bobbisailsolo

Have you travelled in Europe by train before? I ask because we find train travel in Europe and luggage to be a poor match. Elevators are usually available only by finding the 'keeper of the key' to operate it. And baggage porters are non-existent. And there is no such thing as checked luggage. Admittedly, it has been several years since we've travelled by train in Europe -- but are planning to do so this fall. We're taking advantage of Cunard's White Glove Service and shipping the large suitcases from Southampton to Copenhagen. It was a trick to find a hotel that will accept the luggage (in Copenhagen) when we will not yet have arrived. And now that I think about it, with the latest difficulties in Copenhagen, the hotel may no longer be willing to do that. Here I go again.

I love train travel in Europe!

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I'm feeling what you are saying. We have veered away from our cruise history with the cruise line that is known for letting their guests do "whatever." We had 3 really good experiences, and one mediocre experience which was a turn off from moving up to a suite on the ship we were on last time. It wasn't so much the atmosphere that drove us away, it was the lackluster service and mediocre dining, even in the upcharge restaurants. I've always wanted to try HAL, and that was the incentive to switch. We look forward to the elegance of the Veendam, but are wondering exactly how subdued the atmosphere will be. We can do mellow, especially with our itinerary. We are just hoping there is at least bit more luxury during our Veendam experience.

 

Lorie

Lorie, are you referring to NCL? If you are, I have to say, depending on the cruise, in some respects you may not find it all that different. In the last 7 years, I've done 2 cruises on HAL (Alaska and Med) and 2 on NCL (Bermuda and South America).

HAL was a bit better re food quality, though NCL had some good salads at lunch time..,I didn't find much difference in the dining room experience... But I prefer open seating.. I'm not one for schedules, since retiring.

All 4 cruises were very casual. People dressed the way they wanted to

NCL definitely is a younger crowd. Don't be surprised if you see electric scooters on HAL.

HAL has a bit more refinement (as opposed to luxury)... Love the duo in the lounge that's plays classical music... Piano and violin I believe...

All my cruises were during school year, so I did not have children on any of them other than a few babies.

And yes, HAL gets very quiet at night.

I've only done one princess, and I would say it falls between the two.. I wasn't terribly impressed with my princess cruise. It was a 7 day southern caribbean. My son got married on it. The ship sometimes just seemed dirty or unkept to me especially by the end of the day. HAL is very well kept.. And you'll never see trash or food left behind in the elevators, like I've seen on some other caribbean cruises. It's definitely not a party cruise.

All being said, if I were younger, I'd probably still be doing NCL..

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No, the PM feature was not installed when Cruise Critic switched over to vBulletin as its message board provider.

So then you would have to post an email address if people want to privately message one another. I suppose you could create a separate email to be used just for this..,

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thanks richard and digitl..for the info.. now youve got me wondering if I should book february rather than March. March is supposed to be really good for northern lights.. but maybe there will not be enough snow for the Huskie sledding... My cruise is mar 2.. to get a new moon. I would probably have to go early february for the full moon as well...Plus if youve read my other posts, Im wondering why there are so many cabins unavailable for my date. It still seems so odd to have so many cabins booked over a year out....Any thoughts on February as opposed to March?

I'm glad you asked as I was wondering about upgrades too, and specifically if it's cheaper or the same to upgrade on board or in advance?

 

I've just checked and I have an unspecified outside cabin booked in Finnsmarken, so there's a good chance we will have obstructed view isn't there?

 

Not sure if I should try and pay to upgrade now or wait and see what I'm allocated once on board. Really don't want to have paid extra to look at a lifeboat!

My feeling, from other cruise lines, is an upgrade isnt always an upgrade. If you care where your cabin is, or what the view is, I would pay to specify. But if you really dont care... take a chance. To be honest, I dont really care all that much. Funny, I was lying in bed thinking to myself just a bit ago... why does it matter so much on a cruise. When you go to a resort for a week or two, you dont pick out your room..lol.. I think cabin selection is really a way for the cruise line to get more money for every little thing... what deck, what section, which side, what view.... and so on and so on.

Are we able to send a private message thru cruise critic as you can on Trip Advisor. Seems to me I was able to do that before, but Ive forgotten how.

I am on 3 HA roll calls and 2 Cunard roll calls. I very much enjoy being able to see pictures of roll call members. I also am not that active in posting but troll the site daily. Just because you do not see my name all the time doesn't mean I am not a nice person.

Froggie, I am sure you are quite nice!

Unlike others, I have no problem taking tours with people I don't know well. Never had a problem. Jerks? yes I think Ive been on tours when people have held up the group, but it really is kind of fun... in a warped kind of way.... it certainly gets everyone talking and laughing!

And I dont mind telling the group my name, where Im from and my cabin number...never had anyone stalk me yet... though Im still hoping...lol

Hmmm. Perhaps you have yet to find the ideal cruise line that best fits your wants and needs. My first thought would be to give Princess a try which might be a better compromise for you then either Carnival or HAL.

 

 

 

Hank

I was thinking the same thing!!!

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not gonna happen... they wont shut it down.

I think its just a matter of what appeals to you. I prefer a ship a bit more quiet, even if a bit older. I dont care for the really large ships, and Im not looking for any razzel dazzle at this point in my life. Not interested in entertainment or dancing. So HAL is perfect for me. But thats not to say, there is anything wrong with razzle dazzle. Ive heard the food on Carnivale has gotten much better as well! Caroibbean cruising are very different from international cruises. So for a caribbean cruise, Im sure Carnival would be great! I think you can get similar prices on HAL if you want till last minute...

Josh at Hurtigruten talked me into just doing a ocean view... but he said to do the starboard. He said the port side is too noisy and if he were booking for his family, thats where he would put them... So I took his word for it.

Still find it hard to believe and the catagory N, I, and U cabins are gone over a year out? Im hoping they dont have some huge group event on this sailing. I dont see any of the other March 2016 sailings so booked up...

I didn't do this excursion but I talked with people who have done it during my recent trip (10 days ago) in Tromso and they were very happy. They didn't have to do the driving. The ride itself was about 30 minutes, they could also have some time with the dogs before and some hot beverage after. You are provided with warm clothing if you want, but if you are covered enough it is not necessary (I understood there is also a blanket on the sled). They also said the landscape during the ride was very nice. They are not particularly fit people so I guess it is not that physically challenging. Hurtigruten is quite conservative with fitness level ratings. As long as you have to walk a bit in the snow, it is already rated 2...

Thanks!.. i just took a look at your blog. Very nice pics of the lights! Wonderfin if your ship was very full?

After reading this thread, I feel a little sad that we didn't have the opportunity to start cruising earlier in life. It would appear that we have missed so much that seasoned HAL cruisers enjoyed in the past.

 

On the other hand, since we never experienced them, I really shouldn't feel this way at all. If we weren't so keen on trying HAL, we would look to another cruise line for our upcoming Alaska cruise next summer. After reading the HAL board over the past two years, I feel certain that we will have a wonderful experience.

 

Cruising is a fantastic way to travel. Smooth sailing and pleasant weather everyone!

HAL does a really good job in Alaska... that you can count on!

When you've read the right part of my blog, most of your questions will have been answered. Most people did use the clothing provided but we already had our own mountaineering clothing, so were warm enough (and happier in our own gear).

 

Reindeer sledding wasn't an option.

 

By the time we travelled by bus from the port to the husky place and got sixty people on their sled ride, then back to the port, the ship was ready to sail.

 

The minus 12c that we experienced, was apparently quite warm for Kirkenes at that time of year. We were told it can be a lot colder.

 

The visit to the snow hotel was a bonus.

Having trouble finding your Norway winter blog???

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There's a world of difference between chowing down and fine dining. The former feeds the body, while the latter additionally feeds the soul.

 

If the days of fine dining are gone, then the world has lost something that mattered. [/

 

 

I don't consider HAL fine dining. Don't think any of the mainstream cruises offer fine dining or really ever did. To me its comparable to banquet dining. As I've gotten older, or as I'd like to think wiser, I can be just as happy with a $30 steak, as I am with a $100'one (providing they are both from humanely raised cattle). As long as there's someone to fill my coffee cup I'm a happy camper.. Guess I look at the world differently now.

 

What really surprised me were all the really, really casual passengers on my 21 day med cruise. I plan to be one of them on my next cruise to Norway and the northern isles...Lol.

 

Just wondering, how many on this thread go to the captain's cocktail party? I assuming HAL still has them?

 

 

 

 

 

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HAL is just changing with the times. Gone IMHO are the days when people cared about table settings. My generation was a bunch of collectors. We loved waterford crystal and silver place settings. But not the younger folks. We were so duped into believing any of that stuff mattered! Have you seen what waterford goes for on eBay? Lol. Remember when people dressed up to fly? No long elegant gowns much on cruises... Or sequined jackets. We have become a society of casualness and comfort...at my age I can't even wear heels if I wanted to. What is most important are the itineraries which I still think sets HAL apart from say RCL and Carnival... I'm sure there are some people who still like the old style cruising... But I think for the most part those days are gone. Plus... Just a thought... We are more politically correct now... As we should be... No need to have someone walk down the aisle ringing a bell. That's a bit demeaning in 2015. Again these are just my opinions hope I didn't offend anyone. I'm almost afraid to post this!!

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We did our dog sledding near Kirkenes in early March last year & never had to get off the sled. The uphill sections were brief and not at all steep. Each sled had a musher & as far as I could tell, no-one else got the opportunity to do that job themselves, probably because of time constraints. I think I read that the sledding at Tromso is occasionally cancelled due to lack of snow. That might be less likely further North, although our musher did say that he was concerned about how much longer the snow would last as it had been unseasonably mild (it was -12c).

We're both in our early 60's & had no trouble.

Thanks so much for responding! As youve probably read, Im going at the exact same time you went! i am going to take a look at your blog in just a few minutes. I did call hurtigruten and Josh told me it should be no problem if I can handle some lumps and bumps. So just wondering how cold was it when you went sledding. I live in Michigan, where the weather gets very very cold in the winter. Im thinking it may not be any colder there than here! Did you keep warm on the excursion? I read a couple of reviews, some say kirkenes is better, some say tromso. did they provide clothing for you to wear, as they do on the tromso sleds? Do you recall if the reindeer sledding was offered? I am so excited about this "cruise" I also have a northern isles booked with holland america in the summer, but I am actually looking more forward to this one. It just seems like such an adventure to me... cruising in the cold and watching the skies. And I love the idea that I dont have to dress up and its totally casual.. If there are any suggestions you have regarding this trip, I would welcome them.

Bobbi

It me again...bobbi....:D

I am very interested in dog sledding whilst in Tromso. It is offered as a shore excursion on my hurtigruten winter voyage. For fitness level it is labeled a 3 out of a possible 3.

First, how strenuous will it be. I am 61, in okay health, but certainly not at my prime. I read someone had to push their sled up a hill, which would be difficult for me....

Second, is it possible to do as a single person. Looks like its designed for 2 and you take turns driving. Im really not interested in doing the driving.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Also saw reindeer sledding in Tromso may be offered..Do you think that would be any easier? Both sound like a lot of fun..

ive also so posted on the Tromso board. thanks for any feedback.

I am very interested in dog sledding. It is offered as a shore excursion on my hurtigruten winter voyage. For fitness level it is labeled a 3 out of a possible 3.

First, how strenuous will it be. I am 61, in okay health, but certainly not at my prime. I read someone had to push their sled up a hill, which would be difficult for me....

Second, is it possible to do as a single person. Looks like its designed for 2 and you take turns driving. Im really not interested in doing the driving.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks for any feedback

For me it is Crystal.......the service is excellent, the food is terrific, the price is (virtually) all inclusive so there's no up-selling or nickel-and-diming for everything. The people I've met (solo or not) have all been friendly (and most of them interesting), and the ships offer a lot of comfort and not a lot of crowds. I appreciate the lack of crowds and the laid-back and relaxing atmosphere of their ships most of all (well, along with the great food, LOL).

I took at look at their website... They have some special solo rates advertised. Seems like they do a lot of overnights in ports which is nice!

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I don't know about the Midnatsol, but I have seen quite a few of the obstructed view cabins on the MS Nordlys. Some of them indeed have only a little obstruction, but in some others you can only see the side of a lifeboat and a tiny bit of sky! ;) And it's difficult to tell from the deck plan.

Are you only looking on the website, or did you try calling the Hurtigruten representative? They are usually very helpful on the phone and they might tell you why you can't book a N cabin (I don't think they are already full that far in advance), and help you with that.

I spoke with them today... Donna at Hurtigruten really had no idea why those cabins are no longer available. I'm thinking either... Maybe they are working on them? Or a large group booked ( which I'm hoping isn't the case)? Or they are just trying to get higher fares? Or... They don't want to sell them as a single...

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On my first solo cruise I felt safer booking through the cruise line. I will be going on my second solo cruise in a few weeks and once again I have booked through the cruise line. I do a lot of research before booking an excursion because I am going solo. My last solo cruise I met other solos on two excursions and a wonderful newly engaged couple on the other one. I think that as I become a more experienced solo cruiser I will be more comfortable doing private tours and waiting to meet other solos.

I do all kinds of solo travel, in fact the majority is not on cruises. I have to admit, i do meet some wonderful people in my travels. As soon as I tell them I am traveling alone, I am invited to join for lunch or dinner or whatever. You neednt feel unsure of doing private tours if the opportunity arises.

Yep, I did do an obstructed view, but I though maybe I could see a bit. I read on one of the boards somewhere that the obstructed view could have very little obstruction. I was also considering changing to an ocean view, a on a deck below.... but its odd none of the N catagory, of which there are quite a few, are available.. nor are the inside cabins. which seems odd to be for march 2016...Unless they just dont want to release them for singles?

You can see that. If you select "let us pick your cabin" it will show you the price of all guarantee levels.

Is that something new... A guarantee for each category? Years ago guarantees were for only the lowest categories in each type... Inside, outside or balcony. For the others, you picked a cabin and specified if you would take an upgrade. Looks like this is just a way for them to make a couple more dollars???

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Is it "legal" to post what cruise you received a great deal on?

It was a quite a while ago. It was about $1000 for eqypt and holylands advertised for something like $799 for a double. I considered booking but changed my mind, which was a good thing as war broke out and I read ports were canceled. Celeb silhouette 12 nights as I recall. .

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