Lorizack

6 hours ago, zitsky said:

 

Was it Dom Perignon 1984?  LOL

Ha! We could pretend....

I do know someone who did the King Crab excursion. I will seek them out and get back to you with their opinion.

No one asked us about allergies...seasonal or otherwise. We arrived with a bus load from our included tour. Perhaps 40 people? The only hold up was the few folks who hadn’t mastered emptying pockets etc for security screening. Otherwise we walked straight along. There were 10 stations opened to register guest so we walked right up. Less than 3 minutes and we were drinking sparkling wine😀

You bet! We did The Viking extension of Oslo to Bergen. Loved Oslo and wished for more time. We saw the new ski jump, which was impressive in size. Then the Viking museum, which was very interesting.  Then the Fram Museum. Both museums were great and we learned so much. We could have used so much more time. Both had public washrooms and were very accessible. In the Fram, you can tour the actual ship. That could present some mobility issues. In the bus between stops were saw the palace, and learned a lot about life in Oslo. 

We rode with our guide on the train to Bergen. It took just over 7 hours. The walk from the bus to the train was not difficult but the surface was uneven. If pushing carry on bags, it was a bit cumbersome, but not bad. We had two train cars for Viking, with two guides. They served a bag lunch and coffee or tea. Washrooms were airplane style and right there. The scenery was lovely and the trip enabled us to connect with fellow travellers. A short bus ride (5 minutes) and we were at our hotel. No check in required at hotels...Viking guides passed out room keys. Luggage was in our rooms.

There are many places to eat and drink right outside the door in Bergen. We met up with a few CC connections for a drink in the bar.  Prices in Norway are high....be prepared!

The included Bergen tour was coach and foot. We stopped at a restored neighbourhood/museum, which required a steady foot. Cobblestones, steep streets and rickety steep stairs may be a challenge, but it would be possible to avoid those areas and stay nearer the bus. Washrooms there. We also visited the fort which was across the street from our ship. A few stairs but everyone seemed to manage those. Then on to the ship, which a very easy process.

We purchased the Dale sweater factory excursion.  It took an hour by bus each way, which was pleasant. The factory was interesting, and we were able to see each step of the process, and chat with workers. There is a factory store which had a good selection of items on sale, along with newer items. I thought the prices were better than online or in town. Washrooms were right there.

We were dropped off in town and walked to the fish market before returning to the ship. That afternoon there was a person brought in to the ship who offered tax refunds for any items purchased over 315 Nk. So keep your receipts. We took the refund in Euros to prepare for our next stops.

Phew! We were ready for today’s sea day.

When we boarded the Sky on Sunday we were asked to read two questions regarding recent health (fever, cough, diarrhea..) and verbally reply. Done.  Just presented our passport, where our photo was scanned and copied, and we were done. Our credit card was registered online previously and was not required at check in. Nor our cruise documents.

We are currently onboard the Viking Sky enjoying Trade Routes of the Middle Ages. It’s a sea day today, and I’d be happy to answer questions or seek out information if anyone has something specific to ask. We are first time Ocean folks, so it’s all a wonderful new adventure for us.

How beautiful! The ocean colour is quite stunning. Thanks so much. We are enjoying your photos.  Looking forward to boarding the Sky on Sunday for our own Viking adventure.

I did watch the Rick Steves walking tour video, along with any others I could find.  Looks like a major theme for anyone visiting Bruges is food...glorious food! So I’ve got those figured out. Beer, hot chocolate, frites, waffles. Beyond that, anything else we should check out? On my bucket list would be Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child, if it’s not too difficult to arrange.

Thanks to everyone. I did book the Bruges On Your Own excursion. In Canadian dollars it was 64$ each. I expect that the peace of mind which will come from having our transportation arranged will be worth it. I’ve uploaded walking apps and made note of all suggestions. T minus 18 days to our adventure!

Thank you both for some excellent advice!  There is still room on the Bruges On Your Own excursion, so I think I will go ahead and grabbed two spots. We will appreciate knowing that our transportation has been arranged, and we can then look forward to lovely Bruges.  I also thank you for the heads up on Portsmouth. So very much to look forward to.

On our upcoming Trade Routes of The Middle Ages Cruise, we have planned to venture into Bruges on our own, using a Viking shuttle. We’ve never been on an ocean cruise before, so this is a huge leap of courage in an otherwise highly scheduled and guided list of excursions. From what I can read online, Bruges is very walkable and easy to navigate. But I’m getting cold feet! Will there be a shuttle? Should I safely book the ‘included excursion’, which doesn’t even go into Bruges? Or is this do-able? Any advice on shuttles or Bruges would be appreciated.

1 hour ago, lonagarr said:

I bet you are! We are not on that one........sure would like to have met you! Safe travels and have a ball!

Thank you. From what I’ve read here on CC, we will most certainly have a wonderful trip with Viking. You too, have a wonderful voyage.

3 hours ago, lonagarr said:

Which upcoming Trade  Routes cruise are you on, the September 22 or October 6 2019?

September 22. I’m getting pretty darn excited!

31 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

 

We have been in 4060, over the lifeboats/tenders. Sometimes there is noise when the boats are raised, lowered or cleaned but we did not have any problems. Our next two cruises will be along that same section of hallway, between the aft lifts and the launderette.

Thank you for your message, Peregrina ! We’re in 4060 on our upcoming Trade Routes Cruise, and with no scheduled tenders, I’m guessing it will be a quiet location. The fact that you will be returning to that cabin area by choice is reassuring.

We are on Trade Routes next month, and although the Thon Opera was listed as the possible hotel, it has now been confirmed to be the Radisson Blue Plazza. It too is in a good location, but just be mindful that your plans may be changed.

7 hours ago, Liz Masterson said:

I posted this on a differnt thread but it might also be useful here.

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I had some questions about this whole Oslo to Bergen Train Extension.

 

We had booked the 4 day Extension with 2 nights in a hotel in Oslo, the train ride, and 2 nights in a hotel in Bergen before we board the ship.  But recently when I went to check a few things out the description on line had disappeared. So I emailed TellUs@VikingCruises.com and they were terrific!

 

It is still on and now up on the website. (They have been updating the website a lot recently.) There is not a Viking Host on the train... but it is 'narrated' (Maybe by an actual person as others have reported having someone assigned to their car?) and Viking Guests are in their own car and have a meal. etc.  There is no need to upgrade your seats as the physical seats are all the same comfort level, but the upgrade allows you to reserve a specific seat and includes refreshments. 

 

It would probably be less expensive to do it on our own. But it will also be nice to have Viking handling the luggage! And it will give us a chance to meet some new friends along the way.

 

Here is their email reply to me... but they also called. Nice service.

Note to self: Remember your charger and plug adaptor. Just in case you run down the battery taking pictures!🙂

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The train journey from Oslo to Bergen or Bergen to Oslo varies between 6 30 minutes and 7 hours.

Transfers to and from the train stations are provided.

The train tickets are standard class, Viking reserves a rail car exclusively for our guests; therefore the tickets are not upgradeable to a different class of service.  The train is NOT escorted by a Viking host.

A meal service is provided.

The Rail Line is NSB  

Pre  Cruise - Direction going Oslo to Bergen - The train leaves Oslo around 12 noon and arrives in Bergen in the evening, usually around 7 PM (Timing subject to change)

Post Cruise - Direction going Bergen to Oslo - The train leaves Bergen around 8 AM and arrives in Oslo usually in the afternoon, usually around 3 PM (Timing subject to change)

https://www.nsb.no/en/our-destinations/our-regional-railway-lines/bergenrailway

 

Note:-  The main differences in the two packages are that Oslo & Scenic Train has 2 nights hotel in Oslo whereas Oslo & Bergen rail has 1 Night Bergen & 1 Night in Oslo.

The other difference is Oslo & Bergen Rail includes a Bergen and an Oslo city tour. Oslo & Scenic Train only has an Oslo included tour.

There are elctrical outlets/sockets at each seat which would need European adaptors which are not available on the train. (JP BSL 28/2/19)

 

Note:- The Flam railway is not part of the journey, but it does conect along the route at Myrdal station.

 

•  

Thanks so much for posting this message, Liz. It’s the best info I’ve seen on our upcoming Oslo/Bergen Viking extension.  The timeline is a great help. I can see now that our time in both cities will certainly be limited! Better have a plan for what we absolutely want to see. We’ll be in Oslo on September 20....coming soon.

Our upcoming cruise ( our first!) on September 22 has only 22 signed up for the M and M. Thinking that the odds aren’t with us that this one will be very successful. There has been next to no conversation on our roll call, although I’ve tried a few topics and troll it constantly. It’s kind of disappointing, but I guess minor in the overall picture. Will Viking still host an event with so few enrolled?