A Northern Summer(?) on Navigator

[Boats07]

On 8/13/2023 at 6:56 AM, flossie009 said:

A new design of Regent pen that we have not seen before

 

 

That might fall in to our luggage at the end of the cruise 😉

 

 

We were on the Navigator in July and asked for another pen.  Both are now living in AZ with us!!!!

[flossie009]

Yesterday the weather was very kind again, with it only starting to rain just as we returned from our excursion in Trondheim.

 

First stop was the impressive cathedral

 

 

 

 

 

Some very strange sculptures in the museum grounds opposite

 

 

 

Not sure that we were any the wiser having read the title of the work

 

 

[flossie009]

Then it was off to the main event, the music museum

 

 

Our guide led us round the old house, playing various keyboards on the way

 

 

 

After a short piano recital in the converted cow shed we were left to explore other parts of the museum with its impressive collection of instruments

 

The obligatory gift shop had suitably themed offerings

 

 

[flossie009]

This morning there was a “Blue Nose” ceremony to celebrate our having crossed the Arctic Circle.

The Norse Gods & attendants arrived in style before a rousing rendition of “Let it be!” from Frozen. Then for some hardy souls it was the ritual of cold water over the head, a glass of something warming and a blue nose 🥶

 

 

 

 

 

[2012_Alaska_bound]

1 hour ago, flossie009 said:

Then it was off to the main event, the music museum

 

One of the best excursions I've been on! When I realized you all were going to be there yesterday, I regretted not telling everyone to do this tour!

He was our guide last year too. Very talented and patient with our many questions.

[Gilly]

5 hours ago, 2012_Alaska_bound said:

One of the best excursions I've been on!

We agree!  It's interesting how often we refer to that very special day.  As I read @flossie009's account and spotted a familiar face, I felt pleased you'd enjoyed Trom's delightful company too.

[crusin7]

A few more photos from the Arctic Circle.  The guests who were crossing for the first time had a pot of ice water or a ladle of ice water poured on their heads.  Surprisingly most chose the pot!

Captain and Michael 

 

[crusin7]

We are in Honningsvag today. We chose the transfer to the North Cape.  We had done this excursion years ago and it was so foggy and windy we had zero visibility.  Today we lucked out!  Cold, clear and less wind.  

 

The northern most point  in Europe accessible by road.  

 

[flossie009]

We chose to go on a “Bird Safari”, and from the boat saw lots of different species including Puffins and majestic Sea Eagles. Plus a small whale and some grey seals in the water.

 

 

 

 

 

Cold but clear; it started raining as we boarded our bus for the return trip across the island - lots of reindeer to be seen grazing either side of the road.

Only 15 of us on this paid trip so not crowded on the bus or the boat.

 

Hot chocolate with Kahlua went down well on our return to Navigator

 

 

 

[Techno123]

@crusin7 did your last photograph look like this one 😂😂

[crusin7]

Ha Ha!  Yes exactly.  
We woke up this morning to NO power.  The Navigator lost all power at 0300.  I was up at 0400.  Luckily it was already light outside.  The Captain made an announcement at 0630.  He expects to be functional soon.  About 0645 toilets flushed…YAY!  0655 lights and AC restored.  It’s 0720 and the ship’s engines are not up yet.  We were supposed to be docked in Hammerfest at 0800. Worst part no coffee!

[crusin7]

Update 0805 all engines working.  On our way to Hammerfest!  Coffee is ready!  They will be serving a hot lunch with all venues opening early.  

[flossie009]

I understand that the problem occurred when the Captain heard that all public service vehicles can get free electric power in Norway 😉

Unfortunately the ship’s extension lead would not stretch from Honningsvaag to Hammerfest 🤣 😂

 

We were very relieved when power was restored ………… and hot coffee arrived.

 

I bet Navigator’s Chief Engineer and engine maintenance crew were under extreme pressure during the night. Well done to them for getting the problem fixed 🙂

[labonnevie]

Flossie,

Enjoying your reports.
Any chance you could find out if Ray Solaire will be back on the Navigator for the November Istanbul to Dubai cruise?

Thank you and enjoy your cruise. 

[RELS]

@flossie009, Your descriptions and photos really make me want to take this itinerary! It looks like Mariner has it in '24 and '25 as part of the Grand Arctic  Adventure. Now all I have to do is convince my spouse...

[crusin7]

Passing through the Norwegian Fjords on our way to Leknes.

 

 

[flossie009]

8 hours ago, labonnevie said:

Any chance you could find out if Ray Solaire will be back on the Navigator for the November Istanbul to Dubai cruise?

Ray takes over from Dru as CD in Amsterdam at the end of this cruise.

(I understand that he is joining the ship a few days early, in Edinburgh next week, as he doesn’t like flying)

 

 

[NCCruzQueen]

On 8/13/2023 at 3:56 PM, flossie009 said:

A new design of Regent pen that we have not seen before

 

 

That might fall in to our luggage at the end of the cruise 😉

 

 

It’s a very pretty pen but, unfortunately, not the best writing one, sorry to say.

[flossie009]

51 minutes ago, NCCruzQueen said:

It’s a very pretty pen but, unfortunately, not the best writing one, sorry to say.

Ours writes very well

[NCCruzQueen]

1 hour ago, flossie009 said:

Ours writes very well

Good to hear!

[flossie009]

Some photos from our tour today in the Lofoten Islands:

 

 

 

A facility for the upkeep of the local fishing fleet - a huge tonnage of fish being landed in this area.

Last night David had the fresh Norwegian Halibut brought on board a couple of days ago. The chef says he has also acquired some local Hake for the menu.

 

Although the weather was cool, we saw some brave souls swimming in the icy waters of the fjord

 

A beautiful view from our balcony on Navigator today. The building on the left is a new fish farm research facility.

 

 

Tonight we are in Leknes port till 8pm then we set sail south towards the Scottish Islands then overnight in Edinburgh (Leith) next Tuesday / Wednesday 

 

 

[flossie009]

Navigator will be in dock for a refresh from September 09 to 21.

Mainly technical work but also some carpets being replaced and the teak planking on the Pool Deck will be spruced up.

 

We were also glad to see that Regent are progressively changing the balcony door mechanisms to make them easier to open.

 

 

Having suffered sticking and/or whistling doors in the past on other ships (especially Explorer & Splendor) we hope this retrofit is introduced fleet wide.

 

 

 

[seasickphil]

5 minutes ago, flossie009 said:

Navigator will be in dock for a refresh from September 09 to 21.

Mainly technical work but also some carpets being replaced and the teak planking on the Pool Deck will be spruced up.

 

We were also glad to see that Regent are progressively changing the balcony door mechanisms to make them easier to open.

 

 

Having suffered sticking and/or whistling doors in the past on other ships (especially Explorer & Splendor) we hope this retrofit is introduced fleet wide.

 

 

 

@flossie009

 

Balcony doors are indeed a challenge to open, my wife still has a rather large bruise on her arm after losing her balance when trying to open ours on Splendor last week.🥲

[flossie009]

@mrlevin

GM Michael sends his regards. He is missing you ………. and the Norwegian beer.

[mrlevin]

8 minutes ago, flossie009 said:

@mrlevin

GM Michael sends his regards. He is missing you ………. and the Norwegian beer.

I miss the daily happy hours with Michael; and the BELGIAN beer.  I sure hope Michael moves to Mariner at some point as I won't be on Navigator until October 2025.

 

Marc