Stockholm - What a Gem!

So much for “wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen”, the medieval charm of Tallinn, or the extravagance of St. Petersburg, the gem of this cruise for me was Stockholm.  I loved it and would love to come back and spend more time there. 

May 9^th, our cruise ship docked in Nynashamn that is unfortunately about 70km and, depending on the traffic, around a 45 minute drive from the capital city of Sweden.  Cruising into the port, the scenery was very reminiscent of home – small rocky islands with conifer trees.  It really could have been the Gulf Islands!

Upon arrival, there was a bit of a delay in being allowed to leave the ship because they were trying a new system to replace the need for tenders.  Basically, the new system consisted of pontoons supporting a concrete “sea walk”.  We found out later that this walkway was 250m long and 4m wide.  It was the first time it had been used here and was so much more efficient than tenders would have been.  It allowed people to get on and off the ship without waiting for a boat.

Along with my Aussie friends, I had purchased a ticket for the Ho/Ho bus which seemed the easiest way to deal with this port – although there might have been a less expensive option.  Oddly enough, on the 45 minute drive into the capital, the scenery looked very much like the drive up island at home.  There was almost no difference, except perhaps in the style of some of the buildings. 

When we got to Stockholm, we stayed on the Ho/Ho bus for about 6 stops before deciding to get off and explore the city on foot.  My first impressions of the city were very positive.  Of course, having a river running through its centre appealed to me.  Later we found out the entire Ho/Ho route took about 4 hours so we were really glad we got off! 

We walked into the Old Town which was charming.  The best thing about it was that it was a pedestrian zone.  We stopped for coffee before heading on.  There were lots of little independent and unique shops and I took a photo of a police officer using a Segway.  That was different! 

We basically spend the rest of our time in the city perusing the shops along the pedestrian shopping street – both in the Old Town and then on the other side of a bridge to a more modern part.  The pedestrian street also runs between the two sides of the Parliament building.  We saw the Opera, National Museum and many other classic buildings.  Everywhere we looked there were impressive vistas.  Of all the ports of call on this cruise, this was my favourite.  I would like to come back and spend more time here.  Of course, if the weather had been different, the city might have made a different impression on me.  It was just a city that had a good feel to it and I spoke to a lot of other passengers who felt the same way.  It was too bad it was so far from the cruise ship.

We stopped at a little café for a light lunch (it wasn’t cheap – about €17 each – but the quiche was very tasty.  Although the ship’s departure had been delayed by an hour, we were happy to catch an early bus and be back well before departure time.  As it was, the traffic in the city was very busy so it took longer than coming in did.

Later I found out there is a lot more in this city to see including the Noble Museum – and the Abba Museum which, yes, I would have honestly liked to see.  Without a stable and robust WiFi on board, it is difficult to do any research before we arrive in these ports.  While I looked up a lot of information before I left home, I didn't have the time to check out Helsinki and Stockholm.  I would highly recommend getting “all the ducks in a row” before leaving on a cruise.  Otherwise, you are almost “trapped” into using ship excursions when there are often lots of other interesting and probably more economical options!  Of note, that a day or two after we left Stockholm, those us who had bought the Ho/Ho excursion on the ship were refunded $32 USD because Holland America admitted we could have bought the same ticket cheaper on shore!  Point made!

Below are the notes provided by the ship for Nynashamn and Stockholm:

Located in Stockholm County, this small town serves as a gateway for visitors on their way to Stockholm.  The port is bustling in the summer with visitors on their way to the popular island of Gotland or stopping over from a cruise on the Baltic Sea.  Tourists also flock to another island of the Nynashamn archipelago, Oja, which houses an outdoor sculpture exhibition and Sweden’s oldest lighthouse.  Stick around the city center and stroll through quaint shops featuring local goods.  Grab a frothy beverage at Bedaro Bar, play a couple of games at Bowlinghallen, or dine on a delectable meal at Hembygdsgarden right next to the city’s historic center.  Nynashamn offers a wealth of outdoor activities.  Go for a leisurely hike through the countryside, enjoy a relaxing canoe ride, or for the more adventurous, give yoga paddling a try.  Stick around in the city or take a trip out to Stockholm, which is just about an hour away.  Hop on either one of the two trains leaving every hour or hire a taxi for a private ride.  Upon arrival, head to Stockholm Stadshus (City Hall) and see where the Nobel Banquet is held every year.  From the tower, enjoy a panoramic view of the city below.  Next, make your way to Stockholm’s oldest attraction, Gamla Stan.  Here you’ll find one of the best preserved medieval city centers in the world.  Wander along cobblestone roads and peruse shops selling local trinkets and antiques.  Don’t miss the most visited museum in Scandinavia, the Vasa Museum, featuring sunken warship, the Vasa.

Stockholm was the last port of call on this cruise before the ship returns to Rotterdam.  Although there is a second leg of this cruise which will take some passengers on to Oslo and the Norwegian fjords, I disembarked on the 12^th.  In the meantime, the 2 “at sea” days allowed me to recuperate from what has been a busy itinerary and to get ready for the next chapter of my holiday – a weekend in Rotterdam – before I head to Paris.  No peace for the wicked!  

In hindsight, I wish I had seen more in each of the ports we visited but I am pleased I saw what I did.  One, or even two days, in a port is not sufficient time to see a city and give it proper consideration.  I guess, however, it is better than not seeing it at all.  I know I have missed seeing a lot and, of course, would have loved to get out of the cities and explore more of the countryside around each of the ports we saw.