We are fresh off of the Magic of the Baltic add-on, and after a year of anticipation of what it would be like, I have to say.... No. Not for this particular cruise add-on, anyway.
We signed up because we wanted the best possible experience with the least hassle (no money conversions, tour arrangements, etc.). And while the experience was hassle-free, it was incredibly cost-intensive. $2100+pp in addition to the cost of the cruise.
The guides were indeed wonderful. The places visited were (mostly) great. The local experts were a bit hit and miss. Not sure it that is because it was the first tour or???
Shortcomings were the loooooong lunches. We were already on a cruise, there is no shortage of food, lets go SEE and DO some stuff in these wonderful countries! We appreciated the chance to sit and have a nice lunch, but maybe cut out the dessert and coffee and give us a cookie on the bus. In Finland, over 75% of our day was spent travelling back and forth to a farm for... LUNCH! That left 25 minutes for the Rock Church + shopping. It was not even enough time to get a photo.
That being said, we would not rule out another ABD that was not a cruise add-on. We were just disappointed that so much of our very limited port time was spent on food.
We signed up because we wanted the best possible experience with the least hassle (no money conversions, tour arrangements, etc.). And while the experience was hassle-free, it was incredibly cost-intensive. $2100+pp in addition to the cost of the cruise.
The guides were indeed wonderful. The places visited were (mostly) great. The local experts were a bit hit and miss. Not sure it that is because it was the first tour or???
Shortcomings were the loooooong lunches. We were already on a cruise, there is no shortage of food, lets go SEE and DO some stuff in these wonderful countries! We appreciated the chance to sit and have a nice lunch, but maybe cut out the dessert and coffee and give us a cookie on the bus. In Finland, over 75% of our day was spent travelling back and forth to a farm for... LUNCH! That left 25 minutes for the Rock Church + shopping. It was not even enough time to get a photo.
That being said, we would not rule out another ABD that was not a cruise add-on. We were just disappointed that so much of our very limited port time was spent on food.