Nami

On 9/2/2020 at 7:08 AM, John&LaLa said:

Tour guide, a woman, said this is the typical expression of all Finish men

 

Now they have to wear masks.

photo Anna Jousijarvi

Thank you for this review. I love it. I should be right now on the newly renovated Allure somewhere in the Mediterranean, but instead of that I’m entertaining myself with your cruise near me (I live in Finland).

On 8/31/2020 at 6:28 AM, John&LaLa said:

A couple of ferries. These things load and unload quick, just a few hours to turn around

Lots of shoppers from both Sweden and Finland from what I understand

 

These ferries, which are operating by tree different company, cross the Baltic Sea between Tallinn and Helsinki about ten times a day (before Covid-19). It is only few hours trip, and the tickets are inexpensive. Almost everything cost less in Estonia than in Finland, so it’s very popular to go shopping to Tallinn. On the Ferry you can eat buffet, ala carte or drink in bars. Usually there is live music, some kind of entertainment like bingo, and a huge shop where you can buy cosmetic, candies and alcohol. Lot to do for two and half hour trip. There are basic cabins on the ferry, so you can sleep on the ferry either in Tallinn or in Helsinki harbor.

Main reason for us Finns to go to Tallinn, or only to ferry is cheap alcohol. It’s much cheaper in the ferry than in Finland and even cheaper in Tallinn. So it’s typical to make the trip with your own car (you can drive car to some ferries, even if you don’t go to land at all) and by as much beer, wine and liquor as you can fit to your car.

Similar ferries are operating between Stockholm and Tallinn and between Stockholm and Helsinki, but it takes more time and in Sweden alcohol is expensive.  If you ever have land vacation in Tallinn, Helsinki or Stockholm, I highly recommended this kind of a cruise. You can’t get this experience anywhere else.

The green one on your picture is Tallink Megastar, built in Meyer Turku, Finland.

15 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

Here is my best musher pose

Or maybe it was a ice walker for the in-firmed

 

Kicksled is in common use in Finland, especially in countryside where roads are not sanded or salted. It’s not unusual to see it on someone’s car roof rack on his way to ice fishing to frozen lake. We also have summer models with wheels, usually used by old women. I use to go to school with kicksled when I was a child. Mine was also blue.

Keep going, I really enjoy this threat!

8 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Both Mein Schiff 1 & 2 are in Turku Finland today and 2 is probably close enough to the Meyer shipyard to get a glimpse of Icon under construction.

Both Mein Schiff 1 & 2 cruised near to Meyer Turku Shipyard and sounded ship horns. That was nice.

You can see it on this Video

I live in Turku and have friends and family members who are currently working in the Meyer Turku shipyard. What I have heard from them and local newspapers is: 

Constructions should have started last month, but they didn't. Some parts have built somewhere else, but nothing in Turku yet. (Fact)

Meyer Turku has announced that that instead of two cruise ships, the shipyard will hand over only one cruise ship per year. They are currently discussing about the details with Royal Caribbean and other customers. (Fact)

Shipping companies may suspend the repayment of export credits for one year. Also their loans can't be terminated on the basis of the terms of the agreement. All major European shipbuilding countries (Germany, France, Finland, Italy and Norway) have joined the arrangement. (Fact)

Icon will be built, but not in the original schedule. (Probably true)

Icon construction works in Turku will start 2022. (Just a rumor)
 

Why ruin one of the world's great drink with the rum?????

:D

Well, everything tastes good with Captain Morgan. Cocoa, tee, cakes, so why not Caipirinha :D

Great! Thank you.

We tasted Captain’s caipirinha on Trellis Bar on Allure of the Seas, and liked it.

Now we are at home. I have Captain Morgan, Cachaca, sugar, lime and ice. The question is how do I make it? How much I need each ingredients?

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I got so many great links. If I don't find anything from the mall, at least I can shop online at home ;)

Thank you all!

Regarding allure are they in an area where they can be viewed? Where on deck 14?

I got this info from a friend who works at the shipyard. I have no idea are they in public area or not.

I know where they are in Mariner, Voyager, Adventure, Explorer, Navigator, Freedom, Independence, Liberty, Oasis and Allure.

The lucky coins are in radar tower. Inside, so you can't see them.

These wonderful ships are built in Turku Finland where I live. And I'm so proud of them :)

Chico's is a good suggestion. Many of their clothes are great for travel.

Another good tip, thanks.

Thank you all. This was helpful. The mall is so huge, that I can't visit every store :eek:.

Finally!!

 

After numerous requests before my last visit to Cozumel, which were ignored, I finally received confirmation for my upcoming trip that day passes are still available for sale in the lobby for $40pp, to include food, drinks and towels. No mention of snorkel equipment this time so I don't know if that has stopped or if it was an omission.

Thanks for the info :)

Thanks all. I visited Dillard's and Macy's websites and liked both of them. Looks fine for my style and budget. Unfortunately Dillard's is not in Aventura Mall, but I certainly will visit Macy's.

We only have one whole day in FL pre cruise and we don’t have a car. There is free shuttle from our hotel to Aventura mall, so that's why we choose it for shopping.

Miami/ Fort Lauderdale

I need advice and I think this forum might be the right place. I’m going to visit Aventura Mall pre cruise. Can you recommend where to find plus size clothes? I need casual holiday clothes and also something for formal nights. I’m not a teenager anymore and my budget doesn’t allow luxury stores. My size is 20.

Thank you both.

We'll be on Allure of the Seas at International Pier, so we can walk there and ask if they have space. There will be 5 ships on Cozumel that day.

happy to answer any questions

Great pics, thanks!

Do you know what time the pool area opens for day pass guest? And what time are food and beverages available?

I read your Finnish travel blog while you were cruising

What? A Finnish travel blog :eek: I love Your CC reviews and now I found out that you have a blog. Yes, I found it with Google. So, what am I doing now? Of course I am reading your blog. This will take a while. So many great stories with fabulous photos.:)

Another great review from you Sinny. Thanks.

Looking forward to reading more :)

Found some Visby roses for you :)

Thank You Linda! Lovely picture.

I visited Visby few days ago. It’s so beautiful place, as everybody can see from your lovely pictures. I was there only 8 hours, and that was too short time!

I sailed to Visby on this ferry Tallink Europa. She usually sails between Helsinki and Tallinn, but few times per summer from Helsinki to Visby.

Beautiful post!

How far is the terminal to the city in Helsinki?

You still need to find out which terminal in the West harbor of Helsinki your ship will be. Take a look at Rick Steves' book on Northern Europe cruise ports for the various possible terminals.

BTW all the terminals in the Helsinki west harbor will be too far to walk to town. Hope this helps.

If your ship is in West Harbour, it is docked in number 4 on the map.

- Trams 9 and 6 departure from number 3 on the map. Tram 9 goes to Railway Station, Tram 6 goes to Main Shopping area.

- Walking distance from number 4 to number 3 is about 0,5 miles

- Walking distance from West Harbour to market Square is over 2 miles

If your ship is in Hernesaari, it is docked in number 1 or 2 on the map.

- Bus 14 goes from Hernesaari to main bus station Kamppi. From Kamppi to Market Square you have several options with bus or tram. But that takes time. So my suggestion is, that use ships shuttle or taxi.

Tram ticket is 3 Euros one way. Its valid 1 hour and you can transfer from one vehicle to another (bus, train, metro and tram).Taxi from West Harbour or Hernesaari to Market Square is 14-17 Euros, depends on traffic.

Hope this helps.

http://www.portofhelsinki.fi/passengers/international_cruise

http://www.hel.fi/hki/HKL/en/HKL+Tram

http://www.reittiopas.fi/en/

80s are too hot! I'm heading to N. Europe to escape the brutal heat here...wishful thinking that it cools back down into the 70s by next month. Of course, after a month of 100+ temps I am sure 84 will feel cool :)

Temperatures over 80 are quite rare in Helsinki. Maybe 5 to 10 days per summer. And if you need 100+ temps, you have to go to sauna :D

Sorry, but you were going about a week too early, now it's in the 80's, at least here in Sweden. That's our typical summer weather here; 55F one day and 80F the next. It can be rather cold for longer periods, but now I hope summer has finally arrived./Erik

Yes, hot weather is here :D Great for us, who lives here and all those passengers who were in Helsinki yesterday. I saw Brilliance of the Seas in port of Helsinki and though: Poor Linda, She was freezing here last week (55F, windy and rainy), and all those lucky guys can enjoy this fantastic day (84F, sunny)

But this is normal in Scandinavia. Nobody can predict weather months in advance. So if you are wondering what to pack in Scandinavian cruise next summer, my advice is: prepare to any weather. The weather can change very quickly.

Thank You Linda again for this great blog! Great photos and stories!

Great pictures from Visby. Thank You! But where are all the roses? Visby is called "The city of roses".

Anyway, next month I'm going to cruise Visby myself to see if the roses flowers ;)