Photos are at:- https://photos.app.goo.gl/y9iDkdGhhZXDywkY9
Wednesday 6th Aug
Having waited I almost missed the 304 bus. Luckily the driver stopped at the roundabout and let me on. 3 other passengers on board and when we left Barry I was the only one. Missing it would not have been a total disaster as we had the 96 and train in reserve. Passed the 96 at King Square. Cardiff bus terminal wanted me out by the quickest route.
McD supper and onto Flixbus, having to get some girl to move her bag. Got to Gatwick and lost yet again on my way to McD, one day I will get it right. McD app refused to work and I had to use kiosk, Hot Choc was pretty watery. In through security and found my quiet corner without refilling water bottle so will have to go do that but currently have an hour to kill.
Disaster! The flight to Dublin was delayed and by the the time I got through security I had missed the connecting flight to Reykavik.
So lots of time on the phone - My trip was the first port of call but the best they could offer was an overnight. Not quick enough to get the Icelandair which left at 12.15. Virgin were really difficult to get information from - eventually determined that the boat doesn't leave until Thursday (Strange) and got them to approve my joining tomorrow. Then it was back to MyTrip who have now booked me through Zurich (leave DUB 6.30pm and then with an early flight 6.25, check in 05.50. There is a capsule hotel at Zurich and I cannot decide if I will book a bed.
Thursday 7th
Well, I didn't book the Capsule hotel which would have been £68. I followed the signs to the Transit Hotel, but they wanted £170 for the night, so I slept on a couple of chairs. Luckily, the phone had picked up the local time (1hr ahead) so got me up at the equivalent of 4.30am. Broke the headphones, in the same place as the old ones. Flight was 4hrs, strange as it flew directly over the UK. Got to Iceland by 9am, it being an hour behind the UK. £25 for the bus into Reyjkavik. Walked to the ship, 5km about an hour.
Got settled in, shower and food. It's very complicated and very American. Can't decide if I like it. Reception and security seemed particularly sharp. The food looks good, many station type buffet, but you have to ask for it.
Decided to take the shuttle bus into town and had a wander around. I wanted some glue but failed. Lines to get the bus back and to get aboard were quite long. Pizza and ice cream for dinner, neither as good as I would liked. Forgot that sunset would be later here. It's 10pm and still light and I'm watching the film "Dave" There's a good selection of films available.Decor is modern although some things in the cabin seem small.Sea is building and alarm set for after midnight as there could be some lights.
Friday 8th Isafjorden
No Northern Lights! Weather not looking good. Up and out to breakfast. Considering a change of plan, is it worth getting soaked. to wander to the waterfall, which doesn't look that spectacular or do I stay here and watch some films. Have started with "Yesterday" Haven't found a lounge - the cabin seems the most comfortable place.
Well I did get out, got a bit of a way before Komoot started recording but went to the Bunarfoss Waterfall, which was closer and more popular than I had expected. On a little further and then back,
didn't really get wet but changed socks.. Looked for some glue, as the string holding the plug on the phone was coming loose. Got some glue, only to find that the plug was gone. Used the glue on the broken headphones. I was reminded that I had a Newsheet to get out for Sully. Got it done but failed to notice the ship had sailed, but then there is nowhere to really watch it from. Enjoyed dinner, it was much less crowded than at 3.30! Boat is moving a little.
Saturday 9th Akureteyri
We were in port by the time I woke up. Breakfast, despite the presence of toast was still cool, maybe I will have to give up beans and sauages.
The route was a combination of two existing routes and was pretty good except that the top bridge was for horses only. I crossed it anyway but then had to go up the road to find the path across. Coming down was as good, following a much smaller stream past a childs play area. Came out near the aviation museum so spnt some time in there before coming back to the boat. Explored options at Lerwick - but the earliest tender that could be booked is at 11.30.
Don't know if it will be worth it as I was planning to take the ferry across to Bressay. Brought a couple of packets of wraps back but instead of the turkey (as the sign in the display said) they were both veg, with not much mozerella. Saw the Viking ship leaving.
Sunday 10th At Sea
Clocks went forward last night, Watch is now accurate and phone an hour late. Not many people at breakfast as a consequence I guess. Tried varying breakfast by going for muffins, but they were sohard the egg got shot out - not too much a mess but definitely not McD. Got bored with movies and watched a bit of BBC on phone. Lunch was crowded and took a long time. Vhips (Chrisps) with everything, including the wraps I have brought back for tea.
Monday 11th At Sea
Following an early night I was up by 7am. Well, I discovered a lounge, but no comfortable chairs. Breakfast was good but once again cold by the time I got to eat it. Watching the birds and trying to finish The Aviator. As usual too much to eat. Brought tea back to the cabin and discovered that the tray did not fit the fridge, Afternoon show was an american comic and time passed pretty rapidly.
Tuesday 12th Lerwick
Had hoped to watch the coast go by but it was raining and visibility pretty poor, couldn't see anything. Late getting up for breakfast. Have abandoned the beans and went for a French Toast Burger instead. At least that had a warm plate but it was american bacon. Had the room cleaned and now waiting with trepidation to go ashore. Last visit saw a wait of over an hour, in the rain, to get on to a tender. Not an experience I want to repeat and with the late departure there probably isn't anything I want to do.
However, I did wander down just after 11am and got on a slightly earlier tender. There was half an hour before the ferry to Bressay left so I attempted to find a wi-fi signal, and failed. Ferry cost £2.80 return - not the £6.50 I was expecting. 3.5mls to the other side, about an hour, and it was. Wandered along the coast path as indicated by Komoot, nearly lost my fleece, and didn't stick to the path. Back in time to miss the 3pm ferry back - 45 min wait but the weather had improved significantly.
Our departure was considerably delayed - I thought the anchor might be the problem but the tender took someone ashore, probably a medical evacuation. When it returned we left, probably an hour late. Nothing on TV so it is down to downloaded Sounds or I-Player on the phone. Discovered I had forgotten to switch phone to airplane mode and was connected to the marine network, here's hoping.
Wednesday 13th At Sea
The TV remote broke, not that there is anything worth watching on TV. Up at 7am back on the baked beans and cold sausages, but a couple pf aain au chocolate made up for it. Spent the entire morning trying to get photos rady for uploading. Decided that they need to be formatted for wide screen tV so any cortrait shots had to be doubled up. Have also watermarked then so I will know where they are from.. Seems there is no comedian this afternoon. But there was a piano player at 4pm so I went to tht and then stuffed my face with the panini's which I had put in the fridge. Took a photo of a disappointing sunset.
Thursday 14th Arriving Amsterdam 1500
Forced myself out of bed and up to breakfast. Came back to room and composed the hike data into photos ready for uploading.. Getting good at it as that was done by 10am by which time we were approaching the coast. Entered the harbour about midday and we have locked in and are currently in the canal. Fun watching the rope handlers in the lock, they had a van with a windlass on the back, but had to chock the wheel before using it. Contrast with other places where a couple of men have hauled the lines ashore. We are now in the European heat
wave and it is now too hot to stay outside, not to mention that there is practically nowhere with a decent view. The bow camera on my cabin TV is the best option, so I am watching the countryside slip by from the comfort of the cabin bed. The phone seems to have picked up the local time, ship is staying on British Summer Time according to the messages.
Arrived on time and eventually went out for a wander. The terminal has wifi but I will wait to upload everything as there is nowhere to sit, maybe McD in Portsmouth if I have to wait for a train. Filled up on cookies and peanut brittle, getting chocolate on the sheets, ugly!
Friday 15th Amsterdam
Got fooled by the phone and was at breakfast for 7am ship time. It was surprisingly busy. Outside seating area was not available, another cruise ship has arrived, at least this place is big enough to absorb them. Got out around 9am, avoiding the line for passport control. Walked up to the station and took the ferry actoss to the other side. The plan had been to visit the film museum, Discovered another thing called "This is Holland" but it was E27 and I couldn't see that it would be that good. the Film Museum was E22 but seemed to be concentrating in Kirasawa, so I decided to give that a miss and just sit/stand outside and watch boats going up and down the river. Eventually walked up to NDSM-Werf which was an interesting setting of industrial and art in an old shipbuilding building. From there to the longer ferry vack to the Central Station and a Canal Cruise. This was nice, but the phone overheated so had to be switched off meaning that I could not follow the route and photos were limited. Back to the ship and a line to get in, but no line for a passport stamp, but it was hard for him to find the incoming stamp (turned out to be Zurich). Best bit - watching the ship manoeveur and get down the canal - though it had to be via the bow camera. Went and watched the comedian in the theatre - not sure I was impressed.
Saturday 16th At Sea
Once again confused by the phone time and the ship time. A light breakfast, just a couple of croissants and coffee, as I will probably go back there. Another stage show at 3pm, They want $200 for a tour of the ship! Needless to say I will not be doing it. Played with photos till 11, then went in search of elevenses and was unsatisfied, not that I know what I want.. Discovered the daily programme sheet which I should have been picking up daily. Probably not delivered as I had "Do not disturb" sign illuminated. Lots of ships as we approach the English Channel. For a while I thought the promenade on deck 7 might give a view from the bow, but it just goes through a tunnel.
No Fries for 10 minutes, the tacos were not wrapped. Lunch was curry - not to my taste. The app said you MUST book a disembarcation slot only all the slots are SOLD OUT. Nearly time for afternoon comedy show. Which was OK but not astounding. I couldn't manage to watch any movies and the news is just repeats. Sunset was around 8.20 so I went up and took pictures of that and will try downloaded radio and early sleep (as usual).
Sunday 17th Portsmouth
Alarm at 06.30 once again in the middle of a dream, up and off to breakfast. Packed and escaped, no one asked about the bookings we were supposed to make in order to get off the ship. Got to McD, the app is insisting that I still have an order pending, so ordered with a code. The wi-fi was extremely slow, so gave up and went to the station. Tirned out the train was from Portsmouth and Southsea Central and not the Harbour. All the way listening to downloaded radio "I haven't a Clue" Good connection to Barry and back by 14.30 to do this and photos.
CONCLUSIONS
Virgin Voyages is different.
I like the longer stays in port (Particularly as it meant I didn't miss the entire cruise). The ship is ugly and the lounges are all inward facing, nowhere to really sit and watch the world go by. There is no information from the bridge - this is a moving hotel rather than a ship.
The cabin is OK - I remain unconvinced that a balcony is worth it (This was a special offer and cheaper than internal) The bow camera gives the best view. Bathroom is very small and the idea that everything is controlled by the tablet is annoying - have to get up to switch the lights off and the bedside light is totally inadequate for my old eyes. Have to squeese past the end of the bed at the risk of hitting the TV. There is a fridge - plugs are american and one european. The little chip/fob they give you as a key is not particularly good,, has to be really close to the touchpad to work and is not exactly a souvenir worth having (Princess did a better job).
The buffet is OK but a number of the stations close remarkably early, so I have been bringing stuff back to the room. They provide food in take away containers. None of them are help yourself, so you end up asking for more, and some of the selections seem to change randomly. Confectionary is available on Deck 7 but I was not impressed with the Hot Dog or their idea of sausages. Breakfast came on a cold plate and was cold before I could really finish it.Pain-au-chocolate is nice and big though and the chips (French Fries) are to die for, thick and crispy.
The entertainment has a heavy emphasis towards stand up comics and less on the gllitsy shows which is good for me. TV offer is lots of films, three news channels and BBC maritime (which does not suit me and has no guide as to what is on anyway - you have to search the internet). Events scroll through so you can only read half the description and then it has to scroll through the next 24hrs before coming back to something you might be interested in. The app is riddled with errors - ship's time will not change - yet it has changed a couple of times. Booking slots for tender or going ashore has been met with sold out. There is no notification when they send a message - you have to check. OK that's down to the settings on my phone.
An hour extra in bed as the clocks went back, but still had to be up at 07.30. Breakfast and off the boat by 0800. No reply from Goddaughter but figured a trip on the ferry would be fun anyway so went Red Funnel on a day return which at £15.60 was the most expensive excursion I have had on this trip. Turns out she was off boating so came back and got back for the 12.11 train. Problem was that it had a lacl of staff so terminated at Westbury. I now have to do a delay repay claim!
