giraffe0514

giraffe0514, Bollinge, cf2404 and dileep: Enjoyed reading your comments and opinions regarding the ports, people, etc. Looking forward to our turn on July 2nd. Do have some questions?

 

The cost of hop on/hop on buses in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki?

About $22 each, but save the tickets or receipts because you get a 10% discount at the second and third countries with them.

 

What particular sights/museums in Olso, Copenhagen, Tallin, Stockholm and Helsinki would you consider a "do not miss?"

Copenhagen we enjoyed the Rosenborg Castle. They have a Hans Christiona Anderson Exhibit and the basement of the castle has all the jewls, etc that were interesting. Tallinn we walked everywhere and went into a few major places, all interesting. I got Rick Steves Scandinavia Guide at AAA store. It was a help.

 

Any recommended places for light lunches, snacks, coffee, wine/beer and people watching? Helsinki very expensive but Cafe on the parklike Esplanade down near the docks, outside, afforded great people watching. In Stockholm and Copenhagen small "smorgasborg" places with open sandwiches and pastries were reasonable and good. They are on the main street or pedestrian streets.

 

Is it true the Constellation or Century will not exchange US$ to Estonian kroons or Russian rubles? I believe that is right, but there are ATM machines available in town at all the banks.

 

Any info you would like to share would be helpful to all.

Hope this helps you

Just back from Celebrity Century's Baltic cruise, visiting Amsterdam, Oslo, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallin, Stockholm and Copenhagen.

 

We did everything independently, EVEN ST PETE! Can you believe anyone could survive a visit to that city without being shepherded on a ship's tour?

 

Well, we did and are still here to tell the tale. Ask away.

We had a marvelous time. Did "Hop On Hop Off " buses in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki. 1 hint: Ride the whole route once, then get off where you want to on the second go around. That way you won't get carried away at one stop and not get to see the whole city overview.

Booked a St. Petersburg tour with Red October. It was outstanding. Had 10 people which is far better than a busload, cost less and they handled the visa for all.

Booked a Berlin tour through Berlin Starting Point. They drove 6 of us in a van, and again it was marvelousand cost far less than the ship. Highly recommend both this company and Red October.

Tallinn was small enough to walk through by ourselves.

Riga we contacted the Jewish Museum there and hired a guide for 3-4 hours. Took us through the museum, walked to see some interesting architecture, hired us a cab ($20 US for 3-4 hrs) and took us to other areas of general and Jewish sites (including Rumbula forest). Was an excellent guide.

Klaipeda, Lithuania we also walked on our own from the ship and around the city. It was the first time a cruise ship docked there and they made a big deal. Hundreds and humdreds came out to greet us and to see us off that evening.

Glad to answer any questions. I found this board invaluable and am glad to share with others. Read up on your ports and circle places on the maps the ship gives out and keep it with you and you'll get to see everyting they do on the ship's tours and more.