Originally Posted by
Hoyaheel
I was responding to the cruise/Berlin component - I've never seen an option to take a train from Warnemunde to Berlin, just a coach. Which is what I was saying I wouldn't do because I don't want to see Berlin that much. If we do another sort of trip to Germany, it's an option. Germany has never been high on my personal travel list and we've already done a Christmas market river cruise - that suited my personal desires ;-) If we do something else in the future, there will be discussions between me & spouse about our priorities.....
I urge anyone not to do the cruise visit to Berlin. Not only is it an exhausting day but the time spent actually seeing Berlin is a farce.
Summary of our first visit to Berlin using the cruise method.
Get up at ungodly hour to board a rickety train for the almost 4 hour slow train ride. After arriving in Berlin, get on buses that swoop you through the city with nary a stop. Get off, walk, get on. Interested in actually seeing something...sorry, no time for that.
Spend almost all of your time on a coach nodding off to sleep because you got up at 5 AM and couldn't sleep on the antiquated train.
At 3 PM get back on train for 4 hour ride back.
Arrive exhausted back at ship, and vow never ever to do that tour again.
Second visit to Berlin
Arrive in Berlin by air 12/27. Stay at 4-5 star hotel in center of city next to the park.
Spend as much time seeing both historical and archeological sites. Tons of things to see and do, even in the middle of winter.
Got to do New Years Eve downtown. Fabulous fun.
Left New Years Day with wish we had more time to visit.
The latter is the way to see Berlin. The former is a way to waste a day and a lot of money.