Berlin Tour

[duquephart]

Any specific recommendations for Berlin tours? Basically an all day deal given where ship ports. Views appreciated.

[Denny01]

If you are doing a Baltic cruise, we booked a private tour with SPB - St Petersburg Berlin - tours. We got their package of Berlin, Helsinki and St Petersburg. Excellent tours. It was all day Berlin and our tour guide had a Masters in pre-War German history, and she was fantastic. One little thing I loved: she had a menu available as we bused to Berlin and we all preordered and it was quick, but good, wasting little time and lots of touring. You can do any or all. 

 

I highly recommend them for Berlin. Helsinki, I’d do on my own, not that much to see fo ra formal tour. St Petersburg was great but too many tours of Czarist palaces, for me. I’d of loved them to add a tour of the WWII sites (one of the biggest battles was fought there) and Russian Revolution sites. But to answer your specifics, Berlin was fantastic. 

 

Den

[jiminyC_fan]

We went on the Viking optional Historic Berlin and extremely happy we did so. 

[duquephart]

15 minutes ago, jiminyC_fan said:

We went on the Viking optional Historic Berlin and extremely happy we did so. 

 

I've run into favorables on that one in a few places, but no longer shows up among the offerings. There is a "Iconic Sights" option but have no way of knowing how it would compare. Thanks much for your input!

[jiminyC_fan]

Iconic Sights sounds like it might be very similar.   I will try and search out to see if I still have any info on it.

[jiminyC_fan]

7 hours ago, duquephart said:

 

I've run into favorables on that one in a few places, but no longer shows up among the offerings. There is a "Iconic Sights" option but have no way of knowing how it would compare. Thanks much for your input!

Hope this helps you.....Historic Berlin
Duration: 12 hours Tour Price: $199.00
Times: 06:30am-06:30pm
See the major sights of Berlin during this fascinating panoramic excursion. After an escorted train ride, meet your guide at the Berlin train station. Begin with a photo stop at the Berlin Wall and explore the old St. Nicolas Quarter. Pass Checkpoint Charlie and see the Red City Hall of Schöneberg where President Kennedy declared "Ich bin ein Berliner" in 1963. At the Allied Museum, browse the exhibits chronicling the Allied occupation of Berlin between 1945 and 1952. Next, visit the famous Gendarmenmarkt, where you will enjoy a local snack of Currywurst, fried sausage with curry and ketchup. After, stop for photos at the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag German Parliament, with its magnificent glass cupola. See the magnificent interior of the Berlin Cathedral and stop at the Neue Wache memorial, dedicated to the victims of war and dictatorship. After time to reflect here, return to your ship by train.

[duquephart]

Potato/Potatoe

Upped the price and changed the times so you miss dinner.

Thanks again!

 

Iconic ----- 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM ----- $219

 

“See the major sights of historic Berlin on this fascinating panoramic excursion by motor coach. After an escorted train ride, meet your guide at the Berlin train station. Begin with a photo stop at the Berlin Wall and explore the historic St. Nicolas Quarter. Pass Checkpoint Charlie and see the City Hall of Schöneberg, where President Kennedy famously declared, “Ich bin ein Berliner” in 1963. At the Allied Museum, browse the exhibits chronicling the Allied occupation of Berlin between 1945 and 1952. Sample traditional German fare and enjoy a three-course lunch at a local restaurant. After, stop for photos at the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag, with its magnificent glass cupola. See the stunning Berlin Cathedral and stop at the Neue Wache memorial, dedicated to the victims of war and dictatorship. After taking time to reflect, return to your ship by train.”

Edited March 26, 2020 by duquephart

[duquephart]

21 hours ago, Denny01 said:

If you are doing a Baltic cruise, we booked a private tour with SPB - St Petersburg Berlin - tours. We got their package of Berlin, Helsinki and St Petersburg. Excellent tours. It was all day Berlin and our tour guide had a Masters in pre-War German history, and she was fantastic. One little thing I loved: she had a menu available as we bused to Berlin and we all preordered and it was quick, but good, wasting little time and lots of touring. You can do any or all. 

 

I highly recommend them for Berlin. Helsinki, I’d do on my own, not that much to see fo ra formal tour. St Petersburg was great but too many tours of Czarist palaces, for me. I’d of loved them to add a tour of the WWII sites (one of the biggest battles was fought there) and Russian Revolution sites. But to answer your specifics, Berlin was fantastic. 

 

Den

 

We are taking a little harder look at SPB. Was the bus ride to Berlin pleasant (you do hear train is better)? How about the coach on the actual tour ----- size, number of people, etc,?

Thanks!

[Denny01]

the same bus was used to get there and the Berlin tour with the guide with us going, touring. She gave us great info during the bus ride there and during the tour and mainly relaxed coming back. Very comfortable bus and about 30 of us with listening devices. All went very well.

 

No info on the train run, but you will be in Berlin such a short time, i think going on your own will waste a lot of time in such a big city with so much to see and do and get around to the very spread out venues. Saves money but we picked the tour since we knew we wouldn’t be going to Berlin over and over.....one shot for now.

 

Den

[Dauntless]

The tours in Berlin can be what you're looking for but with private companies you need a certain number or the tours is a no go, so there is that to consider.  I'm not really sure you save anytime by taking the train.  It's about 3 hours each way.  Don't worry about missing dinner.  We wanted to make reservations at Chef's Table and were told that 60 % of the ship was going to Berlin so the restaurants would be open later to accommodate. and to just come by when we got in and had no problems.  If it's your first time to Berlin, I would say take an excursion where they are with you at all times as they can maneuver the city with more speed and knowledge than you probably have  We did it on our own for the first time there and I now know, for me, trying to see as much as we could, that was a mistake.  If you're just going to have a nice lunch  and shop and people watch, then that might be a good choice.