Beautiful Briksdal Glacier

My first cruise was more than a new experience; it was the exact opposite of everything I’d ever thought about cruises. No kids were running around, no waterslides, and no pool parties. Instead, there were first-class amenities, a butler to personalize every service option, a small mature crowd, inspirational excursions, and complete relaxation. 

Personalized Service on Silversea

Silversea provides a luxury experience catered to you. You can pack the day with excursions at every step of your journey, or you can never leave the ship and be pampered. You do what you want when the time is right for you. 

One of the reasons I booked with Silversea is because every room is a suite. About 95% of them have verandas and the rooms have an unparallel amount of space compared to other cruise lines. Every room also comes with a butler. 

Before embarking, I joked with friends that I wouldn’t know what to do with a butler. When the cruise ended a week and a half later, I didn’t know how I’d live without one until my next cruise! His service was world-class. By the second day, he knew everything I liked and anticipated my requests. Every detail of every amenity was taken care of whenever I stepped out of my room, even if it was only for five minutes.  

Cultural Immersion

I was immediately immersed in the destination's culture when I stepped off the Silver Moon for daily excursions. While the journey started and ended in Copenhagen, it was a cruise around Norway. After ten days, I understood why Norway is such a happy country and a great place to live. 

Unique Experiences

Olden was my favorite destination. I’ve seen the world but the beauty and nature I saw that day is unrivaled; extraordinary is an understatement. It was as if everything beautiful was centered in this tiny town and everything else disappeared. Mountains, fjords, and glaciers seem to shelter the 500-person town from the stress and worry of the outside world.  

I try to be active and took advantage of the renowned hiking trails in Olden. Standing about 3,300 feet over Lake Loen, the view was awe-inspiring. I could see the blue water sparkle from where I stood. And when I looked up, there were 360° panoramic views of snow-capped mountains. 

Later that day was a second hike to Briksdal Glacier. Briksdal is beautiful but the surrounding area is what I’ll always remember. Views of the mountains, lakes, whitewater rapids, and waterfalls were carved into my mind and will last a lifetime. 

If you don’t enjoy hiking, Silversea offers private helicopter rides. The half-hour tour is fully narrated; highlights include Briksdal, Myklebust, Brenndal Glaciers, the eastern part of the Nordfjord, and Lake Loen. 

The people of Norway are incredibly proud of how self-sustaining the country is and it’s evident in the area’s farm-to-table options. On Silversea, you can visit Aabrekk Farm. When you arrive, owner Signe and her son personally show you the property and what it’s like living or working on the farm. You’ll get the chance to pick potatoes and milk the goats. 

After visiting the farm, you’ll enjoy some of the current harvests. Signe explains how the food is prepared, stored, and cooked following ancient traditions. You will also learn how these traditions and recipes have been passed through the generations.

While I didn’t visit Aabrekk, I did experience a farm at another port. It was fascinating to learn what happens on them, how they operate, and what they produce. The berries are magnificent; some of the sweetest fruit I’ve ever eaten. It was also a chance to see and learn about traditional Norwegian costumes. 

Great Food

Back on board the ship, the food is top-notch. There are eight distinct restaurants. Some meals surpassed the quality of Michelin-rated restaurants where I live in New York City and others I’ve eaten across the world. My personal favorite was the strawberry pavlova dessert at Atlantide. 

The service at the restaurants is instinctive. One day during breakfast, a server overheard me mention how much I enjoyed the pavlova. That night, at dinner, a different server told me they could have a pavlova brought up from Atlantide.  

For me, another new experience was a S.A.L.T class. I do not cook. I’ve never known how to and have gotten by without that skill. But in an hour-long class of ten people, I learned to cook venison tenderloin with sautéed morels and red berries sauce. What still amazes me about the class is that I learned to cook a meal that actually tasted good! 

This cruise was a luxury experience that made me want to cruise again. This post is only about one day! The spectacular scenery, local and world-class culinary options, opportunities to learn about a culture, and personalized service exceeded expectations at every turn. 

Contact Me

This cruise was part of a three-week Scandinavian journey. I can help plan a similar trip for you. Every aspect of my service is personalized and customized for you. Let’s take your luxury experience to the next level.