Oslo Goose Terminal - The floating emergency cruise ship hospitals of Oslo
22-Mar-2020
The luxury shopping and party cruise ships, Color Line's Color Magic and Color Fantasy, are taken out of service as a consequence of the coronavirus-caused travel ban into Norway. The "Kiel ferry", a popular Oslo weekend pastime with on-board dancing, theatre, spa and movies as well as dining, followed by a round of shopping in Kiel in northern Germany, is stranded. The cruise terminal has turned into the goose terminal, where migrating birds curiously explore the deserted city.
For the past few days, the huge cruise ships have been floating on both sides of the Norwegian Department of Defense in Oslo's central harbor. The majestic cruisers are stationed just a few steps from Oslo's marble opera house by the sea, and from Oslo's town hall, respectively. They visually frame the historic fortress of Akershus castle form both sides. Ferries used to come and go into Oslo, with Color Line operating their own terminal in a western part of Oslo. Now they reside centrally, within the security perimeter of the Department of Defense.
The Norwegian government has introduced emergency legislation that provides them with extraordinary powers and privileges in order to quickly react upon possible escalating coronavirus problems. One of the details of the legislation passed this weekend is the seizure and use of cruise ships and other marine vessels as emergency hospitals.
Oslo is preparing for the worst, it seems.
The luxury shopping and party cruise ships, Color Line's Color Magic and Color Fantasy, are taken out of service as a consequence of the coronavirus-caused travel ban into Norway. The "Kiel ferry", a popular Oslo weekend pastime with on-board dancing, theatre, spa and movies as well as dining, followed by a round of shopping in Kiel in northern Germany, is stranded. The cruise terminal has turned into the goose terminal, where migrating birds curiously explore the deserted city.
 |
| Nature already claims back Oslo's cruise terminal after one week of being put out of business. Wild geese stroll where normally cruise ship tourists flock into Norway's capital city. |
For the past few days, the huge cruise ships have been floating on both sides of the Norwegian Department of Defense in Oslo's central harbor. The majestic cruisers are stationed just a few steps from Oslo's marble opera house by the sea, and from Oslo's town hall, respectively. They visually frame the historic fortress of Akershus castle form both sides. Ferries used to come and go into Oslo, with Color Line operating their own terminal in a western part of Oslo. Now they reside centrally, within the security perimeter of the Department of Defense.
The Norwegian government has introduced emergency legislation that provides them with extraordinary powers and privileges in order to quickly react upon possible escalating coronavirus problems. One of the details of the legislation passed this weekend is the seizure and use of cruise ships and other marine vessels as emergency hospitals.
Oslo is preparing for the worst, it seems.
 |
| Color Magic, seen from the Nesoddtangen ferry. The luxury cruiseship towers high over Akershus fortress, not far from Oslo's town hall square. |
 | |
| Color Magic is parked on the west side of Akershus castle and of Norway's Department of Defense. |
 |
| Color Fantasy floating at Stena's now deserted ferry terminal, east of Akershus fortress and of the Norwegian Department of Defense.Stena has announced the final termination of the Stena ferry connection Oslo-Denmark after the travel ban was communicated. |
Comments
Post a Comment
Comments being are moderated.