Baltic Cruise

[gigivee]

Going on the Baltic Cruise June 15,2011 on Emerald. We are doing a guided tour for the two days in St Petersburg but haven't booked anything for the other ports. Has anyone done the Oslo, Stockholm, Estonia on their own instead of with a guide? Also has anyone been there in June and how was the weather? Any info from anyone who has done this cruise would be appreciated.

[Host Mike]

The ship docks right in downtown Oslo and it's an easy walk but you've got to see Vigeland Sculpture Park.  It's a site that you'll never, ever forget for the rest of your life and you'll need a taxi or excursion to get there.  The ship also docks near downtown in Tallin (cheap Princess shuttle bus to town - very short ride but too long to walk and the dock is not on old maps).  If you could get someone to drive you in Tallin to the Festival grounds it's worth a look based on its dramatic history but you can still see it at some distance from the ship.  Our Stockholm stop was 60 miles away from City due to fog.  Consider a Princess City Tour excursion in Stockholm.  Your tour should included City Hall, home of the Nobel awards banquet, which is a must see gaudy stop.

P.S. We hated the hot and stuffy and boring Hermitage Princess excursion in St Petersburg.  We loved Catherine's Palace and Peterhof in St Petersburg which is a one day Princess excursion.  Skip the Russian Ballet at night in St Petersburg as you will be too tired at the end of the afternoon, besides, they will have a folkloric show for you on the ship.  We loved strolling in Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen which we did on our own. Your mileage on all of this may vary.