Stockholm is a beautiful city but unfortunately our itinerary and arrangements did not do it justice. While I maintained hope to the end, it was not realistic that there was a chance of docking in Stockholm itself. The Regal Princess is a huge ship and has apparently only ever got in once or twice. It is apparently an extremely slow and tortuous entry, even when a large berth is available. And so it was, that on a beautiful morning, we anchored for tendering, as scheduled at Nynashamn, 1 hour out of Stockholm.
A disappointing 30 minute wait between tenders (might have been a one off) to reach shore started us off. Once there, we paid for a Stromma transfer with seamless access to its Stockholm HOHO bus and boat service. Just a km or two into the transfer my mood became darker (as had Pat's cold), when a clown on board began his photograpgy exploits. In quite unremarkable countryside, he took around 400 photos in 40 minutes with his extremely large camera and lens - doubling that rate once we hit Stockholm. He was oblivious to the requirement to remain seated and seat belted while the bus was in motion, and on 5 or 6 occasions almost went over when we braked or changed lanes. In almost wishing he would go over I, of course, sought dispensation from the Rotary 4 Way Test.
Alighting at the Vasa Museum (getting to it shortly), I enquired of the driver the location of their nearest HOHO boat point, only to be told "no boats, boat already stopped". This, without any pre-sale disclosure and despite their own brochure telling us that boats ran every 20" in the period ending 9 September. Boats are the best way to see Stockholm at its best on a beautiful sunny September day, so this was a bummer.
Anyway, the Vasa is a naval, sailing, salvage and technology story like no other. At over 200 ft long, and ommissioned by King Gustavus (who directed that she be built high (172 ft) but skinny (less than 16ft at the water line) and accommodate an extra gun deck, the result was her almost immediate demise. In fact, she rolled over and sank just 40 minutes into her 1628 maiden voyage - and lay at the bottom of Stockholm's harbour for 333 years. Rediscovered in 1956 and raised in 1961 she was in incredibly good condition and underwent great restoration activity to now be housed in her own massive museum which allows inspection from 5 levels. In addition to the Vasa itself, the museum has wonderful displays and explanations - including many almost fully formed skeletons of more than 30 sailors whose bodies were retrieved.
Completed the HOHO bus route and then wandered Gamla Stan (Stockholm's wonderfully preserved "old town" which is fronted by the Palace). Visited the Palace Chapel and caught the tail end of the Changing of the Guard. Took a late coffee and snack in a real waffle shop, where they make their own on a window front 7 station machine. Some more waterfront wandering and then time for our 1 hour trip back to Nynashamn and our tender to Princess Regal.
Another enjoyable dinner on our table and then to our final full cast live show production - 16 piece Orchestra and 17 performers. A wonderful show with outstanding performances, costumes, staging and sound and light effects. The quality of the live show productions has been top shelf.
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