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Day 9 / 24 continued - Kristiansand I was able to get off the ship again this afternoon for a few hours. DW had some alone time. The landscapers here are in love with petunias. Off to Prime 7 for dinner. Later

Day 9 / 24 - Kristiansand, Norway What a gorgeous port facility!! Bravo to Kristiansand for planning such a nice, useful area for both visitors and residents. Yes, it has containers, cranes and all the usual port apparatus but hid those in plain sight. Restaurants, walkways, flowers by the score, statues, sculptures, a main shopping area a stone’s throw away. Probably just as nice as the Bergen, Norway port a few days ago . We left the ship on our own to head into town. Not knowing what we would encounter, just winging it. Less than a 5 minute walk and their is this waterfront park with these sculptures Beautiful downtown pedestrian mall area. Albeit it is Sunday so most of the shops are closed. No retail therapy for the DW. There is a historical section to the downtown containing the Cathedral and government offices. We were able to walk for 90 minutes before the weather turned a bit iffy. Back to the ship just before the rains started. We had planned on a walking tour this afternoon at 2:00 but with it raining pretty hard we decided to pass. Flowers, everywhere!! Going back out if we get the chance!

Catlover54 thank you for the kind words. I will check with the restaurant manager. I did see them loading perishables in Bergen but I am not sure what they were.

We are the 2nd half of a B2B and there was no issue with the check-in using my iPhone connected to the Voyager’s Wi-Fi.

A comment about tours: Regent, your tour operators are trying to do too much!! Our previous 3 tours were so crammed with “events” that we couldn’t relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery, vistas, historic landmarks, nature’s beauty whatever… A quote from a guide. “ it’s now fourteen-o-five be back on the bus by fourteen twenty we are five minutes behind schedule”. A perfect example is the Golden Circle Tour. It lasts 7+ hours. The last stop is to a viewing platform / museum. After seeing nature in all it’s majestic forms (waterfalls, geysers, tectonic plates) for the first 6 hours WHY this extra nonsensical stop. Ask yourself the question, if you are only going to allow 20 - 25 minutes at a location is it worth the effort? The same has been true for 2 other recent tours. Today’s boat excursion was quite pleasant.

Day 8 / 23 - continued (Stavenger) The threat of rain this morning turned into a partly sunny boat excursion through the Lysefjord. It was a very good trip. Well worth the time! A few pictures from this excursion to brighten everyone’s day: At dock in Stavanger. Whiskey Falls two views Pulpit Rock from below…..2 views The table top platform is 25 meters by 25 meters. They actually picnic on the rock after a 2 hour climb to get there. (no guard rails) Norwegians are darn good bridge builders!! The steepness of the fjord’s walls!! A beautiful peaceful afternoon….

Day 8 / 23 - Stavenger, Norway A cold, grey day greeted us this morning as we arrived in Stavenger. We have a noon time boat tour of the area. Hoping for better weather by then. Here are some photos from our balcony: More later today after our tours.

DW’s view of our day in Bergen: It actually started out sunny…turned to rain..wondered if we should leave the ship! Iffy weather…..ahhhh…then…sunshine!!!! Beautiful!….So much to see. Finally, trees on these mountains! Colorful buildings have a life of their own. We are in the bus touring the city of many beautiful streets and shops appealing to just about everyone. There is a festival going on to show off old cars, many USA car oldies and sail boats in the harbor made before all of the new materials used now. There’s an excitement in the air, 4 cruise ships are in harbor and you hear many languages spoken as we leave the bus and journey along. Lots of lively restaurants, jazz playing…singing in Norwegian, it’s very fun. We are walking around the markets (didn’t stay on the bus) just enjoying everything. So many light haired Norwegians and Swedes. Fish market with all kinds of fresh fish so you know towns people are here to shop. Very high prices. The orangish building near the end looks like their typical apartments. They have a high on the mountain area that they call their Beverly Hills…10 million dollar properties. It’s bustling! We also went to a museum and a tram that overlooks the city with goats roaming around. People spend hours here hiking and enjoying nature. The entrance is in photo …we walked there…just magnificent. Everything was perfect! The views you can’t even imagine. My phone died and Matt took his pictures. 😊Sorry. That photo didn’t make it. 🤣🤣🤣. I’ll send it maybe tomorrow. Don’t want to put you to sleep!😋

Day 7 / 22 Bergen, Norway A partly cloudy morning greeted us upon arrival in Bergen. The crossing from the Shetland Islands to Norway was on calm seas. A few showers in the morning drifted through the area but nothing to dampen our spirits. Bergen is a great walking town so the NAWC will not be meeting this morning. The port is right in the middle of the downtown area. Bergen is the 2nd largest city in Norway so it has a lot of activities to keep you occupied. Our excursion today took us through the very crowded downtown Bergen area to the summer home of Norwegian composer Edward Grieg. The grounds were lovely but the house not so much. A very fast 20 minute tour of the house that left no one satisfied. On the way back into Bergen we deviated through the Bergen version of Beverly Hills. Nice homes, but nothing that stood out. Our final stop was the funicular to mount Floyen. Now that was a treat!!! The views of the entire city lay right below you. The Voyager is the ship on the right of the 2 ships in the center of the photo. We left the tour here and decided to walk back to the ship through downtown Bergen. It was a relatively easy walk but very crowded. There is an exhibition of older ships and cars along the waterfront. Bands playing, people dancing a beautiful summer sight. Departing Bergen……

Day 6 / 21 Lerwick (pictures) Shetland ponies: a Shell house: Shetland Bus Memorial: commemorating the WW II efforts by Norwegians and Shetland residents combating the German occupation of Norway. One of the narrow alleys of downtown Lerwick. Summertime in the Shetlands

Day 6 / 21 - Lerwick, Scotland (Shetland Islands) A beautiful morning greeted us upon sailing into the Shetland Islands. Partly sunny skies with temperatures in the 50’s and hardly any wind. One of the best days for this segment. The NAWC decided to postpone this morning’s meeting until later in the day. I think maybe too much of the vino had something to do with the decision. We had one of the 1st tours of the day “ Shetland ponies and Scalloway”. Our guide was very, very informative. On the right, now on the feet, just ahead of us, behind the bus is…..you catch the drift. These islands are beautiful. However we lucked out. The Shetland Islands average over 300 days of rain annually. We happened to hit their summer day. I’ll post more pictures later from the tour and our walk around Lerwick.

Oooppps!! Here are the pictures: Sheep actually can get up onto these roofs to graze. An 18th century fishing ship made in the Viking traditional method I think that the Faroe Islands have around 70,000 sheep and 50,000 people. An “under the sea tunnel “ connecting two of the main Faroe Islands. The lighting was done by a prominent local artisan. Sorry for the picture. A tough photo to take in a dark tunnel, moving bus, through a windshield 😂😂 a

Some pictures from the Faroe Islands:

Day 5 / 20 - continued Had another excellent dinner in CR. Service continues to be excellent. We are definitely favouring CR over Chartreuse. The variety of items available attracts us. Shrimp pasta in a lemon sauce: Miso glazed sea bass with sticky rice (everyone’s favorite): NY style cheesecake with raspberry sauce. DW had: Chicken / liver pâté (superb) Either lamb or veal entrée (I forget) on a bed of vegetables…. A coconut/ tapioca compote with lemons

No fun here!!! That was the night of “rock ‘n roll….well I guess that it could have been fun 🤣🤣

Yes, we received the certificates from Regent commemorating the event. I was thinking 66.66

Day 5 / 20 - continued Correction. We have 8 ports in 8 days including today in Klaksvik. Going to be a wet tour this afternoon. The seemingly perennial overcast remains , along with intermittent showers. Well back from the tour and mildly surprised. In Iceland wait 5 minutes and the weather will change. In the Faroe Islands switch to a different island and the weather will be totally different. Compliments of the tour guide: 1). The Faroe Islands consists of 18 separate islands, 17 of which are inhabited albeit only 2 families live on one island. 2). The language is Faroese. The secondary language is Danish since the Faroe Islands are part of the Danish Kingdom. However, English is fast replacing Danish as the 2nd language especially among the young. 3). Fishing is the main industry. 4). The climate is heavily influenced by the Gulf Stream . 5). The islands are made up of volcanic rocks however there is no recent volcanic activity. Pictures to follow. Dinner in CR.

Day 5 / 20 - Klaksvik, Faroe Islands Today starts the port intensive part of this cruise. 7 days, 7 ports then Copenhagen. We are docked in Klaksvik. This is the 2nd largest town / city in the Faroe Islands. From what I can see it is a beautiful area. Taken from deck 12: multiple Waterfalls right above our starboard side balcony. Verdant green mountains all around the port. Unfortunately we brought along our most unwelcome non-paying passenger. Mr FOG accompanied by his cousin Ms. Misty. From the bow: Luckily we have an afternoon excursion. That might give the weather a chance to improve. Last night we ate at Chartreuse. Maybe we are becoming jaded but for both of us it was just average excellence. Nothing was wrong with anything served but there were no standouts either like the soufflé in CR the previous night. Service was great. Igor provided just the right amount of professionalism. The day is about to begin. Tour busses are lining the dock area and our cruise director is making her 1st announcements. The NAWC will attempt a later morning meeting or possibly a sail away stroll…… wherever you are have a great day!!! We will!!!!

Day 4 / 19 Just wait a few minutes……and the weather will change. It is now bright sunshine and on my balcony (starboard side) it must be in the 60’s. Warm enough to enjoy an IPA in short shirtsleeve comfort. Looking for those whales!!!

Day 4 (continued) It is getting warmer as we travel farther south towards the Faroe Islands. Right now it is 54F on deck. Very pleasant. In fact there are a few loungers in use which has not been the case for the past week. The NAWC held its meeting late this morning. The first 5 laps were done in solitude but then deck 12 became the place to be on the Voyager. There were at least 40 walkers by the end of my stroll. There were so many that we needed some sort of traffic control to avoid collisions. Luckily everyone adhered to the 🚢’s counter clockwise rotation signage and no passing zones. 🤣🤣 Maybe a visit to the cruise consultant in the near future…..to see what her magic ball says…. Tonight’s dinner is in Chartreuse. Looking forward to that.

Day 4 / 19 sea day continued. Mr. Fog reappeared this afternoon accompanied by Mrs. Horn. Just when I was going to take a nap!!!!! 🤣🤣 From yesterday’s (day 3) photos: The Voyager pool in “dry dock”.

There are 584 guests on board Voyager for this segment, an increase of 55 from the previous segment. There are definitely more children aboard for the current segment. I think this segment has an overall younger demographic which could be leading to more later diners. Just a guess on my part.

Well it appears that the Regent fleet was without customer internet for a bit over 24 hours. According to the onboard internet manager the issue was a stateside one dealing with connections to their satellite systems.

Day 4 / 19 - Sea Day Another alarming early morning, yep Mr Foghorn returned around 4:30. Well at least that was the 1st time I heard him. Seas are relatively calm, temperatures in the mid 40’s and the wind is a “fresh breeze” at around 20 knots. Due to the general wet conditions on deck 12 the NAWC will move its daily meeting to an afternoon session.m with the hope of better conditions. Revisiting yesterday’s dinner at Compass Rose. Excellence on all counts; food, service, and presentation. DW had the panko covered Tiger Prawns and a Mushroom and Spinach Crepe in a béchamel sauce. I had the escargot (fantastic) and the sea scallops. For desserts DW had the soufflé while I had the Malvasia pudding with pecan ice cream. Apologies for not taking the pictures before our first sampling but it looooooked so good!!! Comment from DW was that the soufflé was the best she has ever had…. A nice Cakebread Chardonnay accompanied our dinner. Entertainment last night was a vocalist from Macedonia, Pavle Kamiloski. He had an excellent voice. His show last night were songs by the “Rat Pack”. Having “New York New York” sung with a slight Greek accent was mildly disconcerting at first. It just threw you off. However he was good and once you became accustomed to the slight accent the songs became enjoyable. Regent’s internet returned from its vacation sometime last night. DW will be extremely pleased with that development. On to a sea day with nothing planned except for an in-suite matinee movie.

Day 3 / 18 continued The weather has improved dramatically since mid morning. The seas are relatively calm and the wind has dissipated significantly, well anything under 25 knots would be a 50% or greater reduction. The one noted area that has not improved is the INTERNET!!!!! NONEXISTENT!!!!!! The internet manager continues to profess that the issue lies shoreside. I’m assuming Miami but it could be Cape Canaveral or Cape Girard or Superman’s Cape…….for that matter. It’s time to test the elements. The NAWC is having a later afternoon meeting on deck 12. Hopefully we can hit a prime above 11. BTW 26 didn’t work at the roulette table…. Later……. Well I returned from deck 12 where I was pleasantly surprised by at least a handful of other walkers. The wind is down, considerable clouds, and high 40’s. Got in the groove and was thinking that maybe I could get a few fellow walkers into the NAWC. I was just about to offer memberships when a small shower passed over Voyager. I was alone in seconds. Oh well there goes those temporary memberships!! I had solitude for the next 17 laps. Tonight’s number is 23!!! No internet on board. We are getting a cellular signal off of the northeast coast of Iceland. We did not make the Arctic Circle at least as far as I know. The farthest north was 66 degrees 57 minutes just a few minutes short of the AC.