LIVE from the Celebrity SILHOUETTE - 1st Sept to the Fjords

[groryjm]

We in that lovely lazy afternoon of a sea day and the internet is good(ish) with 5.57Mps. So relaxed with a glass of American Woodchuck cider from the wine cooler (This is a first for me and I am surprisingly impressed with a cider not from Somerset). Yesterday when we had our first lunch in Luminae for almost a year I was distracted by a barge unloading something from the ship so I had to absent myself to photograph it

 

 

On my return our waiter told us that the monies received from the recycling goes into a crew fund so they all positively try to recycle.

Soon after lunch I set up my GoPro for the sail away. The resulting time-lapse video might have to wait till our return but I promise to post them at sometime

 

 

Returning back to our expedited luggage looking back at my pics I have just noticed the tags say Pinnacle rather than zenith.....

 

 

Yesterday evening I was reminded why I love cruising so much.... sunsets over water

 

 

This afternoon I found a new favourite way to enjoy a sea day afternoon.....

 

 

Now to dress for dinner in Le Petit Chef but I will leave that review to my DW

[groryjm]

Bergen

 

Today we sailed into the Norwegian coastline to visit Bergen. I have created a time lapse of our view of the sail in but it may take a while to upload...

 

We sailed by many many islands which made for quite a spectacle and although it was a little cloudy it did not detract. we actually docked at about 10.30 so no need for an early rise and we raided the buffet for breakfast back in our room.

 

 

 

Once we cleared Niko, the Michael's club concierge, escorted us to the gangplank by passing all the queues. Though to be honest they really weren't that long. We then took the first free shuttle all of 200 yards to the port entrance. Apparently the port authorities don't allow us to walk the 200 yards as it is unsafe.....

[groryjm]

....We strolled leisurely to the Fish Market which took us all of 10 minutes

 

 

After a peasant time admiring all the produce which sadly couldn't bring home ( Although it might niff a bit by the time we get back to England :D ), we made our way to the Funicular station for Mt Fløyen. To save time I had pre-booked tickets which saved us a little time. Now were quite prompt to this point though we didn't rush but by the time we returned the queue to ascend was getting quite long and having pre-paid tickets would most certainly help.

 

 

Once at the top the views are spectacular....

 

 

Once you have taken the obligatory picture of the ship there is plenty of scope for a hike, we only took a short stroll to greet the goats and then had a tea and cake, bought a troll and returned down the funicular, again with hardly a five minute wait.

 

[Foggy Cruiser]

Enjoying your blog. I think we were neighbours on Eclipse last October - hope the GoPro is working well! Is Capt Peppas still onboard or has there been a change over yet?

 

Enjoy your day in Flåm.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[groryjm]

Enjoying your blog. I think we were neighbours on Eclipse last October - hope the GoPro is working well! Is Capt Peppas still onboard or has there been a change over yet?

 

Enjoy your day in Flåm.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Captain Peppas is still on board and on good form though I am in trouble with my DD for on both occasions he spoke to her and she shook his hand [emoji41] I failed to whip out my phone and capture the moment for social media [emoji79]

 

GoPro is going well but the Internet today has not

Only now is it coming back and I'm getting 1.15 Mbps

 

Flam has been great and with luck I should be able to post pics etc tomorrow. Early start with a 9am invite to the helipad for a view of seven sisters

 

We have been parked up next to Zenith all day which I gather Captain Peppas sailed while it was in celebritys hand's [emoji41]

[groryjm]

Flam

 

We have been having a problems with the on board Internet which I gather is largely due to the hight of the fjord walls blocking the satalite single. I recall we had a similar problem when we were on Connie the year before last in Kotor. Despite huge improvements in the speed and reliability of Xs high speed Internet at sea don't rely on the same speeds we get in coastal ports or at sea in the fjords. That aside the in country 4g is pretty good. So please accept my apologies for being a bit behind in posting.....

 

We took the train up to myrdal then straight back. There is an option to go one way and hike or even cycle back down but it sounded a bit energetic for us. The other option is to stay at a stop prior to Myrdal for a waffle and tea. Which ever option you choose you can't change as all seats are pre booked

 

The waffle stop is an hour and seemed like a lot of money for a cheap tea and an hours wait for your return. The pleasure is in the journey and the views from the train and there is much at the top.

 

We went with Xs tour which worked well. With two ships in port only the very early trains could be booked privately in advance, 7.30am being far to early for me. Those who chanced it to get tickets at the the day were out of luck.

 

The tour was interesting though the water fall stop was a touch touristy for me. Shopping in Flam is predictively touristy and pricy, more so than Bergen.

[groryjm]

.... We received an invitation to the sail in tomorrow into Geiranger at 10.00 and we also heard we won't be tendering but using the seawall :) :cool: so hopefully an opertunity for me to attempt time lapse

[FateHappens]

 

Returning back to our expedited luggage looking back at my pics I have just noticed the tags say Pinnacle rather than zenith.....

 

 

 

That is a disembarkation tag from a previous cruise on Royal Caribbean that you forgot to remove. Pinnacle is the RC equivalent to Zenith on Celebrity.

[groryjm]

That is a disembarkation tag from a previous cruise on Royal Caribbean that you forgot to remove. Pinnacle is the RC equivalent to Zenith on Celebrity.

They put these tags on all 8 of our cases at the special luggage drop-off when we embarked at Southampton on the Celebrity Silhouette.... I've never sailed RCL.

 

I suspect it is how they distinguish the special from the rest

[groryjm]

Pictures from Flam........

 

 

 

 

 

 

[groryjm]

We are now in Alesund and the internet is working:)

 

I'm sure many will find this boring but here is a link to the sail in time lapse I did at Bergen . Bear in mind it is raw and unedited as I will try to edit these when I return but this is the first of a few just for info.....

 

[cjcruiser27]

We are now in Alesund and the internet is working:)

 

I'm sure many will find this boring but here is a link to the sail in time lapse I did at Bergen . Bear in mind it is raw and unedited as I will try to edit these when I return but this is the first of a few just for info.....

 

Thank you! It looks beautiful:)

[cjcruiser27]

Thank you for sharing the pictures, keep them coming! Love the waterfall and sunset.

[Chrissi3010]

The pictures from Flam are wonderful. Thanks for sharing. :-)

[groryjm]

Geiranger

 

Today started early and once I had run down for the coffees. We find sending me down to get two coffees in cafe al bacio is quicker and more reliable ,time wise, than getting them delivered by our butler. The three of us , myself, DD and DW, my MiL stayed on her own aft balcony, headed for the Helipad. I had set the GoPro on the balcony before we left to make sure as to not miss a moment.

 

they served us hot chocolate and even offered blankets. My DD was very cold. The views were stunning though seven sisters was a little disappointing. Suitable blown apart, in all senses of the word we returned to the room to watch the skywalk dock.... quite a specticle in its own right.

 

 

 

 

 

[groryjm]

The tour we had arranged was the one through Celebrity to Briksdal Glacier via the route of the trolls. We had decided this was a risked to do privately due to the time and as it was we were one of the first off the ship and virtually the last back. the coach journey takes about an hour and a half but throw in a few photo ops and it takes quite a bit longer the journey up the bends to the mountains was a little hairy but being almost first out the road was clear.

 

I very much enjoyed the Norwegian culture and history our guide had to impart through out both journeys, with hardly a pause.

 

The glacier itself was very interesting, the final hike not too hard and we were treated to lunch. On our return the last lake before we drove back down was filling with cloud and pretty stunning but we appeared under the cloud as we drove down the bends.

 

 

 

 

[groryjm]

..... The ubiquitous stop for a photo of the ship was empty so a great photo op.

 

 

Every where we seem to go in Norway so far there are little piles of stones....

 

[groryjm]

Alesund

 

We docked early this morning and I have to confess that I slept through it. Once up I took a few pics from the balcony and this is the first time that starboard has been against the dock. My original plan had been to climb the 418 steps to the view point and while the steps didn't worry me. I very happily did the 1350 in Kotor to the castle viewpoint. My first view of the steps however rather put me off as edges are not something I cope well with

 

 

 

[RS77471]

Will be sailing on this ship Nov 3!! On a TA...appreciate all the information!

[cjcruiser27]

Spectacular photos!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[groryjm]

Having backed out of the mount I opted to join DW and DD in visiting the aquarium. we had decided to use the hoho bus to reach it but on discovering that it cost K200 each which would be about £60 just to go to 3.5k we headed for the taxis . At K150 each way it was half the price and much easier.

 

Interestingly both taxis were electric (hybrid) cars and all you do is use the local ap or phone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[groryjm]

Sail away from Alsesund was highlighted by the fire boat giving us a show and setting off a maron.

 

 

 

 

 

Being quite early leaving port the captain was able to attend a soiree at Michael's with his officers. For the third time this cruise my DD shook him by the hand and I yet again forgot to keep social media alerted with a picture.... bad dad day.I was interested when I mentioned the Zenith captain Peppas said it had been his first captaincy.

[chemmo]

You are bringing back so many happy memories of our cruise last year! Thanks for posting.

[BMT]

Following this as supposed to be on board - illness a few days before prevented us boarding:loudcry:

 

 

However, hoping to board on Sunday for the second part of our B2B!! Regards to all and disappointed not to be able to meet up. Onwards and upwards!! Fingers well-crossed for Sunday.

[RetiredCruiser2015]

I'm Sorry if my photo posting from my phone is not the best. So I may keep the photos for when I can sit at the table with my lap top.

 

Special Luggage was great and seemed to work well so a plus for a new perk. I have done a quick room tour and posted it on my YT page.....

 

 

One thing I have noticed is that a lot of the menus etc seem to have been reprinted and designed since our last trip on Eclipse a year ago so as I can I will photo them and upload here, Sea day tomorrow and the CC connections party aka meet and mingle,

 

Thank you for the video tour...we are in a Silhouette RS next year. Question....I see there are outlets on the dressing table,in the bedroom. Are there any outlets In the Living area? If so, how many and where..in today’s day and age of electronics, it becomes a challenge when trying to have 4 people in a RS that all need to power up devices. Thank you!