Live from a Norway Intensive cruise - oh wait its Norway no internet

[KY Deb]

Enjoyed reading about your trip.  We just booked Quest for Oct 2023 Spain Intensive.  Hopefully by then, the staff issues will be worked out, but we will be newbies, so maybe we wouldn’t  notice!   How was the condition of the ship?  One of the reasons we chose Azamara Quest over Celebrity Infinity was the Infinity had been scheduled for a renovation that did not occur.  We’ve read mixed reviews about it’s conditions. I check this forum daily for info.   It’s going to be a long time between now and a year from October!  

[uktog]

16 minutes ago, KY Deb said:

Enjoyed reading about your trip.  We just booked Quest for Oct 2023 Spain Intensive.  Hopefully by then, the staff issues will be worked out, but we will be newbies, so maybe we wouldn’t  notice!   How was the condition of the ship?  One of the reasons we chose Azamara Quest over Celebrity Infinity was the Infinity had been scheduled for a renovation that did not occur.  We’ve read mixed reviews about it’s conditions. I check this forum daily for info.   It’s going to be a long time between now and a year from October!  

The maintenance of the ship is good. You will see some scrapes etc but you see them on all ships. If something isn’t right and you notice it report it. That’s key to them keeping on top of everything. You do see some things out of order eg a sink in the ladies, it will get sorted once the spare arrives. 
But they are constantly working on the maintenance often unseen, for example whilst most people were ashore in Amsterdam they relayed new carpet in the lift areas and stairs deck 4 aft 

[nordski]

44 minutes ago, uktog said:

Onboard Captain Johannes was hopeful for Svalbard in 2024. I bet that one sells at a premium. This cruise was our lift and shift of that one 

Thanks for mentioning this.

 

I will be checking the 2024 cruises.

[Nippy Sweetie]

Thanks @uktogI enjoyed reading your posts and looking at the photos. 

[federalexpress]

That was a nice review of your cruise, enjoyed reading it. Last time I was in Norway, I found it eye wateringly expensive and I guess a cruise is a pretty cost effective way of doing it.

[travelberlin]

Thanks a lot UKtog for your review and the pictures! It looks like a lovely itinerary. I am glad you have enjoyed your cruise and had the opportunity to visit such lovely places.

Ivi

[donaldsc]

6 hours ago, uktog said:

Onboard Captain Johannes was hopeful for Svalbard in 2024. I bet that one sells at a premium. This cruise was our lift and shift of that one 

 

We did an Azamara that went to Svalbard a few years ago.  Svalbard was pretty neat.  The problem though was you spend 3 days of the cruise in order to do Svalbard - 1 day to Svalbard; 1 day at Svalbard and 1 day from Svalbard.  Not sure if there is any solution to that problem unless you book a dedicated Svalbard expedition trip which I would be willing to do.  I personally felt that the tradeoff of 2 wasted sea days (I dislike sea days) was not worth the 1 day in Svalbard.

 

DON

[uktog]

8 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

 

We did an Azamara that went to Svalbard a few years ago.  Svalbard was pretty neat.  The problem though was you spend 3 days of the cruise in order to do Svalbard - 1 day to Svalbard; 1 day at Svalbard and 1 day from Svalbard.  Not sure if there is any solution to that problem unless you book a dedicated Svalbard expedition trip which I would be willing to do.  I personally felt that the tradeoff of 2 wasted sea days (I dislike sea days) was not worth the 1 day in Svalbard.

 

DON

Thanks as I love sea days either side of more active spells it sounds a good fit for me though appreciate that’s not it for everyone 

[DS]

14 hours ago, uktog said:

Onboard Captain Johannes was hopeful for Svalbard in 2024. I bet that one sells at a premium. This cruise was our lift and shift of that one 

WE had a Svalbard cancelled for COVId and eagerly await the next oppotunity   ( if its with Johannes, a BONUS!).... BUt where are the 2024 cruises??????

[uktog]

6 hours ago, DS said:

WE had a Svalbard cancelled for COVId and eagerly await the next oppotunity   ( if its with Johannes, a BONUS!).... BUt where are the 2024 cruises??????

They are coming in the next month or so we heard. They had to review so much again because of political changes and also new restrictions in places like Norway that limits which ports they can visit and abilities to connect to shore power. 

[Nippy Sweetie]

I love sea days. That's why we go on cruises to sail to places. If I didn't like sea days I'd go on bus tours!

I'm so looking forward to our cruise to northern Norway next Spring. Of all the places we've been it's been Norway that lingered in my memory.

[Hulagirl]

Have loved reading your review and looking at your pictures.  We are waiting anxiously for 2024 to show up for Norway.  Good to know it may be next month sometime.  Appreciate your information on that.

 

Back in 2014 we did a Midnight Sun cruise on the Ocean Princess (Princess Cruises) that went to Svalbard.  That was an interesting place.  Will never forget all the signs about staying on the path and watching for polar bears. Was a place we won't forget. 

 

Thanks so much for your posts and pics!

 

Susan

[PAtravelbug]

What kind of camera are you using? Your quality of  photos are magnificent. Or is that all due to the photographer? 

[uktog]

42 minutes ago, PAtravelbug said:

What kind of camera are you using? Your quality of  photos are magnificent. Or is that all due to the photographer? 

Thank you, it’s a simple iPhone 11. I gave up carrying kit and lenses a few years ago and don’t regret it 

[Baynanno1]

3 hours ago, uktog said:

Thank you, it’s a simple iPhone 11. I gave up carrying kit and lenses a few years ago and don’t regret it 

Slightly off the original topic, but I hope you don't mind.

 

I am not carrying camera gear currently due to a shoulder injury.

I have a Samsung and having been used to a viewfinder for many years, I am having considerable difficulty seeing what I am shooting in bright light.

Would love to hear any suggestions you may have.

 

I didn't have the same problem with the previous phone (also Samsung) and wonder whether an anti-glare screen protector might solve my current problem?

[Host Jazzbeau]

@uktog this discussion is up to you; I'll gladly pull it, but if you're ok with it I will contribute my thoughts:

 

 

@Baynanno1 I have an iPhone 14 Pro and while the pictures it takes are the best I have seen from an iPhone it can't match my Lumix DMC-FZ200 with a 25-600mm Leica lens (and a small sensor, which is still bigger than the iPhone's).  This camera only weighs approx. 588g (1.29lb) with battery and SD memory card – would it be ok for your wounded shoulder?  [especially with a camera harness strap?]

[uktog]

I have an anti glare protector on the screen and have the screen brightness settings adjusted in the menu that’s all.  I have reached the age where a second thing, even a small camera is one thing too much to have to carry around, keep charged etc.  I also want something easy to be able to share pictures quickly with the family and has inbuilt edit capabilities to crop etc when something is not quite right.

Im due a phone upgrade and am awaiting the new iPhone next month with interest.  I prefer iPhone but my son in the industry swears by Samsung.

 

And looping back to the main topic, when we were on Viking in March, they had four enrichment speakers, all experts in their area.  One was a newspaper photographer specialising in the Royal Family.  He did an excellent series of sessions in which he covered taking photos with both big cameras and Mobile devices in each talk.  He was a firm believer the mobile had a place in all aspects of photography.  I learned a lot from him and put some of that learning into practice this trip.
 

He was also a quality speaker, as was the naval historian, the Norwegian expert and the scientist/naturalist.  That’s the quality of enrichment sadly lacking on Azamara right now. 

Edited August 15, 2022 by uktog

[Baynanno1]

5 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

@uktog this discussion is up to you; I'll gladly pull it, but if you're ok with it I will contribute my thoughts:

 

 

@Baynanno1 I have an iPhone 14 Pro and while the pictures it takes are the best I have seen from an iPhone it can't match my Lumix DMC-FZ200 with a 25-600mm Leica lens (and a small sensor, which is still bigger than the iPhone's).  This camera only weighs approx. 588g (1.29lb) with battery and SD memory card – would it be ok for your wounded shoulder?  [especially with a camera harness strap?]

Thanks for your input. My FZ200 died and was replaced by an FZ300, which is a bit heavier.

I can manage carrying the camera/bag and taking landscape shots if I am careful, but portrait shot using the viewfinder causes too much pain - if I can even get it into position. That sadly may well be the case with any camera now, regardless of the weight.

[Baynanno1]

1 hour ago, uktog said:

I have an anti glare protector on the screen and have the screen brightness settings adjusted in the menu that’s all.  I have reached the age where a second thing, even a small camera is one thing too much to have to carry around, keep charged etc.  I also want something easy to be able to share pictures quickly with the family and has inbuilt edit capabilities to crop etc when something is not quite right.

Im due a phone upgrade and am awaiting the new iPhone next month with interest.  I prefer iPhone but my son in the industry swears by Samsung.

 

And looping back to the main topic, when we were on Viking in March, they had four enrichment speakers, all experts in their area.  One was a newspaper photographer specialising in the Royal Family.  He did an excellent series of sessions in which he covered taking photos with both big cameras and Mobile devices in each talk.  He was a firm believer the mobile had a place in all aspects of photography.  I learned a lot from him and put some of that learning into practice this trip.
 

He was also a quality speaker, as was the naval historian, the Norwegian expert and the scientist/naturalist.  That’s the quality of enrichment sadly lacking on Azamara right now. 

Thanks very much for your response.

I feel that the screen protector is not the same as was on my previous phone, so will get that checked out.

I will also check the settings to see whether an improvement can be made there.

 

Good speakers certainly do make a difference!

[Mackdogmolly]

On 8/12/2022 at 3:26 PM, uktog said:

 

Rosendal

 

Our last fjord village, not as pretty as the others until you get out of town.  Head right up the hill and follow the signs for The Barony Rosendal which is the smallest castle in Scandanavia.  

 

We did not pay for a castle tour, we wanted to see its other feature, its gardens.  
 

Firstly its natural flower gardens, from which you can see Azamara Quest in the distance

And then its stunning rose gardens.  I have so many photos of the roses, all labelled in beautiful beds but have chosen just a few here!  The fragrance in the garden was stunning.

 

That evening, we were treated to an extra when two high class performers were brought from Bergen to perform on a 17^th c violin and the piano, music from Norway.  This included hymns, children’s melodies and work by Greig,  It was absolutely outstanding again, budget is being spent here!  Two shows were offered so people could distance and as with all shows it was also live streamed to the cabins for those who wanted to completely avoid the Cabaret Lounge as some chose.

 

That waffle cone dessert looks so yummy!! And I can see that the Whispering Angel is still flowing! ❤️

[uktog]

One picture I meant to add in addition to the dinosaurs these pesky things seem to be everywhere 

 

[Nippy Sweetie]

Trolls? Yes. You get them all over the internet too!!

[Host Jazzbeau]

FYI my approach to 'live from' threads is to try to keep them more centered on the author's intention that other types of threads [which we all know wander all over the place, and which in general I think is what makes CC a community].  If the author engages with the OT post, it seems that they are ok with it – in this case since I was responding OT before @uktog had a chance to respond, I thought it would be courteous to check.  This applies to any author on any of the forums that I moderate.

[uktog]

I promise I will stop the pictures soon.  I was working on our photo book for this cruise last night. I decided these photos made the cut and I thought I’d share them given our comments on IPhones.  I love my big camera (a canon DSLR) which I use when the Sherpa is not on a day off but continue to be amazed at the outputs from my iPhone.

 

This first picture is from the beautiful Rosendal Baronecy Rose Garden.  The original shot was wider but cropping in I was amazed that the clarity of the raindrops remained. I’d taken the picture because the rain was overnight and I was surprised  to see the place was so still and peaceful so the drops were still on all the roses. 

 

The second picture shows how well the iPhone coped in the bus as we drove through Holland. I was told always put the camera lens hard to the window.  Here I edited, clicking the iPhones magic wand to correct the bus window tint.  Not a perfect shot but better than nothing!!

 

And finally who can resist an unedited sunset!  Here I was in the Den, looked out the window and had to temporarily leave my drink!  The iPhones portability comes into its own in these situations. 

 

So final images from a very memorable trip.  
 

Happy to answer any questions on what we did (or did not do) or about life aboard.

 

Hopefully more images from a Greek adventure next month 😃

Edited August 16, 2022 by uktog

[Norwaylady]

Looks like you had decent weather😁 Its been a lot of rain this summer💦

 

Glad that you enjoyed Norway🇳🇴

To all that considers a cruise to Norway. It pays off to take the grand tour all the way to Nordkapp 71`or 78`in Longyerbyen.

The 7-days sailing from Amsterdam/England just touches some of the beautiful places you can visit. 

The scenery is completely different from south to north. And you are passing the arctic circle. So during summer season, its midnight sun. 

 

Svalbard/Spitzbergen is special. Mr Norwaylady lived for 2years in Longyerbyen;)