2014 - OCEAN PRINCESS - KIEL CANAL

HAVING TAKEN A CANAL I DID NOT KNOW EXISTED, THROUGH HOLLAND TO AMSTERDAM & BACK OUT TO THE NORTH SEA, WE ARE NOW TAKING THE KIEL CANAL THROUGH NORTHERN GERMANY.

I HAD HEARD OF THE KIEL CANAL BUT HAD NO IDEA HOW NICE A JOURNEY IT IS.

A SHORE EXCURSION TO HAMBURG WOULD HAVE MEANT MISSING THE CANAL SO I AM NOT DISAPPOINTED THAT TOUR WAS CANCELLED.

MICHELLE - ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THOSE WANTING DRINKS ON DECK ....

AN UMPAPAH BAND ON SHORE - THEY CAME ON BOARD A LITTLE LATER TO PLAY WHILE WE TRANSITED THE CANAL...

ANAIT SNEAKING A PEAK ON DECK .....

SHE GETS VERY EXCITED WHEN WE SEE THIS SHIP FROM HER BAR. THE NAME OF THE SHIP IS HER HOME CITY IN RUSSIA .... TYUMEN, 16 HUNDRED MILES EAST OF MOSCOW ...

WE POP OUT ON DECK TO GET A BETTER LOOK ....... WE WAVE AT THE CREW BUT THEY DON'T RESPOND

THE SHIP SAT A GOOD WHILE AT THESE LOCKS WAITING FOR PERMISSION TO ENTER THE CANAL. EVENTUALLY IT WAS GRANTED AFTER WE SOMEHOW SHAVED A FEW CENTIMETERS OFF THE HEIGHT OF THE SHIP. WE WERE TOO TALL FOR SOME OF THE BRIDGES APPARENTLY .

AND THE BAND PLAYED ON .....

IT IS A VERY BUSY CANAL & A BIT OF A TIGHT SQUEEZE AT TIMES .....

BY THIS TIME I HAD MET THE TWO YOUNGEST GIRLS ON THE BOAT & THEIR MUM & DAD ..... THEY SPOTTED THESE BALOONS IN THE DISTANCE

ARE WE GONNA MAKE IT UNDER THE BRIDGE?

YES - JUST!

ANOTHER SET OF LOCKS & INTO THE BALTIC .....