Hello All, <BR> <BR>I would appreciate information about shore excursions with Holland America for the Baltic. How are they organized, do they have easy ones and more difficult ones. Also, does HAL operate shuttle from the pier to the cities? <BR> <BR>Thank you in advance, <BR>Malca <BR>

Malca, <BR>I haven't taken any of the excursions yet, because I have a sailing date of June 25, but I have a booklet explaining all of the excursions available and each one has a symbol which indicates its strenuousness (sp?) level. Is there a particular city/excursion you'd like to know about? I'd be glad to provide what data I can from the pamphlet I've received.

Hello Redcurls, <BR> <BR>Thank you for your reply. <BR> <BR>1. Since I have heard that we can't book shore excursions before boarding the ship, I would like to know if there are shuttle buses from the piers to the city centers? <BR> <BR>2. Is there a tour to the Royal Palace in Stockholm without the walking tour in Gamla Stan? <BR> <BR>3. Where are most excursions in Helsinki go to? <BR> <BR>4. Did you get with the booklet also the forms to fill and the cruise ticket. <BR> <BR>5. How much is a 2.5 - 3 hour tour costs? <BR> <BR>Thank you in advance <BR>Have a great cruise, <BR>Malca <BR>

Malca: I was speeaking to a HAL rep last week to find out if I could prebook tours for my upcoming Alaska trip. He told me that for European tours you can,caribean you can't and for Alaska some yes and some no. I called the 1-800 number and told them what I wanted and then they transferred the call to the appropriate person. Hope this helps you out.

Malta, <BR> <BR>We DID reserve our excursions in advance. Our trip is June 25, and the copy of our faxed form to request our choices is dated April 28 - one day after we received our form in the mail. <BR> <BR>As far as your questions go: If you are looking for a walking tour that includes the Royal Palace, it looks like you'll have to "do" Gamla Stan (Old Town) That is a 2 1/2 hour tour at a cost of $42 There is also a tour that says you will "view" the Royal Palace, etc. etc. again at a cost of $42 and lasts approximately 2 hours. It is entitled Waterways of Stockholm and apparently takes you for a boatride around the islands. Another option is a day-long affair, extremely limited, at a cost of $148 which includes "seeing" the Royal Palce, etc. etc. <BR> <BR>Helsinki: Offers vary from a boat tour ($74) a Lapland/Artic Circle tour ($538), city tour ($42) Porvoo/Highlights of Helsinki ($136) Porvoo/Highlights of Helsinki/Savijarvi Farm ($146) an Afternoon Visiting Porvoo & Savijarvi Farm ($88) Helsinnki Walking Tour ($38) <BR> <BR>Other tour offerings: <BR>Panoramic Tallinn: 3 hours $29 <BR>Highlights of Tallinn $32 <BR>Tallin and Manor Houses $98 <BR>Old Town Tallin Shopping $29 <BR>Folk Museum $42 <BR> <BR>Samplings of offerings at St. Petersburg: <BR> <BR>Moscow by air: $492 <BR>Pushkin Palace: $52 <BR>Hermitage $62 <BR>City Tour $48 <BR>Peterof $56 <BR>Imperial St. Petersburg $194 <BR>Evening folkloric Spectacular $53 <BR> <BR> <BR>As of this date, we have not yet received any of our cruise documents

Now I'm a bit confused...we too are booked on the Maasdam (7 day Baltic. I received and faxed back our request for HAL shore excursions but haven't heard anymore. Will these be confirmed prior to sailing or once we board? Thanks for the help.

Marcie: <BR> <BR>It is my understanding that the only confirmation will be made to our cabin once we are aboard. Are you also on the June 25 sailing?

Hello Redcurls, <BR> <BR>Thank you very much for the information, it helps me a lot. I thought that only on board the ship I'll be able to book tours. <BR> <BR>Could you please post the HAL fax number for shore excursions? <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance, <BR>Malca

The FAX number is: (206) 301-5580 BUT I think you have to use the form they send you (the excursions are numbered and you darken the circles) They SPECIFICALLY ask that you do NOT send a cover sheet. <BR> <BR>The mailing address is: <BR>Holland America Line <BR>Shore Excursion Request <BR>300 Elliott Avenue West <BR>Seattle WA 98119

Hello Redcurls, <BR> <BR>Thanks a lot for the info. I'll have to wait till the booklet and forms arrive to book, I hope they'll send it soon. <BR> <BR>All the best, <BR>Malca