I’m organizing a 9 day cruise of Scandinavia, Russia and the Baltic Sea, and inviting everyone to come onboard and join the fun!
This is going to be a pretty long post, because I rather overload you with information then forget something vitally important.
First, I want to apologize for not getting this posted earlier. Between nearly 12 weeks of travel last year, and some stupidly frustrating complications with travel agent laws, rules, regulations, etc. trying to get a single group code and a single method for everyone to book through just got ridiculous, eventually, I gave up on that idea. So, I’ve ended up with one group number for those in the US/Canada (or citizens of), and unfortunately everyone else will need to book through their own travel agent of choice or through their country/regional NCL web site. Details on this are below.
HOW TO BOOK - VERY IMPORTANT!
Be sure you read the rest of this post before booking
for important information, costs, and more
Updated January 27, 2020:
U.S. residents and citizens can book directly with me - Greygal, aka Laura DiFiore - I became a licensed travel agent last year!
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If you are wanting a solo studio or inside cabin, you will get a second choice of bonuses (instead of just one choice of bonuses if booking direct with NCL), PLUS $100 onboard credit (or the best currently available deal).
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If you are wanting oceanview, balcony, or above, you get all four bonuses PLUS $100 onboard credit, (or the best currently available deal).
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My required license numbers are: Florida Seller of Travel #ST15578, California Seller of Travel #2090937-50, Washington UBID #603189022, Iowa Registered Agent #1202, IATAN #123894
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To book with me, contact me via discord Greygal#6515, Twitter @Greygal__Eve, email greygal.eve@gmail.com and I’ll answer all your questions and give you my phone number.
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For your information, the direct Link to this specific cruise for U.S. citizens/residents or those who simply aren’t comfortable booking with me: Direct Link
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Between now and February 17th, you can book and reserve with just a US$50.00 deposit. Payment in full must be made on or before February 17th. If you book after February 17th, 2020, payment in full is required at time of booking.
IF YOU ARE LIVING IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY, book with your favorite travel agent or through NCL’s web site for your country or region. Select the JUNE 16, 2020 through June 25, 2020 cruise, the ship is the Escape!!
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For most other countries, you should be able to book and reserve with a deposit ranging between 25 and 250 Euros (varies in each country), with full payment due on or before February 17th. You can, of course, always book after February 17th, with payment in full due at time of booking.
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For Europeans, I suggest checking both the EU web site and the web site for your specific country (if your specific country has one). Sometimes you get a better price on one than the other.
EU Continental Web site -
Link to List of all NCL websites:
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Link to this cruise for Canadians: Currently, Canadians can book and reserve through their favorite travel agent or NCL’s web site for CN$50.00 deposit per person, with full payment due on or before February 17th, 2020. Of course, you can book after February 17th, with full payment due at time of booking.
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Link to this cruise for Australians. Currently, NCL Australia’s prices and promotions are nearly identical (after currency exchange) to NCL’s US prices and promotions. (I found only a $2 difference on some cabin types!)
IMPORTANT!
Whether you book through me or through your own travel agent or NCL web site, you will still be a part of our group so long as you contact me and let me know so I can add you to my master group list! I will have a form for you to fill out, so I can get your information and ensure you receive the tshirt, swag, and any other goodies! You can reach me on Discord Greygal#6515 Twitter @Greygal__Eve or via email greygal.eve@gmail.com
THE DETAILS
When: June 16, 2020 to June 25, 2020
Where: Departs from Copenhagan, Denmark, cruising the Baltic Sea with stops in Warnemunde Germany, Tallinn Estonia, St. Petersburg Russia (2 days!), Helsinki Finland, Stockholm Sweden, then back to Copenhagen. Itinerary below.
Why: Why not! My bucket list ain’t getting any shorter staying at home, neither is yours!
What: We’ll be sailing on the huge NCL ship, the “Norwegian Escape,” which is a mega cruise ship, able to carry over 4,000 people. For those who were on last year’s Alaska cruise, this is a sister ship to the Bliss and very similar. Link to pictures and deck plans:
Along with all the usual fun things to do on a cruise ship, the Escape has a ropes and zip line course, which is included in the fare!
The Norwegian Escape has an onboard casino, of course , and numerous gaming tournaments. Lots of dining, entertainment options including several free shows, swimming, and other options, too! Norwegian Escape Cruise Ship Amenities | Onboard Experience | Norwegian Cruise Line
COSTS:
Costs depend on what type of cabin you select, what country you are in and how you book, and are generally per person, double-occupancy (2 people) per cabin. INCLUDING port fees, service fees, etc., but BEFORE any group credits, promotions, bonuses, etc., the cost per person will range between roughly ~US$1,700.00 to ~US$5,000.00 per person, depending on what cabin you choose.
No matter how you book your reservation, the pay-in-full date is February 17th, 2020, which means if you book after February 17th, 2020, you will need to pay in full at time of booking. If you have booked and need to cancel after February 17th, you may still be eligible for a partial refund. NCL’s refund policies are pretty much the same worldwide, but do check your country/region NCL web site for specifics. Cancellation and refund procedures, policies, and details, main NCL website.
SO WHAT’S INCLUDED?
No matter how you book, the following is included:
That’s the lovely Liz, darling Dreydan, and remarkable Rixx Javix sporting Cruisers of Eve: Alaska shirts and lanyards.
Swag: Of course, there will be swag for everyone who joins our cruise!
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Polo shirt OR zippered sweatshirt hoodie jacket (your choice) with embroidered Cruisers of Eve: Baltic Sea logo! It’ll be 100% cotton polo this time, though, not the polyester ones I got last year hehe (those were just too hot!) Please be aware I’ll be ordering our embroidered polo shirts or jackets on May 11, 2020. If you reserve after May 11, I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to get you a shirt/jacket in time for the cruise. (You’ll still get one, but I may have to get it to you after the cruise).
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Custom souvenir I.D. tag!
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Custom souvenir lanyard, with badge reel and ship keycard holder.
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Custom souvenir lapel pin, of course!
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I’ll be asking CCP if it’s possible to get skin codes, no guarantee, but I’ll ask!
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Depending on how many cabins end up booked, I’ll order us more loot and swag!
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Entry to Tivoli Gardens for the Undock Party in Copenhagen on June 15th.
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Entry to whatever it is we plan for our stop in Germany.
Important: No matter how you book, please make sure you contact me with your information, so I can include you in my master group list and get you your swag!
ALL FARES INCLUDE: For full details: https://www.ncl.com/faq/cruise-fare-includes
- Meals in the free dining venues
- Dedicated Kids & Teen (ages 3-17) programming & spaces during at sea days until 10:30 pm and from departure until 10:30 pm during port days
- Poolside activities
- Fitness facilities/gym and sports court activities. (Exercise classes are additional charge)
- Some on board classes/demos/presentations (this varies from cruise to cruise)
- Use of outdoor pools and hot tubs
- In-stateroom TV programming (on-demand movies extra)
- Phone calls onboard the ship (stateroom to stateroom)
- The ropes/zip line course
- If you are in a suite, there may be additional amenities/bonuses.
We will also be organizing and including:
- A casual meetup at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen on June 15th (open to all Eve players! Tickets available Soon™).
- A casual G-Fleet meetup/excursion of some type in Warnemude (most likely will be going to the rocket museum in Peenemünde or the castle in Schwerin, more info Soon™)
- Probably a small meetup of some type in Helsinki
- Possibly a special group shore excursion
- Karaoke at least once
- On board pub crawl at least once lol
- A group dinner at the Teppanyaki restaurant on board (included if you select the specialty dining package as one of your bonuses, or $39.)
- A group dinner at Moderno Churrascaria, the Brazilian steakhouse restaurant on board (included if you select the specialty dining package as one of your bonuses, $39.
- Highly likely, authentic medieval lunch at the https://www.oldehansa.ee/ in Tallin, Estonia.
- If we have more than 40 people, we can also organize private excursion/tour in St. Petersburg for a discount (ranges between 25% and 40%)
- Whatever else we can think up that we can squeeze in.
Fares do NOT include port fees (about $173.99 per person), cruise service/gratuity fees ($135.00 per person total), soda pop, casino betting, video arcade, laundry, a few other things. Transportation from your home to and from Copenhagen is NOT included. For full details on what the fare includes and does not include, read this: https://www.ncl.com/faq/cruise-fare-includes
Note: If you select the Premium Beverage Package as your booking bonus, that DOES include soda pop. If you don’t want the Premium Beverage Package, you can purchase a separate soda pop drinks package for around $85.
All fares (except the solo single) are per person, double occupancy, that’s 2 people per cabin. If you put 3/4/5/6 people in a cabin, the fare for beyond the first 2 people is lower - roughly 30-60% lower (depends upon the cabin, but they don’t get some of the bonuses.) Sometimes there are promotions where 3/4/5/6th person cruises free and/or for $99.
Inside Cabins:
Average price starts at ~$1,750 per person plus port fees/taxes/etc.
Updated Feb 2, 2020: SEE POST at end of this thread for latest example U.S. pricing.
Solo Studios:
Updated Feb 2, 2020: SEE POST at end of this thread for latest example U.S. pricing.___
Oceanview Room:
Updated Feb 2, 2020: SEE POST at end of this thread for latest example U.S. pricing.
Balcony Cabin:
Updated Feb 2, 2020: SEE POST at end of this thread for latest example U.S. pricing.
SPA MINI-SUITE, SPA BALCONY SUITE:
Basically, a larger balcony or mini suite cabins, most hold up to 3 people. They usually have higher quality amenities inside the room. Includes complimentary thermal spa access. All are located on Deck 15. Current price is averaging between $2,770 to $3,250 per person plus port fees/taxes/etc.
Updated Feb 2, 2020: SEE POST at end of this thread for latest example U.S. pricing.
MINI SUITES:
Can fit up to 4 people, are basically larger balcony cabins, and the floor plans vary on these depending on ship location. Rates vary on these, but they start around $2,600 per person (for first two people), plus port fees/taxes/service fees.
Updated Feb 2, 2020: SEE POST at end of this thread for latest example U.S. pricing.
HAVEN SUITES:
Numerous different layouts, including some that are two room suites. Up to 6 people. Located at the top of the ship, Decks 17 and 18, includes 24-hour butler, concierge and valet service, and private sundeck. Also includes free meals at the private Haven Restaurant. Havens usually include some onboard credit, too (t$100 or more). These START around $4,400 per person for double occupancy, less per person if you have 6 (the max).
INFORMATION ABOUT BOOKING BONUSES
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For US citizens or residents who book with me, if you book a studio or a inside cabin, you will get your choice of TWO bonuses (instead of the usual just one bonus).
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For US persons booking with me (or any other travel agent or NCL directly) and selecting a balcony or above, you get all four of the bonuses.
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For US persons booking with me directly, you also receive $100.00 on board credit!
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For persons in all other countries, in general you will be able to select one bonus for a studio or inside cabin, two bonuses for oceanview, and four bonuses for balcony and above. In some countries (much of Europe), the bonuses are not free, but cost an additional €99 per person for your choice of bonuses. Please check with your travel agent of choice or the NCL web site for your country/region for details.
Regardless of how you book, the bonuses work the same once on board:
- Premium Beverage Package (for first and second person in each cabin only). Includes unlimited cocktails, various spirits, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to and including $15 in cost (per glass/bottle), and unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, and restaurants. Includes a 20% discount for all bottles of wine purchased on board. If you select this bonus, you will be charged the beverage package gratuity fee of $178.20 per person for the first two people in the cabin (that’s for the entire 9 day cruise). So, if you drink more than 2 or 3 drinks a day, even with the gratuity fee (or bonus package fee if you are in most EU countries), you’re saving a LOT of money. I can say with absolute certainty that those of us with this package on the Alaska cruise definitely, absolutely abused the heck of this! More details: https://www.ncl.com/terms/premium-beverage-package
- $50.00 Per Port Shore Excursion Credit. Credit is per cabin, so it’d be $50.00 off one excursion per stop. This can be used on any of the excursions booked through NCL. Shore excursion credit is applicable for each port, including debarkation port, and is not transferable to other ports. Use the credit or lose it. This cruise has five ports, so this bonus is valued at about $250.00. Shore excursion credit can only be redeemed by calling 1-866-625-1167 or booking onboard the ship. For the guests that book their excursions online; they are charged full retail for the excursions and the discount will be applied on-board in the form of a credit to their onboard account.
- Specialty Dining Package* (for first and second person in each cabin): Gives you four meal tickets/credits to be used at the specialty/ala carte restaurants (such as the chocolate bar at Coco’s, Teppanaki, the Brazillian steakhouse, and a few others). If you select this bonus, you get four specialty meals free per person, but do still have to pay the gratuity fee, which is $22.80 total per person (that’s total for all four meals). You can see the various dining rooms here: Norwegian Escape Cruise Ship Amenities | Onboard Experience | Norwegian Cruise Line
Details/FAQ about the specialty dining package is here: https://www.ncl.com/specialty-dining-package/faq - 250-minute Internet package, gives you 250 minutes/1000mb of internet connectivity for use anytime during the cruise. Can be used only on one device at a time, but anyone in your cabin can use it (if you want them to.)
You can reach me on Discord Greygal#6515 Twitter @Greygal__Eve or via email greygal.eve@gmail.com
ITINERARY:
All times are ship time.
Date | Time | Happening |
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Monday, June 15th, 2020: | TBA | Undock Party/meetup at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagan, Denmark. Entry is included for those coming on the cruise! For non-cruising EVE players who wish to join us for this fun meetup, I will have ticket information for non-cruisers posted soon (entry to the park is included for cruisers)! I’m aiming for a price point of about $25 for entry to the park and swag. Details soon! (Unfortunately, I can’t afford to buy everyone dinner this time, so everyone will be responsible for their own drinks or food.) |
Tuesday, June 16th, 2020 | 3:30pm | MUST be on board ship no later than 3:30pm! |
Tuesday, June 16th, 2020 | 5:00pm | Depart Copenhagen |
Wednesday, June 17th, 2020 | 7:30am-10:00pm | Warnemunde Shore Excursions There will also be a G-Fleet mini-meetup/excursion planned this day for any who wish to join it. Will probably be going to the rocket museum in Peenemünde or the castle in Schwerin, but not decided yet. |
Thursday, June 18th, 2020 | All day | At sea! Will probably organize a group Teppanyaki dinner and a show this day. |
Friday, June 19th, 2020 | 9:00am - 4:30pm | Tallin, Estonia. Shore Excursions Will likely organize authentic medieval meal at https://www.oldehansa.ee/ (Depending upon how much room they have available, may open this to any Eve player in the area who wants to join us even if they aren’t on the cruise.) Will probably organize the on-board pub crawl this day. Sing Happy Birthday to Liz! |
Saturday, June 20th, 2020 | 7:00am - all day | St. Petersburg, Day 1! Shore Excurions |
Sunday, June 21st, 2020 | all day until 7:00pm | St. Petersburg, Day 2! Shore Excurions |
Monday, June 22nd, 2020 | 7:00am-4:00pm | Helsinki, Finland. Shore Excursions – Will probably organize a group dinner at Moderno Churrascaria Brazillian steakhouse and a show on this day. |
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 | 7:00am-7:00pm | Stockholm, Sweden Shore Excursions |
Wednesday, June 24th, 2020 | All day | At sea! Will probably arrange a meeting room for us to play card/RP games or something else this day. |
Thursday, June 25th, 2020 | 7:00am | Arrive back in Copenhagen, I promise no tears on undocking (yea right!) |
I’m sure I’m forgetting something, and when I remember what I forgot, I’ll update this post, and I’ll also reserve the next spot for additional information regarding anything else we happen to come up with, special group milestones, etc.
If you have any questions, please feel free to post here in this thread, or poke me on Discord Greygal#6515 or Twitter @Greygal__Eve or email greygal.eve@gmail.com
Please also feel free to join the Cruisers of Eve Discord channel! Lots of experienced cruisers there who can answer the most esoteric of questions! Cruisers of Eve: 2022 Dreaming