Jul 24

Jul 24 Day 2 - Stockholm, Sweden, on Viking Mars

This morning Viking Mars remains in Stockholm and offers guests a wide variety of shore excursions. Stockholm is also one of those cities where you can easily explore on your own. However, the ship docks pretty far from the city center, so if you choose to go on your own, you may need an Uber or a taxi to get you into town.

While Rickee is in the stateroom getting ready for our excursion, I head to World Cafe to go over my photos and write my daily cruise blog. Sitting in the aft area of World Cafe, just forward of Aquavit Bar, is my favorite spot since it remains uncrowded.

Before our scheduled excursion, Rickee and I have time to enjoy a walk around Deck 8. It is a beautiful, sunny 75º (F) day in Stockholm, the perfect day for exploring.

We pre-booked our shore excursions through the MyVikingJourney.com website weeks ago and received all of our tickets when we boarded the ship. Viking offers guests an included (no extra charge) excursion in every port along with a variety of optional excursions at an additional cost.

The Panoramic Stockholm excursion is an included excursion and we were instructed to meet shoreside where we were assigned to coach #16. Our local guide for the day, Helena, greeted us as we boarded the coach.

*HELENA, Our local tour guide for today*

The coach tour lasted about two hours and took us through many interesting areas in Stockholm. Our guide did an excellent job of narrating along the way, pointing out various locations of interest. We did make one stop at Stockholm City Hall where we were able to walk around the grounds and take some photos.

We were back on board by 1:45 and I was a little hungry so I decided to grab a Classic Burger and fries at the Pool Grill (Deck 7). The burger patty and bun were good, and the fries would have been great, but they were cold.

*The Classic Burger served at Pool Grill*

After editing and posting the daily blog from our stateroom, we decided to enjoy Afternoon Tea at Wintergarden as Viking Mars sailed away from Stockholm. We snagged a great table next to a window on starboard side. Viking’s Afternoon Tea service is one of the best in the cruise industry.

In addition to a three-tiered tray of sweets and finger sandwiches, guests are offered fresh baked scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream. These are my favorite. The tea menu is extensive. Peppermint tea for Rickee, strawberry/mango for me.

*Scone with strawberry jam and clotted cream*

The Afternoon Tea has left us with little appetite for dinner, so instead, we skipped the evening meal tonight and enjoyed some quiet time in The Atrium before going to the show.

Tonight’s show was ABBA Songbook in Stars Theater. The theater was packed for this evening’s performance, an indication that the ship is sailing almost full. Another guest informed us that he overheard there are 800+ guests on this sailing. Capacity for Viking Ocean ships is around 930, so this is a pretty full sailing if that guest’s information is accurate.

Normally there are two male and two female Viking Singers, but one of the male singers was out with a sore throat. Nevertheless, the three remaining performers did an excellent job of delivering some of ABBA’s most famous songs. The great vocals were backed up with live music from the Viking Band.

At the end of the show, Cruise Director, Aaron Syfert, took the stage and informed guests all about tomorrow’s planned activities.