Arctic Circle

In the mid-afternoon many of our fellow cruisers lined up around the pool at the aft of the ship, while the crew dumped ice into the water. Those present and willing to jump in would be inducted into the order of the Blue Nose. This ceremony is available to those who venture north into the Arctic Circle. Our boat will take us there for 15 minutes tonight as we navigate our way to Akureyri. We will cross the line briefly again tomorrow night as we leave the fjord on our way to Isafjordur, our port the following day.  We weren’t at all tempted to be inducted.

Just earlier we had a nice brunch with a group of four men (two couples) from Denver and a couple from Boston. We did the obvious, exchanged travel stories and tips. We rarely go to the dining room, but when we do we tend to sign up for a group table where we have the opportunity to get to know some of our fellow cruisers. Often this means a shorter wait to get seated, but it also means that service is much slower. We didn’t mind because our table companions were delightful. 

This afternoon Mom and I made a couple laps around the Promenade deck. It was cold and windy, the sun was out and there was fog hanging low above the water, but not obscuring the sky. It was an impromptu decision to go for a walk and we were under prepared, without coats or hats. Thus, we made it around only twice. 

This morning we went to an informal presentation with Daniel the cruise director, who introduced and then briefly interviewed the Staff Captain and security officer. Daniel has an entertaining, slightly mischievous style, light joshing himself and other members of the crew. We were told by one of our lunch companions that his cooking demonstration was hilarious. At a late afternoon presentation he gave us some basic information about tomorrow’s port, including some potential things to do. He said that there was a spa place where you could spend 14,000 kroner to bathe in warm beer. Apparently it is good for the skin. After bathing you’re not supposed to wash off to continue to benefit. Daniel suggested that one could take a taxi there, but you could have some trouble getting someone to take you home.  

Daniel, our cruise director, introducing Elliot Finkle, a concert pianist.