And We’re Off!

This is our first view of the ship, which we boarded using the walkway on the left. At all other ports we boarded using the gangplank which you can see below the lifeboats. There is also a large gangplank further to the right for cars and cargo. The ship could hold 10 cars, around 400 passengers, and a bunch of cargo.

The first picture is our cabin, which was comfy with a lot of storage space and a nice bathroom. The next pictures show the observation areas and a lecture hall where they would give presentations on the next day’s port, weather, etc. The last picture is our first sunset on the ship taken through our porthole.

We left Bergen in the evening and everyone went to the top deck to watch. We saw this swimming area and thought of our swimming granddaughters. They’d like this with a pool and a fenced off area in the bay. There were large cruise ships docked in Bergen, but they’re too large for most of the ports we docked at. The green fences in the water are a fish farm and there is a lot of fish farming all along the coast. The last photo is the gangplank for cars and cargo.

Our first stop was Ålesund. It was a two hour stop so we were able to walk through this beautiful little town.

The next stop was Trondheim. At the informational talk the night before we docked, they told us about beautiful Nidoros Catheddral. It was about a three mile walk and Bob’s leg was still hurting him, but we decided he needed the exercise, and we were glad we walked. It was a very nice day, and the cathedral was very beautiful. The last picture is just an island with buildings on it. They love to build on their islands, which would be fun, until a storm hits or winter comes!

The chef was very friendly and loved to share his cooking secrets. It’s Norway’s King and Queen. What’s this? We’re crossing the Arctic Circle, and this globe marks the spot.

When crossing the Arctic Circle they have a little ceremony - King Neptune arrives and then they dump ice water down any volunteer’s back! I actually went before Bob, but he missed taking a picture. 😬 They gave me a shot glass of delicious green stuff, which I asked Bob to HOLD for me, but he drank it all! He went next and convinced to me to do it again so our kids would believe that I actually did it. He got the picture this time (including his thumb), but they were out of the delicious green stuff!

Next stop: Tromsø