Cruising to Jewels of the Baltic on Zuiderdam

Here we are again on our way to a 12-Day cruise of Jewels of the Baltic on Holland America’s Cruise line. Our itinerary, below, was to Northern European destinations on cruise Ship, Zuiderdam out of Copenhagen.

We flew from Boston on June 23, 2019, arriving in Copenhagen on Monday, June 24, 2019. On arrival at the airport, we were met by a representative of Holland America Line at the luggage claim area for transfer to the cruise terminal. Our flight came in early and boarding was not to start until after 11:30am, therefore; they planned a short sightseeing tour of Copenhagen before boarding the ship.

The bus brought us to the Townhall square in Copenhagen where our tour started with a guide who joined us there. Having a tour guide was the only way to understand the significance of what you were to see. As we walked to our first stop we saw a bicycle stand for people to rent bicycles. Apparently, a normal practice for tourists, who are young and able to rent a bicycle to see the city of Copenhagen. Apparently, Copenhagen is a best-case scenario for bicycles. Bicycles are a well-integrated part of the transportation fabric. They have separate bicycle lanes for people to feel safe. The flat terrain of the city makes it bicycle-friendly, which in turn makes it environment and health-friendly. Also a cheap and hassle-free way of getting around town.

“One other added advantage, according to the guide, was that one car park space could be converted into a stand with 8 to 12 bicycle racks, providing a lot more parking spaces with ease of parking for cyclists.

Copenhagen is full of statues and sculptures. Because of the time constraint, a limited number of sights were on the agenda. At first, we went to the most famous bronze statue of Little Mermaid by Edvard Eriksen. This beautiful statue is displayed on a rock on the Langelinie promenade in Copenhagen and was inspired by the Fairy Tale written by Hans Christian Andersen about a mermaid who gave up everything to be united with a handsome prince on land. Here’s is the upshot for those who never heard of Hans Christian Andersen. This must-read classic is available, I am sure, in every library, and can also be downloaded free on Ibook.

After that we saw only three more statues, making the tour short, entertaining, but lacking on detailed information. Efter Badet statue by Carl Aasleff below was explained as a man drying himself after his bath.

The statue of Europa was the next one. Europa was the mother of King Minos of Crete, and the continent of Europe was named after her. In Greek mythology, Europa was a beautiful Phoenician princess. When Zeus, the king of Gods, saw her, he turned himself into a stunning white bull. Europa was mesmerized with the attractive white bull and climbed aboard only to be whisked away across the seas to Crete by Zeus in the guise of the bull where she became his consort and then the mother of King Minos.

The Peace Statue Angel of Langelinie below is a large winged female figure. Officially Seafarers Monument was dedicated to the Danish navy Seamen who lost their lives at WWI. It was not clear how it ended up being called “The Peace Statue Angel of Langelinie”, the guide said.

After sightseeing, we went to the cruise terminal for the boarding process which had similarities to air travel but was not quite as stressful. Upon entering the terminal, everyone’s luggage was checked which would eventually be delivered to the Staterooms. Passengers were urged to carry hand- luggage with important documents, medications, and other items of immediate need. After dropping off the luggage, everyone went through security checks like in any airport by showing cruise documents, such as passports, or driver’s licenses, and placing the carry-ons in an x-ray machine to be scanned. But unlike the airport, only the 3-ounce liquid rule was not enforced. Plus no one was asked to remove shoes and belts and were spared a pat-down. After security, the check-in process was straightforward and quick. You were given a credit- card style room key that was linked to the onboard spending account. Very efficient cruise line staff members were on hand to facilitate the process.

After the boarding was completed, our ship was to sail at 5:00pm for Aarhus, Denmark, our first port of call and was scheduled to arrive at 7:00am on Tuesday, June 25, 2019.

Aarhus: