Live from Rotterdam to Norway, Sept. 6-13, 2014 (plus a few days in Netherlands)

[Copper10-8]

We are boarding the Rotterdam on Sept. 28 for an 83 day cruise...do you know if piano man Bob will be on that cruise? Thanks

 

Nope; you'll have Carl Mitchell tickling the ivories

[Martezz]

Thank you for the update.

[wandb]

Oh, Chris, you have saved the day for me! It had been such a sad day so far. Dear friend diagnosed with bone cancer, another with brain cancer.

 

Knew your first sea day was over, so hoped that when I got home, I'd find an update on your cruise. And there it was. :) Just what I needed!!! I am still laughing at the overheard comment of the day (or at least your translation of it!!). I grew up in a German/Czech community, and that is what EVERYBODY sounded like to me!!:D

 

So glad y'all are having such a good time. Too bad about the Piano Bar---Diane Fast does tend to spoil you! And no BB King either.:(

 

Hugs to your sweet wife. Looking forward to more updates and wonderful pictures.

Barb

[wandb]

Just wondering if they might make amends for selling my favorite ship by naming the new one the NEUW RYNDAM. nu:)

[Copper10-8]

Just wondering if they might make amends for selling my favorite ship by naming the new one the NEUW RYNDAM. nu:)

 

Won't work; there's an "I" in NIEUW ;)

[wandb]

Won't work; there's an "I" in NIEUW ;)

 

I just knew something didn't look right about that. Think my brain has been on "pause" today. Maybe they would go with NEW RYNDAM! (Nine letters and the exclamation point makes 10!:))

[Alphen]

Won't work; there's an "I" in NIEUW ;)

 

I am guessing Staetendam, but like Eurodam, something unexpected may come out of the hat.

[Copper10-8]

I am guessing Staetendam, but like Eurodam, something unexpected may come out of the hat.

 

Sure doesn't look like it'll be a traditional dam name, does it?

[sppunk]

Monday, Sept. 8 continued

 

After enjoying the most expensive Starbucks experience on earth, we set out to wander around Bergen. Two Aida ships were also in town and the city was full of German walking tours. My wife grew up in Germany and enjoyed the opportunity to speak German, except now she's confusing her translation between it and Dutch. Lucky for me I don't understand either. :-)

 

The views from the mountain top were amazing, by the way. Well worthy the time up and down.

 

 

 

We found ourselves in the fish market and I found myself standing in front of a ginormous bowl of fish curry. Since it was around 1:30 my stomach decided it was time to eat. The curry was fantastic. My wife had crab legs. Total bill: $470 Krone. I'll let you do the currency exchange because if I did I'd cry.

 

 

At first I thought the "We accept cash, gold and bitcoins" sign was a joke but yeah, it's not. This place is insanely expensive. A sweater cost the equivalent of $295. Postcards are around $1.60 each. But then again beauty knows no price so there you go.

 

After lunch (oh did I mention I also had sone smoked whalemeat? I did, though I felt guilty eating it) we walked around the city and enjoyed ourselves. Bergen is beautiful and the weather was perfect to enjoy it.

 

Back onboard we headed down to the promenade deck. I am going to be serious for a moment as this is really disturbing me. Every day on this cruise the promenade deck is a walking obstacle and full of cigarette smoke. Passengers take the lounge chairs and move then all over, leaving you with a deck that looks like this. In a walker and usually walk 1 or 2 hours but in the afternoons it's been impossible. I've never seen this before on a cruise, and hope I never do again.

 

 

After more balcony time (read: nap) we played our normal

Game of "let's look at the pictures and laugh at the poses." Don't lie, you've done this too. :)

 

Dinner was excellent. Service has rebounded and the lamb loin was so tender I could cut it with my fork. The banana frozen yogurt was a perfect ending too. No problems getting English menus, the first night's issues haven't been seen since.

 

We are not entertainment people but a "famous" Dutch magician, Ronald Moray, is onboard and did tonight's show. I really don't like these type of things but he was quite good. Even more impressive was his duel Ditch-English translation skills. Seriously, the longer I'm on this cruise the more dumb I feel that I know no other languages other than English. The Dutch are all so good at speaking English (it's required) it makes me sad our education system doesn't let kids learn a second language when it's most easy to pick up.

 

A few Wang Wangs and that was that for Monday night. Andy excellent day.

 

Overheard comment of the day

From an Aussie: "I have been to America south, I think it's funny their healthy food like salads are topped with fried chicken or BBQ."

[sppunk]

Tuesday, Sept. 9

 

The sailing down Geirangerfjord is beautiful beyond words. We woke up way early and enjoyed the sailing on our corner aft balcony with breakfast. Very few things in live are better than that.

 

I'll post more later bit leaving you with the image we awoke to this morning.

 

It's pouring rain and 49 so we'll see what we end up doing. More later.

 

[sppunk]

Ira I'd rather not post publicly. If you shoot me an email I'll be happy to tell you though.

 

canderson (at) gmail [dot] c o m

 

Please put Cruise Critic is subject!

[sppunk]

Tuesday, Sept. 9 continued

 

Tendering began at 8 a.m. sharp and we were on the first tender over, I think nearly all are doing HAL excursions so we had the town to ourselves for a while.

 

While the weather wasn't good we hedged our bets and booked the hop-on panoramic tour. I wanted to get to Mt. Dalsnibba but with this weather didn't want to waste the money.

 

I hate bus tours with a fiery passion. Well to be fair I hate any group tour. But here there are no real alternatives. And with this said the tour, the bus, the crowd ... worth every last penny. This place is beauty beyond words.

 

In fact I'm not typing anymore and instead just posting photos. I hope my iPhone captured the majesty.

 

 

 

 

 

Now we are using free wifi while eating chili chocolate and about to head back to our home this week.

 

The weather was crummy but no weather can impact the natural sensory overload Geiranger provides.

 

More later from the Fjorddam.

[sppunk]

A few additional photos from our day in Geiranger. Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

 

No translation needed for this sign!

 

 

And here is my wife and I. I'm not one to post personal stuff but this is too perfect plus those who have met us and are reading this will enjoy it. ;)

 

Edited September 9, 2014 by sppunk

[cruz chic]

Your pictures are stunning! Thx so much.

[magandab]

Yeah, Geiranger is impossible to describe in mere words. I'm delighted you had the same knock-your-socks-off reaction that we did.

[Copper10-8]

Geiranger and Norway; how can you go wrong! Nice pics Chris; Enjoy

[fm6175]

Very nice review . Thank you .

[Alphen]

Sure doesn't look like it'll be a traditional dam name, does it?

 

Still hoping for some nostalgia here and that a sense for history will kick in.

[Ine]

Still hoping for some nostalgia here and that a sense for history will kick in.

According captain Corstjens on our last cruise the new name will be 10 letters. With much guessing........how about Prinsendam?

Maybe another surprise sale of the ""old"" Prinsendam before that?

[Copper10-8]

According captain Corstjens on our last cruise the new name will be 10 letters. With much guessing........how about Prinsendam?

Maybe another surprise sale of the ""old"" Prinsendam before that?

 

Zwammerdam ;)

[Alphen]

Zwammerdam ;)

 

oops

Edited September 9, 2014 by Alphen

[Alphen]

Zwammerdam ;)

 

One giant leap for mankind……..

 

 

just around the corner for me :D

Edited September 9, 2014 by Alphen

[Ine]

Zwammerdam ;)

Weet jij meer John? Do you know more John?

[sppunk]

Tuesday. Sept. 8 continued

 

Our departure from Geiranger was identical to our arrival: gorgeous.

 

We took it in from the shelter of rain and wind from our aft balcony (honestly, the biggest pro to aft balconies is they have no wind which makes a huge difference in colder climates). We then tired to find food. One of my biggest complaints against HAL is the Lido (lack of) hours. At 4:30 (we hadn't eaten since 6:30 a.m.) the only thing available was Dive In, Slice and the sandwich station. For those who are vegetarians and have a need for simple salads or fruit you are out of luck entirely. I always make this comment on the post-cruise survey, thinking gone day it'll help make a difference. I'll do the same after this voyage.

 

Dinner tonight was excellent. Dover Sole, chicken Kiev, lamb kebabs, mango sorbet, fruit played, steamed veggies ... all were great. So far the MDR food has been some of the better we've experienced, and bonus hot food is served hot and cold food served cold!

 

It was also "Dutch Night" at the casino. I never knew HAL's casino allowed you to play with others' money before. I've always only knows casinos to be Dutch nights ("going Dutch" ... get it? Bad joke, I know!).

 

After a drink or two listening to Adiago Strings, it was off to bed as we docked in Alesund.

 

Wednesday, Sept. 10

 

Our day in Alesund was, as all days have been this journey, completed unplanned. Usually we plan out each day with exact plans, this is the first trip we've not done any real planning.

 

You know what? This has been one of our best trips of our lives and we might re-evaluate our vacation planning strategies going forward.

 

Since the viewpoint stairs are closed we took the little fake train to the top. It's a 55 degree day with no clouds so it was perfect. See for yourself.

 

 

We then wandered the town. It's a little place but with great architecture and easy strolling. And of course gorgeous buildings along the water

 

 

We are now heading back onboard for lunch, then sailaway. Tomorrow is our last port - Eidfjord. I don't want this trip to end.

 

That's all for now. More later from the Rotterdam.

 

Overheard comment of the day

"I'd rather never cruise again than listen to that piano player ever again"

[wandb]

Chris, what an excellent review. Your pictures are amazing, especially when some of them are taken in cloudy or rainy weather! (Yes, we did enjoy the picture of you and the lovely DW!):)

 

I know you two don't usually go to any of the production shows, but wondering if you have tried any of them out this time (especially since no Piano Bar to hang out in.). We thought they were pretty good, actually, when we sailed on the Rotterdam---but that was years ago. Have you heard anyone else commenting on them, good or bad?

 

Judging from your last overheard comment, that piano guy must be REALLY bad!!:eek:

 

Looking forward to your next post,

Barb