Live from the Ocean Princess Land of the Midnight Sun June 7 - 25

[TracieABD]

Love the "Live from..." Thanks so much for taking us on your cruise!:)

[Woobstr112G]

Day 7 Magdalena Fjord/Ny Alesund

Weather was overcast for the most part, and cold – high 3 C. Early AM we entered Magdalena Fjord, sailed in about 6 miles and the Captain rotated the ship a full 360 at the end of fjord so that everyone had a view of the glaciers and mountains, then we exited and entered the Kongsfjorden and berthed at the research station at Ny Alesund. Ny Alesund is the northernmost functional public settlement in the world. The village boasts a small museum/information center with displays about the work done at the station, a gift shop that did a brisk business during our stay, a post office that also was heavily used, and a café that seemed closed and a hotel, as well as homes and buildings related to the current mission of research on climate and atmosphere and the new Arctic Marine Laboratory opened in 2005, and older structures, some no longer in use, related to the coal mining operations that were the principal historic activity in this area. There are a few interpretive markers around on the loop trail through the settlement and a some relics such as the small train used in the coal mining operations. Research activities are conducted by teams from Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, France, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and the People’s Republic of China (their building has two large concrete Foo Dogs guarding the door). The permanent population is around 35 people, with another 120 researchers, technicians and field assistants in residence in the summer.

 

In spite of the warnings, we didn’t see any polar bears, but did see a lone reindeer, a lot of artic terns, and the local dog sled dogs. There was still a lot of snow on the ground, the lake, which is used by migrating birds was still mostly frozen over, and there were several visible glaciers in the fjord in which we were docked.

 

Most everyone was back on board by or before 5, and we left shortly after 6 PM, on our way back to the coast of Norway and the next stop, which will be Honnigsvag and the North Cape.

 

Entertainment on board today for those staying on board was a showing of “It’s Complicated” at 2:45. In room movie tonight is “The Hangover” and in the Cabaret Lounge tonight is the Johnny Depp “Alice in Wonderland.” There is a 50s and 60s Rock and Roll Sock Hop in the Tahitian Lounge, and Heather Sullivan continues in the Casino Lounge.

 

Tomorrow is a sea day, and perhaps we will have internet signal again at some point – there has been none at all today, nor has there been any wireless phone signal so this will get posted whenever we reestablish contact with the satellite. Likewise, we have no idea what is happening in the world at large, as there has been no tv signal either.

 

Tomorrow we have a Fine Jewelry Silent Auction, Art Auction, bingo, port talks on Gravdal and Trondheim, enrichment lecture on Pirates of the High Seas, the Pub Lunch, the Wine Tasting, as well as the usual games and crafts. TV movie is “It’s Complicated,” evening movie will be “Shutter Island” and we have a new entertainer - Chris Watkins. Dancing in the Tahitian, Heather in the Casino Lounge.

 

Thanks for the continued reports. Much appreciated.....:):):)

 

Bob

[edinburgher]

Cottage pie refers to an English meat pie made with beef mince and with a crust made from mashed potato.

A variation on this dish using lamb mince is known as shepherd's pie.

 

Unlike standard sweet or savoury pies, cottage or shepherd's pie does not include a pastry case or crust, there is no pastry.

[JohnLauben]

Ny Alesund was quite nice, although there wasn't much there. It is a small research statuin, with a few dozen buildings. Weather was quite overcast, with the temperature at about 4C (38F). The day started out with some snow flurries, and a temperature of 0C (32F). Satellite reception hjas been quite spotty ... TV stations were out for most of Monday, as was the internet. We have TV reception today, as well as internet access (which could go out at a moment's notice.) On-board production shows have been spotty, since the 2 lead singers are ill (one cold, one flu). Tonight's dinner is Greek/Turkish!:eek:

[earljr]

.

They're not doing the nice shot glasses. We plan to do the special Elite/Suite reception tonight

 

 

Hi Donna and thanks for the info. I have 2 questions please-

 

What are the "nice shot glasses"?

 

Is the special Elite/Suite reception something new?

[CruzinNoony]

Donna.

 

I am enjoying your "live from" so much. What a wonderful itinerary. WOW!! We will be hitting Bergen on our TA on the Grand in September. I'll be interested in hearing about what you will be doing there. Perhaps, I can pick your brain about this awesome cruise on our Australia/New Zealand cruise in Feb.:D

[DonahCBrown]

In no particular order:

 

Bergen - we are planning on doing this as an 'on our own' as it seems to be pretty navigable with walking and/or public transit. Will post after we do it.

 

In re: Bistro - there are three menus of limited choices - usually a couple of appetizers, two or three entrees, one salad, a soup and pasta of the day, two or three desserts. There is also a pizza menu featuring three or four pizza choices, and a calzone, appetizer, dessert. The menus are designated A, B, and C, all have a steak and chicken choice, different preparations. On sea days, the bistro is 'on' from 5 to 9, the buffet from 9 to 10 or 11, on port days it is reversed - buffet first, bistro at 9, so there is always an alternative to the dining room if you don't care to do formal nights.

 

The Elite/Suite thing is something relatively new - maybe the last year or two - a special 'reception' for the Elite and Suite pax, with a different appetizer and a 'drink of the day' - no reduced prices - drinks run around $5 or $6 - mojitos, cosmos, etc. and items vary from steak tartare and shrimp to guacamole and chips. This time, they sent a blanket invite for the first week listing the drinks and the appetizer offering, then another at the beginning of the second week. On other cruises we have gotten daily invites.

 

"Nice" shot glasses are the latest iteration of the 'souvenir' glasses from the wine tastings - frosted glass shot glass with a medallion on it - there are 4 different patterns - sea witch, compass rose, ship, and anchor.

 

This wine tasting they were giving the little 'hurricane' shaped glasses with the bright neon coating on them - not my favorites. If you did longer ago, you might remember the V shaped glasses with colored glass ball on the bottoms.

 

Think that's it.

 

Dinner was really nice - Tina & I had the chicken Kiev, Ken had a calzone, Dennis had the steak and he finally got one that was actually a little TOO rare - which isn't easy!

[coo359a2]

Keep warm. Don't know whether I could survive so much of that weather.

 

 

Pia, Chicken Kiev was delicious. Really enjoyed it. Purser's desk told me it would be around 44 tomorrow. A heat wave compared to last few days. Hope they are correct. Been a great cruise so far. Ken wouldn't eat his mushy peas for lunch today. Said he was saving them for you.:D

[Needhamite]

Donna, John and other posters:

 

Thanks for your detailed reports on this Artic cruise. I am starting research for a trip next summer (2011) to celebrate our 40th anniversary. The Norwegian fjords have long been on our wish list. The running commentary coming from this itinerary has pushed it very much up near the top.

 

Donna: We have a couple of those V-shaped glasses with the colored glass bottoms. They have been sitting (gathering dust) on a dinning room shelf since we brought them home from the Diamond Princess in Alaska four years ago. They were used to serve after-dinner cordials (Lemoncello, as I remember) in the Savoy Restaurant.

 

-Peter

[Pia1913]

Pia, Chicken Kiev was delicious. Really enjoyed it. Purser's desk told me it would be around 44 tomorrow. A heat wave compared to last few days. Hope they are correct. Been a great cruise so far. Ken wouldn't eat his mushy peas for lunch today. Said he was saving them for you.:D

 

What a guy. All heart! Tell Donna that there are six different designs of shot glasses, because I have five and I know there's one other.

 

Also, are the suite/elite drinks still $5.00? On the Ruby and Emerald they were down to $2.99.

[DeepWaterMariner]

Great report. I'd love to do one of the cruises to this "end of the earth". Did you use the post office to get this rare postmark? I got disappointed at the North Cape thinking I could get my passport stamped which they had ceased to do long before my visit.

[rdsqrl]

. . . Tonight's dinner is Greek/Turkish!:eek:

That sounds yummy to me! And no matter how bad, it couldn't be worse than Oriental Night [shudder].

So is the Elite/Suite cocktail hour not including Platinum on this cruise? Bummer...

[DonahCBrown]

Great report. I'd love to do one of the cruises to this "end of the earth". Did you use the post office to get this rare postmark? I got disappointed at the North Cape thinking I could get my passport stamped which they had ceased to do long before my visit.

 

We didn't but lots of others did, as there was quite a line at the post office for our whole stay.

 

Pia - didn't know about the other two - the bar in the Tahitian Lounge where we do trivia has a display, but only shows the four. Yes, drinks at the Suite/Elite are still at the higher price. The 'Power Hour' cheaper drinks starts at 8PM.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

So is the Elite/Suite cocktail hour not including Platinum on this cruise? Bummer...

 

I think each cruise varies depending on the number of Elite on board and the size of the lounge they use. On Diamond it was extended to both Suite/Elite and Platinum.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

They have just arrived/ are arriving ,

at Honningsvag(North Cape)

Is this a tender port Donna , or will you dock?

 

[Nick_C]

You normally dock at Honnigsvag, weather permitting. High winds can make it difficult.

[JohnLauben]

We docked at Honningsvag today; although, at a different dock that originally planned. The captain didn't like the high winds here ... thought it may be unsafe. Another ship moved out of the way, and we took its place. Its raining lightly, about 8C/46F.

[DonahCBrown]

Day 9 – Honningsvag/Nordkapp

 

Our first really rainy port day – at times, we had sleet, too. High temp was supposed to be 8 C – not really sure it got there, certainly at North Cape. We had a private tour, arranged by Carolyn & John. Our arrival was a bit delayed as the Captain didn’t care for the berth we had been assigned, and arranged to trade with a supply ship and we had to wait a bit for those maneuvers, and our stay was also extended by an hour.

 

Our tour picked up promptly on the dock, and we proceeded to the fishing village of Kamoyvaer and a visit to an art gallery run by a delightful and talented German woman- much buying followed! Her work also showed up in most of the other venues we visited but it was great to be able to chat with Eva (http://www.evart.no) and have her demonstrate her techniques. I kept shopping and the rest of our group went on to visit the fishermen and sample smoked salmon.

 

From here, we then went to the Sami camp, and visited with the couple who run a small souvenir and craft stand and have a cultural exhibit as well, showing the traditional dress, implements, tents (which strongly resemble Plains Indian teepees), sleds, and so on. In addition, as this was a traditional grazing area for the Sami people, we saw numerous herds of reindeer, including many calves – our guide said they were only a couple of weeks old.

 

From here, we went to Nordkapp or North Cape, where there is a large exhibit hall with historical and cultural displays, a large gift shop, and outdoor displays of various kinds – it was very very cold and windy – I expect around 45 MPH or so out on the actual Cape where the famous globe sculpture is located. We saw the film showing Nordkapp across the seasons – stunning photography and music, visited the chapel (our guide’s father had been the local minister and she told us of the many weddings for couples from around the world that he had performed there) and visited the other displays and exhibits including one to the Thai king Chulalongkorn who had visited in 1907.

 

After Nordkapp, we made our way to what is claimed to be the most northern fishing village in the world – Skarsvag, where we visited the home and store of one of local crab fishermen, saw a tank of king crab, and stopped at the North Cape Christmas and winter house, and sampled some local traditional pastries and drinks, then back to Honningsvag, with a brief stop at the church.

 

Other attractions in town and near the pier were an ice bar (rather pricey), and the museum which had an exhibit of antique maps. Other tours that were offered included a boat trip to a bird sanctuary and a zodiac king crab tour. It is also possible to make your way to Nordkapp on the local public bus, which some of our friends did, and enjoyed very much.

 

The singers who have been sick have recovered sufficiently that we’re having a production show tonight – Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance – which we like quite a lot on the larger ships and are looking forward to seeing in the cabaret setting.

 

Caught a bit of the violinist from yesterday evening, Chris Watkins, and will make a point of catching his whole show when he is on next, as he is excellent. Sherlock Holmes is back on as the in cabin movie. Time changes again, 1 hour forward. Next up is Murmansk on the 18th, with a sea day in between.

[DonahCBrown]

I think each cruise varies depending on the number of Elite on board and the size of the lounge they use. On Diamond it was extended to both Suite/Elite and Platinum.

 

I stand corrected - it does included Platinum.

[DonahCBrown]

Cottage pie refers to an English meat pie made with beef mince and with a crust made from mashed potato.

A variation on this dish using lamb mince is known as shepherd's pie.

 

Unlike standard sweet or savoury pies, cottage or shepherd's pie does not include a pastry case or crust, there is no pastry.

 

Thanks Fiona! See you soon!

[phabric]

Would be interested to know what is served in the Bistro or buffet in the evening encase we don't want to go to the dining room.

[DonahCBrown]

[quote name='phabric']Would be interested to know what is served in the Bistro or buffet in the evening encase we don't want to go to the dining room.[/QUOTE]

Bistro has three menus, basically different preparations of steak, chicken & pasta, plus selection of pizzas and calzone, salad, appetizer, dessert but limited choices.

Buffet, we haven't done yet, but assume it would be like on other of the small ships and be some variation of what is on offer in the dining room but not the 'luxury' items like lobster tail.

As noted before, the buffet is offered first on port days, with Bistro menu following at 9 PM, and the reverse on sea days, with the Bistro early and the buffet at 9 PM.

There is also either Sabatini's or the Steakhouse available on alternating evenings.

[Pia1913]

Donna.......

I just looked at that web page; evart.no. Yes, her art is beautiful.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

[QUOTE]Next up is Murmansk on the 18th, with a sea day in between. [/QUOTE]

[SIZE="2"][COLOR="Blue"]Now off to Russia.....[/COLOR][/SIZE]


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[sea stitcher]

Thanks for the great maps, David.
Margaret and Jim (Joining the ship in Dover)