Scandinavian Cruising

I can't be completely sure which port or slip you will enter, as there are many. However, we took large cruise-ship-like ferries out of Stockholm, Helsinki, and Tallinn and I believe each was about two miles from what you would generally consider the center of the historic city. Tallinn maybe 1 1/4 miles. Stockholm about 2-3 miles, Helsinki we did two different ports, one was only a 1/2 mile from the fish market, the other, about 3 miles. Each is walkable, in theory, but these areas are also pretty unattractive compared to the rest of the city. I would take a cab or follow the pack to the nearest bus stop.

After being cooped up on a ship - however pleasant it may be - I would want to stroll and wander, too. All of these cities are a delight to walk, have excellent transport options, honest taxis, and numerous hidden gems that the tour bus will not bother with.

Thank you Randy for your fast reply.
We are really looking forward to the cruise next summer.
I agree with you, that even though the ships are great, a person needs to get off and roam - that is the whole point - to see the local sights.
The organized shore excursions only listed a few places that the tour "went into". The rest of the description seemed to be a drive buy.
We did US River Cruises (Columbia and Snake, Upper and Lower Mississippi, Cumberland and Ohio); the shore excursions were very good. But the descriptions listed with this Scandinavian Cruise give me some doubts.
The ship has a little over 600 passengers.
I want to see the local areas.
I still have plenty of time to map out details - so I will continue my searching on-line of the individual cities, and tour sites like Rick Steves, AAA.

You might want to try posting on tripadvisor's forums for those places. Many locals seem to answer questions on those boards.

An Even better board is Cruise Critic. You will get all your questions answered. However, I have been to some of these ports on cruises ships. Amsterdam is an easy walk to town. There is also a hop on hop off canal boat stop next to the cruise terminal. Copenhagen can be walked, but is a bit further. There is a HOHO bus that will take you in and let you see other sights, too. Tallin is a short walk. Helsinki depends where you want to go. SOme places are close, but again, the HOHO bus will take you to most of the sights. Stockholm has more than one cruise pier. Check which one you are going to. The one we were at had a HOHO ferry right at the pier which we used, but some are further out and I do not know what transport is available for them.

Strongly advise you to sign up for the Cruise Critic roll call and you can converse with people who are booked on your cruise.

We did a Baltic cruise with Oceania two years ago - I think the Oceania Regatta is considered mid-sized.

Bruges - the port is a good distance from town. We used the ship's option of a bus that took us to town and picked us up to return. Less expensive and risk than a taxi.
Amsterdam - couldn't be easier. Docked next to the Central train station.
Copenhapen - as told by others, you can walk to the center of town (past the Little Mermaid.) Also city buses make the loop.
Tallin - as told by others, no problem to walk to the walled city.
Helsinki - couldn't be easier. The ship docked in the middle of town next to the outdoor market. The big ferries dock in the same place.
Stockholm - for our docking, the ship was too far to walk into Gamla Stan. City buses stopped right outside the dock gate and made the loop to town every 20-30 minutes.
Best advice ... sign onto cruisecritic.com ... it's a fabulous site for cruisers.

I thank everyone for the information.
We will be sailing on the Regatta, Oceania Cruises in 2010, so I was particularly happy to see that information.
I have the AAA Europe Guidebook, plus Rick Steves Scandinavia and London.
My duaghter got me Fodor's Scandinavia for Christmas.
So now I just need to read up on everything.
Roger

Don't be late !!

I've seen many references to cruisecritic on this and other sites. I started to sign up but was turned off by the requirement that I accept e-mail newsletters and offers. Is this as intrusive as I fear. I'm contemplating a European cruise of some sort this year and would like to access their site for advice.