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This adventure began months ago during our wedding planning. A pop-up for a brand new ship, the MSC Euribia featured prominently in our social media feed. It offered the perfect itinerary; embarking Denmark, my country of birth, then taking us up through the picturesque fjords of Norway, down to Germany and back to Denmark. It seemed like a perfect honeymoon getaway. But research quickly gave us pause as reviews of MSC were either very positive or dismal, the latter calling out a variety of deficiencies. We decided that, for seven days we could mitigate the bad (if it really was) so booked. Heads up, not only did our experience put us in the ‘very positive’ camp but quite frankly we attribute most of the negative comments to a combination of passenger attitude and unrealistic passenger expectations. First let me say, I’m not a fan of the MSC online site and trying to get clarification from their telephone Customer Service was like pulling teeth but if you simply trust the process it functions like a well oiled machine. For example, our documents came as a single package instead of multiple downloads as is required by other cruise lines. Check-in took only a few minutes, and with minimum crowds. Scheduling our dining was orchestrated, ahead of time, by our very attentive dining host/hostess. This was not intended to be a review of MSC or the Euribia but this has proved to be an experience all of its own, a grand experience. The cabbie taking us from Kastrup airport to the cruise terminal was initially confused by our request to be taken to the Oceankaj Cruise Terminal. After consulting Google he perked up at the 20 minute fare. That’s where the really big ships dock he would exclaim. At 183,500 tons the MSC Euribia is big, and yet her and the Titanic combined only match the size of Royal Caribbean’s big ships. The Euribia is a perfect size in our opinion. We dropped off our bags and proceeded to check in. A few minutes later we were walking up the gangway to deck 5 and our first drink of the day. After a day at sea we awoke to the peaceful hamlet of Hellesylt, Norway at the head of the Sunnylvsfjorden fjord, which is a branch at the end of the 110 km Storfjorden fjord. Helleysylt is a village out of a fairytale with its roaring waterfall dividing the town in half. Everything is a lush green even though its late September. There are mountains all around us, dwarfing the 19 deck Euribia. Fit joggers are seen running along the town’s path one minute and then halfway up the mountain a few minutes later. It’s an incredible sight, and a paradise in which to relax and be inspired. We didn’t get off the ship here thanks to a misunderstanding in offerings, so instead we took advantage of what this ship has to offer; hot tub and drinks anyone? Disappointingly we left Hellesylt after dark backtracking our passage through the fjord back to Alesund at its mouth. Alesund is best described as a model railway setting. All the buildings look like miniature creations all of the same architectural design thanks to a massive city wide fire in 1904. It’s raining as we board the tour boat for a trip back into the fjord but that’s no deterrent to an awesome experience. The waters edge is dotted with colorful communities, each looking like a miniature village set against a backdrop of mountains. Pictures do not do this setting justice. This is a place that must be experienced first hand. Flåm is next up and its a village out of a fairytale. We board the bus that is to take us to the starting point of our fjord tour. It meanders through mountain tunnels, one being 11 km long carved though solid rock, an engineering marvel. When we emerge we're at the embarkation point of the catamaran tour boat that will take us through the fjord back to Flåm. Hundreds of waterfalls stream down the steep slopes on both sides of the fjord, the source of all this water hidden among the peaks high above. We marvel at the spectacle all around us, and ponder the motives behind the homesteads built half way up these seemingly inaccessible mountain sides. The whole trip is mesmerizing. We come around a bend only to be blasted by a wind tunnel like breeze. It sends hair whipping straight back, jackets fluttering, and hands scrambling to secure loose items. Recovering from the initial shock we realize that the air is warm, tropical like, and with that the whole tour boat revel in this new and unexpected development. You never know what awaits. Since this cruise started and ended in Copenhagen, Denmark it would be appropriate to chat a bit about this beautiful country as well. Copenhagen is after all the home of Hans Christian Andersen's fairytales like The Little Mermaid. Denmark is also a country of over a hundred hidden trolls, thatched roofs, castles and fairytale villages. One of these villages is Ærøskøbing, on the small island of Ærø. It's narrow cobblestone streets, architecture from the 1600's, centuries old seafaring traditions, and quaint shops make it a must experience. A future more in depth visit is clearly in store.

Despite Mother Nature's effort to keep us imprisoned by her wintry grip, our Air Canada Rouge flight AC1656 took to the skies delayed only a few minutes for a necessary deicing. The green goop that is the deicing fluid streamed off the body and wings as we climb into the sky, a final reminder of the winter we were quickly leaving behind. Our destination is Tampa Bay, Florida from where we'll drive to Kissimmee, our base camp for Disney World for a few nights before boarding the cruise ship Norwegian Dawn. While Ann has been to Disney World three times previously, and I've been to Florida five times this was to be my first adventure to Disney World. This was our granddaughter's first visit and we wanted to experience it with her, through her eyes. Clad in matching t-shirt's, which is apparently the fashionable thing to do, we strolled through the gates. Let the adventure begin. The pre-arrival process has become unnecessarily complex, first having to buy tickets using an online system that only makes sense to its designers, then requiring you to go back in and hope the park you want, on the day you want is still available to be reserved. Further, to help facilitate the day each ride and restaurant needed be reserved, and all members in the group needed to be linked together in the Disney app. This upfront logistical challenge was painfully put together by Ann's daughter in-law for which we're very appreciative. The benefit: a whopping 17 rides, an amazing experience and very tired feet, that first day. Magic Kingdom lives up to its name as a truly magical wonderland for kids of all ages. Where else can you meet your favourite characters, fly with Dumbo, navigate the treacherous waterways on a Jungle Cruise, waltz on Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, zap aliens in Buzz Lightyear's Ranger Spin, and that's all before lunch. Speaking of which, eating in a '60s diner is in itself an experience. Its a day full of memories. Oh and lets not forget the end of day fireworks; incredible! Not to be outdone, Hollywood Studios is a must with its immersive Star Wars experiences. Where else can you participate in a high definition flight simulator experience that feels as if you're actually part of the crew on board the Millennium Falcon in Smugglers Run or on a prisoner transport escaping the clutches of the Empire in Rise of the Resistance. After a successful escape, drinks in Oga's Cantina seem appropriate. And when staying in Kissimmee why not stick with the Disney theme. Our AirBnB was quickly nicknamed the Star Wars house because the entrance way, living room and principle bedroom were all decked out with Star Wars memorabilia. The kitchen and dining room were Mickey Mouse. One bedroom immersed you in Fantasia, another was a page out of Brave while a third was cleverly done Up, surrounding its guests with balloons. The final room was a Sugar Rush. After several days of Disney fun we left the magic behind and shifted gears to find our ship, the Norwegian Dawn and 10 days of being pampered. The Dawn is a sister ship to the Star which I enjoyed in Iceland. She's 92,250 tons making her marginally bigger than the Star, and despite being refurbished 7 years earlier she appears to be old and weathered. Looking past that, she's a grand ship with a magnificent crew. We embarked with roughly 2,300 passengers, the average age of which was seemingly north of 70 which was somewhat unexpected. It was several days before we saw the first child First port of call was Key West, Florida and curiously our older ship was so long that the lines securing her to the pier were cast over the exit used by other boats to get in an out of the harbour. Stepping onto the pier the first thing that greets you is the melodic sound of steel drums. We chose to walk through this lush, laid back tropical paradise heading in the direction of the southern most point in the continental US. Along the way we were dis-hardened by the apparent low regard for the environment and climate change. Despite an abundance of sun we saw no solar panels, and except for our electric cab on the return trip cars were all conventional gas powered. We saw no recycling bins, and Walmart still packs groceries into an excessive number of "free" single use plastic bags. This wasn't intended to be a political statement but merely a surprising observation in light of the fact that this part of Florida will be the first submerged by rising sea levels. "Take a picture while you're still clean" they would advise, because we won't stay that way today. Today's port is the Dominican Republic and we're heading out on an off road dune buggy adventure. Helmets on, anti-mud masks in place, seatbelts tightened and loose items secured, we pop the clutch and join the convoy of buggies ahead. The trail was more like the aftermath of a world war II bombing run. The pot holes, all lurking below an innocent surface of muddy water all seemed to have rocky, uneven bottoms and sides which our buggy was happy to bounce over and around. Naturally the mud went flying everywhere. Fortunately the fender and mud guard combination did a good job at sparing me the onslaught. It wasn't until half way through the expedition I learned that the right side was missing said fender and mud guard. Ann was covered, but killing herself laughing. This was the most incredible excursion, well worth the onslaught and the looks we got boarding the ship, mud laden later that day. The next couple of days were more laid back, sun absorbing days. It was a little disappointing that our St Thomas mango grove kayaking experience was cancelled, but there's a variety of reasons why this happens (you're not in Kansas any more), so rather than get upset it's best to simply reflect upon the reason we're here, relax and enjoy the vacation, which is what we did. Curacao for example had five ships in port and an afternoon hike into Hato caves was rescheduled to accommodate the onslaught of tourists. The new time assignment was too early for us so we cancelled. Instead we met up with friends over iced coffee and yogurt parfait, explored the city, marveled at the Dutch designed floating swing bridge, and upon our return found a bar that we had previously noted promised the "best strawberry daiquiri’s in Curacao" so we had to validate that claim. Two to three daiquiri’s later, chatting with other cruisers and listening to the live entertainment we had spent an incredible afternoon ashore. Oh and the daiquiri’s did in fact live up to all the expectations. They were delicious. Despite it being an island in the tropical Caribbean, Aruba is actually a desert. With an annual rainfall around 450mm the primary vegetation is cacti. Our tour today was a landrover safari around the island. They call it that but its essentially just a pickup truck with bench seats in the back. Strapped in we zoomed around the roads and high speed round-about’s toward the coastal trails and the Natural Bridge. Fun fact; Aruba doesn't have any traffic lights to manage traffic flow, instead, intersections are simple round-about’s. Skirting the cliff’s edge Eduardo, our guide, aimed for every rock and pot-hole he could find. We arrive at the Natural Bridge, only to be told we’re too late as it’s collapsed and we'll have to settle for the “Son of a Bridge”. Guess Eduardo didn’t drive fast enough. Watching the awesome power of the waves crashing against the cliff carving into it with each assault was just incredible. The tour took us to the Alto Vista chapel, a remote outpost on the sea, a place of worship built by Spanish missionaries in 1750. Next on our stop was the lighthouse California, named in memory of the merchant ship SS California which hit the rocks off that dark spit of land in 1910. Have you ever fed a stingray? Today it's Grand Cayman and we've set sail on a catamaran heading for a sandbar frequented by stingray. The anchor is dropped and we step into the water to snorkel among these gentle creatures of the sea. A little further along where the water becomes shallower we step off the boat once again, this time to walk among them. As much as we try to give them space they swim right up against us, fearless, very much accustomed to the visitors hand feeding them. I hold a piece of squid under water and one comes close, wraps its tongue, which is on the underside of its body, around the squid delicacy and gently pulls it out of my hand; a magnificent close encounter! Later we drop anchor on Starfish Cove where we walk among the starfish, picking them up to get a closer look. There’s only a handful to enjoy today. Don’t lift them out of the water we’re cautioned, as the air bloats them, killing them. Good advice. We left today's experience with a memory of an incredible interaction with nature. At the same time, we as humans need be aware of the impact our interactions are having and ensure we take steps to safeguard the species which we've come to see in their natural environment. As with any vacation experience there are a number of adventures and excursions available, each one designed to enhance your vacation in a unique way. And as is the case with any cruise, you have limited time to explore so although there are many more excursions available the ones we’ve showcased here are the ones we chose. Based upon your own budget, interest and activity level you will want to choose the ones which are right for you so you too may be whisked away.

Less than a minute before the wheels of Iceland Air flight 604 touched the runway we still hadn't descended below the cloud cover and when we finally emerged the landscape that opened up below us was barren save for low arctic grasses stretching as far as the eye could see. I don't recall what I had expected but this was not it. This is Iceland, a country formed from molten rock, a country powered by the purest of glacial waters, a country rich in history, culture and folklore, a country of unprecedented beauty, a country rich by global standards, and a country of stark contrasts. Stepping out of the efficient and modern airport terminal and into the surrounding barrenness the absences of any sign of the modern city that is Reykjavik was overwhelming. How odd it seemed to locate the airport here. The hour long bus ride to the city transported us through endless fields of wastelands, wastelands upon closer examination proved to be layer upon layer of ancient lava flows laid down from eons old eruptions. Where enough dirt had collected arctic grasses had taken root and is now flourishing, full of life. One of the most magical experiences when cruising is that first glimpse of the ship as you turn that last corner bringing her into view. At 91,740 tons and boasting 14 decks the Norwegian Star was easily the largest of the three cruise ships in Reykjavik this day. Like all Norwegian Cruise Line ships the Star sports a gleaming white hull and artwork unique to that ship, in this case stars reflecting her name. As is normally the case, access to the staterooms is delayed until all the cleaning and sanitation is complete, and so I settled down on the pool deck, drink in hand, feeling home back on the water. Any repeat cruiser will tell you that the Sail Away is an event not to be missed. Having a pier side balcony offered a spectacular and memorable last look out over Reykjavik, while sharing stories with fellow passengers on neighbouring balconies. Everyone had the same thought; its great to be back at sea. Once clear of the port the Harbour Pilot handed control back over to our Captain and we set course for Greenland at full speed. Day two in the Captain's daily Update From the Bridge, he announced that "at least we're going the right way". Now most people thought this was in reference to the very dense fog but in actuality it was in reference to the previous cruise which never made it to Greenland but had to divert to Norway due to severe seas around the tip of Greenland. This is an important consideration when booking a cruise, as safety always comes first and weather can instantly force a change in the itinerary. Cruisers must be flexible. The Captain's second quote of the day was in response to our sailing at full speed despite the fog. We were about to cross the Iceberg Terminus, an imaginary line separating open sea and iceberg territory, and therefore be forced to proceed ahead at a dead slow speed. "We don't want a repeat of 1912" he would announce. After a morning of a slow dance through channels and around icebergs we finally arrived in Nanortalik, Greenland. The Star's thrusters then went to work keeping us on station, ready to shift our position should an iceberg wander too close. Nanortalik, which means Place of Polar Bears, is a community of about 1,100 people, isolated from other communities by the landscape. The only way in or out is by boat. The ship's 1,700 passengers invaded their world, a world of hardships, a world of poverty, a world where people are born, live and die ignorant of the rich lifestyle on board that gleaming Star in their harbour. The contrast in lifestyles was profound, and yet all the inhabitants seemed happy and content. The most amazing experience was seeing this contrast first hand, learning how they lived, learning about their culture and way of life. It was a gorgeous town nestled in a sea of low shrubs and wildflowers, punctuated by buildings here and there. The towns people, as curious about us as we were about them came out to watch the spectacle of the tourists. To me visiting places like this is not just some checklist item but an opportunity to be enriched by the experience of the visit. In this part of the world ice is a constant companion and not to be taken lightly. One significant ice floe passed across our bow and drifted into the wake of our starboard thruster causing it to spin and gyrate, putting on a show for several minutes before being released to continue on its way. Large ice floes taller than the ship risked clogging that meandering channel we zigzagged through earlier in the day, forcing us to cut our visit short or become entrapped. Sadly, the next port of call, Paamiut, was skipped. Mother nature clogged the port with ice making it too dangerous to approach. This is the reality of the region so when taking a cruise adaptability is key. We sailed north toward Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, and once again totally immersed in heavy fog, which would magically lift occasionally, just long enough that sea ice bigger than the ship would give us awe. The planned excursion in Nuuk was delayed due to mechanical issues with the tour boat. While a few outraged tourists chose the offered credit for the inconvenience those of us who waited it out were treated to a magnificent adventure up the 160 km Nuup Kangerlua fjord. Instead of a single tour boat the tour operator had arranged for a fleet of bright yellow water taxi's to take us on the excursion. Each taxi took turns riding the wake of another. The boats danced around icebergs getting us up close. At midpoint we paused to put a glacial waterfall into perspective before the high speed race back to the ship. Awesome. Leaving Greenland behind we were again immersed in fog slowing our passage down. Ice is not something to take lightly as the passengers of the Norwegian Sun, sister ship to the Star learned just a few weeks prior when their ship hit a small iceberg in Alaska. The slower passage south meant we had to forgo our first port of call in Iceland and head directly to Akureyri. Now the way to get to Akureyri is to head way north into the Greenland Sea crossing briefly into the Arctic Circle before heading south into the massive Eyjafjorour fjord. Since my excursion to the Arctic Circle had been cancelled due to technical issues I stayed up that night, glued to the ships monitor showing our passage, determined to see the moment we poked north of 66°33′49″. Ok that was just silly. With the the Star docked I took a stroll through town and came across a tour to Godafoss falls. Where I was expecting a scenic but quiet bus ride to the famous waterfall the tour guide regaled us with a never ending stream of folklore and facts that you never knew you wanted to learn. We learned the history of why there's only one breed of cow and horse on the island nation. We learned why schools have dormitories, why its a nation of sheep, how it became one of the riches countries in the world, why everyone can speak Icelandic, English and Danish, how Iceland will be the first zero emission country in the world, why trolls, elves and ghosts are an integral part of the culture, how they can grow tropical fruits and flowers, and of course the story of how Godafoss was named the waterfall of the gods. I need point out that Iceland is extremely proud of their waterfalls and for good reason; they're magnificent but to someone who lives a 30 minute walk from Niagara Falls, Godafoss with its horseshoe precipice and a third the height strikes me as a baby version of the real thing. Having said that, the shear volume of water that flows continuously over its face comes from glacial runoff and to me, that's mind boggling. Next up was Isafjordur and if you look really close through the mist you see a Viking God standing guard over the harbour greeting all visitors. Holland America's Zaandam arrived before us taking the only berth in town so we took up a position in the middle of the fjord and tendered to the pier. This is a beautifully walkable town with ones exploration starting along a hedge of roses, the scent, intoxicating. One quickly learns of the history of the well kept and colourful houses. Placards on the buildings proudly announce the year of each build, dating back to the mid 1800's. The day before disembarking in Reykjavik a short 38 km away the Fagradalsfjall volcano started it's eruption. Rather than being alarmed, Icelanders simply respond in a fashion not unlike a Canadian responding to a winter snowstorm; just acknowledge it, adjust any plans and get on with life. So I did the only sensible thing and ventured down into a volcano. Ok so the one I descended down into has been dormant for 4,000 years, I'm not that crazy. The trek there was described by the mountain guide as "mainly flat with a slight incline at the end". Half way there it became clear that the incline was actually a steep ascend to the top of a crater. A cage suspended at the end of a crane cable lowered us 40 stories down into the hollow of an old magma chamber. The colour patterns inside the the chamber are forged by the cooling process and are simply magnificent. Of course, no trip to Iceland would be complete without a tour of the Golden Circle. The first stop is at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO listed site and birth place of the Iceland commonwealth back in 930 AD. Here you can literally touch both the Eurasian tectonic plate and the North American tectonic plate at the same time. Although not quite as famous, further along we reach the original "old faithful". The word geyser stems from the Strokkur Geysir which spews steam 20 meters up every six to eight minutes. Gullfoss or waterfall of gold is a thunderous three tiered drop and a must see. It got its name because it has a golden hue when the light hits it at a certain angle. The return leg would not be complete without a stop at the mysterious Kerid Crater, mysterious because there's an ongoing debate over its creation. The day ended with a trip to Sky Lagoon, a Geo-thermally heated spa. Get the spa treatment! After opening up all the pours in the dry sauna you cool down in a refreshing rain room. This is followed by a full body salt rub (gritty) and a stint in the steam room where all the salt melts. A shower washes it all away leaving the skin silky smooth and exhilarated. This lagoon experience is a must, and the mojito from the swim-up bar is the icing on the cake. Skol! A visit to Iceland would not be complete without a comment or two about its capitol, Reykjavik. This is a modern, sophisticated, art loving, fun, inclusive, green city. From street signs advising you to watch for trolls, and traffic signs projecting smiley faces when you drive at the speed limit, to sculptures, art and stunning buildings this city has it all. The people are very friendly, happy and proud. Speaking of proud, Pride weekend saw the parade route not only painted with the rainbow colours but the street was power washed in advance of the parade and it seemed that the whole city came out to celebrate. Reykjavik has a fabulous electric scooter sharing program; you find a scooter, scan its QR code, and ride it to your destination where you sign off and simply leave the two wheeled wonder for the next person. Its fast, clean and very convenient for getting around. And then there's the food. One must absolutely taste the local cuisine, whether that be an Icelandic hot dog topped with fried onion, raw onion, honey mustard, an apple based ketchup, and remoulade sauce; or a hearty lamb and root vegetable soup; or any of the culinary creations in the local restaurants. In one establishment I ordered the fresh fish of the day, which turned out to be catfish. Never having had catfish I was full of anticipation. It was served in a black and white garlic sauce and was full of delicate flavour; delicious! Despite the Norwegian Star being an older ship, built in 2001 and refurbished in 2018, I loved cruising on her. It's smaller than the massive ships of today but relaxed, clean and has all the standard amenities, shows and restaurants that make Norwegian Cruise Line one of my favourite. The crew was committed to everyone having a great time, the food in the restaurants was incredible and the drinks were beautifully made. We sailed through pods of whales on numerous occasions. Icebergs made for a stunning experience. Sunsets on a cruise are unrivalled, and oh yes, I should point out that at this latitude dusk is around midnight and morning starts around 4:00 a.m. making for a very long day. It was truly a great experience and an incredible adventure not to be missed.

Sharing our travel experiences with a focus on destinations with a desire to inspire you to be whisked away as well. Whisked Away with Tamara and Ann A Travel Destination Blog Bucket List Destinations Perfect Places to Stay Our Trips Adventurous Excursions Fantastic Cruise Ships We Get Asked All The Time Must Bring Accessories

We Get Asked All The Time.... Still have questions? Ask us. WhiskedAwaywithTamaraandAnn@gmail.com To upgrade, or not upgrade; that is the question. Best Cruise Line? "We paid for the drink package, is it worth it?" Do I need a passport? Do I need to bring formal wear for dinner? Tipping expectations. --- coming soon Inside, Ocean View, Balcony, forward, aft.... which is best for me? --- coming soon Do I need to adhere to my Boarding Time? --- coming soon

Celebrity Beyond Tonnage: 141,420 Length: 1,072 feet Beam: 129 feet Decks: 21 Passengers: 3,937 Crew: 1,416 Ship Class: Edge Entered Service: 2022 Refurbished: NA We sailed on her in: 2025 Our comments: TBD See our trip: TBD NCL Escape Tonnage: 164,998 Length: 1,069 feet Beam: 136 feet Decks: 20 Passengers: 4,266 Crew: 1,733 Ship Class: Breakaway Entered Service: 2015 Refurbished: 2022 We sailed on her in: TBD Our comments: TBD See our trip: TBD NCL Star Tonnage: 91,740 Length: 965 feet Beam: 105.6 feet Decks: 15 Passengers: 2,348 Crew: 1,031 Ship class: Dawn Entered Service: 2001 Refurbished: 2021 We sailed on her in: 2022 Our comments: TBD See our trip: Iceland Crown Princess Tonnage: 113,561 Length: 952 feet Beam: 118 feet Decks: 18 Passengers: 3.080 Crew: 1,200 Ship class: Crown Entered Service: 2006 Refurbished: 2025 We sailed on her in: 2024 Our comments: TBD See our trip: TBD MSC Euribia Tonnage: 184,011 Length: 1,085 feet Beam: 141 feet Decks: 16 Passengers: 6,327 Crew: 1,711 Ship Class: Meraviglia-Plus Entered Service: 2023 Refurbished: NA We sailed on her in: 2023 Our comments: TBD See our trip: Norway NCL Gem Tonnage: 93,530 Length: 965 feet Beam: 125 feet Decks: 15 Passengers: 2,394 Crew: 1,070 Ship class: Jewel Entered Service: 2007 Refurbished: 2022 We sailed on her in: 2025 Our comments: NCL Gem See our trip: TBD NCL Dawn Tonnage: 92,250 Length: 965 feet Beam: 125 feet Decks: 15 Passengers: 2,340 Crew: 1,032 Ship class: Dawn Entered Service: 2002 Refurbished: 2021 We sailed on her in: 2022 Our comments: TBD See our trip: Florida