Live from RSSC Voyager sailing July 15, 2022

[rcandkc]

The volcano we drove by Saturday going to airport is now erupting.  Glad we got out after great cruise.  Would not want to have been stuck. 

[mdunne48]

Day 6 / 21 Lerwick (pictures)

Shetland ponies:

 

 

 

a

Shell house:

 

Shetland Bus Memorial: commemorating the WW II efforts by Norwegians and Shetland residents combating the German occupation of Norway. 

 

One of the narrow alleys of downtown Lerwick.
 

Summertime in the Shetlands

 

[mdunne48]

Day 7 / 22 Bergen, Norway

 

A partly cloudy morning greeted us upon arrival in Bergen. The crossing from the Shetland Islands to Norway was on calm seas. 

A few showers in the morning drifted through the area but nothing to dampen our spirits.

 

Bergen is a great walking town so the NAWC will not be meeting this morning. The port is right in the middle of the downtown area. Bergen is the 2nd largest city in Norway so it has a lot of activities to keep you occupied. 
 

 

Our excursion today took us through the very crowded downtown Bergen area to the summer home of Norwegian composer Edward Grieg. The grounds were lovely but the house not so much. A very fast 20 minute tour of the house that left no one satisfied. 

 

On the way back into Bergen we deviated through the Bergen version of Beverly Hills. Nice homes, but nothing that stood out. Our final stop was the funicular to mount Floyen. Now that was a treat!!! The views of the entire city lay right below you. The Voyager is the ship on the right of the 2 ships in the center of the photo.

 

We left the tour here and decided to walk back to the ship through downtown Bergen. It was a relatively easy walk but very crowded. There is an exhibition of older ships and cars along the waterfront. Bands playing, people dancing a beautiful summer sight.

Departing Bergen……

 

 

[mdunne48]

DW’s view of our day in Bergen:

 

It actually started out sunny…turned to rain..wondered if we should leave the ship!  Iffy weather…..ahhhh…then…sunshine!!!!  Beautiful!….

So much to see. Finally, trees on these mountains!  Colorful buildings have a life of their own. 

We are in the bus touring the city of many beautiful streets and shops appealing to just about everyone. There is a festival going on to show off old cars, many USA  car oldies and sail boats in the harbor made before all of the new materials used now. There’s an excitement in the air, 4 cruise ships are in harbor and you hear many languages spoken as we leave the bus and journey along. Lots of lively restaurants, jazz playing…singing in Norwegian,  it’s very fun.  We are walking around the markets (didn’t stay on the bus) just enjoying everything. So many light haired Norwegians and Swedes.  Fish market with all kinds of fresh fish so you know towns people are here to shop. Very high prices. 

The orangish building near the end looks like their typical apartments. They have a high on the mountain area that they call their Beverly Hills…10 million dollar properties. 

It’s bustling!  We also went to a museum and a tram that overlooks the city with goats roaming around. People spend hours here hiking and enjoying nature. The entrance is in photo …we walked there…just magnificent. Everything was perfect!  The views you can’t even imagine. My phone died and Matt took his pictures. 😊
Sorry. That photo didn’t make it. 🤣🤣🤣. I’ll send it maybe tomorrow. Don’t want to put you to sleep!😋

[mdunne48]

Day 8 / 23 - Stavenger, Norway

 

A cold, grey day greeted us this morning as we arrived in Stavenger. We have a noon time boat tour of the area. Hoping for better weather by then.  Here are some photos from our balcony:

 

More later today after our tours.

[Catlover54]

I am greatly enjoying reading and sailing along with your photojournalism, each morning with my morning coffee 🙂

 

Post #204 describes all the fresh fish available in Bergen markets. Do you know if any of those were purchased by the ship's chef and then served as fresh fish specials to pax that evening or next in the dining rooms, or if this is ever done on Regent?  Some luxury lines make a special point of doing this, though of course with the right chef and preparation, even fresh frozen fish can be wonderful.

 

I only have a handful of Regent experiences and had problems, for the price, (pre-Covid), compared  with other luxury lines, but have been tempted by blogs such as yours and a couple others that provide both positive and negative, to try again, for the right itinerary, and in a higher level suite so as not to worry about getting the excursions I would like. 

 

Looking forward to more, thank you for your efforts, I know it is a lot of work (especially when internet goes on strike).

 

 

 

[mdunne48]

Day 8 / 23 - continued (Stavenger)

 

The threat of rain this morning turned into a partly sunny boat excursion through the Lysefjord. It was a very good trip. Well worth the time!

 

A few pictures from this excursion to brighten everyone’s day:

 

At dock in Stavanger. 

 

Whiskey Falls two views

 

 

 

Pulpit Rock from below…..2 views

 

The table top platform is 25 meters by 25 meters. They actually picnic on the rock after a 2 hour climb to get there. (no guard rails)

 

 

Norwegians are darn good bridge builders!!

 

The steepness of the fjord’s walls!!

 

 

A beautiful peaceful afternoon….

 

 

[mdunne48]

A comment about tours: Regent, your tour operators are trying to do too much!! 
 

Our previous 3 tours were so crammed with “events” that we couldn’t relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery, vistas, historic landmarks, nature’s beauty whatever… A quote from a guide. “ it’s now fourteen-o-five be back on the bus by fourteen twenty we are five minutes behind schedule”. A perfect example is the Golden Circle Tour. It lasts 7+ hours.  The last stop is to a viewing platform / museum. After seeing nature in all it’s majestic forms (waterfalls, geysers, tectonic plates) for the first 6 hours WHY this extra nonsensical stop. 
 

Ask yourself the question, if you are only going to allow 20 - 25 minutes at a location is it worth the effort? 
 

The same has been true for 2 other recent tours.  
 

Today’s boat excursion was quite pleasant. 

[ronrick1943]

Great story, enjoying your trip.  I believe your right, the tours should be shortened in stops, not time.  I’d rather see more, than a quick look and move on.

[mdunne48]

3 hours ago, Catlover54 said:

I am greatly enjoying reading and sailing along with your photojournalism, each morning with my morning coffee 🙂

 

Post #204 describes all the fresh fish available in Bergen markets. Do you know if any of those were purchased by the ship's chef and then served as fresh fish specials to pax that evening or next in the dining rooms, or if this is ever done on Regent?  Some luxury lines make a special point of doing this, though of course with the right chef and preparation, even fresh frozen fish can be wonderful.

 

I only have a handful of Regent experiences and had problems, for the price, (pre-Covid), compared  with other luxury lines, but have been tempted by blogs such as yours and a couple others that provide both positive and negative, to try again, for the right itinerary, and in a higher level suite so as not to worry about getting the excursions I would like. 

 

Looking forward to more, thank you for your efforts, I know it is a lot of work (especially when internet goes on strike).

 

 

 

Catlover54 thank you for the kind words. I will check with the restaurant manager. I did see them loading perishables in Bergen but I am not sure what they were.

[blingbling]

On 7/23/2022 at 9:00 AM, mdunne48 said:

Well the NAWC held a full meeting at 8:30 this morning. Surprisingly it was not well attended but the conditions were not that bad on deck 12. While walking, I was thinking about tonight’s entertainment, The Mersey Beatles, and a song popped into my head, “Here comes the SUN”. It tried mightily to break through the fog. Try, try, try as it did, today the fog won…..we will have low temperatures in the 30’s tonight. Would not be surprised to see some snow showers. 

Mid-segment report card:

 

Foghorn — A+ (Right on-time every minute)
Entertainment — A+
Food — a 2 (too much, too good, too often)

Suite — A+
Staff — A++
 

About the only negative comment that we have concerns the in-room movies available.  Definitely not first run or even third run. This might have to do with post COVID issues with the movie industry releases. 

Foghorn: required by international rules of the road....from my Coastie DH.

[papaflamingo]

17 hours ago, mdunne48 said:

A comment about tours: Regent, your tour operators are trying to do too much!! 
 

Our previous 3 tours were so crammed with “events” that we couldn’t relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery, vistas, historic landmarks, nature’s beauty whatever… A quote from a guide. “ it’s now fourteen-o-five be back on the bus by fourteen twenty we are five minutes behind schedule”. A perfect example is the Golden Circle Tour. It lasts 7+ hours.  The last stop is to a viewing platform / museum. After seeing nature in all it’s majestic forms (waterfalls, geysers, tectonic plates) for the first 6 hours WHY this extra nonsensical stop. 
 

Ask yourself the question, if you are only going to allow 20 - 25 minutes at a location is it worth the effort? 
 

The same has been true for 2 other recent tours.  
 

Today’s boat excursion was quite pleasant. 

I tend to agree, but if they cut a stop out and gave you longer at each stop someone would surely say that the tour wasn't worth it because "too long at each photo stop and they skipped the museum, view point, etc."  I, for one, am fine not going to museums unless they are remarkable (Louvre,  Hermitage, etc).  And if the museum is that good, then it should be a separate tour.  

 

P.S. Your photos and write-ups are outstanding!  Thanks for taking us along.  

Edited August 7, 2022 by papaflamingo

[mj_holiday]

34 minutes ago, papaflamingo said:

Our previous 3 tours were so crammed with “events” that we couldn’t relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery, vistas, historic landmarks, nature’s beauty whatever… A quote from a guide. “ it’s now fourteen-o-five be back on the bus by fourteen twenty we are five minutes behind schedule”. A perfect example is the Golden Circle Tour. It lasts 7+ hours.  The last stop is to a viewing platform / museum. After seeing nature in all it’s majestic forms (waterfalls, geysers, tectonic plates) for the first 6 hours WHY this extra nonsensical stop. 

I am one that also likes to have plenty of time to look at what is around us.  But you will also hear people complain that the pace was too slow on the excursion.  Hard to please everyone.   

[mdunne48]

 

Day 9 / 24 - Kristiansand, Norway

 

What a gorgeous port facility!! Bravo to Kristiansand for planning such a nice, useful area for both visitors and residents. Yes, it has containers, cranes and all the usual port apparatus but hid those in plain sight. 

 

Restaurants, walkways, flowers by the score, statues, sculptures, a main shopping area a stone’s throw away. Probably just as nice as the Bergen, Norway port a few days ago .

 

We left the ship on our own to head into town. Not knowing what we would encounter, just winging it. 
 

Less than a 5 minute walk and their is this waterfront park with these sculptures 

 

 

Beautiful downtown pedestrian mall area. Albeit it is Sunday so most of the shops are closed. No retail therapy for the DW. 

   

There is a historical section to the downtown containing the Cathedral and government offices.

 

We were able to walk for 90 minutes before the weather turned a bit iffy. Back to the ship just before the rains started. We had planned on a walking tour this afternoon at 2:00 but with it raining pretty hard we decided to pass. 

 

Flowers, everywhere!!

 

Going back out if we get the chance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[wristband]

Great photos, thanks for sharing.  We did a Segway tour of Kristiansand and loved seeing the town that way, esp the old center -cute as a button with restored wood homes in different colors and retail stores.

 

McDonalds house in a large former bank building was hilarious!

[mdunne48]

Day 9 / 24 continued - Kristiansand 

 

I was able to get off the ship again this afternoon for a few hours. DW had some alone time. The landscapers here are in love with petunias.

 

 

Off to Prime 7 for dinner. Later

[mdunne48]

More from Kristiansand:

 

They love flowers!!!! 

 

open spaces…..

 

pretty good size 🐝 

 

 

Entry to the port!!

 

Entry / exit to the dockside quay….where Voyager was berthed. Pretty good use of old containers. Entry / exit on lower right.

 

Cars and trucks queuing for the ferry to ???

 

[mdunne48]

Day 10 / 25 - Oslo

 

We are now sailing into the Oslo fjord. From entry to docking is almost 4 hours. A beautiful passage through some gorgeous real estate! I was up on deck 12 and saw that we are the 3rd cruise ship approaching Oslo. Might be more……

 

It looks like a good weather day will greet us. Forecast has the high’s near 70 with plenty of sunshine. 

 

A bit of reflection……..

 

We were spoiled!!! The previous segment was a 30th anniversary one and Regent went all out for those 15 days. The parties, celebrating, entertainment, service, food, gifts were all over the top. A truly “unique” event!! The ship’s effervescent mood was contagious. Theatre’s were packed, the casino was (at times) jammed, dance floors crowded…..even with the lost ports and Mr. Foghorn in daily attendance the vibe never faltered.

 

But should it be “unique”?

 

The vibe on this segment is non-existent, no rallying point. No WOW!!! Not even a little wow.

 

It’s as if the entire ship took a few too many Tylenol PM’s. 

 

Don’t get me wrong. The Regent service is as good as ever. The crew try to anticipate any need you might have and if you do have a request it is acted upon immediately.  Albeit a 1/4 step slower.

 

The entertainment on this segment is not comparable to the last segment, not in the least. This has been heightened by some of the Regent entertainment company being “ill” therefore fewer production shows. Regent is trying by running a pre-dinner and post-dinner shows by different artists. In the end you can’t replace the quality……

 

I’m still waiting for LaVeranda to have the ham carving station at lunch come back this segment. Maybe I missed it. It was so gooood!!! 

 

To sum it up…..

 

I’ve seen what Regent can do. I really want that cruise vacation every time. 

 

[mdunne48]

Day 10 / 25 - Oslo (continued)

 

Another fabulous Norwegian port facility!! Words don’t do it justice so I’ll try some pictures. These photos are taken from our starboard side balcony.  I did not use any telephoto features.

 

Cannons to greet unwelcome cruise ships 🤣🤣

 

 

Looking towards Oslo’s city hall, the twin towers

 

A fortress directly across from our berth!

 

 

Besides a great place to park a ship the area is pedestrian friendly!!! We walked for miles along the waterfront enjoying the bright sunshine and 72 degree temperatures. The Oslo port is a transportation Center for local residents as there is ferry service to the surrounding islands from here. 
 

Some of our memories:

 

Local residents enjoying some beach time. 
 

I don’t think it is a heated ocean….

 

They turned 6 shipping containers into a bike store. It is the red building.

 

City hall (2 towers behind) where they award the Nobel Peace prize every December.

 

A great gathering spot

 

Apartments by the dozens with waterfront views

 

And finally NO CARS!!!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

On 8/6/2022 at 3:17 PM, ronrick1943 said:

...I believe your right, the tours should be shortened in stops, not time.  I’d rather see more, than a quick look and move on.

I agree, perhaps a separate thread on this would be helpful, especially if it got the attention of management.

[macbest]

10 hours ago, mdunne48 said:

The vibe on this segment is non-existent, no rallying point. No WOW!!! Not even a little wow.

 

Don’t get me wrong. The Regent service is as good as ever. The crew try to anticipate any need you might have and if you do have a request it is acted upon immediately.  Albeit a 1/4 step slower.

 

The entertainment on this segment is not comparable to the last segment, not in the least. This has been heightened by some of the Regent entertainment company being “ill” therefore fewer production shows. Regent is trying by running a pre-dinner and post-dinner shows by different artists. In the end you can’t replace the quality……

 

I’ve seen what Regent can do. I really want that cruise vacation every time. 

 

We spoke about this and I totally agree. I followed your post on the last segment and got more excited about the entertainment based on what you were posting. Maybe it had something to do with have the CEO onboard? I too have felt that the entertainment this segment really has been lacking. It’s a shame.
 

Alas as you said, the staff service really has been as great as it always has been. Super attentive, always wanting to go the extra mile, and  anticipating your needs. Our cabin steward, Sai is about the best we have had on the many Regent cruises. 
 

And for us, the food has been amazing. 

Edited August 8, 2022 by macbest

[Kwaj girl]

1 hour ago, macbest said:

We spoke about this and I totally agree. I followed your post on the last segment and got more excited about the entertainment based on what you were posting. Maybe it had something to do with have the CEO onboard? I too have felt that the entertainment this segment really has been lacking. It’s a shame.
 

Alas as you said, the staff service really has been as great as it always has been. Super attentive, always wanting to go the extra mile, and  anticipating your needs. Our cabin steward, Sai is about the best we have had on the many Regent cruises. 
 

And for us, the food has been amazing. 

 

Yes, the CEO was onboard but this was also the special 30th Anniversary Reinion Cruise. Special all-around.

[RachelG]

Loving all the pics and commentary.

As far as carving station, they have one at lunch every day in La Veranda with some sort of meat or fish.  I haven't ever seen a strictly ham every day one. 

[mdunne48]

9 hours ago, RachelG said:

Loving all the pics and commentary.

As far as carving station, they have one at lunch every day in La Veranda with some sort of meat or fish.  I haven't ever seen a strictly ham every day one. 

They brought back the ham yesterday. Unfortunately it was not as good ( dried out)

[mdunne48]

Catlover54, they did not provision any fish in Bergen.