Flaam and Bergen

Good Day All,



Flaam is another of my favourite ports in Norway - I just love it. From here I have taken one of the most breathtaking train journeys ever. I can say that with confidence as I have taken a few in my time including from Sydney to Perth in Australia and from Vancouver to Winnipeg in Canada! We were really blessed with perfect weather and we were able to enjoy the magnificent scenery.




Thanks to Karen Wyiness our Digital Living Manager who took this early morning photograph of arrival into Flaam. Quite spooky with the mist! I remember one time in Alaska when I had to make a broadcast to say that the Misty Fjords Flight seeing Tour was cancelled as it was too misty!!!

On my lunchtime walk around the decks, I took this shot of the fjord from Deck 10 outside the Crows Nest.

Not even an air to raise the flags on Arcadia's mast.!

Meet Gregory our Cruise outstanding winner for the month of July, pictured along with Mylene, they were serving drinks to passengers out enjoying the brilliant sunshine - is this really Norway?

There are many quiet corners on Arcadia for those who want to just sit and 'be'.

From deck 10 midships it looks as thought the ship is going through the mountain!

Our ship's tender operation in full swing.

The Tenders lined up ashore providing a great service to our passengers and crew. Behind these you will see the local ferry services which operate around Norway delivering passengers, cargo and the post! Much of the port area is on a wooden platform giving you that 'boardwalk' feel of the gold rush years gone by.

This is the Flaam Train. The track is only 12.5 miles in length, but the journey takes up to 50 minutes, you climb from 16 feet to 2,845 feet to Mydal Station. Along the way you see everything from the salmon fishing river to many impressive waterfalls. There is something about travelling by train!

For something different some passengers went on the Fjord Safari in a rigid inflatable boat! There is so much adventure on offer if you fancy taking part. Pictured in the background is the Costa Cruise Ship Atlantica - a sister company of ours.

The coach says it all!

Meet our fantastic tours team! From R to L - Hilary, Alison, Lauren and Kellie, enjoying some sunshine ashore between dispatches.

Today we were in Bergen and it was a lovely morning for arrival. True to form the rain came in the afternoon. Bergen is considered as the 'Gateway to the Fjords', there is a lot of history here. For me I like the old wooden terraced merchant houses, and to visit the home of Norway's most revered composer Grieg. The shops are very up to date, and the fish market is always worth a visit. There is also a funicular that takes you to the top of Mount Floien about a 10,000 feet up where you can enjoy great views of the city over a nice coffee

My thanks to Alison Webster our Port Presented who gave me these spectacular photographs from her Seaplane Sightseeing - again something different to do on your holiday.

Apart from the ship the only thing better to see the Fjords in by plane.

What a view of the Glacier. The last time I flew over a Glacier it was from Juneau in Alaska - Mendenhall Glacier - where we landed by helicopter and walked on Glacier with moon boots provided. Never to be forgotten.

Here is a great shot of Arcadia alongside her berth in Bergen.

It is hard to believe that we are not on our way back to Southampton. This is the last Formal night of the cruise ( two on a one week cruise) and there is much finery around the ship this evening. The Photographers are extremely busy as passengers are all wanting to be snapped looking their best. The formal nights are much appreciated by the people who cruise with

P&O Cruises and this is something that people always mention to me.

The Headliners Theater Company are all set for their two performances of 'BIG PICTURE' in concert - celebrating 80 years of the Oscars, Arcadian Rhodes and The Orchid are fully booked and everyone else will be enjoying a superb dinner in the Meridian Restaurant complete with the Parade of the Chefs!

I do hope the weather stays fine for our cruise down the North Sea.

That's it for now, next cruise we are off to the Baltic, visiting Norway, Poland, Sweden, Estonia, Russia,Finland, Denmark and Belgium. Lots to look forward to and I hope to share many of our travels with you soon. We have a large crew change in Southampton so we will be saying goodbye to some dear shipmates.

All good wishes,

James.

If on your journey you only find one thing, let it be your aim in life.