Venture - Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland - Aug 7-21 As live as we can be!

[highplanesdrifters]

Greetings from Oslo. It took 2 days and three legs for us to get here. All went seamlessly. We apparently traveled in an alternate universe of no lines and uncrowded airports. Even our bags were at the hotel before we arrived. The dreaded Heathrow was a delight. Polaris lounge had plenty of seats.

Minor hiccup, no airport transfer from Seabourn showed up at OSL. Fortunately taxis at Oslo are easy.

 

For those of you joining us on the Venture please feel free to join the thread. The more the merrier, however "rules of civility" shall apply.

Lovely view from the Grand Hotel

Empty Houston

Twilight Zone

Immigration at Heathrow. I told you it was a alternate universe.

Skoll

 

This is the subway tram at IAH. It was more like a Kidde Car ride to the petting zoo.

[robertmartha]

Highplains...can't wait to travel along with you! Enjoy !

Bob

[SDuckers]

I'm in Houston and I'm blown away at the pictures of the empty IAH international terminal!

[ChicagoAlli]

Beautiful shot from the balcony! Regarding the airport transfer--in one of my many conversations with Seabourn I was told that the transfer would only be good for arrivals on Saturday. Since I cannot leave before Friday, hopefully there is a transfer person at OSL at noon on Saturday (and hopefully my bag shows up--I realize I am cutting it a bit close considering European issues this summer but I have faith that my connecting airport of Zurich will work well).  The efficient train is an option to get to downtown Oslo also.

 

Re: Heathrow transfer picture...I assume you transferred in T2 (United/Star Alliance), which I believe has had fewer issues than BA T5. I switched my connection from Heathrow to Zurich because United cancelled my original outbound flight and rebooked me on a tight connection in Heathrow. No bueno.

 

If you haven't done so before, be sure to check out Vigeland Park. Some real interesting public sculptures! 

[rkacruiser]

9 minutes ago, ChicagoAlli said:

If you haven't done so before, be sure to check out Vigeland Park. Some real interesting public sculptures! 

 

Agree!  Thor Heyerdahl's The Kon-Tiki Museum is worth a visit as well.  

[highplanesdrifters]

2 hours ago, SDuckers said:

I'm in Houston and I'm blown away at the pictures of the empty IAH international terminal!

It was freaky.

[highplanesdrifters]

15 minutes ago, ChicagoAlli said:

Beautiful shot from the balcony! Regarding the airport transfer--in one of my many conversations with Seabourn I was told that the transfer would only be good for arrivals on Saturday. Since I cannot leave before Friday, hopefully there is a transfer person at OSL at noon on Saturday (and hopefully my bag shows up--I realize I am cutting it a bit close considering European issues this summer but I have faith that my connecting airport of Zurich will work well).  The efficient train is an option to get to downtown Oslo also.

 

Re: Heathrow transfer picture...I assume you transferred in T2 (United/Star Alliance), which I believe has had fewer issues than BA T5. I switched my connection from Heathrow to Zurich because United cancelled my original outbound flight and rebooked me on a tight connection in Heathrow. No bueno.

 

If you haven't done so before, be sure to check out Vigeland Park. Some real interesting public sculptures! 

Wishing you safe and on time travels! 

[billichka]

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the new vessel.  Enjoy!

[RetiredandTravel]

Looking forward to following your adventure on this beautiful looking ship.  Cheers!!

[highplanesdrifters]

4 hours ago, RetiredandTravel said:

Looking forward to following your adventure on this beautiful looking ship.  Cheers!!

Thank R&T. It's your job to keep this market together while I'm gone.😉

[carefreecruise]

good luck, and wish to hear if its the same protocol as Silversea on Covid testing and quarantine.  

 

Also lots of pictures of the ship if you have a chance, so tired of looking at the renderings... 

[highplanesdrifters]

49 minutes ago, carefreecruise said:

good luck, and wish to hear if its the same protocol as Silversea on Covid testing and quarantine.  

 

Also lots of pictures of the ship if you have a chance, so tired of looking at the renderings... 

Will do.

 

We have just come off the SILVERSEA Cloud in June, and will be on the Wind on October. Should make for some fun comparisons. 

 

Here is a link to the Cloud trip. We had an amazing time.

 

 

 

[PACruiser5]

Please post pictures of the ship! We are on the next sailing - Aug 21 from Reykjavik so really interested in your information. Also in what the Covid testing is like. 

Thanks so much!

[RetiredandTravel]

1 hour ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Thank R&T. It's your job to keep this market together while I'm gone.😉

 

You obviously haven't seen my investment performance. 😟  Have fun!!

[Covepointcruiser]

Can’t wait to hear about the ship Md how you like Svalbard.    We really enjoyed our one visit and the 24 hours of daylight was crazy.    We are on the Venture for her 9/4 cruise and we are more than ready for cooler weather in Greenland.

[highplanesdrifters]

The Grand Hotel has been nothing but Grand. Classic European with a modern twist. Interesting art collection. 

 

We dined with friends at the Grand Cafe. Guess what? It too was Grand. Opening in 1874 the cafe was the place to be for 'Kristianibohems'. Ibsen, Admundsen, Viegland and many others called it home.

 

A little Food Porn

Halibut with enoki and beurre blanc

 

A giant bowl of muscles in white wine cream sauce

Crispy chicken with spinach & gnocchi.

All the plates were scrubbed clean!

[TLCOhio]

On 8/3/2022 at 3:30 PM, ChicagoAlli said:

If you haven't done so before, be sure to check out Vigeland Park. Some real interesting public sculptures! 

 

Super appreciate these posting and details from highplanesdrifters about your upcoming Norway, etc., adventure.  Sure glad you are sharing wonderful and interesting visuals.  Keep it coming!!  Will be following along 

 

Agree strongly with ChicagoAlli that Oslo's Vigeland Park is totally awesome.  Visited there in 2008 and loved it all.  Much to see and do in and around Oslo.  

 

Look forward to lots of details and visuals from this Seabourn ship.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 244,710 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[highplanesdrifters]

18 hours ago, RetiredandTravel said:

 

You obviously haven't seen my investment performance. 😟  Have fun!!

I have completed faith in you. In fact....I bet you can even get us through this 4176 brick wall.

[highplanesdrifters]

PSA!

For those checking in, get a room away from the Rooftop Bar. Music blasts past 3 a.m.

Grand not so Grand after all.🤣

 

Great dinner at Uchi last night. Just a few blocks away. 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Delightful day and evening. A trip to to Bygdoy and dinner at Lofoton on the docks. 

 

PSA#2 Our friend was pickpocketed on The Fram going down the stairs on the ship.  He stopped them. Apparently it's a thing now.

Ferry to Bygdoy.

The Fram

Who doesn't love a good diorama. 

The model for Ventures cabins.

Kon tiki and Fram museum 

Fram museum 

 

Delightful evening on the docks.

I can't believe I didn't get tickets to Oral B and Pimp Lotion.

 

[Covepointcruiser]

So we will gets pics of the Venture when you board tomorrow.   Can’t wait to see them.   If you want a cabin like the one pictured you will have to trade with a member of the crew.   Of course you would share the cabin with at least one crew member.

[highplanesdrifters]

Alarm went off at 3:30a.m. to catch the 7:45 flight. We were the lucky ones . Our friends drew the early straw are were on the 5:45 flight.  Tough one.

They checked all our docs at the hotel and had covid testing for a fee. Smooth process. Busses were on time and comphy.  Check in took about an hour. 

Ready for take off.  Venture pics headed your way soon.

[Fletcher]

Some lovely polar bear footage over on the Facebook site.  Looks like you have been very lucky. 

[worcestergal]

We will be on Venture for the September 17 voyage from Greenland to Newfoundland. I would love to hear about the dining options on the ship, as well as who the CD and HD might be. Also curious about what activities are available on sea days. 
I hope you have an amazing cruise. I am sure that many of us are looking forward to your reports!

[twodjs]

We're on next February in Antarctica - if you wander into the spa area, a picture of the sauna with a window to the outside is shown in the promo - is it only co-ed or is there one in each of the locker areas? Thanks for any additional photos of the ship. Have a great voyage!