This was our third cruise with the Serenade; the two previous ones were in the Med, covering both the eastern and western parts of that beautiful region. In all we have now sailed 29 nights on the Serenade, more than any other ship in the RCI fleet. She is clearly a favorite of ours.
As for Northern Europe, this was also our third cruise, having sailed the Baltic on the Vision from Stockholm for four nights in 2011 and on the Legend from Copenhagen on an eight night Norwegian Fjords cruise. At this time of the year we prefer cruising at northern latitudes. The Caribbean and the Med are too warm for us.
The Serenade started her career in 2003, but she carries her 13 years in a graceful manner, thanks to being well pampered by RCI and her crew. Her most recent visit to dry dock was in late 2012, which means that her next such visit should come no later than 2017. Looking at her itineraries for the next 18 months, she is very busy, but there is a gap from 1 to 16 November 2017; perhaps that is when she will visit the beauty parlor?
As I have some mobility issues I remained onboard for the entire cruise. DW and 2 friends took a city bus to the downtown area near the Royal Palace, saw the changing of the Palace Guard, did some shopping.
Took a city bus to downtown, did some shopping.
DW and friends took a shuttle bus to the Old Town, visited several churches, did some shopping.
DW and friends did an all-day bus tour encompassing Peterhof, the Hermitage museum and the city. Beautiful city!
Fabulous!
Beautiful!
DW and friends did a hop on hop off bus tour. Among other places they visited the Rock Church.