DARK_MAGIC

My dad and I did the exact same cruise in 2013 with princess! We stared in Copenhagen. I remember when we got to the Germany part of the trip they said that there were people getting off and on. We left from Copenhagen. I always try to start a cruise in a city that I would want to explore on my own and Copenhagen is definably one of those places. Its a great walking (and biking) city. I picked this cruise since a lot of scandy cruises left out Norway. Always seemed odd to me. But why leave out 1 scandy county when you can see all of them! We also got to go to another stop in northern Denmark(arhus) or something like that. We went on an excustion there and saw a really cool "bog" man. If you look at the picture on my profile its a picture I took while in Copenhagen. Its the planetarium. I have never been on a NCL so I cant speak for that, but this princess was AMAZING!! highly recommended!!

DARK_MAGIC

I like cruises/vacations that go to a good amount of countries like this one. It gives me a chance to sample a whole region then make a decision on which one I would like to take a larger vacation on. I can be at a destination for a day and determine if its for me. I don't need 4 weeks somewhere to make that same determination, but that's just me.

lyn

Speaking to the original question: I think Oslo is a great port. We loved the museums - Viking Ship, Fram and Kon-Tiki. They are small and authentic. There are a few other sights close by so plenty to fill a day.

As someone else stated the sail-in is also lovely.

In Warnemunde we spent the day locally with friends of Dave tours - one of the best.

We liked Copenhagen for spending a few days pre-cruise. Very walkable and relaxed. We will finally get to Berlin on another trip this fall.

Good luck.

jacketwatch

Nice sail in to Stockholm too BTW.

burta

We did our first cruise in the Baltics on Princess, and have cruised with them many times since then. It is not the most luxurious, nor the least expensive. We have always enjoyed the service on board. The staff goes out of its way to make guests feel welcome and special. They will accommodate "quirky" eating habits (one in our party had difficulty making up her mind at dinner, and the waithelp simply brought her muliple selections!).

Here are my thoughts on Berlin vs. Copenhagen: we took one particular cruise because Berlin (Warnemunde) was on the itinerary, and my husband wanted especially to see it. However, it was 4 hours to and from Berlin from the port by train, leaving very little time for seeing anything once we got there. Starting in Berlin gives you the opportunity to explore its wonderful museums and historical sites, which you will not be able to see if it is simply one day on your cruise itinerary. Copenhagen was also interesting as a starting port, but given the choice and what I know now after having taken the cruise, I would opt to go earlier and spend a few days in Berlin before embarking from Warnemunde. Copenhagen can be enjoyed more easily any time.

burta

Oh, and I am not "decrepit" and neither are my travelmates. We simply love being pampered. As they say, "different strokes for different folks". One thing about this forum, when posters get judgemental, they hear about it from the rest of us!

rncheryl

One thought: we are booked for the Princess cruise next year, leaving from Copenhagen.

From cruisecritic reviews, this is a very active and tiring itinerary. Perhaps, as you describe your parents as elderly, they would do better with the cruise with extra sea days, as a chance to relax and recharge.