Bergen, Norway

            Thursday, 3 Sep 2015 – The ship was scheduled to dock at Bergen today from 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM, and again on 7 Sep 2015 (on its next cruise in the other direction) from 10:45 to 2:45 PM.  We opted to schedule our ship’s excursion on the later date for 10:45, not early morning.


Bergen City Center

In Geiranger, Sally had seen a book about the Vikings, but the store was sold out of the English version.  Therefore, we disembarked the ship, primarily to look for an English version of the Vikings book.  First, we boarded the ship’s free shuttle to the city center.  While walking around the City Park, we noticed that CitySightseeing Hop On – Hop Off busses were available here.  Sally spoke to the ticket salesman and found out that we could purchase tickets with our credit card.  Now, we have the option of taking that tour or to keep our [more expensive] Princess “Highlights of Bergen” excursion for 7 Sep 2015.


Sally's Stumbling Block

While further exploring Bergen, we stopped at an historic-looking fountain for a photo.  While there, Sally tumbled face-forward over a circular concrete stool nearby.  To Jesse, it looked like Sally had hit her face on the concrete, but she apparently had avoided that tragedy by stopping the fall with her left arm, just in time.  Jesse, along with a few other spectators, helped her to her feet; other than being a little embarrassed, she was not injured.  For the remainder of our visit in Bergen, Jesse never let go of Sally’s arm!

Ole Bull Monument

Eventually, we found a mall with a bookstore that sold a book about Vikings written in English.  This book is a little more detailed that the one in Geiranger, though only available in paperback.  Soon we made our way back to the ship’s shuttle and, by then, there was a long line waiting for the shuttle and then a long line waiting to re-board the ship.  Although we had not been paying attention to the time, we ended up boarding one of the last shuttles back to the ship!  Thanks again, Guardian Angel.

After re-boarding the ship, we decided to try the pool and hot tub, which Jesse thought might improve some of the bruising from Sally’s fall.  The two large pools were filled with kids; however, the adult pool was empty, but FREEZING cold.  Jesse bravely immersed himself and swam a little, but Sally only managed to get wet up to her knees.  Although the hot tub was already full, the others made room for us.  An English man who was in the hot tub with his wife and daughter kept us laughing for the next hour.

For the formal dinner, we shared a table with Dave and Annette again, and also Chris and Lori from England.  Afterward, we joined the Captains Circle Party in the Club Fusion, where we enjoyed complimentary drinks and hors d’oerves and danced to the Leal Quintet, as long as the music lasted.