Visby on Saturday:

Looking outside, the weather looked lovely; blue skies and 74. We went up on deck and were blown away. Went inside and bundled up for our hike along the shore and in Visby. The captain said that he almost didn't make it in due to swells.

We arrived an hour early. We left on our tour with all age groups and wondered what we were in for. The boat ride was rocky. When we arrived, we realized we were overdressed and the weather was a balmy, blue skied 74. We took an interested 15 minute bus ride to the beach and began our 3 mile hike along the shore. There were all ages. Being such a lovely day, it was great getting out and hearing a bit about the history and geography of the area. We had a brief house and sculpture garden tour and then a stop for refreshments and WC a few steps further on. It was the most delightful stop. The pastry served was the best I have ever had and all types of beverages were available (including strawberry juice). We sat and looked at the ocean and ate our snacks before continuing with the remainder of our hike. We then boarded the bus and went into Visby.

Visby is a beautiful walled town with not a lot to do on your own, though many did. I think this is a stop where you can get a lot out of taking a tour and learning about the history of the town, which dates back to about 1100. It is not a commercial town and that is refreshing. It is not a Corfu or even a Dubrovnick. It is a town which has kept its historical identity. We would recommend the hiking tour. It was overpriced as they all are, but it was nice and we enjoyed it.


We returned to ready ourselves for the captain's cocktail party and had a bit of hysteria. We had sent most of our good clothes to be pressed and/or cleaned and they weren't there as promised at mid afternoon. We called at 5:30 and about 1/2 hour later at 6pm only 3 items showed up and not the items we needed. Then steward staud that the dry cleaner had "gone home for the day and he couldn't help us further." We realized the dry cleaner couldn't have gone that far and called housekeeping. The head of housekeeping showed up and 90 minutes later, my things still were not located. The housekeeper said she was too busy too look as she had to get ready for the cocktail party. I asked her what I was supposed to wear as I would like to go to and I had no clothes? No answer. I then contacted the Hotel Director and within 5 minutes I had my things, but missed the cocktail party. No apology from the housekeeper who just said her staff had been too busy to find or deliver then...that's what the problem had been.

This behind us, we had all our things and a perfectly lovely dinner with the staff captain and some guests.The food and service in the Compass Rose was wonderful. We had lobster tails and the best Beef Wellington I have ever had. I hear the chocolate souffle was to die for.

The show was lovely and the casino and lounge were lively until about midnight.

Stockholm.

Weather started out with cold rain and ended up a hot blue 80. Go figure. It was on and off with the layers all day. We woke up early and went up to see the archipelago entrance at dawn and then took the first shuttle into the city at 9. Since Doug and I have been to Stockholm before, we decided to forego any formal tours and to just wander. We spent the morning at the Wasa museum (a must see) and spent the afternoon at the old town. We had a quick bite,chatted with some folks from the ship at lunch, and wandered in and out of shops. It's really a tourist trap. If you haven't done Stockholm, you should do a tour. It has many wonderful things to see. You can do things on your own (I'm sure Greg can fill you in as this is what he did with the Stockholm card) or through the cruise line.

Doug and I caugt a 3pm bus back to the ship (it's about 4:20 now and the ship sails at 5). I'm going up to tea now and then to bingo. We have dinner at Signatures with Greg, Gretchen and Sara at 8:30 tonight.

Tonight is the pianist Nana, who was excellent on a past cruise.

By the way, our cruise director is Glen Younger. Doug and I find her very smooth and charming. We like and miss Barry, but find her an apt replacement. Additionally, on our past Mariner trip in XMAS (I think the one alot of former CCs were on), a couple -- a singer and a dancer from England -- became engaged. They are now the social director and and assisst cruise director and are just lovely.