The Voyage to Nowhere

The cruisers by ships photographer

We had our last meal alongside the dock in Southampton last night, which is very unusual apparently. We saw the Beatles Experience again as they could not disembark at Amsterdam either and gave an another unscheduled performance.

The story of our Voyage to Nowhere was released to the press by one of the mutineers and we made page 6 of the Daily Mail and some of the on-line newspapers. The article was a massive exaggeration and although it was disappointing not to visit Amsterdam, due to the weather, the rest of the cruise was most enjoyable. We felt sorry for the crew who missed their free time (and brownies!) and looked after the guests for an extra day.  Special mention here for Adrian our favourite waiter in the coffee lounge.  

We all disembarked at 9:00am, Mark and Christina dropped Katie off at the station before going into the office and we delivered Jennifer home in the afternoon after some essential Christmas shopping at Sainsbury.

Totally at sea

Onboard French gourmet restaurant

Overnight we cruised on down towards Brittany coast before turning round at 8:00am north of St Malo. A small Christmas market has been hurriedly arranged in the ballroom this morning. We will have passed the Isle of White 4 times in three days! We had an excellent posh early lunch in the Verandah restaurant after skipping breakfast.

It was announced that we would be docking at Southampton early, on Monday evening instaed of Tuesday morning. There was a small mutiny at the reception desk later with some disgruntled passengers calling for the captain to make a full statement about the voyage.  

Still at Sea

Sea full of white horses

The captain was not mistaken, there was too much wind to enter the port of Amsterdam so we turned back in the early hours. We have spent the day cruising down the channel in a gale instead of walking round windy Amsterdam 

White cliffs of Dover in the gloom

We passed the white cliffs of Dover again this afternoon.  Went to another impromptu Insight lecture by Martin Bell and joined in the carol singing in the ballroom. Mark has been swimming and in the jacuzzi!!! The rest of us walked around the promenade deck again, very fresh today! We had a late lunch in the lido cafe followed immediately by afternoon tea! It can be done.

We dined in the Britainia restaurant again, the food is excellent as usual and we just caught the last half of the show by the resident performers.

All at sea

warm enough for shirt sleeves

Today is a sea day and turned out to be a good day for cruising. It's sunny and on the leeward side out of the wind its remarkably warm for December, shirt sleeves for some in fact. There are people in deck chairs, swimming in the pool and in the jacuzzi. 

nice range cocktails

We spent the day walking the promenade deck and attending some of the Insight briefings. One was by a former red arrows pilot and Martin Bell, the war zone reporter and MP, gave talks on his experiences. Katie took lots of sun set photos. 

It was formal night in the Britannia restaurant so we dressed up a but more than usual and enjoyed some pre-dinner cocktails before the meal. 

The Beatles Experience

The show in the theatre was a Beatles tribute band from Liverpool who were very entertaining. 

During the evening the captain announced that very strong winds were forecast for Amsterdam which may be problem getting into port later in the night.

All aboard for Amsterdam

QE with newly painted funnel

The day started fine and sunny, in fact a bit too sunny for comfortable driving. We all made it to Southampton in good time and were soon on board the QE and ready to depart. We were starving after the journey so we had something to eat in the lido restaurant before unpacking and attending the safety briefing. 

P&O liner ready to leave after us.

We set sail on schedule at 4:45pm and passed the P&O Aurora on our way down the solent. We were allocated the late sitting (8:30) for dinner and so we had chance for a quick nap to make up for the early start. After dinner in the main restaurant Mark and Christina hit the cocktail bar, but the rest of us retired before midnight.

Only one more sleep

We will be leaving home tomorrow with Jennifer at about 9:30 and driving down to Southampton to arrive at the port by 1:00pm. Mark and Christina will be doing the same from Luton and Katie is 'letting the train take the strain' from Kingston. So hopefully we will all be there around the same time and should all be on board by about 2:00 pm.

QE's sister ship the Queen Victoria

The Queen Elizabeth is scheduled to leave port at 4:45 and we will be at sea all day Saturday cruising around the channel, or north sea,  until we dock in the centre of Amsterdam in the early hours of Sunday morning.    

Only 5 more sleeps

Dutch Christmas Markets 2014

Booked a cruise for the family on Queen Elizabeth to Amsterdam just before Christmas.

Sea Day Sunday

The day started nice and sunny with the pool very busy. But then a bank of sea fog appeared, the temperature dropped 20deg and the pool cleared! We ate in Qsine for lunch and saw the evening show for once. Just caught the end of the World Cup final and watched Germany beat Argentina 1-0. We are packed and ready to go now, the ship docks at 4:00am and will be disembarking at 8:30.

Bergen Saturday

Back to urban Norway today, docked overlooking a container yard in the port of Bergen. A day for sightseeing, markets and shopping I suspect. But it's still sunny and very warm.
We had to take a shuttle bus into the town centre and then we went up to the observation point on Mount Floyen via the funicular railway, for views over Bergen. Walked thought the incredible fish market to the old Bryggen quayside district which is a UNESCO world heritage site. Very pleasant place to wander around on a nice day, plenty of open spaces. Rosemary took the railway back down and found a bargain cake stand, for home, while I walked down the long way (and wished I hadn't). 

Flam Friday

Another beautiful morning as we sailed into Flam. Disappointed to find that all the seats on the railway were booked up, but walked round to the marina for coffee instead. We took a tour bus up to the Stegastein view point 2000ft above the fjord for amazing views down to Aurland and Flam. Cruising back out along the Songefjord as the sun sets, more wonderful scenery, bound for Bergen.

Geiranger Thursday

Dawn cruise into the fjord after watching the penalty shoot-out, need some sleep but we are off for a  walk first. Beautiful morning, beautiful scenery. We walked up to the old church and then to the Fjords visitor centre for coffee (only 25kr) and walked down the newly commissioned steps beside the raging waterfall. Lots of photos taken. Departed 4pm for scenic cruise down the fjord. Captain made a 360 degree pirouette by the famous 7 sisters waterfall so that everyone had a good view of the falls. Awesome scenery all the way. Its been hot today, 27deg, but very hazy by 6pm - and then there was fog.

Alesund Wednesday

Alesund is our most northerly stop and is an attractive town with a wonderful view point high above the town. It was completely destroyed by fire in 1904 and rebuilt in art nouveaux style with many museums. There was a boat festival in the harbour. We used the hoho bus to see the town and save our legs but walked down the 415 steps from the viewpoint in the sun. Another great day of weather for fjord hopping, sunset is at 11:21 today!

Olden Tuesday

Just enjoyed a scenic cruise into the fjord to Olden,  gateway to the glaciers. We now have a bus trip down the valley and a strenuous 2 mile hike to Briksdal glacier. 

We are back and it was spectacular in every way. Beautiful blue green lakes, snow topped mountains, roaring waterfalls and the awesome glacier. Tiring, but an unforgettable experience and the weather was perfect.

Stavanger Monday

After a wet start and a late arrival we had an enjoyable day in Stavanger, a bustling harbour town with a nice mix of old and new. Rosemary enjoyed the market and shops while I went round the hi-tech oil industry museum. It ended sunny and warm.

Oslo Sunday

Docked at 7:00am close to the opera house and were breakfasted and off the ship by 9:40! Walked to the nearby Opera house which is a very modern design and features a stone roof which sweeps down into the harbour. It is possible to walk to the top of the roof for fine views down the Oslofjord, so it's also popular with tourists. Then we walked over to the old fort complex which houses numerous military museums and the 15th century castle. The Norwegian resistance museum was particularly interesting because of the close connections with British forces. Finally walked down to the harbour and back to the ship for a late lunch of crepes at Bistro on Five. We sail at 4:00pm so just time to check email and update blog for first 3 days. Although it was mainly cloudy and we had a few spots of rain it is quite warm and humid.  

Sea day

Started the day early with coffee and muffins in the cabin, then a healthy'ish breakfast later in the sea view cafe. Spent the morning wandering round the ship to get our bearings. Rosemary went to a lecture and I explored the upper decks in the hazy sun. We went to the returning cruisers party for drinks and nibbles then relaxed on our balcony in the sun. I snapped a few seagulls that were following the ship. Its a formal dinner tonite so hope the DJ still fits.

On board

Long drive to Harwich on hottest day of year, but a smooth check in and in our cabin by 2:30. Great aft balcony on Celebrity Infinity with loungers plus table and chairs, which will be good for eating out later in the cruise. Sailed out on schedule at 5:00 into a smooth north sea, opened the complimentart fizzy wine. Dined in the trellis restaurant, coffee at Cafe el Bacio. Clocks go forward so a later night than planned!

Checked In

Booked the parking at Harwich, bought the Flam railway tickets and completed the on-line check-in, so all we need to do now is pack and go.
We have a concierge class cabin on Infinity's panorama deck (8) at the rear of the boat, overlooking the wake. We are due to set sail at 5.00 pm on 4th July, first destination is Oslo, followed by Stavanger (pulpit rock), Olden (for Briksdal glacier), Alesund, Geiranger, Flam (railway) and finally Bergen.

Norwegian Fjords

Just booked an aft  state room on Celebrity Infinity for a 10 day cruise to the Fjords in July. It is part of Rosemary's 70th birthday
year of treats - at least that is the excuse this year.