It was with some degree of quiet satisfaction for me to take Saga Sapphire into what is basically my own home port (it would have been a little much to have expected her to go any more than half way up the Truro river). It was a fresh day though and the outer anchorage would have been unworkable for the tenders, so with the help of the two harbour tugs and the skilful David Barnicoat, pilot and long time friend, we made a running moor off Cross Roads, well inside the sheltered but rather shallow Carrick Roads.

The first tours were off before we had set the second anchor and by the time I had finished, it was time to meet up with the chairman of the Harbour Commissioners, deputy Harbour Master and Port Operations Director to exchange plaques. We chatted about the proposed building of a new berth and the relatively small area of dredging that needs to take place in order to encourage the cruise industry to really believe Falmouth is a viable all weather port, because at the moment it certainly isn’t. I find it difficult to understand why there are still environmental objections when the relatively small amount of work envisaged could bring such an economic boost to the local area.

With plaques, opinions and good wishes exchanged, I then had the opportunity to have a few hours with my family who popped over for lunch along with a couple of friends who were, not only impressed, but who may be prospective passengers sometime in the future. No chance, however, to go home and mow the lawn. Although not a perfect summer's day, it was bright enough with just the odd shower, for passengers to come back suitably impressed with the Eden Project, Trebah Gardens, the drive to Lands End, my own home town and of course Falmouth, which my son tells me is ‘where the action is’. (I must be going at the wrong time of day, or night I suppose).

So an excellent day I believe, and suitably rounded off by David Barnicoat, after he had disembarked, roaring around the ship in the pilot boat taking dozens of photos of us with the wonderful coastline in the background, hopefully one of which will be attached to this blog.

We’ve had a few problems that have meant us remaining in port for a little longer than we would have cared for, minor technical issues that we needed to rectify to ensure they didn’t become larger ones. They actually proved to be the catalyst that brought all my fellow colleagues together, both ashore and afloat. My main responsibility is, as I’m sure we all know, the safety of the ship and all on board. Bob, our Chief Engineer, decided outside expert assistance was required to backup our own experienced teams fault finding efforts, so the telephone calls were made and the experts traced. Needless to say, they don’t all reside north of the Arctic Circle.

Our berth in Tromso was available only until lunchtime as another vessel was booked to dock there during the afternoon, so we came off and went to anchor, then went alongside again that evening. It was also booked the following day from 11:00, so we had to come off again, however shuttle buses had been hastily arranged for the folks who wanted to take a more in depth look at what Tromso had to offer. Later, by the time we were out at the anchorage, tenders had been splashed to get them all back.

In an amazing stroke of good fortune another of our vessels, ‘Quest for Adventure’ was scheduled to pass the area during the afternoon and my good friend Captain Kees Speckman diverted to deliver us a spare part we did not have. Not without some humour of course, as he told me he was going to play on his deck speakers the tune from that 80’s TV program, the ‘A Team’, as he manoeuvred nearby while the exchange took place. Finally we went alongside in the evening, and the expert was sitting on his suitcase patiently waiting, after travelling for some considerable time and on several different flights.

Over the next seven hours he rooted through the system and eventually, in the middle of the night, came up trumps. We gave the agent the required two hours notice for departure, but the tugs couldn’t come until 10:30 the following morning. Something to do with the summer solstice and some strange liquid concoction that Norwegians are expected to consume at this time of year and which apparently affects their ability to wake up (let alone drive a tug I suppose).

So after an eventful two days we left the berth, unfortunately leaving a huge trail of black smoke over my old colleague on the ‘Discovery', which had just docked behind us. It looked suitably disgusting but was soon sorted out when the main engine scavenge air dampers, which had closed on their fail safe mode, had been reset.

Our scheduled half day call had been extended to two full days, and I met a surprising number of resolute passengers who had enjoyed the whole thing, not only having had time to go to the Botanic Gardens, the Polar Museum and the Cathedral of the North, but also to stay out on deck and see the midnight sun blazing away in all its glory.

Our north bound local pilots had left us in Narvik and we were to get two more for our journey all the way to the north. The first boarded immediately before departure and a few hours later, as we passed Lodingen which lies at the head of the Vestfjorden, the second joined us from a local pilot cutter. Our latitude was now such that the sun did not set, and as we passed through the narrow waterway that separates the mainland from the Lofoten Islands, we could see the blue sky and brightness reflecting off the snow capped mountains ahead. We passed Finnsnes in the middle of the night and skirted the western side of Tromsø just before breakfast time.

There was just sufficient time to spend an hour in Lyngen Fjord and from our ideal vantage we could see right up into the ragged crags that are known as the Lyngen Alps. The cold air dropping down from the mountain peaks brought the cloud with it, only to evaporate a few hundred feet above the water. We continued onwards, passing between Soroya and Seiland to reach the island of Kvaloya and the port of Hammerfest in the early evening.

Unfortunately we had left our good weather behind us, so the sky was a rather moody looking grey, while the brightest thing in the sky was the flame coming out of the burn off tower of the new liquefied natural gas plant a mile or so away. The next morning dawned equally as glum with a touch of chilly drizzle in the air, but our intrepid saganauts carried on regardless, suitably kitted out in their newly acquired arctic clothing. Except the regulars that is, who were proudly wearing their Saga red jackets issued on previous forays to the very far north or south. Regrettably the forecast for the next’s day’s visit to the North Cape was for even worse weather, high winds, driving rain and temperature forecast to feel like only 1 degree Celsius. I reluctantly took the decision not to proceed further north

Our overnight journey took us back out into the Norwegian Sea, but even before breakfast we were back inside and it was only the early birds who watched as we passed, with only meters to spare, under the bridge at Rorvik. The blue sky was slowly invaded by wisps of high cloud, but the day remained fine as we crossed the Arctic Circle in mid afternoon. I had sufficient time to take a short detour into Hollandsfjord and bring the ship to a halt off the Svartison glacier, one I had not visited for probably ten years, and for some no doubt, the first they had ever seen.

The schedule had indicated that Solvaer should have been our next call, but the weather forecast indicated that life would be a little tricky at the anchorage. Consequently, after a few emails and mobile phone calls, arrangements were made to visit Narvik. The city is known, not only as an iron ore exporting port, but also for the significant events that happened nearby during the early part of the Second World War. Consequently there is a significant museum which was included in one of our hastily arranged alternative tours.

Others went off to the ‘Polar Zoo’ to check out wolves and the like, while I managed to get a seat on the bus that took a steady drive around the city and which dropped us off at the lower cable car station. The low clouds seemed to shroud the mountain, so it was with a modicum of hopeful anticipation that we boarded. But we passed through the wispy murk and by the time we reached the top we were in fact above the lot. They looked as though they were being slowly blown up the mountain to meet us, but never did and soon started to thin out. The views were superb. Our own rather large Sapphire looked just a touch insignificant compared to the bay below. The fjords stretched way into the distance and the still snow capped mountains could be seen all the way to the southern horizon.

In a change to our regular Captains' blogs, today we find out about a day in the life of Saga Sapphire's resident pianist Andy Law.

My name is Andy Law and I am the resident cocktail pianist on-board Saga Sapphire on a voyage to the North Cape. As we are at sea and today being Sunday I will be playing for the church service and so my working day today began at 9am with a trip to the office to pick up the hymn sheets.

The company very kindly recently bought an electronic organ for use on board the ship. I spotted it in a charity shop in Southampton and when it was delivered to the ship the security guard's face was a picture when the delivery man turned up and said he was delivering an organ from the British Heart Foundation!

The service is taken by Captain Rentell and is well attended and goes swimmingly. The captain always chooses rousing hymns finishing with Cwm Rhondda and it was great to play the organ as it was the first instrument I learned.

We are travelling through some incredibly beautiful scenery on this cruise and the weather is glorious, so it's time for a coffee on Verandah deck and a chat with the guests.

At lunchtime I am playing the Yamaha grand piano in the drawing room which is a really nice room to relax in at any time of the day. I play some light classics, jazz standards and songs from the musicals. The room is quite busy and people are happily chatting, reading or taking in the passing scenery. People tell me my music is very soothing, I have to say that I don't send anyone to sleep with my music but I certainly don't wake anybody up!

After a lovely BBQ lunch out on the veranda with some of the entertainers and lecturers, it's back to the cabin to work on a power point presentation for a sing-along that we are having in a few days. At three o'clock the captain makes an announcement and we cross over the Arctic Circle so it’s all outside for photos.

I am playing for Afternoon Tea today at 4.15pm in the Britannia lounge. I normally play the piano but today it is a tea dance so I shall be playing our multi-purpose organ.

Then it's down to the office again to check with Assistant Cruise Director Kayleigh, in what order we are doing the dances today. There is usually a selection of ballroom, sequence and Latin American. We have a few couples up dancing to the usual dances, the Quickstep, Foxtrot, Waltz and even the Gay Gordon. Five minutes before the end of the session there is an announcement that we are in the vicinity of a receding glacier so everyone heads out once more for pictures and what a beautiful sight it was!

A rest and a cuppa follows before heading to Cooper's bar to play the piano at 6.30pm for cocktail hour. The piano faces the window in Cooper's bar and I feel I am very lucky to be able to do something I love like playing music and have such a beautiful view as well. The Captain joins us with some table guests for a short while.

7.30pm is time for dinner and a quick break before it's back up to the drawing room to catch the cabaret with Geoff Taylor, a great singer who is doing a Neil Diamond tribute. The place is packed and he is going down a storm.

I am back in Cooper's bar at 10.30pm for another session. I play some up tempo standards and a few sing-along tunes, the bar is quiet but there are still a few in till about midnight. There is also a musical duo on-board and we alternate between Cooper's bar and the Drawing Room.

After finishing in the bar I go for a practice in the Britannia lounge, they have a fantastic Steinway piano so I practice on it most nights as there are no cabins above or below. I am currently working on the Warsaw Concerto, which is a handful! I am also wrestling with Mozart's fantasy in d minor and I think so far Mozart is winning.

The day after leaving Stavanger turned out to be one of spectacular fjordland scenery viewed in almost perfect sunshine as we made our northing at a steady 13 knots, slowing on the odd occasion as we passed some of the narrower passages. We had re-entered the fjords just before breakfast time, passing first up towards the Sognefjord, then through the narrow passage just east of Sula, then Floro, and coming back out into the Norwegian Sea near Maloy, a small town that, when we pass, always reminds me of a minor adventure I had on a small bulk carrier way back in 1976.

A few hours later we were back in sheltered waters, passing small fisheries, isolated hamlets and the odd ferry landing that seemed to connect nowhere with nowhere. By evening time we had passed the relatively large city of Alesund, where, only back in early March, I had managed to dock Saga Pearl II in 40 knot winds without tugs. An unlikely event with this particular lady. We ventured back out to sea for the next six hours, returning in the early hours just north of Kristiansund. Ahead of us was ‘Discovery’ and, as it happened, a couple of ex-colleagues I hadn’t seen for a number of years. We berthed just astern of her, on a grain jetty complete with two large grain unloaders ready to be clipped by the bow if I made a mistake on docking. The jetty, hardly ideal, was actually 63 meters too short for our ship so the ‘sharp end’ was stuck out in space and all lines were leading astern. Definitely not very seaman like, but the grain loaders remained unscathed.

My ex colleagues came over for a ‘catch up’, the passengers managed not to fall over any of the numerous obstacles that lay in their way as they negotiated a path to the dock gate, and the tours were accomplished in pleasant dry, but cool conditions. ‘Discovery’ left after lunch and we exchanged the usual sailors salute, three long blasts on respective whistles. When all were back on board we followed suit, continuing our long trek towards the midnight sun.

Our new lady is not exactly a light weight, and at 37,000 tonnes she needs to be treated with a great deal of respect when it comes to manoeuvring. So when it came to departing from Dover on a windy June afternoon two tugs had been ordered to assist with the undocking. The trainee pilot, an ex Royal Navy chap used to driving fast grey vessels, gave us a somewhat amusing thirty minutes of trying to emulate his previous experiences. The theory was perfect and the efforts made by the two tugs, ferociously straining from bow and stern, first to one side and then the other, made for a spectacular display of foaming water, flashing paint work and over generous horse power.

Eventually, with the entertainment over, we left the white cliffs behind and headed north. The sea passage was without incident and we arrived off the Norwegian coast with the north westerly wind still a tad on the blustery side, and blowing directly into the small inner harbour of Stavanger, which we were to share with three other larger passenger vessels. A second tug was ordered to ensure we did not proceed further than the quay wall, into the shallows ahead or closer than hailing distance of the others. There was little room for error, and so, with far less huff and puff, we berthed in a somewhat more lady like fashion than our previous departure.

It was a chilly day, but the sun came out in the late morning making it feel just that little bit warmer and allowing us beautiful views across the fjords towards the mountains. The tours all managed to get away in time despite the initial slope of the shore gangway, which required a certain degree of Alpine knowledge, climbing poles and crampons until we had re-sited it into our lower ‘tradesmen’s entrance’ on deck four. Behind us the other ‘icebergs’ managed to block the view and, I presume, disgorge their thousands into that side of town. No doubt the shopkeepers were smiling a little more broadly.

Our departure was delayed for thirty minutes while the last of the chrome and plastic leviathans backed off and turned, and even she, with all her thrusters and manoeuvrability, was using two tugs. They all headed out to sea while we headed up towards the north taking the more spectacular inside route where our air draft allows us to pass under the 40 meter high bridges. We passed Kopervik and Haugesund in beautiful evening sunlight before heading out into the southern Norwegian Sea.

For our last port of call Saga Sapphire sailed into Oslo, Norway. Oslo’s centre is compact, with few high-rise buildings, and like the rest of Norway, it is clean and prosperous. With the ship all made fast for around 7am an early start awaited those wanting to explore our final destination on this Baltics cruise.

With a great selection of tours for our passengers to take up including ‘Walking in the Heart of Oslo’ and also ‘Oslo Maritime Highlights’ the first one to leave this morning was the Oslo and the Hadeland Glassworks travelling first to the Hadeland Glassverk an hour’s drive north of Oslo our guests could see the skilled glassblowers shape the molten glass and follow the entire process through to the finishing stages on a guided tour of the oldest industrial company in Norway. They then returned to the city via the residential area of Holmenkollen and the location of the first ever ski jump which was built in 1892 and reconstructed in 2010.

Alternatively many guests choose a more popular tour of Oslo Panoramic & Vigeland Park discovering the highlights of this exciting capital, beginning with a drive along the walls of medieval Akershus Castle, before continuing through the city centre. They passed the Parliament building, Royal Palace and Nobel institute before stopping at the Vigeland Sculpture Park, where there was an option to join a guided walk through the park. They then continued through the residential areas of Oslo to Holmenkollen Ski jump which offers magnificent views of the city and the fjord. To conclude ,the tour travelled back to the city centre, past Kragstotten viewpoint before returning to the ship.

On-board Saga Sapphire Cruise Staff Donna, Duncan and Claire entertained our guests with games such as golf putting, darts and 'Never Say Die' throughout the day.

As we sailed away this afternoon guests could join all of the Cruise Staff out on the back deck for a cocktail with musical accompaniment from cocktail pianist Andy Law.

This evening Captain Philip Rentell and his officers cordially invited all of our guests on board to our Farewell Cocktail Party accompanied by The Sapphire Trio in the Britannia Lounge.

Team Trivia tonight was hosted by Cruise Staff Resty in the Drawing Room putting our guest’s knowledge to the test followed by cabaret and pre-dinner cocktails with pianist Andy Law.

Tonight’s Showtime saw Explosive Productions open the show with River Deep Mountain High as a double bill of entertainment followed with international piano virtuoso Adam Johnson and comedian Dave Kristian, closing this night of entertainment with Explosive Productions. This then followed with music for dancing from the Sapphire Orchestra and our gentlemen hosts.

For those who wanted a night cap could join cocktail pianist Andy Law for cocktails and a possible sing-song until late in Cooper’s bar.

For one of our last ports of call Saga Sapphire sailed into the stunning port of Warnemunde a suburb of Rostock. Warnemunde is the best place to feel the link between Rostock and the sea. As we were all made fast for 7am our first passengers were ready to step ashore on the early journey to Berlin.

From the three tours that left this morning between Best of Berlin, Fischland the Forgotten World and Rostock and Germany’s Stasi, many passengers took up the Fischland the Forgotten World tour a scenic excursion beginning with a drive east along the coastline passing woods, fields and beautiful old fishing villages. Our passengers stopped to embark a boat for a trip into the Vorpommern Lagoon Area National Park. The mini-cruise takes you past the Putnitz Peninsula, where the German Navy trained its pilots until 1945, and where Russion pilots hid from western espionage during the Cold War era. Our guests enjoyed a cup of coffee and a piece of German-style cake on board before disembarking in a beautiful little fishing port with traditional thatched cottages, where they had some free time to relax and enjoy the local ambience or alternatively they could sample freshly smoked fish before re-joining the coach for a drive back along the peninsula to Warnemunde.

In the afternoon our guests could choose to take The Molli and The Minster tour taking them on a drive through the beautiful countryside of former East Germany passing farmlands and wind parks to Bad Doberan, where you stop at the 700-year-old Minster.

Leaving Bad Doberan on the Molli narrow-gauge steam train they enjoyed a short ride as they headed to the beach resort of Kuhlungsborn by vintage locomotive. Journeying past fields of corn and along Europe’s oldest avenue of lime trees and, after disembarking they could relax with coffee and cake on the romantic beach promenade and enjoy a stroll before returning to the ship.

All aboard was at 7.30pm this evening so passengers could enjoy the most of what Warnemunde could offer before returning to the ship.

Tonight’s 'Team Trivia' took place in the Drawing Room with Explosive Production singer Michael as he tested our guest’s general knowledge, following with Cabaret and Cocktails and the sounds of Perfect Mood before dinner.

After dinner we started this evening’s entertainment which was a double bill in the Britannia Lounge beginning with the hilarious comedian Dave Kristian, following this hour of laughs was our cocktail pianist Andy Law in his very own show entertaining our guests with music from our favourite piano entertainers and other toe tapping number one hits! We then continued the evening with music for dancing from the Sapphire Orchestra and our gentlemen hosts.

Following Showtime guests could enjoy gourmet bites in the grill or listen to the wonderful sounds of resident duo Perfect Mood for a night-cap and a possible sing-a-long until late in Cooper’s bar.

After a hectic two days in St. Petersburg our next port of call was beautiful Tallinn, Estonia. The capital of the Estonian Republic (the coastal settlement) is only 53 miles from Helsinki across the Gulf of Finland, midway between St. Petersburg and Stockholm. With an early start the ship was made fast for around 8am giving our passengers plenty opportunity to explore this wonderful city.

Guests could choose from a variety of tours to really experience the most Tallinn had to offer today. One of the first tours to leave was the Tallinn Old Town Tour letting our passengers discover the highlights of Tallinn Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on foot. Starting in the Upper Town they saw the castle, the Russian Orthodox Church of Alexander Nevsky and the 13th-century Gothic Dome Church. They then strolled along Long and Short Leg Streets to the 15th-century Blackheads Fraternity House for a folk show and refreshments before ending the tour at St. Catherine’s arts and crafts centre.

Another popular tour that left the ship today was 'Tallinn Highlights' taking our guests on a drive through the cultural centre of Tallinn and along the medieval city walls that encompass the Old Town. Disembarking the coach they strolled past Transfiguration Church enjoying a folk show and refreshments at Blackheads Fraternity House. Our guests then walked through Pikk Street and across Town Hall Square continuing by coach along the main thoroughfare towards the central park of Kadriorg. They also had the opportunity to visit the Song Festival grounds, where the national song festivals are held with some 30,000 singers concluding the tour at Pirita Marina the venue for international regattas and Olympic yachting.

On-board Saga Sapphire Cruise Staff Michelle, Sandie & Louise entertained our guests with games such as darts, table top football and Beetle Drive throughout the day.

As we sailed away at around 4.45pm guests could join all of the Cruise Staff out on the back deck for a cocktail with musical accompaniment from cocktail pianist Andy Law.

We invited those keen quizzers to join Explosive Productions dancer Emma at 6pm for tonight’s Team Trivia in the Drawing Room followed by Cabaret and Cocktails and the sounds of resident duo Perfect Mood. Alternatively those in the dancing mood could foxtrot down to the Britannia Lounge where lots joined Olive Bailey our on-board dance teacher for some sequence dancing.

Tonight’s Showtime was another instalment from Explosive Productions with ‘West End to Broadway’ taking our guests on a musical journey from London’s West End to New York’s Broadway. This followed with music for dancing from the Sapphire Orchestra and our gentlemen hosts.

For those who wanted a night cap could join duo Perfect Mood our resident duo for cocktails and a possible sing-song until late in Cooper’s bar.

On our second day in St. Petersburg our guests could choose from 3 tours, Catherine Palace and Pavlovsk, Catherine Palace at Tsarskoye Selo and St. Petersburg Highlights – Part 2. One of the more popular tours was Catherine Palace at Tsarskoye Selo, this excursion highlights a masterpiece of world architecture: Catherine Palace. After an hour-long drive, past the monument to the Glorious Defenders of Leningrad and along the Pulkovo Highway, passing the limit of the German army’s advances in 1941 our guests arrived at Catherine Palace. Once named the eighth wonder of the world, its heavy amber panels were looted by the Nazis, but has since been restored to the warm tones of its original glory. After a guided palace tour guests could enjoy a walk in the landscaped grounds before returning back to the ship.

In the afternoon more exciting tours awaited in the form of the Spilled Blood Cathedral, shopping and canal cruise, Peterhof Parks and Fountains or St. Petersburg Cathedrals. For those guests who took the Spilled Blood Cathedral, shopping and canal cruise embarked upon a cruise that showed them the area around the River Moika, one of the city’s most fashionable addresses. Peter the Great conceived the Neva as the main thoroughfare of the city and from the river many could admire St. Petersburg’s magnificent waterfront. The tour also visits one of St. Petersburg’s most beautiful churches – the Spilled Blood Cathedral. The church was built on the spot where Tsar Alexander II assassinated on March 1, 1881 and the temple is one of the finest examples of Russian revival style. Following their visit to the cathedral they had time for shopping at the nearby souvenir market.

For those guests staying on board they could join Cruise Staff Resty, Duncan and Claire as they played games such as Bean bag boules, Shuffleboard and Beetle Drive throughout the day.

As all of passengers came back to the ship many joined the Cruise Staff out on the Verandah deck with a glass of ‘Moscow Mule’ as we set sail from this historical and mesmerizing port. With the sun shining on our departure it brought a lovely ending to a busy couple of days with musical accompaniment from Perfect Mood.

Team trivia kick started our evening’s entertainment with Explosive Productions dancer Kayleigh as she put those teams to the test with a fun general knowledge quiz.

Tonight’s ShowTime welcomed back for the final time this cruise Banjo Entertainer, Steve Galler as he welcomed guests to join in with their voices in his performance ‘Down at the Old Bull and Bush and all that Jazz!’ We then continued the evening with music for dancing from The Sapphire Orchestra and our gentlemen hosts.

For those guests who wanted to enjoy the extra hour tonight could join our resident duo Perfect Mood for late night libations in Cooper’s bar with a possible sing-song until late.

As Saga Sapphire sailed into one of the main ports of interest on this Baltics Cruise many guests were preparing themselves for the busy day ahead. Unfortunately due to a medical disembarkation through the night our arrival time was significantly delayed, however Captain Philip Rentell strived to make up some time and dock as swiftly as possible.

St. Petersburg like Venice and Amsterdam is a floating city, crouching on the water, crisscrossed by rivers and canals, sewn together by hundreds of bridges; ceremonial, quaint or humdrum. With the ship all tied up for around 11.30am we began the dispatching of tours in which our passengers could experience St. Petersburg in a variety of ways.

With 6 tours to choose from this morning our guests could enjoy sights such as The Royal Palaces and Parks of Peterhof, Hermitage and the Gold Room or Park of Alexandria & Road Train. One of the most popular tours was Splendours of St. Petersburg which took our passengers on a panoramic guided tour of the city beginning with a short drive to the historical centre of the city. A slow drive along the embankment takes you to Decembrists’ Square. They then stopped at the Rostral Columns to photograph the beautiful panorama of the Neva River and Peter and Paul Fortress. Next, they could feel the city’s contemporary pulse as they drove along the boulevard of Nevsky Prospect to one of the best downtown restaurants for lunch. Our guests spent an enjoyable afternoon exploring the magnificent halls and staterooms of the Hermitage Museum on a guided tour before returning to the ship.

In the afternoon 3 tours left including A Taste of the Hermitage and Peter and Paul’s Fortress and Canal Cruise, the final tour being The Winter Palace at the Hermitage where our guests saw one of the most splendid buildings in St. Petersburg. The Palace has hundreds of rooms, many of which were state apartments. When inside they could see the magnificent Jordan staircase, covered with a red velvet carpet and decorated with sculptures, huge mirrors, marble, glided wood carvings – all in the Baroque style. They then enjoyed a guided tour of the State Rooms before returning to the ship.

This evening guests could enjoy either an 'Evening of Folklore' experiencing a wonderful evening of lively Russian folkloric song and dance or an 'Evening of Ballet' taking the opportunity to immerse themselves in an absorbing performance of Russian classical ballet both excursions of which are spectacular performances.

This evening for those staying on board were invited to join me Kayleigh Assistant Cruise Director for a fun trivia quiz in teams of six in the Drawing Room.

Tonight’s Showtime came a little earlier this evening with a night of classical music as we invited the Notturno Quartet to the stage as they presented ‘From Russia with Love’ including works from Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky we then followed with music for dancing from the Sapphire Orchestra and our gentlemen hosts.

As our guests returned from their respective excursions or indeed Showtime a late night Russian Buffet was provided in the Pole to Pole restaurant. After some late night bites guests could join resident duo Perfect Mood in the Drawing Room as they played for their entertainment until late.

For our next Port of Call Saga Sapphire sailed into Stockholm, Sweden and with a not so promising start to the day weather-wise we were alongside at around 8am. After a day at sea our passengers were eager to step ashore and see Stockholm.

Four tours departed this morning with the first being the City Hall and Vasa Museum which many of our guests took part in, this excursion took our passengers on a drive through the city, and across the Western Bridge to the island of Kungsholmen for a visit to the distinctive redbrick City Hall in the Old Town. Our guests then visited the island of Djurgarden where they visited the Vasa Museum on the waterfront to see an amazing restoration of the magnificent Vasa warship, which sank in Stockholm harbour after being launched on her maiden tour in 1628, they then returned to the ship for lunch.

The Second Tour Drottningholm Palace took our passengers to an island in Lake Malaren to the west of Stockholm. Drottingholm Palace was the first Swedish site to be placed on the World Heritage list, and is one of Europe’s most enchanting royal residences. Also on this tour guests visited the magnificently decorated State Apartments and could stroll through the French and English-style landscaped gardens.

The most popular tour today was the third tour Waterways of Stockholm taking our passengers by boat through the many waterways to enjoy the city from a different perspective and sail past the national park of Djurgarden enjoying the ‘city that floats on water,’ before returning to the ship.

The final tour to depart was the relaxing Stockholm Panoramic Tour where our guests could enjoy a moving panorama of sights from the comfort of their coach during this tour of Stockholm. Our guests passed by such areas as the Royal Dramatic Theatre, along Strandvagen before venturing onto the island of Djurgarden. The tour concludes on the island of Kungsholmen, viewing the impressive City Hall, the site of the annual Nobel Prize banquet.

With an earlier departure expected this afternoon our passengers had a variety of entertainment at their fingertips joining the Cruise Staff for games such as deck quoits and Majority Rules. Also not to be left out of the celebrations back in England many joined us in the Britannia Lounge for a Jubilee ‘Street Party’ sail away to commemorate the Queen’s 60th year on the throne. Spirits were high as Musical Maestro Andy Law played some truly British tunes as we waved our flags in the air and enjoyed a glass of ‘Jubilee Pimms’ in the company of Queen and Prince Philip!

Tonight’s Team Trivia took place in the Drawing Room with Cruise Staff Rebecca as she tested our guest’s general knowledge, following with Cabaret and Cocktails and the sounds of Perfect Mood before dinner.
After dinner we started this evening’s entertainment in the Britannia Lounge as many guests enjoyed the Notturno Quartet’s second classical concert of this cruise proving to be very popular they presented ‘A Musical Journey’ including works by Schumann and Bach.

To continue onto Cabaret Showtime Explosive Productions opened tonight’s show followed by the ever popular Steve Galler entertaining many with his Golden Banjo we then continued the evening with music for dancing from the Sapphire Orchestra and our gentlemen hosts.

Following Showtime guests could enjoy gourmet bites in the grill or listen to the wonderful sounds of Perfect Mood our resident duo in the Drawing Room over a late night drink. Or alternatively guests could join pianist Andy Law for a night-cap and a possible sing-a-long until late in Cooper’s bar.