Today we are set to leave Tallinn on the ferry back to Helsinki at 10.30am. This time we are on Star ferry - choose the Mega Star if you have a choice but either way, go 'Business'. There has been hardly another person around in Business and all food and booze provided. Note to self - should have booked our cruise direct from Tallinn to Stockholm rather than going back via Helsinki and I would have left the night before.
Anyway .... we arrive back in Helsinki by about 12.30pm and after disembarking grab a cab to take us directly to the port where we will be leaving for Stockholm. After booking in we can't board until 3.00pm so we fill in our time at the port cafe. Travelling by train, ferry, cruise boat, cab ... it is all so easy in Europe.
After finding our cabin on the Silja Serenade, we head to our private bar and then a reconnaissance of the ship. It is HUGE! 2,700 passengers it is like a floating city - shops, restaurants, poker machines ... you name it! I personally find it too big - it's overwhelming. We are booked to eat at the Italian Restaurant and, although we had intended to head to the cabaret, we opt for bed instead. I wake a couple of times during the night - the wind is howling and a little rough to boot! Breakfast is supplied in the Bon Vivant Restaurant which is the typical presentation of meats, cheese, shrimp, juices, smoothies, a selection of cooked meals, pastries etc and, of course, served with Prosecco!
A cab ride to the Old Town of Stockholm to the Victory Hotel. GC does a slight turn up of the nose but this is a very quaint, historic hotel with loads of naval memorabilia on display - even our room is called Captain Lundgren (1847 - 1925). We wander along the main shopping strip, very touristy but some really cute things available. When we get to the Royal Palace we are treated to s display by the Royal Guards I must admit they seem a bit 'rag tag' but it was nice to see nevertheless.
There are plenty of restaurants in the area and we settle on Slinger Bulten, named after a dubious character, it literally translates to "Slippery Fish". Good food and pleasant atmosphere.
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| Silja Serenade |
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| In our cabin |
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| The ship is HUGE! |
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| A view down the other end |
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| We were up on level 11 |
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| This little guy seems to be evrywhere! |
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| The sun is trying to peep througn |
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| Now disembarked |
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| Reception at The Victory |
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| There are so many interesting artefacts |
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| Naval artefacts in the room |
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| Very quaint room |
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| Walking through Old Town |
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| A view up .... |
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| ... and down the street |
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| A view from the front of the Royal Palace |
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| The Royal Palace |
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| The Royal Guards |
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