A BERGEN MORNING AND TO THE SHIP:
Again we were up at 0500 and then off to breakfast at 0700. We really enjoy the breakfast here and the location of the Clarion Admiral is very much to our liking. Looking outside, the skies are over cast, so we lingered in our room for a bit awaiting daylight. Just before 1000 the some blue sky was noted and we struck our for the morning. As the skies were clearing we made our way to the Floibanen funicular, riding to the top of Mount Fløyen! This gives one amazing views the city and the surrounding hills. There were many people on the funicular taking their skis and sleds.
We enjoyed the views and took several pictures. It was cool but not that cold with a mild wind. We paid our respects to the Troll and soon made our way down the mountain. We were the first to board and got nice seats up in the front. Attached you will find the videos of parts of our descent.
Being a little after 1115, we decided it was time again for a traditional reindeer sausage. 3 for 3 Yes, they are that good and not to be missed.
On the way back to the hotel we made a quick stop at the grocery, buying some snacks. When in Norway one must have a supply of Kvikk Lunsj. Kvikk Lunsj (Quick Lunch) is the name of a chocolate bar by the Norwegian chocolate sweets manufacturing company Freia, launched in 1937. Yes, these are essential to the Norwegian people as they head out on a journey.
Back at the hotel we quickly pack up, checked out and went to the lobby to await a taxi to take us to the Ferry Terminal.
We had an excellent taxi driver and a most enjoyable ride to the Hurtigruten Terminal. The cab was well worth it over trudging over the snow covered walks and streets. Our driver told us this is the most snow they have seen here in the past 10 years. We also had a very nice discussion about the metric system and conversion.
At the Hurtigruten Terminal, we dropped our checked bags and went to the departure lounge. Here we have the offerings of coffee and tea and assorted pastries. There are lots of nice seating areas to relax and work should one desire. I am hearing English accents and French thus far.
There is not a safety drill on the ship as Hurtigruten has a separate theater here in the terminal where the safety drill is held. It is a very nice animated film offered in Norwegian, English, and German. This is very convenient.
As I have mention before this is our third sailing on the MS Midnatsol and we will be in the same stateroom. The Midnatsol was previously named MS Maud. The name was changed when she went from Expedition Service to the Coastal Express Service (ferry). She can carry 500 passengers and I am expecting only about 350 on this sailing. There is no formal night, no shows, etc etc. There is the amazing Norwegian Coast and Expedition Team lectures. One’s dress code of “expedition casual” is strictly enforced. I love it all.
At 1530 we were able to check in and receive our boarding information. Then 1600 boarding. Cabins ready at 1800. Dinner this evening was Buffett style. A Welcome aboard presentation at 1930. Our cabin was available early so we dropped our bags and went to dinner. Dinner was excellent, offerings as follows - a fish and beef choice, spuds, veggies, many many salads, cheese, soup etc etc etc .
Our Room
After dinner we returned to our room to unpack. As this is our third time in this room, unpacking went smoothly and quickly. Then it was 1915 and time to head to the Welcome Aboard briefing. Each evening there is a briefing about the next day’s plan. The Welcome briefing was presented by Sondre, our Expedition Leader. He introduced the Captain and Sr Officers to us. The Captain told us he will be leaving for his vacation when we arrive in Tromso. Then we will get a new Captain and maybe some other crew and officers. From previous sailings, we have learned that Hurtigruten employees have a month on/month off long term contract. The crew on past cruises love their jobs and it shows in the service we have received.
Our Costal Experience team is three persons. Sondre, the Expedition Leader is from Norway. He is an environmental engineer and will be doing presentations on Sustainability and other topics. The Assistant Expedition Leader is Emely and she will primarily focus on excursions and port information. She is from Germany and now lives in Norway. The third and and final team member is Inger who will offer presentations on the Nature and Culture of Norway. She is also from Norway.
All ships announcements are made in Norwegian, English, German, and French. Yes the Welcome Briefing was presented at different times in different languages. We learned there are 350 guests onboard from all over the globe. My guess is there are only 4-6 passengers from the USA. Brits, Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders, these comprise the English speaking sector. There are passengers from Finland, France, Germany, Mexico, Japan and China. It’s A Small World After All. It was in November the MS Maud was renamed MS Midnatsol and placed in service on this ferry route. This is not a “Cruise” but was described as a “Glorified Ferry”. During this voyage North and South we will be making 34 stops lasting 15 minutes to 10 hours. With all these stops we were told to plan on constant noise as we arrive and depart each port. Tomorrow we will be in Alesund for 10 hours and this will be our last day to see the sun for the next 9 days.
The weather looks promising and the seas are expected to be calm (2 meters). We finished unpacking and went to Deck 9 for the sail-away.
Sleep was calling as we are still adjusting to the time change.
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