Live from the NCL Star July 23-August 15, 2023. Will I survive 23 days without the beverage package?

[YVRteacher]

[YVRteacher]

Back on the bus in Tørshavn we arrive at village #2, Kvívík.

 

This used be a Viking settlement. There is no grocery store (or any other store here.) What they do have is a salmon ladder, a glass blower, a church, a graveyard, Helgi’s home where he lives with his mom and dad and brothers and the remnants of times gone by. They also have a lot of sideways rain and wind and it is cold. Really cold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kvívík used to have a beach but it moved several km away during a storm a few years ago.

 

One person has rhubarb.

You can’t tell in these photos but the rain was pelting ice pellets. This is the first port where I have truly been both underdressed and so wet. It was sunny from the cabin balcony so I didn’t wear my waterproof hiking boots. That was a mistake!

[YVRteacher]

Stop #3 is Leynar

 

 

 

Here we see the beach that used to be in Kvívík 

 

 

This was a get out of the bus, take some photos then get back on the bus as quickly as possible kind of a stop.

 

[LauraAnneC]

Yvonne, your photos as always are amazing! 

[YVRteacher]

 

 

Rainbow #3

 

 

Traffic jam!

 

Former NATO barracks now used as a prison since the prison in Tørshavn became infested with fungus.

 

 

Another view of the fjord with the bottlenose whales. These photos were not taken through bus windows. It’s really that foggy and rainy. 

[YVRteacher]

Stop #5

Nordadal

 

 

 

 

Wait! What’s this? A moment of sunshine?

 

I walked up a little path and found some Faroese sheep wool on the ground. There was other “evidence” of sheep but it’s not quite so photogenic. 

 

 

[YVRteacher]

I keep typing stories and CC keeps deleting them. I’m going to take a break from sharing my day in the Faroe Islands and head to Djúpivogur on a tender boat. I’ll write the stories that go with the photos I’ve shared already later tonight. Writing is more fun for me than the scheduled entertainment (White Magic.) Our time in Djúpivogur has been extended until 8:00pm so I have a whole day of tromping about and a bakery to visit!

 

For once I was awake early enough to have breakfast in Versailles. In all my cruises I have had breakfast in a MDR exactly twice. 
 

I love Eggs Benedict for brunch. Treat food! I ordered my eggs cooked medium.

 

This is a photo of the plate as it was presented to me. 

This is what the eggs look like. One hard plus one runny does not equal two medium!

 

This is the yoghurt parfait. Does it look yummy? Nope. The yoghurt was both runny and gritty. 

There is just no care put into the cooking of the food and the presenting of the food. 
 

I was so put off the Eggs Benedict that I ordered scrambled eggs and an English muffin instead. This is how that plate was presented. This has not been touched by me.

 

 

The eggs were just…

gross.
 

There were raw bits underneath chewy bits. The English muffin tasted like cardboard.

 

Then I ordered an avocado.

 

I continue to not accept food that is cooked or presented poorly or that doesn’t taste good. Today I just gave up and walked away hungry.  A chef comes out to talk to me every time I send food back. I hate this. I now say it’s not helpful to talk to me AFTER I have been served unacceptable food.  The quality control needs to happen in the kitchen BEFORE the food is served. 
 

Update on Djúpivogur 

We arrived at 9:00am. It is now 10:55am and no tender numbers have been called. They are doing announcements saying not to line up or gather in stairways. How are we supposed to get off the ship when they don’t have enough tender boats running to get people off??? Are they just letting people with shore excursions on the tenders? From what I can see only three tender boats are being used and it’s quite a long trip to the small boat harbour.

I’m going to try to get on a tender. Wish me luck!

[LauraAnneC]

45 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

I keep typing stories and CC keeps deleting them. I’m going to take a break from sharing my day in the Faroe Islands and head to Djúpivogur on a tender boat. I’ll write the stories that go with the photos I’ve shared already later tonight. Writing is more fun for me than the scheduled entertainment (White Magic.) Our time in Djúpivogur has been extended until 8:00pm so I have a whole day of tromping about and a bakery to visit!

 

For once I was awake early enough to have breakfast in Versailles. In all my cruises I have had breakfast in a MDR exactly twice. 
 

I love Eggs Benedict for brunch. Treat food! I ordered my eggs cooked medium.

 

This is a photo of the plate as it was presented to me. 

This is what the eggs look like. One hard plus one runny does not equal two medium!

 

This is the yoghurt parfait. Does it look yummy? Nope. The yoghurt was both runny and gritty. 

There is just no care put into the cooking of the food and the presenting of the food. 
 

I was so put off the Eggs Benedict that I ordered scrambled eggs and an English muffin instead. This is how that plate was presented. This has not been touched by me.

 

 

The eggs were just…

gross.
 

There were raw bits underneath chewy bits. The English muffin tasted like cardboard.

 

Then I ordered an avocado.

 

I continue to not accept food that is cooked or presented poorly or that doesn’t taste good. Today I just gave up and walked away hungry.  A chef comes out to talk to me every time I send food back. I hate this. I now say it’s not helpful to talk to me AFTER I have been served unacceptable food.  The quality control needs to happen in the kitchen BEFORE the food is served. 
 

Update on Djúpivogur 

We arrived at 9:00am. It is now 10:55am and no tender numbers have been called. They are doing announcements saying not to line up or gather in stairways. How are we supposed to get off the ship when they don’t have enough tender boats running to get people off??? Are they just letting people with shore excursions on the tenders? From what I can see only three tender boats are being used and it’s quite a long trip to the small boat harbour.

I’m going to try to get on a tender. Wish me luck!

Cruise critic needs to update their emojis- there needs to be a sad or angry face. How can you like a post with food like that and no tenders so long after you’ve arrived at your port! 😡😡😡

 

The idea of having to get up from your breakfast still hungry and then being confronted by the chef is absurd! 🤬

 

I hope you find a fabulous bakery full of delicious treats when onshore! Will look forward to your update this evening. Good luck! 

[odie1024]

9 hours ago, Cruisewilm said:

Iceland:   Reykjavik, Isafjordur, Akureyi, Seydisfjordur, Djupivogur

Norway:  Tromso, Harstad, Alesund, Bergin

Scotland: Lerwick, Edinburgh

Plus 3 sea days

(Hence why I have been so excited to read your posts!)

@Cruisewilm,after reading and seeing the pictures @YVRteacher has been posting which look absolutely amazing I am ready to go. When is this trip and what ship?

[LauraAnneC]

1 minute ago, odie1024 said:

@Cruisewilm,after reading and seeing the pictures @YVRteacher has been posting which look absolutely amazing I am ready to go. When is this trip and what ship?

Maybe Prima?

[www3traveler]

3 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

 

Edited August 10, 2023 by www3traveler
Delete

[www3traveler]

WOW!!!  I thought they had fixed your food issues.  Apparently NOT!!  WOW!!  This is ridiculous.

I continue to pray for you on what should have been a wonerful adventure.

BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG HUG

Love and prayers always

[laudergayle]

2 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

I keep typing stories and CC keeps deleting them. I’m going to take a break from sharing my day in the Faroe Islands and head to Djúpivogur on a tender boat. I’ll write the stories that go with the photos I’ve shared already later tonight. Writing is more fun for me than the scheduled entertainment (White Magic.) Our time in Djúpivogur has been extended until 8:00pm so I have a whole day of tromping about and a bakery to visit!

 

For once I was awake early enough to have breakfast in Versailles. In all my cruises I have had breakfast in a MDR exactly twice. 
 

I love Eggs Benedict for brunch. Treat food! I ordered my eggs cooked medium.

 

This is a photo of the plate as it was presented to me. 

This is what the eggs look like. One hard plus one runny does not equal two medium!

 

This is the yoghurt parfait. Does it look yummy? Nope. The yoghurt was both runny and gritty. 

There is just no care put into the cooking of the food and the presenting of the food. 
 

I was so put off the Eggs Benedict that I ordered scrambled eggs and an English muffin instead. This is how that plate was presented. This has not been touched by me.

 

 

The eggs were just…

gross.
 

There were raw bits underneath chewy bits. The English muffin tasted like cardboard.

 

Then I ordered an avocado.

 

I continue to not accept food that is cooked or presented poorly or that doesn’t taste good. Today I just gave up and walked away hungry.  A chef comes out to talk to me every time I send food back. I hate this. I now say it’s not helpful to talk to me AFTER I have been served unacceptable food.  The quality control needs to happen in the kitchen BEFORE the food is served. 
 

Update on Djúpivogur 

We arrived at 9:00am. It is now 10:55am and no tender numbers have been called. They are doing announcements saying not to line up or gather in stairways. How are we supposed to get off the ship when they don’t have enough tender boats running to get people off??? Are they just letting people with shore excursions on the tenders? From what I can see only three tender boats are being used and it’s quite a long trip to the small boat harbour.

I’m going to try to get on a tender. Wish me luck!

It makes me wonder at this point if your food is being served this way on purpose.  This is crazy.

Edited August 10, 2023 by laudergayle

[GALSews]

2 hours ago, odie1024 said:

@Cruisewilm,after reading and seeing the pictures @YVRteacher has been posting which look absolutely amazing I am ready to go. When is this trip and what ship?

Yes, I agree that I'd want to go to the places, the problem is the food pictures. Well, I do need to lose a few pounds, but. (Actually, we'll be on the Star in December, so I am hoping they food staff will have changed for the better. Fingers crossed.)

So, I do have to ask, where are you in Central Mass? Leominster is my hometown. If you aren't from Mass, or served in what was Ft. Devens, I challenge you to correctly pronounce Leominster.

 

Before I end, just want to repeat that YVRteacher's photos are stunning.

[Cruisewilm]

2 hours ago, odie1024 said:

@Cruisewilm,after reading and seeing the pictures @YVRteacher has been posting which look absolutely amazing I am ready to go. When is this trip and what ship?

Except for the food, and possibly the internet person, we are pretty excited to be on this same ship on Sept 9.  Still showing a few rooms available...

[Asawi]

11 minutes ago, Cruisewilm said:

Except for the food, and possibly the internet person, we are pretty excited to be on this same ship on Sept 9.  Still showing a few rooms available...

If you are meat eaters food won't be as much of a challenge as for a vegetarian. Food may not be fantastic, but if you look around you're sure to find something nice for every meal. Vegetarien options did not impress me (mostly vegetarian at home, meat/fish-eater on Star).

I'm not sure if there's more than one "internet person", but the one I met was the only grumpy staff person I came across. But I guess he had his reasons. Internet issues can do that to you. 😄 

[YVRteacher]

1 hour ago, laudergayle said:

It makes me wonder at this point if your food is being served this way on purpose.  This is crazy.

I wondered about this too! I keep thinking, “is this for real??”

[YVRteacher]

@Cruisewilm You have an incredible itinerary to enjoy! Have you been to any of these ports before?

[YVRteacher]

24 minutes ago, GALSews said:

Yes, I agree that I'd want to go to the places, the problem is the food pictures. Well, I do need to lose a few pounds, but. (Actually, we'll be on the Star in December, so I am hoping they food staff will have changed for the better. Fingers crossed.)

So, I do have to ask, where are you in Central Mass? Leominster is my hometown. If you aren't from Mass, or served in what was Ft. Devens, I challenge you to correctly pronounce Leominster.

 

Before I end, just want to repeat that YVRteacher's photos are stunning.

I’ve gained weight from all the cake I ate in ports!

[laudergayle]

19 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

I wondered about this too! I keep thinking, “is this for real??”

I think at this point, all of us are thinking, “is this for real??”

[YVRteacher]

The windiest day ever measured in the Faroe Islands clocked wind speeds of 283 km/hour. It could have been more but the wind blew away what our guide calls the wind measuring machine. I think this is an anemometer. Or, WAS an anemometer.
 

Using wind turbines, Tørshavn is aiming to be a green city by 2030. The problem is some days there is too much power and some days there is no power. One would really need to plan their shower and blow drying schedule based on the weather report! 

The Faroe Islands do not belong to another power grid and don’t draw power from anywhere else.

 

In a place with no trees it can be hard to communicate visually just how windy it is. I found a way! I bring to you dog who does not love the wind! Every time a gust blew in his face he tried to paw the wind away. His floppy ears were whipping to and fro and he was not having it.

 

[Asawi]

4 minutes ago, laudergayle said:

I think at this point, all of us are thinking, “is this for real??”

I had most of my food in the buffet, and will do so on my next Star cruise in October. Why? Because then I see the food before it's on my plate! I'm an average cook at home and I suck at food presentation. But I'm not as bad as what has been shown here! Wow!
There are at least two professionals involved in bringing out this "food" (cook and server). Surely at least one of them should react and think "this does not look all right" and act accordingly??

[YVRteacher]

That was a fabulous Shore Excursion! Great guide and we saw so much. The bus was super comfortable and the heat worked. It always felt so good to step into the warmth after being out in the wind and rain. Saw many sheep and horses but only through the bus window. 
 

 

Back in Tørshavn I walked into town. I hadn’t had breakfast or lunch and was searching for a bakery or cafe. There were several restaurants (mostly sushi, ramen or fish sandwich places) on the main street and they were all packed. I went into one place but quickly realized why it had space: there were 13 strollers outside and a La Leche meeting in action on the inside.

 

On my quest for a bakery I did take a few photos of Tørshavn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Found the library!

 

 

See the brown building? This building is important and if you come to Tørshavn you need to visit. Trust me. 

[YVRteacher]

16 minutes ago, Asawi said:

I had most of my food in the buffet, and will do so on my next Star cruise in October. Why? Because then I see the food before it's on my plate! I'm an average cook at home and I suck at food presentation. But I'm not as bad as what has been shown here! Wow!
There are at least two professionals involved in bringing out this "food" (cook and server). Surely at least one of them should react and think "this does not look all right" and act accordingly??

That’s what I keep telling them! The buffet has improved over the last couple of weeks. Last night for dinner I had a roasted cauliflower salad and a white bean and corn salad that were both very good.

 

However, they had a taco station set up. Guac. Corn. Cheese. Jalapeños. Sour cream. Salsa. Lettuce. Tomatoes. 
Were there any taco shells, tortillas or tortilla chips? Nope. It was like setting up an art workshop and putting out the paints but forgetting the canvases. It’s not a taco station if it doesn’t have taco shells!

 

@Asawi did you notice the abundance of some kind of white melon? It’s not honeydew. It is white inside and flavourless and is served EVERYWHERE. There must have been a deal on flavourless melon and someone at NCL said, we’ll take it!

[www3traveler]

Do they teach geography in your school district?  If so, you should be the teacher!!

All who are reading your postings have learned a lot about the places many of us will never get a chance to visit.

 

THANK YOU