About Sweden, Finland, Russia, and Estonia

Before Your Trip

What’s Included and What’s Not

What is included?

• Boutique red and white wines with lunch and dinner
• Complimentary shuttle bus service in many ports
• Bottled water, soda, specialty coffees and teas throughout the day
• Complimentary self service laundry
• True English butler service for suite guests
• All meals on board
• Olivia’s signature entertainment and programming
• Olivia staff assistance throughout

What’s not included?

• Airfare
• Excursions
• Transfers
• Airfare
• Alcoholic beverages
• Spa services
• Boutique purchases
• Medical attention
• Other incidentals

Travel documentation and identification

You will need a passport that is valid for six months past the date of the trip. If you are not a US citizen, please check with both your country’s consulate and the consulates of the countries we will be visiting to make sure that you do not need an entry visa or other additional documentation.

Visa

A Russian Visa is required while in St. Petersburg. U.S. Citizens who purchase one of the available excursions offered by Azamara will not be required to obtain an independent visa while ashore. Based on nationality, non-U.S. citizens may need to obtain a separate entry visa for Azamara purchased excursions. Non-U.S. Citizens should check with their consulate for more information. It is the guests’ responsibility to identify and obtain all necessary visas before joining the cruise. Please be advised that shore-side visitation is limited to the period of the excursion and, without a visa, you will not be permitted to leave the ship outside of excursion hours.

US Credit Cards vs European Credit Cards

Europe has transitioned away from the magnetic strip credit cards to a chip based system which requires a pin number for all credit card transactions. Because of the different formats, your credit card may not always be accepted at vending machines or small retail outlets. We recommend you carry enough local currency to cover your basic needs.

Vaccinations

Please check with your local Public Heath Department or personal physician regarding immunization requirements for all countries on your itinerary. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site at: www.cdc.gov. Just click on “Traveler’s Health” and then “Vaccinations.”

Travel insurance

We encourage all guests to purchase travel insurance. Olivia has recently partnered with Travel Guard to make things easier for you; you can now add your travel insurance when you book your trip, all in one call. In order to receive the most comprehensive coverage, please purchase your insurance within 15 days of your initial invoice. If you have questions about Olivia’s travel insurance, call (800) 631-6277 option 1 to talk to one of our travel consultants.

Joining the Olivia.com trip group

If you’d like to chat with people who are going on the trip, sign up for the official Olivia trip group.

Travel and arrival

Where to fly into/out of

You will need to fly into to Stockholm, Sweden-Arlanda (ARN).

Suggested arrival/departure times

Arrival on June 20, 2012 (day of embarkation) can be at any time as the ship will overnight. Embarkation begins at 2:00pm, and our first official “Welcome” will be at approximately 6:00pm on the ship June 20, 2012. Please make your departure flights for after 11:55am on June 27, 2012.

American Airlines 5% Discount

We are proud to partner with American Airlines.The AA discount code A3562AX applies to flights in and out of Stockholm (ARN). Dates of travel are June 13 - July 4, 2012. Airfare can be booked no earlier than 11 months before the trip. This reservation can be booked by calling (800) 433-1790 ($25 booking fee applies). To qualify for the 5% discount, you must use American Airlines on the first leg of your trip, and it will connect with one of American’s One World Partners for the full 5% discount. Dates of travel are June 20-27, 2012. For full service, and to book air round-trip onto Stockholm, we are proud to partner with Panorama Travel, a full service travel agency that can assist you with your flights. For a small fee they will also assist with using your miles for flights or upgrades. Please call them at 800.523.0093.

Luggage allowances

While there is no luggage limit on the cruise itself, airlines often restrict (or charge) for excess baggage. Because each airline is different, and the regulations change over time, please check with your airline for baggage allowances.

Currency Exchange 

You can exchange your dollars for Kroners at both the airport and the central train station.

Transfers and Meeting up with Olivia

Getting to your ship

Arlanda Express
This modern, high speed train is the quickest and easiest way to travel between the airport and the city center. The trip takes only 20 minutes and trains depart every 15 minutes.

Tickets are 260 SEK per person (about US$40) but during the summer season they usually run a 2 for 280 SEK promotion which means you can buddy up and travel for around US$22.50 each.

Just a few steps outside of baggage claim at Terminal 5, you will find the Arlanda Visitor Center where you can purchase your ticket and find a travel buddy if you are traveling solo. Just another few steps and you will find the elevators which will take you down to the Arlanda Express tracks. Board the first train you see and enjoy the ride.

The train will take you directly to the Central Train Station in the center of Stockholm. From here you can take a taxi to the ship at the Frihamnen Port Terminal. The trip will take approximately 10 minutes and cost around 150-175 SEK (US$22-26). If you are booked on our pre-trip stretcher, your hotel is only 0.2 miles from the station. You can get a taxi or, if you are traveling light, it’s a quick 5 minute walk.
 
Taxi
Taxis are available directly outside all terminals of Arlanda Airport. Most taxi companies offer a fixed price from the airport to anywhere in the city center (including the cruise terminals). Taxi Stockholm charges SEK 520 (about $80) and the trip takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Be sure to confirm your rate before starting on your journey.

Beware of bad taxis! Taxi fares are not fully regulated in Stockholm and unscrupulous companies/drivers often take advantage of unsuspecting tourists with fares that can vary up to double the standard rates. Act like a local and stick to one of the big three taxi companies, which all have comparable rates: Taxi Stockholm, Taxi 020 and Sverige Taxi.

Address:

Frihamnen 638, SE 102 54 Stockholm
Ph: (+46) 8 6702610
Port of Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm Freeport Cruise Terminal
Frihamnen Berth 638
Stockholm, Sweden

Directions from Airport

From the Stockholm Arlanda International Airport
- Follow the signs "E4 Stockholm."
- When you get close to the North area of Stockholm you follow the signs with a symbol of a ship on to Frihamnen.
- The port is better known as Värtahamnen but the official name is Frihamnen.

Ship Check-in

Check-in begins at 10:30 a.m. Embarkation begins at 12 p.m. Although we overnight in Stockholm on June 20, we ask that all guests are checked in no later than 6 p.m. on embarkation day.

While You’re There

Accommodations

Azamara Journey

The Azamara Journey features two specialty restaurants, concierge amenities, a Spa and Wellness Center, a coffee café, a piano bar and a wine bar, live entertainment, daily enrichment programs (like wine and champagne tasting), and this is only her short list. In addition to butler service in each suite, Journey affords her guests more verandas than most cruise ships, so you can watch the world melt away into the fiery sunset. Some of the features and amenities you’ll enjoy onboard:

• Boutique red and white wines with lunch and dinner
• Complimentary shuttle bus service in many ports
• Bottled water, soda, specialty coffees and teas throughout the day
• Complimentary self service laundry
• True English butler service for suite guests

All Cabins include upscale amenities

All cabins are comfortably appointed with:

• Serviced by one Stateroom Attendant and one Assistant Stateroom Attendant
• European bedding with duvet
• Egyptian cotton bathrobes and slippers
• 24-hour room service
• Welcome fruit basket
• Plasma TV
• Fresh cut flowers
• Tote bag and complimentary use of umbrella and binoculars
• Turndown treats
• Daily news bulletin
• Complementary self-service laundry

Stateroom Services available Upon Request

• Wake-up coffee or tea
• Afternoon tea service
• Daily savories between 5–6 pm
• Complimentary shoeshine service
• Customized fruit bowl
• Packing and unpacking of suitcase(s)
• Pick-up and delivery of laundry

Suite Services and Amenities

All services offered in staterooms, plus…

• Priority check-in, departure and luggage delivery service
• Service by English Butlers
• Complimentary garment pressing (two items)
• Silk-wrapped hangers
• Welcome sparkling wine and fruit basket
• Daily savories between 4-6 pm
• Priority tender service in anchor ports
• Private portrait sitting
• One bottle of Vodka and one bottle of Scotch Whiskey
• Complimentary garment pressing (two items)
• Packing and unpacking of guests’ suitcases
• In-suite breakfast, lunch and dinner service
• Scheduling of in-suite spa treatments
• Priority shore excursion booking
• Stocking the mini bar with your choices of beverages
• Concierge services on request

Dining

Prepared by renowned chefs, the culinary delights aboard the Azamara are made fresh, using only the finest ingredients. From casual eateries serving a buffet of delights to our two specialty restaurants where each meal is a culinary masterpiece, there are choices sure to please even those with a most discerning palate. Enjoy indoor dining in our smoke-free environments or outdoor dining poolside.

Discoveries Restaurant - Main Dining - Open seating policy

Times may be adjusted for tour departures, but in general, they are: Breakfast 6:30AM - 8:30AM, Lunch 12:00 Noon - 1:30PM, Dinner 6:30PM - 9:00PM

Windows Cafe

At Windows Café, you'll enjoy the same world-class cuisine Azamara is known for in a more relaxed environment. You'll find yourself going back for more - but remember to save room for dessert. You'll find many delectable treats you won't want to miss.

Pool Grill

Let your cravings go wild. Order up a pizza of your choice. Grab a burger and fries or pasta dish in a relaxed, poolside environment serving lunch and dinner.

Mosaic Café

Relax while enjoying a cappuccino and a European pastry with a friend at the Mosaic Café. Featuring Mosaic liqueurs, chocolates, and fresh pastries, this jewel offers a scrumptious taste of decadence.

Aqualina

Inspired by the coastal cuisines of Italy, Greece, France, Spain, and northern Africa, one could best describe the fare of Aqualina as a grand fusion of Mediterranean flavors. Savor dishes drawn from the abundance of the region’s seas, simply prepared yet exceedingly delicious. The atmosphere is every bit as tasteful, with accents of silver, cream and blue, all surrounded by breathtaking ocean views. (additional charge for non-suite guests)

Prime C

Amid the glorious dark woods, warm lighting and soft leather chairs at Prime C, you will find tender cuts of prime beef and fresh seafood that have been transformed into epicurean works of art. The sauces and garni are bold and innovative. The floor-to-ceiling ocean views, magnificent. Relax, sip your favorite wine and enjoy a dining experience that's sure to exceed your expectations, every time. (additional charge for non-suite guests)

Electricity

Voltage 220V is standard on board. Converters and adapters are needed. The "Schuko" plug is the German standard used on the ships. It has a deep plug head with two grounding clips on the sides of the plug instead of an additional prong contact. It resembles the European plug with two round prongs. Visit a travel store for more information on converters and adapters.

Excursions

The ship offers a variety of excursions for each of the ports we visit. Tours will be available to book approximately 30 days prior to sailing.

Azamara-Sponsored Excursions
During our three-day visit to St. Petersburg, a very special program of excursions has been planned for you. Olivia strongly recommends that you book your St. Petersburg excursions through Azamara. U.S. Citizens who purchase one of the available excursions offered by Azamara will not be required to obtain an independent visa while ashore. “Special” tour visas are built into the Azamara-sponsored shore excursions, so there is nothing you need to do in advance to obtain a visa to go on these tours. Please be advised that shore-side visitation is limited to the period of the excursion and, without a visa, you will not be permitted to leave the ship outside of excursion hours. Based on nationality, non U.S. citizens may need to obtain a separate entry visa. It is the guests’ responsibility to identify and obtain all necessary visas before joining the cruise.

Independent Tours
Guests who wish to sightsee independently of Azamara Shore Excursions must obtain an individual Russian visa before leaving home; visas cannot be obtained during the cruise. Should you wish to secure an individual Russian tourist visa, you will need to be sponsored by a licensed Russian tour company. This company will arrange a tour and provide you with the necessary visa support letter and documentation to obtain your individual Russian tourist visa. Upon receipt of this information, you can then contact your local Russian Embassy or the visa service of your choice regarding the procedures for obtaining a visa.

A Russian tourist visa will be issued and stamped on your passport. This “special” visa will only apply to the referenced tour and tour company. The sponsor of each tourist visa is legally required to be the provider of services for the guest named on the visa, and the visa holder will not be allowed ashore without a pre-arranged activity. Such is the case for the Azamara Shore Excursions.

The rules described above apply to U.S. citizens only and are current to the best of our knowledge. These rules are subject to revision at any time without prior notification. They can also be at the discretion of the individual officers on duty on the day of arrival and may vary at any time. Olivia and Azamara cannot be responsible for any issues passengers may encounter, and we cannot intercede in any unforeseen situations at the pier when entering Russia if not on a scheduled tour booked through Azamara.

Guests who do not purchase an organized Azamara excursion and do not possess a valid Russian tourist visa will not be permitted ashore in St. Petersburg.

See sample excursions on this trip - Click Here (3MB PDF)

Gratuities

Gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise. Gratuities are provided for your cabin steward, dining room steward, bus person, maître and other-behind-the-scenes crew members.

Gratuities to your tour guides and bus drivers are not included. Suggested gratuities are as follows:

• Tour Guides: $2-3 for 1/2 day, $4-$5 for full day
• Bus Drivers: $1-2 for 1/2 day, $2-$3 for full day
• Airport Porters: $1/bag
• Hotel Porters: $1/person upon check in and check out
• Hotel Room Attendants: $1/person per day
• Restaurant Wait Staff: Restaurants often add a service charge to the bill, but an additional tip of 5-10% (or rounding the bill up) is customary.

Internet / e-mail / fax

The ship has wireless Internet access and your personal laptop can be used. Full Internet access is available, but most guests just use it to check email as the connection can be slow. Internet cards are available for purchase on board in increments of 30 minutes.

Laundry and dry cleaning

Laundry and ironing service is available on board, but no dry cleaning. Self-service laundry is also available. Irons are not permitted in the rooms due to fire hazard regulations.

Medical services

There is an onboard infirmary. Medical services entail an additional fee.

Money: Paying for things on board

Onboard, the currency is US Dollars. All purchases made on the ship will be charged to your onboard account, which you create when you first check in. Please check with the front office onboard for further details.

Phone

Each cabin has a phone. There is an additional fee to use this phone; cost is available onboard.

Smoking policy

Smoking is only permitted in designated area on the Sun Deck. Smoking is not permitted in cabins or any indoor areas on the ship.

Spa services

There is a full service spa that offers everything from massages to facials and manicures!

Solo travelers

We will have a solos program onboard, led by a solos coordinator who will ensure you have a great time.

After Your Trip

Disembarkation

We will be disembarking in Stockholm between 8:00AM and 10:00AM.
Frihamnen 638, SE 102 54 Stockholm
Ph: (+46) 8 6702610
Port of Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm Freeport Cruise Terminal
Frihamnen Berth 638
Stockholm, Sweden

Transfers to the airport or recommended hotel

For those going directly to the airport we recommend purchasing a transfer onboard. Taxis will run approximately $72US, so this is the best way to ensure you will make your flight. Airport: Sweden-Arlanda (ARN) Stockholm

Vacation Extenders

Please visit Vacation Stretchers for more information.

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