June 17, 2017

   This morning around 5:15 a.m., in the fine rain, the ship sailed across the Arctic Circle at latitude 66.33 degrees north.  This imaginary line circling the northern tip of the earth indicates

the southernmost point where the sun can be seen above the horizon on the Summer solstice all day long. The Arctic Circle is not an unvarying “line” like the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

   We are now in the “Land of the Midnight Sun”; from late May through mid-July the sun stays above the horizon. The Northern Lights are not visible until darkness returns. Although the countries of Canada, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, USA (Alaska), Denmark (Greenland) and Iceland (its northern islands) have parts in their regions within the Arctic Circle, Finland claims that its northern Lapland region has the largest population living inside the Arctic Circle.

   Sometime during the day we passed west of the town of Bodo, the Lofoten archipelago and the town of Tromsø, which is 350 kilometres above the Arctic Circle.

http://forces.si.edu/arctic/04_00_07.html  > Arctic Polar Ice Cap picture

   At 10 this morning, there was a fine wind propelled rain and the temperature was 11 C.  The outside decks were wet and the large pool roof was closed.  Waking up later this morning, the dining room had closed, we found the Deck 9 Lido Market buffet seating full and proceeded up to the Deck 12 Crow’s Nest for cappuccinos. When we walked back down to the Lido Market twenty minutes later, two thirds of the tables were empty and the port side food stations had closed.  We easily found a table to enjoy our breakfasts.

    We walked Decks 2, 3 and 9 inside to avoid the need to wear jackets on the outside decks.  The rain stopped by the late afternoon as the ship sailed toward a blue sky along the coast about 25 kilometers away.  We could see some snow on the rocky shoreline.  There was a presentation on the next two locations, Honningsvag and Ålesund in the World Stage theatre that was standing room only.  We bumped into Bruce and Veronica on our way back from walking a mile outside on Promenade Deck 3 and arranged to meet them again this evening to share a table for dinner in the dining room.

  Tonight’s dinner’s dress code is the second “Gala Attire” of the cruise.  As we entered the dining room the sun was shining and the cloud was clearing. We had another enjoyable meal with Bruce and Veronica.  Tonight’s appetizer choice was Pineapple Jumbo Shrimp then Thai Chicken and Forbidden Rice Soup.  The main courses chosen were Filet Mignon & Lobster Ravioli with potato, Mediterranean vegetables & ribbon squash or Steamed Alaskan King Crab legs on coconut rice and lemon sesame snow peas.  The desserts were Double Chocolate Cheesecake or Grand Marnier Soufflé.  After dinner, the two entertainers, Paul Adams and Richard Gauntlet presented their separate English comedy routines.  When that show ended at 9:15 the sun was brightly shining as we might see it at 3 p.m. on a June afternoon.  It was sparkling of the gentle North Sea waves.  The temperature was just 9 C and there was a wind blowing.

  The Casino was a busy place even at midnight.

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