Is this how Noah’s Arc was filled?
Did land-bound animals simply sashay up to a vessel and hop on board willy-nilly? Was there some little-known Scandinavian marine law that gave resident goats the right to hop aboard passing kayaks?
These were the questions I asked myself as I steadied my kayak in the choppy waters at the edge of the Hardangerfjord in the interior of Norway – with a goat standing on the bow?
“You’ll meet all kinds of interesting passengers on your first cruise experience,” friends told me when I signed up for a Viking Homelands cruise that included stops in Scandinavia that had long been on my radar.
I just hadn’t expected fellow passengers to be four-legged.
A goat approaching our kayak
Getting up close (and somewhat comfortable) with goats during a shore excursion out of Eidfjord, Norway, was just one of the memorable moments during my first Viking cruise, which I was able to customize to suit my outdoorsy tastes – thanks to Viking’s innovative approach to shore excursions.
To some, I was a cruise virgin. Although I’d previously enjoyed a river cruise down the Danube with 181 passengers, this was my first time on what I considered to be “larger ship.” That being said, the Viking Star, which accommodates 930 passengers, is categorized as a “small ship.” My only hesitation: Would I be able to get my regular nature fix during the cruise?
Turns out that getting face time with nature – while indulging in the comforts of a luxury cruise – was easier than I expected.
There’s much about the Viking Star to entice any traveller, whether the sea-faring type or not: spacious staterooms; private verandas (ideal for morning coffee); top-deck pool with retractable roof; perfectly appointed Explorers’ lounge with books, telescopes and cozy reading nooks; excellent dining options such as Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant, The Chef’s Table, The Pool Bar (excellent sushi), and the buffet-style Restaurant, which caters to every imaginable diet restriction and food sensitivity. The onboard spa options, such as the icy cold Snow Grotto, looked pretty cool, too.
Spa on Viking Star
Snow Grotto on Viking Star
But it was the menu of Viking’s shore excursions that sealed the deal for me. I was able to choose a trio of outdoorsy outings: kayaking in a Norwegian fjord; cycling through Aalborg, Denmark, to visit a sparsely populated island known for its nature setting; and hiking 320 metres (1,050 feet) up Norway’s Mount Fløyen in Bergen.
Kayaking the Hardangerfjord in Norway
Kayaking in a fjord
Kayaking in a fjord, especially one that’s 860 metres (2,820 feet) deep in places, is not the same as river or lake kayaking. But our group of novice and seasoned kayakers – ranging in age of 41 to 75 – set out under the watchful eyes of two experienced guides, Michael and Axel.
We slid our kayaks into the water at the picturesque village of Eidfjord (population 920) to explore a stretch of the Hardangerfjord, which, at 179 kilometres (112 miles) long, is the fourth-longest fjord in the world.
Nature eye candy is bountiful in this region of Norway: forested mountain slopes, picturesque waterfalls, glaciers, and sheer rock faces abutting the fjord.
Kayaking in Eidfjord
Our group of paddlers was so fixated on the Hardangervidda alpine plateau that loomed high above us – and on Axel’s running monologue of Norse mythology– that we didn’t notice the herd of goats that greeted us when we reached the shore opposite Eidfjord. These were not shy goats. A few of us paddled close to the rock-strewn shore hoping to spot seals when one of the goats boldly tapped its hoof on the bow of the kayak – fully intent on coming aboard, which one of them succeeded in doing.
Cycling in Aalborg, Denmark
Cycling with fellow passengers
The easiest way to feel like a local in Denmark is to hop a bike, so I booked myself onto the “Ålborg Fjord by Bike” shore excursion, which started with a tour of the city’s popular highlights (the Aquavit Factory being one of them), but then headed to the outskirts of the city toward Vestre Fjord Park and through Fjordbyen, a hodgepodge of former fishing shacks in the eastern part of the city which is now home to assorted artists, nonconformist types, and artisans.
The highlight of the day was cycling to the ferry on the Limfjord to visit the tiny island of Egholm, which is home to 55 year-round residents. There’s little to do in Egholm (that’s its appeal) but soak up the ambiance and hunt for crab and starfish in the shallow beach. Shelters are available for enthusiasts who want to spend the night in a natural setting.
Biking in Egholm
Hiking Mount Floyen, Norway
By my reckoning (and rudimentary math skills), the veal scallopini and pannacotta I ate at Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant (probably the best dining options onboard the Viking Star) totaled about 900 calories. No worries. I burned them all off the following day when I hiked 320 meters (1,050 feet) up Mount Floyen in Bergen. It’s one of the most accessible hiking trails in Norway. I was able to hike to the top, spend time enjoying the views and return to the port on foot within three hours.
The steep switchback trails took me through lush green forests and stands of conifers swathed in morning mist and by moss-covered rocky slopes – and trolls. I was surprised when I reached the top and stumbled onto Trollskogen, a seemingly permanent outdoor gallery of trolls.
The real reward upon reaching the top? The breathtaking views of the fjord and mountains surrounding Bergen.
Stumbling onto Trollskogen
I lucked out with the perfect combination of nature, outdoor adventure and a good splash of luxury on my Viking Homeland cruise. That kind of holiday certainly floats my boat.
The author takes a pause while biking on Egholm Island
What’s appealing to the over-50 luxury traveler?
- Having the Viking staff coordinate my shore excursions was an added plus. Researching and booking a kayak outfitter in Eidfjord, Norway, for instance, and figuring out logistics of reaching the outfitter from the ship would have required my effort during my pre-trip planning. Ditto for the bicycle tour in Aalborg, Denmark: I walked off the ship, hopped on a bike and followed our local guide who had a nose for off-the-beaten-path sites.
- Being able to re-board the ship after an outdoor excursion and head directly to the spa for a pre-booked treatment was an added convenience as all shore excursions stuck to a schedule.
Take note
- Joining a physically-challenging group activity doesn’t mean everyone will be at the same level of fitness or ability. While participants in the kayaking and hiking groups were all at similar levels of ability, a few novice cyclists slowed things up during our bike ride. That’s the risk of group activities.
- The evening entertainment was a little uneven. The Beatles cover band rocked the boat one night. However, the much-anticipated ABBA night (we were in Scandinavia, after all) was a little disappointing. A handful of Muzak moments left me a little chagrined.
- While tuxedos and evening gowns are not part of the Viking dress code, certain restaurants, such as Manfredi’s, don’t allow guests in blue jeans. It was challenging to remember which eateries allowed or disallowed blue jeans.
- A few practical notes: I signed up for a mid-September cruise which meant some chilly and rainy weather. A couple shore excursions were cancelled due to rain, and de-boarding was delayed one morning because of choppy water. Coats were a must on most days. Consider a summer departure. Another consider: the Viking Star has no currency exchange on board. Try purchasing local currency in advance so you don’t waste time during your shore excursion. One last point: staff in The Restaurant, the self-serve buffet-style eatery, are very eager to clean the table. On three occasions I returned to my table to find my half-eaten dinner had disappeared. Leave a sweater or personal object on the table to indicate you’re not finished, or alert the server.
IF YOU GO
All photo credits: Doug O’Neill
Disclosure:
The writer was a guest of Viking Cruises who did not approve the editorial before publication.
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