texasatty

20 July 2019

After a somewhat frustrating excursion in Kristiansand we ditched our planned outing to museums in Oslo and went on our own. We thoroughly explored the Viking Ship, Kon-Tiki and Fram Museums at our own pace in less than the 3.5 hours our planned excursion had allotted. I recommend all three. After that we still had plenty of day left to walk around Oslo, take in the sights and stop for an aquavit, beer (wine for the boss) and a delicious open face sandwich of cured salmon. Back on the ship we had a light meal at Compass Rose. The food has been exceptional and the crew happy and accommodating. 

19 July 2019

Today we docked in Kristiansand, Norway. This is a wealth fiord community of about 85,000. Our excursion today was probably my least enjoyable. In the morning we went to the gym for a good workout then had something light on the pool deck. The cheeseburgers look and smell amazing and before this cruise ends I will have one. Our excursion left at 1:30 pm. We walked through a beautiful village called Høllen. The houses and gardens were pretty but most of our bus load of thirty were oblivious to the locals who also wanted to walk, ride their bikes and otherwise move on their own roads and paths. I cringe a bit when my fellow passengers seem unaware they are inconveniencing others. Our next stop was a little church and then on to an open air museum. Let me just say that I made a mistake trying to visit a museum with a group of thirty...that’s on me and it is a mistake we did not repeat the next day. Canapés on the balcony, drinks in the Seven Seas Lounge and a nice vegetarian dinner in Compass Rose rounded out the day. 

18 July 2019 we docked in Stavanger, Norway. The day was overcast but the rain held off until afternoon. We took a morning excursion to see Pulpit Rock which is really all the area offers aside from a beautiful Cathedral and a nice shopping area. 

We boarded a fast boat that holds about 75-100 people. We ran up the Lysefjord which is very beautiful, stopping at points of interest along the way. We cruised by the Pulpit Rock for a photo op then on to a restaurant accessible only by boat and dedicated to feeding tourists coffee, waffles, clotted cream and jam. Then back on board for the fast run to town.

in town we did a bit of shopping before the rain set in and headed back to the ship for a nap.

In the evening we stopped by Galileo’s Lounge for the Champagne and caviar service (1oz Osetra and setups for $100, Champagne and vodka free) then on to Compass Rose where Rommel had arranged a fantastic Indian feast. We had samosas, chicken tikka, a lentil dish & spicy lamb stew. Great Day!

17 July 2019 in Bergen we opted to do our own thing. We rode the funicular up above town. We bought one-way tickets and embarked on what we intended to be a 4ish mike hike to the top of Mt Fløyen and back to town. A couple of wrong turns and we ended up hiking about ten miles back on a trail between Fløyen and Ulriken. It was all good though as we saw things we would not have otherwise. 

Back in town, we fortified ourselves with a local beer and headed out for the important sites. We saw the fortress, tower and hall, the Hanseatic HQ and shops in Bryggen, admired the statue of Icelandic Bard Snorri Sturluson, had a snack/dinner at the fish market and closed out with the locals on the plaza who were all out enjoying the glorious and all too rare for Bergen sunshine. Good day.

Be warned the Marienkirke, Hakon’s Hall and Rosencrantz Tower all close at 4 pm

16 July 2019 we visited Jarlshof in the Shetland Islands. The Navigator docked in Lerwick and the bus ride was about fifty minutes. Though is was cold and rainy we donned our foul weather gear and after fortifying ourselves with a wee dram of Scots whisky headed out to view the ruins that spanned from the Neolithic Age to the 16th Century.

After a quick stop in Hoswick we were back in Lerwick where the rain had stopped. We shopped a bit and walked around town spotting buildings from the British crime drama Shetland. We found Det Jimmy Perez’ house and the police station. Next up Bergen, Norway. We will be in port until 11 pm and have decided to do our own thing. This is the second night in three days where we lose an hour so it’s time for bed.

I’m sorry the photos don’t always upload in order

By the way, we had a drink with Ray Solaire last night and he said he will be with the Navigator until early September

It was very foggy yesterday and last night, so foggy that more often than not the Captain had to sound the horn at two minute intervals. The sound was not a problem for us but I can imagine lighter sleepers may had had difficulty. The fog lingered as we docked in Tórshavn (pronounced Tor-shawn) in the Faroes. We took a boat excursion and during the cruise the fog lifted a bit. Later we enjoyed a local IPA at restaurant Tarv on the waterfront. We also tried aged, dried mutton which is a local delicacy...think lamb prosciutto. If I’m honest, it’s not my favorite regional dish from this trip. More successful were the fritters of salt cod, onion, potato and parsley with romesco. Next up, Lerwick, Shetland Islands. I’ll be on the lookout for Douglas Henshall, et al. 

Today is a Sea Day. Stacy had a massage and I worked out in the gym. Last time we were on the Navigator the Spa/Gym area was the Horizon Lounge. The expanded space makes for a much better experience though I realize some folks miss the forward looking lounge. I find the recent renovation has really changed the look of the ship. Our suite is spotless and the common areas are bright and appealing. The crew are cheerful and accommodating. So far this has been one fabulous trip.

As an aside: I miss the somewhat quirky voice over descriptions of the excursions from the destination services staff but I do appreciate the in room AV upgrades

Yesterday we took the Puffin excursion from Patreksfjordur to Latrabjarg. The bus ride was a bit lengthy but the payoff was well worth it. Later, Compass Rose maitre d’ Rommel snuck us into Prime 7. I had fresh cod and the Boss has surf and turf. Great meal and superior service. I might quickly add that the facelift and configuration changes since our last Navigator sailing five years ago are fantastic. We are in 934 and feel zero vibration. The water is crystal clear from the tap and our suite is spotless. Our Butler Vikas is exceeding all expectations.

After four days of adventure tours on the south coast of Iceland we drove back to Reykjavik from the Glacier Lagoon yesterday and boarded the Navigator this afternoon. We’ve dispensed with the safety talk and unpacking and now the Boss is getting ready for dinner in Compass Rose. Here are a few photos from our last few days here. 

We we hiked to and explored many of the beautiful waterfalls, rode Icelandic ponies, took a glacier hike and cruised the Glacier Lagoon in a Zodiac Boat.  

Hotel Umi on the south coast of Iceland near Vik. Today is a “super Jeep” tour of the area near Ejafjallajökell Glacier

Just a few quick photos from our trip to Thingvellir today

Yesterday we explored the Reykjanes Peninsula and stopped off at the Blue Lagoonbefore heading back to Reykjavik. Tonight is our last night in town before exploring a bit in the countryside. Though the landscape is desolate it is also strangely beautiful. Sorry for not posting recently but weak WiFi is the culprit

6 hours ago, bamadad said:

My son and I will be joining you on this adventure.  We arrive in Iceland early Wednesday morning.  We look forward to meeting you onboard.

I’ll be the guy with the good looking wife 😂

5 hours ago, pingpong1 said:

Your beautiful pictures of Iceland brought back memories of my travels there 25 years ago (on government business).  The cathedral is particularly beautiful and unlike any other I'd ever seen.  As I recall, there is (was) a statute of Leif Erikson standing in a plaza in front of the church?  The water was so clear, pure, and pollution-free that you could look down from the pier into it and see huge fish (salmon?) swimming about.  Regards

Yes, the statue is Leif Erickson...monumental in size

Scenes from today’s helicopter tour

I’ll confess to not knowing how to post photos with descriptions that accompany each....

The Sun Voyager sculpture on the Reykjavik waterfront and Hallsgrimkirkja 

We just landed in Reykjavik for our own pre-cruise tour of Iceland. It is rainy and cold today in Reykjavik but we donned our rain gear and headed out for some sight seeing

Pardon me if you have addressed this but do you know if Ray Solaire be on board Navigator for the  Reykjavik to London cruise beginning July 11? Thanks for this thread, it was entertaining and timely for us.

4 hours ago, Gilly said:

@texasatty  you are right - we've done that excursion too and it was tremendous fun!  Everyone in such good spirits in spite of getting wet and finding it tough going at times...I wonder even if we were on the same tour?!    We loved it!

 

(I see we were there in 2015 and I see it was another of those two post days... 😎)

 

Thank you for the reminder of that one!

Definitely the same excursion. Cheers!

Not long ago we visited Brunei on an Asian cruise with Regent. Our excursion was a trip upriver in the long, thin shallow-draft haabja like boats. The excursion was to hike inland to a waterfall fed pool where the little pedicure fish are found. Due to recent rains, the creek leading from the pool had overrun its banks and we ended up slogging up the creek in some fairly deep mud. Even though we had some pretty elderly folks all but a couple were game. We made it, helping each other along. Upon return to the boat dock we hosed off, had a lunch of traditional food and headed back to the ship. It’s still among the most memorable of all our Regent excursions. Our companions really had a sense of accomplishment after that trip and not one word of complaint. Regent also offered free laundry to us all. 

On 6/18/2019 at 12:19 PM, redmaid said:

Update - one of the postcards arrived today - over 5 weeks

That’s not unusual in my experience. 

1 hour ago, Hambagahle said:

Does look a little tight but there are 6 service plates and 6 side plates etc.  Must be for six good friends!

Seriously.