The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Charting a course for adventure tempered with style and luxury
Colette Wilson and her husband Murray enjoy a cruise taking in some of the treasures of the Norwegian coast
Ihave a confession to make – I have never been on a cruise and wasn’t sure what to expect, but plenty of friends and relatives rave about the experience, so when I was asked to join the P&O Cruise ship Ventura, I jumped at the chance of sailing to Norway, to witness the true magnificence of the fjords. The day came, and embarkation was a fine-tuned operation – within 10 minutes we were enjoying a buffet lunch in the Waterside restaurant.
Our cabin was much larger than I expected, with a large balcony area from which to marvel at the views. Add to this free luxury toiletries, soft white bathrobes placed on the queen-size bed, and complimentary champagne and chocolates – which went down a treat as we sat on the balcony. Then, with a blast from the ship’s horn, Ventura sailed out of Southampton. What could be better than this?
The evening meal in the Cinnamon was lovely, although the service a little haphazard. The extensive menu offers everything to satisfy your appetite. Breakfast the next day offers just as much.
Our first day at sea was a great opportunity to explore this gargantuan ship. I was struck by the sense of space and luxury, it was more like a floating city. With 14 decks and a crew of 1,205 to look after 3,078 passengers, there are 12 venues in which to dine, 11 places to socialise including four bars, duty-free shopping, a casino, a theatre which doubles as a cinema, four pools, a spa, library and even an art gallery.
A full programme of activities is published daily in The Horizon newsletter, which is delivered to your cabin the night before.
I was intrigued by the salsa dance lessons, and encouraged to take to the dance floor but, with two left feet this was going to get messy.
That evening we dined at the plush Sindhu restaurant, with its traditional red and dark wood decor. Mary, our waitress, was friendly and eager to explain the menu – an elegant fusion of Indian and British cuisine. She served us colourful dishes such as mint and chilli tiger prawns, then slow-cooked lamb with saffron, and for dessert, cardamon bread-and-butter pudding. I can still taste it now.
Tonight was also the Captain’s Gala Reception and everyone looked very elegant in their long gowns. I even persuaded my husband Murray to wear a bow tie – now that is progress.
Later we headed to the Arena Theatre for the onboard Headliners Theatre Company’s show, Magic Moments, the story and best-loved songs of Burt Bacharach. With various shows throughout the cruise, this was definitely one of my favourite venues.
And then – land ahoy! I woke to glorious sunshine and spectacular views of little white houses dotted on the hillside. We had arrived in Stavanger.
Accompanied by our guide, Catherine, the first stop was the Museum of Archaeology, which gave us an introduction to Rogaland’s prehistory with the help of antiquities and other archaeological finds from the Stone, Bronze and Viking Ages.
Next stop was the monument Swords in Rock. It was here that Harald Harfagre fought a battle that united Norway in AD 872 and, today, the monument represents peace, unity and freedom. A further stroll through Stavanger and I catch a glimpse of a tall eye-catching sculpture, nicknamed the Shrimp by locals, which overlooks the harbour and commemorates sailors lost at sea.
A short walk brought us to Gamle or Old Town, which comprises 250 wooden buildings from the turn of the 18th Century. The cobbled streets are lined with quaint, painted wooden houses. It was like walking into a living museum – today all the buildings are under a preservation order. In fact, a highlight of the cruise experience is time ashore. I was amazed at the huge variety of excursions available.
Back on board that evening, comedian Tucker had us in fits of laughter, and we also managed to catch the energetic performance of a Madonna tribute act in the Havanna bar – they had everyone on their feet, including me.
The following day the Ventura docked at Olden, and it was time to put on our walking boots and do what the Norwegians do – take a hike.
We ventured up Mt Hoven in the recently opened Loen Skylift, and a further walk up the steep hill is like a small workout.
At the top, however, we were rewarded with fantastic, panoramic views of the Norwegian fjord landscape. It was an awesome sight. As is the nature of the cruise experience, after an adventure ashore, you go back to the comfort of your ship, and dinner.
The Epicurean is the epitome of fine dining, positioned right at the back of the ship, high up on deck 17, a wonderful setting. If you like imaginative, creative cuisine then this is the restaurant for you. Every dish was outstanding, keeping the best till last – the creme brulee was a work of art.
Then came one of the highlights of the trip, a visit to Land of the Trolls, or Trollstigen. We set off along one of Norway’s most-travelled tourist roads, a masterpiece in engineering with dramatic scenery and views across the valley below. It was more like a scene from Lord of the Rings, with the descent down the 11 hairpin bends adding a joyride dimension.
A further drive brings us to The Troll Wall, Europe’s tallest vertical mountain. Once popular with base jumpers, after several fatal accidents, base jumping is prohibited.
Then it was time for a visit to the Trollstigen cafe for a traditional Norwegian buffet, with tasty salmon and all manner of vegetables.
Later, back at the ship, we headed to the Exchange Bar for a relaxing glass of wine while being entertained by the Glen Miller tribute band.
Our last excursion was Bergen, said to be the wettest place in Europe. It certainly lived up to its reputation.
We visited a small craft brewery, 7 Fjell, (“seven mountains brewery”) with TV wine connoisseur Olly Smith, who plays host along with Jens Eikeset, CEO of the brewery.
Olly and Jens’ passion for a tipple, infectious enthusiasm and boundless knowledge means they can answer the most complex questions as the tour took us down into the brewhouse.
Some beer tasting went down a treat, too. I particularly liked the blonde beer, very smooth and easy to drink.
Back at the ship, we enjoyed wine tasting and food pairing with Olly in the Glass House, with varieties of wine from all over the world.
Later we joined him for a foodie experience, discovering all manner of culinary delights.
He was a fantastic host, so knowledgeable and his personality so infectious.
Phew, what a cruise.
I am amazed at how much we managed to pack into just one week, and we were left with memories that will last a lifetime.
Oh, and I have another confession to make, I have already booked my next cruise.
Colette Wilson and her husband travelled as guests of P&O cruises. Norwegian Fjords, 7 nights, £759pp.
P&O Cruises is offering a 7-night cruise on Iona (G019) from £759 per person for an inside cabin. Departing September 5 2020, the price includes children’s club, full-board meals and entertainment on board.
Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call are Stavanger, Olden, Geiranger and Bergen. To book, visit.pocruises.com, call 03453 555 111 or visit your local travel agent.