Live Report from MSC Virtuosa Yacht Club 11-18th June 2022 Southampton Norwegian Cruise

[ConnieTact]

Sail in to Kristiansand this afternoon. Sunny skies. 

[ConnieTact]

3 minutes ago, kernow said:

Just compared with my photo of the zig zag path(the first one!) from a month ago and amazing to see how much the snow has melted. Looks just as stunning either way.

I guess it’s warming up even though, if I remember rightly, you had sunny weather then too!

[ConnieTact]

[ConnieTact]

Room service sandwiches & soup to enjoy on the balcony. 

[Cruiseforever11]

1 hour ago, ConnieTact said:

After dinner we found our friends in the French bar and joined them for a catch up. They had been on the Flam train and thought it was very worthwhile. Cleverly prepared, by reading up the best spot to sit (the right hand side) they had stayed onboard the train so they had same views in the way back. I asked how this was possible and they explained the train doesn’t turn around at the top! They had booked in advance but we hadn’t, and by the time we looked in the morning of arrival, it seemed the train was sold out on the times we could safely go. We always make sure we are back to the ship an hour before we need to! If we are ever back in Flam, I would try the train on their recommendation. 

I spoke to a woman in the yacht club who said she was rather disappointed the train wasn’t older. The history of the development of the railway is easily discovered in the free museum in port. I’m sure this one, is the most comfortable having seen old pictures of the others! 
photo credits @ziggyuk (from Flam scenic train ride) 

If you see them again which i'm sure you will can you ask if they booked in advance with msc or independently and if independently roughly how much? This is something I definitely want to do when we go to Flam next year. Pictures btw are stunning 😊

[kernow]

18 minutes ago, Cruiseforever11 said:

If you see them again which i'm sure you will can you ask if they booked in advance with msc or independently and if independently roughly how much? This is something I definitely want to do when we go to Flam next year. Pictures btw are stunning 😊

Book the railway independently on this site. MSC do a trip but it's only one way (down) on the train, it also includes a coach trip and lunch and is much more expensive (although we spoke to people who did it and they enjoyed it).

https://www.norwaysbest.com/flamsbana/timetable-and-fares/

[Cruiseforever11]

1 hour ago, kernow said:

Book the railway independently on this site. MSC do a trip but it's only one way (down) on the train, it also includes a coach trip and lunch and is much more expensive (although we spoke to people who did it and they enjoyed it).

https://www.norwaysbest.com/flamsbana/timetable-and-fares/

Ah thank you so much that's really helpful. We aren't going till July next year but it's good to get as much research done as possible especially if its going to save some pennies! 😊

[ConnieTact]

Arrived at Kristiansand & wandered around the town. We referred to an online guide at times but keeping to the waters edge after the Fishmarket led us in the right direction. We finished by heading into the centre & to a pretty cafe on the Main Street. 

[ConnieTact]

[ConnieTact]

[ConnieTact]

[ConnieTact]

There were plenty of sculptures and statues to fascinate me! I love this kind of art and I was delighted to even see a piece by Vigeland whose sculptures thrilled me in the Sculpture park in Oslo when we visited 10 years ago! 

[ConnieTact]

There were other pieces of art too and they really made the park!

[ConnieTact]

[ConnieTact]

After our drink stop we headed back to the ship for snacks and then a jacuzzi before ‘White Party’ night. 
This time the snacks were cheeses with a side of nuts. 
 

[Rossco01]

Looks like you've had a great time so far and enjoying seeing your daily updates... You are certainly being pampered in YC.

[ConnieTact]

We certainly are! Our butler Anis from Tunisia is personable, polite and efficient. 
All staff are very friendly to us and one showed great humour yesterday in the Top Sail and read my humour just right and played a gentle prank on me! It still makes me smile thinking about it!
I pick up that the staff are well looked after by the Yacht Club management and this reflects well in the delivery of service to customers. Robbie is an excellent director and the restaurant manager is also very visible and attentive. Both constantly check back with guests that they are enjoying themselves. As Robbie said to us one day, “If you’re happy- then I’m happy!” 
He really is a star!
 

[jimbri]

Wonderful photos.

[ConnieTact]

18 hours ago, jimbri said:

Wonderful photos.

Thanks Jimbri!

[ConnieTact]

Couldn’t post live during our sea day so here’s a catch up as we dock this morning Southampton!

it was the White Party on Thursday and most people joined in and wore something white.

[ConnieTact]

The party was great and our friends managed to set some chairs up right near the front. There’s not enough seats for everyone there so this was a blessing! 
 

[ConnieTact]

Next up was the Virtuosa lounge for more dancing to the band. They were good and kept everyone dancing to a variety of great songs from every era. This kept the interest of young and old! 

[ConnieTact]

I’ll post up my last few photos when I get to hotel in Southampton. We are having one last breakfast onboard and then we’re going to a music festival in Bournemouth, The fun continues!  
For now, I am going to have a last hot tub before breakfast arrives!

[ConnieTact]

[kernow]

Pleased to hear that they have moved the white party forward a bit. On our cruise it was the last night and we didn't want to stay up too late so missed it.