Badger-Badger

We were on this same cruise :).

I'm surprised you had trouble getting a drink. We had the UBP and never had to wait for a drink anywhere and they often came by and checked to see if we needed a refill.

Like you, I enjoyed O'Sheehans. Easy pub food with a bar right there.

We did all private tours or were independent at all ports. We found immigration in Russia easy and pretty painless (maybe because we weren't with a big group so it was less crowded still when we came through). And since it was just my husband and I with the guide we weren't rushed anywhere. It was expensive, but for anyone looking to go to SPB it is worth every penny.

I agree, disembarking was soooo easy! We actually arrived at our hotel before 8AM! We stayed at the Hitel Alexandra too .... We were upgraded at no charge to the top floor corner suite and it was tough to drag ourselves away to go see the city! Lovely hotel.

I really liked the more laid-back, chill atmosphere on board. I hate the dancing waiters and such on Carnival so appreciated the more low key ambiance, which I felt fit the Baltics. With that said, I'm with you in that this ship would likely not be my choice in the Caribbean. I can't put my finger on it but there is something about the Star which doesn't quite "feel" tropical cruise ship.

Aside .... we went to the Q&A with the captain and he said it was his first time in 42 years missing an embarkation port like what happened to the cruise before us!

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We visited Catherine's Palace less than 10 days ago with TJ Tours, you could check with them.

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We did not get a VISA. We arranged everything through TJ Travel and they provide the necessary paperwork. You do not have to book through Celebrity. You can book an independent tour, you just won't be allowed any "free time" away from your guide.

TJ also has an evening program option for dinner in SPB. They offer suggestions, but they will arrange reservations at any restaurant you choose. They charge you for the service, but they provide a driver.

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We just returned from SPB. The lines are quite long. As we had a private guide for just my husband and I we were able to walk right in everywhere. People who were in groups as small as 8-10 people we talked to said nearly everywhere required waits of a minimum of 30 minutes or longer. It seems like all groups have these "special times" so you just end up waiting in a different line than walk ups (which is even longer). It is all worth the wait though. Just be patient and enjoy!!

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We are boarding Monday and heard in the roll call it's mechanical. Not gospel but that's what someone currently onboard is telling us.

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Of those ports I would say St. Thomas. It's quite pretty with the green hills and boats bobbing in the bay.

The others are mainly commercial and non-descript at the port. Nassau with the Atlantis in the back could be pretty depending on where your ship docks and if another ship would be cluttering the view.

* I've never been to Roatan on NCL so I'm not completely sure the view there. On Carnival at Mahogany Bay it would not be an ideal view.

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Dominica is one of the most gorgeous places you can imagine. So lush and green, and still natural and not over-developed for cruise tourists.

And I can't say enough about Levi with Bumping Tours. He was probably the best tour guide I've ever had.

Definitely not a beach island. Nor is Rouseau particularly interesting to just hang around in. It's definitely an excursion stop if you want to really see the best the island has to offer.

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The Blue Lagoon is wheelchair accessible and there is a lift into the water somewhere. Everyone in Iceland speaks wonderful English so you will have no problem asking for help.

It is also a very easy country to drive in. With only a day you could easily rent a car and drive out to Gulfoss and Geyser and be back for dinner ( I don't recall the accessibility there as I had no mobility issues back then). There is really only one road once you get out of Reykjavik so you can't get lost!

We were there 10 years ago and I would LOVE to go back!

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Waiting to hear how the story ends! And I'd love to see the rest of your photos.

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I have not been to these cities, but am currently planning for our upcoming cruise. I also have mobility limitations - although not as severe as your father's. I just wanted to recommend a tour company in Estonia who does a specialized Wheelchair Accessible Tour. We are doing another tour with them and they have been very responsive in regards to my limits and they have very, very reasonable pricing. It is called Saku Tours and it may be worth looking into so that your father can enjoy a city full of hills and cobblestones comfortable!

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From a former resident of Fitchburg ..... Lovin' your review. 3 more weeks until we do the same cruise!

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Thank you :)

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Great information. We are going to be in Helsinki on a Sunday. Are the trams running on a Sunday? Or do they take Sunday's off?

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Rome in Limo is wonderful and the guides very engaging and knowledgable. We used them in Rome and out of Naples for a trip to the Amalfi Coast. The name is misleading; they are not just drivers!

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We used Tour Designers (Provence-travel.com) and did an all day tour to the villages of the Luberon out of Marseilles. It was a wonderful day and we ran into virtually no other tourists other than a couple dozen in Roussillon. And you can chose how many of the towns you want to visit to make it as slow paced or as busy as you want. Eating lunch on the grounds of a 14th century church overlooking the rooftops of Bonnieux was a highlight of our whole

trip. It's not cheap, but it was worth the cost for us to get away.

We came into Villefranche so I have no ideas on Cannes. We just used public transport to visit Nice and Monaco - which was an adventure since there as a train strike going on that week!

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What time did the ship transfer drop you at the city center? And where exactly did it leave you (we are staying near Tivoli). I'm willing to pay extra to avoid a long line and hassle. While we don't have a flight to catch I was hoping to drop our luggage early and catch a train heading to the north coast of Zeeland that day. The itinerary is so city-oriented I want to get out some place quieter!

I hate to hear Sweden being missed :( Luckily we are staying in Copenhagen after the cruise so we don't have to worry about timing on cabs; that sounds miserable.

I am also on the July 4 sailing of this cruise. Can't wait to read your review!

Forgot to add - thanks for responding :)

It's the 8-1 in Grand Turk I especially don't like. That's practically another Sea Day. I don't know if I want to do basically 5 Sea Days on that ship (including boarding day). But the itinerary is just so good overall! I'll probably cave!

I am considering this same cruise for next April and am hesitant. What were the times you were in port? The odd port times have given me pause. And also the entertainment options. I was actually bored on my last Carnival cruise and planned to never try them again, but this itinerary is so good and fits our time requirement so well that I'm being tempted back! Glad to hear good things :)

Ahhhh. I remembered the OP wrong while responding. I was thinking she was embarking at PC while I was typing.

Oops, obviously you are in Carnival. My experience with Port Canaveral was on Royal Caribbean so take that into consideration!

Another cruiser here with MS. We are planning a July cruise to the Baltic - a lot of walking! - so I empathize with your concerns.

Unlike many others I do not suffer from issues of fatigue ( other than tired muscles causing spasticity in my one hamstring) so scooters or wheelchairs on board are unnecessary for me. Long periods of standing in one place and long, sustained walking are my struggle. I have a very unstylish (but I love it) purple folding cane that I use for long distances so that I don't stagger all over or trip, and for stairs without handrails (the true nightmare for me). Only you know how your MS manifests so listen to your body on what is best, people have given great options.

Navigating the Windjammer is the WORST because people move unpredictably and I don't have the ability to stop or turn suddenly. Thankfully the servers there were willing to carry my plate to the table provided I explained my difficulties and asked. MS can be invisible to others so you have to be the one to approach them, but I found the young ladies there wonderful and helpful.

For me, learning to pace myself each day is the key. Some days I can do 17000 steps (with a lot of MS staggering) and other days sitting by the pool ALL day is plenty. I just do as much as I can that day. And that's OK.

The walk to the taxis in Port Canaveral is fairly long and has quite a long, winding down ramp when you disembark. And people are impatient that day. If you have any troubles with down inclines and distance I would suggest wheelchair assist to keep from being bumped around and struggling unnecessarily. Also, you can go to Guest Services at embarkation and request special needs muster even without being in a wheelchair/scooter.

Good luck and enjoy! I was just at CoCo Cay and had the best day :)

We had no problems with this. I really liked sailing from Barcelona, I thought everything (including taxis) was easy and well organized. Hope your experience is equally as good!