Thursday 28th May Oslo

The cruise into Oslo was billed as 'spectacular with snow topped mountains'. It was picturesque but spectacular with snow topped mountains it was not! Glad we got up early as the weather for the sail out was duller and wetter. However it was cold and overcast for the sail in.

Breakfast before we docked so we could be off the ship at 8am to see the city without too many crowds. We were one of four big ships in, Caribbean Princess, Disney Magic and Color Magic as well as a toddler called Astor.

We see the unusual Radhuset, City Hall from the ship.

First a look at and walk on the bonkers Opera House: a different piece of architecture on the harbour side.

Then our usual pilgrimage to the railway station with its expansive heated concourse.

Along the main shopping street, Karl Johans gate

Past the Parliament building, Storinget,

and on to the Kings Castle (Royal Palace) where it was possible to stroll around the gardens: can you see Liz and Phil letting the great unwashed into their gardens?

By now it had just started to rain so we were glad of a walk back under trees passing the Theatre with this unusual fountain outside, and back to the ship.

Time for a coffee and swim before lunch, leaving room for the chocoholic tea and our last gala dinner of Beef Wellington followed by baked Alaska. Will give the Viva Voce performance a miss.

So we have 710 nautical miles to cover back to Southampton. A relaxing day at sea tomorrow to unwind and pack ready to leave the ship at 7.15am at QE 2 Terminal. This is the only terminal we have not used so a little excitement, well for IB but not IG, for that!

Wednesday May 27th Copenhagen

So another new country, Denmark and its capital city Copenhagen. One thing cruising does is to teach us the geography of the world. We had no idea that there was a man-made dam with a lock at the end of the Baltic (Gulf of Finland) protecting Saint Petersburg. We also did not really know that Denmark was a mainland Europe bit (Jylland) stuck on the top of Germany and then three main islands (Fyn, Lolland and Sjoelland where Copenhagen is) and a large number of smaller ones. The four main parts of Denmark are all joined by bridges and/or tunnels. The sea between Denmark and Norway is called the Skagerrak and the sea separating Denmark from Sweden is called the Kattergat. The gap between Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmo in Sweden is only about ten miles and called Oresund and spanned by a bridge and a short tunnel. The shorter gap to the north is not joined and only has a ferry link. We are sailing all around the west of Sjoelland and again under the Storebaelt Bridge (at 15 minutes past midnight so we will NOT be seeing the spectacle). Apparently the bridge has enough clearance for us to pass but the channel is not deep enough: geography lesson over! Lots to Google when we get home! As we have a de luxe cabin(every balcony cabin is de luxe!) we have a World Atlas: well chosen P and O as it shows land masses only: we are on a cruise so want a map of the seas between countries as well!

It has been a 660 nautical mile sail from Stockholm and has needed a speedy 21 knot pace. It was sunny all day yesterday but not sunbathing weather with a stiff breeze and 12C temperature. Under the glass roofed indoor pool it was very pleasant. Some cruise ships (Britannia, Azura, Queens Victoria and Elizabeth amongst others) do not have such pool: crazy!

Last nights act in the theatre was a male foursome called Viva Voce: we stayed for two ditties before walking out!

So up to see us sail in to Copenhagen and this was our view of the city with the dome of Frederik Catherdal: very impressive inside.

So just made the first shuttle bus into the centre and then a stroll around seeing the pretty Nyhavn Canal

The Royal Palace

Rosenborg Castle

and what is the longest pedestrianised shopping street in Europe, Stroget. Their interpretation of pedestrianised seems to not exclude delivery vehicles and bikes!

So - tired, back to the ship

 

 

 

for lunch and a laze by the pool with a swim and snooze. It was amazing how warm it was by the pool under the glass with the sun shining!

We were a bit disappointed with Copenhagen. This was probably partly due to the piercingly cold wind and the major construction works for a new Metro line. However we were not expecting the dirty streets, general poor condition of the streets, pavements and buildings and so much scaffolding on many buildings. Did not live up to its Wonderful Wonderful billing!

 

 

p.s. sorry about picture quality but internet is so slow we have to reduce the pictures to save time - and money!

Monday 25th May Stockholm – Tuesday 26th May At Sea

Monday 25^th May Stockholm

On our first cruise the Captain was interviewed and when asked what his favourite port was he answered Stockholm: we now know why!

We knew the sail into Stockholm was billed as impressive through the archipelago of Stockholm. Fortunately Sweden is on CET so we gained an hour from Estonia on WET. So we got up just after 5am and watched the ship sail towards Stockholm in crystal clear conditions.

Very difficult to choose a picture to show the amazing view of the many islands we passed on the way from the Baltic to Stockholm: this shows one of the many 'floating bridges'.

We eventually berthed at 8am and we were off to the city centre on the first shuttle bus, which went along the city waterfront.

to drop us us next to the Royal Palace.

Stockholm is built on a series of island connected either by bridge of ferry. The island of Gamla Stan is where most of the historic buildings are located and we enjoyed wandering along the cobbled streets

and looking at some beautiful old buildings. This one, the House of the Nobility is meant to be the most attractive building.

Of course we had to visit the central station which is impressively large.

We also crossed to the main shopping area and looked around their 'John Lewis' called Ahlens and got the distinct impression that shopping is expensive in Sweden!

After six days exploring ashore we were flagging so headed back to the ship for lunch and an afternoon by the pool.

Glad we saw the sail in in the morning so we can enjoy dinner at our usual time and then the show called 'Blame it on the Boogie' performed by the Headliners. We enjoyed this show last time we saw it and just the same this time. The cast obviously enjoyed performing it and that reflected in the performance. Weather not so good for the sail away as it is dull but improved and we had a wonderful sunset at 10pm as we re entered the Baltic.

May 26^th At Sea

A well deserved day at sea. This cruise is unusually port heavy with only 4 sea days in a two week cruise, and these are all single days fairly well spread out.

IG was REALLY looking forward to visiting the Russian Bazaar of expensive tack! She has already bought too much in Saint Petersburg but IB is sure that will not stop her spending more, but she resisted! The lack of Roubles has not been a problem: they all took US Dollars or Euros. We were unable to buy Roubles on the island as ' the exchange rate is too unstable'!

A bit of swimming, bit of walking, bit of eating but a lot of lazing is the order of the day.

Sunday May 24th Tallinn

This middle section of the cruise is a bit full on: six port days without a sea day. Today is the middle of that run of ports: we are tired but not flagging yet!

Great sail in in perfect clear conditions. However it is cold and VERY windy but the views made up for that. Also we had time for a leisurely breakfast before going on deck to see our arrival. Even better the ship swung around the right way for the final docking to be seen from our sheltered balcony.

In the wind it takes some time to secure the ship alongside with the thrusters needed until all the lines were secure. It takes a fair while and we finally leave the ship 30 minutes late in a bit of a scrum.

View of St Olav's Church which when built was the tallest building in Europe

Tallinn from ship as it berths

We are the first on the second shuttle bus: not our usual place!

After two days of organised tours (there is no alternative in Russia) it is nice to be on our own doing what we want. We just had a wander around the cobbled streets of what is the pretty small capital city of Estonia.

Very difficult to choose pictures to show Tallinn as we took so many. Here are a couple that we think give the flavour of the place.

Town Hall Square

Many of the streets had these Cafe /Restaurant pavement outside seating areas

The old upper part of the city is built on a hill with good views back over the lower city and harbour.

So back to the ship for lunch and a lazy afternoon by the pool. For the first time on any cruise we had lunch in the formal dinning room and enjoyed our Sunday lunch of roast beef. DP would however only given it a six at best: not up to British pub grub!

After dinner we were entertained by Fogwell Flax, former winner of LWTs Search for a Star and an impressionist comic who sings as well. He was really good and very funny in a show which lasted for 80 minutes: not bad going for a one man show!

Saturday May 23rd Saint Petersburg

One day done, one to go. We wake up to a lovely sunny and warm morning. However we learn that on the same cruise last year the temperature was 35C – far too hot! Our 18C is just right.

Not up so early as yesterday and we have a lie in until 6 30am. IG has booked a tour to the Fabergé Museum where she sees eight original Fabergé eggs owned by a Russian Billionaire. She was not allowed to take photos but here is one of Mr Fabergé's workshop.

 

 

IB spent a lazy morning on the ship and had a swim in the pool with the roof open. The roof was probably opened as they were cleaning the window surrounds with some evil chemical, rather than due to the high temperature. It was however very pleasant. This photo could not be taken last year as they have now added an extra deck of cabins in front of the pool so you can walk on top of those to get this view.

 

 

Quick bit to eat, better than no food yesterday, and off on our afternoon tour to the Hermitage Museum, which is in the Tsar's Winter Palace. We are in coach 14 which was guided by two rather eccentric older lady guides. Their real names were Elena and Galena but Hinge and Bracket would have been more appropriate. They were so disorganised: handing out and testing the radio receivers was a brilliant double act: we were told to test them and put our hands up if we could not hear, and they were serious: it was not a joke but we all were in stitches. Then the Tours Manager said we had too many and would four go to another coach: only two agreed!

So eventually off to the Hermitage. The City is on many rivers and canals and here is a view of the main River, the Neva.

 

 

The Hermitage from Palace Square

 

 

We enter the Hermitage up the grand staircase

 

 

and on through the impressive Ballroom

The Hermitage houses a extensive collection of works of art, but also the former Royal Apartments which IG really wanted to see. The tour went round the art works but we had the option to go off on our own which Elena reluctantly agreed to us doing. So we saw amongst others the newly restored Chapel

We got back to our agreed meeting place well on time but we had to wait for our guide and the rest of the party. Then we had another comedy act getting to meet up with the other half of the group and find our coach. We got back to the ship 30 seconds before the departure time for Tallinn!

Nice dinner and a Headliners show which was nothing special and an early night. As we sailed into the Gulf of Finland we pass through a flood defence lock which we think was build to prevent Saint Petersburg from flooding.

This blog has been vetted and edited by IG so any mistooks are down to her!

Friday May 22nd Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburgh was always going to be the highlight of this cruise and it has not disappointed! We arrive in port at about 6am, we are already up as we need to be ready for our tour at 6 50am! It is a dull and cold morning but we are hopeful it will improve.

So through the dreaded Russian passport control which was not too bad: our young lady actually smiled at us! Some folk took ages as the officers said they did not look like their photos! Then on to our coach for the hours journey through the City to the Catherine Palace, about an hours drive away.

The roads are wide and built on a grid system and most intersections have traffic lights: they seem to have very short green times and we are constantly held up. The drivers seem very impatient and carve everyone up all the time!

So when we arrive the Palace is not yet open so we stroll around the very impressive gardens

and then at opening time of 9 30am we are the third group to go through the Palace. There are only 2 ships in so our guide says it is not too bad. The newly build cruise terminal has berths for 10 ships and in peak summer season the attractions are deadly! By now the sun is out and it is becoming a very pleasant day.

The inside of the Palace is very grand with gold leaf everywhere. This is the ballroom

and this one of the many dinning rooms.

Time for the obligatory souvenir shop before returning via the 'M25' to just short of the cruise terminal: the last link which is a bridge across the harbour is not quite finished so we have a half hour slog through the city over the river Neva back to the ship 45 minutes late.

We have another afternoon tour booked and make it with minutes to spare but no time for lunch! Passport control back to the ship is less easy and queues are much longer and we choose a much more surly immigration officer: no smiles this time!

The afternoon tour is a walking exploration of the city. Off by coach to Palace Square to see the Summer Palace which houses the Hermitage Museum – which we will see inside tomorrow.



 

Then on foot past the end of Nevsky Prospekt, then main shopping street to see the Senate buildings and St Isaac's Cathedral where we see signs of World War 2 damage!.

Back in the coach to be let off at the Kazan Cathedral

for the short walk along a canal side to the Church of the Saviour of the Spilled Blood.

Then back to the coach for a souvenir shop visit where we actually bought some very good value items before returning to the ship past the Convent.

World record dinner in less than 45 minutes before an enjoyable tribute to Glenn Miller by the Arcadia Band in the theatre: The Great 'KL' would have loved it!

So another full on day on Saturday, IG is going the the Fabergé Museum in the morning while IB crashes and we are both going to the Hermitage Museum in the afternoon if IG gets back in time and we manage to meet up.

Thursday May 21st Helsinki

Another day a a new port and a new country, Finland. We are now in the Eastern European time zone 2 hours ahead of the UK so getting up early is more and more difficult. So we awake to a gloomy, cold and wet Helsinki with Regal Princess already berthed.

Off to breakfast to await the 'we are ready to let you ashore' message from the bridge. Decide that despite the possibility it might dry up we will venture ashore. Umbrellas and waterpoofs donned we catch the shuttle bus into town

We pass the food market on the Quayside

and head up towards Senate Square with the Government Palace on one side which was formerly the Senate of the Grand Dutchy.

On the north side of the Square is the Lutheran Cathedral of St. Nocholas

Then on past the impressive railway Staion

To the Rock Church which is so named because it is fashioned out of Rock, not its type of music!

Then walk along the main shopping street, Mannerheimintie.

And then finally to see the Russian Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral

with its ornate interior

Then back to the ship for lunch and a bit of pool time. The sun came out during the afternoon and it was really most pleasant in and beside the (inside) pool.

Another show by the headliners this evening then on to Saint Petersburg for two hectic days of exploring: we hope we are up for it. At least the weather forecast is much better!

There are two ways we access the internet abroad on a cruise. The ships internet is slow and paid for by time at 25p a minute. We also have a 3 dongle which is paid for by MB used and is MUCH cheaper. We have been on the dongle today and had all afternoon on line for next to nothing! This is the first port, apart from Southampton, where we have had mobile signal that is compatible with our 3 dongle.