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#1
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Oceania Insignia
Cruising on Oceania Insignia ship July 25-August 8, 2011
Scandinavian Splendours The Port Intensive 2 week cruise is going to be jam packed. Anyone sailed this itinerary before ? Anyone with experience and reviews of your port calls in: Helsinki, Finland St.Petersburg,Russia Tallinn,Estonia Riga,Latvia Visby,Sweden Copenhagen,Denmark Berlin(Warnemunde) Germany Kiel Canal Transit, Germany Amsterdam, Netherlands Bruges(Zeebrugge) Netherlands London,Dover Port, UK First experience with Oceania but have previously cruised on Crystal, Princess, Club Med, America West and Delta Queen Jo Tambornino Chayer |
#2
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Oceania Insignia
As others have said regarding Copenhagen, there are canal bout tours
leaving quite regularly that, should you circumnavigate over the course of an hour and a half, will get you some really impressive views of various landmarks in the city. The Little Mermaid is scheduled to return to its usual resting place in the harbour this year from the Expo 2010 pavilion in China, and aside from the boat there isn't any other way to really see it that makes sense. Once off there, I would personally skip Nyhavn (outrageously priced and overtly touristy) and instead go down some of the alley ways for more affordable cuisine. Truth be told, people in Copenhagen eat hot dogs and chocolate milk. If you want an "authentic Copenhagen experience", you're better off getting one of the wildly made up hot dogs through the various carts and trucks you'll see. There's some good ones near the main square by town hall. As far as museums go, the Nationalmuseum is free to enter and pretty expansive. You could kill hours there. For art, there's the Ny Carlsburg Glypotek which is located near the south entrance of Tivoli. Tivoli, as much as I love the place, is a night time destination. Further, its more than likely going to be where you'll have the best meal you'll eat ashore should you choose to dine there. Don't be fooled into thinking the food is lousy because its an amusement park - locals buy season passes so they can go and eat there. Two of the 34 food locations have Michelin stars. You can spend as little or as much as you want. I've spent $4.50 on a hot dog and $250 on The Paul's tasting menu. Stockholm has a number of boats that cruise the harbour. Again, like Copenhagen, this is a must do. As far as museums go, the best the city will offer are over in the Djurgarden island - Vasa, Skansen, and the Scandic Museum are located there. If you want art, I'm fond of the Modern Museet located on the island of Skeppsholmen, located just across the waterway from Djurgarden. The Vasa is, in our opinion, the absolute must do attraction in the city. If you don't get to Tivoli and want a taste of what it might be like, consider getting a day pass for the waterway boats - it comes with free entry to Grona Lund (located near the Vasa Museum on Djurgarden) and has a couple decent sit down restaurants and bars in addition to all the fun that the scandic amusement parks can offer. The fun house is, quite seriously, the best operating in the entire world and you will never, ever find anything like it in North America. |
#3
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Oceania Insignia
More on Copenhagen & Stockholm:
Copenhagen - Agree on the canal tour boats. If we're visiting a city with canals, rivers or a port that offers a boat tour, we're usually on it. However, the Copenhagen tour was especially delightful - and convenient. If your cruise begins or ends at Copenhagen, I recommend staying a couple of extra nights. As the previous poster mentioned Tivoli is basically a nighttime attraction and I second the comment on the food, When we visited a couple of years ago, we met a local who showed us around and we ate a very reasonable dish (highly uncommon in Copenhagen!) which is a local favorite. It was called Fisherman's Plate - and consisted of a hearty baked meal of mixed roast pork and potatoes served family style (it's so named because the Fishermen ate it upon their return, it has no fish) - and free refills on request. IF you have a spare day and you enjoy modern art, I heartily recommend the Louisiana Museum just outside of town. It's a very convenient train ride and a short (10-15 min) walk (there are signs). The museum has an extensive (and somewhat interestingly idiosyncratic) collection in a beautiful estate on the sea. Not only is the art interesting and the setting amazing, the curation was wonderful. Time and again, I'd enter a gallery and see witty connections (almost conversations) among pieces in the same gallery. It's about a 4-5 hour day trip. Stockholm - Agree - you must see the Vasa museum. Again, the public transit is convenient. No need to sign up for an excursion. Mark |
#4
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Oceania Insignia
If your cruise begins or ends at Copenhagen, I recommend staying a
couple of extra nights. As the previous poster mentioned Tivoli is basically a nighttime attraction and I second the comment on the food, When we visited a couple of years ago, we met a local who showed us around and we ate a very reasonable dish (highly uncommon in Copenhagen!) which is a local favorite. It was called Fisherman's Plate - and consisted of a hearty baked meal of mixed roast pork and potatoes served family style (it's so named because the Fishermen ate it upon their return, it has no fish) - and free refills on request. I think this might be served at Groften, which is located not far from the main entrance on the northern side of the park. That's the "traditional Danish" restaurant that one can pig out at should they be really into herring. If price is no option but time is, Paaflugen and Cafe Ketchup are good choices also for meals at the park. Divan 2 has a solid reputation also. Stockholm - Agree - you must see the Vasa museum. Again, the public transit is convenient. No need to sign up for an excursion. I should note too - the easiest way to the Vasa from the cruise port is probably by the scenic boat rides, since they show up close to the cruise port. If you want to get to the center of the the city after visiting the Vasa, line 7 of the Stockholm metro system also happens to be a special above ground line featuring the occasional historic tram. |
#5
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Oceania Insignia
On Feb 11, 7:36*pm, GodsOnSafari wrote
I think this might be served at Groften, which is located not far from the main entrance on the northern side of the park. That's the "traditional Danish" restaurant that one can pig out at should they be really into herring. If price is no option but time is, Paaflugen and Cafe Ketchup are good choices also for meals at the park. Divan 2 has a solid reputation also. That may be the case, I recall it was next to a major bandshell area where the Copenhagen or Danish National Orchestra were performing. IIRC, the item I mentioned was a great deal (especially considering the location, the quanitity and the quality). In any event, the evening was magical. I'll always remember soaring above Copenhagen on the twirling swing seat ride - with the City Hall tower and the twinkly lights, it reminded me of a real life version of the Disneyland Peter Pan dark house ride as you soar over the twinkly little lights of London. (Thought you'd appreciate the reference, GoS) I should note too - the easiest way to the Vasa from the cruise port is probably by the scenic boat rides, since they show up close to the cruise port. If you want to get to the center of the the city after visiting the Vasa, line 7 of the Stockholm metro system also happens to be a special above ground line featuring the occasional historic tram. Especially considering your ship, you'll likely dock there, but we docked in a secondary, more industrial port - so those connections weren't available. In any event, there was an information booth where they sold bus passes and gave us instructions and a map. It was an easy ride. (The bus left us off at the bridge across from the Vasa, we took the ferry across to the old town and took the same bus back to the ship, If I recall correctly) One more item on Tallinn - Be sure to ask a local about the Song Festival. There was a recent Oscar-nominated documentary about it called "The Singing Revolution." It's a festival where every (some number) years the nation comes together to sing. For years and years, through different occupations, they still held the festival. It's how they kept their culture alive. I'll never forget my friend telling us of the first festival after independence when hundreds of thousands of Estonians sang their national anthem - his eyes were moist as mine are recalling it. I'm sure most Estonians have a story about the festival and would love to tell it. The amphitheater where they hold it, a few kilometers out of town is quite impressive and also provides a great photo opportunity of the ship in the distance. Mark |
#6
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Oceania Insignia
"GodsOnSafari" wrote in message
... As others have said regarding Copenhagen, there are canal bout tours leaving quite regularly that, should you circumnavigate over the course of an hour and a half, will get you some really impressive views of various landmarks in the city. The Little Mermaid is scheduled to return to its usual resting place in the harbour this year from the Expo 2010 pavilion in China, and aside from the boat there isn't any other way to really see it that makes sense. Once off there, I would personally skip Nyhavn (outrageously priced and overtly touristy) and instead go down some of the alley ways for more affordable cuisine. Truth be told, people in Copenhagen eat hot dogs and chocolate milk. If you want an "authentic Copenhagen experience", you're better off getting one of the wildly made up hot dogs through the various carts and trucks you'll see. There's some good ones near the main square by town hall. As far as museums go, the Nationalmuseum is free to enter and pretty expansive. You could kill hours there. For art, there's the Ny Carlsburg Glypotek which is located near the south entrance of Tivoli. Tivoli, as much as I love the place, is a night time destination. Further, its more than likely going to be where you'll have the best meal you'll eat ashore should you choose to dine there. Don't be fooled into thinking the food is lousy because its an amusement park - locals buy season passes so they can go and eat there. Two of the 34 food locations have Michelin stars. You can spend as little or as much as you want. I've spent $4.50 on a hot dog and $250 on The Paul's tasting menu. Stockholm has a number of boats that cruise the harbour. Again, like Copenhagen, this is a must do. As far as museums go, the best the city will offer are over in the Djurgarden island - Vasa, Skansen, and the Scandic Museum are located there. If you want art, I'm fond of the Modern Museet located on the island of Skeppsholmen, located just across the waterway from Djurgarden. The Vasa is, in our opinion, the absolute must do attraction in the city. If you don't get to Tivoli and want a taste of what it might be like, consider getting a day pass for the waterway boats - it comes with free entry to Grona Lund (located near the Vasa Museum on Djurgarden) and has a couple decent sit down restaurants and bars in addition to all the fun that the scandic amusement parks can offer. The fun house is, quite seriously, the best operating in the entire world and you will never, ever find anything like it in North America. ....thanks for the help...all the info will help me sort through the choices and decisions Jo Tambornino Chayer |
#7
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Oceania Insignia
"Mark (SF)" wrote in message
... More on Copenhagen & Stockholm: Copenhagen - Agree on the canal tour boats. If we're visiting a city with canals, rivers or a port that offers a boat tour, we're usually on it. However, the Copenhagen tour was especially delightful - and convenient. If your cruise begins or ends at Copenhagen, I recommend staying a couple of extra nights. As the previous poster mentioned Tivoli is basically a nighttime attraction and I second the comment on the food, When we visited a couple of years ago, we met a local who showed us around and we ate a very reasonable dish (highly uncommon in Copenhagen!) which is a local favorite. It was called Fisherman's Plate - and consisted of a hearty baked meal of mixed roast pork and potatoes served family style (it's so named because the Fishermen ate it upon their return, it has no fish) - and free refills on request. IF you have a spare day and you enjoy modern art, I heartily recommend the Louisiana Museum just outside of town. It's a very convenient train ride and a short (10-15 min) walk (there are signs). The museum has an extensive (and somewhat interestingly idiosyncratic) collection in a beautiful estate on the sea. Not only is the art interesting and the setting amazing, the curation was wonderful. Time and again, I'd enter a gallery and see witty connections (almost conversations) among pieces in the same gallery. It's about a 4-5 hour day trip. Stockholm - Agree - you must see the Vasa museum. Again, the public transit is convenient. No need to sign up for an excursion. Mark ....thanks, Mark...getting a lot of useful info on the board Jo Tambornino Chayer |
#8
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Oceania Insignia
"GodsOnSafari" wrote in message
... If your cruise begins or ends at Copenhagen, I recommend staying a couple of extra nights. As the previous poster mentioned Tivoli is basically a nighttime attraction and I second the comment on the food, When we visited a couple of years ago, we met a local who showed us around and we ate a very reasonable dish (highly uncommon in Copenhagen!) which is a local favorite. It was called Fisherman's Plate - and consisted of a hearty baked meal of mixed roast pork and potatoes served family style (it's so named because the Fishermen ate it upon their return, it has no fish) - and free refills on request. I think this might be served at Groften, which is located not far from the main entrance on the northern side of the park. That's the "traditional Danish" restaurant that one can pig out at should they be really into herring. If price is no option but time is, Paaflugen and Cafe Ketchup are good choices also for meals at the park. Divan 2 has a solid reputation also. Stockholm - Agree - you must see the Vasa museum. Again, the public transit is convenient. No need to sign up for an excursion. I should note too - the easiest way to the Vasa from the cruise port is probably by the scenic boat rides, since they show up close to the cruise port. If you want to get to the center of the the city after visiting the Vasa, line 7 of the Stockholm metro system also happens to be a special above ground line featuring the occasional historic tram. ....thanks we are staying a few days pre trip in Stockholm and will be seeing the Vasa Museum on our own...not a ships tour. Jo Tambornino Chayer |
#9
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Oceania Insignia
"Mark (SF)" wrote in message
... On Feb 11, 7:36 pm, GodsOnSafari wrote I think this might be served at Groften, which is located not far from the main entrance on the northern side of the park. That's the "traditional Danish" restaurant that one can pig out at should they be really into herring. If price is no option but time is, Paaflugen and Cafe Ketchup are good choices also for meals at the park. Divan 2 has a solid reputation also. That may be the case, I recall it was next to a major bandshell area where the Copenhagen or Danish National Orchestra were performing. IIRC, the item I mentioned was a great deal (especially considering the location, the quanitity and the quality). In any event, the evening was magical. I'll always remember soaring above Copenhagen on the twirling swing seat ride - with the City Hall tower and the twinkly lights, it reminded me of a real life version of the Disneyland Peter Pan dark house ride as you soar over the twinkly little lights of London. (Thought you'd appreciate the reference, GoS) I should note too - the easiest way to the Vasa from the cruise port is probably by the scenic boat rides, since they show up close to the cruise port. If you want to get to the center of the the city after visiting the Vasa, line 7 of the Stockholm metro system also happens to be a special above ground line featuring the occasional historic tram. Especially considering your ship, you'll likely dock there, but we docked in a secondary, more industrial port - so those connections weren't available. In any event, there was an information booth where they sold bus passes and gave us instructions and a map. It was an easy ride. (The bus left us off at the bridge across from the Vasa, we took the ferry across to the old town and took the same bus back to the ship, If I recall correctly) One more item on Tallinn - Be sure to ask a local about the Song Festival. There was a recent Oscar-nominated documentary about it called "The Singing Revolution." It's a festival where every (some number) years the nation comes together to sing. For years and years, through different occupations, they still held the festival. It's how they kept their culture alive. I'll never forget my friend telling us of the first festival after independence when hundreds of thousands of Estonians sang their national anthem - his eyes were moist as mine are recalling it. I'm sure most Estonians have a story about the festival and would love to tell it. The amphitheater where they hold it, a few kilometers out of town is quite impressive and also provides a great photo opportunity of the ship in the distance. Mark ....all of this is just great info...we want to see what there is to see but in a limited time it is good to know how we can do this on our own w/o ships tours when on our own is just as easy. Jo Tambornino Chayer |
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