cjdonohue

My husband and I leaving End of May on cruise from
Stockholm (plan on Vasa museum and ?ferry to Gamla Stan,)
then on to Helsinki, (thinking of Suoemenlina Island Fortress --20 minute boat ride-worth the 20 minute ride/ ship there 10AM-5 maybe too close for comfort with the time));
St. Petersburg (we have hired a 2 day guide),
Tallin, (hired a coach/walking tour);
Warnemunde, (Rostock??) (going to Berlin for 3 days pre-cruise);
Fredericia ( not too much time -near dock- any recomm. for lunch need to be back by 4:30- Go to top white water tower??)
Copenhagen, (Nyhaven, Amelienborg Palace, Christianhaven canal area-- do you know if these are close together--we have day + 1/2)
final destination Amsterdam( have morning- what can we do ???? with 4-5 hours before getting to airport at 1M for 2:30 flight- was there 15 years ago).

Which port is the best for a Viking museum or tour?? plan on the Vasa museum in Stockholm
I have been researching these ports and some of them tend to be within walking distance of the dock?????
any suggestionsfor the most comprehensive, quick excursions/tours in the ports, as we do have 2 days in some and only a FEW hours in others.
Rather not take the Celebrity's excursions, but may in the end.
I know I'm asking a lot, but have loved reading and gathering insight from the blogs/logs that many of you have entered-- very helpful!!
Thanks

thursdaysd

Suggest reading this: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rick...=9781612385891 -how to see the ports without taking the ship's tours.

Or one of the similar guides.

cjdonohue

actually just saw 3 Rick Steves' TV programs on Stockholm, Tallin, and Helsinki. Confirmed some ideas. Just thought that someone might have mentioned something that they saw or did that worked out great for them regarding any of the myriads of topics above.

Thanks

aliced

Vasa museums awesome in Stockholm (right near pier) and in Oslo but don't think Celeb is doing Oslo anymore. In Helsinki we took a trolley/shuttle into the center-city and walked and walked, it is a beautiful downtown and featured a large market along the water where we purchased fine local crafts. Tallinn was easy to explore on our own, think there was a shuttle drop from ship. In Copenhagen would advise avoiding Tivoli Gardens, such a rip-off; we toured the palace and along canal too. St. P we took tours, loved the subway one & food market, Catherines summer palace, Hermitage & Peterhof of course, the night river cruise was a tourist rip-off too. We had a concert at a hall on the river, can't remember site but we opted for this rather than the ballet, which performing company was not the caliber we wished. It was a great cruise. Amsterdam -- canal tour, Van Gogh Museum (am picking that over the Rijk but do that too if time allows).

HappyTrvlr

Copenhagen..no, those are not near each other. Take a canal cruise to see more.
Oslo is where the excellent Viking museum is located. Vikings were in 8th-11th centuries.
Stockholm..see Vasa Museum ( not Viking at all rather a 17th century ship) then ferry or walk over to Gamla Stan, the old town section. I never saw any of the large cruise ships docked in town, just a Silversea one day.
Amsterdam..have you been to Anne Frank House? Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh? Buy tickets online in advance. Or walk through the charming Jordaan neighborhood or along one of the canal rings such as Herengracht Canal.

Dukey1

IMO, thus far, your BEST decision was to hire the St. Petersburg guide. A word of advice: do absolutely AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE in that city and stay up as late as you can. Compared to ALL the others you will not regret it.