Pride AMS-AMS with pictures and comments

[Emperor Norton]

Where was I? On my way to the former DDR. Sassnitz, Binz and Rugen.

 

I didn't know much about any of these places. It seems the port area we were in was built up by the DDR after the Poles started looting trains from the DDR to Moscow. Binz was a nice Seaside resort and Rugen had the hunting lodge. All in all a nice excursion although perhaps if there's a future visit a cab into town and just sample the local food and drink.

 

Leaving the port area. I guess X'ing out a sign is a benefit for those looking for the location who don't know it's no longer there.

The bus took us to Binz which was a "quaint" seaside resort.

Once there we had to walk a little bit to get to the boardwalk/shopping area. Along the way there were what appeared to be some nice old houses

Of course you can't have a seaside resort town without the requisite seaside resort

It seems I was being stalked by a sign

[Emperor Norton]

Once at the tourist pier/shopping arcade we were given 40 minutes to wander. I think most other passengers dove into the local shops.

I went in a somewhat different direction

And found Rapunzel

Then it was time to gather up and head back to the bus to catch the train to the lodge. I said then it was time to gather up and head back to the bus to catch the train to the lodge (repeat for 15 mintues). After the cats were hearded four of them then went off on their own for more photography. So 25 minutes after we were supposed to have left we were on our way to catch the train. In the future I'd like people who can't keep a schedule or feel schedules/rules don't apply to them should only go via their own private tour.

 

It would appear at this point that there is a gulf between Seabourn's shore department and myself. When someone tells me I'm going on a train ride, I expect something like this East German masterpiece

 

Definitely NOT this

[Emperor Norton]

We almost missed the train (thanks again late people!). However there was a small upside. As we took the last few seats in the cars I as a single was the odd duck out. That left one seat for me.

On the way to the lodge they played some descriptive audio (German only) which was interesting to try to decipher really didn't tell me anything. The grounds we were on were lush and cool. Off to the side of the road it was easy to see fox and red deer.

 

The train stopped near the lodge (there were still a few stories of stairs we had to climb) and let us out. Queue more cat herding antics.

After climbing the stairs we were finally at the lodge which was undergoing some renovations.

The lodge itself was a museum and parts of it would have been right at home in St. Petersburg. As it was a hunting lodge a lot of the exhibits were hunting arms.

Some a little more archaic

Or primative

[Emperor Norton]

Than others

What would any self respecting hunting lodge be without a horn? They had that covered.

Visitors also had the opportunity to ascend to the top of the tower (I passed and somewhat regret not having gone up)

After having moved relatively quickly through the lodge it was time to enjoy a little bit of the local culture in a stein. There was a genuine-fake restaurant tucked away in what might've been the cellar of the lodge (along with the pay to use restrooms).

 

On your way into the restaurant you're greeted by this friendly little guy

It was a cozy little place

[Emperor Norton]

I was able to sample the product that had its name plastered all over town

As well as a dark/black beer

And the best wheat beer I've ever had (well the other two also beat out anything similar I've had in the US)

I was surprised to find that the serving sizes were .5 liter and smaller. I'd thought that the typical offerings were 1 liter, .5 liter and smaller. Just as well as it was time to catch the "train" back to town. Once back in town we caught our bus and went over to an old product of the former National Socialist Party. Construction was halted after they decided to start a second World War.

Currently it's an art colony but the powers that be are looking for investors to turn it into a resort again.

They did have a nice beach.

After a brief (but in my opinion still too long - it bored me) visit here it was once again bus time. We went back to the ship and had a few hours before sailaway.

[Emperor Norton]

Once back at the ship I decided to wander along the squeaky clean port area. It was a nice bit of seafront property filled with restaurants and tacky touristy ships (where is my postcard?) and even a mini market. There was also this odd thing

It seems the British were going to scrap it when a German entrepreneur decided he could move it to Germany and make a museum of it.

While window shopping I saw an inviting ice cream place. Looking up at their menu I knew what I wanted and ordered it. It was delicious. Then I looked down. DRAT. I should've checked what else they had. I missed out on Smurf infused ice cream!

After finishing my not smurf flavored treat I wandered among the food trailers. One in particular smelled very nice. They were doing waffle treats and currywurst. Currywurst? Yes please. Having heard about this dish (essentially a brat covered in curried ketchup and the dusted with curry powder) but never sampled it I had to avail myself of this opportunity (sorry no pictures and honestly it did resemble a gloppy mess). It was great. The sausage anyways. It tasted porkier, smokier and fresher than what I've been able to get locally in the US. The ketchup was oddly sweet (more like a sweet and sour sauce in a Chinese restaurant where they left out the sour but added extra sugar and cornstarch) and the curry was lacking. Ah well, perhaps in the future I'll find a better currywurst stand.

 

Back at the ship I was just in time to grab a seat for sail away.

These cliffs were supposed to be similar to those in Dover

It was a rather sad sail away. After this it was just some sea time, going through the Kiel canal again and then Amsterdam and the end of the cruise.

[Emperor Norton]

While our second time in the Kiel canal was just as beautiful as the first it was rather depressing knowing that the cruise was almost at an end (see, I DID like it even without being coerced:p)

I'm not sure what they were farming/looking for in these things? Shellfish of some sort?

It was interesting seeing vehicles that you've never seen in the US

Some construction activity

It didn't look like business was booming for this place

[PremiumSuite]

Once back at the ship I decided to wander along the squeaky clean port area. It was a nice bit of seafront property filled with restaurants and tacky touristy ships (where is my postcard?) and even a mini market. There was also this odd thing

It seems the British were going to scrap it when a German entrepreneur decided he could move it to Germany and make a museum of it.

While window shopping I saw an inviting ice cream place. Looking up at their menu I knew what I wanted and ordered it. It was delicious. Then I looked down. DRAT. I should've checked what else they had. I missed out on Smurf infused ice cream!

After finishing my not smurf flavored treat I wandered among the food trailers. One in particular smelled very nice. They were doing waffle treats and currywurst. Currywurst? Yes please. Having heard about this dish (essentially a brat covered in curried ketchup and the dusted with curry powder) but never sampled it I had to avail myself of this opportunity (sorry no pictures and honestly it did resemble a gloppy mess). It was great. The sausage anyways. It tasted porkier, smokier and fresher than what I've been able to get locally in the US. The ketchup was oddly sweet (more like a sweet and sour sauce in a Chinese restaurant where they left out the sour but added extra sugar and cornstarch) and the curry was lacking. Ah well, perhaps in the future I'll find a better currywurst stand.

 

Back at the ship I was just in time to grab a seat for sail away.

These cliffs were supposed to be similar to those in Dover

It was a rather sad sail away. After this it was just some sea time, going through the Kiel canal again and then Amsterdam and the end of the cruise.

 

The "bluffs" look more like a flat pancake too me...nice pictures btw, especially of the gelato!

[Emperor Norton]

Perhaps the bluffs of Dover are a full stack and the German version is a half stack (I didn't quite see it other than some of the color)?

On one of the last few nights I got a bit "meh" and started trying to play with available lighting

I wish I'd had something to alter the color here as it's somewhat monochromatic

One last shot of the bar(tender)

And a goodbye Manhattan

Upon returning to my suite I was confronted with this ill tempered wee beasty

It seems he wanted me to sum up my cruise experience across 4 tiny pages. Ill tempered indeed.

[Emperor Norton]

Somewhere on the last few days we had the Galley Market Lunch (the third time I felt luxury was missing from this trip - more on that later). It was (or appeared to me at least) an exercise in refrigerator velcro. While on other lines a similar meal is setup to highlight the home cuisine of the chefs for the most this one seemed geared to clear out the reefers.

It started off with your choice of flavored vodkas

And then for something very different fondue (I would've taken the pot with me given the opportunity)

Care for some soup shooters with your sushi?

The only fresh spring rolls the entire cruise (not sure why they couldn't have done fresh for the Vietnamese ones)

Interesting display but not edible and it just slowed down the line

I guess the Grinch got the roast beast quickly (I got there about 20minutes after opening) leaving this uninspiring sight at the carvery

[PremiumSuite]

Great clear pictures of the Pride. She looks in great shape for her age all things considered baychilla.

[Emperor Norton]

Sadly the enemy of fresh and decent made a few appearances

Things took a turn for the sweeter once outside the galley

Was there humor in the above staff assignment? (The crew member is named Candy and is working the sweets station).

[Emperor Norton]

Videos from the event (clicky-clicky):

Sorry about the videos, using a DSLR for videos to me is like using a screwdriver in place of a hammer.

[Emperor Norton]

That's it for the pictures, I should probably toss up a few words about things and stuff.

 

Below are links to all the galleries I've used to host images. Most (or all) have more photos than what's been displayed here.

 

• Getting there (and back) Isn't half the fun
  
• Amsterdam
  
• General ship things/parties
  
• Kiel Canal
  
• Ronne
  
• Tallinn
  
• St. Petersburg
  
• Moscow
  
• Helsinki
  
• Mariehamm
  
• Stockholm
  
• Sassnitz
  

[Roxburgh]

That's it for the pictures, I should probably toss up a few words about things and stuff.

 

Below are links to all the galleries I've used to host images. Most (or all) have more photos than what's been displayed here.

 

• Getting there (and back) Isn't half the fun
  
• Amsterdam
  
• General ship things/parties
  
• Kiel Canal
  
• Ronne
  
• Tallinn
  
• St. Petersburg
  
• Moscow
  
• Helsinki
  
• Mariehamm
  
• Stockholm
  
• Sassnitz
  

 

many thanks for the photos and for your commentary. I Thoroughly enjoyed both.

 

We leave on Monday and embark on the 22nd. Will try to get a few photos on the board but doubt if I can match yours.

[DUHCAR]

Many thanks Baychilla. Will use this as a reference for next June.

[billichka]

An awesome effort Baychilla, thanks!

[MillieMeter]

Thanks so much for your review and especially your pictures. DH and myself are not good about either so when our friends and children want to know what our trip was like(particularly on the ship--where we took NO pictures)--I will just show them yours and say that was us!

 

Seriously you have done a fabulous job and even tho we were on the next leg of the trip it was as if we were along with you or you were along with us.

 

Just wish you had pictures of Amsterdam and Copenhagen to go along with these, then we would have a full set for an album of our cruise!

 

What is your next Seabourn trip?

I hope you do a similar review with pictures for that.

Thanks again for a great memory.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Emperor Norton]

Thanks so much for your review and especially your pictures. DH and myself are not good about either so when our friends and children want to know what our trip was like(particularly on the ship--where we took NO pictures)--I will just show them yours and say that was us!

 

Seriously you have done a fabulous job and even tho we were on the next leg of the trip it was as if we were along with you or you were along with us.

 

Just wish you had pictures of Amsterdam and Copenhagen to go along with these, then we would have a full set for an album of our cruise!

 

What is your next Seabourn trip?

I hope you do a similar review with pictures for that.

Thanks again for a great memory.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

Thank you:D

 

Our cruise didn't stop in Copenhagen.

 

Some more Amsterdam pics are here. (sorry for some reason in Amsterdam I wasn't feeling overly snap happy).

 

I don't know where my next cruise will take me. The Antarctic on Quest sounds nice, as does Southeast Asia. A path of the vikings type could be interesting; then again I haven't been to the South Pacific either... Or maybe Ill call corporate and follow a crew member wherever they are;)

[mijello]

Thank you Baychilla for all your wonderful pictures and reviews of both the ports and the ship. You provided a great preview of our ship. We are going on it this November for 58 days. :) Thanks again.

[PaulaJK]

An absolutely fabulous photo-journal...Loved your commentary and of course,the photos were wonderful. Thank you.

Edited September 9, 2012 by PaulaJK

[emmacruises00]

I thought she was an extremely negative person and did not appreciate her comments....that's not the direction I like to take my day...into negativity. However, the pictures are great, so I just look and quit reading! Solves the problem!

 

I agree! I have been curious about Seabourn for clients and wanted to find a review w/ pictures. These are great! I personally like the big name lines (RCCL, Princess, NCL etc.) , but other people I work with enjoy the boutique cruises, so it's good to see and have some knowledge of this area of cruising.:)

[Emperor Norton]

Perhaps I need to clear a few things up. I am not a she. Further despite the negativity that people read in my posts ( minor quibbles for the most part). I had a great cruise. The bar manager that others seem to like is incompetent and argumentative with passengers that know better. A few passengers were bent on being savages and spreading norovirus. A great cruise overall and it saddens me that there aren't any other photo laden reviews.

 

/ sent via smoke signals and my rotary phone

[DCCruiselover]

Perhaps I need to clear a few things up. I am not a she. Further despite the negativity that people read in my posts ( minor quibbles for the most part). I had a great cruise. The bar manager that others seem to like is incompetent and argumentative with passengers that know better. A few passengers were bent on being savages and spreading norovirus. A great cruise overall and it saddens me that there aren't any other photo laden reviews.

 

/ sent via smoke signals and my rotary phone

 

Baychilla, I've tried to upload pictures but they always turn out as tumbprints - not sure how you are able to upload so many large pictures. Would love to know... thanks!!

[Emperor Norton]

Baychilla, I've tried to upload pictures but they always turn out as tumbprints - not sure how you are able to upload so many large pictures. Would love to know... thanks!!

 

It's all based on my hosting service. In this case I'm using Smugmug (a pay service), however Googles Picasa (free) would also allow me to link large images. I think the key thing is that I'm linking images from a dedicated hosting site rather than attaching them to the post. This way when I get the link to the image I have a choice of sizes.