momwig

Well now is your opportunity...... why don't you join us on the Constellation????? That would be awesome! Having just returned from the Constellation I think you will enjoy her as much as we all enjoyed the Millenium

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Well thought I would check in -- can't believe after waiting so long the cruise is only a few weeks away -- glad that the unexpected heart problem will not prevent me from going - the cardiologist told me to have a good time and to see him in August when I return. The cardiac rehab staff will send me off with a regime to do at the Gym on board - and I plan to do them. Anyway all the tours are booked and we are busy planning our time in the ports that we will attempt to see on our own. We are flying Continental to Stockholm and Virgin Atlantic back from London - still allowed 2 suitcases each although we are going to try to back light -- I did say try LOL. Sorry no one else was able to join us -- we have a group of 8 people (4 couples) one of whom is our TA -- our friend first and then our TA. We probably won't do everything as a group but it's good to have friends aboard. Well that's it for now Kareen

Well it's been a long time - finally booked our Air and Pre-Cruise hotel in Stockholm - will be flying Continental out of Newark on July 17th and returning from London on August 2nd. We will be staying at the Hilton Slussen for the night of July 18th before we board the ship. It's really becoming more of a reality since it is less than 6 months away. Anyone else want to come along the itinerary is GREAT.

It gets closer all the time -- in a few weeks we can even book flights

WOW - One Year and Counting Until We Sail Away[/size]

Diane So good to hear from you -- Bob and I are really looking forward to this cruise and as you see Suanne and Harvey will be traveling with us as well as a few other couples. If you would I would definitely appreciate seeing your itinerary in St. Petersburg. We have contacted Red October but they said that it wass really to early to book - but we will continue to communicate with them. It appears that we will have a group of 10 - 12. Somewhere on our cruise itinerary I read that we do cruise thru one fjord. Your cruise sounds wonderful - something for us to consider another time. Please send our regards to Lou. Have a wonderful cruise and let us know all about it on your return.

Gail Marti and I both worked in Laboratories when we first graduated from college - in fact we at one time she and I both worked at the PA Public Health Laboratory - Marti left to work for Smith Kline Clinical labs which is now Quest Diagnostics (funny that is where my DH Bob works now). She got her MBA and worked up the corporate ladder -- for about 12 years she lived in the Boston area. When Smith Kline Clinical was bought out she saw it as a great opportunity to move on to something else. Her next job was in market research for Schick - first in its dental area (oral B) and then with razors. About two years ago she decided that she wanted to return to the Philadelphia area and so she "retired" from that position too. She moved back with no job and has begun working for several medical related companies preparing training materials and actually running workshops for medical personnel. So it looks like she and I have once again found ourselves in similar jobs - but now it's education related. Hope that answers your friend's question. I really hope that you decide to come on this cruise -- let us know when you finally make a decision.

Gail Marti and I have been friends since high school - we attended the same college and have remained good friends for lots of years - she is my children's godmother. She too is a lover of travel - and is like me starting her second career after "retiring" from a previous long term one. I think our friends could get along well since they both seem to be easy going and flexible. I spoke with Marti and she probably won't decide to go until the fall - isn't that when you said you would decide? So let's keep the option of making the match after the summer and see what happens. I have been to many of the ports on this cruise and kind of know which places are not to be missed for my traveling companions. But I have started researching the few I haven't visited - Riga, Gdansk, Talinn - and who knows my friend's son in Riga may even give us a personal tour. Planning is such fun.. Talk again soon.

Gail I also have a woman friend who might consider going on this cruise - we might be able to make a match who knows. We will be checking about the St Petersburg tours as we get closer - although my friend and TA Sue keeps e-mailing hoping that someone will give us a proposal this far in advance. I'm not sure about the fjords - I did do a fjord cruise the first time I visited Scandinavia many years ago. Keep thinking about joining us and I will keep you posted as we make more specific plans. Your trip for this summer sounds great - enjoy the planning.

Thanks everyone for stopping by this Board - Gail it would be real nice to have you and Paul join us - we are so anxious to start planning -- but alas it is too soon - we wrote too Red October about tours in St. Petersburg but they told us to contact them in January 2008. The only other Celebrity cruise going to Riga is in August but it ventures to Germany (it is such a long ride to Berlin from where the ship docks) and doesn't go to Oslo -we think this itinerary is better Keep us posted if you decide to join us. [/size]

Been away so I will answer all three questions at once. First cruise was a 12 day Mediterranean Cruise I agree not packing every time you leave a destination it the most wonderful aspect of cruising I definitely like port days better but when it is a port intensive cruise a few days at sea are great to regroup your energy[/size]

Enjoy the Coundown

Thanks Jennifer

Thanks everyone for your good wishes -- we are quite excited -- Jackie we are overnight in Stockholm, St Petersburg and Copenhagen. This will give us a lot more time to see what there is to see - in fact we are hoping to arrive in Stockholm a few days early and linger a day or so in England. Here's the itinerary Sat, Jul 19 Stockholm, Sweden Sun, Jul 20 Stockholm, Sweden Docked Depart 2:00 PM Mon, Jul 21 Riga, Latvia Docked Arrive 9:00 AM Depart 4:00 PM Tue, Jul 22 Gdansk (Gdynia), Poland Docked Arrive 9:00 AM Depart 5:00 PM Wed, Jul 23 At Sea Thu, Jul 24 Helsinki, Finland Docked Arrive 7:00 AM Depart 6:00 PM Fri, Jul 25 St. Petersburg, Russia Docked Arrive 7:00 AM Sat, Jul 26 St. Petersburg, Russia Docked Depart 6:00 PM Sun, Jul 27 Tallinn, Estonia Docked Arrive 7:00 AM Depart 4:00 PM Mon, Jul 28 At Sea Tue, Jul 29 Copenhagen, Denmark Docked Arrive 9:00 AM Wed, Jul 30 Copenhagen, Denmark Docked Depart 4:00 PM Thu, Jul 31 Oslo, Norway Docked Arrive 8:00 AM Depart 6:00 PM Fri, Aug 01 At Sea Sat, Aug 02 Harwich, England Arrive 4:00 AM [/size]

Decided to start a Board even though I suppose I will be talking to myself for a while. [/size]

The cruise is scheduled for July 19, 2008 and the ports are Stockholm, Sweden, Riga, Latvia, Gdansk (Gdynia), Poland, Helsinki, Finland, St. Petersburg, Russia, Tallinn, Estonia, Copenhagen, Denmark, Oslo, Norway, Harwich, England. Yes Now the fun begins - planning what to do in each port.

We just booked the 14 Night Scandinavia & Russia O/J Cruise on board the Constellation -- when I asked my friend who is my TA to book it for us she told me that she and her husband are also booking this cruise - she thought it looked great after I called it to her attention several weeks ago. It will be great traveling with her and her husband. Suanne and Harvey our traveling companions on our 2006 Millenium Cruise will also be going and a few more friends are also considering -- who knows we may end up with a group and may even get some perks - especially traveling with your TA.[/size]

Since my first and only cruise was on the Millenium last October and ee had such a wonderful time -- I would have to say Celebrity has my vote too -- we are about to book the July 19, 2008 Scandinavian and Baltic Cruise on the Connie beginning in Stockholm and ending in Harwich.

Drevil You will have a great time -- we were on the cruise with Joey, Love2travel and Terumim -- we too felt that the weather was almost perfect -- it rained only for part of one day -- and a light jacket was all that we needed. The best thing about October is that the crowds are smaller and it is easier to get around. If you need any more information just ask.[/size]

Thanks Jason -- you are awsome[/size]

Welcome Back[/size]

Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy[/size]

Bon Voyage[/size]