Suite with concierge service for a little more than $12,000. Now, for 4A cabin to the British Isles it is 20,064. Crazy....

I agree two or 3 days in St. Petersburg is a must. One thing to consider is the traffic. It is a walking port. You must be escorted at all times. We did a private tour and visited the places we wanted.

I can get why that posted felt safe and unsafe at the same time. I felt the same. I really was expecting to see a depressed economy and that is far from what we saw. Everyone there drives the same cars we do. However, after talking to our tour guide we learned how difficult their lives really are. The one place I felt odd was the subway. I was very excited to see the mosaics in the subway. And very disappointed we were not allowed to take pictures. It was the one place where she told us not to make eye contact, etc...

Just wondering whatvis the reasoning of not making eye contact?

 

[turtle27]

Well, we took the plunge, back to back on Disney for Norway and Northern, I checked with a few other lines (Oceania, Celebrity, Seaborne, Silversea) and there just was not enough of a price difference on the rooms, when we compared Square footage to square footage. Figured we could change our minds later, but at least we are going to Europe next year!!! My only wish is that I could afford (not only in price, but in time off) to spend the whole summer in Europe again.