Cruise Experience 2012

13th June-Olden

After another short journey overnight along the Norwegian coast ORIANA was once again moving in land navigating through the fjords, on this occasion to reach her destination the village of Olden, she would have to traverse 3 fjords firstly the Vagsfjorden  followed by the Nordfjorden where ORIANA had to pass under a overhead cable which hung 60 metres above sea level leaving the ship with only 5 metres clearance at her funnel.

 ORIANA's funnel later in the day.

Finally before arriving at Olden ORIANA passed through the Storfjorden.
Waking shortly before 7am our first action of the day was to watch the ship's information channel to see ORIANA's current status and position and it was quite an incredible sight to see on the map screens how far the ship had travelled  inland.
Switching to the ship's bridge cam channel the view from the bow showed Olden just up ahead.
Getting ready for the day our first stop for the day was breakfast in the Peninsular and as we were there the various announcements were made from the bridge relating to arrival.
ORIANA was secured along side and with the all the arrival formalities completed we were free to proceed ashore which we would be doing as soon as breakfast was over and we had taking some time to take the  view from the deck.
While we were in rush many of the other passengers were on early departing tours so were heading off to their various meeting points around the ship before going ashore and then to the tour buses.

Also ready on dockside ready to take passengers on a tour of the surrounding area on a tour train quite similar to a train we had seen two days earlier in Bergen.

  Disembarking the and walking a little way into the town it was clear to see that even tough it like Geiranger the day before was a small village it was very different and having its own charms among its typical Norwegian wooden buildings.
While many of the passengers were off on their tours there was still a number of passengers like us walking through Olden armed with cameras.

Unlike the previous two days there ORIANA was the sole visitor in the fjord and it was her alone who towered over the traditional buildings some of which seemed almost to cling to the mountainside

Walking on we were greeted by a number of small  numbered red buildings curiously placed in rows while not sure we mused that perhaps they were used by visitors or locals for leisure time perhaps a holiday hut or such like.

As we passed through Olden and to the opposite side of the fjord to get some starboard side views of  ORIANA we met a few other passengers walking doing much the same as us and  also some hikers, curiously a building nearby featured a wall adorned letters of the Runic alphabet it could be truly said that in Norway like many other countries much of the tradition was kept alive in various forms.  

On the opposite side of the fjord for the first time of the day we got an excellent full side view ORIANA
who looked absolutely stunning in the few rays if sunshine which broke through the low cloud cover.   

 Despite having been used the previous day at anchor ORIANA's crew were testing her tenders and lifeboats in amongst the overpowering nature of the fjord the small crafts made for a curious sight circling round the fjord.

Heading back towards the ship it was quite a humbling moment looking towards ORIANA and the contrasting colours of the surroundings to appreciate being in a country like Norway especially the rural areas, it felt like it was it's own isolated little world far removed form the sometimes frantic and busy lives many of us live, in many ways reflecting life on board ORIANA for her passengers.

Stopping off at the small souvenir shop on the back to ORIANA we took the last couple of shots ORIANA from the shore.

Returning on board shortly before lunch ORIANA was still fairly empty most of her passengers ashore she took on an oddly empty feel many of her bars now open the remainder of the passengers could be found there enjoying the comfort serenity of the rooms offered.
At lunch there was again very few passengers present in some ways the restaurant taking on a rather lonely persona as the majority of its 500+ seats were empty contrasting sharply to dinner where most of the seats would be full.
After lunch and with several hours left before ORIANA's departure we decided on trying another first, the ship's spa and taking a swim on in the ship's pools.
An relaxing and worthwhile experience the spa with it's views out over the ship's bow and the relaxing music offered the perfect retreat to and space to unwind and relax from the warm waters of the Jacuzzi or the laying on the loungers looking out the forward windows.
While outside in the pool and outer Jacuzzis gave the chance to be in the most curious position of being outside amongst the snow topped mountains whilst enjoying temperatures in the pools of  20 degrees + and with most still ashore or inside we virtually had the deck and pool to our selve.
After an hour or so and the temperature lowering it was decided to cut short time on deck and perhaps resume tomorrow.
By now ORIANA's passengers were now returning on board either independently or from the tours.
Changed and once again with camera's we returned on deck for ORIANA's departure, firstly to the terraced decks where some passengers too were enjoying relaxing in.

 Moving to what had became our favorite vantage point forward of the deck tennis courts we found Captain Pembridge on port bridge wing in preparation for departure.

As the Captain waited a passenger standing nearby bizarrely asked the him if he knew 'everything' to which the Captain replied he liked to think so!
Strange encounters aside ORIANA's lines were slowly let go and hauled back on board and with a blast of the ship's horn she slowly began to slip away from the berth.
Moving astern and thrusting out into the centre of the fjord ORIANA began swinging her bow until she was in position to begin her departure.

 Heading back the she had come hours earlier ORIANA began making her way back out towards the North Sea the ship cruised onto the final destination of the week another of Norway's cities, Stavanger.

Photo Copyrights João Abreu & Steve Martin.

ORIANA at Ponta Delgada

Following a transatlantic crossing from the Caribbean ORIANA arrived on the 13th October at Ponta Delgada in the Azores archipelago. Originally ORIANA's cruise had her scheduled arrive on the 28th September but due to strike action ORIANA rescheduled and instead called at Funchal,Madeira which had been originally scheduled as the last port of call before her return to Southampton. Below we present several photos showing ORIANA's call that day and also a time lapse video taken from the local webcam and ORIANA's own cam. All images are courtesy of the Azores Cruise Club to whom we extend our thanks.

Photos by Eduardo Wallenstein.

Photos by António Simas.

Photo by António Rebelo.

Photo by Carlos Carvalho.

 Video Courtesy of The Azores cruise club,

 Photos Copyright's: Eduardo Wallenstein, António Simas, António Rebelo & Carlos Carvalho.

Cruise Experience 2012

12th June-Geiranger

Following the excellent day spent in Bergen and a short 273 Nautical mile 505.9 KM overnight journey the early morning of the 12th found ORIANA travelling through the Geirangerfjord to the picturesque village of Geiranger .

Having had an early morning the day before it was a mutual choice not to wake as early, the beauty of Geiranger would be as equally stunning sailing out as was sailing in we reasoned and given that ORIANA would be reaching her anchorage around 6 to 6:30 am we felt that it they would be plenty of time to all the natural splendours the village had to offer.

While we woke just before the arrival we were time to watch the arrival via the ships' mast cam on the in cabin television.

 According to the cruise log ORIANA reached the anchorage point at 6:55 am where she began a swing to port to put her bow in position for departure later in the day.

At 7:08 am with the swing complete the starboard anchor was let go before the lines were sent ashore via boats, these lines ensure ORIANA wouldn't swing during her time on anchor.

Shortly after 8am the tendering operation commenced as is common practice passengers who were going ashore on an organised tour would be able to go ashore using their tour tickets as a pass to the tenders passengers going ashore independently were required to take a numbered ticket and when their number was called.

This would continue until the main disembarkation was complete after which time it would be just a case of arriving at the tender platforms when a tender was available.
Unfortunately during our first hours on anchor there was a personal matter which I had to go a shore to attend to meaning that I was unable to watch as  'old acquaintance' made another appearance as AIDA MAR entered the fjord with the ferry Veøy.

 Both had arrived from the nearby village of Hellesylt where AIDA MAR had made a brief call earlier in the morning.
It was the second time we had seen AIDA MAR since her departure from Bergen, the previous evening  we had been sailing in close proximity to her.

AIDA MAR lets go her port anchor.

  Having returned on board and meeting up with João we went back onto deck to take in proper the truly breathtaking natural surroundings and the traditional wooden buildings such as the church.
Apparently not the original, local stories tell that the person who had been given the responsibility of cleaning and maintaining it grew tired of going to the church everyday so he burnt it down, the present it is said church was it's replacement.

It was fair to say more than Bergen, Geiranger was what people would typically think of Norway to be a small village nestled amongst the mountains and deep fjords.
While we were eager to disembark and take in some of the sights and sounds at ground level it was still very busy with quite a number of passengers still disembarking.
With main disembarkation due to last until around midday and not having had lunch the day before we chose to instead have lunch on  board before going ashore.
A tradition dating back many years on board P&O ships is to have an Indian dish on the lunch menu, and we both decided on having the dish for lunch, like all meals on board it was of the highest possible standard but for both of us it required washing down with many glasses of water, much to the puzzlement of the waiter who was serving us.
 Finishing our lunch main disembarkation had indeed been concluded so we made our own way with our cameras down to the tender and after the five minute journey were disembarking on the pier shortly after 1pm.
Finally ashore the true beauty and scale of nature was apparent ORIANA who had towered far over the terminal buildings in Southampton here dwarfed the village yet herself was dwarfed by the mountains and the fjord.

 At anchor.

    It was also the first time that the duck tail/sponson had been in full view during the cruise the effect was not as extreme and nowhere near as negative as many had mentioned instead close up it looked more like an extension of the original stern shape.
As had been mentioned by Tom in Bergen MIDNATSOL made an appearance anchoring to disembark passengers onto the sightseeing boat GEIRANGERFJORD.

 MIDNATSOL arriving and disembarking.

While we were taking in the scenery on our own many of the passengers were taking to the water for the excursions including kayaking and taking to a viking long boat tour.

 ORIANA and kayaks.

   AIDA MAR and replica Viking vessel.

Walking on ashore it would be fair to say that wherever we looked there was something to see whether that was mountain view or a waterfall.
 Walking on the beauty offered many and varied photo opportunities which it appeared other passengers were taking advantage of.

    Everything about the village and it's surroundings said something of the way of life here everyone was taking life at their own pace not in a rush to go anyway or do anything it would be fair to say that it was like being in a small environment cut off from the outside world, which during the winter it virtually is, thinking about it the most fitting description would be serene even the water was almost like a millpond.

   A Nautical view in the fjord.

A perfect photo opportunity, João with ORIANA and the nature of the fjord. 

While we could have stayed much longer after purchasing some souvenirs we took the tender back to ORIANA to settle in before the departure.
As the departure drew near the tender operation wound down and the last tender the remaining passengers returned to the ship.
Given the surroundings of the fjord it was unsurprising that ORIANA's terraced and upper decks were filling with passengers ready to watch the sail out from the fjord.

  Passengers getting in position on the terraced decks.

Giving his departure speech the captain announced the planned movements for the evening and encouraged those who had not done so already to come out on deck to enjoy the stunning scenery.
By now we had moved to the forward decks and as ORIANA began to make her move a local resident set off some fireworks in a small tradition he had begun with departing cruise ships.
Shortly after ORIANA's distinctive horn blew and echoed off the fjord and mountainside.
Hardly having a chance for the echoes to fade then AIDA MAR exchanged a few blasts to which ORIANA responded much to the amusement to passengers on both ships.

Passengers on AIDA MAR wave to and photograph.

Adeus AIDA & Geiranger!

Leaving Geiranger in her wake ORIANA made her way past one of the most famous natural features of the area the Seven Sisters Waterfall's which she was passing on her starboard side and was attracting attention from passengers.
While on her port side ORIANA was passing another waterfall known as the the suitor.

The Seven Sisters.

And The Suitor.

Passing the waterfalls we moved back along ORIANA's decks to the terrace decks where the sail away was of a classical music theme while not the music our generation prefer it was we both agreed the most fitting with the scenery and the mixture of the music and the passing mountains waterfalls combined to form a truly unforgettable look at some of nature's masterpieces.

 ORIANA's  mast contrasts with the mountains.

A ferry crossing ORIANA's wake.

Having had a fairly full and busy day and also somehow unwilling to leave the beauty of the fjord behind in another first we chose to have a buffet dinner in the The Conservatory on deck 12, the theme of the evening was East Asian cuisine namely Chinese and Thai, although of course lacking the service of the main restaurants the food was at the exact same high standard, we were also lucky that a table near the floor to ceiling windows was available which gave an excellent view out over the fjords and mountains it would be fair to say that it was almost a poetic scene to watch pass by it could be truly said there is no other way to see the fjords than from a ship.
Leaving the land behind for time being ORIANA reentered the North Sea on route to our next destination Olden which was about 11 hours away.

Photo Copyrights: João Abreu & Steve Martin.

Cruise Experience 2012

11th June-Bergen
After a entertaining and relaxing first day at sea the early morning of Monday 11th June found ORIANA several hours from the first port of call Norway's second largest city Bergen.
The day began early and up on leaving the cabin we were greeted by one of ORIANA's bridge crew and the local pilot on route to the bridge.
Unsurprisingly at this time ORIANA's decks were fairly empty aside from one or two passengers who were also early to rise and members of the ship's crew going about their assigned jobs, on deck there was fresh breeze that blew over ORIANA and the sky was somewhat cloudy in many ways the scene was somewhat reminiscent of the last time I had visited with the heavy skies being somewhat telling  that Bergen has the reputation as the wettest city in Europe.
It was a fair bet that arriving in Bergen ORIANA and her passengers would be treated to a wet welcome.

 Clouds gather over ORIANA's wake on en route to Bergen.

Unlike some of the other ports ORIANA would be visiting during this cruise there was no narrow fjords for the ship to traverse instead wide channels marked her course.
Initially the land was rocky out crops which soon gave way to green patches with small wooden houses lining the waterfront.

Although it was windswept standing on the forward decks offered the first sight of the Askøy Bridge coming into view above a break in the gave the possibility that the weather may hold out for the call.

 ORIANA's bow looks towards the Askøy Bridge.

 Continuing on route the approaching bridge was fast becoming a source of interest as is always the case when a ship is about to pass under bridge.
Giving an announcement Captain Pembridge, having performed similar maneuvers  gave reassurance that ORIANA's air draft of around 55m would permit her to pass comfortably beneath the bridge.

 The mast passing under the bridge.

 ORIANA's funnel nears the bridge while specters look on.

 ORIANA leaves the bridge behind.

  With the bridge behind her ORIANA neared the city proper and amongst the mix of historic and modern buildings the first of the the other nautical visitors came into view, ORIANA would spend the day in good company as she joined  three other ships from other Carnival brands.
Firstly coming into view two of ORIANA's fellow Meyer Werft built ships the newly built AIDA MAR and her older sibling AIDA LUNA.

LUNA & MAR docked together in Bergen.

Up ahead Holland America's EURORDAM also came into view offering her Signature class lines bringing to mind ORIANA's fleet mate ARCADIA.

EURODAM docked.

EURODAM's crew keep a look out.

Finally alongside the dock stevedores in small boats were in place to pick up ORIANA's lines and secure her alongside.

After a day at sea and a relatively short journey of 759 Nautical miles (1406.5km) we had arrived at our first destination.

  ORIANA en route to Bergen, Copyright Tom Gulbrandsen.

With ORIANA tied up alongside and all the arrival formalities completed the passengers were free to go ashore either independently or by taking one of the tour excursion on offer through the tours office on board.
We wouldn't be taking advantage of the excursions instead we would be meeting with local ship spotter Tom Gulbrandsen who had offered to kindly take the time to show us some of the best ship spotting points and some of the interesting sights of the city.
 Thankfully it would turn out that our 'tour' of Bergen would be on a day when the City's reputation was not forthcoming, instead of the rain that the clouds seen during our arrival could have brought the clouds instead broke completely leaving sunshine and a blue sky.
 Our tour began in one of Bergen's most famous areas and the wooden buildings of Bryggen, interestingly one building even containing a night club.

 Bryggen.

 A local 'stands watch'.

  During our tour Tom gave us a brief talk of the local history and of the recent cruise calls as well.
During the day we most prominently saw the two AIDA's who were docked together.

'Sisterly' love.

During our journey back towards the Bryggen we visited the visitor centre and shop for the three masted tall ship STATSRAAD LEHMKUHL.

Built in 1914 as GROSSHERZOG FRIEDRICH AUGUST for the German merchant marine the ship is now a training ship based in Bergen.

 A model of STARSRAAD LEHMKUHL.

And the ship herself.

Next on our tour we visited the terminal for Hurtigruten and watched as ferry MIDNATSOL made her arrival, as we watched Tom informed us that reaching a certain position the ship would sound her horn and almost on schedule she did exactly that her sounds echoing for a short time.

  As much as we were enjoying our selves in a beautiful city with an excellent time moved on quickly and it was time for us to head back towards the ship.
Taking short walk through the city to the drop off/pick up point we parted ways with Tom who wished us well with the rest of the cruise although it was quite possible that it wasn't quite the last we had seen of him.
Returning to ORIANA there was about an hour or so remaining before ORIANA departed, more than enough time to have a brief rest before joining the inevitable sail away party on deck. 
  
Arriving on at the terraced decks shortly before departure there was already a considerable number of passengers present ready for the 175th Anniversary sail away in the normal P&O style it was bound to be good fun and hopefully memorable.

With the music playing and dancing on the side of the side of the terrace pool courtesy of the entertainment the assembled passengers prepared for the sail away, while above us ORIANA's funnel began once again emit smoke as her engines were brought back up to power ready for departure.

 Cruise Director Jon leads the Entertainment team and Passengers in song and dance.

 Shortly before our own departure AIDA MAR began her departure the new ship making a fairly interesting sight as she sailed through the crystal blue waters.

Finally with all the lines clear ORIANA made her own move slowly slipping astern of the berth as the passengers cheered and waved to spectators on the dock side and on small crafts.

Clearing the berth  ORIANA began her swing and brought her bow in line for her departure course before  continuing ahead.

Firstly we passed MIDNATSOL still alongside the terminal loading passengers and cargo.

 Passing AIDA LUNA who was still docked we were encouraged to cheer at her since in the words of the Cruise Director its ok we own them!

However there seemed to be a distinct lack of any activity on her decks

 Picking up speed ORIANA swiftly left the city in her wake as she once again headed towards the Askøy Bridge and as prearranged we made our way to the forward decks for a farewell to our guide for the day Tom.

Approaching the bridge several figures came into view one of them undoubtedly Tom moving under the bridge one last photo opportunity presented it's self.

Goodbye Tom!

   Spotted on deck.

 As we left the bridge behind it was time to reflect on the day spent in Bergen and look forward to ORIANA's next destination Geiranger.

We would like to extend our thanks to Tom who took the time to show us around the beautiful city of Bergen.

Photo Copyrights: João Abreu, Tom Gulbrandsen & Steve Martin.