Just back from the Baltic!

[Redsky5292]

My husband and I took a 9 day Baltic Sea cruise on the Getaway out of Copenhagen from 7/13-7/22. We had a fabulous time!  I’m planning to write a more in depth review once I can find the laptop that is buried under all of the laundry I need to do. But I will leave you with this, if you are on the fence about it DO IT!  It was one of the best, and unique, vacations we have taken. If you have questions just ask and I will try my best to answer them!  Cheers!

[HAPPINESS IS]

Yes, 100% agree with you, it was also our best cruise, by far..........

[projecthandbag]

Hello!  We are doing this cruise soon.  How was the weather?  I am trying to pack light and figure I need warm and cooler clothes. Did it rain at all?  So happy to hear you loved the cruise.  I can't wait.  Thanks.

[Redsky5292]

The weather the first part of the cruise was cool and cloudy, I wore layers in Germany, Estonia and Russia (capri’s, short sleeved shirt, cardigan and my rain jacket in St. Petersburg as it absolutely poured). It was warm in Helsinki and Sweden so I wore my capris and a short sleeved shirt. Sneakers, or good walking shoes, are a MUST, especially in Estonia as the streets are old cobblestones. I would wear the same cardigan that I wore during the day at night and I was fine. Have fun!

[MN'smom]

I hope you find your laptop soon! Looking forward to your detailed report as we leave in 2 weeks. So glad to hear you enjoyed the cruise. Any quick packing tips you can think of? Things you brought but didn't need, or things you wished you had? Do you suggest umbrellas? 

[gatorchinsky]

We just booked this cruise for next summer on the Escape!  I have read only good things about this itinerary and we are so excited!

 

How many nights were you in Copenhagen before the cruise?  Where did you stay?

 

I have heard getting off in Russia that first day is chaotic.  Is NCL still telling passengers that their tours get off first and everyone else with private tours have to wait?  Did you do an NCL or private tour in St. Petersburg?  If private which company?

 

I can’t wait to read your more detailed review!

[puppycanducruise]

We loved our Baltic cruise, glad you enjoyed yours.

Looking forward to reading your review.

[blan2]

We are just starting to plan this cruise.  Looking forward to reading your review.

[jd1212]

We plan to do this cruise next year -- looking forward to your review.  😎

[rwf1]

I am also looking forward to your review.  Just about to put a deposit down with the Latitudes sale.  I think we will, at least.  Still undecided so looking for more information to motivate us!

[mp2010]

I’m excited to hear more about your trip. We leave on this cruise in two weeks.

[taylortime05]

I'm looking at this cruise for June 2021.  I have so many questions.  Is it worth taking the reduced airfare for 599 pp from Detroit to Copenhagen?  I would request 2 day deviation to arrive 2 days early.  But who know how good or bad the times would be.

 

Since this is such a port intensive is it worth paying extra for Haven.   They have the deal to get 20% off for past Latitude guests plus I can get an additional 20% discount from CAS.  

 

I can't wait to hear about your trip.

[fastpitchdad]

We are on this cruise in the fall...looking forward to your review. 

[ollienbertsmum]

On 7/23/2019 at 2:18 PM, projecthandbag said:

Hello!  We are doing this cruise soon.  How was the weather?  I am trying to pack light and figure I need warm and cooler clothes. Did it rain at all?  So happy to hear you loved the cruise.  I can't wait.  Thanks.

Having done this cruise (we were on the ship right now about 11 yrs ago) and talked to many people who have been to the Baltics before and since :  you have to take layers and be prepared for all sorts of weather.  Some people have been in shorts all through the cruise, others have had rain most days.    Whatever the weather, it is a great cruise.  

[Redsky5292]

13 hours ago, taylortime05 said:

I'm looking at this cruise for June 2021.  I have so many questions.  Is it worth taking the reduced airfare for 599 pp from Detroit to Copenhagen?  I would request 2 day deviation to arrive 2 days early.  But who know how good or bad the times would be.

 

Since this is such a port intensive is it worth paying extra for Haven.   They have the deal to get 20% off for past Latitude guests plus I can get an additional 20% discount from CAS.  

 

I can't wait to hear about your trip.

We found the reduced airfare worth it, we had direct flights from Boston and only paid $499 a person. We couldn’t book it any cheaper on our own. I would imagine that you would have a lay over on the East Coast coming from Detroit. 

 

 

 

[Redsky5292]

On 7/23/2019 at 8:34 AM, MN'smom said:

I hope you find your laptop soon! Looking forward to your detailed report as we leave in 2 weeks. So glad to hear you enjoyed the cruise. Any quick packing tips you can think of? Things you brought but didn't need, or things you wished you had? Do you suggest umbrellas? 

Definitely bring a rain jacket and bring it with you off the boat. We had some sprinkles in Germany and it absolutely poured both days in Russia for part of the day. I would not bring an umbrella as there were a ton of people with umbrellas who kept smacking other people In the face with them. Bring good shoes for walking around the port. We brought a medium sized back pack and a refillable water bottle that we were really glad we brought. 

[dexddd]

13 hours ago, taylortime05 said:

I'm looking at this cruise for June 2021.  I have so many questions.  Is it worth taking the reduced airfare for 599 pp from Detroit to Copenhagen?  I would request 2 day deviation to arrive 2 days early.  But who know how good or bad the times would be.

 

Since this is such a port intensive is it worth paying extra for Haven.   They have the deal to get 20% off for past Latitude guests plus I can get an additional 20% discount from CAS.  

 

I can't wait to hear about your trip.

The one downside on GA is it doesn't have a roof that closes over Haven pool area which would be ideal on that route.

[Redsky5292]

On 7/23/2019 at 9:21 AM, gatorchinsky said:

We just booked this cruise for next summer on the Escape!  I have read only good things about this itinerary and we are so excited!

 

How many nights were you in Copenhagen before the cruise?  Where did you stay?

 

I have heard getting off in Russia that first day is chaotic.  Is NCL still telling passengers that their tours get off first and everyone else with private tours have to wait?  Did you do an NCL or private tour in St. Petersburg?  If private which company?

 

I can’t wait to read your more detailed review!

Morning!  We flew in the morning of the cruise and flew out the day the cruise ended. Yes NCL lets their tours off first but everyone is basically off the ship and through customs by 8:30-8:45. We found customs to be very orderly, just follow the instructions your are being told and you’ll be fine. Yes you will have to wait but the lines mover pretty quickly. On the second day of the cruise we went to guest services and signed up for the first non NCL tour group so we got off around 8.  We used Alla Tours and they were fantastic. Alla herself escorted us from the boat to the tour waiting area. We would use them again!!!

[taylortime05]

1 hour ago, dexddd said:

The one downside on GA is it doesn't have a roof that closes over Haven pool area which would be ideal on that route.

 

The cruise in 2021 is on the Escape.  I think they do have a roof that closes over the Haven pool.  But there will not be much time to enjoy the Haven amenities since it's such port intensive itinerary.  

[gatorchinsky]

1 hour ago, Redsky5292 said:

Morning!  We flew in the morning of the cruise and flew out the day the cruise ended. Yes NCL lets their tours off first but everyone is basically off the ship and through customs by 8:30-8:45. We found customs to be very orderly, just follow the instructions your are being told and you’ll be fine. Yes you will have to wait but the lines mover pretty quickly. On the second day of the cruise we went to guest services and signed up for the first non NCL tour group so we got off around 8.  We used Alla Tours and they were fantastic. Alla herself escorted us from the boat to the tour waiting area. We would use them again!!!

Thanks! 

 

I know you have to get a group number/letter on Day 2 to get off ship in St. Petersburg.  How early can you reserve this and can you do it on the screens, cabin tv or do you have to go to guest services?  We are planning on heading to Berlin on Day 2 so we will not be back to ship until 8:30-9:00 that evening.  I was hoping we could get our ticket (or whatever they call it) before we get off the ship around 7:30 am.  Any help would be appreciated!

[rwf1]

23 minutes ago, taylortime05 said:

 

The cruise in 2021 is on the Escape.  I think they do have a roof that closes over the Haven pool.  But there will not be much time to enjoy the Haven amenities since it's such port intensive itinerary.  

Yes, the Escape Haven has a roof, which will be ideal if the weather is rainy or cold.  I agree it is hard to decide if the Haven is worth it on a port intensive cruise, but if you have 40% off, then I think it would definitely be worth it.

 

Since we will be more tired from touring all day, then being able to have a much quieter dinner in the Haven restaurant is worth a lot right there!  Plus room service breakfast on port days.  Plus a space to hang out when the ship is crowded everywhere in the evenings (although the Haven can be crowded as well, I guess).  And concierge assistance when needed so we don't have to waste our limited ship time at guest services.  And escorts off the ship when in port.

 

I think I may have talked myself into booking the Haven!

[Redsky5292]

1 hour ago, gatorchinsky said:

Thanks! 

 

I know you have to get a group number/letter on Day 2 to get off ship in St. Petersburg.  How early can you reserve this and can you do it on the screens, cabin tv or do you have to go to guest services?  We are planning on heading to Berlin on Day 2 so we will not be back to ship until 8:30-9:00 that evening.  I was hoping we could get our ticket (or whatever they call it) before we get off the ship around 7:30 am.  Any help would be appreciated!

Guest services will be open that early so I would try before you get off for Germany. That being said I wouldn’t sweat it, all of the excursions wait for you to get off and customs moves quickly as long as everyone follows the directions they are given. We lucked out and got off early but ended up waiting almost 45 minutes for the rest of our group. 

[Laszlo]

2 hours ago, taylortime05 said:

 

The cruise in 2021 is on the Escape.  I think they do have a roof that closes over the Haven pool.  But there will not be much time to enjoy the Haven amenities since it's such port intensive itinerary.  

The Escape does have a roof. Personally on a cruise that port intensive you not going to be on the ship that much. I would get a Spa Mini Suite

 

 

[carterd2002]

On ‎7‎/‎23‎/‎2019 at 9:21 AM, gatorchinsky said:

We just booked this cruise for next summer on the Escape!  I have read only good things about this itinerary and we are so excited!

 

 

We are also booked on a Baltic cruise on the Escape travelling in June 2020 - can't wait!