LIVE from Scandinavia on the Voyager of the Seas July 31-August 10, 2022 with Dragon of the Seas

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Here is a picture of Embassy Row.

 

 

 

And this blue gate is at the bridge entrance to Djurgaden.  The crown used to charge people to visit the island. 

 

 

This amusement park is also on Djurgarden.  The people were laughing and screaming today when we passed. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 30, 2022 by DragonOfTheSeas

[DELTABLUE]

Maybe it has something to do with the two bare chested guys?   Just a possibility.  Keep enjoying the sights.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

After we finished the boat tour we walked back up the hill to the palace and caught the second half of the Changing of the Guard Ceremony.  

 

Here is a picture of the courtyard I took earlier in the day.

 

 

Here it is during the ceremony. I was surprised they let people circle around so close to the front and behind the guards.  You would need to get there very early for those spots.

 

 

 

The whole process had started as a parade near Nybroplan--complete with the marching band.  You can catch the parade anywhere on the route.  They arrive at the palace at around 12:15 [Sunday 1:15].  Here is a picture of the band.  You can see how far back we were.  It was a huge crowd.  Where I was it was 6 deep. 

 

 

After that we walked back to the pharmacy, got a written copy of our test results and took the T-bana back to the hotel.  

 

[colsky]

3 minutes ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

After we finished the boat tour we walked back up the hill to the palace and caught the second half of the Changing of the Guard Ceremony.  

 

Here is a picture of the courtyard I took earlier in the day.

 

 

Here it is during the ceremony. I was surprised they let people circle around so close to the front and behind the guards.  You would need to get there very early for those spots.

 

 

 

The whole process had started as a parade near Nybroplan--complete with the marching band.  You can catch the parade anywhere on the route.  They arrive at the palace at around 12:15 [Sunday 1:15].  Here is a picture of the band.  You can see how far back we were.  It was a huge crowd.  Where I was it was 6 deep. 

 

 

After that we walked back to the pharmacy, got a written copy of our test results and took the T-bana back to the hotel.  

 

You've got me worried now. We're in Stockholm too and got our (negative, phew!) covid tests from the same place as you. But we never bothered going back to get a printed copy, so we just have them on our phones, which I thought was ok?

[colsky]

3 minutes ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

After we finished the boat tour we walked back up the hill to the palace and caught the second half of the Changing of the Guard Ceremony.  

 

Here is a picture of the courtyard I took earlier in the day.

 

 

Here it is during the ceremony. I was surprised they let people circle around so close to the front and behind the guards.  You would need to get there very early for those spots.

 

 

 

The whole process had started as a parade near Nybroplan--complete with the marching band.  You can catch the parade anywhere on the route.  They arrive at the palace at around 12:15 [Sunday 1:15].  Here is a picture of the band.  You can see how far back we were.  It was a huge crowd.  Where I was it was 6 deep. 

 

 

After that we walked back to the pharmacy, got a written copy of our test results and took the T-bana back to the hotel.  

 

You've got me worried now. We're in Stockholm too and got our (negative, phew!) covid tests from the same place as you. But we never bothered going back to get a printed copy, so we just have them on our phones, which I thought was ok?

[DragonOfTheSeas]

58 minutes ago, colsky said:

You've got me worried now. We're in Stockholm too and got our (negative, phew!) covid tests from the same place as you. But we never bothered going back to get a printed copy, so we just have them on our phones, which I thought was ok?

No worries.  That is all you need.  We took a cruise in March and I noticed that the people that had printed copies of things made the lines go faster.  There were a few people that had to switch between the test results, their sea pass cards and some had their vaccine information on the phone.  It took longer.  We had an early check in and got through quickly.  But, enough passengers took that extra couple of minutes and that slowed the line down and the ship was 1.5 hours late leaving because the line had really bogged down. 

 

We do not need to worry about that. The ship leaves tomorrow night and I feel the embarkation will be very spread out today.  

 

Congrats on the negative test!  

[DragonOfTheSeas]

This morning we are doing the "bag drag." 

 

There is a stop for bus 76 two blocks [uphill] from the hotel.  We take the bus for two stops to Nybroplan and take the #80  ferry from there to  the Frihammen port.  It seems silly to get off the bus since it goes all the way to Frihammen in half the time. However the bus stops before the pier and it is a long walk dragging luggage to get to the terminal.  The ferry stops directly next to the ship.  Woo Hoo!

 

We took the same bus and ferry combination yesterday to get to Djurgarden. So, we know what we are doing--or most of the time. When we get to Nybroplan the ferry stop is just across the street.  

 

Yesterday we had planned to take the same ferry back to Nybroplan and have a late lunch in one of the outdoor cafes there.  It is a very scenic area.  However, when we got to the ferry stop we realized they were on a lunch break until 2:08. Ugh!  There are two ferries that operate out of this stop.  The other goes directly back to Slussen, but has a ~.5 mile walk uphill across a bridge to get to the hotel. We made it 😀 

 

Avoiding the walk was exactly the reason we had taken the bus/ferry combo yesterday.  It was a last minute decision and I had not checked the return ferry times.  I assumed they would run all day.  Always a mistake. 😊

 

[colsky]

3 hours ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

 

We had 11.30 check in time. Arrived at dock at 11.10, breezed through, and on deck by 11.30! They didn't even look at our vaccination or testing papers!!

 

Staff at my time dining desk said this sailing is less than half full!

 

Enjoy your cruise and the sun 🙂☀️

[John&LaLa]

Can you do a speed test on the internet once you get settled in. Thanks

[jimbri]

Enjoying your great photos and review

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We got to the terminal around 11:30 and boarded the ship around noon.  I had to stop for luggage tags [for the upgrade] or it would have been faster.

 

Our plan today was to take the bus and then the ferry to Frihammen.  We did that—but, not quite as planned.  We took the 10:09 bus to get to the ferry to arrive by my noon check in. 

At Nybroplan a ferry arrived just after we got there.  I asked if it went to Frihammen and the attendant said yes. The sign over the door said Necka Strand, which is on the route and two stops before the pier. So, we boarded --but I asked again if this ferry went to Frihammen.  He said yes again.  After we sat down I noticed the itinerary board on the inside of the ferry ended at Necka Strand.😲

 

No worries.  We got off there and boarded the next ferry that did go all the way to the pier.  I guess he did give me a correct answer.  You could get to the pier with that ferry, but that was not exactly how I planned it. [remember that plan B]  HaHaHa

 

One interesting note.  On the second ferry we met Stuart Suss.  He had been researching our cruise itinerary on my Baltic port thread.  It was good to put a face to the cruise critic name. 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Welcome aboard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Viking Crown lounge

 

[Broons77]

So excited for you guys!  And so excited for me in 78 days when I'll be walking on board in Boston!

 

Could you please keep an eye out to see if there are any family bathrooms on board?  My research is leaning towards there not being any but would like to confirm.  Thanks and can't wait for the rest of your trip!

[flamingos]

Thanks for the review, have a great time.  The only ports from your itinerary we'll have on our cruise next month are Arhus and Visby.

 

We can't wait!

[TexCruise371]

Enjoy your cruise! We have a group of friends from Texas that are with you. We did the Baltic in 2019 on Serenade and loved it. 

[milolii]

On 7/28/2022 at 6:33 AM, DragonOfTheSeas said:

There was one thing I would have done differently.

 

We got off the Arlanda Express at Stockholm Central Station. We were told we could buy the multi-day ticket at the Presbryan store. It is a little convenience store in the station.  There is a type of mall with a food court in the station.  The first store had run out of cards and we had to find another one.  Then when we got to where you enter the metro there was a ticket booth right there.  

 

The real issue with the metro is that the elevator leading to the metro entrance is broken.  You have to take the escalator with your luggage.  I tripped. No worries and I did not hurt myself at all.  I just ended on my fanny. [plenty of padding] But, after that the attendant helped us get our bags down. He complained that the company sent them an email that the elevator was fixed.  He said no one had even looked at it, yet.  

 

We have found everyone here to be very helpful.  

 

For those of you on the next cruise.  It might be worth a taxi ride after you get off the Arlanda Express depending on where your hotel is located.  I still think the transportation ticket is the way to go to get around for sightseeing.  But luggage and escalators do not mix.  

 

 

Are you saying take a taxi from the airport  as the elevator at central station is broken?  Glad you are Ok.  Ty

[DragonOfTheSeas]

On 7/30/2022 at 3:59 PM, HUNKY said:

I’m currently on board, hopefully Irene will be your cabin attendant. She is wonderful! We are in the Valencia suite. 

Irene is our attendant. She seems very nice.  We are in the Corsica suite. I never knew they were named 🤣

[DragonOfTheSeas]

2 hours ago, milolii said:

Are you saying take a taxi from the airport  as the elevator at central station is broken?  Glad you are Ok.  Ty

The elevator right by the platform was broken.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

4 hours ago, flamingos said:

Thanks for the review, have a great time.  The only ports from your itinerary we'll have on our cruise next month are Arhus and Visby.

 

We can't wait!

That’ll be at the end of the cruise but will be sure and include information.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Here are some more pictures. 
 

this is the Rock wall 

 

 

Here is the Promenade 

 

This is the R bar. I had the best lemon rock martini there. They are going to become my friend.
 

 

Here is the mini golf. There is a lot for families and children to do on the ship.

 

 

 

 

Edited July 31, 2022 by DragonOfTheSeas

[flamingos]

I'd love to see the Solarium (our first cruise to have one, back in the day) and the The Tavern on deck 4.  That sounds like a good resting place.  

 

Enjoy your cruise!!!

[DragonOfTheSeas]

This is our suite .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The balcony has Two chairs and table and one larger. It’s all very awkward. There is a metal area to one side of the balcony. He blocks the view. I’m not sure exactly how we can use that table and chairs and actually see out. But that’s OK we can use the two chairs

 

 

 

 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

2 minutes ago, flamingos said:

I'd love to see the Solarium (our first cruise to have one, back in the day) and the The Tavern on deck 4.  That sounds like a good resting place.  

 

Enjoy your cruise!!!

I’ll get pictures of those for you tomorrow. An hour or two and it will be bedtime for all of us here in Stockholm. 

[irishgal432]

Cruious to what suite you have.  We are in 1320 when you get off.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

8 hours ago, irishgal432 said:

Cruious to what suite you have.  We are in 1320 when you get off.

It is an owner’s suite-1308