Saturday, 10 June 2017

Day 26 - Stockholm from the top

 
Another good sleep and for those who have a tendency for sea sickness, we can't even tell that we are moving so far.  In fact, probably due to our location on the ship, (almost central, deck 12) we have absolutely no idea when we have docked or departed, without looking out of the window.  For those who enjoy watching the sail in, you have to be up extremely early if you want to experience the run into Stockholm, as it takes about 4 or 5 hours, passing 100's of small islands on the way.  Stockholm itself is situated on 14 islands, which may give you some idea of the complexity of the city layout.   We weren't too sure which dock we'd be at and there was another ship visible when we approached, which was at the other dock.  We berthed at the same dock as last time.
We'd set the alarm for 8am but once again, we didn't need it.  Due to the arrival time of 9am, finding a seat in the Horizon Court or Café Caribe immediately behind it, was a real struggle.
The ship berthed on the Starboard side.
The Ho-Ho buses were dockside.
Although advised to carry passports or ID, they weren't actually needed.
As we were on a ship's tour, we met in Club Fusion at 9:30am.  Just two coaches again on this 'easy' tour and the coach was fitted out at the rear with a platform rather than seats, with wheelchair access.  (The lady sitting opposite us was rather too large for the lap and diagonal seat belt, so even though seat belts are compulsory on Swedish coaches, the guide didn't check to see that we were wearing them.  Had this been an aircraft, with a distinctly better accident record than coaches, an extension belt would have been provided.) 
Sorry, I didn't get our guide's name.  Well I did, but I couldn't spell it!  We'd done the Ho-Ho on our last trip, so much of the central city we'd seen before.  It is still a city that I'd like to get to know better.  If you catch the #7 tram, it takes you out to the zoo, the ABBA Museum and the amusement park.  Our true destination however was the Skyview.  I'm not sure if the photographs will do this architectural masterpiece justice.   
Best described as a huge globe or golf-ball, it forms part of a triple set of sports stadiums and can host anything from ice hockey to monster trucks.
On the outside, there are two sets of rails/cables that carry one gondola each, carrying a maximum of 14 people, up to the summit, then back again, a round trip of about 10 minutes.  Although Paula was somewhat nervous initially, she thoroughly enjoyed it.
There was supposed to be another photo spot, but somehow, that got overlooked and we were back at the ship at 1pm – and the usual slow moving queue to get aboard and through the on-board scanner and up to the Horizon Court for a fairly light lunch.
We made it to afternoon trivia – just – but 'our team' already had five, so we joined another couple and what we assume was their son and daughter law plus a small child.  The small child didn't answer a single question, but Mum got two music questions right that we wouldn't have known. Can't remember the questions but the answers were Otis Redding and Whitney Houston.  No win at 14/20 – the same as our 'other' team.  A lady sitting in front of them got 18/20 on her own.
We then headed off to see Barbara to confirm out attendance at the 'top 40' most travelled passengers meet with the Captain on June 15th.  She told us that the combination of P & O and Princess Cruise days to count for status and benefits has been revised, so future cruisers who have a history with P & O might need to check their current status.
We thoroughly enjoyed the dinner  Shrimp bisque; beef satay; and probably the most tender pork chop I have ever had.
The Production Show, 'What the World Needs Now' was one we wouldn't bother with again.  The dancers hardly danced at all (no costume changes) and it was a just a showcase for Burt Bacharach music.
We then watched the opening of the broadcast of the UK general election on TV, and the exit vote, which as one commentator or punter pointed out, seemed to be the 'Own Goal of the Season', by the PM!  Very well put.  With so many Brits on the ship, we suspect they'll agree.
Incidentally cruisers, the Crown Princess doesn't yet have the updated hard drive based TV system, so you are stuck with old movies (some that were old and on in 2011) starting when the ship decides, rather than the passengers.  The TV sets are also smaller and mounted up on a high corner shelf, which blocks out the direct line from the remote, unless you hold it really high.  
Tomorrow, we have Tallinn, the second time we have visited and this time, we'll just walk into the old walled city, though the info from Princess is that it is a 2km walk to town or a €6 shuttle, €8 return.  We don't think it will be that far, if we berth where we did before.
 
 

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