bobbisailsolo

Thanks Kellanrevere. Will let everyone know what she decides...

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Thanks for all the info,UK! I can't wait to see Bergen and Norway!!!

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I have booked a Hurtigruten roundtrip voyage for March 2 next year. I plan to fly into Bergen a couple of days early just in case there are flight delays. I'm considering the NIN Bergen round trip. I am a senior woman traveling alone. Would you recommend the NIN trip at this time of year, or would I be better off just taking a train to Flam and back to get some scenery.

Also trying to decide between Thon Rosenkrantz, First Hotel Marin and Det Hanseatiske Hotell for my 2 night stay. Is Det Hanseatiske worth the extra money? Are they easy to walk to from the shuttle bus with my luggage?

Thanks

I thought is meant Darn or DH something even worse or it does when DW calls me a DH

I thought the same...

Darn or Dumb or dead... Lol

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Just FYI, the previously posted link to the Bergen cruise ship schedule is now obsolete as the port have updated their website. There seem to be some teething problems with the information on the new site, but the new link to the cruise ship schedule is:

 

 

 

http://bergenhavn.no/cruise/anlopsoversikt/

Interesting to see just how many ships might be in port any given day!

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Thank you for the review! Your ship was full? I am booking over a year ahead for the classic voyage, and already there is not a good selection of cabins. Josh at the US office selected cabin 416 for me. He said "if a single family member of his was booking that's where he'd put them. It's still portholes, but right where the bow starts to curve.

With a full ship did you have any difficulty finding space in the lounge or on deck? How was the scenery? Did you enjoy the trip other than your disappointment with the cabin and the food?

I have to say, I am VERY VERY looking forward to this trip next year.

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I had this 12 day voyage booked for next year... But I'm a bit spooked... There are NO inside cabins available or catagory n outside. That's close to 150 cabins booked a year in advance! I though maybe they are holding some for folks just doing a shorter voyage, but that doesn't seem to be the case. I'm concerned there may be some large group on that date. As a solo traveler, not sure I wAnt to travel with a group like that. Having to fight for space on the deck or in the lounge... I asked my consultant and he just shrugged it off... But none of the other dates or ships show so little availability. What do you think??!! Should I move my cruise to another departure?

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Yes, my Dad would enjoy either experience, but he's 94 years old and apart from being unsteady on his feet, he has advanced macular degeneration and can only see a small amount out of one eye only. He only uses a wheelchair when someone is available to push him for longer distances, but needs someone to hold his arm when walking anywhere as he can and does trip over very slight changes in level. Certainly he would fall over with any degree of motion of a ship. The other thing that would concern me is that there's much less room on a Hurtigruten ship for moving around and my father needs someone alongside him when walking and somewhere like the restaurant can be a bit chaotic with passengers wandering around looking for tables and going to and from the food bars. My dad does live and manage by himself at home (his choice), but he has lived there for 65 years and knows where everything is. Apart from that, the house isn't going to start moving.

Personally, I wouldn't risk my dad being on a Hurtigruten ship. One trip or stumble in the wrong place could be his last. The large cruise ships have bigger (much) cabins and there's so much more room to move around everywhere without being knocked or tripped up.

The point you make about just getting away is very valid, my dad loves doing something different, even a day out in the car is a change from just sitting in the house for days on end, so he gets lots of days out rather than a potentially difficult cruise.

Your dad's condition is IDENTICAL to my

moms condition. I pretty much forced her to move in with after she took a fall taking her garbage out. Unfortunately, her legs get too stiff, so long drives and road trips are out. Her days are usually consist of dr appointments. I think she would be fine on the right cruise. If she is willing...

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Having done both types of cruises to Norway (Hurtigruten, P&O, Cunard and Fred Olsen), I would say that a traditional cruise ship would be a better bet for someone elderly who needs walking assistance. My Dad is 94 and I can say for certain that if he had been with us on our Hurtigruten trip, he would have fallen over numerous times without someone supporting him. The bigger ships are better at coping with bigger seas and generally go deep into the fjords where it's calmer anyway. The bigger ships are also better for finding your own space, especially if you've got a balcony cabin (definitely worthwhile for Norway). My dad couldn't have coped at all with the hustle and bustle of the Hurtigruten restaurant at open seating times.

BR, Just the info I was looking for! After checking prices, hurtigruten is extremely high in the summer. Balcony would be nice, but cost restrictive unless we share, which I'm not prepared to do. Do you think you dad would have enjoyed it? I'm having doubts...mom worries so much about falling, and vision so bad, not sure if she would enjoy her time. I would think she'd be glad just to get away, but that may not be the case.

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The cabin stewards on our most recent HAL trips were good but overworked in comparison to those on earlier trips and attention to detail suffered as a result.

 

The dining room experience had suffered much, much more with orders being slow to be taken, food being slow to arrive and often being cool when it finally did. Talking to the stewards and the dining room manager confirmed that staffing had been reduced considerably and they were struggling to cope.

 

Elsewhere on the ships we found that staff were very much less 'interested' than they used to be and simple requests often had to be repeated.

 

Add to the above the constant 'car boot sales' in the public areas and the overpriced 'tat' in the shops and you have a previously wonderful cruise line in decline.

Definitely not the HAL I remember...they need to go back to the old format... No tipping, higher fares, better service. That's why it was considered a step above the others. And now a new ship with 2500 passengers...guess they are trying to compete with princess...

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Thanks all for the feedback. Guess I'll just let mom decide which she thinks she'd like better. Personally I think hurtigruten would be more interesting for her, continually moving from port to port... Constant change of scenery, but HAL would probably be better service wise for a person of her age. I'll post when / if we book.

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[quote name=RMLincoln;45848707[You on the other hand would need a jacket and tie to meet the recommendations for formal night' date=' although a black cardigan has worked by my husband lately (shhh don't tell anyone; but we had to cut down on luggage to make room for cold weather clothes for the Hurtigruten cruise followed by a river cruise across northern Europe in November, then followed by HAL transatlantic going home.)

Either way I hope you have a grand time. m--[/quote]

Ha... RLM... I'm Bobbi short for Barbara...no jacket and tie required. :-)

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Someone brought up the point, on the mainstream cruises, when in port you're there all day, so if you're not getting off the ship, you're looking at the same thing all day long. For that reason, I think Hurtigruten is a better fit... Since it's constantly moving from one port to another, probably more interesting if not getting off the ship. If she decides she is able to do this, I am going to rent a wheelchair, just too ensure she doesn't overdo it. Hopefully they'll be one or two excursions appropriate for her.

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Whatever else you do, I'd recommend borrowing a wheelchair, if only to use it to move about the ship and in the airports. On Hurtigruten, it might be easier to get on and off the ship in a wheelchair, if it's a nice day. They certainly have a step-free access because they drive cars on and off - if they allow you to use it. Half an hour's push round town might be enjoyable on a nice day.

 

In May, there will be more snow about. Will that make the mountains easier or harder to see for your mother?

good point. if the sky is grey the snow will blend in making it harder to see. what about early september? I'd prefer to go when the kids are back in school.

when does it go into dry dock..anytime soon? I was reading some wonderful reviews but they were quite old...10 years or so...

TLC, here's a bit of background. I'm am doing a hurtigruten winter cruise next year. I want to see Norway in the summer as well, so planned on doing a mainstream cruise for the summer. It occurred to me, that maybe I could bring my mom along.. One last trip together. She had pretty much ruled out anymore travel, but I think this is something she could handle. She is 95, visually impaired, and unsteady on her feet. She has difficult walking because of arthritis and with the low vision, it is not enjoyable and tires easily. When out and about, she can't see much more 10 or15 feet away, other than outlines. She spends most of her time reading her kindle or watching tv (with difficulty). She doesn't have the strength to get on and off busses, but can get in and out of a car. I am considering a wheelchair, but she prefers not to use it.. She has a lot of pride... So excursions are pretty much out of the question unless it just a driving tour... Though how much she would see is hard to say. We could go any time, though shed rather go when the ships are not so full. It's very difficult for her when there are large crowds. I know she would prefer to eat her meals with just me.., she has a hard time using her fork due to the vision problems. It's embarrassing for her. But actually she is in pretty good health for her age. Her mind is sharp and she very sociable. She took her first trip to Europe at 88, spending a week in Paris with me. Then at 89, we did a three week Med cruise. Though she enjoyed it, it proved to be very hard on her. All the tours and walking on the ship, and airports wore her out. So I'm just looking for something where she can enjoy a change of scenery and relax...

Considering taking Mom on a Norway coastal cruise.. Maybe as far as the north cape. She is 95, and won't be doing many excursions. Its just to relax and admire the scenery. I know there are major differences between the two in terms of the cruise itself. Just wondering which would have better scenery for her... a cruise to the north cape on HAL, a B2b Fjord/viking saga HAL cruise, or Hurtigruten.. We would be going most likely in may 2016 on either the Rotterdam or Midnatsol.

http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetails.action?voyageCode=T636&offerActionType=&offerType=&offerCode=

http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetails.action?webItineraryIdForAudit=E6N14T&fromSearchVacation=true&destList=EN&dateCode=5_2016&flexibleMonths=false&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=&shipCodeSearch=RT&voyageCode=T618A

Oops... Mimi is on a different thread... Lol. Too late to edit

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Thanks Mimi! I had found that thread earlier! No, she doesn't wear the real dark glasses, in fact, that would make her sight worse. She requires lots of natural light to see things. (22 hours of daylight in Norway is a plus!). Hard to gauge just what she can and cannot see. Literally changes all the time. I did consider a wheelchair, but she seems to feel better with just the walker... I suppose I could rent one just in case the ship is too much for her. I was considering a 14 day north cape on the Rotterdam May 2016, or there is a b2b viking/fjords in May as well...or maybe a 12 day Hurtigruten Norway voyage. 7 days seems to short considering the flight from the states... Not sure which has better scenery. She seemed to like the idea of Hurtigruten.. Because it's so low key and casual. And not a lot of passengers. And with such short port visits she doesn't feel obligated to get off. She also mentioned she doesn't want to deal with the jewelry sales on deck. And all the crowds at the buffets..Lol. But I don't know if you actually cruise the fjords on Hurtigruten as you would on HAL. I just want a nice relaxed cruise, get her away from home for a change of scenery... While she is still able. Resort type trips are no longer something she would enjoy as she had some bouts with skin cancer.

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Thanks Mimi! I had found that thread earlier! No, she doesn't wear the real dark glasses, in fact, that would make her sight worse. Hard to gauge just what she can and cannot see. Literally changes all the time. I did consider a wheelchair, but she seems to feel better with just the walker... I was considering a 14 day north cape on the Rotterdam may 2016, or maybe a 12 Hurtigruten. 7 days seems to short considering the flight from the states...the

V

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My only concern in taking an elderly Mum on Hurtigruten would be the state of the seas over which there is no control. We have just been to the top of Norway on Midnatsol and the seas were flat due to little wind and being in sheltered areas between islands. However, when in 'open seas' with slight seas we experienced quite a bit of movement which made me feel quite sick and much care was needed moving around the ship. A smaller ship doesn't handle swells like a larger ship. A cabin on lower decks mid-ships is obviously better and in my experience towards the back is preferable to nearer the front if you can't get mid-ship.

 

 

 

We have been on 59 cruises and I haven't felt nauseated before - the ships have been much bigger. I suffer no problems in Force 12 gales crossing the Atlantic, for example.

Thanks rj. Have you done a Northcape on a mainstream cruise? Which provides better scenery? HAL has a nice 14 day itinerary which does scenic cruising of 5 fjords. Which do you think would be better..???

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Ive gotten so much help here for my northern lights cruise. Thank you all. Now, I am thinking of taking my 95 year old mother for a Norway coastal cruise next May or September.. god willing she stays healthy. She is vision impaired, and uses a walker, but otherwise quite healthy. My question is, do you think Hurtigruten would be a good choice for her, or should I stick with mainstream, like Holland America. I'm thinking Norway would be perfect as the most she would be doing is looking at scenery. I doubt she'd get off in the ports, unless we did something very special and which involves little if any walking (Flam railroad??). Hurtigruten, being more casual would be a plus. I wouldn't have to run out and buy her a new wardrobe. And certainly she would be lost on a mainstream cruise ship with 2000 passengers. With her macular degeneration, if the scenery is too far away, she won't be able to distinguish it. Most likely she will sit somewhere looking at the scenery or reading her kindle. What do you think? Would there be enough for her to see? Would she enjoy Hurtigruten?

Thanks for all for the comments. I think HAL would be a good fit.. The ships are smaller and they do cater to seniors. It would either be the Rotterdam or Prinsendam. The new ship is just too big. I'm debating on 2 outside cabins or one suite. The balcony would be nice, but the weather could be too cool to use it... And the sun could hurt her eyes, so I'm not sure about the balcony. I know I would like it, but it may be too cramped for two of us. My mom moves very slow, and I sometime lose patience... So two outsides might be better. With single supplements the cost is about the same per person...Definately I'd buy insurance...

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Wow! Thanks for all the encouragement! Cruising at 100! If they can, don't see why she can't!

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Has your mother ever been on a cruise?? You say her mind is good so why not let her make the decision weather to go or not. Any forty year old with a heart condition who cruises all the time has probably more risk than your mother.

Yes, she's been on several! At 89 we did a 21 day med cruise!!

She is just self conscious about her "handicaps" and very proud. She tried to hide them. I just think Norway sounds perfect for her... Out of Amsterdam. It's a bit longer flight than Alaska... Seattle or Vancover. I don't think there is enough to see from the ship doing New England, and she has been there, but she could not do any walking at the ports...if we went, I'd request a table for 2.. As she has difficulty using her knife and fork due to poor vision. And the cabin would need to be next to an elevator... She would get lost on the ship without me escorting her...the halls are too dark for her. But I could certainly set her by a window... And she could read her kindle. Yes, she can still read... But just wondering if it's worth the trouble. Her first reaction when I mentioned it, she kind of blew me off. But then warmed up to the idea. So it's a matter of my convincing her to go.., .. . If I think we should. I know the plane and airports are the worst part. Honestly, I think she'd be fine on the cruise...

Here's a photo of her... Pretty snazzy for 94

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