We're booked on the Veendam!

[Hroswitha]

We've just booked our first HAL cruise: Ten days in July 2007, RT from Copenhagen on the Veendam, with stops in St. Petersburg, Oslo, Arhus, Stockholm and elsewhere! I'm so excited!

We've had wonderful experiences with several cruises on Princess and Royal Caribbean but thought it would be fun to try another line and, especially, a smaller ship.

Any tips on what to do/avoid and what we should especially be looking forward to would be most appreciated.

[May4]

:) Let me assure you, you are going to love the Veendam. I have sailed on the Veendam twice, and both times were wonderful.
Here's one idea of something not to be missed. How about ordering the specialty coffee of your choice in the Explorations Cafe? Then pull a promising book from the shelf. Choose a soft chair or sofa near the window. Enjoy;)

[Hroswitha]

Thanks! I'm there in spirit already, doing just that! ;)

[RuthC]

This is a fabulous itinerary on a lovely ship. :)

I would suggest that you not overdo it on the excursions; don't get over-tired with full-day tours. Except in St. Petersburg! That's one place where you want to eek out every minute of touring that you can. Might I suggest you look into a private tour there. I booked with Red October and could not have been more pleased.

Oh, you're gonna love it! :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

Great Itinerary!!

[sail7seas]

Wonderful itinerary on a great ship. We have had a number of fabulous cruises on Veendam. She's a wonderful ship. You made great choice IMO

[Aussie Gal]

Great Itinerary though you will find you will get tired as Ruth has also stated.

You will be going to some wonderful cities on a lovely ship. We will be on her in 4 weeks time for 34 days so we should know everything about her by the time we disembark.

As Ruth has also suggested don't overdo the touring. Most of the cities are so easy to walk around especially Stockholm, Oslo, Arhus and Helsinki. St. Petersburg is the one where you will be busy and if Berlin is included try and take the excursion to that interesting city.

Jennie

[CruiseAddict58]

We've just booked our first HAL cruise: Ten days in July 2007, RT from Copenhagen on the Veendam, with stops in St. Petersburg, Oslo, Arhus, Stockholm and elsewhere! I'm so excited!

We've had wonderful experiences with several cruises on Princess and Royal Caribbean but thought it would be fun to try another line and, especially, a smaller ship.

Any tips on what to do/avoid and what we should especially be looking forward to would be most appreciated.
Are you taking the "Scandinavian Capitals" cruise in July '07 or the "Gems of the Baltic" cruise in July '07? I'm researching these for my parents who plan to take one of them. The intineraries are almost the same. Do you know of any other differences?

[Patria21]

I just wanted to second Ruth C's advice on Red October. We used them in St. Petersburg and couldn't have been happier - we saw more than anyone who used the ship's excursions and for far less money. And we were able to shape our own tour. Really, a wonderful company.

[Hroswitha]

Thanks for the tips, and I'm still eager to hear more.

In answer to questions, we chose Scandinavian Capitals rather than Gems of the Baltic because I studied in Berlin years ago; so when someday I do go back, I will want to spend days (or weeks) there rather than hours! With such a short time available, I'd rather get a glimpse of a city that's new to me. Plus, one of the others in our party was especially eager to visit Oslo. That made our choice clear: Scandinavian Capitals!

Of course, what we REALLY wanted to choose was one of the longer Baltic itineraries, but since all four of us are still working full time, that will have to wait!