Getaway Baltic Capitals cruise - 16 to 25 May

[Huntingdon1701]

^Definitely! :D To be fair, most customs officers are somewhere on the grumpy scale, whichever country they are working for.

 

Right, it's all starting to blur now so I'll crack on.

 

Day 7

Helsinki

Forecast: 50F/10C (But again warmer)

Arrival: 7am

All Aboard: 3.30pm

 

 

Another Alla tour day. Straight off the Getaway and onto the coach - no customs or anything.

 

We did a quick coach tour of the town, taking in it's parliament and government buildings and a big church. To be honest, after the grandeur of St Petersburg and the history of Schwerin and Tallinn, Helsinki was a bit dull.

 

We did however, get some early free time to go to the market on the harbour front. This had a mix of food stalls and souvenir/crafty type stalls. I was very tempted by some reindeer antler bottle-openers, but settled for an extremely delicious piece of locally caught salmon. You could also try free samples of vendace, which was very nice. A friend bought some quite nice local leather-covered note books.

 

After that, we walked back up to the church to meet the group again. There is a statue of one of the Tsars outside, Helsinki apparently being quite fond of this one because of all the investment he poured into the town.

 

Then it was time for the first of Helsinki's unique offerings - the rock church. This was really impressive, but packed with people so probably difficult to have a religious experience if a cruise ship is in town. However, it was the church of our guide and she talked quite passionately about it.

 

We spent about 30 minutes there, and then went off to look at the Olympic park - about ten minutes drive, turning right at the giraffes.

 

There wasn't much to see at the park (it was largely covered by scaffolding), but they're quite proud of how it put Helsinki back on the map.

 

Much more exciting and photogenic was our next stop. The Sibelius monument. It's a bit bizarre since he favoured violins, not organs, but it does look very impressive and is set in a very pleasant park. There is also an ice-cream hut there so take some spare change. If anyone ever works up the courage to try the black ice-cream, I'd love to know what flavour it is.

 

 

Our final stop was Seurasaari, which I wasn't really sure what it was. It turned out to be very beautiful/enjoyable and if I were to go back, I would spend the whole port stop there. It's a historic park set in a nature reserve, teeming with wildlife, and where they have relocated examples of all the old types of houses and structures that used to be typical in Finland. Each one comes with its provenance and a short description of how it was used. There are people in costumes scattered around to give you more information (although one had to have it dragged out of him, while another voluntarily hopped into the stocks for us).

 

Back on the ship at 3pm, and I had a quick snack in O'Sheehans before it was time for Cirque Dreams. I'd been tipped off to arrive there half an hour early, so I did and was glad that I did. They swipe the cards of the first people there and then give them early access so I ended up really close to the stage (had the slightly more expensive seats). Another tip is to check the actual time of the event in the daily, because on my e-docs and the tv it said it was 15 minutes later, so I'd have missed it if I turned up on what should have been the right time.

 

It's a very good show. They serve the food beforehand (Salad, steak, and then three types of snack-sized desert), but the performers parade around in really stunning costumes inviting you to take pictures. Best photo opportunity on the ship, so do take it. The meal is also quite substantial and more than I had at my previous cirque show on the Epic. I won't say much about the performance other than that it was very impressive - nervous people should note there is knife throwing, although the knives land a long way from the human target. At least in that performance.

[deby]

Thanks so much for the report. We are sailing on July 9 and this is helping make some plans.

[rocklinmom]

Did you go to Suomenlimna Fortress while in Helsinki? Also, I'm considering booking the Cirque show but three of us don't eat red meat so how long is the show itself? Since we would need to hit the buffet after.

 

 

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[Huntingdon1701]

Did you go to Suomenlimna Fortress while in Helsinki? Also, I'm considering booking the Cirque show but three of us don't eat red meat so how long is the show itself? Since we would need to hit the buffet after.

 

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I didn't (would like to do it if I returned there). The show is is about 90 minutes, so at most 2 hours depending on how early you get there. They will provide a vegetarian option if you give them 24 hours notice. If you go to the early showing they throw you out pretty rapidly afterwards so they can prepare for the next show. I'm told you can be a bit more relaxed in the later show.

[dv71617]

The more expensive floor seating is tables right up to the stage. They are sideways on rather directly facing it, but didn't involve much swivelling.

 

The cheaper banquet seating is at the back but takes the form of a comfy sofa-style seating in a horseshoe shape. There was even less swivelling in these seats. I suppose the advantage to these is that the seats are comfier and may be better if you have back or neck issues, but you sacrifice how close you are to the stage - although you should still get an uninterrupted view. You're also closer to the performers when they parade around before the show for photos.

 

I should have a few pictures of it in the rest of the review (hope to continue this evening).

 

Edit: Now I think about it, I'm not sure this was the difference. There was also a second row of sideways on tables further back, which may also have qualified as banquet seating. Either way, I would recommend the slightly more expensive floor seating. You are really close up and I think it was a better experience.

 

Thanks so much for the information !

[rocklinmom]

Thank you! We would do the 5:30 show so could last until 7pm to hit the buffet after. They could nibble on the desserts until then. I didn't realize they had a vegetarian option...wonder what it is?

[ARG2244]

Hmm I booked the Cirque show for 8:45pm but didn't realize it came with dinner. I probably would of been better off booking it for 5:30. We'll just have to have a light snack around 5pm so we can last to dinner at the 8:45 show!

[Huntingdon1701]

Day 8

(Stockholm) Nynashamn

Forecast: 50F/10C

Arrival: 8am

All Aboard: 4.30pm

 

Our last port stop. I had found out a week and a half ago from Alla that we were going to Nynashamn rather than Stockholm. I 'found out' from NCL while I was on the cruise. Since I specifically booked this cruise because it went direct to Stockholm, I was a bit miffed. Having seen the port facilities at Stockholm though, I will be surprised if the Getaway ever goes there, despite what the itinerary may have been advertised as.

 

That said, it didn't ruin our cruise and it must be admitted that the pier at Nynashamn afforded the best picture of the Getaway of any port.

 

Nynashamn itself is not unpleasant either.

 

 

The itinerary for the day.

 

It took about 45 minutes to drive from Nynashamn to Stockholm, and traffic was very light. There were some nice countryside views on the way. Stockholm was a much more interesting place than Helsinki. It's very hilly, which results in a lot of interesting alleys and side streets - the entrance to the houses isn't always on the floor that you'd expect.

 

Being up high, there were some good opportunities for pictures, and then we walked over to and through the city hall, which allowed you to look back and see how high some parts of Stockholm are.

 

 

 

After that, we went to the reason I booked the tour - the Vasa museum. If you're not aware, the Vasa is a Swedish warship that sank in 1628 and was perfectly preserved in the mud until they raised it, dried it out, and turned it into a museum. Bit like the Mary Rose, if you've heard of her/ Anyway, I knew she was well preserved but I was totally unprepared for how well preserved - it was amazing. Unfortunately, also nigh on impossible to photograph. These are my least bad attempts (the first one is a model, not the ship!).

 

It was a fascinating museum and deserved much longer than the hour we had allocated to it. It was very very busy and most people didn't make it all the way around the exhibits, and struggled to read the displays, so do leave plenty of time if you can. Also, make sure you go down to the lowest level (below the keel) where they have information about the maintenance of the ship, as well as some of the skeletons that were recovered from the wreck.

 

In addition, everyone queues incessantly for the toilets in the main exhibition hall, but if you go back out towards the entrance, there are some by the shop with no queue at all.

 

They managed with some difficulty to prise me away after our hour and we went off for another walk through the main part of the town (the hillier section), which would culminate in free time. Again, this was very very busy as there were two other cruise ships in town. If you're doing Stockholm on your own, then allow plenty of time to get around and walk wherever possible - it will be quicker!

 

The walk took in one of Stockholm's most famous sculptures (apparently) which is a small boy, with a light that shines on him, representing moonlight. My photo of the 'moon' got unintentionally photobombed by the guide's 'tour pet'.

 

We ended up in the Nobel square and broke for lunch. We went left (as you face the Nobel Museum) and then right along the side of the centre to find this restaurant in the cellar of a small cake shop. It turned out to do very good, and very fast, food - mostly typical salmon-based dishes. I'd recommend them rather than staying in the square because all the restaurants there were very busy and people who went mostly didn't get their food in the time available (last photo).

 

 

We all then dashed back to meet the all aboard time. There was a veritable convoy of tourist buses all dashing back. Pretty much everyone, including the ship's tours, arrived dead on 4.30. I really think that if they continue to use Nynashamn then they'll need to extend the time in port to allow for the travel to Stockholm. I think everyone made it though, and we didn't seem to leave until a bit later than we would for a 4.30 all aboard.

 

I took advantage of the time, and the fact that most people headed straight to O'Sheehan's for food, to go on the vertical drop water slides. I'd been planning this for ages, so it was really my last opportunity. Although the weather had been good, the Getaway pool deck was still generally freezing and breezy, so no-one had been using the slide (or the pool, just the Jacuzzi). So I checked with the huddled staff if they were open, and they then went up and opened them for me.

 

 

For those who haven't had the delightful terror of the experience, you stand vampire style (arms crossed on your shoulders) in this tube that they lock you into, with cold water running over your head and down your back. Then the trapdoor you're standing on opens and you drop what feels like ten feet into pitch blackness. You turn upside down and loop the loop and then shoot out with the water running over your head. You have a few moments of thinking you are drowning, and then realise that you just need to sit up. Takes about twenty seconds. I did it twice and then went for a stiff drink.

 

Technically this picture of the Mojito flight occurred the day before, but I forgot to mention it. From the sugarcane bar, and a very enjoyable experience.

 

That evening I ventured into Ocean Blue for dinner, given that it wasn't on the other ships I'd been on. The food was good, and it has good views across the waterfront. There's a slightly weird, and for me uncomfortable, practice of the senior waiter coming over once you've been served and announcing what you're about to eat. Since I ordered it, I was already familiar with that. Felt like they were trying to make the dinner seem special and just ended up being transparently pretentious. No fault of the staff of course, they have to do it.

 

They do have lobster on the menu, for all those addicts on the board.

 

The Abba tribute show was followed by the GLOW party. I avoided both and went to bed.

[Huntingdon1701]

Oh - I meant to say that we DID get to see some of the archipelago as we were sailing out, for several hours actually. It was some consolation for not seeing the whole thing on the way into Stockholm. You may want to delay your dining plans to view that, if it is particularly important to you.

[phiphi1234]

Thanks again for all the info and answering all (mine and everybody else's) questions! You're totally awesome!!

 

I have been patiently waiting for the Stockholm review! Yeah!!! It has arrived!!!

NCL informed us a few weeks ago already that we will be docking in Nynasham. I've been debating booking a tour vs doing it on my own. I think doing it on my own will allow me to do the Vasa at my own pace and just see how much of the old town as time remains... but maybe your answers can help me with the final decision:

• were the lines for the Vasa very long?
  
• how fast were you able to get off the ship in the morning?
  
• did you book with Alla again? How was the tour?
  
• Is it easy to navigate around town?
  

Thanks again for taking the time to share your wonderful experience!

[Igmus mom]

Great info..we're on the June 13th cruise. In the Vasa is it a pay toilet..if so, I'll need some some of local currency.

[Bella O]

So good! Thanks for all the good info for our upcoming cruise! Excellent

[Huntingdon1701]

Thanks again for all the info and answering all (mine and everybody else's) questions! You're totally awesome!!

 

I have been patiently waiting for the Stockholm review! Yeah!!! It has arrived!!!

NCL informed us a few weeks ago already that we will be docking in Nynasham. I've been debating booking a tour vs doing it on my own. I think doing it on my own will allow me to do the Vasa at my own pace and just see how much of the old town as time remains... but maybe your answers can help me with the final decision:

• were the lines for the Vasa very long?
  
• how fast were you able to get off the ship in the morning?
  
• did you book with Alla again? How was the tour?
  
• Is it easy to navigate around town?
  

Thanks again for taking the time to share your wonderful experience!

 

You're welcome. :D

 

Yes, the lines were quite long for people not with a group tour. If you were on a tour you skipped the line. If we'd had to have waited, I don't think we would have seen much at all. I am not sure if you can book as 'skip the line' tickets as a private individual, but that would be worth establishing if you are thinking of doing it yourself.

 

Getting off the ship was literally 5 minutes in each port bar St Petersburg. Wait in the atrium until they announce disembarkation and then join the first surge. It takes as long as it takes you to walk off the ship and the pier. Some have port gates that are about 10 minutes walk from the ship, so if you're meeting tours you need to allow a little time for that - but none more than 10 minutes.

 

I did book with Alla and I enjoyed the tour. However, we were more pushed for time on this one - partly because the town was busier than others, and it was hard to get the coach into places, and partly because we had a larger and older group than in other ports. If there is one thing that you would rather focus on, like the Vasa, then I would probably suggest focusing on that. If you want a general impression of the town then the tour is a good option (and of course provides hassle-free transport to Stockholm).

 

The ship does have a Vasa tour with, I think, some time on your own, so that might be worth considering too.

 

It looked fairly logically laid out and there were signposts in the main areas that we went to. However, as we had a guide, I wasn't paying all the much attention to directions. If you have a map or GPS then I don't see that would have many problems.

[Huntingdon1701]

Great info..we're on the June 13th cruise. In the Vasa is it a pay toilet..if so, I'll need some some of local currency.

 

No. Toilets in all the museums, restaurants, souvenir shops etc in all the ports were free. We never had to pay for a toilet, bar once in Rostock (and even then we could have found a free one if we'd been bothered). It's only public toilets around the town that might require payment, and you only need to worry about those if you're doing a port on your own.

[Igmus mom]

Thanks again

[ARG2244]

Day 8

(Stockholm) Nynashamn

Forecast: 50F/10C

Arrival: 8am

All Aboard: 4.30pm

 

Our last port stop. I had found out a week and a half ago from Alla that we were going to Nynashamn rather than Stockholm. I 'found out' from NCL while I was on the cruise. Since I specifically booked this cruise because it went direct to Stockholm, I was a bit miffed. Having seen the port facilities at Stockholm though, I will be surprised if the Getaway ever goes there, despite what the itinerary may have been advertised as.

 

That said, it didn't ruin our cruise and it must be admitted that the pier at Nynashamn afforded the best picture of the Getaway of any port. [ATTACH]407578[/ATTACH]

 

Nynashamn itself is not unpleasant either.

[ATTACH]407580[/ATTACH]

 

 

The itinerary for the day. [ATTACH]407579[/ATTACH]

 

It took about 45 minutes to drive from Nynashamn to Stockholm, and traffic was very light. There were some nice countryside views on the way. Stockholm was a much more interesting place than Helsinki. It's very hilly, which results in a lot of interesting alleys and side streets - the entrance to the houses isn't always on the floor that you'd expect.

 

Being up high, there were some good opportunities for pictures, and then we walked over to and through the city hall, which allowed you to look back and see how high some parts of Stockholm are.

 

[ATTACH]407582[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407583[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407584[/ATTACH]

 

 

After that, we went to the reason I booked the tour - the Vasa museum. If you're not aware, the Vasa is a Swedish warship that sank in 1628 and was perfectly preserved in the mud until they raised it, dried it out, and turned it into a museum. Bit like the Mary Rose, if you've heard of her/ Anyway, I knew she was well preserved but I was totally unprepared for how well preserved - it was amazing. Unfortunately, also nigh on impossible to photograph. These are my least bad attempts (the first one is a model, not the ship!). [ATTACH]407585[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407586[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407587[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407588[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407589[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]407590[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407591[/ATTACH]

 

It was a fascinating museum and deserved much longer than the hour we had allocated to it. It was very very busy and most people didn't make it all the way around the exhibits, and struggled to read the displays, so do leave plenty of time if you can. Also, make sure you go down to the lowest level (below the keel) where they have information about the maintenance of the ship, as well as some of the skeletons that were recovered from the wreck.

 

In addition, everyone queues incessantly for the toilets in the main exhibition hall, but if you go back out towards the entrance, there are some by the shop with no queue at all.

 

They managed with some difficulty to prise me away after our hour and we went off for another walk through the main part of the town (the hillier section), which would culminate in free time. Again, this was very very busy as there were two other cruise ships in town. If you're doing Stockholm on your own, then allow plenty of time to get around and walk wherever possible - it will be quicker!

 

The walk took in one of Stockholm's most famous sculptures (apparently) which is a small boy, with a light that shines on him, representing moonlight. My photo of the 'moon' got unintentionally photobombed by the guide's 'tour pet'.[ATTACH]407592[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407593[/ATTACH]

 

We ended up in the Nobel square and broke for lunch. We went left (as you face the Nobel Museum) and then right along the side of the centre to find this restaurant in the cellar of a small cake shop. It turned out to do very good, and very fast, food - mostly typical salmon-based dishes. I'd recommend them rather than staying in the square because all the restaurants there were very busy and people who went mostly didn't get their food in the time available (last photo).

[ATTACH]407594[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407595[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407596[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407597[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407598[/ATTACH]

 

 

We all then dashed back to meet the all aboard time. There was a veritable convoy of tourist buses all dashing back. Pretty much everyone, including the ship's tours, arrived dead on 4.30. I really think that if they continue to use Nynashamn then they'll need to extend the time in port to allow for the travel to Stockholm. I think everyone made it though, and we didn't seem to leave until a bit later than we would for a 4.30 all aboard.

 

I took advantage of the time, and the fact that most people headed straight to O'Sheehan's for food, to go on the vertical drop water slides. I'd been planning this for ages, so it was really my last opportunity. Although the weather had been good, the Getaway pool deck was still generally freezing and breezy, so no-one had been using the slide (or the pool, just the Jacuzzi). So I checked with the huddled staff if they were open, and they then went up and opened them for me.

[ATTACH]407599[/ATTACH]

 

 

For those who haven't had the delightful terror of the experience, you stand vampire style (arms crossed on your shoulders) in this tube that they lock you into, with cold water running over your head and down your back. Then the trapdoor you're standing on opens and you drop what feels like ten feet into pitch blackness. You turn upside down and loop the loop and then shoot out with the water running over your head. You have a few moments of thinking you are drowning, and then realise that you just need to sit up. Takes about twenty seconds. I did it twice and then went for a stiff drink.

 

Technically this picture of the Mojito flight occurred the day before, but I forgot to mention it. From the sugarcane bar, and a very enjoyable experience. [ATTACH]407600[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407601[/ATTACH]

 

That evening I ventured into Ocean Blue for dinner, given that it wasn't on the other ships I'd been on. The food was good, and it has good views across the waterfront. There's a slightly weird, and for me uncomfortable, practice of the senior waiter coming over once you've been served and announcing what you're about to eat. Since I ordered it, I was already familiar with that. Felt like they were trying to make the dinner seem special and just ended up being transparently pretentious. No fault of the staff of course, they have to do it.

 

They do have lobster on the menu, for all those addicts on the board.

[ATTACH]407602[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407603[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407606[/ATTACH][ATTACH]407604[/ATTACH]

 

The Abba tribute show was followed by the GLOW party. I avoided both and went to bed.

[ATTACH]407605[/ATTACH]

 

Thanks for your great review! I know Ocean Blue is priced a la carte rather than one fixed price like all the other premium restaurants. How were the prices at Ocean Blue? Do you remember how much the lobster was? Just curious! :)

[LucasBraga]

Thanks for your great review! I know Ocean Blue is priced a la carte rather than one fixed price like all the other premium restaurants. How were the prices at Ocean Blue? Do you remember how much the lobster was? Just curious! :)

 

I discovered this site with a bunch of menus from Getaway (actually I think it's all the NCL ships):

 

http://www.beyondships2.com/norwegian-getaway-menus.html

 

Maybe there is your information. I don't know if everything is up to date, but I'm already planning what to eat while onboard :D.

[Meg67]

Thank you for your wonderful review.

 

I don't suppose you noticed if NCL put on a 'transfer only' excursion from Nynashamn to Stockholm.

I know we are definitely docking here and as yet I have nothing organised.

 

TIA:cool:

[phiphi1234]

Thank you for your wonderful review.

 

I don't suppose you noticed if NCL put on a 'transfer only' excursion from Nynashamn to Stockholm.

I know we are definitely docking here and as yet I have nothing organised.

 

TIA:cool:

 

You can catch a train to Stockholm. Others threads have detailed information. Below is what I printed out for myself:

 

"At the end of the dock is a small TI office. Inside you can purchase a day pass that will cover the train to/from Stockholm + metro/bus in the city + ferry route from Gamla Stan to Djurgarden where the Vasa Musuem is located. There were 2 lines, one for cash and one for credit card. We paid by credit card and were on our way in less than 5 minutes. The cost was 120 SEK pp, ended up being $27.46 on the card. Your also given a paper with how to get to the station with the train times going/coming back. Back outside, you follow the blue line (or yellow, same distance) to the station. You board the waiting train!"

[pattymo]

I discovered this site with a bunch of menus from Getaway (actually I think it's all the NCL ships):

 

 

 

http://www.beyondships2.com/norwegian-getaway-menus.html

 

 

 

Maybe there is your information. I don't know if everything is up to date, but I'm already planning what to eat while onboard :D.

 

 

 

 

Try Eatsleepcruise.com website Choose the eat button then more eats. Scroll a bit and you see the Getaways CURRENT menus including the comp and feebased. Lots of info on the getaway on this site

 

 

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[Huntingdon1701]

Thanks for your great review! I know Ocean Blue is priced a la carte rather than one fixed price like all the other premium restaurants. How were the prices at Ocean Blue? Do you remember how much the lobster was? Just curious! :)

 

The eatsleepcruise menus pattymo linked to are all current. Ocean Blue was always pretty empty when I saw it, so probably not too hard to get a table at in true freestyle manner if you prefer.

[Huntingdon1701]

Thank you for your wonderful review.

 

I don't suppose you noticed if NCL put on a 'transfer only' excursion from Nynashamn to Stockholm.

I know we are definitely docking here and as yet I have nothing organised.

 

TIA:cool:

Thanks :)

 

Unfortunately I didn't notice that - there is no reference in the freestyle daily of that day or the one before. Since then, a few people have chipped in about the trains, and phiphi1234's instructions make sense.

 

I suspect for the distance involved, NCL will put on a 'Stockholm on your own' tour rather than a shuttle, and they rarely seem good value to me - but that's pure speculation. I hope you find something that works for you.

[ARG2244]

Thanks for all the menu links!. I'm going to call NCL and see if I can apply any of my free onboard dining credit at Ocean Blue (I think there is just an upcharge if you use your credit). I'd love to try it.

[Huntingdon1701]

Day 9

Sea Day

Forecast: 50F/10C

 

Final day! I was fairly exhausted at this point, so I spent most of the morning in the spa relaxing. It was much quieter than the first sea day, where you had to take whichever free lounger was available.

 

At 12.15 I had pre-booked Wine Lovers the Musical. I met a friend there at 12 and we were shown in (they don't open up much beforehand, unlike Cirque). IT's held in the Illusionarium. The show is, in theory, a guide to wine tasting set to music and with a kind of humorous romantic plot to it. It has had good reviews. To be honest, I loathed it and would have left had not my friend been busy drinking all the wine. The performance was technically good, but it relies on what should be double entendres but are in fact pure single entendres. It wasn't clever, it didn't have any decent info on the wines, and I found it painful. However, a lot of the audience were laughing.

 

I also had an argument with the waiter over whether it was acceptable to replace a full blown starter with some limp lettuce leaves just because someone had an allergy - I eventually got some chicken added to it, but did I feel I had to make a complaint (my first and hopefully last) at guest services. There was no problem with the kitchen who cheerfully knocked something up pronto, but the waiter clearly felt I shouldn't be given anything. This left me rather annoyed throughout the whole thing.

 

The food was similar, but not the same as for Cirque Dreams, and again starts before the show but carries on into it. It starts with peking duck salad marinated in walnuts (no allergy information anywhere), and is followed by Sirloin steak and shrimp (decent sizes), and is then followed by a cheesecake, which again they substituted for me (this time without argument and having prepared something in advance).

 

You do get an awful lot of wine, so either exercise self-restraint or expect to be swaying a little when you leave. I'm not an expert but I did hear a few people saying the wine was a bit variable. Aside from the penultimate one, nothing stood out for me.

 

 

After this, we went to meet some other friends in O'Sheehan's for some wings and Nachos and then had a go on the bowling alley - which was great fun. You swipe your key card for each player, and it's $5 per player per game. We thought we might have to queue but in fact we walked straight in.

 

We had two games and then felt we could all use a bit more rest.

 

I took the time to buy my cruise next certificate - and the offer on board was that you could get two for the price of one, by sacrificing the onboard credit which I did. I'd have missed that if I 'd just filled in the form as I had planned to do, so it's worth speaking to the cruise next staff to see what they can offer.

[Meg67]

You can catch a train to Stockholm. Others threads have detailed information. Below is what I printed out for myself:

 

"At the end of the dock is a small TI office. Inside you can purchase a day pass that will cover the train to/from Stockholm + metro/bus in the city + ferry route from Gamla Stan to Djurgarden where the Vasa Musuem is located. There were 2 lines, one for cash and one for credit card. We paid by credit card and were on our way in less than 5 minutes. The cost was 120 SEK pp, ended up being $27.46 on the card. Your also given a paper with how to get to the station with the train times going/coming back. Back outside, you follow the blue line (or yellow, same distance) to the station. You board the waiting train!"

Thank you for the detailed information.

I'm still not sure how comfortable I would be venturing so far on my own but It is something to consider if NCL doesn't put on a "Stockholm on your own" excursion:cool: