janetcbl

You are correct re: Flam; I thought you were referring to Bergen.

Google lists the ship docking area as a 23 minute walk to the railroad station.

I am on the same page as edinburgher and would only add that for us, Tingvellir and its geology was the best part of the Golden Circle. As an aside, edinburgher, I love your city. Have spent many wonderful days there and always find something new to “discover”.

You are correct. Our cruise was a 29 day combination “Into the Midnight Sun” (this one he mentioned), and “Homelands”. My comments were for the “Homelands” part….it had been a looooong day!🥴

If there is an excursion to Vigur Island from Isafjordur and you are interested in nature, take it. Did this many years ago and it is one of my favorite memories from this area.

Great way to see the important places in this part of Iceland.

We did this exact tour at the same time last year and it was amazing! You will have almost 24 hr. daylight up north. My (and only my) suggestions: The Flam railroad is a must; the ancient tours on Orkney; Vasa Museum in Stockholm; Berlin if you have never been(it is a long day); Vigeland Park and the museums in Oslo ( if you like art); Pulpit Rock in Stavanger,….and just sitting on your balcony enjoying the magnificent scenery. It is a trip of a lifetime (and Viking’s most popular Ocean Tour (I think). Enjoy!

Fascinating article! Thank you. I was a student in Sweden in the late 1960s, Oslo and Norway were considered the poor relative in Scandinavia. Jump ahead a few years, thanks to oil discovery, innovation and smart financial planning, Norway seems to be the leader and the new architecture, neighborhoods, etc., all reflect this. Love that city!

Thanks! I looked more carefully on the website and found them!

Are there any laundry machines (like on Viking Ocean Ships) on Octantis? I can’t see any on the deck plan. If not, are there any options between having it done by the ship or hand washing it in the sink in our cabin?

Your post could be mine…I remember planning onsite visits for my husband’s sabbatical in Norway years ago all by post. It took forever… and lots of stamps! Thanks for the memories!

Loved the Greenwich Doubletree! Unique hotel, great staff, good location and good food!

Exactly. “Did” the Milford and the Routeburn Tracks and keep pinching myself that they were real. One day on the Tasman, but missed the Tongariro completely. Wish we could go back, but age caught up with us, unfortunately. Thankful for what I was able to experience.

A land tour of New Zealand, especially South Island is the only way to “see” New Zealand, IMO. The scenery is wonderful, especially if you include the Milford Sound. A hiking program is the ultimate way to experience NZ.

Assume they have Irish Coffee, too?

https://www.whatsinport.com/?fbclid=IwAR13W0hGv-4xKIdY1zvAin2cRDpmlfKcWeyaF4MQ9GGBfdTo-u2Q96xWqF0 This is a website I have found handy. Some of it may be in the native language, so patience is needed! Hope it helps!

Thank you for sharing your amazing photos. Great fun recalling a trip to that area many, many years ago. Amazing how ruins don’t change!

He did his job and more….provided a bottles of wine BEFORE we needed them, altered his schedule to fit our early start in the morning, gave us extra hangers even without asking, provided different snacks at off times without requesting, always recognized us by name wherever he met us on the ship, and gave me the biggest hug the morning we left. For starters. Okay?

People who you don’t see, such as in the kitchen, maintenance, etc. get part of the gratuities that you pay up front. If you did individual gratuities, these people would be missed.

I always take double the amount I think I will tip extra….and usually wish I had brought more. Your Cabin Attendant will amaze you and make your trip extra special!

There is a lot of information on CC about Bergen. Check out Northern Europe and Baltic CC site. Briefly, Floyen, Bryggen, “Norway in a Nutshell”, Ulriken, Fish Market should not be missed.

You will repeat the train trip Bergen-Myrdal, but I would do it if you enjoy beautiful scenery and different forms of transportation. The train Myrdal-Flam is a descent of 1,011m for 19km. The boat ride from Flam to Gudvagen is two hours on two branches of a fjord. The bus ride from Gudvagen to Stalheim is a twisty ascent (someone wrote this was closed due to?). Stalheim is an old hotel with a magnificent view. Routine bus ride back to the rail station at Voss. Check with your TA to see if this has been changed. If not, you can purchase a ticket from them or wait until you are in Bergen (chance that it may be sold out if you wait until then.) Sorry for the loooong answer.

Ever read “Border Crossings” by Emma Fick? Short book, fun illustrations of her trip on the Trans Siberian Railroad. Vicarious pleasure, would never want to do it myself!

Haven’t stayed there, but heard good things about it, except for rooms in the Annex which aren’t great. Restaurant is supposed to be pretty good. Prices during “Tourist Season” are crazy; they have always been that way!