My adult children (I use the term “adult” loosely) and I, along with a family friend, Mary Anne, went on a Viking cruise through the Norwegian Fjords. We had a fun-filled vacation that included gorgeous scenery, scrumptious food, family bonding, and . . . pranks.
We began our journey in Amsterdam, and we visited four Norwegian ports and one port in Denmark. There were daily excursions in each port, and the ship sailed in the evenings.
My friend and I choose an excursion in Oslo, Norway that took us by bus to the Vigeland Park and up a hill to a ski jump that offered a panoramic view of the fjord. My kids chose a city tour by bike. Mary Anne and I returned to the ship in plenty of time before we were supposed to be back on board by 5:00 pm. We decided to lounge a bit outside on the upper deck.
Prank Number One:
At 4:30 pm I received a text from my son saying they were on the ski jump hill but waiting for a bus that was going to be delayed by 20 minutes. He asked me to alert the crew that they would be boarding after 5:00. Sure . . . I’ll just tell the crew of a 950 passenger Viking Cruise Line that they need to hold the sailing of the ship until my son and daughter arrive. I’m certain they will accommodate a Mama Bear’s request. Either that or they’ll instruct my kids to find their own passage to the next port.
As I was walking along the deck chairs, mentally rehearsing my plea, I heard “Hi Mom!” Surprised, I glanced down and saw my son comfortably reclining on one of the deck chairs. Son and daughter were already on the ship. They enjoy watching their momma sweat.
Prank Number Two:
The ship had some computers for the guests to use, so Mary Anne and I drafted a letter. We captured the Viking logo from the Internet and typed an official-looking letter to cabin 6063, where my son and daughter were sharing a room. This letter stated that the passengers in 6063 were randomly selected to join the captain for a special meet and greet cocktail hour the next evening at 7:00 pm. Cocktail attire required.
Son and daughter were so excited. They alerted their friends at home and devised some questions with which to engage the captain. I had a slight feeling of remorse but decided to follow through with the prank as planned. The four of us decided to meet at our special table in the lounge to hear everything about their assembly with the captain.
When they arrived at the Compass Room to meet the captain, in their finest attire, no one knew anything about the captain’s letter that they presented. Texts were sent, walkie talkies were engaged, and crew members were panicking. Something clicked, and they realized they had been pranked.
Revenge:
While Mary Anne and I were waiting for the kids to join us after their elite evening, the Associate General Manager, Mara, approached our table. “Mrs. Renner? May I see you in my office please?” She was accompanied by the Executive Housekeeper, Marjan. I asked what this was concerning, and she responded, “It’s a matter about a letter.” The stripes on their uniforms totaled seven, so I deduced I had better oblige their request.
We followed her to her office and terms like “forgery” “disrespectful” “consequences” “unbeknownst to the captain” were tossed around. Holy smokes. I’d been caught, and it wasn’t going to be a pretty sight. I envisioned being thrown into the ship’s dungeon, or having to walk the plank, or getting booted off the ship at the next port, or worst yet, swimming to the next port.
I turned around and noticed son and daughter standing in the doorway. They had figured out that they had been pranked and decided to turn the tables on their unsuspecting mother. Eliciting the help of Ali, the Beverage Manager, they decided to make me sweat.
The crew happily joined in with the revenge. They were fun to talk with and shared many stories about life on a cruise ship. Boy, was I relieved I didn’t have to finish the rest of the cruise swabbing the decks or enduring periodic flogging.
