hallasm

I'm a bit confused about the "Northern Lights Promise" - is that promise valid for all countries/regions? And is the terms and conditions the same? - compensation does refer to 5/6 night  voyage in unspecified inside cabin - however it's not clear if it is half or full board - some pages refer to 'half board' in 2018/2019 while other page refer to 'full board' - also terms and condition at one page does refer to "Offer is not valid for port-to-port, group travel, or packages sold by a tour operator.".

Also I cannot find any references to 'The Promise' at the Scandinavian web pages. Does it not apply to Scandinavian countries?

Is the offer the same for all and what is the exact conditions?

Do you also believe that and a 5/6 night voyage in 'unspecified inside cabin' is an attractive compensation for someone from USA who has purchased a 11 night round trip in a suite and must purchase airfare for the compensation voyage?

Links to pages with conflicting information:

https://www.hurtigruten.com/norway-offers/northern-lights-promise/

https://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/uk-offers/norway-offers/northern-lights-promise/

I have just returned from a wonderful trip with MS Trollfjord. The only problem was that the upper deck 9 became incredibly slippery after snow. It was fine as long as there was snow on the deck, but when it melted and froze it was extremely dangerous to move on the deck - especially in the dark - we were on deck 9 in the evening a few times to photograph the northern lights.

Are there instructions for how to clean the upper deck when snow and ice to avoid accidents?

Northern lights above MS Trollfjord when we were leaving Berlevåg.

When you book a voyage at hurtigruten web or want to check the layout of your cabin  - you might know your Cabin grade like Q2, U2, but it impossible from the deck plan to see which cabins are with double beds, separate beds, upper and lower berths etc. - the deck plans does have coloured cabins but no reference to colour and Cabin grade and type of bed!
For many cruisers the lay-out of the cabin is important - I’ll like to be able to select the type of bed for my voyage.
Example from MS Trollfjord deck 6.

The Norwegian Parliament has adopted a resolution to halt emissions from cruise ships and ferries in the Norwegian world heritage fjords as soon as technically possible and no later than 2026.
I do understand that Hurtigruten will operate Norway coastal ships on a combination of biogas, LNG and battery packs to meet these requirements already by January 2021 - do you think it will impact legislation and implementation of emission free sailings earlier that 2026?
Can you also touch on your plans for powering your coastal ships with liquefied biogas produced from dead fish?

11 hours ago, O2Bcrusin said:

Hello Carolyn, We are friends on facebook and have traveled together before.  I can answer that question.  We have traveled on the Hurtigruten and it is a wonderful experience.  Yes you can get off and on anytime.  The ships go continuously north and south.  There is a ship in port twice everyday either going north or south.  My cousin is a captain on the the Kong Harold and we sailed with him a couple of years ago.  I would highly recommend doing this trip.  It is very different from a mainline cruise line but the best way to see Norway (the most beautiful country in the world - I am a little prejudiced) up close and personal.  As I always say when asked about Hurtigruten, the entertainment is looking out the window. 

While what you are writing is correct it’s not that easy to book a ‘hop on - hop off’ journey. Only available at the Norwegian web. Hurtigruten does focus on the Coastal North or South bound voyage or the full 11 night return trip - it would be excellent with an ‘easy hop on -hop off’ offering or packets including a stop for some days at Lofoten or Tromsø area.

3 hours ago, Homerody said:

Just started looking at a trip to Scandinavia; and including a coastal cruise.  So no real idea of timing, yet.

June or beginning of July will be good time if you plan to travel above the Arctic circle and experience the midnight sun. Great time for rest of Scandinavia as well.

2 hours ago, Bella0714 said:

Thanks for posting the photos. I've been enjoying your blog. I hope you're having a wonderful trip.

Thank you Bella0714 - I have made a draft review of my journey - more pictures and videos will be added soon.

Not necessary to book. The Skylift is operating from 9 am to 7 pm or 10 pm in May to August - time depending on week days -  Loen Skylift run minimum every half hour, but continously when number of guests increases. 

6 hours ago, poz222 said:

other question, I assume the outlets on the ship are the European 220 plugs? 

Yes, 220 V  European style - same plug as In Norway.

9 hours ago, poz222 said:

I am hoping we have all the necessary clothing... being from South Florida we have invested nearly as much in winter clothing as the cruise... I bought base layers for my long underwear for my midweights and snow pants... I’m not sure where you put what layer on but guess I will figure it out!  hahaha..

A couple at our cruise did only have summer dress suitable for a Caribbean cruise, some need to buy additional gear in the shop onboard but most did have prober clothing. Of cause very depending on month. 

Right now the temperature is 4F in Kirkenes and lots of snow.

No excursions offered at the pier - In Geiranger you can buy the panorama bus tickets at the information center - I'll recommend to buy at the web in advance.

7 hours ago, poz222 said:

We are also doing the winter crab fishing excursion in Kirkenes...

Just remember to bring very warm clothing  - I'm in Kirkenes right now - temperature is 10 F

More Northern Lights - Tonight in Berlevåg at 10 pm - visible for an hour.

Challenged by a moving ship, smoke from the chimney and the moon.

Today Honningsvåg and visit to Nordkapp (North Cape)

Pictures are showing the different from twilight at noon (North cape) - driving back at 2 pm and departure from Honningsvåg at 3 pm

3 hours ago, grayjay said:

I did - we're contemplating a cruise to Greenland - and noticed that prices in NOK compared to Euros are about 25 % less which is quite a lot in regard to the (understandably) high prices for that kind of expedition cruise.

Do you know if it is really possible to book at the Norwegian site and pay in NOK?

If you book at the Norwegian web in NOK you’ll pay in NOK - some communication might be in Norwegian language, but google translate normally does a nice job.

The huge difference in prices might be a good question for Q&A with Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam

8 hours ago, Bella0714 said:

Mind if I ask a question about booking through Vantage? Why are their prices nearly three times higher than the Hurtigruten.no prices?

Good point - check prices at Hurtigruten Norwegian site and prices in NOK (not global prices in other currencies like $, € or £)

8 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

And at the lunch buffet, although there was lots of fish (ditto at breakfast), there was also other "meat" of various sorts, and some of that was very yummy too.

Perhaps Hallasm can take a quick look with this in mind at a lunch buffet, in terms of 'protein'.

...lunch buffet ef very varied both fish and meat.

For dinner take a look at the menu card - There might be minor variations from season to season.

3 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

We did the RT, so I'm not quite remembering whether the seafood buffet was NB or SB, but it was ...

... DELICIOUS.

Yes - the Nordkapp Buffet is the Day of Honningsvåg northbound and the Lofoten Buffet is Southbound - might change - when I did the midnight sun cruise in 2017 it was the other way round - might also depend on season?

4 hours ago, creamsoda63 said:

We are looking at doing the Norwegian cruise thru either Collette or Vantage Travel, both utilize the Hurtigruten ships.  My question is about food.....I am a rather picky eater and will not eat fish at all in any form.  Do these ships serve proteins other than fish?  

A good question - Hurtigruten serves a set menu for the evening dinners - traditional Norwegian dishes are served from the areas where you pass - often local fresh products are loaded in a harbor the same day as they are served for dinner. The largest proportion of food in Norway is fish - therefore also a lot of fish for dinner (starters and main courses)  - it is possible, however, to inform about special requests for menu -  it should not stop you from a trip with Hurtigruten .

I would suggest that you ask questions about Hurtigruten's CEO Daniel Skjeldam here at Cruise Critic on January 28th, where he will answer all your questions about Hurtigruten. See other thread.

I'm a bit behind with my blog and videos - here are some pictures from today (Monday) - sun rise 11:16 and sunset 12:37 - then we are sailing into the polar night - today Tromsø with lots of snow and time for dog sledging.

10 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

Have you been to Svalbard on Hurtigruten, too?  

Or... Antarctica?

Not yet - Antartica is on my list

10 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

You obviously feel it's worth the time (and expense) to spend yet more time with Hurtigruten and the Coastal RT (or sections of it).

Personally I do find the RT too much of the same - I prefer partial - then  you can combine with visits to some of the other great sights in Norway

10 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

Meanwhile, we are trying to decide about Polar Night vs. Midnight Sun.  I guess we need to do both, eh?

Both are great - if you like cold weather, snow and ice the Polar Night will be right for you.

10 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

Now... how was the *color* that you saw with your own eyed (not camera/video/etc.)?

The green color we saw with our eyes were just a little less intense. The lights were were beautiful to watch.

i have tried to get the pictures as close to what we did see as possible. 

Another sighting - just after midnight - cold at the bow of the ship. also difficult to take pictures on a moving ship.

13 minutes ago, Hunding said:

But I am sorry you stayed on the ship in Ålesund, which we found charming

The weather was not that good when we were in Ålesund - and we have been visiting Ålesund before.

Just before we reached Svolvær in Lofoten the sky was clear and we saw the Northern Lights for 40 minutes

A video from the sailing Day 2.

On 1/11/2019 at 9:16 PM, Wapak said:

Hello and thanks for your postings. We will be on a cruise in May 2019  that will be making stops at the following ports in the Norwegian area. The following ports will be where we are stopping:  Oslo, Arendal, Eidfjord, Flam, Trondheim, Alesund, Geiranger, Bergen, Stavananger, and Esbjerg, Denmark. I have some information on some and none on others. We would appreciate hearing what you can share concerning these places and what to see and recommended tours if any.

Thanks in advance

Wapak

 

 

Oslo and Esbjerg is outside the scope for this topic. 

My suggestion for Arendal is to explore the archipelago by boat - either a ferry or sightseeing boat - nice skerries and small islands.

Eidfjord, Flåm, Trondheim, Ålesund, Geiranger, Bergen and Stavanger should be covered In posts above.

Please post any specific question you might have for the various stops.

Make a specific posting for Oslo or see the many existing posts) and Esbjerg.