VMax1700

Today was the Mariners' Lunch for 3 star and above. didn't go, but tried the gainer burger (again) at Dive In. Service was very quick (the buzzer was buzzing, as buzzers are wont to do, before I even got upstairs to order the pizza). They were not grilling to order. Ellen had pizza. We decided it was time to start weaning ourselves towards normal everyday food again 😉😭

We are at sea......... This morning started off very foggy and the captain did not show at the 'Meet the Captain'. At the 12 noon position report he said that the conditions were to bad for him to leave the bridge and safety of the ship was his prime concern. I had been checking on the TV and even in the fog he was hitting a solid 17 knots, or as he reported it seventeen decimal zero. Around 1pm the sun appeared, then disappeared again and then the wind got up and so did the seas. So this evening we are bouncing along the baltic sea.

Day 11 Tuesday 2nd October At Sea between Stockholm and Kiel. Today's Daily Program

yes i do!

Me too! and with our solar panels I calculate that my driving this summer cost me nothing! But when the solar panels have reached the end of their life, what waste is produced? However, I will take the feelgood factor now.

For the past 2 days Rotterdam has been hooked up to shore power in Stockholm, Sweden. Most of Sweden's power comes from hydroelectric and nuclear. So no oil, no fumes from the ship, but how clean and green is nuclear (waste)?

Not physically confirmed but HGM is listed as Errol Nelson.

Just on the subject of HIA excursion credit. Although transfers to the airport are listed as not being available for HIA credit, when we booked the end of cruise transfer to Schiphol via the app, it used up some of our credit. Also HOHO bus tickets used up credit.

Second day in Stockholm and we took the HAL excursion to the Abba Museum. We had one and half hours at the museum. 45 minutes would have been enough. We only did it to use up HIA excursion credit. Summed up in a sentence - Too long, too expensive.

And the menus for Day 10 Monday 2nd October lido_lunch_day_9.pdf lido_dinner_day_9 (1).pdf mdr_dinner_day_9.pdf

Day 10 Monday 2nd October Here is today's Daily Program

We are now out in the Baltic Sea, no longer in range of the land based towers, so completely at the mercy of HAL's internet. I can no longer connect via Hot Spot or Bluetooth. Only option is when I connect a USB cable between phone and laptop. As you can see, the wifi calling icon is showing. Only on Premium.

Someone posted on another thread that Tomas left the ship in Helsinki.

Still have some of the stationary. Why do I still keep it? And the Yum Yum man and the dinner time gong! Slippers in all staterooms and the little bedside mats put beside the bed each evening at turn down...........and evening turndown!!😁 (and I am not old.......am I?)

They were showing Fast X on the mainstage screen. Rolling Stone Rock room, BBKings and Billboard Onboard were all giving it all. As far as we were concerned there were plenty of options, we are not into games etc. Didn't know that there was a 'Cruise Host' on this cruise. The Cruise and Travel Director is Karlyn. By 'Cruise Host' do you mean the DJ 'Ace' who wears a kilt and plays music when BBKings has finished? Not knocking you, just pointing out what was happening on the overnight, should readers think that there was nothing at all happening.

Yes it is the premium package. It was $50 to upgrade for 14 days. I normally connect my phone to the ships wifi system and then connect my laptop via an USB cable. I will try again either later today of tomorrow to set up a hot spot but afaik it is necessary to use a dedicated mobile router, as most phones cannot receive wifi and broadcast wifi at the same time. We are currently in the Stockholm Archipeligo so I am using land based 5G data on my phone, which thanks to EU rules, costs me nothing extra above my usual monthly charge back home.

Agree! The BBK band is what I would call 'tight'. They really sound together and in my opinion are not too loud.

We belong to the BOO fraternity. Bring Our Own! I am sure that there are many good crackers in Holland, but I find that crackers are a real personal choice. What I like, many others would not like etc, so I prefer to stick with our own, as they are the closest to 'Saltine'. I have had no problems with breakages! Even though they are more expensive I purchase snack pack versions, so individually wrapped portion each containing 5 crackers. I cling wrap them in sets of 4 packs and then use them as a centre to roll a trousers or jeans around.

14 day (in Europe) is currently $50 for 14 day upgrade. One device.

We are currently cruising in Europe on Rotterdam For many months pre cruise, excursions were either sold out or wait listed. Since boarding the ship there have been additional capacities added and also additional options, such as Ho-Ho buses. A tour such as the Edinburgh Tatoo would be problematic as the actual tickets available for a specific day when the ship is in port are finite, but many other tours will probably have additional capacity, just as our have done.

STOP, JUST STOP! All you guys getting excited and talking about boarding only means that we are nearing the end of our cruise. What, we have 5 days still remaining to enjoy ourselves? Great. Now never mind expanding suitcases, whatabout expanding waistbands? 😁

We were docked today down by the Viking Terminal which is about 2.5km from Gamla Stan. The shuttle bus ($16.95 charged to the stateroom) dropped us across the river from Gamla Stan and collected us again from the same spot. (well, to be pedantic, from the other side of the street!) At the quayside there were the usual tour buses and also the Ho-Ho bus was there (book onboard or at bus). Also just outside the port gates were a few taxis. It was a short walk to the port gates. Some were walking into the centre. Google said 2.5km (1.5 mls). Although there was a road along the river side, it seems it was closed for works at the moment. The cobbles in Gamla Stan made it hard work to walk there. Even the pavements were cobbles.

Miscellaneous pics from Stockholm

Friday night at Tamarind Scallops Crispy Duck And very very well done chops!!

Food Porn....... Tonight's Pinnacle Grill, Crab Cakes Scallops Asparagus Lamb chops (very, very well done -i.e. sacrificed!)