"Sorta" Live from the Explorer in the Norwegian Fjords

[Travelcat2]

Not sure where to start.  We have had breakfast in an F1 (or F2?) suite and it was fine.  In a larger suite, we have had dinner (with friends) in the suite and it was amazingly good (one time it lasted so long that we begged out butler to leave everything in our suite until the morning .........he finally left but reluctantly).  On Explorer, I would much rather have breakfast served on our balcony (weather permitting).

 

Bob - cannot thank you enough for your explanation of how to post photos.  Hope that you would not mind if I posted one photo on this thread (just to check it out).  We did purchase a Canon camera that has Wi-Fi.  You can imagine our disappointment when the "computer guru" onboard told us that this did not work onboard.  

[Pinksunset]

Thank you all for your good answers!  I do like to dine in the suite for breakfast only!

[UUNetBill]

3 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

We did purchase a Canon camera that has Wi-Fi.  You can imagine our disappointment when the "computer guru" onboard told us that this did not work onboard.  

I’d get a second opinion on that - we have a wi-fi card in our Nikon and are able to transfer pics directly to our iPads.  Most of those solutions will allow you to connect your cam Wi-fi to other devices, not necessarily to the ship wi-fi which sounds like what the ‘guru’ was getting at.

[Travelcat2]

3 hours ago, UUNetBill said:

I’d get a second opinion on that - we have a wi-fi card in our Nikon and are able to transfer pics directly to our iPads.  Most of those solutions will allow you to connect your cam Wi-fi to other devices, not necessarily to the ship wi-fi which sounds like what the ‘guru’ was getting at.

 

My Canon has it to but it would not work on the ship.  Did yours work?

[Hambagahle]

We rarely if ever have breakfast in the suite but we often have dinner there.  Aside from one time on the Mariner we have always had plenty of room for this.   Butler has always served us course by course and brought bottles of whatever wine(s) we wanted to drink that evening.  We also - at least once a cruise - special order an Indian dinner.  The Indian food is surprisingly good (I think there is a special chef for the Butlers !).  This time we are looking forward to dinner (and maybe even breakfast) outside.  Should be warm enough on the Canal cruise.

Edited August 26, 2019 by Hambagahle

[boblerm]

12 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

Bob - cannot thank you enough for your explanation of how to post photos.  Hope that you would not mind if I posted one photo on this thread (just to check it out).  We did purchase a Canon camera that has Wi-Fi.  You can imagine our disappointment when the "computer guru" onboard told us that this did not work onboard.

Jackie, I would check to see if your camera is bluetooth enabled.  If it is, you should be able to transfer images from your camera to your device without going through ship wifi. 

 

If you are having trouble figuring out how to have your equipment set up for ease of use on on board, you may think about posting questions on Photo and Camera section of the Cruise Technology forum is CC

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/72-photo-camera-discussions/

I would think that you would be far more likely to reach someone who can help you than on a Regent thread.

 

Certainly, you can feel free to try out a photo here, but if you want to have some fun playing around and trying out posting from various devices and using different techniques, the Test forum is ideal.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/860-test-forum/

[boblerm]

As mentioned, I would like to continue by posting some additional photos and info about some of our ports of call.

 

Kristiansand

 

Our visit here started with the Vest Agder Open Air Museum, where farm homes have relocated.  This is not a true reconstructed community, as there are homes here from various  regions and various times, ranging from the 16th to 19th centuries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The costumed guide gave us a lot of interesting info as to how life was for those who farmed in these lands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The most important characteristic that a man would be looking for in seeking out a bride might be physical strength, as this was necessary for working the farms.  Our guide told us that a  young lady that could fit into these stockings would be at a big advantage.

 

Personal hygiene was problematic in many of these communities, in some areas residents only had the opportunity to bathe twice a year.  Which they would likely do whether they needed to or not.

(OK, you knew I couldn't resist that one didn't you?)

 

Next we visited the 17th century  Old Søgne Church decorated in Baroque and Renaissance styles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We couldn't help but be impressed with how well maintained the cemeteries were in so many of the towns we visited, fresh flowers planted everywhere.

 

 

 

 

From there we strolled down a residential street  with beautifully landscaped  homes.  I felt a little bad for the residents there, wondering how they felt to have tourist gawking and photographing their homes, but the people that were out and about seemed friendly and pleased to receive compliments about their lovely properties.

 

 

We then were brought to an old fisherman's village.

 

 

A very pleasant day.

 

Here is what happens if you want to take sailaway photos looking forward in the Observation Lounge

 

  

 

😒😣😭

Edited August 26, 2019 by boblerm

[jeb_bud]

9 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

My Canon has it to but it would not work on the ship.  Did yours work?

We have a Canon camera with WiFi. It won’t connect to the ship’s network. Instead you create a two-device network comprised of the camera and your iPhone or iPad. You can also create a Bluetooth connection, although I just use that to geotag my photos using the GPS in my iPhone. 

 

For me, the best way to transfer photos from the camera to iPhone or iPad is to get a SD card adapter from Apple and do a direct transfer from the memory card to the Apple device. If you have a. Odeon iPad the transfer is very fast. 

[DaveFr]

1 hour ago, jeb_bud said:

For me, the best way to transfer photos from the camera to iPhone or iPad is to get a SD card adapter from Apple and do a direct transfer from the memory card to the Apple device. If you have a. Odeon iPad the transfer is very fast. 

Agree 100%.  But what is an Odeon iPad?  😊

 

Dave

[Travelcat2]

Again, thank you for suggestions........ I am waiting to receive my misplaced cable for the Camera.  Once I have it and have it charged, I'll do some photos. 

 

Also do not know what an Odeon iPad is but it sounds interesting.

 

Bob - you are so gracious to not only provide us with amazing photos and commentary but to allow the discussion of posting photos on your thread.  

[UUNetBill]

13 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

My Canon has it to but it would not work on the ship.  Did yours work?

Jackie, yes, mine works, but only to connect the camera to my mobile device.  What I do is turn on the WiFi on the camera and then go to my iPad and go to the WiFi settings and connect my iPad directly to my Nikon.  From there I can copy all of my photos directly to my iPad and go from there.  

 

If you're setting up a point-to-point connection like that you’re completely independent of the ship’s WiFi -that will have no bearing on it whatsoever.

 

What Model Canon do you have?  I can look at the documentation and see if that’s the way yours is set up... 

[boblerm]

3 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

Bob - you are so gracious to not only provide us with amazing photos and commentary but to allow the discussion of posting photos on your thread.  

Jackie, as far as I am concerned, anything that people can share that can provide useful information that can enhance someone's cruise experience, (and especially can enhance the ability to post trip reports that I love to read) is fair game.  I have learned so much reading Cruise Critic over the years!

[Travelcat2]

So, for those of you that will be happy to learn that I am an idiot when it comes to certain technical things, my Canon is not the camera that has Wi-Fi - it is my Samsung WB350F.  I did find the connector for this camera and it is currently charging.  The camera has "21X optical zoom", "Tag & Go - Wi-Fi/NFC and "Hybrid Touch Screen". I am going to try to make this work but no guarantees.  Again, thank you for your help💓.

 

P.S.  If anyone is interested in a Canon "Full HD", PowerShot SX280 HS Wi-Fi camera (for no cost other than shipping), let me know. It is a good camera but I have no clue how to work it (no battery but I have the charging cable).  I may be giving away my Samsung camera if I can't get it to work.  

 

Edited August 26, 2019 by Travelcat2

[DaveFr]

1 hour ago, Travelcat2 said:

So, for those of you that will be happy to learn that I am an idiot when it comes to certain technical things, my Canon is not the camera that has Wi-Fi - it is my Samsung WB350F.  I did find the connector for this camera and it is currently charging.  The camera has "21X optical zoom", "Tag & Go - Wi-Fi/NFC and "Hybrid Touch Screen". I am going to try to make this work but no guarantees.  Again, thank you for your help💓.

 

P.S.  If anyone is interested in a Canon "Full HD", PowerShot SX280 HS Wi-Fi camera (for no cost other than shipping), let me know. It is a good camera but I have no clue how to work it (no battery but I have the charging cable).  I may be giving away my Samsung camera if I can't get it to work.  

 

Jackie, here’s a link to the manual on the Canon website for your SX280: (https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/details/cameras/point-and-shoot/long-zoom-cameras/powershot-sx280-hs?tab=manuals.  BTW, according to the Canon website, your camera does have a wi-fi capability.

 

Dave

[jeb_bud]

21 hours ago, DaveFr said:

Agree 100%.  But what is an Odeon iPad?  😊

 

Dave

I think that’s hipster for modern. 

[boblerm]

Continuing with some shots and info about some of the ports we visited that time did not allow for posting from the ship.

 

Harstad

 

We crossed the arctic circle to arrive here.

 

We enjoyed a nice sail in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our tour  to the Trondenes Historical Center and Church was in the afternoon.  Our tour guide's name was Abdullah, and as you might have guessed is from Germany.  Long story.

Anyway, Abdullah told us that he did this tour in the morning, and the feedback he got that there was way too much free time spent at the church and center., too much standing around.  So he decided to "call an automatic" and take us to a scenic area beforehand, assuring us that we would have ample time at the sites.  Good call, Abdullah!

 

We drove to a town called Kasfjord, enjoying lovely sights along the way.

 

 

Kasfjord was a beautiful setting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a miniature city made of recycled materials.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One area that this cruise was lacking in was wildlife sightings.  This was about as good as it got

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or perhaps this?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Trondenes Historical Center is an exhibition gives an insight into the Harstad region's history from the  stone age to the present day, with emphasis on the Viking and Middle Ages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There wa a Nazi prisoner camp near here, and on display are the prisoner cards of 410 prisoners known to have died there.

 

 

The exhibition was interesting, but for me, the highlight was the outside

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drying codfish

 

 

 

 

More wildlife sightings!

 

 

From here it was a short walk to the 13th century Trondenes Church

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monument to Nazi victims

 

 

Another beautifully maintained cemetery

 

 

 

 

 

And a scenic ride back to the ship.

 

Edited August 27, 2019 by boblerm

[flossie009]

3 hours ago, boblerm said:

 

 

 

Hope you asked permission of this Regent guest before you took her photograph  🤣🤣

 

Fabulous photos, especially the beautiful scenery. Thank you 😊

[boblerm]

1 hour ago, flossie009 said:

Hope you asked permission of this Regent guest before you took her photograph  🤣🤣

 

I will respond in the style of John Barron-

This is not a Regent guest, but a guest of a competing cruise line.  For legal reasons , I am not allowed to name the line, but it starts with an S and ends with eabourn.

Just kidding!!!!😁

[boblerm]

I mentioned early on that we were originally scheduled to sail on the Scenic Eclipse, but due to shipyard delays, our cruise was cancelled, and the maiden voyage was to be the cruise after ours, which is how we came to be taking the cruise that we did.

 

I just caught up with a trip report on that cruise on the Eclipse, and the ship did sail.  All I can say is that we are so fortunate that the cruise that we were booked on was cancelled, and that we were not on the maiden voyage.  It seems that the Eclipse was no where near ready to sail on August 15.  It looks like it went far beyond usual maiden voyage glitches, here is a sample of what the passengers were faced with when they boarded.

 

 

Contrast that to what we saw when we boarded the beautiful Regent Seven Seas Explorer.

 

Soooooooo lucky!

 

 

[UUNetBill]

27 minutes ago, boblerm said:

I mentioned early on that we were originally scheduled to sail on the Scenic Eclipse, but due to shipyard delays, our cruise was cancelled, and the maiden voyage was to be the cruise after ours, which is how we came to be taking the cruise that we did.

 

I just caught up with a trip report on that cruise on the Eclipse, and the ship did sail.  All I can say is that we are so fortunate that the cruise that we were booked on was cancelled, and that we were not on the maiden voyage.  It seems that the Eclipse was no where near ready to sail on August 15.  It looks like it went far beyond usual maiden voyage glitches, here is a sample of what the passengers were faced with when they boarded.

 

 

Contrast that to what we saw when we boarded the beautiful Regent Seven Seas Explorer.

 

Soooooooo lucky!

 

 

Wow.  I'd have been cheesed seeing that on my cruise - real cheesed.  Totally unacceptable, IMO.

[Maxmann65]

@boblerm You have upset my planned retirement activities. I originally planned to retire December 6 and take the Amazon cruise in December which ends in MIA and stay on the Mariner for the World cruise and then start jumping ships to finish my bucket list. The company had me agree to not retire but take a sabbatical. After reading your reports along with a few others, I am back to thinking I do want to retire and see these amazing places while the body will let me.

 

Thanks so much for sharing. I so enjoy your story telling style and look forward to your next trip.

[Travelcat2]

3 hours ago, boblerm said:

I mentioned early on that we were originally scheduled to sail on the Scenic Eclipse, but due to shipyard delays, our cruise was cancelled, and the maiden voyage was to be the cruise after ours, which is how we came to be taking the cruise that we did.

 

I just caught up with a trip report on that cruise on the Eclipse, and the ship did sail.  All I can say is that we are so fortunate that the cruise that we were booked on was cancelled, and that we were not on the maiden voyage.  It seems that the Eclipse was no where near ready to sail on August 15.  It looks like it went far beyond usual maiden voyage glitches, here is a sample of what the passengers were faced with when they boarded.

 

 

Contrast that to what we saw when we boarded the beautiful Regent Seven Seas Explorer.

 

Soooooooo lucky!

 

 

 

Thank you so much for posting that.  We were also interested in Scenic.  I just did a search - looking for a review.  Instead of a review I found an article from Cruise Critic that calls Scenic Eclipse a "premium" cruise line.  This really surprised me - especially since CC tends to call Azamara, Oceania and Viking Ocean luxury.  Here is the article https://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=1128

 

[boblerm]

10 hours ago, Maxmann65 said:

@boblerm You have upset my planned retirement activities. I originally planned to retire December 6 and take the Amazon cruise in December which ends in MIA and stay on the Mariner for the World cruise and then start jumping ships to finish my bucket list. The company had me agree to not retire but take a sabbatical. After reading your reports along with a few others, I am back to thinking I do want to retire and see these amazing places while the body will let me.

 

Thanks so much for sharing. I so enjoy your story telling style and look forward to your next trip.

Thank you, Maxmann65,  so sorry to be playing a role in messing up your plans!😁

 

All kidding aside, while I would never deign to give life advice to others, my philosophy is that those of us that are so blessed to have the means and opportunity to do the things that we love should do it while we are able, and savor every moment.  We never know what life has in store for us.

[boblerm]

13 hours ago, UUNetBill said:

Wow.  I'd have been cheesed seeing that on my cruise - real cheesed.  Totally unacceptable, IMO

It's actually much worse than it looks.  The person posting said that there were rooms that the door didn't close properly, showers not working, no room safes, lights coming on in the middle of the night, no tvs, .....  Happily, as the cruise progressed, these issues have been resolved, and the poster says that things have improved significantly.  But clearly, I have dodged a bullet here, if they chose to attempt launch 10 days earlier, that would have been me.

 

11 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

Thank you so much for posting that.  We were also interested in Scenic.  I just did a search - looking for a review.  Instead of a review I found an article from Cruise Critic that calls Scenic Eclipse a "premium" cruise line.  This really surprised me - especially since CC tends to call Azamara, Oceania and Viking Ocean luxury.  

I think that whatever they choose to call it, luxury, premium, or whatever, the Scenic company is going to need to prove itself and earn it's designation.  So far, given that the ship was delayed almost a year, and was clearly not ready to sail when it did, they have a long way to go before I would even think about booking with them.

[DeepFreeze63]

1 hour ago, boblerm said:

It's actually much worse than it looks.  The person posting said that there were rooms that the door didn't close properly, showers not working, no room safes, lights coming on in the middle of the night, no tvs, .....  Happily, as the cruise progressed, these issues have been resolved, and the poster says that things have improved significantly.  But clearly, I have dodged a bullet here, if they chose to attempt launch 10 days earlier, that would have been me.

 

I think that whatever they choose to call it, luxury, premium, or whatever, the Scenic company is going to need to prove itself and earn it's designation.  So far, given that the ship was delayed almost a year, and was clearly not ready to sail when it did, they have a long way to go before I would even think about booking with them.

 

I'll laugh AFTER our Feb 6th Inaugural cruise on the Splendor. Here's what I posted sometime ago on that cruise's Roll Call: "I've been in on a new ship build so I know that we will have some interesting happenings as she gets use to the sea. should be fun with stories to be told!  Hope not TOO much "fun"!

I did promise (before boblerm spoiled us) to do a "Sorta" on that cruise; hopefully some of the CCers on board can help with the photos. I'll be on the Explorer (5th time) in September and will plan for a February comparison with the Splendor. Any specific interest to include in the comparison?

Edited August 28, 2019 by DeepFreeze63
misspelling