Norway Adventure Bergen – HS Spitsbergen

Saturday, 9 March
Steps 7339
Cruise day 1
Lazy day! After a leisurely breakfast, we went pack to our room to update blog, pack our bags and sort out some personal admin stuff that needed attention.
While I was packing, I turned on the TV. I could choose between cross-country skiing, ski-jumping, some other type of skiing and in English, we were treated to the original Bonanza, (I kid you not), followed by MacGyver, (can’t believe those fashions that we wore), Friends and then 2 and a half men (with Charlie)! There was, of course, Teresa May speaking about Brexit, but that was not really an option I wanted to consider.
We checked out at 2pm and took a taxi to the Hurtigurten dock, where we checked in and were subsequently joined by our cruise mates. We were allowed on board at 6pm, had a chance to explore the boat and find our cabins. Our cabin was quite spacious and has a window, which is very important! Our Captain is a lady, which pleased me and the crew are all very friendly and helpful. It is freezing on deck, but the interior is kept pleasantly warm. There is a pub/lounge, a bistro, a restaurant and a quiet lounge at the front of the ship with large windows. Most of the passengers are our age or older.

We had a welcome talk and this was followed by a splendid buffet. At 9:15 we had to attend the safety talk and I finally fell into bed at about 10. The boat set off at 23:00, but I was fast asleep until 12 when we obviously hit a large wave and things went flying. David slept through.
What I learnt: A do-nothing day every once in a while is essential