Arrived in Stockholm on the 8th and to our surprise the Seabourn Pride was docked right by the Palace in the Gamla Stan. Next day as we were about to embark on the Shadow we saw the Sea Cloud II that we sailed on last December was docked in the same place. After embarking we enjoyed the beautiful sail away through the archipelago. What a wondrous site! Yesterday was the most remarkable welcome we have ever had. As we sailed into Ornskoldsvik, Sweden hundreds of the townspeople came out to greet us. In fact as we sailed in for miles there were people lining the shore and waiving as well as numerous boats came out to welcome the ship and followed us into port. As we sailed into the main pier there was a band playing, their fire boat was shooting water off and it was quite a celebration. The cruise director said in her 18 years of sailing she had never seem such a welcome. Ornskoldsvik has not had a cruise ship in over 30 years. In the afternoon they had a nice folkloric dance group and musicians that entertained. The ship is beautiful and the food and service superb. Today we are in Lulea which is close to the Artic Circle. Amazingly it isn't very cold. Today they are shuttling people via helicopter to the Ice Hotel. It was a bit too pricey for us at $1500 per person. We still have four children to pay college tuition for. Maybe someday we can come back as it sounds very interesting. Guess we will do the Ice Bar in Stockholm at the end of the cruise instead.

Susan, your welcome to Ornskoldsvik sounds magical! It sounds like you are off to an excellent start!

Thanks for checking in, we are sea mail starved ;)

Susan, What a warm welcome you received in Ornskoldsvik. I am sure after 30 years without a cruise ship, the Shadow was a wonderful sight to see. It is the nice touches like the dance group that make cruising fun. Those added activities make it so much more memorable. I still have fond memories of our sailaway from the port town for Glascow with the high school drum and bagpipe group playing. Band mothers were all around waving the Scottish flag and clapping and I thought band mothers are the same all over the world.

Continue to enjoy your cruise and post when you can.

Wow that was some reception.
Thank you for the report Susan.

Thanks for checking in , Susan! Sounds wonderful. Continue to enjoy!

Today we are in Vaasa, Finland. The weather continues to be cool but very pleasant. We are really enjoying the sail away every evening as each port has hundreds of small islands to sail past.

We ate last evening in La Terrazza, the Italian restaurant and had the best meal on the ship so far. We had a wonderful waiter from S. Africa and the food could not have been any better. After dinner we met some very interesting men that cruise quite a bit and have travelled worldwide. After enjoying our conversation with them, we met a young man from Peru that has just joined the cruise staff. He was such a delight to speak with as he is very energetic, upbeat, and in love with life. Made us think of how fortunate we are to be able to travel, meet new people, and enjoy such wonderful company.

Susan, keep the info coming. I am fascinated.
Lynn

Your trip sounds wonderful Susan, thanks for the seamail.

Cannot believe how beautiful the sail away is every evening! It stays light until after midnight so it is great to be able to sit by the window in the dining room and watch the beautiful scenery. It is amazing how quiet the ship is. Even when the seas are really rolling there is very little movement on the ship. Our room, although all the way at the front, is the quietest we have ever experienced. Tomorrow we are at sea en route to Oslo. Have met some really get people on this trip.

I have loved your reports, Susan.

The Shadow is a wonderful ship, I agree! Susan, I've been enjoying your posts - thanks for checking in with us! Enjoy the rest of your voyage.

Sounds like a magical journey! We loved La Terrazza on the Cloud. Don't miss the Ice Bar in Stockholm. We had a blast there. We went by but it was closed for a shore excursion so we went to the desk and made a reservation to come back later. Our little band of 4 were the only ones in it when we returned.
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Helen

Susan, what a dream trip. I can't wait to hear your reports from Oslo (if you have time!). Enjoy your wonderful trip, and thanks for taking us along on your journey.

It has been a great trip and the weather has been quite nice. Yesterday in Oslo was absolutely beautiful. So many of the townspeople were out at the outdoor cafes and just walking along the pier. Last time we were in Oslo we did all the museums, went out to the sculpture park, and the ski jump so this time we just went through the City Hall, walked over to the Palace and strolled along the waterfront. It was just a nice casual day. The sail away again was so spectacular.

Today we are in Goteborg, Sweden. It is a beautiful town built along canals. The weather is sunny; in fact we are in shorts and t-shirts.

The ship just gets better and better. The service is outstanding. It is some of the little things that Silversea does that mean a great deal to us. Such as offering three different types of shower amenities. Our room stewardess had offered us three choices the first day and I went for Bvlgari because I have really enjoyed it before. However, yesterday I asked to switch to Acqua Di Parma just to try the shampoo and she brought in a whole new set of soaps, gels, etc. The third choice was Neutrogena.

Food has been quite good and we hope to squeeze in another night at La Terrazza, although the main dining room has been great. We have had a window table every night and have loved the beautiful scenery outside, particularly since it doesn't get dark until 10 or 11 most evenings. Have to run to enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery of Goteborg. Will try and write more later in the week.

As we were walking around stumbled into the Gothia Cup which is the World Cup soccer tournament for children 11 to 18 years of age with 35,000 children from 126 nations. We were amazed how many were here from S. Africa, Zambia, Australia, New Zealand, China, Iraq, almost everywhere. We were fortunate to watch the Stars n' Stripes team of 14 year old girls from Allen, Texas beat a Swedish girls team of the same age. Allen isn't far from the office and it was fun to be so far from home and be able to cheer on the home team. The weather has been remarkable and this town is quite charming. Tomorrow we are in Copenhagen so hopefully will have some time to correspond.

What a great find! Thanks for cheering on Stars & Stripes. We took a long, self-misdirected tour of Oslo. It's a lovely city, especially with good weather.

Which type of Bvlgari? I've gotten the white tea at a hotel and it's heavenly.

Cheers, Anne

Great to hear from you again, Susan! How wonderful it must be to have dinner while it's still light out and you can see the waves from your table. I am so glad you have had good weather, too!

Susan, great job with the sea mail, glad John and you are having a blast...r/wes

Hi Susan.

Sounds like a wonderful cruise and unique itinerary. We miss you at the office but delighted you are having such a great trip.

Susan, I am glad you are enjoying the trip so much. You will appreciate it more when you come home and find out the Ngaire has had to deal with me!!!!!!!!!!! You got lucky!
Can;t wait to hear more.
Lynn

Lynn: What is wrong with you???? HUH???

Lynn,
Thanks for the good laugh to brighten up what is already a beautiful day in Stockholm. Joanna you are right there is nothing wrong with Lynn. She is lots of fun and I love our interactions.

Sad but true tonight is our last dinner in a delightful cruise. John and I were just commenting last evening how the ports have been small and unique. Not a great deal to do in some but it has been a leisurely holiday which we both really needed. The ship has been outstanding. The food quite good and the service some of the best we have ever had. We would rate this ship experience right at the top.

Now on to the long flights tomorrow and back in the office on Monday.

Safe travels home Susan! So happy your trip was such a success!! I'd love to try the Silver Shadow one of these days. We've been docked next to it several times in exotic ports. Need a CHEAP intro cruise for a newbie.

Loved your seamail!

What a fascinating itinerary, Susan, and what a wonderful time. I loved hearing about your sail-in to Ornskoldsvik!

Glad you and John had such a relaxing vaction and cruise - safe trip home Susan.

Oh Marcie you should have jumped on those 50% off deals in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2007.

Todd,
You were the smart one to take advantage of the specials while they were available. They went very quickly. Hopefully we will see some more good ones in early 2008.

I will be watching! They are amazing values!