miamatusow

Hi there!

My husband and I have never been on a cruise, but we're looking at 3 weeks in Europe next July because an old friend is getting married. The wedding (in the UK) will likely eat up a week of the trip, leaving us 2 weeks to explore other areas.

I'd really like to see the Baltic region, specifically Tallinn and St. Petersburg, and we were thinking about spending some time in Sweden with another friend. We'll be traveling with our sons, who will be 8 and 4 at the time. I was thinking that it might make sense to do a cruise in that area, but it might be just an awful idea.

We don't want to spend the whole two weeks on a ship - and, depending on responses, it may not make sense to spend ANY time on a ship.

Does anyone have suggestions for 7-ish-night cruises that would be okay with kids? (The boys are kind of nature guys, so they don't need big kids' clubs or anything of the sort.) Oh yeah, and the younger boy has been known to get motion sick. How big an issue is this on a cruise? (I'm not trying to be rude or idiotic - I really don't know if this alone is a deal breaker.)

Many thanks for any suggestions!

-mm

traveller69

The Rotterdam does a 12 day itinerary with the ports you are intested in. If you go to cruise-connections.com and click on the cruises area and then fill in the question section but don't put destination - just put Holland America for cruise line and Rotterdam for the ship and July 08. As far as your little one having motion sickness - meclazene sp?? is the generic name but it is also called Bonine is wonderful. It doesn't make you drowsy and did well on the Antarctic cruse when we had force 10 winds!!!!

traveller69

I meant to also check Eurodam as a ship with Holland America. The do a couple of 10 day cruises with they ports you want as well.

jacketwatch

Usually the Baltic sea is smooth so motion should not be an issue, esp. if you take an amidships cabin. I am not sure if you can find a 7 days crusie which includes those ports. Usually you have to take one for 10 days or more. The Baltic is terrific really but is very port intensive and I do wonder if the kids would tire or become bored, esp. the 4 yr. old. Good luck. Larry

miamatusow

Thanks for the news about the smooth sea - that's great to know. I suspect the kids won't get too bored, but 10 days does seem like a lot. It looks as though Costa has a 7-day cruise, but I certainly have seen many mixed reviews. Aaack - so new at this! I have a lot to learn!

jacketwatch

You are welcome. BTW and FYI if you go be aware that most cruise lines spend two days in St. Petes as there is so much to see and to do so this means two long days. Get plenty of rest the night B4. To see St. Petes you need a Russian VISA. You can't get off the ship w/o one. However most people choose to use a tour co. either through the ship or an outside co. and this will suffice for a VISA. Otherwise getting a VISA means sending your passports to the consulate which is in NY I think and that costs about $75.00 pp. As you have young children you may want to consider a private tour. It will be costly but much more convienent and is offered by the ships and the various outside tour companies. Cheers, Larry

therenaissanceman

Given your time and other constraints, I really think you will be better off doing a Balitc cruise at some other time. You need more time than seven days to see this area adequately and much of what there is to see would not be that interesting to kids your age. I would recommend taking the ferry from Newcastle to Bergen, exploring the Norwegian fjord country (great for nature lovers), then taking the train to Sweden to visit your friend. Just a suggestion, but I think it is more appropriate in your situation.

traveller1959

We have made a 10-day-Baltic cruise in July and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is certainly much to do for kids:

- In Copenhagen, there is the Experimentarium which is wonderful for kids. Besides, there is the Tivoli.

- In Oslo, Holmenkollen may interesting for kids.

- In Stockholm, the Vasa Museum will be a highlight for kids. Besides, there are water taxis, an open-air museum and an amusement park.

- Sankt Petersburg is so impressive, children will be overwhelmed by the splendour of the castles. Think about booking a private tour (no need for visa then). We booked Anastasia and can highly recommend her. www.anastasiaworld.com. Other operators are Alla, Denrus, Red October.

- On the ship, there is much entertainment for kids. Check the cruise lines about their policies.

Percy

I agree with much that has already been said.

I do not think I would do a 7 day Baltic Cruise.
If you did the 7 day cruise ...what would your ports of call be .?
Where does the cruise start from?


Your children are ages 4 and 8 so I agree that the Tivoli in Copenhagen would probably be the best for them ....it is like a little Disneyland .

The Vasa in Stockholm...your boys will see one of the Biggest War ships ever built...so their eyes should pop open a bit !!

In Oslo ,I do not think the Holmenkollen would be a place for them and here is why.

1. it is out of the way

2. it takes a taxi ride (or bus # 48) to get there.

3. It is a Ski Jump... the 1952 Winter Olympics were held here.

4.When you get to the Ski Jump you can take an elevator about half way up and then you have to climb a lot of steep steps ( puff puff!!) to get to the top..this is quite a hike for an adult let alone a 4 and 8 year old.

( I was here in late August 2007)

I would hate for you to go to St. Petersburg and not have two days there.....and I agree that for the boys it would be over powering.!!

About Tallinn.....you can do this off the cruise ship....but usually the ships dock at about 6 AM to disembark at 7AM and then the ships leave in the early afternoon..
still...

you can walk around the old part of Tallin easily.

In fact the oldest building you will see on your Baltic cruise will be in Tallinn.!

Percy