Before having a child I got around a bit. By that, I mean I have a passport full of exotic stamps and a liver slightly wounded from partying during my backpacking days. I thought nothing of where I would sleep that night, how I would get from A to B, and I distinctly remembering looking at long and uncomfortable overnight bus journeys or rickety train rides with sheer excitement.
Now I’m a mother (and a little older), my travelling habits have changed somewhat. I like to know that I’ll get a decent night’s sleep (if teething doesn’t stand in my way), somewhere that’s quiet, clean and baby friendly. No late night bar crawls or hostel dorms blasting out music here, thank you.
I also want to get to my destination as quickly and simply as possible. Long journeys by whatever form of transport are a potential for a toddler meltdown. So when John suggested we catch a boat from Oslo down the stunning Norweigan Fjords to arrive in Copenhagen, 17 hours later, I was a little hesitant. Child-free Katy wouldn’t have had a second’s thought but Mum Katy was a little nervous how such a long journey with a one year old would go. However, with a bit of prep, planning and crossing our fingers, we boarded and hoped it would be an adventure.
I soon realised I’d been worrying about nothing as Everleigh was clearly the queen of the seas. It helped that this place was set up for children - from the small baby pool downstairs, the open air splash pool, the ball pit and to the children’s club. As she was still learning to walk she was more interested in speed crawling down the many corridors and climbing the stairs, waving to other guests like she owned the place.
This behaviour pretty soon earned her a fan club in the form of a coach load of Japanese tourists. Check out my saved Insta Stories to see the effect she had on her new found crew. Their undivided attention during dinner meant that John and I got to pig out at the heaving buffet - we probably both went back for second helpings at least three times. Amazing!
After tearing her away from her fans we had a last play and wander around the duty-free shop before getting ready for bed. The cabin was more like a hotel room with a comfy double bed, space for a travel cot and large window to watch the stunning the Norweigan forests and mountains sail by. The rocking motion must be some sort of sleeping aid as none of us woke until the morning by which point we were sailing ever closer to Denmark. There really is something quite magical about falling asleep in one country and waking in another!
Breakfast was wonderfully healthy, fresh and full of choice - omelettes, porridge, fruit and a bakery full of unusual breads and pastries were completely up my street. There was just enough time to grab a last bargain from the duty free shop - I fell in love with these stylish cups - before we headed to our hire car on the car deck.
I have to admit it has opened my eyes to taking us on a family cruise one day soon, which is something I never thought I’d say!
OMG, I’ve changed.
Thank you to DFDS Seaways for hosting our crossing in the Commodore Class. DFDS currently offer one crossing a day from Copenhagen-Oslo/Oslo-
