Our final port of call on this cruise. Arrived early morning after a bumpy night in the Skagerak. Another sunny day with some clouds greeted us and with plenty of time I split the walking into exploring the city in two parts although we would not get to see the Ski jump at the edge of town. As we were able to dock in Oslo we did not need a shuttle bus and we spent most of the morning exploring the old fortress and its grounds which was beside the boat. Back for lunch after which we rested on the deck (in the sun) for an hour. Having completely worn my sister out with walking I went back into town to see a bit more for an hour but made a hasty retreat back to the boat as the sky suddenly looked very ominous. There was a shower during afternoon tea and then we watched as we set sail for Dover. A Farewell Drink with the Captain proceeded the final formal dinner tonight the highlight of which was the Baked Alaska parade. We decided on an early night and with further unsettled waters promised made sure I took a travel sickness pill.

Warnemunde is a seaside resort in the old East German sector of Germany. It is about 6 miles from Rostock and about 3 hours by coach to Berlin. An early arrival and customs clearance meant that guests heading for berlin were setting off about 7am. We had an early breakfast in order to take the organized excursion to Rostock. This involved a cruise down the Warnow river from just beside the Ruby which took an hour and included tea and cake. Not an exciting cruise bearing in mind the landscape is mainly industrial but different. On arrival at Rostock we were taken around by Peter, who was born in Hamburg, lived in Denmark but has chosen to live in Rostock. He was very good with a different outlook on a unified Germany and the consequences. Rostock is a University town but was bombed during the war because it had a Heinkel factory there. They have started restoring the buildings and architecture has been designed to blend in with the old Hanseatic style (wedding cake he calls it) type of buildings. The most interesting aspect was a visit to a former STASI prison where we learnt about life for its inmates. If arrested and brought to one of these places the prisoners had to send a postcard home saying they had escaped to the west so their families would not worry about them! At the end we came back by bus in time for lunch on the Lido deck. We then walked into Warnemude itself which was very nice. It has a long stretch of blue flag beach (part of which is for nudists) and I decided we had to have a paddle in the sea! It was a warm afternoon, about 23 deg C, although 29 deg C had initially been forecast so a BBQ on deck had been planned for the evening. After that we went to see the film The Bucket List, with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman and I would recommend it. Had our late night Horlicks and noticed how we had lost our very late light evenings.

A day at sea and hopefully a chance to relax. After breakfast went with sister to a lecture on amber. The stone has never done much for me but I must admit after the lecture I will look at it in a different light. Then it was time for the Church Service which was really full. After that it was my turn for my reflexology session. I had one a few years ago so was looking forward to this. Reflexology works on the basis that the map of the body corresponds to the soles of the feet and by applying the pressure you can identify and work on areas of the body that are not in balance. At the worst it is no more than a lovely foot message! The man who was doing my feet said my general health was fine but felt I had a mineral imbalance. At the end he gave me a fact sheet about mineral imbalances and I could immediately identify with the symptoms so it was worth having. Then all three of us had a light lunch in the dinning room. After lunch sister had her turn of reflexology which she enjoyed during which I did some tidying up in the room. We relaxed up on deck for a bit before the afternoon tea and a swim before dinner. After dinner sister and I did the quiz then went and watched the new entertainment group they have on board who sang exerts from operas. Gain another hour tonight.

So while Chris was seeing to a complete changeover we were arriving in Tallinn. An UNESCO site it is a medieval walled city similar to, but a smaller version of Prague. We were docked along side the Oriana today and after breakfast took the shuttle bus the short distance into town. Unfortunately after a few nice days it was a bit damp this morning but still warm. We made our way to the higher part of the old town before coming back for lunch. After a quick salad on deck we caught the bus back to town and looked around the lower part of the old town. It had turned much dryer and warmer but a short sharp shower sent most people for cover. We got out our umbrellas and wandered around the market with the crowds! There was a medieval festival on so we watched some dancing. We explored some churches and side streets and found a lot of vendors selling lovely knitwear. All very tempting! Back in time for afternoon tea and made sure we had our swim before dinner. Watched the show, with the onboard dancers and singers before exploring the ‘Goumet Fest’ and our mug of Horlicks. The guy obviously recognizes us as regulars as he had our mugs waiting for us!

Another early start for a packed day in St Petersburg. Another 7am rise for breakfast and although on coach in good time delayed by passenger who had overslept. Today’s tour was a full day tour of St Petersburg with the highlights in the morning and a trip to the Hermitage museum in the afternoon. Unless you have your own visa you cannot do the town independently so we decided to do the excursions to see as much as we could in the two days here. This morning we covered the highlights including the Peter and Paul Fortress, St Isaacs Cathedral and the Church on the Spilled Blood. It was sunny and warm and took lots of photos. Friday is a popular day for weddings and we most probably saw about half a dozen having their photos taken after their ceremonies. Lunch was included today again and we stopped at a nice downtown restaurant where we also had musical accompaniment! This time five courses with salad appetizer, a blini with cavier, soup, chicken and desert. Again had a small glass of champagne and a shot of vodka. Very nice.

After lunch we had a short drive to the Hermitage or Winter Palace. It houses a huge collection of art, porcelain, silverware etc in five buildings and you could spend a week and not see it all. An afternoon is tiring enough but our visit concentrated on art as well as the building itself. At least now I can say I have seen some original Da Vincis and Renoirs! We walked about 2 1/2 miles this afternoon so our guide told us on the way back. It had turned into a warm sunny afternoon and as the boat was to depart shortly after we got back on board we went up to the Lido deck to watch it set sail. We had our first ‘sail away’ cocktail and had planned to go for a swim before dinner but were too tired. After dinner we decided on a quiet evening. We found the laundry to do some washing but it was closed. So I did some emailing before we went up for our Horlicks. Tonight we had a beautiful ‘white night’ with the setting sun creating wonderful colours in the sky. After the sun set just after midnight we went back to the cabin. The clocks go back an hour so a chance to start catching up with sleep.

Awoke at 7am (4am BST) to have an early breakfast before embarking on our first organized excursion. A fair day was forecast and with no problem going through immigration we were off by 9.30 to visit the Peterhof Palace just outside St Petersburg. This was the tour I had been looking forward too most. Comparable to Chatsworth House the palace was the summer residence of the Tsar. Destroyed in the second world war it has now been largely restored and it is famous for its gardens with 150 fountains. Luckily today these were working but we had a tour of the house first where you have to ware overshoes and leave large bags and coats in the cloakroom. This is standard practice in Russia. Took lots of photos (which you have to pay a fee for) but cannot use flash, and if someone did then the attendants would rush over and scold the offender. We then had a walk around the lower gardens admiring the fountains. Some were ‘hidden’ and would only work if you stepped on a particular stone. This was popular with children. We then had lunch in the orangey which was a four course affair with salad appetizer, soup, chicken main course and ice cream. This was accompanied by a small glass of champagne and a shot of vodka. After that we drove a short distance to visit one of the smaller houses associated with he Paplavce. Back on board in time for a swim before dinner. Tonight a lot of guests had booked for the Opera, Ballet or Folklore events so there were not many left. After dinner we went and did the general knowledge quiz before our usual Horlicks. Lots of photos taken and another busy day tomorrow.

A bright sunny day forecast and after my usual breakfast of a bowl of cereal, a bowl of fruit and a croissant we set off on the short shuttle bus ride to the center of Helsinki. It is a young Capital as Finland was not independent as a country until 1917. The shuttle bus dropped us by the Lutheran Cathedral which dominates the local skyline. We walked down to the quayside to look at the market then back up to photo the church. After that we walked thorough the center of town to find a ‘rock church’ which is a church built into the rocks. An impressive structure which has good acoustic qualities. We were thinking about walking on to find the Sibelius Statue but decided it was too far so came back to the ship for launch. We then went back into town to explore a little more and in particular look at the Russian Orthodox Church. Memories of Helsinki will include polite drivers with plenty of pedestrian crossings which also have an audible way of letting you know when it is safe to cross. Back in time for afternoon tea with dad. Had our usual swim before dinner then went to the Cinema to see ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’ with Tom Hanks. Had our usual late night stroll on deck with our mug of Horlicks before retiring to bed and putting the clocks forward again.

Woken up at 2am by the Pilot disembarking the ship. Somehow we seem to her the winch from our cabin, the only negative thing I have to say about it. We have a fridge, which we did not have on the Saga Rose and have used it for fruit and water. I eat more fruit when on holiday than at home. Perhaps it is because I have time to eat meals without being disturbed. The Baltic, being an inland sea, is not tidal, which means we don’t have to worry about sea sickness. The day dawned bright and sunny again and another pleasant day was forecast. After breakfast went down for my second detox treatment. This was aimed at cellulite mainly and again involved the use of the electric pulses. This time the beautician took some measurements of parts of the body I wanted to concentrate on before wiring me up. After an hour of electrical pulses, which I could feel more this time she unstrapped me and measured me again. I am pleased to say I have shown some instant results with a loss of a total of 10cm from waist hips and thighs. A new me! My sister had a massage that was on special offer and by the time I had finished I joined her and dad for lunch in the dining room. We spent an hour on deck afterwards doing some puzzles then walked the ‘deck mile’ (seven times around the boat) before going to afternoon tea. We then sat on deck a bit longer before going for our first swim in the indoor pool. Tonight was the first formal night, but with three scheduled for this cruise we decided on the informal dining in the Lido. There were a few others who had opted for this. Went for a quiz session but only managed second place. Decided on an early night after that.

Woken at 4am by pilot being brought on board. Cool and showers forecast for today but from the moment we stepped off the shuttle bus in Stockholm it drizzled. Walked around the Stamla Gan (old town) before walking around to the City Hall. There are some interesting old buildings but I am sure it would have looked better in the sun. With not enough time to visit the Vasa museum we went back to the boat to grab a late lunch. I managed to get some blogging in before Afternoon Tea which was a chocolate based one so there was a big queue and lots of photos being taken. I was very good(!) and had some fruit dipped in chocolate. We went for a swim again before dinner which was informal. With a longer cruise we are finding that we are chatting to more passengers which is nice. After dinner we went to the cinema to see the film Cloverfield. It is an unusual film and would not be to everyone’s liking. There were only 10 of us there to start with and only 5 survived the whole film. A quick Horlicks from the gourmet feast before retiring and putting our watches forward an hour for the second time since we left Dover.