Saturday 20th August 2022
Southampton
After breakfast we locked the house up and loaded the beemer for the short trip to Southampton. Out on the M3 we made good time, slowing down slightly through the roadworks. In Southampton traffic was queueing to get to Gate 4 and the Queen Elizabeth 2 terminal. The last mile took 20 minutes.
We arrived at the terminal and parked in the CPS line, first in the row, within 5 minutes our car had been handed over and we dropped our cases at the bag drop. With only about ten people in the queue we were checked in and on board by 11:30.
It was too soon for our room to be ready so we checked in at our emergency muster station then walked along to Alfredo's Pizzeria for lunch. I think more people have realised that this is an option, as before we had finished our salad starter all the tables were full and there was a queue of about ten waiting for a table.
After lunch we sat and watched the safety video. With that and the muster station check in, we had completed the safety requirements. With our cabin ready, we were in when our cases arrived. So we unpacked before going up to the lido deck for sail-away. After a few music tracks, a dance by the ships entertainment and a couple of drinks we sailed out of Southampton on the Sky Princess.
The captain played the Love Boat theme on the ships horn a few times on the way out. Clearing the approaches and the NAB tower we changed for dinner.
Dropping down to Ciello diningroom we had a reservation and were soon sat eating dinner. We have decided that we prefer this dining room so have a reservation most nights.
After dinner it was time for our first show of the cruise, a comedian called Paul Adams. After his show we strolled down to "Princess live" for a quiz. We did reasonably well but nowhere as good as the "win at any cost" teams. After a final stroll along the main deck we retired for the night, setting our clocks forward one hour to Norwegian time.
Sunday 21st August 2022
At Sea
A late start due to the time change. As it's a sea day it doesn't really matter, all day and nothing special booked. Upstairs for breakfast, before trivia, then time chilling out in Take 5 jazz bar, which is nice and quiet during the day. We ordered lunch on the Medallion App but when it still hadn't arrived an hour and a quarter later we cancelled the order and went up to the buffet instead. After lunch we found a sette area in the Wake Bar area that was protected from the wind. Sat in opposite ends of the sette, it was extremely comfortable.
Later dropping back down to the Promenade deck, Jackie went to a meet and greet with her facebook group where the Captain and some of his senior officers also made an appearance. Martin found a spot to read his book with a nice coffee.
After a relaxing afternoon it was time to get ready for our first formal night of the cruise. Showered and dressed in our best frock and suit we made our way fown to dinner.
After dinner we spent an hour or so in Princess Live taking part in a "Where in the World" Quiz. Today we learned that there is no letter J in the periodic table and Columbia had a seacoast on both the Pacific and the Caribbean sea. With all that wonderful new knowledge it was time for bed.
Monday 22nd August 2022
Haugesund, Norway
Waking up and opening the curtains we watched the approach to Haugesund as we made a cup of tea.
Fjords have a U-shaped profile as they were carved out by glaciers. They are steep sided and deep right up to the shore. We appeared to be very close to the shore as we swung across to our berth, but Captain Heikki had it in hand.
With the ship alongside we went up for a leisurely breakfast before dropping down and off the gangway. The 1 kilometer walk into town and along to King Harold Fairhead's statue was pleasant as the sun was shining. Snapping a few photographs we returned through town and the pedestrian precinct for a little window shopping. We had to buy Martin some deodorant as he left his at home. Then walking back over the bridge into the dock. We were back on board for a light lunch in the atrium.
With the local town visited we spent the afternoon chilling until dinner.
The evening show was a violinist called Christopher Watkins and his show "Fireworks on four strings". He was very good and the audience enjoyed the performance. When we came out of the theatre, we walked up the stairs to our room. Every landing had about 6 staff cleaning and hoovering. We haven't got a clue why, maybe we will find out tomorrow .
Tuesday 23rd August 2022
Skjolden/Sognefjord, Norway
When the alarm clock went off at half six this morning, we regretted setting it until we opened the curtains. Seeing the walls of the fjord sliding past in silence was surreal. After watching for a while we remembered why we set the alarm in the first place, we have an excursion today.
Quickly washing and dressing we dropped in at the International Cafe for breakfast, then into the diningroom to meet our tour group. Walking off the ship and the 800 m along the shore we arrived at the RIB dock (RIB - Rigid Inflatable Boat).
Once we were all kitted out in dry suit, gloves, wooley hats and lifejackets we boarded the RIB. Easier said than done. Getting your leg over the saddle between the handholds with the drysuit on is not dignified. Once all ten of us were seated we were off down the fjord at speed. For the next hour we saw a glacier and a few little villages.
Back at the dock we got out of the protective clothing and walked the rest of the way into Skjolden. Not a large town just a shop, a hotel, some houses and a tourist information. A few photographs later we strolled back to the ship for lunch.
Later we watched sail-away and the start of our 200km journey back down the Sognefjord to the sea.
Wednesday 24th August 2022
Olden, Norway
Out of one fjord and into another. Our route out of Sognefjord and into Nordfjord.
Slightly later start this morning. We need to meet our tour group at 9:15. As we woke early to watch the ship sail up the fjord. We climbed the stairs to breakfast. Eating outside, the veiw was beautiful. Dropping down to Princess Theatre, we were soon ashore and on our coach. Last on sitting right at the back, we had a good view over everybody else as our seats are raised.
After a short drive we arrived at Loen Skylift and with tickets in hand , joined the queue for the trip in the cablecar up Mount Hoven. The five minute ride up was spectacularly steep. This cablecar has only one supporting pylon and that is on the top of the vertical cliff. The view from the top was a beautiful panorama. The wind was brisk but ok. Riding the near vertical drop of the cablecar on the way down was exhilarating. Almost freefall, well nearly.
Back on the bus for a driving tour. We drove along the fjord to Stryn then to a little village called Hjelle for a veiw of the glacier that we can't visit due to the avalanche in June. Then back on the bus for the return trip.
Sailing from Olden for the 100km trip back down Nordfjord to the sea.
Thursday 25th August 2022
Trondheim, Norway
We have heard a lot of people complaining about minor problems over the time we have been cruising but today leaving breakfast, we heard our new favorite.
"My grapefruit was too cold this morning! I asked for room temperature"
Talk about first world problems.
On our own in Trondheim today. Getting off the ship we turned left instead of right with eveybody else. Crossing the river on a pretty footbridge lined with raised flowerbeds, we found our way up an easy incline to the Citadel. As we were arriving a ship's tour was just leaving so we explored in peace.
Leaving the citadel we dropped down hill to the river again. The direct route to town was very steep but we were going down, so not so bad. We felt sorry for all the other tourists struggling up the hill, panting and puffing. At the steepest section we found the bicycle lift. A cable assist for cyclists going up hill.
Crossing the old bridge we arrived at Trondheim Cathedral. Snapping a few photographs of the statues.
Two statues on the Cathedral
One lost his head and the other has a basket full.
Then it was a short stroll through town, back to the ship.
After sailaway it was time for a quiz, then German night in the buffet. Bratwurst all round with some sauerkraut maybe. Then a hypnotist stage show before bed.
Friday 26th August 2022
At Sea
Sea day, a day of relaxing, drinking coffee and doing trivia. Breakfast outside in the Wake Bar as usual.
After lunch a talk by Simon Weston. (Falklands Veteran). Then back to the room to get cleaned up for the Captain's circle party before dinner. Formal night so best suit and frock.
Saturday 27th August 2022
Honningsvag, Norway
Today we are on a tour to Nordkapp (71°N). The furthest point north on the European continent. After meeting in the Princess Theatre, we walked down to the gangway and tagging ourselves off the ship with our medallions walked ashore.
A short walk down the pier we found our coach for the hour trip to Nordkapp. Passing reindeer on the way, we climbed up into the cloud. Arriving at Nordcap still in the cloud, we made our way through the visitor center and out to the globe. We had to wait quite a while to actually get a photograph without anybody in the shot. The problem as always is not the people taking photos of themselves. It's the ones who stand there after looking at their pictures. Grrrr
Having achieved the photos we wandered into the gift shop and then the cafe for a coffee and danish. With our time up it was back on the coach for the drive back to Honningsvag.
Dinner and an early night. It's hard work holidaying.
Sunday 28th August 2022
Tromso, Norway
Nice easy start today as we are in port until 10pm tonight. Breakfast delivered to our stateroom by room service. Finishing our coffee as we docked, we started the day. Leaving the cabin we dropped down to the gangway and off of the ship.
A short walk through the dock area brought us to the local bus stop. Joining the queue of all the passengers who didn't want to pay the $20 each for the shuttle bus. 50NOK (£5) got us tickets into town.
Getting off of the bus we decided to walk over Tromso Bridge to the Arctic Cathedral. After looking around for a while our single tickets were still valid, so we jumped a bus back over the bridge to the town centre.
Ducking into a tourist-tat shop to avoid a rain shower, Jackie tried a piece of whale salami. As it was Sunday not much was open. So after wandering around for a while we caught another bus back to the ship for coffee, lunch and a warm up.
In the afternoon with the weather worsening we braved Tromso again. Just over the road from the ship was the Alpine Botanical Gardens. We spent half an hour walking around the plants and rockeries. The rain was getting heavier so we found a dry bench under a shelter to wait out the shower. Unfortunately it wasn't a short shower, it just got progressively heavier. During a slight improvement we took our chance and walked back to the ship.
Back on board we hung our wet clothes in the shower and grabbed an afternoon cream tea.
In the evening we had dinner in the buffet before taking in the show.
Monday 29th August 2022
At Sea
Woke up earlier than we expected this morning. The phone was ringing, hung up before we could answer it. Probably a wrong number. Only seven o'clock so back to sleep. Woke again at half eight, much better. Dressed and up for breakfast before morning trivia.
While we were eating breakfast a humpback whale came by. After surfacing a couple of times he/she raised their tail and slipped below the waves, out of sight.
In the afternoon we attended the second meeting with Simon Weston. The first had been a formal presentation about his life & career. This time it was an informal, question and answer session. A capacity crowd both times with a direct vidio link to a second venue(Vista Lounge) for those people that couldn’t get a seat in Princess Theatre.
Then we chilled out until dinner. After dinner it was back to the Princess Theatre for a Lennon & McCartney tribute act. "Just John and Paul", They were very good with their Beatles tribute and also amusing. Then it was time to retire.
Tuesday 30th August 2022
At Sea
Gentle start on this second sea day in a row. Breakfast, trivia, lunch and chilling. Moving around the ship every couple of hours for a change of scenery. Moving from chilly, fresh air on the outside deck to comfy and warm inside. At lunch the Captain came on the PA and announced that covid cases on board were rising. Not too much concern for us, as we have been wearing masks in crowded indoor settings and thoroughly washing our hands at every oppertunity.
The Captain now recommends wearing masks and already we have noticed more people wearing them. We know there will be some who don't, but you come across that stupidity everywhere.
Back to our room to shower and change for dinner. Alfredo's Pizzeria tonight for a change. Then down to the Tea Circle in the atrium for a double expresso americano before the show.
Tonight's show is a comedy juggler "Steve Rawlings". Yes, he was amusing and he juggled, so tick. Then bed.
Wednesday 31st August 2022
Alesund, Norway
Breakfast and ashore for the climb up to Aksla Viewpoint (418 steps). Getting on to the jetty Martin realised that he had left his wallet in the stateroom safe. Ten minutes later he was back on the jetty with wallet in hand. Making our way through town and the park to the bottom of the steps, we started up. Stopping strategically "for the view" we were soon at the top. As it was still early, there were only a few of us up top. We got our photographs and started on down. To meet the hoards of people coming up. Glad we were going down, we eventually got back to the town park. The local nursery kids were riding trikes with no brakes down a very steep hill in the park and having a great time
Walking through town to the quay we saw the pretty old buildings and a fireboat. Returning on board for a well deserved lunch and chill. Peace and quiet in Take 5 we had a cappuccino delivered using the Medallion App.
Dinner in Cielo Dining room before watching Rikki Jay a comedian in the Vista Lounge at the back of the ship.
Thursday 1st September 2022
Bergen, Norway
We were alongside at 06:00 this morning. Woken by the thrusters pushing us on to the jetty. Opening the curtains at seven o'clock we saw nothing due to the fog. As we prepared for the day the fog started burning off.
Ashore and a two kilometer walk through town to the old quarter. Arriving we enjoyed the leaning / twisted buildings. It was still early, so we only had to contend with one coach party. Dodging them we got a peaceful opertunity to study and photograph the wooden buildings. Guess they didn't have a spirit-level or plumb-bob when they built these, because nothing is straight, level or plumb. They are conserving them, weird angles and leaning walls, so will remain and not be replaced by new steel and glass buildings.
Moving on we saw a German sail training ship called "Alexander von Humboldt" and a modern motoryacht called "Vanish", worth 90 million dollars, without the Airbus H135 helicopter parked on it.
Wandering into Bergenhof Castle we strolled around. Seeing a large modern ships bridge appear over the battlements was strange. Walking back to the ship through the now opening fish market.
Back on board by 11, we had a coffee and then watched sail-away. Looks like somebody missed the ship because there was a last minute delay and a meeting between ship staff and port security before we left.
In the evening we got seats in Princess Live for a trivia about Movie Theme music. Not because we expected to do well, which was good because we did terribly. The main reason was to have seats when the next event started. Sarah Vanderplank the Assistant Cruise Director was putting on her own show. A musical production of songs that been important to her getting to where she is now. She was excellent. Then once again after a wonderful day it was time for bed.
Friday 2nd September 2022
At Sea
Last full day on board, so lazy start. Up for breakfast in the sun in the Wake bar. Then down to the Princess Theatre for a cooking show by the Head Chef and Maitre'd. When it finished we kept our seats for the audience with the Captain. He was very interesting. Some passengers were complaining that they missed the Northern lights last night and the Captain apologised. The lights were behind the ship and couldn't be seen from the bridge.
We spent the afternoon packing our cases as we are going home tomorrow. Then a last dinner in the Cielo diningroom.
After dinner we went to the theatre for a variety show with Alison Ward and Just John & Paul. We saw John & Paul the other night and they were excellent, we will see how Alison does tonight.
Alison was OK, did a medley of Carpenter songs and ABBA songs. Then Just John and Paul, last time they did the early Beatles hits, this time doing thrvlater hits. Yet again they were excellent.
Then it was back to the cabin to finish packing and settle down for the night, having set our watches back to UK time. Alarm set for 06:30 so we can have breakfast before we get booted off.
Saturday 3rd September 2022
Southampton
Pulling into Southampton this morning for the end of another fun adventure. Time for one last breakfast before leaving the ship.
Finding our car went smoothly. We rolled out of the dock and up the M3 to home. Stopping at the supermarket for milk and lunch stuff as the fridge is empty.