Indy - Norwegian Fjords cruise 18th-26th May review (lots of pics!!!)

[drummerdavebmth]

Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/8981302287_9861a4d79f_b.jpg' alt='8981302287_9861a4d79f_b.jpg'> Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

[wolfganghowell]

Dang Dave, more more more! W've got to get to the engagement! Ah - the suspense! :)

Having just watched The Vikings on the US History Channel, this is a great time to read and see a first hand report on Norway!

[drummerdavebmth]

Dang Dave, more more more! W've got to get to the engagement! Ah - the suspense! :)

Having just watched The Vikings on the US History Channel, this is a great time to read and see a first hand report on Norway!

 

Haha....all good things come to those who wait ;)

[cruisingcanadian]

Dave,thank you for your wonderful review and pictures;I am going on very similar cruise next year on the Adventure OTS,so this is a great way to see what to expect. Can't wait!

[drummerdavebmth]

After a while taking in the surroundings and marvelling at the views, we got back on the coach and made our decent back down through the the mountains to Skjolden...

 

Passing frozen lakes along the way!

 

by , on Flickr[/img]

 

 

And there was Indy, welcoming us back home (I think she was enjoying her first trip to the fjords too!)

 

Independence Of The Seas - Norway cruise 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

[drummerdavebmth]

We got onboard and were hungry...so we hit the Windjammer!

 

After which we fancied a cocktail, so we went up to the Olive or Twist bar to take in the panoramic views of Skjolden.

 

Hard to believe that less than 2 hours previously we were up in deep snow covered mountains!! Very surreal......

 

Let's drink to that! Cheers!

 

Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

 

 

When we had finished our drinks, we decided to go back to our stateroom to get ready for the headliner show in the theatre (a comedian, who's name escapes me, but was very funny). We had already set sail from Skjolden at this point, so I couldn't resist popping out for some photo opportunities...

 

Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

 

We then went back in the warm to find our seats....

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/8981309463_305a2d9b52_b.jpg' alt='8981309463_305a2d9b52_b.jpg'> Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

[drummerdavebmth]

After the show, it was time for dinner (we were on MTD and had already made a reservation).

 

Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

 

We went back to Olive or Twist again that night for a night cap, as we were coming out into the open sea again, before calling it a night....

 

We had another excursion booked for tomorrow (a hike up to a Glacier) and I had also decided tomorrow was the day to "pop the question"

 

Until tomorrow then.....

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5345/8982506304_9b9f47f050_b.jpg' alt='8982506304_9b9f47f050_b.jpg'> Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

[Gator0178]

Been following since the beginning......Always wondered about this cruise!

 

Good luck on popping the question! Of course she will say yes!

[drummerdavebmth]

Been following since the beginning......Always wondered about this cruise!

 

Good luck on popping the question! Of course she will say yes!

 

It's definitely one worth doing!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[drummerdavebmth]

Day 5 - Olden

 

....and (wait for it)....proposal day!!

 

So, I'd decided the night before that today was going to be the day to "pop the question". But where, how and when? Keep reading ;)

 

Again the day started with room service breakfast and a wake up call. For the first time the weather outside didn't look great...low, misty clouds and light drizzle rain. Oh well, it added to the atmosphere I suppose....

 

The view from our balcony this morning...

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/8982538342_8a7bf9419a_b.jpg' alt='8982538342_8a7bf9419a_b.jpg'> Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

[drummerdavebmth]

We had an excursion planned today which we were both looking forward to. A walk (hike, more like!) up to the famous Briksdal Glacier, an arm of the Jostedalsbreen Glacier (the largest Glacier in Europe) in the Jostedalsbreen National Park.

 

 

A coach took us to the starting point of our walk...well we broke down on the way and they had to send a replacement coach to pick us up, but we won't dwell on that!

 

Luckily we had stopped in a rather picturesque place.....

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5349/8982507400_c8d686e978_b.jpg' alt='8982507400_c8d686e978_b.jpg'> Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

[drummerdavebmth]

Well, we eventually made it to the starting point and were left to walk up to the Glacier by ourselves (approx 50 minute walk each way with 20 minutes at the Glacier).

 

We were to meet back at the restaurant where the coach dropped us off for complimentary coffee and cake.

 

 

At the start of our walk, looking back towards the cafe/restaurant (notice that waterfall in the distance?)

 

 

Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

 

 

Despite the weather, it was a very enjoyable walk...

 

Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

[drummerdavebmth]

At last we got to our destination, even though I wished the weather was nicer (just a bit clearer would have been good), I still wasn't disappointed.

 

It was amazing (and we could only see half of it, due to all the low cloud)

 

Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

 

Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

 

 

The photo's don't really do it justice....You really have to get yourselves there and see it first hand!

[Bovboy]

Ah Dave, I am getting goosebumps as I read this. We were on the same cruise and it was one of the most amazing trips I have ever taken.

 

Am loving the pictures, (even if they do mirror alot of my own :)), still can't get enough of the scenary both on and off the ship.

[drummerdavebmth]

After a while, we decided to go....the promise of coffee and cake was becoming more appealing by the minute!

 

I had to take a photo of this. These were dotted about everywhere (not sure what they were), although it reminded me of the front cover of an album by RUSH ('Test For Echo')....Good enough reason to dig out the trusty iPhone 5 from my back pocket!

 

 

Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

 

After the much needed refreshments we all piled back onto the coach. On the way back, the tour guide played some traditional Norwegian music over the speakers....it was actually quite relaxing and went well with the views from the coach windows.

 

Here we are, back in Olden and pulling up near our ship...(I was looking forward to getting back to our stateroom to have a nice, warm shower!)

 

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2841/8981338281_32e59d1b88_b.jpg' alt='8981338281_32e59d1b88_b.jpg'> Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

[drummerdavebmth]

Ah Dave, I am getting goosebumps as I read this. We were on the same cruise and it was one of the most amazing trips I have ever taken.

 

Am loving the pictures, (even if they do mirror alot of my own :)), still can't get enough of the scenary both on and off the ship.

 

Glad you're enjoying the review and glad it's "bringing it all back" for you.

 

It was quite a trip wasn't it?! :)

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bovboy]

It certainly was, and I apologise for not waving as we drove past your broken down bus!

And as for the cakes in the restaurant at Briksdal - oh boy, too good.

[drummerdavebmth]

It certainly was, and I apologise for not waving as we drove past your broken down bus!

And as for the cakes in the restaurant at Briksdal - oh boy, too good.

 

Haha....that's funny that you saw us (it may well have been your coach that came back to pick us up after dropping you off!)

[drummerdavebmth]

Back on board....Showered...and feeling human again (lol)

 

A quick photo looking down...

 

 

Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

 

 

Independence Of The Seas - Norway 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

 

 

I thought it was a pretty good production, nice take on classic fairy tales with good stage production.

 

After the show had ended.....we went to our stateroom to get ready for dinner (we'd made reservations in the MDR again).

 

As we walked up the stairs to deck 9, I was getting nervous.....I was planning to propose to Jen on our balcony when we got to our stateroom (gulp!)

[Zhane's mum]

Looking forward to the big question!!

Dave, are walking boots needed to get to Briksdal? I was planning on wearing trainers

[KerryJTaylor]

We had an excursion booked for this cruise....the famous train up through the mountains - great views, although we did feel a little bit herded like cattle....

 

 

 

Finally on Norwegian soil....queuing to get on the train

 

Independence Of The Seas - Norway cruise 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

 

Independence Of The Seas - Norway cruise 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

 

 

 

 

When we reached the top, we had some waffles and jam with coffee before the journey back down to Flåm and our floating Hotel :)

 

Oh look...here's a photo of me, with Indy looming over Flåm

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/8983745475_fc8d44f233_b.jpg' alt='8983745475_fc8d44f233_b.jpg'> Independence Of The Seas - Norway cruise 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

 

Hi again!

 

Your photos are gorgeous! did you book the train journey from RCCL? If so do you mind me asking what the tour was called?

[drummerdavebmth]

Looking forward to the big question!!

Dave' date=' are walking boots needed to get to Briksdal? I was planning on wearing trainers[/quote']

 

We bought some walking trainers from an "outdoor" type store (y'know the ones), so although they were trainers they were those ones that protected the ankles and were waterproof - nothing worse than having soggy, wet socks.

 

I think my pair cost me about £70

 

Money well spent because they will last me for a long time now :)

[drummerdavebmth]

Hi again!

 

Your photos are gorgeous! did you book the train journey from RCCL? If so do you mind me asking what the tour was called?

 

Hi there!

 

Yes, We did book through RCCL

 

We booked all 3 excursions through RCCL

 

FM24A The Flåm Railway

OH10A Panoramic Sognefejell (this was the coach tour up to the mountains)

OL19A Briksdalen Glacier

 

We did our own thing in Alesund and Stavanger.

[dforeigner]

Awesome pictures! Thanks for sharing.

[drummerdavebmth]

Once we got to our stateroom, Jen needed to use the bathroom.

 

I took this opportunity to get the engagement ring from where I had been hiding it and went out on the balcony.

 

We were now cruising back up the fjord, slowly making our way out to open sea (we'd set sail from Olden shortly before the 7pm show).

 

So now we were cruising along the fjord....everything was perfect.

 

Jen came out of the bathroom....

 

Me: "babe, why don't you come out and join me on the balcony for a minute before dinner...the view's lovely"

 

Jen: "Do I have to, it's cold!"

 

Me: "Come on, just for a moment"

 

Jen: "It's cold and we'll be late for our dinner reservation"

 

(Jeez.....throw me a bone here!!)

 

Me: "Come on...you'll be glad you did, it's amazing out here"

 

Jen: "Ok then...but we can stay out long"

 

 

So, I got down on one knee (rather awkwardly, it has to be said)

 

Jen said "yes"....and she suddenly forgot all about being cold (and felt a little silly about complaining too). We've laughed about it a lot since then :)

 

And here's the ring...

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3778/8996058858_a596722f25_b.jpg' alt='8996058858_a596722f25_b.jpg'> Independence Of The Seas - Norway cruise 18th-26th May 2013 by drummerdave72, on Flickr[/img]

 

We've since had the ring re-sized to fit perfectly :)