Spicy Red

When we sign off, we take a screenshot of the sign out confirmation page, on our phone or iPad, showing time of signing out as well as minutes left.

Be aware of the time limits. The 2019 Share Holder Benefit form says:

“Please provide by fax or by mail your complete legal name, reservation number, ship and sailing date, along with proof of ownership of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc shares (for example, photocopy of shareholder proxy card, a dividend tax voucher or a current brokerage or nominee statement with your brokerage account number blacked out) no later than 3 weeks prior to your sail date to your travel agent or to the cruise line”

 I’ve added the emphasis, as the 2018 form was two weeks.

Years ago, when I sent the forms in a couple of months in advance, I was told it had to be closer to the sailing date as I may have disposed of the shares in the interim. I suppose it depends on who receives the application.

HTHs

Definitely keep tabs on how many coffees you order. We had the complementary hot chocalate deducted from our fifteen coffee total! Don’t know whether the waiter just made a mistake or was not aware of the system, but it happened. We now ask each time we order, how many are left.

Some people see hull "art".

I see hull "graffiti".

+1

I was disappointed when I first saw photos of the SeaWitch on the bow. I do hope they look better “in the flesh”.

That's a very good explanation by Pensfan in post #4.

Just factor in to your calculations that you are still paying the $57, or whatever per day, when you are ashore all day for a port day.

What sort of weather can I expect in October?

For the two weeks I spent in the Awaji-Osaka-Tokyo-Motegi areas in Ocober, 2012, the temperatures were identical to Brisbane at the same time.

So dress was shorts, polo shirts and Akubra-style hat - glad I didn't leave the hat at home! If you're sun sensitive long sleeves may be the go. On the last day, there was a very heavy, Brissie-style downpour, so brolly was required.

BTW, absolutely loved Japan and the people and have no qualms about returning some day. Maybe around plum and cherry blossom time, which I think is May??

HTHS

That is the ship that got me hooked also. I love the Sun Class ships! I would sail them today if I could. They are my choice over the Grand class ships. I wish they had modeled Alfredos off of the Pizzeria Menu from the Sun Class ships.

Our cruise on the Dawn, June this year, was our first cruise. Thirty one glorious days. We quickly understood why cruising is so popular.

Our second cruise was in July this year, on the Royal. We quickly understood why so many people love the Sun Class ships.

They have a large following down here, who appreciate the more relaxed experience. HANDS OFF! :);) We're keeping them!

I used the Panasonic TZ40 (ZS30 in USA).

Carried it around the boats and ports in my jeans pocket, no worries.

Many good shots taken inside in the lounges etc.

The Stability Control is excellent, hand held shots at 1/15th very acceptable.

Beauty of this unit is that the grid coordinates are recorded. When loading to iPad via the cameras WiFi, the iPad automatically lists the photos under the place name. Click on the place name, a map opens up showing you where the photo was taken.

As far as using the TZ instead of an SLR, the main inconvenience is that you cannot attach filters. Through Europe and the Suez, a polarising filter would have been magic! Mind you, I did not see one SLR using filters???

I did see several other cruisers on the Dawn and Royal, using the TZ40.

There is a TZ60 out now though I haven't investigated it.

Worth a look, anyway.

Happy hunting.

Hi Lynette.

Thanks for your appreciation and feedback. It is lovely to hear that my info contributed to your enjoyment of Rostock. The services when the children participate were always my favourites.

Happy that you met Kel and Joyce, I really enjoyed my time with them and am pleased to hear they enjoyed their time too.

I am always happy to meet those with whom I have corresponded if I happen to be in Rostock on the day of their visit.

Happy cruising :)

Anni

Hi Anni,

It's high time I publicly acknowledged your tremendous help on our visit to your part of the world. We were five weeks into our journey when we visited Hamburg so your assistance made the exercise so much easier. You cannot beat local knowledge! The surprise was how much you could tell us about the German history in own home town of Brisbane.

We now have wonderful memories and appreciation for your domain.

Stay safe and keep in touch,

Kel and Joyce

Hi Anni,

Thank you for finding time on your Sunday to provide such a comprehensive reply. Fantastic information there.

Yes, it is the 18th we touch down in Hamburg.

Let's see if we can meet up for sure. Email to follow. :)

Hello Anni from a fellow QLDR,

We've followed your wonderful sites now for a year and think we've kept up with your updates.

We are joining Lynette where our cruise eg starts in Warnemunde. The plan I've hatched is to fly into Hamburg Friday 3:30pm, catch a train to Schwerin, stay two nights, then catch the train to Warnemunde. Post cruise, train back to Hamburg airport.

I believe DW and I can purchase a Lander ticket at the airport train station, for the 26€ for two. We'll need to switch trains in Hamburg city to get to the Schwerin line.

Can you confirm the Lander is available at the airport station or are we in the wrong state/region for that?

Is it possible to buy a through ticket to Warnemunde but still do the overnight stays or do we need to buy two more weekend tickets to go from Schwerin to Warnemunde on the Sunday morning.

Alternatively, there is discussion about a discounted ticket for visiting the Baltic coast.

Is this available to us in Hamburg, given our overnight stays in Schwerin enroute to Warnemunde from Hamburg?

Upon disembarkation we intend to return the same day to Hamburg Airport.

We are most grateful for any assistance,

Kel and Joyce. :)

Could you have taken the money out at the casino?

How do you do this?

Do you buy chips with OBC then a few hours later swap them for $ notes?

I have no idea how the ship casino works, sorry.

Enjoyed those pics. Thanks for posting. :)

I'm a bit confused...I am reading a number of posts from people talking about cancelling thier Baltic cruise....however I am also looking forward to the other 5 or 6 ports and would not thinkof cancelling at all. I'm sure they would add another port to make upfor the port missed. Copenhagen, Berlin, Estonia, Stockholm....wow...it sounds great...St Pete or not.

Totally agree GailnBrad.

We booked a Baltic cruise, not an SPB cruise. Scandinavia, Estonia, Nth Germany....can't wait. :)

Wow, just found your report.

Extremely helpful, thank you. :)

This is a good question. I'd love to hear how you went with this. We are over there in July 2014. :)

(With the search function and the " new posts" button missing, queries like this are lost very easily unfortunately)

We have now added this to our files for our upcoming trip.

Many thanks D for F for forwarding :)

The New Posts button is also missing.

I use the free Nemo apps on my iPad.

I download the language for each port visited and saves carrying around a dozen phrase books.

It has a very useful "memory map" where you can assemble the most used words and phrases - it will say the words for you or your target person:)

You get the common words and phrases in the free package and I would only pay for the full versions if I was staying much longer. I bought and used the Japanese one for three weeks there.

There are cheaper translators though if you did decide to buy one for a longer stay. It's just that I was used to the Nemo system.

My son's pics from Europe taken on his TZ30 were good enough for us.

So I bought a Lumix DMC TZ40 for our upcoming cruises.

With 20x optical zoom, GPS, WiFi with easy loading to iPad, very compact body, it ticks all the boxes for me. :)

BTW, I've already had good service for a couple of years from the water & shock proof Lumix FT3 but it's limited by 4.6 times zoom - it was purchased mainly for kayaking.

 

We were in port from 10AM to 5PM so ordered a taxi for 10:30 and we got back around 4PM.

 

 

 

 

Me:

 

I understand the rate is 3.5 EUR + 0.77 EUR/km For this trip of about 3 km it should be around 6 EUR. Please correct me if I am incorrect.

Thank you.

 

Them:

 

For this trip it should be around 6-8 EUR. May I confirm the order?

 

With best regards

Irina Jakkimainen

AS Tallink Takso

Excellent, cheers

Many thanks for this impressive report - now filed away for our cruise next July.

How long did your tour take from exiting the ship to returning?

I noticed you bypassed some of the points of interest and I wonder - did you feel there were some that you did have time to take in?

Or were you happy that you achieved the right mix for the time allowed? We are in port on a Tuesday from 8:00 to 5:00 pm

EDIT: I would love to go into The tower K in de K as described by spirit rev

Thanks also for the beautiful photos.:)

Coisieurope for me totally cosmopolitan and at 60 I was one of the oldest on board.

We did their Paris-Rouen-Honfleur then return route. That was our first cruise of any kind so we cannot draw comparisons. We thoroughly enjoyed the cruising and the shore excursions, the staff and the vessel, Renoir. We would consider CroiseEurope before others for our next river cruise as they provide an excellent pricing structure for a very pleasant experience.