Live Report: Suddenly, I’m Going to Norway!

[kazu]

Great reports and pics, Miss G.

 

Really enjoying following along with you.

 

Just found out my friends are on this cruise too.  Wow!

[*Miss G*]

Wow!  Thanks everyone!  It’s so beautiful here that it’s difficult to choose a photo to post, they are all so gorgeous.

 

12 hours ago, fusion927 said:

 

Is the bow access Wheelchair/scooter friendly?

 

Thanks for all the pictures and information... About 41 days until we will be onboard!

 

 

I shall take a look and/or ask the crew the next time they open the bow.  I have a vague recollection of some ramps set to the side but there was a large “lip” to step over to get out there.  Plus it was extremely windy so I’d definitely be hanging onto my kids (if I had them) so they don’t blow away.

 

Speaking of kids… there are quite a few of them onboard.  Mostly babes (we saw one of the officers with his wife and child) a few toddlers, and the rest are under 10, I would say.

 

And speaking of officers… we see them out and about all the time.  It’s nice that they no longer have to isolate due to Covid because I was beginning to think it was all passengers and no officers during the first post-cruises!

[*Miss G*]

DAY TEN

Wednesday, May 31st

Molde, Norway

Weather:  50f/10c - Light rain

 

As we approach the port of Molde, I see lots of sunken islands and shoals in the channel.  I wouldn’t want to lose engines in this area, that’s for sure.

 

 

Following breakfast, we enjoyed a few moments of studious colouring before José popped in with his vibrant personality.  We just love this guy.

 

Then it was time to go out.  It’s still tulip time here!

 

 

I had hoped to spend oodles of kroner on this visit but came back to the ship with kroners intact.  I think it’s too early in the season but I was hoping to find a nice fleecy or something.  Oh well.  Maybe next port.

 

We wandered the streets and the mini mall then made a FaceTime call to our parents to check in and check up.  

 

A lovely fountain statue from our walk.

 

 

 

Back on the ship and back to Club Orange.  Dinner was a lovely Norwegian cod.  It was delicious.

 

Following dinner, we passed by the B.B. King lounge where we caught José and our art instructor energetically leading the guests on the dance floor to the tunes of the DJ.  José is such a hoot.  You are going to love him.

[Sharon in AZ]

Really loving your reports and pictures. And no, you are not posting too many pictures!  Absolutely beautiful!

[*Miss G*]

DAY ELEVEN

Thursday, June 1st (white rabbit, white rabbit, white rabbit)

Alesund, Norway

Weather:  45f/7c - Scattered clouds << Scratch that - RAIN

 

Today, we are in Alesund, Norway.  This picture was taken to show you where the HOHO bus stop is (circled).  The perspective is from our balcony, as we were docked, so you would leave the port from the left-hand side of the picture.  

 

 

Follow the green footprints to the town shopping district.  When you emerge from the tunnel you have a choice of going left or right.  We went right towards the Parken KulturHus district where there are lots of pretty little streets for shopping.

 

The kayakers begin their adventure.  The Parken KulturHus district begins where you see the red arrow.

 

 

 

The rain held off until we got outside.

 

 

 

 

We had given up our quest to find @Turtles06 fish and chips shop when we happened upon it coming back on a different route.  @Turtles06, my sister and I both agree that this place wins the best cod in the world challenge!  (So far.)

 

 

Yum!!

 

 

The view from the fish and chip shop.

 

 

The view next door.  I loved the different coloured tables and chairs.

 

 

Now — giving kudos to Jafs for the best fried cod, and thanks to @Turtles06 for the recommendation — for us, Whitby, England, still wins in the best halibut and chips category.  This trip is turning into The Great Cod Cruise Quest! as we have been having some really lovely fresh Norwegian cod onboard (and off board) at every opportunity. 

 

Speaking of fish… as we were leaving the ship we saw lots and lots of cases of fresh fish being onboarded so it looks like we’re in for more treats!

 

Edited June 2, 2023 by *Miss G*

[Turtles06]

48 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

 @Turtles06, my sister and I both agree that this place wins the best cod in the world challenge!  (So far.)

 

48 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

Now — giving kudos to Jafs for the best fried cod, and thanks to @Turtles06 for the recommendation — for us, Whitby, England, still wins in the best halibut and chips category.  This trip is turning into The Great Cod Cruise Quest! as we have been having some really lovely fresh Norwegian cod onboard (and off board) at every opportunity. 

 

So happy that you found and enjoyed Jafs!   I am sure you will continue to have wonderful fresh fish throughout your cruise!

 

And what a small world thing for you to mention Whitby, which we visited last fall on a fabulous UK tour.  Had a great fish & chips lunch there; my notes say it was cod.   I don't think it was my first time having mushy peas, but it was my first time really loving them.  (They didn't make it into the photo below, but they were there.  🙂 )

 

 

Small bonus photo because we were blown away by the Abbey.  Thanks again for sharing your cruise; keep having a great time!

 

 

 

[*Miss G*]

DAY TWELVE

Friday, June 2nd

Flam, Norway

Weather:  62f/17c - Sunny!

 

Good morning from Flam!  What a gorgeous day.  I think this has been our favourite stop so far!  The scenery is beautiful and the area so peaceful.  I could live here.

 

Sailing into Flam.

 

 

View from the aft deck.

 

 

Scenes from a trolley ride.  I had to be quick with these!

 

 

 

 

 

The obligatory waterfall.

 

 

Don’t you just love this garden?!

 

 

 

So pretty.

 

 

Do not fall on me.  Do not fall on me.  Do not fall on me.

 

 

Watch out for that rock!  And that car!  And that ship!!

 

 

Edited June 2, 2023 by *Miss G*

[*Miss G*]

36 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

 

 

So happy that you found and enjoyed Jafs!   I am sure you will continue to have wonderful fresh fish throughout your cruise!

 

And what a small world thing for you to mention Whitby, which we visited last fall on a fabulous UK tour.  Had a great fish & chips lunch there; my notes say it was cod.   I don't think it was my first time having mushy peas, but it was my first time really loving them.  (They didn't make it into the photo below, but they were there.  🙂 )

 

 

Small bonus photo because we were blown away by the Abbey.  Thanks again for sharing your cruise; keep having a great time!

 

 

 

 

Oh my gosh, how crazy is that?!!  Here are my fish and chips from Whitby… and I’ve even got the mushy peas for you!  😂

 

[*Miss G*]

Last of the shopping and ship scenes from Flam.  

 

 

Oh hello.

 

 

There was even a craft fair!

 

 

Goodbye Flam.  It was lovely to see you.

 

[ontheweb]

My DW would surely love the combination of mushy peas and a crafts fair.

 

She used to make stuffed animals and sold them at crafts fairl. Her cows would sell out immediately, but the rest not so well. But, making only cows bored her.

[cruising sister]

31 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

DAY TWELVE

Friday, June 2nd

Flam, Norway

Weather:  62f/17c - Sunny!

 

Good morning from Flam!  What a gorgeous day.  I think this has been our favourite stop so far!  The scenery is beautiful and the area so peaceful.  I could live here.

 

Sailing into Flam.

 

 

View from the aft deck.

 

 

Scenes from a trolley ride.  I had to be quick with these!

 

 

 

 

 

The obligatory waterfall.

 

 

Don’t you just love this garden?!

 

 

 

So pretty.

 

 

Do not fall on me.  Do not fall on me.  Do not fall on me.

 

 

Watch out for that rock!  And that car!  And that ship!!

 

 

I loved Flåm too

[highscar]

When dad moved into a seniors home he took his old crock pot to make mushy peas.  Yuk. Again yuk.  

[bennybear]

How fun!  Such lovely weather in Flam!  The fish looks great,  we will stay tuned until you hit Anchorage, lol!  

[Turtles06]

Great photos. What fabulous weather in Flam!

[*Miss G*]

Flam sailaway.  No idea why these people are all wrapped up.  I was in my cardie and loving it!

 

 

 

These jet-skiers are loving the wake.

 

 

It’s 10:00pm!

 

 

[*Miss G*]

@fusion927, I asked the crew at sailaway whether someone in a wheelchair or scooter could gain access to the bow.  They said — and I quote — “If they can walk, then yes.”   😳   I kid you not.

 

Tonight we had fresh Norwegian redfish.  It was delicious!!  I forgot to bring a camera.  Sorry.

 

Oh.  Can I mention the giant veal chop I had last night?  OMG.  SO good.

[fusion927]

3 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

@fusion927, I asked the crew at sailaway whether someone in a wheelchair or scooter could gain access to the bow.  They said — and I quote — “If they can walk, then yes.”   😳   I kid you not.

 

Sounds like a non-answer to me 😵‍💫 But actually works for us (she can walk short distances and it's a light scooter I can carry over any threshold.

 

Thanks again...

[*Miss G*]

FYI to those who are interested.  I am posting using Verizon TravelPass.  I turned it on in Flam, sailaway started at ~ 6:30pm, it is now 10:30pm so we have been traveling through the fjord for miles and I am still getting service.  👍

[VMax1700]

2 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

I forgot to bring a camera

I don't remember if you mentioned it, but what type of camera are you using?  The posted images are amazing.

[*Miss G*]

10 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

I don't remember if you mentioned it, but what type of camera are you using?  The posted images are amazing.

 

It is an iPhone XR, with a few of the pictures being a regular iPad.  I agree that the XR takes amazing pictures.  I just love technology.

[*Miss G*]

12 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

FYI to those who are interested.  I am posting using Verizon TravelPass.  I turned it on in Flam, sailaway started at ~ 6:30pm, it is now 10:30pm so we have been traveling through the fjord for miles and I am still getting service.  👍

 

We are now in Bergen and I am still posting against my 24 hour pass.  I turned it off around 11:30pm and still had 4 bars.

 

Speaking of 11:30pm!!…

 

[*Miss G*]

FLAM continued…

 

Following dinner we went to Beatles trivia… and we won!!  No prizes; just the glory.  To congratulate me, I ordered a coffee and amaretto.  Don’t do this if you’d like to get some sleep.  Seriously.  I blame José.

 

I made my sister join me in B.B. King’s.  Things seemed a bit off with the band.  We left after the first set.

 

 

On 5/29/2023 at 2:32 PM, syesmar said:

I love Eidfjord! Next time I visit, I want to rent one of those little E-cars or a car from a gas station and spend more time at Voringsfossen! Our excursion only gave 20 minutes there, the waterfall was a sight to behold!

 

@*Miss G* What an adventure you’re having! Thanks so much for sharing! 

 

The E-cars!  I took a picture because I thought I would love to rent one too.  They would be perfect for Eidfjord or Flam!  Especially Flam.

 

[*Miss G*]

Shall we talk about door bangers?  How have so many people gone through life without learning how to close a door?!   The balcony doors are the worst.  In and out, in and out, in and out.  Make up your freaking mind!!  Is it in, or is it out?  Choose one and stick with it.  Back in the day, our parents made us go back and shut the door quietly until we learned not to do it again.  It didn’t take too many lessons for that one to sink in.  Apparently others are a lot thicker than I am.

[*Miss G*]

DAY THIRTEEN

Saturday, June 3rd

Bergen, Norway

Weather:  56f/13c - Sunny ☀️

 

Bergen.  We didn’t do any research for this port but, to be fair, we didn’t do research for any of the other ports either.  One doesn’t have time for that when one books last minute.

 

We are docked at an industrial port and Clare says it’s a 1.5 mile walk to town.  We opt to stay onboard and enjoy some peace and quiet.  (And a little rest.)

 

The mountains are gone and only hilly areas surround us.  I miss you, beautiful mountains.  Now that I know this, my next Norway cruise will go further north.

 

I have never seen so many very tall people in my life!  People are ducking their heads so they don’t hit the ceilings and the door jams.  I feel positively hobbit-like.    

 

We’ve noticed more and more people with debilitating coughs and chest congestion.  I can’t tell you the amount of people who don’t think coughing and sneezing requires covering their mouths.  I suppose it is only a matter of time before I succumb.

[ontheweb]

24 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

DAY THIRTEEN

Saturday, June 3rd

Bergen, Norway

Weather:  56f/13c - Sunny ☀️

 

Bergen.  We didn’t do any research for this port but, to be fair, we didn’t do research for any of the other ports either.  One doesn’t have time for that when one books last minute.

 

We are docked at an industrial port and Clare says it’s a 1.5 mile walk to town.  We opt to stay onboard and enjoy some peace and quiet.  (And a little rest.)

 

The mountains are gone and only hilly areas surround us.  I miss you, beautiful mountains.  Now that I know this, my next Norway cruise will go further north.

 

I have never seen so many very tall people in my life!  People are ducking their heads so they don’t hit the ceilings and the door jams.  I feel positively hobbit-like.    

 

We’ve noticed more and more people with debilitating coughs and chest congestion.  I can’t tell you the amount of people who don’t think coughing and sneezing requires covering their mouths.  I suppose it is only a matter of time before I succumb.

Hang in there. Be positive. DO NOT SUCCUMB!