No one likes to think about it, but it’s going to happen….you have to leave the ship. Disembarkation (or debark) is something cruisers don’t want to think about. It’s a lot more fun to think about things like planning excursions and booking future cruises and NOT think about getting off the ship. But all good things must come to an end and it’s best to be prepared! What to expect Cruise lines are fairly similar in their disembarkation procedures. The last morning of your cruise, you will have to disembark and leave what has become your very comfortable home away from home and all your new friends, passengers and crew alike. Traditional Disembarkation vs Self-Disembarkation There are two types of disembarkation….regular and self, commonly called self-assist or walk-off. The process is basically the same, with the main difference being that with self-disembarkation, you are responsible for taking your luggage off the ship. You must be able to walk your own bags off the ship and through the terminal. If you choose to walk off your bags, make sure they are easy to maneuver and don’t over pack. It’s best to not have a lot of luggage to carry off. What are the Benefits of Self-Disembarkation You can be in the first group to get off the ship. If you need to leave the cruise port to catch an early flight, or have a long drive ahead, this can be a great option. You do not need to put luggage out on the last night of your cruise. The only wait will be for the ship to be cleared by port authorities. What are the Disadvantages of Self-Disembarkation You will not receive any help with your luggage. You may need to carry it down several flights of stairs as elevators may be full. You need to be up very early. Debark will begin as soon as the ship is cleared. This could be as early as 7am. This is only a good option if everyone is able to handle their own luggage. If you need help or have a lot of luggage, this isn’t the best option. Remember, it’s called self-assist for a reason. We have done both and there is no right or wrong way. The choice is yours and you can decide what works best for you once onboard. When time can you expect to leave the ship? There’s no set time when debark will begin and this will vary by cruise port and by things that are beyond the control of the ship and crew. The scheduled docking time listed on your cruise itinerary will NOT be the time that you can leave the ship. This is the time the ship is expected to arrive in port. The ship will still need to be cleared by customs of the country you have arrived in and given permission for passengers to debark. Usually this is a fairly quick process, but sometimes it can take longer…maybe several hours. As a general rule, most cruise ships will start the disembarkation process around 7:30-8 am. An announcement will be made once the ship is cleared and passengers can disembark. Wait for your luggage tag number to be called though. Otherwise, you will be waiting in the terminal for your luggage to arrive. Avoid booking an early flight home You will need time to leave the ship, get your luggage, clear customs and then time to reach the airport. Some ports, like Fort Lauderdale, as close. …a quick 15 taxi ride. Most are not! There will be taxis waiting outside the terminal but there may be a line for them. Most cruise lines recommend not booking flights before noon. And if you are taking an International flight, you may need more time at the airport. Be sure to factor in wait times at the airport to drop off luggage and clear security. TSA pre-check can be very helpful! Remember, even if you CAN make it, it’s possible for your ship to arrive late in port due to weather or other reasons. I was on a ship that was late into port due to mechanical issues and many people missed their flights. Ships have also been late arriving due to weather, such as storms or fog. Galveston and Tampa are well known for fog problems. If a morning flight is best for you, consider spending the night at a hotel and fly out the following morning. Why add stress to the end of your wonderful vacation? Disembarkation instructions Your cabin steward will leave printed instructions, along with luggage tags. This will include instructions on what to do with your luggage, as well as some basic customs information. Also included will be a timetable for when luggage numbers will be called the following morning. Luggage tags and debarkation times You will receive luggage tags that are numbered according to when you wish to disembark. If this time does not work for you, you can ask your steward for new luggage tags or go to guest relations. They will be happy to change them and is probably faster and easier than asking your cabin steward. Debarking thousands of passengers within a few hours is quite a process. Cruise lines keep things organized by assigning color coded luggage tags which correspond to certain disembarkation times. As noted above, this timetable will be left in your cabin along with your luggage tags. What do I do with my luggage? (Of course, this only applies to regular disembarkation. If you are doing self-assist/walk off, keep you luggage in your cabin.) On the last night of your cruise, place your luggage outside your cabin door. Generally, bags must be outside by 10pm. The actual time for your sailing will be noted on the instructions. The ship’s crew will be working hard that night placing the luggage in a holding area, so that it can be moved off the ship quickly the next morning. DO NOT miss the deadline! RememberContinueContinue reading “Cruise Disembarkation Tips: Smooth Sailings for Your Farewell”
Tag Archives: #Celebrity Cruise Line
Unlock Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club Benefits
Updated May 29, 2026 Cruising with Celebrity comes with plenty of rewarding perks. By joining the Captain’s Club, you’ll unlock exclusive benefits designed to make every voyage even more memorable. The more you sail, the more rewards you’ll enjoy, with points earned on every cruise based on the stateroom category you book. Members can take advantage of special offers, discounts, and onboard perks such as spa savings, complimentary laundry service, potential stateroom upgrades, and invitations to exclusive events and member-only sailings around the world. From unique onboard experiences to personalized loyalty rewards, the Captain’s Club adds extra value to every getaway. Simply join the loyalty program, start earning points, and enjoy the benefits that come with sailing more often. Captain’s Club members also qualify for a complimentary one-category stateroom upgrade within the same cabin type, up to Aqua Class, based on availability. This upgrade must be requested by phone at the time of booking. Be sure to join the Captain’s Club before your first sailing using the link below. Guests must be at least 18 years old to participate in the program and begin earning rewards. https://www.celebritycruises.com/captains-club/join-the-club May 28, 2026 Celebrity has announced new Milestone Benefits as part of an enhancement to the Captain’s Club program. These new rewards are designed to give Elite Plus members even more perks, delivered more frequently, as they continue sailing their way toward Zenith status. Below is a breakdown of the exclusive benefits available at each milestone level, beginning at 1,500 Club Points and continuing through 9,000 points. With every milestone reached, members unlock even more rewarding perks designed to elevate the Celebrity Cruises experience. 1,500 Point Milestone 480 minutes of Premium Wi-Fi 20% off specialty dining cover charge One complimentary digital photo Surprise in-room amenity on your milestone sailing 2,250 Point Milestone 720 minutes of Premium Wi-Fi 25% off specialty dining cover charge Surprise in-room amenity on your milestone sailing Extend Your Stay for additional onboard time (not available in all ports) 3,000 Point Milestone 35% off specialty dining cover charge Three complimentary digital photos Surprise in-room amenity on your milestone sailing Double Zenith 6,000 Point Milestone Receive all 3K Benefits PLUS: One specialty lunch on embarkation day of every sailing One specialty dinner on any day of your milestone sailing Champagne delivered on your milestone sailing Triple Zenith 9,000 Point Milestone Receive all 3K Benefits PLUS: One 7-night complimentary Caribbean or Bermuda cruise now in a Sky Suite One specialty lunch on any day of every sailing One specialty dinner on any day of your milestone sailing Champagne delivered on your milestone sailing Milestone FAQ’s Can I start redeeming my benefits as soon as I receive the announcement email on May 28, 2026? Not just yet—your benefits will be available on sailings starting June 11, 2026, and onward. Which benefits will I enjoy on every sailing after reaching a milestone?Once you reach a milestone, you’ll enjoy these benefits on every sailing (benefits based on the milestone): At 1500, 2250, 3000, 6000, 9000 Point Milestone o Complimentary digital photo(s) o Specialty dining cover charge discount At 1500, 2250 Points Milestones o Premium Wi-Fi minute At 2250 Point Milestone o Extend Your Stay (where available) At 6000, 9000 Point Milestones o Complimentary specialty lunch Which benefits are only redeemed once? These exclusive benefits are offered one time, on your first sailing after reaching a milestone: At 1500, 2250, 3000, 6000, 9000 Point Milestones o A surprise in-room amenity At 6000, 9000 Point Milestones o Bottle of champagne o Complimentary specialty dinner I just reached a milestone and completed my first sailing at that milestone prior to June 11, 2026. Can I still receive any of the one-time benefits that come with my milestone? No. Milestone benefits take effect on sailings starting June 11, 2026, and onward. We’re unable to make exceptions for any one-time milestone benefits, including the in-room amenity, champagne, or complimentary specialty dinner. However, you’ll still be able to enjoy all ongoing milestone benefits on sailings after June 11. I applied points from Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor, or Silversea’s Venetian Society to Celebrity Cruises. Will those points count toward milestone benefits? Yes—points transferred through Points Choice are included in your overall Club Points balance. They are not separated or excluded, and they will count toward reaching your milestone and unlocking associated benefits. I’m an Elite Plus or Zenith member through Status Match—am I still eligible for Milestone benefits? Benefits are based on Club Points earned, so you’ll only qualify once you’ve reached the required Milestone Club Point threshold. To unlock these benefits, you’ll need to reach the required point thresholds (1,500; 2,250; 3,000; 6,000; or 9,000 Club Points), regardless of your tier status through Status Match. To reach these thresholds, you can sail with Celebrity Cruises and/or transfer points through Points Choice from our sister brands to build toward your milestone and enjoy the associated benefits. I already receive premium Wi-Fi minutes and specialty dining discounts as an Elite Plus or Zenith member. If I reach a milestone, will these benefits stack? No, these benefits do not stack. Once you unlock a milestone, the associated premium Wi-Fi minutes and specialty dining discount will replace the ones you previously received at your tier level. Captain’s Club Benefits Captain’s Club Tiers Preview 0 Club Points Preview Members receive complimentary access to the Captain’s Club Loyalty Desk service center and a Captain’s Club newsletter with the latest program news and information. Classic 2-149 Club Points Classic members receive complimentary access to the Welcome Event. You will also received savings on exclusive onboard premium offers. Select 150-299 Club Points Select member enjoy all the benefits of a Classic member, plus discounted spa and laundry service specials. Elite 300-749 Club Points Elite members receive even more rewards, including complimentary laundry services, spa benefits and complimentary Captain’s Club cocktail hour each evening from 5pm-7pm (other than embarkation day) at most bars throughout the ship. Elite Plus 750-2999 Club Points Elite Plus members receive with greater benefitsContinueContinue reading “Unlock Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club Benefits”
Celebrity Cruises Drink Packages – Are They Worth It?
Travels with Mickey Cruises Disney Planning & Packing About Cruises Disney Planning & Packing About More than 2 results are available in the PRO version (This notice is only visible to admin users) Celebrity Cruise Drink Packages Explained: Are They Actually Worth It? This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I only share products I personally use, genuinely recommend, or believe will help make your cruise travel easier and more enjoyable. Thank you for supporting Travels With Mickey! One of the questions I get asked most often before people sail with Celebrity Cruises is whether the drink packages are actually worth the money.And honestly? The answer really depends on how you like to cruise.Some people barely drink anything beyond coffee and water all day. Others love poolside cocktails, specialty coffees, wine at dinner, sparkling water, and a martini before a show. Celebrity also bundles far more than just alcohol into their packages, which is where many people underestimate the value.After many Celebrity cruises, here’s my honest breakdown of what’s included, who each package makes sense for, and a few things I wish I’d understood before booking my first one.Updated March 2026. Prices can and do change frequently, so always double check your specific sailing in the cruise planner. First Things First: What’s Included? Celebrity currently offers several beverage package options, but the two most popular are the Classic Package and the Premium Package.The important thing to understand is that these are not limited menus. You are not choosing from a tiny “package drinks list.” Instead, the package covers any drink priced up to a certain dollar amount. The Classic Drink Package The Classic Package is the standard alcoholic package most people choose. It currently includes: cocktails, spirits, beer, and wine by the glass up to $12 per drink specialty coffees and teas bottled water soda frozen drinks a 15% discount on bottles of wine For sailings departing from the UK and Australia, the limit increases slightly to $14 per drink.At the time of writing, the package costs around $90 per person, per day before gratuities, although Celebrity runs sales constantly, so very few people actually pay full price. For many cruisers, the Classic Package is more than enough. If you’re someone who enjoys a morning latte from Café al Bacio, bottled water throughout the day, a cocktail by the pool, wine with dinner, maybe another drink during a show…you can get surprisingly close to the daily package cost without even trying very hard.That’s why so many people end up liking the convenience of having everything prepaid before the cruise even starts. The Premium Drink Package This is the package we usually upgrade to.The Premium Package includes everything from the Classic Package, but raises the drink limit significantly and includes more top-shelf liquor, craft cocktails, premium wines, specialty water brands, and upgraded coffee options. At the time of writing, this package costs about $105 per person, per day before gratuities. At the moment, drinks up to $19 are included, or up to $23 on UK and Australia sailings.This matters more than people think because many of the cocktails at venues like the Martini Bar, Eden, and World Class Bar often sit above the Classic Package pricing threshold. If you enjoy nicer wines, premium cocktails, or specialty venues, the upgrade can absolutely make sense.The current upgrade cost from Classic to Premium is usually around $15 per day plus gratuity, and honestly, we’ve personally found it pays for itself pretty quickly.Fresh squeezed juice in the morning, upgraded bottled water, a few nicer cocktails in the evening, and suddenly the math starts mathing very quickly. Stateroom Bar Setups Celebrity also offers pre-stocked liquor setups for your cabin.The Classic setup includes brands like: Dewar’s Captain Morgan Beefeater.The Premium setup upgrades to options like: Hendrick’s Gin Ketel One Johnnie Walker Black Bacardi 8Mixers and ice are included.These setups are more popular with guests who prefer relaxing on their balcony or entertaining in suites rather than ordering drinks around the ship all day. Wine Packages Celebrity also offers wine-by-the-bottle packages, although these are not always available pre-cruise.The nice thing is that your bottle follows you around the ship. If you don’t finish it at dinner, the sommeliers can send it to another venue or even back to your stateroom.It’s a surprisingly elegant little touch. The Options Nobody Talks About Enough Water & Coffee A lot of people hear “drink package” and immediately think alcohol. But on Celebrity, the packages often make just as much sense for the non-alcoholic items.Bottled water alone adds up quickly, especially on warmer itineraries. Then add specialty coffee, smoothies, sparkling water, mocktails, fresh juice…and suddenly even lighter drinkers can find value in a package.This is especially true on port-heavy itineraries where you’re constantly grabbing water before excursions. Water Packages For Your Cabin If you mainly care about bottled water, Celebrity also offers water delivery packages for your stateroom.At the moment Acqua Panna packages start around $43, and San Pellegrino sparkling water packages start around $35.These are one-time deliveries placed in your cabin on embarkation day, not daily restocking packages. And honestly, this can be a good middle-ground option for people who don’t want a full beverage package but still like having water readily available in the cabin. What If You Don’t Drink Alcohol? Celebrity also offers a Non-Alcoholic Package, which is honestly a solid option if you mostly want bottled water, premium coffee, smoothies, soft drinks, mocktails, teas and energy drinks.At the time of writing, it’s around $45 per person per day before gratuities.There’s also a Wi-Fi bundle version available, which combines internet and the non-alcoholic package together for a discounted rate. Is It Better To Buy Before The Cruise? Usually, yes. Celebrity runs frequent flash sales in the cruise planner before sailing, and prices are almost always cheaper online than onboard.If you wait until embarkation day, there may still be promotions availableContinueContinue reading “Celebrity Cruises Drink Packages – Are They Worth It?”
Bonaire Beaches, Salt Pans, and Distillery: Unforgettable Caribbean Experience
Bonaire is one of three islands that make up the catchy nickname: the ABC islands. This colorful Netherlands Antilles archipelago lies 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela and is comfortably outside the Caribbean’s hurricane belt. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4W6ZVTjA6s Bonaire is laid-back by design. Large chain hotels have been kept out and eco-preservation has been enforced since the 1970’s, making this some of the best dive and snorkeling sites in the world. The island’s relaxed and slow pace helps maintain the island’s chief attributes…its national park and pristine wilderness, both above and below the surface. This is the place for adventure sports: diving, caving, sea kayaking, mountain biking, wind surfing, and cliff jumping, to name just a few. Bonaire continues to be recognized as one of the top destinations worldwide for its sustainable tourism. The culture contains layers of Amerindian, Spanish, African, Dutch and British influences. You will hear traces of these languages (plus some French and Portuguese) during any conversation in Papiamento, the creole language spoken. Try using a few key phrases: por fabor, danki, and bon dia—all of which mean exactly what you think they do! Renting a golf cart is a popular activity. This is a fun and easy way to explore the island at your own pace. Be sure to reserve early….they sell out quickly! https://www.bonairecruisers.com Photo courtsey of Bonaire Cruisers Visit the donkey sanctuary, take a trip to the salt flats, view the flamingos or just hit the beach. Be sure to keep an eye out for the donkeys…they were brought to Bonaire by the Spanish in the 17th century for transportation. When modern vehicles (like pushcarts) became available , donkeys were no longer needed and were left to their own fate. Since 1993 injured, sick and orphaned donkeys have been cared for in a shelter, called the Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire. Volunteers take care over 400 donkeys in an enclosed area. The shelter is open to visitors and is located south of the airport on the Kaya Ir.R. Statius van Eps. https://www.donkeysanctuary.org/?lang=en Reduce your speed when you approach a donkey. They may cross the street unexpectedly. The south end of the island is host to the famous salt flats & mounts. As you drive along south road, you will notice the different colors of the water, turning into an intense pink color. Cargill has been operating here since 1997 and produces some of the purest salts in the world. Depending on the grade of salt, it is used for water softeners, the chemical industry or food production. You can learn more about the Bonaire salt on a tour, either through your ship or booked independently The Salt pyramids of Bonaire can be seen when arriving either by sea or by air, each one is roughly 50-feet high and contains approximately 10,000 metric tons of 99.6% pure salt. The Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary is one of only four areas in the world where Flamingos breed. Pekelmeer means “salt lake” in Dutch. The pools appear pink against the white salt flats because of an abundance of tiny rosy brine shrimp that live in the water. This is also how the birds get their pink color…eating the shrimp! The Sanctuary is located on the vast salt pans at the southern end of the island and is home to over ten thousand flamingos. Tourists are not allowed in the sanctuary, but the birds can be watched with binoculars from the road or nearby Pink Beach. Please take care to not frighten them….once they fly away, they will never return. https://www.tourismbonaire.com/sightseeing/pekelmeer-flamingo-sanctuary Bonaire has over 22 beaches. On Bonaire and its sister island Klein Bonaire, the sands of some beaches are soft and blindingly white, while others are coarser and darker due to the high content of crushed shells and coral. Beach condition is intrinsically tied to the health of those reefs. You can help by taking your plastics and trash back with you, leaving the shells where they lie (they might be a home for hermit crabs) and wearing eco-friendly sunscreen. Every little bit helps to keep the sands clean for future generations to enjoy. Be sure to pick up a Bonaire Island Map to find many sandy beaches and coves to explore and enjoy. Watch for the bright yellow stone markers painted with the site name along the coastal roads. They make it easy to find a great beach for sun bathing, strolling or snorkeling and diving. Did you know that Bonaire has a distillery? The Cadushy Distillery was founded on March 7th, 2009 by the Gietman family and grew from a small start-up to a thriving company. They created something you would have never imagined…..excellent liqueur made out of cactus! Cadushy of Bonaire liqueur is based on the traditions of Bonaire. Lime has been used as a thirst satisfier for centuries and cactus has been an ingredient in the traditional kitchen. Be sure to stop and try some. https://www.cadushy.com Enjoy your visit to Bonaire…..an island unlike any other in the Caribbean. And if you didn’t watch the video already….please watch it! Let’s connect: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! *Zest4Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.
Celebrity Edge Tour and Day at Sea
Curious to see what the Edge is like? Here is a quick video taken by my son and his fiancee. Watch and subscribe to see what else this cute couple is up to! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJG4sZ_WJR0&t=87s Let’s connect: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! *Zest4Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.
Why cruise Alaska?
Why are you going to Alaska again? Aren’t you tired of it? Isn’t it boring, seeing the same ports over and over? What is so special about it? I am asked these questions every year when we book our annual Alaska cruise. And no….I WILL NEVER GET TIRED OF ALASKA!!! Each cruise is different. Yes, we sail to the same ports and usually with the same cruise line and often on the same ship. But each sailing is different. The weather is different…sometimes rainy and cold, sometimes sunny and hot….but always beautiful. The passengers change…we’ve made lifelong friends onboard. And the crew changes…but we somehow manage to find crew members we know from previous cruises. Alaska has an magic that can’t be described. Gazing upon the majestic mountains, the blue ocean and knowing that you are witnessing pure wilderness is amazing. There is nothing like watching whales surface beside your ship….seeing the water spouts from their blow holes creating rainbows in the sunlight, or watching dolphins play in the waves ahead of the ship as she gently glides through the water. I can watch the magnificent bald eagles soar overhead and circle the ship looking for fish in the water below for hours. And the seaplanes! I can hear the roar of their engines in my memory as I write. Don’t miss out on the glaciers….watching them calve and hearing the ice thunder as they move is incredible. Dawes Glacier Endicott Arm Fjord h Exploring the ports is always fun. You don’t need to book excursions. Of course, it is an excellent way to experience all that Alaska has to offer! We have done train and bike rides, zip lining, float planes, horseback riding, beer tasting. a lumberjack show and whale watching. Now we enjoy just wandering around and discovering bits of history that are tucked in out of the way corners. Talk to the locals…they know all the secret spots. Do some hiking….the views you will be rewarded with are incredible. We have discovered small salmon streams loaded with spawning fish and have even seen a young bear raiding a trash can in Ketchikan. Luckily, he was far enough away that he didn’t know we were there. He was FAR more interested in that trash can! I highly recommend going to Alaska at least once in your lifetime. Yes, it is expensive. But it is an experience you will never forget or regret. Be sure to check out the other articles about Alaska in this blog. I’ve tried to cover the major ports and glaciers. Here are a few to start with…. What do I pack for Alaska? , Cruise Packing 101 – what not to forget! and 19 Essential Items for your cruise cabin Let’s connect: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! *Zest4Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Bergen and Geiranger Norway
The final two stops of our cruise were in Norway….Bergen and Geiranger. Geiranger is a small tourist village in the western part of Norway. It lies in Stranda at the head of the Geirgangerfjorden. Home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, the Geirangerfjord area has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site sine 2005. The Seven Sisters waterfall is located just west of Geiranger. Since we were there in July, the falls were not flowing very heavily…still…they were amazing. I can only imagine what they must look like in the spring! The entire fjord was lined with waterfalls. I have a weak spot for them, so took lots of pictures! This is third biggest cruise ship port in Norway and receives 140 to 180 ships during the four-month tourist season, which runs from May to early September. A floating dock has been installed to help cruise passengers get ashore quicker. These photos were taken from the dock. Geiranger is a very walkable town. There is a river that flows down the mountain, straight through town. They have built a walkway with stairs right next to the river. The climb is steep, but the views are incredible. After our day in Geiranger, we sailed to Bergen. Bergen is the second largest city in Norway. We docked in the industrial port area and had to take a bus to the city center, where we purchased the Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) bus. It is a great way to see the city and get the lay of the land! We drove past some really cool buildings, which have been preserved and now have new roles. The city of Bergen was traditionally thought to have been founded by King Olay Kyrre, son of Harald Hardrade in 1070 AD, four years after the Viking Age ended with the Battle of Hastings. Modern research has, however, discovered that a trading settlement was established already during the 1020s or 1030s. In the middle of the 14th century, North German merchants who had already been present in substantial numbers since the 13th century, founded one of the four Kontore of the Hanseatic League at Bryggen in Bergen. The buildings of that time period still remain on the docks in Bergen, a great place to walk and discover some of the history of Bergen. There are other old building still standing, such as this church we came across. The designs of the cobblestone streets were also intriguing. Bergen has a wonderful outdoor seafood market….Torget Fish Market. We were able to purchase several types of sausages…whale, elk and reindeer. There are several stalls selling these items, plus salmon caviar and a product called Kaviar. (The merchants are happy to give you a free sample!) Kaviar is a paste consisting mainly of lightly smoked cod roe that has a salty/sweet/fishy taste and a lurid pink/orange colour. Kaviar can be eaten at anytime, although it is typically consumed for breakfast or lunch on slices of knekkebrød (crisp bread), with perhaps some slices of boiled egg. Most people never spread kaviar with a knife; they just squeeze it straight from the tube and make satisfying arcs of pink goodness on pieces of crisp bread. Norway is a fascinating country. We have been to Oslo in the past, but never this side of the country. Next on the bucket list is to make it above the Arctic Circle in June, for the Summer Solstice. I hope you get a chance to explore Norway and discover all it has to offer.
Exploring Lerwick: A Journey Through Shetland’s History
Lerwick is Shetland’s only town, with a population of about 7,500 – although about half of the islands’ 22,000 people live within 10 miles of the burgh. This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. Founded as an unofficial marketplace to service 17th century Dutch herring fleets, Lerwick took a long time to grow. Because of its illegal status (and alleged immorality!) the straggling hamlet around the shore of Ler Wick (‘muddy bay’) was demolished by order of the Scalloway court in 1615 and 1625. The Dutch burnt the fort in 1673 and the French set fire to Lerwick in 1702. Most of the sandstone buildings on the waterfront date from the 18th century, although a few, such as 10 Commercial Street, are older. The narrow main street still follows the old shoreline but modern harbour works have been built out in front of shops and warehouses that once stood in the sea. Perched on a hillside overlooking the harbour, the town’s lanes retain their charm – and their shelter from the prevailing south-westerly gales. After picking up our prearranged rental car, we hit the road. First stop…Scalloway Castle. The castle was uilt by Patrick Stewart, Earl of Orkney, in 1600. It was in use for only a very short time and the castle fell into disrepair after his execution in 1615. The castle ruins still stand impressively by Scalloway harbour. The village of Scalloway is on the west coast of the island, a short drive from Lerwick. We wandered around the village, stopping into the local grocery store. Oh…how I wanted to have cooking facilities! The butcher was making some wonderful smelling sausages, but he did not have the ability to cook anything. Instead, we bought another packet of crisps and ate them on the road! Off we go to find Sumburgh Lighthouse, Jarlshof and puffins! Here the Atlantic meets the North Sea and the unique action of tides and wind promote a wealth of wildlife of which seabirds and seals, and occasionally whales and dolphins, are first to catch the eye. The seabird colony is among the most accessible in Britain and is an RSPB Reserve. From mid-April to early-August Puffins are, arguably, its top attraction, often sitting just a few metres away on the grassy cliff tops. These puffins were just beyond a low rock wall. There were hundreds hopping around the rocks and flying all around us. A short drive away, we found Jarlshof. The earliest remains on the site are late Neolithic houses, followed by Bronze Age houses, two of which have underground passages attached, known as souterrains. These may have served as cold stores. A third souterrain curls beneath the hearth of one of the buildings and might have been for keeping grain dry. Smithing also took place in one of these. A broch was built in the Iron Age: today half of it has been eroded into the sea. The broch was subsequently modified and when it went out of use, at least four wheelhouses were built, partly using stone from the higher levels of the broch. One of these wheelhouses is almost complete and has corbelled cells surviving which demonstrate skilled drystone work. Jarlshof boasts an impressive Norse settlement possibly originating in the 9th century. The earliest longhouse was in use for several generations, being modified and lengthened over time. The settlement expanded with the construction of further longhouses, barns and byres, but by the 13th century this had been replaced by a Medieval farmstead, comprising a farmhouse, barn and corn-drier. Next to the site, is a paddock holding Shetland ponies. Shetland Ponies are hardy and strong, in part because the breed developed in the harsh conditions of the Shetland Isles. In appearance, Shetlands have small heads, sometimes with dished faces, widely spaced eyes and small and alert ears. The original breed has a short, muscular neck; a compact, stocky body; short, strong legs; and a shorter-than-normal cannon bone in relation to its size. A short broad back and deep girth are universal characteristics, as is a springy stride. Shetlands have long thick manes and tails and dense double winter coats to withstand harsh weather. Soon it is time to reboard the ship and head to Norway. While waiting for the tender boat, we shared some original Scottish fish and chips. Absolute perfection! Final Thoughts: If you are looking for tours to do on your own, check out Viator and GetYourGuide. Wondering what to pack for your visit to Lerwick? Be sure to check out the Ultimate Guide to Packing for a British Isles Cruise for a comprehensive list. Let’s connect: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum, A Celebrity River Cruises Forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! *Zest4Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.
Reykjavik, Iceland: Day Two
Today we decided to explore Reykjavik on foot. We took the bus from the ship, since we wanted to save our feet for the town! The tourist information center at Aðalstræti 2 is a good starting point. Aðalstræti is the oldest street in Reykjavík, and the point from which all street numbers begin: the higher the number, the farther from Aðalstræti. Ingólfur Arnarson, traditionally regarded as Iceland’s first permanent settler, is thought to have settled here around 870 — though Reykjavík didn’t have a proper street until the 18th century. For most of its history, Reykjavík was just one of many hereditary coastal estates. In 1613, the Danish monarch, who had imposed an oppressive trade monopoly on its Iceland colony, purchased the settlement under threat of force. Reykjavík then grew into a kind of shanty town for seasonal labor assisting Danish merchants, mostly associated with the fishing trade. The oldest house in Reykjavík, from 1764, is at Aðalstræti 10. Reykjavik is the northernmost capital in the world. If you would like to read more about Reykjavik, please visit, http://www.frommers.com/destinations/reykjavik/760190#sthash.HeeQj1dT.dpbs#ixzz3S6qjyZsp Hallgrímskirkja church is Reykjavík’s main landmark and its tower can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. It was designed by the late Guðjón Samuel in 1937, who was often inspired in his endeavours by the fascinating shapes and forms created when lava cools into basalt rock.Construction of the church began in 1945 and ended in 1986, with the tower completed long before the rest of the building. The crypt beneath the choir was consecrated in 1948, the steeple and wings completed in 1974 and the nave consecrated in 1986. The church features, most notably, a gargantuan pipe organ designed and constructed by the German organ builder Johannes Klais of Bonn. Standing tall at an impressive 15m and weighing a remarkable 25 tons, this mechanical action organ is driven by four manuals and a pedal, 102 ranks, 72 stops and 5275 pipes, all designed to reproduce powerful notes capable of filling the huge and holy space with a range of tones – from the dulcet to the dramatic. Its construction was completed in December 1992 and has since been utilized in a variety of recordings, including some by Christopher Herrick. Standing directly in front of the church, and predating it by 15 years, is a fine statue of Leifur Eiriksson (c. 970 – c. 1020) – the first European to discover America. Records suggest that Leifur landed on the shores of the new world in the year 1,000 A.D., that’s 500 years before Christopher Columbus. The statue, which was designed by Alexander Stirling Calder was a gift from the United States in honour of the 1930 Alþingi Millennial Festival, commemorating the 1,000th anniversary of the establishment of Iceland’s parliament at Þingvellir in 930 AD. (http://www.visitreykjavik.is/hallgrimskirkja-church) After all that walking, we were hungry. Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is a small chain of popular hot dog stands located in the city. The flagship stand has been in continuous operation since 1937 and sits across from the Harpa Concert Hall, which is where our bus stopped. Pylsur is often called “The Icelandic National Food.” The original stand also appeared in the first season of Anthony Bourdain’s travel program No Reservations. In August of 2006, the British newspaper The Guardian, also selected Bæjarins beztu as the best hot dog stand in Europe. A hot dog costs 380 Kronas (as of July of 2014) and ketchup, sweet mustard, fried onion, raw onion and remoulade, a mayonnaise-based sauce that contains sweet relish, are all available as condiments. Hot dogs are often ordered with “the works” (i.e., all the condiments). The hot dog itself is boiled and served on an unremarkable bun. These hot dogs are made in Iceland and are of average size; everyone in Reykjavik seems to know of the central hot-dog stand. I’m not much of a lover of hot dogs, but I’m glad I tried one! Right across the street was another stand that we absolutely had to try….lobster soup! It is located near the water, at a place called Saegreifinn, or Sea Baron, a sort of fish shack owned by a retired fisherman named Kjartan Halldorsson. The soup was made with fresh lobster caught in the local waters and served with fresh cream. It was hot and creamy and the perfect ending to our day in Reykjavik. Follow my travels on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/travelswithmickey/ and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqQeVrLSGSKfAHi2aJfTuPg If you love cruising, planning cruises, talking about cruises and helping other cruisers…..join us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/6024668980942660 Let’s connect: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! *Zest4Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland…a whole country to explore and only two days. Day 1…. We rented a car and set out to explore for as long as we could. We wanted to make it to the famous waterfall Gullfoss, but got sidetracked at Þingvellir National Park. So glad we did! Little did we know, Þingvellir is a site of historical, cultural, and geological importance and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland. It lies in a rift valley that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Þingvellir is notable for its unusual tectonic and volcanic environment. The continental drift between the North American and Eurasian Plates can be clearly seen in the cracks or faults which traverse the region, the largest one, Almannagjá, being a veritable canyon. This also causes the often measurable earthquakes in the area. Parliament, or Althing, was established at Þingvellir in 930 and remained there until 1798. It was Iceland’s supreme legislative and judicial authority from its establishment in 930 and remained for the duration of the Commonwealth, until 1271. Þingvellir National Park was founded in 1930, marking the 1000th anniversary of the Althing. It was later expanded to protect natural phenomena in the surrounding area, and became a World Heritage Site in 2004. We did get to see some wonderful waterfalls. They have done a great job preserving this area. And there is a very nice, informative visitor center. Just as it started to rain, we had to head back. Why? We had a reservation to ride Islandic ponies!! Laxnes Horse Farm was founded in 1968 and remains family run to this day. I booked our ride before we left the US athttp://www.laxnes.is . You have to contact them directly, since they do not use the tourist websites popular in Iceland. By doing this, they are able to keep their prices family friendly. They offer short rides, day rides or longer trail rides that last for several days We entered the barn and were greeted by family members. They helped us find riding gear, including hats, gloves and boots. Then we were divided into groups and were led to the corral, where the ponies waited. For more than a thousand years, from the settlement of the country in the late 9th century to the early 20th century, the small but amazingly strong Icelandic horse has played a vital role in Icelandic history. Dubbed “The most useful servant”, many Icelanders credit the horse for the survival of the Icelandic people. The settlers brought with them horses from Norway and the British Isles, strong and muscular they served their masters in war and peace. In recorded Icelandic history, which spans over 900 years, no horses have been imported to Iceland. In the 11th century, import was made illegal, so the present day horse is very similar to what they were 900 years ago. This isolation has preserved certain traits lost to other European horses. Among these are the five gaits the horse is famous for. They are the sweetest and gentlest horses I have ever ridden. We were very happy to have those waterproof suits on….it started to rain and it was pretty muddy! After the ride, we were offered homemade bread, cakes and coffee. Such a wonderful time. I can’t wait to go back! That evening, since we stayed in Reykjavik overnight, we went back into town after dinner onboard the ship. It is a very easy town to walk around in. We eventually ended up at the Hilton, primarily to use the free wifi! Then back to the ship. The picture below was taken at 11pm! Our second day in Reykjavik is posted here. Day Two Let’s connect: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! *Zest4Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.