jstducky

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1681729

 

All of you who have been planning to take bus 16 will take 14 and change in Kamppi to 17 or a tram.

Wow! What a change. Thanks for pointing this out.

Ok, I was planning on taking Bus 14 from Hernesaari out to Temppeliaukio, so I'm still ok there, right?

But at the end of the day, I had planned to take Bus 16 from Kauppatori back to Hernesaari. So now that 16 won't operate that way (I'll be there on August 21), how would I get from the Kauppatori area back to Hernesaari?

The first one is down to luck. Some buses have a sign in the front that shows the next stop and some don't. In the latter case you'll just have to be sharp and watch the stops from the window. The signs are white and yellow and they have a list of route numbers that stop there and the name of the stop in black letters.

 

They have the same stop. The buses come every 15-20 minutes so in any case it's not a long wait. On most stops there is also a timetable where you can see when the buses are supposed to come.

Thank you Sinny! You are a wealth of information! I am so grateful!

Thanks Sinny! I appreciate the suggestions. I think I'll go with the first route too. I never thought about it that way, but you are right. With the second route, I'd spend a lot of time in Market Square and will have come back to it twice.

When I'm sitting in the bus, is there a sign inside the bus or some sort of announcement as to what the next stop will be? Or is it just based on the signs on the street that I need to be watching for inside the bus?

Oh, and I assume that Bus 16 and 14B have the same stop at Hernesaari? Do they come around about the same times, or does one bus come more often than the other?

I'll be there in about 3.5 weeks, I hope the nice weather lasts too!

Can't answer your questions, but I found this brochure really helpful:

 

http://www.hel.fi/wps/wcm/connect/abc675804a17376d92e2fa3d8d1d4668/3T_english_2007_net.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

thanks, I've already downloaded this one! I've been to Helsinki before, so I'm familiar with it. But I was more familiar with Bus 16 and not 14B. I'm just not sure if 14B makes their stop at the same place as the 3B/3T at Temppeliaukio

Sinny -

Quick question.

What do you suggest between these two routes:

From Hernesaari, take 14B to Temppeliaukio. Visit and then return back on 3B tram on to Sibelius Monument, and possibly Olympic Stadium. Continue on tram to Senate Square. Visit Lutheran Cathedral. Perhaps walk over to Uspenski. Wander back to Market Square. Ferry to Suomenlinna, walk around the island (no guided tour). Ferry back and wander around Market Square before taking Bus 16 back to Hernesaari.

or

From Hernesaari, take bus 16 to Kauppatori. Take ferry to Suomenlinna, wander around (no guided tour). Ferry back to Market Square. Wander and eat at Market Square. Board 3B tram to Temppeliaukio and visit. Continue on 3B tram to Sibelius and maybe Olympic Stadium. Back on tram to Senate Square. Visit Lutheran Cathedral. Maybe walk over to Uspenski Cathedral. And then continue wandering around Market Square until it's time to board Bus 16 back to Hernesaari.

Ok, a few other questions (I lied!). If I take 14B to Temppeliaukio, what is the name of the stop so I know when to get off? Is the bus stop for Temppeliaukio the same as the stop for the 3B Tram? Or does Bus 14B drop off near the front, where I would need to wander back downhill to continue on 3B Tram?

Also, how far is the walk from Senate Square over to Uspenski Cathedral? I did Lutheran Cathedral last time I was in Helsinki, but I haven't done Uspenski, and this time I'd like to try and get over there.

Thanks for your help!

Hi,

16 will take you to Market Square.

14B will take you to the Rock Church, but NOT to Market Square.

The stop will be called Kauppatori (Market Square in Finnish).

 

And yes, the stop is on the other side of the road :)

Thank you! I want to do Market Square first, so I will look for bus 16!

I appreciate the help!

Sinppu-

Quick question for clarification. My ship is docking at Hernesaari. I plan to take the bus from Hernesaari to the Esplanade/Market Square area.

I can take Bus 16 or 14B, correct? Do they both pick up at the same stop at Hernesaari? What's the name of the stop at Esplanade/Market Square area to get off at?

And do both 16 and 14B return me back from the same area (but I guess across the street, going the other direction) from Esplanade/Market Square to Hernesaari?

Thank you!

Can you purchase a travel card or zone card at the cruise terminal?

in 2007, I docked at Frihamnen, there was a little TI desk inside the small souvenir shop that is open on days there is a ship docked there. I bought my Stockholm Card there.

I read recently that someone else just emailed the Stockholm Tourist Info about there being a TI stand at Frihamnen this year, and they received a response that said that when ships are docked there, the desk will be open to purchse cards, etc.

You can email them yourself at touristinfo@stockholm.se

as you mentioned, Prague is an extremely walkable city. All the way from Wenceslas Square down to the Tyan church and the astronomical clock, all the way over to the Chain Bridge and across the river. Easy to do on your own, especially if you have the time to just wander around.

I agree with the previous posters, you can either take a tour to the beaches of Normandy and see the American and German cemetaries as well. If you love history, this is not to be missed. It's sad, and moving, and incredible to see in person.

Also, Honfleur is a lovely little French town. There is shopping and eating there and the town is easy to walk around.

Another option is to go to down to Mont Saint-Michel (not close, but spectacular)

Hi Jstducky! Congrats on getting a great hotel. Our Constellation TA ends in Amsterdam in May. We are among those who got the Barbizon at a good price by bidding on Priceline. Is there anything you want us to look up for you in Amsterdam? Great to see your posts.

Hi Cindy!

Nice to see you around here! Wow, has it really been 4 years since our British Isles cruise together? Time flies!

Congrats on getting the Barbizon. I love using Priceline to bid. I, too, was hoping to get the Barbizon for a good price. But it didn't seem like it was to be for the time period I am going. But even though I'm paying more for the Hotel Pulitzer, I really like what we got and I think that the price I got it for was a steal compared to what the hotel acutally costs, so I'm happy. Amsterdam's not a cheap city, so to get a great hotel to boot at a reasonable price is good.

As for us (I'm going with my husband this time), Amsterdam is a 1 day stopover for us before we head to Copenhagen the next day to join our Baltics cruise. We're just making the most of our trip by taking an extra day to do Amsterdam. Since our time is limited, we're probably just going to walk around, do the Anne Frank House, do a canal tour and that's probably all we have time for.

What are your plans for Amsterdam? How long are you there? What is your cruise itinerary?

So, after a month of trying to bid on Priceline for a hotel in Amsterdam I finally got one last night.

I had orignally hoped to get the Amsterdam Marriott in the Central Canal area, but I quickly realized that was going to be hard to come by, especially since no one has posted about getting the Amsterdam Marriott recently.

So, I expanded my bid to include the City Centre, assuming that like most of you, I'd end up with the Barbizon for close to $100.

So, each day I bid starting at $99 and I never ever got anything. Finally last night, I was able to get a hotel for $167. What I got was the Hotel Pulitzer in the Central Canal zone. It's a Starwood 5 star hotel right on the canal which looks gorgeous. Consider Priceline is pricing this hotel at $401 a night, and the hotel's direct website is pricing it at $450 pre-pay without refund. After looking at the hotel's website, the tripadvisor reviews, and the pictures I'm super happy with what I got!

BTW, I think the reason I was having trouble was because I'm looking for a Friday night in mid-August, which is the busiest month of the year for Europeans on holiday.

I generally cruise based on itinerary and price moreso than I do cruise line.

Having said that, I've been on 3 Princess cruises and 3 RCI cruises. I'm about to go on my 4th RCI cruise in a few months.

Personally, I prefer RCI over Princess, but they are very similar. What I love about RCI are their ships. I have been on 3 of the 4 Radiance class ships and I love them. I love the feel of the ships, I love the wow factor of the ships and the activies on board. I also love the Solarium. I felt overall, RCI was more "fun" and had a little bit better evening entertainment and nightlife.

I did however feel that Princess had slightly better service and slightly better food than RCI. But that's a personal opinion.

I personally don't feel like Princess attracts and older crowd vs. RCI which attracts a younger crowd as others have mentioned. But, then again, most of the cruises I've taken with either cruise line have not been itineraries geared towards a younger crowd. I tend to believe that the age of the crowd has more to do with the itinerary than the cruise line.

For reference, I'm in my early 30s. I first sailed Princess when I was 16 on the old Golden Princess (ship's engine room caught fire and we were stranded out at sea for awhile - that kept us away from Princess for awhile). I sailed Princess again on the Grand Princess when I was 28 on a British Isles cruise and again when I was 29 for my second Mediterranean cruise on the new (at the time) Ruby Princess.

I've been on RCI 3 times starting with my a Canada/New England cruise on Jewel (new at the time) when I was 24. Then again the next year on Serenade to Alaska for my 2nd trip there when I was 25. And finally, my first Mediterranean cruise on Brilliance when I was 26.

Each cruise on Princess or RCI, I never felt like the crowd was too old or too young or that there was much difference in the demographics of the cruise as far as age.

As far as I'm concerned, if the price, itinerary and timing was right, I'd take that specific cruise regardless of whether it was RCI or Princess. I have been on 4 HAL cruises and would probably think a little harder about choosing HAL over RCI or Princess.

Love all the talk about Lutefisk here. Have always wondered if the people in Scandanavia like it, or it's some sort of urban myth. We "endure it" here in Minnesota and Lutheran churches all around the state have Lutefisk dinners in the fall, which are MOBBED by the older set. Even though I don't like to eat it, I love the culture of it here in the American midwest.

 

Sorry to get off track. Let's talk some more about Helsinki.

My husband has told me the stories of the churches and have they have lutefisk dinners and how all the older folks eat it all up.

He says he's tried lutefisk once and he absolutely hated it. Couldn't stand the consistency, taste, anything about it. He said his whole family (all of Finnish descent) hate it as well.

But it's certainly part of the whole Scandinavian/Nordic culture that exists in Northern Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin and the UP.

My husband is originally from northern Minnesota and loves the whole Finnish/Scandinavian feel of the region. He says that if you drive through the whole Finn Hook area, you feel like it's one big Finnish region rather than parts of 3 separate states. You can't distinguish one from the other.

I've been to Helsinki on a cruise before. It's part of why I chose my upcoming cruise because he's never been to Finland and I can't wait to show him what Finland (or at least Helsinki) is like on our upcoming cruise!

 

There are plenty of people of Finnish origin in Eastern Canada, probably exactly because they are so alike :D

Not just Eastern Canada. A large group of Finns migrated to an area known as Finn Hook in the United States - it includes the upper peninsula of Michigan, northern Wisconsin and nothern Minnesota, presumably because the climate there is similar to what they found back home in Finland. Today, that's where the largest number of Americans of Finnish descent can be found in the States. They number about 700,000 currently.

My husband is one of those. His great grandparents migrated to Northern Minnesota and his whole family still lives in the area. Lots and lots of Finns. Lots of Finnish culture and heritage is still around, and a lot of Finnish names. And it's not just Finns, a lot of Scandinavian culture as well with Norwegian and Swedish immigrants too. It's one of the few places in the States where lutefisk is still really popular.

Probably one of the big reasons why Minnesota is known as the State of Hockey. Lots of hockey loving Finns and Swedes in the area!

Do you know off hand if there is a tram service from Hernesaari port that goes to Market Square area? We are looking at purchasing a Helsinki Card and rather than paying the 12E to have mailed to the house, we would pick up at Helsinki Expert office (near Market Square??)

We're going to take ferry to Suomenlinna too and hoping for a little visit to Stockmanns:)

Couldn't you just buy a one day transportation pass? Get on the bus from the pier and buy it from the driver for 7 euros for the day. It covers all bus, tram, etc in the city and covers the ferry to Suommenlinna as well.

I guess if you wanted to guided tour you could get the Helsinki card, but that would mean you'd have to pay for the bus/tram ride from the pier to the TI before you would even pick up your card.

Just an idea....

Sinppu....kiitos for starting this thread.

We're docking at 6:00 a.m. and would like to get the day started as soon as possible. We've been to Helsinki previously and seen the sights in town and this trip we'd like to go to Suomenlinna. I believe it's about a 45-60 minute walk from the port (Hernesaari - LHB) along the bay around to the harbour (we like to walk). Would the ferry to Suomenlinna be running around 7-7:30? I understand the visitor's centre & buildings don't open until later, but are you able to get to the islands and wander the grounds earlier?

Lynn

According to the Suommenlinna website, it states:

http://www.suomenlinna.fi/en/visitors_guide/how_to_get_there/

"The ferry is part of the city transport network and all HSL tickets are accepted.

You need to buy your ferry ticket before boarding. Tickets can be bought from ticket machines or the Market Square ferry booth, which is open daily during the summer from 9 am to 6 pm (special opening hours apply during Midsummer). Check ticket prices from HSL. Free crossing with a Helsinki Card."

Hello! You are indeed correct, they are different quays. Your bus should be 14B or 16.

There is a bus stop behind the terminal building. Or in front, depends where you are standing ;) But just alongside the big road that takes you out of the port area anyway.

 

Ole hyvä!

Perfect, this is exactly what I was looking for. And thanks for letting me know where the bus stop is! I will definitely wait for the bus just outside of the terminal building and buy a 1 day pass from the driver.

Also, last time I was in Helsinki, in Market Square where the vendors are, they had a guy who was cooking up/grilling reindeer meat and potatoes right there in Market Square. I had some and it was FANTASTIC! Are those people always there, or did that food vendor just happen to be there the day I was there?

Kiitos!

Hi Sinnpu!

Thank you so much for offering to help! I've been to Helsinki once before on a cruise and the ship docked at Hernesaari. I remember taking bus 16 to Esplanade, but I had to walk out into the neighborhood quite a distance to find the bus stop. However, in looking at the map online now, it looks as though there is a bus stop right near the quay. Do you know where the bus stop itself is located?

From Hernesaari it's still bus 16, right? Bus 15 or 15A that you reference is for West Harbour, which is a different quay, correct?

Kiitos!

I have not seen the Marriott for a while

good luck bidding

I just found the forum you were talking about and I saw your post there about your recent win! That's terrific.

I read back about 10 pages on that thread and I too have not seen the Marriott. I wonder if they are still participating. Hm....

I guess if all else fails, I could bid for the Barbizon as well for my stay. I was just hoping for something near city center and Leidsplein rather than all the way near Centraal. But I guess if I got Barbizon, I could just take the train from Schiphol and walk across the street.....

Thank you again for pointing me in the right direction. I appreciate it.

I got Barbizon Palace a 5* in Zone 2 for Early June $102

 

Check Trip advisor in the Amsterdam forum ..some recent bids listed there

some people got the Movenpick a 4* in Zone 2 (next to the cruise ship dock)

Thank you, I will check out tripadvisor.

And thanks for letting me know what you got.

I'm in the early stages of bidding. I am trying to bed 5* for city center, because I would like to get the Amsterdam Marriott. I'll keep trying.

I've read good thigns about Movenpick and Barbizon. Movenpick would have been great except that I am not cruising out of Amsterdam. I arranged my flights for my cruise (which departs out of Copenhagen), so that I would fly into Amsterdam, spend a day there, and then fly on to Copenhagen to catch my cruise.

Keeping fingers crossed I can get my hotel room through Priceline!

Thanks again for the info!

Is anyone having any luck with Priceline for a hotel in Amsterdam this summer?

I've been on the biddingfortravel website, but haven't seen much activity.

At this point, I'm interested in trying for Priceline. So I want to hear what anyone else's experience has been.

If Priceline doesn't work, I have some backups in mind, so I'm not looking for hotel suggestions. I'm just looking for anyone who has tried Priceline recently.

Perfect! Both of you have been WONDERFUL!

I really appreciate it!

Susan and Fafos! You guys are wonderful. If indeed the funicular is underground,then there is no point in taking the funicular and I might as well take a taxi over to the parking area and hike the rest of the way up.

Susan - you said you walked, was it a long walk? I'm assuming that since the hill is high and recongnizable that you just walked in the direction of it without really needing directions?

Thanks for the clarification.

What would I tell the taxi driver if I wanted them to take me to the funicular? How much would that cost?

Is the funicular ride long? Is it a good way to be able to look out on the city?