h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

First day back from a wonderful cruise around the Baltic during which I visited Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallin, Berlin, Copenhagen and Oslo. Far too much to put into a single post so I will dedicate an entry to each place. Also my photos are not in digital format so I suspect that there is lots I will only remember once they are developed. Still I suppose the most memorable things will come easily to mind.

I'm going to start with the actual experience of cruising which I've never done before. The term "luxury" in the brochure was certainly not an exaggeration. A ratio of 350 crewe members (except for the Officers most were Philippino)to 550 passengers was certainly enough to ensure that all needs were catered for. From a cabin boy who seemed to change the towels every time I washed my hands to very attentive dining room waiters and bar staff I found them all very lovely people who took great pleasure in providing a good service. I have to say that at first I was rather uncomfortable with this almost "master/servant" relationship but after spending some time chatting with them I discovered that they all definately had a plan - 4/5 years at sea 10 months a year and then back home with enough money to set them up for life. Good luck to them as they certainly work hard for their money.

Mustn't forget to mention the galley staff who provided magnificant fayre. Each day started with morning tea served in the cabin, followed by full breakfast, next came lunch which was a choice of a 3 course sit down affair or buffet style on deck, to see you through to dinner was afternoon tea complete with sandwiches and a huge variety of cream cakes (all baked on board) and decorated with ice carvings, dinner was usually themed to fit with where we were at the time - I sampled Reindeer off Finland - and just to stave off the possibility of night starvation a healthy supper was available. Of course there was always a supply of fruit in the cabin and a chocolate placed on my pillow every night. Just as well I stuck to morning tea, breakfast and dinner most days.

A certain ex-Speaker of the House of Commons was a fellow passenger. She ( can you guess who it was now ) gave a talk on her experiences as Speaker which was very interesting. Other entertainment included deck games, bingo, lectures on the various destinations and classical music, classical concerts and variety shows. Then there was the library and the communal jigsaw.

I met some lovely people including those I sat with for dinner whose company I enjoyed enormously. People from all walks of life from those who had saved for a long time to treat themselves to a once-in-a-lifetime trip to High Court Judges.

The only down side to the whole trip was the relatively short period of time spent in each port of call. Still that means I have a very good reason to go back.

Hi Polly - it sounds great!

I will be very interested to read more about your experiences, as I have often thought about going on a cruise, but have mainly been put off as I am single and most of the operators I have looked at charge huge supplements for people travelling alone.

Welcome back Polly ! ... Glad you had a good time ... I look forward to hearing more in subsequent posts. Must have been fascinating to hear BB talk about her experiences as speaker.



Sheena

Annie,

One advantage of being "of a certain age" is that I qualify to travel with SAGA who do not charge single supplements and not only that they assume that you are incapable of handling any luggage so arrange door-to-door porterage.

Ageing has got to have some compensations I suppose !

Polly

Ah yes, I have looked at the SAGA brochures and I must say they are very good on the 'no single supplement' front. Must have another look - they keep sending them to me, even though I've never booked anything with them, as I usually prefer to make up my own 'package' via the internet.

Polly, it sounds fantastic.

I have an ambition to this with my mother at some time - between her interest in Russia generally and icons specifically, and mine in Viking-age archaeology it would be fun for both of us. We'd have to find someone to father-sit for the duration though.

Will keep it in mind though!

Polly

Sounds like a great trip; I've never cruised but know people who have and loved it. Certainly no chance that you'd go hungry!

Looking forward to hearing more about it - Stockholm is the only place I have been to on your itinery. On my first visit I opened the curtains to see a huge cruise ship sailing by my window, I'd arrived late at night and not realised that the hotel was on the edge of the cliffs!

Good to see you again

Jane

Hey Polly that sounds brilliant!

Glad you had a good time.

all the best

dagesh xxx