Stockholm shows off its best – Cruise Europe Conference
Stockholm was bathed in sunshine for the three days of the Cruise Europe Conference (13th – 16th May), giving it a chance to shine brightly, which it surely did.
From the sheer organisation and efficiency of the team of Stefan Scheja, marketing manager ferries and cruises Ports of Stockholm, and Karin Mantymaki, director international development Visit Stockholm, as well as host hotel, Clarion Sign, to the hidden gems tour and the gala dinner at the Munich Brewery, cruiseline executives, CE members and the media were left in no doubt of the Swedish capital’s appeal.
Tuesday was a day of CE meetings for some, and a tour for others, which was all about showing some of the lesser known sights of the city. This included a visit to the archaeological heritage of the capital which has been preserved in the Kungstradgarden metro station.
That evening the cruise and ferry terminal, Vartaterminalen, was turned into the venue for an informal barbecue with spectacular views out over the water. The repurposed former Brewery played host to the final evening with Swedish band, Pommac Trio, ensuring the dance floor was never left empty, although there was plenty of less noisy space elsewhere for those wanting to chat the night away.
On the final day, the tours were split into two as some went on a Swedish pop and history tour, while those proceeding on the fam trip went to visit the port facilities, the nearby Photography Museum for a delicious lunch, and then onto Skansen open air museum before embarking LNG-powered Silja Serenade.
(Stockholm shows off its best – Cruise Europe Conference)