janetcbl

31 minutes ago, wrldtrvllr said:

I apologize if this has already been asked and answered but would like opinions on cruising southern Norway fjords end of September/early October vs May/June?  Would love to see northern lights. (Have cruised Alaska in May, July, and September and thought May was the best due to the most snow coverage, long days, less rain but am anxious to hurry up and see Norway and decision is between fall 2024 and early summer 2025). Looking at MSC and furthest north it goes is Alesund.

Kiel Germany | Copenhagen Denmark | Hellesylt Norway | Alesund Norway | Flaam Norway | Kiel Germany 

 

Thank you.

That far south in Norway, the answer is no Northern lights…you get sunlight many hours during the day. The only time to see Northern lights is midwinter, preferably far North. 

27 minutes ago, kahuna21 said:

What the heck is a “slider”?

A large window-like door that slides open to,the balcony instead of a “normal” door. Some people like them, some people don’t. Always provides a lovely argument on CC which one is “better”. My opinion, it is a matter of choice.

Has anyone visited the Norwegian Fjord Center in Geiranger? It is a World Heritage Site dealing with the geological formation of the area and  biological diversity. A bit of a walk from the center, but looks fascinating! We have been to Geiranger a few times and this seems like something new to explore. Anyone?

16 hours ago, TravelerTeacherRetired said:

Thanks for this info. Might hand wash a bunch. 
BTW, I read a Viking article “what not to pack”.  It said don’t bring umbrella. Said they are supplied in the cabin. Is that so? Or is a small travel umbrella recommended. 

Suggest you bring a small foldable umbrella. The ones that Viking supplies are huge.

28 minutes ago, nunuc2000 said:

Hello... Not having been to Norway before, I'm really hoping that those of you more experienced with some of these ports would be able to give me a little guidance.  We don't want to do scheduled excursions for all of the ports, but maybe just a couple of them.  We typically enjoy walking around ports that have interesting culture, a nice pub or coffee shop, museums or scenic walkability. 

 

Of the ports on our upcoming cruise (only the Norway ones - we're familiar with the Scottish ones) which of these would you say are great for walking around the port area, and which ones are a "must do" for booking an actual excursion?  Any particular ports that you felt were the highlight of your itinerary, and which types of excursions you might recommend for those?  We are both healthy and fit, enjoy scenic views, food, beer, wine, animals, interesting history, etc. Wouldn't want to take a strenuous hike up a mountain, but can definitely handle stairs and a good amount of walking. 

 

 

Thanks for any helpful advice, including tips to make the most of this cruise that might not necessarily be totally focused on what to do in those ports. 🙂

 

 

Trondheim: the Cathedral. Honningsvag:The North Cape. Tromso: an excursion that focuses on the Arctic Cathedral, Polar Museum, Polaria, and Fjellheisen (cable car for a great view). Leknes: an excursion that takes in the various areas, as far north as Svolvaer (in Svolvaer there is a fjord excursion that goes to the Trollfjord with its tiny entrance. So much to see, so little time! Have fun!

2 hours ago, yoolykeme said:

Hey there.  I'n trying to put together a 23hr itinerary for Iceland with my elderly mom.  She down to do stuff, just walks a little slow.  Would like to get as much experience in as possible.  What do you think about this itinerary?

 

We arrive at 2pm on Thursday and leave 1pm on Friday, so we maybe have 21 hours of usable time.  I'm thinking that I rent a car from Blue or whatever is local to the port, check in at a hotel downtown, spend a couple of hours at Sky Lagoon, drive around in whatever route makes sense to see stuff, have dinner and maaayyyyybe try to search for the northern lights that night, sleep.  Then the next morning just have coffee and do some shopping and get back to the boat around 11a.

 

Does this sound feasible?  Would you add or change anything?  Please and thanks.

Unless you plan to be there in the winter, forget searching for the Northern Lights. Summer time is pretty much light 24hours/day.

17 hours ago, zalusky said:

Any thoughts on time of year for the train ride?  Spring vs summer vs fall vs winter.

I have done it in all four seasons.Big crowds in the summer, smaller in the fall and winter. I was there in February, only 2 other people in Flam, one large store open, no cruise to Gudvagen. The scenery was even more spectacular, although it was only light for a couple hours, due to mountains and winter. Go any season, all have their special charm.

6 hours ago, hutch1994 said:

Got hit with a false charge from the Intercontinental Madrid post extension stay.  Be careful when checking out of hotels.  Protesting it now.  Very disappointed in this.  Thought it was a better caliber of hotel than this.

This is the usual way it is done. If you have no charges, it will disappear in a few days. Hotels do this to cover themselves in case you charge something that shows up later. No big deal, but the first time it happens to you, it is scary.

14 minutes ago, ruralmomof2 said:

HAL changed the ports on our itinerary from Alesund, Nordjfjord, eidfjord and Bergen to Alesund, eidfjord, olden and Sardnes which they claim is a port for Stavenger.   Is Sardnes a good port?   How far is the trip to Stavenger?

 

we could switch to celebrity apex and see Bergen, Flam, Geirenger, and Haugesund but not sure if it is worth the extra money.  Would have loved to go to Flam, but…

 

thank you

I’d vote for the Celebrity trip. IMO, and only IMO, the ports of Bergen, Flam and Geiranger are more interesting than Olden and Sardnes. Eidfjord is a beautiful fjord, but the sail in to Geiranger is spectacular. The Flam railroad is a special experience, a steep climb up to the top and back. Alesund is an interesting city, but Bergen is much more interesting, with many more diverse experiences. Remember, this is just my opinion.

Heimaey is easy to walk around and has an excellent museum that relates the story of the volcano eruption in 1973. 

12 hours ago, ddeprez said:

Ok, then… Suggestions if your bank no longer provides foreign currency, and you prefer to not use an ATM there?

Our last trip was entirely in Scandinavia where we never used kronor, only our credit cards. Some merchants refused to take cash.

2 hours ago, janetcbl said:

The Viking Ship Museum is currently closed, but the nearby Fram and Kon-Tiki Museums are worth a visit. The inside of the Oslo City Hall is worth a visit and a tour of that building will highlight where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded. Akershus Fortress is interesting and the view from there is excellent. Many enjoy the Norse Folk Museum where you can see a stage church. There is a large Botanical Garden, complete with cafe.

“Stave”….( I hate autocorrect)>

2 hours ago, deec said:

We leave for the a British Isle Cruise ( May 1) and the Pre-extension late April.  If any of you has done the pre- extesnsion would you please share the day to day itinerary so that I can do some planning for any free time and meals.  Viking was unable to provide anything other than the basic description.  What time did you get to the ship?

 

We are taking the train and Oslo post but are extending an extra 2 days in Oslo. Anyone have great suggestions for day trip away and who did you use?  A fjord cruise?  It looks like we will only have one  Viking tour.  Although we visited previously we will revisit e sculpture garden and opera house ( maybe a back of the house tour this time).  Probably will pass on Munch Musuem ( not a huge fan) and have visited the amazing library.  Did you find a great botanical garden?

The Viking Ship Museum is currently closed, but the nearby Fram and Kon-Tiki Museums are worth a visit. The inside of the Oslo City Hall is worth a visit and a tour of that building will highlight where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded. Akershus Fortress is interesting and the view from there is excellent. Many enjoy the Norse Folk Museum where you can see a stage church. There is a large Botanical Garden, complete with cafe.

1 hour ago, Insanityx4 said:

On the Octantis, as much grilled lobster and steak as you want from the WC grill in the evenings, also the sushi and seafood buffet in the WC. Much larger than on ocean ships.

The Explorer WC “spoiled” us! Next time we were on an Ocean cruise we felt “deprived”.

2 hours ago, Insanityx4 said:

We bought the SSP for the first time on our last cruise which was on an Expedition Ship and had a $1,000 on board credit so used it for that. We really liked the package and the convenience but we also had a Nordic Suite so the mini bar went untouched. We just booked another cruise on an Ocean ship in a Penthouse Veranda category and will not get the SSP since we will have the mini bar in our room. We can always get a drink at any bar on the ship if we want and pay for it for far less. I do think we drank way more with the SSP because we wanted to get our $25 pp per days worth!

You can ask for wine to be added to the minibar in PV and above. I don’t know if you can get the wine in addition to the liquor or if you have to trade it for the liquor. Anyone?

2 hours ago, DinnyClaire said:

Thanks for your response sharkster77. 

No, it is not available in the Amazon App store.  I was hoping someone found a way to load it through a 'backdoor' app.  Guess I will just have to use my phone!

I found it in the Amazon app site. It is called Viking Voyager. There isn’t anything you can do with it, except download it to your iPad or whatever, until you get on the ship and sign in. 

47 minutes ago, sarar said:

How close to Stradsgarden is the place to get a ferry to go to the ABBA museum?

 

It looks close, but you are dealing with different levels. To walk you go out, turn right and walk to stairs, up the stairs, walk over the bridge which leads to Gamla Stan. Walk to your right, turn left when you reach the shore and the ferry building is there a short distance away. (This is my memory from two years ago, if I am mistaken, please someone correct this). Cabs have to drive up the hill to drive over the bridge.

IMO: The Celebrity. Flam (take the Flambana excursion if able), Geiranger (magnificent scenery) and Bergen (fascinating city in itself) would make it an easy choice for me. Been to Norway many times, have never been to Olden or Skjolden…perhaps I am missing something?

2 hours ago, LostInQuilts said:

 Thank you!

 

I'm definitely interested in the excursion in the Orkney Islands that goes to Skara Brae. There's a farm visit in Bergen that looks interesting and another one in Dublin. I'm thinking that we'll want to visit Caerfarnon Castle in Wales. Those are the only ones I've halfway decided on at this point.

We did the Bergen  farm visit. Excellent excursion, wonderful, engaging family who welcomed us as guests and joined us in visiting their farm. One of the best, IMO.

18 hours ago, bluedevilnjfl said:

Anyone know how to get to Vigur island if the cruise excursion is sold out?

Try iceland-highlights.com. If nothing is listed it may be because the eider ducks chicks are hatching. If the excursion is “sold out”, this may be the reason. No visitors are permitted at this time (I am remembering this from awhile ago, it may be incorrect.) Check on line or Google Vigur Island Eider ducks.

14 hours ago, wandb said:

Are there any museums (especially Resistance Museums) in Kristiansand?  Many years ago we visited such a museum (in Oslo I believe). It was fascinating and we were disappointed that we had so little time there. I love the history of the resistance movements during World War II and would be so glad to find one on this trip. 

If you are going to Copenhagen there is one there: Museum of Danish Resistance.The one is Oslo is amazing: Norway Resistance Museum.

2 hours ago, gdlamberth said:

I did post this on the British Isles/Western Europe board also; but, thought some here might have relevant experience.

 

 

We're scheduled to stop at Torshavn (Faroe Islands) on 21 August 2024.  My question is: 

 

Based upon your experience or knowledge, what's the likelihood of a small (Oceania's Sirena, 20,000 tons and 680 pax) hip missing the port due to weather, seas, etc.?

 

I'm looking into excursions and some DIY do not offer refunds if ship misses port.

 

Any help or insights offered will be greatly appreciated.

 

Greg

Not a helpful answer: you can never predict. I have been a three trips where the Faroe Islands were listed as a stop; only one made it and on that one we had to miss the Shetlands, the Orkneys and one Greenland stop due to bad weather and/ or heavy seas. It is not the answer you wanted, but an honest one.

1 hour ago, hallasm said:

Sorry, but I don't quite understand what you mean

In “American” that usually means “play it by ear”, “go with the flow”,…. just see what happens and plan as you go. We do have some of the strangest ways of saying things!

Has anyone hiked up Eldfell Mountain on Heimaey (off the coast of Iceland)? If so, how difficult was it for you?

2 hours ago, stretchcruz said:

I'm in the World Cafe. Cobb salad and chicken. Signed up for cooking classes and bridge and laundry tours.

Just curious…what cooking classes are offered on your cruise? Loved the Bridge and Laundry tours.