Cruise Talk: Baltic cruises/ Scandinavia

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Topic: Baltic cruises/ Scandinavia

mitch
First Class Passenger
Member # 708

posted 11-20-2000 04:56 PM

Have been looking at celebrity, Orient, and Princess. Has any one been on a cruise in this destination or can recommend an itinery. We have cruised Celebrity before. Our other choice would be the mediterranean.
Thanks

Posts: 87 | From: australia | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 11-20-2000 05:39 PM

In August, I took an excellent 2 week cruise to the Baltic on Fred.Olsen's 'Black Watch'. Olsen particularly aims his cruises at us Brits, departing from Southampton. We particularly wanted an older 'classic' type ship. But it would be a great experience on any reasonable ship.

Most of the major cruise lines go there. Which ever line/ship you choose, it's an excellent itinerary full of fascinating ports/cities, museums and culture. St. Petersburg was one of the many highlights. Most of the Itineries are pretty similar, but I recommend that you pick a 2 week cruise that spends two nights in St. Petersburg.

The weather was surprisingly warm and dry - although it's hardly a sun and beach cruise! (If you really need a tan, pick the Med.)

If you have any more questions, just post them.

[This message has been edited by Malcolm (edited 11-20-2000).]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Skyhawk
First Class Passenger
Member # 427

posted 11-21-2000 11:44 AM

Mitch,

We took the Scandinavian/Baltic cruise on the Crown Princess in May. Our trip was from Copenhagen to Copenhagen. Excellent trip. As Malcolm said the weather is warmer in the Med. But, May tempatures were excellent for cruising and touring that part of the world. Mostly around 60F degrees during our tours with a little rain in Oslo.

The biggest thing about this cruise is the time changes every day as you head north. Hard to stay awake on the bus going into the ports. At least for us coming from Texas.

Evey port was unique and a pleasure to visit. St. Petersburg was excellent and allowed us to see both the drab look of the buildings to the beauty of Peterhof, churches and the "Winter Palace".

As I posted before I thought Tallinn, was a beautiful, tranquill city. A lot of personal pride was evident.

Any other questions please ask. Princess did a wonderful job for us.

BTW, Scottylass posted an excellent review here which you might look for. I'll even bet she would tell you how to get there.

Posts: 54 | From: San Angelo, TX USA | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Italian Cruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 1684

posted 11-21-2000 12:58 PM

Costa cruises offers excellent itineraries to the North of Europe with the Costa Marina,the crystal ship,and the Costa Romantica,one of the most elegant ship afloat.The first offers 2 cruises of 7 days from Copenhagen to the baltic capitals and to the norwegian fjords(they can be combined in a cruise of 14 days).The second the same itineraries from Amsterdam with cruises of 10,11,12 and 14 days.The best value for cruising in the Baltic is offered by Festival/First European cruises,a greek company,on the Flamenco(ex Sun Princess),a medium size ship with an excellent service and cuisine.This ship offers cruises similar to those of the Costa Marina but from Kiel.For the mediterranean area I suggest Costa cruises or(best value for money)MSC and Festival.Many others cruise line operate in this area but they generally offer an all american product.Enjoy your cruise!

Posts: 887 | From: Orvieto (Italy) | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Patrick
First Class Passenger
Member # 364

posted 11-21-2000 01:17 PM

Even if Celebrity is a very good line, I would not suggest it for Baltic or Scandinavia cruises since the ships are too large for these itineraries.
Costa with the MARINA and ALLEGRA are already better.
Festival´s FLAMENCO is the ideal one in my eyes from the international lines.
Good as well is Orient Lines (CROWN ODYSSEY) or, as Malcolm suggested, Fred Olsen Lines (BLACK WATCH).
For German speaking passengers, I recommend the ASTOR, ARKONA and MAXIM GORKIY.

Posts: 1680 | From: OSC Luxembourg | Registered: Nov 98 | IP: Logged

Italian Cruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 1684

posted 11-21-2000 01:41 PM

To Patrick:Hallo how are you?I'm sorry but I disagree with you.The Costa Allegra doesn't cruise to the North of Europe where it's replaced by the Costa Romantica,but in the mediterranean area with long cruises to Egypt,Syria,Black sea and Canaries isles.The Astor and the Arkona are excellent ships,but the Maxim Gorkij is an old and tired liner.

Posts: 887 | From: Orvieto (Italy) | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 11-21-2000 04:43 PM

Patrick...it's the Marco Polo that does the Baltic and Norway, and they also overnight in St.Petersburg so you get 2 days there.
The Crown Odyssey stays in the Med for the summer.
...peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

mitch
First Class Passenger
Member # 708

posted 11-22-2000 06:02 PM

thanks for you replies
Malcolm after reading many brochers is fred olsen very expensive and is it aimed at an older age group not implying you are old

but we are late 30 early 40 with teens.
we need to start from copenhagen or close by as we will be visiting our daughter on exchange in denmark nest year. We hope she will be able to join us.

costa cruises could i please have some more information and on festival too
in appreciation michelle/mitch

Posts: 87 | From: australia | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Panos
First Class Passenger
Member # 1022

posted 11-22-2000 07:22 PM

This may be a quite common question but every time I want to have a cruise in Europe the same thing comes to my mind...
Why do all the large companies have very few ships servicing European itineraries?
I think that this is one of the reasons of why all the Europe cruises are more expensive than others of a similar duration.

Posts: 443 | From: Cyprus | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Italian Cruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 1684

posted 11-23-2000 06:33 AM

To Mitch:The itineraries of the Costa Marina(each sunday from june to september) 1)Copenhagen-at sea-Stockolm-Helsinki-St.Petersburgh-Tallin-at sea-C. 2)Copenhagen-at sea-Flam-Vik-Hellesylt-Geiranger-Bergen-Kristiansand-Oslo-C.Costa cruises offers also excellent entrateinments for teens.The ship is very elegant in true italian style(it's the more intimate Costa ship).The itineraries of the Flamenco are very similar but the ship is littler and doesn't offer many facilities for teens.The cruise fares are similar but I suggest Costa cruises.Have a wonderful cruise.

Posts: 887 | From: Orvieto (Italy) | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 11-23-2000 12:37 PM

Pan, i think the answer is simple - it's "Supply and Demand"! There is not enough demand from Europe to fill up the mega-ships.

The Carribean has experience enough demand/growth to fill the likes of 'Grand', 'Destiny' and 'Explorer'. Most cruisers in the world are American and many prefer to cruise in their own back yard!

The European cruise market is not as highly developed as the USA market - but it is growing, things will change! The Millenium is one of the newest and biggest ships to 'work' Europe in the summer.

As for price, I'm sure that you are partly right. However, US Cruise Lines often charge less to Americans to Cruise Europe than they do the Brits and europeans on the same cruise!

[This message has been edited by Malcolm (edited 11-23-2000).]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Paddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 357

posted 11-23-2000 01:54 PM

If I had a choice for a Scandinaviam cruise, it would probably be Celebrity Millennium, but if I didn't want to spend so much money, the Sundream does a few two week cruises from Southampton to the Baltic etc. Might be a bit awkward getting from Austrailia, but as they aren't fly-cruises if you make your own way to England, it should be easy enough to arrange with Airtours directly.
If English is you only language I would probably avoid Costa and Festival, although I wouldn't mind trying some of the newer Costa ships.

Paddy.

Posts: 763 | From: Belfast, Ireland | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 11-25-2000 07:34 PM

Mitch, P&O, Airtours, Fred Olsen, RCL and NCL all offer Baltic/Scandinavian cruises from UK ports.

Whichever ship or line you choose - just do it!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Bobby G
First Class Passenger
Member # 49

posted 11-25-2000 09:28 PM

[ 10-24-2002: Message edited by: Bobby G ]

Posts: 36 | From: SC | Registered: Feb 99 | IP: Logged

Patrick
First Class Passenger
Member # 364

posted 11-26-2000 12:45 PM

Italian cruiser, I´m sorry but the MAXIM GORKIY is not an old and tired liner. She is a ship which is absolutely on the same standard as her fleetmate, the ASTOR. She has many friends in Germany because she provides many facilities which you won´t find anymore on any other ship. As well, she is a well-maintained ship, has all the latest technical equipments and in her engine-room, you can eat from the floor !
Sovcomflot is the leading Russian shipowner and, together with the German operators, the MAXIM and the ASTOR are kept on the best level of safety, security and comfort level which you can find on the German market.

Posts: 1680 | From: OSC Luxembourg | Registered: Nov 98 | IP: Logged

Italian Cruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 1684

posted 11-26-2000 12:54 PM

To Patrick:the Maxim Gorkij has a bad reputation in Italy because the general sale agent is Giver,a tour operator that has always chartered cheap russian ship.In its cruise brochure there are few and old photos of the ship(it seems very darkened and austere).

Posts: 887 | From: Orvieto (Italy) | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Patrick
First Class Passenger
Member # 364

posted 11-27-2000 08:47 AM

Sorry, but they should update their publications in their brochures.
I know they had chartered the SHOTA RUSTAVELI and TARAS SHEVCHENKO but these are no vessels to be compared with a First-Class-liner like MAXIM GORKIY. The ship has been entirely refurbished in 1998 5new cabin furnitures, carpets, new music-lounge, new dining-room equipments...
The ship is without doubt a First-class-ship (****).
And just because Russians and Ukrainians provide cheap cruises, it doesn´t mean they have bad ships 5an excellent example are PALMIRA nad PALOMA). Believen me saw many Italian and Greek vessels which were in much worse condition than Russians and had a more expensive rate.

Posts: 1680 | From: OSC Luxembourg | Registered: Nov 98 | IP: Logged

Italian Cruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 1684

posted 11-27-2000 03:57 PM

Thank you for your informations Patrick.You are a precious resource for the cruise bussiness!

Posts: 887 | From: Orvieto (Italy) | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

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