Day 13 - Skagen, Denmark

Day 13 – Friday 12^th September 2014 – Skagen, Denmark

This was Queen Victoria’ s first visit to Skagen, we anchored off the port at 08.00 and you could not see anything, we were in thick fog.

The Bridge team were reassuring everyone all would be fine for those who were booked on shore excursions, and the weather forecasts would be in their favour.  The sun got to work on the fog and by 10.30 it had lifted to reveal the port and all of the other ships here at anchor.

Skagen

Lighthouse

Skagen in North Jutland is Denmark’s northernmost town perched on the very tip of the peninsular. 

It is the largest fishing port in Denmark and the town welcomes two million visitors every year, to its broad sandy beaches, bustling harbour, marina and the town’s old quarter, lined by yellow fishermen’s cottages, topped with red roofs and whitewashed edging

Lifeboat/Tender

At 10.30 the four ship’s tenders set off for the shore with many excited guests aboard, on yet another warm sunny day. 

Previously, I had been to Skagen about ten years ago, spent a few days here, seen the town, harbour and walked the beach to the lighthouse.

With the time ashore being curtailed by the fog, I decided along with quite a few others to spend the day on board.

Lunch in the Britannia Restaurant consisted of spinach cake, korma, followed by ice cream.  After which, allowed me to take advantage of the less people on board, a sleep in a lounger on deck 10 in the warm sunshine.

  

Awake for high tea in the Queen’s Room which is from 15.30 to 16.30.

This is a wonderful affair with waiters in White Star uniform pouring tea into china cups, bringing around trays full of cakes, sandwiches, scones with cream and jam.  It gives a comfy feeling of being pampered and looked after, whenever possible, this occasion not to be missed

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We weighed anchor and left Skagen at 17.00, rounded the top of Denmark through the Kattegat, (sea area between Denmark and Norway) and back into the North Sea heading south.

The last formal night and Captain’s cocktail party in the Queen’s Room, all very tasteful while saying goodbye to the crew who we had met on this wonderful cruise.

Dinner was another wonderful meal, listening to our other table guests relating their trip ashore in the tenders.

After dinner, went along to the theatre to be entertained by a juggler, Pete Matthews, who turned out to be really funny with a great show.

In the Queen’s Room Ballroom it was the Royal Ascot Ball.  There was a performance from the on board dance couple, who gave the dancing lessons, Volodymyr and Nadiya, plus some of the dancers from the theatre, all very elegant.

Parade of Hats

The parade of hats from the guests was the highlight; the best one was a Japanese Lady with a creation in the shape of the ship, with embroidered QV on the side.

Finished off the night in the Café Carinthia, with two of our table guest Mike and Jill, this brought to an end which was supposed to be a quiet day on board, but that does not happen, when you are cruising.