Looking for Sun Baltic Feedback 2011

[Got2Cruise]

Would love to hear some feedback from the 2011 Sun Baltic season! Any helpful hints would be appreciated.

[mombo222]

Hi: We just got back - took the June 4th tour it was fantastic. If you have specific questions please ask. I have just gotten back to work after two weeks and am a bit swamped but am happy to give you any helpful hints I can - I too was looking for people that had cruised this in May and didn't have any luck. Could have used some ideas. Luckly we ran into some very friendly and helpful people coming back from the cruise just before us at the airport when we landed. Picked their brain for all of our questions -

 

It was a fantastic - port intensive cruise - We were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary (empty nesters vacation) Loved it!!!!

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Try checking the member reveiws. If you need hints about sites, tours, etc they don't change much from one year to the next, so try reading last years' reviews if the 2011 isn't offering much yet.

 

I did one for our Aug 2010 sailing which is pretty detailed, you may want to check it out.

[Got2Cruise]

I'm glad you loved it! :D Besides St. Pete, did you do any tours or did you go strictly DYI?

 

Hi: We just got back - took the June 4th tour it was fantastic. If you have specific questions please ask. I have just gotten back to work after two weeks and am a bit swamped but am happy to give you any helpful hints I can - I too was looking for people that had cruised this in May and didn't have any luck. Could have used some ideas. Luckly we ran into some very friendly and helpful people coming back from the cruise just before us at the airport when we landed. Picked their brain for all of our questions -

 

It was a fantastic - port intensive cruise - We were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary (empty nesters vacation) Loved it!!!!

[Got2Cruise]

Thanks MagnoliaBlossom. I did read your review, and that is why I decided on booking in the first place.:)

 

Try checking the member reveiws. If you need hints about sites, tours, etc they don't change much from one year to the next, so try reading last years' reviews if the 2011 isn't offering much yet.

 

I did one for our Aug 2010 sailing which is pretty detailed, you may want to check it out.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Gee, don't I have the big head now :D

 

We were DIY everywhere but SPB (Anastasia) and Helsinki. This year we were travelling with friends and my very bestest girlfriend really wnted to do the ships tour to PourVoo (SP?). I happened to mention it to a patient of mine who said she had lived there for three years, so after that I figured I'd go. It was a nice day but I don't think it was probably worth the money. But I have no regrets about it.

 

If you get the Rick Steve's book on Scandanavia it outlines a walking tour in each town and you can't go wrong with them. The HoHo busses make it very easy and affordable as well.

 

Enjoy - it's a fabulous journey! I'm excited for you and I'm not even going!

[mikewrit]

We are particularly interested in how the tour from Denmark compares to the previous itinerary from Dover. For us those looooong sea days going and coming were fine cruising but not an efficient use of our cash.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

I think it was a good move switching to Copenhagen for several reasons.

1 London is so expensive and the pier is at least an hour and half drive away and with that comes the decision and possible hassle of getting from airport/hotel to the pier.

2. Nine days is probably more appealing to people who want to squeeze the trip in under the two week mark.

3. The shorter trip allows you to reduce the price, making it a bit more attractive.

4. London airports have gotten to be a real pain

5. The North Sea can be pretty rocky

 

The white cliffs of Dover are certainly a beautiful sailaway, and Canterbury is nearby but I think the benefits outweigh that.

One nice thing about those sea days back was it allowed to adjust to

at least a few time zones. If I remember correctly, once we left Dover we had at least three time zone changes before SPB.

 

Some of our group did a segway tour in Copenhagen and raved about it. It might be something you'd be interested in.

 

Enjoy!

[mombo222]

I placed two reviews of our trip (one for Helsinki and one for Berlin) on the cruise boards yesterday. We did Copenhagen, Helsinki, and Tallinn ourselves. All worked out very well, and I have pretty detailed (I'm obsessive compulsive about planning our DIY tours) notes on those cities (we also started with Rick Steve's Scandinavia book as a base for our tours!! It is highly recommended as a starting point.) We had planned on doing Stockholm on our own, and had actually purchased the Stockholm card - but while we were on the cruise we decided to purchase a tour from NCL. We kind of panicked at the last minute, knowing that we would be coming into Nynashamn which was an hour outside of Stockholm. We could have done this on our own, but fully enjoyed the NCL Land and Sea tour and the ability to relax and not think as much while touring. We were on our own (while on the NCL tour) for about 45 minutes in Gamla Stan the rest of the time with a tour guide. Having prepared to do the city on our own, we were able to completely see Gamla Stan in 45 minutes knowing where the highlites were. I will write reviews of the other ports as the week goes on. We highly recommend the NCL tours for St. Petersburg and Berlin, - we know others have used Red October and enjoyed them as they have smaller groups. We priced them out and they were about the same as NCL, so went NCL.

 

This is such a great trip - I am having trouble getting back to work - keep thinking about the trip and looking at our pictures :)

[OceanDreaming2]

I placed two reviews of our trip (one for Helsinki and one for Berlin) on the cruise boards yesterday. We did Copenhagen, Helsinki, and Tallinn ourselves. All worked out very well, and I have pretty detailed (I'm obsessive compulsive about planning our DIY tours) notes on those cities (we also started with Rick Steve's Scandinavia book as a base for our tours!! It is highly recommended as a starting point.) We had planned on doing Stockholm on our own, and had actually purchased the Stockholm card - but while we were on the cruise we decided to purchase a tour from NCL. We kind of panicked at the last minute, knowing that we would be coming into Nynashamn which was an hour outside of Stockholm. We could have done this on our own, but fully enjoyed the NCL Land and Sea tour and the ability to relax and not think as much while touring. We were on our own (while on the NCL tour) for about 45 minutes in Gamla Stan the rest of the time with a tour guide. Having prepared to do the city on our own, we were able to completely see Gamla Stan in 45 minutes knowing where the highlites were. I will write reviews of the other ports as the week goes on. We highly recommend the NCL tours for St. Petersburg and Berlin, - we know others have used Red October and enjoyed them as they have smaller groups. We priced them out and they were about the same as NCL, so went NCL.

 

This is such a great trip - I am having trouble getting back to work - keep thinking about the trip and looking at our pictures :)

 

We are on this cruise in September so I am eager to read how and what you experienced in each port. Also, what was your impression with the ship? Not too much is written about the Sun. We have a family OV on deck 8. Will you post any photos or post a link to your photos? Thanks!

[Got2Cruise]

Thank you, I will be looking out for your reviews.

I placed two reviews of our trip (one for Helsinki and one for Berlin) on the cruise boards yesterday. We did Copenhagen, Helsinki, and Tallinn ourselves. All worked out very well, and I have pretty detailed (I'm obsessive compulsive about planning our DIY tours) notes on those cities (we also started with Rick Steve's Scandinavia book as a base for our tours!! It is highly recommended as a starting point.) We had planned on doing Stockholm on our own, and had actually purchased the Stockholm card - but while we were on the cruise we decided to purchase a tour from NCL. We kind of panicked at the last minute, knowing that we would be coming into Nynashamn which was an hour outside of Stockholm. We could have done this on our own, but fully enjoyed the NCL Land and Sea tour and the ability to relax and not think as much while touring. We were on our own (while on the NCL tour) for about 45 minutes in Gamla Stan the rest of the time with a tour guide. Having prepared to do the city on our own, we were able to completely see Gamla Stan in 45 minutes knowing where the highlites were. I will write reviews of the other ports as the week goes on. We highly recommend the NCL tours for St. Petersburg and Berlin, - we know others have used Red October and enjoyed them as they have smaller groups. We priced them out and they were about the same as NCL, so went NCL.

 

This is such a great trip - I am having trouble getting back to work - keep thinking about the trip and looking at our pictures :)

[jdvmd]

We were also on the June 4th sailing and had a tremendous time. Very, very port intensive as you may realize but we still found some down time. Our weather was perfect each day and you couldn't have asked for anything better. We did all of our excursions through SPb and that worked out well with the exception of our late departure from Warnenmunde because a group of 18 decided that they couldn't be on time like the rest of us. We ended up insisting that we leave (we had 26 on the bus). SPb still accommodated the other group (I would have told them where to go). Anyway, we got back with 10 minutes to spare because of all of the traffic backup on the Autobahn. The Sun was in great shape and every crew member we encountered was friendly and smiling, not a forced kind of greeting either.

[Got2Cruise]

We signed up for SPb also. It is great to hear that they lived up to your expectations. Thanks for the update on the condition of the Sun. I am sure you used those two sea days wisely.:)

We were also on the June 4th sailing and had a tremendous time. Very, very port intensive as you may realize but we still found some down time. Our weather was perfect each day and you couldn't have asked for anything better. We did all of our excursions through SPb and that worked out well with the exception of our late departure from Warnenmunde because a group of 18 decided that they couldn't be on time like the rest of us. We ended up insisting that we leave (we had 26 on the bus). SPb still accommodated the other group (I would have told them where to go). Anyway, we got back with 10 minutes to spare because of all of the traffic backup on the Autobahn. The Sun was in great shape and every crew member we encountered was friendly and smiling, not a forced kind of greeting either.

[mombo222]

Ok here was our experience on Day 1 - Such a great cruise and lots of fantastic memories. Glad you all got back on time from your tour of Berlin - 400 of us on an NCL tour (many tours combined) got back 15 minutes after All Aboard. It was a long day.

 

Freestyle Daily Highlights

Where to have lunch on embarkation day (Garden Café Deck 11 Aft 11:30-3:30PM, Great Outdoors Deck 11 Aft, 12 – 4PM, Seven Seas Deck 5 Aft, 11:30 – 2PM)

Temporary luggage storage, while waiting for staterooms, can be found in Dazzles Disco Dec 6 Mid 11AM – 2PM

ATM/ Cash Machines located inside Sun Club Casino Deck 7 Mid

Muster Boat Drill (4:45PM)

Sale Away Party after Boat Drill (Poolside Deck 11 Mid)

Kids Crew (Parents register kids for youth & teen programs (5PM – 7PM Deck 12 Mid)

Freestyle Dining for dinner begins at 5:30PM

Comedy Ventriloquist Steve Hewlett (9:30PM Stardust)

 

:)Copenhagen Denmark Norwegian Sun June 4, 2011

Weather – Sunny 68 F

Sunrise: 4:30AM – Sunset 9:47PM

All Aboard 3PM

Sail Away 5PM

Arrived at CPH at 7:30AM – The Norwegian Cruise personnel were at baggage claim at this hour. We had purchased a transfer from the airport to the cruise terminal. (Pick up a Copenhagen Map – In language of choice for free by luggage pickup OR inside arrival area at IT)

The first bus transfer to leave each day is 9:30AM. Those who arrived on our flight or any subsequent flights before 9:30 waited at the Starbuck’s in the arrival area of CPH with your luggage. We placed our own luggage in a trailer which was pulled behind our bus to the terminal then retrieved our luggage before checking in. As our bus drew closer to the port, we saw a number of people rolling their suitcases behind them (young and old) from the public transportation stops to the terminal. Depending on where you got off, Metro, bus or train, this could be 10 minutes of rolling to 30 minutes of rolling. Norwegians transfer from the airport was well worth the cost. We purchased ours with the package, but some people were purchasing this after they arrived. I do not know the cost, all I know was that they had to wait until all of the people who had purchased their transfer ahead of time before taking the transfer. Still cheaper than a taxi and faster than walking. My husband and I are in our early 50’s, fairly adventurous, have rolled our suitcases miles before but both gave a sigh of relief on choosing the Norwegian Transfer.

Arrived at the port by 10:30AM. Though we had been awake for 24 hours we had planned on going into Copenhagen before boarding. Arriving this early allowed for time to explore. We left our luggage with a Norwegian Representative outside the check-in area. The only piece of luggage that they would not take was our laptop computer. Both my husband and I have business that requires daily internet check-ins so we could not leave home without the laptop. My husband gallantly lugged our laptop for the next4 hours throughout Copenhagen and to the top of Round Tower.

The Norwegian Sun docks at Freeport Terminal in Copenhagen – here is the site for the port http://www.cruisecopenhagen.com/passenger/transport/cruise-terminals. There are taxis available at the port, we chose to walk (follow the blue line) to the Nordhavn Station approximately a 10 minute walk. We had purchased Kroner before leaving the US for Denmark, Sweden and some Euros for Germany and Estonia. Russians gladly took US dollars. Right next to the Nordhavn station there is a “7 11” convenience store. In this store you can use your local currency to buy train tickets. We could not figure out how to use the machine in the station. Some of the entertainment staff from the Sun were also walking into town and they pleasantly showed us the store so that we could purchase tickets. The is the S-Train Map http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:S-train_diagram.svg - would have loved a copy of this before we left the US. Not understanding the S-Train we hopped on the first train that stopped at the station. Then tried to make sense of the map of the wall. Unable to make sense of the map we decided to get off sooner than later knowing we only wanted to go a short distance. Our ultimate destination was Nyhavn (New Harbor). Two stops from Nordhavn we exited at Norreport – Exit the station onto Norre Voldgade to a large collection of abandoned bikes, at the intersection of Frederiksborggade turn right this turns into Kultorvet then into Kobmagergade (look for names of streets on the side of buildings at corners). If you are lucky you will shortly run into the Round Tower/ Trinitatis Church. The church is free to enter and the Round Tower is 25 Danish Kroner to climb.

The Trinitatis Church was commissioned by King Christian IV in 1637 initially as a church for the students of Copenhagen University. The Round Tower was built in conjunction as an observatory. There is a very ornate altarpiece in this church, today it is called a common National Church. The Round Tower is worth the climb (even if you are carrying a laptop computer and you are sleep deprived and starving) This 210 meter spiral ramp is wide enough for the first seven spirals for the King to drive his horse and carriage to the top. But if you want to get to the very top the staircase does narrow, Magnificent panoramic view from the top of Copenhagen skyline.

After descending it is a short walk to the Stroget the main pedestrian street and just a bit farther to our destination and lunch. Stay on Kobmagergade till Stroget turn left. Stay on Stroget which is also called Østergade if you are going in the correct direction and eventually come out at King Square (Kongens Nytorv) In the middle of the square look right and you will see Nyhavn. This is not how we got to Nyhavn. We will admit to getting lost. But this is the quickest way. There are numerous places to eat here. Just look for something you like, can afford or can translate.

We walked all the way back to the ship after lunch. The first part of the walk was very refreshing. Once we exited the Kastellet our energy level dropped and we had wished we had taken the S-train back or hailed a cab.

To walk back to the port from Nyhavn turn left on Toldbodgade walk to the entrance of Amalienborg Palace (http://www.copenhagenet.dk/CPH-Map/CPH-Amalienborg.asp) then cut over to Amaliegade and head toward the ship. You will pass The Museum of Danish Resistance (which we fully intended to tour but this is where the energy level dropped off the edge) http://www.copenhagenet.dk/CPH-Map/CPH-Resistance.asp. They you will come to the Gefion Fountain cross the moat and walk the grounds of the Kasellett. When you come out at the other side, make the decision as to going to see the Little Mermaid (follow the sign to the right that says Den Lille Havfrue – Here is when we should have hailed a cab. Or walk. We walked using what was left of our senses to get back to the ship (about 2 miles).

If we had any senses, when you come out of the Kasellett turn left at Ved Norgesporten then left at Folke Bernadottes Allé and right at Oslo Plads turn right (grand total of ¼ mile) to S Osterport Station ride one stop to Nordhavan get off and follow the blue line to the ship.

We arrived back at the ship around 2:30PM – easily checked on. No crowds at all. Our room was ready and the luggage had been delivered. Our room was mini-suite 1201 Deck 11. We met our steward who was wonderful through our entire trip.

Note on how to get an upgrade: We booked our trip months ahead of time as a balcony ocean view room. About 5 weeks out we started to watch the NCL site to see the prices they were offering for our cruise and what was left in terms of rooms. There were mini-suites listed for the same price that we paid, so called our NCL cruise specialist Miguel Sanchez (866 – 936-9722 x 5620) and he upgraded us to our new room a mini-suite at no additional cost.

Our biggest challenge was to stay awake until the muster drill at 4:45PM. We did – had an early dinner at the Garden Café Deck 11 Aft.

Tomorrow Berlin - :)

[boeckli]

. The is the S-Train Map http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:S-train_diagram.svg - would have loved a copy of this before we left the US. Not understanding the S-Train we hopped on the first train that stopped at the station. Then tried to make sense of the map of the wall. Unable to make sense of the map we decided to get off sooner than later knowing we only wanted to go a short distance.

 

Here is a link to the updated S-Train details for 14 June to 21 August (some changes during that period due to track works) - only in Danish, just use Google to translate

[Got2Cruise]

Thank you Mombo222 for your review. It is very helpful. This is why I love Cruise Critic. Members helping each other.:)

[MS52]

Just left the Norwegian Sun's Baltic cruise yesterday :(

 

The ship was great.

 

Some thoughts.

Spent two days pre-cruise in Copenhagen. Lovely city but EXPENSIVE!

 

Warnemunde was a nice seaside town, we walked on the beach, checked out the stores, took a train to Rostock and walked around that town.

 

Tallin - did the Rick Steves self guided walk. One of our favorite towns.

 

St Petersburg - used TJ Travel. No problem recommending them. We did the active tour.

 

Helsinki - used Paulo tours to go to Porvoo and then tour Helsinki. recommend. Much less expensive than the ship tour.

 

Stockholm - took the ship's bus into town. (Stockholm on your own). I wish we had been better prepared. At this point we were very tired and I didn't do the research that I should have. We did make it to the Vasa which was very cool. Took an early bus back to the ship and chilled.

 

When I unpack, I can scan the dailies and send them to anyone interested.

 

Or let me know if you have any questions.

[mombo222]

Such a great trip - So hard to be back at work. - agree we too were quite tired by Stockholm and why we changed our On Your Own tour to Stockholm by Sea and Land. We LOVED Stockholm! Will keep putting reviews up - there are other tours besides NCL - great to have other ideas for next time - OK back to work ;)

[SnooRay]

We're on the 10 July Baltic. A couple of questions: we're in a basic porthole stateroom on Deck 4.

Any problem with foul air lingering from past smokers, or smoke venting into the room from neighboring cabins? (no offense intended; we just don't like the smell and are wondering if we should bring Febreze or something.)

We're booked for the SPB Active Tour of St Pete, and wondering about booking something for the evening of the first day - I'm thinking we're going to be exhausted, but will we regret being stuck on the ship that evening?

How much per soda on board? Trying to figure out whether to buy the soda package for my husband and son (I'll stick to wine, thanks!)

I've heard there were outbreaks of the dreaded stomach virus on board. Problems or advice?

Thanks!

Ranee

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Snoo: we have never had a problem with the smoke smell in any room. The few people who have had problems call housekeeping and they will do a special cleaning. Not usually a problem.

 

SPB night excursion. We were too pooped to do anything that night. If we had booked it, I think we would have been too tired to enjoy it and it would have impacted our enjoyment of day two. Just MHO

 

Don't remember the cost of soda, but it seems that you would need to drink three sodas/day to break even.

 

Noro virus is a common occurance on ships, but if there was a significant outbreak it will receive special cleaning between cruises. Be sure to keep you hands out of your mouth, wash with soap often and use the hand sanitizer available at all dining venues.

[mikewrit]

Those lower deck porthole cabins can be very noisy. Never mind Febreeze. The stuff the stewards use is far stronger and more effective. The evening activities in St. Pete are very tempting, but the first day of activities will wear out a sturdy marathoner. Sleep. You'll need it on the second day, particularly if you are booked for both Catherine's Palace and Peterhof.

The ballet is great, but a high percentage of cruise passengers sleep through most of it.

[jdvmd]

We're on the 10 July Baltic. A couple of questions: we're in a basic porthole stateroom on Deck 4.

Any problem with foul air lingering from past smokers, or smoke venting into the room from neighboring cabins? (no offense intended; we just don't like the smell and are wondering if we should bring Febreze or something.)

We're booked for the SPB Active Tour of St Pete, and wondering about booking something for the evening of the first day - I'm thinking we're going to be exhausted, but will we regret being stuck on the ship that evening?

How much per soda on board? Trying to figure out whether to buy the soda package for my husband and son (I'll stick to wine, thanks!)

I've heard there were outbreaks of the dreaded stomach virus on board. Problems or advice?

Thanks!

Ranee

 

Hi Ranee,

Our cabin was incredibly clean and fresh smelling. I brought small cans of disinfectant, Febreeze and deodorizer and didn't end up using anything.

 

We also did the active tour with SPb and customized it to see even more. With our group of 15, it became an issue on the first day to get those who planned the additional evening outings, where they needed to be at the right time.

 

We dropped three off at the folk show and then continued back to the ship in order to get another man to the "fun/vodka night" thing.

 

Something also to note: If you pay with a credit card, after taking the others to their respective places and to the ship, those paying with a credit card had to remain on the bus and go to the SPb offices at another terminal because your credit card has to be imprinted by Viktoria. Not a big deal but just didn't know that was going to be the procedure so it delayed us in getting back to the ship after a VERY LONG day.

 

Also note that at the end of the second St. Petersburg day, there was a Russian singing/dancing troupe that performed pool side. It was billed as something like a "Russian Military event etc." It began at 5:30 p.m. and went on for about an hour. I feel this was probably the same type show that was offered by SPb in the evening at a cost of $50 USD.

 

Those that did the show were back on the ship by around 9 p.m. and were exhausted but said it was good. The vodka cruise was also good according to the one man who participated. We also had one lady who came back to the ship to do the NCL excursion to Swan Lake and really enjoyed it. Again, all were tired.

 

Our family (including a 13-year-old) didn't feel like we missed anything by not doing the evening events. Also, we had another family that was booked to do the fun cruise thing and the morning of decided not to participate. Didn't lose any money.

 

Soda (Pepsi products only) are $2.25 per can plus 15 percent gratuity. I did bring on Coke as well as Pepsi products from the ports. I would not invest in the soda card as you are not going to be on the ship that much. Think port intensive.

 

There is also a German show that was at the same pool location on the Warnenmunde stop. German buffet right next to the show also.

[Got2Cruise]

Great questions Ranee! I had forgot that there might be a folk show. Thank you jdvmd to informing us the time and place of the folk show in Russia and also the one in Germany also.

 

A note about the soda. I always order the coke in a can with a glass of ice. You don't want the fountain coke. That is what they give you with the soda card. So you get 12 oz of soda, and I can make that last for a while.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

The ship's show that night on our sailing was done by local school children It was delightful It seems that there may have also been a troupe of men fiddling and dancing (the squat down and kick thing. It was quite nice - especially since it was free and we were free to stumble back to our nice bed at any time :)

[mombo222]

One other comment about having a second activity scheduled for Day 1 in St Petersburg - The people on our NCL tour who had scheduled the ballet for that evening did not have enough time to get through Russian Passport control to get back on the ship and rest/change before turning around and meeting their bus for the ballet. This meant that they spent about 1 hour sitting in the Russian Passport Terminal at the port. There was no problem wearing non-dressy clothes for the show, but there was no real refreshment or rest area or food while waiting. We did not have an evening in town planned so rested up for the next day. Saint Petersburg is wonderful. So much to see, not enough waking hours.

 

Freestyle Daily Lists Day 5 (first day St. Petersburg)

Stardust Showtime: Andy Buenger - The Power of Music (Marimba, panpipes, steel guitar, drums, saxophone, multi-intrumentalist Andy Buenger will wow you - Stardust 9:30 Deck 6 & 7

White Night in Russia with the Denise Canby Trio (Music) 10:30PM Deck 12 Mid

Ballroom Dance Hour - 7:30 - 8:30PM Deck 12 Fwd

Batte of the Sexes Comedy Game Show (join Cruise Staff for this game show) 8:45PM Deck 12 Fwd

 

 

Freestyle Daily Lists Day 6 (second St. Petersburg)

Folkloric Showtime: St. Petersburg Military Ensemble (5PM Poolside Deck 11 Mid)

Shout The Mod Musical (Songs from the 60's and 70's) Stardust 7:30 and 9:30 Deck 6 & 7

Russian Bazaar (large selection of Russian Arts and Crafts) 7:30 to midnight (Galleria Deck 7)