Jewel - Baltic Cruise - 2009

[Kraftsinc]

I'm just wondering if anyone who has gone on this cruise could tell me what they liked about it or anything to beware of. For instance did you stick to the ship's tours in the ports? Did you do a pre-cruise land tour? I am familiar with NCL cruising, just not this particular ship. What is the weather like in the ports in July or August? Thanks for any information you have.
Judy

[Cruise Fanatic]

I went in the month of August 2006. It was great weather. Very much similar to Midwest in the US. Many ports you can do hop on/hop bus, or do tours on your own. Russia you will need to do the ships tours or book through an authorized Russian tour operator (they will provide visa. You can go out on your own if you get your own visa $100 plus. But I don't recommend it.

[Kraftsinc]

Thanks Cruise Fanatic,

I just booked it today. They have a great NCL sale on with upgrades and onboard credits right now. I think I'll stick to a ship tour for St. Petersburg. That's good to know that some ports have hop on and off tours. I'm also glad to hear that the weather will be moderate.
Judy

[Kraftsinc]

Just another question about the Baltic Cruise for Cruise Fanatic or anyone else who knows --
Did the ship dock at all of the ports or were some of them tendered? Thanks for your help.
Judy

[f-mattox]

Hello Kraftsinc; I did a Baltic cruise in July a year ago; the weather was beautiful for the most part. We had a little light rain in St. Petersburg and Oslo, but otherwise mostly sunny and mild.

I was on HAL, not NCL, but we did not tender in any port or see any other ships tendering.

Rick

[Kraftsinc]

Thanks so much f-mattox. Is there any excursion you took that stands out in your mind at any of the ports?
Judy

[f-mattox]

Well of course St. Petersburg was the highlight of the trip in many ways; and in St. Petersburg, the Hermitage Museum and Peterhof Palace were the standouts. Those were two separate excursions on the two days we were there. I should mention that the traffic and the crowds were horrendous, so be prepared to do a lot of waiting. But the city and environs were amazing to see.

The other places that we really loved were Tallinn and Stockholm; we did walking tours of the "old towns" of both and thoroughly enjoyd them. But see as much of Stockholm as you can; it is just a gorgeous city. Helsinki was lovely also. Unfortunately all we saw of Copenhagen was between the airport and the pier.

Have a wonderful trip.

Rick

[Kraftsinc]

Thanks so much f-mattox,

I plan to do some reading up on the places we'll visit, but it's so good to hear from someone who's already been.
Judy

[Berick1234]

You will love the Jewel.....Happy Sailing


Bob E

[Kraftsinc]

Hi Berick1234

Thanks for your comment. I'm looking forward to the cruise but it's a long wait. Hope you have an amazing time in Alaska.
Judy