Ultima Thule

The next stop will be the Royal Palace - is there a changing of the guards ceremony everyday? what time?

Here is a list:

http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/siteassets/2-var-verksamhet/hogvakten/vaktparad-med-musik-maj-december.pdf

How long the construction at Slussen would last?

Until 2020 at least. :eek:

I think we'd have to use the Stadtmitte stop and change trains at Frederichstrasse to get the the Hauptbahnhof, is this correct?

Sounds OK to me. Take U6 direction Alt Tegel from Stadtmitte. Note that two S-bahn lines cross each other at Friedrichstrasse, one is at sub level the other one is elevated over the street. You should go up to the elevated one to get to Haubtbahnhof and will thus arrive at level 5 there.

I have never used the 3-stop ticket so I cannot comment on that one.

How do we find our train?

The Berlin Haubtbahnfof has 5 levels. You enter on level 3. In your case the train will depart from to lowest level, (2. Untergeschoss)

Plan:

http://berliner-hbf.de/wp-content/uploads/berlin-hbf-karte-vergr%C3%B6%C3%9Fert.pdf

Sweden had another royal birth tonight. Prince Carl Philip and his wife Princess Sofia became parents to a little boy.

Kunglig Salut (21 gun salute):

Desdichado,

I visited Stockholm last week and noticed there was a marine officers union strike going on so that most of the archipelago boats including the Djurgården ferries were docked. I wonder if the strike might go on into the tourist season and perhaps effect the hoho boats as well? Do you got any further info about the situation?

Hope you don't mind Desdichado if I add a clarification for those not familiar with the Swedish geography.

What Desdichado says here is this (in other words):

Near Stockholm there is just one sea-line but some 2/5 out through the archipelago the the sea-line divides so there is an alternative route for smaller ships ( less than 800 feet) that wants to go South East towards for example Germany or Latvia. The main route continues North East towards Finland. But both routes continue through the archipelago.

So yes, you will always have to go through the archipelago but for smaller ships you might possibly go though different parts of the archipelago on the way in than on the way out.

Art Baron specializes in in Russian art and old icons:

Art Baron

Fredrikinkatu 38

Mon-Fri 10-18

Sat 11-14

http://www.art-russian.com/?lang=eng

at before heading back to the ship.

 

(a) is this do-able for the time we have in port? I would like a relaxing schedule, with plenty of time to return to the ship.

Should be easy.

(b) Can you provide me with transit directions on how to get to each of these places (from point A to point B to point C etc.) and finally back to the ship?

If you are docking at quay LHB or LHC, just take bus 14.

Assuming you are docking at quay LMA, take tram 9, exit at stop "Kampintori". Walk up to the corner, cross the street, turn left, walk (along "Fredrikinkatu") past the entrance to the "Kamppi" (subway station/bus statio/shopping mall) to the bus stop at the corner of the white building (Finnkino, museum). Take bus 14, 18 or 39 to stop "Töölön kirjasto". Over the street to the library building in the park. Take the street to the right of the library ("Humalistankatu" - slightly uphill, slight bend on street). Across the major street ("Mechelininkatu" - push button for green light) Turn left and into the park at the corner (Alternative: follow "Mechelininkatu" down to the bottom of the hill and you'll see the monument to the right).

Same way back, but bus stops are not across each other, so you'll have to turn left (North) at "Topeliuksenkatu" and walk a bit to reach the stop. Same buses back, exit at "Kauppakorkeakoulut". Across the street and uphill along "Lutherinkatu" to the Rock church.

From the rock church downhill along "Lutherinkatu" and left or "Fredrikinkatu" and right to the tram stop at the street corner. Take tram 2 (beware of the direction, should be the platform further away from church) past the railway station to the Market (exit at "Senaatintori" or "Kauppatori".)

You could take tram 9, for example from the railway station, back to the ship (from the platform closer to the railway station, tram sign should say "Länsiterminaali").

I cannot comment on the hotels themselves.

Personally I don't really like the modern concrete/glass jungle around the railway station. Eden Elite Park Hotel is located at the upper class district Östermalm and if you plan to use public transport (24 hour card recommended 115 Kr, 70 kr if you are 65 or older) it is just a few blocks from the hotel to either of the Östermalmstorg subway station entrances, possibly even closer than it is from Radisson Blu Waterfront to T-Centralen subway station. With he subway you can reach old town in just a few minutes.

Or have a nice walk through the city center to Gamla Stan. For example Sturegatan-Birger Jarlsgatan-Hamngatan-Kungsträdgården. Another longer option wold be Sturegatan-Kungsgatan an then pedestrian street Drottninggatan all the way down to Gamla Stan.

It has been mentioned here to exit at the Kauppakorkeakoulut stop for the Rock Church, but another source says the Sammonkatu stop from the 2T. Which is actually closer?

Kauppakorkeakoulut might be further away from the church by a few meters, 260 v.s 250/210m (the Sammonkatu platforms are not opposite each other), but it is the stop closer to the town center so coming from there you'll reach that stop first and the gradient on the uphill to the church (going back from the stop to Fredrik street) is slightly less than when using Luther street.

I have not visited the City hall or Abba the museum ...

Hehe, neither have I. I have visited Stockholm uncountable times but the City Hall never seems to fit in with the rest of the schedule when you have just a few hours time available. But one day...

I agree with Desdichado. Consider leaving out the City Hall and if you then find you have a some surplus time once you are in old town and have seen the Royal Palace, consider spending a few minutes in the Royal Armoury (Livrustkammaren) in the Palace cellar. Entry is free.

http://livrustkammaren.se/en

What are the different ways to get from the cruise port to the aviation Museum in Vantaa? A taxi would be the last way I would choose, but would if necessary - how much are taxis from the Railway station in Helsinki to there? We will be there June 4 on the Zuiderdam.

You will then dock at West Harbour, quay LMA. If you want to use public transport then tram 9 would take you to the railway station. Shuttle buses would usually drop you off some 600m from the railway station.

The new Ring Rail Line will take you from the central station to within 150m of the aviation museum.

Take either local train "I" or "P" and exit at station "Aviapolis". Both trains depart every 10-15 min on Saturdays and as "Aviapolis" is in the middle of the route it takes 29 minutes regardless if you use "P" train (clockwise) or "I" train (counter clockwise). Note that "Aviapolis is located in region two zone.

An one day zone two ticket costs 12 euro, single tickets would cost 5.50 e.

https://www.hsl.fi/sites/default/files/uploads/keharata_595x800.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_Rail_Line

 

Can I just check then, there is no "tourist tram - HOHO"? People are just referring to 2/3?

Correct.

Oh and the ferry to fortress island that is included in the travel pass, this is fine? is there any reason to take the other boat?

No. The waterbus stops at another quay next to the visitor center and the main fortress, sparing you a 5 minute walk across the first island but then the waterbus route is longer so you'll just spare your feet, not much time. I recommend you just use the ferry as it is free with the day ticket.

http://frantic.s3.amazonaws.com/suomenlinna/2015/09/kartta_en.pdf

I think overall we want to visit Suomenlinna fortress island; the Rock church and walk around the market square, esplanade, senate square, Stockmann and maybe Design area - will this be possible in the one day?

Sounds OK to me.

Others talk about trams 2 or 3 -are these different to above?

I assume they are a loop? how long would that loop take? Does it pass the Rock Church?

Lastly, others talk about the tourist hop on hop off TRAM being included in the transport price, is this different again?

They are all the same. Tram 2/3 makes a figure "8", so tram #2 is doing the "S" part of the "8" , then changes number to tram #3 and does the inverted "S" part of the "8". Total loop takes about an hour and DO passes the rock church (as tram #2, stop "Kauppakorkeakoulut").

http://linjakartta.reittiopas.fi/en/#?mapview=map&line=1003++1,1003++2

http://linjakartta.reittiopas.fi/en/#?mapview=map&line=1002++1,1002++2

From your earlier post we take bus 14 into the centre (will the driver tell us where to alight?) and we can buy the all day pass for 8 euro off the driver, is this correct?

That's correct but I recommend you step off bus 14 at stop "Tehtaanpuisto" and then take tram 3 (continue forward on same side of the street past next corner to the tram stop, tram stop is named "Eiran sairaala") to the market where you also will find the ferry to the fortress.

http://linjakartta.reittiopas.fi/en/#?mapview=map&line=1014++1,1014++2

See this thread as well:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1124128

for example in Helsinki or SPB, do I need to pack more trousers and less shorts, more warmer tops and less T shirts?

I would say yes. Last year, for example, the July was quite cold. July or early August might have weather fitting for shorts and by then the sea has accumulated enough heat so that even cloudy days don't get cold. But counting on a warm June is in my mind a bit too risky. Expect rather a mix of warmer and colder days.

Jonza, So to use public transportation we just follow the green line to get to Tram 9. To return in the afternoon we have the option of Tram 9 or 6T, right?

Yes

Question 1- Is the name of the stop for LMA- Lansiterminaali? If so, then would that be the first stop going into town and the last stop returning from town?

Yes. yes. That's the last stop where the tram turns back to town.

Question 2 -Is the stop name that we use for Market Square(Kauppatori) named Kaisaniemenpuisto? I just want to be sure I get off at the right place.

There are three stops to consider:

1. Railway station (Rautatieasema/Järnvägsstationen) is 920 m from the Market Square. Personally I should get off here and go through the main shopping district, pedestrian Central Street & Alexander street (Keskuskatu, Aleksanterinkatu) to the Senate Square or Central Street and Northern Esplanade to the Market.

You can also change to tram 2 at the Railway station (same platform - same direction) that takes you straight to the Market Square (stop: Kauppatori)

2. Next stop for tram 9 is Kaisaniemi street (Kaisaniemenkatu). This one is just 730 m from Market Square, but there is a steep hill between them and while there exists means to get through the hill if you are familiar with the way, I cannot recommend this stop for a tourist.

3. The third stop is Kaisaniemi park (Kaisaniemenpuisto) 800 m from Market Square. A bit shorter than from the railway station but of course it takes longer for the tram to reach this stop. Its a bit uphill first past the little park to and then along the Union Street The route takes you through an administration area with monumental buildings, then downhill past the cathedral to the Senate Square and then to the Market Square.

Question 3 - Can I just buy the all day pass from the tram driver rather than use a machine? Same price 8E?

Bus drivers should sell one day pass but I have some idea that tram drivers don't sell them anymore. Anyway, tram driver takes only cash and the machine should be able to handle cash as well so use the latter. Yes the present price is 8 Euro .

It appears that as a one day cruise ship visitor, what I want is a 24 hour or zone "Single Use Travel Card". Do I have to purchase an SL Access Card first? .

That was the situation earlier but then they came to the correct conclusion it was crazy that a tourist had to buy a SL Access Card that he/she would use just once.

So now there is a non-rechargable paper 24 hour ticket for one time use (115 SEK). It has some electronic stuff between the layers of paper and will start counting the time when used the first time.

We will be in Stockholm for 2 days before our cruise in June. Is the Stockholm Pass with the additional Travelcard an economical way to see major sights?

Note that the cost for the additional travel card for all combinations (1 day, 2 days, 3 days , 5 days) is exactly the same as buying the corresponding Stockholm local traffic (SL) day cards (115 kr, 230 kr, 230 kr, 460 kr) so you will not win anything. But the Stockholm pass will be delivered worldwide (at an extra cost) saving you the trouble to find a place to buy the SL day card after you arrive at Stockholm.

To do the journey by train using Potsdamer Platz station would involve a taxi from the hotel, negotiating a large complex station...

 

Or, if you still prefer to use the train, using the main station in Berlin which is easier to navigate for a stranger.

I was thinking about the same thing as Anni. Potsdamer Platz is a bit closer to Hotel Berlin Lützowplatz than Berlin Haubtbahnhof but Potsdamer Platz is a very complex place with entries here and there, some going to the subway, some to the local trains and some to the inter city trains. Eventually you will find the correct way of course but the first expression is quite confusing.

Berlin Haubtbahnhof (main station) is very huge and complex as well but it is very open so you can see where you are going. In your case you should take the escalator or elevator downwards to reach the underground north bound trains. It says "tief" = deep (down) on the railroad tables.

Regarding Hotel Berlin, from my experience its an OK hotel, but huge with long corridors (see picture). So if mobility is a big issue perhaps it might be an idea to contact the hotel and see if it is possible to arrange for a room near the elevators? As far as I remember only the 3+3 elevators in the middle of the building takes you all the way down to the ground floor. The lobby is where the red circle with a human figure is on the picture and then, on the ground floor, a wide corridor with bar etc. goes across the building to the other three elevators and exit to the parking place.

Just make sure you get a safe taxi, as described in the first post here.

To be more specific, the price shown in the largest font on the yellow taxi sticker seen in the first post, should be somewhere around 300-320 kr for a decent taxi, as I understand it (correct me if I'm wrong).

Need some help please! Checking Stockholm port website, I'm totally unable to find the date I'm looking for. The calendar seems to be blocked on the current date, and no possibility to see my ship arrival date (Celebrity Silhouette, May 10th). I'd like to know in which port this ship is expected, because we've already had a very bad surprise about Travemünde (docked in an industrial port, very far from the city), and need to plan some diy tour in Stockholm.

Any help welcome! Thanks!

CELEBRITY SILHOUETTE

2016-05-10 kl. 09:00

2016-05-10 kl. 16:00

S167 STADSGÅRDEN

The info is there, OK, but you have to change from "Inneliggande" (present) to "Väntade" (expected) for the calendar to work.

Hello! We will be in Helsinki on August 15. Can you suggest one or more stores for fabrics and sewing supplies, preferably close to the Esplanade? Also: could I expect to find fabrics at/near Market Square and Hakaniemi Market? Thanks in advance.

Eurokangas, Yliopistonkatu 5

(corner Yliopistonkatu / Kluuvikatu - two blocks from the Esplanade)

Stockmann department store, Alexanterinkatu 52

(corner N. Esplanade / Mannerheim road)

Marimekko, Mikonkatu 1 (own brand only)

(corner Mikonkatu / N. Esplanade)

 

Helsinki--If your ship berths at West Harbour (which is fairly likely), then you can walk out of the port area to the nearby tram station and take Tram 9 to the center of town. From there, it's a 1km walk to Market Square. A ticket costs 2.5 euros but you can get an all-day pass for only 8 euros.

Tram 9 only applies for quay LMA. For quays LHB and LHC (a.k.a. West Harbour - Hernesaari) use bus 14 instead if you want to use public transport.

You'll then have to change to tram 3 to reach the Market Square area.

Usually cruise ships for all West Harbour quays have shuttle bus transport available. There are no technical difficulties walking, just the distance, quay LHB being closest to city and LMA farthest away.