Caribbean Cruise

Dear Mick,

Some years ago I was in Oslo harbour at a time when the Cunard Liner QE2 was tied up there on a short tour round Europe, and which ended in a Caribean Cruise. I am sure that sure a trip round would be great and you would not have to get off in US if you did not want to. I think that a port in US was on the itinary, but there is no need to get off as there is more than enough to do on the ship if that is what you want to do. Probably Fort Lauderdale, but not sure...

In fact she used to dock at Oslo quite a lot in those days prior to crossing the Atlantic to the Caribean. Perhaps you could stay in Oslo for a couple of days, taking in the Arkerhus [ancient quayside castle, and home of the Resistance Museum], the Framship [furthest north and south of any ship, and the basis of Polar journeys by Nansen and Amundsen], the Viking Ships and Folk Museum [Stave Churches etc], Kon Tiki [Thor Heyerdahl's Pacific journey on a Balsawood raft!], even the Munch Museum [to see how much more than the various versions of "The Scream" he actually worked on, including the scenery for the original production of Ibsen's Peer Gynt with the Music of Greig etc], and a good concert with the Philharmonic, and then catch the crossing? Worth investigating, anyway. It is extra-ordinary because you can walk right down to the quayside in Oslo harbour, though no longer actually down to the very ships, and the whole place is very compact. You can walk from the quay to the concert hall in less than five minute. Perhaps ten to the Nationtheatre. Babette's is one of the very best restaurants in Oslo in Fritjof Nansens Square [by the back view of the Town Hall] even closer to the quay, and I had a coffee there immediately after seeing the QE2. I left my hat there, without realising the significance of the place! A waitress ran up the street after me to return it! You would enjoy Oslo as a port of departure I am sure. The new Airport [at Gardemoen] is a very nice train ride from Oslo Centralstation, so perhaps you could fly and catch the boat tht way. Good hotels as well, but naturally, staying with familly, I have never been in any!

My late Uncle died just before he was to make this exact trip, though he was planning to drop off there as he had a house on Kat Key [Cat Cay? spelling?]. I still plan to visit there myself one day and see my Aunt, who spends eleven months a year there, albeit as a tax exile! Some people have all the luck!!

I was quite sad as I had not taken my camera out, and the ship was longer than the quay! What a sight! Oslo is a beautiful backdrop for such a ship!

Kindest regards from Fredrik

Here is one for starters
P&O

P&O do cruises around the Caribbean without starting out from the US - I suggest you grope around the P&O website starting from the home page of the above web site.