Spirit of Discovery blog

Well it’s been a busy week or so here on Spirit of Discovery. We entered the port of Tilbury for a planned ‘mini-refit’ where we embarked some 150 contractors to assist in completing cosmetic uplifts (painting, carpet replacements, etc.) as well as some technical maintenance work.

The ship was full of whistling workmen combined with crew, all scurrying around taking the lead in keeping our ship looking tip-top. Aside from the daily admin-slog of a modern shipmaster, I took some important time wandering around in ‘supervisory Captain mode,’ attempting to find fault with various peoples’ workmanship. Fortunately, I found very little to criticise.

Looking fresh as new again, guests embarked on the 27th February for a voyage up into the Arctic Circle – the ‘Arctic Aurora’ cruise – where we would venture northwards in search of reindeer, husky dogs and Northern Lights.

Two days at sea – during which our guests were delighted by entertainment including jazz legend Jools Holland and his band – brought us into Alesund, a cracking little fishing town nestled in a protective nook on Norway’s west coast. The fjord is famous for cod fishing, and it was indeed littered with little boats dangling their lines and bait over the side in hope of luring these cold-water creatures one step closer to the fish & chip shop.

Safely alongside by 8am, guests either wandered off independently or chose one of our organised tours to somewhere further afield. I managed an hour or so off for lunch and so took a stroll up the four hundred and thirty-something steps to the top of a hill called Aksla, which provided a smashing panoramic view of the town and its surrounds. I even took a photograph as evidence of my climb.

Although blustery with sleet showers as we berthed the ship in the morning, thankfully the more threatening clouds had passed by breakfast time and we were blessed by a jolly nice day in the end.

Late afternoon came around and it was time to make tracks further northward, towards the Norwegian Lapland as it’s known. Our next stop, Tromso: Norway’s northern city.

Find out more about our exciting Cruises to Norway.

Kind Regards
Captain Kim Tanner