Loyal to Royal

We spent a week cruising the Norwegian Fjords on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas with my mom and Vuong’s parents. We are “loyal to royal” for a few reasons. One, they have a great loyalty program- the Crown and Anchor Society. You receive one point for each night at sea, with double points for nights spent in a suite. Just after COVID, RCI offered double points as an incentive for people to get back to cruising, so the double suite points were doubled again! For a 7-night cruise in a junior suite, we received 28 points. So we achieved Diamond status quickly and, with it, lots of perks and freebies.

Check out Crown and Anchor tier benefits here. Book your next cruise on Royal here.

Cruising

We are travelers. We love really getting into a place and immersing ourselves in the culture. Cruises don’t really provide this sort of experience, but we love cruising too!

Cruises give you a sort of “sampler platter” of the world. You can do an Uber-relaxing Caribbean cruise, or taste a few more distant international destinations. If you find a port you really love, you can make plans to revisit the city and spend more time there. Cruising is great for families or large groups. There are activities for everyone- small children, teenagers, young adults, middle-aged people, and older folks. It is so nice to unpack once and establish your home base for the week, yet still experience a variety of destinations.

You CAN do cruises with minimal planning, although this really isn’t in my nature. You can have John (or any other travel agent) do your planning for you, you can use cruise-ship excursions, or you can do a little more research and book your own excursions. I love cruising as a vacation choice for large, diverse groups, as people can do their own thing on sea days or during downtime, then meet up for dinner and share their experiences.

Give it a try!

Cruising is not for everyone, but if you haven’t cruised, you really don’t know it is not for you. The image lots of people have in their heads is of a massive, floating city filled with sweaty people elbowing each other for a spot at the buffet. Kids running around underfoot dropping their ice cream cones and crying, taking up all the valuable real estate in the pool.

That can be accurate, but we have rarely had those experiences. Most people tend to be classy and respectful. There are so many different cruise lines, and different destinations have different vibes. In addition, many of the ships these days are so big, that most people can find areas that suit their needs and personalities. Many of the ships have at least one “adults only” pool, which tends to be quieter and more upscale. Gourmet chefs often run specialty restaurants, and they usually have inventive cuisine with excellent service. You can enjoy a leisurely 2-hour meal or grab a bite at the buffet, then experience a Broadway show or channel your inner rap star at karaoke. Big ship not for you? Try an ultra-high-end European River cruise.

Vuong and I are eating a very healthy, pretty specific diet in preparation for a competition, and we found it very easy to stick to our plan on the cruise. You can find almost any food you might need on the buffet. Not to mention that they have fully equipped gyms with amazing views!

Basically, your cruise vacation can be whatever you make it! Try it out if you haven’t!

Cruise Packing List

There is no limit on the number of suitcases or the weight of those suitcases you can take on cruises. You are only limited by the airlines and by what you can manage. When you arrive at the cruise terminal, you drop off your tagged bags with a porter, slip him a few bucks, and say goodbye to your bags until late afternoon/early evening. Pack whatever you will need for the first few hours in your carry-on. I recommend a swimsuit, a change of clothes, and whatever toiletries you will need to shower or freshen up for dinner.

In addition to the usual items you pack for vacation, I find a few items essential for cruising.

Basics

Before you leave for your cruise, you will need to print out luggage tags. To prevent losing them and possibly being parted with your bags for an extended period of time, I recommend luggage tag holders.

Samsonite is a consistently popular and durable luggage brand. If you are interested in hard-sided suitcases, check these out. I am a recent convert to packing cubes and highly recommend using them! They make keeping your suitcases organized a breeze, and unpacking has never been so easy! I like these because they are small and color-coded.

I never leave home without my water bottle, and I love my iron flask! Just make sure it is empty before trying to get through TSA pre-check. I also like this holder for my water bottle. It holds my cell phone, sea pass card, and a few other small items and is perfect for running around the ship and hanging out by the pool.

It is so important to stay hydrated, and that can be a challenge on cruises, with the sun and free-flowing alcohol! These electrolyte packs help with that.

If you are traveling with a group, magnetic whiteboards for your door can be fun and useful.

Storage

Many of the walls of your cabin are metal and storage space is limited! I recommend these small magnetic hooks and these larger magnetic hooks to maximize your space. I always take an over-the-door organizer to store toiletries, sunscreen, flip-flops, and other similar items. A hanging toiletry bag is essential, as those bathrooms are tiny!

Outlets are notoriously few, and power strips are not allowed. These plug extenders are perfect! To organize dirty laundry, we take this pop-up hamper.

Motion Sickness

I never cruise without these motion sickness pressure point wristbands. They really help with mild motion sickness and don’t cause the drowsiness many medications do. For more severe cases, I always take scopolamine patches, which require a prescription, and Bonine. I never travel without ginger chews! They are great for nausea of any cause.

Planning with John and Royal Caribbean

I had always wanted to take my mom to Europe, and what better way to do it than on a cruise? Europe can be “cobbly cobbly cobbly,” which can be difficult to navigate when you are older or have some mobility issues, so we had to plan carefully. My husband’s parents have traveled internationally a good bit, and we wanted the opportunity to spend some time with them too. So, we started planning this trip for the five of us with the help of our cruise travel agent, John Barbian with Pixie Vacations. Contact him to help plan your next cruise vacation. It can be really helpful to have a travel agent to handle the details of your trip. In addition, he keeps an eye on cruise fares for us and, if they drop, he can get our price adjusted.

If you are new to cruising, John can help you choose a cruise line and itinerary to suit your needs and personality. He can give you guidance on choosing a cabin, and help you determine whether a drink package is right for you. We never purchase the drink package because we don’t drink enough to make it worth it. Some people do drink enough, and others just like the ease of not having to sign for each drink. Drink packages often include sodas, specialty coffees, and protein smoothies at the gym. I recommend doing the math and reading the fine print to see if it makes sense for you.

Norwegian Fjord cruises begin in May and run through September. May worked best with our schedules, and we got a great deal on suites, so we started planning.

Air 2 Sea

We typically make most of our travel arrangements ourselves and book shore excursions independent of the cruise line. However, this time we had little room for error. We couldn’t take the risk of getting stuck somewhere or having to make additional travel arrangements with five people, particularly with our older parents. Moreover, we were flying into London, which is 2 hours from the port. So, we chose to do Royal Caribbean’s “Air2Sea” program.

We were flying into London a few days early, so we only used the Royal Caribbean transfer service for our return shuttle to LHR from the Southampton cruise port.

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) negotiates discount airfares and, when you book their transfers, guarantees that you will make it to the ship on time for embarkation and to the airport on time for your departing flight. We thought this would be an easy way to have everything handled and tied up with a neat little bow. I have to say that I was disappointed with the program and won’t use it again. I’ll explain later…

Travel to London

Vuong’s parents live in Washington State and my mom lives in South Carolina. We found direct flights for all of them! Vuong and I met my mom in Charlotte, as she had never flown across the ocean and was flying alone. We had arrival times at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) very close to one another but were arriving at separate terminals. This is a big deal at LHR, as this airport is massive and the terminals are around a 15-minute drive from each other.

Vuong’s parents flew in Premium Economy on British Airways and were very happy with the experience. Mom, Vuong, and I flew coach on American Airlines, but it was pleasant and the food was plentiful and tasty. Passport control was a breeze! They use electronic scanning at LHR, and there is no line.

We used Empire UK Chauffeur for our pickup and were happy with their professional, punctual service, although they were a bit pricey. They kept up with our flights, which turned out to be important, as we arrived at Terminal 3 and Vuong’s parents arrived at Terminal 5.

London

Travel and Accommodations

We booked a 4-bedroom Air BnB in the Marylebone area, at Hyde Park Mansions. This was a condo complex near Merchant Square, a hip, canal-side area with cool bars and restaurants. I had no idea that you could explore London by the canal! You can rent a personal boat here, at the Paddington Basin, and explore Little Venice, Regent’s Park, and more! Check out GoBoat UK! You can even rent a stand-up paddle board or take lessons here, at Active 360 UK! There is live music every week during the summer.

Several grocery stores are in the area, and it is a hub of Middle Eastern cuisine. We picked up Iranian food for takeout from Al Deyafah Palace, and it was delicious!

A London Underground station (Edgware) and a bus stop are right across the street. If you are able to navigate public transportation, this could be the perfect location for you. Public transportation would have been very stressful and difficult for my mom and her knee, so, we had to rely on automobiles… London traffic is horrendous! It was a bit of a journey to get to the major sites. The Tower of London was only 4-5 miles away, but it took us 45 minutes to get there.

I recommend using the Black Taxis rather than Uber in London. They can hold up to 6 passengers and are a fun experience. Taxi drivers in London are extensively trained and know the city like the back of their hands. They go through 3 years of training and very difficult oral and written examinations and the ones we met were fun, knowledgeable, and knew all the back roads to avoid traffic. Read about their training here. The Uber rides we experienced were not nearly as pleasant.

Thames River Cruise for High Tea

We arrived early in the morning on a Thursday, and I didn’t want to plan too much for that day, since I knew we would all be tired from the trip. I thought a 1.5-hour Thames River Cruise with high tea would be a quick, easy, fun activity in celebration of Mother’s Day… boy was I wrong! We took an Uber from our AirBnB to the Tower Millenium Pier, which took almost an hour!

The cruise was nice, and they provided a variety of teas, little sandwiches, and yummy, cute, sweet treats like macarons and scones with clotted cream and jam. I definitely recommend the activity, even though it was a bit touristy. We got a nice view of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, and the City of London, all while enjoying a British tradition. Book your tickets here.

We walked around by the river for a bit afterward and summoned another Uber to take us back. The drivers kept canceling on us, so we ended up waiting about 30 minutes for another 45-minute ride through traffic. In all, this experience lasted about 5 hours! The parents were troopers, but I felt terrible and we were exhausted. Should’ve hailed a black taxi!

London Half-Day Tour

We booked the “Half Day London Highlights Taxi Tour with a Blue Badge Guide” with Alex Davy through Tours by Locals, and I highly recommend this tour for an orientation to the city. We zipped around in his little cab as he told stories of the city and showed us significant sites in rock and roll history, as well as the major tourist sites. Some of our favorites were Abbey Road and the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

London to Southampton Transfer

Our cruise departed from the Port of Southampton in the UK. If this port sounds familiar, it is the port from which the Titanic left for its tragic transatlantic sailing. We were taking a left, though, through the English Channel up into the North Sea.

Southampton is around a 1.5-hour drive from London, and there are several interesting sites between the two. We booked a transfer with Empire UK Chauffeur, with stops at two of them- Windsor Castle and Stonehenge. Turns out this was too ambitious.

We took a private transfer, but other options include the train (1 hour and 16 minutes), the bus (2 hours 35 minutes), and a flight. In my opinion, the train or a private vehicle is the best way to go. Flights can be expensive and getting to the airport early tacks on a good bit of time. If your schedule is tight, you might go ahead and book your international flight to Southampton and skip London. I like to use Rome2Rio to research my transportation options.

Our driver picked us up at 10:00 AM and we were off! He picked us up in a very comfortable van with plenty of room and provided water for us. We drove through cute villages and pastoral English countryside.

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is only about 24 miles from London, but it takes about an hour and a half to get there because of traffic. It has been a royal home and fortress for over 900 years and is the largest occupied castle in the world! State visits are held here, and the royal family spends much of their time here. If a royal is in residence, the Union Jack flag which flies above the castle is replaced by the Royal Flag. When we visited, the Union Jack was in place, so there was no danger of seeing the new King Charles!

St. George’s Chapel

The highlight of the visit for me was St. George Chapel. Lots of royal weddings were held here, including Harry and Meghan, but it is best known as a funerary chapel. Several important people are buried here, including the recently deceased Queen Elizabeth II and her husband.

The grounds were beautiful, and the Royal Apartments were basically a museum containing state gifts, knights’ weapons and armor, and numerous works of art, mostly in the form of royal portraits. You can see sitting rooms, offices, and even a bed fit for a king! Everything was gilded, ornate, or floral. Over the top!

Apparently, there is a really cool dollhouse, but the line was insanely long, we were tired, and it was hot. If you want to see this, grab an ice cream at the ice cream stand nearby and pack your patience!

We were visiting just after the coronation, so there was a ton of commemorative kitsch on offer in the gift shops.

Windsor Town

When we visited, there was a ton of construction. Many of the streets were blocked off, making it difficult to get the van close to the castle. We had to walk 10-15 minutes uphill to get to the entrance, which was on the opposite side of the castle from our parking lot.

This attraction is not great for the mobility-impaired, and there is a ton of walking (uphill both ways). The streets surrounding the castle are lined by cute shops and restaurants and when we visited, were absolutely flooded with people. It felt like Mardi Gras in New Orleans. We had budgeted for 2 hours here, but ended up spending 4! Not because we were enthralled by royal life, but because it was difficult to get anywhere!

While it was pretty cool to see this side of British life and walk in the spaces where kings and queens live, it was not my favorite attraction. If you are into castles or royals, then it is a must-see. If not… you might give this one a pass.

Wear comfy shoes, buy tickets ahead of time, and go early. The audio guide is a great idea to give you information and context, and you can pick it up after entering the castle grounds. If you are REALLY into this sort of thing, hire a private tour guide at Getyourguide.com.

Stonehenge

I would have rather seen Stonehenge, given a choice. But, I thought we could do both. So I bought our tickets ahead of time here. Please check the hours of operation when planning your day! We did that, and the closing time was listed as 5:00 pm. We thought arriving at 4:00 pm would give us time to take a look at this mysterious stone circle, but the last admission was 4:00! So we showed up at the gate, tickets in hand, at 4:02 pm and were denied admission!

We saw it from the road… it was in the middle of a huge field on a rolling hillside and looked smaller than I expected. Here is a photo of it, so you don’t feel cheated. This is courtesy of our friends, Jean and Kurt, whom we met in Olden, Norway on our excursion over Norwegian pancakes.

Southampton

Southampton is a major port city about 80 miles from London. It was the departure point for the ill-fated Titanic, a major embarkation point for the troops on D-Day, and was heavily bombed during WWII. Jane Austen lived here for a while. The area has been inhabited since the Stone Age. Southampton Castle was built in the 12th century, and you can still see remnants of the castle and the city wall incorporated into the modern architecture of the town.

There were lots of restaurants in the downtown area, many of which were Indian. We tried out the #1 restaurant in Southampton, Kesarum. It turned out to be vegetarian and I was not a fan, but if you are vegan this could be perfect for you! We finished our appetizers, and then moved on to Coriander Lounge, which had a fun, vibrant atmosphere and delicious Indian food. I highly recommend the latter!

Southampton has its own airport, so you could fly into here for your cruise. It would be a great place to spend a couple of days! We stayed at the Moxy by Marriott, which was a fantastic location close to the port and had lots of dining and shopping nearby. They do not have a port shuttle, and I recommend arranging a taxi to the port the night before your cruise departure.

It is a quick, 5-minute drive and the port is easy to navigate. The cab drivers knew where they were going. We had splurged on suites, so we didn’t have to wait in line. We actually got a great deal on suites for this cruise, so keep your eyes open!

Anthem of the Seas

Anthem of the Seas is a relatively new Quantum class ship delivered to Royal Caribbean in 2015. It holds almost 5000 passengers and its major features include the Northstar, iFly indoor skydiving, bumper cars, and a FlowRider. Two70 is a really cool venue at the back of the ship with giant windows that transform into (what they claim is) the largest screen in the world! There are several very expensive robotic screens that they incorporate into the shows.

The shows onboard were great, in my opinion. “Spectra’s Cabaret” was a bit difficult to follow, but “We Will Rock You” and “The Gift” were excellent. The talent was amazing and the sets were impressive. There were several “gameshows,” including the Crazy Quest, Battle of the Sexes, Lip Sync Idol, and Karaoke contests. Vuong and I got involved and met some interesting people!

Choosing a Cabin

We typically choose staterooms toward the very center of the ship- both vertically and horizontally. So midship, around deck 8-9 is best for us! There tends to be less movement here, and they tend to be closer to most of the venues. We prefer to at least have a balcony, but inside cabins have their advantages as well- the two most obvious (IMO) include being very dark for sleeping, and cheap!

We really enjoy being able to walk outside and see where we are and where we are going, and enjoy a morning coffee on our private balcony. This is easier when you have your own coffee machine, which junior suites and higher have. Junior suites do not afford the same benefits as full suites, but they do give you double points, preferred embarkation, extra room, and dinner at Coastal Kitchen when there is room. If you can find a good price, a junior suite may be worth it- particularly if you are chasing status.

Check the cruise line’s website!

What it boils down to is this- the Royal Caribbean website has deck plans. I think most other cruise lines do too. Take time to choose your cabin. Look at the venues and think about which ones you will frequent. Think about proximity to the stairs and elevator- the ships these days are massive, and it can be quite a hike if you aren’t close to the hubs. On Oasis class ships, we like to be close to Central Park, so we can pop over and grab a coffee in the morning. If you are a gym rat, you may want to snag a room closer to the fitness center. Be aware of “limited visibility” cabins if you are splurging on a balcony. It can be a huge disappointment to find your view blocked by lifeboats.

You can google specific cabins on specific ships and often find YouTube tours of them. Cruise Critic can give you valuable info and precautions. I also enjoy listening to podcasts when I am gearing up for a trip. Cruise-related podcasts I really enjoy include Cruise Tips TV, Cruise Radio, and Always be Booked.

Cruising Norway

We traveled during shoulder season, which was great because things were not as crowded, we got great deals, and the weather was mostly nice. The days were LOOOONG even then, in May, which really messed with my sleep schedule. It was still light around 10:30-11:00 at night, then again by 3:30-4:00 in the morning! During the summer, it may never get dark- that’s why it is called the “land of the midnight sun.” With that said, the weather and fishing may be best at this time.

Note- I always travel with clothespins. They are great for fastening curtains together to minimize the light that gets through and have many other uses.

The Northern Lights

If your goal is to see the Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis, you are going to have to go farther north, at least into the Arctic Circle. You have to balance the weather with optimum chances of seeing the lights- the weather in Norway from November to January can be very cold and unpleasant. September, October, February, and March seem to be the best time to see the lights, and you want to spend as much time as possible to maximize your chances of seeing them since they are not visible every night. You are not guaranteed to see them anywhere at any time- clouds, city lights, and the position and intensity of the lights themselves can play a role. We didn’t see them- we weren’t far enough north and it was cloudy.

If the Aurora Borealis is on your bucket list, a cruise may not be your best bet. You may, instead, want to do a “Northern Lights Tour.” Read this informative article on seeing the light show.

Norwegian Cruises

I’m no authority on Norway or Norwegian cruises. There are endless options, from small boat adventure cruises to mega-ship voyages like ours. This was a great choice for us, as we had a ship with lots of activities for various ages and interests, and we wanted to stick to about a week. Here is a nice overview to help you choose.

The weather for our cruise was gorgeous for the most part. We did run into a bit of cool weather and rain, but then the sun would peek through and paint vivid rainbows plunging into the sea. And, the mist and low-lying clouds lent an even more mysterious air to the fairy lands. This is a tough cruise to pack for since you need to be prepared for all sorts of weather. Layers are key, with a lightweight windbreaker/rain jacket, beanie, and gloves as part of the packing list. Don’t forget your sunglasses!

With that said, we heard the wind howling most nights and there was a bit of rough water… I always cruise with scopolamine patches, Bonine, pressure point wristbands, peppermints, and ginger chews for potential seasickness. We used these one day on this cruise.

Haugesund

After one day at sea, we arrived at our first port of call, Haugesund, Norway. The approach was gorgeous, and I recommend getting up early on Norwegian Fjord cruises so you can enjoy this part of the day. Much of the beauty of the area is observable from the ship! We passed small islands, many possessing lighthouses or windmills. We were greeted by a double rainbow plunging into the ocean, made possible by the rain clouds and sunbeams overhead.

I booked this excursion through the cruise line- Akrafjord and Langfoss Waterfall- for $179 per person. This was an all-day excursion, and the price included coach transport, a fjord cruise with snacks, and lunch at a local farm. Our guide, Lila, was a delightful, hardy Norwegian woman with a lilting accent and a penchant for storytelling.

The Tour

Our bus ride took use through the quaint, quiet town of Haugesund to the Memorial of Harald Fairhair. This Viking was the first King of Norway, heralded with unifying the country and regarded as the “Father of Norway.” We drove over hills, past pastures speckled with grazing sheep and through tunnels until we reached the upper viewing area for Langfoss Waterfall. It was gorgeous and powerful, plunging 600 meters from the glacier to the fjord.

We took a boat ride through Akrafjord, sipping tea and coffee as we watched the idyllic scenery pass by. We got really close to the base of the waterfall, enjoying seeing it from a different perspective.

The highlight of the day was lunch at a local farm. The family warmly welcomed us into their home. They had a large screened-in porch set up for the 30 or so guests and had laid out a generous meal for us. Their salmon was smoked over Juniper and was delicious. We enjoyed trying the Norwegian specialty, brown cheese, or Brunost. This is a cheese made from whey and often goat’s milk which has a wonderful sweet, caramelly taste.

Geiranger

While the weather looked amazing as we cruised into the UNESCO World Heritage site, Geirangerfjord, the wind prevented us from going ashore at our most Northern port. We had booked a group tour to the summit of Mount Dalsnibba, but neither the floating walkway nor the tender boats could get us from the ship to the shore, so we had an extra sea day of scenic cruising. We still saw amazing scenery and enjoyed the day of leisure. The scenery was so unique in that you see lush green farmlands in the foreground, with rugged, snow-covered mountains in the close distance.

Olden

We had booked a 3-hour excursion through the cruise line for the port of Olden, Scenic Lake Stryn– for $124 per person. This included a gorgeous ride around the Nordfjord, through tunnels, and through pastoral countryside into the mountains. We stopped for snacks of pancakes with sour cream and jam at the Jostedalbreen National Park Center, where we saw an informative video on how glaciers shaped both the landscape of the country and the everyday life of the Norwegian people.

Olden is known as the “Gateway to the Glaciers.” Nordfjord (north fjord) is like a hand with 3 fingers. Olden is between the first two fingers. At the end of each finger is a part of the Jostedal mother glacier.

One option for great views at this port is the Loen skylift. This is a cable car that takes you over 1000 meters up the mountain for stunning views. We passed by this, and I don’t think it was open yet.

Norway is a really long country, and much of it is sparsely inhabited. This leaves so much wilderness to be explored. People in Norway love to hike, kayak, and do all sorts of outdoor activities. I think a land-based vacation here during the summer would be fantastic, or even a cross-country ski vacation in winter. Many adventures are to be had! Norway has a population of 5.3 million, and 85% Live in Oslo. The other 15% is split between Bergen and the rest of the country.

Stavanger

Stavanger was probably my favorite port on this cruise. The ship docked in the middle of this cute Norwegian town, so if you chose not to book an excursion, you could just walk off the ship and explore on your own. We chose to book excursions.

Vuong and I wanted to hike up to Pulpit Rock, but the parents would not enjoy this at all. We booked them on a short scenic boat ride through the fjord, the excursion was Lysefjord Cruise– for $110 per person which included snacks. Vuong and I signed up for the Pulpit Rock Adventure Hike for $154 per person. This included a “guide” and transportation to the trailhead. This did not include food (!!) which I thought was crazy and irresponsible for an 8+ hour excursion.

The parents enjoyed the fjord cruise but did not rave about it. The “scenic boat” is not-so-scenic if you don’t score a window seat! They had to sit in the middle row of seats and couldn’t see very well. They enjoyed the waffles, though!

Pulpit Rock

We had about a 1.5-hour drive to the trailhead at Preikestolen Fjellstue Mountain Lodge. You can stay here if you like!

Our guide was a young, energetic guy named Bjorn who was a full-time traveler when he was not leading tours and has been to every country on Earth! Jelly!! He told us nice stories and gave us good info on the drive to and from the trailhead, but we were left to our own devices for the hike itself. Now, Vuong and I were both training for a bodybuilding competition, so keeping up with our nutrition was critical. We took pouches of chicken and protein bars we brought from home, along with our water bottles.

You may recognize Pulpit Rock from one of the Mission Impossible movies. Check out this video.

The Hike

The hike was about 1.5 hours each way, and it was cool, rainy, and foggy. It was a gorgeous hike that led us through fairy forests, wetlands, and rocky, otherworldly landscapes over about 4-5 km (each way). It was a moderate hike, with some steep areas and some areas which required rock scrambling. Good, sturdy hiking shoes are a must, and it is helpful if they drain easily. We took our packable day packs, rain jackets, poofy coats, and beanies. When there was cloud cover and drizzle, it was quite cool… but when the sun peeked through, it warmed up quickly.

We made it to Pulpit Rock in 1.5 hours. The view is spectacular, or so I hear. We couldn’t see anything! So we took pix, had snacks, and turned around. It was mystical and magical, but no vertigo-inducing vistas for us!

We made it back to the trailhead with time to spare, so we had a bowl of Hiker’s Stew and two beers for around $49 at the lodge! Which reminds me… Norway is expensive! It is a nice, clean, prosperous country, and much of its wealth is due to oil. But the cost of living is high. This is a result of their “egalitarian social system” and high taxes. They receive a lot for their money, as education, healthcare, and transportation are government-subsidized. The unemployment rate is very low, and wages tend to be high. So, while the prices are high for tourists, they don’t really put a burden on the locals, since wages are proportional!

The Journey Home

We had one more sea day, then we had to leave our floating home. After 4 ports and numerous great experiences, it was time to go. If you want your luggage carried off for you, you have to put it out by 10:00 or 11:00 pm the night before. This means packing clothes and toiletries in your carry-on- anything you will need for that night or the morning.

Transfers

We had early afternoon flights home out of LHR, about an hour and 15 minutes away, so we got off the ship as early as possible. We had booked the Air 2 Sea program and thought everything would be handled and we would be whisked away to the airport. Instead, we picked up our luggage and walked outside. There was no passport control/immigration/customs. It was a madhouse outside! We thought we were leaving out of Terminal 3 but the agent manning the buses told us it was T5. Royal Caribbean did not give us information about the shuttles, and the concierge assured me everything was fine (and that T3 was our departure terminal). We trusted the guy with the manifest and got on the bus to T5.

Thankfully, everything worked out, but it caused me a good deal of stress. Consider this when deciding how to get back to the airport.

Flights

Overall, this was an amazing vacation, and Vuong and I were so happy to have been able to share this with our parents! Mom and I got really lucky on the flight home- I recently reached Executive Platinum with American Airlines and received 4 system-wide upgrades. I was able to use two of them to upgrade Mom and myself to business class on the flight back from LHR to PHL (they only had two seats, but Vuong got upgraded to premium economy). Imagine our surprise when we arrived at LHR to find we had been further upgraded to First Class!

I was giddy at being able to share this with Mom… it was a 777 with 4 rows of 4 seats in first class, which were enclosed lie-flat seats without doors. This must have been a refurbished or new plane because everything seemed very sleek and modern.

Our flight attendant, Paul, was the best I’d ever had! He was fun, attentive, and helpful, without pretension or aloofness. We received generous Elemis amenity kits and navy blue “sleep suits” by Temperley London. The food was plentiful and delicious!

Have you cruised the Norwegian Fjords or do you want to? What’s your favorite cruise line?

Stay tuned for another adventure in Africa! Next time, I’m going to tackle our trip to Uganda!