Norwegian Cruise 2019

First travel day in a holding pattern over the North Sea	Landing at Schipol Airport, Amsterdam, Netherlands for a plane change	Leaving Amsterdam, Netherlands	Viking Sky docked in Bergen, Norway	Room Service Breakfast on Viking Sky
Reproductions of sections of the Bayeux Tapestry between decks on the Viking Sky	The Original Bayeux Tapestry was embroidered 945 years ago	The Bayeux Tapestry depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England	Wintergarden Pool area on Viking Sky	Lounge area in the Wintergarden on the Vikkng Sky
Mamsen's Pastries and Homemade Norwegian Waffles on Viking Sky	Explorer's Lounge on Viking Sky	Viewing area of Explorer's Lounge on Viking Sky	Upper Deck of the Explorer's Lounge on Viking Sky	Viking Sky Theater
Viking Sky has a lot of places to relax and read or talk	Main Dining Room on Viking Sky	Lots of Wine displayed in and around dining venues	Chef's Table Specialty restaurant on Viking Sky	More Viking Art on Viking Sky
Grand Staircase in Atrium of Viking Sky	Approaching Bergen, Norway	Bergen is sheltered from the North Sea by a large number of Islands	Norwegian humor outside Bergen, Norway Airport	Leaving Bergen International Airport at Sunset
View of Bergen, Norway from Our Balcony	St. Mary's Church (built 1130-80 AD), Bergen, Norway	Bryggen (the dock) is a series of Hanseatic commercial buildings in Bergen, Norway	Most of the Houses on Bryggen date to around 1702 after a major fire in Bergen	Haakon's Hall is a medieval stone hall built in the 13th Century in Bergen, Norway
St. John's Church (1891-94) is the largest church in Bergen, Norway	Gamlehaugen (1899) is the residence of the Norwegian Royal Family when in Bergen, Norway	Riding the Floibanen funicular in Bergen, Norway	Riding the Floibanen funicular in Bergen, Norway	View of Bergen, Norway from Mount Floyen
View of Bergen, Norway from Mount Floyen	Starting to snow on top of Mount Floyen	Kids on playground on top of Mount Floyen	A Troll on top of Mount Floyen	Norwegian Cinamon Roll and Hot Chocolate on Mount Floyen
Going down the Floibanen funicular in Bergen, Norway	Last look at Bergen, Norway	On the outskirts of Bergen, Norway	Life on an Island near Bergen, Norway	Leaving Bergen, Norway
Dinner @ Manfretti's Specialty Restaurant	Limoncello @ Manfretti's Specialty Restaurant	Heading into the North Sea	Cruising in a narrow Sound off the Coast of Norway	Cruising in a narrow Sound off the Coast of Norway
Waterfalls indicate the beginning of Spring in Norway	Norwergian Waffle from Mamsen's on Viking Sky	Preparing the Ice-filled Hot Tub for the Arctic Circle Crossing Ceremony	After dipping in ice bath, participants get a blue nose and shot of Aquivit from the Captain	Passengers earning the 'Order of the Blue Nose' on Viking Sky
Maureen earning the 'Order of the Blue Nose' crossing the Arctic Circle	Maureen in the Ice Bath on Viking Sky	Maureen out of the Ice Bath on Viking Sky	Maureen with her shot of Aquivit on Viking Sky	Time for Ship's Officers to take the icy plunge
Shore Tour Manager in Full Uniform in Ice Bath	Housekeeping Manager from Kenya goes into the Ice Bath	Last one is Drew, Cruise Director of Viking Sky	Eggbruger from the Pool Grill	Matterhorn look-alike in Norway viewed from Our Balcony
Island life on the Coast of Norway	Small Village on the Coast of Norway	Fishing in the North Sea	Approaching Torghatten, a Granite Mountain on the Island of Torg, Norway	Torghatten is known for its Natural Tunnel through the Center created during the Ice Age
The Tunnel in Torghatten is 520 ft long, 66 ft wide, and 115 ft high	Sun setting on the Coast of Norway	Dusk on the North Sea	A hint of Aurora Borealis showing through the clouds	Forecast for Narvik, Norway
First look at Narvik, Norway	Docking at the commercial port of Narvik	View of Narvik, Norway from Our Balcony	1956 'Life Out of Chaos' statue in Narvik, Norway	Old House in Narvik, Norway
Snow-covered roads in Narvik, Norway	One of the Oldest Houses in Narvik, Norway	Sunday afternoon in Narvik,Norway	Sunny, but Cold Day in Narvik, Norway	Narvik Church (1925) holds about 700 people
Not the best place to learn to cross-country ski	Halogaland Bridge (in distance) in Narvik, Norway	Narvik is an ice-free harbor year-round due to the Gulf Stream	Halogaland Bridge is the second-longest bridge span in Norway	Narvik Rail Station has been in operation since 1902
Narvik Rail service started in 1902 to haul iron ore to the port from Sweden	Women in period dress from early 1900's to celebrate anniversary of rail opening	Our bus driver in traditional clothes from the early 1900's	Our bus driver and Susan at Narvik Train Station	Ofotfjord viewed from Narvik Train Statiion
Viking Sky docked in Ofotfjord (Narvik, Norway)	Viking Sky docked in Ofotfjord (Narvik, Norway)	A Sunday stroll in Narvik, Norway	Gondolas to the top of Narvikfjellet Ski Center in Narvik, Norway	Narvikfjellet Ski slope ends right in he town of Narvik, Norway
Narvik, Norway Monument to Peace	Viking Singers perform the ABBA Songbook	The Tjeldsund Bridge crosses the Tjeldsundet strait between the Norway mainland and the island of Hinnoya	Sailing under the Tjeldsund Bridge	Average Iron Ore ships in Narvik carry 75,000 tons
Sailing out of Narvik during dinner	Alta, Norway Forecast	Birds on water in Altafjord in Norway	Altafjord in Norway	Alta, Norway sits at 69 degrees 58 minutes7.93 seconds N Longitude.jpg
Boats in Alta, Norway	Part of Alta, Norway is located on a peninsula	View from Dining Room at Lunch	Norwegian Ambulance in Alta, Norway	Saw a Fox on the Ridge from the Dining Room
P & O Cruise Ship docked in Alta, Norway	Alta, Norway from Aft Deck of Viking Sky	Moustachio Tanker holding up our depart from Alta, Norway dock	Norway only has a National Police Force	Northern Lights Cathedral, Alta, Norway
Northern Lights Cathedral was built between 2009 and 2013	Driving thorough Alta, Norway	Farm near Alta, Norway	Crossing the mostly frozen Alta River	Arriving at Holmen Husky Lodge for an Overnight Adventure
Norwegian Snow Sled	Ready to Ride	Our Dog Sled Team	Ready for a Cold Ride	On the Trail
And we're back, and very cold	Susan with Our Lead Huskies	Alaskan Huskies are a blend of various Northern breeds combined for skills such as pulling	Bill with 1 of 98 Alaskan Huskies at the Camp	On the way to the Warming Tipi
A Warm Fire, Warm Grape Juice, and Cookies	The dogs sleep in pairs with separated space	Susan getting personal with one of the Huskies	A really pretty Husky	Preparing dinner for 98 dogs
First look at Our Tipi	Inside Our Tipi	Sleeping on top of an electric blanket in the Tipi	A Tipi with a View	At the reception desk at the Lodge
Ready for Dinner at the Lodge	Bearskin Rug at the Lodge	Moose for Dinner	Back in Our Tipi at 10 PM	Ceiling of Our Tipi
Watching the moon and clouds from our bed	Closest bathroom to Our Tipi	There's a little heat in the bathroom	No Standing in the Men's Outhouse	The back of Our Tipi
On the outside looking in	Bill has a good fire going	Bright moon and mostly cloudy at 2 AM	The next morning outside our Tipi	Entrance to Tipi number 3 (Moose)
Snow against our Tipi	Breakfast at the Lodge	Finishing Breakfast at the Lodge	Lounge at the Lodge	Morning at the Husky Camp
Dog Sleds awaiting the dogs	Farewell to Our Tipi	Reindeer skin in the Tipi	Ready to leave Holmen Huskies Dog Camp	Hooking up for the Morning Runs
And they're off	Alta River starting to thaw	Back in Alta, Norway	Viking Sky docked in Altafjord	Tromso, Norway Forecast for 1st Day
Docked on the island of Tromsoya, Norway	Tromsdalen Church(also known as the Arctic Cathedral) is on the mainland of Tromso, Norway	Interesting boat on the Tromso Sound in Norway	Mainland of Tromso, Norway is mostly residential	Shops on Tromsoya Island, Norway
The Whaling Monument on Tromsoya Island, Norway	The Arctic Cathedral (1955) is the parish church for Tromsoysund, Norway	Viking Sky docked in the Tromso Sound in Norway	Visiting the Northern Lights Planetarium in Tromso, Norway	Hospital Emergency Helicopter provides service to 600 islands around Tromso, Norway
Bridge to Whale Island, Norway	Whale Island (Kvaloya), Norway	Whale Island (Kvaloya), Norway	Snow on Whale Island, Norway	Tromso Center for Contemporary Art
Tromso Cathedral (1861) is the only Norwegian cathedral made of Wood	Tromso Cathedral is built on the site of the first church in Tromso founded in 1252	Tromso Cathedral is built in a long church format and in the Gothic Revival style	Boat Harbor off Tromsoya Island, Norway	Sunny Skies over Tromso, Norway
Kroken is a lighted ski slope in Tromso, Norway	Moonliight night on the way to a Reindeer Camp	Arrival at Sami Reindeer Camp	First look at Reindeer herd	Going into a Sami Lodge
Inside a Sami Lodge	The Sami people are an indigenous people of northern Europe	Many of the Sami people are semi-nomadic reindeer herders	Feeding the Reindeer is a somewhat harrowing experience	Reindeer can be pretty agressive
Watch out for the Antlers	You can't feed just one Reindeer	Feeding Reindeer with both hands	A lot of Reindeer have only one antler left after fighting	Just about done with feeding Reindeer
Reindeer herd with Sami house (Gamme) in the background	At the Sami Reindeer Camp	Dusk at the Reindeer Camp	Waiting for Reindeer Sled Ride	Sled ride selfie
View from our Reindeer sled ride	End of Reindeer sled ride	The reindeer that pulled our sled	The reindeer that pulled our sled	Back inside the Sami Lodge
Reindeer Stew cooking over open fire	Reindeer Stew was really good	Inside a Sami Gamme (house)	The Sami people are traditionally known in English as Laplanders	Our host explains Traditional Sami clothing
Sami hats for female (left) and male (right)	Sami trousers made of Reindeer skin with wool trim	Sami Gloves made from Reindeer skin	Sami Winter Boots have a Sheepskin liner with special grass under it for insulation	Sami Summer Boots
Reindeer Antler with 'velvet' still on	Mature Reindeer Antler	Nighttime view of Tromso, Norway mainland from our balcony on Viking Sky	Arctic Cathedral at night from our balcony	Day 2 in Tromso, Norway Forecast
Snowy start to day 2 in Tromso, Norway	Arctic Cathedral visible through the snow	Tromsoya, Norway	Worlds northernmost research station in soil management and crop production, Tromsoya, Norway	The snowy season in Tromsoya, Norway lasts for 7.5 months
Snow as tall as Do Not Enter sign in Tromso, Norway	Kongsbakken High School in Tromso dates to 1833	Kongsbakken High School sits on a hill	Skansen is a former customs station and oldest house in Tromso (1789)	Amundsen was a famous Norwegian explorer
Hunters exhibit in the Polar Museum, Tromso, Norway	Hunters exhibit in the Polar Museum, Tromso, Norway	Arctic Fox was heavily hunted in Norway at one time	Historic Norwegian Chess Pieces	Tromso used to be a major port for seal hunters
Norway is one of nine countries that still practice seal hunting	Seal hunter in wolfskin coat	Replica of Seal hunting ship with Crow's Nest high on front mast	Example of Sailor in Crow's Nest on Seal Hunting Ship	Replicas of some transportation used by Roald Amundsen in his exploration of polar regions
Replica of plane of Roald Amundsen when he disappeared on 18 June 1928 on a rescue mission in the Arctic	Replica of self-shooting Polar Bear Trap	Self-shooting Polar Bear Traps were banned by Norway in 1970	One of Tromso's old wooden houses from the late 1700's	Interesting sign for massage parlor in Tromso, Norway
Fjellheisen is an aerial tramway located in the city of Tromso, Norway	Fjellheisen cable cars were built in 1961	Gondolas travel from 164 ft above sea level to an altitude of 1381 ft in four minutes	Hiking up the route of the Fjellheisen Cable Car takes about 45 minutes	Hikers under the Cable Car
Passing the other Gondola near the top	Atop Storsteinen Mountain in Tromso, Norway	There are four fjords around the city of Tromso	Viking Sky docked on Tromsoya Island viewed from Storsteinen Mountain	North end of Tromsoya Island viewed from Storsteinen Mountain
The Tromso Bridge crosses Tromsoysundet strait between the island of Tromsoya and Tromsdalen on the mainland	The Arctic Cathedral viewed from Storsteinen Mountain	Time for Hot Chocolate and Cinamon Roll	Bill's having a beer from the local brewery	Mack Brewery is the world's northernmost brewery
Some people went up this hill in the snow	Storsteinen Viewing Point Above Tromso, Norway was too far away for us in this weather	On the way down in the Cable Car	Tromso is the 3rd largest urban area North of the Arctic Circle in the World	Tromso Ski Jump
Photo Stop at the Arctic Cathedral, Tromso, Norway	Side stained glass windows in Arctic Cathedral, Tromso, Norway	The Arctic Cathedral, Tromso, Norway	The Viking Sky docked in Tromso, Norway	The Tromso Bridge viewed from the Arctic Cathedral
Midnight Marathon Statue in Tromso	Midnight Marathon Statue in Tromso	The Whaling Monument on Tromsoya Island, Norway	Whale Summer Sausage is the best of the three	Visiting Mack Brewery, Tromso, Norway
Mack's has been brewing at 69 degrees North since 1877	Mack's brews 21 beers	Mack's custom label for Bill	Mack's beer shop, Tromso	Beer bottle chandelier in Mack's Beer Shop
Formula for mixture of grains for one of Mack's beers	Mixing grains for one of Mack's beers	Mack's outgrew the Tromso Brewery and moved it 44 miles to Nordkjosbotn, Norway in 2012	Time to sample some Mack's beer	Inside Mack's Tromso Brewery
Mack's is moving to more environmentally friendly containers for beer	Smelling different hops from different parts of the world	The original Mack's Brewery is now used as a microbrewery brewing craft beers	Each microbrewer has their own unique signature	More unique microbrewer tanks
Inside Mack's microbrewery	Microbrewers record the artists of the music they are playing when they brew	Craft beer labels have QR codes with music played during brewing that links to Pandora	Olhallen is Tromso's oldest pub (since 1928)	Inside Olhallen Pub
Restroom entrance in Olhallen Pub	Olhallen Pub serves beer from 72 taps	Building on the dock at Tromso, Norway	Night view of Tromso from our balcony	Night view of Tromso from our balcony
Night view of Arctic Cathedral from our balcony	Asian dinner at the Chef's Table Restaurant	Kevin and Susan at Chef's Table Restaurant	Bill and Susan at Chef's Table Restaurant	Sabrina and Maureen at Chef's Table Restaurant
Leaving Tromso late at night	Salmon fishing in the Norwegian Fjords	Isolated life in the Norwegian Fjords	Vikingen Island marks the point where we are passing the Arctic Circle going south	Arctic Circle Monument on Vikingen Island, Norway
Rough weather to be out in a small boat	Sailing through a hailstorm	Ran into a storm and the ship started pitching	Things started crashing as the ship began to roll	Our muster station was in the theater at the front of the ship
Inside the theater we were not aware of how bad it was outside	We could see Maureen and Sabrina in the theater with us	Outside the helicopter rescue operations had started	Rescue operations ongoing in high winds and rough seas	Someone being pulled up on rescue hoist wire to helicopter
View of rescue operation from the deck of the Viking Sky	It was dark by the time we were evacuated	We were met by volunteers in the gymnasium at Hustad, Norway	We were evacuated to the Scandic Alexandra Hotel in Molde, Norway	Bill bought newspapers at a Circle K down the street in the morning
More news on what is called "the incident"	Coverage in another Norwegian newspaper	Norwegian newspaper showing how the ship drifted toward the rocky shore	Viking Sky arriving in Molde, Norway with the help of tugs	Viking Sky docked in Molde, Norway
Pool on the Viking Sky after "the incident"	Viking Sky damage	Damage inside the Viking Sky	Havnelageret (1916-20) leaving Oslo, Norway after a flight delay overnight	Another interesting building in Oslo, Norway
On the way to the Oslo Airport at Sunrise	Sunrise outside of Oslo, Norway	Flying out of Olso, Norway	View of farms flying into Amsterdam, Netherlands	Arriving in Amsterdam, Netherlands
I think these are greenhouses near Amsterdam, Netherlands	Another missed connection, so overnight in Ramada Amsterdam Airport Schiphol	Leaving Amsterdam Netherlands Airport on a non-sop flight home