Iceland and Norway on the Oriana

After the excitement of being stranded in Reykjavik, the following day offered a more restful morning as we were not due to arrive at our next destination until lunchtime.

It was Sunday, and on Sundays when at sea there is an ecumenical church service conducted by the Captain or First Officer in the ship's theatre. The service consists of readings and hymns, including the obligatory Eternal Father Strong to Save and the traditional closing hymn for all British Registered Ships, God Save the Queen.

We then took an early lunch as the ship arrived at Akureyri, and again anchored out with a short trip to shore by tender but this time in much calmer conditions. It was a lovely sunny and warm day. Akureyri is the most northerly town in Iceland. We had booked a tour to see Namaskard, one of Iceland's most volcanic areas, with boiling mud pools, sulphur wells and hot springs. Here it was important to walk around on the designated pathways as most of the earth's crust is scarcely thicker than an eggshell and it would certainly not do to fall through!

By the time we had returned, passing through beautiful mountain scenery, the ship was once again due to depart. In our absence a berth had become vacant and Oriana was tied up alongside so we were able to get straight on board, and we then set sail for Norway. Being this close to the Arctic Circle the night time was in continuous daylight ™ The Midnight Sun ™ which just dipped down towards the horizon and then started to rise again.

The next day was at sea, and a chance to enjoy the many facilities on board. So what is life like on board a large cruise ship? Well, Oriana is a very large ship, with over 1,800 passengers and 800 crew it is like a floating town. So, first let's take a guided tour.

Starting at the bottom and working up, the lowest two decks below the waterline house engines and stores and are not areas where passengers or even most of the crew ever go. The electric power required to drive the propellers and supply the ship is similar to that consumed by a city the size of Oxford. It's a case of inches rather than miles to the gallon, fuel is in fact measured in tons.

Deck three is at the waterline, and is exclusively for the crew. Passengers only venture to this level if boarding one of the tender boats to go ashore. Deck four is also reserved for the crew, and the only passenger facility is one to avoid, namely the medical centre, something of a cross between a doctor's surgery and a small hospital.

The first passenger deck is No 5, at which level passengers normally board the ship, and where the reception desk is located at the ground floor level of the impressive Atrium, towering up four floors to a Tiffany glass roof, from where a spectacular waterfall cascades down behind sweeping staircases. Going up these stairs to Deck 6, the Atrium area has two shops, a general store for everyday items, and Knightsbridge which offers clothes and gifts at affordable prices. Also on this level are the two main restaurants, separated by the galley, an operation of military precision preparing around 5,000 or more meals every day.

Up to deck 7, where in the Atrium is the other on-board shop, Mayfair, which stocks expensive designer clothes, perfumes and jewellery. This is the promenade deck, outside is a teak deck completely surrounding the ship, ideal for walking down all the food. Just over three circuits around the promenade deck equal one mile.

From the Atrium going forward on this level is the Theatre Royal, complete with stage, west end style lighting, sound and special effects. Going the other way (aft) is the Casino, then Andersons, which is a bar in the style of a club with panelled walls, deep sofas and comfy chairs. It is named after one of the founders of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. Beyond Andersons is Harlequins, the discotheque where there is often a live band playing during the evening followed by a disco into the early hours. Then a room full of slot machines followed by Lord's Tavern, a traditional British Pub themed on cricket with lots of cricket memorabilia but a place we usually avoid as it gets very smoky. Finally, to the aft of the ship is the Pacific Lounge, the show lounge where during the evenings there will be cabaret shows and dancing to a live band.

The Atrium area on Deck 8 is under the Tiffany glass roof, so the bar here is called Tiffany's and offers speciality coffees and Belgian chocolates. It is also an optional eating venue during the day, with continental breakfast available in the morning, and filled baguettes and rolls available for lunch. Next on this deck is the Curzon Room, the centrepiece of which is a Grand Piano under a spectacular chandelier; this is a lounge often the venue for classical concerts. Beyond this is Crichtons, used for cards and games during the day, and the late night quiz in the evening. Also near here is the library and a quiet reading room alongside. There then follows the Chaplins Cinema and finally the children's area, where there are rooms for three different age groups and an outside pool.

The next three decks are all passenger accommodation, so to Deck 12 which is on the top of the ship and has the outside Terrace Bar at the aft, next to the Conservatory buffet restaurant, then two pools, and the Spa, Gymnasium and Al Fresco Pizzeria, which is open 24 hours serving light meals appropriate to the time of day. Finally, on Deck 13 there is the Crows Nest, a large bar lounge at the front of the ship with panoramic windows overlooking the sea. Also here is the Medina Room, a quiet room available for private functions, and the Cyberstudy where there are banks of computers connected to the Internet. Outside there are football, cricket and tennis nets, and areas for various shipboard games such as Shuffleboard and Deck Quoits.

So what is a day like spent at sea? Well, it really depends what you want to do, and how energetic you want to be. The day starts with a wake up call from the room Steward, delivering orange juice, pots of coffee and biscuits. There is a buffet breakfast with a wide hot and cold selection in the Conservatory Restaurant, but the more civilised breakfast is in the main restaurant with Waiter service, where again the menu offers a wide choice including the full P&O cooked breakfast, and also "specials" such as gammon, minute steak, eggs Benedict, which change each day.

After breakfast some of us attended the Port Lecture, a presentation with slides on the forthcoming ports of Eidfjord and Stavanger, held in the Chaplins Cinema. Norman headed for the gym and several miles pedalling on one of the exercise bikes. Bill headed for the Deck Quoits competition. Morning coffee is served from 10.30.am and soon after that it is lunchtime, which is waiter service from a menu with three courses including lighter options in the main restaurant, buffet style in the Conservatory, pizza, salad and baked potatoes in the Pizzeria or baguettes at Tiffanys. During the afternoon there are lectures, deck games and competitions, an Art Auction, Dancing classes, and Bingo, or just taking it easy with a drink or two watching the sea go by. At around 4.pm it's Afternoon Tea, with formal service in the restaurant by Waiters with white gloves offering tea and scones with jam and cream, and cake stands on the tables with dainty sandwiches and cakes. The same is also available more informally in the Conservatory restaurant.

Soon after afternoon tea it is time to be getting ready for the evening. Dinner in the main restaurants is in two sittings, at 6.30.pm or 8.30.pm. We opt for the earlier sitting, so by around 6.pm will be heading towards one of the bars for a pre-dinner drink. For dinner, the same table is reserved for you throughout the cruise. There's not too much danger of ending up starving hungry. The dinner menu consists of a choice of starters, next a soup course (and / or a fish course can be selected), then choice of main course followed by a sweet, cheese and biscuits, coffee, mints and fruit.

After dinner, we would head for the entertainment, usually in the Theatre, often followed by cabaret in the show lounge or perhaps a performance by the classical pianist. Other attractions include dance music, live music in some of the bars, the late night quiz, or just a quiet drink away from all the other activity.

By 11.15.pm the Midnight snacks are served in the Conservatory, sandwiches, cakes, a hot selection and drinking chocolate or horlicks. This is just in case anyone is still hungry, but anyway if you miss out on this, food continues to be available throughout the night in the 24 hour Pizzeria restaurant. Actually, it probably gets quite busy here at around 3.am when the disco finally closes, but none of us have ever been around at that time to find out.

Well, I thought it might be interesting to know a bit about the cruising experience. Next time we will be on the second week of the holiday cruising down the coast of Norway, and starting at Trondheim, the Regional Capital of northern Norway, a surprisingly large and interesting City.

John Johnson