Copenhagen to Copenhagen June 11-25 Sailing The Coast of Norway

[SLSD]

We board Ovation tomorrow and are excited at the prospect, as this will be our first cruise since Covid reared its ugly head in 2020.  After arriving in Copenhagen yesterday afternoon, we were ready for a day of seeing the sights today.  We retraced some of our steps from a few years ago, but saw some new things as well--the grounds of Rosenborg Palace, Copenhagen by canal boat, and finally, Tivoli Gardens this evening.  Tivoli Gardens is the world's second oldest amusement park.  It was established in 1843 and  is a feast for the eyes.  It has buildings which originated in the 1800s and a collection of amusement rides which display true artistry.  There are restaurants galore and beautiful gardens which definitely set the tone for this attraction which remains very popular with Danish families. The Tivoli Gardens certainly exceeded our expectations.  It was a busy place tonight with music and  revelry.   Here are a few of the photos from this evening.

 

Edited June 10, 2023 by SLSD

[Isklaar]

Lovely photos SLSD.  That looks like perfect sightseeing weather.  

I hope that you have a fabulous cruise. Have you visited Norway previously?

[SLSD]

2 minutes ago, Isklaar said:

Lovely photos SLSD.  That looks like perfect sightseeing weather.  

I hope that you have a fabulous cruise. Have you visited Norway previously?

This will be our first trip to Norway and we are very excited about it.  This itinerary (which has changed some since we booked the cruise) is the one I've been thinking of for the last three years.  The weather was perfect today with the temperature at about 70 degrees F.  We left Tivoli at about 8:45pm and it was still perfect  weather for walking.  

[Isklaar]

Just now, SLSD said:

This will be our first trip to Norway and we are very excited about it.  This itinerary (which has changed some since we booked the cruise) is the one I've been thinking of for the last three years.  The weather was perfect today with the temperature at about 70 degrees F.  We left Tivoli at about 8:45pm and it was still perfect  weather for walking.  

 

I hope that you love Norway, I'm so looking forward to reading all about your cruise.

[Jimmycruiser]

I hope you can post the highlights of each port that you visit. We leave on July 30 on Ovation from Reykjavik to Copenhagen then August 6 Copenhagen around the coast of Norway returning to Copenhagen on the 20th and would welcome recommendations from those that have done this itinerary for not to miss excursions that are light to moderate activity level.

[SLSD]

18 minutes ago, Jimmycruiser said:

I hope you can post the highlights of each port that you visit. We leave on July 30 on Ovation from Reykjavik to Copenhagen then August 6 Copenhagen around the coast of Norway returning to Copenhagen on the 20th and would welcome recommendations from those that have done this itinerary for not to miss excursions that are light to moderate activity level.

 I will be reporting!  

Edited June 10, 2023 by SLSD

[SLSD]

One more report from this evening in Copenhagen.  We were sound asleep when this fireworks display awakened us.  This is the view from our hotel room.  I think the display was coming from Tivoli Gardens.  

Edited June 10, 2023 by SLSD

[skybluewaters]

Sorry about your interrupted sleep. Hopefully the visual display somewhat made up for the inconvenience.  What time did the fireworks go off?

 

I've also heard that the bell at City Hall sounds off every 15 minutes (up until MN), so that would be another area to avoid if you value your sleep. 

[SLSD]

1 minute ago, skybluewaters said:

Sorry about your interrupted sleep. Hopefully the visual display somewhat made up for the inconvenience.  What time did the fireworks go off?

 

I've also heard that the bell at City Hall sounds off every 15 minutes (up until MN), so that would be another area to avoid if you value your sleep. 

When I checked the time, it was 11:38pm.

[labonnevie]

I believe Walt Disney got the idea for Disneyland from Tivoli Gardens. 
We are close enough to hear (not see) the Disneyland fireworks every summer night.
Fortunately, they are at 9:30!

[JSC77]

7 hours ago, Jimmycruiser said:

I hope you can post the highlights of each port that you visit. We leave on July 30 on Ovation from Reykjavik to Copenhagen then August 6 Copenhagen around the coast of Norway returning to Copenhagen on the 20th and would welcome recommendations from those that have done this itinerary for not to miss excursions that are light to moderate activity level.

We are on the July 30 21 day sailing as well. We had the equivalent cruise booked for July 2020 and as SLSD says, we have been waiting for this for over three years. 
I very much look forward to your postings, particularly regarding weather, the ship, and shore excursions. Thanks in advance!

[SLSD]

1 hour ago, JSC77 said:

We are on the July 30 21 day sailing as well. We had the equivalent cruise booked for July 2020 and as SLSD says, we have been waiting for this for over three years. 
I very much look forward to your postings, particularly regarding weather, the ship, and shore excursions. Thanks in advance!

Weather in Copehagen since we arrived here (day before yesterday) has been quite nice.  High temp about 70 and sunny.  

[LMB01]

Thank you for doing this @SLSD

It feels like 2019 when I followed your thread prior to our first Seabourn cruise! 
can’t wait for your updates

If you have a chance, can you take pictures of the daily Herald?

We don’t plan to get off much but plan to enjoy the scenery from our large balcony at the front of the ship!  Would love to know what the daily routine is - not expecting much as it seems everyone will be getting off on tours
 

We sail the same itinerary - 2 weeks starting July 9th

we are staying at the Copenhagen Marriott for 3 days prior

 

thanks again

[robertmartha]

Thank you SLSD for taking us along.

We board Ovation in 147 days (but who is counting 😆)

Will be following your posts and observations about the ship and staff (we are doing a completely different sailing).

ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY

 

Bob

[SLSD]

1 hour ago, LMB01 said:

Thank you for doing this @SLSD

It feels like 2019 when I followed your thread prior to our first Seabourn cruise! 
can’t wait for your updates

If you have a chance, can you take pictures of the daily Herald?

We don’t plan to get off much but plan to enjoy the scenery from our large balcony at the front of the ship!  Would love to know what the daily routine is - not expecting much as it seems everyone will be getting off on tours
 

We sail the same itinerary - 2 weeks starting July 9th

we are staying at the Copenhagen Marriott for 3 days prior

 

thanks again

I will photograph the Herald and post it.  I just now have the internet working.  

[LMB01]

12 minutes ago, SLSD said:

I will photograph the Herald and post it.  I just now have the internet working.  

thank you and have a great cruise!

[SLSD]

Today was embarkation day!  Due to transportation arrangements, we arrived really early at the port!  We had been given a 2pm embarkation time, but we were on the ship by just a few minutes past  noon and seated on the Colonnade patio shortly after at about 12:15.    The process was quick and seamless.  

 

Since we are not buffet people, we ordered from the menu for lunch-salmon with vegetables.  While not a spectacular lunch, we knew what we were getting as we have had this meal many times before.  No dessert for us.  We asked for white wine and were served my favorite included wine which is the Clarandelle.  Our waiter was Cristian.  Cristian is living in Peru when he is not on a Seabourn ship.  At the end of our meal, he asked if we would ask for one of his tables in The Restaurant if we were dining there tonight.  We asked for his table--he escorted me to the table and proceeded to give us great service throughout the meal.  I forgot to photograph our meal, but did get a photo of Mr. SLSD's dessert which I will post in a bit.  

 

Passengers were wearing all kinds of attire at dinner.  There was a smattering of men in sports coats (Mr. SLSD among them) and quite a few really dressed down--short sleeved summer shirts, etc.  As a whole the woman were dressed up a bit more than many of the men.  But there was one young woman guest. who came to the dining room in a pair of white short shorts.  She was duly seated and no fuss was made.  

 

Earlier in the afternoon, there was a Sail Away event--appetizers and drinks were served.  There was good live music and a presentation by Loula (I know I have misspelled her name and I will get it right next time).  

 

Our Luggage Forward bag DID arrive.  We were getting a bit nervous as it did not arrive at our suite until 3:30pm.  All wheels were intact---thank goodness.  

 

Now, we are sailing toward Alesund, Norway and will arrive the day after tomorrow.  Tomorrow is a sea day and the Restaurant will be open for breakfast from 8am-9am and will be open for lunch from 12:30-1:30. I'm sure that Mr. SLSD will not be awake early enough to go to breakfast there, but I will go and enjoy it. 

 

I have a bit of a cough.  Mr. SLSD thinks I should explain to people that I don't have Covid, but have a bit of asthma--probably brought on by motor fumes from our canal cruise in Copenhagen yesterday and the cool air today.  Fortunately, I did bring medication for that.  We're looking forward to tomorrow.   

 

Tomorrow night, which is a sea day will also be the first formal night.  While we have packed appropriate clothing for the evening, we may try to dine at Earth and Ocean.  

 

Today has been a good day!  The staff is all smiles and working very hard to please everyone.  So far, Seabourn seems much like it was pre-Covid--but it is too early to say for sure.  

 

 

Edited June 11, 2023 by SLSD

[SLSD]

I'm having a bit of trouble with photos and the wifi system at the moment.  I'll try to figure it out sometime tomorrow so that I can post menus, the Herald and other photos. 

[nancygp]

Bon voyage.

 

enjoy the sea day tomorrow and Alesund on Tuesday… lovely and charming place

 

Nancy

[SLSD]

I forgot to mention that our suite attendant Jessica came around shortly after we came to our suite after lunch.  She came bearing mimosas and little salmon appetizers--but no soaps.  There was also a bottle of champagne waiting for us--chilled in a bucket of ice.  

 

We had not made liquor requests, but there was a bottle of Vodka in our chlller.  Now that I think about it, we probably ordered vodka last time we sailed.  We let her take it away as we seldom use the alcohol in our suite.  

 

 

[Mr Luxury]

SLSD,

Is Andrew Pedder the Captain at present?

[SLSD]

4 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

SLSD,

Is Andrew Pedder the Captain at present?

The Captain is Emilian Cygan.

[Mr Luxury]

3 minutes ago, SLSD said:

The Captain is Emilian Cygan.

He'll do in the absence of Andrew 😀

[MrToblerone]

It sounds like an easy and relaxing first day,I look forward to reading about your long awaited cruise.

[SLSD]

9 minutes ago, MrToblerone said:

It sounds like an easy and relaxing first day,I look forward to reading about your long awaited cruise.

 

9 minutes ago, MrToblerone said:

It sounds like an easy and relaxing first day,I look forward to reading about your long awaited cruise.

Thank you.  It is just a bit surreal to be back after three years.  Everything seems familiar, but I am aware that time has passed and the world is not really the same. I thought about this especially when the two dancers from Ukraine were introduced.   I'm hoping we can truly focus on being in the moment.  

Edited June 11, 2023 by SLSD