bobbisailsolo

I believe that Hurtigruten ships all dock with the port side at the quay, regardless of whether travelling North or South. I think the passenger and car ramps are all located on that side. Someone will correct that if I'm wrong.

Certainly, on Nordnorge all the odd numbered cabins were port side and even numbers on starboard side, with a mix of numbers for inside cabins.

 

Your link to Midnatsol also shows odd numbers on the port side.

Thanks so much for the confirmation! I think I booked on the wrong side so I may change it, though in all honesty, I doubt I'll be in the cabin looking out the window much!'

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have heard that the Kirkenes Dog Sled trip is better, so we are booking it through the Thon Hotel, which saves you some money vs booking through Hurtigruten. Will have more info soon as hindsight is 20/20!

Fantastic! You'll be able to tell me all about it! Booking the dogsled thru Thor in Kirkenes? How big a savings was it? I read the Tromso dog sledding was better (can't remember why...)so who knows.. Please be sure to post all the details!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As the name indicates, the Port side will give you the best view of the ports, certainly the part where all the action is.

We got an upgrade to a higher deck, but only because our cabin bathroom flooded when we used the shower, otherwise I don't think that would have happened.

So the port side is better in both directions?

http://www.hurtigruten.com/Global/Images/WIP/Ships/MS%20Midnattsol/NEW%20Deckplans%202014/Midnatsol-Deck-7.jpg

So are the even or odd numbered cabins the port side. I think I was told the odd... but that doesnt look right to me

If the guarantee is the cheapest, I would go with that, but if its the same price to select a cabin, I like to choose mine. One time, I was upgraded to a better position on the ship, but ended up in a handicap cabin. I lost the bathtub and considerable closet space. So Im hesitant to do guarantees unless there is a savings involved. Im more concerned with the cabin space, than its location....

Speaking only for myself, but there's a difference. When you agree to take a private tour with others, the cost usually depends on the number of people who sign up. And you pay the day of the tour, not ahead. What if someone doesn't show up? If someone just posts once on a roll call "please add me to your tour" how does anyone know what this person is like? I'm just not inclined to trust my day in port to depending on strangers to follow through, and if they don't, scramble to make adjustments to my day. JMO. :)

Seems to me on my private tours, we were given the providers contact info and paid him directly before the tour. Others i think if it were just a few of us, one anti'd up, and just were reimbursed at the meet and greet. Yes, there was some trust involved, but it all worked out.

I made some very nice friends, not life long, but nice company during the cruise. With facebook its very easy just to stay in touch if nothing else. I dont happen to have many lifelong friends, so its nice for me to keep in touch.

I have an upcoming cruise and am on the roll call, and feel a little intimidated. It seems that a few people have cruised together before and are all chatty about their prior experiences and how they hope so-and-so is the cruise director again and hope that so-and-so is the hotel manager. And maybe we should all get together and play trivia again we were such a great team.

 

I just can't relate to any of it so I remain silent.

that would put me off as well, as does the "how many cruises have you been on" conversations. But I do like to chat with people prior to boarding... and going on tours with others... as a solo....

I do remember thou one tour i joined.. they were all friends it seems, and no one said one word to me. I was just there to fill a space I guess. But others, we had wonderful times...On my med cruise, several of us got together for a private athens tour. One of the gentlemen had parkinsons, but his goal was to climb the acropolis. We all helped him out. It was wonderful!

totally agree. very difficult to select your cabin. You have to first pull up a deck plan, then toggle between the two pages. The agencies sites are much better, and they seem to offer even more choices!

does hurtigruten ever offer a free upgrade to booked guests?

I have booked an outside cabin. Im wondering if I chose the best side of the ship. Which side has the best views of the ports. I am doing the classic 12 day voyage. thanks.

Yes, well aware of the Hurtigruten concept. I think it sounds interesting..especially in winter, when I really don't plan on doing lots of excursions. I don't drink beer or wine... So not a problem there

After studying the P&O itinerary it's not what I'm looking for.., will check out fred though!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Guest lecturers are scarce, we had a staff member read a Captain Cook "lecture" on our recent Hawaii cruise. Sales pitches are now called seminars, you may find them for exotic gemstones, acupuncture, chocolate diamonds, tanzanite, birthstones and gods know what else. People attend these sales pitches!

 

Rock salt is available in grinders in the Lido for unknown reasons. Crunchy salt must be popular in some quarters.

 

The poorly named As You Wish Dining encompasses all dining options, including open seating.

 

Smoking rules have changed, see the HAL website, ain't nobody happy on Cruise Critic. Anti-smokers want more restrictions, pro-smokers want fewer, and the rest wish everybody would just shut up about it already.

 

There are no longer any trays in the Lido. Good luck getting your drink, seat and hot food.

No more trays! I forgot about that. I was told they wanted to cut down on wasted food. If you have to carry a plate, you can't take as much..

A lot has changed. Almost all for the worse.

 

My advice is to lower your expectations. Your memories of great service, etc. are now history. If you want a premium experience, you can't get it anymore on Holland. There are some wonderful cruise lines out there, but you'll have to pay more.

 

Your alternative is to hold your nose and book Holland America. You can still have a great cruise, but you'll be miserable if you keep comparing things to the "good old days". A lot of people spend their entire cruise complaining about how bad Holland America has become. Your choice is to either pay for a high quality experience on another line or stay with Holland America and try to find a bargain. They do have some great deals if you are OK with the lower quality.

 

 

 

Good Luck and have fun whichever way you go.

To be fair, it's not just HAL that has changed. All of the mainstream cruises have gone down hill. Cruising is not what it used to be, for sure.

Wow, Java Café?

It really has been a long time since you cruised HAL.

You will no longer have a Java Café. Long gone.

Espresso and Cappuccino are available for purchase at Explorations Café and in MDR. Ships are still spotless and understatedly elegant.

Some are much bigger than when you sailed.

You likely have not seen or dined in an alternative restaurant, Pinnacle Grill. Deicious and an additional charge.

Staffing is down; work load the same which equates to stewards working very hard on servicing more cabins, waiting on more dining tables......

 

Hotel Service Charge is added daily to our shipboard account as gratuities that are split among front of the house as well as back of the house crew.

No more Dutch Night.

No more Rosarios.

No more Brass Hors d'ouerves server in Ocean Bar.

Hotel Manager is now Hotel Director.

Chief Officer is now Staff Captain.

Maitre d' is now Dining Room Manager.

We are permitted to bring aboard one 750 ml bottle of wine per adult person at no corkage fee. Anything more than that is permitted but there is $18 corkage fee per bottle no matter where you drink it. The days of unlimited wine being permitted carried aboard ended.

 

LOTS of other changes but that's a start.

How much are the daily gratuities now?

I think there is something to what you say. I recently went to join a Roll Call for a cruise and found that there was a self-appointed Organizer who had enlisted a Volunteer Assistant. They requested that anyone wishing to join the M & G provide them with full, legal name, place of residence, occupation (or previous occupation, if retired), hobbies and interests and cabin number.

 

Apparently, the cabin number is necessary so they can leave flyers and phone messages about the CC events they are planning (pub crawl, cabin crawl, slot pull, CC lunch, CC cocktail time, etc).

 

They also request a photo be sent by e-mail so they can include that in the photo book, which will be sent 'round to others on the Roll Call, allowing them to study and then recognize other CC members on board.

 

Nowhere do they state that any of this is mandatory, but the feeling I get (right or wrong) is that you need to get with their program or you will be persona non grata.

 

I only wanted to attend the M & G and find the requests for information and a photo intrusive. Further, as a single women traveling alone, I am not inclined to provide private information via e-mail to someone I have never met as I have no idea where and how the info will be used.

 

I am a CC member, but will not be joining this particular Roll Call.

That's crazy! How do you know these people are even on the cruise!!!!

I, myself would probably start a new roll call, if thats allowed, for those who dont want to share so much personal info with strangers. Im sure there are other who feel the same way you do.

Recently, I was using a PCC for a future cruise. I can tell you, she was a real pleasure to work with. I changed my reservation three times and she was always pleasant, very professional and prompt. When I couldn't find a cabin I wanted, she was able to open one up. Well that being said, I found out an agency was offering a substantial OBC. So I called and asked it she could match it. She couldn't, but cheerfully she told me she would transfer my booking to the agency!!! And she said she still got credit for the booking so I shouldn't feel bad. So it was a benefit working with her... Even though I ended up using someone else. BTW, the new agent took 2 days to call me back, but I guess a little inconvenience is worth a $575 OBC... I think the PPC would have helped me lower my fare if rates were to go down, which I'm sure they will, and I even think I'd be more apt to get a small upgrade. But I think the $575 will make up for that, and I won't have to constantly watch for price drops.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I checked out the website for crystal. If single supps are only about 25%, prices are really not that terrible, but I was put off by the dress code. It said on formal nights you could not even go to the bars or shows unless you were dressed appropriately. Now Im not suggesting you walk around in shorts and flip flops on formal nights, but I really dont care for dressing up,. Are they really that particular? Would you feel out of place if you prefer very casual attire?

Do you think that people might be uneasy about disclosing too much on line? I know with some of my land trips, I've been reluctant to say too much on Trip Advisor because you just don't know who is reading the threads. Just as they say, don't put details on facebook. Just a passing thought.

I have been lucky enough to be on four roll calls that were not only very active but a lot of fun. Since I cruise solo, knowing people in advance is a real bonus.

 

If you have never joined a roll call, try it. You don't have to join any activities onboard if you choose not to, so you really have nothing to lose.

I too cruise solo. And it can be nice to have some friends when you board. Plus , i do like to participate in private tours which is very difficult and costly to do as a single.

Thanks for letting us know your decision. That sounds like a good compromise, but make sure you are well kitted with warm clothes for Hurtigruten (lots of layers are recomended with hat, gloves, scarf etc).

 

We are off on a Northern lights cruise for the second half of March with P&O and people were talking about -27C on the Northern Lights excursion last year, it should not be quite so cold by the coast, but if we want to spend time on deck I suspect we will know about the cold!

 

We are also looking forward to Norway in winter.

 

Cheers,

 

Barbara, I took at look at your cruise and it's nearly $1000 less than Hurtigruten! I'm going to look into it! I know P&O is a British line... Does it attract an international clientele?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I haven't cruised for a while, but looking at the roll calls, it doesn't seem like people are participating the way they used to. I remember when we did a Med cruise several years ago, we had a huge list of participants, arranged some great tours and had a successful meet and greet. It seems like only the really long cruises get any participation. Has anyone else noticed this trend?

Lois, Haven't tried Celebrity yet. But I did once get a quote on a fantastic deal. I was surprised that they offered a reduced single rate on an already super reduced fare!

I finally made a choice... The Rotterdam, 21 days.. Fjords, Vikings and Highlands.

http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetails.action?webItineraryIdForAudit=E6S21N&fromSearchVacation=true&destList=EN,ET&dateCode=6_2016&flexibleMonths=false&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=&shipCodeSearch=RT&voyageCode=T645A

I have also booked a hurtigruten 11 night winter (early March) cruise. So between the two, I should have a very good introduction to Norway, without the redundancy of every port. And believe it or not, I'm really looking forward to the winter cruise, in spite of the cold!

Looking at pics, I think this combination will give me the scenery I'm looking for.

Plus, the Rotterdam seems the right size for me... Not too big, and not too small.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

When at home, I like to spend time alone doing my own thing. However, when I am on a cruise, I noticed I prefer to be in the company of people almost all the time. It would be my preference to have breakfast, lunch and dinner with others. I really don't like to attend evening entertainment on the ship by myself and I just can't see myself on a balcony reading all alone or sitting in the cabin watching TV.

 

I tell to gravitate to the Solo Lounge on NCL at different times of the day, when not engaged in some type of social activity somewhere else on the ship. What I found is that there seems to be always someone in the Solo Lounge and I am happy to engage in conversation. In a nutshell, I don't like solitary life on a ship but enjoy it at home.

I've never experienced a solo lounge? For some reason I imagine a younger crowd in the solo cabins on NCL..,is that the case?

Either way, there are times I enjoy others' company and times I don't. But what is nice, it's entirely up to you.. Table for one? Or share a table? Shore excursion or wander around alone... Strike up a conversation or sit alone...

Just an aside here... If you like solo cruising... You should try a solo safari. Very similar experience...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think solos could be more introverted in the sense that they like having their own time and agenda. I am pretty extroverted on the cruises but like to keep my own schedule.

I think it comes down to having less free time as we get older and you don't want to spend the precious time waiting on others etc..

Introverts can be assertive, shy, quiet , forward etc... All types.

As I am writing this, I am watching tv, with the piano on etc, vs. being out somewhere with people at this moment. Early day at work, and this is what I enjoy doing.

You hit the nail on the head!... You don't want to waste precious time waiting on others! My feelings exactly! Nor do I want to be responsible for someone else having a good time. The one time I cruised with a friend, she was way too dependent on me. I wanted to say "figure it out yourself", just like I had to do the first time I cruised. But on the other hand, we did have a lot of fun in the bar drinking... Lol. Which I normally wouldn't do alone...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Price not being an issue, what is your favorite cruise line for traveling solo, and why? Just interested in hearing some thoughts on this. I"ve gone solo on NCL, Princess and HAL. I have to admit my best experience as a solo cruiser was NCL (on their smaller ships). Possibly it's because it so casual, but I found passengers to be very warm and friendly. I can't say the same for Princess and HAL, though I do like cruising with HAL and am planning my next cruise on the Rotterdam.

Bobbi

I consider myself an introvert, but most people would think otherwise.

I read that just because you're outgoing does not mean you are an extrovert. Introverts are happy just being with themselves. They can be extremely sociable, but their preference is to be alone I think if you were an extrovert, you wouldn't want to go alone... you would feel the need to be with others or a group...

Seems the older i get the more introverted i get. I just don't have patience for a lot of people...lol