hallasm

2 hours ago, bfgood2 said:

I did a Google map search for directions from the pier to Den Gamble By and it's 2.8 miles! 

From where? Should not be more than 1,2 miles from cruise terminal to Den Gamle By

Really depend on when Epic is docking - if 6 am I’ll say yes - if later no.

You need to be at BCN no later than 8 am - you need to disembark no later than 7 - 30 minutes drive in best case from terminal to airport.

Luggage allowance does depend on travel class.

6 minutes ago, Denverite said:

Just a note: we were told that if you use the local buses you do need to have the local currency

You need local currency for busses.

however you can pay by App or buy tickets at the web for printing. 

Link to App Midttrafik app - Or print print-selv-billet

Yes, Some browsers might cause problems- I just booked Iceland Air with no problems. Mac using Safari.

just make sure to check you luggage allowance.

As said, in Denmark and Norway as well as Iceland the service charge, or tip, for restaurant servers and others who perform services that require tipping in the United States is included in the bill because -  it is the law.

So it follows that tipping isn't common, is totally unnecessary, and not expected, but always appreciated.

At some restaurants when paying by Credit Card, you are prompted by the terminal if you want to add tip - just press No.

3 hours ago, grayjay said:

I have seen first pictures and ideas of the Havila Kystruten ships being built and they look very interesting to me 

You are right. Same size as MS Kong Harald - 178 cabins and 640 guests

Link to their web

I’m normally using their app - just install, link you credit card and buy tickets.

link to Skyss App web

You are right - quite a lot of changes when refurbished last year.

Link to Hurtigruten Web with pictures. from Richard With

enjoy your Honeymoon and make sure you dress properly for the cold adventure.

I did have a great trip in January - Link to my review with pictures and videos

8 hours ago, Homerody said:

But it seems that Hurtigruten treats these sailings more like a "conventional" cruise.

Hurtigruten is changing from a definite Norwegian Coastal Voyage to a cruise company offering cruises / expedition trips.

For 125 years, Hurtigruten has operated 11 ships with daily departures from Bergen and Kirkenes in a fixed timetable of 11 days with almost 70 stops along Norway's west coast  North- and Soutbound - only those fixed daily departures from Bergen to Kirkenes are called the Coastal Voyage -  other activities are consider to be cruises / expedition trips.
From first of January 2021,  Hurtigruten cuts the number of ships sailing in regular scheduled services between Bergen and Kirkenes from 11 to 7 as Havila Kystruten takes over 4 of the voyages. This will hopefully lead to more competition !

At the same time, Hurtigruten will use the available vessels for cruises / expeditions trips along the Norwegian west coast with fewer and longer stops. And of course other destinations.

In addition,  Hurtigruten is building a series of new expedition vessels.

Just a small comment - the answers does depend on where the cruise has been purchased - if purchased in Europe the conditions are very different.

If you are scheduled to take a Scandinavian Airlines flight in the next few days, you might want to pay close attention right about now.

Due to a pilot strike in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, SAS has canceled flights. The airline advises anyone travelling on its flights to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

More information here

1 hour ago, BPCruiser said:

other then the Railway tours that are promoted by the Cruise Lines.

I’ll suggest that you arrange the train tour your self rather than a ‘over priced’ ship excursion. book tickets in advance. 

Normally the ship is doing the train in the morning. 

You can book the Stegastein  viewpoint tour suggested by Ine in the morning and the train in the after noon - no need to stay in Myrdal - just take the same train back from Myrdal to Flåm.

Another option is a Fjord sailing at Nærøyfjord -  a UNESCO heritage site. Also a museum in Flåm.

It’s two hours ride - 18 km (11 miles) - rental in Myrdal is open from June 1st to September 30 - daily from 08:15 am to 5:15pm - bikes must be handed back at Flåm railway station before 6:30 pm.

Remember to wear comfortable clothing . Excellent ride

8 hours ago, Homerody said:

I read with interest the thread "Better Rates Paying in NOK".

This is not a discussion about use of TA but the fact that price for the same Hurtigruten voyage in general is much more expensive at US, UK and AU Hurtigruten web that the Norwegian web - I have checked the variances and found up to 30% variance for the same product - Norwegian web was always lowest price.

But you might also find packages including airfare and excursions as well as discounted packages. My suggestion is that you compare the prices for similar products at the various web’s - problem is that Hurtigruten might use geo-blocking if you access their web from outside Europe (geo-blocking banned in EU).

try if you can access Hurtigruten.no - web in Norwegian but you can either use google translate or have Hurtigruten.com open at the same time to assist with navigation.

I’m alway using the Norwegian web when booking but as said you might find good offers from a TA or at other Hurtigruten web. 

Thank you. I have traveled a lot and so far never got sick - but I’m also very critical of what I eat and drink - both the quality of the restaurant and type of food (spicy), as well as bottled drinking water and ice cubes.

34 minutes ago, KS&JW said:

Thank you so much.  You have been very helpful.  

You are welcome - enjoy your visit in Skagen.

Also looking forward to hearing from anyone on spending the day in Kotka. 

Kotka is located 130 km east of Helsinki - actually closer to the Russian border.

Known for a quite big RoRo terminal - more cruise related information.

53 minutes ago, roothy123 said:

hallasm, when you say you ate at "recommended" places, can I assume that meant places recommended either at your Nusa Dua hotel or by Dewa the driver?

Sorry if my English is broken. Yes, restaurants recommended by hotel and driver. Honestly I did have most at my meals at the hotel - excellent restaurant.

Dewa Driver did pick me up at the airport and drove me to my hotel (Marriott Nusa Dua Gardens) - and then he picked me up in the morning for the tours. Also drove me to airport at the end. Sort of complete ‘transportation package’.

At arrival in DPS  it only took 20 minutes before we had our luggage and Dewa was waiting outside with a sign (hundreds of other drivers waiting).

14 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

Does that by any chance mean more medical facilities/supplies/staff for the longer expedition cruises

No.  There are some differences in design such as width on corridors.  The ship will be equipped in case of use.

24 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

Thanks.  But "same number of cabins, ~150 more passengers"?

Do these numbers include day trippers or only those who get "cabins/beds"?

Same number of berths - same size - additional capacity must be day trippers. Do not know why that difference - normally not that many day trippers.

Could be because Midnatsol has status of hospital ship as part of the Norwegian military preparedness.

10 minutes ago, KS&JW said:

However, just as a test I tried to purchase a ticket on May 10 (random date) from Skagens St. to Grenen and it says "no Trip found"

I just tried May 10 at 10am and it worked - maybe your spelling or a different time  - just type ‘skag’ and select from the list - you do not need to specify ‘to location’ - you can also just select 2 zones. 2 pax is DKK 44.

4 minutes ago, KS&JW said:

Danish currency required

Sorry - you did reply while I were adding a link to web purchase - there is also a new app - Link to page in Danish Language

Then you should not need Danish Currency - highly recommend to bring a Credit Card with chip and pin

32 minutes ago, KS&JW said:

 Where does the shuttle pick up?

Below the time table for the shuttle bus - only valid until June 30.

Pick up in Skagen is at Havnepladsen (The harbor - cruise ship shuttle), Railway station (Skagen St.) and the Museum.

Ticket valid In 60 minutes is DKK 22 - Can be purchased in the bus or at the railway station. Danish currency required. 

Tickets can also be bought at the web

8 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

I thought the Trollfjord and Midnatsol were sister ships, and almost identical.  No?

What is the difference?

Thank you GC - the difference is my 'copy & past' mistake. You are righT,  Trollfjord and Midnatsol are sister ships - same number of cabins, but more passengers for Midnatsol

Trollfjord build 2002 - 822 passengers

Midnatsol build 2003 - 970 passengers