Bit of a blog – Legend of the Seas - Ultimate Scandinavia & Russia – June 18th 2014

[NorbertsNiece]

Very interesting blog, Linda!

I'm looking forward to see photos from Moscow as I have never been there. A part of the company I work for has an office in Moscow so I may have to go there some day.

 

Just remember to go to bed early tonight as you have to go up early tomorrow morning to watch while sailing through the Stockholm archipelago. ;)

You can rest when you're back home... :D

 

It looks like you will have a sunny morning in Stockholm tomorrow. It's expected to be cloudy in the afternoon but hopefully no rain. Not too warm though (in the low 60's as highest). For Sunday it's not that good forecast.

 

/Erik

 

Hi :D

 

I am going to try and be up. The joy of this class of ship is having WJ forward so one can sit in relative comfort and see where you are going!

 

Just been brought a decaf cappuccino from latte tudes. The joy of having a package. Had been wondering whether to have similar on Oasis ; with more sea days will definitely be worth it.

 

All shops / casino shut tonight as we will be overnighting in Stockholm tomorrow. Must remember to get my free photo. Not parted with any currency in the casino this trip.

[NorbertsNiece]

Alpha alpha alpha medical facility.

[WouterC]

I hope nothing bad happened!

[CruiseMGM]

I Warned DD3 who is currently living with me that my/our diet starts Monday.

 

Ha!!! I've been there before! :eek:

 

Loved the mini review of Tallinn, looking forward to additional pictures when you have the time and bandwidth.

 

Sure hope the medical issue was VERY slight and quickly resolved, Linda.

 

Best wishes!

[3dogmom]

 

Time for lunch.

 

'Bakfickan' came recommended in a guide book.... and I recommend it on.... small, bustling and yummy

 

 

 

I plan on having lunch here next month. Thanks for the pictures!

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[NorbertsNiece]

Sat in Izumi. Waiter recommends something. I take his advice; then he says I can't have it as it has gluten in it. Then he checks. They CAN make it GF. He even shows me bottle of GF soya sauce. Bless. Really helpful. Excited to be eating Japanese food on board!

[NorbertsNiece]

We're barely moving.....

 

Current conversation revolving around how discount is applied for having eaten in 3 specialty restaurants.....

[suzyluvs2cruise]

We're barely moving.....

 

Current conversation revolving around how discount is applied for having eaten in 3 specialty restaurants.....

 

If you can....please let us know how it's being handled on Legend.

 

Current discussion on CC

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=43217374#post43217374

[Oak Hill Cruisers]

Sat in the D lounge watching the world pass by..... uploading Visby pics. Much quieter sat in here after dinner.....

 

Sascha says the roll out will be across the fleet in September..... no specific date.

 

So how was Sacha as a Diamond Concierge? We had him on two Brilliance of the Seas cruises and he was very good to us.

[NorbertsNiece]

So how was Sacha as a Diamond Concierge? We had him on two Brilliance of the Seas cruises and he was very good to us.

 

Up at silly o'clock. Sat in D lounge with a hot chocolate. We are in a parade of ships heading down the channel. Not able to sit in WJ. They open 7. Park care opens 6. Have been awake since 5 and there was already land outside.

 

Sascha has been a real gem finding addresses ashore for me and printing maps and directions. A real ambassador for RCL.

[NorbertsNiece]

If you can....please let us know how it's being handled on Legend.

 

Current discussion on CC

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=43217374#post43217374

 

Posted a response there.

[NorbertsNiece]

Really annoyed. Spent last hour or so trying to sort the dining OBC. See thread link in above post.

 

Back in room. No bridge cam so we can see forward. Cruise in Review promotion. Bleurgh.

 

Have missed cold chocolate milk in cartons the whole cruise. Could really down a couple right now.

 

Have arranged a cab share for tomorrow morning. Brought my flight forward and will self disembark at 0630. Sascha tells me they have 200 leaving at 0300 so he's likely staying in uniform all night!

Edited June 28, 2014 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

First impressions : vibrant, bustling city.

 

Many men solo with children, walking them, in strollers, in baby carriers.

 

Many eastern European beggars.

 

Been for ride on HOHO, gone walkabout, now in NK, Swedish Harrods. Heading for water tour next.

[funnel]

Many men solo with children, walking them, in strollers, in baby carriers.

 

It's very common that the mothers are home for the first 6 months with the children, then the fathers are home for another 6 months.

 

Many eastern European beggars.

 

I think that has been rather common in Stockholm for a couple of years but for about half a year there are people sitting and begging outside almost every shop even in small towns. Sadly a lot of the begging is organized.

 

I hope you won't get any rain.

 

/Erik

[suzyluvs2cruise]

Posted a response there.

 

Thanks...I'd hoped you would. First hand experience is always appreciated. :)

Edited June 28, 2014 by suzyluvs2cruise

[NorbertsNiece]

It's very common that the mothers are home for the first 6 months with the children, then the fathers are home for another 6 months.

 

 

 

I think that has been rather common in Stockholm for a couple of years but for about half a year there are people sitting and begging outside almost every shop even in small towns. Sadly a lot of the begging is organized.

 

I hope you won't get any rain.

 

/Erik

 

Back on board. Have left a quantity of SEK at a Spanish clothing store that happens to be my favourite and was having a sale. Was not easy finding the return HOHO bus stop to come back. Boat tour was lovely but I kept falling asleep :(

 

Popped in to NK (Sweden's Harrods) too. Walked around downtown as I am prone to. Would love to spend a few days here. Much to see and do. Currently using up the last of my Internet Package and uploading Helsinki.....

[NorbertsNiece]

What's available in the D Lounge for breakfast.

 

 

An empty D Lounge

 

 

Not too keen on what Park Cafe has to offer if I'm honest.

 

 

 

 

On my return to my room there is something going on 2 doors down....

 

[NorbertsNiece]

I turn on the TV and they'e plugging the Cruise in Review DVD..... with this :

 

 

Things start happening outside my window :

 

 

And below my window :

 

 

 

Nancy is out looking for her daughter who is due to board today.

 

 

The shuttle bus is right on the pier

 

[NorbertsNiece]

From my walkabout

 

 

Square with the main mall.....

 

 

Interactive store location finder

 

 

I find the synagogue

 

 

 

A large community space

 

[NorbertsNiece]

The Jews in Finland were in danger of being loaded on to enemy ships which were in the harbour. They were all saved. The story is fascinating.... suggest you head over to wiki.....

 

 

This is an orthodox synaagogue where men and women sit apart, the ladies upstairs behind screens.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 28, 2014 by NorbertsNiece

[Redrobo]

 

 

On my return to my room there is something going on 2 doors down....

 

 

Practicing the okey cokey.

Great photos BTW.

[NorbertsNiece]

Practicing the okey cokey.

Great photos BTW.

 

Thanks. Having a 'mare of a time with GS..... heading over to the other thread to update..... how does one blog become 2???

 

BTW on my laptop 3 of the images in my last post I've linked to aren't showing..... do you see 6 pics?

[Spring]

Thanks. Having a 'mare of a time with GS..... heading over to the other thread to update..... how does one blog become 2???

 

BTW on my laptop 3 of the images in my last post I've linked to aren't showing..... do you see 6 pics?

 

NO, Only 3, looks like only the 1st 3 is showing.

[NorbertsNiece]

NO, Only 3, looks like only the 1st 3 is showing.

 

Thanks Ron...... really not in the mood to sort that out tonight will wait till I get home now..... here's what I posted on the other thread....

 

Just thought I would post an update to my day today.

 

I'm blogging too so will post this there too....

 

You couldn't make this up.

 

I queue for 25 minutes at GS to get my clearance to debark for tomorrow and to check the OBC has been applied. I've got a new credit on the account.... it says -$24 Chops Grille. I did have a miserable meal there but hadn't asked for any kind of a discount. I figured this is my OBC under a different guise. It's actually more than the 20% of the 2 meals that haven't been credited. Good.

 

Last supper.... :rolleyes:

 

Happily sat there discussing matters psychic with my table mates when an unknown redcoat comes over to say that he's resolved my OBC issue. I bite my tongue. Seems I'm owed $20 (which is practically the amount owed allowing for a shaky exchange rate). Fine.

 

I ask for it to be credited to my account. No can do.

Excuse me?

You have to spend it Madam.

Why can't it be applied to the account?

We can't do that you have to spend it.

Would you like a cookbook?

Eyes widen

I have one from my dinner in Chef's Table.

Would you like a nice bottle of wine to take away with you?

No. I'm flying home tomorrow and have enough to carry already.

How about a nce carafe?

No!!! This is insane. Just credit my account.

You could buy something from the shops.

They're closed..... we're in port.

 

I promise word for word.....

 

He tries the carafe thing again.....

 

I then suggest giving me Internet credit and it's like I've offered him the Nobel Peace Prize. He disappears quicker than you can say norovirus.

 

Comes back with Sashko who is the top man in the dining room world on board. Our paths have crossed during the cruise. Pleasant enough. He is also intransigent. He explains....... now..... this is where things get to the 'why am I not surprised' stage.

 

I was originally booked in 6575. About 6/8 weeks ago I upgraded to 2560. Only my dining reservations didn't all get transferred over. Hence I didn't get the credit automatically.

 

I throw in the towel.

 

Head up for a coffee..... there's no extra credit showing on the account. I head back down to find Sashko. I show him how much I have spent on board why can't they just deduct the OBC from there?

Nope.

Not going to happen.

Just use the credit yo have left and whatever you spend over will be deducted from the account. I promise.

I said to him that I am clearing at 0530 and if it isn't showing I will have him woken up.

 

I need a holiday.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

Linda...sorry if the OBC situation opened up a bigger can of worms. Thanks, again, for taking us along on your cruise. You words and pictures are brilliant. :)