janetcbl

IMO: Skagen is a huge improvement over Aalborg, especially if you like sea, sand and art.(Sort of home to the Danish Skagen artists, including a good art museum.) And walking to the meeting place of the Kattegat and Skagerrak is kind of fun. Old Denmark charm and a great place to wander. Aalborg is a city.

For people who have sailed on the Octantis, what are the Shelter and Hide and how does one access them? Thanks for the info!

There used to be a tour that would pick you up at the ship, deliver you to the Blue Lagoon for a few hours and then take you to the airport . They handed your luggage. Don’t know if it is still available.

Didn’t note the 16 year old. Maybe consider Lindblad/National Geographic. Smaller ships, heavy emphasis on nature and excursions. Somewhat pricey, but worth it, IMO.

Can’t get it.😢

Check into Viking Ocean Cruises. Many trips circumnavigate Iceland; others go even further and include Greenland, the Faeroe Islands and Svalbard! They seem to have an inside edge when it comes to excursions (only my opinion, not fact) as well.

Do “Norway in a Nutshell” on your own; any Bergen Tourist Bureau can sell you an all inclusive ticket. Train Bergen-Myrdal, change to train Myrdal-Flam (the highlight of the trip), boat Flam-Gudvagen ( on the fjord), bus-Stalheim ( good coffee and amazing view), same bus to Voss,-train Voss-Bergen. Check it out on line, use a map. You can also book the ticket at many TAs in the States.

A couple of State liquor stores (only place to buy alcohol in Norway)….one near the train station and one a bit of a walk from the ship. Alcohol is expensive in Scandinavia as you are paying a tax for social programs associated with alcohol, etc. Name of the store, Vinmonopolet.

vy.no has always been easy for me…and this can usually be done for an earlier date than on other websites.

We have stayed at the Hotel Astoria, right next to the train station and taken the train directly to the airport. A simple hotel, but clean and convenient and you can enjoy Copenhagen the night before you have to fly. (Tivoli is a short walking distance.)

But you can’t purchase the transfer if you arrive the day BFORE the group flight arrives. Been there, tried that, it does not work.

We are going in August 2023 and from the looks of the schedule we were sent it looks as though most of the ports are tender ports.

I have been there many times in various weather. The last time was 2022, end of June, beginning of July…..Sun and 70F degrees! Very unusual!

If you are really interested in seeing the best of Norway, check out Hurtigruten. My suggestion, the 13 day roundtrip (Bergen-Bergen) and then “Norway in a Nutshell” (Bergen -Oslo with an overnight in Flam). A good TA can help you plan.

We started in a PV and were quite happy with the size, amenities, location, etc. Then we were offered a PS at a great price for our last cruise which we accepted and loved the “extras”…2 sinks, more storage space, curtain separation of living/sleeping areas and FREE laundry service. I am sure , if on our next cruise, we were offered a larger cabin we would be delighted with that, too. But, the point: we were on the ship on a cruise! In the end, that is all that matters, everything else is less important.

The North Cape is interesting in itself. Exhibits, a restaurant, “the top of Norway”( not exactly), nice views, especially on a good weather day.

Not that much to do. There is one museum. It is a small town, but the area is beautiful. Check out Maloy, Norway on Google or TA. I would imagine your ship will have excursions to some of the more interesting spots.

Any good TA can book the full round trip for you. It is called “Norway in a Nutshell” and can usually be fit into a day. You can check it out online by Googling “Norway in a Nutshell”.

Viking is the go-to cruise line for this area!

I’d choose #1. All Scandinavia and Stavanger is a delightful town , with a trip by boat to Pulpit Rock a bonus (or you can climb it if you physically fit!).

One on the very best cruises we have been on! …..and we had perfect weather every day. And your price looks great.

It is a wonderful restaurant, good food and full of history. Our favorite for a special meal when we are in Oslo. Eating outside (in warm!) weather makes it even more special.

Takes awhile to get there, but the view is awesome. I’d include the Opera House (roof can be slippery if ice is present.) Personally, I prefer the National Museum to the Munch Museum, but both are worthwhile. The Viking Ship Museum is closed at present.

If you are a wine drinker, you can request wine instead of the liquor.

You are correct. That tour pretty well covers what VO has to offer in Iceland. Perhaps plan to stay in Iceland on your own if you want to spend more time there. Iceland is easy to get around on your own, via public transportation or renting a car.