Hapylady

How about November? Am looking at cruises in November but I am flexible. 

It seems that the spring season( September thru November) is much drier than the autumn season. So it seems that would be better for cruising. Am I correct? 

I'm looking at this cruise, looks like a great itinerary. I like having most of the sea days at the end. My concern is this is an older ship that has not been refurbished. It is due at the end of the year.  

The evenings can definitely be cool. I had a light weight puff coat and used it. I also used a windbreaker several times. Sea days were pleasant but not sunbathing warm. We had very little rain so barely used my raincoat.

In Tallinn it was mid 80's and I wore shorts. It was the only warm port. When we got back to the ship there was music playing and people all over the decks though just a few in the pools. Many sunbathing and in the hot tubs. But mostly I only saw children in the swimming pool.

We went to Berlin. We booked a tour of St. Petersburg thru Alla tours and got a discount on doing Berlin- just $109 per person. It's much cheaper doing private tours and the group size is so much better. And I think the tours are just as good as the ship ones.

We actually didn't book the Berlin tour until 2 days before because my husband was unsure of going to Berlin.

If you asked him, he wasn't thrilled with Berlin because of the close to 3 hour drive both ways. We had 6 hours in Berlin. We saw a lot but didn't go into any museums or churches.

I was ok with the drive. We were on a comfortable bus and there was only 11 of us on the tour (you'll never find that low a number with Princess). I slept a little, read, looked at the country side. I'm glad I went and saw Berlin.

Friends on the same cruise did the Schwerin castle, Schwerin cruise and Rostock. They enjoyed it but thought the Schwerin cruise part was a waste. Their drive was 90 minutes each way.

We stayed 2 nights in Copenhagen after the cruise. We took a bus that stops right there to our air BnB. Google maps will tell you what bus to take. It was easy except we missed our stop and had to get off at the wrong stop and catch a different bus back. Our fault. I didn't notice whether there were taxis or not.

Copenhagen is pretty easy to get around and everyone we meet spoke English- mostly quite well.

I wore shorts in Tallinn since it was in the mid 80's for a high. I noticed lots of people wearing shorts. In all the other ports long pants/jeans were comfortable.

I enjoyed all the ports. We were very fortunate to have excellent weather. Only Stockholm was cloudy with light drizzle in the morning.

We got to Copenhagen the afternoon before. We stayed at the Scandic Palace Hotel in their budget room which was just fine. The morning buffet was excellent and included for the $200 cost.

We walked around Tivoli Gardens and ate dinner there. Rode a couple rides. The next morning we took a canal ride and walked around.

We took a bus to the ship and got there mid afternoon. The ship and room were both very nice. We had an extended balcony room on the port(left) side. Honestly the right side would have been better for views cruising and in port.

In Oslo we just did it on our own. We visited City Hall and then took a bus to Vigeland. We enjoyed the park very much. We also toured the National Gallery and just walked around the town.

I'll post more later.

My husband and I were on Regal Princess from August 7th through the 18th. We then extended our time in Europe with 2 nights in Copenhagen, 4 nights in Brussels, and 3 in Amsterdam.

We had a great time and will happily try to answer any questions.

We will be in Oslo on Tuesday evening until 11:00 Pm. Any suggestions on what to do in the early evening except eating? We enjoy music- just not extremely loud music. We are in our early 60's.

Thanks for any suggestions!

I have a credit card with no foreign transaction fee but it doesn't have a pin, just a chip. Will this be an issue?

I just noticed the Alla tour doesn't include a guided tour inside the castle while inside the castle but the ship tour does.

We just got off the Regal Princess on July 5th after a Baltic Cruise. Yes, they did have a Russian Folk show the 1st night in port and it was EXCELLENT. Really enjoyed it. They also had a folk show the evening we were in Oslo; however, it was just mediocre.

We will be on the Regal next month and trying to decide if we want to tack on an evening folk show with Alla tours.

The ship one sounds great but how long is it? I heard someplace it was very short.

We are thinking we didn't want to go as far as Berlin but am considering a tour of Schwerin castle and Rostock. I have two questions-

Is it worth the hour and half trip to see the castle?

We are considering going with Alla tours- they seem to offer everything the ship does (except a boat ride on the lake) for less than half the price. We are touring with Alla in St Petersburg. Are they as good in Warnemunde and other ports as they are in Russia?

Thank you for any advice!

From July 27 onward, seems Regal will dock in Nynashamn, but you will have 5 more hours in port compare to docking in Stockholm.

Thank you. I'm sorry I'm missing the cruise thru the islands but a slightly longer day is ok.

I'll be on the Regal Princess when she goes to Stockholm on August 16th. My paperwork says we tender at Nynashamn.

Somewhere I read there's a floating dock there and it's not a tender. Someone else on these boards said they went through the archipelago on the Regal. Perhaps it varies?

If we do tender at Nynashamn is there a train or bus that would take us easily into Stockholm?

I'm on the Regal Princess in August and will be in Stockholm on August 16. I believe my cruise tenders in nynashamn and doesn't go through the archipelago.

Now I read on this thread about the Regal going though. Does it vary?

I imagine that tour guides that work with Americans are used to tips in dollars and can get them exchanged at a bank.

Thank you all for your answers.

I'm taking a tour with Alla and I believe it's the same show that Princess uses for their excursion. It's at the same place. I'm sure i would enjoy it but it would be over $200 with dinner and tip.

If I could see a similar show on the ship and save the money it's tempting. Then again- dinner in St Petersburg and seeing the city at night is worth something, too.

I'm torn.

Buy 100 shares of Carnival stocks and get an OBC every time you sail!

What's OBC?

I'm thinking of signing up for the Russian folk show at the Nickolayevsky Palace. Can anyone recommend or not?

Not really interested in Ballet.

We've signed up with Alla tours in St Petersburg because I've read such good things about them here and on Trip Advisors. We are sailing in mid August on the Princess.

I've really enjoyed your reviews and pictures. I took notes!

Did you go to any shows or comedy?

Just 8 days until we sail on the Carnival Freedom! 🚢

I've lost over 60 pounds with Weight Watchers and have kept it off for 3 1/2 years.

On cruises I am choosy. I indulge in foods that I don't have all the time or that are particular favorites. Stuff like pancakes and waffles and sausages I can have any time. Same with bread(though I do love bread). Generally I eat lighter at breakfast and lunch and a bit more for dinner.

If I try something and it's just ok, I leave it. I don't finish it.

I find that the lighter entrees at dinner are really good.

Realized I never posted back on this thread. We loved this cabin, we could see into the bridge from our balcony and it was interesting to watch.

We are sailing on the Freedom later this month and are in a front cabin again.

Pack a nightlight for the bathroom. I agree about the small bills, sunscreen, and first aid kit. I also pack a small sewing kit. Downy Wrinkle Releaser, and make sure to take extra eyeglasses. A summer weight sweater is nice. I also take small snacks for time on excursions -stuff like nuts or Luna Bars.

One thing we did that was great was a behind the scenes ship tour. You get to see where the crew eats and parties, the engine room, the bridge and much more. It's a little pricey but worth it. If you want to do this book it on the first day, it sells out.