advice on cruising: personal, passionate, inspired and informative
I began my journalistic career at the age of 32, following the conclusion of my ’sabbatical decade.’ From 1980 through 1990, I bicycled across America, pedaled through Europe and island-hopped the South Pacific.
After backpacking through Bali, bussing through Java, hopping a boat to Singapore and crossing Malaysia to Thailand, I flew into Burma, tramped to Dhaka and endured a 32-hour train ride from calamitous Calcutta to bustling Bombay.
From there, I hopped a plane for Greece and traveled to Switzerland before returning home, where I settled, quite naturally, into a career of travel writing.
I publish a magazine, The Avid Cruiser, http://www.avidcruiser.com/blog
“Your magazine is the best cruise magazine and also one of the best — if not the best — travel magazines I have ever read.”
From 1996 to 2009, I contributed to HEMISPHERES, United Airlines’ award-winning inflight magazine. Until the magazine changed publishers in 2009, I wrote HEMISPHERE’s “Afloat” column.
The North American Travel Journalism Association, awarded my article, Ship Shape, which appeared in the September 2005 issue of Hemispheres, in the category of ‘Best Cruise Writing.’ I also publish C Magazine, a cruise magazine distributed in the Benelux countries, with my business partner in Europe, and I contribute to numerous other publications, including TravelAge West.
I make my home in Asheville, North Carolina and live part of the year near Copenhagen, Denmark.
When in Asheville, I enjoy mountain biking, hiking, lingering in coffee shops and frequent trips to the gorgeous Biltmore Estate.
When in Scandinavia, I enjoy biking, lingering in coffee shops and trying to learn Scandinavian words.
To get home in Scandinavia (from Copenhagen’s International Airport to Helsingborg, Sweden), I go to Hamlet’s Castle and hang a right. No kidding!
My work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and numerous consumer magazines. I am the author of four books, including Remembering Charles Kuralt,’ a biography that Publisher’s Weekly called ‘a sweet and lovely homage, a welcome commemoration.’
But enough about wonderful me. My goal is to provide you with content that engages you and compels you to return often. Thanks for stopping by . . .
Bon Voyage, Ralph Grizzle
Suite Life On Silver Cloud
A few photos of suite 605 on Silver Cloud, one of five ships operated by luxury cruise line Silversea Cruises.
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Stockholm's Archipelago Is For Everyone
As a woman in her bathrobe (about to take a dip in the chilly Baltic) waves from the end of the pier in Stockholm's archipelago, Silver Cloud's passengers and crew stand mesmerized by the beauty of this passage. "I knew it was meant to be beautiful," a man from the United Kingdom tells me, "but I didn't expect it to be this beautiful." If they haven't already, avid cruisers should put a cruise to or from Stockholm on their must-do list.
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Silversea Boozes
With few exceptions, luxury cruise lines, such as Regent, Seabourn and Silversea, include alcohol in the cruise fare. Of course, you typically pay more up front than on non-luxury vessels, but many passengers find it convenient not to have to sign each time they order a drink.
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Cruising Stockholm's Archipelago
The champagne has been cracked, and Silver Cloud has set sail. The first part of our journey takes us through Stockholm's beautiful archipelago, with its 30,000 islands, islets and rocks, certainly one of this planet's most beautiful passages.
Beautiful weather with a good forecast as we make our way to Helsinki. Did I just hear someone say tha life is indeed very good?
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Stockholm Public Bus To Freeport
From Stockholm's city center, board bus #1 to Frihamnen, the Freeport, where Regent, Crystal, Silversea, Oceania and more cruise brands embark passengers. Bus fare: SEK26 (about US$3.50). Note that you cannot purchase a ticket on the bus, but automated kiosks are easily found. The Stockholm Card, a good value for tourists, includes free transportation. Order online (see http://www.cruisingfromstockholm.com) or purchase at the airport, in hotels or elsewhere.
The bus is easy and fast (15 minutes from city center to Frihamnen). However, if you have lots of luggage, you may want to pony up for a taxi (SEK200) instead of making the 10-minute walk from the bus stop to the terminal.
By bus, head left at the T-junction the bus is facing when it terminates at Frihamnen, following the blue line painted on the pavement for cruise passengers. Well marked, the cruise terminal is situated adjacent to Dackmagasinet 8.
Though well-equipped to handle cruise ships and passengers, Frimhamnen is arguably Stockholm's most unattractive port, so enjoy your time in Stockholm's stunning city center before making your way to the ship. There is little, if anything, to see or do near Frihamnen.
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Stockholm From The Royal Palace
I am soon headed to Silver Cloud for our 6 p.m. departure from Stockholm. In about three hours, I have walked from Stureplan and visited all of the sites in the preceding posts. Again, Stockholm is easy to see on foot.
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Stockholm's Old Town
Stockholm is compact, which allows visitors to see a lot in a short time. Most visitors make their way to charming Gamla Stan. With its cobblestone streets, Stockholm's Old Town is one of the world's best-preserved Medieval cities.
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