On departure from Kirkenes we saw wind. Normally we do not like wind but now it might be our friend. A good bit of wind might blow the (rain) clouds away and if so we could see the North Cape. So with hope in our hearts we traveled back up the coast during the night;…   read more of “23 June 2018; North…”

Maybe some of us have been naughty boys and girls in the recent days as the weather Gods are still not with us. We were all very hopeful while docked in Honningsvag that the weather at the North Cape would be half decent but it was not to be. The moment the ms Prinsendam poked…   read more of “22 June 2018;…”

Once we were through Lofoten the plan was to go outside again and to sail past the North Cape. But the swell was still running high and that provided a few challenges. If we went to the North Cape then we would have to slow down to avoid the heavy pitching of the bow on…   read more of “21 June 2018;…”

Until 3 am. we sailed the inside coastal route, which still follows the coast but behind mountainous islands and that gave us some protection from the severe storm that was blowing. Still we had a wind force 8 to 9 while in this sheltered area but it was a following wind and the waves generated…   read more of “20 June 2018; At…”

Geiranger is tucked away deep inland at the very end of a fjord with steep cliffs at either side. That makes it very scenic and at times also very un-pleasant as the steep cliffs of the fjord can cause a funnel wind, reaching up to hurricane force, which makes staying there impossible. Then there are…   read more of “19 June 2018:…”

Alesund is a sort of perfect smaller port for cruise ships. It is sheltered and not too deep inland. It takes hours to get to Oslo and to Geiranger (where we are tomorrow) but Alesund is nicely hidden behind a mountain range and it takes less than an hour from the pilot station to the…   read more of “18 June 2018;…”

Today we are en route from Amsterdam to Alesund in Norway where we are scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning just before 08.00 hrs. Apart from a slight swell running we are having a real sunny day so all is well in the world. Today we followed an almost straight course north as Amsterdam is sort…   read more of “17 June 2018; At…”

For the guests it is much more scenic to sail from downtown Amsterdam than to be docked in Ijmuiden just outside the locks. But for the ship it is a lot of extra work. This morning the ms Prinsendam picked up the pilot at 03.00 hrs. and then had to go through the locks, sail…   read more of “16 June 2016;…”