August 21, 2016

Boarded the Zuiderdam after an expensive taxi ride from the hotel to the cruise terminal.  The check-in (four star status does make a difference) went smoothly and shortly we boarded, found our stateroom and went to the main dining room for the Mariner luncheon.  Discovered Usman was our server, he had been our dinner server for 115 days on our 2013 Around the World Cruise.  It was really great to see him again.  At 2 PM we attended the Mariner’s reception in the Crow’s Nest where we met some folks from Dallas and Australia and knocked back a couple of glasses of champagne.  This prompted a nap after which we had a light supper and skipped the entertainment as there was only one show at 9:30 PM, too late for us.

August 22, 2016

At sea from Copenhagen enroute to Bergen, Norway, breakfast in the Lido then a tour of the shops on board and the sale goods on the pool deck (Iris bought a much needed rain jacket/wind breaker). At 11 AM a lecture on Norway, then lunch, a Cruise Critic Meet & Greet at 2 PM to meet some of our fellow travelers including one couple from Comfort, TX.  3 PM the things to do in Bergen talk, a short nap helped followed by a wine tasting with snack before our dinner in the Lido.  The entertainment was the Zuiderdam Singers and Dancers, very high energy production with some good and some not so good singers, too much flashing lights and overall too young a presentation for such an old crowd.  Don’t think they ever heard of Sinatra or Bennett.  Back to the room and to bed.  A busy day.

August 23, 2016

Bergen, Norway - arrival at 8 AM, after our breakfast we departed the ship to board the shuttle to get from the container pier to a safe place for us to begin our walk into the center.  Holland America seems to always tie up in the container section regardless of the port as it is obviously cheaper to dock there instead of in the center of the quai.  Walk of about a KM to the center, clean town, 3 cruise ships in port today.  First stop was to the Mount Floyen Funicular that took us from the center of Bergen up to the spectacular views 320 meters above the city.  Easy on as Iris had bought our tickets on-line from home.  After about 45 minutes at the top we descended to find the line with hundreds of folks lined up waiting their turn to go up.  What a zoo!  

Back in the center we made our way to the local Starbucks for a coffee followed by a visit to the Hanseatic Museum Exhibits, a UNESCO Heritage Site showing life in the fishing industry of Norway from the 14th through the 18th century.  Fishing is still the second biggest export in Norway after oil.  From the museum we walked down the quai to see the painted wooden houses, Bryggen, on the waterfront (now shops, hotels and restaurants).  A further walk brought us to Mariakirken, St Mary’s Church, the oldest building in Bergen (built 1130 - 1170). It has been a place of worship continuously.  The church is a basilica with two main towers and two aisles.  The choir contains the alter and the screen, a triptych carved in Northern Germany in the 15th century.  It is a site alone making a visit to Bergen worthwhile.  The pulpit, creator unknown, was presented to the church in 1676 by wealthy merchants and is painted with tortoiseshell and lacquer work unlike anything in Norway.  The organ is modern, 2014/2105, so not notable.

It was now time for a sit-down so we made our way to the fish market at the end of the quai where Iris had an open-faced shrimp sandwich and Bob had grilled cod with potato salad.  Then a walk back to the shuttle bus location; we were walked out.  Back on board we had a short nap and prepared for the 4:30 PM “Happy Hour” meaning half-priced drinks.  From that we went up to the Lido for some light supper and then the comedian in the main theater for the entertainment.  To bed.