Day One Hundred Thirty-Two - May 17

Our first of three days in Copenhagen. We have booked a two-hour bicycle tour around the city.

Leaving the ship, the NCL Getaway is docked just down from us and the Celebrity Silhouette is docked here but considerably closer to the city. We are docked so far from town that a shuttle bus is required to take us into town 30-40 minutes away based on traffic conditions.

Copenhagen is becoming a hub for cruise ships as many itineraries either start or end here. As well, the international airport is a major hub for SAS airlines.

What I noticed when driving into the city was the amount of construction being done in the cruise terminal area from new apartments , condominiums, and new office buildings.

Copenhagen is a vibrant city with its population near 2.0 million. Many of its inhabitants use bicycles as their main means of transportation. The excellent bike trails allow this to happen. No cars are produced within the country but need to be imported as such anyone wishing to purchase a car is subject to a 150% tax on any car purchases. It doesn't make one anxious to buy a car, does it?

The country wants to become carbon neutral by 2030 and is well on its way. All buses are electric.

Our tour today is a two-hour bicycle tour around the city to see the major sights. Janice found this through Viatour. The shuttle bus drops us off a short walk from the major shopping area from where we need to locate the bike shop, Segway sightseeing. The guide indicated that if there are no more than five cyclists then she will also take segway riders out as well. Each one of us had a radio style remote that allowed us to hear her comments. In total we had five cyclists and six segway riders, a rather big group. Just before we left two of segway riders appeared and advised the guide they had been delayed. Before then the other four members were practicing riding the segways.

Our bikes were average with a back break and also the old fashion brake where you pedalled backward. Does anyone remember these? I did not notice any new bikes on the road as the locals just use their bikes to get to and from places. The bikes have a locking system attached to the back brake which when locked prevents the wheel from rolling. Nothing else, no bikes are locked up to metal posts or around trees that I noticed. They are locked and left where they are.

Off we went with our first stop at Amalienborg Palace home of the Danish Royal Family. I was amazed that we could ride our bikes or walk through the Palace grounds. We noticed the Royal Guards whose main task is to guard the Royal Family but are also part of the Danish army. The changing of the guards happens at noon in the Amalienborg courtyard.

No Danish flags were flying at the present time which indicates that the Queen is not in residence.

Our second stop was off the see the Little Mermaid. Our guide indicated you could be subject to copyright issues and may need to obtain permission from the estate of the sculptor, Edvard Erikson if you wish to show her picture.

Other stops included the Gammel Strand with its brightly coloured houses from the 18th and 19th century.

A third stop is the Christiansborg Palace which is home to the Danish Parliament , the Danish Prime Minister and the Supreme Court of Denmark. Again no security in sight.

A final stop is to the Gammel Strand with its brightly coloured houses that were built dating back to the 18th century. Many restuarants appear on the street as well as vendors for the daily canal trips. During this stop our guide mentioned that one thing you should try while in Copenhagen is the Danish Hot Dog and best served with Chocolate Milk. A Hot dog and chocolate milk what a concept and may I say it was a delicious concept.

We passed the Stroget shopping district as well with its many shops and restaurants.

Now we are back on the bus and heading back to the ship. As the previous two days in Norway, Denmark has lifted all Codiv-19 restrictions. So we do not know what will happen going forward.

When we boarded the ship security sadly notified us to wait here and not proceed. After all the other passengers passed through we were informed that Janice tested positive for Covid and were told to go directly to our stateroom and wait for the medical team to contact us.

A medical team member came to our stateroom to give us PCR tests and advised that the results would be provided in fifty minutes. After this time, Janice was still positive and would need to quarantine for five days before being checked again. I was given a new stateroom as I tested negative and have moved my clothes there for five days. My new room is surrounded by Covid rooms as I counted five staterooms around me.

The ship still recommends people to wear their masks but some people do not want to follow the recommendation.

For those people who have traveled on Oceania before you will know about the Panache Quartet. It is made up of four musicians (three violinists and a cello). Well the Quartet became a trio and then a duo as two of the four tested positive. Covid is still here.

A rubber mat has been placed on all chairs in the bars that sitting is not permitted. These mats are also on the first row of every chair in the Insignia Lounge for the nightly performances.

This viruis just does not want to go away.