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.
Initially the land was rocky out crops which soon gave way to green patches with small wooden houses lining the waterfront.
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.
Firstly coming into view two of ORIANA's fellow Meyer Werft built ships the newly built AIDA MAR and her older sibling AIDA LUNA.
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.
During the day we most prominently saw the two AIDA's who were docked together.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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