First time in the Baltics

First time we will be cruising to the Baltics next May. Done the Caribbean a couple of times but was just wondering if anyone would like to recommend some "not to miss" places in the following Ports:-

Kristiansand

Oslo

Copenhagen

Stockholm

Tallinn

Helsinki

Zeebrugge

We've just booked a two day tour in St. Petersburg, so that's all sorted. We are using a company called Alla Tours which have come highly recommended. Evidently they will do discounts if we book additional tours in some of the other ports.

Would equally be interested to know the Ports where we are better doing our own thing and just having a poddle about.

Have also been on our Roll Call and posted a similar question on there.

Thanks in advance. :)

Musts in Stockholm are Vasa museum and Old Town (Gamla Stan). See the following thread for more info: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1017275

Copenhagen musts, I'd say Tivoli, Strøget and Nyhavn with Kongens Nytorv. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1772831

Helsinki must, Rock church . http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1606720

Tallin: Old Town. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=965056

In general you should do the cities (except SPB) on your own and they are fairly simple to DIY

Be sure to check the conversion rates, the other Baltic port tours will likely be more expensive than last year and the St Petersburg tour should be almost 1/2 of last year. Most of the Baltic ports have limited activities for cruise passengers so sightseeing tours or walking tours work out well. There are a few destinations that are worth separate tours such as the Vasa Museum. But you will not be in those ports long enough to really get to know any of them except St Petersburg because of the overnight port call. Some, like Tallinn and Helsinki are done well simply by head off with a map on foot. Stockholm is a bit more complex due to where the ship will be and where you want to go, a tour is best.

I respectfully disagree with you spbstan regarding Stockholm.

It is a very easy port for Do it yourself. Just check out the thread I linked in my previous reply everything you need to know is in there and if it isn't just ask and well set you straight.

I respectfully disagree with you spbstan regarding Stockholm.

It is a very easy port for Do it yourself. Just check out the thread I linked in my previous reply everything you need to know is in there and if it isn't just ask and well set you straight.

I agree with you, but I think that spbstan is mindful that there are three potential berths for cruise ships.

What's your ship, swantp?

It may berth at

- Stadsgarden. Which is very easy, ho-ho boats & buses at the pier

- Frihamnen. Which is a little further out & needs a bus or taxi to the centre, but again easy once there.

- Nynashamn. Which is on the coast, an hour from Stockholm. Normally its only the very largest cruise ships which berth there, because they can't navigate the channel through the archipelago of islands to Stockholm. Haven't docked there, can't advise on transportation or tours.

Copenhagen is another which depends where your ship berths (one close to the centre, one a little further out, and now a third - a new cruise port - out of the city).

Zeebrugge has nothing to offer. You've a choice of places to go.

Bruges - this is where most will go. Needs a taxi (50 euros e/w, but some hold 6 people, so get on the quay soonest to grab a 6-seater, you'll find plenty of sharers). Or you might want to pre-book a taxi, same cost. Or take ship's (payable) shuttle about 2 - 3 miles to Blankenberge station & train from there (15 minutes, 6 euros return). Big problem with the train is that it only runs hourly (still 11 mins past the hour?) and because of the shuttle, timing your arrival at Blankenberge is problematic. If you've just missed a train, rather than wait an hour, mebbe take a taxi from the rank at the station - likely to be cheaper than from Zeebrugge because they don't have to pay a port fee.

Ghent or Brussels - same train as for Bruges.

Ostend Take the kusttram, which runs past the port & the entire length of Belgium's coastline. Hop-on all- day tickets 9 euros (out-of-date price?). Consider also the WW1/WW2 Atlantic Wall site/museum at Raversjide, just beyond Ostend & on that kusttram route.

JB :)

Thanks to you all for your advice.

John Bull - We will be on P&O's Britannia.

:)

Thanks to you all for your advice.

 

John Bull - We will be on P&O's Britannia.

 

:)

Britannia is built on the same chassis (that might not be the correct nautical term ;)) as Royal Princess and at 330 mtrs long in theory she's a smidgeon too big to navigate the archipelago into Stockholm, whereas Celebrity Eclipse at 317 mtrs is permitted. The length of a ship is only one of a number of considerations, for instance smaller ships have sometimes had to stop at Nynashamn because of high winds, so nothing's writ in stone.

That said, I know Princess have been negotiating to get permission for Britannia's sister-ships to sail through - I don't know the outcome, but on this forum we have a knowledgeable Stockholm regular who might hopefully see this thread.

And I checked the P&O and a couple of cruise-specialist TA websites, they all quote simply "Stockholm", whereas for Nynashamn they normally quote "Stockholm (Nynashamn)", just like for this same cruise they quote "Bruges (from Zeebrugge)" so hopefully Stockholm will be in one of the city ports. Do be up and about for the hour-long sail-in, it really is superb.

JB :)

Thanks JB :)

All of those ports are easy to do on your own. These days many European cities offer free, guided walking tours. I know they are definitely available in Bruges and Tallin. Just Google them.

We did the 2 day tour with Alla last year. It was really great, so you will enjoy it.

We hardly ever do ship excursions as they are very overpriced. I have mobility issues, but with a bit o research it is easy to do each port of call on your own. There is plenty of information on CC and also on Tripadvisor.

Thank you LondonTowner and bochata - more very valuable advice. I will add it to my list. :D

I respectfully disagree with you spbstan regarding Stockholm.

It is a very easy port for Do it yourself. Just check out the thread I linked in my previous reply everything you need to know is in there and if it isn't just ask and well set you straight.

Sorry Stan but DIY in Stockholm also gets my vote. It may be a bit harder than other cities because you do need some sort of public transportation to get you from one area to another, regardless of where you dock, but once there, seriously, how can one have a guide in Gamla Stan. So much of that area is exploring on your own. Since Vasa has it's own tour guides, why would one need another guide there.

Stockholm was our favorite city on the entire cruise and most of that was because we had the chance to meet people, chat with them and got to really explore Gamla Stan.

Cheers

Len

When you are sailing into Stockholm, look outside and enjoy the archipelago - it is quite dramatic seeing all the islands, the homes and it's so quiet too!

I agree with all of the other suggestions - it's a wonderful itinerary. Enjoy your trip.

I am on the Serenade of the Seas in July 2015. Does anyone know what port that is and when we sail out will we be sailing by the Archipelago Islands when we leave - I hope so

Thanks

I am on the Serenade of the Seas in July 2015. Does anyone know what port that is and when we sail out will we be sailing by the Archipelago Islands when we leave - I hope so

 

Thanks

I specified your port here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=44876331&postcount=1875

...and yes you will sail through the archipelago on departure.

Great - I would have been so sad if I didn't.

Thanks for the info Desdichado62. I am also on the Serenade of the Seas this summer, but we visit June 27-28. This is our debarkation port. Will we be at the same port as the July 26-27 sailing?

Also what is the name of the port? I didn't see it mentioned in your post above.

Thanks again :)

Thanks for the info Desdichado62. I am also on the Serenade of the Seas this summer, but we visit June 27-28. This is our debarkation port. Will we be at the same port as the July 26-27 sailing?

 

Also what is the name of the port? I didn't see it mentioned in your post above.

 

Thanks again :)

Yes that is correct, here is a list of Serenade o.s arrivals to Stockholm:

http://www.portsofstockholm.com/vessel-calls/#imo=9228344

http://www.portsofstockholm.com/vessel-calls/

Kristiansand

Oslo

Copenhagen

Stockholm

Tallinn

Helsinki

Zeebrugge

 

Would equally be interested to know the Ports where we are better doing our own thing and just having a poddle about.

 

Thanks in advance. :)

In case it's any interest/help in your planning there are a few videos of several of those ports in THE BALTICS link in my 'signature' below. They were all done on self-conducted poddles except St P (where I was with Alla). All the best, Tony

In case it's any interest/help in your planning there are a few videos of several of those ports in THE BALTICS link in my 'signature' below. They were all done on self-conducted poddles except St P (where I was with Alla). All the best, Tony

Thanks Cornishpastryman1 for the links.

We are doing a world cruise next year, Sydney/Sydney, and are totally overwhelmed with the mammoth task on what to do in ports with excursions - ship or private or own so your videos will be very helpful.