The 18th was a partial sea day as we headed towards our first port of Stavanger, losing an hour during the night.  It was an absolutely glorious day for May.  We were due to arrive for 2pm so had a very lazy morning after a delicious breakfast.  Jalapeño omelette was definitely my firm favourite.  Viking Sea sailed out as we slowed right down then we went to dock, turning right beside Saga Pearl II.  There was a very loud gull squaking which sounded like, "Muuuuuuuuuuuuum!  Muuuuuuuuuuum!"  After arrival, we went to the Morning Light Pub as we awaited everyone disembarking on tours or independently.  I had a delicious chocolate milkshake while my dad had the non-alcoholic Piña Colada.  The carpet replacement was coming along but a bit irritating those stairs were off limits during part of the day with no advance warning.  Afternoon tea was fun.  For a good 20 minutes, we were the only ones there and were treated like long lost friends by the crew.  A few others eventually trickled in and as we left, heard the Executive Chef ask if they had enough food.  Er....  

The weather really warmed up so we were overdressed when we headed out to see Saga Pearl II sail at 5pm.  The gangway was on our deck by the forward lifts so easy to get to.  My dad returned to the ship afterwards while I meandered to get photos of the ship. We're both crocked so limited what we can do.  Him with his legs and COPD and me with my hernias.  Dinner was good but we set sail during it so I dashed outside.  It was such a gorgeous night as the sun was setting.  Supper Club was German Sausage, which included chilli hotdog.  The Daily Times for the following day listed all British themed activities during Royal wedding day.  Fred have this theme anyway, but it made sense doing it on that day with many feeling patriotic.  Decorations were going up around the ship for the wedding so I snapped them when it was quiet before going to bed.

Bergen and we were arriving the same way she had led the four Freds in 2015 so two bridges to go under.  Once we'd passed Askøy, we went in for breakfast in the Grampian.  Despite not many in there, service was ridiculously slow if you wanted to order.  No one had come at all by the time Viking Sun was in view, having arrived the day before and sailing the following day, so I went out to snap her while my dad would hopefully give my order while I was gone.  We were docking for 8am and staying 12 hours.  The Hurtigruten vessel, Spitsbergen, was also there.  Breakfast had been ordered when I returned.  I'd seen the waiter with my dad through the window.  We got chatting to a lady from Birmingham whose first cruise it was.  She was travelling with her son who lived in Wales.  Since Orana had done the room, we had a nap and were awake in time to watch the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on BBC HD after I'd got a couple of drinks from the Morning Light and ordered room service for lunch.

I'd arranged to meet Rory Coase from Facebook at 2pm so only got off the ship for that since my hernias were giving me pain.  My dad decided to stay onboard and rest.  It was great to meet him at long last and I hope it's longer next time.  The Hurtigruten ship, Finnmarken, gave a few toots as she arrived.  By the time I returned, the tide had given us a bit of a view.  No afternoon tea in the buffet but a special Royal Tea Dance in the Neptune Lounge with grub in the Morning Light.  I photographed but after seeing the huge queue well before 3pm, we decided to skip it.  The Best of British Deck Party was pretty well attended, although most were there to enjoy the fabulous Bergen non-rain!  Most of the sings were after 1980 though so the older passengers had no idea what they were.  We went to the buffet at 6.30pm since we'd missed afternoon tea and my dad was getting as hooked on this cruise eating lark as much as the webcam and info channel.