Live from the NCL Star July 23-August 15, 2023. Will I survive 23 days without the beverage package?

[YVRteacher]

Teppanyaki last night was a hit!

Our chef was Thea and she was amazing. Talented, funny and personable, she created a wonderful experience for the 7 guests at her grill.

 

salad=good

Miso soup=I can’t eat this because dashi is fish

fried rice=soooooooo good!!! 

vegetable stack=good flavour if you like yellow squash, zucchini, carrot and onion. I like 2/4 of these items but tried 3/4.

Vegetable Yaki Udon=lovely rich ginger flavour, tofu ok, vegetables were delicious. Noodles were not cooked. I could tell just by looking at them that they were still raw.

Dessert=green tea cake. I liked everything on the plate except for the green tea cake.

 

 

The food was not stellar but it was a lot of fun. The best food was the rice and the fruit garnish on the dessert.

 

 

[YVRteacher]

August 11

Seydisfjordur 

I don’t know why, but I have slept so well on this cruise!

Normally I’m not a good sleeper either at home or when traveling but this cruise sleep has been a gift. I wake up each day feeling great.

Back to Seydisfjordur. I loved this port last time because I did the excursion to the Vok Nature Baths.

For breakfast I went to O’Sheehan’s. I’ve never ordered the breakfast sandwich before so thought I’d try that (subbing tomato for the ham) with a small bowl of fruit. I can’t eat the full fruit bowl they serve and don’t want to waste food. It was nicely presented and tasted very good. The eggs were powdered so next time I’ll ask for real eggs (and real cheese!) It didn’t occur to me that this would come with powdered eggs and plastic cheese. I ate everything, even the white mystery melon.

 

Maybe today I’ll find my hand knit socks. 

 

Jellyfish. I haven’t told you about the jellyfish yet! They are prolific and come in all sizes. We’ve seen them at every port in Iceland as well as Honningsvåg. Last night around 7:30 people whooshed outside on deck 7. Usually a whoosh means a whale but this time it was a smack of jellyfish. These were all white ones, the kind where you can see all their jellyfish parts. Today in Seydisfjordur the jellyfish are reddish brown. They hover at the surface, trailing their tentacles 

 

Did I share these photo from Honningsvåg? I love the way the light is hitting the ocean.

 

 

Yikes! I see another large cruise ship entering the fjord. I need to get going and head into town. 4 ships in a town of 668 is a lot. I don’t want all the hand knit socks to get snapped up. 

[YVRteacher]

Today was a day where the hiking boots were necessary. 

I climbed every mountain,

Forded every stream 

Followed every byway 

And took a lot of photos

 

Ok, that’s not quite how the song goes but sometimes one needs to customize.

 

Other people were climbing up but not paying attention to anything. I stopped for every fungus, subarctic plant and leaf changing colour. Look at this tree that recently experienced a summer growth spurt!

 

 

 

 

 

This hike is a little challenging in that it’s uphill on loose large rocks (then downhill on the same loose large rocks) but it’s worth it for both the views and for Tvísöngur.

Artist Lukas Kühne created Tvísöngur to represent the five harmonic tones in Icelandic music. Friends who woke up earlier than I did and hiked to the domes were treated to a family from Germany singing beautifully inside Tvísöngur. When I was there a chubby guy in his 60s was inside barking away in each of the five domes so I heard high woofs and low woofs, none of which were pleasantly harmonious in any way. Sometimes you get a choir, sometimes you get a big fellow barking. Such is the joy of travel.

 

We had 9 hours in Seydisfjordur so I had time to walk through the tiny town again.

I took photos of flowers growing in gardens and flowers in containers at front doors.

 

 

 

This family didn’t get the flowers in containers memo.

 

This time the Skaftfell Art Gallery was open.

I loved the exhibit! So fun and delightful. Also, best use of a cairn. Ever.

 

 

 

 

The artists are a collective with wickedly creative minds and spirits called The Arctic Creatures. They have been friends since early childhood, grew up in Iceland in the 1980s and go on frequent treks into the wild, using found objects to creative their art.

 

When it was time to tender back the line up for the tenders was about two blocks long. Passengers were budging like crazy. It’s not a buffet, people! There are no pretzel rolls at the end of this line.

 

Fortunately the concierge, wonderful Carlos came to pull guests in suites out of the line and walk them to the front. He saw me and brought me with the group. That probably saved me 90 minutes of standing outside in a line as the wind picked up.  Thank goodness, because there is a brush seminar at 5:30pm today. (That was sarcasm.) 

 

As I waiting for the security line I saw a passenger boarding wearing a mask, looking none too well and carrying a bag of 5 Covid tests. Poor fellow. 
 

[schmoopie17]

That colorful sidewalk reminds me of playing Candy Land with the grandkids.

[TenForward]

Simply. Stunning. Photos. 

 

[2bc cruisers]

I just have to chime in here…YVRteacher, You have had some wonderful weather…yeah, yeah, I saw the sideways rain pics and the swells.  But Geez, the sun peeking out in so many places looks wonderful.!  I am with the 9/7 sailing, following along looking for tips and hints.  You’ve shared many I hope to take advantage of.  Honestly, cake buying in port is top in my list.  😂. Thank you for your many reviews.

[QuattroRomeo]

1 hour ago, YVRteacher said:

I loved the exhibit! So fun and delightful. Also, best use of a cairn. Ever.

Also best use of a golf ball, ever....?!!

[LauraAnneC]

Shouldn’t that have been

 

climbed every mountain 

fjorded every stream….😉🤦‍♀️

[Turtles06]

@YVRteacher— there’s an excellent Icelandic TV series called “Trapped” (available on Netflix), the first season of which took place in, and was filmed in, Seydisfjordur. My wife and I loved the show, and were excited to have Seydisfjordur on the itinerary of the Viking Passage cruise we took with HAL in 2018.  Alas, we missed the port due to weather. You are fortunate to have gotten there twice! 😊

[Norwegianprincess]

 

@YVRteacher this is the licorique I recommend, it’s sooo good! 

[YVRteacher]

2 hours ago, 2bc cruisers said:

I just have to chime in here…YVRteacher, You have had some wonderful weather…yeah, yeah, I saw the sideways rain pics and the swells.  But Geez, the sun peeking out in so many places looks wonderful.!  I am with the 9/7 sailing, following along looking for tips and hints.  You’ve shared many I hope to take advantage of.  Honestly, cake buying in port is top in my list.  😂. Thank you for your many reviews.

The weather has been pretty amazing! It rained in Olden pretty much all day and it rained in Tórshavn where I wasn’t dressed warmly enough. I still loved that port and we got to see those three stunning rainbows.  There were a couple of drops of rain in Ísafjordur but they were inconsequential. 
 

I’m really grateful that we only missed one port and that we made it to Svalbard. 
 

Which ports are on your itinerary?

 

I love that cake buying is a top priority! You’re doing it right! The coffee has been wonderful too.

 

Just a little tip: it’s so windy that an umbrella likely wouldn’t be useful. Pack a waterproof rain jacket with a hood that tightens around your face and make sure you have waterproof footwear.  The lightweight hiking boots I bought for this trip have been excellent. 

I wish I had packed a lightweight Merino wool long sleeve base layer shirt. 

[YVRteacher]

3 hours ago, TenForward said:

Simply. Stunning. Photos. 

 

Thank you!

[YVRteacher]

3 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

That colorful sidewalk reminds me of playing Candy Land with the grandkids.

I’ve heard that every city and town in Iceland has a rainbow crosswalk to support Pride. The only place I haven’t seen one is Djúpivogur.

[YVRteacher]

2 hours ago, LauraAnneC said:

Shouldn’t that have been

 

climbed every mountain 

fjorded every stream….😉🤦‍♀️

I came so close to writing it that way!

 

We must be kindred spirits!

[YVRteacher]

16 minutes ago, Norwegianprincess said:

 

@YVRteacher this is the licorique I recommend, it’s sooo good! 

Thank you!

 

I will look for it in the next few ports! I have a friend who would like this too.

 

Tonight was fun!

 

Can you please post your bog wool photo from Djúpivogur?

 

 

[YVRteacher]

I had dinner plans tonight with friends but needed something in between breakfast and late dinner so ordered nachos at O’Sheehan’s. It came with chopped up cilantro entwined with the cheesy goodness. I felt so badly, but I had to send it back. I can’t eat cilantro. This is the first time it’s been served with cilantro.

 

Batch of nachos #2 was crunchy and cheesy and hit-the-spot tasty. They have a different brand of tortilla chips that don’t get soggy. They also taste good.

Seydisfjordur is beautiful but they lack cake so I had this at O’Sheehan’s. Two thumbs up!

 

It’s bad enough that Top Gun plays over and over and over on the cabin TV, but now the Three V Strings are playing the theme song. I liked this group at first but their repertoire is tiny and they play the same songs every time they’re on, which is often. Much of what they play is funereal in nature and 23 days is a lot of days to listen to somber violins.

[YVRteacher]

If you are cruising in Iceland and want to bring home gifts for yourself, family and friends, my recommendation is to bring a cloth bag to Seydisfjördur because you will want to buy one of everything! The shops are beautifully curated with handcrafted, high quality items from Iceland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a note that the nicest shops are not located on the car free street but more-so near the art gallery and on the lake.
 

I saw a woman buying a gorgeous handmade red wool sweater for her mom. 
 

In another shop a man saw a row of stuffed puffins (not stuffies kids would snuggle with but taxidermy stuffed puffins) and asked his wife, “do you need a puffin?”

 

She said no.

 

Did I buy socks? I didn’t. The ones I saw weren’t made in Iceland and they were size 46. I don’t know what that means but I’m pretty sure my feet aren’t size 46!

 

I did buy myself something special. Will share tomorrow along with a lovely dinner experience in the MDR.

 

I loved, loved, loved the day in Seydisfjordur!

[YVRteacher]

Guess who is excited for a day in Akureyri with a trip to the Forest Lagoon?

 

Me!

 

it’s me!

[2bc cruisers]

21 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

The weather has been pretty amazing! It rained in Olden pretty much all day and it rained in Tórshavn where I wasn’t dressed warmly enough. I still loved that port and we got to see those three stunning rainbows.  There were a couple of drops of rain in Ísafjordur but they were inconsequential. 
 

I’m really grateful that we only missed one port and that we made it to Svalbard. 
 

Which ports are on your itinerary?

 

I love that cake buying is a top priority! You’re doing it right! The coffee has been wonderful too.

 

Just a little tip: it’s so windy that an umbrella likely wouldn’t be useful. Pack a waterproof rain jacket with a hood that tightens around your face and make sure you have waterproof footwear.  The lightweight hiking boots I bought for this trip have been excellent. 
 

I wish I had packed a lightweight Merino wool long sleeve base layer shirt. 

Thank you for affirming my shopping list 😉 A base layer merino is the one item I am lacking.  I believe all the other essentials are within my closets (I am a hiker) I will give our rain jackets a good look to be sure they have drawstrings on the hood.  
The ports:  embark in Reykjavik, Isafjordur, Akureyri, Seydisfjordur, Djupivogur, Tromso, Harstad, Alesund, Bergen, Lerwick, Edinburgh, Southhampton.  I am the planner. I’ve booked 4 shore excursions, I have some notes and plans for the other ports. Yes, I’m excited for the adventure. Oh and on my shopping list I have chocolates, licorice, something of wool for me, and a troll of some sort for my daughter. 

[www3traveler]

Hi Sweetie,

As always, I pray that you have a wonderful day.

Love your sense of adventure in spite of all that has happened to you.  Some other people would be throwing a major fit.

BIG BIG BIG BIG HUG

Love and prayers always

[bluesea777]

6 hours ago, QuattroRomeo said:

Also best use of a golf ball, ever....?!!

… and a hard hat !!

 

[Norwegianprincess]

 

Thank you for a lovely after dinner-chat yesterday, @YVRteacher  Here’s the «bog-cotton» photo from Djupivogur. 

[YVRteacher]

Last night I met up with new friends for dinner in Versailles. After some searching in the system the host found a lovely window side table that wasn’t all crowded in near other noisy tables and we really enjoyed the food and the conversation. Thank you @TrumpyNor and @Norwegianprincess! 
 

Appetizer= vegetable tempura rice roll. Excellent! I wanted two of these but didn’t want to be greedy!

 

Appetizer #2= green salad. Fresh, crispy, just the right size.

 

 

Entrée=.baked Ziti. Tasted good. Tasted better than it looks. Lots of vegetables in the sauce. Portion was too big since the pasta is so filling.

 

 

Dessert= strawberry rhubarb crumble. Very good! Ratio of topping to filling was a little off, but  both were tasty.

 

 

I continue to enjoy and savour the Shades of Blue Riesling.

 

 

 

[KforKitty]

9 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

I had dinner plans tonight with friends but needed something in between breakfast and late dinner so ordered nachos at O’Sheehan’s. It came with chopped up cilantro entwined with the cheesy goodness. I felt so badly, but I had to send it back. I can’t eat cilantro. This is the first time it’s been served with cilantro.

 

Batch of nachos #2 was crunchy and cheesy and hit-the-spot tasty. They have a different brand of tortilla chips that don’t get soggy. They also taste good.

Seydisfjordur is beautiful but they lack cake so I had this at O’Sheehan’s. Two thumbs up!

 

It’s bad enough that Top Gun plays over and over and over on the cabin TV, but now the Three V Strings are playing the theme song. I liked this group at first but their repertoire is tiny and they play the same songs every time they’re on, which is often. Much of what they play is funereal in nature and 23 days is a lot of days to listen to somber violins.

Yes, you have to question the wisdom of playing “My Heart Will Go On” when sailing in Arctic waters 😂

 

Catherine

 

[LauraAnneC]

14 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

If you are cruising in Iceland and want to bring home gifts for yourself, family and friends, my recommendation is to bring a cloth bag to Seydisfjördur because you will want to buy one of everything! The shops are beautifully curated with handcrafted, high quality items from Iceland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a note that the nicest shops are not located on the car free street but more-so near the art gallery and on the lake.
 

I saw a woman buying a gorgeous handmade red wool sweater for her mom. 
 

In another shop a man saw a row of stuffed puffins (not stuffies kids would snuggle with but taxidermy stuffed puffins) and asked his wife, “do you need a puffin?”

 

She said no.

 

Did I buy socks? I didn’t. The ones I saw weren’t made in Iceland and they were size 46. I don’t know what that means but I’m pretty sure my feet aren’t size 46!

 

I did buy myself something special. Will share tomorrow along with a lovely dinner experience in the MDR.

 

I loved, loved, loved the day in Seydisfjordur!

I think I would need an extra suitcase after going to that shop!!