Finally a day at sea and a bit of time. We did get linked up in Copenhagen. Gretchen and Sarah had checked into the hotel and were waiting for me when I got off the train from the Airport.

We liked the Stroget area and would highly recommend the canal boat tour (not DFDS, the one Rick Stevens recommends (same tour half the price)I'll post name later). We also got to see the Changing of the Guard as they marched down the Stroget...very nice. Agree with Andi about Resistance Museum.

Visby was very nice and very doable on your own. We walked the wall, climbed around St. Mary's (built in 1250) ruins and saw a Discovery special being made on Visby ("Action 1 - Sword fight starts; Action 2 - mounted Men at Arms charge"), will be on Discovery's "Medieval Week."

Stockholm was really pretty and IMHO doable on your own. If you've not been and are doing your own I'd recommend a Stockholm card. You'll break even if you do Vasa, the first (10 AM ) canal boat tour and anything else on the card (Skansen, buses, Metro, Aquarium, Nordic Museum, etc). If you get a Stockholm Card and have a minute by Vasa, do the Aquarium they have a great rain forest exhibit (not worth 65Kr but if you have the card well worth the time.

Gretchen, at Andi's suggestion, took to writing "Not before 0800!" on the Room service card. That seems to have worked for both of us.

Andi, was also very correct about the Hermitage. Sarah wanted to see Kandinsky's (sp) paintings and our guide took us up to see his work. Otherwise they do seem to have a set tour of the items people are most interested in. I found being an inch and a half from one of my favorite Monet's nearly a religious experience.

Andi and Doug have really helped to make this trip for us. I think we all really enjoyed our two day St Petersburg tour. I will second Andi's comments about steering you away from non-company stores. Gretchen did however get a really cute picture of Andi in a fur hat! It's not THE Apron but still cute.

Doug did his Frank Sinatra imitation (That's Life) last night at Kareoke and Sarah and I did Elvira. Sarah and John (Asst CD) did a Love Shack duet earlier in the week. What a nice guy!!

Gretchen found another Occupational Therapist on board! Seems there's been one on every cruise so far!!

I think we're going to book Bermuda on board for 2005 (2fer and my birthday)other than that just resting up and (YUCK!!!) packing.



Greg