July 27 – Embarkation Day
Check-in for the Seabourn Venture was moved to the Clarion Edge Hotel and was open at 1000. We arrived at 1030 and were cleared to go into the holding area awaiting shuttle busses to the ship, which was only about 300 yards away, but due to security at the dock, we were required to ride the shuttles. The room gradually filled, there were 15 tables with room for 8 at each table. Champagne was served, and there was also coffee and fruit. There was access to restrooms, which became important when Seabourn announced a delay in starting the shuttle service. The shuttles were taken table by table and we were on the 10th table. We did not get onto the ship until after 1500, a wait of 4 ½ hours. By then, it was a mad rush to get something to eat, go to the mandatory zodiac safety briefings and watch the mandatory ship safety video. The room TV was locked until you had completely finished the video. Our parkas were also not in the room as promised, so we had to go to another area before departure and get fitted for them.
Our stateroom is large, for wheelchair access, but has some limitations in the number of chairs, no dining table and also a number of inoperative wall outlets.
Seabourn Venture departed on schedule at 1700 and we had just time to go to the “sailaway” celebration in the Constellation Lounge on deck 9, followed by an Expedition Team briefing at 1830.
Dinner service begins at 1900 and we met Brenda and Brian in the main Restaurant where we enjoyed a good meal before calling it a night and retiring to our suite. We were too tired to even tour the ship, which appears to be beautiful.
July 28
The ship rolled a little all night, and when we got up at 0530 we saw why. The seas were on our beam at 12+ foot swells and 6 foot wind chop on top of the swell. The stop at Storestoppen Island was cancelled after zodiacs were launched and it was determined that it was not safe for passenger operations. The ship proceeded to Hornvika, where once again the seas were too rough, so some of the shore excursions were cancelled.
After several hours rolling motionless off Hornvika the ship headed to Scarsvag, where the Zodiacs were finally launched and Miriam and I headed ashore for a included excursion to North Cape. The weather was pretty gruesome as we approached Nordkapp by bus, with winds to 30 knots and rain, heavy at times. Since we had been there before, we just waited in the tourist center until we could re-board the bus for the return to Scarsvag and the ship. By the time we returned, it was nearly time for dinner, so we changed and headed quickly down. Dinner was not all that good, with overcooked lamb and undercooked fish, but it is very early on a new ship with a new crew.
The internet is still not working, very frustrating, but at least they finally fixed the power outlets in the suite. We still have no table for room service, and they have no plan for addressing the problem, again, very frustrating.
We knew there would be teething problems on a new ship, We understand they have an issue with the stabilizers and the thrusters, which could explain why the ship is moving around so much. We are currently sort of circling around North Cape, not yet headed to Bear Island and Svalbard, no explanation given.
July 29, 2022 – At Sea
Today is a “sea day” and sometime after midnight the ship left the North Cape area and headed to Bear Island. This distance is not far, so the ship was only doing 7-9 knots, with no stabilizers. We now know that the stabilizers retract a slow speeds. The weather ranged from overcast to fog and the seas were about 2 meters at 7 seconds on average. Winds persisted at 15-20 knots. Tonight was the Captain’s reception and the first “formal” night.
July 30, 2022 – Bear Island
Seabourn Venture arrived at a small protected bay on the southeast tip of Bear Island or Bjornoya Island. We arrived in fog, which persisted for most of the day, with some clearing at times. The island is about halfway between Nordkapp and Svalbard, in the middle of the Barents Sea. The island was “discovered” and named by by a Dutch Explorer Willem Barentz in 1596. The name came from an encounter with a solo Polar Bear involved in a dramatic fight between Barentz’s team and the bear; the bear lost.
Patrick was on the first kayak excursion at 0715, and then on an 1100 zodiac tour. Bear Island has large bird colonies on the cliffs, with puffins, kittiwakes, fulmars, guillemots, gannets and even some northern skuas. The southern cliffs are pieced by many caves and arches created by the severe weather pounding against the limestone.
Puffins from kayak
Inside one of the sea caves at Bear Island
Seabourn Venture at anchor Bear Island
After recovering the zodiacs, about 1430 Seabourn Venture continued on to Svalbard. Immediately we were back into a thin layer of fog.
