European Cruising

[mickeymouse]

Hello , Just wondering if any of you have had any experience with cruises in northern Europe as I'm planning well a head to join one in next years European Summer. Looking at taking princess cruises and going to Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Tallin, Berlin, Stockholm and St Petersburg all in 12 days. Has anyone done this type of cruises, and if so, was it to rushed? You seem to stop at each port and then have 8-10 hours before sailing off again. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[drron]

Go to Cruise critic.
here is the princess forum-
Princess Cruises - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums

To search for Baltic cruises you will have to register to get the best results but it is free.
They also have a roll call section so you can get to know others who will be on your cruise.Often a meet and mingle is arranged if enough Cruise critic members on the cruise.I don't know how it goes on Princess but on Silverseas they put on a coughtail reception for this.Sometimes even with caviar.

We are doing a slightly different version next year-CPH-CPH via Norway fjords and Murmansk and Archangel.

 

[YSSY]

Go to Cruise critic.
here is the princess forum-
Princess Cruises - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums

To search for Baltic cruises you will have to register to get the best results but it is free.
They also have a roll call section so you can get to know others who will be on your cruise.Often a meet and mingle is arranged if enough Cruise critic members on the cruise.I don't know how it goes on Princess but on Silverseas they put on a coughtail reception for this.Sometimes even with caviar.

We are doing a slightly different version next year-CPH-CPH via Norway fjords and Murmansk and Archangel.

Probably the best advice you could get, the website really covers all aspects. Cruising is a great way to get a taste for places and see a lot of places in a short time without the stress. I've cruised as pax, but also worked on cruise ships in the past and loved the Baltic runs. Holland America is a good option for the Baltic as well.

 

[mickeymouse]

Great thanks for the advice. Which company is your cruise with Drron? I would love to find one that did the same countries but included the Norwegian Fjords... Specifically Geirangfjord

 

[drron]

We cruise with Silverseas.mostly on Expedition cruises but this will be a mainline cruise on the Silver Cloud.but only 296 pax when full.
Voyage 1518 | Silversea Cruises

 

[mickeymouse]

Very nice. We have never done a cruise before so may have to do a small getaway cruise to test the waters. Thanks again for your advice.

 

[drron]

Very nice. We have never done a cruise before so may have to do a small getaway cruise to test the waters. Thanks again for your advice.

You have the right idea.I never wanted to cruise but mrsdrron had a smart plan knowing my love of nature.First was an 8 pax boat on the Inside Passage.Then a 16 pax boat around the Galapagos.then came the 108 pax Orion cruising Broome to Darwin.I was hooked.
So then an Arctic cruise on Silverseas Explorer(then known as the Prince Albert 11).That got me hooked on Silverseas.The next cruise in September gets us close to 200 nights on silverseas.That is why I keep working!

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Very nice. We have never done a cruise before .......

Just remember when you are looking at pricing what is included so you are comparing apples with apples. Some cruise lines are fully inclusive, others you run up a huge bar/restaurant bill. We like the Silverseas "inclusive" way and it works for us. Plus ( depending on which ship you are on) really small passenger numbers which in my book is a bonus.

 

[BATTLESTAR]

We have just done this itinerary in June with MSC and really enjoyed the ports. We boarded in Amsterdam and disembarked in Southampton & built our holiday around those places. Be aware that you will need to book a guided tour or a couple of excursions to see St. Petersburg - usually a 2 day stop - as visas are complicated/expensive. Otherwise we mostly caught hop on hop off buses to see each city. A little research on each port pays dividends.