Topic: Squiddy, Lincoln

We are a retired couple mid 60 s
At last we have taken the plunge, and have booked a Baltic cruise on the Eclipse in Aqua class-Really pushed the boat out!!- Has anyone got any tips for absolute novices, Trips from the cruise etc. ie St Petersburg. Tipping seems to be a bone of contention, any ideas on the best way to do it.

Welcome, Squiddy- love the name!
Good for you- pushing the boat out!-
I'm sure you'll find all the information in these pages.
Jo.

Welcome Squiddy .......we live in Lincs too.........
We did a Baltic cruise last July on the Grand Princess..itinery Copenhagen,Norway etc.......was a 7 day from Southampton........wonderfull to sail from the UK,no flights and less stress.

We have not done the itinery you are doing but I am sure there are many on here that have so you will get some good help real soon I am sure.
Many of us do things in alot of different ways,we just got off the ship and walked along the pathway surrounding the port into Copenhagen and took in the Little Mermaid and a canal boat trip.......
It all depends on your itinery and which ports you are visiting.

As for tipping.......we always take currency (all depends too on what ship you are on) to which currency they use too....... to pay our room attendant ourselves.....
If you have a dining table set for every evening meal in the main dining room and you use it then you will have wonderfull (hopefully) service and entertainment from your waiters so you can pay them per person too.
You can also prepay your tips with your cruise Company if you wish too, it is all down to person prefferance.

Actually I have just re read your post and see your on the Eclipse..we are too 26th April this yr..they opperate in us dollars.......we wanted to do Aqua...:p.but for 3 days it was VERY expensive.so we are 2B balcony.......still......a beautifull cabin......
Happy sailing....

Hello Everybody

Although I am new on here, I am not new to cruising. I started my cruising life in 1984 and I have found no injections to stop the cruising bug. I love it. I was lucky enough to enjoy the inaugral cruise on the Equinox last year. And for all you lucky people who are joining Eclipse, You will enjoy every last fabulous minute of it. What an experience. I still talk about it today.

QUOTE:

We are a retired couple mid 60 s
At last we have taken the plunge, and have booked a Baltic cruise on the Eclipse in Aqua class-Really pushed the boat out!!- Has anyone got any tips for absolute novices, Trips from the cruise etc. ie St Petersburg. Tipping seems to be a bone of contention, any ideas on the best way to do it.

Hello Squiddy. Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of cruising. Have you been warned that it is addicitive and there's no cure?
You'll enjoy the Baltic. Most people find the St Petersburg excursion form the ships quite expensive and choose an independent comapny such as Denrus. We took our ship's excursion to Peterhof which included lunch and a city tour with many photo stops and thought it good value, but I don't know what you will be offered.
Tallin is lovely and easy to explore on your own, as are Stockholm, Helsinki and Copenhagen. The weather is very variable and Copenhagen is known for being wet.
Tipping is a personal thing. Most companies now include tipping in the cost of the cruise up front, or charge a 'service charge' per day. We pay up front and then tip any outstanding service, e.g. cabin steward as we see fit.
Have a lovely holiday. Judith

QUOTE:

We are a retired couple mid 60 s
At last we have taken the plunge, and have booked a Baltic cruise on the Eclipse in Aqua class-Really pushed the boat out!!- Has anyone got any tips for absolute novices, Trips from the cruise etc. ie St Petersburg. Tipping seems to be a bone of contention, any ideas on the best way to do it.

Hi there Squiddy and welcome to the forum. I too, did a Baltic cruise with Royal Caribbean last year and as it was our first cruise, did lots of homework on this site before we went.
If you go the questions/answers slot on the home page. You will find out all you need to know there. There is loads of advice on your ports of call (especially St. Petersburg) and tipping. Just put the keyword in the question box. You will have a great time, I'm sure and will probably be hooked on cruising forever.

Jill

Hi everyone i am new too and also going to the Baltic in July on the Azura, we have already booked St Petersburg trips with others on our cruise with Red October.

QUOTE:

Hello Everybody

Although I am new on here, I am not new to cruising. I started my cruising life in 1984 and I have found no injections to stop the cruising bug. I love it. I was lucky enough to enjoy the inaugral cruise on the Equinox last year. And for all you lucky people who are joining Eclipse, You will enjoy every last fabulous minute of it. What an experience. I still talk about it today.

Welcome Jenny45.........we are sailing on her 26th Apr and we are counting the days....I will be posting our pickys real soon.......;)

QUOTE:

Hi everyone i am new too and also going to the Baltic in July on the Azura, we have already booked St Petersburg trips with others on our cruise with Red October.

Welcome Marlin, I am sure you will enjoy your cruise,have a wonderfull cruise in July....I bet the start of many to come.....;)

QUOTE:

Welcome Marlin, I am sure you will enjoy your cruise,have a wonderfull cruise in July....I bet the start of many to come.....;)

Thanks for the welcome Sue this will be our third cruise,Ventura and Arcadia before.