VOYAGES THAT NEVER GOT OFF THE GROUND
The problem the camel was said to have passing through the eye of a needle was a cinch compared with the chances the Vikings ever had of sailing their heavy-laden long ships into Paradise. The primitive Norse, who were long on courage but short on cannyness, apparently expected a voyage to Valhalla of longer duration than the Caronia's entire North Cape Cruise
It was to be a journey by both sea and land, and these royal passengers showed little concern for over-weight loads. Among paraphernalia which burdened the burial ships were man and maid-servants, horses, oxen, dogs, peacocks (or other favourite pets), richly carved thrones and four-wheeled carriages, kitchen utensils, sledges, handlooms, and trunks full of articles with which to beguile the passing time.
Provisions included wheat, wild apples, walnuts and hazelnuts. They planned to live it up, so to speak, in death.
The Vikings were known to Homer and their raids were legendary in the Middle-East centuries before Christ. The earliest rulers were dispatched to their rewards on flaming warships set adrift, but around the Eighth Century, Viking chieftains sought a less transitory means of attaining immortality. They had themselves decked out in finest jewels and raiment for their obsequies. The burial vessels were prudently drawn up on dry land -- then all hands on board (both quick and dead) buried under secure mounds of earth and rock.
As might be expected, these magnificent burial ships never set sail for Valhalla; fortunately for us some were perfectly preserved in clay until excavation in our age. At the Museum of Bygdoy, just outside of Oslo, passengers on the Caronia's North Cape Cruise this July may see two of the finest of these ships.
One was the favourite yacht of Queen Aase, a lady whose luxurious leanings are inferred from her furnishings: three feather beds with down quilts and pillows; and decks covered with fine carpets, although at the time of her death and for centuries thereafter, the fine ladies of other countries trod upon crude rush mattings which were seldom cleaned.
The Caronia will call at Stavanger, mooring alongside a seaworthy Viking long-ship replica. On board, cruise members may explore decks exactly like those of ships which dominated the waters of the Medieval World. And for those seeking absolute verisimilitude, drinking-horns of mead will be passed round, guaranteed to convey the full flavour of the Viking spirit.
[Produced for the North Cape Cruise departing New York 29 June 1963]