We originally chose a cruise of New England and Canada, but Oceania offered us an upgrade to a Penthouse suite to change to a Scandinavian Cruise on the Baltic Sea-Southampton, England to Copenhagen, Denmark (12 days). We arrived a day early and stayed at the Rubens Hotel in London, directly across the street from Buckingham Palace. The location was great but the room was very small and the staff was not very welcoming. At $489.00 per person per night (including transfers from the airport and from the hotel to the ship) we felt this was over-priced. Our transfers from the ship to the airport in Copenhagen were $119.00 each for a 1/2 hour ride. This too seemed expensive.

We loved our large suite with Butler service. We especially liked canapes in the afternoon and a champagne welcome and breakfast. The food was the best of any cruise and any restaurant we have enjoyed! It was like eating at Ruth Chris every night!

After some rainy, cold days the sun came out in time for us to enjoy a working horse farm in Finland and Catherine's Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. Our tour, The evening of the Tsars was just magical-the palace was closed to everyone else and we enjoyed a guided tour complete with champagne, music and a traditional dance. Dinner was then served, and a band of "gypsies danced and sang. Stockholm, Sweden was nice but cold and rainy. Read more