Baltic cruise?

Question

I'm thinking of going on either a Royal Caribbean, or Celebrity Baltic cruise in the summer. Do you recommend? Tips? & I'll also be traveling with a 13-year-old. Thanks.

Answer 1

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Answer 2

You've selected two fine companies.  I've sailed often on both. You really can't make a wrong choice here, assuming that they are both are offering itineraries that you like.

Let me answer the "tips" part of your question first because it's a more "exact" answer.  Both cruise lines are going to add the tips to your on-board account as follows:

- $  3.50 per person per day - Cabin Steward

- $  3.50 per person per day - Waiter

- $  2.00 per person per day - Assistant Waiter

- $  0.75 per person per day - Assistant Maitre d'

- $  0.75 per person per day - Assistant Chief Houskeeper

That's a total of $10.50 per person per day. For a couple on a 7-day cruise that equals $147.00 that will "automatically" be placed on your credit card.  You, of course, have the option, to adjust any of these amounts (up or down) at the Purser's Desk on the last day of your cruise.

As far as which line to cruise on - well, that's a more subjective answer.  I promise that you will absolutely have a wonderful cruise on Royal Caribbean.  Celebrity, however, is a more up-scale and luxurious cruise line than Royal Caribbean (RCCL).  In the Conde Nast poll, Celebrity's ships took 6 of the top 10 spots; it took all 4 awards for best food/dining; and took the top spots for best crew/service and best cabins. It is our personal favorite, and we're looking forward to our cruise on the Consetllation next month.  She was rated the #1 large cruise ship in the "Premium" category.

Having said all that, and I'm sure that your 13-year old would enjoy Celebrity, I'm going to recommend Royal Caribbean as your choice - strictly based on their "Adventure Ocean" children's program.  Although Celebrity absolutely has a children's program, your 13-year old will find more of her peers on RCCL - and to me that translates into more fun/a better time/less whining.

We were on the Radiance of the Seas in October with many other Travel Consultants, attending a "Seminar at Sea" program given by RCCL.  My wife's project/assignment was to prepare a presentation detailing their "Adventure Ocean" children's program. The assignments involved spending time reseaching and investigating the specific passenger amenity in detail.  I learned so much from her and her presentation, that I am "over-the-top" confident in my recommendation of RCCL to folks traveling with children.  (My assignment was to report on the Spa - ha-ha!)

I hope this information is helpful.

Bon voyage.

Answer 3

The Baltic cruise is a great route.  Two important things two consider.  Under no circumstances, even if they give it to you for free, are you to take a cruise on Costa cruise lines.

Second do not select a cruise that does not dock precisely in downtown Stockholm.  A lot of cruise companies dock 60 miles north of it and you then must take a an hour and a half train ride to reach it.  The train route is underserviced so you will have precious little time in the best stop on the whole cruise or you will have to buy a rip off shore excursion which you shouldn't have to.

Answer 4

We did the Baltic cruise on Celebrity last May departing out of Dover, England.  It was a great cruise and the ship, the Constellation, was fantastic.  So was the staff and service.  

We had really good weather for our cruise, highs each day in the 60's to 70's, which was good for May and sunny except one day of rain in Norway.  We generally did the short city tours.  We loved Copenhagen, and Sweden, Oslo, Tellin, Gdanske, and Russia.  We did not care for Helsinki at all.  WE took the Russian Folklife show tour and that was great, then did a city tour of St Petersburg, another good tour.  I do recommend the Vasser Ship Museum tour in Norway and the Museum tour in Copenhagen.

Service and staff on ship were great.