A seetrip is funny? Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that!
Heavy seas for ex-Chancellor Gerd Schröder (79) and son Gregor! Both have been on a cruise tour off Norway since Saturday. The weather: schiete – high waves, only 12 degrees. Continuous rain!
On Monday, the father-son trip on the AIDAprima (3300 passengers) was even diverted.
STORM WARNING.
Deep “Ronson”! Storm wind (force 8), waves up to five meters high! Aida-Käpt’n Falk Bleckert (40) announces: Change of course from Nordfjordeid to Olden, a fjord village (500 inhabitants).
Crusader Schröder moans: “I’m a little dizzy!” But a change of course? That would never have happened to him, the Basta Chancellor. Then a glass of on-board wine (rosé, Corte Seresina, 22er Bardolino). Son Gregor does without, continues to look silently at his cell phone. His companions (bodyguards, an ex-Gazprom driver) only later grab the wine.
The celebrity is the number one whisper on board – but hardly anyone speaks to the Kremlin lobbyist at first.
In the heated beach club (25 degrees, pool landscape, fun slides), father and son have so far not been seen, it is said. They are rarely to be found at the everyone’s buffet in the “Bella donna” (all-inclusive).
Gregor (adopted from Russia in 2006, is celebrating his 18th birthday this year) can choose between caviar, lobster and truffle chicken in the fine “Rossini” (deck 8, extra charge).
The (former) chancellor disembarks: Schröder with his son Gregor and companions on the gangway in the port of Olden (Norway)
On Tuesday: Landing in Olden. Weather still bad! For just under an hour you’ll go through the port village on the magnificent Innvikfjord. The mountains: hidden behind gray clouds.
Father and son will soon be drawn back on board. Schröder changes from going out anorak back to the usual summer suit. The first passengers on board soon dare to speak to him. Schröder in the pose he has come to love: Equipped with a new rosé (“Chandon” from Argentina), he explains the world to fellow travelers. The first pull out their cell phones – selfie alarm!
May it continue like this…
The travel program for shore excursions doesn’t offer much for the Hanoverian anyway: hiking, stockfish shopping or cable car rides in the constantly raining mountains – one of the rainiest cities in all of Europe (3000 mm/year).
Sea view: Schröder can access this balcony directly from his suite
The “Scharfe Ecke” currywurst bar on deck 6 (right next to the “D6” disco) is more tempting. The political pensioner hardly feels like dancing. When there are waves and constant rain, he also finds distraction in the works of art on deck 8. There, Aida offers “art for at home”, including abstracts in black, red and gold.
Cast off! The AIDAprima (3300 passengers) before its departure from the port of Hamburg. Ex-Chancellor Schröder was secretly piloted on board via a bridge on deck 3
Storm “Ronson”, the crew hopes, should have disappeared by the time they return to Hamburg next Saturday. But even Putin friend and ruble millionaire Schröder can’t buy a sun guarantee with the ticket (over 3,000 euros/nose).
Wife Soyeon in Hanover at home (25 degrees, sun) should be very happy that she let her Gerd travel alone …