This was where it all started. Mum and dad were excited about their first holiday after the covid pandemic. I don’t understand why they would choose to go on a ship…. surely that is where covid would spread, right? But what do I know? I’m only a bear.

So I decided to go with them. I was very worried because, as I mentioned in my first post, I did not have a passport. But as it happens everything went smoothly, and I got on board simply by keeping my head down inside mum’s bag. This cruise was on the MSC Virtuosa and was visiting Iceland and Norway.

03	Embark at Southampton
04	At sea
05	Greenock, Scotland
06	At sea
07	At sea
08	Isafjordur, Iceland
09	Reykjavik, Iceland
10	Reykjavik, Iceland
11	At sea
12	Ålesund, Norway
13	Måløy, Norway
14	Flåm, Norway
15	At sea
16	At sea
17	Disembark Southampton

Wait, what is that? Did you realise Greenock is in Iceland or Norway? Nope, neither did I. So it was really an “Iceland and Norway, with a bit of Scotland thrown in” cruise.

This is just after I got on board. I still wasn’t sure whether I should be there. Would they throw me off and leave me in Southampton to find my own way home? I think my mind was put at ease when Stewart came in to introduce himself. Stewart looks after the cabin and the passengers. He saw me and said “Ah, you brought your bear!” so I assume it is perfectly acceptable. I must admit I don’t know how the staff know who they are referring to because they all seem to be called Stewart. Even the ladies are called Stewart-ess. I suppose it makes remembering their name easier.

And then we were off. First port of call was Greenock. Just a leisurely walk around.

Then we were crossing the North Sea to Ålesund, Norway.

The following day we were in Måløy, and I decided to stay on board. I went out and sunned myself on the balcony while mum and dad went for a walk. Now, it wasn’t particularly hot. But I guess I shouldn’t have fallen asleep.

The next day was our final port of call, at Flåm, Norway. This is possibly one of the prettiest places I have been to so far. And it is incredible to believe that a ship the size of the Virtuosa could get so far inland. But the fjords are amazing. Flam itself is a little village, but is best known for the railway line which terminates there. This is very popular with the tourists. We didn’t go on it, but we heard so many people on the ship say how amazing it was that mum and dad have promised to take me back there some day. There is an interesting railway museum, and a waterfall you can walk to.

And that is it. My first cruise almost over. Time for an ice cream

Bye for now. Speak to you soon.