Travel Reports
Scandinavia Cruise
On Sept. 5 we left for Amsterdam and the flight was perfect. The flight to Copenhagen was very nice. When we arrived the guide was waiting for us with the sign of “Maduro Travel”. While the group went outside to board the bus I had to stay some people who were claiming that one of their suitcases had been damaged. After they filled out the form we headed for the bus where the rest of the group was already waiting for us.
Sept. 6 - Hotel Radisson SAS Royal
The check-in went very smooth and everyone went up to their rooms to refresh and meet in the lobby to go out to eat. The hotel was beautiful, the rooms, the location and the service. When we came down back several groups were formed to have a bit to eat. We went to a restaurant at the Tivoli Gardens. We checked several of the menus placed outside of the restaurants. It was not easy to choose. Finally we made up our minds and had dinner. After that we walked a bit around not going into the gardens as we were all tired and wanted to go sleep. Our room was opposite the garden so we had a wonderful view.
Sept. 7 - Tour and Check in
After having a delicious buffet breakfast we checked out and the bus came at 9 am to pick us up for the City Tour. The weather was cloudy but still we had the opportunity to take some nice pictures. Copenhagen is a very neat and organized city. The Tour was very interesting and the guide kept our interest from the first moment till the end. After the tour the bus took us to the port. The check in went very easy as we were almost the only ones to check in.
When we got on board everyone went to their cabins and we met again at the Tour Desk to book our tours. Several of the group had already booked their tours via the Internet and it was good they had done this because several of the first tours in the morning were already sold out. My husband and I were able to book the tours together.
I can imagine that because all were all experienced travelers, everyone was very much on their own and we would meet them anywhere around the ship.
The first evening on the ship I got a call from the Maitre D of the Sabatini Restaurant saying that there was a group standing there because they were part of a group of 25 for dinner that evening. I told him that I was going to call him to reserve the dinner for Monday (as stated in our information folder). He recommended then that it would be better to have the dinner on Wednesday evening as Monday was the Gala Night and Tuesday he had a big Japanese group.
I will not be mentioning every port as my report would take up too much space I think 
One thing was always very nice and we were always proud to mention on the bus, when asked, where we were from and to say ARUBA!
In Helsinki our group went on the bus with another group so we had almost the whole bus for us. Helsinki reminded us very much of Amsterdam. The guide explained that Dutch architects designed the buildings. You can see this on the pictures. Helsinki is an amazing and beautiful town.
The dinner at Sabatini’s was on Wednesday, Sept. 10th. The group really enjoyed this dinner and thanked Maduro Travel for this gesture. One of the group members related to a spot on the t.v. of Setar: “Ta p’esey nos ta book cu Maduro Travel ainda”. Everyone agreed!
The highlight of course was St. Petersburg. There was so much to do and to see that it was impossible to do it all. Most of the group coincided the evening of the Russian Folkloric dance presentation.
For most the port that was less interesting was Tallinn. I don’t know if it was because it was the one after we had been to such an interesting city as St. Petersburg or because there was really very little to see.
All in all… How can you say no to Cruising? It’s down right Wonderful!
September 18th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Nilka, thank you so much for your great report, and being an excellent representative of Maduro Travel!