Expected weather: Partly Cloudy 64F

Seas: Moderate (2m)

Today was a sea day and a splurge day as we pre-booked treatments at The Nordic Spa. I can’t even remember the last time I had a massage and I used to get them regularly. One of the features on each Viking ship is The Nordic Spa which embraces the “holistic wellness philosophy of Nordic culture”.

The Spa also contains a sauna and cold plunge, a snow grotto, fitness center, thermal pool, and steam room which are all available for no additional charge and reservations are not needed. There is also a hair salon for which appointments can be made (charges do apply here, of course).  

I booked the Artic Detox treatment for the morning, so I’d have the day to recover! Per the description, it “starts with a vigorous dry brush to stimulate the skin and kick-start the lymphatic system, a vital part of our immune system. This is followed by a salt body scrub and a detoxifying massage using a highly effective combination of connective tissue massage, Swedish massage, cupping and lymphatic draining techniques.” I don’t know why I haven’t done this before; it was wonderful!

Dave went for the 50-minute Swedish Mindful Massage in the afternoon, so he could sleep in! That was a good choice because although we don’t cross into the Atlantic Time Zone for Halifax until later today, the ship moved clocks an hour forward last night! Dave said it was one of the best massages he’d ever had.

While Dave was at his massage, Keith, Paula, and I went on the tour of the Bayeux Tapestry images which line the forward and aft stairs of all Viking ships. Viking Resident Historian, Michael Hick, did a delightful job of weaving the tale provided by the scenes for us. Per the Bayeux Museum summary: The story told by the Bayeux Tapestry begins in 1064, when Edward the Confessor, King of England, instructs his brother-in-law Harold Godwinson to travel to Normandy in order to offer his cousin William the succession to the English throne. Although the end of the embroidery is missing, the story ends with the Anglo-Saxons fleeing at the end of the Battle of Hastings in October 1066. The tapestry itself is 230 feet long and 20 inches tall. If you are ever on a Viking ship and are a lover of history or art, check with Guest Services when you board as to when a tour may be offered and sign up for it.

There were several other lectures today as well as a Baggo (Cornhole) Tournament, Mahjong Get-Together, Crafts Corner, Trivia, Cards & Games. Plenty to do for everyone. Lots of folks were reading in the pool area (the roof is back over it) and in all the many quiet areas all around the ship.

The seas today are moderate (and I suspect were higher last night as we did quite a bit of up and down) and it seemed to be worsen in the afternoon. It’s definitely windy and the captain said we’d experience near gale force winds. I returned to our room after the Bayeux Tapestry tour (it was 1.5 hours!) to take some meclizine and rest. There was a 3pm talk by Guest Lecturer Corey Sandler about Halifax history, but I’ll have to watch it later on-demand. Dave and I also skipped Afternoon Tea in lieu of naps after our massages, but I expect that it was super crowded and there will be others we can attend. Tonight’s dinner for us was at Manfredi’s, Viking’s Italian-themed restaurant. The food was very good, and service was very attentive, but it seems the kitchen was slow again.

Praying for calmer seas and restful sleep tonight as we continue to Halifax. Tomorrow is looking like a really nice day there for our private excursion that we arranged through Tours By Locals.