Buzz’s comments on his Cruise from
Amsterdam to London on the Seabourn Quest June to July 2024
Another
great trip on Seabourn! This trip
consisted of two legs; the first ending in Stockholm and the second continued
to London. On the first leg the ship was closed to capacity with 434 passengers. In
Stockholm 220 passengers disembarked and 230 boarded.
THU 6/20/2024 UA
3441 PHL – EWR 3:59 PM 5:00 pm
6/20/2024 UA 70 EWR- AMS 6:00 PM – Arrives Friday
6/21/2024 7:15 AM. Pleasant flights with
a very short wait in Newark between flights.
Flight to Amsterdam was on a Boeing 777-200.
FRI 6/21/2024 Moxy Amsterdam Schiphol Airport A very minimal hotel (no
safe, no refrigerator and no in room coffee) which I knew when I booked it very
a very inexpensive rate. My medicine that needed to be kept cold was stored in
the lobby refrigerator after being tagged to ensure only I could retrieve
it. It was close to the airport and had
a free shuttle bus from the airport to the hotel (not clearly described on its
website). I arrived at 9 am and was allowed a very early check in. Even with my titanium, status, breakfast was
not included. The only restaurants in
the immediate local of the hotel was McDonalds.
They did have a limited bar menu,
SAT 6/22/2024 Sail
from Amsterdam, Netherlands I was at a hosted table for dinner with the Cruise
Director, James Templeton. I attended a
performance of the Dutch Tenors.
SUN 6/23/2024 Hamburg, Germany. This was the first time that a Seabourn ship
ported here. I attended the Port Briefing for Gdansk, Poland and Tallinn,
Estonia, Team Trivia, Duplicate Bridge and a show performed by the Dutch
Tenors. I was at the lecture given by Niki Sepas: Sea Road to Stockholm – Treasures of the
Baltic. I was at a hosted table with
Michael and Denise Hoffman, the Bridge Directors.
MON 6/24/2024 Hamburg,
Germany. I took the 4
hour excursion Best of Hamburg. The Hanseatic City of
Hamburg is Germany's second-largest metropolis and one of Europe's biggest
ports. Elegant and cosmopolitan Hamburg is now a city of palatial office
buildings, magnificent promenades, international musicals and extravagant
shopping malls. It is also Germany's greenest city with its many spacious lawns
and lovely parks. We went on a panoramic
drive and walking tour that showcased some of the
city's greatest landmarks -- the City Hall, Germany's oldest Stock Exchange,
the century-old Speicherstadt warehouse quarter built
in Gothic redbrick architecture and, in sharp contrast, the elegant Jungfernstieg shopping area. We passed Outer Alster
residential and consulate district, the Blue Mosque and the St Pauli
Landungsbruecken, where sailing vessels used to
dock in a bygone era. We saw the
world-famous Reeperbahn -- once a 17th-century tall-ship rigging
facility but now a rather famous entertainment district. This street, together
with Grosse Freiheit and Herbert Strasse,
are referred to as 'the mile of sin’ (prostitution is legal in Germany). We drove to St
Michael's Church, which has been destroyed and
rebuilt a number of times. Take a rest inside this magnificently serene setting
with its superb pipe organ and gold leaf decorated interior. It is the largest
North-German Baroque church and is Hamburg's main landmark. We walked to the Krameramtsstuben,
which was an early form of widows' housing, and take a leisurely stroll through
this small district that offers a glimpse of old Hamburg. We had approximately 30 minutes of free time
for shopping before you return to the ship. I had a hosted dinner with Clark
Roberts, Entertainment Manager.
TUE 6/25/2024 Kiel Canal Brunsbuttel. This was the first time that a Seabourn ship
sailed through here. I attended the Port Briefing for Gdansk, Poland and
Tallinn, Estonia, Team Trivia, Duplicate Bridge and a show Earth Song (initial
performance). I was at the lectures
given by Niki Sepas: The
Kiel Canal – the Path between the North and the Baltic seas. Dr. Sophia Lauren:
The Tale of Gdansk – The Amber Capital of the Baltic Sea, and The Golden Age of
Piracy I was at a hosted table with Romany,
Guest Entertainer.
WED 6/26/2024 Wismar, Germany. I took the 6 hour excursion Medieval Lubeck Experience. Hanseatic City of Lübeck
UNESCO World Heritage Site. We journeyed
by coach to Lübeck -- a city of such tremendous
historical importance that it has earned a UNESCO World Heritage site
designation. We explored the medieval ambience of the Old Town with its
well-known Holsten Gate
-- a landmark of the city and one of the few relics of the original fortress.
Old patrician houses and redbrick churches, the Gothic City Hall and the Heiligen Geist Hospital are important landmarks. We saw Buddenbrook
House -- home of the famous writers Heinrich and Thomas Mann. We visited the Niederegger
Café for a cup of coffee and Niederegger's popular
marzipan gateau. We had some free time
to explore the shops in Lübeck on our own before
returning to the ship. I attended the
Magic show by Romany. I had an excellent
dinner at Earth and Ocean,
THU 6/27/2024 Ronne (Bornholm), Denmark. I took the 7 hour
excursion Ultimate Bornholm: Past, Present & Future. We started our full
day Bornholm exploration with a scenic drive from the pier to the biggest
castle ruin in Northern Europe, Hammershus,
bringing the history of Bornholm to life. We learned about the various rulers
that have lived here and the importance of the castle during the medieval
ages. We continued to the small town of Gudhjem, the only Danish village situated on a hill stretching
from the sea to the top of the cliffs. We strolled the narrow and steep streets
of this hidden gem before enjoying a lunch at the local smokehouse. We tasted
the most cherished local dish of the island, smoked herring, or some of the
many other local treats served at the restaurant. Our next stop was Baltic Sea Glass, where we
learned about the art of glass blowing from a local artist. We continued along
the coast to Svaneke, the oldest merchant city in
Denmark, and a paradise for those who enjoy small shops, local sweet treats or
simply exploring idyllic fishing villages. We reboarded
the coach and drove along the eastern coast to Dueodde
Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Crystal
clear water and fine white sand makes this beach one of the most visited
in Northern Europe. We enjoyed a view of this beautiful beach and saw the
highest lighthouse in Northern Europe before we returned to the pier. I
attended Team Trivia, Duplicate Bridge.
I was at the lectures given by Niki Sepas: The Baltic Sea – A Clash of Empires. I had a hosted dinner with Swenja Henrich, the Guest
Services Manager.
FRI 6/28/2024 Gdansk, Poland. I took the shuttle bus in town to shop for
Amber gifts. I attended the Caviar Sail
Away and the concert Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Swinging Mozart and more with
Flip
Wojciechowski Jazz Trio. I was at a host table with Martin Beaumont,
Guest Entertainer.
SAT 6/29/2024 Sea
Day. I attended Team Trivia, Duplicate
Bridge and a show Skyline (initial performance). I was at the lectures given by Niki Sepas: Ghost Ships and Rouge
Waves – The Phantom and the Fury. Dr. Sophia Lauren: Tallinn – An Exciting Mix
of Medieval Past and the Comforts of the Modern World I was at a hosted table with Stoyan Angelov, Staff Chief
Engineer.
SUN 6/30/2024 Tallinn, Estonia. I was here for a couple of days in 2022 so I
did not need to venture into the old city.
I took the 2 hour excursion Soviet Flashback On
the pier, we met the Estonian guide who acted like a KGB agent in the
1980s. He was freedom fighter who takes
you back in 1991-1992 when Estonia become independent. In the Soviet bus, the guide mocked the
Soviet time, making absurd Soviet propaganda, talked about the Soviet leaders,
and of course offering vodka shots with pickles. The guide was focused on his
personal stories: how people lived and become free 30 years ago,
how was Soviet life, transition period and what was the whole situation in
USSR. The tour ended with a picnic
where sausage rolls, beverage, mustard, and vodka near the seashore. I was at a hosted table with Filip Wojciechowski Jazz Trio, Guest Entertainers.
MON 7/1/2024 Helsinki, Finland I took the shuttle bus into
town. It dropped me off at Senate
Square. From there it was a short walk
to the Market Place where I bought a Reindeer for my Grandson. I explored the streets near there and
took pictures before returning to the ship. I attended the Canada Celebration
on the ship. I attended the concert Flip Wojciechowski
Jazz Trio. I went to Solis for the First time.
Dinner was good but not great.
TUE 7/2/2024 Mariehamn, Aland,
Finland. Since my excursion did not
leave until 1 PM, I walked the 1.2 Km into town and back. I took the 3.5 hour excursion
Historical Maritime Aland. As we departed from the pier, we followed a
picturesque route past sparkling bays and across Lemström Canal, which the occupying Russians had prisoners
of war build in the 1880s to expedite shipping. Shortly afterwards we arrived
at Lemland,
to visit the municipality’s namesake church, a whitewashed red granite building
that dates to medieval times. During a renovation in the 1950s, 12th-century
wall paintings were uncovered that depict the life of St. Nicholas, who in this
part of the world is considered the patron saint of seafarers. The church’s
interior also contains a beautiful painted altarpiece and a wooden Madonna from
the 1320s. Outside, there is an historical graveyard. Next
we went to the Pellas Museum, the birthplace of Captain Sven Erikson,
the last Captain of the world famous 4-mast steel ship Herzogin Cecile. We
had time to explore his residence while the host shared stories about the house
and the tragic end of the Herzogin Cecile. Then we returned to Mariehamn, and continued to focus to the sea, as you tour
the "Pommern," a
four-mast windjammer built in 1903 to carry cargo between England and
Australia. Both a statement and welcome introduction to the adjacent Maritime
Museum. While visiting the Maritime Museum, we saw ship figureheads, nautical
paintings, sea chests and the beautifully restored Captain Sven Erikson’s
cabin, salvaged from the Herzogin Cecile before its sinking. I had a hosted dinner with Melissa Roberts,
Entertainment Manager. I went to a
concert by the Nordic Brothers.
WED 7/3/2024 Stockholm, Sweden. I was here for a few day in 2022 so I did not
book any of the excursions since they went to places I already had been. I took the shuttle bus to the Old City and
walked around for about an hour when it started to rain and returned to the
ship. I was at a hosted table with Niels Levinsen and Lukas Stasevskij,
Guest Entertainers. I went to the show
Live and Wired.
THU 7/4/2024 Visby, Gotland, Sweden. I took the 3 hour
excursion Medieval Visby. Visby is an
outstanding example of a Northern European walled Hanseatic
town. The city wall dates back to the 13th century and is almost two miles in
length. Within the walls lie old stone houses, quaint churches and a complex
street system. We departed the pier and
drove past the old Hanseatic harbor at Almedalen, where we saw the oldest remaining structure in
Visby, the Powder Tower, which provided protection for the harbor during the
Middle Ages. It earned its nickname in the 18th century when the Swedish state
stored gunpowder in the tower. We walked
to the Botanic Gardens offering a broad variety of exotic trees, shrubs,
flowerbeds and roses. Visby's mild winters allow such specimens as almond
trees, magnolias and acacias to grow beside vivid displays of flowers. The coach dropped us at the top terrace of
Visby where we set off on a guided walk downhill through the narrow winding
streets. We visited St. Mary's
Cathedral, both a place of worship and a cultural treasure. The construction of
the cathedral began in the late 12th century, funded by the fees paid by German
ships using the port of Visby. Since 1572, it has been the Diocesan church of
Visby, and in 2003 it also became the cathedral abroad
for the Church of Sweden. We continued
your exploration through narrow alleys flanked by picturesque old houses en route back to the port.
I went to a concert by the Nordic Brothers. I attended the 4th
of July Party. I had an excellent
dinner at Earth and Ocean.
FRI 7/5/2024 Sea
Day. I attended Team Trivia, Duplicate
Bridge, port briefing for Edinburgh and New Castle and a show by Peter Bence,
pianist. I was at the lectures given by Niki Sepas: Fairytale Castles and
Sparkling Fjords– Our Journey from Stockholm to Greenwich and Dr.
Colleen Batey: Tallinn – The Vikings Go
East. I was at a hosted table with the
ship’s doctor.
SAT 7/6/2024 Copenhagen, Denmark. Since I was in
Copenhagen last year for a few days, I did not book any excursions. I took the
shuttle bus into town and bought a few gifts.
I went to the show Sliver Screen.
I had an excellent dinner at Solis.
SUN 7/7/2024. We
were support to dock at Aalborg,
Denmark but weather prevented us from leaving Copenhagen until midafternoon
so this became half a sea day. I
walked from the ship to the Little Mermaid
and back. I was at the lectures given by
Niki Sepas: Pirates and Priracy Tody – The Menace
Continues and Stephen Cole: The News Business – Confessions of an Anchor Man
(with Apologies to Ron Burgundy). I attended
Team Trivia and a show Soulwaves. I was at a hosted table with Santino Tomansetti, one of the Seabourn Six.
MON 7/8/2024 Kristiansand, Norway. I was here in 2023 and booked an excursion
then, so I did not need to book one here this time. I wandered around town and returned to the
ship. I had a hosted dinner with Natalie
Kassanga, the Guest Entertainer. I went
to the caviar sail away and, to a lecture given by Dr. Colleen Batey: The Vkings at Home – New
discoveries and Old and the show Tap In to Jazz,
TUE 7/9/2024 Stavanger, Norway. I took the 3 hour
excursion Past and present of Stavanger's Maritime Culture. This tour introduced us to Stavanger’s
maritime history and importance of the sea to the city from the Middle Ages to present day. Start your walking tour from the
pier to the Stavanger Maritime Museum - Through the ages
the port has been an important place in Stavanger and in the maritime museum we
got to know how the maritime culture has been developing. We continued on foot through the city center
and visit the Norwegian Petroleum Museum – the museum shows how offshore
operations have become Norway’s most important industry, and gives you
experiences of this activity. The museum presents historical developments from
the first rigs drilling in the North Sea to flexible modern production ships
and subsea systems. We learned what cultural effects the oil industry has had
to the people in Norway and especially in Stavanger. After learning about the maritime history and
the importance of the sea to the Norwegian people, we walked along the Øvre Holmegate – the color street
– and heard how it has become one of the best-known sights of the city. I was
at the lecture given by Niki Sepas:
Thor Heyerdahl- The Last Viking and the show Soulwaves. I was at
a hosted table with Ally Bryant, one of the Seabourn Six.
WED 7/10/2024 Sea
Day. I attended Team Trivia, Duplicate Bridge, the jewelry fashion show and the
show Better Together. I was at the
lectures given by Stephen Cole: Putin and Dr. Colleen Batey:
Vikings – and Traders in the West – A More Nuanced View of History. I was at a hosted table with Mihaela Cotoanta, the Future
Cruise Consultant.
THU 7/11/2024 Leith (Edinburgh), Scotland,
United Kingdom. I spent a few days
here in 2017 so I did not book an excursion.
I walked around the port city of Leith for a couple of hours and returned
to the ship before it started to rain. I was at a hosted table with Clark
Roberts, Entertainment Manager. I went
to a performance by Dominic Ferris,
pianist.
FRI 12-Jul-24 Newcastle upon Tyne,
England, United Kingdom. I took the 4.5 hour excursion Roman Britain: Hadrian's Wall & Chesters Fort.
"The ‘Roman Limes’ represents the border line of the Roman Empire
at its greatest extent in the 2nd century AD. The 118-km-long Hadrian’s Wall
(UK) was built on the orders of the Emperor Hadrian c.
AD 122. It is a striking example of the organization of a military zone and
illustrates the defensive techniques and geopolitical strategies of ancient Rome. Hadrian's Wall is the most important monument
built by the Romans in Britain. It is the best-known frontier in the entire
Roman Empire. Spanning nearly 2,000 years of history, and crossing 73 miles of
wild landscapes, towns and cities, the wall still pays homage to one of the
world's greatest civilizations. We
visited sections of the wall.. Its purpose was to
define the northernmost limit of the Roman Empire at the time. It ran from
coast to coast, and consisted of a stone wall around
21 feet tall, with a ditch to the north and a bank and ditchwork
to the south. Turrets, sentry posts castles and forts were
built at regular intervals. We
stopped at Chesters Roman Fort, where we listened to
an introductory talk from the guide. She answered all our questions. Chesters was one of many troop bases added to Hadrian's
Wall soon after it was built, and today it is the best-preserved example of a
Roman cavalry fort in Britain. Historians believe it was
occupied for nearly three centuries. The four principal gateways bases
are virtually intact. The entire foundation of the headquarters building is
visible, with a courtyard, hall, regimental chapel and strongroom
clearly laid out. The military bath house has a
changing room, latrines and bathing rooms. You will also see the Roman bridge
abutment on the riverbank. The Chesters
Museum is housed within an attractive Edwardian
building and enjoys a beautiful riverside setting. It is home to the Clayton
Collection, which includes important early archaeological discoveries relating
to the central section of Hadrian's Wall. I was at a hosted table with Alicia Sanchchez, Learning and Development Manager.. I was at the lecture given by Niki
Sepas: Haggis, Bagpipes and ‘Nessie’.
SAT 13-Jul-24 Sea
Day. I attended Team Trivia, Duplicate
Bridge, and the show All My Soul. I was
at the lecture given by Richard Stone:
A Brush with Royalty.
SUN 14-Jul-24 Debark
Ship Greenwich (London), England, United Kingdom – This was a challenging
disembarkation port since the ship cannot dock to a pier. We (and our baggage) had to exit the ship
onto a floating dock and then take a very large tender to the shore. Luggage
delivery was slow and some people were anxious about making their flights since
it was a 90 minute drive to LHR. Seabourn arranged
separate mini-bus transportation to each terminal at LHR so it was a very short
walk to my check-in and luggage drop.
Delta operated my flight and was partnered with Virgin Atlantic to host
a great business lounge for my 90 minute stay before
boarding.
KLM 6048 LHR-ATL
1:55 PM – 6:25 PM. The A330 business
class seats are a little smaller than the 787 or 777 but adequate. Delta provided access to their lounge between
flights. There was a 35
minute delay after landing before getting to a gate.
KLM 7546 ATL-PHL
9:12 PM – 11:16 PM. There was a 30 minute delay after boarding to resolve an issue with the
gate computer that was not properly reconciling all the scanned boardings.
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