DFDS Pearl Seaways: Luxurious Scandinavian Cruise Experience
My first real foray into the world of cruising was in Scandinavia, and boy, was I curious to see what all the fuss was about! I mean, I’ve heard about the luxurious indulgences of a cruise vacation, and I’m not gonna lie – I was excited to give it a try. And what a treat it was to sail through Scandinavia! Silja Tallink, the voyage from Helsinki to Stockholm was my maiden voyage – and let me tell you, the spectacular views of the land and the sea made everything feel and taste even more exquisite.
The DFDS Pearl Seaways voyage I will regale you with today began in Oslo, Norway, with a destination of none other than Copenhagen in Denmark. An overnight journey is a great opportunity to take in the beauty of the randomly dotted islands and their serenity under the late evening and early morning sky. Just a passing thought! But that’s me, and I am sure many people would rather want to stay in a city where they have access to most amenities.
Luckily, Scandinavian countries have the most natural resources, and even the busiest of cities have greenery in abundance. However, islands have their charm. Something about islets puts one into deep relaxation in a trice! Be it the wave resonation, or the sea breeze, islands possess the power to scintillate our minds and spirit. As for the cruising experience, DFDS unveils exquisite maritime luxury on the waters of the North Sea. From fine itineraries to exotic gourmet, DFDS Pearl Seaways is positively your best bet in Scandinavia for personalised services.
The check-in process was easy and fast. I obtained my paper ticket/boarding pass (against my digital booking) around 4.30 PM, and nearly at 5 PM, the lounge gates opened for the visitors to finally board one of the finest cruises of Scandinavia. Favourably, this time, my cruise cabin was notably close to the deck while featuring a sea-view window with blind-out curtains.
Even though the cruise cabin featured incredible sea views, for the most part, its vision was hindsight by a lifeboat. Therefore, within minutes of parking my luggage inside the cruise cabin, I walked over to the deck to find myself captivated by the engulfing sunsets amidst the tropical Radness. We went from downright beautiful to exceptionally ordinary, drifting alongside faraway islands, afloat on the North Sea. Other times, I wandered into the Grande Baltic/Mediterranean buffets and of course, the duty-free! Pearl Seaways was ‘originally built’ in 1989 to serve the Viking Line traffic.
Formerly known as MS Langkapuri Star Aquarius, DFDS Pearl Seaways saw its recent renovation in 2014 with luxe furnishings and amenities. Meaning – newly-furbished cabins, balcony staterooms, suites and improved conference facilities for passengers travelling from 2014 onwards. That along with an impressive promenade lined with exciting restaurants steeped in the creme la creme luxuries. This side of the DFDS is always buzzing with LIVE performances and diverse acts by different artists. It’s like the modern way of getting acquainted with the artistic culture of both Norway and Denmark.
As the night began to unfold, I found myself drawn to Columbus Club on Deck 8. There I was treated to a spectacular show, with European artists playing jazzy retro tunes and inviting the crowd to join in singing. But the best was yet to come- the show ended on an electrifying note with Jai Ho, a soul-stirring Indian number that had even the most reluctant of us dancing!
The next morning, I awoke to a delightful Hygge-inspired Danish breakfast – a delectable medley of Danish pastries, Granola, and yoghurt. A sure sign that I had arrived in the land of Viking lore! After disembarking the cruise at 12, I was enjoying a cosy lunch at a restaurant in Copenhagen by 1. So, if you’ve recently sailed on DFDS or are planning to do so soon, please do let me know – I’d love to hear your stories!
It was really a great and interesting with these beautiful captures, will love to know more.