Experience: No(r)way!? Part 2 - How I lost my jawbone

This is the 2nd part of a trip report. First part can be found here.

I left the last part off at walking through Oslo with Sverre after the Color Fantasy cruise, having no clue where he was taking me. All sorts of scenarios were going through my head and I had settled on the guess that we were going to a hotel, though we could've just as well be simply taking a train back to Fredrikstad, or onward to somewhere else. For entertainment, I shared my wildest thought of "We could also be heading to the airport to fly somewhere?" with Sverre, who remained quiet...

Ship Visit: Legend of the Seas

Legend of the Seas in the middle

Earlier today I visited Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas as she called in my hometown. I was kindly invited by a crew member whom I had met while at work a few weeks before. The first shock for me was the security at and around the gangway. First of all we had to exchange our documents for visitor cards and on the ship the cards were immediately checked and we had to pass through security gates. After doing that, we spent well over an hour just looking around the ship's public areas. Although Legend of the Seas is one of the oldest ships in the fleet, she has been fully renovated not long ago, therefore she didn't feel outdated at all.

One of the first areas we were shown was the Romeo & Juliet dining hall.

The Romeo & Juliet dining hall was quite large, extending through two decks with a nice central stage that had a piano. In fact, I saw quite a lot of pianos on board - pity I didn't count. On the upper deck in the middle, behind the wooden decorations, is the chef's table - a table for 12 people, where 5-course meals are served to groups every evening and the chef himself introduces the dishes.

Next up was the Schooner bar - a Royal Caribbean signature bar with, what a surprise, another piano.

Casino Royale, open only when the ship is at sea. 

The theatre. The chairs look extremely comfortable, though I didn't sit to judge that. While we were there, dancers were rehearsing for tonight's show.

One of the most impressive places was the Centrum. Extending through several decks, aerobatic shows are often held there. 

It's impossible to show the place in just one photo.

So here's more.

Oh and guess what was on the stage.

Close to the centrum there was a nice shopping area, also open only while ship is at sea. 

It was just as lovely on the uppermost deck - Izumi sushi bar had possibly one of the best views you could get.

Chops Grille, located right next to Izumi.

There was plenty to do on board for the young as well - for example a nursery for kids under three years of age.

Adventure Ocean kids' club for older kids.

I found this poster in the kids' area and I think it's really cute.

In addition to dining rooms and venues, which can be found on board lots of passenger ships, there were many other things to do and ways to spend time. Here's the beauty salon. It's a pity pictures can't deliver scents - the smell there was heavenly. 

To keep fit during the cruise, there's a nice gym.

And a jogging track.

And even different related services, such as personal training sessions.

There's a mini golf course outside.

As well as a rock climbing wall that looks three times as high once you're near it.

The sundecks are quite nice for sunbathing, though there's probably much more people on sunny days while at sea.

If I were to cruise with the Legend of the Seas, I would probably spend most time in the solarium - a nice, quiet 16+ pool area with a cafe.

I really liked the look and feel of the place. The roof is, apparently, removable, although my hostess said she has never seen it removed.

What caught my eye quite soon after getting on board was ads for an upcoming art auction. My inner Mart Sander was feeling really tempted. 

The ship was actually filled with art - beautiful decorations, paintings and even statues.

Builder's plate

Mandatory funnel picture

Getting to go on board the ship gave me quite interesting views to the port and other ships as well, for example Celebrity Eclipse on our port side

.. and Norwegian Star on our starboard side.

After getting familiar with the public areas we were taken to the bridge by the chief safety officer. The bridge was quite large and not very old, although still old enough to have open wings. The officer said that he prefers open wings and in today's lovely weather it indeed felt like a blessing.

About a quarter of the bridge

The wheel

Control panel of the ship's horn.

Open bridge wing

Bridge cam

Port of Tallinn from the bridge

After the bridge visit we had a nice lunch in the buffet and I was given a model of the ship as a present. 

Now that I have something fancy to put on my office table, all that's left to do is to get an office.

Shirrelle and Carlos, if you're reading this - I know you are - thanks a million for this wonderful experience. You rule.

Ship Visit: Gann

Yesterday I had the honour to visit MS Gann as she was in Tallinn. Formerly a Hurtigruten ship under the name Narvik, she is now used as a training vessel most of the time. Sometimes she does cruises as well and that's what brought her to Tallinn. A friend and fellow ship blogger Kalle Id arranged the visit and kindly invited me to join.

Our group; From the left: Olli Tuominen, Kalle Id, Timo Selkälä, me, Sami Koski, Jani Nousiainen.

I'll start with the public areas. The ship was built in 1982 and the interior fits the era while looking quite neat and stylish, like a cruise ship should.

Lounge

Same place

À la carte restaurant - Finnmarken

... with quite a clever solution for rough seas.

Buffet restaurant - Sandnes

Old smoking room, now a library.

As a matter of fact, Gann is quite a small ship and since cruising is not her first purpose, there isn't so much to do in terms of entertainment; If I were to cruise on her, I would probably spend most of the time in the library, although I would need to learn some Norwegian before I do so. 

What's a school ship without a classroom...

... or two?

By far the most interesting cruise ship store I have ever seen.

.. and probably will ever see.

... it had everything I'd be looking for though.

An old Hurtigruten ship - or, in fact, any ship sailing in Norwegian waters - ought to have a place especially designed for enjoying the view.

In addition to the public areas, we were also taken to the bridge, machine room and old car decks - all of that just happened to be a first for me. 

Bridge

That nice separate green button looks quite tempting - it's the horn.

Quite the view, huh?

GMDSS equipment - had a brief nostalgic moment there

The old cardeck, now the location of several rooms with various purposes.

Old ramps

Gym; for crew only, obviously.

Machine room control panel

It would be pretty neat to know what all of these do - I'm open for information on that.

I particularly like the colouring here. 

As the sign says, it was very noisy - a few rooms before that one I started regretting I didn't grab ear plugs when I noticed them. A few moments later we were given them anyway, and even with ear plugs it sounded quite loud. I don't want to know what's it like when the ship is at sea.

Builder's plate under the bridge

Builder's plate on the aft part which was added in 1989

Flag

Mandatory funnel picture

Perhaps this illustrates the fact that we were quite lucky to have her here - she's not exactly the type to stop in every city on the way.

As MS Narvik in her Hurtigruten livery

When she became Gann, the red part was simply painted blue. Scars from the past can still be seen.

We all received a badge; mine now decorates my favourite backpack as a nice memory from a very interesting ship.