Manx Bird

Posts: 39
(30/4/04 12:51)
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Hello

We've not been on 'holiday' since last years cruise on Ocean Village that was brilliant!

We've chosen this cruise for its destination - St Petersburg etc. and the price.

Can anyone tell us what it will be like. we don't expect it to be like the ship we were on last year! But hope it may be a bit more 'intimate' with 'character'?

How 'formal' is formal? Will I really have to get 'im indoors....burly fisherman, to wear a dinner suit?

I believe I can 'hire' one. (getting him to wear it could be difficult!)

Please advise.

Any info would help, about any aspects. Eg. clothes to take...er buy. (Oh ...really,... I'll need a whole new wardrobe! Ill let him know!)
We are used to hot destinations!

Thanks
Manxbird

Manx Bird

Posts: 41
(1/5/04 9:14)
Reply | Edit | Del Re: BALTIC CRUISE - SUNDREAM
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Me again!

Ive just read TRAVEL MANDY's report on Page 13 (at the moment) An absolutely brilliant report relating to this cruise....so if like me your after info....look there!

Still would like to know what to wear though! Tee Hee!

manx bird


Blue Eyes 2002
Moderator
Posts: 801
(6/5/04 18:59)
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ezSupporter

Re: BALTIC CRUISE - SUNDREAM
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travelmandy
Costa Dorada / TOs Moderator
Posts: 47
(29/3/03 14:11)
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ezSupporter
Re: A Baltic cruise on the Sundream.
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Ports...Oslo approx 10-15 minute walk in to the city centre if you walk along the harbour you will come to the tourist information centre here you can pick up bus timtables and events for the day you are there. Right outside is also where you can pick up the ferry to other islands close by inculding the Viking ship Museum.
Trips from Oslo...City tour and viking Museum approx 3 hours £25 included Viking Museum, Vigeland Sculpture park.

Stockholm-Again a short work will take you into the old town area where you will find nice cafe's small streets with quaint liitle shops (expensive) and the Palac, The palace doesnt cost that much to go a round but it does get busy.
Trips From Stockholm....Panoramic Stockholm and Vasa Museum approx 3 hours £26 basicaly wasrships and palaces.

Helsinki-About a 20 minute walk takes you into the main market area of Helsinki it was full of local colour and some very wierd things on sale just past the market is where you can pick up the T3 tram this will take you all around the city for approx £3 you can get off where ever you want but remeber you pay again when you get back on, It will take you to the theme park, the Olympic stadium,The Temppeliaukio Rock Church or just shopping.
Trips from Helsinki.........Helsinki from the sea approx 2.5 hours £31 Begin this tour with a short transfere from the Sundream to your sightseeing boat. Cruise through the Suemenlinna (sounds like a school pudding)fortification islands, Crusie past urban waterfronts, old villas, Giant icebreakers and the zoo then free time in the market.

St Petersburg-Here I would say do the trips as its not a very safe city and things are too spread about to even think about doing them on your own.Aslo you have to get a visa if you want to go ashore independantly and this takes time and money.
I dont have the sheet with thet information on for prices but if you look at the Royal Carribean site it will give you a good idea of what there is to see.
We did the (Saturday)Hermitage/Winter Palace---very crowded and we felt as if we where being herded around like cattle but still worth seeing as even a short time there was worth every penny (approx £42).
We had planed to go to the main shopping area on the Sunday but heard a few people off the ship got Mugged So changed it to Catherines Palace and we where very glad we did , You get a long tourney out throught the Russian countryside past alot of the old communist Russian that still remains the palace was magnificent.Alot of work is still going on to restore it to its former glory (WWII damage) even the Amber roon is being restored and that alone was worth all the walking.
We opted to stay on board of the night and enjoy the Russian meal on deck.Others either went to the Ballet or a folk evening again around £30-40.

Tallin-20 minutes walk to the old town but a bus was provided for around £4 each way and this as to be only of the most welcoming city's a long the way(not that the rest wasnt ).
We opted for a tour hear as by now and after St Petes lets just say "tired" is and understatement.The trip we decided to do was a no walking easy tour of the city and outskirts which was a lovely relaxing way of seeing some parts we might have missed otherwise 3 hours £22 It took us through parts of teh Olympic village, Song Festival Ground then dropped us of for a look around the old town, Its a city I would love to go back to.

Copenhagen-We decided againg to do a tour but regreted it as everything was so close to where the ship docked, even the Little Mermaid was only a 10 minute walk but be perpared to fight for the photos all nationalitys with thier clickies going made it very hard to get a good photo without someone elses face on it. Its a realy lovely city full of history and felt very safe and clean.
The trip we did was called Leisurley Copenhagen and cost £23 for 2.5 hours and wasnt worth it but it did let you see alot of the city without hardly leaving the coach which made us feel cheated that we hadnt experienced the city.
I would suggest walking and exploreing the city its full of Naval history and the Monarchy are so well love even thier Palaces are not put behind steel gates and accessable to eveyone a truely loveley city I would love to return one day.
If you decided you want to do a tour the one called Country and Castles came well recomended off other passengers cost was £32 for 5 hours.

Amsterdam-I didnt like this city I found it dirty and sleezy IMO.
We decided not to do a tour and wish we had.
We opted for a walk in the city which took 20 minutes and had to walk through central station which I felt very uncomfortable I was followed a few times around the city only when I stopped and stared at the guy who was following me and aproached a Police officer did he stop. We where warned of Amsterdam like many other city's having a problem with pick pockets but they made it so obvious they where going to do thinking people on Cruise ships where easy targets.
We decided to make the most of it now we where there and went on a canal cruise costed about £6 each for 1 hour cruise which was the best part of the day.
Trips from Amsterdam-Delft and the Hague cost £24 for 4.5 hours and many people said it was well worth the money.

Would I do the holiday aagin? YES...Did I enjoy the holiday?
Best holiday we have had in years.
Would I go on the Sundream again? YES
Dont spend your money on a luxury cabin as on the Sundream luxury will mean just slightly better than ok its the ports that make this cruise not the ship.

Hope this is all the info you wanted if not just ask.
Mandy