Live From the Sky Princess, 21-Day Norway-Baltic B2B, Jul 13 – Aug 3

[Ken the cruiser]

52 minutes ago, Norwaylady said:

Seems like your having a tuff time in the Baltics🤣😅

Enjoy Visby (its a super cute place) Yes CUTE🥰

Have a fika and enjoy☕

Thanks! We’re having a great time. Norway was awesome with all the beautiful scenery while the Baltic states tend to be more historical. But I also have to say, we have had a great time onboard as well. From the variety of quality theater shows, to the nightly game shows in Princess Live (or the Explorers Lounge on Grand Class ships), along with the recent addition of the “Laugh Lounge” in the Vista Lounge where they bring in top notch comedians, we usually get a full load of enjoyment each and every day!

Princess has definitely become our go-to cruise line for now. However, I will also say over the next 12 months, we have cruises booked with RCCL, NCL, Princess, HAL, and Celebrity. So at least we’re keeping on open mind! 😁

[Ken the cruiser]

1 hour ago, Muckyduckway said:

The gulls in Helsinki are famous for swiping food right out of your hands (they have nets over the eating areas at the food market to help increase the odds of being able to finish your lunch). 

Our tour guide mentioned that as well. Later on when the ship was just pushing off with everyone out on their balconies, we could see from our Deck 17 balcony the gulls zeroing in on a variety of them coming within just a few feet while they checked out if they had anything tasty to offer. 😂

[Ken the cruiser]

After dinner tonight, we went to the theater to watch a variety show with comedian and magician Dain Cordean, who was super fun to watch! 😁

 

 
Then we were off to the Vista Lounge to laugh with comedian Lester Crabtree in the Laugh Lounge.

 

 
Afterwards, we headed back to the cabin just in time to enjoy a sunset over the Baltic Sea! 😁

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Day 18 - July 30 - Visby, Sweden on the island of Gotland

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a description of the 2-hour Visby by excursion we will be going on.

 

 
But it’s going to be a little breezy tonight as we cruise from Helsinki to Visby.

 

 
But that’s OK, as it’s supposed to be in the mid to high 60s and clear skies once we get there tomorrow morning! 😁

Edited July 29 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

We have arrived in Visby, Sweden!

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Here are some photos from our fun 2-hour tour around Visby. 😁

 

 

 
More Mute Swans

 

 

 
Our first stop was at the Powder Tower and a walk through Fisherman’s Gate to the botanical gardens. There was definitely no shortage of winged wildlife or flowers at this stop! 😁

 

 
Domestic Mallard

 

 
and his flock!

 

 
Of course, our visit would not be complete without noticing the Visby “guardian” pigeons on the job keeping an eye on things in all directions. What they were watching for is anyone’s guess! 😂

 

 

 

 
Another Buff-tail Bumblebee doing her thing!

 

 
Eurasian Jackdaw

 

 

Powder Tower and Fisherman’s Gate

 

 

 

 

 

 
Botanical Gardens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Our next stop was Gallows Hill. But along the coastline we passed this set of rocks that had a few cormorants resting on them while taking in a little sun! 😁

 

 
The remaining pillars from the only gallows still remaining anywhere in Europe.

 

 

 
Our last stop was this inhabited historical town which we entered in through the 12-century Dalmans Gate. This is also where St Mary’s Church is, whose steeples you can see from all over Visby.

 

 

 

 

 
Then it was time to head back to the ship!

 

 

Edited July 30 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

This is for those who enjoy the “hunt” for the Northern Lights like we do. I started watching the charts yesterday. But we were a little too far south and a little cloudy over Scandinavia from our viewpoint in the Baltic Sea to wake up around 5 am (Visby time) to maybe see them, especially when sunrise was at 4:38 am. 😂 

 

However, when I checked out a couple of the NOAA sites I follow, this is what I found today.

 

 

 
Then I just found this on the Space.com website and got a little more excited. Kristiansand NO where we are headed in a few hours is at 58° latitude.

 

Strong solar activity has prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) to issue a geomagnetic storm warning for July 30 through Aug. 1. 
 

If the predicted G3 conditions are reached, auroras could be visible across mid-latitudes around 50°. Previous geomagnetic storms at this magnitude have triggered auroras as low as Illinois and Oregon, according to NOAA SPWC.

 

The first of several incoming coronal mass ejections (CMEs) struck Earth's magnetic field on July 29 at 8:27 p.m. EDT (0027 on July 30), sparking a minor geomagnetic storm.

 

https://www.space.com/aurora-alert-northern-lights-july-mid-latitudes-us-europe-cannibal-cme

FWIW here is the link I use to see what’s going to potentially happen within the next 60-90 minutes. This tool will give a more exact time and potential for seeing them within the next hour or two.
 

https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast

 

Note: You have to tap on the arrow to the left of the gray line for it to start downloading the latest data.
 

So, wherever you are if your interested in maybe seeing the Northern Lights tonight and are above 50° latitude, the higher the better, there’s a possible chance you might be able to see them using your iPhone or similar device with a camera. 🤞
 

I just went on the balcony to enjoy the sunshine and look what good luck charm I found? 😂

 

Edited July 30 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

And we’re off!

 

 

 
Next stop is Kristiansand NO day after tomorrow!

[Ken the cruiser]

After dinner tonight, we went to the theater to watch another awesome performance of the 5-SK1-E-5 (5-Skies) production show and all of the technical wizardry that goes along with the show!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
We then headed to Princess Live to watch the very funny Sherlock Holmes Mystery Game Show featuring the entire entertainment staff!

 

 

 
We then headed back to the cabin to see another pretty sunset.

 

Edited July 30 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

Day 19 - July 31 - Sea Day

 

 

 

 

[joejoe 59]

Still enjoying your review😊

Here in Australia, we had a really good display of the Southern lights last night. Seen from areas in Victoria & Tasmania. 

[joejoe 59]

On 7/30/2024 at 12:42 AM, Muckyduckway said:

The gulls in Helsinki are famous for swiping food right out of your hands (they have nets over the eating areas at the food market to help increase the odds of being able to finish your lunch). 

We have Kookaburras here in Australia that do that, they steal your steak & sausages right off the BBQ.

[Ken the cruiser]

This morning we’re making our return trip through Denmark waters on the way to Kristiansand.

 

 

 
One way to tell we were in Danish waters was the massive number of wind turbines. In this grouping, there were over a 100! 😂

 

 

This morning we went a port talk covering Kristiansand.

 

 
This afternoon we’re going to Princess Live to learn about the tips and tricks associated with future cruise planning. It will be interesting to hear what they have to say, other than how to reap the benefits of buying FCDs? I wonder if they will mention the new early booking perk if you have simply cruised with Princess before, which of course eliminated the once cherished Elite “day before” booking perk? 🤔

 

 

Edited July 31 by Ken the cruiser

[LouChamp]

On 7/29/2024 at 12:16 PM, Ken the cruiser said:

Thanks! We’re having a great time. Norway was awesome with all the beautiful scenery while the Baltic states tend to be more historical. But I also have to say, we have had a great time onboard as well. From the variety of quality theater shows, to the nightly game shows in Princess Live (or the Explorers Lounge on Grand Class ships), along with the recent addition of the “Laugh Lounge” in the Vista Lounge where they bring in top notch comedians, we usually get a full load of enjoyment each and every day!

Princess has definitely become our go-to cruise line for now. However, I will also say over the next 12 months, we have cruises booked with RCCL, NCL, Princess, HAL, and Celebrity. So at least we’re keeping on open mind! 😁

Aloha. As always, I love your posts! We have been blessed to cruise the lines you have mentioned and have a few upcoming as well. Cruising since1971 and they each have their own special personalities. We enjoy Canard as well, silver sea and Oceania. Variety is wonderful. Enjoy!!!

[Ken the cruiser]

After a tasty lunch while relaxing until it was time to go to Princess Live, I met another visitor on the balcony. This time it was a Chrysopa! I know, what are the odds! 😂

 

[RNRcruisers]

I enjoyed your pictures of Helsinki. I spent a year there as an exchange student and it holds a fond place in my heart. Have not been back but this reminds me that I need to. It doesn't look like it has changed a lot, and it has been a while!

 

[Ken the cruiser]

We went to the Future Cruise presentation in Princess Live, and as you probably have already imagined, that’s pretty much all it was. The only “tips and tricks” mentioned were to book cruises early to get the “early booking discount” that supposedly lasts the first 6 months before prices start going up based on demand. He also pointed out you can get extra OBC using FCDs, buy 100 shares of CCL stock, and/or have or are currently serving in the military. 
 

Unfortunately, with regards to the “early booking discount”, that wasn’t the case for the August 2026 14-day Solar Eclipse cruise where the discount lasted until about noon on the first day that all Captains Circle members could now prebook the cruise (if they knew about it) before they started raising prices due to the heavy demand! By the end of the second day, a mini suite had already increased more than $1,000 per person and eventually around $2,500 per person by the time the Elites that didn’t know about the new “Early Access” change tried to book a cabin using their original (now defunct) 1-day early booking perk before it was released to the general public to book! 

 

On the bright side after the presentation, we came back to chill in the cabin and got to watch the Sky go under a bridge! 😂
 

 

 

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

Hey Ken,

 

So excited to find this thread.  I have 15 pages of excellent reading ahead of me!

 

One question:  Another thread talked about them taking out Take5 to expand the casino.  It wasn't the Sky.  I sail on her in Feb.  Is Take5 still active as a jazz club and bar?

[gatorwight]

Did anybody do the pre or post London hotels thru Princess? If so, what were the hotel choices and pricing? Thanks!

[Ken the cruiser]

1 hour ago, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

Hey Ken,

 

So excited to find this thread.  I have 15 pages of excellent reading ahead of me!

 

One question:  Another thread talked about them taking out Take5 to expand the casino.  It wasn't the Sky.  I sail on her in Feb.  Is Take5 still active as a jazz club and bar?

Thanks! We just checked on Take 5, and you’ll be happy to know this is what we found. 
 

 

[tobyt]

Thank you for taking time to do this post! Very enjoyable and much better than working today! Plus I have a new destination to consider!

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

46 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Thanks! We just checked on Take 5, and you’ll be happy to know this is what we found. 
 

 

Thanks!

[Ken the cruiser]

2 hours ago, gatorwight said:

Did anybody do the pre or post London hotels thru Princess? If so, what were the hotel choices and pricing? Thanks!

Not us. We booked our own flights and the Hilton Garden Inn at LHR Terminal 2 as we only arrived a day early. Then took the Princess transfer to the ship from Terminal 2 the next morning. 

 

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lhrhegi-hilton-garden-inn-london-heathrow-terminals-2-and-3/

[PATRLR]

3 hours ago, gatorwight said:

Did anybody do the pre or post London hotels thru Princess? If so, what were the hotel choices and pricing? Thanks!

Welcome to CruiseCritic.  Sorry, we didn't use Princess for the hotels.  We stayed at the Moxy in Southampton for a couple nights pre-cruise, we booked on our own.

[Ken the cruiser]

It was another fantastic entertainment evening after dinner tonight! First was listening to an awesome lady singer Lorraine Crosby!

 

 
She started off singing tributes to Queen 

 

 
followed by one to Meatloaf

 

 

Then to Celine Dion

 

 
She finished with Tina!

 

 

Then we were off to the Vista Lounge to watch another hilarious Marriage Match game show! 😂

 

 
Then when we got back to the cabin, we worked with our TA to book a 15-day Longyearbyen cruise for next summer in an aft-facing cabin on the Viking Neptune!! This will be our first cruise with Viking! 😁

 

Edited July 31 by Ken the cruiser