Royal Caribbean cruise of the Baltic and Russia
Jun 18th, 2003 | 03:33 PM
#1
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Royal Caribbean cruise of the Baltic and Russia
Hi everyone
I have just got back from a cruise in the Baltic and Russia on Royal Caribbean which started in Harwich in the UK and was 12 days long.
Perhaps I will just give an overview and if there are any questions then I can answer them.
Overview: This was my 4th + cruise as I have done the Inside passage on Norwegian, Mexican cruise on Carnival, a Russian cruise through the Indonesian islands down to Australia years ago, some short i.e. 2 or 3 day cruises, around the Australian barrier reef and the Hawaiian islands and a fiords cruise in New Zealand, so I have had a bit of experience cruising. I would have to say that this was the most disappointing of all of the cruises I have taken, in terms of the ship itself, the staff and the destinations with the exception of St Petersburg and Tallin, Estonia but you are only in there for a few hours for the latter.
The ship did not have as many 'diverse' attractions as has other lines so unless you liked one type of music you were unlucky. For instance on the Carnival cruise to Mexico they had a beautiful trio who played violin and piano twice a day which was lovely. I like other music but I do like a change and I think that if you have someone bellowing something you don't like in the central area of the ship it means that it is very hard to get away from that, unlike other lines who have these things in seperate areas. One should not be able to hear the entertainment in one area in the library or the card room for instance.
The food was not as good as other lines although the Cabin attendant was the best I have ever had.
I dislike set tables and times for meals too and find that the open seating and eating venues on Norwegian the best idea.
Getting on and off the ship, (the R.C.) was done with finesse though and there was never long queues on arrival at destinations nor when first boarding either.
The biggest complaint from most people was the lack of information on alternative transport at the docks if people did not want to take a cruise tour, it is one thing not to tell people about something but another to give them incorrect information i.e. that in St Petersburg you HAVE to get a taxi from the ship to the wharf entrance when there is an available FREE Russian bus waiting which goes every 10 minutes and which meets up with very cheap and available public transport at a fraction of the cost of taxis just about everywhere. I am mindful of the fact that to do that one has to have a Visa but people felt that if they had been told of the ease of getting around on your own they would have opted for getting Visas and not just one or two expensive cruise tours.
Finally, on a very sore point, I had the waiter from hell. The head waiter went out of his way to make up for the bad one but it did spoil things and there was never a personal apology. Together with that we managed to find the drunk from hell at our table as well so that put paid to eating in the dining room with the only other option then being the casual restaurant - not the best option.
R.C may be bigger but in my opinion it is not better!
I have just got back from a cruise in the Baltic and Russia on Royal Caribbean which started in Harwich in the UK and was 12 days long.
Perhaps I will just give an overview and if there are any questions then I can answer them.
Overview: This was my 4th + cruise as I have done the Inside passage on Norwegian, Mexican cruise on Carnival, a Russian cruise through the Indonesian islands down to Australia years ago, some short i.e. 2 or 3 day cruises, around the Australian barrier reef and the Hawaiian islands and a fiords cruise in New Zealand, so I have had a bit of experience cruising. I would have to say that this was the most disappointing of all of the cruises I have taken, in terms of the ship itself, the staff and the destinations with the exception of St Petersburg and Tallin, Estonia but you are only in there for a few hours for the latter.
The ship did not have as many 'diverse' attractions as has other lines so unless you liked one type of music you were unlucky. For instance on the Carnival cruise to Mexico they had a beautiful trio who played violin and piano twice a day which was lovely. I like other music but I do like a change and I think that if you have someone bellowing something you don't like in the central area of the ship it means that it is very hard to get away from that, unlike other lines who have these things in seperate areas. One should not be able to hear the entertainment in one area in the library or the card room for instance.
The food was not as good as other lines although the Cabin attendant was the best I have ever had.
I dislike set tables and times for meals too and find that the open seating and eating venues on Norwegian the best idea.
Getting on and off the ship, (the R.C.) was done with finesse though and there was never long queues on arrival at destinations nor when first boarding either.
The biggest complaint from most people was the lack of information on alternative transport at the docks if people did not want to take a cruise tour, it is one thing not to tell people about something but another to give them incorrect information i.e. that in St Petersburg you HAVE to get a taxi from the ship to the wharf entrance when there is an available FREE Russian bus waiting which goes every 10 minutes and which meets up with very cheap and available public transport at a fraction of the cost of taxis just about everywhere. I am mindful of the fact that to do that one has to have a Visa but people felt that if they had been told of the ease of getting around on your own they would have opted for getting Visas and not just one or two expensive cruise tours.
Finally, on a very sore point, I had the waiter from hell. The head waiter went out of his way to make up for the bad one but it did spoil things and there was never a personal apology. Together with that we managed to find the drunk from hell at our table as well so that put paid to eating in the dining room with the only other option then being the casual restaurant - not the best option.
R.C may be bigger but in my opinion it is not better!
Jun 23rd, 2003 | 04:49 PM
#2
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Janese,
Read your critique of your Baltic cruise and can only refer you to our experience on the Norwegian dream as expressed by me in response to several questions in this catergory.
It was a DREAM and after 4 cruises I feel when things go wrong they deserve a comment and when things go right all the more so. Sorry you were'nt with us on our June 3 Baltic cruise.
J&M W.
Read your critique of your Baltic cruise and can only refer you to our experience on the Norwegian dream as expressed by me in response to several questions in this catergory.
It was a DREAM and after 4 cruises I feel when things go wrong they deserve a comment and when things go right all the more so. Sorry you were'nt with us on our June 3 Baltic cruise.
J&M W.
Jun 26th, 2003 | 01:57 AM
#3
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Posts: n/a
I am sorry too JW....... that I was not on the N.D with you. On the cruise I did on Carnival down to Mexico last year we arrived for the first night at the table of 10 - my husband and I, a Mexican couple from L.A, another couple from L.A., the most amazing looking couple (middle aged couple, lady with a number 2 hair cut and dyed bright red!!) and a couple who both had had divorces and were not interested in anyone but themselves as they were very much a new and lovely couple. The Mexican couple took us with them on a tour around P. Valarta and did all the translation, showed us what to eat, what to buy and we had such a great time with them. The other 2 from L.A took us back to their place when we docked, took us shopping and drove us to the airport, the flaming red head was the most wonderful, fun companion I could have ever wanted and her husband was a bundle of laughs too so all in all it was a terrific experience which I guess made this last one even worse.
I wrote reports for all the other cruises but I think that its the people you meet that can determine whether you have a good time or a GREAT time.
Anyway for now its back to the grind and hopefully make more money for the next trip!
I wrote reports for all the other cruises but I think that its the people you meet that can determine whether you have a good time or a GREAT time.
Anyway for now its back to the grind and hopefully make more money for the next trip!
Jun 26th, 2003 | 05:33 AM
#4
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Thanks so much for taking the time to give a trip report. We definitely want to do the Baltic cruise next year and it is good to have your input in our cruise line decision.
About the destinations, were they disappointing because you didn't have enough time to explore?
About the destinations, were they disappointing because you didn't have enough time to explore?
Jun 26th, 2003 | 12:04 PM
#5
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Hi Janese,
I am sory I was not with you on Carnival (though not my favorite line) on your Mexican cruise.Sounds like a Ball. Sometimes yoy win , sometimes you lose. It's all in the game:::and the fellow passengers are the real jokers wild sometimes.
J.J.W.
I am sory I was not with you on Carnival (though not my favorite line) on your Mexican cruise.Sounds like a Ball. Sometimes yoy win , sometimes you lose. It's all in the game:::and the fellow passengers are the real jokers wild sometimes.
J.J.W.
Jun 26th, 2003 | 02:27 PM
#6
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Expatmommy, about the destinations:
Oslo - the entry into Oslo through a small fiord-like ( they call it a fiord but it's not really one) is very pretty with gorgeous little properties along the way. NOTE.... in Oslo there is a Red bus about a block from the dock which you can get on and off for a trip around the city and surrounding areas. We did not know about that bus but we did get a tram/train which took us into the suburbs and which was nice anyway.
Oslo city is pretty uninteresting and the time there is adequate. +++ expensive city
Stockholm: A very interesting and beautiful city but very expensive. Again there is a Red bus which you can get on and off and I think that that is your best bet for the day. It too has an entrance to it that is very pleasant and pretty but unless you have deep pockets have a large meal on the ship before going into Stockholm as eating will set you back quite a lot.
Helsinki: I didn't go on a tour of Helsinki as I was there only last year for several days so I don't know what the cruise lines have set up. It is ++ expensive and not that interesting unless you get out of the city a bit and perhaps get to Parvoo (sp??)
St Petersburg: I was sooooo glad to have got Visas even though they cost quite a bit and took a long time getting because if ever there was a place that you needed 2 weeks to see it is St Petersburg. I am not a fan of museums particularly and so the first day at the Hermitage was lost on me but I enjoyed walking around the canals and taking in what must have been one of the world's loveliest places once - just needs a touch up here and there now - the second day we took a taxi ( cost $40US ) to Pushkin which is about 20 miles south of St P. to see Catherine's Palace and in particular the Amber room which has finally been restored and opened on May 31st of this year...... what a fantastic place! You need a full day here to walk around the grounds and see the Palace and then get back to St.P. because we had Visas we took the local transport back to St.P and as there are a lot of English speaking people around the Palace entrance on the stalls they will show you where and how to get transport back which will cost about 25 cents. The remainder of our time was spent just walking around and checking out the shops ( which don't really look like shops from the outside) and buying lots and lots of presents to take home. If you do it yourself you will find that the cost of things is about 1/4 of that charged by the Cruise line for similiar products and they are much better made anyway too. If its a nice day then a canal boat tour would be lovely. There are heaps of other places to see too so you will be running all the time - that is the reason I was sorry about spending the time at the museum 'cause there were so many other places to see.
Tallin, Estonia: A lovely place ( the old city that is) and although we were there on a Sunday there were stalls everywhere however the cost of things were still pretty expensive even though it is emerging from the Communist yoke and trying to come to terms with Capitalism. Have a meal at the Olde Hansa Inn in the middle of the old town. It is 14th C and serves wonderful meals and honey wine - be prepared to sleep for the rest of the day after going there.
I will continue this further
Oslo - the entry into Oslo through a small fiord-like ( they call it a fiord but it's not really one) is very pretty with gorgeous little properties along the way. NOTE.... in Oslo there is a Red bus about a block from the dock which you can get on and off for a trip around the city and surrounding areas. We did not know about that bus but we did get a tram/train which took us into the suburbs and which was nice anyway.
Oslo city is pretty uninteresting and the time there is adequate. +++ expensive city
Stockholm: A very interesting and beautiful city but very expensive. Again there is a Red bus which you can get on and off and I think that that is your best bet for the day. It too has an entrance to it that is very pleasant and pretty but unless you have deep pockets have a large meal on the ship before going into Stockholm as eating will set you back quite a lot.
Helsinki: I didn't go on a tour of Helsinki as I was there only last year for several days so I don't know what the cruise lines have set up. It is ++ expensive and not that interesting unless you get out of the city a bit and perhaps get to Parvoo (sp??)
St Petersburg: I was sooooo glad to have got Visas even though they cost quite a bit and took a long time getting because if ever there was a place that you needed 2 weeks to see it is St Petersburg. I am not a fan of museums particularly and so the first day at the Hermitage was lost on me but I enjoyed walking around the canals and taking in what must have been one of the world's loveliest places once - just needs a touch up here and there now - the second day we took a taxi ( cost $40US ) to Pushkin which is about 20 miles south of St P. to see Catherine's Palace and in particular the Amber room which has finally been restored and opened on May 31st of this year...... what a fantastic place! You need a full day here to walk around the grounds and see the Palace and then get back to St.P. because we had Visas we took the local transport back to St.P and as there are a lot of English speaking people around the Palace entrance on the stalls they will show you where and how to get transport back which will cost about 25 cents. The remainder of our time was spent just walking around and checking out the shops ( which don't really look like shops from the outside) and buying lots and lots of presents to take home. If you do it yourself you will find that the cost of things is about 1/4 of that charged by the Cruise line for similiar products and they are much better made anyway too. If its a nice day then a canal boat tour would be lovely. There are heaps of other places to see too so you will be running all the time - that is the reason I was sorry about spending the time at the museum 'cause there were so many other places to see.
Tallin, Estonia: A lovely place ( the old city that is) and although we were there on a Sunday there were stalls everywhere however the cost of things were still pretty expensive even though it is emerging from the Communist yoke and trying to come to terms with Capitalism. Have a meal at the Olde Hansa Inn in the middle of the old town. It is 14th C and serves wonderful meals and honey wine - be prepared to sleep for the rest of the day after going there.
I will continue this further
Jun 26th, 2003 | 02:34 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Copenhagen:
This was the biggest disappointment for me because I had been there some years ago and thought it just wasn't as nice as I remembered. Where once it was sparkling clean I found it to be a bit dirty with cig. butts everywhere and tatty areas. Again you can get a Red bus from where the ship docks. There are three different circuits and you can get on any or all of them for the same price. It is expensive ++ but if you get the bus you can go back to the ship for meals which is handy. Our ship was late getting into C and so instead of having 2 days we only had one. The people who had planned to go to the Tivolli Gardens on the first evening were disappointed but I thought that we had plenty of time there.
Hope these comments have been of some help but to sum things up I would say that I would have liked more time in St. P. and Stockholm but the rest was just fine.
This was the biggest disappointment for me because I had been there some years ago and thought it just wasn't as nice as I remembered. Where once it was sparkling clean I found it to be a bit dirty with cig. butts everywhere and tatty areas. Again you can get a Red bus from where the ship docks. There are three different circuits and you can get on any or all of them for the same price. It is expensive ++ but if you get the bus you can go back to the ship for meals which is handy. Our ship was late getting into C and so instead of having 2 days we only had one. The people who had planned to go to the Tivolli Gardens on the first evening were disappointed but I thought that we had plenty of time there.
Hope these comments have been of some help but to sum things up I would say that I would have liked more time in St. P. and Stockholm but the rest was just fine.
