Just after midnight I watched as Explorer passed under the Great Belt Bridge on her way to Skagen.
In Skagen we took the tourist bus to visit Grenen to see the two seas meet and then to visit the sunken church.
From RCI Port Information:
Estimated clearance time: 9:30 am. All Onboard: 4:30 pm.
Port Information: Explorer of the Seas is docked at Pier 10. The city center is within walking distance from the ship’s dock, approximately 15-20 minutes walk. Taxis are available. Shuttle service is provided by the Port. Tickets can be purchased from the shuttle ticket booth on the pier and also from the shuttle coordinators at the drop off/pick up point in the city.
Shuttle Price: $ 8 USD /€ 7 Euro per person- Return
Duration: Approx. 5 minute drive (Shuttle runs upon ship’s arrival until 4:00 pm)
Drop Off: Auktionsvej – in the town centre (No accessible vehicles are available)
Our first cruise on Royal Caribbean took us to Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn, Stockholm, Skagen, Stavanger and back to Southampton.
Day 12 Thursday 4th July: The Great Belt Bridge
We had left the silent disco just before midnight and I had been back to the cabin to pick up my camera and to add some layers of clothes. Up on the top decks we were surprised to find the doors were all cordoned off and locked. Back down on the Promenade Deck all the automatic doors were also locked closed so again we were unable to get outside.
Luckily we had allowed a lot of time before Explorer was scheduled to reach the bridge. We had time to head back to our balcony to get outside. Our cabin was on the starboard side so our view of the bridge was going to be limited.
Explorer slowed as she reached the bridge. Over us we could see cars and trucks passing over the bridge.
After passing under the bridge I went back to Izzys, past the security team on the door and was surprised to hear that the disco was no longer silent.
Definitely time for bed.
Day 12 Thursday 4th July: Skagen, Denmark
I had put the TV on channel 40 and the music was interrupted by the Captain explaining that there would be a delay of at least 45 minutes before our arrival in Skagen.
On our balcony we watched the coast get closer and even this deck was not immune to the wind carried spray as Explorer pushed her way through the waves.
At 8 am we joined the queue for the buffet breakfast on Deck 3 in the Sapphire restaurant. Our plan for the day was to visit Grenen and then to see what else was possible given our shorter time in port.
Once off the ship, the shuttle bus to the town was not free for RCI passengers. We then had a moment or two of confusion as we thought Danish kroner would be needed. The bus driver told us that he took Euros or Danish Kroner for the trip which made our lives a lot easier.
Grenen
Our friends had similar difficulties with cash and caught the second shuttle bus. Back together again we all caught the #1 tourist bus that runs around all the tourist tourist spots in the Summer months. This bus again took Euros for the fare.
The first stop on the buses’ loop was Grenen.
We caught the Sandworm tractor out through the dunes to the top of Europe and Denmark. This is where the North Sea and Baltic Seas meet. The weather was not kind to us and once out of the trailer we were greeted by rain and strong winds.
We made the pilgrimage to where the two seas met, took our photographs and headed back to the trailer.
The driver knew full well that no one would want to remain out on the sands. Once we were all back on board we set off back to Grenen.
