This was our third cruise and the second time
aboard the Dream. We cruised on her for our 25th Wedding anniversary
10 years ago before she was "stretched." I was very happy
with the ship, the service, "free style" dining, and the
overall atmosphere on the ship. Since we were previous NCL guests our
membership in Latitudes allowed us a very speedy embarkation. Friends
who traveled with us spent at least 45 minutes longer in line. While
they said the service was good and no hassle, the ship was full (1826
guests) and it just took time.
As mentioned before, the ship was
"stretched" in 1998 with a section added amidships. Also the
stack and mast were redesigned so that they could be tilted to allow
the ship to pass under the bridges of the Kiel Canal. This permits the
Dream to depart from Dover and cut off two days at sea prior to
entering the Baltic.
Free style dining, which allows you to eat
when and where you want, was very user friendly. The ship has two
large dining rooms, amidships and aft that served sit down elegant
dinners and lunches. They both served breakfast, but the Four Seasons
was a buffet. Very good I must say. In addition to the large dining
rooms, there were the Sports Bar Buffet, and an Italian themed Bistro
that were smaller, but efficient. There was also a French restaurant
that required a $13.50 cover charge. Lunch was served in each
restaurant with the addition of a poolside barbecue, and a pizza
parlor. We never waited more than 20 minutes, and that was only once,
for a table at dinner and we ate at the prime 7:30 hour. Most of the
times we were seated within five minutes.
The other amenities of the ship were typical
such as a fitness room, spa, two pools, casino, evening shows,
lectures, bingo, Internet cafe, etc. Two formal nights were held and
if you chose to dress, one dining room was designated as the formal
one. The rest of the time the required dress for dinner was resort
casual.
Our ports of call were the reason we chose
this cruise. We visited Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia;
Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Oslo,
Norway. In our travels, we spent a day transiting the Kiel Canal.
During our transit the shoreline was filled with people waving,
holding up banners, and generally enjoying watching this huge cruise
ship pass by their little villages. It was a memorable experience.
Some advice on touring: I am a follower of Rick Steves and his Europe
Through the Back Door books. We used his Scandinavia book and
found it very helpful.
Estonia.
Take a cab into town square $10.00. Find the tourist information
and arrange for a walking tour of the old town, or just follow Rick
Steves' suggested walk. After the tour (1.5 hours), just walk around
and experience the fact that you are in Estonia.
Russia.
Unless you get a visa in advance you must take the ship tours.
They are expensive, but necessary. My recommendations would be the
full day tour of St. Petersburg that includes a visit to the Hermitage
on your first day. That night, unless you are a ballet or opera buff,
attend the Russian Folklore Extravaganza. This show was outstanding.
Full of energy, color, singing and dancing. The performers received a
standing ovation upon the conclusion. Don't miss it. Next day take the
AM tour to Peterhof, the Russian Versailles, gorgeous. Note: the
fountains are not turned on until late May. In the PM pick what you
like although many people stayed on the ship to rest up.
We still had four more ports to go. No need to
use ship tours for the rest of the cruise. Follow Rick Steves' advice
for each city, and you will do better. Each of the next ports had a
shuttle you could use to get into town, taxis, and the ubiquitous
Hop-on/Hop-Off Bus Tours. As a matter of fact, you could even
walk.
Helsinki. Not much to see, just a pretty
Scandinavian city. Around the Esplanade shopping area are the Market
Square, Green Domed Lutheran Church, the Russian Orthodox Upenski
Cathedral, and the Temppeliankio Church or Church in the Rock
(interesting). Have lunch in a sidewalk cafe, browse the Market
Square, and soak up Finnish culture.
Stockholm.
Voted by our friends and us as the prettiest of the cities we
visited. Do the following. Shuttle to town and then walk along the
waterfront to the Vasa Museum. A museum dedicated to a Swedish vessel
that sank on its maiden voyage 300+ years ago and was raised to become
an icon. After your visit take the ferry back to the town center, have
lunch and then visit the Royal Palace armory and crown jewel display.
After this, explore the area around the palace known as Old Town.
Again, use Rick Steves' suggestions. Unfortunately time is short in
Stockholm, although the departure through the Stockholm Archipelago is
very scenic.
Copenhagen.
Ship gets in around 6 PM and we took the ships shuttle to Tivoli
Gardens $25.00 includes admission. Tivoli is the inspiration Walt
Disney got for Disneyland. Lots of fun. Don't eat on the ship that
night. Try one of the restaurants in Tivoli. Next day, get a taxi to
Rosenborg Castle, home of the Danish Crown jewels and an interesting
place. From there walk into town and stroll down the
"Stroget," a pedestrian only shopping and eating area that
runs the width of Copenhagen from Tivoli to the ship piers. Have lunch
on the Nyhaven Canal, and walk back to the ship with a stop at the
Little Mermaid. Plenty of shops on the pier where the ship is if you
missed shopping on the Stroget.
Oslo.
Voted number two on "prettiness." Easy walk to town from
where the ship docked. Take the subway (T-Bane) to Vigland Sculpture
Park and view these remarkable sculptures. Then T-Bane back to town
and stroll Karl Johans Gate, another pedestrian only shopping and
dining street. Following lunch head back toward the ship, and stop at
the Norwegian Resistance Museum for a look at how the German
Occupation during the Second World War affected Norway. Then if you
have time tour Asherhaus Fortress. Not a whole lot, but some
interesting rooms and crypt. The ship is docked right next to the
Fortress so it is an easy walk "home."
The next day was spent at sea making our way
through the North Sea and English Channel to Dover and departure which
was painless. Great trip if you want the flavor of Scandinavia.
Quick Notes:
Money... In Russia the street vendors took US
dollars. Most of the shops on the piers took US dollars. The only ATM
I saw in Tallinn was near the tourist information store. In all the
other countries ATM's were your best source of local currency. Take
small amount ($30.00) you’re not there long enough to spend more.
For large expenses use a credit card. Credit cards were also accepted
at museums and dining establishments. The ship currency exchange
charged anywhere from $3.50 to $5.00 to exchange money. Again avoid
the ships tours if possible. They are expensive and, you can travel
independently.
Most of the people in Scandinavia speak
English and are willing to do so. Be adventurous. Besides, do you
really want to follow somebody around that is holding an NCL Tour
sign?
To wrap up, we enjoyed this cruise very much.
The ship provided what we wanted. A floating hotel, with good meals
when WE wanted them. Entertainment was what you made it. Some people
enjoyed the shows, others preferred to sit in the lounges and listen
to the singers or performers there. Cruising is what you make
it.
Enjoy the Scandinavian Capitals.
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