Live - NCL Prima - 06/23-07/04/2024 - Southampton, Belgium, Amsterdam, Norway and Iceland - Is it more beautiful than Alaska?

[Seas2mountains]

Ocean Music Fest in “Prima Club” works well when it is cold and rainy outside. 
 

Love how they can push the theater seats back but not all seats fo have a dance floor. 
 

It is packed in here at 10:35pm local time. 

[schmoopie17]

On 6/26/2024 at 11:00 AM, Seas2mountains said:

 

I have enjoyed several “Matador” drinks made by one of our favorite bar tenders, Froilan, who was in Henry’s Pub on the Spirit but is now in Prima’s Whiskey Bar. He said it is a copy cat with a modified ingredient. It tastes the same to me. I remember you also recommended this drink and it is one I really like. 
 

That's awesome! Love a good Matador.

 

And LOVING your pictures. WOW!!

 

Edited Friday at 09:00 PM by schmoopie17

[jmele999]

Hope that are you are enyoing your vacation.  Thanks for posting.

 

We are on the cruise right after yours.  I read somewhere that you went on the NCL sponsored Waterways of Amsterdam tour.   Would you happen to remember where the tour dropped you off?  Was it the same location where they picked you up?

 

Thanks

[Seas2mountains]

1 hour ago, jmele999 said:

Hope that are you are enyoing your vacation.  Thanks for posting.

 

We are on the cruise right after yours.  I read somewhere that you went on the NCL sponsored Waterways of Amsterdam tour.   Would you happen to remember where the tour dropped you off?  Was it the same location where they picked you up?

 

Thanks

Thank you. The tour started at the Amsterdam cruise terminal and ended at a dock near the cruise terminal. Have a wonderful cruise! 

[Seas2mountains]

The day in Bergen started out nice with partly cloudy skies but then got windy and it rained on and off the rest of the day. 
 

Photos of arrival in Bergen. 

 

Walking toward the Bryggen area. 
 

We started the tour on our own at the Bergen Fish Market. 
 

[Seas2mountains]

Next, we went to the Bergenhus Fortress and we paid to go in Rosenkrantz Tower which was estimated to have been built in the 1560’s.

There are 110 step steps up and down in mostly circular staircases. This should not be attempted by anyone with mobility concerns.

The rooms in the tower had minimal furniture. There were signs in each room with descriptions in English. 

There was a chapel in the tower with stained glass windows. 

The top floors were damaged when a ship docked near the tower exploded in 1944. 

Views from the top of the tower.  
 

 

[Seas2mountains]

Next, we saw the wooden buildings and read about the history in the Bryggen area. 

We weren’t as smart as @Ellis1138 who went immediately after disembarking as when we went to attempt to go up to Mount Floyen on the Funicular, the line stretched all the way down the street and we weren’t willing to wait. 

One street was being reconstructed with the traditional cobblestones. 

[Seas2mountains]

It started to rain at about this time. We paid to go inside Mariakirken (St. Mary’s Church) which was closing soon for a wedding. It is neat to think a building that is 900 years old is still being used for a wedding. This was built in the 12th century. 

Next, we went to Bergen Domkirken (Cathedral). We expected the Cathedral would be more elaborate but the art and wood carvings in Mariakirken were more impressive to us. 

[Seas2mountains]

The rain had stopped by this time and my husband was asking about the reindeer hot dogs I said were in Bergen. We went back to the Fish Market area where they were sold by several outdoor restaurant stands.  

We also went to several bakeries in the Torgallmenningen square area looking for Kvaefjordkake (World’s best cake) but didn’t find it. We will try again today in Alesund.  The Torgallmenningen area had an indoor mall with several restaurants. 

The McDonald’s photo is for @cruiseny4life

[AZSvensk]

Kvæfjordkake (verdens beste kake) is a very good cake. I prefer Bløtkake, a basic cream cake that's especially delicious with fresh Norwegian strawberries.

I sailed in Alaska a few years ago, and after exploring some Norwegian fjords, I believe Norway wins for its spectacular views. The landscape is amazing, and I haven't even been to Geirangerfjorden yet. However, the wildlife in Alaska is much better than in Norway. Thanks for the report and pictures.

[ontheweb]

In Bergen, we took the hop on hop off bus and first went to the University that had several museums. They were not open yet as the cruise came in early and left earlier then we would have liked. I wish they either had more hours there or started and ended later.

 

There were nice gardens at the University, so we walked through them until it was time for the various museums to open. The one DW wanted most was closed for renovations, so we ended up at a maritime museum there that was fascinating.

 

Next, we took the bus to the Kode Museums, several art and music museums. We especially enjoyed the paintings by Norway's most prominent artist, Munch and the Picassos.

 

On our to do list there was still the Aquarium and the Funicular, but I did not think we had time for either, but DW insisted we go to the Funicular., The line was not too terrible and moved. The views were of course spectacular. We lucked out and the hop on hop off bus came around only minutes after we left there. There were 2 different stops that said port, and we made sure we got off at the correct one.

 

We boarded the ship maybe 15 minutes or so before all aboard, but DW when I pointed out how close to boarding time we were noted that there was a long line behind us and that they would not raise the gangplank with people still on the line. As I wrote earlier in this post, I wish the time there was later in the day.

[odie1024]

Your pictures are beautiful and I cannot wait to go next year. 

[Ellis1138]

I had researched ahead of time, so we got our reindeer sausage at a place called Trekroneren. 

 

Today, I did the 8:30 am Hjorund Fjord Cruise. What an awesome time. I'll attempt a picture. 

[Seas2mountains]

We were successful at finding Kvaefjordkake today!  It was delicious! 
 

My husband liked the creamy layer and I loved the topping with almonds. 

[Seas2mountains]

Dinner tonight was at The Commodore Room. We arrived after 6pm and were seated immediately. 
 

We each chose the scallop appetizer. My husband ordered the blue cheese soup whilch he said didn’t taste like blue cheese but was more of a potato and apple soup. I had the Caesar salad. He got the Cagney’s Filet with up charge and I got the Hoki which was really good. 

 

[Seas2mountains]

We had a great day in Alesund. I’ll add photos tomorrow. 
 

When we got back on the ship, the skies were becoming partly sunny. We enjoyed a few hours at the Vibe with a bit of sunshine. The hot tubs and beautiful views of Ålesund were magical and just what we needed. This is the first time we have tried the Vibe. My husband loves it more than the Thermal Spa. We have passes booked on future cruises Viva and Joy. 

 

We love kids as we raised 5 of them and have 2 grandkids but we enjoy the peaceful environment that the Vibe offers. 

[PhillyTravelBug]

Lovely! Both are beautiful.  The views from high up in both cities are gorgeous.  That line for the funicular grows quickly, but was worth it.  I wish we had even more time in Alesund.  It was nice walking around and admiring the architecture.  Enjoy the sea day coming up.

[Seas2mountains]

We had a great evening listening to the music of Duo Essence followed by Familiar Strangers in the atrium. They added plastic chairs to the atrium which were needed as it was a popular area last night. We did not see the magician in the theater. 
 

Despite the common space being crowded at times especially on sea days, we are big fans of the Prima. We are using the thermal spa at a peak time and there are many people using it, too. But it doesn’t feel crowded. We had no problem finding heated lounge chairs.  And the best part is even with all these people, it is Quiet. The “Quiet Area” signs are effective it seems. 
 

We have had excellent service in every restaurant and bar. 

[Seas2mountains]

This morning, we enjoyed the extra hour we got with rolling our clocks back one hour. We get to do that again tonight.  
 

After a wonderful breakfast in Cagney’s, we played trivia for the first time. We got 14/20 and the winners, a team of 6 people got 18/20. 
 

Next, we went to the theater for the Captain’s Technical presentation and Q&A. It was such a great idea to have this in the theater as it was well attended and easy to hear with the exception of when the bingo cards were being sold in the back of the theater. It was very interesting to me and I appreciate that the captain took the time for this very well done event.  
 

We love the cruise director, Alvin, and have been fortunate to sail on ships in the past when he was the CD. He is very personable and down to earth. 
 

I took photos of every slide but won’t post all. 

[Seas2mountains]

We didn’t stay for the hotel operations Q&A as it was difficult for us to hear in the atrium on deck 7. 
 

Posting photos for those who may recognize some officers. 

[Seas2mountains]

Current ship location.  

[KasaMom]

57 minutes ago, Seas2mountains said:

Current ship location.  

Thanks so much for your live postings!  How are the seas in the North Atlantic?  This is the crossing I’m most concerned about with regard to seasickness. 

[www3traveler]

Thank you so much for taking to time to share your wonderful adventure.

 

I hope you continue to have a wonderful cruise and a safe journey home.

[Seas2mountains]

6 hours ago, KasaMom said:

Thanks so much for your live postings!  How are the seas in the North Atlantic?  This is the crossing I’m most concerned about with regard to seasickness. 

We feel some motion and it was a bit rockier last night but it has not been bad for us yet. We may not be the best judges of this as we don’t typically feel seasick even with rougher seas.  

[Seas2mountains]

3 hours ago, www3traveler said:

Thank you so much for taking to time to share your wonderful adventure.

 

I hope you continue to have a wonderful cruise and a safe journey home.

Thank you, Mandy! 😊