Due to the early arrival in Bergen (see previous post), we opted to set the alarm for 6:40am – but we were awake anyway.
We berthed on the starboard side – but see note below.
Free port shuttle to the gates.
Two Ho-Ho bus companies at the port exit.
A reasonably easy walk to town.
As is usual in Norway, no photo ID required and just an easy walk off.
We’d opted for an early wake up as with such a short stop and some dispute as to the viability of the shuttle, we didn’t want to be queuing fur ages and we did want to do the funicular railway. We were off the ship at a smidgen after 8am and at the port gate exit by 8:05! Several shuttle buses in operation. 
We’d docked at the Jekteviken wharf which is effectively in the commercial area, so the shuttle was the only way to get to the port gates. In town, at the main terminal, and an easier walk to town, there was the Queen Elizabeth, the Pacific Princess and a German ship, Aida. Presumably we drew the short straw - or our need for an early getaway dictated our berth.
The Ho-Ho bus options were our traditional red (Gray Line) double decker at 260NOK, or the smaller single decker Blue bus at, we think, 200NOK. We stuck to the red bus and managed an upstairs front seat. Incidentally, it was 2760NOK each on the credit card, or 275NOK for cash. Seems to be the opposite of what normally happens
This bus took about an hour for the complete circuit – which isn’t very long, so we had plenty of time to hop off at stop 12, the funicular railway. As the railway at the city end is effectively underground, it would be very easy to miss it, situated as it is in a white fronted building. We paid 90NOK for a return, but anyone doing a longer stop and in fine weather might want to consider getting the ride up and walking back down. The queue wasn’t at all long, with each train taking 80 passengers - though several Princess tour groups were the only delay, as they already had tickets… Boo! One bit of misinformation from the ship was that it was cash only. Credit cards were accepted with ‘tap and go’.
This is well worthwhile as at the top is a real recreational area, children’s playgrounds, a troll garden (the Norwegians love their trolls), a café, restaurant and some wildlife, though all we saw were goats and a bird. You can even rent bikes at the top to go exploring, which could be fun, though we have no idea of cost.
Back down again and mindful of the need for a prompt departure and a loathing of excessive dockside queues, we just stayed on the Ho-Ho until we were back at the dock. Whilst travelling through town, with a total of four cruise ships in, it did look rather busy anyway in places and the fish market was apparently worth a visit.
All aboard was 12:30 and thankfully, everyone was back on-board on time, so the captain was able to effect a prompt getaway. Lunch was just a chunk of what was labelled as cottage pie or shepherd’s, but was really a meat stew (ie. not mince) topped with mashed potato. We managed to chat to a couple of the production dancers, who were extremely friendly and they were also very interesting. Tiffany from Brighton and Jonathan from Cornwall.
After another losing quiz – which we did enjoy, as one of the regular winners was in a heated debate with Assistant Cruise Director Paul afterwards, (which the know-all passenger lost!), much to the amusement of one or two others who cannot stand these smart Alecs, who just have to win every time. By the way, it wasn’t Paul getting heated. I think we did finish second, though we had no idea which star paid $21,000 for an advert in the New York Times, ‘claiming that both he and his wife were heterosexual’. We were happy enough with our score, though there were 4 wacky questions worth 2 points each. We got one of them, but I am not divulging which, as I figured it out and it might come up again next year.
Formal night again, plus our invite to the top 40 most travelled passengers, cocktail do at 7pm. Sadly, the Captain couldn’t make it as he hands over command on Saturday, so was busy – though with the nautical equivalent of the ship’s speed, ‘pedal to the metal’, (‘full ahead both’?) maybe he had his hands full on the bridge, playing with his joystick?
We enjoyed the meet, with Paula talking to a really nice Australian couple who had been on the ship for no less than 5 consecutive cruises. Pity we didn’t meet them earlier. (The most travelled passengers – from Scotland - have in fact done 1,768 days…)
Plied with some really nice cocktail nibbles on a very regular basis, including coconut fried king prawn, mozzarella and tomato (caprese), scallops (twice), small Frenched chicken with a soy sauce, apple and melon with mango and for me, a small crème brulee, (and a Strongbow cider). By the time we made it to dinner, I had certainly done well. So just a soup and then the Beef Wellington (and again, a lobster tail), added to a glass of bubbly, as it was Hugh’s birthday and yet I didn’t feel bloated or over full. Maybe my stomach has expanded internally as well as externally?
The production show was ‘Encore’, which was a bit too classical for me, but was exceptionally well done, with excellent backdrops and lights. There was a guest singer flown in specifically for this show, which seemed a bit of an extravagance for three or four numbers and two shows.
The balloon drop in the Atrium was a noisy affair, though the party band, Atomic, played well as usual.
The ship was now beginning to move around just a little, though it wasn’t much of a problem. Having now set an arrival time early, they do have to make it on time, otherwise it will be absolute chaos.
So, that is almost it - as far as the cruise goes anyway, and the next instalment of this drivel might be delayed, due to time and internet constraints.
*I have to split this email due to the number of pics and the internet is not only slow, but keeps dropping out.
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