Day 15…Norway Cruise…Sea day…Two days and counting…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Fun Facts About Trondheim - Life in Norway
Not our photo. Trondheim, Norway, is the city we visited yesterday.

Note: I cannot add more photos today, other than the above, due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 4 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

In two days, we’ll disembark this ship in Amsterdam and are scheduled for the shuttle to Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, where we’ll fly to Reykjavik, Iceland, where we’ll stay overnight in a hotel to sail away on the Celebrity Summit the following day. Our scheduled cruise check-in time is noon, but we often arrive earlier and have no problem getting checked in.

Tom just left the coffee shop to head to our cabin to see how much cabin credit we have left. Any unused portion is forfeited, so I will purchase something in the shop to ensure we have nothing left when we disembark. The items in the shop are so expensive; it’s hard to find anything with almost $200 left. But I will figure something out.

Also, since we were overweight in our two bags, it makes no sense to purchase the ship’s logo wear or anything that would add to the weight of our bags.

This morning there is a fantastic brunch buffet in the main dining room. A few minutes ago, I toured the buffet to see what they had that worked for my way of eating, and there were more options than I could imagine. Since it’s a sea day with passengers filling up all the seats in the coffee shop and us needing to sit here to do the post, I may go eat on my own.

Tom has been having breakfast without me the past week while I stayed in the cabin to shower and dress for the day. I am not hungry early in the morning and prefer to eat closer to noon. Since he won’t be hungry by noon, I’ll probably wander over and grab a plate of the delectable offerings.

Last night was another fine evening. At 4:00 pm, we played trivia in The Living Room (losing, once again) and chatted with our two newly-made delightful friends from Edinburgh. By 6:00 pm, we returned to the cabin to change for dinner and headed to the Discoveries Bar for a drink before dining in the main dining room.

Once again, we sat at a shared table and, as always, had an enjoyable dinner with the other passengers at our table. After dinner, we did a little “bar-hopping” to listen to various quality entertainment while chatting with other passengers. As we expected, it’s been a very social cruise, and we couldn’t have had more fun.

In the next 48 hours, we’ll have packed our bags, leaving clothes out to wear on the last night and day since our bags will be taken away on Wednesday night and left at the port to pick up after we disembark. We are familiar with this process since this is cruise #31 in almost 11 years.

That’s it for today, dear readers. Again, we apologize for the lack of photos. We will make up for it before long. Hopefully, on this next cruise, we won’t encounter such issues and will be able to post photos as they occur.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 15, 2013:

Can you imagine soaking in the tub with these visitors stopping by to say hello? For more photos, please click here.

Day 14…Norway Cruise…Trondheim, Norway..Final port of call…Another great evening of conversation and entertainment…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Not our photo. Trondheim, Norway, is our final port of call until we reach Amsterdam in a few days.

Note: I cannot add more photos today, other than the above, due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 4 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

Today, our ship will dock in Trondheim, Norway, as a result of me not feeling up to it, we didn’t get off the ship in Trondheim, although we continued with the daily activities aboard the ship.

After trivia, at 5:00, we headed to our cabin, dressed for the evening, and were ready to partake in the events of the evening with one entertainment venue after another; it was pretty enjoyable.

Each evening at dinner in Discoveries Restaurant on Deck 5, we’ve sat at a sharing table, often with others we’ve shared with on other evenings and, like last night, with mostly new people we hadn’t met in the past. With only 567 passengers on this cruise, it’s easy to repeatedly run into the same passengers.

After dinner, we headed to the Spirits Bar in The Den, chatted and listened to live music, and then to a live show in the Cabaret. The performer was a comedian/magician who proved to be quite entertaining. At 10:30, we returned to the Spirits Bar for another fun round of general knowledge trivia, which we once again lost.

Neither of us is great at trivia, although we usually get many answers correct. Some passengers play in larger groups, which significantly improves their odds. But, more often, we play alone, giggling over our missed answers and lack of ability to recall music and pop culture from the 70s and 80s. With both of us being parents at a young age, with the accompanying responsibilities, we didn’t pay much attention to what was happening in the world. But, we often surprise ourselves with some answers.

Win or lose, it’s fun to play, and we’ll continue to do so on the remaining days and nights on this cruise and our upcoming cruise beginning on August 18.

Tomorrow, we will write about our visit to Trondheim and again try to post a photo or two. We’re not expecting much luck on that front, but the nine days in Henderson, Nevada, is coming up quickly, and we’ll be able to get caught up at that time. Following is the information from Azarmara’s brochure about Trondheim:

“Trondheim, situated in Norway, is a historic city known for its rich culture, strong architecture, and picturesque landscapes. It serves as a hub of education and research, with the renowned Norwegian University of Science and Technology located here. Trondheim’s charming blend of modernity and tradition, along with its vibrant arts and music scene, makes it a captivating destination for both residents and visitors..”

As typically happens at this point on a cruise, passengers start coming down with colds and flu. This has often happened to us. So far, so good, but fingers crossed we don’t get anything on this or the next cruise. We avoid close contact with others and frequently wash our hands. There’s only been one case of Covid-19 so far, and we continue to hope and pray there is no more.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 14, 2013:

No photos were posted on this date ten years ago today. For the text, please click here.

Day 13…Norway Cruise…Bodo, Norway…Car rental in Nevada?…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Bodo, Norway
Not our photo. The town of Bodo has many modern buildings against its snow-covered mountains.

Note: I cannot add more photos today, other than the above, due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 6 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

This cruise ends in four days. Have we loved it so far? The food, the people, the ambiance, and the entertainment have been excellent but not necessarily better than we experienced on other cruises. Would we sail on Azamara again? Yes, but only after they improve their WiFi.

My frustration over being unable to upload photos to our daily post has been annoying. It will require me to spend a lot of time when we get to Nevada on September 1, editing and uploading the many photos we’ve yet to post. Although the only things we’ll want to do in Nevada are collect mail at our mailing service, renew our driver’s licenses at the busy DMV in Henderson (we have appointments), and spend time with Richard and a few friends in Las Vegas.

After that, we’ll be able to relax. I aim to get the photos uploaded in the first few days, leaving my mind free to relax and enjoy the time spent in our state of residency. Yesterday, we rented a car in Las Vegas, which we hadn’t planned to do, instead using Uber for our few appointments. But prices had dropped since we last checked several weeks ago.

We were surprised by the lower car rental prices when we arrive on Thursday, August 31, Labor Day weekend. But we were all over it when we could rent a car for nine days for under $400. Formerly, prices were running around $100 daily, which was quite an improvement.

Now, as this cruise winds down, we feel more like relaxing and winding down for our next adventure, the cruise to Greenland. Today, we’re doing laundry in the provided washers and dryers down the corridor from our cabin. They even provide laundry pods, all at no charge, which is an excellent perk for us instead of paying for laundry.

On the upcoming Celebrity cruise, with our Captain’s Club rewards, we are entitled to two laundry bags during the entire cruise. We’ll likely have clothes to wash once we arrive in Nevada, but we’ll figure that out. For us, laundry is always a concern when we don’t have a home we’re returning to at the end of any cruise or tour. Of course, a washer is a priority at all of our holiday homes, although a dryer is not.

Today, our ship is docked in the village of Bodo, described as follows from Azamara’s brochure:

“Bodo, nestled on Norway’s northern coast, offers a captivating blend of natural wonders and modern charm. Embrace the midnight sun during summer and witness, witness the Northern Lights in winter, and explore scenic landscapes. With a rich maritime history, vibrant arts scene, and access to Lofoten Islands, Bodo is a gateway to Arctic adventures and a destination of captivating allure.”

Last night, we had a fun evening in the Den (Spirits Bar) when the cruise director and his assistant provided delightful entertainment. However, we drifted off to our cabin by 10:00 pm to watch a movie and relax, ending in a great night’s sleep.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 13, 2013:

I read this book when it came out, which made me acutely aware of not sitting too much during our world travels. For the story, please click here.

Day 12…Norway Cruise…Harstad, Norway..

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment

Note: I cannot add a single photo today due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 6 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

The past 24 hours were relatively uneventful. We had delightful conversations with other passengers, wandered about the area and the ship, and enjoyed a few excellent meals, as always. We attended a few live entertainment venues, one, a fantastic comedian in the Cabaret on Deck 5, and live music in the Living Room and Spirits Bar.

The entertainment aboard ships is generally quite good, and we partake, especially when we hear from other passengers that a particular show is worth watching. Typically, we don’t attend every night’s entertainment in the Cabaret, but so far, when we have, it’s been good. We prefer listening to live bands at night in the various venues and even the songs played by the DJ in between sets.

Today, we are in Harstad, Norway, and will venture out later in the day once we get today’s post uploaded and after I’ve had lunch in the buffet around noon. For several days, Tom has been having breakfast while I have lunch. There seem to be more options for me at lunchtime than at breakfast. Tom goes to breakfast alone while I am getting ready for the day but joins me at lunch in the buffet, even if he’s not eating anything.

Today our ship is docked in the town of Harstad, Norway, which is described as follows in the ship’s brochure:

“Nestled in northern Norway, Harstad is a coastal town renowned for its stunning fjords, cultural richness, and outdoor activities. Explore historic sites like Trodenes Church and Museum, indulge in local cuisine, and take in picturesque landscapes. With a blend of history and natural beauty, Hardstad offers an enchanting Artic experience that captures the heart of Norway’s north.”

Almost every afternoon at 4:00 pm, we head to the Living Room for two trivia games, one at 4:00 and the other 30 minutes later. Each day’s topics are different and unrelated. Since we’ve been away for so long and missed so much of pop culture and music, we’re not as good as we were as a team 20 or 30 years ago. Plus, I suppose as we’ve aged, we’re not as good as we may have been years ago.

It’s not as if either of us have any signs of dementia. We don’t.  Actually, our memories are excellent of what we’ve been doing over the past almost 11 years since we began traveling. But, prior to that, it is a little less clear. Perhaps, with all the stimulation and new information we’ve absorbed all these years of travel, the past has become less at the forefront of our minds.

Although we’ve yet to win a game among the many passengers who playing in large groups, we still enjoy playing and do a lot of laughing between us when reviewing our wrong answers, let alone our shock when we answer many correctly. In any case, its fun to play, and we will continue to do so until the end of the cruise.

Today is Saturday, and we disembark the ship next Thursday when we fly to Reykjavik the same day, sailing away on Celebrity Summit the following day. No doubt the fun will continue as it has over the past two weeks since we boarded Azamara Journey for the Norway cruise.

Soon, we’ll head to Window’s Cafe on Deck 9 for my lunch. Tom doesn’t usually eat again but is happy to sit with me, which I appreciate very much.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 12, 2023:

We’re reminded that fall is near in Tuscany by the pumpkins and gourds in our yard. For more photos, please click here.

Day 11…Norway Cruise…Last night’s fantastic “White Night”…Today…Alta, Norway…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment

Note: I cannot add a single photo today due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 7 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

Ah, if only I could load last night’s photos of White Night! It was spectacular, most likely the most decorative, well-planned food, drink, and music event we’ve ever attended on a cruise ship. It truly was indescribable! It was incredible!

The evening began at 6:00 pm when the most extraordinary buffet was set up on Deck 9 poolside. It was amazing how the staff rearranged the entire pool area, removing all the chaise lounges and other poolside equipment to create a festive and decorative environment in white with balloons, lights and white tablecloths, and formal place settings on each of the many tables.

The area could easily accommodate all 567 passengers with plenty of space for the fantastic band, singers, and dancers and a sizeable dance floor. As soon as we arrived, dressed in our all-white outfits, we found many sharing tables already filled with passengers. We found an empty table for six, plunked ourselves down with drinks in hand, and prepared for the exciting night ahead.

In no time at all, our table filled up with two more couples, both of whom we’d met along the way, and lively conversation and laughter ensued through the remainder of the evening while we all dined on the epicurean delights and danced to our favorite tunes.

Nothing was spared in presenting a beautiful evening. The food was over-the-top, the most varied and delicious buffet we’d ever experienced, with tons of seafood, meats, and exotic dishes from many cultures. The vegetables and fruit were aplenty, and any way of eating could easily be accommodated.

At one point, early on in the evening., I approached the many stations of the buffet, happily taking many photos we’ll share in the future when we’re able to upload photos again.

After the festive outdoor party ended, during perfect warm weather, many of us gravitated to Deck 10’s  Living Room, where the party continued with live music and again enthusiastic dancing on the dance floor.

We approached the North Cape of Norway close to midnight, where we all witnessed the extraordinary “Land of the Midnight Sun,” where we couldn’t stop smiling while taking photos of this fantastic phenomenon of the light sky at midnight. It’s hard to believe how light the sky is at midnight in this part of the world.

BY 12:30 am, we wandered back to our cabin on Deck 7, giggling over our fun night, hoping we wouldn’t have trouble falling asleep with the excitement of the evening still flooding our minds. But, an hour later, we dozed off, not awakening until 9:00 am, ready to begin another new day.

With little to see in Alta, Norway, we decided to stay on the ship and feel less rushed in completing today’s post’s text. We have almost a week until this cruise ends, and surely, we’ll continue to enjoy every moment.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 11, 2013:

There was no post on this date ten years ago.

Day 10…Norway Cruise…More from Tromso…Last night’s fantastic evening in Tromso…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Last night’s two dancers at the entertainment venue in Tromso. I was able to upload this one photo!

Note: I can only add the above photo due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 8 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

Last night was an exceptional evening. We embarked on what Azamara refers to as an Az-Amazing event, which is an entertainment venue that was explicitly arranged for cruise passengers, described as follows:

“Sit back and enjoy a tailormade show with some of the best artists in Norway. Tonight will be a musical trip “through the country” with traditional, heart–moving songs and jaw-dropping showstoppers accompanied by live local musicians! You’ll travel in time and visit some old classic songs, and continue the journey into more modern times with Norwegian specialties and curiosities.”

The show was entertaining, but organizing over 500 passengers boarding buses for the ten-minute ride to the venue was time-consuming and challenging to organize. We didn’t envy the staff who tried to get everyone in their seats in the theatre for the presentation to begin.

The show was pleasant and cultural, and we took some photos we’ll upload when we have a better WiFi signal, which we’re looking forward to being able to do. Knowing we were departing the ship at 6:30 pm, we didn’t have dinner but instead ate at The Patio cafe on Deck 9 around 2:30 pm. We ordered bun-free burgers, and Tom added a bun-free hot dog. I added a salad and thought this light lunch would hold me.

But, when we returned after the event, I was hungry again, and the only food available was pizza and puff pastry-type appetizers. A kind food and beverage manager ordered a cheese plate for me, which was perfect for a late-evening snack with my glass of red wine.

Then, while seated in The Living Room on Deck 10, we watched a fantastic show with the assistant cruise director, Jose Alpizar. Azamara’s cruise directors are all required to be entertainers and entertainers; he was! We loved every moment of the show. We visited with a few passengers, and by midnight we went to our cabin for a good night’s sleep.

This morning I didn’t have breakfast since I wanted to enjoy that lovely lunch again at the Patio Cafe, and we’ve both limited ourselves to eating only twice a day, either breakfast and dinner or lunch and dinner. Neither of us has gained an ounce on this cruise, and I hope to be able to be as diligent on the next cruise, upcoming on August 18.

It’s hard to resist eating more often, but certainly not worth it to gain weight when both of us have been trying to lose a few pounds after gaining a few since Covid. I have lost a bit but still have a ways to go to be back to my usual self and able to fit into some jeans I left behind in South Africa, hoping they’ll fit me when we return in ten months. It’s not easy since my metabolism has slowed in the past few years, especially after taking several drugs that caused weight gain while I had the Covid headache and facial pain.

Now that I’m still pain-free, I can stay medication-free for the former awful symptoms. I am so grateful, more than words can describe.

That’s it for today, folks. Tomorrow, we’ll write about the next port of call, which we’ll visit once we arrive in the next few hours.

Thank you for your continued patience with our lack of photos.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 10, 2013:

In Tuscany, our housekeeper Santina brought us more vegetables when arriving to clean the house on Friday that we’ll be using tonight in our homemade taco salads (minus the shells). For more photos, please click here.

Day 9…Norway Cruise…Tromso, Norway…Why is Norway called, “The Land of the Midnight Sun?”…The Troll Fjords…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Not our photo. The Troll Fjords in Norway.

Note: I can only add the above photo due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 9 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

It’s been odd for me to prepare posts without photos for the past several days. I am looking forward to arriving at a new location that will allow me to catch up, adding the corresponding photos to the posts, and listing the links for those who like to see photos to return to each post and catch up easily. It will be a one-click process.

Many have written and asked if we’ll see the Northern Lights, and with much disappointment, we discovered early on that we will not. Norway is known as “The Land of the Midnight Sun,” as described below from this site:

“What is the Midnight Sun?

The Midnight Sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs north of the Arctic Circle at 66º33′N during the summer months: beyond this latitude, the sun never completely sets below the horizon. Why is that? As the Earth rotates on a tilted axis relative to the sun, the North Pole is angled towards the sun during summer. This also means the further north you go, the higher in the sky the sun is at night. As a sizable portion of its territory, located above the Arctic Circle, Norway is well known as the Land of the Midnight Sun. The Midnight Sun is the same sun we see during the day! However, it’s something you must see for yourself. The reddish yellow light is something that will mesmerize you, like a never-ending sunset…

Where can I see the Midnight Sun?

Northern Norway is probably the best place to experience the Midnight Sun. Tromsø, Senja, the Lyngenfjord region, and the Lofoten islands are a must-see during the Arctic summer. Imagine it’s 11 pm, and you’re sailing through the fjords of Norway, the golden light caresses your face while you enjoy the beautiful scenery passing before your eyes. For the more adventurous ones, the Midnight Sun is also best experienced from the top of a mountain. You can go to Sommarøy, the “summer island” and the world’s first time-free zone (people officially asked the government to abolish civil time, understandable when the Midnight Sun gives you the impression of endless days!), and hike to unique viewpoints overlooking the Caribbean-like beaches. Around Tromsø, an all-time favourite place to enjoy the Midnight Sun is Ersfjord and its dramatic scenery. 

When can I see the Midnight Sun in Norway?

The Arctic is truly special during the Midnight Sun season, which basically runs from mid-May to late July. Depending on where you find yourself above the Arctic Circle, the Midnight Sun period might differ: the further north you go, the longer it lasts! That’s why Svalbard, halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, has the longest period of Midnight Sun: 4 months!”

I suppose this is somewhat of a trade-off for being unable to see the Northern Lights. In any case, we’re enjoying Norway, and today, we’ll disembark the ship to walk around the village for Tromso, as described below in the ship’s brochure:

“Tromso offers a captivating blend of nature and culture. Explore the mesmerizing Northern Lights, embark on thrilling Arctic adventures, and indulge in local delicacies. This vibrant city with its warm-hearted locals awaits, promising an unforgettable experience in the Arctic wonderland. Discover the magic of Tromso and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.”

With a map of Tromso in hand, it appears there is plenty for us to see when we walk through the quaint little village. Our ship arrives in Tromso in an hour, and we’ll be getting off to see the attractions that appeal to us the most.

Tonight, we’ll leave the ship again around 7:00 pm to head out on buses to a venue where we’ll be entertained by local artists, returning to the ship around 11:00 pm. Azamara refers to these off-the-ship entertainment venues as Az-Amazing. Cute, eh?

Last night, we sailed through the fjords for an exciting adventure, during which we took many photos to share in the future. The fun continues.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 9, 2013:

Common pipistrelle, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, common house bat.  I guess this is nothing compared to the bats awaiting us in Africa. For more, please click here.

Day 8…Norway Cruise…Svolaer, Norway…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Not our photo. Svolvaer, Norway.

Note: I can only add the above photo due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 10 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

Sorry about yesterday’s short post. We were inundated with passengers stopping to say hello on a sea day. The word is out on the ship about these two crazy senior citizens who sold everything and have been traveling the world for almost 11 years. Some have even referred to us as “celebrities.”

We chuckle over these types of comments. We don’t perceive ourselves as celebrities. We’re simply home-free Jess and Tom, who escaped convention and decided to carry on and on, regardless of countless setbacks along the way. And there have been setbacks! When we find ourselves sharing some of those types of stories, we are even shocked by how we managed to work through some challenging scenarios.

But here we are, only 2½ months away from our 11th anniversary. As this special day looms closer, we find ourselves reeling from the depth and breadth of it all. We initially thought we might last a few years, but certainly not this many. So much has transpired in our worldly lives, and we are grateful to have ongoing outstanding experiences.

Today, we are anchored in the bay of Svolvaer, with tender boats (lifeboats) taking passengers to the small village. With the abundance of modern buildings, we decided not to go ashore. We had laundry piling up and wanted to take advantage of most passengers being off the ship and the resulting availability of washers and dryers.

We’re not like most other passengers returning to their homes after the cruise to empty their luggage, do laundry, and continue with their day-to-day lives. This is our day-to-day lives, and we must perform regular tasks and responsibilities regardless of where we are at any given time.

We won’t have access to a washing machine until we get to Minnesota in over 30 days and use the hotel’s coin-operated laundry. While in Las Vegas, we’ll rent a car for a few days to go to a laundromat, our mailing service, and renew our driver’s license.

As for the little village of Svolvaer, Norway, here is what the ship’s brochure has to say about it:

“Solvaer, nestled in Norway’s Lofoten archipelago, captivates with its stunning beauty. A picturesque fishing village surrounded by towering mountains and serene waters, it offers an idyllic escape for nature-loved and adventure seekers. Explore the vibrant art scene, savor freshly caught seafood, and witness the magical northern lights dancing in the Arctic skies. Svolvaer promises an unforgettable journey to the heart of Norway’s untamed wilderness.”

Regardless of more potentially busy social interactions, I will need to nap today. I had a fitful night’s sleep and know a quick half-hour nap is exactly what I”ll need to return to my energetic social self. Tom, on the other hand, is well-rested and chipper as always.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 8, 2013:

Tom is starting to think about the Minnesota Vikings season coming up shortly, as he was ten years ago. For more photos, please click here.

Day 7…Norway Cruise…Sea day…Crossing the Artic Circle…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Two fantastic performers that we watched in the Cabaret on deck 5.

Note: I can only add the above photo due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 11 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

Today, on a sea day, our ship sailed across the Arctic Circle, and the staff put on quite a show poolside with Captain Neptune and his cohorts about crossing the Arctic Circle. We had this experience on several other cruises in the past, but we took several photos and will post them in the future when we have a better signal.

Sorry that the above photo is the only one we could upload from a show we attended two nights ago. As mentioned above, we continue to find posting photos is impossible until we reach a new location off this ship. Otherwise, the cruise is wonderful, and we’re having the time of our lives, meeting new people, many from around the world, most with vast travel experience.

Today’s post is very short. We’ve been busy chatting with other passengers and have to go get ready for a party held for priority passengers. More on that tomorrow.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 7, 2013:

No photos were posted on this date in 2013.

Day 6…Norway Cruise…Alesund, Norway…Having as much fun as we imagined!!!…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Not our photo due to poor WiFi signal.

Note: I can only add the above photo due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 12 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

We are having a fantastic time! On this small ship with under 600 passengers, it’s easy to meet new people. Almost everyone is friendly and happy to engage in lively conversation, and of course, the social butterflies that we are, make friendly chatter as easy as possible.

Occasionally, a friendly hello or request for table sharing typically results in delightful conversations about world travel, families, and interests. With an average age of 70, we find we have lots in common with many passengers, including those who frequently travel and those who may travel less frequently. There’s no shortage of conversation with table mates at dinner, at the various bars and entertainment areas, and in the Mosaic Cafe where we spend our mornings.

We’ve been staying up late every night. Last night, we returned to our cabin around 12:30 am one of the earlier nights, we finally went to bed. On the other hand, we usually sleep until 8:00 am and hurry to get up to ensure we get to the buffet for breakfast at a reasonable time. Eating breakfast in the dining room is not as easy for my way of eating as it is at the buffet, where they make everything for me as I’d like it…especially the “no oil” part which I have to be very careful about.

This morning, after breakfast, we got our lightweight jackets and the camera and headed out on foot to the small town of Alesund, Norway, another quaint port town on our Norway journey. One of the highlights of our walk through the town was meeting a friendly local man walking his gorgeous St. Bernard dog, Ozzie, who licked me repeatedly with his sloppy drool.

I didn’t mind the drool at all since I was enthralled to have some animal interaction, regardless of the consequences. The man was delighted to chat with us and did so for quite some time, allowing us to ask questions about this adorable dog, the weather, and local customs.

We always assumed it snowed a lot in Norway, but Alesund is in such close proximity to the ocean, as are all the other ports of call we’re visiting, and gets little snow unless one goes further inland. We’ve yet to experience a sunny day at any other of the ports of call and imagine sunny days are a rare treat. We are in the northern hemisphere, but it stays cool here year-round. Today’s high is 60F, 16C, with a low of 53F, 12C. We’re enjoying the cool weather after those sweltering days and nights in Florida.

Here’s the description of the village from the ship’s brochure (again, somewhat repetitious as other descriptions):

“Nestled amidst breathtaking fjords and coastal beauty, Alesund, Norway, is a picturesque town renowned for its stunning Art Nouveau architecture and captivating natural landscapes. Perched on the western coast, this charming maritime city offers a seamless blend of historic charm and modern allure. Explore the narrow streets adorned with colorful buildings, savor fresh seafood at the bustling fish markets, and embark on unforgettable adventures in the surrounding fjord and mountains.”

Tonight, we’re meeting a lovely couple in the Den for cocktails that we met this morning and possibly for dinner later in the main dining room, Discovery.

The day is young. Many more delightful experiences await us.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 6, 2013:

No photos were posted on this date in 2013.