Cruise Day 1 - at sea

Rainy day, but calm seas as we made our way up to Bergen. This was a day for getting ourselves organized, and getting to know the ship.

Here is our itinerary:

We started the day quite late, which we blamed on putting the clocks ahead last night. We had a very fine breakfast in the speciality restaurant that is reserved in the mornings for suite passengers... yes, yet another perk thanks to the stateroom upgrade.

Then it was off to hear a Port Talk about Bergen and Hellesylt & Geirganger, our ports for the next two days. The speaker was very knowledgeable about Norway, and passed along his tips on what to see in the ports. He seemed to know how to pronounce the Norwegian place-names (at least they sounded great to me!), plus he gave us our first serving of Edvard Grieg music. I am sure we will be hearing lots more Grieg.

We had no need of lunch after our late breakfast, so we went off on a mission to pick the best place on the ship for fjord-viewing. Mission accomplished - we have picked two excellent spots, one on open deck and one under cover in case (saints forfend!) it should be rainy.

Next some quiet time stitching for me. Then, continuing as ladies of leisure, we joined all the English people on the ship who filled the dining room for afternoon tea. Yes, scones with jam and clotted cream were the feature. This was not at all what we needed just a couple of hours before dinner, but never mind, it was lovely and we will get our eating routine figured out.

Tonight was our first formal night and there were two corsages waiting for us in the room when we returned after teatime. Also a plateful of chocolate-dipped strawberries which had to go into the refrigerator, since there was no possible way we could eat them. (Where are you, grandson Alex, when I need you?) This luxury treatment goes on and on.

Dinner was great - too much, but great - and then we went to a show.

And such is a day At Sea on a cruise.

It's about 10:30pm now and still light, but we are going to sleep now regardless. Being treated like royalty is tiring!

PS: Thanks, Heather, for all your research of Bergen highlights - I loved your posting and emails.