Live/Silver Cloud: Norway Coast/Fjords July 1-16 Reports

[ging466]

Hi Terry

Thankx for answering my questions. This last lot of pics are spectacular.

Without doubt, I think this is the best live report I've read on these boards. Thank u so much for taking the time to post your wonderful experience.

Cheers
Jennifer

[TLCOhio]

Just for Jennifer, here are some added pictures from the ferry boat as we crossed south to Runde Island and its birdrock areas, at Runde with its huge coastal rocks, the famed Hurtigruten coastal ship, Alesund building details and the Norway banner, two Norway residents in their highly-detailed costumes with hand work done by her mother and another angle from the vista point at the top of Aksla.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[patnlcc]

Thank you SOOOOO much, Terry, you are letting us re-live our wonderful Silver Cloud cruise in April this year. I feel as though we are cruising with you! Really enjoying your posts and thanks for giving our love to Gianni. Keep it coming! Pat

[Colonel(Ret.)Wes]

Terry, thanks for taking the time and sending such robust seamail reports coupled
with beatiful pix...and kudos for taking the extra effort in recognizing (word & pic) the special Silversea Cloud folks who are going above and beyond.

[Keith1010]

I want to add that Terry's written documentary and his pictures have been very refreshing. I've truly enjoyed them.

Keith

[chicagogal]

We are really enjoying every super photo and every written word. Thanks! Please keep them coming.

We have an Asian trip booked for later this year but we definitely have to look at getting this itinerary on our radar!

Patty

[TLCOhio]

We had a beautiful sunny and warm day in historic Trondheim on Monday, July 5. We were docked on the Silver Cloud about two miles from the main downtown, but Silversea had a free shuttle bus to connect us to the central part of this very interesting and nice town. We were in port from 7 am to 7 pm, allowing plenty of time to see Norway's third largest municipality. Trondheim has a population of 152,800 with major university-science-medical research facilities. It is considered Norway’s historical, cultural and religious capital. It does not have the great art options of Oslo, but its Cathedral and older architectural highlights make it very special to visit. And its size is very compact and easy to explore.

We first saw the Nidaros Cathedral, built from 1070. It is the most important Gothic monument in Norway. The pictures below give a good sampling of its details and beauty. For the admission price, there was a 30-minute tour in English inside with background on it being built and all of the history connected with King Olav Tryggvason, who later was made a Saint by the Catholic Church.

In the second posting of visual highlights, there are pictures of the “Old Town” area. This town was Norway’s capital until 1217. The center of town is the Torvet or market square with the Fish Market (Fisketorvet) located to the north. You will see the Stiftsgården, a Royal residence in the heart of the city. We did a 25-minute free electric bus around the main downtown that gave us a sampling of this enjoyable city on a super perfect weather day. On this bus, we meet a young 13-year-old boy who gave us a nice sampling of his city and answered our various questions in excellent English. He was charming to meet and talk with, plus informative and entertaining.

We had another very enjoyable dinner in the main dining room, seated at a table next to the water to see the sights as we sailed from Trondheim. It was bright and sunny as we could see the various farms with red barns, the rocky coasts, green fields, etc. Sunset was not till near midnight.

Today is a sea day as we cross the Arctic Circle on the way north to the Lofoten Islands. We will arrive Wednesday at 8 am in Leknes where we have a rental car reserved to see the sights and natural surroundings that are regarded to be among the most stunning in Norway. These islands have its mountains, peaks, cliffs and white sandy beaches that attract the elite of Norway to be a key vacation spot during their summers. With 2,647 people, Leknes is the trading and shopping centre of this 70-miles long island archipelago. There are 35,000 people living on all of the islands and they are 886 miles northeast of Bergen. In November 2007, National Geographic Traveler rated the Lofoten islands of Northern Norway as the third most appealing islands in the world. In Leknes, the sun (midnight sun) is above the horizon from May 26 to July 17, and in winter the sun does not rise from December 9 to
 January 4. For our visit on July 7, the average high is 57 and a low of 50. The record high is71 and record low of 46 on this July 7 date. We will have twenty-four hours of daylight. Latitude at Leknes is 68.1° N.

So far, our trip has had above average temperatures and great weather. We are very fortunate in these conditions. Plus, it is a great ship with a super staff and nice, diverse fellow passengers.

THANKS for the added nice comments and interest shown in following along for this trip! Let us know any questions or comments. Or, suggestions on what are upcoming as we head toward the North Cape and the top of Europe. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio


Trondheim’s top and most historic attraction is their Cathedral. Nidaros Cathedral was built from 1070 and is the most important Gothic monument in Norway. The Norway King is still crowned here.:




This is the front of Trondheim’s Cathedral. This is Scandinavia’s largest medieval building and has a central, 321-foot-high tower.:




This is a close-up of the stone detailing on the front of Trondheim’s Cathedral.:




This is inside the museum for the Cathedral. It features many architectural items from over the nearly 1000-year history of this structure. In this area is also a museum with the various Royal crowns, chairs, etc.:



This is the main alter at the front of this Cathedral.:




Here is a longer shot inside of Trondheim’s Cathedral.:

[TLCOhio]

Here are the added visual highlights from Trondheim with its charming and interesting architectural styles.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio


Stiftsgården is the royal residence in Trondheim, originally constructed in 1774 with 144 rooms constituting 43,000 sq. ft. It is the largest wooden building in Northern Europe, has buttercup-yellow coloring, a Rococo style with Baroque details, is open 10 am-5 pm and has been used by royals and their guests since 1800.:



At the rear of the Stiftsgården Palace are these open, public gardens in the heart of the city. This visual gives a sample of this nice, shaded area with its seating areas, fountain, flowers, etc.:



The specialty stores and shops are concentrated around the downtown pedestrian street of Nordre gate. Some of these are older, traditional wooden structures, but some, such as this one, is newer and more contemporary for their design.:



This Trondheim bridge leads to the Bakklandet district. This “Old Town Bridge” connects to the antique wooden house used by canning workers in the early 1900’s.:



This is an example of the charming, wooden structures that can be found around Trondheim.:



Looking down the waterway, you can see a sampling of these various structures along this part of the town.:

[meow!]

Wonderful pictures. By the way, just curious, do you know why several statues have missing heads?

[Keith1010]

Terry, it's great that you have had such wonderful weather. That really makes a difference. Great pictures. Continue to enjoy.

Keith

[patnlcc]

Terry, I feel as if I'm having a free cruise! Am enjoying every minute along with you and it isn't costing me anything! What a magnanimous man you are!!! Pat

[aussiechick7]

Thank you Terry for your beautiful pictures and words,I am enjoying this sooooo much........

[duct tape]

Terry, and you didn't even know we had lunch at that sidewalk cafe that you photographed!! I am so glad you are having such a good trip on the Cloud. His pix of the Galley Brunch are ready to be loaded...prepare yourselves to be hungry!

[RachelG]

I am so enjoying reliving our last year's cruise through you. Alesund is so pretty, and I got my watch battery (still working) changed in Trondheim!

[TLCOhio]

Duct tape warned you!!!! Do NOT look at more of this post unless you want to have your mouth water and your body craving great food and seeking dining delights. Don’t think we haven’t given you fair caution.

After three days of the spectacular fjords, a charming Alesund town and nearby great country/island sights and then historic Trondheim, we have a sea day for needed rest and relaxation. The seas are more choppy and the boat is rocking some, but are going to get into our port of Leknes on the Lofoton Islands at 8:30 pm tonight, not the planned 8 am the next day. He sped up the ship to better deal with the weather conditions in this large open-sea area.

We had an excellent 10 am presentation by Niki Sepsas on glaciers and fjords of Norway, plus info on the gulf stream impacts on this region. Niki has an excellent manner about him and does such a great job with his graphics, photos and details. He’s a real plus for this trip and he’s very approachable in discussing added questions.

Then at noon, it is the Galley Lunch. I got a little preview of the desserts and walking through the galley to see the set-up and options. It was wonderful. Actually, to be honest, it was better than words can describe. That’s why there are pictures below, plus more in another posting. Seeing is believing, but tasting is even better.

Tonight we will have our first experience with La Terrazza and those Italian dinner joys. From others who have been there in the past few days, this evening experience is getting rave reviews. We will share more tomorrow.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio


The morning presentation on glaciers and fjords was done by Niki Sepsas with his excellent graphics and visuals.:




Before the start of the buffet lunch in the galley area, Chef Douglas Hope poses in front a small sampling the treats in the serving area in the main kitchen. Having the buffet in the galley allows a behind-the-scene viewing of this large area where all of the work happens to prepare the many foods, do the dishes, etc.




Here are a few of the treats in this galley area for breads, the carved fish and beef, etc.:




In the galley area right before opening the buffet, here is Restaurant Manager Jorge Caeiro and Cruise Director Jimmy Kovel. Both are very hard-working and responsive to questions and cruiser needs. They know it’s about service!:




Three different types of caviar are offered at this lunch buffet.:




Here is just one sampling of the three different tables with various dessert treats. This one picture is worth about one thousand fork-fulls. We have been told these delights are all low-cal, right?:

[LauraBK]

Thanks so much Terry! I look forward to this thread every morning. I can't wait to see and hear about all the wonderful things you are doing and experiencing. Amazing

[TLCOhio]

Here is a second group of pictures from the noon Gallery Buffet Lunch. Then, I will be posting more to show what some of the options are for activities on a sea day on the Silver Cloud. This will help preview things for those who have not been on the Silver Cloud and/or bring back memories for those who have sailed on this first ship of the Silversea line.

On the question from Meow!, my understanding is that several statues were missing heads due either due to damage during certain religious battles or the stress of time. This Cathedral was hugely neglected for many, many years and fell into a sad condition with much damage from weather and neglect. It was restored in the late 1800’s. The Cathedral was originally built as a Catholic site and then things changed during the Protestant Reformation. I am sure there were significant “battles” as those “difference” were resolved in this country that is now mostly Lutheran as its state religion.

THANKS for the other comments! Let me know your reactions and requests for an added special pictures, etc.

Enjoy! Terry in Ohio


In the buffet area, here is the display of the various wines offered today at lunch.:




Two different whole pigs were prepared for this buffet and the carving was done by the Executive Assistant Chef.:




Here’s another sampling of the special dessert treats for this Galley Lunch Buffet.:




Here is Hotel Manager Gianni Dotti (left) with passenger Sharon Feldman and Hotel Director Jimmy Kovel on the steps of the main staircase of the Silver Cloud.:




This buffet also had a pasta station in addition to ALL that was in the galley with so many, many selections. We passed on pasta here as we would be dining in La Terrazza tonight.:




There is live music by this quartet for the enjoyment of guest experiencing this noon buffet.:

[cruzemaven]

Do they serve caviar at the galley lunch on all their ships?

[TLCOhio]

Here is the next group of pictures to show what some of the options are for activities on a sea day on the Silver Cloud. In addition to what you are seeing, there are also many places for reading, napping, watching the water, etc. By now, our fifth full day on the ship, we are getting a good, comfortable feel for the many locations, its offerings and features, the personnel, etc. Right now, I’m in the Panorama Lounge on the top, back of the ship. It’s a great place to relax and see the water. The staff and service, plus food, have all been super excellent. I have been told that some of the top ship personnel do follow the various postings on these Cruise Critic boards.

This morning, I had a chance to talk more with Hotel Manager Gianni Dotti and Cruise Director Jimmy Kovel. As you watched them in action, you could see that they are both focused on details and adjusting schedules and offerings to serve what works for those on each separate cruise. It’s impressive to see how they put it all together, fine-tune schedules, motivate other staff, deal with questions, etc.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio


For this sea day on the Silver Cloud, there were many options, including lounging on the pool deck. The temperatures were upper 50’s, requiring a blanket, but still working well to be outside in this sheltered area for reading and relaxing as we sailed the Norwegian Sea towards the Lofoten Islands.:




The Spa is popular on a sea day and here our friend, Janet, is treated like a “QUEEN”, loving it so very much!:




Among the physical activities are ping pong on the deck near the pool on the Silver Cloud.:




Here is activity in the Bridge Room of the Silver Cloud. It is popular option with many passengers on these ships.:




Carl Vlaeminch is the on-ship cruise consultant and is discussing future booking option with two passengers. We had dinner with Carl and he is super charming with great stories from his many years working cruise ships. I would love to share these true stories, but I was sworn to secrecy.:

[TLCOhio]

Here is the final group of pictures to show what some of the many options for activities on a sea day are on the Silver Cloud. Hope this is not too many pictures, but as first-timers, I am sure there are other “inquiring minds” who had wondered what these places looked like prior to starting their cruise. Seeing is believing.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio


Here is the computer/Internet area on the Silver Cloud. Many have brough along wireless equipment and do need to use this room. We have had very good web connections from the ship and wireless works well all over the ship.:




The pool deck bar offers a wide range of drinks and options, plus a wide-screen TV and some nice art reflecting the Italian heritage of the Silver Cloud ownership.:




Yes, there’s shuffle board as an option on a sea day.: