I'm planning now for our first cruise-- our 35th anniversary celebration. I've decided on Radisson, and since I'll be making reservations well in advance (cruise is next July), I'd like to take advantage of that and try to book the "right" cabin. I'm booking category G--BUT: I'd like to know whether to request port or starboard side. I've asked both Radisson and several travel agents, and I get different answers. Most say, "It doesn't really matter." I can't quite believe that it doesn't matter. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has done that cruise, on that ship: Which side, please? (And anything else I should be thinking about to help this trip be great?) Thanks!!

poss, I personally don't think it matters much on which side of the ship your cabin is on for this cruise. For instance, the cruise out of Stockholm is one of the highlights but is great from any angle. I would say the location of the cabin (front, middle, back) would be more important on a baltic cruise than which side. (This is a great cruise, you'll love it.)

Bird-- thanks for replying. And this may sound like a silly question, but-- Does it make a difference whether one is "sailing" into Stockholm or out of it? The July 16 cruise this year goes Copenhagen-Stockholm. In '05, it'll be the reverse-- so we won't be sailing into Stockholm. Just as impressive, I wonder, in reverse order?

It wouldn't make a difference since there are great views from both sides, but if the ship comes into Stockholm early in the morning, you might need to wake up early to see the archipelego go by. Even though we had a balcony, I still enjoyed going to the deck to see the sights

Your TA is correct, it really doesn't matter which side of the ship you're on as The ships are not always docked in the same location at the ports from week to week. Know you will have the best side of the ship 50% of the time! Given the choice, you would definitely want to begin your cruise in Stockholm and end your cruise in Copenhagen. Stockholm is awesome to sail away from. Otherwise you awake on your last day already docked and miss the entire experience. You mentioned that you have booked a Category G, may I recommend the Category G on Deck 6, better location than those on Deck 7.

NYGolfer: Thanks (again!) for your great in-put. You've been very helpful in our planning, and I particularly appreciate your thoughtful specifics. Alas, the Baltic cruise that would fit our calendar next year is the one on July 16-- and that starts in Copenhagen and ends in Stockholm. I wonder if the consideration you mention is important enough for us to maybe put off that cruise and try for another year when we'll be able to embark from Stockholm. I guess it'd be ok if we were willing to awake that last morning at , what, 5:00 A.M. or so? But I don't think we'd enjoy that...

poss, poss, I assume you will be spending several days in Stockholm after the cruise? If so then you can do the archipelago cruise separately, which might be even better.

*sorry for the double poss - no disrespect intended.

I always find it nicer to sail into the more spectacular ports than to sail out of them. Maybe it's just me, but if I've already been in the place (and anyplace with a spectacular port is probably a place you want to spend some time), the view of it somehow loses its gloss. I always wished I'd sailed Athens to Istanbul, not Istanbul to Athens, because by the time we left Istanbul, I'd gotten used to the look of the skyline, which is unlike any city I've ever seen. For the Baltic cruise, I'd say sail into Stockholm.

Thank you to all responders. Just wanted to say that I made a mistake in one of my earlier posts, got it backwards. Next year (when we sail), the cruise starts in Copenhagen, ends in Stockholm. What crys says makes great sense, but, alas, I assume we'll be asleep when the ship comes into Stockholm. (I don't want to have to get up at 5:00 A.M. or whatever on our last day, esp. becasue I assume the ships have a big "to-do" on the last last night?) By the way, I'd love to hear suggestions for a great hotel in those 2 cities. Main thing we care about is quiet. Would love to have a great view and wonderful room also. (How difficult will it be to find non-smoking accommodations in Scandinavia? And will we be able to have very good accommodations for around $200-250 per night?)

the europe board has had a number of posts recently on hotels in Stockholm - so check there too