An unusual sea day on Monday as we sailed south down the Norwegian coast. The shipping lanes are close enough to see land and with our port side cabin there was a view to add to the blue sky and calm seas ... when I wasn't in the gym, at choir or playing trivia.
Our penultimate port of call was a big disappointment. Very poor organisation on the part of Princess. The port name and all tourist information given was not the place the shuttle, which we had to pay $8US each way, took us to! The opposite direction was just a modern boring shopping centre. The other way was the advertised town, Gravdal, which was walking distance if it hadn't been raining. But the report from those that went was we didn't miss anything! The highlight if the day was coming second in the three daily trivia comps. Getting closer!
Today was very dreary outside but the 'to do list' ridiculously busy. Breakfast, trivia (which our team won!), gym, lunch, choir rehearsal, performance in the Cabaret Lounge (which was surprising well attended and a bit if fun), Captain's Circle cocktail party, formal dinner, Family Feud trivia (which our team also won!) and another entertaining performer. Cruise life can be exhausting!
Thursday, 18 June 2015
Tuesday, 16 June 2015
The Land of the Midnight Sun
Today brought a number of pleasant surprises. We weren't excited about what we knew of the port of Alta so were in no rush to go ashore. A sleep-in, late breakfast and trivia (which we won!) began our day.
The intermittent showers of the morning seemed to have passed so we got the shuttle to town. EVERYTHING was closed as it was Sunday. Tourist info was however open with excellent wifi and after a check in we headed to find the famed Northern Lights Cathedral. The town had been completely rebuilt since WWII, and by the look of it all pretty recently. The cathedral was only open in 2013 and was impressive indeed.
The sun was shining and no wind so, even though it was only about 10 degrees, we enjoyed the hour's walk back to the ship.
The fine weather continued through the afternoon resulting in a sun drenched sail away, enjoyed from our balcony, which we had not sat on since in port at Dover!
The captain's pre sail announcement lead us to hopeful anticipation that tonight we might really see the 'midnight sun'. Our experience since entering the Arctic Circle has been of the 'midnight overcast' rather than the midnight sun.
Dinner, sailing surrounded by fiord walls, was followed by a very enjoyable Col Porter show. All with the sun still out. Cards til just before twelve and we went up on deck. About a hundred others too were there to witness the actual midnight sun. Fortunately we were still within the fiord but getting close to the sea. Snow capped mountains, dramatic towering island, wind farm and tranquil sea all added to the experience and gave much more composition to photos than if we had been in the middle of the Norwegian Sea. We stayed up for another few hours. A real holiday highlight and a once in a lifetime experience.
The intermittent showers of the morning seemed to have passed so we got the shuttle to town. EVERYTHING was closed as it was Sunday. Tourist info was however open with excellent wifi and after a check in we headed to find the famed Northern Lights Cathedral. The town had been completely rebuilt since WWII, and by the look of it all pretty recently. The cathedral was only open in 2013 and was impressive indeed.
The sun was shining and no wind so, even though it was only about 10 degrees, we enjoyed the hour's walk back to the ship.
The fine weather continued through the afternoon resulting in a sun drenched sail away, enjoyed from our balcony, which we had not sat on since in port at Dover!
The captain's pre sail announcement lead us to hopeful anticipation that tonight we might really see the 'midnight sun'. Our experience since entering the Arctic Circle has been of the 'midnight overcast' rather than the midnight sun.
Dinner, sailing surrounded by fiord walls, was followed by a very enjoyable Col Porter show. All with the sun still out. Cards til just before twelve and we went up on deck. About a hundred others too were there to witness the actual midnight sun. Fortunately we were still within the fiord but getting close to the sea. Snow capped mountains, dramatic towering island, wind farm and tranquil sea all added to the experience and gave much more composition to photos than if we had been in the middle of the Norwegian Sea. We stayed up for another few hours. A real holiday highlight and a once in a lifetime experience.
Northern Tip of Europe
Honningsvag was our only port to be tempted by a ship tour. The township was about thirty minutes, of dramatic scenery, from the northern most tip of mainland Europe. The weather was cold and dry but we had been warned the North Cape itself, it was very windy and rain possible. According to the temperature on the coach it was 7 degrees but the windchill factor made it feel less than zero. Certainly the coldest I ever remember being. However the view was stunning and the rain absent so we were thrilled to be there. The tourist centre was impressive. A three screen surround movie showing life in these parts over twelve months and also a sound and light show doing the same but very creatively ... both most impressive. An ice chapel, not literally, and a most extensive quality souvenir mega store, ensured the ninety minute stop flew. I worked out we had free wifi in the last half hour so stole some moments before and after the movie.
Lunch on board was followed by a very pleasant wander through town. The sail away through the fiord was both lengthy in distance and time but the view was compelling and we spent ages in the lounge enjoying the jagged snow covered mountains.
The sea day which followed was exciting. A few Americans to whom I had mentioned I had never seen falling snow were on the lookout and had been very disappointed when I had been in the wrong place when they had experienced some since hearing my shocking revelation. As I stood at choir I noticed there were falling flakes! Rehearsal stopped so I, and the Australian musical director, could ooh and ah!
Earlier we had seen a whale, playing this time, so it was an exciting day. Was a little jealous when I heard there had been a pod of about twenty whales spotted from the lounge soon after we had left after trivia earlier in the morning. Ah well.
Saturday, 13 June 2015
Arctic Circle Adventures
Arctic Circle Adventures
Getting slack. Have two ports to report in this post. The first, Tromso, is a large city surrounded by snow capped mountains. Alas the weather was cold, wet and windy. We ventured out hoping for another hop on hop off with no success. We tackled the local bus service to get to the cable car up Mt Storsteinen. Not many people around and with foggy pictures taken between showers we escaped as soon as possible. The plan to walk to the famed Arctic cathedral was withdrawn with a desire to be warm and dry on board, our priority.
Another sea day. Sleep, trivia, choir and reading the extent of the agenda. The pattern of sea day then port is suiting our travelling needs at this point. Spotting spouting whales the highlight of trivia, certainly never our scores!
Yesterday was the much anticipated Longyearbyen. I have been tracking the temperatures of this northern most island port for twelve months. Only since we left home did it register any above zero 'summer' days. The Princess Patter claimed it is the 'world's northern most town' though our cruise director refused to call it neither a city nor town but a 'settlement' so as not to be had for misrepresentation! It has been a coal mining town for some time but this is soon to be stopped and is winding down from a peak of six mines to now only one operational. Scientific research and tourism are the focus of the present and future. With no rain nor wind we were not as cold as at Tromso, but we were certainly dressed for the occasion. We walked the settlement and marvelled how anyone could chose to live permanently in such an isolated place with all it's challenges, not the least being the long days and then permanent nights.
We took up residence in the scenic Tahitian Lounge for the afternoon and stayed for sail away. The fiord, with it's perfect summer snow capped mountains, created the ideal edge to the smooth Arctic seas. The mountains would be completely lost if they were totally covered in winter snow but the black contrasting exposed rock give them dramatic form and definition. Some low cloud in the afternoon lifted and revealed a fresh dusting of snow. Summer in the Arctic Circle!
Another sea day today. The 12 o'clock report announced that it was 2 degrees. Then add the windchill! Keeping the curtains open in the cabin for the view is one thing but it also lets in the cold. The northern point of mainland Europe tomorrow - North Cape.
Getting slack. Have two ports to report in this post. The first, Tromso, is a large city surrounded by snow capped mountains. Alas the weather was cold, wet and windy. We ventured out hoping for another hop on hop off with no success. We tackled the local bus service to get to the cable car up Mt Storsteinen. Not many people around and with foggy pictures taken between showers we escaped as soon as possible. The plan to walk to the famed Arctic cathedral was withdrawn with a desire to be warm and dry on board, our priority.
Another sea day. Sleep, trivia, choir and reading the extent of the agenda. The pattern of sea day then port is suiting our travelling needs at this point. Spotting spouting whales the highlight of trivia, certainly never our scores!
Yesterday was the much anticipated Longyearbyen. I have been tracking the temperatures of this northern most island port for twelve months. Only since we left home did it register any above zero 'summer' days. The Princess Patter claimed it is the 'world's northern most town' though our cruise director refused to call it neither a city nor town but a 'settlement' so as not to be had for misrepresentation! It has been a coal mining town for some time but this is soon to be stopped and is winding down from a peak of six mines to now only one operational. Scientific research and tourism are the focus of the present and future. With no rain nor wind we were not as cold as at Tromso, but we were certainly dressed for the occasion. We walked the settlement and marvelled how anyone could chose to live permanently in such an isolated place with all it's challenges, not the least being the long days and then permanent nights.
We took up residence in the scenic Tahitian Lounge for the afternoon and stayed for sail away. The fiord, with it's perfect summer snow capped mountains, created the ideal edge to the smooth Arctic seas. The mountains would be completely lost if they were totally covered in winter snow but the black contrasting exposed rock give them dramatic form and definition. Some low cloud in the afternoon lifted and revealed a fresh dusting of snow. Summer in the Arctic Circle!
Another sea day today. The 12 o'clock report announced that it was 2 degrees. Then add the windchill! Keeping the curtains open in the cabin for the view is one thing but it also lets in the cold. The northern point of mainland Europe tomorrow - North Cape.
Tuesday, 9 June 2015
Welcome to the Arctic Circle
We breakfasted yesterday morning surrounded by steep mountains rising from the Geiranger Fiord. Simply spectacular. We had dropped those on overland tours at a small town earlier and then we sailed further up the fiord to the township of Geiranger. The rain basically held off so that most of the hour 'scenic cruising' was spent on deck crossing from side to side (port to starboard) seeing all there was to admire and trying to get the perfect shots. Some blue sky added to the photographic composition which was a blessing.
The town itself, approached by the shortest tender trip we have were experienced, was very small and located at end of the fiord. Though small it did have a hop on hop off bus, no doubt only when cruise ships are in, with a journey of two stops. The first, overlooking the township, our ship and looking up the fiord and the second high above on one the the mountains overlooking the town and around the first/last bend in the fiord. Both breathtaking. It was the coldest we've been, but no wind was a bonus. Loving the free wifi on these buses for a very quick FB check in. We sat in the front row of the Tahitian Lounge, on deck ten, which has excellent views to the front of the ship for our return sail out to sea. The weather had deteriorated but was still very dramatic and picturesque.
Sea day today also marked our entry into the Arctic Circle this afternoon. A busy day of talks, trivia, choir and reading. Formal night tonight which some people take very seriously. There is such a range of 'formal' no one would feel out of place.
There is enough movement to remind you you are in the Norwegian Sea but not enough to make you lose your footing and certainly not enough to lose your lunch! Happy for this to continue!
Last night's 'Princess Patter', the daily what's on sheet, stated that sunrise was 3.26am and Sunset 'N/A'. For tomorrow ... Sunrise N/A and Sunset N/A. "Today (June 8) the sun will rise after 3 and we expect to have daylight all the way through to June 17th after 11pm". It would feel stranger at home to have no nighttime. The cabin curtains are heavy, it's too cold to spend any length of time outside and once you close your eyes it's dark! It is odd though.
Last antibiotics tonight. Am much better but not 100% yet. My 'do re mi' today was still not my best!
The town itself, approached by the shortest tender trip we have were experienced, was very small and located at end of the fiord. Though small it did have a hop on hop off bus, no doubt only when cruise ships are in, with a journey of two stops. The first, overlooking the township, our ship and looking up the fiord and the second high above on one the the mountains overlooking the town and around the first/last bend in the fiord. Both breathtaking. It was the coldest we've been, but no wind was a bonus. Loving the free wifi on these buses for a very quick FB check in. We sat in the front row of the Tahitian Lounge, on deck ten, which has excellent views to the front of the ship for our return sail out to sea. The weather had deteriorated but was still very dramatic and picturesque.
Sea day today also marked our entry into the Arctic Circle this afternoon. A busy day of talks, trivia, choir and reading. Formal night tonight which some people take very seriously. There is such a range of 'formal' no one would feel out of place.
There is enough movement to remind you you are in the Norwegian Sea but not enough to make you lose your footing and certainly not enough to lose your lunch! Happy for this to continue!
Last night's 'Princess Patter', the daily what's on sheet, stated that sunrise was 3.26am and Sunset 'N/A'. For tomorrow ... Sunrise N/A and Sunset N/A. "Today (June 8) the sun will rise after 3 and we expect to have daylight all the way through to June 17th after 11pm". It would feel stranger at home to have no nighttime. The cabin curtains are heavy, it's too cold to spend any length of time outside and once you close your eyes it's dark! It is odd though.
Last antibiotics tonight. Am much better but not 100% yet. My 'do re mi' today was still not my best!
Triple Treat Number Three -Land of the Midnight Sun
Departure day from Dover was the best weather we had experienced for a while. The sunshine was glorious and pleasantly mild. Embarkation was a breeze until the health report which we had to complete. I had to be honest and tick the box indicating that I had experienced fever and cold symptoms in the past few days. As a result, before getting to our cabin, we had to visit the medical centre to get the all clear. As I anticipated I no longer had a fever and though I was still coughing was given the all clear but it was suggested I didn't go to dinner the first night. Conditions were perfect for sailing from Dover. Room service dinner and hiding down the back of the lounge for the show were both pleasant ways to kick off Treat Three.
Sea day as we headed north, was cool but sunny. There is very little to entice one onto the deck. This is only going to get worse, no doubt, as we go further north. I managed to book in for both hair colour (perfect timing) and nails (very overdue). The first session of the Princess Pop choir was challenging! Having a strange speaking voice still, it was no wonder I couldn't sing, but I tried. As it is the 50th anniversary of Princess and also The Sound of Music the choice of repertoire was obvious. We started at the very beginning ..... very casual but a bit of fun on sea days.
We met our dinner companions who had missed us the night before. A very Iovely couple from Washington and a most unusual couple from New Jersey. It could be a long cruise! A very impressive magician rounded off a pleasant first day.
Our first port was today, Bergen. Brilliant sunshine, after a week of rain apparently. Lovely city with very unique character. Very different from anything we have seen. The weather turned in the late afternoon before sail away which was a shame but clearly we could not complain. Reports for tomorrow aren't good. It is 11.30 pm and still light outside. Sun will set soon and rise before 4! Luckily we have effective curtains.
Sea day as we headed north, was cool but sunny. There is very little to entice one onto the deck. This is only going to get worse, no doubt, as we go further north. I managed to book in for both hair colour (perfect timing) and nails (very overdue). The first session of the Princess Pop choir was challenging! Having a strange speaking voice still, it was no wonder I couldn't sing, but I tried. As it is the 50th anniversary of Princess and also The Sound of Music the choice of repertoire was obvious. We started at the very beginning ..... very casual but a bit of fun on sea days.
We met our dinner companions who had missed us the night before. A very Iovely couple from Washington and a most unusual couple from New Jersey. It could be a long cruise! A very impressive magician rounded off a pleasant first day.
Our first port was today, Bergen. Brilliant sunshine, after a week of rain apparently. Lovely city with very unique character. Very different from anything we have seen. The weather turned in the late afternoon before sail away which was a shame but clearly we could not complain. Reports for tomorrow aren't good. It is 11.30 pm and still light outside. Sun will set soon and rise before 4! Luckily we have effective curtains.
Wednesday, 3 June 2015
It's All In The Timing
I last blogged Saturday and now it is Wednesday night. A combination of bad weather and not being well, Sunday and Tuesday were spent 'at home' not venturing out, other than to the hospital on Tuesday. Monday was a drive to Brighton which was pleasant even though it was cold and pretty bleak. Today we chased the sun, visiting a beach Rob had recommended called Camber Sands and then onto Royal Tunbridge Wells which was a lovely mix of old and new with beautiful gardens. It was the sunniest day we've had in a while so it was good for both the body and soul.
Before we returned the car we had an up close look at the cliffs. We look forward to a different view tomorrow as we sail away towards the Norwegian coast.
The last six days have not been a holiday highlight but the good timing of being unwell when I could stop and seek medical assistance in an English speaking country has been a real bonus. Having average weather also made it easy to rest and revive.
Let Treat Three begin.
Before we returned the car we had an up close look at the cliffs. We look forward to a different view tomorrow as we sail away towards the Norwegian coast.
The last six days have not been a holiday highlight but the good timing of being unwell when I could stop and seek medical assistance in an English speaking country has been a real bonus. Having average weather also made it easy to rest and revive.
Let Treat Three begin.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)