Our next port of call was Copenhagen. Here we planned to walk into the city and spend some time around Nyvahn. The weather was forecast to be warm and we planned to stop for at least one drink there as well.
The next day we had passed through the Great Belt and passed some of the NATO warships that had been taking part in a large exercise in the Baltic.
From RCI Port Information:
“Ship clearance expected at 10:00 am and all onboard is set for 4:30 pm
Ship will dock at Langelinie Pier, in Copenhagen, which is walking distance to the Little Mermaid statue, 30 minute walk to city center. Limited taxis are available at the port exit and Hop-on Hop-off service available for purchase onboard.
As an alternative option, a shuttle service is provided by local operator. Tickets can be purchased from Shore Excursions & Guest Services or on interactive TV onboard, or on the pier ashore. Unused tickets are non-refundable. Accessible vehicles are available.”
Our first cruise on Royal Caribbean took us to Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn, Stockholm, Skagen, Stavanger and back to Southampton.
Day 4 Wednesday 26th June Copenhagen, Denmark
We had a late start for our day in Copenhagen and ate our breakfast in the buffet on Deck 3 in the Sapphire restaurant. This was an excellent way to start our day.
The Little Mermaid
Explorer was docked much closer to Copenhagen then on our other visits and after consulting our map we realised that the ship was very close to the Little Mermaid statue.
Once off the ship we were mixed up with all the tour coaches and shuttle buses on the road that runs alongside the ship. Once passed all the traffic we came to a series of shops that were raised above the payment and were outlets that offered lots of bargains – maybe later!
Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid
Walking walking along the side of the river was great and eventually we came to a road full of coaches and souvenir stalls. We walked through the small park
and past busking cellists.
We guessed that we were near the Little Mermaid statue. We turned left and after passing some buildings we came to where the mermaid was.
The crowds were 10 deep around the path looking down on the mermaid. The shoreline around her was equally packed solid.
On the water one of the sea planes based in Copenhagen was taking off.
Further along we stopped to look back at the crowds around The Little Mermaid and the cruise ships further down the shore.
We were not the only interested tourists.
Across the water we could the Danish Navy warship at Copenhagen’s naval base.
The Amalienborg Palace
Now we were in parts of Copenhagen where we had walked before, around the Kastellet.
At the Gefion Fountain by St. Albans Church the crowds were as busy as always. Walking past the Churchill Park I found a couple more busts of Danish heroes who I do receive medals in WW2. We followed a group along Ameliegade towards the palace. They kept stopping for updates on buildings and we were soon alone.
Once in the square surrounded by the palace building we watched the guards. It was hot and we took a break from walking and made calls to the UK standing in the shade. We just stood as we called but others were sitting on steps outside the buildings. One of the guards ran along to them and ‘instructed’ them to move.
It seems that it is okay to be in the square but not to sit on the palace steps.
Nyvahn
After the palace down Ameliegade and crossed over Sankt Annae Place until we reached Nyvahn.
This is tourist central in Copenhagen!
At Nyvahn we turned right and went up the side of the Canal to the very end where we sat in the shade for a well-deserved drink at our favourite restaurant.
After our rest we walked down the side of Nyvhan with all the bars and restaurants.
I went onto the bridge Nyvahnsbroen , for Toldbodgade, to watch the tourist boats pass and took pictures of the “love padlocks “there.
As I took pictures an ambulance arrived to look after someone who had collapsed. It was very hot by now and the patient was an older man who had collapsed after crossing the road. While we waited to cross another ambulance arrived to help a child who had also collapsed on the bridge itself.
Further up Nyvahn we met our friends off the ship who were enjoying a drink before returning via the shuttle to the ship.
At the next ice cream shop we stopped for an ice cream. We sat outside with many others as we ate the wonderful ice cream.
