It was very easy to disembark and walk into Old Town. There are signs (and crowds) to follow. I did a free two-hour walking tour that left from the Tourist Information Center in the main square at 10am that was very good. It was led by Nilson a local student and hit the highlights with a local/youth perspective. After the tour I stopped a local cafe to rest and have a latte and then wandered around using Rick Steves as a reference. I bought a few juniper wood hot plates as gifts. I had lunch in a market area outside of old town by the train station that was recommended by the guide and then walked back to the ship.

I spent two night in Copenhagen before the cruise. Stayed at Skt. Petri hotel by the university. On disembarkation day I saw several of groups of people going on this cruise staying at the hotel. I pre-ordered the Copenhagen card, which I used to visit several museums (National Museum, Rosenborg Castle) and Tivoli Gardens, take a canal tour, and travel via public transportation. I also took a great walking tour from Copenhagen Free Walking Tours (which meet at City Hall). On embarkation day I took a taxi from the hotel to the port around noon (I think there are buses that go but that seemed like too much work!).

We had a short time in port (the rumor is that its because the port fees are so high) on a Sunday morning and the morning was extremely foggy, which caused me to change my plans and not go to Soumenlinna island. I took Tram 7 into the market square area, went to the Lutheran Cathedral and the Orthodox church, then did Rick Steves' full self-guided walking tour on my own through the city and up to the Temppeliaukio Church (church in the rock). Then I took the tram (1 or 2) down to the design district and went to the Design Museum (small but excellent if you are into design) and then window-shopped because most stores were closed on Sundays. Then I took the tram 6T back to the ship. The city was very easy to navigate on my own. I bought a few scarves at Marimekko.

I did the "Stockholm on your own" tour (a.k.a. Norwegian bus from Nynashamn into the city) because I was too chicken to brave the train and risk not getting back. I also bought an all-day pass for the pubic transportation. I was on one of the first buses to leave. The bus dropped us off at the Opera House around 8:30, just over a bridge from Gamla Stan (Old Town). I did the Rick Steves' walking tour of old town before it got crowded which was nice. Then I took the ferry to Djurgarden and walked to the Vasa Museum. I bought my ticket ahead of time and did not have to wait in line. I watched the video, then did the 11am tour in English, then wandered around for another hour or so. I was exhausted so I had a long lunch in the museum cafe. I then popped briefly into the Nordic Museum. Then I took the tram 7 back to Kungsträdgården and did Rick Steves' modern city walking tour. From the end of the walking tour at Hotorget I took the subway back two stops in the direction of the opera house. Then I stopped at a cafe and had a snack before boarding the bus around 4 for the ride back to the ship.