Credit for the image of the Upplausn goes to original photographer. Used with fair use/parody intentions with no financial gain to user.
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On the face of it, this should be a beautiful cruise. There might be some surprises in store, and the Northern Tavlyrian area has had some turbulent times, but the crew should have everything under control, and who messes with innocent cruise ships, right? Ready for that exotic holiday to meet new cultures and see new sights? This is that epic trip of a lifetime for you!
You might have bought a full ticket package for your family, or maybe you won tickets in a radio or supermarket contest. Possibly it was a gift from your Great Aunt Gertie. Maybe it's a chance to get away from all the pressures back home, or maybe you have a more sinister reason to be on the Lake. One thing is for sure - there is a lot of excitement in store for you!
The Cruise Line:
Sólarupprás Ferðir (Sunrise Tours) operates two cruise ships on Lake Agloza, both out of the port of Hjamokjim. It is funded by both private investors, and subsidized by the government, a lot of the funding of which in turn comes from foreign aid investment.
The Upplausn (Resolute) and the Traustur (Sturdy) were both commissioned by the newly formed Sólarupprás Ferðir in 2018 and recently completed for launch. They are small luxury class ships that were constructed by the small, but historic Kjirboljin Shipwrights based right in Hjamokjim, that has made both commercial and industrial vessels for decades. It was the first new commission for Kjirboljin in 5 years, since having to suspend construction during the war years.
The Upplausn (Resolute) and the Traustur (Sturdy) were both commissioned by the newly formed Sólarupprás Ferðir in 2018 and recently completed for launch. They are small luxury class ships that were constructed by the small, but historic Kjirboljin Shipwrights based right in Hjamokjim, that has made both commercial and industrial vessels for decades. It was the first new commission for Kjirboljin in 5 years, since having to suspend construction during the war years.
The Upplausn is 52 m (171 ft) long, 10 m (32 ft) wide and can do a cruising speed of 11 knots. The ship carries a maximum of 80 guests in 36 air-conditioned cabins, consisting of single-to-suite conversions and full suites.
The boat has upper decks that house a fully air-conditioned or heated galley with plenty of room for all guests. The rear of the boat features a shaded lounge/bar area with a fully equipped bar, televisions, good sized tables, and comfortable lounging furniture.
A corner of the lounge of the Upplausn houses two gaming tables that are staffed during evening hours. The two tables offer a rotation of blackjack, poker, baccarat, roulette, pai gow, and crapaud, depending on the cruise.
There are also two billiards tables, a foosball table, dart boards, and two stand up arcade games downloaded with a variety of classic games to each of their systems.
The Sólpallur (Solar Deck) is spacious considering the boat’s dimensions, and is equipped with loungers and shade roofs. There is WIFI available free of charge on the entirety of the boats, but be forewarned that wifi can be spotty in some areas of the Lake.
MAIN DECK CABINS
Cozy: All upper deck cabins have bathrooms that are fully equipped with a shower, toilette, hairdryer and a vanity with a sink.
The cabins are a mix of doubles and singles with 3 three-bed suites.
Single bed Cabin furnishings include a window/porthole, cabinets and cupboards. The cabins all are equipped with power plugs.
LOWER DECK CABINS
Lower deck cabins all have a full bed in addition to a cabinet and a small bathroom with a toilet and sink. There are 6 communal shower rooms.
The boat has upper decks that house a fully air-conditioned or heated galley with plenty of room for all guests. The rear of the boat features a shaded lounge/bar area with a fully equipped bar, televisions, good sized tables, and comfortable lounging furniture.
A corner of the lounge of the Upplausn houses two gaming tables that are staffed during evening hours. The two tables offer a rotation of blackjack, poker, baccarat, roulette, pai gow, and crapaud, depending on the cruise.
There are also two billiards tables, a foosball table, dart boards, and two stand up arcade games downloaded with a variety of classic games to each of their systems.
The Sólpallur (Solar Deck) is spacious considering the boat’s dimensions, and is equipped with loungers and shade roofs. There is WIFI available free of charge on the entirety of the boats, but be forewarned that wifi can be spotty in some areas of the Lake.
MAIN DECK CABINS
Cozy: All upper deck cabins have bathrooms that are fully equipped with a shower, toilette, hairdryer and a vanity with a sink.
The cabins are a mix of doubles and singles with 3 three-bed suites.
Single bed Cabin furnishings include a window/porthole, cabinets and cupboards. The cabins all are equipped with power plugs.
LOWER DECK CABINS
Lower deck cabins all have a full bed in addition to a cabinet and a small bathroom with a toilet and sink. There are 6 communal shower rooms.
The Crew:
The Captain is Stanisław Redmondsson
The First Mate/Executive Officer is Lilja Astridsdottir
The Communications Officer is Pedro Orlando Fortunado
The Chief Engineer is Jason Hoyt
The Head Galley Chef is Francis Bonnefoy
The Chief Medical Officer is Dr. Maria Cobanalli
The Chief Security Officer is Markus Ryker
The Chief Steward is Omari Sibatasenga
The Cruise Entertainment Director is George Walsman
The Chief of Maintenance & Housekeeping is Soren Zielenski
The Upplausn crew are an experienced international group, although many of them do hail from Glisandia. When the cruise line is not in operation in the autumn and winter months, many of the crew either have shore jobs, or work on cargo and fishing trawler crews, with the Captain and the top crew fulfilling administrative duties during the off months.
The First Mate/Executive Officer is Lilja Astridsdottir
The Communications Officer is Pedro Orlando Fortunado
The Chief Engineer is Jason Hoyt
The Head Galley Chef is Francis Bonnefoy
The Chief Medical Officer is Dr. Maria Cobanalli
The Chief Security Officer is Markus Ryker
The Chief Steward is Omari Sibatasenga
The Cruise Entertainment Director is George Walsman
The Chief of Maintenance & Housekeeping is Soren Zielenski
The Upplausn crew are an experienced international group, although many of them do hail from Glisandia. When the cruise line is not in operation in the autumn and winter months, many of the crew either have shore jobs, or work on cargo and fishing trawler crews, with the Captain and the top crew fulfilling administrative duties during the off months.
The Grand Duchy of Glisandia:
The Grand Duchy has had a turbulent history, and while some neighbors and nations around the region have come to their aid, other neighbors have sought to conquer them, some just within the last decade. Glisandia is working on recovering from the Northern Tavlyrian War and following Civil War. After the war, aid poured in from the rest of the region. Aside from the cruise line, several other national industries have received subsidies from the foreign aid (Mostly from Western Madurin nations in Teremara) sent in order to get the economy functioning again in the waning years of the Civil War as they struggled for some normalcy.
Relations have been tense with its two hostile neighbors, Osatana, and the Yellow Star Republic, both of whom were the aggressors in the Northern Talvyrian War (2013-2016) and occupied large parts of the Grand Duchy (The YSR holding almost all Glisandian territory) before the international Coalition finally liberated Glisandia. Being surrounded by their aggressors means they had no choice but to attempt to normalize relations with them at some point, in order for the northern half of Tavlyria to still function.
Relations in the last year have improved greatly and trade has resumed with Osatana and YSR, along with the other northern Tavlyrian nations Glisandia had been cut off from. There was a lot of diplomatic effort that went into securing port rights for Sólarupprás Ferðir at Wjol and Kilmarry, but the Osatanian and Yellowsian governments weren’t too resistant, as they recognized what a boon it would be to the local economies of their Lake ports, not to mention all of the Lake Aglozan ports.
Relations have been tense with its two hostile neighbors, Osatana, and the Yellow Star Republic, both of whom were the aggressors in the Northern Talvyrian War (2013-2016) and occupied large parts of the Grand Duchy (The YSR holding almost all Glisandian territory) before the international Coalition finally liberated Glisandia. Being surrounded by their aggressors means they had no choice but to attempt to normalize relations with them at some point, in order for the northern half of Tavlyria to still function.
Relations in the last year have improved greatly and trade has resumed with Osatana and YSR, along with the other northern Tavlyrian nations Glisandia had been cut off from. There was a lot of diplomatic effort that went into securing port rights for Sólarupprás Ferðir at Wjol and Kilmarry, but the Osatanian and Yellowsian governments weren’t too resistant, as they recognized what a boon it would be to the local economies of their Lake ports, not to mention all of the Lake Aglozan ports.
The Lake:
Lake Agloza is an ancient body of water that has historically been the meeting point of several nation-states - currently it is shared by these five:
- Glisandia
- Yellow Star Republic
- Falkasia
- Greater Orcadia
- Osatana
Many civilizations have relied on it for life giving resources over the ages as it has proven to be more hospitable than the frigid Northern Tavlyrian Ocean, which is difficult to navigate for vessels without icebreaking hulls.
While technically an inland sea fed by several rivers, the salinity level of Lake Agloza is much lower than most seas and oceans, though also too high to be considered a freshwater lake.
In more ancient times, the salinity was much higher, which meant that marine life was lacking in fish, but much higher for brine shrimp and crustaceans, and also a continental mecca for the avian population which fed on these crustaceans. In recent centuries, fresh water rivers from glacier melts have made the Lake more hospitable to other fauna, including more fish species migrating in from the channels and rivers that feed into the Lake. Seals (Pinnipedia Aglozae) and sea lions (Otariinae Algozae) seem to have populated many of the lake coasts and islands during this transition time, but are the only sea mammals to speak of in the Lake ecosystem, with whales being absent from Lake Agloza.
Aside from the vast marine and aqua-agriculture resources, there are also great mineral deposits and possibly oil deposits deep under the lake, although these resources have only been discovered recently and not yet tapped into to any degree by any of the five powers that hold claims upon Aglozian territorial waters.
Also, while there are some very aggressive large fish species, sharks have never been present in the Lake. The most aggressive fish known to attack humans is the vígtefiskur (Acipenserinae Aglozae), a fish that is much closer to barracudas than all of its milder mannered sturgeon cousins and resembles a blend of the two commonly known fish. It is known in English speaking circles as the ‘Murder Sturg’. Humans are not among its targeted prey, but with its poor eyesight, it has on rare occasion mistaken them for flailing seal pups or squid.
Local legend has it that a deadly serpentine known as the Djúpurdreki stalks the waters, terrorizing the Northern Tavlyrian people who have braved the Lake for centuries.
While there are only fables and paintings of boats being attacked and sailors devoured in ancient times, there hasn’t been any credible sighting documented.
The Lake Islands:
One of the stops of the tour is off Vibarna Island, uninhabited by humans, but for some transitory scientists. However, the rocky volcanic outcropping is home to thousands of species of birds, crustaceans, and the largest colonies of seals and sea lions in the Lake. The island is protected by the Marine Life Protection Mandate, enforced by an agency of the Teremaran Security Organization. Due to its delicate environment and protected nature, the boat is only able to anchor a safe photographic distance away.
Fair Isle is a tranquil Orcadian island that is home to some croft farms, an old lighthouse, a lifeboat station, and a radar installation operated by the Ministry of Defence. The population of Fair Isle numbers around 200 people. The nearest full hospital is Port Scaig, as well as the nearest major airport, although there is a small airfield for small aircraft that acts as a taxi service at times and brings in limited supplies. Orcadian Citizens often take a ferry to the mainland, however. The ferries run 4 times per day, and also bring deliveries of diesel fuel to the island for the generators, as there’s no main electrical plant.
In the past, it was a key Orcadian base fought over during the Great War period, and there are still remnants of fortifications near the coasts.
The Isle of Schull is an Osatanian territory. Not much is known about it, other than a similar history to that of The Fair Isle during the Great War period. Due to the autocratic government in power in Osatana, the Isle is mostly inaccessible without a permit that requires the vouching of an upstanding Osatanian citizen. The odd tourist that is allowed has to make do by bunking with a local family in the fishing village due to the lack of any real accommodation.
Other than the small fishing town the rest of the Schull population are military personnel that operate a collection of military installations such as an airfield, and a minor naval depot.
The only sights from the water are the occasional passing fishing trawler/boat and a few military patrol boats. The Upplausn will be one of the few foreign ships to come closest to Schull in quite some time, during its course to dock at Kilmarry.
Fair Isle is a tranquil Orcadian island that is home to some croft farms, an old lighthouse, a lifeboat station, and a radar installation operated by the Ministry of Defence. The population of Fair Isle numbers around 200 people. The nearest full hospital is Port Scaig, as well as the nearest major airport, although there is a small airfield for small aircraft that acts as a taxi service at times and brings in limited supplies. Orcadian Citizens often take a ferry to the mainland, however. The ferries run 4 times per day, and also bring deliveries of diesel fuel to the island for the generators, as there’s no main electrical plant.
In the past, it was a key Orcadian base fought over during the Great War period, and there are still remnants of fortifications near the coasts.
The Isle of Schull is an Osatanian territory. Not much is known about it, other than a similar history to that of The Fair Isle during the Great War period. Due to the autocratic government in power in Osatana, the Isle is mostly inaccessible without a permit that requires the vouching of an upstanding Osatanian citizen. The odd tourist that is allowed has to make do by bunking with a local family in the fishing village due to the lack of any real accommodation.
Other than the small fishing town the rest of the Schull population are military personnel that operate a collection of military installations such as an airfield, and a minor naval depot.
The only sights from the water are the occasional passing fishing trawler/boat and a few military patrol boats. The Upplausn will be one of the few foreign ships to come closest to Schull in quite some time, during its course to dock at Kilmarry.
Tour Stops & Activities:
Day 1: Launch from Hjamokjim, Grimsvötn, Glisandia (Home Port)
Welcoming Dinner
Live band and abbreviated Casino time
Day 2: Make port at Wjol, Yellow Star Republic
Breakfast
Customs Check-in: Please note that a visa is required to enter the YSR.
Activities
Town Tour - Shopping, Dining and beverages
Nature Walk [Might not be suitable for elderly or ability challenged passengers as there are some tight, steep trails.]
Obstacle Course [An extensive obstacle course originally built for training recruits of the People’s Coast Guard is now open for civilian adventure. Passengers must sign a liability waiver before engaging in this activity]
Open Buffet Table (For those remaining onboard)
Re-board
Dinner
Abbreviated Casino time
Day 3: At Sea
Breakfast
Activities
Board Games
Lunch
Casino open all day
Live band [Set times to be posted]
Dinner
Day 4: Anchor off Vibarna Island
Breakfast
Activities
FRIB trips
FRIBs (Foldable Rigid Inflatable Boats) will be used to get closer to the island for avid photographers, bird watchers, and wildlife enthusiasts. Passengers must be in good physical health for this activity and follow all safety protocols.
Lunch
Dinner
Abbreviated Casino time
Day 5: Make port at Balanovo, Ikovskaya, Falkasia
Breakfast
Customs Check-in
Activities
Tour of town
Historical Lecture
Open Buffet Table (For those remaining onboard)
Re-board
Dinner
Live band and abbreviated Casino time
Day 6: Make port at Kärde, Ikovskaya, Falkasia
Breakfast
Customs Check-in
Activities
Tours of lighthouse
Tours of fish market
Tours of fishing docks
Open Buffet Table (For those remaining onboard)
Re-board
Dinner
Abbreviated Casino time
Day 7: At Sea / Pass by Fair Isle, Greater Orcadia
Breakfast
Activities
Board Games
Lunch
Casino open all day
Live band [Set times to be posted]
Dinner
Day 8: Make port at Port Scaig, Greater Orcadia
Breakfast
Customs Check-in: Visas required, can be obtained through embassies or filled in at port
Activities
Tour of Scaig Castle
Tour of Aglozian Ship Canal & Locks (2 hr drive roundtrip; Be aware in scheduling other shore activities)
Open Buffet Table (For those remaining onboard)
Walking & Bike Tours of town and MacCabe Whiskey Distillery
Re-board
Dinner
Live band and abbreviated Casino time
Overnight Pass by Isle of Schull, Osatana
Day 9: Make port at Kilmarry, Osatana
Breakfast
Customs Check-in: Please note that a visa is required to enter Osatana.
Activities
Tour of Historic N. Tavlyrian War bunker fortification system
Groups to downtown Kilmarry for shopping, entertainment, dining and beverages
Open Buffet Table (For those remaining onboard)
Re-board
Dinner
Live band and abbreviated Casino time
Day 10: Return to home port, Hjamokjim, Grimsvötn, Glisandia
Breakfast
Dock and Disembark
The plan is to launch from home port to hit all the stops scheduled in a clockwise loop.
Sólarupprás Ferðir reserves the right to change the route on short notice due to weather and other events.
Passengers will not be allowed off ship if they cannot produce passports and visa documentation for each member of their party. Visas are required in Osatana, Greater Orcadia, and YSR, which can be mailed in with activity sign ups, filled out in Hjamokjim, or in some cases, onboard ship before port stops.
Names and departure times will be noted and re-boarding times will be posted and announced over the PA system (tannoy). The crew will not be able to send out search parties for missing passengers, so please be sure to make the re-board time. Make note of your nation, or a friendly nation’s nearest local consulate or embassy in each nation on the agenda to visit.
Note that there will not be a shore trip onto protected Vibarna Island and that the ones to Wjol and Balanovo are highly restricted and groups will be escorted due to the stops being near major naval facilities of YSR and Falkasia, respectively.
Welcoming Dinner
Live band and abbreviated Casino time
Day 2: Make port at Wjol, Yellow Star Republic
Breakfast
Customs Check-in: Please note that a visa is required to enter the YSR.
Activities
Town Tour - Shopping, Dining and beverages
Nature Walk [Might not be suitable for elderly or ability challenged passengers as there are some tight, steep trails.]
Obstacle Course [An extensive obstacle course originally built for training recruits of the People’s Coast Guard is now open for civilian adventure. Passengers must sign a liability waiver before engaging in this activity]
Open Buffet Table (For those remaining onboard)
Re-board
Dinner
Abbreviated Casino time
Day 3: At Sea
Breakfast
Activities
Board Games
Lunch
Casino open all day
Live band [Set times to be posted]
Dinner
Day 4: Anchor off Vibarna Island
Breakfast
Activities
FRIB trips
FRIBs (Foldable Rigid Inflatable Boats) will be used to get closer to the island for avid photographers, bird watchers, and wildlife enthusiasts. Passengers must be in good physical health for this activity and follow all safety protocols.
Lunch
Dinner
Abbreviated Casino time
Day 5: Make port at Balanovo, Ikovskaya, Falkasia
Breakfast
Customs Check-in
Activities
Tour of town
Historical Lecture
Open Buffet Table (For those remaining onboard)
Re-board
Dinner
Live band and abbreviated Casino time
Day 6: Make port at Kärde, Ikovskaya, Falkasia
Breakfast
Customs Check-in
Activities
Tours of lighthouse
Tours of fish market
Tours of fishing docks
Open Buffet Table (For those remaining onboard)
Re-board
Dinner
Abbreviated Casino time
Day 7: At Sea / Pass by Fair Isle, Greater Orcadia
Breakfast
Activities
Board Games
Lunch
Casino open all day
Live band [Set times to be posted]
Dinner
Day 8: Make port at Port Scaig, Greater Orcadia
Breakfast
Customs Check-in: Visas required, can be obtained through embassies or filled in at port
Activities
Tour of Scaig Castle
Tour of Aglozian Ship Canal & Locks (2 hr drive roundtrip; Be aware in scheduling other shore activities)
Open Buffet Table (For those remaining onboard)
Walking & Bike Tours of town and MacCabe Whiskey Distillery
Re-board
Dinner
Live band and abbreviated Casino time
Overnight Pass by Isle of Schull, Osatana
Day 9: Make port at Kilmarry, Osatana
Breakfast
Customs Check-in: Please note that a visa is required to enter Osatana.
Activities
Tour of Historic N. Tavlyrian War bunker fortification system
Groups to downtown Kilmarry for shopping, entertainment, dining and beverages
Open Buffet Table (For those remaining onboard)
Re-board
Dinner
Live band and abbreviated Casino time
Day 10: Return to home port, Hjamokjim, Grimsvötn, Glisandia
Breakfast
Dock and Disembark
The plan is to launch from home port to hit all the stops scheduled in a clockwise loop.
Sólarupprás Ferðir reserves the right to change the route on short notice due to weather and other events.
Passengers will not be allowed off ship if they cannot produce passports and visa documentation for each member of their party. Visas are required in Osatana, Greater Orcadia, and YSR, which can be mailed in with activity sign ups, filled out in Hjamokjim, or in some cases, onboard ship before port stops.
Names and departure times will be noted and re-boarding times will be posted and announced over the PA system (tannoy). The crew will not be able to send out search parties for missing passengers, so please be sure to make the re-board time. Make note of your nation, or a friendly nation’s nearest local consulate or embassy in each nation on the agenda to visit.
Note that there will not be a shore trip onto protected Vibarna Island and that the ones to Wjol and Balanovo are highly restricted and groups will be escorted due to the stops being near major naval facilities of YSR and Falkasia, respectively.
The Weather & Climate:
The cruise ships only operate during late spring and summer. That being said, passengers should be prepared for all types of weather in this Nordic climate. It is recommended to pack for both warm and cold weather. Sudden gusts of cold rain and even snow have been known to hit the area. There is a bit of a maritime climate surrounding the Lake basin area, so it is more moderate than the rest of the Nordic area of Northern Tavlyria.
However, keep in mind that an Arctic tundra belt is not far to the north of Lake Agloza, as well as some frigid, mountainous currents that blow out of the Agloza Mountains. There is a constant belt of frigid weather that is crossed between Yellowsian and Falkasian waters, courtesy of the Skatyngen Mountain passes, the range that divides the Yellow Star Republic/Falkasian border.
However, keep in mind that an Arctic tundra belt is not far to the north of Lake Agloza, as well as some frigid, mountainous currents that blow out of the Agloza Mountains. There is a constant belt of frigid weather that is crossed between Yellowsian and Falkasian waters, courtesy of the Skatyngen Mountain passes, the range that divides the Yellow Star Republic/Falkasian border.
The Rest of the Fleet:
Traustur is the smaller of the two main cruisers, coming in at 45 m (144 ft) long, 8.5 m (28 ft) wide, with a cruising speed of 9 knots and carrying a maximum of 40 guests in 17 cabins.
The boat is configured with upper decks that house a fully air-conditioned or heated galley with plenty of room for all guests. The rear of the boat sports a shaded lounge/bar area with a fully equipped bar, televisions, tables, and comfortable lounging furniture.
A corner of the Traustur lounge holds two billiards tables, two dart board zones, and one arcade game.
The Sólpallur (Solar Deck) is spacious considering the boat’s dimensions, and is equipped with loungers and shade roofs. There is WIFI available free of charge on the entirety of the boats.
For Cabin space, it is generally laid out the same as the Upplausn, but with fewer cabins.
The boat is configured with upper decks that house a fully air-conditioned or heated galley with plenty of room for all guests. The rear of the boat sports a shaded lounge/bar area with a fully equipped bar, televisions, tables, and comfortable lounging furniture.
A corner of the Traustur lounge holds two billiards tables, two dart board zones, and one arcade game.
The Sólpallur (Solar Deck) is spacious considering the boat’s dimensions, and is equipped with loungers and shade roofs. There is WIFI available free of charge on the entirety of the boats.
For Cabin space, it is generally laid out the same as the Upplausn, but with fewer cabins.
Aside from the two prime luxury liners, Sólarupprás Ferðir maintains a tug/icebreaker, the Hugrekki and a tender/repair boat, the Sparsamur.