6 a.m. in the morning and approaching the pilot boarding ground, to embark our compulsory pilot. We had a long transit ahead of us, up the fjord towards Oslo, a 3½ hour journey. A glorious sunrise, (there are benefits of having to get up early) and it promises to be a glorious day.
Ahead of us, a DFDS ferry from Copenhagen is ‘ploughing the road’ and we match her speed as we head north.
We come to the ‘narrows’ a bottleneck of islands with a channel that weaves between them. Here lies a fort, guns facing south and it is here, on the 9th April 1940 that the Germans began their invasion of Norway. The fleet was let by a cruiser, the “Blucher”, the intention being to seize Oslo. The fleet was engaged by this ageing fort, (Oscarsborg), whose occupants were training coastal artillery servicemen, leading the Germans to disregard this motley bunch and their defensive value. However, unknown to the Germans, there was also a torpedo battery on the island, which would be used to great effect. The Fortress’s armaments worked, sinking the “Blucher” and forcing the Germans to retreat. The “Blucher” carried most of the troops and Gestapo intended to occupy Oslo and the loss gave enough time for the Royal family and government to escape. Oil from the “Blucher” still rises to the surface and we sailed through isolated spots on our way to Oslo. Between 650 and 800 Germans died during the sinking.
Onto lighter matters, onwards then continuing up the fjord and another ferry comes up from astern, the “Colour Magic”, she is in a hurry and, being an ‘old’ ferry man, I let him pass before we enter astern of her.
We enter the relatively narrow harbour, although it looks wide, there are reefs dotted around the area. We go to the Cruise terminal, a gorgeous spot, right under the Akershus Fortress and Castle, the guests were crowding the decks and gasping at the sight of it.
Into the harbour, this ‘house’ can be rented as a restaurant
Ahead of us, the berth
The Fortress
and our proximity to it
A jaunt on the hop-on bus and some lunch at a waterside restaurant, in my case, fresh mussels in a cream and wine sauce, marvellous.
The Opera house
Grand Hotel
Parliament building
The Nobel Peace House
Ships museum waterside
The cafes and restaurants
Finally, one of my amateur videos, however it will give you some idea of our fortunate berthing.
Just time to post this before sailing for Flam, arriving there the day after tomorrow. Famous for its scenery and magnificent fjords, it should present a wonderful photo opportunity!
Oh I loved seeing all your photos of Oslo, we sailed into here on the Eurodollar 8 years ago on our 50th wedding Anniversary. We really liked Norway, but then I like anywhere one of those Dam ships takes me.
Thanks for bringing back so many memories for us via your blog. I only wish I could go on a world cruise but right now, since last Nov. , I’m not permitted to travel for health reasons. Therefore I live vicariously through all the Hal cruise blogs.
We just debarked Eurodam in San Diego this morning. Approaching Point Loma last evening, a HAL ship with signature side by side funnels passed outbound, then turned west. Could not read the name. A crewman said “Amsterdam” and I assumed you were back in U.K. and she was starting her next cruise. Glad to receive this post. We spent a month in Scandinavia in 2005 so my wife could rediscover her Swedish roots. After a Norwegian Coastal voyage, we drove the coast road from Kirkenes back to Narvik. Breath taking scenery. We stopped at Nordkapp to photograph the midnight sun. So did the contents of 20, 50 seat tour busses in the parking lot. All of us were fogged out. We also transited Sweden on Juno, a canal boat via Gota Canal. She has been in continuous use for 100 years, except for both world wars.
Soo enjoyable. have been there,but tops is your trip now to Flam,nothing like the Fjords. Haven’t traveled the world but have done the fjords twice,I think for scenery ,it is my favorite.
If someone can not get there then do Alaska.
We cruised into Oslo 2 years ago and I remember my husband waking me up saying “I think the Captain made a wrong turn and we are in Switzerland”. It was our first visit to Norway and hopefully not our last. Thank you for sharing you beautiful pictures with us.
Nice report of your transit of the fjord and the photos Captain. Been to Oslo a few times on DAM ships, and will be there again on 3rd July on board Rotterdam and I hope we will berthed beside the fortress. Enjoy Flam.
Oslo is one of our favourite stops . The beauty of the passage to and from the city and docking at the Fort. We were there on the Eurodam a few years ago and on another ship prior to thta. Thanks for the good memories.
Spectacular, Captain! So glad you have such fine weather! Looking forward to the fjord pictures and narrative!