What is there to do in Stockholm? - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

jstducky · 04-04-2006, 06:43 PM

This is certainly a port of call on the cruise I want to do in 2007. Can you tell me what there is to do in Stockholm? Is the main tourist area close to the cruise ship pier? Or is it quite a distance, as in too far to walk?

Is Stockholm an expensive city? What is there to buy?

Did you take a shore excursion? Was it necessary?

JodiBB · 04-04-2006, 06:55 PM

We purchased the Stockholm Card, and took the free shuttle from the ship to the town's center. From there, we took a tram/bus to the Folk Museum & the Skansen open air market. From there we took the tram/bus again to the Royal Palace, where we saw the crown jewels and toured the palace. There is also the armory, which you do not want to miss....all of this (including the tram fare) was included as part of the Stockholm card...also, right next to the Royal Palace is a great shopping area, where we spent a good part of the day browsing...

We then took the shuttle back to the ship....we had a great time!!

jstducky · 04-04-2006, 07:00 PM

If you needed to take a shuttle from the ship to city center, that means its too far to walk?

How long is the shuttle ride?

Do you remember the approximate cost of the Stocholm card?

Also, was it hard to catch the bus/tram to the various locations, or are the signs etc pretty easy to figure out?

Any special buys in Stockholm?

JodiBB · 04-04-2006, 07:28 PM

It's a bit of a hike to the city's center, but not impossible. The shuttle ride is about 10 minutes long.

The card is about $35/pp....here's the link: http://cityguide-europe.com/se/stockholm/tours.php

It's not hard at all to catch the bus/trams...they are well marked and everyone there knows English as well....the drivers were willing to help us catch the right transfers and which stops to get off of.

I don't remember buying anything in particular in Stockholm....sorry...

jstducky · 04-04-2006, 07:36 PM

thanks Jodi, this is so helpful!

do you think this is a port where most people did their own thing or purchased shore excursions?

did the ships excursions pretty much go to the same places you went to with the card?

JodiBB · 04-04-2006, 07:45 PM

For the most part, yes, the excursions went to many of the same places. I found that many people felt intimidated to go into ports on their own and booked all the tours through the ship...we found that we could take the countries at our own pace rather than at the ship's pace, which was our preference!

jstducky · 04-04-2006, 07:48 PM

thanks Jodi! I am sure that once I book the cruise and start researching I'll have a gazillion questions for you.

JodiBB · 04-04-2006, 08:21 PM

No problem Alisa....would love to share our travels (and learning experiences) with others!!

localady · 04-04-2006, 08:38 PM

Stockholm is known for fine it's glass, Abba, the most picturesque waterways, Lingonberry jam, virtually no crime, and fairly expensive prices. I would definitely recommend a visit to the Vasa, it's the most beautiful old warship I have ever seen, even as unseaworthy as it was. They also say that Skansen, a park of replicated towns on the same island as the Vasa, is not to be missed.

Sadly, we did miss it.....maybe next time!

jstducky · 04-04-2006, 08:47 PM

hm... fine glass huh? probably super expensive though? geez... this sounds like a costly cruise and I haven't even booked anything yet

i think i'll skip on getting the Abba CD.

thanks localady for the information.

Vasa... now if I remember correctly Jodi went there too and had some great pictures of it...

this sounds like a fascinating town.