1 August 2011 - 11:03pm

Aurora Cruise

P&O Cruises Aurora visiting the Fjords from 24th to 31st July 2011.

Stavanger, Norway (26th July). Docked at the Strandkajen Berth. We went on the 'Tropical Flora of Norway' tour provided by P&O Cruises. This involved a boat trip through Gandsfjord and a visit to the Flor and Fjære Garden.

Olden, Norway (27th July). Docked at the Olden Cruise Pier. We went on the 'Briksdal Glacier by Troll Car' tour provided by P&O Cruises. This involved a coach trip to the glacier, a troll car ride and short walk to the bottom of the glacier, and a scenic view back to the ship at its berth.

Flaam, Norway (28th July). Anchored away from berth. We went on the 'Flåm Railway and Vatnahalsen' tour provided by P&O Cruises. This involved a railway trip on the Flåmsbana with a brief photo opportunity at Kjosfossen Waterfall (a 305ft cascading waterfall) approximately 16km away from Flaam, a stop at the Myrdal Station at the Vatnahalsen Hotel for waffles snd tea/coffee, and the return journey on the railway back to the ship.

Bergen, Norway (29th July). Docked at the Dokkesfjord Berth. We went on the 'The Beauty of Hardangerfjord' tour provided by P&O Cruises. This involved a coach trip and Hatvik Ferry Ride to Holdhus Old Church, then on to the village of Øystese (80km from Bergen) with a stop at Hardangerfjord Hotel for lunch, a visit to the Steinsdalfossen Waterfall (60km from Bergen), and return journey to the ship at its berth.

P&O Cruises is a British-American owned cruise line, based in Southampton, England, and operated by Carnival UK. P&O Cruises currently operates several cruise ships.

Aurora was launched in 2000, is 76,152 tons, and 270m long. She can hold up to a maximum of 1,850 passengers, and 750 crew. Her maximum speed is 24 knots.

Café Bordeaux, the Marco Pierre White restaurant on board Aurora.
Lalique-inspired waterfall in Aurora's atrium.
Anderson's the champagne bar.
Champions the ship 'pub'.
The Medina restaurant.
The Aurora taken from a tour boat in cloudy Stavanger through Gandsfjord. The 'Tropical Flora of Norway' tour.
Flor and Fjære Garden on the island of Sør-Hidle, Stavanger. The 'Tropical Flora of Norway' tour.
Flor and Fjære Garden on the island of Sør-Hidle, Stavanger. The 'Tropical Flora of Norway' tour.
Flor and Fjære Garden on the island of Sør-Hidle, Stavanger. The 'Tropical Flora of Norway' tour.
Flor and Fjære Garden on the island of Sør-Hidle, Stavanger. The 'Tropical Flora of Norway' tour.
Flor and Fjære Garden on the island of Sør-Hidle, Stavanger. The 'Tropical Flora of Norway' tour.
Flor and Fjære Garden on the island of Sør-Hidle, Stavanger. The 'Tropical Flora of Norway' tour.
Flor and Fjære Garden on the island of Sør-Hidle, Stavanger. The 'Tropical Flora of Norway' tour.
Flor and Fjære Garden on the island of Sør-Hidle, Stavanger. The 'Tropical Flora of Norway' tour.
Aurora at the Strandkajen berth in Stavanger.
A rain-soaked Lacecap Hydrangea from a front garden in Stavanager.
A misty morning in Olden from the back of the Aurora.
A beautiful home in Olden.
Scenery in Olden. The 'Briksdal Glacier by Troll Car' tour.
Scenery at the Briksdal Glacier, Olden, forming part of the Jostedal Glacier National Park.
Briksdal Glacier, Olden, forming part of the Jostedal Glacier National Park.
Glacial ice at Briksdal Glacier. The 'Briksdal Glacier by Troll Car' tour.
Tourist stones at Briksdal Glacier. The rumour goes if you build stones on top of one another in Norway, you will return there.
Rafting at the Briksdal Glacier, Olden, forming part of the Jostedal Glacier National Park.
The jagged ice of the Briksdal Glacier, Olden, forming part of the Jostedal Glacier National Park.
Scenery at the Briksdal Glacier, Olden, forming part of the Jostedal Glacier National Park.
Scenery at the Briksdal Glacier, Olden, forming part of the Jostedal Glacier National Park.
Visitors getting wet from the waterfall at the Briksdal Glacier, Olden, forming part of the Jostedal Glacier National Park.
Olden. The 'Briksdal Glacier by Troll Car' tour.
A view of Melkevoll Glacier, another tongue/arm from the Jostedal Glacier in Olden.
A view of Melkevoll Glacier, another tongue/arm from the Jostedal Glacier in Olden.
Olden Lake. The 'Briksdal Glacier by Troll Car' tour.
Aurora at the berth at Olden Cruise Pier.
A misty morning at Flaam anchored away from the berth.
Kjosfossen Waterfall (305ft cascade), approx 16km from Flaam on the Flåmsbana (Flam Railway).
Flaam. The 'Flam Railway and Vatnahalsen' tour.
The back of the Aurora in Flaam.
The back of the Aurora in Flaam.
Cocktails on Aurora in Flaam.
Leaving Flaam.
Øystese, 80km from Bergen. The 'Beauty of Hardangerfjord' tour.
A well travelled motorbike in Øystese, 80km from Bergen, The 'Beauty of Hardangerfjord' tour.
Øystese, 80km from Bergen. The 'Beauty of Hardangerfjord' tour.
Just managed to capture this grass-insulated house leaving Øystese whilst racing past in a coach on the way back to Bergen.
Steinsdalsfossen waterfall, 60km from Bergen.
The back of the Steinsdalsfossen waterfall, 60km from Bergen.
The back of the Steinsdalsfossen waterfall, 60km from Bergen.
The side of the Steinsdalsfossen waterfall, 60km from Bergen.
Sunset on the last evening aboard Aurora.
Sunset on the last evening aboard Aurora.