Live from Queen Victoria - 12 November - Norway and Northern Lights

[tacticalbanjo]

I’m currently onboard the QV with my husband and daughter. We’re seasoned but unusual Cunarders in that we are both in our 30s and are travelling with a toddler. Day to day we dress pretty casually so we don’t see eye to eye with the people who claim that no jackets mean the world is caving in but we do enjoy making an effort on our Cunard trips. 
 

We had a 2.30 embarkation time which normally we would mutter about but with a toddler this was ideal for a leisurely morning, lunch then a nap in the car. Our trip was very smooth and we sailed down the motorway and all the way through Southampton. The traffic was so smooth that my husband managed to sail past dock gate 10 simply because he was used to getting stuck in a queue of passengers. 

 

Embarkation was smooth. There was no queue at check in but a bit of a queue for security. The security queue kept moving though and we were on board swiftly. 

Annoyingly when we got to our room we discovered that we had been assigned open dining. Since our toddler has some allergies we prefer to have a fixed table so we had to run down to the dining room to see if we could swap. This wasn’t a problem and we were giving a table on first sitting right away. I’m certain that we would have booked early dining and we booked full fare a year out so I was a bit irritated but it was sorted easily and with no fuss. I don’t mind the odd hiccup as long as the customer service is right when it happens. 
 

After a trip to our muster station we headed to the Lido in search of a snack for the toddler. She was very pleased with her slice of pizza!

 

After some unpacking we got ready for dinner. Our table is right at the back of deck 3 so not idea if the toddler is grouchy but we are by a window and if it was light out, it would have a wonderful view out of the rear of the ship. Toddler highly approves of Cunard food and tonight was no exception. My husband and I felt like the menus are a little tired - it feels like we have seen these ones a lot and it would be nice to see some new menu items. But the quality of the food is always good. The toddler was distracted with ice cream so the grown ups got to have tea and coffee and petit fours. Unfortunately the toddler decided that she liked chocolate mints and stole my husbands so he had to make do with a piece of shortbread. 
 

There’s no night nursery tonight so while most of the ship is eating dinner we’re headed for an early night. Which given that we often have a 5.30am wake up call is no bad thing.

 

Here’s hoping for a wonderful day at sea tomorrow!

[Host Hattie]

Thanks for posting, have a great time. 

[tacticalbanjo]

Today was a nice slow day for me on QV. We had a nice breakfast in the Lido which the toddler promptly stole from me because it was much better than Weetabix then headed to the Chart Room to await the kids club opening. Unfortunately we were sat in the other half of the Chart Room and couldn’t attract the attention of the one waiter who appeared to be working so we went caffeineless as nothing else was open at that time. 
 

Husband went to kids club where he enjoyed plastic food cooked on a plastic barbecue while I went to the Commodore to work on my crochet and enjoy the sea views. 

 

Then it was time for lunch. We stick to the Lido for lunch because it seems unfair to ask a 21 month old to sit through two 3 course meals in one day. We both enjoyed the duck stirfry. 
 

All the sea air meant that me and the toddler were in need of a nap and we both had a wonderful sleep with the North Sea to rock us gently to the land of nod. The husband sampled the delights of the Golden Lion instead. 
 

Then onto more kids club for him and the hobby and craft meet up for me. I really enjoy these meet ups where I can chat to fellow crafters about what they are making.  This was in the Admirals Lounge which is a much cosier venue than the Yacht Club which is where it used to be. 
 

Tonight was the Black and White ball so we all dressed up to enjoy a delicious if beef wellington followed by baked Alaska. The waiters kindly brought the toddlers dinner with our starters to avoid a meltdown. She also had a beef wellington and particularly enjoyed the potatoes. Food is very subjective but we’ve always enjoyed the food on Cunard. Our beef was cooked to perfection and we both commented on how much we enjoyed the baked Alaska. But no doubt someone will come along to tell you how horrible it was!

 

Night nursery was not successful for us tonight (I’m sure it was absolutely nothing to do with the ice cream!) so I’ve headed for an early night while the husband enjoys the Golden Lion. 

The clocks go one hour forward tonight so an hour less sleep for everyone except us because the toddler doesn’t know about time zones. Here’s hoping for another great sea day tomorrow. 

[techteach]

@tacticalbanjo I’m so glad you are enjoying the craft meet up. I also crochet and the meet up is a highlight for me. How many are participating? I certainly hope no one is causing you grief for being a crocheter rather than a knitter.

[tacticalbanjo]

13 hours ago, techteach said:

@tacticalbanjo I’m so glad you are enjoying the craft meet up. I also crochet and the meet up is a highlight for me. How many are participating? I certainly hope no one is causing you grief for being a crocheter rather than a knitter.

There were 7 crafters and 2 observers yesterday. 
 

No mention was made of me being a dreaded crocheter! 😂

[tacticalbanjo]

It was a bit rough overnight and I felt like I was about to be rolled out of bed at any moment. There were also two massive bangs at one point. I took a precautionary sea sickness pill and tried to go back to sleep. By the time we got up things were a lot calmer but the promenade deck was closed due to the high winds.

 

On our way to breakfast we noticed that the dreaded bags were out. 

 

Unsurprisingly breakfast at the Lido was pretty empty as people slept in due to the time changed and being kept awake by the movement of the ship. 

 

After a little while in the kids club I headed to the Chart Room for a coffee. Then straight onto lunch. We tried for a pub lunch but didnt manage to beat the crowd coming out of the Claire Balding talk so had to settle for the Lido which was also packed. Again the food was good and there was plenty of variety. 
 

All that eating led to a nice nap for me and the toddler then onto the craft meet up while husband and toddler went to kids club. There were some new faces and the craft meet up and we all had a good chat. The hour went by very quickly. 
 

Being on early dinner means you feel like you are heading for a meal every 5 minutes so before we knew it was time to get ready for dinner. I had vegetable samosa and a vegetable biryani which were both delicious. Unfortunately my sticky toffee pudding was missing its ice cream but we were close to a toddler tantrum so we put up. The wait staff are incredible with my little one and her dinner is brought out early so she doesn’t get hangry and they make sure mummy and daddy get all the way through to the petit fours before the toddler gets too tired to be in public. 
 

Night nursery was successful (until now at least!) so we’ve swapped the toddler for a pager to enjoy the Newfoundland Folk Duo in the Golden Lion. 

[exlondoner]

I think quite a number of the crew are probably missing their own young children so are delighted to see your toddler.

[tacticalbanjo]

After the Golden Lion last night we headed to the Yacht Club for the silent disco. I know a lot of people frown on them but the room was packed. I know I’d prefer a packed dance floor to an empty one. And we had a good time until we had to collect the toddler. 

Today we woke to a dark Alesund but it slowly got lighter as we got ready and visited the Lido for breakfast. We didn’t have a tour booked so just walked around for a bit taking in the Art Nouveux architecture and scenery. It really is a beautiful place.
 

Back on board we headed to the pub for lunch. I love my Golden Lion fish and chips to Michel Roux best not interfere with it too much! My meal was as good as ever even if the toddler did steal my mushy peas.

While eating dinner there was an announcement that the Northern Lights had just been spotted so everyone rushed outside. It’s quite cold out and they look grey to the eyes but at least I’ve seen them. After we dropped the toddler off at night nursery we went out to look again and they had got brighter. 

 

We’re very much enjoying this trip so far and to see the Northern Lights is the cherry on the cake. 

[Host Hattie]

Thanks for another great report and lovely photographs. 

 

[tacticalbanjo]

For anyone thinking of trying Nordlys, we had a great meal there last night. The service was excellent even if they were bringing chairs through to set up for breakfast while we were eating.

 

We both went for langoustines to start

then the seafood sharing platter

and the trio of desserts

 

Midway through dinner the lights came out again so we whipped outside to see them. 


Just as we were about to sit down in the pub the dreaded pager went off which meant that the toddler had woken and couldn’t be resettled. The staff were very apologetic even though they can’t help not being mummy. But we were both in agreement that being able to even get out for the evening and be the people we were before the toddler came along for a few hours was special. 

[NE John]

6 hours ago, tacticalbanjo said:

For anyone thinking of trying Nordlys, we had a great meal there last night. The service was excellent even if they were bringing chairs through to set up for breakfast while we were eating.

 

We both went for langoustines to start

then the seafood sharing platter

and the trio of desserts

 

Midway through dinner the lights came out again so we whipped outside to see them. 


Just as we were about to sit down in the pub the dreaded pager went off which meant that the toddler had woken and couldn’t be resettled. The staff were very apologetic even though they can’t help not being mummy. But we were both in agreement that being able to even get out for the evening and be the people we were before the toddler came along for a few hours was special. 

I always feel good that part of my fare pays for the “Kiddies” services. That great service benefits everyone: those without children by keeping kids occupied and not taking over the ship (bored kids = problems) while parents/grandparents can enjoy a night on the town knowing their kids are well taken care of. 
@tacticalbanjo thank you for taking us along for the ride with your commentary and pictures. 

[exlondoner]

8 minutes ago, NE John said:

I always feel good that part of my fare pays for the “Kiddies” services. That great service benefits everyone: those without children by keeping kids occupied and not taking over the ship (bored kids = problems) while parents/grandparents can enjoy a night on the town knowing their kids are well taken care of. 
@tacticalbanjo thank you for taking us along for the ride with your commentary and pictures. 

All the children I have met on Cunard have been well behaved and seemed to be having a great time. Don’t know how they do it. I have met a couple of thoughtless teenagers, but their awareness was easily raised!

[tacticalbanjo]

Yesterday was another lovely sea day except for the toddler teething which meant that we had to deal with extreme but understandable crankiness. 
 

It was interesting seeing the mix of people out in their gala evening finery and people togged up in case we got the announcement that the Northern Lights were visible. 
 

Our meal in Britannia was great. Both of us went for the chateaubriand and it was so tender you could have cut it with a spoon. The toddler thought her spaghetti bolognese was incredible and made a big mess of herself. RIP the tablecloth. We had skipped dinner the previous night but our head waitress Desiree Mei (who has been fantastic the whole trip) sent the menus ahead to our stateroom so that we could order the toddlers low salt meal ahead of time. We really have been looked after well. 
 

 

The toddler was very excited to see the lights of Tromso when she woke. She was less excited about the reality of having to wear a big hat and gloves. We had a bit of a stroll around, I picked up some souvenirs at the Sami Shop and then we headed back to the ship in time for lunch. 

Tromso is really very beautiful and it would be nice to spend more time but alas our time is controlled by a tiny dictator who is too frightened that she will miss out on something to nap in the buggy so we have to nap on the ship. So onto nap time!

[3rdGenCunarder]

Your tiny dictator is learning how to travel well. You can nap anytime, but don't miss the sights! 

[tacticalbanjo]

9 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

Your tiny dictator is learning how to travel well. You can nap anytime, but don't miss the sights! 

I think she would have been glad to miss out on all the yucky snow today! She didn’t want to look at it, touch it or stand on it. But she was very taken with a taxidermied reindeer in a gift shop. We asked her to pick a stuffed toy to take home but she only had eyes for this magnificent creature.  

[tacticalbanjo]

Yesterday turned to snow in the afternoon so it didn’t look promising for the husband’s Northern Lights tour but he did see some lights and some reindeer. But I think he mostly got cold due to the deep snow they were standing in and annoyed at all the people on the tour who couldn’t or wouldn’t turn their flashes off meaning his eyes couldn’t adjust. 

 

I go on my tour tomorrow so fingers crossed for clear skies!

 

Today we have been at sea and treated to some wonderful coastal scenery. 
The toddler gets really enthused about looking off the side of the ship and whenever we go out on the balcony is straight onto one of the chairs to properly take it in. 
I went to the Claire Balding talk at 11am which was heaving. I’m a big dog fan so enjoyed the talk immensely - it made me want to FaceTime my dog back home!

 

The husband saved us a table in the pub so that we could enjoy a pub lunch again. The toddler was not amused at having to wait for hers to cool but I understand that things like fish and chips just come off the line how they come off the line. 
 

In the afternoon I left dad freezing in the outdoor area of the kids club so the toddler could get some fresh air and headed to the craft meet up. I’ve been enjoying these sessions as I rarely get to talk to other crafters.

 

Dinner was again excellent. So much so that the toddler polished off most of a salmon fillet then Mummy’s lemon sorbet and most of her own jelly portion. Then she tried to steal Daddy’s chocolate. I think she is going to be very disappointed to go back to regular food when we get home. 
 

That brings us up to now when I’m in the pub enjoying some live music with a cocktail on the go waiting for the dreaded pager to summon us back. 

[3rdGenCunarder]

Nice pictures!

There were some people using their flashes on my lights chase, too. The guides asked them to turn off the flash, but they didn't. 

[techteach]

@tacticalbanjo I am thrilled you are getting to share this voyage with your toddler. I can just see him/her climbing up onto the chair and commenting on the sea going by…and dinner…oh my what memories you are making! Thanks for sharing your family with us.

[Millieloulou]

Try to read your posts before anyone else’s.Really enjoy reading what a good time you all  are having.And the photos are quite amazing.

[tacticalbanjo]

It’s nice to hear that people are enjoying my posts. It’s been fun to put them up and share with you all. 
 

When I left you last night we had just settled into the pub for live music. At 9pm there was a game of Full House Party Bingo where they played 90 songs and you had to get a full house to win.

 

We were having a lot of fun playing then the Officer of the Watch announced that the lights were visible so we rushed outside to look. When we came back the game was over but we were glad we had been out to look. And as a bonus the toddler stayed asleep until we came to collect her so we enjoyed the whole evening to ourselves. 

 

 

The weather in Narvik was cold but dry and we had a nice walk up to the War Museum.

 

 

We tried the toddler in the snow on the way in but she didn’t like standing in it and was very upset that it got on her boots. She cheered up when we got inside and they had lots of things for her to look at. She was very enthusiastic about the vehicles on display. 
 

 

Then we had a nice walk back to the ship for a spot of lunch and a nap. 
 

I’m off out on my Northern Lights tour tonight and the forecast is showing partly cloudy so we probably won’t get an amazing view if they do come out but hopefully I see something. And if not, we have had a few sightings on this sailing even if they weren’t as spectacular as the sailing before. We will just have to come back again!

[Host Hattie]

Beautiful photographs again, good luck for tonight.

[whydoineedaname]

Loving your post, so happy you get to see the lights.  Wife and I are going next November.  Quick question, are the pools/hot tubs open?  I know it's cold but sometimes it's nice to be in a hot tub with frost about.

[DaisyUK]

Enjoying reading about your sailing and hope you continue to enjoy. Great pics, thanks for sharing.

[tacticalbanjo]

7 hours ago, whydoineedaname said:

Loving your post, so happy you get to see the lights.  Wife and I are going next November.  Quick question, are the pools/hot tubs open?  I know it's cold but sometimes it's nice to be in a hot tub with frost about.

The pools have been drained since the rough seas earlier in the voyage and the doors from the Winter Garden to the Pavillion Pool have been closed since it got very cold but the hot tubs are open and there were several people braving them this afternoon. 

[MrsPeel55]

I am enjoying your posts so much, we started travelling with my daughter from 7 month old, some of our most amazing memories were made with her as a toddler.... like yours, our girl started enjoying great food very early....  your photos are so beautiful, thanks so much for sharing!!!! ❤️