Scandinavian ports

Old May 8th, 2011, 05:32 PM
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Scandinavian ports

I'm going on a Princess cruise with my husband the end of June and need help with what to do at the ports. I'd also like to know if you recommend not taking a tour and exploring the city on our own. Here are the cities where I need help: Helinski-trying to decide between two tours. Tour #2 is the same as the first one but has added an additional 4 hours to explore the town of Porvoo. Is it worth it? Stockholm-Can't decide between tours #1 is Vasa Museum, City Hall and Gamia Stan and tour #2 is Royal Palace and Gamia Stan. Tallinn-should we walk it on our own, buy a hop-on-hop-off pass or take a tour to upper Old Town for 3 hours. Aarhus-should we take a tour? Tour #1 includes a half hour train ride through the forests and Silkeborg and tour #2 includes Rosenholm Castle, G.E. Manor, and Gardens. Oslo-should we take a tour or walk it?
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Old May 8th, 2011, 06:42 PM
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Helsinki... kind of boring.. I'd probably do the one that added Porvoo Stockholm... #1.
Tallinn you can walk on your own. Dont know the other two
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Old May 8th, 2011, 08:42 PM
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Stockholm: Gamla stan is Old Town and the castle is located there.. Easy walk ,ferry or bus ride to the places mentioned in #1 from Gamla Stan. No tour is needed. Do not miss Vasa Museum. You should be able to see everything on your list for tours #1 and #2 easily by yourselves.
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Old May 8th, 2011, 09:36 PM
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Hi,
Agree with HappyTrvlr about Stockholm. The sights included in the tours are easily accesible on your own. How to get around depends on which port your ship will dock at. There are several ports for cruise ships in Stockholm.

Frihamnen port: Get on a #76 bus from the cruise terminal to the bridge crossing to Djurgården where you will find the Vasa Museum. Or take a taxi, it is just a short ride. Explore the Vasa Museum. Get on a ferry from Djurgården to Slussen (in the Old Town), frequent departures (every 15 minutes). Explore the Old Town and the Royal Palace. Get back to the cruise terminal on the #76 bus from the Royal Palace. The #76 bus does not run on Sundays though. You need to buy your bus ticket before getting on the bus.

Stadsgården port: Old Town is within walking distance (approx 15 - 20 minutes). The Hop On Hop Off boat has two stops in this port, E and F. See map: http://www.stromma.se/en/STOCKHOLM/T...p-on-Hop-off1/
More info Hop on Hop Off boat: http://www.stromma.se/en/STOCKHOLM/T...p-on-Hop-off1/

Nynäshamn port: South of Stockholm, 1 hour by comuter train. Consider taking one of the tours.
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Old May 9th, 2011, 07:13 PM
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Thanks so much. I will find out what port we dock at in Stockholm and decide.
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Old May 19th, 2011, 08:26 AM
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Helinski-you can easily tour on your own depending on interests--churches, parks, ride the tram. Not sure if cruise ships dock at harbor with market or away from the market area requiring taxi to get to the sights.

Porvoo is OK, but not dramatic or a "must see." It contains a small area of old buildings that have been converted into shops and restaurants. I took a bus there one day and spent a couple of hours walking around and eating lunch. Nice, but not spectacular. I don't like to spend so much time sitting on buses or boats (since you are cruising anyway), so I would prefer to spend the day in Helsinki on my feet.

Stockholm-already pointed out that you may dock near the sights or a long way off. Vasa Museum, City Hall and Gamia Stan are the top sights in my book and are walkable from one to the other or tram, bus, taxi. No tour needed within the sights, but you must consider the trip from/to the ship as making the package worthwhile.

I've only done Tallinn on foot from the ferry, so can't comment on the quality of the tours or bus.

Oslo-if the ship docks near the main harbor, then you can use the bus, tram, and boat to get to the main sights. Again, I'm not sure if cruise ships dock right in the main harbor.
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