Sunday 11 July 1999
All of us sleep one eye open that night and we wake up at noon. The weather is still nice and it’s fascinating to see the wake of the vessel that goes as far as the eye can reach. The number of ships passing by has fallen to a very few and the absence of the mainland, makes us feel like we’re on a cruise passing the Atlantic. The Titanic-movie runs through our minds - not for the last time on our journey.
Even though we also discuss the tragic shipwrecks of “Hans Hedtoft”, “Estonia” and “Scandinavian Star”, all with more than hundreds of casualties, we feel pretty safe onboard. At the showing of a movie about the Faeroe Islands and Iceland, the staff explained and demonstrated safety procedures, just like you see on an airplane. The vessel has a heli-deck and all safety drills are done in the cold water around Iceland. The staff seems pretty competent.
Outside, the feeling of coziness is present, as the sundeck is covered with passengers in deck chairs. However, they’re not stripped to the waist anymore as we slowly are facing colder climate. The temperature is menacing close to 12° C. Fortunately the Shetland Islands are situated right on our route to the Faeroe Islands and later that afternoon we pass the islands and are impressed. The small dots on the map are actually quite large in real and it takes us several hours from passing the most southern to the most northern island.
After today’s dinner we joins the “Viking Club” again. The mood this Sunday is a bit restrained. Those of the passengers who stops over in “Tórshavn” are wakened at 4:30 a.m. and has to leave the vessel at 6:00 a.m.
Our intentions was to grab a quick lager and turn to bed at 10:00 p.m., but the bar seems very interesting to us. At 10:00 p.m. the staff starts the “Casino Black Jack” on the dance floor. It’s a funny informal entertaining game for the passengers, and the good mood from yesterday is retained.
The compére, who was yesterdays “Captain Black Beard” in the children treasure hunt, draws cards together with the goddess of fortune, who happens to be the cash register girl from the duty-free shop.
The game gives us a good laugh and engages the passengers. Martin actually wins a present, some type of an eau de cologne, and we must admit that this trip serves both children and the adults very well with entertainment. Next year this vessel will be replaced with a modern larger type, with room to carry 1,000 cars and much more passengers.
It’s doubtful that this coziness and atmosphere could be retained in the future.